My Premier League Table Prediction
The 2023/2024 season, the heroes and the zeroes
The football season is back, and I am fully invested. We have a fantasy football league in work, I have been keeping my pulse on all incoming and outgoings in the league and I have watched 4 games this weekend alone. Having been in discussions with work colleagues and friends about our predictions for the season, I thought I would do an article featuring my just that, in relation to league positions. Obviously, it is still rather early, and not all clubs have finished their business in the transfer market, but this is the state of play as of 06/08/2023.
Relegation = no celebration
20. Luton Town
I think this pick seems quite popular, for good reason. Luton scraped through the playoff final against a strong Coventry side, and are by far the weakest promoted team this season, finishing 11 points from 2nd place Sheffield United last season. In the several months following their Wembley win, they have not really strengthened their squad, signing players from lower league teams and not addressing issues in their s2uad. I believe they will finish adrift of my next pick by a small margin.
19. Sheffield United
My second choice for relegation is Sheffield United, 2nd place in the Championship last season. They have some standout players, including midfielder Sander Berge and forward Oliver McBurnie. However, like Luton, they have not brought in adequate improvements to the club in terms of transfers, whilst also letting joint top scorer Iliman Ndiaye leave the club. I think Sheffield will be not far off safety, but will ultimately fall short.
18. Nottingham Forest
Finally, I have selected Nottingham Forest for my last relegation spot. Last year, Forest were rather fortunate to end the season so strongly, picking up 8 points from the last 12 available. This season, I suspect there may be less fortune on offer. With quality forward players such as Brennan Johnson and Morgan Gibbs-White, they are guaranted to be close, but I think losing Keylor Navas and Renan Lodi at the back may be the straw that broke the camel’s back.
Europe or Bust
7. Tottenham Hotspur
Spurs are the first club in my “depending on” collection. On paper, Tottenham have definitely strengthened this summer, picking up midfield maestro James Maddison and soon, defensive stalwart Micky Van de Ven, as well as making loan deals for Dejan Kulusevski and Pedro Porro permanent. A new manager bounce may also be evident early on, as shown by positive pre-season form. None of this, though, matters compared to the future of Harry Kane. Kane moving to Bayern Munich, and how they replace their best player, will determine whether they finish 7th, or in the worst case, 10th.
6. Newcastle United
Newcastle, under their first full season of Saudi investment and management under Eddie Howe, surely could never have expected to have performed so well. Finishing 4th place, 4 points from 3rd position, and qualifying for the Champions League improves their chances of securing higher class talent. They have brought in some of this, in the form of AC Milan deep-lying playmaker Sandro Tonali, and prolific Englishman Harvey Barnes, but I believe trying to balance European aspirations and domestic football will cause a bit of second season syndrome, and a slight drop-off in levels of intensity for the Magpies.
5. Chelsea
This may be my most controversial pick yet, but there is something about Chelsea this season that excites me. They may have lost quite a few first team players in the last couple of months, but the players bought to replace them are all solid options. Their team is much stronger now than it was 12 months ago, and they have also managed to bring the average age down considerably. Pair this with a young, positive coach in Mauricio Pochettino, and I believe Chelsea will be a surprise package this year.
Top 4 and more
4. Manchester United
Although they finished 3rd last season, I am sure United were upset at their placing last year, especially considering the hype around the team at the start of last season. This summer, Erik Ten Hag has made his stamp on the team, signing hot striking prospect Rasmus Højlund, as well as keeper André Onana and versatile midfielder Mason Mount. It was evident last year that the Red Devils clearly had a distinct style and these signings will surely help to progress this vision for Ten Hag, however it is entirely dependent on how quickly young Højlund can settle into his new surroundings. If successful, I believe United have the personnel to pip second place.
3. Liverpool
Last season’s campaign was a true disappointment for the Merseyside-based club, with a severe lack of depth and a Plan B leaving Anfield hosting Europa League competition for the first time in over 5 years. This summer, a big rebuild was promised, primarily focussing on the lacklustre and aging midfield. At the time of typing, Liverpool have lost 5 midfielders, 2 first team regulars including Fabinho and Jordan Henderson, and have signed two forward thinking stars to pick up the pieces. Once Roméo Lavia is confirmed, and a potential left-footed centre back is acquired, there is an argument that 2nd place or higher is more than capable. For now, I think another season hampered by a lack of midfield options may halt any loftier ambitions.
2. Arsenal
Whilst their fans can be rather insufferable, there is something to like about Arsenal. They are certainly a breath of fresh air, a very young squad, coached by former Toffee Mikel Arteta. Last year, at times, they played sublime, blowing teams away. However, it was sometimes a lack of maturity, and a lack of penetration against defensive teams, which left them short, having led the season for so long. With Declan Rice and Julian Timber, Arsenal are a much stronger outfit, and Kai Havertz is also another one to watch this year. I believe we will see a much more clinical and ruthless team take the field this year.
1. Manchester City
I wish it wasn’t so, but unfortunately I can’t not see it. Guardiola’s dominance of the league looks set to continue, but I would not be surprised if they are pushed further this year, whether by Liverpool and their new look midfield, United’s more experienced core, or even Arsenal’s sophomore showing. Losing İlkay Gündoğan and Riyad Mahrez, key players down the line last year, has weakened City significantly, and I don’t think replacing them with Mateo Kovačić (a player not known for his proficiency in front of goal) and promoting Cole Palmer (a burgeoning talent, still raw) is really the answer. Joško Gvardiol is a smart purchase in an area which City don’t necessarily need to bolster, but I think as long as Erling Haaland stays healthy, then this could be yet another title to add to the Spaniard’s cabinet.
My Complete Table
- Manchester City — pushed further than last season
2. Arsenal — Much more consistency expected
3. Liverpool — Potential for more
4. Manchester United — Make or break year
5. Chelsea — The one nobody expects
6. Newcastle United — Second season syndrome
7. Tottenham Hotspur — Kane is the key
8. Brighton & Hove Albion — Fixture headache will stifle the Seagulls
9. Aston Villa — Emery will make the club consistent
10. Burnley — Kompany’s breakout season
11. Fulham — Solomon (now plays with) Kane
12. Brentford — Toney a huge miss for early season. Late season push
13. Bournemouth — Overdelivery on the cards. Hamed Junior Traorè will be a beast
14. Wolverhampton Wanderers — Lopetegui needs backing or could be a long season
15. Everton — Wishful thinking, with some forwards for Dyche. Safe by April
16. West Ham United — Danny Ings is not a target man, Alvarez is no Rice
17. Crystal Palace — Selling two top forwards is not a smart idea. Final 2 game safety.
18. Nottingham Forest — No World Cup this year, unfortunately
19. Sheffield United — This year’s Norwich, yo-yo club
20. Luton Town — The “so obvious it probably won’t happen” of the year
