The Premier League is making a return soon! It’s going to be amazing, this new season promises so much with 5 potential title challengers and 7-8 clubs battling to get close to the top 4. I can’t wait to see what surprises this season has in store for us!
Here’s my predictions for the season, I am by no means a football expert but I love the beautiful game and keep up-to-date with the news of each Premier League side, as well as some Championship, Bundesliga and La Liga teams. I am also a Liverpool fan!
20. Watford
Watford are a well respected team and it’s good to see them in the Premier League. They’ve made some great signings but I believe the inexperience, lack of quality players and lack of a quality manager will make the Premier League too difficult for them.
19. Norwich
I bet most Norwich fans are feeling good coming into a Premier League without Luis Suarez (he scored 3 hatricks in 3 games against them)! The Canaries are a great club with amazing fans but they always disappoint and this season will be no different. I fear it will be difficult without some better signings. One thing they do have is experience, Norwich are no strangers to the Premier League and could have a chance of surprising a few people, myself included.
18. Sunderland
Arguably the most boring team in the Premier League, Sunderland always manage to survive but I don’t think they’ll get out of this one. They have some good players with bags full of experience but lack of goals will cost them dearly. They are strong defensively but as the attacking power of rival teams increase, they simply won’t be able to earn the draws they used to get to avoid relegation.
17. Leicester City
Leicester were written off for relegation last season, they were rock bottom of the table in March but finished the season in an incredible 14th place. However, the departure of Nigel Pearson will no doubt have a massive impact on the club and they will take a huge hit. I don’t think they won’t be able to recover, though. They will struggle but get points against those around them and will finish on top.
16. Aston Villa
For me, Aston Villa are the team who have under-achieved the most in the past decade or so. They consistently obtain highly talented players and managers who know what they’re doing but they simply can’t reach that next level like teams like Tottenham or Everton do. I have a lot of respect for Tim Sherwood and I think he’s an excellent manager but he will need a bit longer to get the squad and philosophy he wants. I expect this year will be difficult.
15. AFC Bournemouth
What a fairy tale for AFC Bournemouth fans! Just 5 years ago, the Cherries were plying their trade in League One. Just 3 seasons ago they were playing their first Championship game and now look at them. Their attacking style of play blew away opponents in the Championship last season and I believe the same thing will happen in the Premier League. Expect them to struggle against opposition with great defenses but they will likely pick up points against others.
14. West Bromwich Albion
Relegation is impossible when you have Tony Pulis so West Brom will be far away from the relegation zone. I expect them to finish in a lower position than last season because of the rivals around them, they simply haven’t improved enough to finish higher. They will definitely stay safe though and I expect bigger things from the Baggies in future seasons.
13. Crystal Palace
Palace have made some amazing signings under Alan Pardew and they look like the real deal going in to this season. Standout signing Yohan Cabaye is proven in the Premier League and will provide some excellent cover in midfield. However I think they won’t score as many goals as they need to turn a draw into a win and this is where they will drop points and finish in 13th.
12. West Ham United
The Hammers have only recently appointed a new manager, their team has bags of potential and if everyone is fit they can challenge anyone on their day. The bad thing is it’s never their day and I think a year of getting used to the new manager’s style will be what they need to break into the top 10 the season after.
11. Everton
I expect them to finish in 11th this season because they simply don’t have the quality of players/staff to challenge those who I think will finish higher. They finished in 5th place the season before last but I would say they over-achieved (even though they did have a good squad compared in comparison to their rivals at the time). I have to say though, even as a Liverpool fan it’s good to see a team becoming a decent side without spending a ton of money. I think with the right manager, like Garry Monk or even David Moyes again, they can climb up the table.
10. Newcastle United
Despite their terrible 2014/15 season I think Newcastle have made some excellent signings and will be revitalized under Steve McClaren. Their pre-season has not been anything special but Newcaste have real young talent and just need a good manager who can take advantage of it. I think they will be the surprise package this season and finish 10th!
9. Stoke City
Stoke are a very good side nowadays with Mark Hughes consistently overlooked for what he’s done with the club. They’ve become a real force and are one of the most difficult clubs to face away from home. The reason I think they will finish in the same position as last season is because that’s round about where they deserve to be, if they can keep their best players fit, introduce some youth players and bring in some experience in the future transfer windows then I reckon they’ll climb up the table.
8. Southampton
I believe Southampton will utilise Ronald Koeman‘s genius and their youth system to again produce a team that will continue to surprise and thrive in the Premier League. I doubt they will reach any higher in the table, just because the higher teams are that step ahead and the fact that losing so many players will be such a hindrance. I think I can speak for all football fans when I say they deserve to be in the top 10!
7. Swansea City
Garry Monk is the most underrated young manager in English football at the moment, when he took charge of Swansea they finished 12th, the season after they finished 8th and I expect them to finish 7th this season. Losing Bony has allowed Gomis to step up and if he’s fit, he can provide a major goalscoring threat. With a solid back 4 and well organised midfield, Swansea fans should be in dreamland this season.
6. Tottenham
This is a very difficult one to call as it depends on Harry Kane continuing his fine Premier League form from the 2014/15 season. I think he will and if he does, Tottenham will have a good chance of challening for 5th or even 4th place. The problem lies with their form against the top teams, Tottenham get blown away by their top 6 rivals and I think this season will be the same.
5. Liverpool
I really hope I’m wrong with this one but I can’t see Liverpool breaking into the top 4. We have a good squad with the signings of Milner, Clyne, Benteke and Firmino but these are signings that big clubs make as backups, not starters. If Sturridge is fit and the new signings gel then we have a good chance of finishing higher but the odds of that happening are the same as the odds of Luis Suarez rejoining us.
4. Manchester United
Once again I believe United will pip fierce rivals Liverpool to the #4 spot in the table. They’ve acquired the kind of signings that I would expect Liverpool to make. Bastian Schweinsteiger and Memphis Depay being two signings which would have been perfect for us. I expect their relationship with Van Gaal will make it easier for them to adapt to the Premier League. Plus with the amount of money that has been spent in the last 2 seasons, they simply can’t finish outside of the top 4.
3. Manchester City
Despite signing Raheem Sterling and keeping hold of their talisman Sergio Aguero, I think City will have a good season but won’t win the Premier League. They have a good squad but it is aging and fighting in the Champions League, Premier League and 2 domestic cups will be too much.
2. Chelsea
The winner of the 2015/16 Premier League season will continue their fine form and have no trouble finishing close to the title. Lack of signings will allow other teams to see the weaknesses that haven’t been patched (similar to Liverpool after the 2013/14 season) and points will be dropped where they previously wouldn’t be. They will still finish 2nd comfortably though.
1. Arsenal
It’s all down to Arsenal’s fitness staff to keep the squad fit and I think we could have a team that is nearly as good as the invincibles. They’re just missing that one striker that can guarantee them goals but if Wenger can get them playing like they did in the Community Shield vs Chelsea then they don’t need a quality striker, just one that can cause the defence problems and score at least 10 goals, which Giroud does. If they do sign a striker like Higuain or Cavani then I have no doubt that they will win the Premier League, again assuming they can stay fit!
BONUS
FA Cup winners: Chelsea
Capital One Cup winners: Manchester City
