It’s that time again: a new Premier League season is upon us.
While slightly later than its usual mid-August start, there is a great deal of excitement for the upcoming campaign, even with continued uncertainty over when fans will be allowed back into stadiums.
With Fulham and Arsenal getting the new season underway at Craven Cottage in Saturday’s lunchtime kick-off, our Reach PLC regional football writers have been penning their predictions for the new campaign.
Last season, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Chelsea made up the top-four, and the race for Champions League qualification is likely to be just as compelling this time around.
Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur look well-placed to fight for a spot, while Leicester City and Wolverhampton Wanderers will feel as though they can sustain another challenge having featured prominently in last season’s top-four battle.
Expectations surrounding Arsenal have been heightened, of course, following their strong finish last season, which included beating Manchester City and Chelsea on route to winning the FA Cup.
With the new season dawning, here are the top-four predictions from Reach’s team of reporters.
James Benge, Arsenal
Man City, Liverpool, Chelsea, Man Utd: Will there be growing pains for this much-changed Chelsea team? Probably but in the end you have to believe that a squad that has so dramatically improved will take a step forward on the pitch although I think it will be 2021/22 before they’re contenders. Expect Arsenal to push Manchester United hard but I’d back the latter to win a few more ugly games, to grind out results against lesser teams where the Gunners will drop points.
Nathan Hemmingham, Sheffield United
Liverpool, Man City, Chelsea, Man United - Top two will be hard to replace and I think Chelsea and Man United have really good squads to continue their finish from last season - the only team capable of breaking into this four is Arsenal, who look a different side under Arteta but I think the top four will just hold off their challenge.
Jordan Blackwell, Leicester City
Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester United. The same four, but in a slightly different order. Chelsea have strengthened with some supremely-talented players but are still short of a goalkeeper and a defence for a title challenge. United look a completely different side with Fernandes pulling the strings. The chasers – Leicester, Wolves, Spurs, and Arsenal – won't have enough to catch them.
Joseph Chapman, West Bromwich Albion
Liverpool, Man City, Chelsea, Man United. Manchester City remain Liverpool's biggest threat and are certs for top four. Chelsea have spent heavily but crucially it looks to have been put to good use. Manchester United, without or without Jadon Sancho, I think are shoo-ins too. Arsenal have improved off the field but they still have a gap to make up.
Daniel Murphy, Manchester City
Liverpool, Man City, Chelsea, Arsenal. City and Liverpool remain a cut above the rest of the division so those two will more than likely be the top two sides, whoever finishes first. It's hard to look past Chelsea challenging them though after their heavy spending this summer, if all their new recruits gel they should be thrilling to watch - especially as their defence will likely remain frail. Fourth spot is tight but I think Arsenal will clench it as they are the best managed side out of the other contenders, even if they don't have the best squad.
Alan Smith, Chelsea
Man City, Liverpool, Chelsea, Man United. Man City and Liverpool but Chelsea have the next best squad on paper and anything less than top four would be a sackable offence for every other coach during the Lampard era. Manchester United should be next best, especially if they sign Jadon Sancho, with Arsenal next best.
Alex Dicken, Wolves
Manchester City, Liverpool, Manchester United and Arsenal. The great thing about the Premier League this season is that United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Spurs will be expecting to compete with City and Liverpool once again.
But not everyone can maintain a title challenge, which is why I think we'll see big name managerial casualties at some stage.
I really like Arsenal under Mikel Arteta and believe they have an excellent chance of returning to the Champions League places.
While the majority of Reach reporters feel as though the current top four will remain unchanged, there are a couple who believe Arsenal can break in during Mikel Arteta’s first full season at the helm.
Tying Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang down to a new contract will be crucial for the Gunners, of course, but if Arteta can integrate his new signings and perhaps coax some match-winning form out of Mesut Ozil, the north Londoners may be strong enough to secure their first top-four finish since the 2015/16 season.
