Premier League Predictions (10th-1st)

BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION - 10TH

The darlings of the football analytics, Brighton is that team that plays good football which is reflected in the numbers but is not seen in how many points they get. In a way, it shows how far Brighton has come since gaining promotion five years ago. Last season was their best showing in the top flight in general, finishing in 9th, with their 4-0 home win against Manchester United the biggest highlight of the season for the Seagulls. So far, there has been little turnover with Yves Bissouma their only departure though there has been speculating whether defender Marc Cucurella will leave, amid speculation of joining Manchester City or Chelsea. Regardless, Brighton at their best can give anyone a game even those at the top. The main concern for Brighton is their ability to score goals. Brighton ranked high in the top ten in terms of shot-creating actions and shots but had the fifth-worst attack last season. Potter's tactical flexibility is a major reason why Brighton could finish in the top half again this season. Even if they lose Cucurella.

ASTON VILLA - 9TH

Last season was one of disappointment for Aston Villa. Though they lost captain Jack Grealish, they signed well with Danny Ings, Leon Bailey and Emi Buendia. The three players were unable to gel together and poor form cost Dean Smith his job, bringing former Rangers manager Steven Gerrard to replace him. Going into his first full season in the Premier League as a manager, Gerrard has made changes in the team. He has appointed John McGinn as captain, removing Tyrone Mings. They have signed Boubacar Kamara from Marseille on a free transfer to protect the defence, Diego Carlos from Sevilla, Philippe Coutinho on a permanent deal and Ludwig Augustinsson from Sevilla on a loan deal. The goal for Villa and Gerrard is to get Villa to compete for the European places in the coming seasons but the requirement for Gerrard is to improve their defence. Villa conceded 52 goals with Emi Martinez suffering a drop-off from the previous season and the lack of defensive presence in midfield. He will also be looking for a fixed attack with various options like Buendia, Bailey, Ings and Watkins plus the emergence of Jacob Ramsey. Intriguing time at Villa Park. 

NEWCASTLE UNITED - 8TH

Newcastle United experienced a lot of changes both on and off the field. They were taken over by the Saudi Public Investment Fund, meaning a lot of money to play. They recovered from a slow start to the season, bringing in Eddie Howe as well as new players during the January window like Kieran Trippier, Chris Wood and Bruno Guimaraes, which helped them move up to eleventh. Having been in the relegation zone in December. They are the team people are intrigued to see what they do in the window. So far, they have signed Nick Pope, Matt Targett and Sven Botman for just 66 million euros. Ambitions around St. James Park are quite high, particularly in the long term. As of now, the goal for the Magpies is to climb up the table and have a run for the European places. Though their shopping spree is not done yet, the improvements within the Newcastle squad were clear to see in the second half of last season, with Joelinton a clear example. Reinventing as a box-to-box midfielder after struggling as a centre-forward. The Magpies are the ones to watch this season outside of the big hitters.

WEST HAM UNITED - 7TH

After finishing 6th in 2020/21, West Ham managed to kick on and have another strong season, finishing in 7th. Just missed out on the Europa League on the final day. This also with having a deep run in the Europa League, going into the semifinals. Keeping close to the European places while being in Europe as well, West Ham has added more to their squad as well as keeping hold of key players like captain Declan Rice and Jarrod Bowen, who scored twelve goals and assisted ten last season. The London Stadium is more settled than it has been since West Ham moved to the stadium with their performances at home making it feel more intimidating than before. So far, they have Alphonse Areola, Flynn Downes, Nayef Aguerd and Gianluca Scamacca. Scamacca is their most notable signing, bringing him in from Sassuolo, and providing backup for Michail Antonio, who struggled last season with injury and form. With smart signings and little competition from those behind them, it looks to be a season for the Hammers to qualify for the Conference League.

MANCHESTER UNITED - 6TH

After signing Raphael Varane, Jadon Sancho and Cristiano Ronaldo, Manchester United could mount a title challenge. Wrong. Last season was the worst seen by Manchester United in the Premier League, finishing 6th with the worst points tally, worst goal difference and least amount of wins since 1990. Having seen three managers come and go, United appointed former Ajax manager Erik ten Hag to begin a necessary rebuild required at Old Trafford. The story of United during the off-season is with the future of Cristiano Ronaldo, who has pushed for a move away and United's pursuit to sign Frenkie de Jong, who still remains at Barcelona. Ten Hag has continued with United's pre-season without the Portuguese with numerous players whose form and confidence took a big hit last season, namely Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial, Luke Shaw, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Harry Maguire, who personified United last season. Fortunately, United has cleared house with six players leaving the club and bringing in Lisandro Martinez and Tyrell Malacia from the Dutch Eredivisie and Christian Eriksen on a free transfer. The goal for ten Hag is to build a football team in his image. That would happen so soon, as United will feel the growing pains of this season, making them unlikely to challenge not just the league but persist in the Champions League race. Change has finally come for the Red Devils. 

CHELSEA - 5TH

Chelsea might have finished third, which was the lowest many thought they would finish last season but it was a distant third, finishing close to twenty points behind Manchester City and Liverpool plus losing in two cup finals as well. Changes have happened off the field with Roman Abramovich selling up the club to an American consortium led by American businessman Todd Boehly. Petr Cech and sporting director Marina Granovskaia have both left Stamford Bridge while Thomas Tuchel still remains. Despite signing Raheem Sterling and Kalidou Koulibaly, they have lost both Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen, who both departed on free transfers and let Romelu Lukaku return to Inter Milan on a season-long loan deal. Not to mention losing out on various transfer targets like Raphinha and Jules Kounde, who both moved to Barcelona. The transfer window is still open for the Blues to complete any business but it has not put in the best preparations going into the new season. Chelsea is the most vulnerable to missing out on the Champions League places, with their major rivals being more settled and equipped and they have a poor start, they will be a lot of catching up to do.

ARSENAL - 4TH

Despite finishing 5th with a youthful squad, last season felt like a missed opportunity for the Gunners, having occupied the final Champions League spot in the final three games of last season with no European football. However, the atmosphere around the Emirates is more hopeful than it was last year. Bukayo Saka had a great showing, becoming one of Arsenal's mainstays plus the performances of Gabriel Martinelli, Martin Odegaard and Emile Smith-Rowe. They have brought in Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko from Manchester City, who are familiar with Mikel Arteta, Fabio Viera from FC Porto and Matt Turner from MLS side New England. As well as William Saliba, who returns after a successful loan spell with Marseille. With the experience of last season, which was encouraging, as well as their strong summer window, Arsenal has prepared well for the new season but there are still doubts about them. Firstly, their record in big games is still poor, winning just three games against teams in the big six. Secondly, balancing league form with the Europa League, as it is another route to qualifying for the Champions League, which is the main target. Having been out of the Champions League for five seasons now, Arsenal should pursue the Champions League places and they have the means to do it. Optimism is in the air.

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR - 3RD

Tottenham edged Arsenal to qualify for the Champions League this season, completing a big turnaround by the Lillywhites. Antonio Conte put Spurs in great shape from the second half of last season, with Harry Kane getting back in form, Son Heung-Min having his best goal-scoring season, Dejan Kulusevski giving creativity and the defence becoming more solid. Spurs have been busy over the summer window, showing that are backing Conte to succeed. They have signed six new players, Richarlison from Everton, Ivan Perisic on a free transfer, Djed Spence from Middlesbrough, Yves Bissouma from Brighton, Fraser Foster on a free transfer and Clement Lenglet from Barcelona on a loan deal. With the squad depth improved plus having a manager of the calibre of Antonio Conte, Tottenham is the outsider's shout to challenge Manchester City and Liverpool for the league title this season. They were unbeaten against last season's top two, meaning they can take points off them, which could be a deciding factor. The biggest doubt about Spur's title challenge is if they can be consistent as the top two. Spur's longest unbeaten in the league was nine games. Manchester City's longest was fifteen with just one draw. Liverpool's unbeaten run was nineteen with three draws. Not to mention the impact of the World Cup this season, particularly on Kane and Son. Spurs have built for the now, it's if they can hold their own.

MANCHESTER CITY - 2ND

Manchester City has dominated the Premier League over the past five seasons. Winning it four times, three with over ninety points plus winning five domestic trophies and reaching the Champions League Final in 2021. They have grown to be the top dog in English football under Pep Guardiola and it will not be a surprise if City retains the title. They have signed the biggest young striker in Erling Haaland from Borussia Dortmund, Julian Alvarez from Argentine side River Plate and Kalvin Phillips from Leeds United. The biggest question is the turnover of the squad. Oleksandr Zinchenko, Raheem Sterling and Gabriel Jesus, are big contributors to City's recent success. All have departed the Etihad meaning a period of change. There's also the scenario of the World Cup with as high as fourteen players going to the World Cup in November. Having had a fluid attack, Haaland is a big question mark in a tactical scenario, given that he is a centre-forward that gets in behind central defenders to pounce on chances he gets in the penalty area. He's not the best technician on the ball but that has never been his game and at just twenty-two years of age, he's still developing despite his huge frame. Kevin De Bruyne is still devastating, given his exploits in the second half of last season and Riyad Mahrez signed a new contract after having his best scoring season with twenty-four in all competitions. More attacking responsibilities will have to come from Jack Grealish, who struggled in his debut season for the champions. With Liverpool still lurking around, it could be another long title fight. 

LIVERPOOL - 1ST

Liverpool went out at all competitions, playing every game available and came away with a domestic cup double. Missing out on the Premier League by one point and lost in the Champions League Final to Real Madrid. With Jurgen Klopp signing a new contract, changes have begun at Anfield but not drastic measures. The biggest departure is Sadio Mane leaving for Bayern Munich and the FA Cup winners have brought in Uruguayan striker Darwin Nunez from Benfica, alongside Calvin Ramsey from Aberdeen and Fabio Carvalho from Fulham. Mohamed Salah signed a new contract which clears any speculation about his future and with Egypt missing out on the World Cup in November, Liverpool has a slight advantage. The squad is still one of the best in Europe with a strong defence and a refreshed attack, which could make them more unpredictable this season, with Nunez, Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota now sharing the goal-scoring responsibilities with Salah and Roberto Firmino. The biggest question mark with Liverpool is their midfield, particularly the availability of key players in the middle. Thiago and Naby Keita are not the most reliable fitness wise and Jordan Henderson is now a year older having played the most games he has ever played during his time at Anfield. This leaves an opportunity for the likes of Curtis Jones, Harvey Elliot and Fabio Carvalho to see the minutes to make an impact this season, whether in midfield or attack. Liverpool still remains City's close competitor for the league title but with the squad settled despite the loss of Mane, and the integration of players within the squad, Liverpool might go one better this season.