The new English Premier League seasons commences on Friday, so it's time to predict the final league positions for each team.
BBC chief football writer Phil McNulty's guesses and reasonings can be found here.
As per last year I believe such guesses to be a folly designed to fill space. Although I like that Phil offers a reason for each of his guesses. I think they are a folly because pre-season games are no real guide, and transfers can still happen which may fundamentally change a team's structure.
That being said, I'm in favor of suggesting a range of positions.
So, let's go, using the zero games played, alphabetically listed, EPL table:
Team Anticipated League Range
AFC Bournemouth 12-15
Manager Iraola starts his second season as The Cherries manager, and will hope to build on a solid first which included being Premier League Manager of the Month for March. He'll need someone to step up in the goalscoring department with Dominic Solanke (19 EPL goals in 23/24) moving to Spurs. A surer start to the season than last times zero wins in nine could propel the team up the table, but I see them as low-to-mid table again.
Arsenal 1-2
There are 14 seasons of the 20 team EPL where 89 points would have been sufficient to win the league. If Mikel Arteta is to become the Arsene Wenger of this era he needs to make the final step and win the league. A quiet transfer window to-date indicates a manager content with his squad.
Aston Villa 4-7
Us Villa fans are living in dreamland and have full confidence Unai Emery will keep us at the top end of the table despite playing in Europe. The main worry is how the squad changes, required to stay within FFP rules, will affect play.
Brentford 11-14
The Bees underperformed their key stats last season and that can be put down to being without Ivan Toney for a good part of the season, and goalkeeper wobbles early on, as well as a large injury list. The arrival of Thiago and Raya will be hoped to strengthen the depth of the team, though Thiago's arrival may still be balanced by Toney moving on.
Brighton and Hove Albion 7-13
An eighth season in the top tier makes The Seagulls seasoned campaigners, though last seasons tumble to the bottom half of the table will be a reminder that there are no guarantees in the EPL. Some solid signings could well see another challenge for European football.
Chelsea 5-9
More churn in the Chelsea squad sees a host of early to mid-twenty year olds added as a fourth full time manager in three years takes the helm. Appointed at the start of July, Maresca has had little time to work with the squad and it would be a surprise if the team did better than last years 50% win rate.
Crystal Palace 8-11
Palace outperformed my expectations last year and, if they keep hold of Guehi, the addition of Sarr and Kamada may help them to push on a little further. Manager Oliver Glasner can look forward to starting the season with a team he guided well from his arrival in February.
Everton 12-15
I hope to be proven wrong with a bottom half of the table prediction for Everton. Sean Dyche leads the team into their final season at Goodison Park with a hand which is steadying a ship that has been rocked by troubles. Of course, the threat of more points being deducted could further destabilise things, but Everton should survive to start life in their new home as an EPL team.
Fulham 8-12
Ity's hard to see Fulham being anything but a solid mid-table team, again. There's plenty to be said for this achievment considering it's a third consecutive season in the EPL after some seasons being a yo-yo club. Marco Silva's signing of Sessegnon and Smith-Rowe from rival London clubs may just help them push for top half.
Ipswich Town 17-20
Back-to-back promotions are rare in the EPL era, this is only the fifth occurence. Two of the teams to do it stayed up (Norwich & Southampton), two went straight back down (Watford & Manchester City). The last time it happened was Southampton who then enjoyed an eleven year stay in the EPL. I fear the league is tougher now than in 2012/13 and if The Tractor Boys do survive it will be by the skin of their teeth
Leicester City 15-18
The last time Leicester were promoted as champions they stayed up the first season, then won the EPL in the second. Steve Cooper will have a firm eye on the first part of that equation. He's brought in a goalkeeper, centre-back, central-midfielder, and both a right and left winger to augment the squad. With four or five teams likely to be struggling, survival may well be possible.
Liverpool 4-9
The king is dead, long live the king? Arne Slot begins his reign as Liverpool manager. He is the only major signing of the summer. How will Klopp's team gel with the new manager? They are a quality squad who were obviously rattled by Klopp's departure announcement in January, but I don't envisage a challenge for the title in the first season of a new manager and will not be surprised if they fall out of the top four.
Manchester City 1-2
Will this be the year Pep's death grip on the EPL is loosened? Klopp managed it, once, Arteta's come close, twice. With a settled manager and settled squad any early season wobbles will likely be banished and the only thing which could distract from another title could be a strong Champions League run.
Manchester United 3-6
Whatever anyone says it's likely Erik ten Hag likely survived to manage this season by winning the FA Cup. For this season he's concentrated on strengthening the defence and the hope will be Onana faces fewer shots than last season, when he was the 19th busiest keeper in the league.
Newcastle United 6-10
Eddie Howe has been in charge at Newcastle since November 2021. The high spot of 4th in 22/23 became 7th last season. Officialy his contract is over, or half way through, depending on who is telling. But there are rumours England may be interested in him replacing Southgate. Uncertainty in the position of the manager could transfer on to the pitch and make a fight for a European spot harder than it should be.
Nottingham Forest 12-20
Forest get my biggest spread this season. There is cautious optimism that the manager who kept them up last season has cleared out some of the deadwood and brought in a few players who add strength in necessary areas. However, if early results go awry then anger against steep ticket price rises could translate into vocal displeasure with the team and things could become unpleasant.
Southampton 16-20
The Saints return to the EPL after a years absence. Russell Martin is a first time EPL manager and will have to surprise the league to keep the team in the promised land. There are squad members with the skills required, but this is a team poised to yo-yo.
Tottenham Hotspur 3-6
A latter season surge was insufficient to overcome Villa in fourth and the loss of Harry Kane proved to be a drag on the team. The signing of 19 goal Solanke will be hoped to add the extra goals required. In his first full season Postecoglou will hope to have a team settled to his style of play.
West Ham United. 6-11
By most counts West Ham underperformed last season. Maybe Moyes should have bowed out with the Europa Conference League victory, but he didn't. New manager Julen Lopetegui knows the pressures of the EPL and will hope to have fewer financial constraints than at Wolves. Bringing Kilman from his old team and Füllkrug from Dortmund suggest a determination to succeed. A return to European football should be very achievable.
Wolverhampton Wanderers 14-18
Wolves have sold big and bought small and young in the transfer window which suggests an eye to building for the future. With their manager, Gary O'Neil, the feeling is strengthened. Will the club have the fortitude to commit to that youthful trend if early results are poor? If the calculation has been made that this could be a season where relegation happens, yes. Though how the board will cope with fans outcry could easily change that.
And that is all 20 teams.
What are your predictions? How much do you disagree with mine?
words by stuartcturnbull, picture from smirnoff-nw via pixabay