10 BURNING ISSUES
The Premier League is back and the title, top-four spots and survival are up for grabs. Our experts tackle the...
1 WHO WILL GO DOWN?
REDKNAPP: I’ve been in relegation battles and this is always a horrible question. Cardiff have it all to do and will face four of the top six. The trips to Burnley and Brighton will be crucial. I think they will go down, but after everything they have had to contend with this season I hope they prove me wrong.
KEOWN: Fulham and Huddersfield. As for the third, three of Burnley’s final four games are against Chelsea, Manchester City and Arsenal. Before that, they face Cardiff at Turf Moor. That match could be make or break. My gut feeling is Sean Dyche will steer Burnley to safety and Cardiff drop down.
SUTTON: Huddersfield and Fulham are doomed. Cardiff will join them... but only just. They keep pulling outstanding results from nowhere.
2 RAHEEM STERLING FOR PLAYER OF THE YEAR?
REDKNAPP: Virgil van Dijk is favourite for taking Liverpool to another level but Raheem Sterling has taken his own game to another level. You cannot rule out Sadio Mane and Sergio Aguero, either.
KEOWN: Sterling has my respect but Van Dijk (right) has my vote. Not since John Terry in 2004-05 has a defender won the award. The art of defending seemed to have disappeared but Van Dijk has rekindled it with Liverpool.
SUTTON: Sterling is very much in the running but the player who has had the biggest impact is Van Dijk. He has taken a Liverpool team that conceded too many sloppy goals and given them a great chance of winning two huge trophies.
3 GOLDEN BOOT WINNER?
REDKNAPP: Sergio Aguero. In such a tight race, he has a one-goal advantage and has an outstanding record when it comes to hat-tricks. The only thing that could count against him is if Pep Guardiola rests him ahead of Champions League clashes.
KEOWN: Harry Kane. He missed more than a month through injury but is only one goal behind Aguero. Tottenham are heading into their new home. I expect a glut of goals will follow.
SUTTON: It’s one hell of a race. It is hard to back against Aguero but I think Kane will win it. If Kane gets on a roll at Tottenham’s new home, he can come out on top. 4 WHAT NEXT FOR CALLUM HUDSON-ODOI?
REDKNAPP: There is no doubting his ability but he still has to be patient. He is only 18 and has plenty to learn. Game-time is crucial but continue to impress and that will come. KEOWN: It has felt like Maurizio Sarri is trying to keep his feet on the ground. Gareth Southgate is a good judge, however, and he’s let him fly with England. I’d like to see him given more opportunities. SUTTON: Chelsea may have turned down Bayern Munich’s offer in January but I don’t think we’ve heard the last of that. Hudson- Odoi just wants to play. It is embarrassing for Chelsea that he can put on that kind of performance on the international stage without having started a game for his club.
5 WHO MISSES OUT ON THE TOP FOUR?
REDKNAPP: Arsenal have the best fixtures but their struggles away could hinder them. Manchester United have the squad to finish there. That would mean Chelsea missing out.
KEOWN: Five of Arsenal’s final eight games are away from home but I suspect they’ll sneak fourth. Tottenham should finish in the top four, so Manchester United and Chelsea may miss out.
SUTTON: Arsenal and Chelsea. Arsenal are going in the right direction but their away form could be their undoing. At Chelsea, there is so much uncertainty.
6 WILL SPURS GET A NEW STADIUM BOUNCE?
REDKNAPP: The Champions League is where the new stadium effect will come in handy. Their second game there is against Manchester City in the quarter-finals and that will be the night the ground really comes alive.
KEOWN: It will be huge. Tottenham and their fans will finally feel like they are home. It will give them the excitement and energy they need to finish this season right.
SUTTON: Moving home could be the tonic they need after slipping out of the title race. The atmosphere will be electric for the Champions League against Manchester City. It would be no surprise if they caused an upset in that game.
7 LIVERPOOL FOR THE TITLE?
REDKNAPP: Yes. City want the Champions League that little bit more. The Premier League is the ultimate prize for Jurgen Klopp and his team.
KEOWN: I’ve said since the start of the season that Liverpool will win it. I’m standing by that. It will be tough, of course. For the Premier League itself, it’s great to have a race after City’s record-breaking season last year.
SUTTON: This weekend is huge for Liverpool. In normal circumstances you would say a point against Tottenham is a good result but they need to win. It’s so close but I’m sticking with Liverpool.
8 WHO WINS THE OTHER TROPHIES?
REDKNAPP: City for the FA Cup and Chelsea the Europa League but I have a feeling that Juventus will win the Champions League.
KEOWN: I can see City lifting the FA Cup. The Champions League is trickier. Any one of the four English sides left in could win it but I’ll go for City. Chelsea for the Europa League.
SUTTON: Chelsea should win the Europa League. I cannot see anyone stopping City from lifting the FA Cup. City are also favourites to win the Champions League.
9 WHO IS COMING UP?
REDKNAPP: I really like Norwich and Leeds will come up from the Championship with them. Jack Grealish, the best player outside the Premier League, has returned at the perfect time for Aston Villa and he can fire them to promotion, too. KEOWN: I’d like to see Chris Wilder come up with Sheffield United. Norwich should come up, too. The play-offs are a lottery but I think Leeds have enough. SUTTON: Norwich are brimming with confidence and should go up. Sheffield United to join them and Aston Villa via the play-offs.
10 WILL ENGLAND WIN A TROPHY THIS SUMMER?
REDKNAPP: It’s possible. This is our best squad in years. We have players who play without fear and our manager is brave, too.
KEOWN: Why not? There is every chance. They’ve got Holland in the semi-finals of the Nations League and they should not fear anybody.
SUTTON: What I love about this England team is that they are finding ways to win in different scenarios. I think they will win the Nations League.