I predict a brilliant season with Pep & Jose in photo finish
HERE we go again – it’s that time of year when I polish the crystal ball and put my neck on the block.
And Sav the soothsayer says the title will be going back to Manchester this season after a shoot-out between Pep Guardiola and Jose Mourinho which could take a photo finish to separate them. Having tipped United to win the Premier League last season, I’m not deserting them now.
Although Guardiola has spent £200million this summer, and Manchester City look formidable on paper, I just can’t rule out the Special One winning his fourth title in English football.
ARSENAL
Uncharted territory for Arsene Wenger as he begins a campaign without Champions League football for the first time in 20 years. Alexandre Lacazette will add firepower, but things could get worse for Wenger before they get better, if he loses Alexis Sanchez. How on earth was such an influential player allowed to reach the final year of his contract without the club busting a gut to keep him? Wenger rode out the storm last term but I suspect he faces another year outside the mainstream.
Verdict: No top four return 5th BOURNEMOUTH
Asmir Begovic and Nathan Ake are good signings because only four teams conceded more goals than the Cherries last season, and they needed reinforcements at the back. New striker Jermain Defoe has one eye on a World Cup place with England, and manager Eddie Howe’s commitment to vibrant, attacking football should be his passport to Russia.
Verdict: Staying up again 11th BRIGHTON
It’s wonderful to see Chris Hughton back in the Premier League, where he was treated so poorly by Newcastle and Norwich. He will enjoy a lot of neutral goodwill as Brighton, one of my old clubs, return to the top flight after a 34-year absence. I hope it’s not a one-season stopover, but the squad lacks depth of quality. I wish them all the best, but I fear the worst.
Verdict: Going down, sadly 19th BURNLEY
They turned Turf Moor into a fortress last year and stayed up almost entirely due to a formidable home record. But Michael Keane will be a big loss for the Clarets at the back and, unless Sean Dyche finds a way to win games on the road this time, I’m afraid Burnley will be dicing with danger.
Verdict: Nip and tuck for Dyche in the heavy rough 17th CHELSEA
I don’t understand why the champions have allowed Nemanja Matic, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Nat Chalobah to leave without oven-ready replacements in midfield. And Alvaro Morata is a fine player – but is he really an upgrade on Diego Costa? Chelsea were fantastic last season, but with Champions League football back on the menu, they will find the going heavier.
Verdict: No title joy this time 3rd CRYSTAL PALACE
New Eagles boss Frank de Boer says he wants his Palace side to play like Ajax – a noble statement of intent, but safety should be his first priority rather than style. Having said that, if Wilfried Zaha and Christian Benteke stay fit, they could even finish in the top half. Verdict: Unpredictable but entertaining 9th EVERTON
Romelu Lukaku may have gone, but Ronald Koeman spent £100m on new players with the promise of more, notably Gylfi Sigurdsson, to follow. After a few false dawns, this could be the year Everton push hard for a top-four finish if they replace Lukaku’s firepower with another proven goalscorer.
Verdict: Close, but no cigar 7th HUDDERSFIELD
It’s great to see the Terriers back in the big time, and they will be nobody’s pushovers because David Wagner’s team will work their socks off. I like the look of Aaron Mooy in midfield – but to stay up, they will need somebody to score at least 15 goals, and I’m not sure they have that talisman who will lead them to the 40-point survival mark. Verdict: Just enjoy the ride 20th LEICESTER
The Foxes have done the great escape, the 5,000-1 title miracle and the fairytale run to Champions League quarter-finals – surely they are due a quieter season? New arrival Kelechi Iheanacho’s partnership with Jamie Vardy will be worth watching.
Verdict: Around halfway 10th LIVERPOOL
They were top of the league until December last year, but failed to last the course after Sadio Mane went to the Africa Cup of Nations and a grim sequence of cup results in January undermined their confidence. Can they go all the way this year? Not sure, but Mohamed Salah, Andrew Robertson and Dominic Solanke will strengthen Jurgen Klopp’s hand – and keeping hold of Philippe Coutinho will be key.
Verdict: Top four again 4th MANCHESTER CITY
Pep Guardiola finished his debut season in English football emptyhanded, but there’s no way he will draw another blank. City led the charge of big spenders in the close season, shelling out nearly £100m on a pair of full-backs alone. It’s going to be a thrilling shootout with the neighbours across town – and for me, only United are equipped to match them.
Verdict: Photo finish for title 2nd MANCHESTER UNITED
After Jose Mourinho salvaged two trophies and Champions League football from a season which threatened to yield much less, he has strengthened key areas with the arrivals of Romelu Lukaku, Nemanja Matic and Victor Lindelof. My tip for the title in 2016-17 went down the gurgler before Christmas, but this year we will get the duel many people were expecting – Pep v Jose for No.1 spot.
Verdict: Toss-up with City for the title Champions
NEWCASTLE
Back where they belong under Rafa Benitez. Jacob Murphy is an exciting prospect and a worthy recruit but, with the possible exception of a cup run, Toon don’t need to look beyond consolidation over the next nine months. They have enough know-how and quality to survive.
Verdict: Lower mid-table 14th SOUTHAMPTON
It was harsh to send Claude Puel packing after finishing eighth and reaching a cup final, and I don’t see how they can keep Virgil van Dijk if his heart is set on a move. New boss Mauricio Pellegrino may be looking over his shoulder at times, but I don’t see him being dragged down.
Verdict: Don’t expect miracles 13th STOKE
The Potters can’t afford another slow start like the last two seasons because some fans will take to the phone-in airwaves and pile the pressure on my old pal Mark Hughes. Kurt Zouma will be a decent loan signing, but they have lost a lot of experience this summer with Jon Walters, Marko Arnautovic, Phil Bardsley and Glenn Whelan all leaving. Verdict: Danger lights flashing 15th SWANSEA
Gylfi Sigurdsson’s departure looks inevitable and Swansea are not so blessed with matchwinners that they can afford to lose the heartbeat of their team. But I was impressed with the way Paul Clement kept his cool under pressure on the run-in last May and I fancy the Swans to make the cut again – although it may be another tight squeeze.
Verdict: Staying up – just 16th TOTTENHAM
Mauricio Pochettino’s strongest XI is arguably the best team in the Premier League, but their best chance of winning the title may have gone. Spurs struggled to settle at Wembley in the Champions League, and must now play there every week while the new ground is going up at White Hart Lane. It could even cost them a top-four spot.
Verdict: Spurs slipping 6th WATFORD
New coach Marco Silva arrived as one of the most sought-after managers in England, but he still has much to prove. As well as he did at Hull, they only won a single point away from home after he took over and, ultimately, went down. Go ahead and prove me wrong, by all means, but I look at the Hornets’ fixtures and I don’t see a single easy one among them. Verdict: Going down 18th
WEST BROM
Tony Pulis never gets relegated. West Brom tailed off badly after reaching 40 points last season, and they will miss Darren Fletcher. But I hope Jay Rodriguez fills his boots after wretched luck with injuries and I trust the fans will give Pulis a fair hearing – because nobody has a divine right to stay up.
Verdict: Steering clear of trouble 12th WEST HAM
The Hammers’ have pulled off two of the best deals of this window with Joe Hart and Javier Hernandez. And after the teething troubles of moving into their new home last season, the worst may be over for Slaven Bilic. I fancy them to inhabit the top half.
Verdict: Bubbles flying high 8th SAV’S FOUR TO WATCH IN 2017-18
JACOB MURPHY (Newcastle): Gone to a big club to fulfil his potential. KELECHI IHEANACHO (Leicester): Power and pace, should be a lethal combination with Jamie Vardy. MICHAEL KEANE (Everton): Broke through into England team this year and looks the complete central defender now. WILL HUGHES (Watford): Hope my old Derby team-mate does well, deserves his chance to shine in Premier League.