Preview to Premier League Season 19/20 (Part 3)

The Premier League returns tomorrow as we continue the buildup to the new season previewing all the teams and where they will finish come May next year. Our final preview is on the top six.

Manchester United. Final Position: 6th

Manchester United endured a disappointing year last season. They fired José Mourinho and appointed club legend Ole Gunnar Solskjær who started off with a big lift but fell flat at the end, finishing 6th with 66 points. 31 points behind Liverpool and 32 points behind Manchester City. They have changed their approach in the transfer market, going for youth rather than the star player. They have let go of striker Romelu Lukaku but have signed defender Aaron Wan-Bissaka from Crystal Palace, Daniel James from Swansea City and Harry Maguire from Leicester City for £80m, a record fee for a defender. Despite the signings they have made, there's still some holes in the United squad particularly in their midfield as they short on bodies and are heavily reliant on Paul Pogba. This is a big season for Marcus Rashford as he will lead United's attack this season, after scoring 10 goals in the league for the first time last season. They may have improved their defence but a weak midfield and an attack that doesn't strike fear to many, United will hope a lot goes their way this season or else they will be heavy pressure on Solskjær.

Chelsea. Final Position: 5th

The legend has returned. Frank Lampard has returned to Stamford Bridge, this time as a Head Coach replacing Maurizio Sarri who left for Juventus. A bold move for the Blues as Lampard has been a manager for just over a year, managing Derby County in the Championship last season. Chelsea have also let go of star player Eden Hazard leaving a big hole in their attack with none of their attackers scoring 10 goals or assists in the league last season. Chelsea have also been hit by a transfer ban meaning that they have to do things differently, bringing up some young players into the first team from Mason Mount to Tammy Abraham. Lampard's inexperience will be a factor as well as the changes at Stamford Bridge, meaning a top four look unlikely but could surprise many this season.

Arsenal. Final Position: 4th

While Arsenal finished 5th last season with only one point from 4th, they will be disappointed at how the season ended from them, from not capitalizing on the poor form from Spurs and United to their poor showing in the Europa League Final. They have taken action in the transfer window, signing Nicolas Pépé from Lille for a club record fee of £72m. They have also signed Real Madrid midfielder Dani Ceballos on loan, David Luiz from Chelsea and Kieran Tierrey from Celtic, stating the change behind the scenes at the Emirates. Arsenal is a team that is capable of scoring goals with Golden Boot winner Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette but their defence has been their issue for several years now, conceding 51 goals last season. Conceding more goals than Leicester City and Newcastle United. Arsenal's improvement over the summer would put them in the top four over their rivals but their defence has to improve this season to achieve that but they will be a threat.

Tottenham Hotspur. Final Position: 3rd

Tottenham Hotspur reached the Final of the Champions League last season but fell short, losing 2-0 to Liverpool. For the Lillywhites, they want that to be a platform for this season in their hopes of winning silverware and a better campaign in the league, to challenge the likes of Liverpool and Manchester City. Spurs finished 26 points behind the Champions and 25 points behind 2nd despite being close to them for a good amount of time. They have been able to keep hold on some of their top players in Harry Kane, Son Heung-Min and Christian Eriksen. They have signed French midfielder Tanguy Ndombele for a club record fee of £52m, boosting their midfield which was an issue after the sale of Moussa Dembélé. Spurs and Mauricio Pochettino have come a long way as Spurs are now seen as a Champions League team but they will have something for it rather than being the team that was good but didn't win anything.

Liverpool. Final Position: 2nd

97 points. That is enough to win the Premier League in every season except 2017/18 and last season. That's was the painful thing of Liverpool's title challenge last season. They took City all the way, forcing the Cityzens to be perfect in response as one slip up means curtains for the title. Liverpool's exploits last season did not go empty handed as they won the Champions League soon after. Klopp's first major trophy at Anfield. Liverpool, in the Premier League era, usually fall off the season after a title race from selling a key player to overloading their squad. However, Jürgen Klopp has kept faith on the squad he has at his disposal with little transfer activity with Sepp van den Berg, Harvey Elliott and Adrian their only signings. The likes of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Adam Lallana and Rhian Brewster will play a big role for the Reds this season with all three on the sidelines last season with injury and look to replay the faith Klopp has on them. The Reds are the team outside of City that can win the title but they have to be perfect all season long to win their first league title in three decades and beat City to the punch.


Manchester City. Final Position: 1st

Manchester City have put the name in the history books as one of the best teams in Premier League history in terms of goals and points amassed. They were challenged last season by Liverpool throughout the season, producing arguably the best title race in Premier League history based on the quality and consistency from both sides. For City, they want to continue their dominance at home and take that to Europe in the Champions League. They have lost their inspirational captain Vincent Kompany, meaning there will be a new captain at the Etihad with David Silva and Sergio Agüero heavy favourites. They have signed Spanish midfielder Rodri from Atlético Madrid, João Cancelo from Juventus and Angelico from PSV Eindhoven. City's quality of their play and players at their disposal still makes them the team to beat this season and while they will be wary about Liverpool, the last thing Pep Guardiola wants from his squad is being complacent after their success from last season as he is a very demanding manager. Kevin De Bruyne is looking to make up for lost time after his injury-ravaged campaign but could be without winger Leroy Sané, who was injured in the Community Shield and wouldn't be available for the start of the season. Despite losing Kompany and the ageing of their old guard, City is still the team to beat which is why they will be champions again in May next year.

Some of these predictions could be right or horribly wrong at the end so we will see in May.