The new Premier League season has barely begun, and already the first international break is upon us. Each team has played three games and the table is already starting to take shape.
With the action set to resume thick and fast after the conclusion of the international fixtures, now is the perfect time to take stock and take a look at the main talking points of the first few games of the season.
City and Haaland look hungry for a fifth title in a row
Despite having recently created even more history, this year Man City kicked off the new season with a slight fear of the unknown.
Pep Guardiola’s future is uncertain and over the next few months we should hear the outcome of the 115 charges that City are faced with from the Premier League. However, despite all that background noise City have started the new season well.
Difficult away wins against Chelsea and West Ham, alongside a comfortable home win against Ipswich, have seen the champions pick up nine points from nine. They sit at the top of the table alongside Liverpool.
Erling Haaland is after a third consecutive Golden Boot, and the Norwegian hitman has enjoyed a blistering start to the new campaign. Having already found the back of the net seven times through the first 3 games, Haaland has scored two consecutive hat tricks and looks hungry for more.
With Haaland on fire, betting sites have already doubled down on their belief that once again it will be City who are the team to beat.
Liverpool and Arsenal look like being City’s main challengers
After the departure of Jurgen Klopp and a limited amount of additions over the summer, many believed that Liverpool could have a tough start to the season, but new Liverpool boss Arne Slot has slotted into life in the Premier League with ease.
Like City, they remain the only team to win all three of their matches and their latest win over Manchester United at Old Trafford was hugely impressive.
Tougher tests will come, but so far Liverpool look like serious contenders.
Sitting two points off City and Liverpool, Arsenal, who through three games have picked up wins against Wolves and Aston Villa. Their draw against Brighton would have been a disappointment for Mikel Arteta who knows that they can’t let City get too far out of sight.
Although the new season is still in its early phases, the next two matches for the Gunners are set to be vital. Away matches against Tottenham and City could well define Arsenal’s title challenge. If more points are dropped it could be a long way back, even at this early stage.
Top 4 and 6 hopefuls off to a mixed start
The battle for Europe is set to be intense and will most likely head to the final few games of the season, but those hopeful of securing European football have already got off to a mixed start.
Brighton had a taste of Europe last season and will be desperate for a return. Under new boss Fabian Hurzeler the Seagulls have started well and seven points from matches against Everton, Utd and Arsenal is a great return.
Also sat on seven points are Newcastle. A poor transfer window could mean that the Toon Army find life difficult this season but Eddie Howe would have been delighted with his side’s fast start.
Aston Villa, Chelsea, Man Utd and Spurs are all in European competition next season and of the four it is Villa who have started the brightest. Wins against Leicester and West Ham have put them on six points and Unai Emery will hope his team can last the pace like they did last season.
For Utd, Spurs, and Chelsea, indifferent starts have led to many questions being asked. Neither club will be happy with how they have begun and a return to form is a must upon the new season starting again.
Newly promoted teams have a battle on their hands
Last season saw all three promoted clubs return back to the Championship and fans of Southampton, Ipswich and Leicester will hope to avoid a similar fate.
Of the three sides, Ipswich can have few complaints over how they have started as defeats against Liverpool and City were to be expected. A battling point against Fulham provided a better indication of how they could fare.
Leicester have also got a point on the board and have played well to begin the new campaign. They could be more competitive than many initially believed.
Southampton are the only one of the trio of promoted clubs who have yet to claim a point and already there are warning bells chiming. Having just scored one goal and conceded five, the battle to avoid the drop might be a long one for the Saints to endure.
