Something that occupies people during the weekends,no doubt that this season will be cliffhanger like the past ones before it.
Teams will go into the new league season hoping to do better than the preceding season before this(those who didn't finish in better positions than they would have wanted)
For some teams it is just about staying afloat in the league,for others Champions League qualification could be seen as over-achieving.
But there are those who are the usual suspects,Champions League qualification is the barest minimum,big premium is placed on just winning the league title.
So in this write-up we try to outline those who are most likely to end up as champions in May 2015 and those who are just flattering to deceive.
CONTENDERS:
1) Chelsea:
They have to be the most complete team of all twenty,and like someone pointed out: "this might just be the season that 'the little horse' starts galloping."
In Jose Mourinho,Chelsea have a manager that knows the fabrics of the English Premier League and understands what it means to be win titles.
Last season Chelsea were in it right until the last few weeks of the season and even had a say on the eventual winner of the league.
With the additions of Filipe Luis,Diego Costa and Cecs Fabregas,Chelsea have acquired players who will strengthen them to challenge for the title this season.
You know that a team has immense strength when a coach is having a headache choosing between Thibaut Courtois and Petr Cech,who to be his number one choice goalkeeper.
2) Manchester City
They are the champions and should rightly be considered as genuine contenders for the title.
Getting their key players to commit to long-term deals is paramount for them to stay at their desired heights.
And when a team plugs in £32million on just one defender,Eliaquim Mangala,you'll understand that they are shoring up to really mount a serious challenge on all fronts.
Primarily important for Manuel Pellegrini is that they have been able to still keep Yaya Toure despite his off-season gaffee about being unhappy at the club.
Even if they don't win it,they will be in it right till the end.
3) Manchester United
Tough choice settling for the Red Devils as a contender,but we are talking about Manchester United here.
Forget about last season's blip,they will definitely bounce back. Although they would really need to add new more players especially in defence to really mount a serious title challenge.
In Louis Van Gaal,they have appointed a manager who has won titles in all the leagues he has coached in.
Go back to what he did with the Dutch team at the 2014 World Cup tournament,and you will understand what a competitor he is.
Not playing in the Champions League this season might be a blessing in disguise for them,which is a vital point most people have overlooked,because they will have a full week to recover when other top teams are grappling with midweek games.
PRETENDERS:
1) Arsenal:
Yes,the Gunners might feel that they are now at the verge of cracking at the league title,but the fact is that they are still afar off.
Not having signed a strong defensive midfielder could hurt any serious ambitions they had to win the league.
They need a strong, dynamic holding midfield man and sorry,Mikel Arteta is not the man to that job for them.
The addition of Alexis Sanchez will definitely strengthen them,and the return of Theo Walcott will make them stronger,but they need a strong number four to screen the defense.
Another area that could trump them from challenging for the title is their defence. Thomas Vermaelen and Bacary Sagna left in the same season,it will be difficult to cope unless adequate reinforcement is brought in.
2) Liverpool
Liverpool came very close to being crowned champions last season and they will be delighted with how far they went for it.
However,largely proportionate to their showings last season was the pivotal role Luis Suarez played in that.
His goals got them that far and it is difficult seeing how well they would fare now that he's departed for Barcelona.
Much as they have drafted in other replacements,but they can't be measured in the class of the Uruguayan.
Another factor to consider will be how they can successfully marry together playing in the Champions League and the also the league.
Not like they have not been down this road before,but this is the first time for Brendan Rodgers.
Also Simon Mignolet can't be totally relied upon if they are to relaunch a title challenge like they did last season.
The Belgian although is a good goalkeeper,sometimes he is prone to errors.
3)Tottenham
If Tottenham are yet to crack into the top four in the last three years,then it will still take some time before they can win the league.
Champions League qualification should be the optimal goal for Mauricio Pochettino's team.
They haven't been able to replace Gareth Bale since he left for Real Madrid and his replacements are yet to fully embed in the team.
Maybe a marquee player would have helped,but at the moment they don't have one.
*****
Noteworthy is the mind games that already started in full swing. According to The Sun UK in one of their tabloids published this week,Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany said that he finds it funny when people talk up other clubs' chances of claiming City's Premier League crown.
In other words he is overly confident that they can retain the title.
So,the question is, will he still be laughing at the end of the season?
Prediction of how teams will finish this season:
1) Chelsea
2) Manchester City
3) Manchester United
4) Arsenal
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