Premier League 2018-19 review: our predictions versus reality
Manchester City: predicted 1st, finished 1st
What we said: “Pep Guardiola’s talented side look well placed to become the first team to retain the Premier League title since Manchester United did it in 2009.”
What happened: Pep Guardiola’s talented side became the first team to retain the Premier League title since Manchester United did it in 2009.
Liverpool: predicted 2nd, finished 2nd
What we said: “Jürgen Klopp has spent big to address the weaknesses exposed in the Champions League final and the squad looks well equipped to challenge Manchester City for the title.”
What happened: This prediction lark is very easy. Naby Keïta, Fabinho, Xherdan Shaqiri and Alisson gave Liverpool more solidity and more strength in depth and they pushed City all the way.
Chelsea: predicted 6th, finished 3rd
What we said: “Maurizio Sarri’s pursuit of pleasure is unlikely to be dull but there are question marks over most areas of the squad and a flock of young talents whose time might be now or never.”
What happened: Chelsea did better than expected, finishing third in the Premier League and reaching a European final, but a lot of their fans found Sarri’s brand of football extremely dull.
Tottenham Hotspur: predicted 4th, finished 4th
What we said: “By 15 September everything will be more or less ready and Tottenham, back from their exile around the North Circular Road, will begin their new era in London’s biggest club stadium with a lunchtime fixture against Liverpool. That will, inescapably, frame whatever Mauricio Pochettino and his squad achieve in the next nine months.”
What happened: Tottenham returned to their stadium in April and the biggest match of their season will take place in Madrid in June.
Arsenal: predicted 5th, finished 5th
What we said: “Arsenal have turned to a coach who will work relentlessly on his players’ weaknesses. There will be more intensity and Emery has spoken about shifting the emphasis from dominating possession to showing remorseless hunger off the ball. A new Arsenal are gradually starting to take form.”
What happened: Arsenal finished fifth in the league as we predicted but, crucially, they made it to the Europa League final. Emery won the trophy three times as Sevilla manager; if he does it again with Arsenal, the club will be back in the Champions League.
Manchester 3rd, finished 6th United: predicted
What we said: “José Mourinho has been a discontented figure in recent weeks and the season must start well for Manchester United if they are to challenge City.”
What happened: The season did not start well and Mourinho was gone by Christmas. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer took the job and broke a bunch of records: firstly for winning games and then for losing them.
Wolves: predicted 10th, finished 7th
What we said: “Nuno Espírito Santo’s Championship winners arrive looking well-prepared for life in the top flight where – for the first time ever – they will face none of their West Midlands rivals.”
What happened: Wolves were even better than we thought. They won the best-of-the-rest mini league and narrowly missed out on an FA Cup final.
Everton: predicted 7th, finished 8th
What we said: “The high managerial turnover – Silva’s is the fifth voice Everton players will have heard in just over two years if David Unsworth’s caretaker reign is included – has inevitably left a disjointed and uncertain team. By the end of this season it will be 24 years since Everton won a trophy. That would equal the worst drought in the club’s history.”
What happened: The trophy drought goes on, but at least they made it through the whole season without sacking another manager.
Leicester City: predicted 9th, finished 9th
What we said: “Claude Puel is under pressure at Leicester after inept performances at the end of last season and the departure of Riyad Mahrez.”
What happened: Claude Puel lost his job in February and Riyad Mahrez won the title (again) in May.
West Ham United: predicted 8th, finished 10th
What we said: “With a new manager and a more nuanced transfer policy in place, West Ham kick off the season with increased optimism and a maverick vibe”
What happened: West Ham kicked off the season with four straight defeats but their quality gradually came to the fore over the season and the finished in the top half of the table.
18th, finished