Will Manchester City win a fifth title in a row? Can Ange Postecoglou end Tottenham’s trophy drought? Will Erik ten Hag make it to September?
All these questions – and more – are answered by the one and only Soccer Soothsayer himself, Mr Mark Thomas Lawrenson, in his mighty pre-season preview of the Premier League and cup competitions.
So, without further ado, let’s get the inside track on how the season’s going to play out.
Winners: Arsenal
I’m going for Arsenal to stop Manchester City’s run. The main reason is that we’re not sure what’s going to happen with City’s 115 charges because they may get deducted points which would make it very, very interesting.
Liverpool have a new manager and we’re not quite sure what we’re going to get but Arsenal keep getting better every year. I think they might just nick it and win the title.
Second: Liverpool
I fancy Liverpool to come second. The Manchester City thing is the great unknown. It’s taken so long and the Premier League clubs would go mad if it was a damp squib, imagine something like a £250,000 fine!
Any fine would just be a drop in the ocean and everyone would go nuts. I have a feeling that the punishment, if there is one, won’t be massively severe, but it could make it far more difficult for City.
Rest Of The Top Four: Manchester City, Aston Villa
Regardless of what happens I think City will finish in the top four. I don’t think Manchester United are good enough, it won’t be Chelsea, and I’m not sure Tottenham have the quality so I’ll go for Aston Villa.
They’ve made some really interesting signings and we know Unai Emery is a good manager. I love the way they play so I’m backing Aston Villa to come fourth.
Top Six: Tottenham, Newcastle
I fancy Tottenham to just miss out on that top four again, I think they’ll come fifth. I wonder if Newcastle will keep getting better, they’ve got a good manager and a good squad.
Manchester United have made some signings but I’m not sure if they’re going to be good enough. Newcastle can kick on again unless, of course, they lose Eddie Howe to England but that’s just speculation.
Relegated: Southampton, Ipswich, Leicester
I think Everton and all the other established clubs will be fine. You have to look at the newly-promoted clubs, Southampton, Ipswich and Leicester to go straight back down.
It’s just such a massive jump and it’s really tough for anyone who comes in. The Premier League gets stronger every single year.
Dark Horse: West Ham
Maybe West Ham can push on. They’ve made some good signings, they’ve got some good players already and a new manager. Maybe I should have put them down for a top-six finish.
Golden Boot: Haaland, Isak (e/w), Watkins (e/w)
No one can challenge Erling Haaland, even if he only plays 20 games he’ll probably get 35 goals! In terms of the rest, Cole Palmer might suffer from second-season syndrome.
Phil Foden’s possibly worth a shout to finish second but, if he can stay fit, Alexander Isak of Newcastle’s got to be a good each-way shout to finish in the top three scorers.
Fitness is the worry but he’s big, strong and looks robust. Ollie Watkins scores for fun, the team’s built for him so he might be another. I can’t see anyone from any other team getting close enough.
FA Cup: Liverpool
We’ve had five different winners of the FA Cup in the last five years. Liverpool haven’t won it for a couple of years so I’ll go for the Reds.
Carabao Cup: Tottenham
Tottenham might be a really good shout here. Spurs have always been known as a cup team and I’m not saying that Ange Postecoglou has to win a trophy or he’s out, but he’ll have to have a good run in the league or one of the cups so why not Spurs?
Champions League: Real Madrid
You just can’t bet against Real Madrid. They’re just serial winners and they’re even better now with Kylian Mbappe joining in the summer.
No one ever seems to get a good result in the Bernabeu and away from home they only need half a chance. When they get to the final they know what they’re doing.
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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