Premier League 2023-24 Season Preview #3: Manchester City remain the team to beat

The Premier League 2023-24 campaign begins when newly promoted side Burnley host champions Manchester City on Friday August 11, and here at Premier Bet we are giving you the lowdown on all 20 teams ahead of the new season.

Every day between Monday August 7 and Thursday August 11, we will analyse five teams in alphabetical order, providing you with all the information you could ask for when it comes to their key signings, performances last season, and predictions for the coming campaign. Not only will this make you the most knowledgeable person in the group chat, it will also give you plenty of food for thought when it comes to any outright bets.

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Liverpool

Last season: 5th

Key signing: Alexis Mac Allister (£35m, Brighton)

Prediction: 4th

Liverpool recovered from a disastrous first half of the season to put together seven successive wins towards the end of last campaign, but Jurgen Klopp’s side fell short of qualifying for the Champions League for the first time since 2016.

The likes of Jordan Henderson, Fabinho, James Milner and Roberto Firmino have all departed the club during a summer of change on Merseyside, with Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai set to provide greater dynamism and quality in midfield.

They are unlikely to be the final bodies through the door between now and the end of August, with Southampton’s Romeo Lavia heavily linked as a solution at the base of midfield, but it is difficult to escape the feeling that this could be a transitional season for the 2019-20 champions. Finishing fourth at worst in order to return to Europe’s top table is likely to be the main aim, alongside reaching the Europa League final in Dublin next May.

Luton Town

Last season: 3rd (Championship)

Key signing: Marvelous Nakamba (undisclosed, Aston Villa)

Prediction: 19th

Having been relegated from the First Division in 1992 before the division rebranded the following season, Luton will compete in the Premier League for the first time in the club’s history after beating Coventry City on penalties in the Championship play-off final.

The Hatters were a non-league outfit less than 10 years ago, with their rapid rise through the divisions representing one of the most remarkable stories in modern English football. Rob Edwards has made a series of shrewd additions from the lower divisions so far this summer, with African star Nakamba turning his loan move from Aston Villa in January into a permanent one after providing invaluable industry and experience in midfield.

However, there is little doubt that the jump in quality to the top flight is a gigantic one, and without further signings they could fall short. Few sides will fancy taking Luton on at the old-fashioned Kennilworth Road, though, with their direct and physical approach likely to ruffle a few of the big boys’ feathers.

Manchester City

Last season: 1st

Key signing: Josko Gvardiol (£77m, RB Leipzig)

Prediction: 1st

Man City overcame a challenging opening period to lift their fifth Premier League title in six seasons, before triumphing in the Champions League for the first time in the club’s history.

Despite losing Ilkay Gundogan to Barcelona and Riyad Mahrez to Al-Hilal, it is difficult to envisage anyone being able to finish above a team spearheaded by the greatest manager and two of the most destructive attackers in world football (Pep Guardiola, Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne).

The addition of Josko Gvardiol will bolster an already formidable defensive unit, with the only question marks being a potential lack of motivation and squad depth, but in reality it could be another procession for them without major improvements elsewhere.

Manchester United

Last season: 3rd

Key signing: Andre Onana (£45m, Inter Milan)

Prediction: 3rd

After losing to Brighton and Brentford in his first two games in charge, alarm bells were ringing regarding the latest managerial reign at Old Trafford under Erik ten Hag.

However, the former Ajax boss has proven himself to be made of stern stuff, gradually turning things around to make the Red Devils arguably the most consistent outfit that they have been since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement a decade ago.

Having already signed Mason Mount and Andre Onana for around £100m in total, Man Utd have also spent big to recruit Rasmus Hojlund from Atalanta as their potential centre-forward solution, meaning they should be able to consolidate their place in the top four. A title challenge may still be a little beyond them for now, though.

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Newcastle United

Last season: 4th

Key signing: Sandro Tonali (£52m, AC Milan)

Prediction: 7th

Although expectations were understandably raised after the club was purchased by wealthy Saudi Arabian owners in October 2021, Newcastle moved ahead of schedule by qualifying for the Champions League for the first time in two decades last season.

Eddie Howe has implemented a hard-running, high-intensity style of football remarkably different to his Bournemouth team, with the raucous atmosphere at St James’ Park making it one of the most difficult places to visit in English football.

However, it is hard to escape the feeling that they massively overachieved in comparison to the majority of their players’ ability, and if they progress into the knockout stages of Europe’s elite competition they could find the going comparatively tough on multiple fronts. They will be in the mix for sure, though, and it would be no surprise to see them finally end their 68-year wait for a major trophy.

You can read our second batch of Premier League previews here, including our prediction for where Chelsea will finish after enduring their worst Premier League campaign for almost three decades last time out.

Have you checked out our ‘From The Streets’ campaign? We have teamed up with Premier Bet Brand Ambassador and former Ivory Coast & Chelsea striker Didier Drogba and a local community to work on a promotional video, helping connect us with our valued players. Click here to read more.