With the new Premier league campaign less than a week to kickoff, we put pen to paper and predict how the teams will finish the campaign. The prediction is based on the team’s performance last season, in preseason, and the transfer market.
Who will win the Premier League title?
The Premier League title race will again be between three teams: Man City, Arsenal and Liverpool. Most pundits have Man City finishing top and Liverpool third, but more than a few think this is the season that Arsenal finally usurp City for the title.
Arsenal had the meanest defense last season and has strengthened even more in that area by signing the best Italian center back last season Ricardo Calafiori. If the rumors of bringing in Mikel Merino from Sociedad are true, the Gunners will have a slightly stronger squad than City and could surpass them this season.
Arsenal’s trajectory since Mikel Arteta took over the club has been on the rise, picking up 61 points in his first full season before following that up with 85 points, and last season, they collected 89 points. With the team being a little stronger than last season, it’s safe to predict them ending the campaign with more than 90 points.
On the contrary, Pep Guardiola said that the Brazilian winger Savinho could be the only major signing that City will make this summer. Pending Julian Alvarez’s transfer move to Atletico Madrid is the only big business City has been linked to this summer.
Also, the Etihad Club could well be heading into Pep Guardiola’s final season in charge, if reports the Spaniard will leave at the end of the season are to be believed, so the Citizens will not be giving up their cherished crown in a hurry.
However, after triumphing in the past four years, there could be some complacency at the Etihad, and Arsenal, who are desperate to win the title again, can take advantage if the Citizens instead emphasize their European ambitions in the revamped Champions League.
Liverpool fell off the title race early last season and will be looking to redeem themselves under Arne Slot. Slot won the Eredivisie last season with Feyenoord, and after watching his Liverpool side in Preseason, Arsenal and City will be scared heading into the campaign.
The Reds are going to cause problems in the title race, but as the players adjust to a new style, there are bound to be a few bumps in the road.
Who will qualify for the Champions League?
The top four race is going to be tight this season, with all Man United, Tottenham, Newcastle, Chelsea and Aston Villa gunning for the spot. Man United, Tottenham, and Newcastle have the biggest shouts at a top-four finish, having impressively improved their squads this summer. United have strengthened their defence, and having won an FA Cup last season; they will be more confident this season.
Many Pundits have Newcastle finishing fourth as they believe Eddie Howe’s side will have a big rebound after injuries ravaged them last season. They will mount a good challenge this season, but one injury could cause a slow campaign.
Aston Villa have strengthened their ranks even more, but the Champions League involvement will take a toll on them and the spot could slip away this time around. Chelsea has been trying to find a rhythm in the preseason, but it didn’t go well. They will be a problem to deal with later in the season, but more is needed for a top-four finish.
Who are the relegation candidates?
The relegation battle will be extremely tough on the three newcomers. However, Southampton have made some intriguing signings, giving them a big chance at staying up. Like Luton last season, Ipswich Town will be solid but may not have enough quality to stay up.
Leicester City have not been that impressive on the market and has potential punishment for financial issues hanging over them. The Foxes also replaced their manager with Steve Cooper, who lost his job last season at Nottingham who were desperate to salvage their campaign at the time.
Meanwhile, Brentford struggled for the majority of last season, and if they lose Ivan Toney this summer, the Bees could find themselves in trouble. They get a shout for relegation candidate this season.
The whole table prediction
Finally, here is how I have predicted the Premier League table will look at the end. Remember, this is only my opinion and prediction, and I welcome all your challenges.
- Arsenal
- Man City
- Liverpool
- Man United
- Newcastle
- Tottenham United
- Aston Villa
- Chelsea
- West Ham
- Fulham
- Crystal Palace
- Brighton
- Bournemouth
- Wolves
- Everton
- Nottingham
- Southampton
- Brentford
- Ipswich Town
- Leicester
