There are many top sporting rivalries as we head into the new seasons of the NFL, NBA and the Premier League is already underway and into its fifth game week.
Transfer acquisitions have made many teams stronger as they seek to earn bragging rights over their respective rivals.
Starting off with the NFL
The Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings are sure to have their long-standing rivalry renewed.
Much more will be expected from Green Bay this upcoming season as they have provided star quarterback Aaron Rodgers with much improved receivers and are now seen as one of the best teams in the NFL.
The signing of Sammy Watkins should help to get the most out of Rodgers’ creativity as he seeks to finally earn his second-ever Super Bowl ring.
Jake Hanson has also brought much-needed quality with a versatile skillset at the center position. He will help to break up the opposition play and feed the ball to the likes of Rodgers at quarterback so that he can create touchdown opportunities for the forwards.
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The Vikings also brought in crucial albeit less eye-catching signings, Za’Darius Smith will provide much-needed experience as an outside linebacker bringing with him an impressive record of assist tackles recording 17 back in the 2020 season.
Smith is a former Packers player and has made the rare switch between the two Mid-West rivals. Perhaps he can aid the Vikings in their underdog pursuit to down the Packers as he knows the roster very well.
In all likelihood, the Packers are likely to emerge victorious and by a significant point spread when the two meet on opening weekend, they are offered at -110 in Bodog’s NFL spreads betting to win by more than 1.5 points against their rivals.
Soccer Rivalry in the Premier League
Tension will be renewed this season between Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur in the North London Derby. Both teams have vastly improved their squads over the summer transfer window.
Arsenal signed Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko from Manchester City to add much-needed quality and depth in attack and defence. The return of William Saliba after his loan in France with Marseille provides a defensive boost also.
It could be argued the North London side is lacking in midfield depth but the proposed signing of Douglas Luiz from Aston Villa on deadline day could be vital for Mikel Arteta’s side. However, Fabio Vieira is another midfield signing who is being slowly integrated into the squad and is an excellent creative option off the bench.
Spurs on the other hand have made a huge signing in terms of attacking depth for Richarlison from Everton for a fee of around £60 million. In recent years Spurs have lacked a 4th attacking option off the bench to reduce pressure as well as the match load on the likes of Harry Kane and Heung Min Son.
The form of Dejan Kulusevski will also be vital to Spurs’ domestic season not just for claiming bragging rights against Arsenal. Kulusevski is an impressive dribbler who coupled with composure and decisiveness in the final third provides danger against a side of any level of quality.
Yves Bissouma has also added much-needed midfield depth coming in from Brighton and Hove Albion and helping to make the midfield area more compact as well as being an adequate technician in the middle of the park.
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The North London derby appears to be the most competitive it has been in many years, both sides having progressive managers playing a modern style of play, big money and depth signings being added to both sides, as well as the emergence of young stars for both teams in the capital.
LA against Boston in basketball
In basketball, this season could see the return of a competitive rivalry between the Los Angeles Lakers and last season’s NBA finalists the Boston Celtics.
Legendary player LeBron James has signed a two-year extension to chase another NBA playoff ring, and the Lakers have also added Juan Toscano Andersen as a vital depth option from the Golden State Warriors.
Lonnie Walker is another good signing for the rotation and Patrick Beverley is a huge signing that could bring passion and experience to the side that already boasts James and Russell Westbrook.
In truth the Celtic’s needed little improvement after going all of the way last season and narrowly missing out on the Warriors.
They did attempt to bring Kevin Durant to Boston but failed in their pursuit as he decided to stay in New York, and so the side have brought in no improvements to the starting five.
Some may argue a team that lost in the final needs improvements in order to be contenders again, but the fact the Celtics have settled for what they have could allow the Lakers to close the gap in quality.
Sports fans on both sides of the Atlantic will be interested in these rivalries as the three seasons unfold.