2022-23 is shaping up as a very interesting Premier League season.

After short hiatuses in the second division, both Bournemouth and Fulham have returned to the division, while the talk of the town, Nottingham Forest re-join the top flight for the first time this century.

At the top of the table, managerial changes and new superstar signings for all of last season’s top six means that both the title fight and race for the top four will not be as straightforward as it may seem.

Without further ado, here are my predictions for this season’s Premier League.

1. Manchester City

History suggests it is hard to argue against any Premier League team managed by Pep Guardiola.

City have won the league in four of the last five seasons and with the addition of generational talent Erling Haaland, a dominant physical presence with a goal-scoring touch unrivalled by any modern talent outside Kylian Mbappe, it will be even harder to bet against City, making it five from six league titles.

Outside of Haaland, Kalvin Phillips adds steel and depth to the defensive midfield stocks in light of Fernandinho’s departure. Aside from the losses of Raheem Sterling and Gabriel Jesus, the side is largely unchanged from the one that just edged Liverpool to the title last season.

2. Liverpool

Beaten to the title by a single point, Jurgen Klopp’s men will be without Sadio Mane for the first time in six years after the Senegalese mainstay left for Bavaria this summer.

New recruit Darwin Nunez, like Haaland, adds a new physical dimension to Liverpool’s attack that could prove to be some X-factor, while also giving Trent Alexander-Arnold a consistent crossing target.

Will definitely challenge Manchester City, but I believe City’s depth places them slightly ahead of the Merseyside rivals. Expect Luis Diaz to elevate his game after a fantastic opening six months to his Premier League career.

3. Chelsea

It is fair to say 2022 has not been the year for Thomas Tuchel’s men. A change in ownership that derailed their campaign last season, and the departures of key first-team players has placed question marks on the side.

The purchase of Kalidou Koulibaly reassures their defence but missing out on Jules Kounde hurts. Goals may be an issue, but the losses of Romelu Lukaku and Antonio Rudiger mean they need to replace 11 goals, which Raheem Sterling should be able to over.

There are doubts about Kai Havertz’s goalscoring ability as a No.9, too.

Don’t have the firepower to match the top two, but they seem to have enough to place them as the best of the rest.

4. Tottenham

The club have decided to back Antonio Conte, bringing in crucial reinforcements up top in Richarlison, the permanent signing of Dejan Kulusveki, as well as the additions of Yves Bissouma, who could become the perfect Conte midfielder, and arguably the most underrated move the summer, Ivan Perisic, whose service will go a long way in to assisting the goal scoring prowess of Son and Harry Kane.

Could displace Chelsea if all attacking talents fire, a definite strong squad with a top, top manager at the helm who will organise the defence to perfection.

5. Arsenal

The young contingent at Tottenham’s deepest enemy impressed massively last season, and as they go from strength to strength so too will Arsenal.

The arrival of Gabriel Jesus – who has impressed in pre-season – will bolster their attacking stocks in light of Alexandre Lacazette’s departure, with the Brazilian’s seven pre-season goals is a good sign for the Gunners’ new No.9 heading into the season.

Mikel Arteta’s Achilles heel is the depth at central midfield. Thomas Partey has a patchy history with injury, with Arsenal’s cover in central midfield not particularly inspiring, unless the Spaniard opts to deputise new man Oleksandr Zinchenko in his natural home at the heart of midfield.

6. Manchester United

The rumblings of Cristiano Ronaldo’s potential exit have echoed in the background of new coach Erik ten Hag’s first pre-season and have proven to be quite the disruption.

The Portugese striker’s seeming return alleviates some goal-scoring stress for the Dutchman, and new signings Christian Eriksen, Lisandro Martinez and Tyrell Malacia were all handpicked by their new manager, and each improve United in their own right.

Like Arsenal, the problem for United is defensive midfield. Fred and Scott McTominay not exactly the strongest, or most defensively astute option which potentially could mean Martinez is used to plug that hole.

7. West Ham

The Hammers have added some firepower to their side in the form of seven-time Italian international Gianluca Scamacca, whose goalscoring prowess will be useful to them.

David Moyes’ side have also reinforced their defence, signing Alphonse Areola on a permanent deal and centre-half Nayef Aguerd from Rennes.

Perhaps their biggest coup has been retaining captain Declan Rice and Jarrod Bowen and if both men, and the players around them, continue their form from last season then West Ham should be able to maintain the position they finished last season with.

8. Leicester

No arrivals for Leicester this window, but crucially, no sales.

Youri Tielemans and Wesley Fofana have so far remained at the Foxes which provides manager Brendan Rodgers with a boost heading into the season. Together with Wifried Ndidi and James Maddison, Tielemans is part of one of the league’s finest midfielders, which always makes Leicester a threat to opposition.

Jamie Vardy’s age may be a concern, but the striker managed to bag 15 goals last season, and Patson Daka, Kelechi Iheanacho and Harvey Barnes among others can be expected to shoulder some of the goalscoring burden. They may not have enough to leapfrog the teams above, but they shouldn’t fall out of the top half of the table.

9. Newcastle

The first full season of both Eddie Howe and the club’s new owners and it is very clear the recruitment strategy has been to bolster the side’s defence. The Magpies have introduced Nick Pope, a top shot-stopper, Sven Botman, a Ligue 1 winner, and signed Matt Targett on a permanent deal.

Add to that a fully fit Kieran Trippier, and it is a serious defence Newcastle possess.

Probably the major concern for Howe is the goalscoring output the side possesses. Callum Wilson only managed eight goals in 18 Premier League games last season, so more is needed from himself and those around him if they are any chance of finishing higher. Rumours of Alexander Isak from Sociedad coming in may alleviate this pressure.

10. Aston Villa

Underwhelming last season, but a full pre-season with Steven Gerrard as well as some really smart signings will help them. Diego Carlos comes in from Sevilla to sure up the defence, Philippe Coutinho was made a permanent Villain to continue his impressive form from last season and holding midfielder Boubacar Kamara has been labelled as the type of player Villa need if they want to go to the next level by Gerrard.

They will need a better return from Danny Ings, who only managed seven goals in 30 games last season, and Leon Bailey, who looks as though he has grown more and more comfortable with life in England.

11. Crystal Palace

Palace will look to improve off an impressive debut campaign for manager Patrick Vieira.

A fully fit Eberechi Eze will be crucial to them, adding another dimension to their attack, with the midfielder hopefully able to provide good service to Christian Benteke and Odsonne Edouard, who will be looking to improve their output from last season, as well as link up with Wilfried Zaha and the truly outstanding Michael Olise, who was a bright spark for the side last season.

New arrivals include Cheick Doucouré, who will hold the midfield down well, Sam Johnston, a great shot-stopper, and Chris Richards, a versatile defender who might be able to fix their main issue, right-back.

12. Wolves

Like Eze for Palace, Pedro Neto being fully fit will feel like a new signing for Wolves and help alleviate some of the goal-scoring pressure place on Raul Jimenez, who it is hoped will be able to return to the form seen before his shocking injury.

Nathan Collins comes in and is an ample replacement for the outgoing Romain Saiss, shoring up an already solid defence. They do seem a bit light in central midfield and could be a serious injury away from trouble there. Have potential to exceed my expectations, but all cylinders will need to fire for that.

13. Brighton

No significant ins or outs (yet) for Brighton. They have an unknown quantity in Deniz Undav signed from the Belgian top flight, but it is yet to be seen if the German will be able to replicate his 25 goals and 10 assists from last season. Goals could be a problem if this isn’t the case.

Another issue: who replaces the brilliant Marc Cucurella should his move to City materialise? Lots of questions remain around Brighton, but one certainty is that they have a brilliant manager who will be able to juice this squad of its maximum potential.

14. Everton

A pair of astute signings in Dwight McNeil and James Tarkowski, as well as a healthy Dominic Calvert-Lewin, elevate this squad, strengthening two key aspects of the side.

Tarkowski will marshal a weak defence and assist Frank Lampard’s team in their pursuit of clean sheets and may be their most important transfer. Plenty of uncertainty around Vitaliy Mykolenko at left-back, and Seamus Coleman’s age at right-back might be a concerning, but hopefully the ghosts of last season are enough to scare them into mid-table.

15. Nottingham Forest

The promoted side that has made the strongest additions to their squad. Dean Henderson is a proven, strong goalkeeper who yearns from first-team football. Jesse Lingard will add energy and goals, breathing life into his career and his sides survival hopes.

Brought in some great young fullbacks as well in Neco Williams and Omar Richards and Taiwo Awoniyi up top had 15 Bundesliga goals last season with hopes he can improve on that tally. Have a strong chance of staying up and staying up.

16. Leeds

The departure of the club’s heartbeat Kalvin Phillips will really hurt them, even with the additions of Tyler Adams and Marc Roca who play that defensive midfield position but are completely different levels to Phillips.

Patrick Bamford needs to remain fit and match his 17 goals from two seasons ago if they are to avoid the drop. Luis Sinisterra has a lot of potential. His 12 league goals and seven assists last season for Feyenoord prove that, but whether can he convert it to the Premier League remains to be seen.

Should have enough to stay up if injuries permit.

17. Brentford

The Bees are a funny one. Strengthened by the incoming arrivals of Ben Mee, Aaron Hickey and Thomas Strakosha, Thomas Frank’s men will look to improve on last year’s solid 56 goals conceded, one fewer than Manchester United.

Up top, Brentford look strong. Ivan Toney hit 12 goals in his debut top-flight season and was brilliant at dropping deep and linking the play, while both Bryan Mbuemo and Yoane Wissa performed their duties admirably.

The major issue for Brentford is, who links the ball in midfield? Without Christian Eriksen there is a clear lack of creativity in the side, which means it will be up to some of their other, more crafty midfielders to step up in the Dane’s absence.

18. Southampton

For any teams fighting to stay in the Premier League, goals are the most important commodity. You can only get so far with a strong defence, look at Burnley last season. Unfortunately, Southampton lack the goals to keep them up.

James Ward-Prowse was the only player to hit double figures last season, Che Adams only managed seven in 30 games and his strike partner, Adam Armstrong, scored just two in 23 games.

The club’s transfer policy of buying cheap, high-potential young stars like Gavin Bazunu, Romeo Lavia, Sekou Mara, and Armel Bella-Kotchap seem to ratify the club’s belief that survival would be a stretch this year.

19. Fulham

Despite having recruited well, bringing in Andreas Pereira and Kevin Mbabu from United and Wolfsburg respectively, tricky winger Manor Solomon on loan and most impressively Joao Palhinha, the Portguese international from Sporting, it is hard to see Fulham avoiding the drop.

Relying heavily on Aleksandar Mitrovic to transfer his Championship form into the Premier League has failed before, and there is no reason why history won’t repeat itself. Moreover, Marco Silva is light on central defensive options, with Tosin Adarabioyo, Tim Ream and Terence Kongolo his only options there, the stock doesn’t appear capable of survival.

20. Bournemouth

Unfortunately for Bournemouth, it looks likely that their second stint in the top flight will be short lived.

They have failed to bring in Premier League-level reinforcements across the board to aid Scott Parker’s attempt to replicate Eddie Howe’s feats with the Cherries, as well as relieving Gary Cahill of his duties this summer, whose experience would have been pivotal for the south coast outfit.

Additionally, much like Fulham’s Mitrovic problem, Dominic Solanke is yet to prove himself as an adept, averaging a goal every 641 minutes during his previous Premier League outings, and even despite his 29 goals during the side’s promotion charge, it is hard to see this form replicated, especially in a side lacking exceptional attacking and creative talent.