With the new season upon us, it is time for Scrolla.Africa to make our predictions on who we think will finish where in the Premier League this year.
TITLE RACE AND CHAMPIONS LEAGUE PLACES
1. Arsenal
2. Liverpool
3. Manchester City
4. Tottenham Hotspur
5. Manchester United
As far as the title race goes, we foresee another three-way race — with the Gunners finally getting it right. Mikel Arteta will know that it is now or never for him after coming so close on back-to-back occasions.
We’ve opted to take a gamble on Arne Slot in second place, as the new Liverpool manager looks to impress the ever expectant Merseyside faithful.
Manchester City surely will not make it five in a row, will they? Mentality will be everything if Pep Guardiola’s side are to get it right.
Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham Hotspur have brought in Dominic Solanke in a bid to score more goals. And with fifth place potentially good enough for Uefa Champions League football, we think it’ll be between Spurs and Manchester United for fourth spot.
RELEGATION
18. Brentford
19. Wolverhampton Wanderers
20. Ipswich Town
An array of factors will determine which sides reach the 40-point safety mark and which ones do not.
For Ipswich, coming up from the Championship might prove too tough a task, as was the case with Luton Town last season.
While Leicester City could struggle too, especially with financial issues potentially causing points deductions, we have gone outside the box with Wolves and Brentford as our other relegation picks.
Wolves won only one of their final 10 games last season; and the loss of captain Max Kilman and star man Pedro Neto will certainly be difficult to handle.
The Bees simply have to sort out the Ivan Toney contract situation should they have any hope of staying up. If Toney is to go, the long-term injury to new signing Igor Thiago might just be too much for Thomas Frank’s side to stay up.
GOLDEN BOOT
1. Mohamed Salah
2. Erling Haaland
3. Ollie Watkins
This is the category that we like having the most fun in.
With Liverpool the only team in the league yet to make a signing, the comeback of Mohamed Salah after a full holiday and pre-season is vital to the Reds.
While Slot’s style of play may rely on the Egyptian to have a more creative role, we still feel the goals will come — especially with Salah’s penalty and long-range appeal.
His competition for the prize will be none other than the ever reliable Erling Haaland.
The Manchester City man and Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins are sure to score a few, while Alexander Isak at Newcastle and Solanke at Spurs are worth keeping an eye on as well.
ONES TO WATCH
The surprise team this season could be Aston Villa again, depending on how Champions League football treats them.
Could Unai Emery really keep the consistency of last season? Back-to-back top four finishes would certainly be a shock!
Also watch out for West Ham, whose recruitment has been phenomenal and Crystal Palace who ended the season in good form.
All in all, whichever things go, football’s greatest league is finally back with more fantastic goals, restoked rivalries and a thrilling title race!
Compiled by Razeen Gutta
Pictured above: Mohamed Salah
Source: @wallpapershq_
