With the 2019/20 Premier League campaign getting underway this weekend, we’ve asked our writers to give their predictions for the season on who will win the league, finish in the top six, and get relegated.
Can Liverpool – or even Spurs – stop Manchester City? Will Arsenal end their Champions League exile? How will Frank Lampard fare in a transfer ban ridden Chelsea? Can the likes of Everton, Wolves and Leicester gatecrash the Big Six party? Find out what our writers say.
Jesse Nagel says Manchester City – 6/10
Same old, boring, short-priced Manchester City to win the league again? Of course! Only a fool or an overly optimistic Liverpool fan would think otherwise. Despite getting 198 points over the past two seasons, City are not resting on their laurels, and have strengthened in the market – in key areas too.
The only departments that City could have reinforced in is the Fernandinho role, where they have brought in the next-gen Sergio Busquets in Spanish midfielder, Rodri, adding to their riches in squad depth, while the two-time reigning champions have also utilized the transfer market to strengthen in the full-back department.
In terms of picking the chasing pack, Liverpool would be the obvious second, but in all honesty, another close title race is not one that I would put big money on. Jurgen Klopp has moaned all pre-season, finding a way to complain in every single situation – much like Jose Mourinho’s final season at Manchester United – while they also haven’t added any marquee signings to their squad.
Still, they get the nod ahead of the rest to finish runners-up once again. Arsenal have done just about enough in the transfer market to suggest that they’ll get third spot and with Unai Emery now knowing his best team from the get-go, they could finish in the top four quite comfortably, provided their key players remain fit for the entire campaign.
Lastly, if Ole Gunnar Solskjaer could go back to the counter-attacking Manchester United approach that worked for the Norwegian in his first two months in charge, the Red Devils should round up the top four, leaving no space for Tottenham and Chelsea.
My Top 6
1st – Manchester City
2nd – Liverpool
3rd – Arsenal
4th – Manchester United
5th – Tottenham
6th – Chelsea
To be relegated: Crystal Palace, Norwich, Sheffield United
Donavan “Mr Value” Vere says Liverpool – 5/2
After a roller coaster last season and being the preverbal ‘bridesmaids’ to the title by a mere one point, the question on everyone’s mind (both Liverpool fans and non-believers) is can Liverpool repeat the feat of last season?
This pre-season hasn’t been ideal, and the lack of activity in the transfer market may be a concern for some, but bear in mind that this Liverpool side only lost one game last season and with the returns of the Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Adam Lallana, together with the inclusion of the youth players of Rhian Brewster, Harry Wilson and Harvey Elliott, I believe that this squad will be well balanced enough to cross the line first in May.
In the words of Jurgen Klopp, “If you’re ready to fight and dream again, let’s do it together”.
My Top 6
1st – Liverpool
2nd – Manchester City
3rd – Arsenal
4th – Tottenham
5th – Chelsea
6th – Manchester United
To be relegated: Brighton and Hove, Sheffield United, Newcastle
Chad Nagel says Manchester City – 6/10
Aiming to correctly predict the Premier League title winner for the fourth time (Chelsea – 2016/17, Manchester City 2017/18 & 2018/19) in a row now, I am going for the Citizens once again. The Premier League has been branded the world's most competitive league for years, but Pep Guardiola – with the financial support from billionaire owner Sheikh Mansour – has turned the English top-flight into the French Ligue 1.
It’s going to be incredibly difficult to stop the Citizens again this season and I don’t think we’ll be in for another exciting title race. It certainly won’t be as close as it was last term. I really expected Liverpool to make a couple of signings to give them an extra push. I still feel they need a top playmaker. Why didn’t they try to re-sign Philippe Coutinho?
Back City to make it a third successive title. Also, it’s important to mention that Kevin De Bruyne is now fully recovered, which basically means ‘TROUBLE’ for opponents. With Eden Hazard now at Real Madrid, I think De Bruyne is the best player in the league.
I do see Liverpool finishing runners up, but wouldn’t be so surprised if Arsenal pips them. Yes, Arsenal! I fear my beloved Chelsea will miss out on the top four with all their rivals strengthening while they sat under a transfer ban – not to mention lost their best player. Oh, and I have a feeling Ole Gunnar Solskjaer might silence his critics too.
My Top 6
1st – Manchester City
2nd – Liverpool
3rd – Arsenal
4th – Manchester United
5th – Tottenham
6th – Chelsea
To be relegated: Brighton and Hove, Newcastle, Sheffield United
Aaron Crowie says Manchester City – 6/10
At this point, only Manchester City and Liverpool look like genuine title contenders. Arsenal have made a few new excellent acquisitions but, in all honesty, I can’t see them performing at the highest-level week-in and week-out, which has been their problem for as long as I can remember.
I feel that Manchester United are well worth a punt to finish in the top four with Tottenham and Chelsea falling short. Although Spurs have improved vastly over the last few seasons, a lack of transfer business will certainly show in their performances as well as team morale. Mauricio Pochettino has done a brilliant job but deserves so much better for his efforts.
The Blues will most certainly feel the loss of Belgian Superstar, Eden Hazard, along with their transfer ban which will surely hinder any title ambitions they might have. The difference for me between Man City and Liverpool is their depth.
The Citizens have a world-class starting line-up with bench players and reserve players that can easily slot in, whereas if Liverpool suffer any injuries, it would most likely derail their chances of lifting their first ever Premier League title. Back Pep Guardiola’s men to do it again.
My Top 6
1st – Manchester City
2nd – Liverpool
3rd – Arsenal
4th – Manchester United
5th – Tottenham
6th – Chelsea
To be relegated: Brighton and Hove, Sheffield United, Aston Villa
Banele Pikwa says Liverpool – 5/2
Liverpool, for me, were the best team in Europe last season, winning the UEFA Champions League and getting 97 points in the league, losing one away game, whilst remaining unbeaten at home. That is amazing in anyone’s language and not signing any big names proves that the club is looking for continuity and that Jurgen Klopp believes in his players.
In any other season, the Reds could’ve won the double. They’ve kept all their players from the previous campaign and one must bear in mind that this is the third season for most of these players so the experience and confidence will be there. I do foresee Manchester City and Pep Guardiola going all out in the Champions League which could fall right into Klopp’s hands.
Liverpool has the best goalkeeper in the league in Alisson. They also have one of the best centre-backs in Virgil Van Dijk, along with two of the best full-backs (Andy Robertson & Trent Alexander-Arnold) and the firepower upfront (Mo Salah, Firmino & Sadio Mane) is undoubtedly the most dangerous in the world. For me, this is the most balanced Liverpool side I’ve ever seen and if there is ever a team to end the league trophy drought then it’s this group of players.
I’m expecting their impressive home dominance to continue but they need to win games away against the big teams in order to surpass Manchester City. For the first time in 29 years, I can confidently say, ‘It’s coming home’, to Anfield.
My Top 6
1st – Liverpool
2nd – Manchester City
3rd – Tottenham
4th – Arsenal
5th – Manchester United
6th – Chelsea
To be relegated: Brighton and Hove, Norwich, Sheffield United