Premier League 2022-23 predictions

Have you had enough of endless opinions on the Premier League, well get ready for one more delicious and tasty predictions. I am writing this a couple of days before the season starts so any new transfers in or out which may change the league, I cannot talk about. Also injuries and form are obviously two massive components and unfortunately I cannot read the future. If every team loses their best player, they’re gonna be bad. There is no point me pointing that out for every team it is just god dam obvious. 

1. Man City. Imagine the premier league winners improving their team by adding one of the most sought after young strikers and England star of the Euros. That is what happened with City buying Haaland and Phillips. They are a bit weak in some areas but their 18 man squad is probably the best in Europe. Adjusting to life with Haaland could be difficult as Man City haven’t played with a proper number nine since Aguero. Aguero and Haaland are both lethal finishers but that is probably where the similarities end. It is looking more and more like a two horse race and City are just a bit better for me. 

2. Liverpool. For me its heartbreak for me and probably another season of 90+ points. Losing Mane is a big miss but with Diaz who was bought last year, seeming like a ready made replacement already. Nunez did cost a lot of money and it will take time for him to fully adjust to the prem but Diaz came from the same league and settled in immediately. Player for player they have some of the best player in their position in the league but so do Man City, so they are probably the most unlucky team and one of the best teams to ever finish 2nd. They were just unfortunate to run into Man City and Guardiola. 

3. Tottenham. It pains me to say this but Tottenham are looking very dangerous this season. Conte is one of the best managers in the league and their transfer window has been very successful. Perisic and Bissouma are both great signings and add to the depth of the squad. Richardson is being baulked at by most of the fans but it is much needed depth in the front line. Kane and Son and now Kulusevski are great but they can’t play every week and Richarlison can play anywhere across the front line. Spence is one for the future and will be a dangerous player under Conte in that wingback position. 

4. Chelsea. What an odd transfer window for Chelsea. It started off with every player, Barcelona sniping every player from Chelsea. Now Boehly seems like he’s willing to spend the cash like Roman back in the day. However, the business seems to be very unsettled and perhaps reaching for players that initially they were never interested in. I am a Chelsea fan and an optimistic one and that is perhaps why they are in 4th. It would be a disaster for Chelsea to finish outside the top 4 and if Tottenham and Arsenal both make it, grim is not a strong enough word. I do struggle to see where the goals to come from and the solidarity of the early Tuchel seems to have dissipated. I do think more signings will come but the issue is are they the ones that Chelsea want or the ones they are left with. I hope Chelsea can surprise me and be better but top 4 is not good enough for the investment that is meant to be happening so questions will be asked sooner or later. 

5. Arsenal. Another one that pains me to say it, Arsenal are looking very good in preseason. Jesus looks like he has spent his whole career at Arsenal and fits like a glove in that team. Do I think that this will carry onto the season probably not but if it does, Arsenal fans will become even more intolerant than usual. I do not think Arteta is the manager who is going to guide this team any further. They look a bit light in midfield but they have been consistently linked with Tielemans so if that transfer is carried out then they can be very dangerous. Zinchenko and Jesus add a winner’s mentality to this young team. I do have them missing out on top 4 but that may be out of hope rather than realism. 

6. Man United. Man United are a mess at the moment. Never in my life, have I know Manchester United to be so unappealing to everyone. Players are turning them down like never before. The Man United dominance from the 90s to the early 2010s is completely different to what is happening now. However, I do like the appointment of Ten Hag. If he can get the best from this team  and particular Rashford, Martial and Sancho, they are going to be very dangerous going forward. However, their defense and their midfield are lacking. Eriksen and Martinez are good additions but they do not really push the wheel enough for my liking. Man U are in a rebuild and this will take time and he needs to be backed. 

7. West Ham. Everything is looking rosy at West Ham. David Moyes has been there for a few years and they keep on getting better. Rice is world class and anyone who tells you other wise doesn’t watch him enough. Scamacca from what Im hearing is a great signing and its best for Antonio who can finally rest those goddamn hamstrings. Bowen pre World Cup is going to have to be on top of his game to get a space for the WC. They’re strengthening and this squad is good but its small. It needs more and more players especially if they are going to challenge in Europe, this time in the conference league which I think they will be in every chance to cause some damage.

8. Newcastle. Everyone knows that Newcastle have the riches to compete and spend more money than anyone in the world. However, ever since the Saudi money has come, I think Newcastle has spent it very shrewdly. Nick Pope is great bit of business and adds solidness to the team. Botman was playing in the Champions League last year so adds another layer of both experience to this team. There looks like there is going to be even more business to come. This club obviously has bigger ambitions than this but this cannot happen overnight. There has to be steady progression and I think a top half finish is what lies for this team. 

9. Villa. Gerrard has had a preseason to work with the team and they have a good window. They went in for the players they wanted and did it quickly. Diego Carlos, Kamara and Coutinho are all great signings and shows Gerrard’s pull and his ability to get the players he wants. I think Gerrard could have problems if he doesn’t perform but I think a top half finish would be great for Villa. They have made their team better whilst not losing much so there’s reason to be hopeful for the villains.  

10. Leicester. I went to uni in Leicester so have a sweet spot for this team. However, under Rodgers this team is looking very stale. They struggled at the end of last season and there have been no additions this one. Vardy is still scoring goals but he cannot keep doing this at 35, going on 36. Barnes has room to grow and Leicester will need it. Unless something changes between now and the end of the window, I envisage another year of disappointment for the Foxes. Rodgers needs to be backed more othwrwise, he may be out of a job and then Leicester may be in greater problems. 

11. Crystal Palace. I love what Vieira is doing at Palace. They have a squad of hungry players who are ballers. I love watching Olise and Eze and combined with Zaha, they are very good going forward. Sam Johnstone is a good keeper even though he has been in the Championship for the last few years. The loss of Gallagher will hit them hard and even though I do not know this Doucoure fella everything I am hearing bodes well for him. Palace are still a project but they play good football and are another good watch. Selhurst Park has probably the best atmosphere in the league and no team enjoys playing there. I see no relegation threat and can only see this team climbing up the league and will beat good teams and cause issues for everyone. 

12. Wolves. I think this season is about staying up and the young players getting better and with investment they can challenge for Europe again. I think other teams have strengthen better than them and will overtake them. Nathan Collins is a great signing but he is still young and doesn’t have a lot of premier league experience. He was behind Mee and Tarkowski for most of his Premier League time but those are two old fashioned centre backs which can only be a positive for Collins. Hwang on a permanent is a good signing and more improvement from Pedro Neto would go a long way and Raul Jimenez can provide 10-15 goals a season. 

13. Brighton. Bissouma and Cucurella are going to be huge misses for everyone’s second team. Potter being constantly linked elsewhere is also sure not to help the team. If Undav can carry on his goalscoring feats from the Pro League to the Prem then this team is going to be very dangerous. On their day they can beat pretty much anyone in the league. Brighton play great football and really are a treat to watch. However, this season could be a struggle if they lose two of their key men. After their progression last season in finishing top half, I see a bit of regression happening this season. However, their scouting network is very good, so they may already have the ready made replacements, so I may bite my tongue. 

14. Southampton. I am a big Hasenhuttel fan. However, if this team starts slow, pressure will build and Southampton may be closer to the bottom 3 than the top half. However, I back them to start quite well. Bazunu and Aribo are great additions to the squad. They add a bit of young quality to the squad and will be great additions. JWP will need to start this season off great if he wants to be guaranteed a place in the England squad. I do struggle from where the goals will come from and that is why they are so low down in the table and could be lower if things do not go their way. 

15. Everton. I do worry for Frank this season. They have lost Richarlison and there seems to be no ready made replacements. Tarkowski and McNeil are two good pick ups but once again they do not move the needle and do not make the team that much better. More business needs to be done and they better hope unless something changes that Calvert-Lewin doesn’t pick up an injury or they are left with no real centre forward. Alli has the perfect mentor in Frank and the blues will be hoping that he can recapture his form from a few years ago. It looks like another disappointing season for Everton and they have just got to hope they have enough to stay up. 

16. Brentford. Brentford have been busy and successful in the transfer window. Keane Lewis-Potter and Aaron Hickey are great young signings and I think they will both do will in the Prem. Bretnford finished 13th last year and they have mostly strengthen in the aforementioned names as well as Ben See who adds proven leadership. However, the biggest problem that Bretnford will experience this season is the loss of Eriksen. His quality really pulled them out of a relegation scrap. Losing a player of his quality will hurt anyone but for a smaller team like Brentford, it could be potentially devastating. 

17. Nottingham Forest. Forest have had a great transfer window and in Steve Cooper they have a great manager. It will take a while for the new signings to gel but I think they have the best chance out of the promoted teams. Dean Henderson is a great replacement for Samba and is a proven premiership keeper and will add some solidarity to their defense. This is the first time Forest have been back in the Prem since 1999 and the City Ground is gonna be absolutely rocking whenever they are at home and they are gonna cause upsets. I think this is enough to stay up but they are gonna be close to the relegation zone and flirting with it all season. 

18. Leeds. The losses of Raphina and Phillips are massive, there have been a lot of additions but I do not know them and I haven’t heard much buzz about them. Jesse Marsch did an okay job when he came in but anyone could improve that team’s defense. He is bringing in players that he has experience with which I like. However, I think for the rest of the squad, there is such a big change from Bielsa and Marsch. That will hurt them and adding to this all these new players will need time to settle and I think they succumb to relegation. 

19. Fulham. Everyone one and their nans know the problem with Fulham. Mitrovic is a bagsman in the championship but has never managed similar numbers in the prem. Last year he broke goalscoring records and looked like a completely different and improved version of himself. Can he do this in the prem, Fulham will hope so but I am not convinced. Marco Silva has improved this team and Harry Wilson looked like a world beater in the championship. The loss of Fabio Carvalho will be sure to hit them hard and looking at their transfers there doesn’t seem to be much replacement for him. Andreas Pereira looks like an attempt of replacement but seeing him at united, proved that he doesn’t seem good enough. Leno and Palhinha are good signings but I do not think it will be enough for Fulham and relegation is looming for me. 

20. Bournemouth. I like Bournemouth and under Scott Parker, the original Scottie P, what is not to like. However, last year their team looks very championship. There’s not been enough addition of genuine premier league talent. There’s a big question mark over solanke and as a Chelsea fan hope he does well but even if he bags, there still doesn’t look like there’s enough behind that. I like Bournemouth but I think they’ll be heading straight back down.