The last Premier League season feels like it was a lifetime ago with a summer packed full of international tournaments. Now we are back to business with the world’s most lucrative domestic league set to kick-off this weekend.
Plenty has changed since the league finished. Liverpool have introduced Arne Slot as their new manager after Jurgen Klopp stepped down after nine years in the seat. We also see an immediate return for Leicester City and Southampton, whilst giving a warm welcome to Ipswich Town for the first time for 22 years. Here’s how we see things panning out:
1 Manchester City
2 Arsenal
3 Liverpool
4 Tottenham Hotspur
5 Newcastle United
6 Manchester United
7 Chelsea
8 Aston Villa
9 West Ham United
10 Brighton & Hove Albion
11 Fulham
12 Crystal Palace
13 Wolverhampton Wanderers
14 Bournemouth
15 Brentford
16 Southampton
17 Everton
18 Ipswich Town
19 Leicester City
20 Nottingham Forest
Who will lift the title?
I think last season’s top two will remain the most competitive. The nearest to City and Arsenal’s level is Liverpool and I feel whilst they’ll still be competitive, this season is about transitioning to new manager Slot’s style of play. Arsenal have strengthened their team again with the signing of defender Riccardo Calafiori, and will look to push City to the final game of the season. The gap between the two teams is certainly getting smaller. Even with the sale of Julian Alvarez, City still have the deepest and most experienced squad in the top flight. There is no reason why Guardiola can’t extend their own record and lift an unprecedented fifth consecutive title.
Who will qualify for Europe?
The top three places are a shoo-in. Unless anything dramatically unexpected happens, Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool will get Champions League football for the following year. Big Ange enjoyed a first season in charge of Tottenham, and whilst they may have dropped off at the end of the season, they have gone about the transfer window well. Dominic Solanke will look to continue his fruitful form in front of goal for Spurs, whilst Archie Gray will be looking to emulate his performances for Leeds United in London. I feel
Tottenham have the strongest team out of the remaining to gain a top four spot. Newcastle experienced an injury torrid season last – especially in defence – but they have invested strategically and should look to be more sturdy in defence this season. Unlike teams around them, they aren’t playing in Europe this season so should be able to utilise their free weekdays to push for a Europa League place.
Aston Villa are looking good under Unai Emery and deservedly secured Champions league football. I think playing in Europe in the week will take them out a lot, and their league position might be affected. Chelsea and Manchester United are unpredictable; the former under a new manager whilst the latter you just don’t know what you’re going to get.
Who will be relegated this season?
Southampton look the most likely of the promoted teams to survive; they’ve made some smart and exciting signings but Russell Martin needs to adapt how his team plays otherwise we’ll see a repeat of Burnley last season. Whilst it’s all excitement in Suffolk, Ipswich are in for a tough season given they were only in League One a mere two years ago. They’ll be everyone’s second favourite teams but I don’t think they’ll have enough quality to stay up. Leicester have an impending points deduction over them whilst they begin to learn the new playing style of Steve Cooper. They haven’t added enough quality during the transfer window yet, so I think it’ll be an immediate return to the Championship for them. I’ve gone with Nottingham Forest to go down – which might be a surprise to some. It’ll be there first full season under Nuno Espirito Santo but I don’t think there is enough star quality in the team to be able to compete against the big boys for another season.
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