The Saints Can Surprise
I’ll definitely be following the Premier League more closely this year after my team Southampton got promoted from the Championship. They won’t be featured in this betting preview, as I have no idea what to expect from them. They’ll be around the relegation zone for sure, but I think they might surprise a few teams throughout the season. Whatever happens, it’ll definitely be a long, tense season for the Saints.
City No Certainty
When it comes to who’s going to win the Premier League this season, I don’t see it as a two-horse race. I think it could be more competitive than the betting suggests. Man City deserve to be favourites at 5/4, but they are going to have issues off the pitch with the on-going court case and possible points deduction, as well as question marks over Pep Guardiola’s future. Furthermore, I am not sure about their squad. Losing Julian Alvarez to Atletico Madrid will be a big miss, and the likes of Kyle Walker is no spring chicken. I just think they’ve had better in recent seasons, and that might come up short with them playing in lots of competitions.
Arsenal Not My Alternative
The alternative for most people is Arsenal, but I am not convinced by them either. Their squad hasn’t really seen any changes except signing Ricardo Calafiori to add to their defence. I think the area they need to improve is upfront and to sign a number nine. Also the likes of Bukayo Saka have played lots of games in the last couple of years, and I just think he needs a rest. However, the biggest thing I have with Arsenal is their mentality, and can they get over the line? They’ve finished second the last two seasons, and their squad lacks any proven winners. Sometimes if you close the gap, you can still struggle to get across the line, and then when the pressure’s on, fail to deliver. Moreover, they’ve got European football to contend with, so their squad is going to have to fight a lot of fires.
The Magpies Eyeing Some Silverware
Therefore, I am looking at a team that isn’t going to play European football, and I’ve landed on Newcastle United at 33/1. A lot of you probably think I’m mad, but I think they might be going under the radar this season. Last year they didn’t kick on, but they had a lot of injuries, plus they were involved in the Champions League, which didn’t help. The season before that, they were able to finish in the Top 4 when they didn’t have any European football, and their squad is much deeper this time around.
Not having European football can give teams an edge when it comes to winning the Premier League. In the last ten years, the only two teams that weren’t Man City or Liverpool and won the Premier League were Leicester City and Chelsea. Both of them didn’t have European football when they won the Premier League, so that is something that shouldn’t be underestimated.
St James’s Park Can Be A Fortress
Another big factor for Newcastle this season will be the fixture list. Apart from Chelsea, the Magpies don’t have to travel to the likes of The Etihad, The Emirates, Anfield, or the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium until Boxing Day. If they can get on a good run and get some positive results against the big six early on, then they could be in a good position to put the pressure on the likes of Manchester City and Arsenal.
Also, they could be signing the likes of Marc Guehi, who would definitely be a good addition to their squad. Furthermore, they’ll have Nick Pope back in goal, who is a key player for them, and they’ve got a proven goalscorer with Alexander Isak. Some people will also say, what about Eddie Howe and the England job? I think the media storm will calm down and be forgotten, as it looks like Lee Carsley is the number one candidate. Overall, I just think they’ve got a lot going for them this year, and they should not be discounted at any rate.
Bournemouth Bubble To Burst
When it comes to the teams fighting for survival, I think Bournemouth have been overlooked in the market. The Cherries are currently 17/2 with Rhino to go down, and I think that is too big. I think the loss of Dominic Solanke to Tottenham will hit Bournemouth hard. Last season he scored 19 goals for them in the Premier League and was an influential player. Though they’ve pocketed £65 million for him, I think they’ll struggle to find a good replacement.
Moreover, I’m not sure about their defensive setup. Last season they conceded 67 goals, which was the fifth worst defence in the league, and the season before that they had the third worst conceding 71 goals. It just shows that their team has been reliant on goals. I’m not sure whether the likes of Justin Kluivert and Antoine Semenyo will reach the numbers Solanke got.
Another reason why I don’t fancy them is that they were a very streaky team. They went on runs where they won four games in a row, but then they would lose four. I just don’t think their luck will carry on this season, and I can see them being in a relegation fight.
Ipswich Can Continue To Impressive
Elsewhere there is always one team that surprises everyone in the Premier League, and I think it could be Ipswich Town. Their boss Kieran McKenna has done an incredible job getting them to do back-to-back promotions from League One, and there was even talk of him going to Manchester United at the end of last season, so he’s clearly well respected. Their squad is also well-harmonised and has a good backbone. They’ve even signed players like Omari Hutchinson, who was on loan with them last season, which looks a good
People always seem to think that the newly promoted teams struggle in their first season in the Premier League, but that’s not always the case. Leeds United in the 2020/21 season were able to finish ninth in their first season, and Fulham finished tenth in the 2022/23 season, so it can be done. I just have a feeling Ipswich will be able to carry the feel good factor, and I wouldn’t be shocked if they achieved a top-half finish. The Tractors are 9/1 with Rhino to get in the top ten.
One area that punters are always interested in is the Premier League Golden Boot winner. The last two years, the winner has been Erling Haaland, and even though I don’t fancy Man City to win the league, I do think the Norwegian will win again this season. Therefore, the price of 8/13 doesn’t make much appeal.
Isak Is The One
Thankfully there is a Without Haaland market, and I am looking at Alexander Isak. Last season the Swede had his best ever campaign, scoring 21 goals in the Premier League for Newcastle, and he finished third with only Haaland and Cole Palmer ahead of him. Furthermore, he was only able to play 30 games as he was ruled out for parts of the season through injury. If he can stay fit, then I think he can beat last season’s tally.
The other key thing that is in his favour is that he is the main penalty taker for Newcastle. If you look at the Golden Boot winners over the years, Haaland, Salah, and Kane all took penalties for their club, and that is crucial if you’re going to be in the mix. At 7/1, I think Isak makes the most appeal to finish second behind Haaland.
Premier League Outright Selections
Newcastle To Win The Premier League (33/1)
Bournemouth To Be Relegated (17/2)
Ipswich Town Top Half Finish (9/1)
Alexander Isak Golden Boot Winner Without Haaland (7/1)
