Premier League Preview - Part 2

Last weekend saw Man City stomp Chelsea to win the Charity Shield, today is the last day of the transfer window and tomorrow the first game will kick off. So, with less than 36 hours to go, here is Part 2 of my Premier League preview. Below I run down the teams from Leicester to Wolves and give my (ill-informed) predictions for the year ahead.

Don't forget to check out Part 1 for the lowdown on AFC Bournemouth to Huddersfield.

One more sleep people, one more freakin' sleep...

Image, Salah Image, De Bruyne Image, Long

LEICESTER CITY
What now then for Leicester City? Champions in 2016, nearly relegated the year before and now searching for an identity. The simple truth is that Leicester are not a top-six club, in fact, they are probably not even top eight. Foxes fans need to accept this fact otherwise disaster could lie ahead.
Last season - 9th
Prediction - 11th

LIVERPOOL
Jürgen Norbert Klopp's (yes his middle name is Norbert, who knew?) team would have finished higher than 4th last season were it not for the distraction of the Champions League. The German is building something at Liverpool and the addition of a world-class goalkeeper will only make them stronger. The fans are desperate for a title win but they are going to have to wait at least one more year.
Last season - 4th
Prediction - 2nd

Norbert.

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MANCHESTER CITY
Not much to say about the Champions. They will improve although not as much as the teams around them, I mean how much room is there to improve on last season. The league will be a tighter affair and they will most likely do better in the Champions League... could this be the year that Pep wins the lot?
Last season - 1st
Prediction - 1st

MANCHESTER UNITED
Mourinho has painted himself into a corner. His second season normally produces a league title and yet last year came and went with triumph never looking likely. With Man City atop the pile and strong challenges expected from Liverpool and Spurs, it will be difficult for United to hold on to the runners-up spot. Surely, only the title and more expansive football will keep the critics quiet, I can't see United providing either.
Last season - 2nd
Prediction - 4th

Will Jose cheer up this season? Probably not.

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NEWCASTLE UNITED
Of last seasons promoted trio, Newcastle managed to survive with the least amount of fuss. Rafa Benitez is doing a great job at a club that still steadfastly refuses to back him properly in the transfer market. While Newcastle will be OK in the mediocre surroundings of the Premier League's bottom half, their biggest problem might be keeping hold of the manager if bigger, better-financed teams come calling.
Last season - 10th
Prediction - 10th

SOUTHAMPTON
Four signings have been made and very few tears will be shed by fans for the players leaving the club. The biggest name to go is Dusan Tadic, fantastic on his day but his day arrived much too infrequently for a player of his talents. Of the new arrivals the gigantic centre-back, Jannik Vestergaard from Borussia Monchengladbach, looks the most crucial. Can he fill the huge Virgil van Dijk shaped hole in the defence? Mostly, considering Saints are unlikely to rise above the average, I want the kids to get the chance to shine this season. Matt Targett, Josh Sims, Sam McQueen, Harrison Reed, Sam Gallagher have all served long apprenticeships and deserve the chance to stake a claim for first-team football. Is Mark Hughes (OUT) the right manager to do this? I seriously doubt it.
Last season - 17th
Prediction - 12th

It's time for Josh Sims (Simsy) et al to be given a chance at Saints.

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TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
The first season at new White Hart Lane will be a huge one for Spurs. All the big players have stayed on board and Mauricio Pochettino himself signed a new long-term deal earlier in the summer. The big danger area is right up top where there is still no alternative for Harry Kane, Deli Alli or Christian Eriksen. An injury to one of these three would leave the side desperately short of goals and that could mean an untimely slide down the table. Spurs though should consolidate and if they can keep hold of the stars again, next season could be something special.
Last season - 3rd
Prediction - 3rd

WATFORD
Meh. Watford are a basket case. Regular managerial changes might work if you have players of Chelsea's calibre but it can't keep working for Watford. This season will be a tough one at The Vic but there should be three worse teams, just about.
Last season - 14th
Prediction - 17th

WEST HAM UNITED
Will West Ham ever feel at home in the London Stadium? Will the supporters keep fighting amongst themselves? Will Karen Brady continue to tweet about TV programmes she is on while the football club she runs is playing important Premier League fixtures? To be honest I don't really care but god bless West Ham for always being entertaining, one way or the other.
Last season - 13th
Prediction - 13th

Will the London Stadium ever feel like home for the Hammers?

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WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS
Plenty of dosh, a great manager, a style of play perfect for the Premier League. Wolves will be fine and pundits everywhere will paint them as the season's surprise package. However, given the appalling standard outside the top six or seven clubs, I would be more shocked if they failed to make the top ten.
Last season - 1st (Championship)
Prediction - 9th

Pos	Team	Comments
1	Man City	Just too strong even with the main focus elsewhere.
2	Liverpool	Just pipped to top spot, another strong season.
3	Spurs	Consolidation for a big push next term.
4	Man Utd	Not good enough, new man in charge next season.
5	Arsenal	Unai steadies the ship, Europa League glory.
6	Everton	Silva shines, as good as it gets for The Toffees.
7	Chelsea	Lucks runs out on the Abramovich revolving door.
8	Crystal Palace	Comfortable for Palace but a long way from 7th.
9	Wolves	This years not so surprising surprise package.
10	Newcastle	Imagine what Rafa could do at this club with a few quid to spend
11	Leicester	Foxes fans frustrated but mid-table is about right.
12	Southampton	Average, mediocre, Hughes out, Howe in, PLEASE
13	West Ham	Decent season but fans not happy. When are they ever though?
14	Burnley	No danger, Europa League quarter-finals.
15	Fulham	Nervy first season back but safe with few to go.
16	Brighton	Another edgy season, team spirit wins through.
17	Watford	More managerial chopping and changing.
18	Bournemouth	A bitter pill but big things ahead for Eddie.
19	Huddersfield	Lucky to have a second season, won't get a third.
20	Cardiff City	Warnock not up to the task, never in doubt.