Well ladies and gents, here we are. The season finally kicks off and the wait is over!
The debates are raging, including Manchester United fans who, after such crisis, are believing that they’re in with a shout!
I’m always interested in what bookies are saying ahead of the new campaign and it makes for interesting reading.
For all you Gooners out there who think Nicolas Pepe is gonna solve your problems, you can get a staggering 70/1 for your team winning the league!
I don’t think I’ve ever seen such long odds for the Gunners, absolutely no faith for a title challenge.
Next (in the top six), Chelsea and United are at 40/1 huge odds, but given that both clubs are busy "rebuilding", it’s probably the right number considering realistic forecasts.
Then comes Spurs, now I’m not sure why odds are nearly halved to 22/1?
Are they ahead of the chasing pack because they made the Champions League final?
And then of course the top two.
Liverpool can be backed at just over 3/1 for all you dreamers out there and City are odds-on favourites at 1/2.
I’d probably agree more or less with the indicators coming out of the gambling world. However after City and Liverpool, I’d say the next four are so tightly bunched, it’s impossible to predict the order.
I know there are those of you who will ask what about Everton or Leicester or Wolves and the rest?
NO SAVIOUR: Arsenal's Pepe
But I’m pretty sure the top six will reflect the usual
suspects come May 2020.
I was half looking forward to the traditional opener of the season - the Community Shield - just as something resembling Premier League to watch after a big Sunday lunch, but inevitably, filled with meat and about a kilo of potatoes, fell asleep after the first 30 minutes.
Not sure it would have been any different minus the lunch?
But going through the highlights later on, I was surprised to witness what seemed like a Liverpool comeback after a mind-numbing first third which looked like Pep and his boys were jogging to a boring 1-0 victory.
Klopp must have given his side a mouthful at half time, which saw them start creating more and playing with higher intensity.
Either way, to all you Scousers out there, hoping you’re not moaning already?
It’s a friendly, no one cares. It would have been great for you to put one on City BEFORE the season starts, but your second-half performance should give you some heart.
City are at West Ham for Saturday’s 1.30pm fixture and then three interesting games on Sunday as Leicester host Wolves, Arsenal go to Newcastle (both 3pm), before an early crisis meeting between Man United and Chelsea at 5.30.
Yes my friends, here we go...game on!