Premier League preview, can Arsenal retain their title plus how much trouble are Newcastle in?

A.F.C Bournemouth

    After the departure of Andoni Iraola to Liverpool, The Cherries have appointed Marco Rose to lead them into their first ever European campaign. The question looms over Bournemouth as their new manager has zero experience in the Premier League and won't be used to the physicality and intensity that the league offers. Additionally, The Cherries have sold some of their key players in that historic campaign they had last season, these include Marcos Senesei and Enes Unal. Bournemouth fans can expect a high intensity style of play that creates central overloads. Another positive aspect of their new gaffer is that he knows how to handle 3 games a week. The thing is have they replaced their departures well?

Predicted Finish: 14th

Arsenal

    In a season in which they broke their 22 year wait for the Premier League, MIkel Arteta's side will be hoping to recreate last season and successfully defend their title starting in the opening game of the season against Coventry City. The Gunners have seen no real departures in the transfer window except Leandro Trossard moving to Besiktas. In the window, they have brought in players like Bruno Guimaraes and Christos Tzolis, these are very attacking transfers. Christos Tzolis has shone in pre-season, he recorded 17 goals and 23 assists in the Belgian League last season and is a known for aggressive passing and progressive ball carries. These have been very smart moves by Arsenal in the Transfer Window and their attacking line will be even more lethal next season.

Predicted Finish: 2nd

Aston Villa

    The Europa League champions have seen some big departures in the transfer window such as set-piece coach Austin MacPhee and Morgan Rodgers to Chelsea, and Youri Tielemans to Man United. Their respective replacements are questionable to, with the Birmingham side bringing in Alejandro Garnacho to replace the outgoing Morgan Rodgers. Head Coach, Unai Emery, plays in a "System First" way. When attacking, he uses asymmetric structures such as a 3-2 or 3-2-5 variation. This makes a fullback or centre-back push high. When in defense, Emery switches to a compact 4-4-2 mid-block with the aim to force their opponents out wide by using central overloads. The Champions League will also age a toll on the players as they will have to play against the best teams in Europe and England constantly, causing physical stress and fatigue on the players.

Predicted Finish: 7th

Brentford

    Under Keith Andrews, Brentford proved the doubters wrong and had an unbelievable season in which they nearly qualified for Europe. Big man up front Igor Thiago was crucial in their previous campaign with an astonishing 22 goals in 38 appearances. Standing at 6"3, he is highly physical which makes him an aerial target. This is especially useful in today's and Brentford's games as set-pieces are key. The infamous long-throw has been one of the Bees' greatest assets, Michael Kayode is the architect in this and has the ability to hurl the ball into the box. They recorded 10 goals from long-throws, which is the highest in the league. Next season, the London side will hoping to build on their triumphs last season and seeing as they have not lost many players and have made some good signings, Europe will be their aim.

Predicted Finish: 8th

Brighton

    Finishing in a solid 8th place last season, Fabian Hurzeler and his Brighton side are to be competing in the UEFA Conference League. In the transfer window, they have lost a few key players. Danny Welbeck has left for an exceptionally low price to Chelsea and Jan Paul van Hecke has gone to Spurs. However, Tony Bloom and the Brighton Board have been quick in replacing them, they have spent over £100m on their replacements. Most notably, they have signed Luka Vuskovic from Spurs for £46m. He is a modern centre-half, he has the ability to bypass the midfield and ping balls over the top and is calm under pressure. When defending, he prefers to come to his man rather than sitting deep. This paired with the signings of winger Zadok Yohanna(RW), Pascal Struijk(CB), Costinha(RB), Michael Svoboda(CB) and Rodrigo Reno(RW0 make a whole defensive overhaul complemented with new attacking prowess gives the Seagulls strength in depth for those 3 game weeks and added talent for next season. They will be hoping to win the Conference League and have a solid league position. 

Predicted Finish: 10th

Chelsea

    With Xabi Alonso now at the helm, Chelsea will be hoping to comfortably be in the top 5 and have a good season. One major Advantage that they have only 1 game per week, this significantly reduces the workload on the players and allows for more focused and fit players. Their summer signings have been very good too, they have brought in some experience in Danny Welbeck and Jordan Henderson, combined with, youthful, modern players like Maxence Lacroix and Morgan Rodgers will really add to the team and bring togetherness to the fragmented dressing room. Xabi Alonso is a good manager who is highly respectable. It should be a good season for Chelsea next season and could a title challenge be on the cards next season?

Predicted Finish: 4th

Coventry

    In their first season in the Premier League in 25 years, Frank Lampard's Coventry City will be hoping to stay in the division come May. Doug King and the Coventry board have wasted no time in bringing in summer investment. Star keeper Carl Rushworth has made himself a permanent player for the Sky Blues, he will add dynamism and immense shot stopping to the Sky Blues. Caleb Yirenki, Frank Onyeka and Gustavo Hamer have been signed for the midfield department for the Sky Blues with Loum Tchaouna joining as a winger from Burnley. In defense Aurele Amenda has joined from Frankfurt, him paired with Bobby Thomas and potentially another defender makes it look likely that Coventry could play in a 5 at the back However, the one thing that Coventry do need is a striker. Haji Wright and Ellis Simms are not good enough for The Premier League and Coventry need a main goal outlet. Another key aspect of their bid for survival is Frank Lampard. He is tried and tested in the Premier League as a player and a manager and has done similar things that he needs to do with Coventry at Everton. With a bit more investment and some tactical tweaks, Coventry will have a great shot on making themselves a Premier League team next season.

Predicted Finish: 15th

Image: Angus M

Crystal Palace

    The Conference League winners have seen their gaffer Oliver Glasner go to Premier League rivals Nottingham Forest. In the Transfer Window, The Eagles have seen some significant departures like Maxence Lacroix and Brennan Johnson. New manager Pierre Sage will have to play Europa League and 3 games per week. He plays a versatile 3-4-2-1/3-4-3 formation that defends from the front with high pressing and uses rapid vertical transitions to attack. His teams also use explosive wingbacks to add width to the pitch. With their most successful ever manager leaving and a tight fixture schedule,  next season will be a challenge for the London side but relegation shouldn't be a fear.

Predicted Finish: 18th

Everton

    In a solid campaign last time out, David Moyes' Everton will be hoping to replicate and better their previous endeavours. They have brought in some good signings in the transfer window such as Christian Norgaard from Arsenal and Brennan Johnson from Crystal Palace. These signings add flair to the attack with Johnson who's rapid dribbling gives him lots of goal contributions and Norgaard adds depth to the midfield as he is a defensive midfielder who has an elite passing accuracy of 89% and is the perfect player to break up attacks and protect the defense.

Predicted Finish: 9th

Fulham

    Under former Real Madrid manager Alvaro Arbeloa Fulham have put the departure of Marco Silva behind them and are focusing on the future. It has been a pretty mixed window from the Cottagers with some high level departures like Harry Wilson and Issa Diop combined with new star signings like Shea Charles from Southampton and Gonzalo Garcia arriving from Real Madrid. Arbeloa plays a highly aggressive style of football in a 4-3-3 formation. He requires the central midfielder to orchestrate the play and protect the defense in rapid transitions that are a signature part of the Spaniards style of play. However, it is very questionable move hiring a man who only had a 60% win rate at Real Madrid which is one of the lowest in their history. It will be a difficult season for Fulham and relegation may well be a genuine fear.

Predicted Finish: 16th

Hull

    After winning the controversial Championship Playoffs, Hull City are back in the Premier League and are hoping to prove the doubters wrong and retain their Premier League status. They have made some good signings like Leon Bailey from Aston Villa and Konstantinos Tzolakis for a club record fee of £20m. Tzolis is a solid, modern goalkeeper who balances high-level shot stopping with an amazing ability on the ball that is required for the modern game and playing out from the back. He will be a highly valued asset in the Hull dressing room and could be key in their bid for survival. Leon Bailey is also a good signing as he has Premier League experience combined with attacking flair out wide. Hull shouldn't be written off, they have good players with excellent capabilities and have that team unity that a survival scrapper needs. It will be difficult, but Hull do have a solid chance at survival.

Predicted Finish: 17th

Ipswich Town

    Following an immediate return to the Premier League, Gary O'Neil and Ipswich will be hoping to stay in the division next season. The departure of Kieran McKenna is a major loss to the Tractor Boys and he knew how to get the best out of this side. The club has made some significant investment in the transfer window, They have signed a mixture of Premier League experience like Issa Diop and Sasha Lukic with flair from elsewhere like Daizen Maeda and Emersonn. The Brazilian his a classic focal point as a lethal finisher who compliments his goalscoring with trademark Brazillian flair and skills. Another signing is Celtic starboy Daizen Maeda from the Scottish Champions, he does more defensive work than Emersonn and presses from the front high fits in perfectly in Gary O'Neil's system. The pairing of Maeda and Emersonn will be a good one as they both complement each other well with their contrasting styles. In goal, they have signed 6'8 giant Kjell Scherpen, his colossal frame makes him an elite shot stopper and a player who commands his box well. However, this probably won't be enough and the departure of Kieran McKenna makes Ipswich one of the favourites to go down to the Championship

Predicted Finish: 20th

Leeds

    In a season in which they comfortable survived relegation in the end, Daniel Farke and Leeds will be hoping to build on that and finish mid table, which is quite reasonable. They haven't really lost many key players, Pascal Struijk and Jack Harrison have departed the Yorkshire side but their arrivals have definitely made up for that. They broke a club record fee of £40m for James Trafford and signed Harry Wilson on a free. Additionally, The Whites have penned Tarik Muharemovicm. Tarik is a 6'4 absolute unit of a defender who is dominant in the air and is an excellent distributor of the ball with an 87% pass accuracy. It should be a good season for Leeds next season and those fears of relegation should be easing from their minds but they should be aware of that second season curse.

Predicted Finish: 12th

Image: Paul Allison, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0

Liverpool

    After the sacking of Arne Slot, Andoni Iraola has been named the new manager of Liverpool. He is well known for his high octane, high pressing style of play and tries to win the ball back the second it is lost. When attacking, the team drives forward with speed and like to get the ball the the big number 9. If a shot is missed, the team crowdsthe box and try and get the second ball. Narrow wingers and overlapping fullbacks are also utilised to overload the wide areas. In the Transfer Window, they have seen some noticeable departures like Andy Robertson and Mo Salah. Their arrivals include: Jeremy Jacquet, Victor Munoz and Ronald Araujo. The loan signing of Ronald Araujo from Barcelona is a very clever signing as it fills the gap in defense with Van Dijk and adds experience to the team. These have been very good signings from Liverpool and the Iraola style of play, combined with their current strong squad will fit in well with The Reds. They should be challenging for the title and pushing the big guns like Arsenal and Manchester City.

Predicted Finish: 1st

Manchester City

    With a domestic double to their name in Pep Guardiola's last season. Enzo Maresca has been given the task in succeeding the Spanish Ledgend. Their investments in the Transfer Window has been very diversified signing a winger, 2 goalkeepers and a central midfielder, Elliot Anderson. He will significantly aid Man City as a box-to-box midfielder who can play many positions. The Englishman helps out defensively with his intense pressing and can sit deeper to protect the back line. When going forward, he carries the ball from deep and gets it into the final third. His late runs contribute to goals and will primarily be a left sided twin number 8 in Enzo Maresca's 3-2-4-1 formation. Champions League will be expected by the board and they should achieve it. However, after many significant departures, City aren't the City of old and will have weaknesses. Look at Man United when Fergie left it was a challenge for any other manager. Could this be the case at City?

Predicted Finish: 5th

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Manchester United

    After taking the permanent job at Manchester United, Michael Carrick will he hoping to build on their success in the latter half of the season, picking up the most points after January. The Red Devils have been strengthening in midfield over the summer and have signed Andrey Santos, a press resistant player with a great pass, and Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa, he is an ambidextrous playmaker who is a long range shooting threat. These signings add strength in depth to the United midfield and provide a variety of different types of players in the team. It should be a good season for Manchester United and they will be a force to be reckoned with. Their squad depth should be enough for the Champions League, in which they will be looking to go far in.

Predicted Finish: 3rd

Newcastle United

    After an underwhelming season last time out, Newcastle United will be in for a really tough time this season. They have seen some major departures, all being their best players like Sandro Tonali, Anthony Gordon and Bruno Guimaraes. Additionally, head coach Eddie Howe has departed from St James' park to rub salt in the wounds of the Newcastle faithful. Matthias Jaissle has been named the successor to Howe and is known for his highly aggressive style of play and put heavy pressure on his fullbacks to overlap in attack and get back to defend. The German has named the Geordie Giant, Dan Burn as his new captain. In order to replace these, the ownership has opted to sign inexperienced foreign talent that have no Premier League experience like Bazoumana Toure, a winger to replace Anthony Gordon. He beats his man with raw pace and is a major asset on the transition. He registered 5 goals and 9 assists and should do well in the North East, the question looms though on whether he will be able to compete in the Premier League. With the squad that they still have, Relegation shouldn't be a fear for Newcastle and they should be aiming to be a solid mid table side next season. However, with the right investment, they Magpies could easily be competing for Europe.

Predicted Finish: 11th

Nottingham Forest 

    Former Crystal Palace manager, Oliver Glasner has signed for Forest in a highly controversial move. In the window, they have seen a major out in Elliot Anderson to Manchester City but have also seen some big incomings like Ousmane Diomande, a centre back from Sporting and Gustava Sa, who is a box-to-box midfielder constantly praised for his off the ball work. The Palace fans can expect a high level of verticality when going forward, typically in a 3-4-2-1 shapeand preferes diagonal passing in diamond and triangles. Forest should be hoping to finish as a solid mid-table side under Glasner and their investments in the window look promising. Playing 1 game per week helps, as it limits squad fatigue meaning that Forest are more than capable of finishing in a good position come May.

Predicted Finish: 13th

Sunderland

    From being tipped for relegation, to qualifying for the Europa League in their first season back in the Premer League, Regis Le Bris' Sunderland will have aims to balance a Europa League run with a solid Premier League season. The Black Cats have made a few signings to signings. They are set to sign Dayan Methalie for 30m Euros from Toulouse. He is a 20 year old French defender who uses his physical dominance with athletic dynamism to create a modern fullback. Players like Dan Neil and Dennis Cirkin have also departed on a free transfer. Sunderland will frequently be playing Thursday, Sunday and willl have to balence 3 games a week, and their squad is too shallow and fatigue will be an issue. Because of this, relegation will be a threat and that second season syndrome will be in the minds of the Sunderland faithful hoping to enjoy their long awaited European tour.

Predicted Finish: 19th

Tottenham Hotspur

    After avoiding an embarrassing relegation last season, Spurs will have hopes to rebuild under Roberto De Zerbi. They have signed some good players in the transfer window including Mateus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali to transform their midfield. They will operate in a double pivot in Roberto De Zerbi's possession based system. Fernandes will serve as a ball winner and a pillar against the opposition press, he then combines that with his long passing ability. Tonali is more of a box-to-box engine that screens the defense and can drive forward to score and contribute when the team is going forward. This combined with other signings and no European football, Spurs might be back and they have seen some encouraging signings under Roberto De Zerbi.

Predicted Finish: 6th

Final Words

    The 26/27 Premier League season will be an interesting one with many new managers. Sunderland will be in a lot of trouble having to balence European and Premier League football whilst Crytal Palace may well have issues under Pierre Sagee. Liverpool have a string squad and a good manager that can win the league. The question beckons over if Coventry Ipswich and Hull will stay up. Ipswich look like a Championship team in the Premier League but Coventry and Hull have done better business to try and retain their Premier League status