Alan Shearer has cast his eye over the upcoming Premier League and believes the status quo could remain at the top and the bottom. Last season we didn't get much of a title race given how dominant and consistent the fast-starting Liverpool were.
They have spent huge sums, which includes the British-record signing Florian Wirtz, in an effort to go back-to-back. Alexander Isak could yet move to Anfield and Shearer cannot look past the Reds as champions.
Leeds, Burnley and Sunderland are back in the top flight. They'll be wanting to snap the concerning recent trend that has seen promoted teams head straight back to the Championship.
However, Shearer has tipped all three to enjoy just one year in the [Premier League](https://www.nottinghampost.com/all-about/barclays-premier-league) before they go back down. That would mark the third year in succession that the three promoted teams cannot survive in what is a concerning trend, further highlighting the gulf between the top flight and the second tier.
Arsenal have been tipped to finish second for the fourth year running - which will not please Mikel Arteta. He has spent big, adding Viktor Gyokeres as his No.9, but may still miss out on the prize that he is desperate to land with pressure mounting.
Manchester City experienced a lull last term and begin a year without Kevin De Bruyne for the first time in a decade. Despite adding reinforcements Shearer hasn't backed Pep Guardiola and Co. to regain their crown, instead picking them in third.
Their cross-city rivals, Manchester United, reached new lows last term and have signed some notable names in attack, as Ruben Amorim aims to seriously improve their fortunes. The pundit is predicting a better year but still not one where they return to the Champions League.
Instead, he feels Chelsea and Newcastle - two clubs with very different experiences this summer - will both finish above the Red Devils. Newcastle's year may hinge on whether Isak stays or if they get in a top class replacement.
Chelsea meanwhile have not struggled to get firepower through the door. Last year's surprise package, [Nottingham Forest](https://www.nottinghampost.com/all-about/nottingham-forest-fc), will have to combine their domestic efforts with European football.
That will be a new challenge but Shearer still believes they will still be a top half side. Tottenham have embarked on a new era, sacking Ange Postecoglou despite his European success.
Thomas Frank has a tough job on his hands but Shearer has backed them to finish in eighth, narrowly behind Aston Villa. The Midlands club have benefited from having Unai Emery at the helm but with so much competition at the top they've been tipped to fall again.
Brentford now have Keith Andrews at the helm and have been backed to narrowly avoid the drop, finishing just above the bottom three in 17th. West Ham too have been tipped to have a difficult year despite Graham Potter getting a first full season in charge in London.
For the likes of Everton and Crystal Palace it is another safe year of mid-table football.
Fulham, Wolves and Bournemouth have been tipped to remain relatively safe. Brighton in tenth may have hoped for more under Fabian Hurzeler.
Shearer's predicted Premier League table
1\. Liverpool
2\. Arsenal
3\. Man City
4\. Chelsea
5\. Newcastle
6\. Man United
7\. Aston Villa
8\. Tottenham
9\. Nottingham Forest
10\. Brighton
11\. Bournemouth
12\. Crystal Palace
13\. Everton
14\. Wolves
15\. Fulham
16\. West Ham
17\. Brentford
18\. Leeds
19\. Sunderland
20\. Burnley
\*Predictions from Betfair.