Football Tips: Phil Thompson’s 9 outright bets for the 2021/22 Premier League

The big man's back to set you up for the season.

Phil T PL preview

*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change

Paddy Power ambassador Phil Thompson has made it through another pre season and is in prime condition ahead of the resumption of the Premier League at the weekend. And, to make sure he gets his eye in early, PPTV have persuaded him to weigh up how this season’s going to go.

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So, are you wondering who’s winning the title or pondering who’s going to be Player of The Year? Then fret no more as the former Liverpool and England great delivers his esteemed verdict on some of the biggest teams and some of the biggest topics.

Manchester City – Winners

I have to go for Manchester City to win the title at this stage. Jack Grealish is a game changer. If they get Harry Kane over the line, I can’t believe how it can be allowed to be done with Financial Fair Play, but that would absolutely nail it for me. City to be champions.

Liverpool – 2nd

Virgil van Dijk can hit those 40, 50 yard balls, start attacks, the whole defence will be more comfortable now he’s back. Liverpool shouldn’t be as wasteful this season. Mo Salah had a great season scoring goals, but we also missed so many. Diogo Jota’s going to be in his prime. Liverpool, for me, will finish second to Manchester City.

Manchester United – 3rd

Manchester United will be a lot closer to the title this year. They needed somebody better alongside Harry Maguire and Raphael Varane from Real Madrid is a strategic signing and they’ve done really well there. Manchester United to come 3rd but I think they will be big challengers.

Chelsea – 4th

Chelsea are on the verge of signing Romelu Lukaku, so that tells you that they’ve not been happy with Timo Werner, they’ve not been happy with Tammy Abraham, and Lukaku – he could be the one to make the difference. Will it make them better? Absolutely. They will certainly finish in the top four, 4th in fact.

To Be Relegated

Dare I say it, Brentford have looked really good and last season they were flying, but they will struggle in the top tier. They’ll enjoy it, they will give a few teams bloody noses, but I don’t think they’ll have enough to stay up this season.

Norwich seem to be a yo-yo club. I think they’ll struggle. For the final relegation place, I’m looking at Southampton. If they don’t improve quickly they could be on a slippery slope.

Player of the Year – Jack Grealish

It could be Jack Grealish. I always wanted Liverpool to try and go for him. Once the £100m figure came out it was game over, but I’m such an admirer. It will be interesting to see him in this Manchester City side because they’ve got such an array of talent, can they fit Grealish in?

He might find himself sitting out a few games but he excelled in a good Aston Villa side, not a great one, but what he can do at Manchester City will be really interesting.

Top Scorer – Harry Kane

Will he? Won’t he? Could he? Might he? Harry Kane, will he leave Spurs? I don’t think he will, not in this window. I still think Kane will be the Premier League top goal scorer this season.

Thommo’s outright Premier League tips

Winner – Manchester City
2nd – Liverpool
3rd – Manchester United
4th – Chelsea
To Be Relegated – Brentford, Norwich, Southampton
Player of the Year – Jack Grealish
Top Scorer – Harry Kane

*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change

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