CapnBob

Bolton have the look of Ipswich in terms of how they have been assembling a squad. At the moment, they have five strikers including Dion Charles who scored 21 goals, Bodvarsson, Adeboyejo, Nlundulu & veteran Jerome, and the squad contains players in their prime, 26-30, experienced. They finished 5th in the play-offs, missing out to Barnsley & have a manager in Ian Evatt who has been at the club now for three seasons & ought to be familiar with League 1, which perhaps more open this season than it did last year. They finished the season with the 2nd best defensive record though on loan GK Trafford has left and they have acted by bringing in two new GKs. Evatt knows where his side perhaps need to improve in order to challenge; they failed to score in 5/6 matches at home against the top 7 and suffered 4L against the top 9 away.

Cardiff have appointed Bulut who arrives with a reputation, however, they suffered their lowest finish in twenty years last season. Bulut's appointment has echoes of Slutsy at Hull & later of Arveladze at the same club. Bulut has been praised as a manager who can get results by playing effective, pragmatic football. Last season, the club had three managers during the season & Lamouchi probably did enough to earn the job, but perhaps did not get the guarantees he was seeking. Cardiff are still under an embargo due to an outstanding debt (Nantes) which means they can only sign loan players or free signings. Last season, they were the 2nd lowest scorers in the division & 8 of those were scored by loan signing Sory Kaba, their highest scorer. It was also a difficult season for young players like Ruben Colwill. Bulut will be perhaps tasked to get more out of the squad (Etete), but if Lamouchi was prepared to walk away, it does suggest a coach can only be expected to get so much out from this set of players.

Brentford have been impressive in their two seasons in the PL although they did benefit in their first season from Eriksen's arrival when their form began to hit a slump. The promoted sides appear favourites to struggle, but the main reason for this tip is two-fold. Firstly, much of Brentford's play is based on being direct & getting the ball to top scorer Ivan Toney (20 goals), who will be banned until January. He is also a threat from set-pieces. Secondly, they have signed a new GK, Flekken, with a strong reputation as a likely replacement for David Raya, meaning that two key areas of the side will suffer disruption. Brentford's strength is that they are a side used to playing in a familiar style. However, they may experience the topsy-turvy season Leicester endured, maybe with a slow start, pick up some form but then hit another slump. It remains to be seen what sort of replacement they may bring in to cover Toney's absence, Wissa has tended to be more effective off the bench & Kevin Schade failed to score after arriving from Freiburg. Brentford may avoid relegation, but might experience a more challenging season.

Spain were edged out on penalties in the SF of the 2020 European Championships. They went on to win the Nations League beating Italy & Croatia in the final on penalties, ironically both of whom are in the same qualifying stage group in Germany along with Albania. Under new coach de la Fuentes, Spain have modified their style. The squad has undergone an overhaul. If the team can turn its possession into goals, they could go one step further this time round. Of the sixteen editions of the tournament, only 3 hosts have won & not since France in '84. The Spanish have won two of the previous four editions, they went out in the last 16 to Italy. England, France & Portugal also appeal.