Five star show kicks off

Mohamed Salah

Verdict: The defending champions will undoubtedly be the team to beat, having finished last season 10 points ahead of runners-up Arsenal. However, they’ve had an emotionally draining pre-season following the death of beloved forward Diogo Jota in a car crash in July. Despite bolstering their team with key additions such as Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, Jeremie Frimpong, and Milos Kerkez, the Reds failed their first acid test against Crystal Palace in the FA Community Shield last weekend (a 4-5 loss on penalties), suggesting that there are chinks in their armour which the chasing pack can exploit.

Strengths: The Reds have an experienced, championship-winning core in commanding centre-back Virgil Van Dijk, goalkeeper Alisson, and ace forward Mohamed Salah, which should hold them in good stead when the going gets tough.

Weaknesses: As demonstrated in the Community Shield defeat, Liverpool appear vulnerable on the counter-attack due to their high defensive line and the absence of a top-class defensive midfielder.

Chelsea

Coach: Enzo Maresca
Captain: Reece James

Cole Palmer

Verdict: Enzo Maresca turned Chelsea’s fortune around drastically last season, taking them to the Conference League title — they beat Real Betis 4-1 — before announcing their intentions for the new season by walloping Champions League winners PSG 3-0 at the Club World Cup.  Attacking midfielder Cole Palmer’s form holds the key to their fortunes and while the club has continued to bring in a raft of players — Joao Pedro, Jorrell Hato, Liam Delap and Estevao, to name a few — the jury is still out on whether they have the caliber to match Liverpool and Arsenal.

Strengths: Chelsea have the youngest squad in the EPL this season (average age is 27) and one can expect plenty of energy, hunger and desire from them.

Weaknesses: With youthfulness also comes inexperience, it remains to be seen whether Chelsea can keep a cool and calm head, especially during the business end of the highly competitive season.

Arsenal

Coach: Mikel Arteta
Captain: Martin Odegaard

Bukayo Saka

Verdict: Mikel Arteta’s gunners have been the EPL bridesmaids for three seasons on the trot, but this season will be make-or-break for the Spanish coach, especially now that they have added the missing piece to their puzzle in the form of a proven striker i.e. Viktor Gyokeres. Arsenal have also strengthened their midfield with the signings of Martin Zubimendi and Christian Norgaard whilst improving their bench strength by adding winger Noni Madueke and defender Cristhian Mosquera, after a prolonged run-in with injuries caused them to lose steam in last season’s title race.

Strengths: Arsenal boasted the meanest defence in the league last season (34 goals conceded) while also displaying excellent set-piece prowess (22 goals from set-pieces, excluding penalties).

Weaknesses: Having won just a solitary trophy (FA Community Shield in 2023) in the last four years there are questions over the team’s ability to hold its nerve under pressure.

Manchester City

Coach: Pep Guardiola
Captain: Bernardo Silva

Erling Haaland

Verdict: For the first time since the start of the 2020-21 season, Manchester City are not the favourites to win the EPL. Pep Guardiola’s side are in transition, with several pillars of their dominant era having moved on (Kevin de Bruyne, Kyle Walker, Riyad Mahrez, Raheem Sterling). But write off the Sky Blues at your own peril. City are poised to regain their swagger with plenty of exciting players brought in, including midfielder Tijjani Reijnders, winger Rayan Cherki, and left-back Rayan Ait-Nouri. However, the onus will still be on star striker Erling Haaland to do the bulk of the scoring, while Guardiola will hope winger Phil Foden rediscovers his magical touch that deserted him for most of last season.

Strengths: Few teams can dictate play the way Manchester City can and in Erling Haaland they possess the league’s most prolific scorer.

Weaknesses: There are question marks over City’s defence, which was surprisingly porous last season without midfield maestro Rodri, who is still out due to injury. Their wingers have also flattered to deceive in the past 12 to 18 months.

Manchester United

Coach: Ruben Amorim
Captain: Bruno Fernandes

Bruno Fernandes

Verdict: While it seems premature to suggest that a team that finished 15th last season can challenge for the crown, Manchester United still appear best placed to be known as ‘underdogs.’ The biggest cause for optimism comes from their statement signings: forwards Bryan Mbeumo, Benjamin Sesko, and Matheus Cunha. Only four teams scored lesser goals than the Red Devils (44 goals scored) last season, but this triumvirate ensures, on paper at least, that manager Ruben Amorim’s team can battle with the best. Additionally, in skipper Bruno Fernandes they also have arguably the league’s best creative midfielder.

Strengths: If Amorim plays his cards right, Man United could boast one of the most lethal counter-attacking units in the league with the right combination of speed and finishing.

Weaknesses: United’s defence leaves much to be desired and shaky custodian Andre Onana fails to inspire a great deal of confidence either.