After a Topsy-Turvy season that saw rank outsiders, Leicester City, claim the title, the English Premier League is all set to provide another cracking year of football
The richest, and by far the most-watched, football league in the world, the English Premier League, is back. Memories of an incredible rollercoaster last season are still fresh in the mind. Who could have predicted Leicester City, a club that returned to the Premier League in 2014 after wallowing in the lower divisions for 10 years, would go on to clinch the ’15-16 title? The Foxes clawed their way to the top of the hill right from the bottom of the pile in a span of 12 months.
The bookmakers termed one of the most celebratory sports stories of the year as the “unthinkable that turned into a reality”. Ladbrokes and William Hill offered 50,000–1 odds on Leicester City at the start of the season. By the time the final whistle was blown at Stamford Bridge on May 2, the betting industry was bracing itself to service the longest odds in Britain’s sporting history. It’s estimated that bookmakers paid out £25 million over the next few days.
Claudio Ranieri’s side brought that unknown factor, often called the X-factor, to the churnings of the last season’s Premiership. Will the Foxes be able to repeat their consistent form to defend their epoch-making champions' tag? Ranieri’s side certainly adds more ingredients to the ’16-17 title chase that has been suitably spiced up with record signings of both players and rockstar managers.
This story is from the September 2016 edition of Sports Illustrated India.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the September 2016 edition of Sports Illustrated India.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Hockey World Cup- India Gears Up For Glory
Hosts India will have to play out of their skins to win their second Hockey Men’s World Cup title.
The Drive For Consistency
Find something you love doing and use that to fall in love with your body, so you can embrace change and sustain a pattern that lets you unlock the best version of yourself
The Phenomenon
Kevin Pietersen may have retired from playing, but he will remain a part of the game and Test cricket folklore for a long time
Powering The Action
The IPL is intense. Players let off the fireworks on the pitch, but it is the coaches and support staff that light the fuses. SPORTS ILLUSTRATED traces the evolution of this critical aspect of the game, and why Indians still need to make a mark
A Steep Learning Curve
Making the transition from the junior level to the senior team has been quite challenging but a hugely rewarding experience.
Scorecard - Don't Blame It on Rio
Apathy towards the Olympics could cast golf in a negative light and jeo paradise its standing with the IOC for the 2024 Games and beyond.
Bench Strength
With the Likes of Nair, Yadav, Jadhav and Chahal Performing With Maturity Over the Past Year, Team India’s Bench Strength Looks Strong Ahead of the Champions Trophy.
Sir Roger Bannister (1929-2018)
A legend in his own time, Sir Roger was most proud of his neurology research but his historic sub-four mile run in 1954 is still regarded as one of his best breakthroughs
Battle Ready
A star-studded Indian contingent seeks to reshape its approach with rising talent, even as seasoned warriors in badminton, weight-lifting, shooting and wrestling aim for gold
Safe Passage
The Dustup That Marred the Return of Chris Paul to L.a. Has Faded. As the Point God Settles Into a New Home, He Has a New Running Buddy and a Group of Teammates Who Feel Like a Family
