The new Premier League season is almost here and the excitement has reached HITC as we bring you a raft of predictions from our team of writers.
We have asked our team to pick their top-six, their bottom four, top-scorer, their best signing of the summer, their worse and a surprise package.
Graeme Bailey, Shaun Webbley, Sean Fisher, Dan Owen, Amir Mir and Olly Dawes deliver their opinions for the new season…enjoy!
Premier League top-six
Graeme – There is a mini-league here. I think it is a straight battle for the top two between Arsenal and Man City. I think Arsenal add a midfielder, and possibly another forward so they get my vote over City but it’s close.
I am not convinced by Arne Slot, I have to be honest but I don’t see how that squad don’t finish top-four. I think that Man United and Tottenham are battling for the final top-four slot. Then the final slot I think is between West Ham, Chelsea and Newcastle again and I think injuries could decide it.
Shaun – It’s hard to see past Manchester City for their fifth Premier League title in a row but I do think we could finally have a three-horse race for the title with Liverpool looking strong and Arsenal hoping to add key names before September 1st. As for United in fourth, the Red Devils have made some key additions with potentially more to come. I think they could get things right this season
- 1 Manchester City
- 2 Arsenal
- 3 Liverpool
- 4 Manchester United
- 5 Tottenham Hotspur
- 6 Newcastle United
Sean – This is Arsenal’s year. After coming painfully close in successive seasons it will be third-time lucky for Mikel Arteta’s side. Arne Slot will lead Liverpool to third while Newcastle can benefit from their lack of European football to make a return to the Champions League.
- 1 Arsenal
- 2 Manchester City
- 3 Liverpool
- 4 Newcastle United
- 5 Manchester United
- 6 Tottenham Hotspur
Dan – Arsenal’s lack of game-changing additions means it is hard to look beyond City for another title. In contrast, Zirkzee and Yoro should improve Man United considerably in two key positions, and Ten Hag’s team should challenge for top-four if he can keep their stars fit.
Liverpool under Slot may be in for a transitional year, Newcastle should get back into the top-six, while Villa have signed excellently again.
- 1 Manchester City
- 2 Arsenal
- 3 Manchester United
- 4 Liverpool
- 5 Aston Villa
- 6 Newcastle United
Amir – Arsenal’s defence is under-appreciated, it’s what wins you titles. They will finally get over the line and City, eventually, they are going to let someone else have a go!
If United keep the key defensive players like Lisandro Martinez fit, then amid the backdrop of negative noise, Erik ten Hag will repeat what he did in his debut campaign.
Tottenham’s defence will still concede far too many goals, but with Dominic Solanke’s arrival, they have an extra 20 at the other end to get them Champions League football.
West Ham United – As of this moment, they probably have had the best window of any team in the Premier League.
- 1 Arsenal
- 2 Manchester City
- 3 Manchester United
- 4 Tottenham Hotspur
- 5 West Ham United
- 6 Chelsea
Olly – Arsenal have been getting closer and closer to Manchester City but Pep Guardiola’s men have been there and done it so many times that backing against them seems foolish. The Gunners took it to the final day of last season and a repeat performance would not be a surprise.
Liverpool look to be taking to Arne Slot’s methods well and whilst a title push is unlikely, the Reds have the quality to secure a top four place. Tottenham Hotspur showed promising signs last season and now have a proven Premier League striker in Dominic Solanke, handing Ange Postecoglou the tools to take a step forward and return to the Champions League. Manchester United are making strong moves on and off the pitch but breaking back into the top four may be too big of an ask after last season’s debacle whilst Newcastle United should bounce back and challenge the top four again after injury woes throughout the squad last term.
- 1 Manchester City
- 2 Arsenal
- 3 Liverpool
- 4 Tottenham Hotspur
- 5 Manchester United
- 6 Newcastle United
Premier League bottom-four
Graeme – It’s a bit boring suggesting the three promoted teams but looking at the summer window so far, and then comparing the three teams to the current squads – it is hard to see how they can stay up. Brentford, Everton, Bournemouth, Nottingham Forest and Wolves – teams who people might put down there, are just better than Leicester, Ipswich and Southampton.
- 17 Brentford
- 18 Leicester City
- 19 Ipswich Town
- 20 Southampton
Shaun – While putting Kieran McKenna’s Ipswich at the foot of the table may seem harsh, it’s hard to see how the East Anglian side can compete with the riches and power of the Premier League’s elite. The same could be said for Southampton whilst Nottingham Forest failed to impress me under Nuno Espirito Santo.
- 17 Everton
- 18 Nottingham Forest
- 19 Southampton
- 20 Ipswich Town
Sean – Two of the promoted teams make a swift return to the Championship and Bournemouth are in trouble. Losing Solanke caps off an uninspiring transfer window that has sucked the hope from the Vitality Stadium. A points deduction seems to be on the way for Leicester which would give them a huge mountain to climb.
- 17 Southampton
- 18 Bournemouth
- 19 Ipswich Town
- 20 Leicester City
Dan – On paper, there are not too many obviously poor sides in the Premier League this season. Hence why I see the three newly-promoted sides struggling to keep up with Forest and Everton – who appear to have signed well, and a Brentford side who have Ivan Toney back available again.
Ipswich’s squad really lacks Prem experience, Leicester look weaker now than when they won the Championship, and Southampton may be doomed if Adam Armstrong cannot prove his top-flight credentials.
- 17 Brentford
- 18 Ipswich Town
- 19 Southampton
- 20 Leicester City
Amir – Wolves losing a key player in Pedro Neto is going to be a body blow. They struggled for goals last season and you worry for them again. Leicester’s impending points deduction will hurt them and Nottingham Forest haven’t improved much since Nuno Espirito Santo came in. Expect all of them to drop.
- 17 Southampton
- 18 Wolverhampton Wanderers
- 19 Leicester City
- 20 Nottingham Forest
Olly – Leicester City have lost Enzo Maresca to Chelsea and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall has followed, leaving the Foxes without two key men from last season. Summer signings are yet to inspire much confidence and Leicester may struggle. Southampton’s summer has been a little more impressive on paper, adding Premier League experience alongside foreign imports.
This is Russell Martin’s first crack at Premier League management and whilst it may end in relegation, the Saints look to be in position to put up a real fight. Nottingham Forest have had some close shaves with the drop in recent years and another battle against the drop may be on the cards, but that experience could provide an edge over Ipswich Town. The Tractor Boys won promotion against the odds and if anybody can inspire a survival campaign, it is Kieran McKenna.
- 17 Nottingham Forest
- 18 Ipswich Town
- 19 Southampton
- 20 Leicester City
Premier League top-scorer
Graeme – Erling Haaland (Manchester City)
Shaun – Erling Haaland (Manchester City)
Sean – Erling Haaland (Manchester City)
Dan – Erling Haaland (Manchester City)
Amir – Erling Haaland (Manchester City)
Olly – Erling Haaland (Manchester City)
Best signing of the summer
Graeme – Jean-Clair Todibo and Max Kilman (West Ham United)
Yes, I know it is cheating but Todibo and Kilman are a brilliant pair of signings in central defence – they have gone from a bottom-six defence to a top-six one. Brilliant work. I would also shout up Ian Maatsen, think he is great pick-up by Aston Villa.
Shaun – Archie Gray (Tottenham Hotspur)
The English midfielder was one of Leeds United’s best players last season and he already looks impressive for the Lilywhites. Under a manager like Ange Postecoglou, who has a history of nurturing young talent, he could be a breakout star.
Sean – Yankuba Minteh (Brighton & Hove Albion)
I get the feeling that Brighton will look back on this deal with a big smile and a handful of cash. The 20-year-old has looked electric in pre-season and can thrive in a young, exciting Brighton side under Fabian Hurzeler. The £30million paid is no small fee, but Brighton rarely get it wrong in the transfer window and it seems they have their hands on another gem.
Dan – Jesper Lindstrom (Everton)
I almost went for Daichi Kamada – exceptional under Glasner at Frankfurt – but signing Jesper Lindstrom on loan feels like a masterclass for an Everton side short on funds and who have struggled for creativity in recent times. Lindstrom was one of the most exciting forwards in Germany as recently as 2023.
Amir – Aaron Wan-Bissaka (West Ham United)
The best one-v-one defender in the league. At £15 million, you have to say that is a very good deal in today’s inflated transfer market. Jarrod Bowen will be able to talk more in the final third because Wan-Bissaka will be so reliable and strong defensively. He will make those around him better and improve the Hammers at the back after last season’s shambles.
Olly – Yankuba Minteh (Brighton & Hove Albion)
Yankuba Minteh has the talent and potential to become a star at Brighton and Hove Albion. The Gambian winger was so productive in the final third at Feyenoord last summer and whilst Newcastle United were forced to sell, the Seagulls could reap the rewards in the coming years.
Worst signing of the summer
Graeme – Tosin Adarabioyo (Chelsea)
If Man United sign Sander Berge it will be him, I am saying that now…but as it stands I am going for Tosin Adarabioyo. I just don’t see him as being an upgrade on Trevoh Chalobah in anyway.
Shaun – Pedro Neto (Chelsea)
There is little doubting the abilities that Pedro Neto has and had he gone to Newcastle or Spurs, I’d be praising the deal. However, going to Chelsea, particularly with the sheer number of players they have in that position seems like a risk for me. His injury record is also something that should be scrutinised.
Sean – Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (Chelsea)
It is difficult to justify many of Chelsea’s signings this summer, but a £30million deal for Dewsbury-Hall stands out. He will likely take the place of Conor Gallagher but is hardly an upgrade. Danny Drinkwater 2.0?
Dan – Odysseas Vlachodimos (Newcastle United)
Sorry, but a reported £20 million for Nottingham Forest’s third choice keeper? A man who will surely be behind Nick Pope in Newcastle’s pecking order? That seems wildly overpriced.
Amir – Chelsea’s whole transfer window
Olly – Odysseas Vlachodimos (Newcastle United)
Odysseas Vlachodimos to Newcastle United is a real head scratcher. Newcastle took Vlachodimos as Elliot Anderson headed to Nottingham Forest but the Greek stopper didn’t exactly impress at the City Ground and is unlikely to really challenge Nick Pope at St James’ Park. This may have been a move with PSR in mind but it would almost be a surprise to see him even start a league game this season unless Pope suffers another injury problem.
Premier League surprise package (player or club, good or bad)
Graeme – West Ham United
I wasn’t a huge fan of Julen Lopetegui taking charge, but this squad might just suit him and their business has been very good. And if you can get the best out of Kudus, Bowen and Paqueta supplying Fullkrug could be very dangerous. Also if Man United get Manuel Ugarte, they could be ones to watch.
Shaun – Joshua Zirkzee (Manchester United)
With United missing Rasmus Hojlund for the first few weeks of the season, the Dutch striker can cement his place in the first team. His abilities with his back to goal could be the kick that Marcus Rashford needs to perform and potentially form a lethal duo with the former Bayern Munich forward
Sean – Everton
A lot of attention this transfer window has been focused on the likes of West Ham and Aston Villa, but Everton’s shrewd business has flown under the radar. Iroegbunam, Lindstrom and O’Brien all look like great additions to Dyche’s side and they have looked impressive in pre-season.
Dan – Rodrigo Gomes (Wolverhampton Wanderers)
Hardly a household name but that could soon change. The electric winger was outstanding in Portugal last season and, if his pre-season performances are anything to go, Wolves could have another Pedro Neto on their hands.
Amir – Liverpool
Liverpool to struggle post-Jurgen Klopp and finish outside of the European places. FSG aren’t doing themselves any favours by not refreshing their backline.
Olly – Nottingham Forest
Crystal Palace look poised to make a real push for the top eight this season – if they can keep Eberechi Eze. Michael Olise’s exit is a blow but we have already seen just what Oliver Glasner can do. Keep an eye on Wolverhampton Wanderers too; Pedro Neto may have gone but Gary O’Neil continues to impress tactically and investing after Neto’s exit could see Wolves take a big step forward this season.
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