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It's that time of the year again. The favourite time of the year for football fans all around the world. The Premier League kicked off with Manchester United hosting Leicester City.
And for the next 10 months, the whole world will be divided, cheering on for their respective clubs. Memories will be made, familiar faces will reintroduce the fans to their magic and new stars will emerge to take the world by storm.
Here is a prediction of who we think will shine the brightest for each of the 20 teams vying for the Premier League trophy in the 2018/19 season.
Arsenal: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
The Gabonese striker is a goal machine. And he will be desperate to make his mark on the Premier League this season after managing to score 10 goals in just 12 starts last season after moving to Arsenal in the January transfer window.
Aubameyang is capable of giving any defender in the world nightmares because of blistering pace and knack for being in the right place. And with playmakers like Ozil and Mkhitaryan playing alongside him, he should have no problem finding the net. Do not be surprised if he scores more than 20 goals this season.
Bournemouth: Nathan Ake
Eddie Howe's side should not have a problem with scoring goals this season. Yet, question marks arise on it comes to the defensive end of their game. Last season they let in 16 more goals than they managed to score. That is just three less than 17th placed Southampton.
The Bournemouth faithful will be banking on Nathan Ake to do the defensive job for them. The versatile Dutchman was immense last season at the back and without him, the Cherries might quite easily have been involved in a relegation dogfight.
With a full season of Premier League experience under his belt, it is expected that the talented defender will blossom into an elite Premier League this season.
Brighton & Hove Albion: Pascal Gross
The German midfielder had an impressive debut campaign in the Premier League, recording 7 goals and 8 assists in 38 appearances for the Seagulls. And he will have to pick up right where he left off last season if the club are to play in the Premier League come next season.
Burnley: Jack Cork
Burnley had a crazy 2017/18 season, finishing in the seventh spot. And much of that was due to the inspired signing of English midfielder, Jack Cork.
Cork managed to transform a relegation fighting club into legitimate contenders for the European qualification spots. What Cork does might not be flashy but it is really vital to this Burnley.
Now, with a potential run in Europe coming up this season, it will be a challenge for Burnley to match last season's heroics. Jack Cork must step up to the plate again.
Cardiff City: Bobby Reid
Coming off a prolific 19 goal season with Bristol City in the Championship, the new Cardiff City forward will not be short on confidence. And if preseason form is anything to go by then he will quite clearly stand out as the Welsh club's best player.
He might not be a well-renowned name now, but those who follow the Championship will not be surprised if he takes the Premier League by storm this season.
Chelsea: Eden Hazard
There is a lot of hype surrounding Chelsea at this moment. New manager, Maurizio Sarri, has come in with the promise of attacking football. Players like Jorginho, Kepa Arrizabalaga and Mateo Kovacic have been brought in to deliver on that promise. Yet, it will be their star man, Eden Hazard, who should be the club's best player again this season.
The Belgian's talent is a class above everybody else. There are very few in the world who can match his ability on the ball. The only criticism that is thrown at him is his inability to be at his best week in and week out.
But after a disappointing 2017/18 season and a heartbreaking semi-final exit at the World Cup, Hazard must be desperate to get back on the pitch and put these disappointments behind him.
The Belgian proved his class in a 15-minute cameo in Chelsea's very first Premier League game of the season against Huddersfield by providing an assist for Pedro just after coming on. It is quite clear why Chelsea were so keen to hold on to him.
Crystal Palace: Wilfried Zaha
It is hard to believe that Zaha's move to Manchester United did not work out. But Zaha has been nothing short of sensational since his return to Crystal Palace after that ailed Old Trafford move.
Electric on the ball and with a good eye for goal, the attacker was one of the best players in the Premier League. Without him, the Eagles would most certainly be in the Championship. Yet, Zaha managed to carry them to a respectable mid-table finish. And there is no reason for us to believe that he would not do the same again this season.
Zaha picked up where he had left off last season by scoring in their 2-0 win against Fulham away at Craven Cottage on opening day.
Everton: Jordan Pickford
Everton have invested greatly in the summer transfer window, bringing in players like Richarlison, Yerry Mina, Andre Gomes, Kurt Zouma and Lucas Digne. Yet, it is Pickford would shine the brightest among all these new names at Goodison Park.
The English goalkeeper had a spectacular World Cup in Russia and probably should have won the Golden Gloves. If he can carry that form to Everton this season, teams will have a very hard time scoring against them.
Fulham: Tom Cairney
Fulham might have sign glamourous names like Andre Schurrle, Jean Michael Seri and Luciano Vietto in their ranks. But it is club captain, Tom Cairney, who is the heartbeat of this club.
The Scottish midfielder is the glue that holds this Fulham team together. His crafty work in midfield was a huge reason for the club's promotion back into the Premier League. And this season he will again be pulling the strings of this Fulham side.
Huddersfield Town: Aaron Mooy
Mooy is to Huddersfield Town what Cairney is to Fulham. Except that he does not have the luxury of playing with big names in his team like Cairney does.
Huddersfield will have a hard time scoring goals again this season, after being the lowest scoring club in the Premier League in 2017/18. As the main creator, Mooy will be tasked with bringing the best out of his misfiring comrades.
Leicester City: Jamie Vardy
With Riyad Mahrez leaving for Manchester City, the onus will be on Jamie Vardy to put the ball in the back of the net for Leicester City. The striker has had a fairytale run since coming up to the Premier League. And till now has shown no signs of stopping.
In this last three Premier League, he has crossed the 20 goal milestone twice and now as he becomes the focal point of the Leicester attack, expect the Jamie Vardy party to go on.
Despite failing to win on opening day against Manchester United, Vardy did manage to get on the scoresheet and it is should only be a sign of things to come.
Liverpool: Mohammad Salah
Within the span of one season, Salah has gone from a moderately popular AS Roma player to a bonafide superstar in the footballing world. When you break the Premier League record for highest goals in your first season at Anfield, expectations are bound to be high.
Yet, it is scary to think the numbers might increase for Salah this year. By bringing in Naby Keita, Fabinho and Xhardan Shaqiri, Liverpool have added a lot of quality to their squad. There will surely be more chances for Liverpool's attacking three to put away this season. And if Salah can be as good as he was last season, it would not be unreasonable to believe that this season might finally bring an end to the 28 year League drought at Merseyside.
Manchester City: Kevin De Bruyne
Kevin De Bruyne might have had the greatest season in history not to win the PFA Player of the Year award when he was snubbed for Mohammad Salah. But make no mistake, the Belgian maestro was just as good if not better than Salah last season.
He has the ability to pick out perfect balls for his teammates as well as the knack for coming up with a spectacular goal when the game gets too tight. His 8 goals and 18 assists last season are a testament to this talent.
The Belgian will be back this season after a semi-final exit in the World Cup, a match in which he had a very forgettable performance judging by his standards. And he will most certainly be eager to reclaim the Premier League again this season and put the bittersweet World Cup experience behind him for good.
Manchester United: David De Gea
Remember when David De Gea was a skinny, Spanish goalkeeper struggling to make it in the Premier League? Most people don't, such have been his performances between the posts since the past few seasons.
Although he had a shocker of a World Cup, Manchester United fans will be hoping for the 'real' David De Gea to turn up for them when the Premier League comes around. Despite having players like Paul Pogba and Alexis Sanchez, it is De Gea that United rely most upon these days. And it is hard to bet against the Spaniard, especially when he is out their defying logic every week.
The Spaniard was back to his spectacular best as Manchester United edged out Leicester City 2-1 in their first game of the season, putting to rest any doubts that the Manchester United might have had after his dreadful World Cup outings for Spain.
Newcastle United: Jamaal Lascelles
Unlike most of their rivals, Newcastle United have not splashed the cash in the transfer market this season. And with a striker like Salomon Rondon upfront, it is best not to expect to be scoring freely each week.
Thus, it is necessary for the club to have a solid defence in order to survive the relegation battle this season. And for this purpose, they will be looking at their 24-year-old club captain, Jamaal Lascelles.
The centre-back has been a revelation under Rafa Benitez and will be expected to lead his men from the front again this season. He had been linked with high profile clubs all summer and yet he showed loyalty to the club. No matter what happens this season, Lascelles has a big future in the game.
Southampton: Ryan Bertrand
Charlie Austin could quite easily have been in this spot, it is hard to rely on the striker because of his injury woes. Left-back Ryan Bertrand, on the other hand, is the complete opposite. He has been Southampton's Mr. Reliable since his move from Chelsea.
The Saints suffered a torrid season in 2017/18, finishing just one spot above the bottom three. They are expected to bounce back this season and certainly have the talent to do so. And Ryan Bertrand should be their best player again.
Tottenham: Harry Kane
There is no better goalscorer in the game at this moment than Harry Kane. The fact that he sometimes does not get that recognition is because of the fact that he does not play for a more glamorous club.
Yet, Tottenham have signed a grand total of zero players in the transfer window. That just goes on to show the believe that Mauricio Pochettino has in the team that he has assembled at White Hart Lane. They will be expected to challenge for the title much like they have for the past few seasons under the Argentine tactician.
He will be slow to get off the blocks at the beginning of the season just like he demonstrated on opening day in a hard-fought 2-1 win for the Spurs against Newcastle United. But when he hits his strides, he should be scoring for fun.
It should come as a surprise to no one if Harry Kane tops the scoring charts again. And if all things go according to plan, he might even be in the running for the European Golden Boot.
Watford: Gerard Deulofeu
Once upon a time, Gerard Deulofeu was thought of as the next big thing at FC Barcelona. But times have changed for the Spanish attacker, who has seen his career go somewhat off the rails since the early promises of superstardom.
Since joining Watford in the 2018 winter transfer window on a loan that was made permanent in the summer, Deulofeu has scored just once in seven appearances for the Hornets. Yet, there is a reason to be excited for Watford solely based on the glittering performance that he put against Chelsea last season. If he can consistently play on that level, he will be one of the best players in the Premier League.
West Ham United: Marko Arnautovic
There is a sense of excitement around West Ham United this season. They have brought in big names like Jack Wilshere, Andriy Yarmolenko and Felipe Anderson, while Manuel Lanzini will also make his return from injury. Yet, it might be Polish striker, Marko Arnautovic, who might come good for them again this year.
Arnautovic scored 11 times on top his 6 assists for the Hammers last season. Under new manager Manuel Pellegrini and among a lot more quality than last season, Arnautovic should flourish. He has been scoring for fun in preseason which might be a sign of things to come.
Wolverhampton Wanderers: Ruben Neves
Ruben Neves raised a few eyebrows when he moved to Championship side, Wolverhampton Wanderers, last season despite being linked to almost all the top European clubs. But just one year into his move, the Wolves are back in the Premier League. And they will be looking to do a lot more than just stay up.
With a full season of experience laying in England, Neves should not take too long before settling into the Premier League. He will be running things from deep for the Wolves and if they are to finish in the top 10 like they expect to, they need the Portuguese to be at his very best.
Neves has already proven that he is up to the challenge of the Premier League by scoring one and assisting the other as the Wolves managed to get a point on their return to the Premier League in a 2-2 draw against Everton at home.
