One of the best things about a new season starting is that we can play the prediction game, who will win the title, finish top-four, get relegated and so on and predicting the finishing positions for all 20 teams covers all those eventualities.
So, here goes, this is how I predict the league table will look like come the end of the season and I will admit in advance that some of the predicted finishing positions will not be universally agreed with.
Premier League 2019/20 finishing predictions
1st – Man City
Cannot look beyond them really, they have strengthened yet again with Rodri and are just too good in every position.
2nd Liverpool
The fixture pile-up in December I feel will be the undoing of them but even if it does not I still do not see them overtaking City this season.
3rd Arsenal
Why not? They have strengthened in almost every area and with the PAL forward line will not find goals hard to come by. Defence remains a worry but with Holding, Bellerin, Tierney to come back and Luiz on board it will do better than last season I am sure.
4th Tottenham
They have brought in some top talent but they still could lose Eriksen and I am not convinced by their defence this season.
5th Man Utd
In hindsight, their transfer window could have been better and they do not look to have strengthened enough for me.
6th Everton
If their new signings can gel and get going quickly then I think Marco Silva who will make the Toffees very competitive this campaign.
7th Watford
Some brilliant signings and it was a toss-up between them and Everton who will finish 6th. I fully expect them to have a good season.
8th Chelsea
The loss of Hazard is huge and without him last season they would have finished outside top-four, they have not replaced him and I see them struggling all season long.
9th Leicester City
They will be competitive but they will feel losing Maguire in defence and I just feel that their closest rivals have strengthened their squads better.
10th Wolves
I see Wolves struggling because of the Europa League, now, if Torino knocks them out that may change things but I reckon Wolves will qualify for the group stages and that will affect them. If Torino does knock them out then I would have to revise my predictions.
11th Bournemouth
I really like Eddie Howe as a manager and he will have another decent season with the Cherries.
12th Brighton
This may well surprise a few people who have Brighton as relegation fodder but that is to underestimate Graham Potter. He is a very good manager, he worked wonders in Sweden with Ostersund and I see him doing the same with Brighton.
13th Norwich City
Another surprise no doubt but they will play some very exciting expansive football this season just watch and see and I am very confident they will surprise a lot of people.
14th West Ham
On their day they can be decent but the Hammers do not have those days too often and while I do expect them to be safe from relegation I do see a season of struggles.
15th Crystal Palace
Losing Aaron Wan-Bissaka and having an unhappy Wilfrid Zaha will not help them but the lack of firepower up front will really hurt them as the season unfolds.
16th Newcastle United
Going to be another poor season for Steve Bruce’s men but despite selling Perez they have bought fairly well and should do enough to avoid the drop.
17th Burnley
Going to be a long hard season for Sean Dyche’s men but I think they will just avoid relegation by the skin of their teeth.
18th Southampton
Not at all convinced by their new signings and I fear that the Saints will end up being one of the three relegated teams.
19th Aston Villa
Just too many signings and turnover in playing staff for me and they just do not look strong enough and I expect a very quick return to the Championship for Villa.
20th Sheffield United
Probably the easiest prediction of them all, they really do look out of their depth and I fully expect them to be rock bottom at the end of the season.
So that is it then, no doubt a lot of you will disagree with me and that is just fine, that is what I love about this game, the passionate differences in opinions we all share.