My 2021-2022 Premier league predictions: who will finish where?

(Photo by Michael Regan – The FA/The FA via Getty Images)

The Premier League is back and once again comes the age old question, who will finish where?

I attempted that age old question last season and to be honest I didn’t get on too badly.

I expected City to regain the title and for Fulham and West Brom to be relegated which all came to fruition.

what I didn’t expect however was for West Ham to gain a European spot and for Sheffield United to unexpectedly drop down to the Championship.

How did I come to make those predictions, check out my predicted table for last season below!

Team	Actual position	My prediction	Difference +/-
Manchester City	1st	1st	0
Manchester United	2nd	4th	-2
Liverpool	3rd	2nd	+1
Chelsea	4th	3rd	+1
Leicester	5th	7th	-2
West Ham	6th	13th	-7
Tottenham	7th	5th	+2
Arsenal	8th	6th	+2
Leeds	9th	14th	-5
Everton	10th	9th	+1
Aston Villa	11th	16th	-5
Newcastle	12th	11th	+1
Wolves	13th	8th	+5
Crystal Palace	14th	17th	-3
Southampton	15th	10th	+5
Brighton	16th	18th	-2
Burnley	17th	15th	+2
Fulham	18th	20th	-2
West Brom	19th	19th	0
Sheffield United	20th	12th	+8

But enough on last seasons predictions, it’s all about the present.

This season is shaping up to be one of the best in recent years and I cannot wait for it to kick-off.

Will their be any shock European or Champions League places up for grabs? Can the Championship newcomers avoid the drop? Who will win the League?

All this I will answer and more. So without any further distractions, here are my predictions for the Premier league 2021-22 season.

Where will your team finish?

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It’s a toss up as to who will finish last in the Premier league this season but my bet is on Watford.

After being relegated just a season ago, Watford instantly bounced back to the Prem finishing second in the Championship, however they didn’t really blow me away despite their profitable campaign.

The signings of Josh King and Danny Rose will certainly boost the Hornets hopes of remaining a Premier League team next season but I just don’t think they can overcome the quality of some of the other teams also trying to avoid the drop.

Can they stay up? Anything is possible, but I’m not holding out much hope for them.

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Last seasons championship winners Norwich will be keen to abolish their reputation of being a yo-yo club after consecutively being promoted and demoted from the Premier League in their last few campaigns.

Sadly for them however, their reputation will stay intact this season I feel.

The Canaries do have some good players such as Todd Cantwell and Teemu Pukki but their defence always seems to struggle against the likes of Premier League forwards.

They have been fairly active in the transfer market signing experienced Burnely defender Ben Gibson and promising midfielder Billy Gilmour on loan among six other recruits.

Are those recruits enough to keep them up?

I back Norwich not to finish rock bottom as usual but with a pretty poor defence, I don’t see much chance of Premier League survival for them and I feel as though Norwich will be many pundits favourites for the drop.

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This was a really tough choice but in my last relegation spot I’ve gone for Burnley.

When you look at teams fighting to avoid relegation they always have that one big game changing player. For Palace it’s Wilfred Zaha, for the Saint’s it was Danny Ings for Brighton it’s Neal Maupay, for Norwich it’s Teemu Pukki and so on.

For Burnley however it’s the man off the pitch who usually saves them.

Sean Dyche has done a phenomenal job at Burnley with a very small budget to work with and he looks set to struggle with funds yet again this season after signing just one outfield player so far, a 20-year-old defender.

And that’s not even really a troubled area for them, what Burnley are really crying out for is a striker after a pretty pitiful goal tally of just thirty-three goals last season.

Usually I would back the veteran manager to keep the Clarets up but after a disappointing last campaign and no signings in sight, I think Burnley are in big trouble this season.

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After missing out on promotion to the Premier League in their 2019-20 campaign, Brentford bounced back to win the play-offs and earn themselves a spot in this seasons Prem roster.

It’s the first time the Bees have ever made it to the Prem and I don’t think they will simply be a flash in the pan.

Brentford have a pretty solid squad going into their first campaign with the likes of Bryan Mbeumo, Josh Dasilva, Rico Henry and of course Ivan Toney.

The English striker had the most goals of any player in the four division of English football but the big question remains, can he do it in the Premier League?

I don’t see Brentford replicating the wonders of Leeds but I also don’t think they will be going straight back down. Their biggest asset will be their offence with boss Thomas Frank promising his side will “attack the Premier League” (which in my view is the right way forward to Prem survival) and in pre-season they have looked pretty tough to beat.

Survival is in sight for the Bees.

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Brighton were my third candidates to go down last season, so what has changed my mind to thinking they will stay up this campaign?

Two words, well actually a name. Graham Potter.

The former Swansea City manager was not given great expectations when he came to the club last season but he has got the Seagulls playing some pretty scintillating stuff pulling off masterful results against Liverpool, Tottenham, West Ham and even Manchester City.

If Brighton can replicate some of their performances last season, I think they should be pretty confident in staying up this season.

Can Potter once again wave his magic wand for the Seagulls?

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The Eagles could be a dark horse this season but at which end of the table?

Holding onto Wilfred Zaha will be crucial for them as he looks set to stay yet again amid rumours of his departure.

Not only do Palace look set to hold onto their main man Zaha but they have also added to their ranks with exciting creative midfielder Michael Olise and Euro 2020 semi-finalist, Joachim Anderson.

However, with inexperienced manager Patrick Veria at the helm I’m thinking it will be a bottom half finish for Palace and the ex-Arsenal ace may well be the first manager for the chopping blocks.

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(Photo by Matt Watson/Southampton FC via Getty Images)

The Saints will be looking to bounce back from their disappointing campaign last season after finishing fifteenth in the league and I think that’s exactly what they will do.

After such a disappointing season it was inevitable that some of the Saints stars would be snapped up by other clubs and sadly for them it did with main man Danny Ings leaving for Aston Villa just a week or so ago.

However, Ralph Hasenhüttl seems determined to hold on to creative outlet James Ward-Prowse and has just recruited Championship goal scorer Adam Armstrong to replace the likes of Ings.

At times last season Southampton were linked with a shock European place after a strong start but they simply fell off towards the second half of the season.

If they can find that form from last season and hold on to ward-Prowse, I think they will be well clear of a relegation battle this season.

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It’s hard to say which Wolves we will see in this upcoming season, will they challenge for Europe? Will they settle for midtale mediocrity? Could they even get relegated?

You could really argue any of those scenarios (although relegation would be a big stretch) with Bruno Lage leading Wolverhampton into a new campaign.

The ex-Benfica manager has some big shoes to fill after Nuno Espirito Santo’s success as manager but he seems not to be phased.

The Portuguese manager has already added Jose Sa to fulfil Rui Patricio’s departure between the posts and has recruited exciting young talent Francisco Trincoa on loan from Barca.

Addionaly he will welcome the return of deadly striker Raul Jimenez who will feel like a new signing after he spent most of last season on the side-lines with a fractured skull.

Wolves’ will be one of those dark horse’s for next season and while I don’t see them getting back to their best and challenging for Europe, I see them having a pretty solid campaign.

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It looked almost certain as though Magpies’ manager Steve Bruce was destined for the sack at the latter stages of last season but here he remains ready to lead his Geordie lads through another campaign.

Newcastle remain the only team so far yet to sign a first team player but that all could be set to change with Arsenal’s Joe Willock, who spent the majority of last season playing for the Magpies, linked with a £25,000,000 move to the club.

Other than that however I don’t see any major ingoing’s through the stalls at St James Park.

The Toon Army can’t be too disheartened however with starlet Allan Saint-Maximin and talisman Callum Wilson set to start the season with no injury woes.

They certainly won’t set the Prem alight and they may well be stuck in a relegation scrap at times this season but overall I think Newcastle with settle for a mediocre twelfth place finish.

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(Photo by Tony McArdle/Everton FC via Getty Images)

It must be a strange time at the moment for the blue Merseyside fans of Everton. One minute you are being saved from relegation out of nowhere by one of the world’s best managers Carlo Ancelotti, the next your club has controversially appointed a manager who once led your harshest rivals to the glory of Silverware.

Weird right?

Whatever the controversy of Rafa Beneitez’s appointment you can’t deny his managerial CV, and that’s a fact (if you know you know).

Despite a quiet transfer window, the lack of big money signings shouldn’t worry the Blues.

They already have a very capable squad with the likes of primed goal scorer Dominic Calvert-Lewin, powerhouse Abdoulaye Doucouré, silky Brazilian Richarlison and midfield maestro James Rodriguez, however the Columbian ace looks set to be left out of the Spaniard’s plans.

Everton could certainly exceed my expectations but I think considering the form of the other sides around them it will be next season that they truly get back to being top European contenders.

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(Photo by Tony McArdle/Everton FC via Getty Images)

leeds’ emphatic return to the Premier League last season was something truly spectacular, at times they were my favourite team to watch.

They also seem to be very meticulous about making any signings this window and with Marcelo Bielsa in charge that’s no surprise. Of course, that’s not to say they haven’t made any good signings.

The Whites secured the signature of well sought after left-back Junior Firpo and convinced Jack Harrison to make his loan move permanent earlier this summer after a terrific individual campaign last season.

The thing about Leeds though is that they do not need big money signings, really the cub is full of fairly average players, besides the likes of Kalvin Phillips, who just work phenomenally hard under the careful watch of Bielsa.

The Argentinian is the reason Leeds’ are they way they are, without him I do not feel their current team could achieve what they did last season.

Leeds tendency to throw caution to the wind when it comes to defending will be a worry of course but with their goal scoring capabilities I think they can afford to do that.

Where will they finish? Im not totally sure but I’m predicting at least a top table finish.

One things for certain however, they will be fun to watch.

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How will Villa fair without star man Jack Grealish? Controversially I’m thinking just fine.

While the departure of Jack will dishearten the Villa faithful, they have already welcomed exciting winger Leon Baily, Championship star Emi Beundia and goal guarantee Danny Ings .

Dean Smith will likely add further to his squad as the window nears it’s end but already his squad are shaping up for a good season.

I see Villa in the mix for a European place but come the end of the season I think they will drop off to a ninth place finish, realistically Villa would settle for that.

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What a job David Moyes had done at the London Stadium, how he did not earn himself manager of the season I will never know.

How will his lads fair this season however?

It is hard to say, the excitement of a European campaign may turn sour if their Premier League form is to drop and the West Ham boardroom do not look overly keen to add to their ranks with only one first-team player signed so far this window, a goalkeeper.

They are linked with Serbian defender Nikola Milenković, striker Divoc Origi and another defender in Kurt Zouma but who knows if they will get over the line.

On paper the West Ham eleven is one that is very strong with the likes of world class talent Declan Rice, who Moyes will be desperate to keep a hold of, the explosive (however injury prone) Michial Antonio and Said Benrahma who has had a stunning pre-season.

But will their lack of depth harm them and their Premier League placement? I do worry that.

While the lack of transfer will surely worry the Claret and Blue army, just remember what happened the last time they spent little in the summer, they finished sixth in the league.

Nobody expected the Irons to achieve what they did last season but I don’ think they will replicate it. Their squad is too small and I think Arsenal and Tottenham will have gotten their acts together for this campaign.

Still just as the season prior they could surprise me and I’m more than willing to eat humble pie on this one.

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(Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

Times are not encouraging for the Gunners at the moment and I’m not sure they will be heavily improving anytime soon.

They certainly have the potential, especially since adding young gun Ben White to their defensive ranks for a controversial £50,000,000. Add him to the already present Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Bukayo Saka, Emille Smith-Rowe and the solid Gabriel, you have the makings of a very good squad.

However, individuality aside, Arsenal do not perform especially well as a team.

Is this the fault of inexperienced manager Mikel Arteta? The Arsenal fans seem to think so.

Perhaps with time however Arsenal could get back to playing the football we know them to be capable of. I don’ think that will be this season however as they look destined to the lows of a European conference finish.

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(Photo by Tottenham Hotspur FC/Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty Images)

Spurs’, much like Arsenal, aren’t living up to their reputation at the moment after securing just a place in the Europa League Conference during last season.

Of course whether they can better that this season will depend on whether Harry Kane remains at the club, I can’t imagine the turmoil Tottenham will be in with his departure.

Manchester City have already torn away one faithful club legend this Summer, will they do it again with Harry Kane?

Regardless of the Kane situation however, Nuno has at least attempted to sort the defensive issues with Christain Romero arriving from Atalanta. He has also bolstered the midfield with Bryan Gill and is currently looking to add another attacker to his squad.

Will he be reunited with the likes of Raul Jimenez or Adama Traore?

Spurs will be a big “what if this season” and their success may hinge on whether Kane will be wearing a white shirt this season.

Maybe controversially however I think that even with his departure they are at least capable of a sixth place finish.

However, some serious work needs to be done in the transfer window should Kane leave for that to happen, work I expect the Portuguese manager to get done.

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The Foxes once again narrowly missed out on a Champions League spot last season and I feel as though they will do the same this season.

Brendan Rodgers’ men have been quite something over the last few season as they look to cement themselves into a top force in the top flight of English football.

Not to mention the fact they have now finally grabbed their first piece of silverware under Thai owners Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha and just like waiting for a bus, you wait for one and then two come at once with the Foxes’ grabbing a Community Shield along with their FA Cup victory.

Even with the welcomed additions of Striker Patson Daka and powerhouse midfielder Boubakaray Soumare however, I feel they are still not quite at the levels of the likes of Liverpool, Manchester United, City and now Chelsea.

With a couple more signings though, don’t be shocked to see me predict them fourth in the coming years.

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(Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

After waiting thirty-years to win a Premier League title you would think the Reds would put on a decent title defence but they did no such thing last season, they were pretty lucky to get even a Champions League place.

Normally I wouldn’t make excuses for a team but you have to feel for Liverpool after they were completely ravaged by injures last season. Players integral to the title winning side of 2020, Virgil Van Dijk, Fabinho, Joe Gomez, Allison, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Jordan Henderson were all out for periods of the season.

I’m not letting them totally off the hook however, despite mainly having defensive issues all season the Reds had a lot of issues upfront even with Mo Salah netting week in week out.

Their home supremacy also came to an end, many a time last season, which is a large reason as to why Liverpool pull off the results they did in their title winning season.

Could they mount a title challenge this season?

I don’t really think so. I think the arrival of sole summer signing Ibrahim Konate and the resurgence of their injured players will be a big boost to Liverpool but I just think it’s a little premature for them to be thinking of a title challenge considering how far ahead Chelsea, Manchester United and City have gotten in Liverpool’s absence.

A top four finish will certainly be in sight for the the Reds however.

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Chelsea looked dead and buried under former Chelsea legend Frank Lampard but have been totally transformed with the arrival of tinkerer Thomas Tuchel.

The German manager has already led the Blues to two pieces of Silverware and not just any silverware, a Champions League trophy. Their first since 2012.

Their team is in great shape at the moment too, especially with the immanent arrival of Romelu Lukaku. The Belgium striker looks set to return to his former club and to the Premier League in a deal which could eclipse £90,000,000.

I think Chelsea are still a fair few signings away from mounting a title challenge despite the overwhelming amount of people expecting Chelsea to even win it.

That doesn’t mean I don’t expect them to have a good season however and they could shock me with a second place finish but I think that will go to a different team.

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(Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images)

I never really backed Ole Gunnar Solskjær to do well at Manchester United and I’m still not sure if I do but you can’t argue how well he has done since taking over at Old Trafford.

The former club legend has done what the likes of Lampard, Arteta and Parker couldn’t in finding success at a former club.

Yes he hasn’t managed to find any silverware quite yet but he looks keen to earn some. I also think he has bought really well with signings Bruno Fernandes, Harry Maguire, Edison Cavani and Aaron Wan-Bissaka all becoming integral parts of the team.

Will the long sought after signing of Jadon Sancho follow suit?

He certainly has the quality to but he won’t be hitting the ground running as Ole will look to bleed the English international into the team. The immanent arrival of Raphael Varane will also add solidness to the defence.

They achieved a second place finish last season and I think they will do it again. They are only really one world class CDM away from a title challenge but they are not quite there yet.

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(Photo by Matt McNulty – Manchester City/Manchester City FC via Getty Images)

I just can’t look past Manchester City as this years Prem champions.

After a lacklustre title challenge during the phenomenal season in which Liverpool won their first title, City were back in style last season absolutely walking the league.

I think this season could be won in a similar fashion, especially with the signing of record purchase Jack Grealish. The 25 year-old had a brilliant Euros and Prem campaign this year and being around the likes of Kevin De Bruyne, Riyad Mahrez and Ilkay Gundogan will only enhance the Englishman’s talent.

The Sky Blues chances of winning the league will be all but confirmed if they are to secure the signing of Harry Kane although I’m not sure how likely that is to happen.

With the departure of club legend Sergio Aguero, Guardiola will be keen to at least secure a striker before the end of the window but either way I don’t see anyone who can best the Spaniards team this season.

It could be years until a team will properly challenge Manchester City for the Premier League and it certainly won’t be this one.

So, introducing your Premier League champions for the 2021-22 season, Manchester City.

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Thanks for reading. Where do you think your team will finish? Who are the potential dark horses for this season? Comment below and subscribe to never miss a post