The Onefootball Premier League 2018/19 season preview | OneFootball

The new season is almost here. Huzzah, right?

And you want wild predictions from the Onefootball newsroom that will almost certainly come back to haunt us next May, right?

Well lucky for you, we got the good stuff right here.

What are you most excited about for the new season?

Alex Mott: Seeing just how Manchester City top last season. It’ll be difficult to do, but if there’s one man who can, it’s Pep.

Dan Burke: It will be interesting to see how everyone copes with the transfer window closing before the season has started. I’m not convinced it’s a brilliant idea, especially since most other European leagues won’t yet be following suit.

Dima Markova: Erm, hello! Unai Emery at Arsenal, obviously. It’ll be the first Premier League season without Arsène Wenger in over two decades and I’m feeling melancholic, nervous and excited all at the same time.

Elliott Bretland: I think the transfer window closing early will be fascinating and could really knock clubs off their stride for months. Who will cope the best as Europe’s biggest sides circle for the Premier League’s top talent all the way through August?

Ian McCourt: I am rather giddy about seeing how Wolves compete at the top level. They were spectacular in the Championship last season and I think they have the potential to be dark horses for a European spot.

Lewis Ambrose: Maurizio Sarri’s Chelsea. His Napoli side became one of the most exciting in Europe and Chelsea should follow suit.

Phil Costa: José Mourinho bringing third season syndrome to Manchester United. His excuses and odd behaviour were there in parts last season but it’s in full flow this summer. Cue the meltdown.

Who or what will be the surprise of the season?

Alex Mott: Perhaps not wholly surprising, but I can see Wolves getting at least a top half finish this season. Keeping Ruben Neves and signing Rui Patricio could be enough for Europe.

Dan Burke: I have a feeling it could finally all come together for West Ham this season. I know we said this last year, but this time they have a genuinely good coach and have made some decent signings. I’m expecting a top half finish at least.

Dima Markova: Fulham! Fulham! Fulham! Craven Cottage is back on the map and it’s here to stay. Mark my words.

Elliott Bretland: Fulham could finish best of the rest in their first season back in the Premier League, they’ve bought exceptionally well (yes, even better than Wolves who shouldn’t be too far behind and Brighton who have excelled in the market).

Ian McCourt: Liverpool mounting a real title challenge. They have made some sensible additions to the squad, not too many of their players will be hungover from the World Cup and, best of all for them, they have sorted out their keeper situation.

Lewis Ambrose: Burnley are going to struggle big time after last season’s exploits. I think they may even emulate early 2000s Ipswich and follow up a trip into Europe with relegation.

Phil Costa: I’ve got a feeling Brighton will surprise a few people. They were really good towards the end of last season and their recruitment has been quietly impressive. Chris Hughton may not grab the headlines but he’s a manager I’ve got time for.

What definitely won’t happen?

Alex Mott: *extremely sarcastic voice* José Mourinho definitely won’t start making excuses as soon as City and Liverpool surge clear in the league.

Dan Burke: Manchester City won’t win at Anfield. They haven’t done so since 2003, and that won’t change this season.

Elliott Bretland: Everton won’t win at Anfield. They haven’t done so since 1999, and that won’t change this season. (Yes, the Toffees’ record on the red half of Merseyside is even worse than City’s appalling showing!)

Dima Markova: Anything can happen, but this definitely won’t: Premier League fans’ most hated club, Chelsea will not get relegated.

Ian McCourt: Fans getting treated better. Given all the money sloshing around the Premier League, why aren’t tickets cheaper? Why isn’t Premier League football more affordable? Why isn’t there more of a push for safe standing? Why are clubs charging kids to be mascots?

Lewis Ambrose: Nobody is going to pick up 100 points again. Not this season and probably not ever.

Phil Costa: Wolves getting investigated for their ‘specific’ transfer business. It may be done above board, but 13 signings over the last two summers are Jorge Mendes clients. Nothing fishy going on there whatsoever.

Who will be the signing of the season?

Alex Mott: I think Fabinho could be a brilliant addition to the Liverpool midfield, but outside the top six Mohamed Elyounoussi’s arrival at Southampton is a massive coup for them.

Dan Burke: Liverpool were a decent goalkeeper away from winning the Champions League last season and now, in Alisson, they’ve got one.

Dima Markova: Naby Keïta has finally arrived, ladies and gentlemen. Of all of Jürgen Klopp’s transfer business (most expensive goalkeeper in the world included), Keïta is by far the signing of the season not just for Liverpool, but for the whole league.

Elliott Bretland: Richarlison will vastly improve Everton’s left flank with his forward running, creativity and guile. His work-rate will be massive for the Toffees too. In July, many questioned his €55m price tag. In May, it should be justified.

Ian McCourt: “I am absolutely ecstatic to be here at Chelsea,” said Jorginho after joining Chelsea and the fans should feel the same way too. He is a tangible upgrade on all that they have and his style of play will be crucial to any success Maurizio Sarri enjoys at Stamford Bridge.

Lewis Ambrose: Naby Keïta is unbelievable, anyone who hasn’t seen much of him yet is in for a treat. An elite dribbler, a good passer, an eye for goal and the ability to cover ground like almost no other player in the world.

Phil Costa: Lucas Torreira posted Kanté-esque numbers for Sampdoria and Arsenal managed to sign him for €30m. Brings bite, but controlled bite to a midfield that’s lacked some for years.

What’s your favourite new jersey?

Alex Mott: I’m a big fan of Crystal Palace channeling Peru for their new away kit.

Dan Burke: It seems I’m in the minority on this one but I reckon Chelsea’s new home kit is pretty snazzy.

Dima Markova: I’m really loving West Ham’s new kits. The home jersey is in the club’s signature claret featuring a sky-blue neckline and cuffs with the classic Umbro diamond motif. The dark teal of the Hammers’ away kit is simply stunning … and everything Elliott said below.

Elliott Bretland: Leicester’s Adidas home strip is a thing of beauty and the gold trim against the blue shirt looks really cool. Shoutout, too, for Everton and those synonymous Umbro diamonds on the sleeve. Classic.

Ian McCourt: I really like the West Ham home kit with the blue trim on the sleeves. If loving that jersey is wrong, I don’t want to be right.

Lewis Ambrose: Easy, it’s the Watford home kit. Perfection.

Phil Costa: Newcastle’s away kit is a diamond. I’m a sucker for retro and I like how they’ve taken inspiration from their 1995/96 kit, but modernised it.

Who is going down?

Alex Mott: It’s going to be a case of Second Season Syndrome for Huddersfield and a division too far for Cardiff. And as an outside bet, I think Burnley could struggle having to juggle European football as well.

Dan Burke: I can’t see Cardiff staying up unfortunately, and I think this might be one season of top flight football too many for Bournemouth. I fancy Watford to struggle this season too.

Dima Markova: Huddersfield, Bournemouth and … fine then, Cardiff.

Elliott Bretland: Cardiff’s plan to sign Championship players for a Premier League campaign won’t suffice. Huddersfield lack the required quality too while I think Burnley could drop out of the division just a year after their own remarkable season.

Ian McCourt: Cardiff for sure, they just don’t have the right resources to compete at this level. I also think Southampton will struggle – Mark Hughes is not the manager he think he is. As for the last spot, that’s a tough one. Maybe Bournemouth? Or Brighton?

Lewis Ambrose: I got this really wrong last season so you can probably ignore me. Cardiff, Bournemouth, Huddersfield.

Phil Costa: Short and sweet: Bournemouth, Cardiff, Huddersfield.

Who will be the first manager to be sacked?

Alex Mott: Has to be Javi Gracia. You’d forgotten about him, hadn’t you? They’re trigger-happy as it is at Watford, but even more so when they’ve got a charisma vacuum in the dugout.

Dan Burke: My money would be on Gracia too, but these things rarely pan out as you’d expect so I’m gonna throw a wild shout out there: Mauricio Pochettino. He hinted towards the end of last season that there may be a bit of trouble in paradise and wouldn’t it be so Spursy for them to begin life at their new stadium with a caretaker manager in charge? Tim Sherwood is ironing his gilet as we speak.

Dima Markova: Gracia this, Gracia that. Let’s see how Roman Abramovich feels about Maurizio Sarri by Christmas time.

Elliott Bretland: I agree with the majority, Gracia will be the first to be pushed though if José Mourinho continues his bizarre behaviour, United might have his bags packed at The Lowry Hotel with a one-way ticket back to London waiting for him.

Ian McCourt: José Mourinho is already making all the right noises to indicate that the third-season syndrome is kicking in. Expect him to be back on Russian TV before Christmas.

Lewis Ambrose: We can’t all pick Gracia, can we? I’ll go for Mark Hughes – Southampton barely escaped last season after he came in and a weak start could see them pull the trigger.

Phil Costa: Rafa Benítez. There’s no way he lasts under Mike Ashley who has failed to back him (vocally and financially) since he stepped through the doors. It’s a shame because you could really feel something building at St. James Park last season.

Who is going to win the league?

Alex Mott: Manchester City. I don’t think it’ll be quite as easy as last season, but I can’t see anyone beating the current champions.

Dan Burke: Manchester City. They won’t get 100 points again and probably won’t be as dominant, but I don’t think anyone in the league has strengthened sufficiently enough to bridge the gulf between the reigning champions and the rest. I am worried about Liverpool, though.

Dima Markova: Wow. Everyone is betting on the Manchester clubs … *falls asleep*. I predict a season of the ultimate shocker, even bigger than Leicester City in 2016! Liverpool? Or dare I say, Arsenal?

Elliott Bretland: I really fancied Manchester United. I thought they amassed plenty of points for a team with obvious weaknesses last season and assumed they would improve and consistently pick up wins even when not at their best. Then Mourinho reminded me it’s his third season at Old Trafford with his typical meltdown and putdowns and it put me right off. So, yeah, City.

Ian McCourt: I bet against Manchester City last season and was made to look very, very foolish. That won’t be happening again. Or will it? Something tells me this could be Liverpool’s season and something tells me I will be made to look very foolish once again.

Lewis Ambrose: Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City. Liverpool will run them close this year – much closer than anyone did in 2017/18 – but the Citizens will come out on top again.

Phil Costa: Going with Manchester City again. A ridiculous squad that’s been topped up by Riyad Mahrez, is one year older, with title-winning experience under their belt, that will actually have a fully fit Benjamin Mendy!