Sunday Mirror (Northern Ireland)
COUNTDOWN TO THE BIG KICK-OFF
ARSENAL
Manager: Unai Emery Star man: Aaron Ramsey
Big signing: Lucas Torreira Title odds: 25/1
Aspirations: For the new manager to orchestrate a genuine Premier League title push.
How will they do? Others are stronger, as reflected by the bookmaker’s odds.
Qualification for the Champions League would be a good start.
BOURNEMOUTH
Manager: Eddie Howe Star man: Nathan Ake
Big signing: David Brooks Relegation odds: 9/2
Aspirations: A top-half finish would probably go down well again at the Vitality Stadium. A run in one of the cups would be nice, too.
How will they do? Howe has consistently ensured his team is not at the heart of real relegation trouble. That should be the case again.
BRIGHTON
Manager: Chris Hughton Star man: Pascal Gross
Big signing: Alireza Jahanbakhsh Relegation odds: 7/4 Aspirations: To avoid the scenes of celebration that greeted Premier League survival at the Amex four months ago.
How will they do? The wide-eyed wonderment at playing in the big-boys’ league has worn off. But Hughton is canny and his squad has strengthened.
BURNLEY
Manager: Sean Dyche Star man: James Tarkowski
Big signing: None, so far Relegation odds: 7/2
Aspirations: If the Clarets can keep clear of trouble in the Premier League while competing in the Europa League, that will be another good return.
How will they do? Burnley have a togetherness. But matches will come thick and fast on Thursdays and Sundays. And it could well be a struggle.
CARDIFF
Manager: Neil Warnock Star man: Sean Morrison
Big signing: Josh Murphy Relegation odds: 4/6 Aspirations: Realistically, it’s to remain in the Premier League.
How will they do? The Bluebirds are odds-on to go down. Warnock will love that. And he will love proving everyone wrong, too. If it does happen, don’t expect it to be without one almighty scrap.
CHELSEA
Manager: Mauricio Sarri Star man: N’Golo Kante
Big signing: Jorginho Title odds: 12/1
Aspirations: Roman Abramovich has placed plenty of store by Chelsea’s continued presence in the Champions League. That means a top-four finish.
How will they do? Competition is fierce for positions. A lot depends on how quickly the new boss gets his methods across and if the players buy into them.
CRYSTAL PALACE
Manager: Roy Hodgson Star man: Wilfried Zaha
Big signing: Cheikhou Kouyate Relegation odds: 11/2
Aspirations: To carry on over 38 games the form that they showed over the 30 since Hodgson succeeded Frank de Boer last term.
How will they do? If they can keep Zaha at the club, there’s every chance there will be just as many good days than bad at Selhurst Park.
EVERTON
Manager: Marco Silva Star man: Jordan Pickford
Big signing: Richarlison Title odds: 30/1
Aspirations: To show upwards momentum again in the Premier League and vindicate the huge sums being spent at Goodison Park.
How will they do? Marco Silva will be respected by fans in a way that Sam Allardyce wasn’t. If he can achieve the above, it will be an impressive start.
FULHAM
Manager: Slavisa Jokanovic Star man: Tom Cairney
Big signing: Jean Michael Seri Relegation odds: 9/5 Aspirations: To play their way up the Premier League table.
How will they do? The Cottagers’ boss plays a highrisk and high-reward brand of football. It succeeded in the Championship. It will be tough to replicate in this company. Far tougher.
HUDDERSFIELD
Manager: David Wagner Star man: Christopher Schindler
Big signing: Terence Kongolo Relegation odds: 11/10
Aspirations: The ambitions will be higher, but the reality is that staying in the Premier League is a result for the Terriers.
How will they do? The second season is always more difficult than the first, as far as the top flight is concerned. There’s a reason for that.
LEICESTER
Manager: Claude Puel Star man: Jamie Vardy
Big signing: James Maddison Title odds: 14/1
Aspirations: To maintain a position in the top half of the Premier League table. Do you expect more?
How will they do? If Jamie Vardy stays fit, they will be fine. At the back, Jonny Evans’ arrival will help shore up a defence that has looked leaky of late. James Maddison is definitely one to watch.
LIVERPOOL
Manager: Jurgen Klopp Star man: Mo Salah
Big signings: Fabinho, Keita, Alisson Title odds: 15/2
Aspirations: To win the Premier League title. But any silverware would ease the pressure on Herr Klopp.
How will they do? This commentator believes the Reds are in their best position for a number of years. But they could do with a clean bill of health – and there is always the spectre of Manchester City.
WOLVES
Manager: Nuno Espirito Santo Star man: Ruben Neves
Big signing: Joao Moutinho Relegation odds: 7/1
Aspirations: Everyone connected with Wolverhampton Wanderers will be disappointed if they are caught up in a relegation scrap.
How will they do? Their open style won plenty of Championship games, but they won’t find points as easy to acquire. However, they may take a few scalps.
WEST HAM
Manager: Manuel Pellegrini Star man: Marko Arnautovic
Big signing: Felipe Anderson Relegation odds: 15/2
Aspirations: For the summer of love not to turn into a winter of discontent. The owners will hope their work has released some of the pent-up frustration.
How will they do? If Arnautovic stays, the Irons will be fine. Their squad looks stronger, with players such as Jack Wilshere in the ranks.
WATFORD
Manager: Javi Garcia Star man: Abdoulaye Doucoure
Big signing: Gerard Deloufeu Relegation odds: 9/5
Aspirations: The Hornets will be looking to upset the odds by retaining their spot among the elite.
How will they do? Earning £40m from the sale of Richarlison was potentially the deal of the summer. Problem is they averaged two points per match for their first eight games, but then their form tailed off.
TOTTENHAM
Manager: Mauricio Pochettino Star man: Harry Kane
Big signing: None, as yet Title odds: 16/1
Aspirations: To win the Premier League title. And/or the Champions League.
How will they do? They’ll promise much, but fall short. Again. It’s Spurs, isn’t it?
SOUTHAMPTON
Manager: Mark Hughes Star man: Alex McCarthy
Big signing: Jannik Vestergaard Relegation odds: 7/1
Aspirations for the season: To avoid all the turmoil and issues that blighted the last campaign.
How will they do? The Saints should concentrate on rebuilding. The fans are onside with the appointment of Mark Hughes, who was grateful to stay in the Premier League, as his previous club Stoke didn’t.
NEWCASTLE
Manager: Rafael Benitez Star man: Jonjo Shelvey
Big signing: Yoshinori Muto Relegation odds: 11/2
Aspirations: To kick on. Their final position of 10th glossed over what a difficult first campaign it was back in the Premier League.
How will they do? There has been the usual row over transfers as owner and manager square up. As long as Benitez stays, they’ll be fine. If not...
MAN UTD
Manager: Jose Mourinho Star man: Romelu Lukaku
Big signing: Fred Title odds: 4/1
Aspirations: Domestically, to finish above Liverpool and Manchester City... then they’ll be champions.
How will they do? Jose Mourinho has been on the warpath during pre-season. Improvement can be expected – but it is unlikely to be enough. And Jose finishing second, third or fourth is not a good look.
MAN CITY
Manager: Pep Guardiola Star man: Kevin De Bruyne Big signing: Riyad Mahrez Title odds: 8/13
Aspirations: To wipe the floor with everyone who crosses their path.
How will they do? Rivals might have got smarter, but it’s one thing knowing how a team is going to play against you, it’s another one altogether trying to stop them. Hot favourites for a reason.