The Daily Star Sport writers have put their thinking caps on and come up with their Premier League predictions ahead of the start of the 2023/24 season.
The new Premier League season is upon us, and that can only mean it’s time for the Daily Star writers to guide you in completely the wrong direction for the 10 months ahead.
Our collections of savvy scribes have put their thinking caps on to answer the most important questions ahead of the new campaign, including the title winner, relegation favourites and top scorer. Spoiler: At least one person has already had to change their first boss sacked prediction (thanks Wolves).
Harry Pratt and Nick Murphy came out on top last year, each guessing five correct answers. How will the motley crew get on this time around? Read on to find out (and don’t quote us on these next May).
Bold/outrageous claim: Sheffield United to survive the drop. The odds are stacked against them, but there are plenty of teams in trouble this season
Mikel Arteta will be hurting from last season. However, the Arsenal chief has already proved he’s not messing around with a host of big-money buys. Declan Rice, Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber add fresh quality to a squad that lacked depth in the previous campaign’s final run in. City possess a generational talent in Erling Haaland – although an injury to the big Norwegian could massively upset the apple cart. At the bottom end of the table, Luton will struggle to cope with the rigours of top-flight football. But expect the odd upset at Kenilworth Road – the Hatters’ wonderfully ramshackle home since 1905. Both Everton and Wolves have major financial constraints. The Toffees stayed up by the skin of their teeth a few months ago and ‘DycheBall’ is a dying style of play. Wolves, meanwhile, have turned to Gary O’Neil, who wasn’t deemed good enough by Bournemouth bigwigs.
Manchester City look set to get four in a row in the Premier League but their neighbours will be their closest rivals this season which may anger some Arsenal fans who are getting giddy after a Community Shield win over the defending champions. Still think the Gunners will be good but with the Champions League to contend with they may get distracted while Liverpool will definitely improve on last season – it would be difficult to be worse. Real Madrid can conquer Europe again now they’ve brought in Jude Bellingham while the domestic cups will be staying in London. Sheffield United are set to be the whipping boys, Luton will go down once they lose their new season bounce and Bournemouth may follow with Everton staying up again. Just.
Even if Manchester City aren’t at their sparkling best, they’re still too much for the Premier League. And it’s hard to see anyone beating them in Europe either. Arsenal will back up last season by edging Liverpool to second, while Manchester United will just pip Newcastle to the top four. Chelsea to finish in the top seven. Luton will take a big scalp at home, but ultimately struggle in their first season in the Prem. Vincent Kompany to have the nous to keep Burnley up. And it’s Viva Phil Jones, should he eventually find a new club…
The exits of Ilkay Gundogan and Riyad Mahrez won’t stop Manchester City from claiming a third Premier League title in a row with Arsenal once again pushing them close this season. Despite a promising start to the transfer window for Liverpool, a return to title contention will have to wait due to a lack of defensive reinforcements (at this time of writing) with the gap between them and the likes of City and Arsenal continuing to grow. The ‘Top 6’ will once again have major competition with Aston Villa, Brighton and Newcastle looking to break up the pack as Luton Town and Sheffield United will suffer a swift return to the Championship.
Manchester City haven’t been as active as some might have expected this summer – but they’ve strengthened where it matters. Ilkay Gundogan will be a big miss, but it won’t be enough to open the doors for other teams to compete in the Premier League or in Europe. At the other end of the table, Liverpool’s rebuild has completely fallen flat on its face. Jurgen Klopp’s side looked thin on the ground last season, and despite a promising start to the window, at the time of writing, Liverpool have signed just two players. On top of that, Klopp has just one defensive midfielder in his ranks: 18-year-old Stefan Bajcetic. Sheffield United and Luton Town will both struggle in the big time – but fear not, Derby County’s record will stay intact.
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