Catch him if you can! Citizen Erling and a short list of title contenders as the new EPL season knocks on the door

The wait is over! The thrill is palpable! The stake is the biggest you can imagine!

After a two-and-a-half-months long hiatus, the world's most prolific league returns to us. Good old English Premier League is about to kick off on Friday with the Crystal Palace vs Arsenal fixture, and the rest of the maiden matchday is mostly scheduled for Saturday afternoon, offering us some spectacular games in prospect.

Just like last season, Mozzart Sport Kenya will provide you with all the action, reports, news, and analysis regarding the EPL, their top teams, stars and everything surrounding the most attractive club competition on the globe.

However, this particular piece will focus mostly on the powerhouses and favourites to lift the championship trophy in May 2023. From this perspective, it seems like a two-horse race once again, but let's have a closer look...

- Erling and extraterrestrials -

Manchester City have won four out of five ultimate titles and are considered a top favourite to clinch another one. Pep Guardiola's side has changed a bit with the exits of Gabriel Jesus, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Raheem Sterling, but the game-changer is definitely the signing of Erling Haaland, who's about to dominate the EPL in years to come.

A dream debut and Bayern's impotence - Haaland needed only 12 minutes for his first Manchester City goal

The only question is whether the Norwegian striker can accommodate to Pep's meticulous philosophy and quite a different approach to the game than in Bundesliga. His incredible set of skills, stamina and determination are mouthwatering, but - at the same time - the bar of expectations is exceptionally high, which can cause a tad bit of problems, too, if things don't go smoothly in the beginning.

Extraterrestrial has finally landed: Haaland is where he belongs!

Haaland's arrival to the Etihad will definitely transform the way City attack because the Citizens were using 'false 9' and other alternatives in the previous season rather than deploying a regular striker. Now, De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva (if he doesn't move to Barca), Cancelo, Mahrez, and the others will have to find some unusual patterns offensively, so their super-expensive reinforcement could fit into the system. If they do it properly, it seems like we'll be having a one rather dull season, with the holders defending the title easily.

- Man(e) has left the Anfield -

Last season's runners-up are very much looking forward to the next EPL chapter after they lost the crown in the ultimate minutes of the ultimate game of the season. Moreover, their Champions League final defeat to Real Madrid portrayed the entire year in some darker tones, which will probably serve as a perfect motivation for the upcoming challenges.

‘Who the f**k is Mane?”

Darwin Nunez's arrival has given Jurgen Klopp's team a much-needed breath of fresh air and a boost amid Sadio Mane's exit. The Senegalese forward decided to pursue his happiness with Bayern Munich, leaving Mo Salah and Bobby Firmino to keep the legacy of this extraordinary trio.

Won a pen, scored, lifted the Shield: Darwin's bright start of life in Red

Compared to other contenders, the Anfield outfit looks capable of fighting for the accolades with their archenemies from the Etihad Stadium but will need almost a perfect score to celebrate the home title, the first after the 2019-20 season.

- PostRoman reality -

There ain't too many institutions or organizations in the West that were so affected by the raging war in Ukraine, like Chelsea FC. Until-then praised owner Roman Abramovich had to sell the club to new, US-based owners, and with it, the new era of the Blues' history officially began.

“The American guy looks like he wants to play Football Manager”

When it comes to the locker room, nothing much has changed. Moreover, Chelsea have exercised a relatively low-key transfer window, mostly getting rid of players they thought were incompatible with Thomas Tuchel's demands. Rudiger to Real Madrid, Christensen to Barca, and Lukaku back to Inter - all of those moves opened up space both on the pitch and in the budget to hire some new names, but as things stand, the Stamford Bridge slot are entering the EPL matchday one almost without a single newcomer.

Koulibaly: When AFCON comes I have to be the first one there, the first one in Senegal

For now, the only new signing is the Senegalese captain and former Napoli centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly, and he'll probably be joined by Nigerian-born English U-19 international Carney Chukwuemeka, 18.

Blues are ready to spend a fortune on Nigerian-born gem

- Fallen giants -

No hard feelings, but both Arsenal and Manchester United are a million miles away from their levels in the late '90s and early '00s and can not be considered favourites to win the EPL title after years of decline.

Mikel Arteta has done some serious work over the last two and a half seasons, but what the Spanish tactician failed to deliver is at least a glimpse of once-impeccable Arsenal (not to mention Invincibles), capable of fighting heavily for every single trophy out there. Unfortunately for the Gunners, they always seem to miss something, as the North Londoners say farewell to their title chances as recently as November or December.

The unwanted man: clubs keep rejecting Ronaldo, and even his teammates are not happy with him

On the other hand, Manchester United are going true a genuinely chaotic period following Ralf Rangnik's exit and the appointment of Erik ten Hag. Red Devils have been wandering for years, and the current saga with Cristiano Ronaldo only goes to show how completely lost they are. With no precise strategy, nor direction, they're looking to recreate long-lost fame and fortune, but this transfer window is a rather accurate description of Man Utd's sad fall-off.

ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE - MATCHDAY 1

Friday

22.00: (4.60) Crystal Palace (3.70) Arsenal (1.85)

Saturday

14.30: (11.0) Fulham (6.00) Liverpool (1.30)

17.00: (1.40) Tottenham (4.90) Southampton (9.00)

17.00: (1.70) Newcastle (3.80) Nott.Forest (5.70)

17.00: (2.35) Leeds (3.25) Wolverhampton (3.40)

17.00: (3.80) Bournemouth (3.50) Aston Villa (2.10)

19.30: (5.40) Everton (3.70) Chelsea (1.75)

Sunday

16.00: (2.05) Leicester (3.60) Brentford (3.80)

16.00: (1.62) Man.Utd. (3.90) Brighton (6.50)

18.30: (9.50) West Ham (5.50) Man.City (1.35)

***odds are subject to change