Premier League Predictions: Who is going to finish in the top four and who is destined for relegation?

The Premier League season finally kicks off on Friday night when Leicester travel to Old Trafford to face last season’s runners-up Manchester United. Ahead of the 2018/19 campaign here are a few predictions for who I believe will finish in the top 4 and who is destined for relegation. 

1st. Liverpool 

Jürgen Klopp has been crafting this side since he became Liverpool’s manager and I think this season we may witness the finished product. Unlike at Dortmund, Klopp has finally given in to paying huge transfer fees for players by breaking records with the signings of Virgil Van Dijk in January and then Goalkeeper Allison this summer. 

The additions of Fabinho and Keita will give them well-needed firepower in the middle of the park which was lacking at the back end of last season. While I still believe that they need another striker to compete with Firmino to be firm favourites for the title if Mo Salah scores anywhere near 32 goals again they will be fine. 

Unlike other teams, Klopp has the perfect balance with experience complimenting the youth in the team. The likes of Trent Alexander Arnold and Joe Gomez will be hoping to progress and play a key part in the side. 

The seeds of Liverpool’s title challenge this season were planted when they ended Manchester City’s unbeaten run and then schooled them again in the Champions League, I am tipping them to push Guardiola’s men off their pedestal in May and lift the trophy. 

2nd. Manchester City 

It’s hard to write Manchester City off because of how easily they won the league last season. Pep Guardiola's style of play will still dominate the weaker teams in the league but I think the bigger teams will have the tactics needed to stop them this season. 

Leroy Sane will only get better this season as he has a point to prove following his omission from the German World Cup squad this summer and KDB will definitely be the key man again. The likes of Bernando Silva and Phil Foden will feel like new signings for City this season. It will be a close race between them and Liverpool.

However, like previous Champions, I feel Pep and Manchester City may have come a little complacent. The Riyad Marhez signing was just Pep flexing his checkbook to keep the fans and press off his back. Chelsea did this in the 2015/16 season under Mourinho, with only Pedro coming in and I can’t help but feel that history will be recreated here with City. 

3rd.  Arsenal 

It has been two seasons without Champions League football for Arsenal, but I think Unai Emery is the right man to get them back into the top four. Their transfer business has been efficient this summer as Emery got in the market early to address key areas of improvement. 

They have brought in the likes of Lucas Torreia, a terrier of a midfielder who proved his class during the World Cup with Uruguay. But Greek defender Sokratis is the most interesting signing for me. Last season we saw Marvropanos make his debut and impress against Manchester United and I think Sokatris will be his defensive philosopher who will help him hold down his place next to him in the center of defense. Bernd Leno and Stephan Litchstiener are also quality signings. 

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will be key if Arsenal return to the top 4. The striker only joined Arsenal in January and managed to finish the season with 10 goals. Paired up top with Lacazette, I think both players will bring the best out of each other and don’t be surprised if Aubameyang is challenging with Harry Kane for the Golden Boot. 

4th. Manchester United 

Manchester United seem to be falling short in pre-season and Mourinho’s poor man-management skills only seem to be adding salt to the wounds. He brutally criticises his players on a regular basis, with Martial being at the thick of it this summer. Jose has a knack for underachieving in his third season at a club and I expect this season to be the same. 

Despite the grey cloud over United this season, Mourinho is a mastermind in not losing. They managed to finish 2nd last season while still playing the worst football in the top four. The team is experienced in grinding out results against the big teams and that will be integral in them staying in the top four. 

Romeu Lukaku had an excellent World Cup, which showed everyone that if given the service he will score goals. Despite not even touching the ball some games, he still managed to score 16 goals in the Premier League. With Pogba being given more freedom to roam with Fred now in behind him, he will flourish too. However, Mourinho’s dreadful tactics and poisonous attitude will mean they will all fall short of a title challenge this season. 

RELEGATION: 

18th.  Southampton 

They survived by the skin of their teeth last season and I think they will come close again. They have spent a whopping £55m so far, but the players they have signed are not game-changers or goal scorers. They have lost like likes of Dusan Tadic and Sami Boufal who provided some flair last season. Mark Hughes struggled with Stoke City after splashing the cash with them last summer, I hope I am wrong about Southampton but I am not entirely convinced. 

19th.  Huddersfield Town 

Last season them staying up was a huge achievement. However, this season I think they will struggle as the buzz of being the Premier League will wear off and their struggle to score goals will be detrimental to their impressive defensive work. They will go down with pride though, the work David Wagner as done with this small club from Yorkshire is superb. 

20th.  Cardiff City 

As usual, Neil Warnock will make a cameo appearance in the Premier League again, but don’t expect it to last long. Cardiff may have upset the odds last season in the Championship to secure automatic promotion, but this is the Premier League. They are the weakest team in the division by a mile. Wolves and Fulham have splashed the cash this summer on quality players with European and Premier League experience, while Cardiff have been fishing in the Championship by signing Bobby Reid (Bristol City) and Josh Murphy (Norwich). Its hardly a recipe for success, It could be the most embarrassing season in the Premier League since Derby in 2007/8 for the Bluebirds.