Joes across the nation, rejoice. The Premier League is back this weekend with what promises to be one of the most intriguing seasons we’ve had in a long time, with six viable challengers for the title and an always fascinating relegation battle. So to get you into the mood, here’s our quick season preview for every team in the 2017/2018 Premier League.

Arsenal

Aim: Top 4
Key Player: Alexandre Lacazette

While their victory in Sunday’s Charity Shield will have given the Gunners a lift before their opener against Leicester on Friday night, it’s fair to say there was a fair amount of gloom around The Emirates towards the end of last season. They’ve added quality in Alexandre Lacazette and Sead Kolasinac over the summer, but to be honest we expect much the same from Arsenal this season. A ‘challenge’ for the title until the going gets tough over Christmas. And with the league so strong this season, we fear they may even miss out on Top 4 for the second season running.

Predicted Finish: 6th

Bournemouth

Aim: Top Half
Key Player: Jermain Defoe

Bournemouth have arguably had one of the best summers of any side in the league. The additions of Jermain Defoe, Asmir Begovic and Nathan Ake not only raise their starting 11’s quality, they also show a sign of intent from Eddie Howe’s men who clearly have loftier ambitions than simply survival. There’s depth in the squad now and we expect another impressive season from the Cherries – maybe even a cup run.

Predicted Finish: 10th

Brighton

Aim: Avoid Relegation
Key Player: Anthony Knockaert

Despite an incredible Championship campaign overall last season, Brighton’s stuttering towards the end of their promotion season will not fill anyone with too much confidence of Premier League survival. That said, the debutants have a manager who knows the league in Chris Hughton, and if they can make themselves hard to beat, particularly at the AmEx, they’ll have a chance. We just worry there’s not enough goals there.

Predicted Finish: 19th

Burnley

Aim: Avoid Relegation
Key Player: Andre Gray

It’s almost certainly going to be same as it ever was at Turf Moor this season with Sean Dyche’s men coming into the season once again one of the favourites for relegation. But while anything above the bottom three will be considered a success, there’s every reason to think Burnley can achieve the modest feat. Their home form has always been impressive, and though Michael Keane has left the club, Dyche’s teams are always defensively sound.

Predicted Finish: 17th

Chelsea

Aim: Title
Key Player: Alvaro Morata

Probably the most difficult team to predict this campaign are the reigning Premier League champions. Despite winning the league with a record number of wins last season, there’s an awful lot of negativity coming out of Stamford Bridge with Sunday’s result at Wembley unlikely to ease tensions between Conte and his board. Put simply, the squad is currently nowhere near big enough to compete on all fronts next season and Antonio Conte is making no secret of that. But having won two out of the last three league titles, they should never be counted out, and the Blues probably deserve far more respect that is currently being afforded to them. We expect them to be there or there abouts come May. We also expect them to do well in the Champions League…

Predicted Finish: 2nd

Crystal Palace

Aim: Top Half
Key Player: Wilfried Zaha

Ajax legend and new manager Frank De Boer brings a lot of intrigue to Selhurst Park this season and if nothing else we’re sure they’re going to be great to watch. Once again, much of their fortunes will rely on the form of Wilf Zaha, and you should also keep an eye on Chelsea loanee Ruben Loftus-Cheek.

Predicted Finish: 11th

Everton

Aim: Europe
Key Player: Davy Klaassen

Despite losing their main man to United, Everton are looking in fairly healthy shape post-Romelu Lukaku, They’ve signed well, adding quality to an already decent squad, and the return of Wayne Rooney has added a real feel-good factor to the men at Goodison. That said, the gap to the Top 6 is huge and we can’t see them breaking it anytime soon.

Predicted Finish: 7th

Huddersfield Town

Aim: Avoid Relegation
Key Player: Aaron Mooy

It’s simply incredible we’re even writing a preview for Premier League Huddersfield Town. Among the favourites to get relegated to League 1 at the start of 2016, David Wagner’s side were a breath of fresh air in the Championship last season, playing some of the best football in the division. We’ll be fascinated to see how they get on, especially as Wagner isn’t afraid to speak his mind and agitate a few. In the end, though, we fear the promotion may have come a year or two too soon.

Predicted Finish: 20th

Leicester City

Aim: Europe
Key Player: Kelechi Iheanacho

Having finished the season so strongly post-Ranieri last season, we expect Leicester to carry on that form into the new campaign. We’re not suggesting another title win by any means, but a real crack at making Europe is well within the realms of possibility. We also love the signing of Kelechi Iheanacho from Man City.

Predicted Finish: 8th

Liverpool

Aim: Title
Key Player: Philippe Coutinho

Jürgen Klopp’s men are looking strong going into the 2017/2018 season and we fully expect them to have a decent crack at the title. Much of that, of course, depends on holding off Barcelona’s advances for Philippe Coutinho and keeping everyone fit. But there’s depth in the squad, goals throughout the side, and if they manage to appease Southampton’s anger and sign Virgil Van Dijk, there’ll be a serious threat to Chelsea’s title.

Predicted Finish: 3rd

Manchester City

Aim: Title
Key Player: Kevin De Bruyne

For us, Manchester City are the clear favourites for the title this season. Having spent big this summer, winning the Premier League or Champions League is almost a must for Pep Guardiola’s men. We still worry about them conceding goals, but they should be out-scoring every other side in the division with Aguero, Jesus, Sane, Sterling, De Bruyne, David Silva, and newly signed Bernando Silva all at their disposal.

Predicted Finish: 1st

Manchester United

Aim: Title
Key Player: Romelu Lukaku

Jose Mourinho and Manchester United quite simply have to win the league this season. The most expensive side ever assembled underachieved last season, despite what Mourinho and his three ‘titles’ suggests. Signing Lukaku was a big statement and having had two summers to spend big, challenging for the title simply won’t be enough for Mourinho and a club of United’s stature. Having said all that, we still think they’re some way off City and Chelsea especially.

Predicted Finish: 4th

Newcastle

Aim: Mid Table
Key Player: Dwight Gayle

For most teams promotion to the Premier League is met with caution and muted expectations. But this is Newcastle and this is Rafa Benitez, so naturally the toon’s fan base have thoughts of more than a relegation battle. To be honest, though, we just don’t see it. The squad is by no means poor but it’s certainly not outstanding. And any ideas of top half finishes seem a little premature to us.

Predicted Finish: 15th

Southampton

Aim: Top Half
Key Player: Manolo Gabbiadini

It’s been a turbulent summer for the Saints with manager Claude Puel replaced with relativity unknown Mauricio Pellegrino. There’s been little transfer activity and Virgil Van Dijk’s public strike has taken much of the club’s focus. Out loud, Southampton may have ambitions of making Europe, but quietly we think they’d settle for another top half finish after an uncertain summer.

Predicted Finish: 12th

Stoke City

Aim: Top Half
Key Player: Saido Berahino

A fairly quiet summer for Stoke, with Marko Arnautovic’s departure to West Ham the big story, implies to us another season of consolidation for Mark Hughes’ men. They’re not going to get relegated and they’re not going to break the Top 6, which means a cup run and a trip to Wembley is probably the best the Potters can hope for.

Predicted Finish: 13th

Swansea City

Aim: Avoid Relegation
Key Player: Tammy Abraham

If/when they sell Gylfi Sigurdsson to Everton, this season could be a real dog fight for survival at Swansea. Should it happen, the key to staying up will almost certainly be the form of Chelsea loanee Tammy Abraham. Having bagged 23 goals in the Championship with Bristol City last year, it’ll be interesting to see how the 19 year-old fairs in the Prem. The champions have high hopes for Abraham and this season could be the litmus test he needs. He could also be the difference for Swansea and Paul Clement come May.

Predicted Finish: 16th

Tottenham Hotspur

Aim: Top 4
Key Player: Harry Kane

You can’t help but get the feeling a temporary move to Wembley has come a season too early for Spurs. Moving to a new stadium is a difficult process for any side, and when you consider Tottenham’s recent record at Wembley, maintaining the form of the last two season will be a real ask. Having said that, a lack of signings is curbed by losing nobody baring the replaceable Kyle Walker to City, and on paper at least they’re still one of the best teams in the league with one of the best managers in the league. A difficult one to predict, but we think Spurs would bite your hand off for Top 4.

Predicted Finish: 5th

Watford

Aim: Avoid Relegation
Key Player: Nathaniel Chalobah

It was a tough season for Watford last season under Walter Mazzarri. While they were never in a relegation battle, you’re scratching your head as to how they weren’t. New manager Marco Silva showed glimpses at Hull of what a great tactician he is, but put simply, we don’t think there’s enough quality in that squad to dream of anything other than 17th and survival. Nathaniel Chalobah is a steal in this market but we fear they’re going to need more.

Predicted Finish: 18th

West Brom

Aim: Mid Table
Key Player: Salomón Rondón

As always with Tony Pulis sides, West Brom won’t be great to watch and they’ll be just fine. We like the signing of Jay Rodriguez from Southampton and hopefully he can recapture some pre-injury form, but much like Stoke, it’ll be another season of consolidation for the men from the Black Country.

Predicted Finish: 14th

West Ham

Aim: Top Half
Key Player: Manuel Lanzini

Mourinho has them down as ‘title challengers’ but realistically a top half finish and some stability should be West Ham’s aim this season. Another year on in Stratford will help things along and they’ve also signed very well with Marko Arnautovic, Joe Hart, Pablo Zabaleta and Chicarito not only bringing quality but also some much needed experience. They’ll be difficult to beat this year and as shown during the Spurs game towards the run-in last season, the London Stadium can be a real difference maker when the big boys are in town. We expect some scalps during the course of the season.

Predicted Finish: 9th

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