We are a few days out from the Premier League season kicking off once again, as last year’s champions, Arsenal, take on newly promoted Coventry City on Friday night. It’s a long 38 game season with lots of twists and turns to come, but before a ball it kicked, let’s take a guess at who will finish where.
20th – Hull City
You never want to see newly promoted sides be sent straight back down again, but with how big the gap in quality is between the Premier League and the Championship, the majority of time, it does happen. Last season being an exception, as Sunderland finished in the Europa League spots, and Leeds survived comfortably. However, Hull scraped into the Championship play-offs last season, and finished over 20 points behind champions Coventry. They have invested in a new look back line, with Nobel Mendy and Lucas Herrington being two players of note, but upfront it’s hard to see where the goals will come from.
19th – Ipswich City
The Tractor Boys have looked impressive in pre season, winning their last four, which has made putting them 19th a tough decision. They have invested heavily so far this summer, having just today completed a double swoop for Strasbourg duo, Julio Enciso, and, Abdoul Ouattara. Enciso returns to Portman Road , in a deal worth over €30 million. The main worry at this current moment is their back line, but this is not to say they won’t invest in that area before the end of the window.
18th – Coventry
Coventry currently look most likely to stay up out of the newly promoted sides. They absolutely blew the Championship away and have added to the squad over the summer. Notable additions include, Yirenkyi, Hamer, and Awoniyi. Unlike the other two club’s coming up, they have brought in a Premier League proven striker in the Nigerian, Awoniyi. It will be a tough season for the Sky Blues, but I wouldn’t put it past them being a surprise package.
17th – Crystal Palace
Admittedly, this is a rogue shout. However, it’s a very different Palace we are looking at this season. The loss of Glasner who took them to new heights in terms of winning silverware and competing for European competitions, is likely to take its toll. Also, keeping Wharton will be key. If they don’t, and fail to invest the large money he will likely fetch, it could be catastrophic in terms of maintaining their Premier League status.
16th – Everton
This is almost generous for an Everton side who appear to be stagnating. Since the David Moyes return, they have stabilised, but after now finishing 13th two seasons in a row, it was time to invest. So far this summer window, they have failed to do so. The two players of note they have brought in are, Brennan Johnson, and Hayden Hackney. However, they are still crying out for a new centre forward.
15th – Fulham
It’s a new-look Fulham this season. The Cottagers head into the new campaign with former Real Madrid manager and player, Alvaro Arbeloa, at the helm. Although fairly unproven as a coach in his short managerial career, the Spaniard comes with pedigree. Since joining the club, Arbeloa has brought in two Real Madrid youth products he worked with in the Spanish capital. Exciting young striker, Gonzalo Garcia, and attacking midfielder, Cesar Palacios. Premier League fans are now calling the West London club, “Real Fulham”. However, it’s a whole lot of inexperience, both in senior football and the Premier League.
14th – Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest have stolen, Oliver Glasner, from Crystal Palace, after he refused to sign a new deal with the Eagles. It was thought the reason he didn’t extend, was likely due to a potential move to a ‘big six’ side. However, he has unexpectedly taken more of a sideways step, which has left Palace fans bemused. Forest owner, Marinakis, does not shy away from investing big money into the club, which led them to a historic Europa League run last season. However, the Greek owner is known to be explosive at times to say the least. You have to feel that their season will depend on if Mr Marinakis and Oliver Glasner can maintain a good understanding.
13th – Leeds United
Leeds survived the drop fairly comfortably last season, even if it was due to surprisingly poor form from the teams around them. The Yorkshire club have had a stable summer compared to most Premier League clubs, being one of the few teams to head into the new season with the same manager as they started the last. They have also added quality to the spine of the team, bringing in goalkeeper, James Trafford, then centre back, Tarik Muharemović, and one of the league’s best attacking players last season, Harry Wilson. Premier League survival seems more than likely.
12th – Sunderland
Sunderland had a fairy tale season under, Regis Le Bris, in what was their first back in the English top flight since the 2016/17 campaign. Most Premier League fans predicted the Black Cats to be sent straight back down again, but this was not the case. It was a season that saw them finish achieve European football for the first time since 1973. This season they will have to balance Europa League football, on top of a gruelling Premier League campaign. There may be a slight drop off in the Premier League, but expect them to go far in the Europa League.
11th – Bournemouth
Bournemouth have gone through another turbulent summer. This time it kicked off with the departure of highly rated manager rather than a player. Last season’s head coach, Iraola, has moved up north to take charge of Liverpool. Although, against the odds, The Cherries have kept hold of their star players so far this window. Alex Scott, Rayan, and Junior Kroupi, all remain at the club despite being heavily linked with moves away. If they continue to hold onto these players under new manager, Marco Rose, the South coast club will be just fine.
10th – Brighton
Brighton head into the new season having lost two of their key players from the last campaign. Both, Danny Welbeck, and, Jan Paul van Hecke, have departed the club this summer. They have brought in new centre backs, including highly rated wonderkid, Luka Vuskovic, from Tottenham Hotspur, in a deal that cost them £46 million. Undoubtedly very talented, but will he come in and make an instant impact? Then the other problem will be replacing the goals that Welbeck consistently delivered. A slight drop off from the Seagulls would not be surprising, but they should easily finish in and around mid table.
9th – Newcastle
Newcastle have been torn limb from limb in this summer transfer window. The Magpies have lost arguably their three best players in, Sandro Tonali, Bruno Guimarães, and Anthony Gordon. This is without mentioning they head into a new season without the familiar face of, Eddie Howe, in charge. However, it’s the start of an exciting project new manager, Matthias Jaissle. Newcastle received a whopping £244 million for the three players they sold this summer, and have invested it into promising youngsters from around Europe. Jaissle, who is a former Salzburg manager, is used to nurturing young talent. There is likely to be a lot less expectation on this young Newcastle side this season, they could be the surprise package.
8th – Brentford
Brentford were unfortunate to narrowly miss out on a European spot last season. It all seemed to fall apart in the final run in. However, it was a campaign where they were tipped for relegation by most before a ball was kicked, so a European charge was exceeding expectations. No European football is likely to be a blessing in disguise heading into the new season, and it wouldn’t be a surprise if they go one step further and clinch that allusive European place.
7th – Aston Villa
Villa will once again play Champions League football with Unai Emery at the helm. It’s been a busy transfer window for the Villans so far, and a painful one in terms of outgoings. They have bid farewell to key players, Morgan Rogers, and, Youri Tielemans. Both of which have left to join Premier League rivals, Chelsea and Manchester United. They have brought in two like-for-like replacements in the form of, João Gomes, and, Johan Manzambi. Manzambi in particular has the potential to be a top Premier League player, but for now, it’s hard to argue against it being a slight downgrade. However, under Emery it’s hard to see any danger of Villa dropping out of those European spots.
6th Man United
United haven’t looked back since appointing, Michael Carrick, half way through last season. Carrick led the Red Devils to a third place finish last campaign, and in doing so has brought Champions League football back to Old Trafford. The question is, can they kick on and make a title charge? The signings they have made so far this window would suggest, probably not. The incomings of, Youri Tielemans, and Andre Santos, were much needed after the departure of Casemiro, however, it’s hard to not feel they are missing a big marquee signing in attacking areas. It is Manchester United we are talking about though, so while the window remains open, you can’t rule a big money signings coming in. However, the major factor in a possible drop off will be the extra games now that they are back in the Champions League.
5th – Manchester City
Manchester City to finish in fifth. It sounds ridiculous. The Citizens have been winning and competing for titles every season for the last decade since Pep Guardiola joined the club. That’s the Pep effect. Now for the first time in a decade, the blue side of Manchester head into a new Premier League season without the Spanish genius in charge. A drop off is inevitable, and although it’s just the Community Shield, the gulf in quality between City and Arsenal last Sunday was alarming. It’s likely to be a difficult transition period for Maresca and his City side.
4th – Tottenham
On the evidence from the last two season’s this looks like an utterly ridiculous prediction, but this is a new look Tottenham, from the ownership structure, down to the manager. De Zerbi came in last season, and kept them up by the skin of their teeth, making it back-to-back 17th place finishes. It’s clear this spooked the board, and they don’t want to risk this happening again. So far this window, Spurs have built almost an entirely new defence and midfield, breaking their transfer record twice, spending £85 million on Fernandes, and then £100 million on Sandro Tonali. However, they still haven’t addressed the main issue, being the lack of goals in the squad. We are told that they will, but if they don’t, this prediction is wildly wrong, and Spurs will finish in the bottom half of the table.
3rd – Liverpool
2nd – Chelsea
1st – Arsenal
