When it comes to attacking talent, the defending champions definitely hold the edge. They have in their ranks world-class stars such as Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez. Vardy finished second in the Premier League golden boot race last season, scoring a team-best 24 goals. Mahrez, on the other hand, was the Foxes’ chief facilitator, dishing out a team-high 11 assists last season. That was the fifth-best mark in the league last campaign. The reigning PFA Player of the Year also displayed his scoring prowess last season, nabbing 17 goals for the league champs.
To further enhance their title-retention bid, the Foxes bolstered their attack and signed Ahmed Musa from CSKA Moscow for a club-record £16m. The Nigerian offers the Foxes a fresh attacking threat this season. He led CSKA to their third title triumph in four years last season, contributing a career-best 17 goals in all competitions.
Hull City, on the other hand, will rely on the brilliance of Abel Hernandez to get them through this season. The former Palermo forward had the best season of his career in 2015-16, scoring 21 goals in the Championship as Hull claimed the much-coveted league promotion via the play-offs. Conquering the Championship is one thing, though. Finding the back of the net in the toughest league in the world is totally another matter. Hernandez is pegged at +14,000 to lead the Premier League in scoring this season.
Leicester City’s improbable title run last season wouldn’t be possible without the brilliance of their impregnable defense. The Foxes were third in the Premier League in scoring defense, allowing just 32 goals last campaign. Their backline was rock-solid particularly on the road with Leicester surrendering just 18 away goals, the fewest in the league last season.
That championship-winning back-four remains pretty much intact this season with captain Wes Morgan, Robert Huth, Christian Fuchs and Daniel Simpson returning for the Foxes’ title defense. Midfield enforcer N’Golo Kante may have departed for Chelsea but manager Claudio Ranieri has acted quickly to replace his services, securing the signature of Nampalys Mendy from Nice.
The Premier League winners may have kept their title-winning core intact but the same can’t be said about newly-promoted side Hull. The Tigers will head into the new season without a manager after Steve Bruce’s stunning resignation last month. Bruce’s departure stems from his frustration at the club’s lack of signings this past summer. Only 13 senior players are fit for Hull’s opener against Leicester. To make matters worse for the Tigers, they will be without captain Michael Dawson for at least three months after the center-back injured his knee ligament in a friendly against Manfield last month.
Writer’s Prediction: Leicester (-101) open their title defense with a comfortable 3-0 victory.
