It is that time of year again. The time when most clubs and fans are filled with the hope and expectation of what lies ahead, and a few (namely those belonging to Arsenal and Newcastle) are filled with the dread at what they believe could be a long season.
With three of last season’s top four spending big on players, and Liverpool welcoming back their best central defender from injury, it is set to be one of the most exciting title battles in years.
It will also be great to welcome fans back in full capacity, something that should return home advantage.
With that in mind, it is time to get out the crystal ball and make the annual predictions.
1. Liverpool
Last season – 3rd
Major transfers in – Ibrahima Konate
Major transfers out – Georginio Wijnaldum
After the struggles of last term, this is a big season for Jurgen Klopp’s men. With their centre back crisis over, as well as fans back at Anfield, it is also a season in which normality should return.
While they have not spent as much as their title rivals (only £36m on promising central defender Ibrahima Konate), and they have lost an important midfielder in Georginio Wijnaldum, the whole squad will be eager to prove that last season was a one off.
Expect them to come out firing and recapture some of the form that saw them win the title at a canter two years ago.
2. Manchester City
Last season – Champions
Major transfers in – Jack Grealish
Major transfers out – Sergio Aguero, Eric Garcia
If City sign Harry Kane from Tottenham, then they will leapfrog Liverpool into top spot. If they do not, they might just fall short, despite winning the title without a recognised striker last time out.
Regardless, they will be up there come the end of the season, especially considering they’ve added the talent of Jack Grealish to their already stacked creative ranks.
3. Chelsea
Last season – 4th
Major transfers in –Romelu Lukaku
Major transfers out – Fikayo Tomori, Willy Caballero, Billy Gilmour (loan), Victor Moses, Olivier Giroud
The impact Thomas Tuchel has had on Chelsea since his appoint in January is nothing short of remarkable. Deserved Champions League winners after outplaying Manchester City in the final, the challenge will now be to regain the title they last won in 2017.
The signing of striker Romelu Lukaku from Inter Milan, the one missing piece to their side after Timo Werner’s difficulties in front of goal, will take them up another level.
The only question is whether they can match the form of those around them across the whole season. Results such as the 5-2 defeat to West Brom, the 1-0 defeat to Arsenal, and the 0-0 draw with Brighton suggest this will hold them back.
4. Manchester United
Last season – 2nd
Major transfers in – Jadon Sancho, Raphael Varane
Major transfers out – Sergio Romero, Axel Tuanzebe (loan)
Thus far, United have had the best transfer window of any of last season’s top four, fixing key weaknesses to their starting eleven by signing two world class talents in Jadon Sancho and Raphael Varane.
Yet, in Scott McTominay and Fred, they still lack a midfield pivot who progresses the ball forwards quickly and accurately.
Questions also remain over whether manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is the man to take United back to glory. While the Norwegian did much to quell these last season by finishing second, earning himself a contract extension, his failure to win a trophy for the third season running cannot repeat itself.
Nonetheless, with a proper preseason under their belts, United should improve again from last season, albeit not as much as those around them.
5. Leicester
Last season – 5th
Major transfers in – Patson Daka, Boubakary Soumare, Ryan Bertrand
Major transfers out – Wes Morgan, Christian Fuchs
Top four will again be beyond Leicester.
Nonetheless, good transfer business done early, bringing in the likes of striker Patson Daka who scored 27 goals in 28 league appearances for RB Salzburg last season, Boubakary Soumare who played 32 times for Lille as they won French Ligue 1, and Premier League ever-present Ryan Bertrand, means a third consecutive fifth-place finish should be within Leicester’s reach.
Although the loss of Wesley Fofana to injury is a blow, the return of Harvey Barnes will further strengthen the Foxes. Expect another season of progression with a deep run in the Europa League or another domestic cup victory alongside a good Premier League placing.
6. Tottenham
Last season – 7th
Major transfers in – Cristian Romero, Pierluigi Gollini (loan), Bryan Gil
Major transfers out – Erik Lamela, Toby Alderweireld, Paulo Gazzaniga, Danny Rose, Juan Foyth, Joe Hart
A club in disarray at the end of last season, chasing numerous managers and seemingly on the verge of losing star striker Harry Kane, Tottenham appear to have stabilised themselves with the appointment of Nuno Espirito Santo.
They still might lose Kane to City. Having been linked with Inter striker Lautaro Martinez, however, they look sure to replace him. If the Englishman does not leave, then they keep one of the best strikers in world football.
Nonetheless, Tottenham are still short on those above them. An interesting season with Nuno awaits, but a sixth-place finish is probably the best they can hope for.
7. Aston Villa
Last season – 11th
Major transfers in – Danny Ings, Leon Bailey, Emiliano Buendia, Ashley Young, Axel Tuanzebe (loan)
Major transfers out – Jack Grealish, Ahmed Elmohamady, Tom Heaton, Neil Taylor
Despite losing Grealish, Villa have had a brilliant transfer window.
Ings, if he can stay fit, will score a bag of goals. The signing of winger Leon Bailey is a coup for Villa. Alongside Buendia, he will help fill the creativity void after the sale of Grealish.
These signings, added to a squad with a stable and solid defensive unit, means it is an exciting time to be a Villa fan.
8. Leeds
Last season – 9th
Major transfers in – Jack Harrison, Junior Firpo
Major transfers out – Pablo Hernandez, Ezgjan Alioski, Kiko Casilla (loan)
Expect more of the same high energy, high pressing game from Leeds.
The Yorkshire club will again be a joy to watch, providing goals and action galore at both ends of the pitch.
They might suffer a little from second season syndrome, relying on Patrick Bamford to replicate his goalscoring feats. Nonetheless, quality littered all over the field, none more so than in Brazilian winger Raphinha, means another top-half finish is likely.
9. Everton
Last season – 10th
Major transfers in – Andros Townsend, Asmir Begovic, Demarai Gray
Major transfers out – Bernard, Theo Walcott, Josh King, Yannick Bolaise, Muhamed Besic
A good start is important for every manager, but it is absolutely crucial for Rafael Benitez if he hopes to win over Everton fans questioning his appointment.
With a good first six fixtures, the former Liverpool manager may get exactly that. However, James Rodriguez is pushing for the exit door, and a lack of strength in depth means there will be difficulties thereafter.
Another midtable finish looms. Whether that will be enough to keep Benitez in the job remains to be seen. Much will also depend on his style of football, with Evertonians being unlikely to accept excessive pragmatism.
10. Arsenal
Last season – 8th
Major transfers in – Nuno Tavares, Albert Sambi Lokonga, Ben White
Major transfers out – Dani Ceballos, Martin Odegaard, David Luiz, Matteo Guendouzi (loan), William Saliba (loan)
This season is an important one for Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta. With fans back in the ground, he cannot afford a start to the season like last year.
The Gunners’ league form should be helped by their lack of European football. However, they still look short in attack.
Talisman Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s struggles in front of goal seem to have continued from last season, not scoring in preseason despite featuring in all six of Arsenal’s games.
He is not helped by Arsenal’s lack of creativity. Linked with James Maddison and re-signing Martin Odegaard, the board have not yet acted, meaning the North Londoners are starting the season reliant on youngsters Emile Smith-Rowe and Bukayo Saka to create their chances.
Alongside other young talent such as Gabriel Martinelli and Folarin Balogun, these players should provide glimpses of a positive future for the club. However, with deadwood on high wages still on their books, it looks set to get worse before it gets better for Arteta’s men.
With three beautiful kits, at least they have the consolation of knowing they will finish 10th in style.
11. West Ham
Last season – 6th
Major transfers in – Alphonse Areola (loan)
Major transfers out – Felipe Anderson, Fabian Balbuena
West Ham will be solid again under experienced manager David Moyes.
After a good preseason, winger Said Benrahma looks as though he will have a bigger impact this term. Declan Rice and Thomas Soucek are also a great midfield pairing and, with the delivery of Aaron Cresswell, the Hammers will always be a danger at set-pieces.
Being unlikely to re-sign Jesse Lingard, however, and with a lack of cover for injury-prone striker Michail Antonio, the East Londoners will struggle to replicate the heights of last season, especially with Europa League football to contend with.
Nonetheless, a comfortable midtable finish will be another good showing for a club many tipped for relegation last year.
12. Wolves
Last season – 13th
Major transfers in – Jose Sa, Rayan Ait-Nouri, Francisco Trincao (loan)
Major transfers out – Rui Patricio
After four years with Nuno Espirito Santo at the helm, Wolves are entering a new era under Bruno Lage.
A necessary change for some Wolves fans after the stale football witnessed in the second half of last season, Lage, along with the rest of the Premier League, will be boosted by the return of Mexican striker Raul Jiminez.
Jiminez should link up well with Adama Traore, as well as take the pressure off young striker Fabio Silva, allowing him to play more freely.
Expect a 12th-place finish at a minimum, and do not be surprised if they finish higher: this is a team that secured consecutive 7th-place finishes prior to last season.
13. Brighton
Last season – 16th
Major transfers in – Enock Mwepu
Major transfers out – Ben White, Davy Propper, Jose Izquierdo, Mat Ryan
Under Graham Potter, Brighton have developed an exciting, possession-based style of play that has seen them dominate games at times, even against top-six clubs.
The problem for them is conversion of chances. Too many times last season they failed to score when on top. While a problem that will likely affect them again this season, it should not do so to the same extent (they cannot miss two penalties in the same game again, can they?), meaning more comfortable survival should be expected.
14. Burnley
Last season – 17th
Major transfers in – Ben Collins, Wayne Hennessey
Major transfers out – Robbie Brady, Ben Gibson
Sean Dyche has worked wonders with Burnley, so much so that the Lancashire club are preparing for their sixth consecutive season in the top-flight.
Working on a miniscule budget, which will hopefully change now that new American owners have acquired the club, survival will be another successful season.
With Nick Pope, James Tarkowski and Ben Mee providing a solid foundation, Dwight McNeil providing the creativity, and Chris Wood always a handful up front, this should be exactly what they achieve.
15. Brentford
Last season – Championship play-off winners
Major transfers in – Frank Onyeka, Kristoffer Ajer
Major transfers out – Emiliano Marcondes, Henrik Dalsgaard
Whatever happens this season, the Bees are going to be exciting in their first season in the top-flight for 74 years. Manager Thomas Frank has already made his attacking intentions clear, emphasising that his side will not change their style of football.
This may cause them to concede too many goals at times, consequently having dips in form.
Nonetheless, their attacking and high pressing style should take the league by surprise, earning Brentford some good wins on their way to survival.
16. Crystal Palace
Last season – 14th
Major transfers in – Michael Olise, Marc Guehi, Joachim Andersen
Major transfers out – Andros Townsend, Gary Cahill, Scott Dann, Wayne Hennessey, James McCarthy, Mamadou Sakho, Patrick van Aanholt, Connor Wickham
After four seasons with the highly experienced Roy Hodgson in charge, a new era is afoot at Palace with Patrick Vieira leading the way.
A squad overhaul has mirrored the change in manager, with all major outgoings occurring because of their respective contracts expiring. Younger, more inexperienced players have replaced them, creating an air of uncertainty over Palace ahead of the new season.
Expect a more defensively fragile team because of the loss of experienced central defender Gary Cahill. Nonetheless, with Wilfried Zaha, they should have enough to stay up.
17. Newcastle
Last season – 12th
Major transfers in – Joe Willock
Major transfers out – Andy Carroll, Florian Lejeune, Christian Atsu
With Callum Wilson, Allan Saint-Maximin, Miguel Almiron, and Joe Willock, Newcastle have an exciting attacking quartet at their disposal. If Steve Bruce can harness this talent effectively, he should be able to keep the Toon army off his back.
Their survival depends on keeping these players fit, however, especially Wilson and Saint-Maximin. The loss of form last season when these two players were not in the starting eleven was drastic. Fortunately for Newcastle, both returned to fitness just in time to save their season.
Any repeat of these injuries this year and the club may not be so lucky.
18. Watford
Last season – 2nd in the Championship
Major transfers in – Danny Rose, Josh King, Ashley Fletcher, Imran Louza, Emmanuel Dennis
Major transfers out – Ben Wilmot, Carlos Sanchez
It is vital Watford get off to a solid start, more for their own stability than for a good season. If they do not, expect a year similar to their last Premier League campaign, with manager Xisco Munoz losing his job despite his excellent work returning Watford to the top-flight at their first attempt.
If they are to survive this year, Ismalia Sarr will be crucial. If Josh King can recapture the form displayed at Bournemouth a few seasons ago then he will chip in with some vital goals. As will Troy Deeney, who will always be a presence whenever he is on the pitch.
19. Southampton
Last season – 15th
Major transfers in – Adam Armstrong, Theo Walcott, Armando Broja (loan), Dynel Simeu, Romain Perraud
Major transfers out – Danny Ings, Ryan Bertrand, Josh Sims, Angus Gunn, Mario Lemina
Southampton are in trouble this season.
Decimated by injuries after a brilliant start last term, the club have had a difficult transfer window, losing key striker Danny Ings to Aston Villa and Ryan Bertrand to Leicester. After completing his medical today, it looks as though central defender Jannik Vestegaard will be joining Bertrand at the Foxes as well.
If they are to survive, Adam Armstrong will need to carry over his goals with Blackburn from the Championship. Otherwise, expect their poor form from the second half of last season to continue into this term.
20. Norwich
Last season – 1st in the Championship
Major transfers in – Billy Gilmour (loan), Angus Gunn, Milot Rashica. Ben Gibson, Josh Sargent, Pierre Lees-Melou
Major transfers out – Emiliano Buendia, Marco Stiepermann, Alexander Tettey, Josip Drmic (loan)
The definition of a yo-yo club, Norwich are back in the Premier League after again winning the Championship.
They will have learnt from the torrid season they endured two years ago. Nonetheless, despite some good signings, it still will not be enough to save them this time round. The loss of attacking midfielder Emi Buendia is also significant, placing more pressure on Todd Cantwell to create the Canaries’ chances.
Assuming Norwich get relegated, though, it will not be long before they are back in the league. The club have a great model, trusting manager Daniel Farke and never bankrupting themselves chasing survival.
