After two years of football during a global pandemic and all of the headaches that came along with it, you’d think we would be in for something a bit more normal this coming English Premier League season, right? You couldn’t be more wrong.
Thanks to the controversial (to say the least) decision to have Qatar host the 2022 World Cup and the tournament’s usual summer months far too hot to handle playing games in the Middle East, European leagues will now take a mid-season month-and-a-half break. How teams deal with this not-so-minor inconvenience should go a long way toward deciding many teams’ fates.
Also, let’s not forget that COVID-19 is still out there, too.
Manchester City
2021-22: First place, 93 points.
The skinny: For the fourth time in five years, the Sky Blues were crowned champions of England, thanks to a thrilling comeback victory on the final day of the season to nose ahead of rival Liverpool. Man City is one of the deepest, most talented teams in the world and is led by arguably one of the best managers ever, Pep Guardiola. It’s hard to imagine a scenario in which they won’t be contending once again.
Biggest change: After playing without a true No. 9 striker last season, City brought in young superstar Erling Haaland to lead the attack.
Big question: Will this finally be the year that City captures an ever-elusive Champions League title?
Prediction: First place
Liverpool
2021-22: Second place, 92 points.
The skinny: A season that ended with two pieces of silverware is rarely seen as a disappointment, but after Liverpool fell just short of also winning both the Premier League and Champions League, there are sure to be some feelings of regret. But with a squad that remains great in every phase of the game and Mohamed Salah leading the attack, expect the Reds to be near the top of the table once again.
Biggest change: Sold Sadio Mane, who had scored 120 goals over six seasons, to Bayern Munich.
Big question: After playing every possible game in 2021-22, how will the Reds hold up through another year-long grind?
Prediction: Second place
Chelsea
2021-22: Third place, 74 points.
The skinny: Coming off a Champions League title in 2021, the Blues got off to a strong start and was on top of the table heading into December. Thomas Tuchel’s side would win just two of its next nine games but maintain its spot in the top three. The biggest trouble came off the field, when Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich was forced to give up control of the club amidst financial sanctions following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The sale to an American-led consortium was finalized in May.
Biggest change: Signed Raheem Sterling from Man City and highly rated defender Kalidou Koulibaly from Napoli to help cover for some key free-agent departures.
Big question: Can Chelsea get some consistency from their attack with Romelu Lukaku headed back to Inter Milan?
Prediction: Fifth place
Tottenham Hotspur
2021-22: Fourth place, 71 points.
The skinny: After chasing manager Antonio Conte over the summer and being rebuffed, the Italian finally signed on to replace Nuno Espirito Santos, who was just four months into a two-year deal. Harry Kane and Son Heung-min once again led the attack, combining for 40 of Tottenham’s 63 goals in the Premier League and 51 of Spurs’ 85 goals in all competitions.
Biggest change: Continued to fortify the roster, adding Richarlison, Ivan Perisic and Yves Bissouma.
Big question: Can the taskmaster Conte lead Spurs to their first silverware since 2018?
Prediction: Third place
Arsenal
2021-22: Fifth place, 69 points.
The skinny: The rebuild and youth movement in the Emirates continue to move along with promising developments. With Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Emile Smith Rowe, Arsenal has no shortage of young guns. There will surely be growing pains, but this is a team that’s talented enough to contend for a spot in Europe and only get better.
Biggest change: Brought in some championship pedigree, signing Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko from Man City.
Big question: Can the Gunners improve enough to jump into a Champions League spot, or are they stuck in Europa League for another season?
Prediction: Sixth place
Manchester United
2021-22: Sixth place, 58 points.
The skinny: Another season of turmoil on and off the field led to another season without silverware at one of the world’s most famous clubs. Cristiano Ronaldo’s return wasn’t enough to move the needle, Bruno Fernandes took a big step back, captain Harry Maguire was a source of constant (mostly earned) criticism, Marcus Rashford all but disappeared and Mason Greenwood was arrested in January on suspicion of rape and sexual assault.
Biggest change: Ex-Ajax manager Erik Ten Hag takes over after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was sacked 12 games into the season and his replacement, Ralf Rangnick, didn’t win many players over with his pressing style.
Big question: Is Ronaldo going to stick around and is he going to be happy with another season out of the Champions League?
Prediction: Fourth place
West Ham United
2021-22: Seventh place, 56 points.
The skinny: After nearly being relegated in 2020, the Irons have bounced back with two solid seasons in a row, including a trip to the Europa League semifinals earlier this year. English winger Jarrod Bowen has emerged as a real star, contributing 12 goals and 17 assists for the East London club last season and should be set for a World Cup call-up this fall.
Biggest change: Appears to be on the verge of signing Frankfurt star Filip Kostic after signing Italian striker Gianluca Scamacca.
Big question: Can manager David Moyes’ boys make another run in Europe?
Prediction: Seventh place
Leicester City
2021-22: Eighth place, 52 points.
The skinny: It has been a while since the Foxes shockingly won the Premier League in 2016, but the team hasn’t sunk too far in the standings and remains entrenched in the top half of the table. With Jamie Vardy getting on in years, much of the attacking burden has fallen on potential England World Cup call-ups James Maddison and Harvey Barnes.
Biggest change: Agreed to sell long-time goalkeeper and captain Kasper Schmeichel in order to ease the club’s financial woes.
Big question: How long of a leash does manager Brendan Rodgers have if the team falls off the pace?
Prediction: 10th place
Brighton & Hove Albion
2021-22: Ninth place, 51 points.
The skinny: Despite their ninth-place finish – the club’s highest ever in the Premier League – the Seagulls actually under-performed in terms of analytics, posting the league’s seventh-best xG and sixth-best xGA overall. Brighton was an incredibly streaky team in 2021-22, at one point going winless in 11, then unbeaten in seven before losing six straight.
Biggest change: Sold key holding midfielder Yves Bissouma and wing back Marc Cucurella could also be on the way out.
Big question: Can these analytical darlings once again find a spot in the top half of the table?
Prediction: 13th place
Wolverhampton Wanderers
2021-22: 10th place, 51 points.
The skinny: Not much changed last season with Bruno Lage taking over for manager Nuno Espirito Santo, as Wolves still had plenty of difficulties in attack. The midlands club scored just 37 goals, the fewest of any team that wasn’t relegated. Thankfully, their strong defensive play kept Wolves in games, with their 43 goals allowed the fifth-fewest in the Premier League.
Biggest change: Released defenders Roman Saiss and Marcal, who combined to play 49 games for Wolves last season.
Big question: How can Wolves improve their goal-scoring output without sacrificing their defence?
Prediction: Ninth place
Newcastle United
2021-22: 11th place, 49 points.
The skinny: Newcastle fans finally got their wish last year when despised owner Mike Ashley finally sold the club. But, in true ‘monkey’s paw’ fashion, the Magpies were bought by Saudi-led consortium, bringing plenty of money along with other issues. The team started splashing some cash in the January window, which helped pull it out of a relegation battle and eventually led to a comfortable mid-table finish.
Biggest change: Brought in England international ’keeper Nick Pope and Dutch defender Sven Botman to beef up the defence.
Big question: Who will be the first true big-name addition to land at St. James’ Park?
Prediction: Eighth place
Crystal Palace
2021-22: 12th place, 48 points.
The skinny: New manager Patrick Vieira brought an immediate level of consistency to the oft-overlooked London club, picking up points in 10 of its first 12 games and also leading the Eagles on a run to the FA Cup semifinals. Wilfried Zaha once again led the attack, while getting plenty of help from Chelsea loanee Conor Gallagher. Last summer’s additions of Joachim Andersen and Marc Guehi provided a big boost on the back line.
Biggest change: Will be without the services of Gallagher, who won’t be sent out on loan to Selhurst Park.
Big question: How well will Palace handle a tough start to the season, facing Arsenal, Liverpool and Man City in three of its first four games?
Prediction: 11th place
Brentford
2021-22: 13th place, 46 points.
The skinny: After scrapping through the first half of the season, things really started to buzz for the Bees after taking a chance on free-agent playmaker Christian Eriksen in the January window. Eriksen hadn’t played since suffering heart failure on the pitch during the previous summer’s Euros, but showed he still had it, helping to spark Brentford to seven wins over its final 11 games.
Biggest change: Signed former Burnley captain Ben Mee on a free transfer to anchor the back line.
Big question: How will the Bees cope with the inspirational Eriksen moving on to Man United?
Prediction: 19th place
Aston Villa
2021-22: 14th place, 45 points.
The skinny: After selling talisman Jack Grealish for $150 million and spreading the cash around on several new faces, the midlands club took a step back after 2021’s impressive 11th-place finish. A five-game losing streak saw manager Dean Smith sacked and Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard hired in November to help right the ship.
Biggest change: Signed Philippe Coutinho to a permanent deal after his successful six-month loan spell.
Big question: Can Stevie G fully turn this once-proud club around, like he did in Scotland with Rangers?
Prediction: 12th place
Southampton
2021-22: 15th place, 40 points.
The skinny: Manager Ralph Hasenhuttl enters his fifth season in charge of a Saints team that has been fairly mediocre under his watch. The Saints finished 15th for the second season in a row, but weren’t in too much danger of relegation despite winning just one match in the final three months of the season. At least they avoided suffering a 9-0 defeat for the third season in a row.
Biggest change: Has already spent a reported $77 million to bring in six new players.
Big question: Will the Saints be able to land Man City starlet Liam Delap, either on loan or a permanent deal?
Prediction: 16th place
Everton
2021-22: 16th place, 39 points.
The skinny: Everton is one of just six clubs to play every Premier League season, but that is starting to be put to the test. The Toffees finished just four points out of a relegation spot and are likely to be in the same scrap again this season. Their 21 losses last season were third-most in the league. Manager Frank Lampard has his work cut out for him and it won’t be easy with this depleted squad.
Biggest change: Sold Richarlison, the team’s leading scorer, to Spurs and have yet to reinvest the money.
Big question: Can Dominic Calvert-Lewin stay healthy and return to his once-promising form?
Prediction: 17th place
Leeds United
2021-22: 17th place, 38 points.
The skinny: The Lily Whites needed a win in their final game to avoid relegation after a season full of injury woes and a complete defensive collapse. Leeds allowed 79 goals, a mark only better than last-place Norwich City’s 84. Well-liked, long-time manager Marcelo Bielsa was sacked in February and replaced with Jesse Marsch, who helped right the ship down the final stretch.
Biggest change: Sold star Brazilian winger Raphinha to Barcelona for a reported $77 million.
Big question: Can Leeds get back on track and find the form it had in 2020-21, when it finished ninth in the EPL?
Prediction: 14th place
Fulham
2021-22: First place in League Championship, 90 points.
The skinny: The Cottagers are back in the Premier League after lighting up the Championship, scoring an eye-popping 106 goals and posting a +63 goal differential – 28 better than the next-best club. Aleksandar Mitrovic scored an astounding 43 goals and had broken the previous Championship record of 30 by mid-February.
Biggest change: Sold playmaking starlet Fabio Carvalho to Liverpool and replaced him with Man United castoff Andreas Pereira.
Big question: Can Mitrovic make it work in the top flight? He scored just three goals in 27 games during Fulham’s 2020-21 campaign.
Prediction: 15th place
Bournemouth
2021-22: Second place in League Championship, 88 points.
The skinny: The Cherries are back in the Premier League after two years and will look for another extended stay like their previous tenure. Bournemouth had the Championship’s best defence, allowing just 39 goals in 46 games, and was second-best in attack, potting 74 goals.
Biggest change: Former England international defender Gary Cahill left the club after making 22 appearances last season.
Big question: Will Scott Parker’s second shot at managing in the Premier League go better than his first, when he was relegated with Fulham?
Prediction: 20th place
Nottingham Forest
2021-22: Fourth place in League Championship, 80 points.
The skinny: After winning the “richest game in football,” Forest seems intent on spending the money it earned from gaining promotion to the Premier League. The club has brought in far more talent than its fellow promoted sides, highlighted by the reported $26-million fees it spent on striker Taiwo Awoniyi and ex-Liverpool defender Neco Williams, as well as signing Jesse Lingard.
Biggest change: Landed Man United GK Dean Henderson on loan after ex-No. 1 Brice Samba left for RC Lens in France this summer.
Big question: Will the Tricky Trees be able to plant roots in the Premier League after returning to the top flight for the first time this century?
Prediction: 18th place