'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
We are only a few days away from the 2018/19 Premier League campaign with preparations intensifying as 20 clubs prepare to take part in the great competition. As we all know the league never fails to produce exciting memories and a lot is expected to happen once again this season when the campaign kicks off on August 10th.
Manchester City will be back to defend their title after winning it with a whopping 100 points last season. Meanwhile, the likes of Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal will be ready to take their chances at a shot for the title.
Like the previous campaign, the upcoming one also promises to be interesting, with recent developments suggesting nothing but intensity, entertainment, and unprecedented events. The transfer window will also close early this summer and we can't wait to witness the performances of the new signings in the English top flight.
As football fans, below are 4 things that we expect to see when the competition begins this weekend.
#4 Attacking football at Stamford Bridge
A change of system is expected to take place at Chelsea this season following the sacking of Antonio Conte and the appointment of former Napoli coach, Maurizio Sarri this summer.
The Blues have been recognized as a defensive team in the Premier League for the past few years, with their former manager adopting a rigid 3-4-3 formation that switched to 5-4-1 when they lost possession.
With Sarri now in charge, that is expected to change as the Italian is an attack-oriented tactician whose philosophy relies on a smooth transition of the ball, holding possession and attacking with great intensity.
As a matter of fact, their recent performances in the International Champions Cup and the Community Shield have shown glimpses of what is to come, with Chelsea enjoying a big share of possession, exchanging decent passes and launching threatening attacks.
#3 A rampant Liverpool side
Everyone knows how impressively Liverpool performed in the Premier League last term. Jurgen Klopp managed to get the best out of his players, with his pro-attacking system enabling the likes of Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino, and Sadio Mane to flourish throughout the campaign.
The Reds will come again even stronger this season, having reinforced their squad with a number of top-class superstars during the transfer window. The likes of Fabinho, Naby Keita, Xherdan Shaqiri and Alisson Becker all switched to Anfield this summer and they will be looking forward to making their marks in the Premier League when the competition begins.
With these incredible players joining a great squad that already includes the likes of Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane, Virgil Van Dijk, James Milner and Alex Oxlade Chamberlain, we should expect to see a rampant Liverpool side in the English top flight next term.
#2 Intense top-4 battle
Considering how intense preparations have been for Premier League clubs this summer, one could be right to suggest that there will be a tough competition for the ultimate crown this term.
However, it is evident that the battle in the top four race will be tougher when the competition begins this weekend.
Just like what happened during the previous campaign, a number of elite English clubs including the likes of Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur are expected to battle it out in order to secure UEFA Champions League spots in the Premier League table.
Knowing quite well what it implies to miss out on European qualification, these teams will go all out to fight for their place in what would be an interesting battle in the English top flight next term.
#1 A stronger Manchester City
Manchester City won the Premier League title in style last season, becoming the first side in history to claim the title with a whopping 100 points. They also had the best defensive and attacking records, conceding just 27 goals and scoring a massive 106 goals in 38 matches - but that is just the tip of the iceberg.
We should be ready to witness Pep Guardiola's men become even better next season, just as the manager himself recently suggested. They have the strongest squad in the Premier League at the moment, made up of highly talented young players and experienced superstars in all areas of the pitch.
The upcoming campaign presents itself as an opportunity to spend much time together, further improve their understanding of Pep Guardiola's system and attain fantastic heights.
After convincingly defeating Chelsea 2-0 in the Community Shield recently, there is every indication that The Citizens remain the team to beat in the Premier League next term.
