Predicting the 26/27 Premier League Season

It is that time of year again when many of us are filled with hope and optimism and sometimes even the belief that our club can go the distance and get a decent result this time. Some of us get that, many do not, at least three sets of fans will have to deal with relegation, one set of fans get to enjoy the title. Let's get into how this might play out.

20. Hull

Yes, this isn't anything out of the ordianry. Almost everyone is predicting Hull to finish bottom of the table. Them reaching the Prem was an astounding feat in of istself. I've got no issues with them, I like The Deep a lot. I just don't think they have the squad to do much this season.

19. Ipswich

Again, I'm not setting myself apart with this one. Ipswich have done alright. To come straight back up after their previous relegation, to finish second in the Championship, these are big accomplishments to be applauded. But I, like many others, do not believe they have it in them to escape the dreaded relegation zone.

18. Coventry

This is where there seems to be a lot of split between opinions. There are a lot of people who are optimistic about Coventry's ability to stay above the drop, and I can see why. They did well to finish first in the Championship, have arguably the best squad of the three promoted teams, and Lampard has some okay experience of not only the Premier League, but also in relegation battles in his time as Everton manager. That being said, he didn't do that great as Everton manager. His style of play was nicer than what we got under Dyche, but it didn't get results, and I worry that he'll have much of the same situation here. I'd like him to do well, I had no ill feelings towards him as manager, but I'm afraid I don't have the positivity that others have.

17. Fulham

Fulham have had some big losses this Summer. Losing Marco Silva as manager, as well as Harry Wilson on a free to Prem rivals Leeds is pretty significant. Álvaro Arbeloa may be decent for them and they may do alright, but for me it doesn't feel like they've strengthened all that much. I think they'll be safe, but I also think they'll struggle.

16. Sunderland

Sunderland had a great first season back in the Prem. Not only did they manage to stay up, but they got a good result in the table and did the double over Newcastle, which to many might be the most important part. I think they'll do okay, but will struggle a bit more this season.

15. Newcastle

The Magpies have had what appears to be a tough Summer. THey've lost a lot of their major players as well as Eddie Howe. I understand that Howe's time at Newcastle may have come to an end, but that doesn't make him a bad manager, and it certainly doesn't make him easy to replace. I think they'll really struggle to get back into the swing of things and won't have the best of seasons. But I reckon they'll finish above the Black Cats, so they might be happy with that.

14. Nottingham Forest

Forest have had a rollercoaster time back in the Prem. From surviving relegation, to achieving Europe, to back into a relegation fight and having numerous different managers. Glasner is a great manager. He achieved some pretty big things at Crystal Palace, but it appears he didn't have a great relationship with the board towards the end. If he struggled at Palace, how will he manage things with Marianakis. It will likely take them a bit of time to get going, but they'll do okay, as long as Glasner can survive the start of the season.

13. Leeds

Leeds have done alright this transfer window. Getting in James Trafford and Harry Wilson will help them massively in the Prem. They'll do okay.

12. Crystal Palace

They have a new manager. It's a season of changes for them. But they'll probably finish 12th.

11. Everton

And here's were people call me biased. Yes, I'm prediciting my beloved Toffees to finish 11th which is a few spaces higher than what others predict for us. A lot of people don't see any excitement in our signings so far. I think Hackney has been really good in pre-season, and Nørgaard has kind of flown under the radar, but there's a lot of positivity to take away from our friendly matches. I'm hopeful, and that hope results in an 11th place dream.

10. Bournemouth

Another team to get a new manager and to lose a really good one. Irealo will be hard to replace. I'm not saying that the board won't have done that, and a rough start doesn't mean that either. We have to remember that Irealo struggled to get some decent results at the start of his time at Bournemouth. But they feel like a pretty well run club so I'm sure they can get into 10th.

9. Brentford

Almost everyone predicted Brentford to do poorly last season with them having lost Thomas Frank as their manager, getting the essentially unknown Keith Andrews, and losing their big strikers. But they pulled out some great results, and Igot Thiago really stepped up for club and for those who picked him in FPL. They might have an overall average season, but I certainly reckon they'll do alright.

8. Brighton

The last to be mentioned of the well run 'B' clubs, Brighton are the quintesstial well run club. I always worry when Everton play against them. They'll do well.

7. Tottenham Hotspur

Spurs have had a rought past two seasons. Fighting relegation both times, despite winning the Europa League, is embarrassing for this club. But they've managed to have Roberto De Zerbi get a few matches from the end of last season and a full pre-season, plus they've made some big money signings. Surely it'll all click for them now.

6. Aston Villa

I feel bad for Villa. I genuinely do. I've got no beef with them. Cazoo brothers and all that. It really sucks for them that despite continually making Europe they always have to sell their best players. But Unai Emery has continued to do well with the squad he has and I'm hopeful that they can continue to stay in decent form.

5. Manchester United

Have we finally seen the last of Man U being poor? Michael Carrick is a manager who gets the club, and isn't ovsessed with forcing his particular style on a squad that doesn't fit it. He also seems quite happy to give the players the freedom to do what they do best, which surely should always have been the case for a club like Man U that can bring in such expensive and talented players. I'm not sure they've done enough to get UCL, but they'll do pretty well.

4. Chelsea

I think Chelsea will do well now. They started to get some decent performances last season under Maresca, but then he left, Liam Rosenior came in and he was no good at all. His LinkedIn persona did not help. But now they have a decent manager in in the form of Xabi Alonso. I don't think anyone pays much attention to his poor time at Real Madrid as they tend to lay the blame for that on an egotistical squad. He was great for Bayer Leverkussen, he'll be great here.

3. Liverpool

I loved seeing the implosion of Liverpool last season. The failures of Arne Slot were some of the most entertaining moments of last season for me. But then they went and replaced him with a manager I think is actually pretty good. Irealo is a great manager, he did a great job for Bournemouth. He's absolutely ready to take a team like Liverpool to the UCL.

2. Manchster City

And now we get to see the start of a new era for Man City. We finally get to see them without Pep Guardiola. Maresca is a great manager, he showed that with Chelsea and with Leicester before them. It'll definitely be a period of adjustment for them, but there's no doubt they have an amazing squad. 2nd might be all they can achieve at this point and many fans will be upset at that, but it is a new time for them.

1. Arsenal

They are now the reigning champions. They have finally won the league. My best friend has been mildly insufferable for the Summer (he is a Gunner) and they are one of the few teams to not change manager this season. Their squad hasn't deteriorated and so I'm confident that they'll get their second Prem win in a row.