I missed the 2018 FA Community Shield, and I will also miss the start of the 2018-2019 Premier League season for the first time in many years. When the new campaign kicks off on Friday, August 10, 2018, I will be on a plane on my way back to the U.S. from Jamaica. I must apologize for such a short and rushed post, but this is the best I could do given the circumstances.

This past Sunday (August 5), Chelsea went up against the reigning Champions, Manchester City for the first chance of silverware. Based on the post-match reports I read (and the scoreline), the Citizens made light work of the Blues, with Aguero scoring a brace and Chelsea looking out of their depth. If the Community Shield is anything to go by (It isn’t, see Arsenal last season), then City should pick up right where they left off; head and shoulders ahead of the rest of the pack.

Logic, common sense and most Premier League analysis is dictating that Manchester City will be back to back champions come May 2019. They have the best squad, they play beautiful attacking football, and they won the league comfortably, setting points and goals records along the way. I can’t see another team overturning such a large winning margin. So there you have it! Manchester City should be champions, let’s crown them in August and not waste any time playing the matches. That’s what my head is telling me. My heart, on the other hand, is saying something else.

My heart is telling me that this is finally Liverpool’s year. The Reds managed to wrap up their new signings from early and based on their preseason performances, the players are gelling beautifully. Sturridge and Lovren look like new players and the likes of Salah, Mane and Firmino haven’t missed a beat and are raring to go. Keita and Fabinho should add another dynamic to the team and Shaqiri is sure to be a spark off the bench. Liverpool seem like they have built on their Champions League finals run, the players look confident and happy, and Klopp believes he has put together a team capable of mounting a realistic challenge to City.

Chelsea and Arsenal have new managers, and I would expect them to take some time to get accustomed to their new gaffers’ playing styles.

Tottenham didn’t sign any new players, and one can’t help thinking that Pochettino is satisfied with the players he has at his disposable. If Spurs don’t win silverware soon, I wonder how much longer they will be able to keep this team together.

I don’t think it is an exaggeration for me to say that Manchester United is going into the new campaign in turmoil. Mourinho has been moaning about the Red Devil’s signings or lack thereof for weeks. Jose is a huge fan of buses. When he is not parking them, he is throwing his players under them. Did you catch his mini rants during pre-season? Then there is the small matter of Pogba’s desire to leave Manchester. There is a storm brewing at Old Trafford and I don’t think they will be able to weather it in time to challenge Manchester City for the title.

Premier League Champion Poll

Premier League Predictions

Top Goal Scorer

• Mohamed Salah

Player of The Season

•  Mohamed Salah

Manager of The Season

• Jurgen Klopp