English Premier League 2015/16 – The Contenders

The battle lines are drawn. As the ball gets rolling this weekend, another year of enthralling English Premier League (EPL) will take centre stage. Over the next year, 20 teams will battle home and away with every other team to win the most coveted club football title of the world.

Though there are many teams that can potentially challenge for the title, it is difficult to look beyond a closed group. We take a look at the contenders for the 2015/16 EPL Crown.

Chelsea
The defending Champions are the favorites to defend their title. Jose Mourinho navigated his squad expertly last year and will hope to repeat the success. There are not many significant additions for the Blues but more important for their boss at the moment is the fitness of their striker Diego Costa.

Important player: Eden Hazard
Odds: $2.50 (CrownBet)
Weakness: Tie up Fabregas and Hazard is the best way to close out Chelsea

Arsenal
Every year, the Gunners supporters hope that they can land the Premier League title. It is a recurrence for the past 9 years but Wenger will hope to erase all those bad memories in this campaign. Much will depend on their striker – will it Theo Walcott or can Danny Welbeck get back to full fitness?

Important player: Petr Cech
Odds: $4.50 (CrownBet)
Weakness: Who will get the goals?

Manchester United
The most successful team in Premier League history has been struggling for the past two years, since Sir Alex Ferguson retired. Such is the magnitude of Fergie’s success that the Red Devils failed to win for only two seasons and it is already an issue at the club. Louis van Gaal has won titles at all his previous clubs and would be eager to keep that record going in England too. But, it looks very distant as of now.

Important player: Wayne Rooney
Odds: $6.50 (CrownBet)
Weakness: Uncertainty on De Gea and lack of back-up strikers

Manchester City
The defending runners-up have strengthened with the capture of winger Raheem Sterling. However, the team is still unsettled and it would take a herculean task for them to unsurp the Blues.

Important player: Sergio Aguero
Odds: $3.75 (CrownBet)
Weakness: Unsettled coach

Liverpool
The Merseyside club is trying its best to recapture the ‘golden old days’. Signing attacking players to recapture the goals of Luis Suarez seems a step in the right direction. But, a tricky set of initial games will be difficult to call.

Important player: James Milner
Odds: $29 (CrownBet)
Weakness: Sterling’s departure and question marks over the new attackers