Premier League Preview (Top 6)

The Premier League will make its return on August 10th when Manchester United face Leicester City at Old Trafford. It will be another nine months of football that will have stories, twists and turns for all the twenty teams involved. The attention will no doubt be on the Top 6 (Manchester City, Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur) so this preview is exclusively on those six teams and seeing what we can expect from them with the changes they've made for the coming season.

Arsenal

This will be the first time in 22 years that Arsenal will not have Arsene Wenger at the dugout. Unai Emery was appointed as his successor and has already stamped his authority. Arsenal finished sixth last season, their lowest finish under Wenger. Emery has made signings to improve their defensive spine with Bernd Leno, Lucas Torreira, Sotkratis Papastathopoulos, Matteo Guendouzi and Stephen Lichsteiner. Arsenal have let go of fan favourites Jack Wilshere and Santi Cazorla signalling the changes under Emery. This will be a big season for Mesut Ozil following his international retirement and have a strong strike attack in Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. Aaron Ramsey still has doubts over his future as he's approaching the last year of his contract despite being part of Emery's plans. Qualifying for the Champions League will have to be the clear objective and have to juggle with the Europa League. With a reputation of being soft during Wenger's last years, Emery seems to have added some much needed steel at the back and with his pedigree, Arsenal can be excited with the club now in a clear direction.

Prediction: 5th

Chelsea

Another season, another transition period for Chelsea. After finishing fifth and winning the FA Cup, Antonio Conte was dismissed and Maurizio Sarri was appointed to take over. Despite not winning any silverware in his career, Sarri is a different breed to past Chelsea managers. His attacking brand of football or Sarri-Ball has won him admirers during his time at Naples making Napoli very competitive in Serie A. Jorginho followed Sarri to Stamford Bridge which will make the transition period much easier and improves Chelsea's midfield but hope that Eden Hazard and Thibaut Courtois will stay at Stamford Bridge as they're heavily courted by Real Madrid. The attack seems to be Chelsea's weakest point with Alvaro Morata hoping to prove a point to his critics after an underwhelming first season. Chelsea will be interesting to watch this season and is a work in process.

Prediction: 6th

Tottenham Hotspur 

Spurs have become regulars in the top 4 for a number of years now. They clearly have a talented squad and a talented manager in Mauricio Pochettino. The big question is if Spurs can make that jump to become title contenders. Spurs are the only team in the top 6 that is yet to make a signing and with other teams around them making moves, they can be left behind. They will be moving into their new stadium and have get Harry Kane and Mauricio Pochettino to sign new contarct showing their intent to keep the talent they have. Spurs will be heavily affected as 10 of their players reached the World Cup Semifinals meaning they may miss the start of the season. Also, there is questions relating to their squad depth. Llorente is their only backup to Harry Kane and there isn't an alternative to Christian Eriksen who is their most creative player. With no additions plus playing in a new stadium, will that hurt Spurs this season?

Prediction: 4th

Manchester United

Manchester United finished second last season. Their highest finish since Sir Alex Ferguson left the club. However, they finished 19 points behind rivals Manchester City and things seem to be moody at Old Trafford. Jose Mourinho gained criticism for his playing style from pundits and fans alike. United also faced issues with balancing the squad especially in midfield with Paul Pogba often struggling. Also, United's dealings in the transfer window is far from a success. They have made just three signings including Fred and Diogo Dalot and experienced difficulties landing targets like Toby Alderweireld, Yerry Mina, Ivan Perisic and Jerome Boateng. Mourinho has also been at odds with his players including Luke Shaw and Anthony Martial and having little confidence in his squad. This looks like a recipe for disaster which we have seen with Mourinho in the past with Real Madrid and Chelsea. It's uncertain where United finish and if Mourinho will be at the United dugout by May.

Prediction: 3rd

Liverpool

Liverpool exceeded expectations last season. Finishing in the top 4 in successive season and reaching the Champions League Final. They had arguably the best player in the league in Mohamed Salah and have continued to built on their Champions League success as they look to replicate their football to success. The acquisitions of Naby Keita, Fabinho, Xherdan Shaqiri and Alisson Becker have made Liverpool better improving in terms of quality and squad depth and also sorting out the goalkeeper issue and adding dynamism in their midfield which they lacked last season. Struggling against low block teams, a No.10 for Liverpool could make them better against them and also another centre-back to partner with Virgil van Dijk and cover as well. Jurgen Klopp has decided to keep Daniel Sturridge for the season and there will questions on if Liverpool should get a back-up striker with Sturridge's history with injuries. Liverpool certainly have their best spine since 2008 as they would challenge City for the title.

Prediction: 2nd

Manchester City



Manchester City had a record-breaking campaign last season winning the league with a 100 points. The most in a league season ever. They may not have to improve on their squad given the quality of depth and the quality of players they have already. They have made Riyad Mahrez their only signing improving on the wings for Raheem Sterling and Leroy Sane. The only issue for City is getting cover for Fernandinho who is ageing and have already missed out on Fred and Jorginho. The question for City is whether they can retain the title which is a task that Pep Guardiola knows will be tough with everyone else making moves to challenge City. No side has retained the Premier League title since Manchester United in 2009. Pep's history in terms of league titles is favourable winning 7 out of his 9 seasons as manager. The Champions League is a frontier they will be looking to but Pep and City look to be dominating the Premier League unless their rivals catch up.

Prediction: 1st

The Premier League makes its return which have its own story. City look to be the team to win title unless something of a disaster happens. However, football is finally back and we are all excited. Fianlly.

Note: All these prediction are based on what I think not what will happen.