The big prediction - how we see the 2017/18 Premier League panning out from 1st-20th
The Premier League makes it's long awaited return on Friday night as Arsenal host Leicester City at the Emirates and, ahead of the big kick off, we've stuck our neck out on the line and predicted how we think the league will pan out from 1st-20th, including how we think our very own Newcastle United will fare.
With 3 weeks of the window remaining, it's worth mentioning that there'll be several big deals still to take place, but nonetheless, here's how we see it panning out from top to bottom:
1st - Manchester City
After a settling in period last season, I expect Pepe Guardiola's side to be a force to be reckoned with. The signing of Kyle Walker and Benjamin Mendy have added the top quality full-backs he craves and their offensive options including Aguero, Jesus, Sane and De Bruyne to name a few look irresistible. They require stability at centre-back, but I expect that to be addressed before the window slams shut.
CLICK HERE to see who we predict to finish 2nd this season..
2nd - Manchester United
Mourinho has signed very well this summer and they look set to be a force in the Premier League once again. Lukaku is guaranteed to bag over 20 goals and the signing of Nemanja Matic is likely to add some much needed steel and know how to their engine room. They look strong and are serious title contenders once again.
CLICK HERE to see who we predict to finish 3rd this season..
3rd - Chelsea
Diego Costa looks set to depart and his replacement, Alvaro Morata, doesn't fill me with confidence. Their system proved to be unplayable at times last season however, and that combined with some strong defensive reinforcements, the presence of Ngolo Kante and the attacking flair of Hazard, Willian and Pedro, I expect them to remain in the top four, but put up less of a title challenge.
CLICK HERE to see who we predict to finish 4th this season..
4th - Arsenal
Arsenal missed out on the top four last season for the first time since Arsene Wenger took over in 1996, but I believe they'll force their way back in this season, just. Alexandre Lacazette could well prove to be the marksman they've missed and retaining the world class Alexis Sanchez is a huge boost. I expect Wenger to play his kids in the Europa League, leaving his team fresh for the demands of the Premier League - which could prove to be a real advantage of his rivals.
CLICK HERE to see who we predict to finish 5th this season..
5th - Tottenham
After challenging for the title in recent seasons, I see this season being more of a struggle for Spurs. They often blew teams off the park at White Hart Lane, but as we all know they will be calling Wembley 'home' next season and I don't see them being nearly as formidable their. I have little doubt in Kane, Eriksen and Alli to do the business once again, but no senior signings and the sale of Kyle Walker to Manchester City has seen their starting 11 weakened if anything.
CLICK HERE to see who we predict to finish 6th this season..
6th - Liverpool
The prospect of Salah, Mane, Firminio and Coutinho is a mouth watering one for Liverpool fans, but if Barcelona's interest in the latter persists, it could leave a big hole in their attacking quartet. If they were to keep Coutinho, sign a top striker and long standing target Virgil Van Dijk i'd have them in the top four, but I have little faith in all of the above happening & believe they still have issues to attend to in goal and centre-back.
CLICK HERE to see who we predict to finish 7th this season..
7th - Everton
Everton were by far and a way the 7th best team in England last season and their summer spending spree has only strengthened their hand. With the Europa League to contend with and several signings needing time to bed in, I don't quite see them breaking the top 6, however smart signings like Pickford, Sandro, Rooney, Klaasen and Keane have improved them considerably, even if the sale of Romelu Lukaku leaves a big hole to fill up front.
CLICK HERE to see who we predict to finish 8th this season..
8th - West Ham
After a frustrating debut season at the London stadium last time out, Slaven Bilic has something to prove, however the Hammers have signed extremely well this summer and I see them being comfortably back in the top 10. The likes of Joe Hart and Pablo Zabaleta add experienced leaders and winners to their ranks whilst big money buys like Javier Hernandez and Marko Arnautovic look set to give them the goals and flair they were often lacking last season.
CLICK HERE to see who we predict to finish 9th this season..
9th - Leicester City
Craig Shakespeare ended the season on a high last season and looks set to enter this one in good spirits after a successful summer of spending. The £25m signing of Iheanacho is a real coup, who's partnership with Jamie Vardy could work a treat, whilst the signing of Sevilla captain Iborra is equally impressive. Harry Maguire's arrival from Leicester also looks like a smart signing after being Hull's stand out player last season. The potential sale of Ryad Mahrez and Danny Drinkwater would weaken them, but they look strong nonetheless.
CLICK HERE to see who we predict to finish 10th this season..
10th - Bournemouth
Another team who've spent well this summer, Bournemouth look well set for another top 10 finish next season. Jermaine Defoe may be getting on, but his ability to score goals in the Premier League is in little doubt, whilst the signing of Chelsea's Nathan Ake and Asmir Begovic show real statements of intent, being two players who should improve them considerably at the back.
CLICK HERE to see who we predict to finish 11th this season..
11th - Southampton
New boss Pellergino is a relatively unknown quantity, but with a strong squad at his disposal I still expect them to have a reasonable season. They are a club who've often found themselves in the top 10 in recent season, but the sale of Virgil Van Dijk looks imminent and they're yet to make any considerable signings.
CLICK HERE to see who we predict to finish 12th this season..
12th - Crystal Palace
Former Ajax coach Frank De Boer has taken over the reigns at Selhurst Park and will be looking to bring his ball playing philosophy to English football this season. The signings of Chelsea's Ruben Loftus Cheek on loan and ex-Ajax defender Jaïro Riedewald look to be shrewd additions, whilst the attacking prowess of Wilfred Zaha and Christian Benteke will cause teams all sorts of problems. A few more additions are required, particularly at centre-back, but they'll look well set with a few more signings under their belt.
CLICK HERE to see who we predict to finish 13th this season..
13th - West Brom
Tony Pulis' men enjoyed an impressive campaign last season, and whilst I don't expect them to break the top 10 this time out, I expect them to stay clear of any relegation scrap. The signing of Jay Rodriguez up front could be an inspired one, giving them increased attacking threat along with the dangerous Rondon, Phillips and Chadli and you'd expect them to be difficult to break down, in typical Tony Pulis style.
CLICK HERE to see who we predict to finish 14th this season..
14th - Stoke City
Stoke's progress in the Premier League appears to be stuttering, however I still expect them to survive despite the sale of Marko Arnautovic. The signing of Chelsea's Kurt Zouma on loan looks to be a smart move and I would also expect Mark Hughes to invest the Arnautovic money on some attacking flair, with Stoke appearing to be seriously short of quality strikers.
CLICK HERE to see who we predict to finish 15th this season..
15th - Newcastle United
The big one. After a frustrating summer, Benitez hasn't quite acquired the quality he may have desired, but this Newcastle United side does not lack heart or commitment and I expect that and Rafa's nous and know how to see us through. If a proven striker can be signed, fears of a relegation scrap should be eased, but either way I expect to see the likes of Jonjo Shelvey step up and steer us to safety. I also expect new boy Florian Lejeune to fare well in his debut season - a player whose presence at the back could prove to be a big contributing factor in the weeks and months to come.
CLICK HERE to see who we predict to finish 16th this season..
16th -Watford
Despite ultimately seeing them relegated, Marco Silva revitalised Hull last season and as the new Watford boss, he will be hoping to avoid such a relegation scrap this time around. With Chalobah and Will Hughes added to the engine room they have signed some promising English talents, along with record signing Andre Gray who adds some much needed pace to their attack, however their defence remains a concern for me. I think they'll stay up, but unless Silva can work miracles again, it won't be thanks to their defence.
CLICK HERE to see who we predict to finish 17th this season..
17th - Swansea City
Swansea may have pipped us to the signing of Tammy Abraham, but Paul Clement's side look likely to lose star man Gylfi Sigurdsson - a player instrumental to everything they have done well in recent seasons. If he leaves, I expect some arrivals to make up for the gaping hole he'd leave, but those signings must be the right ones or they could be in big trouble.
CLICK HERE to see who we predict to be relegated this season..
18th - Brighton
Chris Hughton's side were functional and efficient last season however, despite breaking their transfer record on several occasions this summer, I don't think they'll have enough to survive this season. Anthony Knockaert is an excellent player and one fully capable of making the step up, but I have my doubts as to whether several of that squad are up to the demands of top flight football. Unless Brighton can make their stomping ground a fortress once again - like Burnley did last season - I see them going down.
CLICK HERE to see who we predict to be relegated this season..
19th - Huddersfield Town
David Wagner's Huddersfield have had an incredible rise to the top and I expect them to cause a few upsets, give it a real go, but ultimately fall a little short this season. They've made several first team signing this summer, but like Brighton I am unsure if enough of those will make enough of an impact in the Premier League. Tom Ince being an example. An expensive addition, but a player whose failed across several top flight loan spells in the past.
CLICK HERE to see who we predict to finish bottom this season..
20th - Burnley
After a superb effort last season, I fear all the signs are there for Burnley to face the drop this time out. Star men Will Keane and Andre Gray have been sold for big bucks but are yet to be replaced, and few players of Premier League quality have been brought in by Sean Dyche. Their success at home last season was built on a solid base and losing the likes of Keane will severely shake those foundations that were built last season.
