It’s that time of year for a Premier League prediction. Last year, I correctly called Chelsea winning it, so it is time to predict the champions again!
1) Manchester United
The Special One does it! Jose Mourinho will win the EPL title and fans will start cheering. United splashed the cash this transfer window, headlined by a 75 million euro transfer for Romelu Lukaku. The missing key was actually the recent signing of Nemanja Matic, who now provides the quality cover for the defence that has been suspect at times.
Now there is enough depth in almost every position to compete with every team in the EPL and even most teams in the Champions League.
2) Manchester City
Well done City and well done Pep Guardiola. You finally started to fix what has cost your team many games the past few years, your rubbish defence! With the defensive reinforcements made this transfer window and Pep getting a reality check on how hard the Premier League is last year, City will end up playing more consistent football and challenging for the title.
The one big missing thing is there is still no cover at centre back for when Vincent Kompany gets injured, which judging by previous years will happen. I just can’t trust John Stones and Nicolas Otamendi as a centre-back pairing.
3) Chelsea
Last year’s champions have made some quality signings in the likes of Alvaro Morata, Antonio Rudiger and Tiemoue Bakayoko, so why are they placed down in third?
Last year, Chelsea did not have to worry about any European football and the two teams above them have more depth. That, plus no team has won the EPL twice in a row for a while, means they won’t repeat last seasons success.
4) Arsenal
Arsenal will get a kick up the behind after missing the Champions League for the first time in two decades and play enough decent football to secure the top-four finish they are known for.
The signing of Alexandre Lacazette should mean consistent goals. However, if Alexis Sanchez ends up leaving and is not replaced properly, then Arsenal will be a laughing stock yet again. In that case, be prepared for more quality from ArsenalFanTV.
5) Liverpool
The signing of Mohamed Salah give the Reds yet another attacking threat, however, I can’t put them in the top four as their defence still needs work.
If they manage to secure the signing of Virgil Van Dyk from Southampton, then I will place them in fourth.
6) Tottenham
I’m very disappointed with Spurs. They’re a team that was on the brink of an elusive EPL title for the last two years, so you’d think they would have had a busy transfer window, right?
Wrong! No team ever seems to do well with a lack of transfer activity, hence their big drop from second last year. The loss of Kyle Walker also leaves a gap in that defence that has been a brick wall the last few years.
7) Everton
What a window it has been for the Toffees. Key signings in Jordan Pickford, Michael Keane, Davy Klaassen and Wayne Rooney, as well as Sandro Ramirez and maybe even Gilfi Sigurdsson, will definetely mean Everton will be challanging for that top six finish.
I’d even say that if they don’t qualify for Europa League, they could end up as high as fifth with the quality they have. Expect a massive season full of big wins against top clubs.
8) West Ham
The biggest movers in terms of finishing position, West Ham will finally adjust to playing at the Olympic Stadium and with the signings they have made this window like Marko Arnautovic, Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernandez and Joe Hart, they will give the Hammers fans something to cheer about and show them signs of progression as a club.
9) Southampton
I don’t know how they do it, but the Saints keep finishing around here. Even with most their key players always going to Liverpool, they always find a way to manage a top half finish, which is why I have stuck them here.
10) Leicester City
Craig Shakespeare and the signings of Iborra and Ihenacho will let Leicester avoid a start to the season like they had last year and will get a top half finish. They will also be a trickier team against the big boys than last year. Expect a few upsets from them.
11) West Brom
Tony Pulis’ men had a season no one predicted last year. Another season of beating the teams below them and maybe getting one win (sorry Arsenal fans) against a top-six team will get them close to a top half finish.
12) Bournemouth
With a great transfer window with the buys of Jermain Defoe and Asmir Begovic, Bournemouth will grow even further grow in confidence with the quite surprising performance last year. I don’t think they can cause many upsets against the big teams, but they will do some damage to those teams below them.
13) Stoke City
The middle club team no one really cares about unless it’s talking about whether can they do it on a Tuesday night at Stoke, the Potters will do what they have done the last few years and manage a mid-table finish. The loss of Arnautovic, who was their best player last year, explains the drop in rankings.
14) Crystal Palace
A new manager in Frank de Boer, who was successful during his time at Ajax, will get near the best out of this team and make them a hard team to play at Selhurst Park. Their away form will be shocking though, hence they end up 14th.
15) Watford
Two words, Marco Silva. The man made Hull go from the laughing stock of the EPL to the brink of survival. With him and the likes of Roberto Pereyra, Watford will stay in the EPL comfortably.
16) Newcastle
The Championship champs last year already had some EPL quality in their team with the likes of Jonjo Shelvey and Matt Ritchie, that plus Rafa Benitez as their manager will comfortably keep them in the EPL.
17) Burnley
Without Michael Keane in their defence, Burnley will struggle keeping the goals out and will scrape through this season with Andre Gray scoring more than 15 goals.
18) Huddersfield
They’ve been very active in the transfer market this window, however, like Brighton, they will find life tough in the EPL and go down the first time of asking.
19) Swansea
This will be the year that Gilfi Sigurdsson will not be able to save them from going down.
20) Brighton
No real transfer activity and not enough quality in their team to avoid the drop.
Scot Will
Guest
Well it’s time to look back at the “predictions”..... Predictions are never easy, that’s for sure! However predictions come with an expectancy that the “predictor” is qualified, able, knowledgeable and talented. I am not judging... but as forecast analyst in my profession, if I got it this wrong, I’d have the summer off!
gere
Guest
I agree with most of the points you have made but we shouldnot underrate otemendi and stones(he is a young player and he was a new player to the club last year, he may come with massive improvement this year). Please expect alot from Etihad.
Zukism234
Guest
Chelsea will make a surprise come back this and win back to back the English Premier league trophy at the end of the season.
Nemesis
Guest
I've been following the top division in England for close to 40 years. I'm always fascinated by pre-season predictions about Champions. And, to predict all 20 positions on the ladder, well, that's well beyond me. Perhaps, we can make educated guess that the likely Champions of England will be from a group of 6 teams: Chelsea, Spurs, Liverpool, ManC, ManUtd, Arsenal. But, then we have Leicester ruining that simplicity 2 season ago. Who will win the English title? I'll wait for at least 1 minute of football to be played before I decide. Most likely I'll wait until the New Year. But, I'm from a different generation.
The Doc
Roar Guru
Great write up. As a Spurs fan can only echo the thoughts of Lachie. No need to go spending money for the sake of it. We made a great sale in walker and hopefully our younger players walker-peters, onomah can be integrated into the lineup through the season. So hard to predict how this season will go but: - Man U spent the bucks and mourinho has almost always wins in his second season, if pogba takes the next step cant see any weaknesses in the lineup and lots of depth - Man City should be better. Brutal strike force and the best attacking force in the land. As u said central defence my only worry but they could go to a back three - Liverpool need a central defender and a DMF. Without either they won't challenge - Arsenal: the last hurrah and I think they will do well. If lakazette settles well, Have all the ingredients bar ticker. - Chelsea; will be a contender qnd they have depth. Willian and cesc came off the bench. The bat has had a pre season. Zouma will be better for the run too coming off an ACL
Lachie Abbott
Roar Pro
As a Spurs fan, I'm not disappointed with them at all. With the construction of a brand new stadium in the works, why would you splash the cash? Any player we buy will most likely end up on the bench! As for the Walker sale, you might not have been watching Tottenham last year but Kieran Trippier won a starting place in the side for the last few weeks over a fully fit Kyle Walker. Although Walker's athleticism is unparalleled, Trippier offers up a much better offensive threat. Plus, I think you still remember Otamendi being the same as when he first played in England in 2015/16. He is very underrated and although John Stones is still young, they played pretty well together last season I thought.
Ben Talintyre
Roar Pro
I honestly can't see Manchester United winning it. Mourinho is definitely a good manager but the squad is overcrowded in the midfield and he fails to offer enough regular football to midfielders such as Mkhitaryan and Mata that are fantastic players. I would be surprised if they beat Chelsea who were by far the strongest team last year even if they are without Diego Costa. I myself am a Liverpool supporter and agree we will be unlikely to make the top 4 this year. Everton are definitely going to be a team on the up and wouldn't be surprised if they land Sigurdsson and I think although spurs have failed to get reinforcements they will be a top 4 side. I do agree with your three relegated predictions. Well written piece.