The new Premier League season is upon us
It may feel like the World Cup only ended yesterday but it did in fact come to an end almost an entire month ago and here we are, on the cusp of a brand new Premier League season.
Gone are the moments of pure, unadulterated joy that we came to associate with the stunning tournament in Russia, and back are the moments of pure, unadulterated hatred and schadenfreude from rival fans as they spend their every waking second thinking about ways to get one over on each other.
There's also going to be some football here and there and the recently-closed transfer window gave us plenty to ponder ahead of the season's kick-off. Will Manchester City retain their title with ease or will Liverpool's newly-strengthened side push them close? Will Spurs' lack of signings halt their progress? Will Big Sam emerge from his gravy slumber to save the day for one lucky side?
This, and all your other questions, are answered below by JOE's writers. So please sit back, relax and bookmark our predictions for when the season ends in May. We'll be happy to admit we're wrong where necessary.
Robert Redmond
Champions
Manchester City. They were untouchable last season and will be brilliant again this year, even though they probably won’t get 100 points again. City have Mendy back from injury at left-back and Mahrez was the best player from outside of the top six before he joined. There are no weaknesses within the squad. Only Liverpool look like causing them any trouble.
Top four in order
- Manchester City
- Liverpool
- Tottenham Hotspur
- Arsenal
Relegated
Watford, Huddersfield and Cardiff.
First manager sacked
Javi Gracia. Watford aren’t shy about sacking their managers.
Player of the year
Kevin De Bruyne.
Young player of the year
Ryan Sessegnon.
Signing of the season
Naby Keita or
Alisson. Alisson is already a great signing because Liverpool have a goalkeeper worthy of playing for a club competing for trophies. Keita looks set to dominate games.
Flop of the season
Andre Gomes could struggle for Everton.
Top scorer
Harry Kane.
Will Mourinho last the season?
It doesn’t look like it. He might make it until the spring though. Man United only sacked Moyes and Van Gaal after the club failed to qualify for the Champions League, so it could be a long season.
Where Will Big Sam be managing come January?
Maybe a cushy international job, like the
United States men's national team. He’s already managed four of the teams currently in the Premier League, so I can’t see an obvious route back for Big Sam.
Matthew Stanger
Champions
Manchester City. Guardiola says De Bruyne has returned in perfect condition - that’s enough to convince me.
Top four in order
- Manchester City
- Liverpool
- Tottenham Hotspur
- Arsenal - just
Relegated
Surely everyone is going to pick
Cardiff. I’ll throw in
Brighton and
Burnley too.
First manager sacked
Javi Gracia. Watford managers don’t tend to stick around.
Player of the year
Kevin de Bruyne.
Young player of the year
Leroy Sane, again.
Signing of the season
Naby Keita.
Flop of the season
Any West Ham signing.
Top scorer
Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang.
Will Mourinho last the season?
Nope.
Surprise package of the season
Fulham and
Wolves are going to impress.
Who will Big Sam be managing come January
Cardiff.
Wayne Farry
Champions
Manchester City. Pep’s side - who were already much better than their rivals last season - have strengthened hugely and barring some unforeseen disaster or injury crisis will probably walk the league again.
Top four in order
- Manchester City
- Liverpool
- Tottenham Hotspur
- Manchester United
Liverpool have added serious quality to their side this summer and while Spurs have not done so, they remain one of the strongest first XIs in the Premier League. Manchester United will remain in the top four, but it’ll be a close run thing between them and Chelsea.
Relegated
Southampton got away with it last season purely because there were somehow three worse teams beneath them. Will go down this season despite the managerial genius that is Mark Hughes. Huddersfield are next. Second season syndrome will most likely hit them with a bang. They are a strong and solid side but have a serious lack of top quality. Cardiff, meanwhile, are just not good enough in anyway, sense or form.
First manager sacked
It’s cliche at this point but it is going to be Neil Warnock sacked first. It is written in the stars, in slabs past down generations and in the earth itself. If Warnock isn’t sacked the world itself will cease to be. By the end of the season he’ll be coach of Nottingham Forest finishing fifth in the Championship.
Player of the year
Leroy Sane. The German international will have an axe to grind after being left out of his country’s World Cup squad. He was brilliant last season - double figures for goals and assists - so if he steps up his level even a little bit he could be the best player in the league.
Young player of the year
Ryan Sessegnon. Already one of England’s best young wingers/wing-backs and his form last season suggested that he is - without playing a minute in the Premier League - of the requisite quality.
Signing of the season
Jean Michel Seri. No one knows exactly where the promoted clubs will finish, or if the multitude of new signings by Wolves and Fulham will come good, but if even a portion of them do then they will prove pivotal in keeping them up. Seri was previously linked with Barcelona ahead of his move to Craven Cottage and if he clicks with his new teammates, it’ll go a long way to Fulham staying up.
Flop of the season
Gerard Delofeu. The former Everton and Barcelona man has rarely if ever shown himself capable of performing at the highest level. He doesn’t have enough quality around him at Watford to carry him, so he’s going to struggle.
Top scorer
Harry Kane. I can see Spurs settling into home at the new White Hart Lane almost instantly and that feel good factor will help them throughout the season. Kane had a mixed World Cup but will be rested for the new season. He's also the most clinical striker in the league.
Will Mourinho last the season?
Yes, but if Manchester United miss out on the Champions League than he might just be gone. Even if he does stay it will likely be a season of attrition at Old Trafford. Mourinho seems content for his sides to play within themselves, and there's little to suggest that will change this season.
Surprise package of the season
Tottenham. The lack of signings will not affect them negatively. They have a fantastic squad and they’ll continue to perform at a ludicrously high level.
Who will Big Sam be managing come January?
Cardiff. But it won’t be enough to keep them up. Thankfully he’ll jump ship in April, leaving him to avoid relegation personally and be sitting on a beach drinking an iced Bisto by May.
Reuben Pinder
Champions
Manchester City. I can’t see anyone catching Manchester City. They were runaway leaders last season and have strengthened in the summer. It’s theirs to lose.
Top four in order
- Manchester City
- Liverpool
- Manchester United
- Tottenham Hotspur
Liverpool have done excellent business and will be very difficult to stop. United’s summer hasn’t gone exactly to plan but they will be tough to break down and still have plenty of quality. Tottenham’s lack of activity has fans worried but they are a well drilled unit, don’t underestimate the power of team cohesion.
Relegated
Cardiff, Southampton, Huddersfield. Neil Warnock will be gone by Christmas, mark my words, and Big Sam will take charge before jumping off the sinking ship in April. Southampton have allowed themselves to slide too far down a slippery slope of complacency that this could well be their year. Huddersfield surprised us all last season but the rest of the bottom half has brought in more quality and David Wagner’s side may struggle to compete.
First manager sacked
Mark Hughes. He kept Southampton up by the skin of their teeth last season but the football was never particularly pretty and their summer has not exactly been incredible. A bad start will trigger panic and could see him gone before long.
Player of the year
Kevin De Bruyne. He was unlucky to miss out on the award last season, with Mo Salah having a record breaking season, but Liverpool will probably share the goals round a bit more this season, and De Bruyne will continue to be the heartbeat of Man City’s midfield, making everything happen.
Young player of the year
Ryan Sessegnon. The teen sensation tore up the Championship last season and will be giving right-backs terrible headaches with his pace, trickery and clever movement. Expect to see him rack up the goals this season.
Signing of the season
Fabinho. The Brazilian will provide Liverpool with the defensive solidity that they need at the base of their midfield three. This extra security will free up the other midfielders to run riot.
Flop of the season
Andre Schurrle. He has never quite replicated the form he showed at Bayer Leverkusen and Chelsea since his World Cup winning assist in 2014, and has moved to Fulham for a reason.
Top scorer
Harry Kane. The most lethal finisher in the league, Kane will find a way to win the golden boot, even if Spurs finish outside the top four.
Will Mourinho last the season?
Yes, but the atmosphere will have grown so toxic that he will be sacked after the season and return to Inter Milan, one of the only clubs that will still give him a warm welcome.
Surprise package of the season
Crystal Palace. Admittedly, this is an extremely biased prediction, but bringing in Max Meyer could prove to be a stroke of genius. Having kept Wilfried Zaha at the club, they are in good stead to do what Burnley did last season.
Who will Big Sam be managing come January?
Cardiff. See above.
Pat McCarry
Champions
Manchester City to win but by less than 19 points. Nicolas Otamendi to add more silverware to his collection and Kevin de Bruyne to be ridiculously good again. Liverpool to go close in the Champions League again.
Top four in order
- Manchester City
- Liverpool
- Manchester United
- Chelsea
Relegated
Brighton, Cardiff and.... Southampton. Think Bournemouth could get dragged into a scrap this year too.
First manager sacked
Javi Gracia.
Player of the year
Mo Salah.
Young player of the Year
Diogo Dalot.
Signing of the season
Alisson Becker. Could be the missing link to end Liverpool's league trophy drought.
High hopes for Diogo Dalot.
Flop of the season
Phil Jones is my safe bet but I don't have Arsenal near my top five so Gunners would consider that a huge flop
Top scorer
Mo Salah.
Will Mourinho last the season?
Yes, but not much longer.
Where will Big Sam be managing come January?
Cardiff.
Wil Jones
Champions
Liverpool. After a two dull, predictable title races, I feel we’re due an exciting one. Maybe I’m being naïve and falling for the hype, but if Alisson gives them confidence at the back and they hit the ground running, why not?
Top four in order
- Liverpool
- Manchester City
- Chelsea
- Tottenham Hotspur
It’ll be a consolidation season for Arsenal and a terrible one for Man United.
Relegated
Cardiff, Southampton, Watford.
First manager sacked
Jose Mourinho. It’s only a matter of time.
Player of the year
Mo Salah - if Liverpool are going to do well, they’re going to need Salah replicating the form of last year. True, his injury-hampered World Cup didn’t suggest another great season, but he’s never lacked confidence in the Premier League and with an improved side around him he could be even better.
Young player of the year
Ryan Sessegnon. Fulham getting promoted was the best thing that could happen to the kid. If he’d made a big money movie, he might have cracked under the pressure. But now he gets to test himself against some the best players in the world in front of crowd that loves him.
Signing of the season
Xherdan Shaqiri - Especially considering what they paid or him. He’s already shown it in friendlies, and he’ll really excel in Klopp’s forward-playing football.
Flop of the season
Fred – but it won’t be his fault, it’s be Jose’s.
Top scorer
Mo Salah.
Will Mourinho last the season?
See question three.
Surprise package of the season
Fulham. Though maybe with the business they’ve done, if they don’t do well it’ll be more of a surprise.
Who will Big Sam be managing come January?
Cardiff, after Neil Warnock goes down in a glorious ball of flames.
Jack O'Toole
Champions
Manchester City. No team has successfully defended the Premier League title since Manchester United in 2009 but you figure this City team are about as good as a chance as any side to buck that trend. Broke records for most points in a season, most wins and they just added Riyad Mahrez to a squad loaded with talent. Expect them to add another league title too.
Top four in order
- Manchester City
- Liverpool
- Tottenham Hotspur
- Chelsea
Liverpool are the second best team in the league, Spurs kept all of their key players, and still have Pochettino, while Chelsea kept Hazard and Willian which could be enough to get them into the top four if they stay. The situation with Mourinho at United at toxic and could be headed for a disaster while Arsenal are too much of an unknown quantity at this stage to back them into the top four with any great belief.
Relegated
Southampton, Huddersfield and Cardiff. Fulham and Wolves have invested well over the summer while Danny Ings won't save Southampton and Huddersfield and Cardiff simply don't have the quality to stay up.
First manager sacked
Neil Warnock. Deserves credit for getting them back into the Premier League but if it starts off badly I can see the owners panicking and reaching for...... Alan Pardew? Oh god.
Player of the year
Kevin de Bruyne. Mohamed Salah had a historic campaign last year but it's hard to see him replicating that form again this season given just how high he set the bar from one season to the next. de Bruyne was the best player on a historically great City team last seasons and there's no reason that should change this term.
Young player of the year
Ryan Sessegnon. Sessegnon was brilliant for Fulham last season and the Cottagers promotion to the Premier League should give him the increased exposure he deserves. Great touch, a good defender and excellent on the break. Should be poised for a breakout year to follow an exceptional campaign last season.
Signing of the season
Alisson Becker. He doesn't even have to be that good, just on improvement on Simon Mignolet and Loris Karius and he'll look like a great pickup, even if Liverpool moved heaven and earth to get him.
Flop of the season
Andriy Yarmolenko. He scored three goals in 18 games last year for Dortmund playing against the likes of Freiburg and Mainz. Why should we expect him to fare much better in the Premier League? Especially given the quality West Ham have elsewhere.
Top scorer
Harry Kane. Kane won two of the last three Golden Boots and has scored 25, 29 and 30 goals in each of the last three seasons. Safest bet.
Will Mourinho last the season?
Only if United are more interested in winning clicks and the back pages than actual football matches.
Where will Big Sam be managing come January?
Southampton. After years of getting it right with their managerial appointments, Southampton plunged last season and if they get involved in another dog fight this year there's only one man for the job. Sam Allardici.
