Just another Premier League Table Prediction
The Premier League season is upon us, with signings galore and the prospect of a Christmas ‘break’ to cover that thing they call the World Cup to come, it’s set to be another unpredictable season in England’s top-flight.
This year includes three new players, two have been up and down like nothing else in recent years, with Fulham and Bournemouth back to give it another go. There’s also a return for one of the sleeping giants, Nottingham Forest are back to big time after 23 years.
At the top, both of last season’s top two have splashed to cash on big frontmen, Darwin Nunez has joined Liverpool, and Erling Haaland has taken the number nine shirt at his dad’s old team, Manchester City.
Top Four
1. Manchester City
Something’s don’t change, and I can’t see anyone taking Manchester City’s crown this year. City may have lost some players from last season, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Gabriel Jesus both leaving for Arsenal, but they have strengthened in abundance, bringing in top frontmen, with Julian Alvarez and Haaland through the door.
It may take Haaland some time to grow accustomed to the Premier League’s physicality, but in the meantime, Alvarez appears to be a player the team can rely on up top.
Pep Guardiola’s team has retained its ridiculous strength in depth, and their ability to win games across the fatigue of this season will prove to fruition. Alongside the fact there just doesn’t seem to be any competitors with the level of depth or proven quality, it appears there’s only one champion this season.
2. Liverpool
Liverpool will once again finish just behind the Cityzens this season.
There is absolutely no doubt the Reds will push City all the way, but City’s ability to retain its big players and bring in double quality, helps keep them above Liverpool.
The Merseyside team have recruited smartly, as they always do, after losing key forward, Sadio Mane. Jurgen Klopp’s men have added Nunez, Scottish full-back Calvin Ramsay and Fabio Carvalho.
While Nunez will most likely lead the line from week one, Ramsay and Carvalho look to be more like future players and will be slowly integrated into first-team action. This, though undoubtably smart, is where they fall behind City this year.
Mane was a huge player for this club, picking up the scraps of whatever Mohamed Salah left him, and without that and a new striker who will take time to acclimatise, I feel they fall just behind.
Liverpool are at a point where they almost have the same depth as last year’s champions, simply the unknown of how this team performs without Mane and with some of that depth lacking top-flight experience, leave’s them second once again.
3. Tottenham Hotspur
Certainly, feels strange believing that Tottenham Hotspur will finish third, but Antonio Conte’s influence in this team can guide them to a comfortable Champions League place.
Conte and Spur’s have focused on being smart, simply and fixing the necessities in this transfer window. The team has brought in Ivan Perisic, a proven quality winger, who can play the wing-back role, and has excelled under Conte before, Richarlison, a forward who has hit double figures in three of the last four Premier League season’s and makes a solid back up for Harry Kane, Clement Lenglet, a solid and fluid defender from Barcelona, who fits anywhere across a back three and Fraser Forster, a proven Premier League shot-stopper.
With the combination of Heung-min Son and Kane up top, and a regimented defence run by a wild Conte on the side-lines, alongside the new additions, makes Spurs a shoo-in for a top four place.
4. Chelsea
A summer of real change for Chelsea this year, with new ownership, a slight change of direction and limited faces through the door, with many walking away.
For some, Todd Boehly’s takeover was too late, with Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christenson joining other Champions League rivals across Europe. In return, Chelsea have pursued many players, with most campaigns, ending in failure.
There are some new faces through the door though. Raheem Sterling joins, as arguably Boehly’s marque signing, and joins and already crowded forward’s room. Kalidou Koulibaly comes in from Napoli to ease the team’s defensive woes.
Chelsea’s biggest win going into the season, could be the return of some loan players, with Conor Gallagher and Armando Broja returning after successful loan spells away. It’s this, combined with the quality Thomas Tuchel’s team have up top and through the middle that will see the Blues scrape a top four place.
Chelsea most certainly has a lot of holes to fill to compete at the very top, but they have enough quality and experience to guide themselves afloat in Champions League qualification.
The Rest of Europe
5. Arsenal
There’s a lot of hype surrounding Arsenal, and rightly so. The rebuild project fuelled by youth and free-flowing football is well underway, but it’s important to be reserved as there’s still a long way to go before this team becomes a top competitor again.
Mikel Arteta has focused on creating a young-core, and has continued the theme within this window, adding quality in midfield and up top, whilst maintaining what allowed to team to compete last season.
Gabriel Jesus has arrived from Manchester City and looks set to be the teams main forward after some impressive pre-season performances. Fabio Viera comes in from Porto, an attacking midfielder with a lot of passing ability and flair, who has a huge ceiling should he get going. Zinchenko also comes in to add depth, quality and experience to a back line that was a high point of last year.
Arsenal is certainly a team that could easily surprise and fluctuate this year. A team with the potential to finish higher, but also fall quite easily. Another fifth for the Gunners this ear.
6. Manchester United
Certainly, a risky prediction, but one I’m going for. The Ten Hag revolution is underway at Old Trafford, and there’s definitely been a few roadblocks so far, but there are signs of direction and the slow formation of a team.
Ten Hag has created a focus on a strong core, utilising youthful players and attempting to create a team that is always moving in sync with each other. A quite monumental task for a squad surrounded by pressures and a negative back drop. Despite this the Dutch manager’s zero tolerance policy has slowly made an impact, certainly with the players who want to be at United.
United are a club in shift, and their transfers almost epitomise this. The club has focused on giving ten Hag quality basics. The team has brought in Christian Erikson, almost a risk-free signing of a quality attacking midfielder who cost nothing, Tyrell Malacia, a youthful left-back who was scouted by ten Hag at Ajax, and fills a huge void at United, and Lisandro Martinez, one of the managers trusted players in the Netherlands, that should help a defence which has been a huge problem for United for years.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s desire to leave may be a cloud above the project, but whether he’s there or not, I believe this team has the potential to perform. This season won’t be pretty by any means, but I have them sixth, with them having some games that will surprise a few, but with a long way to go.
7. West Ham United
The Hammers will once again be there, or there about in the top seven. David Moyes’s big signing of the summer is Gianluca Scamacca, touted by some of the biggest clubs in Europe, but fell to the Hammers and has the potential to be a sensation, or a sensational flop.
Limited other business means West Ham have almost the same squad, doing the hardest task and keeping hold of stars like, Jarrod Bowen and Declan Rice.
This is quite an easy one, they could decline, they could push on, but more than likely they’ll be slap back where they were before, seventh for the Hammers.
8. Newcastle United
A curve ball, but something I think is more than possible. Newcastle United have made simple, quality signings, that can really make a difference this season.
A team that slowly showed its new colours as the season came to an end, has added a solid defender in Lille’s Sven Botman, a loanee from last year, Matt Targett and quality Premier League stopper, Nick Pope. It’s simple additions, but ones of quality.
Should the key players, Chris Wood, Callum Wilson and Allan Saint-Maximin manage to stay fit, Newcastle’s hierarchy will be expecting top ten minimum, or Eddie Howe could see the door earlier than he’d like. Eighth for the Magpies, should they stay fit.
9. Aston Villa
Taking a punt on Steven Gerrards Aston Villa to push on this season. Villa did most of their business early, which is probably a good thing, considering how their season ended.
Boubacar Kamara is the main signing, and should help to fill a hole, and almost upgrade from Douglas Luiz in the holding midfield role, should he hit the ground running. Other than that, it has been a summer that should allow Gerrard to formulate his team, and really learn his best eleven.
The quality in the squad is there in abundance, I believe Gerrard get’s it right in the most part and guides the Villains to a top-ten finish and probably a cup run.
10. Crystal Palace
To round out the top ten, I’ve got Patrick Viera’s Crystal Palace.
Palace have continued their smart youthful recruitment drive, that began last summer. Bringing in Chris Richards from Bayern Munich and Cheick Doucore from Lens, two exciting, young prospects, that add the Eagles already blossoming side. Both more defensive options, help the club turn over its options with the majority of it’s defence ageing. The club also added West Brom goalkeeper, Sam Johnstone, to add competition with Jack Buckland and Vincente Guaita.
A team that showed glimpse of excellence last season, pushes on this year, tenth for Palace in 2022/23.
Mid-Table Obscurity
11. Brighton & Hove Albion
Brighton, a strange entity that always leaves you guessing whether they’ll test the top ten or be battling it out for 17th. This season they’ve lost some key players, and may yet lose more, but under Graham Potter they have always found a way and I have them continuing that this year.
It could turn out to be a transitional year for the seagulls, but I feel the quality the have, following a difficult year can propel them to a surprising finish. Brighton have some proven quality Premier League players, not great but more than good enough for a mid-table team, alongside a quality manager in Potter.
A surprising 11th for the south coast side.
12. Leeds United
The final day survivalists could literally go anyway this year and are possibly the hardest team to predict in the Premier League this year.
A shift in recruitment has happened this summer, as the team transitions under Jesse Marsch. As expected, the club lost stars Kalvin Phillips and Raphinha, but Leeds haven’t waited around, going hard in the market, including a raid on Marsch’s former Red Bull employers. Tyler Adams, Brendan Aaronson and Rasmus Kristensen all join from Red Bull teams. Adams and Aaronson looking like straight replacements for the two summer losses. Leeds also added some flair, to really compensate for last year, in the form of Luis Sinisterra from Feyenoord, a winger who has a huge ceiling and could become the player Raphinha was to Leeds fans.
A complete wildcard, and another year of tested emotions for the United fans. I’m going green with this squad, 12th for Leeds.
13. Brentford
There’s a huge possibility of the classic second season syndrome with Brentford, but the model the club is run on, alongside some smart recruitment, makes me believe that Thomas Frank’s team will continue their growth in the Premier League.
Unfortunately for the Bees, they weren’t able to keep hold of Christian Erikson, but made some very smart moves elsewhere. The team brought in seasoned top-flight defender Ben Mee, highly rated full-back Aaron Hickey and Championship star Keane Lewis-Potter.
It will up and down for Brentford, but they have a fluid team and a proven goal scorer in Ivan Toney, and good crop of young players mixed with some experience. 13th for the Bees and another year in the top crop.
14. Leicester City
A team that has flirted with the European spots and mid-table obscurity in many years. This year I see them having a quiet year, with possible slow start. Leicester have lost their captain and goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel and have held off on selling some of their other top players, apart from this, it has been a somewhat nothing summer for the Foxes.
The worry for Leicester is the fact of just how they fell off towards the end of the last two seasons, without strengthening and losing their captain, looks to be more of a down year for the side.
A little wobble, but 14th for the Foxes in 22/23.
15. Nottingham Forest
My pick for who will finish highest out of the newly promoted teams in Nottingham Forest. Steve Cooper’s team have strengthened well after losing a number of players, most being loans, who were part of the promotion squad.
Additions of forward Taiwo Awonyi, goalkeeper Dean Henderson, and winger Jesse Lingard are all impressive, and that’s only naming a few. Forest already had a mix of youth and Premier League experience within its squad, and the recruitment has continued that way.
So long as Cooper’s men get up to speed, the front three of Awonyi, Lingard and Brennan Johnson can rack up a lot of goals.
15th for the newly awoken giant.
16. Everton
Last year was a horror show for the blue side of Liverpool, and whilst I don’t believe this year will be as bad, it isn’t going to get much better either. Frank Lampard’s side have struggled to bring in too many meaningful additions, whilst losing their top scorer, Richarlison.
Bringing in defender James Tarkowski from relegated Burnley is an astute signing, but far from solves the Toffees issues. Lampard will have to hope Dominic Calvert-Lewin can stay fit, alongside creating the team an attacking identity and maybe finding the key to utilising Dele Alli. A few more in’s is definitely needed.
I have them 16th with a few more through the door and a new look under Lampard, alongside Calvert-Lewin, who, if on the pitch, is a solid striker.
17. Southampton
Southampton, a team that worries me year on year, and somehow always escapes, and I have them doing the same again in 22/23.
The Saints have attempted to make a splash in the transfer window, adding highly rated goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu to take over from the departed Frazer Forster. Alongside this, midfielder Romeo Lavia has arrived, alongside Rangers Europa League hero Joe Aribo.
The prominent theme in Ralph Hassenhuttl’s recruitment is youth, and while that’s all well and good, might not be what the Saints need in the immediate moment. Goal creation was a huge problem last season and bringing in Aribo is the only move currently made to rectify this.
Another long year ahead for Southampton, 17th.
The Bottom Three
18. Wolverhampton Wanderers
The mid-table Portuguese destination is falling down the ranks this year. It’s not been a fruitful summer for Wolves, but neither has it been a necessarily bad one. Bruno Lage’s main task this window has been to hold onto his key players, and so far, so good. The problem is they haven’t fixed their issues either.
Wolves’ biggest problem last season was goal scorer, and whilst its positive to have a Pedro Neto and Daniel Podence fit, Raul Jimenez will miss the start of the season, and Fabio Silva is already out on loan. The is a team that has always struggled to stay fit, and I can’t see that changing.
A team that has the quality to surprise me, but a difficult campaign for Wolves, 18th and a possible year in the second division.
19. Fulham
One of the premier yo-yo teams of the last decade is back for another crack, and unsurprisingly, looks as though they will fail again. Marco Silva’s side stormed to the Championship title last season, mostly thanks to the incredible scoring rate of Aleksandar Mitrovic. Unfortunately for them, the Serbian forward has always failed to create an impact in the Premier League, and with the team brining in minimum top-flight experience to help, he could fail once again.
Scott Parker attempted to keep the London club up two years ago, with a more transfer heavy approach and failed to do so, and whilst I’m more of a fan of keeping a squad together, the lack of proven quality leaves a lot to be desired.
19th a Silva meltdown, and back down for Fulham.
20. Bournemouth
The bottom team in this year’s Premier League will unfortunately be Bournemouth. Parkers men have made some astute signings, bringing in top level Championship players in Joe Rothwell and Marcus Tavenier, but have failed to improve on many areas. Parker wants to play with three at the back, but the club has just two, fit, first-team centre backs. Alongside this the team has little to no, proven top-flight experience and transfers look unlikely for the Cherries.
A plucky attempt, to lack of preparation and turnover sends the south-coast side straight back down, 20th.
