Get ready for the new Premier League.
This season might have a familiar feel to it, but this might be the most different season yet with this one set to be a two-horse race between champions Manchester City and Liverpool.
The competition kicks off Friday night when Manchester United go to Leicester.
But if you’re a United fan, Chelsea or Arsenal man, this campaign is going to be filled with pain.
Don’t expect your team to be fighting for the title, so ready yourself for a new era.
Here I look at the fortunes of the top six in a season following a World Cup.
Manchester City
After winning last season’s Premier League while breaking almost every single record along the way, Pep Guardiola’s manne are the team to beat.
Just how other teams will figure out how to stop them will remain a mystery to most of their rivals.
Only Liverpool got the better of them last term, spoiling what could have been an invincible season.
City’s ability to hurt teams with their endless attacking options and the hunger with which they go in search of the ball in defence will once again be the reason they will retain their title.
Once again, Kevin de Bruyne, David Silva, Leroy Sane and Raheem Sterling were the big performers in the team last season.
But this campaign, you can except the likes of a settled Bernardo Silva and new boy Riyad Mahrez add more to City’s awesome consistency.
Prediction: First
Liverpool
I don’t mean to get on Liverpool fans’ nerves, but they love to say that this is their year at the start of the season.
But they may be right this time around.
After their run to the Champions League final and their strengthening over the off-season, one thing is for sure, they should be pushing City all the way.
A lot of their success will depend on whether their star trio of Mo Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane can get into the groove again and get buckets of goals.
Coach Jurgen Klopp knows that he can’t just rely on them to challenge and has backed Danny Sturridge to come good this season after spending a season on loan at West Brom.
Depth will be important for the Merseysiders as new boys Naby Keita and Fabinho compete in midfield.
Most importantly, they will hope goalkeeper Alisson can be a solid presence in goal.
Prediction: Second
Tottenham
They may not have done a lot of business in the market, but Mauricio Pochettino believes that his team can step up their game.
A solid defence gives them a strong foundation and if the rest of the team can provide the right kind of service, then Harry Kane will keep banging in the goals.
Fired up by the prospect of moving into their renovated White Hart Lane home, Spurs’ supporting cast have to step up alongside Christian Eriksen.
That means Dele Alli and Eric Lamela will have to be more consistency and become more effective behind Kane.
With midfielders Moussa Dembele and Victor Wanyama becoming less dynamic, the trio behind the hitman have to be at the absolute top of their game.
Prediction: Third
Manchester United
Red Devils will be hoping this season isn’t just one long meltdown.
Jose Mourinho is close to his expiry date. He doesn’t usually last longer than three seasons at a club.
And just like clockwork, the Special One looks to be asking for the sack with his constant attacks on his players and his “lack” of options.
United are not so much short on numbers or talent, but patience seems to be the missing ingredient.
Jose is the one who lacks the most of that most rewarding of virtues.
However, the likes of Luke Shaw, Paul Pogba, Eric Bailly, Marcus Rashford, Romelu Lukaku, Anthony Martial and even captain Antonio Valencia are now the ones getting gatvol of Jose’s moaning.
The rot around Old Trafford stank up the place last season.
And while they finished second behind City in May, things could implode with Jose putting everyone on a downer.
If United don’t unite soon, they could find themselves
outside of the Champions League spots.
Prediction: Fourth
Arsenal
It won’t be the same without Arsene Wenger on the sidelines at Arsenal games.
And that is exactly what Gunners fans want. Late-stage Wenger really was taking this team nowhere.
Under new coach Unai Emery, Arsenal should be tactically smarter and play with more energy off the ball – basically a more modern side.
That means that the top talents that they boast – Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Alexandre Lacazette, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Mesut Ozil – will have more structure to express themselves.
Arsenal have always been capable of playing beautifully brutal football, but they have not been ruthless.
Tougher players like Sokratis, Lucas Torreira and Stephan Lichtsteiner could just be the manne to bring out that mongrel that has been missing since Wenger’s 2004 invincibles.
Prediction: Fifth
Chelsea
Chelase fell away under Antonio Conte last season just like they did after Jose Mourinho won the league with them.
It’s a worrying trend for owner Roman Abramovich, whose money is not getting bringing the best players in anymore.
That instability could get worse this term, if the Blues somehow lose Eden Hazard with the English transfer window now closed.
Maurizio Sarri has a lot of work to do to rejuvenate a side looking low on belief and energy.
Upping the tempo and playing a more attacking style could really hurt them, with a squad that is thinner than usual.
Prediction: Sixth