The new Premier League season is underway with another exciting season expected to unfurl over the next 10 months.
In what is likely to be another competitive campaign across the board, Sportstar’s writers make their predictions for what could be the outcome at the end of the season.
Champion
Liverpool. The 2024-25 season was a relative stroll to a 20th English First Division title for the Merseyside club. Champions rarely tinker much with their winning combination, but Arne Slot’s side has chosen the option of a revamp. If Alexander Isak too arrives on its shores, Liverpool looks a clear favourite ahead of Arsenal and Man City. – Anish Pathiyil
Arsenal. Over the last few seasons, Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal has built a title-challenging team. Viktor Gyokeres’ addition to a stacked squad could be the extra zing Arsenal needs to end its wait for a league title – Pranay Rajiv
Manchester City. A bunch of top signings indicate that City is going all in to retain the title after a trophyless season. And let’s not forget, the last time Pep Guardiola finished a campaign without silverware with the club, he responded by taking City to 100 points. – Joan Mathew Jacob
Liverpool. Liverpool was comfortably the best team in the league last year, and its transfer business has only made it stronger. Other sides may pose more of a threat than last year, but the Reds are still clear favourites. – Aditya Padinjat
Can Arne Slot make it two league titles in two, or will the revamp in the squad affect the performances?
| Photo Credit:
AP
Can Arne Slot make it two league titles in two, or will the revamp in the squad affect the performances?
| Photo Credit:
AP
Arsenal. The Gunners have added quality and depth to their squad in the transfer window. After having come close in previous seasons, this could be their year. – Aashin Prasad
Arsenal. After adding some key new players, including a striker, Arsenal has not only upgraded its starting lineup but also added new dimensions to its attack. The Gunners, who already had one of the best defences in the league, further strengthened their backline over the summer. – Saikat Chakraborty
Arsenal. It’s now or never for Mikel Arteta and he has to make sure that the fourth time’s the charm. The side now has a centre forward in Viktor Gyokeres while strengthening other positions as well. – Rajdeep Saha
Top Four
Liverpool, Manchester City, Arsenal, Chelsea. Newcastle United, Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest have made great strides in the last four years. Man United and Tottenham Hotspur, too, will be looking for a fightback. But this clash might be restricted to the Europa and Conference League places, as the top four look a different class on paper. – Anish
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Arsenal, Manchester City, Liverpool, Villa. Arsenal, Manchester City and Liverpool are safe top-four picks. Aston Villa to pip Chelsea for the fourth spot. – Pranay
Manchester City, Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea. All clubs have been busy in the summer, bringing in many talents from around the world. Liverpool and Chelsea will have the Community Shield and Club World Cup triumphs, respectively, to use as a boost for the new season, while Arsenal seems likely to continue “trusting the process” under Mikel Arteta. – Joan
Liverpool, Manchester City, Arsenal, Chelsea. There doesn’t seem to be much to separate these three sides quality-wise. All three are at different stages of development, but I think they will be able to lift themselves clear of the chasing pack. – Aditya
Arsenal’s new signing, Viktor Gyokeres.
| Photo Credit:
REUTERS
Arsenal’s new signing, Viktor Gyokeres.
| Photo Credit:
REUTERS
Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester City, Brighton. The top three from last season pick themselves. There is a risk of City dropping out after Club World Cup exertions, while Rodri’s fitness remains crucial to its season. Brighton could be the surprise entry into the top four – Aashin
Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester City, Chelsea – Saikat
Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester City. I don’t think the likes of Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur will be able to get Champions League, although I do expect them to finish much better than their horrid last season. – Rajdeep
Dark Horse
Bournemouth. Andoni Iraola has impressed one and all since taking over the reigns at the south coast club. Despite key outgoings in defence, Bournemouth still seem like a side capable of punching above its weight to try and stake claim for a European spot. – Anish
Aston Villa. Aston Villa has largely held onto its players over the summer and it looks primed to go bigger this season. – Pranay
Sunderland. Sunderland has taken a page out of Nottingham Forest’s book, spending over £130m in the summer following promotion from the Championship. After bringing in the likes of Granit Xhaka, Reinildo Mandava and Marc Guiu, who’s to say Sunderland cannot survive and finish 16th or 17th, positions where some of the league’s ‘top’ teams finished last season. – Joan
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Brentford. Brentford has lost key figures in managers Thomas Frank and players Bryan Mbeumo, and Yoane Wissa, but it has held on to Mikkel Damsgaard and Kevin Schade, both of whom flew under the radar last season. If one team can be trusted to have a plan for this kind of turnover, it is Brentford. – Aditya
Brighton. After falling just 5 points short of a Champions League place last season, Fabian Hurzeler’s side has the potential to make a big push for a European place, possibly even the Champions League. – Aashin
Brighton & Hove Albion manager Fabian Hurzeler.
| Photo Credit:
REUTERS
Brighton & Hove Albion manager Fabian Hurzeler.
| Photo Credit:
REUTERS
Brighton. Fabian Hurzeler’s team finished eighth last season, five points from fifth-place Newcastle, despite grappling with several injuries to key players. With very few departures from the squad over the summer and some smart recruitment, Brighton can punch above its weight this season. – Saikat
Manchester United. I can already hear the ‘sighs’ after reading the name, but it could be a hit or a miss with Ruben Amorim’s side. He seems to have gotten the players he wanted, the ones who can fit the formation he so strongly stands by. United could surprise us all. – Rajdeep
Top scorer
Erling Haaland. Liverpool’s heavy investment in attack this season could see the goals distributed more evenly across their frontline and that could help Haaland regain his crown. – Anish
Erling Haaland. By his standards, Erling Haaland was off colour last season. He would be eager to make amends this time out. – Pranay
Erling Haaland. There are three things certain in life – death, taxes and Erling Haaland scoring goals. The Norwegian has netted 124 times in 146 games for Man City, and with Mohamed Salah slowly ageing and Alexander Isak still mulling over whether to enter a pitch, it seems like a perfect opportunity for Haaland to run riot in front of goal. – Joan
Manchester City’s Erling Haaland has scored 85 goals in 97 Premier League appearances.
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REUTERS
Manchester City’s Erling Haaland has scored 85 goals in 97 Premier League appearances.
| Photo Credit:
REUTERS
Erling Haaland. He might be the most boring pick to make but Haaland scored 22 Premier League goals in a “bad” season for Manchester City last year, and it would be remiss not to expect him to bounce back again. – Aditya
Mo Salah – The Egyptian will break few more records — oldest player to win the Golden Boot at 34 and hold the title for most Golden Boot wins (5). – Aashin
Erling Haaland – Saikat
Viktor Gyokeres. Going by the form he has been in the last two seasons in Portugal, the 27-year-old Arsenal forward could ride on beginner’s luck and bag the Golden Boot. – Rajdeep
Player to watch out for
Jorgen Strand Larsen. Strikers in relegation-threatened teams are often difficult to judge due to the lack of goals. But, by scoring 14 and assisting a further four in his debut PL campaign, Larsen shone bright in a struggling Wolves outfit. With another solid year, he could be in contention for a top six side in a year’s time. – Anish
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Florian Wirtz. Florian Wirtz was incredible with Bayer Leverkusen and has the potential to hit even bigger heights with Liverpool. – Pranay
John Arias – Colombian forward Jhon Arias might not be a young, South American prospect like Chelsea’s Estevao. However, the 27-year-old’s performance for Fluminense in the Club World Cup, where he picked up three player-of-the-match awards in its run to the semifinal, is proof enough that it’s not too late for him to make a name in the bigger leagues. – Joan
Joao Pedro. Chelsea has been on the search for a player to lead the line, and Pedro’s performances at the Club World Cup were a very promising audition. He linked up well with Cole Palmer and finished sharply, making him one to keep an eye out for this season. – Aditya
Joao Pedro already has three goals in three appearances for Chelsea.
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REUTERS
Joao Pedro already has three goals in three appearances for Chelsea.
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REUTERS
Matheus Cunha. He might be spectacularly good or become the latest victim in the vortex of doom i.e. Manchester United – Aashin
Martin Zubimendi. Zubimendi’s arrival is expected to significantly bolster the Gunners’ midfield. The Spaniard is known for his ability to control the midfield, providing a solid anchor that will upgrade the team’s stability. Beyond his defensive prowess, he also brings a much-needed creative element to the squad. – Saikat
Hugo Ekitike. He has already shown us a glimpse of what he can do in the match against Bournemouth. The Liverpool man could also be in the running for the Golden Boot. – Rajdeep
Relegation picks
Burnley, Leeds, Brentford, Sunderland’s investment in experience could be vital as the club looks to break the streak of promoted teams being relegated immediately. Brentford’s punt on Keith Andrews is a risk rarely taken in top flight English football. With Bryan Mbeumo’s departure and Yoanne Wissa’s possible exit, the team might struggle for goals which might eventually spell doom for its PL stay – Anish
Everton, Leeds, Sunderland – Pranay
Burnley, Leeds, Brentford. With Sunderland dubbed as the dark horses, it would be wishful thinking to assume that the other two promoted clubs – Burnley and Leeds United – will also experience success. Meanwhile, the exit of key players like Bryan Mbeumo and Christian Nørgaard and coach Thomas Frank and the lack of proper replacements, have put Brentford at risk of dropping down. – Joan
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Leeds, Sunderland, Wolves. Finding goals is always crucial to staying up, and all three promoted sides seem a little lacking in firepower to me. However, Burnley had a record-breaking defensive record that may just be able to keep them up, while Wolves’ replacements for Matheus Cunha and Rayan Ait-Nouri are incredibly untested, making them potential candidates for relegation. – Aditya
Brentford, Leeds, Burnley. Brentford could break the streak of all three promoted teams going down the very next year. – Aashin
Leeds, Burnley, Brentford – Saikat
Wolves, Sunderland, Burnley – Rajdeep
Content Source: sportstar.thehindu.com