Premier League 2019/20 Team Guide
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The Premier League is back after the summer break and we have all the ingredients for another thrilling campaign. Last season’s runaway top two Manchester City and Liverpool both won comfortably on the opening day but Manchester United stole the show as they thrashed Frank Lampard’s Chelsea 4-0.
Can Liverpool go one better and pip City to the title this year? And can the promoted teams beat the drop? Here is our guide to every Premier League team for the 2019-20 season.
Manchester City
Manager: Pep Guardiola will be looking to secure City’s third successive Premier League crown, a feat only previously accomplished by Manchester rivals United.
Star players: Raheem Sterling, Kevin De Bruyne, Sergio Aguero
New arrivals: City strengthened well during the transfer window by bringing in defensive midfielder Rodri from Atletico Madrid and Portuguese right-back Joao Cancelo from Juventus.
Who to watch: There have been suggestions that this could be the season Phil Foden makes his mark for City but once again Raheem Sterling will be the one to watch.
Upcoming fixtures: Bournemouth (A), Brighton (H), Norwich (A)
Odds: City are 2/5 to make it 3 titles in a row this season.
Liverpool
Manager: Jurgen Klopp. Liverpool were imperious going forward last season and they’ll be hoping for another prolific campaign after bagging 89 league goals.
Star players: Mohamed Salah, Van Dijk, Alisson
New arrivals: There were no major signings for the European champions during the summer as they looked to the future by bringing in youngsters Harvey Elliott and Sepp van den Berg.
Who to watch: Salah will undoubtedly be chasing the Golden Boot again but all eyes will be on formidable centre-back Virgil van Dijk, who has been tipped to become the first defender to win the Ballon d’Or since Fabio Cannavaro in 2006.
Upcoming fixtures: Arsenal (H), Burnley (A), Newcastle (H)
Odds: The Reds are 3/1 to follow European success with a domestic title.
Manchester United
Manager: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. It’s the United legend’s first full season in charge and the pressure is on to guide them back into the top four.
Star players: Paul Pogba, Harry Maguire, Marcus Rashford
New arrivals: United made Maguire the world’s most expensive defender after splashing out £80m to sign him from
Premier Leicester. Aaron Wan-Bissaka fills the void at right-back, while exciting Welsh winger Daniel James has joined from Swansea.
Who to watch: Following Romelu Lukaku’s departure, young striker Mason Greenwood could be given a chance after impressing during pre-season.
Upcoming fixtures: Crystal Palace (H), Southampton (A), Leicester (H)
Odds: United are out at 28/1 to lift the Premier League trophy this year and Evens to finish in the top four.
Chelsea
Manager: Frank Lampard takes charge of his former side for his debut season as a Premier League manager. The former Derby head coach’s task has been made infinitely harder following Eden Hazard’s move to Real Madrid.
Star players: Christian Pulisic, N’Golo Kante, Tammy Abraham
New arrivals: Despite being slapped with a transfer ban, Chelsea were able to sign last season’s loanee Mateo Kovacic permanently from Real Madrid. Christian Pulisic is available after signing in January while Lampard is keen to use the likes of Abraham, Mason Mount and Kurt Zouma, who were out on loan last year.
Players to watch: Callum Hudson-Odoi will be looking to build on last season’s impressive showing when he returns from injury and Mount could star after shining under Lampard at Derby.
Upcoming fixtures: Norwich (A), Sheffield United (H), Wolves (A)
Odds: The Blues are 9/5 to get a Champions League spot and 40/1 to finish Premier League Champions.
Tottenham Hotspur
Manager: Mauricio Pochettino has transformed Spurs into top-four mainstays in recent years.
Star players: Harry Kane, Son Heung-Min, Tanguy Ndombele
New arrivals: After not making a single signing last season, Spurs were busy in the transfer market as they brought in Tanguy Ndombele, Giovani Lo Celso, Ryan Sessegnon and Jack Clarke.
Who to watch: Harry Kane has recovered from an ankle injury and will be raring to go with a full pre-season under his belt. Meanwhile, Lo Celso could star after bagging 16 goals from midfield for Real Betis last season.
Upcoming fixtures: Newcastle (H), Arsenal (A), Crystal Palace (H)
Odds: The north Londoners are 16/1 to top the table or 8/13 to finish in the top four again.
Arsenal
Manager: Unai Emery. Ahead of his second season in charge, the Spaniard will want his new signings to gel quickly in order to challenge for silverware.
Star players: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Nicolas Pepe, Alexandre Lacazette
New arrivals: Arsenal spent big during the summer as they splashed out £72m to bring in Pepe from Lille. They also bolstered their defence with the signings of David Luiz and Kieran Tierney. Dani Ceballos will provide creativity in the midfield after joining on loan from Real Madrid.
Who to watch: Big price tags bring big expectations and Pepe, who scored 23 times last season, has the pace and skill to get the Emirates crowd on their feet.
Upcoming fixtures: Liverpool (A), Tottenham (H), Watford (A)
Odds: The Gunners are Evens for a top four finish and 33/1 to win the title.
Wolverhampton Wanderers
Manager: Nuno Espirito Santo guided Wolves to a seventh-place finish in their first season back in the Premier League and they’ll be hoping to build on a promising campaign.
Star players: Raul Jimenez, Diogo Jota, Joao Moutinho
New arrivals: Wolves have signed Raul Jimenez and Leandro Dendoncker permanently following their performances on loan last year. Pedro Neto and Bruno Jordao have both arrived from Lazio, alongside Italian striker Patrick Cutrone. Real Madrid loanee Jesus Vallejo will provide depth at the back.
Who to watch: Matt Doherty was a shining light last term after bagging four goals and providing five assists from right wing-back.
Upcoming fixtures: Burnley (H), Everton (A), Chelsea (H)
Odds: Nuno’s side are 12/1 to break into the Champions League places and 4/1 to go one better than last season and finish in the top six.
Everton
Manager: Marco Silva. The former Watford boss has assembled a strong squad but he was dealt a transfer blow after missing out on the signing of Wilfried Zaha.
Star players: Jordan Pickford, Richarlison, Gylfi Sigurdsson
New arrivals: Everton pulled off a coup by bringing in 19-year-old striker Moise Kean from Juventus. The Italian has been joined by fellow new arrivals Fabian Delph, Alex Iwobi and Jean-Philippe Gbamin. Andre Gomes has signed permanently form Barcelona after impressing on loan, while Jonas Lossl and Djibril Sidibe have also come in.
Who to watch: There’s plenty of excitement surrounding Kean, who starred alongside Cristiano Ronaldo at Juventus last term. The striker could provide the goal threat to help Everton mount a challenge for the top six.
Upcoming fixtures: Aston Villa (A), Wolves (H), Bournemouth (A)
Odds: The Toffees are 14/1 to finish in the top four this season.
Leicester City
Manager: Brendan Rodgers has ambitions of gatecrashing the top six after splashing out ahead of his first full season in charge.
Star players: Jamie Vardy, James Maddison, Youri Tielemans
New arrivals: Tielemens’ loan move has been made permanent after he impressed last season. The midfielder has been joined by Ayoze Perez, Dennis Praet and James Justin at the King Power Stadium.
Who to watch: James Maddison shone in his debut Premier League season and he’ll be a creative force once again after scoring seven times and providing seven assists last year.
Upcoming fixtures: Sheff Utd (A), Bournemouth (H), Man Utd (A)
Odds: The former champions are 200/1 to pull off another shock title win and they’re 12/1 to finish in the top four.
West Ham United
Manager: Manuel Pellegrini will want to improve on last season’s 10th place after breaking the club’s transfer record to bring in Sebastien Haller from Eintracht Frankfurt for £45m.
Star players: Manuel Lanzini, Felipe Anderson, Pablo Fornals
New arrivals: Big summer signings Haller and Pablo Fornals have been joined by striker Albian Ajeti, defender Goncalo Cardoso and goalkeeping duo Roberto and David Martin.
Who to watch: Andriy Yarmolenko and Manuel Lanzini have both returned from long-term injuries and they’ll be expected to contribute goals following the exit of Marko Arnautovic.
Upcoming fixtures: Watford (A), Norwich (H), Aston Villa (A)
Odds: The Hammers are 11/1 to break into the top six and 10/1 to be relegated.
Crystal Palace
Manager: Roy Hodgson. Palace’s survival hopes were given a huge boost as they managed to hang on to talisman Wilfried Zaha.
Star players: Wilfried Zaha, Luka Milivojevic, Andros Townsend
New arrivals: Palace didn’t splash out despite receiving £50m for Aaron Wan-Bissaka. Victor Camarasa has joined on loan after shining at Cardiff last season. Jordan Ayew’s loan move has been made permanent, while Gary Cahill, James McCarthy and Stephen Henderson have also come in.
Who to watch: All eyes will be on Zaha after a summer of speculation. The winger handed in a transfer request and he’ll want to build on last season’s return of 10 goals and 10 assists in order to earn a big move.
Upcoming fixtures: Man Utd (A), Aston Villa (H), Tottenham (A)
Odds: The Eagles are 3/1 to finish in the top ten and 7/2 to be relegated.
Newcastle United
Manager: Steve Bruce is under pressure to deliver, with many fans furious at him replacing Rafa Benitez.
Star players: Jamaal Lascelles, Jonjo Shelvey, Sean Longstaff
New arrivals: The Magpies did not hold back in the transfer market, shelling out almost £60m on Joelinton and Allan Saint-Maximin. Full-backs Emil Krafth and Jetro Willems have been brought in, while Andy Carroll has returned to his boyhood club after being released by West Ham.
Who to watch: Joelinton has big shoes to fill after replacing Salomon Rondon up front. The Brazilian scored just seven times in the Bundesliga for Hoffenheim last season.
Upcoming fixtures: Tottenham (A), Watford (H), Liverpool (A)
Odds: Newcastle are 7/4 to be relegated and 9/2 to finish in the top ten.
Southampton
Manager: Ralph Hasenhüttl begins his first full season in the Premier League and he’ll be looking to push on after guiding the Saints to safety last term.
Star players: James Ward-Prowse, Ryan Bertrand, Nathan Redmond
New arrivals: Southampton have strengthened up front, with Che Adams arriving from Birmingham while Danny Ings has joined permanently from Liverpool following a loan spell last season. Winger Moussa Djenepo has also arrived, while defender Kevin Danso has joined on loan.
Who to watch: Adams tore the Championship to shreds last season as he scored 22 times and he’ll be desperate to prove he can make the step up.
Upcoming fixtures: Brighton (A), Man Utd (H), Sheffield Utd (A)
Odds: Southampton are 4/1 to go down, while they’re 5/2 to push on and finish in the top 10
Bournemouth
Manager: Eddie Howe. The Cherries boss added to his squad over the summer but his shrewdest piece of business was undoubtedly keeping hold of duo Callum Wilson and Ryan Fraser.
Star players: Ryan Fraser, Callum Wilson, Nathan Ake
New arrivals: Harry Wilson joined on loan from Liverpool after impressing for Derby last season. Fellow winger Arnaut Danjuma has also signed, alongside Philip Billing, Lloyd Kelly and Jack Stacey.
Who to watch: David Brooks will miss the start of the season through injury but he’ll be essential once again when he returns. Another productive campaign is expected of Fraser after seven goals and 14 assists last season.
Upcoming fixtures: Man City (H), Leicester (A), Everton (H)
Odds: Bournemouth are 11/4 to finish in the top half for just the second time in their history, while they’re 7/2 to be relegated.
Burnley
Manager: Sean Dyche. Burnley struggled last season but they’re expected to improve this term without the distraction of the Europa League.
Star players: James Tarkowski, Dwight McNeil, Ashley Barnes
New arrivals: Jay Rodriguez has returned to his boyhood club and Premier League winner Danny Drinkwater has joined on loan from Chelsea. Erik Pieters and Bailey Peacock-Farrell have also been brought in.
Who to watch: Dwight McNeil enjoyed a remarkable breakthrough campaign last term and Burnley will be delighted he’s still at the club after summer transfer interest from bigger clubs.
Upcoming fixtures: Wolves (A), Liverpool (H), Brighton (A)
Odds: Burnley are just 5/2 to go down this term and they’re 40/1 to secure a top-six finish.
Brighton & Hove Albion
Manager: Graham Potter. The Seagulls poached their new boss from Swansea after sacking Chris Hughton following a fight to stay in the Premier League last season.
Star players: Pascal Gross, Lewis Dunk, Neal Maupay
New arrivals: Brighton have strengthened their attack with the additions of Leandro Trossard and Neal Maupay. Defenders Adam Webster and Matt Clarke have joined, while Aaron Mooy has arrived on loan from Huddersfield.
Who to watch: Maupay was in high demand during the summer after scoring 25 Championship goals for Brentford last term. Brighton paid £20m to sign him and he’ll be expected to adapt to the Premier League quickly.
Upcoming fixtures: Southampton (H), Man City (A), Burnley (H)
Odds: Brighton struggled last season and they’re 3/1 to go down this year.
Norwich City
Manager: Daniel Farke’s side stormed to the Championship title last year and their attacking style is expected to yield goals – but can they keep them out at the other end?
Star players: Max Aarons, Emi Buendia, Teemu Pukki
New arrivals: Despite the riches that come with promotion to the Premier League, Norwich opted to be thrifty in the market this summer. Ibrahim Amadou and Patrick Roberts have come in on loan, while Sam Byram joined from West Ham for just £750,000.
Who to watch: Teemu Pukki scored 30 goals for the Canaries last season and he’s taken to Premier League life naturally, bagging four times in his first two games, including a stunning hat-trick against Newcastle.
Upcoming fixtures: Chelsea (H), West Ham (A), Man City (H)
Odds: Norwich are 11/10 to go down this season.
Sheffield Utd
Manager: Chris Wilder worked miracles to guide the Blades to promotion but they’re the clear favourites for the drop.
Star players: Billy Sharp, Jack O’Connell, Oliver McBurnie
New arrivals: United splashed out to bring in McBurnie and Callum Robinson, who both impressed in the Championship last season. Lys Mousset has also been snapped up from Bournemouth, while Luke Freeman and Ravel Morrison will provide creativity from midfield. Phil Jagielka has returned to his boyhood club after leaving Everton.
Who to watch: McBurnie scored 24 times for Swansea last season but there are question marks about whether he can step up after his £17m switch to Yorkshire.
Upcoming fixtures: Leicester (H), Chelsea (A), Southampton (H)
Odds: United are 8/11 favourites to be relegated this season.
Watford
Manager: Javi Gracia. The Spaniard guided the Hornets to 11th last season before they reached the FA Cup final, where they were ultimately beaten by Man City.
Star players: Troy Deeney, Abdoulaye Doucoure, Gerard Deulofeu
New arrivals: Watford have bolstered their frontline with the additions of £27m winger Ismaila Sarr and free agent Danny Welbeck. Craig Dawson will provide experience in defence while Joao Pedro and Tom Dele-Bashiru are ones to watch in the future.
Who to watch: Deulofeu was unplayable at times last season after forming a good partnership with Deeney up top. The former Barcelona star scored 12 times and provided five assists.
Upcoming fixtures: West Ham (H), Newcastle (A), Arsenal (H)
Odds: It could go either way for Watford this season. They’re 5/2 to go down and 5/2 to finish in the top ten.
Aston Villa
The manager: Dean Smith is set for his first season as a Premier League manager.
Star players: Jack Grealish, Wesley, Tyrone Mings
New arrivals: Villa spent more than £100m on 12 fresh faces in a bid to avoid relegation. There’s pressure on striker Wesley to deliver after joining from Club Brugge for £22.5m. Meanwhile, Egyptian winger Trezeguet has joined in a cut-price £9m deal. Tyrone Mings and Anwar El-Ghazi’s loan deals have been made permanent.
Who to watch: After being made club captain, Jack Grealish will be looking to inspire Villa to Premier League safety.
Upcoming fixtures: Everton (H), Crystal Palace (A), West Ham (H)
Odds: Villa are 4/1 to finish in the top ten this season and 9/4 to drop straight back into the Championship.
For more Premier League odds click here.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing
