Premier League Predictions: Robin Bairner previews the 2022/23 season
Robin Bairner
1 August 2022
Despite being put in their place by Liverpool in the Community Shield, Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City are primed to defend their Premier League title in a hotly-anticipated 2022/23 season.
Many are predicting another titanic battle between the two giants, who were only separated by a point at the end of the last campaign. However, all 20 teams are vying for crucial positions and who knows what will happen? Only six years ago Leicester defied the odds to top the table.
The title contenders
The Premier League title race has been monopolised by Manchester City and Liverpool in recent years, and there is little evidence to suggest that will change over the course of the coming season.
The addition of Erling Haaland is widely expected to give City the edge, but the Norway international looked awkward on debut against Liverpool - could this be an early red flag? The Etihad side also appeared to lack pace to stretch teams in that game, which threatens to be a weakness for them. Nevertheless, Guardiola is a shrewd tactician and has a fine squad that he will get more from. They still head the market at 1.78 to defend their title.
Liverpool have the quality to push City all the way and will be ferociously competitive once again this season. Jurgen Klopp has made his side relentless.
Beyond them, Chelsea had an outside chance for a period last season, but the drama involving the sale of the club threw them off their stride and has hampered them in the transfer market this summer. Look for the Blues to seal third.
The battle for the top four
Arsenal have conducted another strong transfer window and the signing of Gabriel Jesus is looking like a masterstroke. Indeed, the Brazilian could be the difference between them reaching the Champions League or not. The Gunners are well placed to end their wait for a return to Europe’s top table.
While there may be a lot of excitement over Tottenham, Antonio Conte is a manager who has struggled to juggle the demands of midweek football in the past, and with the race for the top four set to be hard fought, fighting on two fronts counts against his side.
Manchester United, meanwhile, have made painfully slow progress in the transfer market this summer, and with uncertainty over Cristiano Ronaldo’s future continuing, it’s tough to see them hitting the heights expected of them. If they reach the Champions League, Erik ten Hag will have done a very fine job indeed.
Mid-table security
Newcastle are another club that has not been as spectacular in the transfer market as they might have expected. Nevertheless, Eddie Howe has built up a strong head of steam in the north east and the relegation battle they endured last season will be a thing of the past. Look for them to be challenging for Europe.
Wolves are in line for another solid season and will be up there once again with West Ham. Both should finish in the top 10.
Look for Aston Villa, who have once again invested heavily in their side, notably securing Philippe Coutinho, to be pushing for the top 10 after a disappointing season last time out. Crystal Palace should once again be competing for a top-half finish after a quietly solid transfer window from Patrick Vieira’s side, although losing Conor Gallagher is a big blow.
Leicester will drop back after a frustrating summer but should have too much quality to be in any real danger, while Brighton will be fine as long as they can keep manager Graham Potter at the club.
On the fringes of the dogfight
Leeds have invested heavily in their squad but will find Kalvin Phillips and, particularly, Raphinha hard to replace. Look for them to have another awkward season, and there is even a chance they could get dragged into trouble.
The same goes for Southampton, who were inconsistent last season, and Everton, whose recruitment has promised much but delivered little so far – especially since they lost Richarlison. With doubts over Frank Lampard’s capabilities, they could easily be drawn into problems once more.
Meanwhile, Nottingham Forest’s summer recruitment drive and ambitious owner may just be enough to keep them safe.
Going down
Brentford could find themselves in danger. They have a shrewd recruitment model, but the margins that they work within are fine. Fulham, meanwhile, impressed in the Championship last season but appear to be leaning on previous Premier League flop Aleksandr Mitrovic to score the goals to keep them out of trouble, while Bournemouth have the weakest side on paper and that should see them finish bottom.
Prediction
- Manchester City
- Liverpool
- Chelsea
- Arsenal
- Tottenham
- Manchester United
- Newcastle
- Wolves
- West Ham
- Aston Villa
- Crystal Palace
- Leicester
- Brighton
- Leeds
- Southampton
- Everton
- Nottingham Forest
- Brentford
- Fulham
- Bournemouth
Recommended bets
Manchester City to win the Premier League @ 1.78
Brentford to be relegated @ 3.9
Pundit's picks
EFL expert Jack Goddard
Top Four
Man City
Liverpool
Tottenham
Arsenal
Relegation
Leeds
Bournemouth
Brentford
Robin Bairner
1 August 2022
