Whos

Not like the earlier three seasons when it was Manchester Metropolis all the way in which this 12 months’s Premier League is shaping as much as be a extra hotly contested affair.

Whereas we gained’t see the drama of the 2015-2016 season which really turned the on their head with the staff as soon as at 5000-1 carrying off the title, perhaps we ought to be getting ready ourselves for a shock or two all the identical.

Already groups who, again in August of final 12 months, have been being touted as high 4 possibles are nicely out of the operating – step ahead Spurs and, to a far lesser extent, Manchester United.

However we may be fairly assured that any of the eight groups right here have an opportunity of top-four glory with the sunlit uplands of Champions League soccer to look ahead to in 2025-26.

Liverpool

It’s not fairly true to say that right here’s a staff that may’t put a foot unsuitable. Plymouth Argyle demonstrated that in type of their shock FA Cup victory. However in his first season making an attempt to fill the huge sneakers of Jurgen Klopp, Arne Slot is making a reasonably good fist of it. In early February the staff discovered themselves firmly established on the high of the desk six factors away from Arsenal with a recreation in hand. If Mo Salah goes on being Mo Salah and the remainder of the staff continues to excel there will probably be just one champion.

Arsenal

Because the Gunners sit on the heels of Liverpool there’s little doubt that Mikel Arteta’s facet have all of it to play for. The arrival of Declan Rice has really re-energised the facet. Ricardo Calafiori has additionally shored up the defence. The staff made a serious assertion with their 5-1 demolition of Manchester Metropolis, candy revenge for the victory seized from their grasp by John Stones’s last-minute equaliser earlier within the season. They went into February unbeaten in 14 video games. If they will maintain this up then it could simply be doable for them to clinch the highest spot.

Nottingham Forest

Who would have anticipated the renaissance of Nottingham Forest, least of all of the unlucky pub supervisor Beccy Webster who made to her clients earlier than the staff’s 7-0 thrashing of Brighton and Hove Albion on February 1st? Whereas it appears unlikely that January and February arrivals Tyler Bindon and Wayne Hennessey will play a serious position it’s good that they’ve strengthened the squad. However, as a staff that was hovering above the relegation zone final season, this has to go down as a outstanding restoration.

Chelsea

Enzo Maresco actually appears to have breathed new life into Stamford Bridge and launched and thrilling, free-flowing type of play. Cole Palmer has additionally risen to fulfill the chance by turning into the staff’s main playmaker. In addition to doing nicely domestically, staff morale has additionally been boosted by a powerful displaying in Europe with an unbeaten six-game run within the league stage of the UEFA Convention League. Very quiet within the January switch window with simply Mathis Amougou in from Saint Étienne and Cesare Casadei off to Torino, right here’s hoping the present squad stays injury-free. As a result of whereas the championship does appear out of attain, the Blues are absolutely eagerly eyeing up their prospects for Champions League soccer subsequent season.

Manchester Metropolis

There have so many phrases been written already this season about Metropolis’s catastrophic implosion that we hardly want so as to add to them right here. Seldom has a supervisor skilled the autumn in fortunes that Pep Guardiola has this season. By early February the gulf between Metropolis and leaders Liverpool was 15 factors with the latter having a recreation in hand. Nonetheless, with simply two factors between Metropolis and Chelsea a top-four end is unquestionably simply in attain. Foden and Haaland will probably be key within the run-in, as will the quite a few signings made in January, together with . So if issues may be solved by throwing cash at them, it ought to all be OK in the long run.

Newcastle, Bournemouth and Aston Villa

Let’s additionally spare a point out for these outsiders who nonetheless have an opportunity to shock us this season.

Regardless of the upheavals at St James Park, they’ve seen some excellent performances which see them neck and neck with Metropolis within the race for a top-four end.

Bournemouth has additionally proven that they’re able to huge wins towards rivals with their 5-0 demolition of Forest and a equally dominant show with a 4-1 victory over Newcastle.

Lastly, Unai Emery will probably be hoping that this might be a superb season for Villa, however they’ll have their work lower out to rise to the problem.

As to who will end the place, we’ll simply have to attend and see. However, no matter occurs, it guarantees to be some of the hotly contested run-ins for years.