Below I have made my EPL predictions for this season 2016/17 on where I think the top 10 will finish. Check out my previous post on Champions League predictions.
First – Chelsea
They still have the basis of the team that won them the Premier League title two seasons ago. With a new manager in charge along with big name signings. With zero distractions of European Football, they can concentrate on the league which is what helped Leicester City do the impossible last season.
Second – Manchester United
Jose Mourinho is a man out to prove a point that his Chelsea sacking was incorrect and he is still the best manager in the world. He has bought well over the summer and Mourinho always does well in his first year in charge at any club he has managed. With the signings of Pogba and Zlatan the team has now got star quality and leaders, that have missed over the last few seasons.
Third – Manchester City
Most sports bookmakers and free bets tips sites have Manchester City the favorites to be crowned champions at the end of the campaign. I think that it is going to be the closest race for the title we have ever seen this season. It is Pep Guardiola’s first time managing in the EPL and I think he is in for a shock. If they can keep star striker Sergio Aguero fit for a full season, they will win the league. The chances of that happening with his track record are not very good, though. They are the sports bookmakers favorites and will be backed by most.
Fourth – Tottenham Hotspur
Spurs had their chance last season and blew it but this season they have added much-needed depth to key areas. No longer is Harry Kane the sold striker or Eric Dier the only high quality holding midfielder. I think playing in the Champions League and competing for the title at the same time may be too much for Pochettino’s high energy demanding displays to last the distance to win the league.
Fifth – Liverpool
If Liverpool can play as well against the poorer teams in the league as they can against the big boys, they would be competing each year for the title. Klopp has had half a season to know which players to keep and which to go which is a big advantage over the new Manchester managers. He is able to buy the players that suit his style and if he gets them bonded together quickly they may be a surprise package.
Sixth – Arsenal
Something is not right at Arsenal, the fans are always in the dooms when their team consistently finishes in the top four. They expect to win the title and believe that Wenger is starting to hold the team back from their true potential. They should take a look at what has happened to Manchester United when Ferguson retired and enjoy always competing at the top. If they do finish out of the top four, it will surely be the end of the Wenger era.
Seventh – Everton
Everton has shown promise but never been able to deliver consistently. Their season depends on them keeping star striker Romelu Lukaku. They should sell John Stones for 50 million to Manchester City and use that money wisely in key areas.
Eighth – West Ham
West Ham was impressive last season and the manager has formed a fighting spirit there. With the move to the new stadium, it will be interesting to see if that affects home results. If they keep their star players and improve slightly on last season, they are a great outsider to pick. I always look for free bets sites to put money on them to win as you know they are in with a chance no matter who they play and their odds are better than the big boys of the league.
Ninth – Leicester
Last season everything went Leicester City’s way, if the ball hit the post, it would end up in the back of the net. The gave their all and managed many last-minute goals which helped them to win the league. They will have too many distractions from their success last season and playing in the Champions League for the first time will hamper their all action premier league displays.
Tenth – Stoke
Mark Hughes has done a good job at Stoke but they are one of the many teams that play in the EPL that is inconsistent. Last season they beat almost all the top sides but lost points to teams which they should have been beating. I think the same will happen again this year which is why they will end up mid-table.
