Manchester City’s 115 Charges
The threat of the 115 charges – all relating to alleged financial rule breaches, dating back to 2009 – brought by the Premier League on Manchester City has loomed large since February 2023. But this spring it could all come to a head, as a the formal hearing with the independent commission is set to take place this season. What could their potential punishment be? A fine? A transfer ban? Or a points deduction, leading to relegation? Watch this space.
Slotball
New Liverpool manager Arne Slot takes charge for the first time on Saturday lunchtime away at Ipswich Town. With the club having signed no one – the only club in the top 7 divisions to do so this year – the onus is on Slot’s methods translating to players already at the club. Despite a promising pre-season under their belt (where the Merseyside club confidently swept aside Manchester United, Arsenal, Sevilla, and Real Betis) a trip to the newly-promoted Suffolk side will be a far sterner test.
A VAR Switch-up
Everyone’s least favourite technology gets a slight switch-up this year, as now the referee’s initial decision will only be overturned if there’s a clear and obvious error. Hopefully no more 10-minute delays whilst some blokes 200 miles away draw lines on the pitch.
Can Arsenal Go All The Way?
Last season Arsenal pushed Manchester City almost all the way for the title, with the North London club finishing just two points behind the Cityens in second place. This summer they’ve added defender Riccardo Calafiori and are expected to prise Mikel Merino away from Real Sociedad. Can they go one better come May?
Everton’s Swan Song
Another team facing a potential points deduction is Everton, after the Premier League have reportedly uncovered further financial rule breaches on top of the deductions last season. This is the Blues’ last season at Goodison Park before they move to a new £800m stadium in Bramley-Moore Dock – but might they be playing there next year in the Championship?
Ten Hag’s Men
With the signings of Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui, Erik Ten Hag has basically moulded Manchester United into his (very Ajax-adjacent) image. Surely now there can be no excuses, and whilst he narrowly lost to City on penalties in the Community Shield, the pressure will be on to improve on last season’s 8th place finish.
Crystal Palace Remontada
Palace finished last season with six wins out of seven, as new manager Robert Glasner transformed the team from perennial midtable slop into European place botherers. This summer, Michael Olise departed to Bayern Munich, but with Jean-Philippe Mateta, Marc Guéhi, and Eberechi Eze still at the club (for now), you’d fancy the South London outfit to make it into the top half of the table.
Relegation Repetition?
Last season, all the newly promoted sides went straight back down again. Leicester City and Southampton look better equipped to survive the drop, but how will Ipswich fare in their first season back in the Premier League in 22 years? What’s certain is that, given the potential points deductions of other clubs, this year’s relegation battle will be one to watch.
