Club football is set to begin imminently in the UK and Goal brings you all the key details ahead of the new season
The new Premier League season is set to begin imminently in a few weeks, and Pep Guardiola's Manchester City side will be eager to defend their crown.
Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool have emerged among the front-runners to win their first Premier League-era honour, keen build upon last year's campaign to push for a genuine shot at winning the league.
Tottenham are underdogs to lift the prize while Chelsea are a club in transition following the appointment of ex-Napoli boss Maurizio Sarri.
But who else are favourites and underdogs to win this year's Premier League title – and who are the outsiders? Goal brings you all the information, including key start dates, standings and fixtures.
Favourites to win the 2018-19 Premier League
Manchester City are heavily tipped to retain their Premier League crown for a second season running, with bet365 pricing them at 4/6 to lift the title. No manager aside from Sir Alex Ferguson has managed to win two league titles in a row since he did so nine years ago, pipping Liverpool to the top spot by four points.
Guardiola certainly has the expertise and the team to mastermind a defense of their league title with the likes of Kevin De Bruyne, Raheem Sterling and Leroy Sane all looking as if they improve every game.
Klopp's Liverpool have emerged as 4/1 favourites to win their first ever Premier League title this next season after finishing as runners-up in the Champions League and occupying the fourth spot in the league table.
The German boss has heavily invested in his team this summer, adding the top likes of Naby Keita, Fabinho as well as a world-class likes of Alisson for a goalkeeper – while ensuring that Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino continue to spearhead their lethal attack.
Man United are 7/1 favourites to win the Premier League this season, the first time they would do so since Ferguson was in charge. Manager Jose Mourinho is approaching his infamous third season in charge of the club, however, and will need to continue to strengthen his squad after finishing second in the league – but crashing out of the Champions League in the last 16 stage and losing the FA Cup final to Chelsea.
2018-19 Premier League underdogs
Odds of Chelsea lifting the Premier League title are available at 12/1 , and would be underdogs to lift the prize following the dismissal of Antonio Conte and the arrival of Sarri as his replacement.
It will be impressive if the Blues manage to clinch the league title in Sarri's debut season in England, though their chances of winning the competition will be slim if they suffer the losses of star players Eden Hazard and Thibaut Courtois this summer. However, Sarri will be under pressure to deliver in his first season in charge – at the very least a top-four finish to secure Champions League football for the next season.
Tottenham are priced at 16/1 to win the Premier League, buoyed by the contract renewals of Harry Kane and manager Mauricio Pochettino. The North London side finished third in the Premier League, ahead of Liverpool, and will be desperate to lift their first piece of silverware since the League Cup in 2008 in their brand new stadium.
2018-19 Premier League outsiders
Arsenal are heavy outsiders to win the Premier League this season, priced at 20/1 to lift the crown, following Unai Emery replacing Arsene Wenger after 22 years in charge of the Gunners.
The North London club are, quite expectedly, a club now in transition and will need time to get their bearings with their new head coach.
Elsewhere, Everton are priced at 250/1 to lift the Premier League title even after appointing ex-Watford boss Marco Silva as coach and finalising a deal for highly-rated youngster Richarlison.
2018-19 Premier League table
Premier League 2018-19 opening fixtures
The new Premier League season is set to get underway on the weekend of August 10-12, beginning with Manchester United facing off against Leicester at Old Trafford.
