If we thought the “Covid-19 2020-21” Premier League (PL) season was a one-off, how about the upcoming 2022-23 season? This time the difficulties are man-made and doubtless money-made. The FIFA World Cup in Qatar starts on 21 November and runs to 18 December 2022. It may coincide somewhat with some European Leagues’ Winter breaks, but not for the English FA PL. Our season will run from 5 August to 12 November, take a break for the World Cup – with an International break too – and resume on 26 December 2022, ending on 28 May 2023! It will start with a Premier London Derbies (PLDs) match for the third season in a row, each time featuring Arsenal away, and this time it’s Crystal Palace.
The 2021-22 PLDs mini-league was again won by Chelsea with 7 wins and 21 points. They now have a new owner, after all their off-field problems, and are spending money again, bringing in Raheem Sterling from PL Champions Manchester City after poor performances by expensive Romelu Lukaku. Arsenal, in second place on 16 points, have also picked up 2 City stars in Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko. Success with one big Club does not always mean success with the next.
Brentford (PLDs 3rd), who outperformed expectations, have lost their talisman Christian Eriksen to Manchester United. He inspired the Bees out of a dodgy mid-season spell to safety. Tottenham Hotspur have added at least 6 new names to their squad and have great ambitions. They will have to do better against PLDs Clubs to realise their dreams. West Ham United, having lost their Europa League semi-final to eventual winners Eintracht Frankfurt, stumbled to the end of last season. They are in the Europa Conference League, have strengthened their attack with Gianluca Samacca, and still have Declan Rice.
Crystal Palace won the fewest (2) of their PLDs matches and it is they who entertain Arsenal in the PL opener on the evening of Friday 5 August. Over the past 6 seasons their have been 2 home wins, 2 aways and 2 draws. Early season form is unpredictable. The home Manager will be keen to impress against his former Club and who knows where he may end the year. Finally let’s welcome Fulham back to the PL and PLDs, hopefully for more than 2022-23.
Have a good season and best wishes, Andrew at PLDs.