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The Premier League season begins on August 5, meaning teams have wrapped up preseason tours and are looking towards the start of the new campaign.
Everyone starts from scratch, but certain teams are no doubt ahead of the pack concerning their title chances.
Manchester City secured last season’s title by a single point, beating out Liverpool as the Reds came up just short down the stretch. Pep Guardiola’s side are clearly the favourites to win the league again this season, but will have stiff competition yet again as teams battle to take down the reigning champions.
The Sporting News brings you a closer look at which teams could be in line to claim the top spot, and which teams are not considered a threat.
Who has the best chance of winning?
Man City are unsurprisingly given the edge to win the league again this season, after topping the table in four of the last five campaigns. Liverpool, who finished one point back of City last season, are second favourites. Tottenham have third best odds in Antonio Conte’s first full season, while Chelsea are deemed fourth most likely to win it all after the Blues struggled through preseason.
Unsurprisingly, the three Premier League new boys — Bournemouth, Nottingham Forest and Fulham — are considered the least likely to win the title with the bookies.
Odds as of July 30,2022
| Club (SkyBet) | UK odds (FanDuel) | USA odds (Sportsbet) | Canada odds | Australia odds |
| Man City | 4/7 | -175 | 1.39 | 1.57 |
| Liverpool | 9/4 | +220 | 2.56 | 3.25 |
| Tottenham | 14/1 | +1600 | 8.5 | 15.00 |
| Chelsea | 16/1 | +1400 | 9.00 | 14.00 |
| Man United | 28/1 | +2900 | 16.00 | 26.00 |
| Arsenal | 40/1 | +4500 | 21.00 | 41.00 |
| Newcastle | 100/1 | +10,000 | 53.00 | 101.00 |
| West Ham | 200/1 | +19,000 | 111.00 | 251.00 |
| Leicester City | 200/1 | +19,000 | 135.00 | 251.00 |
| Aston Villa | 200/1 | +19,000 | 150.00 | 251.00 |
| Brighton | 200/1 | +19,000 | 157.00 | 251.00 |
| Wolves | 250/1 | +43,000 | 243.00 | 501.00 |
| Nott. Forest | 500/1 | +28,000 | 433.00 | 376.00 |
| Leeds United | 500/1 | +42,000 | 334.00 | 501.00 |
| Everton | 500/1 | +43,000 | 221.00 | 501.00 |
| Crystal Palace | 500/1 | +43,000 | 270.00 | 501.00 |
| Brentford | 750/1 | +43,000 | 388.00 | 501.00 |
| Southampton | 750/1 | +43,000 | 392.00 | 501.00 |
| Fulham | 1000/1 | +100,000 | 527.00 | 501.00 |
| Bournemouth | 1500/1 | +100,000 | 527.00 | 501.00 |
Predictions for 2022-23 Premier League title
Pick: Man City (4/7)
Dull as can be, I know. There is just no other club with the justification to challenge Man City at this point. Adding Erling Haaland is a significant upgrade for an already deadly attack, even without Gabriel Jesus and Raheem Sterling, who both underperformed their expected goals in the last campaign.
Kalvin Phillips is maybe the most unheralded transfer addition of the summer, as Man City made a midfield improvement whereas Liverpool — despite a more worrying midfield situation — did not. Kevin de Bruyne’s preseason performances suggest another top campaign despite reaching 31 years old, and there are no real holes to this squad.
Long shot: Tottenham (14/1)
Not anyone named Man City or Liverpool is considered a long shot at this point, and Tottenham look more suited than any other to make a case.
Spurs looked spectacular through the second half of last season as Dejan Kulusevski proved a top signing, energizing the attack. Now add Richarlison, and manager Antonio Conte has one of the top attacking groups in the league. The additions of Ivan Perisic, Clement Lenglet, and Djed Spence fit Conte’s system to perfection. This team is primed for a charge, and while they might not reach the heights of a Premier League title, they are certainly worth a flier at these odds.
Stay away from Chelsea (16/1)
Chelsea have looked poor in preseason, falling 4-0 to Arsenal, after which Thomas Tuchel ranted, saying he’s “worried” about the upcoming season. We are too, Thomas.
The Blues have looked disjointed up front in preseason, but the biggest worries are at the back. Kalidou Koulibaly is an excellent addition, but the transfer balance this summer still leaves the defensive unit shorthanded. Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen both left and the Spanish duo of Marcos Alonso and Cesar Azpilicueta are both rumored to be departing as well. More additions are needed, after which time will be required to mesh the new components.
The Premier League waits for no one, and while Chelsea will probably get back on track eventually, early struggles could rule the Blues out of title contention early.
Who will make it to Top 4?
While only one club can claim the Premier League title, other clubs will be looking to secure the next best prize: a spot in the UEFA Champions League that goes to the top four teams.
Last season, Man City and Liverpool battled for the title while Chelsea and Tottenham claimed the other two Champions League places. The Blues looked entrenched in their third position but had to hang on for dear life down the stretch, while Tottenham pipped Arsenal for the fourth and final spot at the finish line.
It’s sure to be another tight battle this season, as Arsenal, Tottenham, and Manchester United are all improved and Chelsea have made key additions as well.
Premier League Odds to finish Top 4
| Club (SkyBet) | UK odds (FanDuel) | USA odds (Sportsbet) | Australia odds |
| Man City | 1/50 | -9000 | 1.01 |
| Liverpool | 1/16 | -1100 | 1.06 |
| Tottenham | 8/15 | -155 | 1.67 |
| Chelsea | 4/6 | -150 | 1.67 |
| Man United | 7/4 | +135 | 2.40 |
| Arsenal | 7/4 | +190 | 2.88 |
| Newcastle | 7/1 | +900 | 9.50 |
| West Ham | 16/1 | +1600 | 15.00 |
| Aston Villa | 18/1 | +1600 | 15.00 |
| Leicester City | 20/1 | +1600 | 15.00 |
| Brighton | 28/1 | +2900 | 26.00 |
| Crystal Palace | 33/1 | +3400 | 34.00 |
| Wolves | 40/1 | +3400 | 34.00 |
| Everton | 40/1 | +4400 | 41.00 |
| Brentford | 100/1 | +8000 | 81.00 |
| Southampton | 100/1 | +6500 | 67.00 |
| Leeds United | 100/1 | +10,000 | 101.00 |
| Nott. Forest | 100/1 | +10,000 | 201.00 |
| Fulham | 200/1 | +10,000 | 101.00 |
| Bournemouth | 200/1 | +10,000 | 201.00 |
Expert predictions for 2022-23 Premier League Top 4 finish
Pick Man City (1/50), Liverpool (1/16), Tottenham (8/15), Arsenal (7/4)
While the first two are no surprise, and not even worth a bet given the outlandish odds, there are two London rivals both in the projected top four.
As noted above, Tottenham are likely the third title challenger among this season’s group and should be entrenched in a Top 4 spot. The fourth position, as has been the case in recent years, will be up for grabs, but Arsenal have done great business this summer.
Gabriel Jesus fits Mikel Arteta’s Gunners team perfectly, while William Saliba looked excellent in preseason and is like a new signing. Oleksandr Zinchenko is a versatile addition and could see time in midfield to fit him and Kieran Tierney into the lineup. Tottenham and Arsenal battled it out for the final spot last season, but both could knock Chelsea out if things go as planned.
