Liverpool remain the team to beat in the Premier League this season, and there will be a number of the teams that finished below the Reds last season looking to cut the gap. The difference between Liverpool and the chasing pack last season was huge, and the Reds strengthened their title-winning squad over the summer with the signings of Diogo Jota and Thiago.
Those signings have ensured that Liverpool remain the outright favourites with the leading sports betting NJ sites. But, could the mounting injury problems at Anfield mean that the door could potentially be open for one of the chasing pack?
It is widely believed that the side that will be the nearest challengers this season will be last season’s runners-up. Manchester City had clear flaws in their defensive game last season, which meant that a high-quality central defender was at the top of the agenda. Pep Guardiola was able to bring in defensive reinforcements in the form of Nathaniel Ake and Ruben Dias, and that has led the Citizens to have the best defensive record in the league to this point.
Despite boasting an impressive defensive record, City are still off the pace in the title race, as they sit six points off the top of the table. Many experts will still consider City to be Liverpool’s closest rivals, but the title challenge could come from a different side.
Chelsea were the biggest spenders over the summer, but there are still problems. Defensive issues have plagued Frank Lampard’s side throughout his tenure, but there are signs that this is improving. The Blues have managed to keep three clean sheets already this season, which means that they are on course to eclipse the nine that they recorded last season.
There isn’t much doubt that they have a strong attacking threat, with Timo Werner having already scored four goals in his eight games in the Premier League. The pressure will be on the German striker to keep scoring the goals to keep the Blues in the hunt, and if Kai Havertz, Hakim Ziyech and Mason Mount can also chip in, then Chelsea could be a side to watch.
Manchester United, Arsenal and Leicester City would be outsiders to lay down a challenge for the title this season, which means Tottenham Hotspur could be best placed after an impressive start to the campaign. In Jose Mourinho, Spurs have a manager that has achieved domestic success throughout Europe, and they have the most in-form strike partnership in Europe.
Heung Min-Son and Harry Kane have already scored 15 goals between them this season, and defensively they have also been sound. Mourinho’s knowledge of title success leaves Spurs in a strong position, as he will have the skills to get the best out of his players when the pressure is really on. However, the one aspect that goes against Spurs is the fact that they have no players in their squad that have won a domestic title in one of the major leagues previously.
All good things have to come to an end, and the same unfortunately has to be said for football stadiums too. This article looks at the grounds which are soon to host their last match, the stadiums whose days are numbered and where fans will be watching their football from next.
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My daughter's first ever football match - Orlando City v Atlanta United, August 2019. Written for Izzy to read when she gets old enough. Vamos Orlando
The 91 biggest football stadiums in Europe. From Manchester to Munich, Villa Park to Valencia - each one with a capacity over 40,000