by Ian S Palmer
The 24th edition of the English Premier League is set to kick off on August 8 with titleholders Chelsea hoping to hang onto their crown. The league is open up for grabs in theory, but realistically, the top clubs in 2015/16 as usual should be Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester City, Manchester United, and Liverpool. Most fans should know by now that the rich just get richer and only the franchises with the biggest bank accounts battle for the title year after year. Queens Park Rangers, Burnley FC, and Hull City and were all relegated at the end of last season and their replacements are AFC Bournemouth, Norwich City and Watford.
2015-2016 English Premier League Betting Preview
Let’s take a look at each team, their players moves during the offseason, last year’s record and their current odds of winning the Premier League this campaign, courtesy of bet365. Fans should remember the transfer window is still open until a few weeks after the season begins, so there could still be some big transfer news in the next few weeks. Also, don’t forget there are numerous wagering markets to take advantage of, such as top-four finishes, the relegation battle, who will finish last, and the Golden Boot winner for being the top scorer etc.
Arsenal
- Last Year’s Record-W-D-L: 22-9-7
- Goals For:71
- Goals Against:36
- Points and Position: 75pts-3rd
- Odds to win 2015/16 Premier League: 9/2
The biggest move the Gunners made during the offseason was acquiring Czech international goalkeeper Petr Cech from arch rivals and league champions Chelsea. Some of the bigger names that left the club due to transfer or loans were Lukas Podolski, Abou Diaby, Carl Jenkinson (loan), Yaya Sanogo loan), and goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny (loan). Other than Cech, manager Arsene Wenger hasn’t really added to his squad, but most fans believe that move alone will allow Arsenal to challenge for the title instead of just a top-four finish. If they can stay healthy, they just might.
Aston Villa
- Last Year’s Record-W-D-L: 10-8-20
- Goals For: 31
- Goals Against: 57
- Points and Position: 36th-17th
- Odds to win 2015/16 Premier League: 2500/1
Tim Sherwood took over as manager from Paul Lambert midway through last season and the club improved enough to avoid relegations. However, they’ve lost leading scorer Christian Benteke to Liverpool in an overpriced transfer and skipper Fabian Delph took off for the money of Manchester City. However, some new recruits were brought in and these include: Scott Sinclair, Micah Richards, Mark Bunn, Idrissa Gueye, Jordan Amavi, Jordan Ayew and Jose Angel Crespo. Those who have left include: Andreas Weimann, Darren Bent, Enda Stevens, Yacouba Sylla, Matthew Lowton, Graham Burke, goalkeeper Shay Given, Delph and Benteke. The best move the club made last year was getting rid of Lambert. They’ll be fighting the relegation battle again this year.
Bournemouth
- Last Year’s Record-W-D-L: 26-12-8
- Goals For: 98
- Goals Against: 45
- Points and Position: 90-1st
- Odds to win 2015/16 Premier League: 5000/1
Bournemouth will be playing in the Premier League for the first time after being promoted from the Championship League last season as champions. They’ve brought in some new players such as goalkeeper Artur Boruc, Adam Federici, Joshua King, Christian Atsu, Silvain Distin, Tyrone Mings and Filippo Costa. Players on the way out include: Brett Pitman, Ryan Fraser (loan), Josh McQuiod and Jayden Stockley (loan). Let’s face it, Bournemouth will be considered a success story if they manage to stay in the Premier League for more than one season, but it’s unlikely to happen.
Chelsea
- Last Year’s Record-W-D-L: 26-9-3
- Goals For: 73
- Goals Against: 32
- Points and Position: 87-1st
- Odds to win 2015/16 Premier League: 6/4
Chelsea is one of the favorites to take the title again and they should be able to give it a go. Newcomers include: Nathan Allan de Souzahas, Radamel Falcao, goaltender Asmir Begovic, and Danilo Pantic. However, Pantic has been sent out on loan to Vitesse Arnhem in Holland and other players who have left are: goalkeeper Petr Cech to Arsenal, Lewis Baker (loan), Christian Atsu (loan), Gael Kakuta, Mario Pasalic (loan), Josh McEachran, Marco Van Ginkel (loan), Tomas Kalas ( loan), Jordan Houghton (loan), Kenneth Omeruo (loan), Patrick Bamford (loan) Didier Drogba and Filipe Luis. Chelsea has a bad habit of buying way too many players and loaning them out. Also, they’ve bought some very mediocre players lately. They’ll hang in there, but will be lucky if they hang onto their title.
Crystal Palace
- Last Year’s Record-W-D-L: 13-9-16
- Goals For: 47
- Goals Against: 51
- Points and Position: 48-10th
- Odds to win 2015/16 Premier League: 2000/1
Palace turned their season around when Alan Pardew took over as manager and he’s back again this year. New players include: Yohan Cabaye, Patrick Bamford and Alex McCarthy. On the way out are: Jack Hunt (loan), Kyle De Silva, Lewis Price, Hiram Boateng (loan) and Ryan Inniss (loan). Crystal Palace will do well to finish in the top 10 this season.
Everton
- Last Year’s Record-W-D-L: 12-11-15
- Goals For: 48
- Goals Against: 50
- Points and Position: 47-11th
- Odds to win 2015/16 Premier League: 250/1
Everton slid down the table last year in manager Roberto Martinez’s second year in charge. They’ve added a few new players in Tom Cleverley and Gerard Deulofeu. However, these aren’t enough to climb many spots up the standings. Those who have left include: George Green, Sylvain Distin, Jonjoe Kenny (loan), Francisco Junior (loan), Luke Garbutt and Christopher Long. If the players don’t find their top form this year, Martinez may pay for it with his job. There’s also a good chance they may lose English international defender before the transfer window closes as Chelsea keep bidding astronomical sums for him.
Leicester City
- Last Year’s Record-W-D-L: 11-8-19
- Goals For: 46
- Goals Against: 55
- Points and Position: 41-14th
- Odds to win 2015/16 Premier League: 2000/1
Leicester pulled a rabbit out of the hat last season as they managed to stay alive in the Premier League with a late surge. It wasn’t enough to save manager Nigel Pearson’s job though as he was sacked in the offseason and replaced by ex-Chelsea manager Claudio Ranieri of Italy. Newcomers include: Christian Fuchs, Robert Huth and Shinji Okazaki. Those who have left include: Esteban Cambiasso, Paul Gallagher, Adam Smith, Thomas Hopper, Chris Wood, Kieran Kennedy and Ben Hamer. If Leicester can start where they left off last year they’ll stay alive for at least one more season.
Liverpool
- Last Year’s Record-W-D-L: 18-8-12
- Goals For: 52
- Goals Against: 48
- Points and Position: 62-6th
- Odds to win 2015/16 Premier League: 20/1
The Raheem Sterling soap opera finally ended when Liverpool sold him for about 49 million pounds, a new record for a British player, which Manchester City were foolish enough to cough up. However, they then blew most of it by signing Belgian international striker Christian Benteke from Aston Villa for about 32.5 million. They have added some good players overall with Benteke, James Milner, Danny Ings, Adam Bogdan, Joe Gomez, Roberto Firmino and Nathaniel Clyne. Those who left Merseyside include: skipper Steven Gerrard, Iago Aspas, Glen Johnson, Danny Ward (loan), Sebastian Coates, Javier Manquillo (loan), Jordan Williams (loan), Lloyd Jones (loan), Kevin Stewart (loan), Luis Alberto (loan), Andre Wisdom (loan) and Sterling. They’ve loaned out dead wood and manager Brendan Rodgers needs to be a better judge of talent and name his best 11 week after week to finish in the top four.
Manchester City
- Last Year’s Record-W-D-L: 24-7-7
- Goals For: 83
- Goals Against: 38
- Points and Position: 79-2nd
- Odds to win 2015/16 Premier League: 11/4
Money talks with Manchester City and they continue to try and buy their way to another title. New additions include: Enes Unal, Raheem Sterling, Fabian Delph and Patrick Roberts. City spent a record 49 million pounds for a British player in Sterling, but got an 8-million pound deal on Delph. Players on the way out include: James Milner, Frank Lampard, Scott Sinclair, Dedryck Boyata, John Guidetti and Jordy Hiwula. City should still be strong enough for another title challenge and a top-four finish.
Manchester United
- Last Year’s Record-W-D-L: 20-10-8
- Goals For: 62
- Goals Against: 37
- Points and Position: 70-4th
- Odds to win 2015/16 Premier League: 5/1
It’s always a revolving door at Old Trafford. Too many mediocre players are brought in year after year and ten let go when they don’t produce. This year’s prime example is striker Radamel Falcao who was shipped out after his lone bad season last year. In addition, Angel di Maria may soon be joining him. This year’s newcomers include: Memphis Depay, Matteo Darmian, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Morgan Schneiderlin and Sergio Romero. Along with Falcao, other players who left include Tom Cleverley, Saidy Janko, Ben Amos, Tom Thorpe, Nani, Will Keane (loan), Robin van Persie and Reece James. Look for United to finish in the top four again.
Newcastle United
- Last Year’s Record-W-D-L: 10-9-19
- Goals For: 40
- Goals Against: 63
- Points and Position: 39-15th
- Odds to win 2015/16 Premier League: 2500/1
The “Wally with the Brolly” Steve McClaren has taken over as manager at Newcastle United after John Carver nearly drove them into the ground last year. His new players include: Georginio Wijnaldum, Aleksandar Mitrovic and Chancel Mbemba. Those who took off include: Remie Streete, Adam Campbell, Sammy Ameobi, Adam Armstrong and Frederick Woodman. Look for Newcastle to struggle again this year with their mediocre squad of players.
Norwich City
- Last Year’s Record-W-D-L: 25-11-10
- Goals For: 88
- Goals Against: 48
- Points and Position: 86-3rd
- Odds to win 2015/16 Premier League: 5000/1
Norwich is back in the Premier League again after earning promotion from the Championship League. However, they may find themselves right back down there again next year. New players include: Graham Dorrans, Youssouf Mulumbu, Andre Wisdom and Robbie Brady. Those who left town were: Mark Bunn, Cameron McGeehan, Sam Kelly, Remi Matthews (loan) and Carlton Morris (loan).
Southampton
- Last Year’s Record-W-D-L: 18-6-14
- Goals For: 54
- Goals Against: 33
- Points and Position: 60-7th
- Odds to win 2015/16 Premier League: 250/1
Southampton surprised everybody last year by having a strong season following an exodus of players. They might not be able to creep up on teams this year though and could slip down the table. Those who have joined the club include: Juanmi, Cedric Soares, goaltender Maarten Stekelenburg, Cuco Martina, Jordy Clasie and Steven Caulker. Players who left were: Nathaniel Clyne, goaltender Artur Boruc, Cody Cropper, Morgan Schneiderlin and Sam Gallagher (loan). Look for Southampton to remain a top-10 team.
Stoke City
- Last Year’s Record-W-D-L: 15-9-14
- Goals For: 48
- Goals Against: 45
- Points and Position: 54-9th
- Odds to win 2015/16 Premier League: 1000/1
Stoke is another middle-of-the-road team who have acquired the likes of: Philipp Wollscheid, Jakob Haugaard, Marco Van Ginkel, goaltender Shay Given, Glen Johnson, Moha El Ouriachi and Ibrahim Afellay. On the way out of town are: Robert Huth, Steven Nzonzi, Jamie Ness and goaltender Asmir Begovic. Stoke will remain a mediocre side, but could improve by one or two placed in the standings.
Sunderland
- Last Year’s Record-W-D-L: 7-17-14
- Goals For: 31
- Goals Against: 53
- Points and Position: 38-16th
- Odds to win 2015/16 Premier League: 3000/1
Sunderland just hung on once again last year to remain in the Premier League. Dick Advocaat remains as manager and he’s welcoming some new players such as: Sebastian Coates, Adam Matthews, Younes Kaboul and Jeremain Lens. On the way out are: El Hadji Ba and Santiago Vergini (loan). Sunderland could well be the most boring side in the league with 17 draws last year. Fans shouldn’t expect much better this time around either.
Swansea City
- Last Year’s Record-W-D-L: 16-8-14
- Goals For: 48
- Goals Against: 49
- Points and Position: 56-8th
- Odds to win 2015/16 Premier League: 1500/1
Swansea City, the league’s only Welsh club, have added some new players with: Andre Ayew, Franck Tabanou, Kristoffer Nordfeldt, Eder and Ollie McBurnie. Those who have left the team are Jazz Richards and David Cornell. Swansea should be able to finish in the top 10 again or just outside of it.
Tottenham Hotspur
- Last Year’s Record-W-D-L: 19-7-12
- Goals For: 58
- Goals Against: 53
- Points and Position: 64-5th
- Odds to win 2015/16 Premier League: 100/1
Tottenham has the potential to be a top-four team and may achieve it this year if they get a bit more consistency from their top players. They’ve acquired the likes of: Kevin Wimmer, Kieran Trippier and Toby Alderweireld. Those who have left White Hart Lane include Paulinho, Lewis Holtby, Jordan Archer, Alex McQueen, Etienne Capoue, Grant Ward (loan), Younes Kaboul, Benjamin Stambouli and Cristian Ceballos.
Watford
- Last Year’s Record-W-D-L: 27-8-11
- Goals For: 91
- Goals Against: 50
- Points and Position: 89-2nd
- Odds to win 2015/16 Premier League: 7500/1
Watford was promoted to the Premier League this season after finishing in the Championship League. Like all promoted teams, they’ll be considered a success story if they can remain in the top-tier after this season. However, out of the three newcomers in 2015/16, Watford arguably has the best chance of achieving this. The club’s newcomers include: Sebastian Prodl, Giedrius Arlauskis, Matej Vydra, Etienne Capoue, Jose Holebas, Valon Behrami, Allan Nyom, Miguel Britos, Jose Jurado and Steven Berghuis. Those who left town were: Uche Ikpeazu (on loan), Juanfran (loan) and Lewis McGugan.
West Bromwich Albion
- Last Year’s Record-W-D-L: 11-11-16
- Goals For: 38
- Goals Against: 51
- Points and Position: 44-13th
- Odds to win 2015/16 Premier League: 2000/1
West Brom is one of several run-of-the-mill Premier League clubs and it looks like they’ll remain one this season. New players include; James McClean and James Chester while those who left the Hawthorns are: Graham Dorrans, Bradley Garmston, Chris Baird, Youssouf Mulumbu, Jason Davidson and Wesley Atkinson.
West Ham United
- Last Year’s Record-W-D-L: 12-11-15
- Goals For: 44
- Goals Against: 47
- Points and Position: 47-12th
- Odds to win 2015/16 Premier League: 1500/1
West Ham got off to a decent start last year, but then wilted. Top striker Andy Carroll was injured for most of the season yet again and manager Sam Allardyce has been sacked. The new boss this year is Slaven Bilic and his new signings include: Dimitri Payet, Darren Randolph, Pedro Obiang, Dimitri Payet, Angelo Ogbonna, Carl Jenkinson and Manuel Lanzini. Players who left Upton Park include: Dan Potts, Paul McCallum and Stewart Downing. If Carroll stays healthy they may crack the top 10.