A guide to the 2021/22 Premier League
We look ahead to the new campaign.
With the team line-up now confirmed for the 2021/22 Premier League season, we take a closer look at the upcoming campaign and what to expect.
WHO WON THE PREMIER LEAGUE LAST SEASON?
Manchester City (1st)
After a slow start going by standards set by the Sky Blues in recent years, Manchester City found themselves in ninth spot after 12 games. However, Pep Guardiola’s side went on a rampant run, winning 15 Premier League games in a row from December to March and went onto win the Premier League title by 12 points.
Did you know? Leeds United and Manchester United were the only teams Manchester City failed to beat in the Premier League last season!
WHO WAS RELEGATED FROM THE PREMIER LEAGUE LAST SEASON?
Fulham (18th)
The Cottagers were promoted to the top-flight after beating Brentford in the 2019/20 Sky Bet Championship Play-Off Final, but suffered an immediate return to the second tier. Scott Parker’s side collected 28 points, ending the campaign 11 points adrift of survivors Burnley in 17th spot.
West Bromwich Albion (19th)
Like Fulham, the Baggies suffered relegation in their first season back in the top-flight. They made a managerial change halfway through the season, replacing Slaven Bilic with Sam Allardyce, however, he was unable to save them from the drop.
Sheffield United (20th)
The Blades were promoted to the Premier League at the end of the 2018/19 season and finished ninth in their first season back in the top-flight. However, they were unable to find the same form during their second season, failing to win any of their opening 17 Premier League matches and eventually finished bottom.
Did you know? Leeds United completed the double against all three of the sides relegated during the 2020/21 season.
WHICH TEAMS WERE PROMOTED FROM THE SKY BET CHAMPIONSHIP LAST SEASON?
Norwich City (1st Sky Bet Championship)
The Canaries won the Sky Bet Championship for the second time in three years, after claiming the title last season. After suffering relegation in 2019/20 season from the Premier League, the Carrow Road outfit made an immediate return to the top-flight in style.
Manager: Daniel Farke
The German was appointed Canaries boss in May 2017, with Norwich in the Sky Bet Championship. After a 14th place finish in his first season, he guided the club to the title in his second campaign. Norwich stuck with him after relegation from the Premier League in the 2019/20 season and he again guided them to the Championship title last season.
Stadium: Carrow Road (Capacity 27,244)
One to watch: Teemu Pukki
The Finland international was Norwich’s top scorer, hitting 26 goals for the Canaries last season in the Championship. Having netted 11 goals during their 2019/20 Premier League campaign, he looks set to be one to watch again.
Watford (2nd Sky Bet Championship)
Like Norwich, Watford also returned to the Premier League at the first time of asking. The Hornets collected 91 points from their 46 matches, finishing six points behind the title winners, clinching the second automatic promotion spot.
Manager: Xisco Munoz
The former Valenica and Real Betis winger was appointed Watford boss at the end of December, after the Vicarage Road side had slipped to fifth following defeat by Huddersfield Town. He was able to get Watford back on track, being named Manager of the Month for March after five straight wins and went onto guide the club to promotion.
Stadium: Vicarage Road (Capacity 22,200)
One to watch: Ismaila Sarr
The 23-year-old Senegal international joined Watford from French club Rennes for a club record fee in August 2019, reported to be in the region of £40m. Signing a five-year deal, he hit six goals in his first campaign and followed that up with 13 last season.
Brentford (Play-Offs Sky Bet Championship)
Captained by former Leeds United defender Pontus Jansson, Brentford defeated Swansea City 2-0 at Wembley in the Play-Off Final to secure promotion to the Premier League for the first time. Brentford have been out of the top-flight since the 1946/47 season, so the 2021/22 campaign will be a momentous one for the West London outfit, who moved into their new stadium from Griffin Park in 2020.
Manager: Thomas Frank
Following the departure of Dean Smith to Aston Villa in October 2018, Frank who was an assistant coach at the time was promoted to the role of head coach. In his first full season he guided the club to the 2019/20 Play-Off Final, but his side were defeated by Fulham. However, he helped the Bees gain redemption, by winning the Play-Off Final last season.
Stadium: Brentford Community Stadium (Capacity 17,250)
One to watch: Ivan Toney
Signed from Peterborough, following the departure of Ollie Watkins to Aston Villa, Toney was the top scorer in the Sky Bet Championship, hitting 33 goals. He will now be looking to make the step up to the top-flight.
WHICH TEAMS QUALIFIED FOR EUROPEAN FOOTBALL FOR THE 2021/22 SEASON?
Manchester City, Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea (UEFA Champions League)
Leicester City, West Ham United (UEFA Europa League)
Tottenham Hotspur (UEFA Europa Conference League)
WHEN ARE THE FIXTURES ANNOUNCED FOR THE 2021/22 PREMIER LEAGUE SEASON?
Fixtures will be announced at 9am BST on Wednesday 16th June.
WHO ARE THE FAVOURITES TO WIN THE 2021/22 PREMIER LEAGUE TITLE?
Manchester City are the favourites with the bookmakers to retain their title, followed by Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United. Leeds United are currently 150/1 shots.
WHO ARE THE FAVOURITES TO BE RELEGATED FROM THE PREMIER LEAGUE AT THE END OF THE 2021/22 SEASON?
Norwich City, followed by fellow newly promoted sides Brentford and Watford are favourites with the bookmakers for the drop, followed by Crystal Palace, Burnley and Newcastle United.
