THE GOOD, THE BAD & THE UGLY

LIVERPOOL The Reds should be much stronger than last season with Virgil van Dijk returning to the starting line-up. The arrival of Ibrahima Konate from RB Leipzig brings proper competition and cover to Jurgen Klopp’s defence, although Liverpool’s squad is lacking in depth compared to some of their title rivals. Further reinforcements should help in that respect, as the Reds bid to recapture their form of 2018-19 and 2019-20. Liverpool are irresistible on their day, and with the talismanic Van Dijk back in the team, they should have far fewer o days than last season. They ought to be back in the title picture.

LAST SEASON FINISH: 3RD MANCHESTER CITY In contrast to Liverpool, Man City have a superb squad with excellent cover across the pitch. The only issue is in the goalscoring department, with their pursuit of Harry Kane a pivotal summer transfer saga. The Blues are incredibly strong everywhere else, winning the Premier League courtesy of a 12-point margin over local rivals Manchester United last season. Pep Guardiola is now in his sixth season at the Etihad Stadium, claiming the title in three of his previous five campaigns. The Citizens are the favourites to retain their crown after lavishing £100m on the likes of Jack Grealish, although the true measure of their success is increasingly turning towards lifting the Champions League. MANCHESTER UNITED Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been building steadily over the last couple of years, while Man United appear to be learning from past mistakes. Big signings were secured early this summer, as the Red Devils recruited well in the shape of Jadon Sancho, Raphael Varane and, more recently, Ronaldo Cristiano. That addressed two key areas, with United targeting quality over quantity. The squad at Old Tra ord is starting to look very strong, with the standout Bruno Fernandes pulling the strings, while there’s an attractive fluidity to their attack as seen in the 5-1 opening day demolition of Leeds. If Varane improves the defence as expected, United should have the foundations for perhaps their most sustained title challenge since Sir Alex Ferguson retired.

RIGHT, BOTTOM: Phil Foden of Manchester City celebrates scoring his team's third goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester City and Everton FC

LAST SEASON FINISH: 1ST LAST SEASON FINISH: 1ST LAST SEASON FINISH: 2ND

NEWCASTLE UNITED Magpies boss Steve Bruce was probably glad to have an empty stadium for the vast majority of last season. It’s tough to build optimism at St James’ Park these days, but the Magpies managed a respectable 12th place despite significant problems with injury and illness. Although Joe Willock’s loan from Arsenal has been turned into a permanent deal, a lack of sustained investment will continue to harm their chances of bringing the glory days back to the North East. However, if they can keep key forwards Callum Wilson and Allan SaintMaximin fit and firing, there’s every chance the Toon Army will witness a much more enjoyable season than some of their recent ones.

LAST SEASON FINISH: 12TH NORWICH CITY Norwich’s yo-yoing brings them back into the Premier League for a sixth time in 11 seasons. Four of the last five have been spent in the Championship though, and a refusal to spend their TV money on new signings meant they su ered an immediate return to the second tier in 2019-20. The Canaries are stronger after cantering to the Championship title last season, while they’ve invested in their squad right across the pitch this summer. Staying up will be tough, but Norwich have a better chance than their last crack at the top flight.

PROMOTED TO EPL SOUTHAMPTON Could this be the season where it all goes horribly wrong for Southampton? The Saints have an excellent manager in Ralph Hasenhuttl, but their model of constantly selling their best players surely cannot be sustained forever. Last season’s top scorer, Danny Ings, has departed, along with key defenders Jannik Vestergaard and Ryan Bertrand, as well as midfielder Mario Lemina. Adam Armstrong has arrived from Blackburn Rovers, and his ability to hit the back of the net is going to be crucial. If the 24-year-old can carry last season’s goalscoring form in the Championship into the Premier League, Southampton should be fine. If not, they could be in for a relegation scrap.

LAST SEASON FINISH: 15TH

ABOVE, LEFT: Liverpool will be much stronger with the returning Virgil van Dijk

ABOVE, MIDDLE: Bruno Fernandes is crucial to Manchester United and their prospective title challenge

DID YOU KNOW?

After beating Leicester, West Ham ended the day top of the Premier League for only the second time ever, after also doing so on August 22nd, 2006. Mikel Arteta su ered his 20th defeat Mikel Arteta su ered his 20th defeat as Arsenal manager in the Premier as Arsenal manager in the Premier League, in what was his 60th game - League, in what was his 60th game - while Arsène Wenger didn’t register while Arsène Wenger didn’t register his 20th defeat with the Gunners in his 20th defeat with the Gunners in the competition until his 116th game. the competition until his 116th game.

Following the 2-0 defeat to Chelsea, Arsenal ended a day in the relegation zone with more than one game of the season played for the first time since August 1992.

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR After a summer dominated by Harry Kane’s future, Tottenham will be glad to get down to the daily grind of the season. They may not be glad of their participation in the Europa Conference League, however, after finding themselves in the new tournament on the back of last term’s seventh-place finish. Spurs are getting over the break-up of their marriage of convenience to Jose Mourinho, with Nuno Espirito Santo a very di erent type of manager to his fellow Portuguese. Cristian Romero and Bryan Gil could turn out to be inspired signings, but Tottenham face an uphill challenge to get back into the top four.

LAST SEASON FINISH: 7TH WATFORD Watford secured automatic promotion to the Premier League after finishing second in the Championship last term, bouncing back immediately from their relegation the season before. This could be another di cult campaign for the Hornets though, who return to an even stronger top flight than the one they left. In Xisco, they have a coach who inspired a real upturn in fortunes in the second half of last season. They haven’t gone all out in the transfer market, but there’s still plenty of quality in the squad. Ismaila Sarr is a key player, and Watford will hope his star continues to rise to give them a shot at beating the drop.

PROMOTED TO EPL

WEST HAM UNITED They may have run out of steam in the final weeks of the campaign, but last season was still a huge success for West Ham. The Hammers went straight into the group stage of the Europa League after finishing sixth, narrowly missing out on the Champions League by just a couple of points. David Moyes has done a terrific job at the London Stadium, but West Ham were arguably one of the biggest beneficiaries of the pandemic’s empty stands. Home support isn’t always positive, but a continuation of their form from last term should have Irons fans bouncing. LAST SEASON FINISH: 6TH WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS Wolves came back down to earth with a bump last season. After securing a pair of seventhplace finishes in their first two seasons back in the big time, their third campaign saw them slip to 13th. They were hit hard by the absence of main man up front, Raul Jimenez, with the Mexican’s return to action this season a genuine feel-good story. Another key absence will have a serious impact on their fortunes this term, after manager Nuno ended his four-year reign to join Tottenham. Compatriot Bruno Lage has very big shoes to fill, with the Wanderers unlikely to reach their previous heights from a couple of seasons ago.

LAST SEASON FINISH: 13TH

ABOVE, LEFT: England captain Harry Kane’s future has been a key talking point over the summer

ABOVE, RIGHT: Tottenham look to improve from last year

RIGHT: Jack Grealish (L), and manager Pep Guardiola (R) talk during the FA Community Shield soccer match between Leicester City and Manchester City

Mason Greenwood is the fourth teenager in Premier League history to score in his team's opening two games of a season, and the first to do so since Alan Smith for Leeds United in August 2000.

In what is their 118th campaign in England's top four tiers, Arsenal to score in his team's opening two have opened a league season with three defeats and no goals after three matches for the first time in their history.

TOP PREMIER LEAGUE PICKS

The Premier League is home to some of the planet’s finest footballers, as Oli Coates highlights five in particular to keep an eye on this season.

JACK GREALISH Manchester City made Grealish the most expensive British player in history when they paid Aston Villa £100m for their captain. England fans were desperate for the playmaker to get more minutes at Euro 2020, and his performances at City will be keenly scrutinised. He has more than enough confidence to live up to his billing and the gigantic price tag though.

JADON SANCHO Another talented player with plenty of confidence, Sancho was briefly the second most expensive British football of all time following his £73m move to Manchester United. Still only 21, the silky forward scored 37 goals and contributed 41 assists in 92 appearances in the Bundesliga across his last three seasons at Borussia Dortmund and is one to keep a close eye on at Old Tra ord.

ROMELU LUKAKU A player who failed to hit the heights expected of him at Man United, Lukaku returns to the Premier League with a real point to prove. Chelsea have paid a whopping £97.5m to bring their former striker back to Stamford Bridge from Serie A champions Inter, and his goals could fire the Blues into the midst of the title race.

BUKAYO SAKA After going through the heartbreak of missing a decisive penalty for England in their Euro 2020 final defeat to Italy, Saka was then subjected to vile online racist abuse. The country has rallied around the talented Arsenal youngster though, who received standing ovations from rival fans at the start of the new campaign. Saka is crucial to Arsenal’s chances this term.

HARVEY ELLIOT Another promising English talent to keep an eye on, Elliot became the youngest player in Premier League history in May 2019, aged just 16 years and 30 days. Not 19 until April 2022, he excelled on loan at Blackburn Rovers last season in the Championship, and looks set to be part of Jurgen Klopp’s first-team plans at Liverpool this time round.