We are now less than a month away from the restart of the Premier League and another year of beautiful chaos, remarkable results and unpredictable finishes. However, before the start of every season, everyone likes to try and predict what happens, and where teams will end up at the end of the season. This is another set of Premier League predictions, and this could be how table ends up on the final day.
20th- Ipswich Town
In an unsurprising first entry, newly promoted Ipswich Town look like early favourites to finish bottom. This is their first time back in the Premier League since their relegation back in 2002, after being promoted on 96 points and finishing 2nd in the Championship last season.
The Suffolk side have been very busy in the transfer window, with the permanent signing of their Championship star player Omari Hutchinson in a £23.5 million deal from Chelsea. Other signings include defenders Jacob Greaves and Ben Johnson, striker Liam Delap and goalkeeper Arijanet Muric.
As interesting as it will be to see how the Tractor Boys do in this environment, the harsh nature of the league may prove too mighty. A squad with little experience at this level, and one that will struggle to challenge the squads of established teams that have played here for years.
Alternatively, Ipswich come into this season with no expectations, and Ipswich will likely have numerous high scoring games, no matter if they are home and away this season.
19th- Brentford
A surprising pick for 19th, Brentford are coming off of a poor campaign, only picking up 10 wins in their lowest top flight position since they were promoted.
The London side have only made one signing this transfer window, the signing of striker Igor Thiago from Belgian side Club Brugge for €33 million. On the other hand, goalkeeper David Raya leaves to join Arsenal, as well as Sergio Reguilon and Neal Maupay returning to their parent clubs.
This side has a lot of Premier League experience and synergy with playing together for a long while. However, Synergy can only get a team so far, and the gamble from Thomas Frank could be what sends them down.
With a lack of new arrivals and Ivan Toney still a doubt if he will stay for the season, Brentford could be running on borrowed time. Even with the squad they possess, the West London side could be in trouble.
18th- Leicester City
The champions of the Championship, Leicester City came straight back up after their relegation in 2023. The Foxes last campaign in the Prem ended with relegation on the final day, and fans may be seeing something similar this season too.
The Foxes come into this season with a new boss in Steve Cooper and also a returning face in Abdul Fatawu joining on a permanent deal from Sporting Lisbon. Leicester are missing their main man from last season, as Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall leaves the club to go and join Chelsea alongside former manager Enzo Maresca.
Leicester make 3 other additions to the squad, with Caleb Okoli, Micheal Golding and Bobby Reid joining the side. A new focus on youth at the King Power Stadium, it may be enough to keep Cooper's side above the relegation zone.
Even with a potential 15 point deduction to start the season off, Leicester can cause some upsets this season. Although, any points deduction is difficult for any team to overcome, and as much as Leicester can fight and struggle it may be in vain, but you can never truly write off these underdogs.
17th- Southampton
The first team that can survive the drop is the playoff winners, Southampton. Led by Russell Martin, the Saints beat Leeds United 1-0 at Wembley, with Adam Armstrong scoring the only goal of the game.
Similar to Leicester, Southampton return straight after their relegation in 2023 and have also been active in the transfer market, bringing 7 new signings to the south coast. One key signing being former Man City defender Taylor Harwood-Bellis as he returns after playing a key role in the Saints promotion.
The relegation fight this season will be tough for a lot of teams and many fans will be concerned about their teams chances of survival, but the relegation spots could very likely be decided on the final day.
Russell Martin's side is in for a rough season, but the signings they have made, plus the backbone they already have makes them ever so slightly stronger to me. But, it will come down to grit and determination, and this squad has just enough fight for the top division.
16th- Nottingham Forest
With only 9 wins last season, Nottingham Forest are another team that are on the edge of the danger zone. Although, plenty of new faces are arriving to The City Ground and Forest are educated in what a relegation fight is like.
17 players have left the club, with 5 players going back to their parent club, but Forest have kept the key players in their squad. The new intake of signings are focused on young players, with the likes of Elliot Anderson and Jota Silva coming to the Midlands side.
Forest had a difficult ride last year, only picking up 32 points across 38 games which was less than their first season in the Prem, where they picked up 38. Another disappointing year looks likely for the Reds, with their new talent not packing much of a punch in my opinion.
On the other hand, the squad they have already has still got some talented players who kept them up last season. Although, they can't keep riding on the edge, and they need the young players to come in good, otherwise next season may be another story.
15th- Brighton
The magic of Roberto De Zerbi has gone from Brighton and now the youngest Premier League manager Fabian Hurzeler has a difficult task on his hands. With a squad full of young talent ,the key question is can they be utilized to keep Brighton out of the relegation scrap.
The south coast side have made no changes to their transfer focus on youth players, as they look to keep their good run going. Their big signing being 24-year-old Mats Wieffer from Feyenoord for a total of £25 million.
A young squad in every sense of the word, with the leadership of veterans such as James Milner and Pascal Gross have every chance to defy expectations once again. Whilst 15th may not seem like a great position to finish, it is one that can be built from.
Brighton always look like underdogs for high finishes, but it may be a different ending this year. Whilst at times it may seem dismal for the Seagulls, survival is the name of the main game.
14th- Bournemouth
The battle for south coast supremacy is going to be tight at all times this season, but the Cherries time are a solid pick to reign supreme. After finishing 12th last season, with the same amount of points as Brighton, this little club on the sea can turn the tide this year.
Bournemouth have been able to make loan deals from last season permanent, as Luis Sinisterra and Enes Unal come back to the club. Former Sheffield United striker Daniel Jebbison also heads to the Vitality Stadium on a free transfer.
Bournemouth have been able to re-establish themselves as a mid table club since their promotion back to the top division in 2022. Whilst Bournemouth aren't giant killers, they can definitely pick up consistent points against the mid-table and lower table sides, and that will be enough to reclaim the crown of the south coast.
13th- Fulham
Another pick that could cause some discourse, Fulham being 13th is not something I see being a constant this season. I think it will be late in the season they climb to this point, and they may be very close or even in to the relegation zone a lot.
Fulham have been late starters in the transfer market, bringing in former player Ryan Sessegnon on a free transfer as well as Emile Smith-Rowe and Jorge Cuenca. Joao Palhinha and his departure to Bayern Munich for €50 million leaves Fulham without a key defensive player in midfield.
Even though Craven Cottage is devoid of new characters, the well known characters have a lot of quality already. Harry Wilson, Antonee Robinson, and Andreas Pereira are players to keep an eye on for the quality of their play.
13th position is a nice position for The Cottagers and not too foreign compared to their other finishes over the past 2 years, getting 13th last season. Fulham will need a lot of effort though, and they will need to keep their focus or else they risk Championship football once again.
12th- West Ham United
After a tough period at Wolves, new manager Julen Lopetegui looks to make amends in the capital. Even after a 9th place finish and losing in the Europa League quarter finals under David Moyes, the Hammers could still be on a come down.
The £40 million transfer of Max Kilman after a very impressive season in the Midlands is a good addition to the squad. The signing of Luis Guilherme is also a good replacement for the departing Said Benrahma. Niclas Fullkrug also adds a new attacking threat as he arrives from Borussia Dortmund.
Here is where every set of predictions get very difficult, as the midtable teams are so difficult to pick between who shall finish where. 14 wins last season is promising, but the Irons have been fluctuating over the past 5 seasons.
West Ham being away from any kind of relegation fight looks certain, but they are not in a position to challenge for anything, except maybe a good cup run. 12th would be a good finish, and somewhere to build from.
11th- Everton
A disappointing season of football at Goodison Park for fans of the Toffees last season amid issues on and off the pitch, including a failed takeover of the club. Yet, despite all of that, this season looks to be one of promise for Everton fans after a rough few years in every aspect.
The release of Amadou Onana and Ben Godfrey is a kick in the teeth for Everton, Onana being one of their top performers last season. However, bringing in Iliman Ndiaye and getting Jack Harrison back into the mix is a step in the right direction.
The Merseyside club have had a bad run since the 20/21 season, getting consistent lower half finishes, with their highest being 15th. Now, Sean Dyche can lead The Toffees to a top half finish, something that fans haven't seen in a good while.
10th- Wolves
Another team who have been plagued with finishes in the bottom half of the table, Wolves are another team that can break away. A strong squad carried over from last season, plus competent leadership by Gary O'Neil can see the Wolves rise up.
Being able to keep star players, especially those in the attack is a big reason why I think Wolves will finish 10th. Tommy Doyle and Rodrigo Gomes joining the club is also good business for the Midlands side.
Wolves get to keep their status as an established mid table side with a solid 10th place finish. They have a solid foundation that they can build off of next season, where they may even challenge for European football.
9th- Crystal Palace
For 10 years, Crystal Palace have been able to stay away from relegation scraps, whilst also producing top talents. After a great end to the last campaign, The Eagles can soar to their highest Premier League finish.
The only big loss is that of Michael Olise, as they are able to keep other names like Eberichi Eze and Marc Guehi. Daichi Kamada arrives at Selhurst Park on a free transfer, with €15 million also being spent on Morrocan defender Chadi Riad.
It seems like Palace have found the perfect way to be able to stay in the top division. Producing some great talents and selling them on before reinvesting the money made into more young talents.
Under Oliver Glasner, the new style of play which we saw glimpses of at the end of the previous season will catch teams off guard. This is an unsurprising prediction, and this is an achievable feat for Palace.
8th- Newcastle
Last season for Newcastle was one that was filled with injuries to big players, with some even carrying over to this season. More injuries may haunt The Magpies, as well as some consistency issues.
A squad that has increased their goalkeeper count to 6 in this transfer window, bringing in John Ruddy and Odisseas Vlachodimos. Lewis Hall makes his loan move permanent and a new option at left back by the name of Lloyd Kelly heads north to St James' Park.
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe looks to be staying for another year, however, he may not be staying for very long with an 8th place finish. The Magpies have a lot of talent in their squad, but can Howe be the one to mould them into a serious European competitor.
Newcastle still need some fine tuning before they get into European competitions, which isn't a bad thing. 1 more season to find what works and what does not work is valuable information, the northern side can climb up the table, just not this season.
7th- Liverpool
Like Newcastle, the Reds have the talent but they need they need to be shaped under the new manager into his style of play.
Similar to Fulham, there has been no new faces at Anfield so far this window, although that could change before the first round of fixtures. Although, no important players have left the club, which is a positive to start the season with.
Arne Slot has a tough job on his hands, and believe that this season will be one of learning for him. They may struggle against the big teams, and may be on the end of a few shock results this season as well.
7th may not sound great at first, but valuable knowledge is there for Slot to learn and the long term payoff for Liverpool could be monumental. He has the blueprint, and now just needs to build around it.
6th- Man Utd
Last year's FA Cup winners also achieved their lowest ever Premier League finish, ending in 8th on the final day due to results elsewhere. It does seem like Erik Ten Hag has got the dressing room reunited, and a smart finish would go well alongside that.
The Red Devils have put some talented names on the release list, including Raphael Varane and Anthony Martial. However, the signings of Joshua Zirkzee and Leny Yoro look to be very good upgrades to those who have left.
If Ten Hag can do what previous managers have failed to do and unite the dressing room and get these players playing well, then Man United could even finish in the top 4.
On the other hand, in order to do that they will need be consistent in how they play and get results against the biggest clubs. Time will tell, but European football seems like a safe bet.
5th- Chelsea
Chelsea have become an annoying team for most people to predict, because there are so many factors. The youth, the new manager, the ownership, and the unpredictable factor of results later in the season.
Yet, there is a good feeling about Chelsea's chances for Europe this season. They posses a youthful side that also bolsters some top talents and valuable leadership with their more senior players.
A new system of play under Enzo Maresca and the summer signings of Marc Guiu and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall only strengthen the side. The focus on youth should give the Blues a stable base for the future, as long as they can deliver good results.
Enzo Maresca made Leicester City in a Championship powerhouse last season, and he looks to do so with the Blues this season. Chelsea have the squad for Europe, they just need the right fit of manager and they may have found him. Do not write this team off too soon, as they could surprise a few people.
4th- Tottenham
Another London team that have used this transfer window to invest in youth talents, Tottenham are looking to get back into the UEFA Champions League, and they look like solid contenders.
Bringing 3 players to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, the Lilywhites have made sure to bring quality over quantity. Archie Gray being the standout signing, whilst Lucas Bergvall and Timo Werner head to North London.
A campaign full of promise under Ange Postecoglou has lead to fans believing in Tottenham to deliver consistent results. An attacking mentality with a focus on playing from the back can lead to good results for this team, and a scrappy top 4 fight could very well end with Spurs inside of it.
3rd- Arsenal
After finishing 2nd place twice in the past 2 seasons, Arsenal could likely drop one position, but not because of their own performances. A squad that has constantly shown great things, and that streak looks to be continued again.
The Gooners have only made 2 first team signings so far, making the loan move of starting goalkeeper David Raya into a permanent deal and new defender Riccardo Calafiori joins as well. They also released midfielder Mohamed Elneny and defender Cedric Soares, after limited playing time for them both.
This will be another season that Arsenal will be happy with no matter what happens. Arsenal do play some very impressive football and get some big results because of it, but the difference between them and 2nd may only come down to 3 points.
2nd- Aston Villa
A lot of fans are investing in Aston Villa this season, and it is clear to see why. The rise that this team have had under Unai Emery has lead them to the UEFA Champions League and they can make the top 4 a battleground, and one that they can use to rise up.
Villa have been very proactive this summer, bringing in 8 new players to Villa Park. Some of the big names include Ian Maatsen, Amadou Onana and Jadon Philogene arriving to the Midlands ready for the Lions Premier League and Champions League campaigns.
A talented roster adding a lot of new faces is a big reason why fans think Villa will do well this season. The likes of Ollie Watkins, Leon Bailey and Diego Carlos can make even more of an impact this season, and it is likely that they will be making headlines with their performances.
Unai Emery has made this team into serious competitors and spectators are excited to see far they push the boundaries. There is belief that Aston Villa will do what no one predicts them to do.
1st- Man City
In what could be the final year that we see Pep Guardiola as Man City manager, 5 titles in a row would be the perfect end to his time in Manchester. Last year's top dogs look to repeat the cycle once again and it would be foolish for anyone to bet against them.
Only one signing has been made by the Citizens so far this summer, with a new winger looking to burst onto the English scene by the name of Savinho. What is best for Man City is that they have also been able to keep their most prized assets over the summer, you can see why anyone would struggle to bet against them.
This is an easy decision, no other club looks close to challenging for the title this season. The main worry for them is the result of the 115 charges against them for breaching Financial Fair Play rules.
The date for that is still unknown, and it may mean that City have enough time to win their 5th title. Ultimately, a lot of people think Man City will win the league again this year, which I'm sure will not make any football fans unhappy online.
