WFC's Premier League Table Prediction

Arsenal

New manager and a whole host of new players will make for an interesting season ahead for Arsenal. If a solid backline can form and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang can challenge for the golden boot with a plethora of goals, anything could be possible for the gunners. However, when looking at the other squads expected finish at the pointy end of the league, it is hard to see Arsenal making a real push for the silverware as they are slightly behind in depth, talent and ability.

Key Player: Aaron Ramsey

Top Goal scorer: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

Predicted Finish: 6^th

Bournemouth

A leaky defence last season was a big downfall for the cherries, despite finishing 12^th in the standings. If this poor ability to keep oppositions from scoring continues it could be dramatic to Bournemouth’s prospects to finish any higher this time round. An excelling Josh King and Nathan Akè will be vital.

Key Player: Josh King

Top Goal Scorer: Josh King

Predicted Finish: 15^th

Brighton

The inability to score last season saw a heavy reliance on defending, which wasn’t what many would have thought. The dominance of Australian goalkeeper Mat Ryan will be vital if Brighton want to stay up this season. He registered 10 clean-sheets and 124 saves made over the campaign – second most out of all Premier League goalkeepers. However, these feats will be hard to maintain.

Key Player: Mat Ryan

Top Goal Scorer: Pascal Gross

Predicted Finish: 18^th

Burnley

The stellar run to 7^th last season is seemingly a positive blip in Burnley’s history, as it is likely they will

drop back to the pack of mid-table mediocrity this season. Having a moderately talented squad, with a few players that can produce something special, squad depth will be tested over the season if injuries occur or they advance in the Europa league.

Key Player: Johann Berg Gudmundsson

Top Goal Scorer: Chris Wood

Predicted Finish: 11^th

Cardiff

Some clever summer signings can assist the newly promoted side stabilise and strengthen the overall squad to provide some validity to the Welsh club to remain in the EPL for more than one season. Despite not setting the world alight, grit and determination can see Cardiff get to safety.

Key Player: Bobby Reid

Top Goal Scorer: Kenneth Zohore

Predicted Finish: 16^th

Chelsea

No sure what to expect this season with the managerial change throwing a spanner into the works when predicting style of play, starting XI and determination. Should Eden Hazard be looking for a way out of Stamford Bridge in the not so distant future, he could under-perform, thus diminishing Chelsea’s attack. With only Morata and Giroud in the forwards stock, goals from midfield are required. Hazard, Willian and perennial rotation players like Pedro, Ross Barkley and Cesc Fabregas all need to contribute big time. Even still, the top 4 sides look much more solid, therefore Chelsea could miss out on Champions League Qualification again.

Key Player: Cesar Azpilicueta

Top Goal Scorer: Alvaro Morata

Predicted Finish: 5^th

Crystal Palace

Despite a horrendous start to last season’s campaign, Palace came good through mid-season and at the back end to finish a respectable 11^th. Reasonably stable all over, Palace should remain as a mid-table side. Of course this hinges on Ivorian Zaha’s decision to stay at the club or not, much like Gylfi Sigurdsson was last season for Swansea. Sigurdsson leaving Swansea spelt relegation for the Welsh team. How will Palace fair if a similar situation occurs.

Key Player: Wilfried Zaha

Top Goal Scorer: Luka Milivojevic

Predicted Finish: 10^th

Everton

Big money signings didn’t pan out last season, as Everton took all season to get going. Sneaking into 8^th spot without anyone. Yet again, the toffee’s have spent big in the off-season, but, with a more settled team and the hope of minimal injuries, Everton could have a bit of an easier time this season. Despite this they will likely finish the season in a similar spot in the table.

Key Player: Jordan Pickford

Top Goal Scorer: Cenk Tosun

Predicted Finish: 8^th

Fulham

Some very notable signings can lift the third placed side in the championship last season to new heights this Premier League campaign after their promotion. The introduction of Ryan Sessegnon to the big league is going to be a noteworthy watch, as many top European leagues have been chasing his signature. He could take the league by storm or be lost in the crowd of EPL talent. Which one will it be…

Key Player: Alfie Mawson

Top Goal Scorer: Andre Schürrle

Predicted Finish: 13^th

Huddersfield

Last campaign couldn’t end quick enough for Huddersfield as every passing week they got sucked further and further into the relegation threat. Somehow they managed to stay up despite scoring the fewest goals by any club (28) and having the equal second most amount of losses over the course of the season (19). This time around it’s going to be just as tough for the Terriers and they surely won’t escape the drop.

Key Player: Aaron Mooy

Top Goal Scorer: Steve Mounie

Predicted Finish: 20^th

Leicester

A heavy blow for the Foxes with the loss of Riyad Mahrez to Manchester City in the transfer market, but it is not all bad news. The future looks bright, as the introduction of solid backline players of Jonny Evans and Ricardo Pereira can slot in with current players Harry Maguire and Benjamin Chilwell. If goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel remains at the club, clean-sheets could be plentiful this season.

Key Player: Harry Maguire

Top Goal Scorer: Jamie Vardy

Predicted Finish: 7^th

Liverpool

Some of the best transfer window business has been done by the Reds this off-season. Strengthening in weaker areas of the field such as central midfield and mainly goal-keeper has given the squad a major boost in the ratings for the Premier League title. Central defence is still an area that needs to be looked at, but Liverpool arguably now have 2 players in every position that can do a high level job when playing on the pitch. If Mohamed Salah can get close to the feats he produced last season and Roberto Firmino or Sadio Manè can elevate to a near 20 goal league output this year, Manchester City are under serious threat of being usurped after 1 season of dominance. Despite this it still looks as if City just have the edge, therefore Liverpool fall just short.

Key Player: Roberto Firmino

Top Goal Scorer: Mohamed Salah

Predicted Finish: 2^nd

Manchester City

The best team by light years last year saw almost every Premier League record broken by the all-conquering City side. A mishap in the Champions League was a stain on the campaign and as strong as City look this year – Mendy returning, Mahrez signing – they could chase the champions league to erase the memories of 2017/18 leaving the door open for other EPL clubs to snap up the title. However, earlier mentioned Liverpool have 2 players for every position, it seems City have 3 top class players for each position. Even an understrength side could go close to winning the title and that’s why the blue side of Manchester is overwhelming favourites to claim the trophy again.

Key Player: Fernandinho

Top Goal Scorer: Sergio Aguero

Predicted Finish: 1^st

Manchester United

If any player sparks in this side, watch out. The plethora of talent is unquestionable but the coaching tactics and game management is. We know Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Sanchez can be 20 goal a season players as they have been in the past, but the utilisation of their skills need to improve. A dominating presence in midfield through Paul Pogba, Jesse Lingard, Nemanja Matic and Fred, the Red Devils should be title contenders but that feeling doesn’t resonate as a reality, and for overall quality and winning mentality they seem well behind Manchester City and Liverpool.

Key Player: David De Gea

Top Goal Scorer: Romelu Lukaku

Predicted Finish: 3^rd

Newcastle

Touted last season as still a Championship side playing in the Premier League, Newcastle excelled far beyond what was expected by them in their first season back up in the top flight. That seems eerily similar to the last time they were promoted and then they fell into severe second season complacency syndrome. This appears to possibly occur again, as Newcastle are limited in many areas of the pitch. Scrapping to safety is highly likely.

Key Player: Jamaal Lascelles

Top Goal Scorer: Ayoze Pèrez

Predicted Finish: 17^th

Southampton

A decent backline forming and some attacking players getting in form will be the key to Southampton’s survival. Getting out of relegation by the finest of margins last year was amazing, but this time round luck can’t sustain them again. They have strengthened their squad and with a better playing style and Charlie Austin staying fit and firing should see the saints improve enough the be back again in the Premier League come the 2019/20 season.

Key Player: Jannik Vestergaard

Top Goal Scorer: Mohamed Elyounoussi

Predicted Finish: 14^th

Tottenham

Yet again for the second season in a row Tottenham have been quiet in the transfer market, with no acquisitions to the squad to date. Coach Mauricio Pochettino loves the unity he has within his squad and believes they can push further with the natural development of the playing talent he has. Despite his players getting better, other teams are also getting better and we at WFC don’t believe they can overtake the top 3 of City, Liverpool and United. Possibly the best backline in the EPL, along with a strong rotation ability, Spurs should be stable enough to reach Champions League qualification again. Side note, Harry Kane could break 30 league goals this year.

Key Player: Christian Eriksen

Top Goal Scorer: Harry Kane

Predicted Finish: 4^th

Watford

The season past Watford had some very good performances by players in all areas of the pitch. Players like Kiko Femenia and Abdoulaye Doucourè had stellar years that were well above expectation. All of their effort still only got Watford to a 14^th placed finish. Suffering the second most amount of defeats (19) in the league and having conceded 64 goals – only Stoke and West Ham conceded more (both 68), it is hard to see Watford getting any better this season. Improving in the goalkeeping department (Ben Foster) won’t help that much as the inability to defend is so lacking that he will have to be miraculous to keep many clean-sheets.

Key Player: Abdoulaye Doucourè

Top Goal Scorer: Andre Gray

Predicted Finish: 19^th

West Ham

This could be a true bounce back year for the Hammers. Having been a good top half of the table side for many years, last campaign came as a shock. The introduction of a new manager and new talent from other EPL clubs and abroad has sparked life and revitalised the squad. The continued loss of Manuel Lanzini for a prolonged period will be a downer, but there are many others now that can fill his creative shoes – Felipe Anderson is one of those players, who recorded almost identical stats for 4 key attacking areas last season for Lazio, Goals (4), Assists (7), Shots per game (1.2) and Shot assists (1.8) as Lanzini did - Goals (5), Assists (6), Shots per game (1.4) and Shot assists (1.6).

Key Player: Lukasz Fabianski

Top Goal Scorer: Marko Arnautovic

Predicted Finish: 9^th

Wolverhampton

Best team in the Championship last season with the most goals scored (82) and fewest conceded (39), while recording the most league wins (30). Wolves had a remarkable season in the second tier of English football. Now in the EPL, Wolves have to show what a good side they actually are – and they can. Retaining the services of Benik Afobe, Leo Bonatini and most importantly Diogo Jota (loans becoming permanent moves) who aided them in winning the Championship title last season, Wolves have made other fantastic signings. Rui Patricio from Sporting CP, Raul Jimenez from Benfica and Joao Moutinho from Monaco are all experienced campaigners who will thrive in the EPL and push Wolves into the mid-table, well away from any fears of relegation.

Key Player: Diogo Jota

Top Goal Scorer: Leo Bonatini

Predicted Finish: 12^th