We’re just a few days away from the start of the new Premier League season and, whilst football fans haven’t exactly been starved of the beautiful game this summer thanks to the World Cup, there’s nothing quite like the Premier League and it’s genuinely great to have it back.
This surely has to be the most exciting league in the world and last season was arguably the most exciting in the league’s 22-year history. But here’s the thing – the season in prospect might just be even better. As things stand, major bookies like Paddy Power and others are saying the title is almost too close to call, with Chelsea just edging out Man City for the favourite’s spot.
There’s then a small gap to Man United who the bookies expect to be rejuvenated under the stewardship of Louis van Gaal – as has already proved to be the case with United’s win over Liverpool in the USA-based International Champions Cup final.
Fourth favourites with Paddy Power are Arsenal, who have brought in the summer’s biggest single signing in the shape of Alexis Sanchez, followed by last season’s nearly men Liverpool, now without Luis Suarez, of course. Brendan Rodgers has made his own big signings, though, and Liverpool may well surprise pundits without their Uruguayan frontman.
With all the transfer moves made and with the prospect of Tottenham being a whole new prospect under new manager Mauricio Pochettino, the race for the title will be absolutely fascinating to watch unravel.
Meanwhile, at the other end of the able, the favourites for the drop are the promoted teams Burnley (odds-on in the relegation market), QPR and Leicester, along with those that survived narrowly last season such as Hull, Sunderland and Swansea.
This may well be the best season ever, so roll on Saturday.