Best PL Teams 23/24

The PL 2023/24 season is due to begin August 11, with the action continuing until May 19. This will be the 32nd campaign of the PL and it promises to be a particularly fascinating one, and one which you of course have plenty of fantastic PL odds available for you at NordicBet.

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Manchester City remain the team to beat in the title race, but Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester United will all be aiming to challenge. Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United should be in the mix for the European places.

At the other end of the standings, the likes of Luton Town, Bournemouth, Sheffield United and Burnley are all considered relegation candidates, but there are bound to be some surprises along the way.

In this guide to the PL 2023/24 season, we have run through each team’s strengths and weaknesses, before picking out a player to watch from all 20 clubs.

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Arsenal

Aim: Win the PL title. After coming close last term, Arsenal will be looking to go one better.

Strengths: Arsenal have an array of attacking talent on the flanks, principally with Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli.

Weaknesses: The Gunners could do with more defensive depth in case of injuries.

Player to watch: Declan Rice. The influence from their star players is already known, but if their new signings can also deliver immediately, this team could be dangerous.

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Aston Villa

Aim: Continue their progress. Aston Villa are full of ambition under Unai Emery.

Strengths: Emery is an excellent manager with a fine track record at his previous clubs.

Weaknesses: An injury to Ollie Watkins would be a huge blow given the lack of depth behind him.

Player to watch: Watkins. Without him, Aston Villa could struggle to score goals.

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Bournemouth

Aim: Finish outside the bottom three. Bournemouth are among the relegation favourites again.

Strengths: Gary O’Neil’s sacking may have been harsh, but Andoni Iraola is a definite upgrade.

Weaknesses: Bournemouth were far too open defensively last season and must improve in that regard.

Player to watch: Justin Kluivert. The former Roma man is a gifted attacker and still only 24.

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Brentford

Aim: Avoid relegation. Brentford should see survival as success this time around.

Strengths: Brentford have a clear identity and everyone at the club is pulling in the same direction.

Weaknesses: Ivan Toney, Brentford’s top scorer, is suspended until January after breaching betting rules.

Player to watch: Bryan Mbeumo. The Cameroon international will need to step up in Toney’s absence.

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Brighton & Hove Albion

Aim: Qualify for Europe again. Brighton will be determined to show they are not a flash in the pan.

Strengths: Brighton play wonderful football under their astute head coach Roberto De Zerbi.

Weaknesses: The Seagulls may not have the squad depth to balance Europe with the league.

Player to watch: Evan Ferguson. The Irishman could take centre stage up front for Brighton this term.

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Burnley

Aim: Maintain their top-flight status. Burnley must focus on survival first and foremost.

Strengths: Burnley will play with confidence and bravery under the impressive Vincent Kompany.

Weaknesses: Burnley’s squad does not contain much in the way of proven PL talent.

Player to watch: Josh Cullen. Burnley’s Player of the Year in 2022/23 will be essential again.

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Chelsea

Aim: Finish in the top four. But Chelsea have significant ground to make up after coming 12th last season.

Strengths: Despite how dismal they were last season, Chelsea have some excellent players on the books.

Weaknesses: Goalscoring was a real issue for the Blues in 2022/23 – under three different managers.

Player to watch: Christopher Nkunku. Can the Frenchman solve Chelsea’s attacking woes? His injury means he won’t have the immediate effect the club and player had hoped for.

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Crystal Palace

Aim: Consolidate in mid-table. Roy Hodgson is a safe pair of hands as Crystal Palace boss.

Strengths: Palace were reasonably solid last season and Hodgson is renowned for his ability to organise a defence.

Weaknesses: The Eagles do not have a reliable goalscoring centre-forward and could lose Wilfried Zaha.

Player to watch: Ebere Eze. Revitalised under Roy Hodgson last term, the attacking midfielder is ready to fly.

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Everton

Aim: Survive more comfortably. Everton fans do not want any more late-season drama.

Strengths: Now accustomed to Sean Dyche’s methods, the Toffees should be tougher to play against in 2023/24.

Weaknesses: Dominic Calvert-Lewin has a poor injury record and Everton do not have another dependable goal-getter.

Player to watch: Amadou Onana. Everton might have gone down without him last season.

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Fulham

Aim: Avoid second season syndrome. But a relegation battle is a possibility if luck is against them.

Strengths: Organised and disciplined in and out of possession, Fulham are more than the sum of their parts.

Weaknesses: The defensive positions within Marco Silva’s squad can be strengthened.

Player to watch: Joao Palhinha. A brilliant ball-winning midfielder who excelled last season.

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Liverpool

Aim: Win the title. Liverpool will be desperate to knock Manchester City off their perch.

Strengths: Liverpool have an abundance of attacking options, including Mohamed Salah, Diogo Jota, Luis Diaz and Cody Gakpo.

Weaknesses: The Reds lost their mojo last term and it remains to be seen whether they can get it back.

Player to watch: Alisson Becker. The best PL goalkeeper remains as integral as ever.

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Luton Town

Aim: Upset the odds. Of all the teams in the division this season, Luton have been written off the most.

Strengths: Kenilworth Road is old and ramshackle, but Luton will make it difficult for all visiting teams this season.

Weaknesses: The Hatters may be outclassed by several of their PL opponents.

Player to watch: Tom Lockyer. Luton’s captain will bring resolve to the backline.

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Manchester City

Aim: Retain the title. Manchester City remain the strongest of all the teams in the top division.

Strengths: Pep Guardiola is a genius of a manager who continues to evolve season after season.

Weaknesses: For all their incredible riches, Manchester City do not have the deepest of squads.

Player to watch: John Stones. A genuine star, he looks set to continue in his hybrid defender-midfielder role.

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Manchester United

Aim: Get closer to the title. Winning it will probably be too tall an order, though.

Strengths: Manchester United have excellent midfield options in Casemiro, Christian Eriksen, Mason Mount and Bruno Fernandes.

Weaknesses: The Red Devils have work to do when it comes to controlling games and dominating possession.

Player to watch: Mason Mount. Acquired from Chelsea, the England international adds energy to the midfield.

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Newcastle United

Aim: Stay in the top four. But balancing the league with the CL could be tough.

Strengths: Eddie Howe’s side made St James’ Park a fortress last season and no one will relish their trips to the northeast.

Weaknesses: At times last term Newcastle struggled to create chances and score goals.

Player to watch: Sven Botman. A rock at the back, he will help Newcastle keep things solid.

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Nottingham Forest

Aim: Improve on last season. Although Nottingham Forest will ultimately be targeting survival once more.

Strengths: Steve Cooper’s side can be lethal on the counter-attack when they break forward at speed.

Weaknesses: Forest had a dismal away record last term, winning only one game on the road.

Player to watch: Morgan Gibbs-White. Nottingham Forest’s best player is a thorn in the side of opposition defenders.

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Sheffield United

Aim: Stay up. Sheffield United would bite your hand off for a 17th-place finish.

Strengths: The Blades have a productive academy and some of their youngsters could impress in the PL.

Weaknesses: Paul Heckingbottom’s team scored goals in the Championship but can this group do the same at the top table?

Player to watch: Anel Ahmedhodzic will be a vital part of a Sheffield United defence that will probably have to deal with a lot of pressure throughout the season.

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Tottenham Hotspur

Aim: Qualify for the the CL. But that could be beyond them.

Strengths: If they can keep hold of Harry Kane, Spurs have a guaranteed goalscorer at the top of the pitch.

Weaknesses: Tottenham’s defence let them down last season, and all 20 football teams in the league know the importance of a tight backline.

Player to watch: James Maddison. The England international will be looking to take his game to another level.

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West Ham United

Aim: Push for the top half. West Ham have the quality to do much better than last year.

Strengths: The Hammers have plenty of talent within their squad, notably Lucas Paqueta (although he is being linked to Man City) and Jarrod Bowen.

Weaknesses: West Ham did not excel at converting the chances they created last term.

Player to watch: Lucas Paqueta. Now settled in England, the Brazilian could have a big season ahead of him, unless he leaves the club…

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Wolverhampton Wanderers

Aim: Clear steer of trouble. Wolves will be targeting a mid-table finish this term.

Strengths: Since their promotion to the top division, the Black Country club have always had a decent defensive record.

Weaknesses: Wolves really struggled to put the ball in the back of the net last season, scoring only 31 goals.

Player to watch: Matheus Cunha. There is no doubting the former Atletico Madrid forward’s quality.

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