Newcastle to miss out on the top four? Liverpool vs Arsenal for the title? Gyokeres for the Golden Boot? Our experts stare into their respective crystal balls
The Premier League returns for a brand new season when Liverpool host Bournemouth at Anfield on Friday.
The i Paper’s team of football writers make their predictions for what is sure to be another dramatic season.
Daniel Storey, chief football writer
Daniel Storey’s predicted table (Graphic: The i Paper)
Title winners: Liverpool
I’m picking Liverpool again ostensibly because I don’t know! The business they have done (and may still do) is impressive, and I have too many doubts about the other teams to have them bridging a 10-point gap.
Top four: Liverpool, Arsenal, Man City, Chelsea
Playing into the “I don’t know” theme – is this insight?! – I’m going for the same order as last season. I think we will get a three-way title race between Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester City, with Chelsea comfortably above fifth place.
Relegated: Leeds, Sunderland, Burnley
It should be boring to pick the three promoted clubs here, but I reckon this season there will be votes for Sunderland and Leeds staying up. For all the signings all three have made, I just don’t see where enough goals are coming from.
Best signing: Maxim De Cuyper
Caveat that the transfer window is about to go mad for about 12 different clubs, but of the completed deals at both ends of the price spectrum, I like Martin Zubimendi for Arsenal and Maxim De Cuyper for Brighton. Let’s go with De Cuyper.
Worst signing: Benjamin Sesko
Manchester United’s last four attackers signed for high fees from European clubs: Rasmus Hojlund, Antony, Jadon Sancho, Joshua Zirkzee. Maybe paying £74m for Benjamin Sesko will be the one that works out. Maybe not.
Sam Cunningham, chief football correspondent
Sam Cunningham’s predicted table (Graphic: The i Paper)
Title winners: Arsenal
Arsenal struggled with injuries last season and they lacked a goal-scorer. Keep everyone fit and if Viktor Gyokeres can fill that void, it could be the year Mikel Arteta finally makes it over the line.
Top four: Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea, Man City
Chelsea have strengthened well and will benefit from a season of experience under Enzo Maresca. It would take a shocking collapse for Liverpool not to make the top four. Can’t see Manchester City not making it in there.
Relegated: Sunderland, Leeds, Burnley
The three promoted teams will be relegated. This is the way things are going. It is a massive issue that nobody in the game is yet taking seriously.
Best signing: Florian Wirtz
Yes, he was expensive, but Liverpool have quite possibly signed the next Kevin De Bruyne.
Worst signing: Jack Grealish
It is an expensive loan and I believe Grealish no longer has the ability and influence to be the star signing Everton need to spark a strong season in their new stadium. If they try to build around him, and he can’t carry them, it could be catastrophic.
James Gray, sport news correspondent
James Gray’s predicted table (Graphic: The i Paper)
Title winners: Liverpool
Win the title at a canter having signed no one and then spend £265m? What’s faster than a canter? A gallop? It is. If they get Alexander Isak as well, there isn’t a horse in the world that can beat them.
Top four: Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea, Man City
Every Chelsea fan I know thinks they are going to win the league, mostly because they won a few pre-season friendlies in the US. I do like the look of some signings, not least Estevao, and they might get close but a slow start as new men bed in could cost them.
Relegated: Wolves, Burnley, Sunderland
Wolves lost their two best players to Manchester United over the summer and relied on them significantly last season. Is Celta Vigo’s Fer Lopez (two goals, two assists last season) enough to fill the gap? Not likely.
Best signing: Viktor Gyokeres
Under the radar, Arsenal paying £15m for Brentford captain Christian Norgaard looks like an absolute bargain, because I think he’ll play more than anyone expects. But that’s not as important as the Gyokeres deal.
Worst signing: Mathys Tel
Tel remains the worst footballer I watched last season in a dire game against Manchester United. That Tottenham decided to make his loan permanent for nearly £30m is baffling.
Oliver Young-Myles, football reporter
Oliver Young-Myles’ predicted table (Graphic: The i Paper)
Title winners: Arsenal
I’m torn between Arsenal and Liverpool. If the latter eventually prise Alexander Isak away from Newcastle that could well tilt it in their favour. As it stands, I’m going for the Gunners, who have addressed their glaring weakness in attack and improved their squad depth.
Top four: Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea, Man City
I expect Chelsea to build upon a trophy-winning summer, although a sluggish start isn’t out of the question given their unusual pre-season. Manchester City will probably be in there too after refreshing Pep Guardiola’s squad, although Rodri’s setback is bound to have an adverse impact again.
Relegated: Brentford, Wolves, Burnley
Sunderland’s business has been impressive (How have they got Granit Xhaka?!), while Leeds are building a formidable side, in physicality and stature at least. They could buck the recent relegation trend with Brentford and Wolves playing with fire, and James Trafford certain to be a huge loss for Burnley.
Best signing: Milos Kerkez
There is a lot to like about Liverpool’s business, but backing big things from £116m Florian Wirtz seems a bit too obvious. I will go for Andy Robertson clone Kerkez instead, who is Premier League proven and future-proofs their left-back position for the next decade.
Worst signing: Armando Broja
A £20m fee for Broja is a head-scratcher. The Albanian’s exciting Southampton spell ended three years ago. Since then, he’s missed 76 games for club and country due to various injuries and scored two league goals in 43 games for three different clubs.
Michael Hincks, freelance sports reporter
Michael Hincks’ predicted table (Graphic: The i Paper)
Title winners: Man City
The title lies at Viktor Gyokeres’ feet. Match Erling Haaland or Mohamed Salah and Arsenal are primed to end what will become a 22-year wait. But I can’t see it, and despite Liverpool’s increased strength I have a funny feeling Rayan Cherki can help Manchester City say hey, remember us?
Top four: Man City, Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea
The gap is widening and it would take some going for last season’s top four to be toppled. Chelsea have improved in crucial areas and should be closer to challenging for the title than they are a Champions League spot.
Relegated: Leeds, Burnley, Sunderland
The promoted trio somehow need to reel in a handful of clubs and knock at least one while they’re down. A weakened Brentford and Wolves are obvious targets, but it is still a big ask. I expect Leeds to put up the biggest fight, but still get relegated.
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Best signing: Rayan Cherki
For all the noise around Florian Wirtz, I think we are forgetting Cherki’s arrival at City. The 21-year-old could be the creative spark Pep Guardiola needs and for an initial £30.5m, at the very least the bargain of the summer.
Worst signing: Bryan Mbeumo
Though tempting to go with Gyokeres, I am more inclined to close my eyes and pick any of Manchester United’s new front three. Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha bring Premier League quality either side of Benjamin Sesko, but I can envisage Mbeumo struggling under a fiercer spotlight.