by Ayo-Oluwa Obafemi

 

The problem of a prolific center forward has been addressed with the purchase of Diego Costa. Chelsea is set to conquer England.

The thirst of football fans around the globe is set to be quenched with the start of the 2014/2015 English Premier League season. The most watched league in the world with the highest revenue accrued due to its expansive reach and arguable the best in the world has seen the influx of players into it this summer with most clubs trying desperately to reinforce in order to keep up with their rivals at whatever level they are fighting to compete.

The top managers in the league are coy about the chances of their respective clubs winning the league given the formidable opponents they have to face. As with all seasons, I try to highlight the chances each top club has of taking the EPL based on their resources and record in the previous season not neglecting their pre-season performances. Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal are the clubs realistically fighting for the EPL crown this season but as we all know, only one club gets to claim the grand prize.

Below is an analysis on the 5 teams capable of taking the EPL title and my prediction on who could win it  coupled with my thoughts on Europe’s other leagues.

MANCHESTER UNITED

The sorrows of last season has been drained away, at least temporarily, by the tried, tested and proven Louis Van Gaal whose record speaks volume. Brimming with enough confidence from their pre-season exploits, it is all right to suggest that there will be no repeat of last season’s woes. With Van Gaal in the market for adequate replacements to the players he deems surplus, expect a revamped side ready to tear their opponents to shreds. Also, with the pressure of Champions League out of the way, don’t count them out of the title race.

MANCHESTER CITY

With the club boasting virtually 2 very good players in every position and being the defending champions, they are ranked outright favourites to retain the crown. All won’t be rosy as they would have learnt from last season that the clubs seen as minnows in the EPL respect nobody and are always ready to spoil a perfectly planned party.

CHELSEA

Just like City, the club has a frightening squad depth with almost 3 players per position. The experience of last season has put them in better position to oust their rivals. They were best known last season for subduing the bigger teams; overcoming the smaller teams proved to be a difficult task. The problem of a prolific center forward has been addressed with the purchase of Diego Costa. Chelsea is set to conquer England.

ARSENAL

Always tagged as top 4 specialists, they come into the new season with renewed vigor owing greatly to their capture of the FA cup trophy last season thereby breaking the 9 year scourge of no trophy. With the players that have been gotten and an overhaul of their medical team, who says their fans’ cannot dare to dream of an EPL title?

 

LIVERPOOL

They are entering the new season on the back of a brilliant performance from last season. They aren’t allowing the sale of their best performer hinder their ambitions. They have swiftly gone into the market to get adequate replacements. They will be facing a tough fight to compete in 4 competitions but given the tactical and man-management skills of Brendan Rodgers, he should be able to steer the club in the right direction and take them one step higher than he did last season in the EPL.

I predict Chelsea winning the league. Real Madrid should be able to glide through the La Liga without any trouble while Bayern will most likely retain their Bundesliga crown. The Ligue 1 would see PSG still dominate it while Serie A may have a tilt from the Juventus-path and I see Benitez’ Napoli finishing top.

Tighten your seatbelts and enjoy the roller coaster season!!

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This article was published with permission from Omojuwa.com