The Premier League returns on Saturday, August 16, with an exciting schedule and hundreds of thousands of miles for players to cover across English pitches. After only six weeks of rest, twenty clubs enter the 34th edition of the world’s most-watched championship determined to push their own limits.
Defending champions Liverpool are trying to hold on to the crown, Manchester City begins a new era without Kevin De Bruyne, and three clubs return to the elite, bringing an extra touch of romance via important summer signings. For fans and bettors following the action through Merkur Xtip, the season promises plenty of drama on and off the field.
Summer Signings
The summer transfer window broke through the £1 billion barrier. The most expensive deal was Florian Wirtz’s transfer from Leverkusen to Liverpool for £116 million – a new club and British record. Arsenal spent £55 million on Viktor Gyökeres and the same amount on Martín Zubimendi, marking the final stage of Mikel Arteta’s three-year project. Manchester United paid £66 million for Benjamin Šeško, while Manchester City spent £118 million on Tijani Reijnders, Rayan Cherki, and Aït-Nouri. Still, the biggest tabloid headline came from the bottom – Granit Xhaka returned to the Premier League by signing for promoted Sunderland in a £17 million deal.
In Memoriam – Diogo Jota
This year’s preparations were overshadowed by tragedy: Liverpool striker Diogo Jota died in a car accident on July 3 in Spain, together with his younger brother André. The club retired the number 20 jersey in his memory. Coach Arne Slot had to scrap his strategic plan with Jota as a “false nine” and accelerate the integration of Hugo Ekitike. The emotional weight could unite the squad, but it might also leave unpredictable marks on the champions’ season.
Liverpool – Slot’s Title Defense Under a Shadow
The Dutch manager stayed true to his adaptive 3-2-2-3 formation. Wirtz takes control of the central lanes between Mac Allister and Gravenberch, Frimpong and Kerkez stretch the field, while Mohamed Salah gains a new role as an inverted winger moving into midfield. Ekitike is still searching for rhythm, while youngsters Nioni and Bradley provide depth.
Manchester City – Life After De Bruyne
Pep Guardiola has essentially rebuilt the creative engine: Reijnders is expected to dictate tempo, Cherki offers dribbling spark in half-spaces, and Aït-Nouri creates overloads wide on the left. Haaland returned to training matches earlier than ever, declaring his aim of 40 league goals, which should also present challenges for bookmakers when it comes to his odds.
Arsenal – Another Title Chase
Arteta enters his fifth season with the mindset of “no tomorrow,” believing that this year must finally bring the title. Gyökeres is meant to solve chronic inefficiency up front, while Zubimendi, Declan Rice, and Nørgaard build a false “box-midfield” with variable pressing triggers. The final test against Villarreal (2-3) exposed fragility in transitions, though the club insists it was a “controlled experiment.”
United, Chelsea, Tottenham – The Champions League Battle
Manchester United secured the signing of 22-year-old Benjamin Šeško from RB Leipzig for £73 million, giving coach Rúben Amorim a 195 cm striker to solve the lack of depth runs in attack. The squad puzzle still lacks a defensive anchor, which will remain a priority.
Enzo Maresca confirmed his philosophy of strict positional football with the arrival of 18-year-old Brazilian Estevão, bought last year for around £29 million but only arriving now after the Club World Cup. The club has yet to see spectacular results in friendlies, but the board insists progress should be measured by possession and pressing triggers, not scores.
As for Tottenham, despite refreshing their attack, defensive issues remain: last season the Spurs conceded 65 league goals, an average of one every 53 minutes. Fixing the transition zone in front of the center-backs is a priority, or else their matches will hardly inspire confidence in betting circles.
Returnees to the Elite – Leeds, Burnley, Sunderland
Leeds United, the 2024/25 Championship winners with an impressive 100 points under Daniel Farke, bring their trademark high pressing to the Premier League with the primary goal of securing mid-table safety early. Burnley, who finished second also with 100 points, secured a quick return to the top flight and remain committed to tight organization and fast transitions. The club believes that 40 points should be enough to avoid a relegation battle. The third newcomer, Sunderland, came up through the playoffs with new French coach Régis Le Bris. The club already announced ambitious investments and an attacking style aimed at avoiding the typical quick drop back to the Championship.
Key Mid-Table Question
Brighton and West Ham lost some big names but kept coaching stability. Newcastle focused on minimal but precise changes (mainly goalkeeper and a left center-back). The gap between 8th and 14th place could fit within seven points, making every October draw worth its weight in gold.
All in all, live betting will be highly relevant no matter which match is on the screen.
Main photo credit: IMAGO / Sportimage