What To Expect From The 2021/22 English Premier League Season?

It’s less than a month now until the start of the 2021/22 English Premier League (EPL) soccer season. The nation is still getting over the disappointment of its penalty shootout defeat to Italy in the EURO 2020 final but already EPL clubs are working hard to plan for what promises to be another highly competitive campaign – at both ends of the table.

Manchester City regained the EPL title in 2020/21, performing with near perfect consistency to pip their city rivals, Manchester United. Pep Guardiola’s men were forced into the shade in 2019/20 when Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool stormed to their first ever EPL title. With City strengthening, Liverpool rebuilding, United investing heavily and Chelsea also looking to build on their Champions League success last season, it promises to be a fascinating season. Below are some ‘hot takes’ for the year ahead in the EPL in terms of the title, qualification for the Champions League and the relegation battle to the Championship.

This could be Manchester United’s best chance at toppling City and Liverpool

Momentum is steadily building at Old Trafford. Although Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men were still some way off the pace of 2020/21’s title winners Manchester City, there were signs that the Red Devils are getting a squad together that can truly challenge. Solskjaer is working hard to strengthen it further still this summer, across all areas of the pitch. French international defender Raphaël Varane is set to join from Real Madrid to strengthen United’s backline alongside skipper Harry Maguire.

Meanwhile, England international forward Jadon Sancho’s long protracted move to Old Trafford from Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund is also in line for completion this summer. United are available at a value price of 8/1 with LVBet to win the 2021/22 EPL title. New customers that sign up through Oddschecker can also access up to 20% enhanced odds too.

Aston Villa look set to be one of the EPL’s entertainers

Aston Villa came within a whisker of securing a top ten finish in the 2020/21 EPL campaign. Dean Smith’s Villa finished 11th, just four points behind ninth-placed Leeds United and a whole 27 points above the relegation zone. Although 2021/22 is another season, Villa are certainly looking to build on last year’s success. Their squad contains plenty of flair in the shape of Jack Grealish and John McGinn, but Dean Smith wasn’t content to stop there.

He moved to fork out £35m on Argentine playmaker Emi Buendia from Norwich City. He was Norwich’s player of the season in the 2020/21 EFL Championship and will take the pressure off Grealish to be the sole creator.

Newcastle’s tight purse strings will eventually come home to roost

Newcastle United boss Steve Bruce managed to perform a minor miracle in keeping the Magpies away from the EPL drop zone in 2020/21. A highly creditable 12th-placed finish should give the Geordie faithful some optimism for next season, but it appears to be anything but at present. Owner Mike Ashley has notoriously tightened the purse strings in recent years and the club has already missed out on several targets in the summer transfer window. Arsenal’s Joe Willock would appear to be their number-one target according to a recent Chronicle Live Q&A.

Newcastle’s overreliance on striker Callum Wilson and winger Allan Saint-Maximin is almost certain to remain in 2021/22 and their respective injury records suggest that it would be foolhardy to rely on both to play all 38 games this term. When Wilson and Saint-Maximin were injured last season, the Magpies floundered badly. Injuries to this pair once again could put United firmly in the relegation dogfight.

Norwich will struggle if they continue to sell their prized assets

Norwich City romped to the 2020/21 EFL Championship title. Daniel Farke’s men played with sparkle and fluidity, with their destiny rarely in doubt once entering the second half of the season. Much of their success was underpinned by the creativity and guile of Argentine midfielder Emi Buendia, the cut-price signing from Getafe.

Buendia put on a masterclass in the number ten role most weeks. Most Canaries fans will have been excited to see him in EPL action. However, the club opted to sell him to Aston Villa for a club record fee instead.

With full back Max Aarons and midfielder Todd Cantwell also in high demand, City may consider selling more of their crown jewels. However, the challenge will be to replace these in good time to gel a squad capable of warding off the threat of immediate relegation. It’s a challenge that many feel could be too stiff.