With the 2019/20 Premier League campaign on the horizon, who will claim the title this time out?
Liverpool came ever-so-close last season, finishing second on 97 points, only beaten by the unique brilliance of Manchester City who tallied one point more.
Newly-promoted Aston Villa, Norwich City and Sheffield United will be optimistic of survival, but what beckons for the triplet?
Here are our predictions for the 2019/20 Premier League season below.
20. Brighton & Hove Albion
The Seagulls struggled throughout last season, but held onto Premier League status by a thread, finishing two points above the drop zone in 17th.
However, with the departure of Chris Hughton and the arrival of Graham Potter, I think Brighton have made a huge mistake.
Although a managerial change was required, the incorrect appointment has been made, and I question what Potter can do in the Premier League.
19. Burnley
Sean Dyche has done an excellent job for Burnley since their arrival to the top flight back in 2016.
Two seasons ago, they finished seventh and achieved Europa League football, which is an outstanding accomplishment. However, they struggled last season and only just reached 40 points.
There are no indications that they are going to improve on that points tally this season, and I think their stay in the Premier League will be over.
18. Sheffield United
The only newly-promoted side I have predicted to go straight back down.
The battle to avoid this spot will be extremely tight and there were a few clubs I considered for the spot, but Sheffield United’s lack of Premier League quality will backfire.
Gaining promotion last season was a massive over-achievement by the Blades and they will find it tough to tackle the quality of this league.
This could go right down to the wire, and home form will be crucial if they are to survive, but I am tipping them to be relegated.
17. Newcastle United
Rafa Benitez’s departure from the club is a huge blow for the Magpies.
From a next to nothing transfer kitty, the Spanish manager worked wonders with a sub-par Newcastle side, achieving a 13th placed finish last season.
It was hard to predict where they will finish this season as a manager is yet to be appointed, but there won’t be much money spent on transfers while Mike Ashley is in charge of the finances, so I think they will struggle but narrowly survive.
16. Crystal Palace
The departure of Aaron Wan-Bissaka to Manchester United and Wilfried Zaha’s pending departure leaves the Eagles in quite a predicament.
They have consistently managed to avoid the drop over the past few years, and the club’s ambition and future looked on the up. However, potentially losing your two best players would inflict damage on any team, but more so for a club of Crystal Palace’s side.
Although they would have money to spend this window, I expect them to flirt with relegation and finish 16th.
15. Southampton
It is quite surprising that the Saints are still in the Premier League for the 2019/20 campaign. Last season they struggled, but ultimately survived thanks to the mid-season arrival of Austrian manager Ralph Hasenhüttl.
They were in the relegation zone for lengthy periods of last season, but a late flurry of results steered them clear of trouble, finishing five points above 18th placed Cardiff City.
This term will be a slight improvement on last year, but nothing special on the south coast.
14. Aston Villa
Aston Villa pushed late for promotion, and deservedly achieved it.
With the likes of Jack Grealish and John McGinn among their ranks, they have the experience mixed with youth and quality to survive comfortably.
Home form will be important, and I think they could surprise a few teams at Villa Park this season.
13. Norwich City
The Canaries endured a successful campaign in the Championship last season, finishing top of the pile with 94 points.
Daniel Farke has installed a winning mentality into the side, playing attacking, free-flowing football. They will have to take caution when taking the same approach as last season, or they could end up like Fulham, but I feel there is more structure to this side.
I predict a respectful 13th placed finish for the Canaries.
12. Watford
The Hornets sustained their most successful Premier League season last time out, finishing 11th and reaching the final of the FA Cup.
They have the quality to hurt teams, as they demonstrated last season, and that won’t change this time around.
I feel it will be a quieter season from Watford, though, finishing 12th.
