Leeds United

Key Players: Leeds’ key man is the one who sits on the bucket each week, and they’ve got him for another year which is the best bit of business any side has done this year, however the likes of Phillips, Bamford and Raphinha are crucial if Leeds are to settle in the league once again. These players have been retained which is great business, however the defensive solidity of Phillips and the attack threat of Bamford and Raphinha along with new lad James is exciting for the coming season and the fans will cheer them on all the way.

Transfers: Leeds have done so well to keep big players Phillips, Bamford and Raphinha, and with the additions of Dan James and Junior Firpo, they have brought in some really useful players for the year ahead. With James, they have a new string to their attacking bow, while Firpo offers some extra cover at the back. A solid window, and I have no doubt Bielsa has done his research in all areas and is about as prepared as anyone for the coming season.

Opening Fixture: Leeds have a tough start on opening weekend, away at Old Trafford where they were hammered 6-2 last season. Bielsa will not be happy with a similar showing, and on opening weekend when anyone can beat anyone, Leeds will be heading to their rivals with confidence on the first weekend. I am predicting Manchester United to win with relative ease, maybe a 3-1 or 3-2, as Leeds can and will score, but I think Ole’s men will score more.

Predictions: Now settling into the top-flight once again, I think Leeds will be happy to cement themselves and avoid any threat of relegation this season, which I think they will do comfortably. I am predicting an 11th place finish, just behind Everton in mid-table. Bielsa has his side working wonders when on paper they are far behind some of the squads in the league, however an 11th place finish will keep the club ticking over, and who knows where they can get to in the future.

Leicester City

Key Players: Leicester’s key men are the obvious really, Vardy to bang in goals, Schmeichel to keep them out, Evans and Söyüncü to be solid at the back, and then Maddison and Iheanacho to support Vardy and grab a fair few goals each. On paper, everyone has their role to play, and I think Rogers has created a great unit of players for the coming season.

Transfers: Leicester have quietly gone about some big business this summer, with Jannik Vestergaard, Ryan Bertrand, Patson Daka, Boubakary Soumare and Ademola Lookman all arriving. These all bring their own attributes, however each signing improves the squad, and keeping Maddison is another huge win for the Foxes, and going into the season with a strengthened crop, they will be expecting at least a European place if not finally the top 4 place that’s eluded them for the last few seasons.

Opening Fixture: Leicester have Wolves on the opener, and will feel confident with Wolves adapting to the managerial change, and at home they will be happy enough with the opening round of fixtures. It will be a tough game with 2 quality sides both capable of winning this one, but I can see Vardy starting of the season with some S***housery and getting the game winner in either a 1-0 or 2-1 win on opening weekend.

Predictions: Leicester have struggled to get 4th spot, and unfortunately I think they will suffer once again, as the top 4 is pretty much assured with Liverpool, City, United and Chelsea all improving and looking dangerous. Therefore, I am predicting Leicester will slip once into the 5th spot just outside the Champions League spots, and look to preserve their place at the ‘top table’ but will struggle to break the top 4 giants.

Liverpool

Key Players: Where to begin in that Liverpool XI. There’s some of the worlds best in their positions in their starting squad, so to pick out the key players is truly difficult. One player I am going to highlight is Diogo Jota. The Portuguese striker has been a gem of a buy for Liverpool, and with Firmino struggling at points last season, they may be willing to make him a permanent member of the starting line-up, especially if he puts away his chances like he did given the opportunity last season.

Transfers: Liverpool really have missed out this transfer window. Yes, they signed up some key players on longer contracts, yes they brought in Konate, however as we saw last year, it’s not enough for the side who want to consistently compete for titles. The injuries piled up last year, and with AFCON and several players still prone to injury, they will be lacking in several areas during the season, and with the domestic and European fixtures coming thick and fast, Klopp will likely turn to youngsters once again in cup games and when required, something that could have, and arguably should have been sorted in the summer window.

Opening Fixture: Liverpool couldn’t be happier with their opening fixture, taking on Norwich in the opener, they will be confident of a big win that will likely see them top the table, even if it’s only on goal difference. Norwich for me are down already before the season has begun, and the opening fixture over Liverpool might just sum up their season.

Predictions: Liverpool may again take this season as an almost ‘break; form their intense competition that saw them claim their first title 2 seasons back. I think their side is still lacking depth and any injury concern will again hurt them significantly as they are yet to properly strengthen their side in many areas. With Covid still prevalent and the AFCON coming round in 2022, Liverpool will lose their 2 main attack threats, leaving them to consolidate and settle for 4th. It will be comfortable I imagine, however I can’t see them getting ahead of United, City of Chelsea.

Manchester City

Key Players: The key men this season have to be the likes of Foden, Sterling, Mahrez and now Grealish, who will be relied on to consistently score goals, especially with only Jesus as a recognised striker. Although Guardiola has had success without a no.9, to go into a busy, Covid season without a first choice no.9 style striker is worrying, not necessarily in the league or domestic competitions, but in the long slog of European competition. To not replace someone like Aguero is worrying, and so De Bruyne will need to chip in with assists and a few goals, and those front 3/4 will all need minimum 10+ goalscoring seasons.

Transfers: City have broken the British transfer record and spent £100million on Jack Grealish, so it’s both hard and easy to be critical of this window. Firstly, that is NOT the player they needed, as they have players lining up to play in the role Grealish can, and instead that money should have gone on a striker for sure if they want to be getting trebles and Champions League consistently. The Grealish move is an obviously exciting one, and City will be improved with him in their line-up, while he will improve under Guardiola, however if I had to pick a player that should come into City in the summer window, Grealish wouldn’t have made the top 10. But hey, what do I know to criticise Guardiola.

Opening Fixture: City will take on Spurs in what is the tastiest opening fixture on the list, and will be tough for Guardiola. In a game where Harry Kane could have and possibly should have been lining up on the other side, a lack of a striker may cost City. I still predict a City win, because they always seem to win, however it won’t be straight forward with a packed stadium against them. I’m thinking a 3-2 or 4-3 win for City in an exciting dramatic opener on Sunday afternoon.

Predictions: We are in for a big title race this season, with the top 4 all pushing for the no.1 spot, however as mentioned in the previous post, I am predicting Chelsea to pip their competitors to the top place, leaving City to settle for 2nd. I truly believe City will put everything into the Champions League, and they may pick up a double or even treble, but the league will be missing this season for Guardiola’s men.