With a new campaign approaching, the usual question returns: how will all 20 Premier League clubs fare?
This season is particularly difficult to predict. There are numerous new managers, major transfers across the division and several clubs looking very different from the teams that finished last season.
Here is our predicted final Premier League table.
1. Arsenal — Champions
Arsenal finally ended their long wait for a Premier League title last season, and I expect them to retain it.
Mikel Arteta has built a squad packed with quality in virtually every position. The champions also have something they lacked in previous years: the confidence and experience of knowing exactly what it takes to finish the job.
Their impressive Community Shield victory over Manchester City offered another early indication of their strength.
Unless injuries or an unexpected loss of form intervene, Arsenal look the most complete team in the division.
2. Manchester City
Manchester City enter a new chapter after Pep Guardiola’s departure and the arrival of Enzo Maresca.
There has been considerable change at the Etihad, with several influential figures leaving. Rodri, Bernardo Silva and John Stones are among the major departures, leaving Maresca with the difficult task of rebuilding without losing the club’s winning mentality.
Still, City retain Erling Haaland, and having a striker of his quality makes them impossible to dismiss.
New additions are also expected before the transfer window closes. City may not immediately return to their previous dominance, but another trophy-winning campaign looks likely.
3. Liverpool
Liverpool endured a dramatic fall from champions to fifth last season, leading to another managerial change.
Andoni Iraola now takes charge, bringing an energetic, aggressive approach from Bournemouth. The transition will not necessarily be straightforward, particularly as the club moves into life after Mohamed Salah.
Nevertheless, Liverpool still possess enormous talent.
Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak give the attack a new dimension, while several young players could make significant breakthroughs. If the squad adapts quickly to Iraola’s methods, Liverpool should comfortably return to the Champions League places.
4. Chelsea
Chelsea are my biggest gamble near the top of the table.
Xabi Alonso has arrived after establishing himself as an outstanding young coach at Bayer Leverkusen. His biggest challenge will be turning Chelsea’s enormous squad into a coherent team.
There is plenty of ability available to him, and the club’s decision to add experienced figures such as Jordan Henderson and Danny Welbeck suggests they are also trying to bring greater leadership to the dressing room.
Morgan Rogers and Maxence Lacroix strengthen the squad further.
With no European competition to distract them, Chelsea could surprise a few people. A top-four finish is certainly within reach.
5. Manchester United
Michael Carrick gets his first full season in charge after helping United recover from a difficult period and secure Champions League football.
The expectation should be much higher this time. United need to challenge for trophies and establish themselves among England’s leading clubs again.
Youri Tielemans brings intelligence and experience to midfield, while Andrey Santos offers considerable potential.
There are still obvious gaps that need addressing, particularly if United genuinely want to challenge for the title. I do not expect them to go that far, but another strong season should be possible.
6. Aston Villa
Unai Emery continues to be one of the Premier League’s most accomplished managers, and Villa remain capable of competing at the highest level.
However, this summer has brought significant change. The departures of important players, including Youri Tielemans and Morgan Rogers, leave Emery with another rebuilding job.
Alejandro Garnacho has the opportunity to revive his career, while Joao Gomes adds quality to midfield.
Villa’s recruitment of young Swiss midfielder Johan Manzambi could also prove inspired. There is plenty of uncertainty, but Emery’s tactical ability gives Villa a very high floor.
7. Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham simply cannot afford another season like the last one.
Roberto de Zerbi now has considerably more backing from the club, and Spurs have invested heavily in strengthening the squad.
Andrew Robertson and Marcos Senesi provide experience, while the midfield has received an enormous financial investment through the arrivals of Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes.
Jan Paul van Hecke should strengthen the defence, while Micky van de Ven remaining at the club is another positive.
The talent is certainly there. The question is whether De Zerbi can turn it into a consistent team. I expect a dramatic improvement.
8. Nottingham Forest
Forest’s campaign last season was undermined by constant managerial upheaval.
Oliver Glasner now has the opportunity to bring some stability. His demanding style should suit a club that possesses considerable attacking quality.
The sale of Elliot Anderson provides Forest with significant funds to reinvest, while Ousmane Diomande adds strength at the back.
Morgan Gibbs-White remains one of their most important players.
If Glasner gets the balance right, Forest should move comfortably away from the relegation battle.
9. Brighton & Hove Albion
Brighton return to European competition, this time in the Conference League, meaning Fabian Hurzeler will have to manage a heavier schedule.
That additional workload is a concern, but Brighton remain one of the division’s best-run clubs.
The departures of Danny Welbeck, James Milner and Jan Paul van Hecke remove experience, although Luka Vuskovic and Pascal Struijk strengthen the defence.
There is enough talent throughout the squad for Brighton to enjoy another successful season.
10. Brentford
Keith Andrews impressed after taking over from Thomas Frank and now has the chance to establish himself.
Brentford narrowly missed out on European football last season, and there is little reason to expect a major decline.
Mamadou Sangare’s arrival represents another ambitious investment, while Callum Wilson provides valuable Premier League experience if he can remain fit.
Igor Thiago also gives Brentford a dangerous attacking focal point.
A top-half finish looks realistic.
11. Crystal Palace
Palace face another significant change following Oliver Glasner’s departure.
Pierre Sage has earned an excellent reputation and now inherits a squad containing plenty of quality.
Dean Henderson remains dependable in goal, while Adam Wharton gives them creativity in midfield. Jean-Philippe Mateta and Ismaila Sarr provide plenty of threat going forward.
The biggest issue will be retaining their best players.
If Palace avoid further major departures, another comfortable mid-table season — and perhaps another cup run — should be achievable.
12. Newcastle United
Newcastle enter the campaign with plenty of uncertainty.
Eddie Howe has left, along with several important players, while Matthias Jaissle now faces the task of rebuilding the side.
The departures of Bruno Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali and Anthony Gordon represent a huge loss of quality and experience.
Jaissle has added several promising young players, including Sean Steur, Bazoumana Toure and Amar Dedic, but Newcastle still need proven quality in midfield.
The club’s difficult summer could translate into a difficult season unless recruitment improves quickly.
13. Everton
David Moyes knows Everton still have plenty of work to do.
The club have made some intelligent additions, particularly Hayden Hackney and Christian Norgaard, while Iliman Ndiaye remains an important attacking talent.
Tyler Dibling has also impressed during pre-season.
However, there are concerns at full-back and up front. Everton need greater reliability from their strikers if they are to turn promising performances into points.
Another season of survival looks likely, but Moyes will want considerably more.
14. Bournemouth
Bournemouth face one of the division’s most interesting challenges.
Andoni Iraola has left, Marco Rose has taken over, and the club now have European football to contend with as well.
Those changes make a repeat of last season’s sixth-place finish extremely difficult.
The injury to Eli Junior Kroupi is another setback, although Alex Scott remains a major asset and the club have continued to recruit intelligently.
Antonio Silva and Alvaro Rodriguez could become important players, while Juanlu Sanchez looks another shrewd addition.
I would not be surprised if Bournemouth outperform this prediction.
15. Leeds United
Daniel Farke asked Leeds to show greater ambition in the transfer market, and the club have responded.
James Trafford’s arrival from Manchester City gives them a goalkeeper with major potential, while Harry Wilson is an excellent attacking addition.
Tarik Muharemovic should also improve the defence.
The biggest weapon could once again be Elland Road. Leeds will make life extremely uncomfortable for visiting teams.
I expect them to survive, although another difficult season is likely.
16. Fulham
Fulham begin another new era following Marco Silva’s departure.
Alvaro Arbeloa has been handed the job after his time at Real Madrid, making this another appointment that carries an element of risk.
Fulham have nevertheless established themselves as a Premier League club and should have enough quality to avoid serious trouble.
Shea Charles could prove an important addition, while Arbeloa’s familiarity with Real Madrid’s young players has helped bring Gonzalo Garcia and Cesar Palacios to London.
Stability should be the main objective.
17. Sunderland
Sunderland’s achievement last season was extraordinary.
Few expected Regis le Bris to take the newly promoted side all the way to European qualification, but that is exactly what happened.
Repeating that success will be extremely difficult.
Keeping Granit Xhaka was a major boost, while Brian Brobbey offers an attacking threat. However, Sunderland have not made enough additions to suggest they can reproduce last season’s remarkable results.
A reality check could be coming.
18. Coventry City
Coventry return to the Premier League with plenty of optimism.
Doug King’s ownership has brought renewed ambition, while Frank Lampard has overseen an impressive transformation.
The club have also been aggressive in the transfer market. Taiwo Awoniyi provides experience and physical presence, while Gus Hamer’s return is a major boost.
Loum Tchaouna, Aurele Amenda and Caleb Yirenkyi add further options.
Coventry have clearly decided to attack the Premier League rather than simply hope for survival.
Even so, staying up will be an enormous challenge.
19. Ipswich Town
Ipswich face another difficult Premier League campaign after Kieran McKenna’s surprising departure.
Gary O’Neil now has the responsibility of building on the club’s promotion, and the transfer spending shows that Ipswich are serious about remaining in the top flight.
They have invested heavily, bringing in numerous players including Abdoul Ouattara and Julio Enciso.
Daizen Maeda could bring pace and energy to the attack, while Abdul Fatawu is another player capable of making a difference.
Ipswich deserve credit for their ambition, but the Premier League may still prove too strong.
20. Hull City
Hull are back in the top division after a nine-year absence and have wasted little time rebuilding their squad.
Sergej Jakirovic has already welcomed a large group of new players, including goalkeeper Konstantinos Tzolakis and defender Nobel Mendy.
The club have shown genuine ambition and are clearly unwilling to accept that promotion should automatically be followed by relegation.
That spirit could make Hull entertaining to watch.
Unfortunately, we suspect the quality and depth of the Premier League will eventually prove too much.
Final Prediction
Position Club
1 Arsenal
2 Manchester City
3 Liverpool
4 Chelsea
5 Manchester United
6 Aston Villa
7 Tottenham Hotspur
8 Nottingham Forest
9 Brighton & Hove Albion
10 Brentford
11 Crystal Palace
12 Newcastle United
13 Everton
14 Bournemouth
15 Leeds United
16 Fulham
17 Sunderland
18 Coventry City
19 Ipswich Town
20 Hull City
The Premier League rarely follows the script, and this season could be particularly unpredictable. Arsenal look best placed to retain the title, while Chelsea and Tottenham could be among the biggest improvers.
At the other end, the promoted clubs face an uphill battle, with Sunderland also at serious risk of dropping back into the Championship after their extraordinary campaign last season.