A SURPRISE PACKET SEASON
With the return of Leicester City to the topflight, there’s no better time to take a look at which teams could pull of an upset and emulate the feats of the Foxes in 2015/16.
THE SEAGULLS ARE CIRCLING
If any team could pull off a Leicester like upset, it’s Brighton Hove Albion.
Their owner is one of the shrewdest businessmen in the EPL and has an incredible knack of unearthing talent. A bit like his poker playing and punting days, Tony Bloom plays his cards close to his chest, so expect some surprises again this season.
Their pre-season form has been strong, albeit wins against lesser likes have flattered them, but their last win against Villareal was full of merit. Importantly, that win saw Pedro continue his scoring ways, the ever reliable Danny Welbeck hit the score sheet and recent signing from Newcastle, Minteh, also slot one.
They have the youngest Head Coach in EPL history, Fabian Hurzeler, a recent winner of the Bundelisga Second Division, is on brand for Bloom and Brighton.
Brighton’s opening quote is $376, surely worth a deep-sea diver.
OUR MAN ANGE CAN
Spurs will start significantly shorter than the Seagulls ($20), but they don’t have to improve too much from last season to become a significant threat.
Ange Postecoglou had a great start to his EPL career and with some quality signings in the off season, could climb further.
Dominic Solanke scored 19 goals for Bournemouth last season and helped them to their highest position, but now joins Spurs on a $83m deal, a record for that Club. Ange will be hoping he has got him at his peak, after previous stints at Liverpool and Chelsea before joining the Cherries.
The youngster from Leeds, 18yo Archie Gray, also looks an exciting prospect. He has a high football IQ and is technically flawless. Watch for him to make waves early on this season.
Timo Werner didn’t hit the heights everyone thought he would when debuting in the EPL for Chelsea, but returns again to Spurs after extending his loan from Leipzig. He netted 14 goals across all comps after signing on in January.
Ange will bring his exciting brand of footy again in his second season at the helm, so strap yourself in for a roller coaster ride
