The Premier League is back in action this week after a five-week break and this 2022/23 campaign could turn out to be one of the best races in recent history.
The favourites, Manchester City, have a five-point gap to make up at the top and they restart their campaign with a mouth-watering clash away to Leeds United on Wednesday. Meanwhile, leaders Arsenal re-open their account when they entertain West Ham on Boxing Day night.
The Sky Blues have already put down a marker, in advance of the second half of the campaign, with a 3-2 Carabao Cup win over Liverpool. Pep Guardiola’s team emerged victorious after leading three times and Belgian midfield ace Kevin De Bruyne shook off a lacklustre World Cup campaign with the Red Devils with a match-winning display. He put in a brilliant cross to provide the opener for Erling Braut Haaland and later supplied the winner for Nathan Ake, the centre-back’s first goal since April.
The Premier League 2022 betting odds, here at SBOTOP, back the Sky Blues at a price of 1.41 to make it five titles in six years and most of the club’s world cup stars came back in good condition, England’s Jack Grealish, John Stones and Phil Foden all making an appearance. But there was no sign of defensive midfielder Kalvin Phillips who Guardiola claimed returned from Qatar overweight and ‘not in the right condition to train’.
The Sky Blues have high standards and a deep squad, and I expect Span midfielder Rodri to continue in the anchor role at Elland Road.
Gunners must fight on without Jesus
Arsenal return to action five points clear at the top of the table after a record-breaking set of Premier League 2022 results, but they will try to hold off the Sky Blues without one of their key players. The knee injury to Gabriel Jesus during Brazil’s campaign is a blow to the league leaders – the star striker has made ten goal contributions for Arsenal since his switch from Manchester City, only matched by Bukayo Saka, but he will now recover from knee surgery on the sidelines.
He is not a natural replacement for Jesus, but Arsenal’s pursuit of Leicester City midfielder Youri Tielemans could be reignited as head coach Mikel Arteta tries to bolster his team’s creative armoury. The Gunners were closely linked with the Foxes’ star in the summer and, while the 25-year-old Tielemans has said his focus is on Leicester, this could be a long transfer window at the KingPower Stadium.
Manchester United, currently in fifth position, spent heavily in the summer and they could be in the market for an attacking midfielder too, as reports in the UK and Brazilian press suggest the Red Devils are serious about making a move for Benfica’s wonderkid Enzo Fernandez. He made a big impression at the World Cup as he helped Argentina to a first triumph since 1986 and reports suggest Manchester United could face competition from Liverpool. This would be a marquee signing for either of the North West giants, but the successful suitor will have to shell out the £106m release clause to get their man, after Fernandez moved to Portugal from River Plate for 10m Euros last summer.
Aston Villa’s match at home to Liverpool will give Jurgen Klopp an indication as to how urgent his need for creative re-enforcements is. It’s a tricky start for the Reds as the Villains have won three and lost three of their last six games while Klopp’s men have won four and lost two.
Brighter days ahead for Wolves?
It’s been a miserable few months at Molineux, and after re-establishing themselves as a Premier League force they are languishing at the bottom of the table and four points from safety. But they have a new manager and head coach Julen Lopetegui has already moved to strengthen his squad with the signing of Brazilian forward Matheus Cunha on loan from Atletico Madrid.
It’s a results business but both Lopetegui and Cunha have enjoyed good times recently they could quickly bring a smile to the Midlanders’ faces.
Meanwhile, Brentford boss Thomas Frank has signed a new contract which keeps him at the club until 2027. The Danish coach was appointed in 2018 and led the Bees to promotion to the Premier League in 2021. They currently sit in the top half of the table and the 49-year-old head coach has one of the safest jobs in the top flight.
Brentford face Spurs on Boxing Day when all eyes will be on Tottenham striker Harry Kane, whose last action on a football field was to blast England’s penalty against France way over the bar. He’ll be glad to be back in North London but the pressure is on him to perform.
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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