At long last, the 31st season of the Premier League is upon us! There’s plenty to look forward to this season. Two-time defending champs Man City will look to make it a hattrick, while Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool will be out to hunt them down.
Those two look like the main contestants in this season’s title race again. However, the clubs below them have strengthened and it makes for another season of promise. Elsewhere, Newcastle will look to build upon last season’s 11th placed finish, while Brentford will want to avoid the clutches of the second season syndrome. Fulham, Bournemouth and Nottingham Forest (returning after 23 years) will look to extend their stay beyond one season.
Here’s how I predict where the teams will finish.
20th – Bournemouth
They defied expectations for four years the last time they were promoted. But it won’t happen this season as their squad looks much worse than their last Premier League season.
19th – Southampton
Another south coast side to go down, potentially. The Saints ended last campaign with just 40 points and with no momentum whatsoever. Squad hasn’t been strengthened that much and this could be the season they go down.
18th – Fulham
Aleksandar Mitrovic’s goals can only get you so far. Marco Silva will need more from his squad if they are to avoid being the ‘Yoyo’ club.
17th – Leeds United
Leeds have been understandably active in the transfer market, having lost Raphinha and Kalvin Phillips. They barely survived last season and this could be another long season too.
16th – Brentford
Not quite the second season syndrome, but the Bees will struggle to match last season’s heights. The loss of Christian Eriksen is the main reason. Shouldn’t be involved in the relegation battle.
15th – Everton
A Frank Lampard team can never be good defensively. Dominic Calver-Lewin is injured and Richarlison is gone. This could be another frustrating season for the Toffees but not like last season.
14th – Nottingham Forest
After 23 years, Nottingham Forest are back in the top flight. A club with a rich tradition and continental pedigree, Forest will relish mixing it with the big boys again.
13th – Leicester City
A squad that largely underwhelmed last season hasn’t been refreshed and could potentially be depleted. Kasper Schmeichel, a stalwart has already departed, and young hope Wesley Fofana could too.
12th – Crystal Palace
Though last season’s 12th placed finish was seen as good, it won’t be the case this year. Last season’s star Conor Gallagher has returned to Chelsea and it may be a big blow for Patrick Vieira’s side.
11th – Wolves
Wolves’ tally of 38 goals scored last season was only better than the three teams relegated. The same issues could prevent them from challenging for Europe this time.
10th – Brighton
The Seagulls had a record-breaking campaign last time. But with Yves Bissouma and Marc Cucurella now gone, can they defy expectations once again?
9th – Aston Villa
Steven Gerrard revived the season impressively for the Villans, and now with a strong squad, focus will be to break into the top half this season.
8th – Newcastle United
In 2022, only Man City and Liverpool have gained more points than Newcastle. Good times lie ahead of the Geordies and a push for Europe is firmly on the cards.
7th – West Ham
Over the last two seasons, West Ham have proved that they need to be taken seriously. Having managed to retain Declan Rice and Jarrod Bowen, there’s plenty a reason to be a Happy Hammer.
6th – Man United
New manager Erik ten Hag has a massive job in front of him. The way last season ended was absolutely disastrous and it will take time to rectify it.
5th – Chelsea
Instability and uncertainty are the two words that have characterised 2022 for the Blues. They limped towards the finish line last season and have merely filled the gaps rather than improving the squad, while rivals have strengthened.
4th – Arsenal
There’s plenty of optimism surrounding the Gunners and rightly so. They must have learned a lesson from last season and look to improve on the inconsistencies.
3rd – Spurs
A strong finish to last season, remaining unbeaten against City and Liverpool, Antonio Conte, and a host of promising signings make Spurs a team to be feared.
2nd – Liverpool
The loss of Sadio Mane is much bigger than people think. Even so, their main rivals are a relentless machine that have added more armory.
1st – Man City
Pep Guardiola’s Man City scored 99 goals in the league last season. So what did they do in the summer? Signed the hottest striker in the whole of Europe. Their team is irrefutable and it’s hard to look past them as the champions.