The Premier League gets underway this week, and while predicting the table is always an impossible job I’ve still given it my best shot. Here’s how I think the teams will do…
#1 Manchester City
No side has defended the Premier League title since 2009, but no side has got 100 points before and done so in such a stylish manner. Riyad Mahrez adds a little more quality and depth as if it was needed, and while last season might not be replicated there is still too big a gap for any side to close at the top. The real measure of their season should be in the Champions League.
#2 Liverpool
The Reds were the biggest spenders this summer, with business done early and done well. The gaps have been plugged with a world-class goalkeeper (finally) in Alisson, strong midfield options in Fabinho and Naby Keita, and an extra option up front in Xherdan Shaqiri. If Mo Salah is kept fit along with the rest of that front three, Jurgen Klopp’s side will be the nearest challengers to City.
#3 Tottenham Hotspur
Spurs became the first Premier League side to not make a single signing in a summer window, but they crucially kept hold of what they have, including manager Mauricio Pochettino. The squad remains well-balanced and they should be in the top four again, which is no mean achievement on their budget relative to the other top clubs, but the title is out of reach.
#4 Chelsea
Maurizio Sarri has done a brilliant job at Napoli and has his big gig now with Chelsea, but he’ll find it tough going as Roman Abramovich’s involvement slowly cools. Jorginho could be a success, but selling one of the world’s best goalkeepers and bringing in a worse one for twice the price is hardly good business. The fans will expect but making the top four would represent a good season.
#5 Manchester United
Jose Mourinho usually breaks down in his third season at a club and he seems to be suffering before the season has even started. The failure to bring in a centre-back leaves Fred as their only half-decent signing, so they don’t look likely to pull up any trees. Scraping into the top four looks the best they can hope for, but it could be with a very nasty atmosphere that spells the end for the manager.
#6 Everton
If any side can match Liverpool for their business this summer, it is neighbours Everton, as Marco Silva looks to build a side capable of challenging the top six. £35 million for Richarlison looks a generous payment to his former employers but he could prove a hit, while their business at the end of the window has been very strong with Lucas Digne, Andre Gomes and Yerry Mina coming in from Barcelona, as well as Bernard from Shakhtar.
#7 Arsenal
It’s a new era at Arsenal , but Unai Emery has a tough job improving on last season’s struggles under Arsene Wenger. The squad needs world-class talent but it hasn’t got it – Bernd Leno, Stephan Lichtsteiner and Sokratis are solid enough additions but others like Lucas Torreira have a lot to prove. Their strikeforce should get them goals but the midfield still looks weak, not to mention the defence.
#8 West Ham United
Owners David Gold and David Sullivan seem to have paid attention to the protests last season, putting their hands in their pockets with some impressive signings. They’ve now got a solid keeper, the defence looks stronger with Issa Diop and Ryan Fredericks, and the midfield has been improved by Felipe Anderson and Jack Wilshere, along with Andriy Yarmolenko. With an experienced coach in Manuel Pellegrini, they could go far.
#9 Wolverhampton Wanderers
Wolves have returned to the Premier League with a bang, with another impressive summer of recruitment after taking the Championship title at a canter. Nuno Espirito Santo, with the help of Jorge Mendes, continues to build a side with a Portuguese flavour, with Rui Patricio and Joao Moutinho the most eye-catching newcomers. They’ve spent big but spent wise, and that ambition should be matched by results.
#10 Burnley
Last season was a remarkable one for Burnley, and they will struggle to replicate it again when you look at the spending elsewhere. The Europa League might prove a distraction but Sean Dyche will be the last man to complain, and he’ll continue to get the best out of his lot. Ben Gibson will fit straight in to the defence, while Matej Vydra could get goals if finally given a proper chance in this league.
#11 Fulham
Fulham have thrown crazy amounts at the window, but it could backfire massively and they cannot afford to go straight back down. Slavisa Jokanovic needs to get the best out of his new cohort, which includes Andre Schurrle and Jean Michael Seri, while Alfie Mawson is good business and bringing back Aleksandar Mitrovic was a must. With the likes of Ryan Sessegnon and Tom Cairney ready to shine in the Premier League, they should be fine.
#12 Leicester City
The Foxes lost one major star in Riyad Mahrez but have done well to keep hold of Harry Maguire. Recruitment has been scattered, although right-back Ricardo will bring quality and Jonny Evans is a steal as £3.5 million. They faded towards the end of last season and Claude Puel needs to start this season well or it could be a struggle, but they look strong enough to be comfortable.
#13 Crystal Palace
Roy Hodgson produced a remarkable turnaround last season and will look to build on that this year. The recruitment looks decent with Cheikhou Kouyate a good signing from West Ham, while Jordan Ayew arrives on loan and Max Meyer could be a real star on a free. There is plenty of quality in their side and while others have spent bigger, they should be safe from danger.
#14 Bournemouth
Bournemouth continue to overachieve but look to be slipping onto a worrying downward curve. The additions don’t guarantee success with defender Diego Rico from Leganes, along with David Brooks from Sheffield United and Jefferson Lerma from Levante for a club record. Eddie Howe’s old guard are a year older and will need refreshing eventually, but they should be safe for now.
#15 Watford
The Pozzo’s approach to managers continues to serve them well enough, and Javi Gracia knows he needs to start well (and keep going well) to stay long in his job. Their signings are as mixed as ever but they always seem to find gems, so only time will tell. They’re never far from the relegation battle and that’s where they will be this season, but they should have enough to survive again.
#16 Newcastle United
Mike Ashley had £90 million to spend on House of Fraser but Newcastle fans continue to be miffed as to why that kind of cash doesn’t go into their club. The signings are mixed with three players relegated last season, included striker Solomon Rondon. The squad doesn’t look any stronger than last season as profit remains the priority, and another top half finish looks impossible even for Rafa Benitez.
#17 Brighton and Hove Albion
Brighton surprised a few last season as they earned a second season in the Premier League. They were heavily reliant on their home form and will need to improve on the road, and they have brought in plenty of new players to add to Chris Hughton’s options. With few established names coming in there are no guarantees, and they will need all their spirit again to stay above water.
#18 Cardiff City
Cardiff return to the top flight in much better shape than last time off the field, but it will be a tough task staying up on such a small budget. Most signings have come from the Championship, with the priority keeping the spirit in the team to fight against the odds as they did to earn promotion. That should give them every chance, but Neil Warnock has yet to crack the Premier League and it will be a struggle again.
#19 Southampton
Saints escaped by the skin of their teeth last season, and with managers coming and going every year they appear to be nearing the end of their Premier League shelf-life. Years of selling their best players has finally caught up with them and the business this summer doesn’t inspire, with the biggest buy Mohamed Elyounoussi from Basle. Mark Hughes put Stoke on the road to relegation and he’ll do well to divert Southampton from the same path.
#20 Huddersfield Town
I certainly hope I’m wrong on this one but the second season will be even harder than the first for Huddersfield. The brilliant Terrier spirit instilled by David Wagner had got them a long way but survival is a huge ask this time around for a side that really struggles for goals. World Cup winner Erik Durm has been brought in but there looks to be little improvement up front, and the recruitment will need to have been spot on.
Box-to-box journalist 