The English Premier League begins on 13 August 2021, featuring a range of clubs who believe that they have what it takes to go all the way.
At the end of the previous season, Chelsea, Manchester United, Manchester City and Liverpool occupied the top four spots in the league.
Manchester City were then crowned the champions. These spots inadvertently qualify them for champions league football in the new season.
Leicester narrowly missed out on the top four spots, relinquishing their place to struggling Liverpool.
West Ham were in a similar position, having dropped to sixth place after an incredible run of games. Tottenham and Arsenal, both part of the proverbial “big six”, were nowhere near the top six spots.
Who are the Premier League’s top four contenders?
The top four teams of the previous season have completed some pretty important business during the transfer window, which puts them in position to hold those spots in the new season again.
Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City and Manchester United may occupy the top four spots in any order.
This prediction does not negate the fact that the league may yet produce wildly different results, such as when Leicester clinched the league title in 2016.
Speaking of The Foxes, they have been close to the top four for the last two seasons running and may yet pull off some surprises in the new campaign.
Since rediscovering his form, Leicester’s Nigerian international, Kelechi Iheanacho, has been a delight to watch.
His partnership with midfield dynamo, Wilfred Ndidi, another Nigerian international, is enough to make their domestic fans return to betting in Nigeria on sites such as: www.betfromafrica.com/bet365-nigeria.
Ultimately, the season’s decider will come down to squad depth and chances.
It is any clubs' game at the start of the season, and, with just days to go, it will be great to see how clubs rise to the challenge.
Potential winners: Manchester City
Manchester City are the defending champions and are poised to come into the new season determined to defend their title.
After a rather slow start in the previous season, the players were quick to kick into gear, and the club was leading the league in no time.
With Ruben Dias in the backline and John Stones finding his form, the blue half of Manchester began their climb to the title.
Having suffered some creative setbacks in the final third, with City legend Sergio Aguero leaving at the end of the season, the club brought in some fresh talent with Jack Grealish and has a potential transfer for Harry Kane in the works.
Should this transfer pull through, Manchester City may be champions again.
Alternate winners: Chelsea
Chelsea is the second favourite to clinch the title this season. The Stamford Bridge team have an exciting squad.
The Champions League crown is proof of their growing abilities under Thomas Tuchel. The team has had some time to gel and establish their chemistry since parting with club legend Frank Lampard and may now be en route to their first league title.
Chelsea is one of the teams to beat in the new season, and their alleged attempts to bring back academy product Romelu Lukaku off a stellar season in the Serie A might just make all the difference.
The dullest part of the squad in the previous season was up front, with Timo Werner and Kai Harvetz struggling to match the hype.
Dark horse: Manchester United
Manchester United is the dark horse of the bunch because their abilities and placement in the previous season were outstanding.
The team boasts talent on all sides of the pitch and an incredible depth that has helped them through the toughest parts of the recent campaign.
With the arrival of Jadon Sancho and Raphael Varane, the Red Devils have effectively addressed their two weakest links.
Additionally, with Anthony Martial back from injury and the performances of club favourites like Nemanja Matic and other loanees, such as Diogo Dalot and Andreas Pereira, in the preseason, the club might just present another surprise in the new campaign.
Wildcard: Liverpool
Liverpool is a wildcard this season, as they can easily replace any of the other three teams comfortably.
Even with their defensive woes in the previous season, the Reds were able to grab third place.
With the arrival of Konate and defensive favourites, Virgil van Djik and Joe Gomes, returning from injury, Liverpool may regain their form and challenge the title again.
With their defence fixed, it depends on how the club decides to play its cards.
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Whatever the case, the team is likely to finish within the top four.
This article was most recently revised and updated 3 years ago
