The Premier League season is set to begin, with reigning champions Liverpool facing Bournemouth in a clash that promises excitement. Liverpool has bolstered their squad with five new signings, raising the question: Can they defend their title? The CBS Sports team is divided on whether Liverpool or Manchester City will emerge victorious this season. If Liverpool starts strong, they might have the edge.
The article also touches on potential surprises and standout players of the season, offering staff insights into expected outcomes as the competition unfolds.
Expert Predictions
| Category | James Benge | Roger Gonzalez | Chuck Booth | Pardeep Cattry | Francesco Porzio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Champions | Liverpool | Liverpool | Manchester City | Manchester City | Manchester City |
| Runners-up | Arsenal | Arsenal | Arsenal | Liverpool | Liverpool |
| Player of the season | Florian Wirtz, Liverpool | Florian Wirtz, Liverpool | Rayan Cherki, Manchester City | Florian Wirtz, Liverpool | Cole Palmer, Chelsea |
| Surprise team | Everton | Bournemouth | Everton | Everton | Crystal Palace |
| Biggest disappointment | West Ham | Newcastle | Bournemouth | West Ham | Newcastle |
| Top scorer | Erling Haaland (Manchester City), 27 goals | Mohamed Salah (Liverpool), 25 goals | Erling Haaland (Manchester City), 28 goals | Erling Haaland (Manchester City), 25 goals | Erling Haaland (Manchester City), 30 goals |
| Best signing | Florian Wirtz, Liverpool | Florian Wirtz, Liverpool | Rayan Cherki, Manchester City | Florian Wirtz, Liverpool | Viktor Gyokeres, Arsenal |
| Worst signing | Anthony Elanga, Newcastle | Benjamin Sesko, Manchester United | Jamie Gittens, Chelsea | Matheus Cunha, Manchester United | Bryan Mbuemo, Manchester United |
| Top four | Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester City, Chelsea | Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City | Manchester City, Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea | Manchester City, Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea | Manchester City, Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea |
| Relegated teams | West Ham, Sunderland, Burnley | Burnley, Wolves, Sunderland | Wolves, Leeds, Burnley | Wolves, Sunderland, Burnley | Burnley, Leeds, Sunderland |
Key Insights
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Why Liverpool Will Win the Premier League: The title defense plan appears aggressive, with a significant focus on strengthening their attacking power. With solid performances from Virgil van Dijk and newer players like Jeremie Frimpong and Hugo Ekitike, they aim to integrate effectively.
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Rayan Cherki as Player of the Season: Following the departure of Kevin De Bruyne, Cherki’s potential shines. If he takes more shots and contributes to the attack, he could lead Manchester City back to championship glory.
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Everton’s Surprise Factor: With a strong defense in place and promising offensive additions, David Moyes at Everton might steer his team to the top half.
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West Ham’s Challenges: West Ham’s season may be hindered by a lack of improvements and ongoing issues from the previous season.
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New Arsenal Star: Viktor Gyokeres joins from Sporting CP, representing Arsenal’s strategy to secure a reliable goal scorer.
Best Bets
- Viktor Gyokeres to score 25 or more goals (+350): Key for Arsenal’s title contention.
- Rayan Cherki to lead the league in assists (+2000): With his assists potential, he could be pivotal for Manchester City.
- Everton to finish in the top half (+175): Strong potential for a top-half finish is noted.
- Tottenham to finish in the top five (+275): Aiming for European qualification with defensive upgrades.
- Sunderland to avoid relegation (+175): The summer additions could lead to a successful season.
