Premier League 22-23 Predictions
By Jim James
The Premier League season is just around the corner, and so is prediction season. I’ve been trying to wait as long as possible for all the transfers to happen, but the start of the season has come early this season, leaving just under 1 month still remaining in the window, and combine that with the removal of the English Transfer Deadline, and I will make a September Premier League Predictions based on the early parts of the season, and the full list of transfers that have happened. Now, let’s begin!
20: Bournemouth
When you go to the Premier League, you need to be prepared. Take it from West Brom in 2020-21 and Watford in 2021-22, you need to make signings, and that is something Bournemouth have failed to do. Only one signing for money, being Marcus Tavernier from Middlesborough, having also brought in a shell-of-his-former-self Ryan Fredericks and Joe Rothwell. This season will hit Bournemouth like a train and they will go down dead last, getting less than 30 points.
19: Everton
A Shock, I’m sure. Hear me out though. They lost Richarlison, their best player, and brought in Ruben Vinagre, as well as James Tarkowski and Dwight McNeil. Three players whose Premier League confidence is down the drain, and soon they’ll look like regular Everton Rotational Players. James Tarkowski will have the same effect as Jannik Vestergaard at Leicester last season, and Dwight McNeil will be at least 2nd choice by week 5, being benched by Anthony Gordon, Demarai Gray, or Alex Iwobi, and Ruben Vinagre will be one of those players you forgot even played for Everton in 5 years. This season will see the death of the Merseyside Derby as Everton won’t be able to financially recover from relegation, and in a severe case, might even go the way of Derby or Bolton, or worst case, Bury FC.
18: Leeds
Why, Jesse Marsh, why? He just spunked the money from Raphinha and Kalvin Phillips on his countrymen, Red Bull players, as well as Luis Sinisterra, a player who screams Alireza Jakanbakhsh, and a version of Marc Roca who is much less than his Espanyol days, but the only player who I see doing well, as well as MAYBE Darko Gyabi. The perfect player was right there though, in Hakim Ziyech. He is low priced at an 8m asking price from Chelsea, and would be the best man to lead Leeds’ rebuild, and would have something to prove after his Chelsea failure. Little risk, high reward. But they didn’t do that, and so I will have to predict relegation.
17: Leicester City
Right now, it would be criminal to suggest that this is even a possibility, but they have signed absolutely NO ONE. The first actual transfer in or out was announced yesterday as Kasper Schmeichel joined Nice for 1 million, making their #1 Danny Ward and having little money to find an adequate replacement. They are also set to lose Wesley Fofana, Youri Tielemans, and James Maddison this month, and might be forced into panic buys that won’t turn out. Caglar Soyuncu will jump ship in January, which could force Leicester in a CB partnership of Jannik Vestergaard and Jonny Evans, who will then be 35, Harvey Barnes will have a terrible season which will cement his status as an almost big money signing, and the two bright spots will be Patson Daka and Wilfried Ndidi, who will leave in Summer 2023.
16: Wolves
Their main cast isn’t getting any younger, and with Ruben Neves on his way out seemingly, there will be a dreary attitude in the dressing room with no new faces, and an injury crisis, they will fall. Bruno Lage will be out by the World Cup, and they will sleepwalk to barely survive in May.
15: Southampton
Prepare for a BATTLE, Southampton, but if you survive, many riches lay ahead. The theme of The Saints’ summer was clear: Youth. They brought in 2 Man City gems in Gavin Bazunu and Romeo Lavia, as well as 20-year olds Sekou Mara and Armel Bella-Kotchap. Perhaps the most influential arrival, however, was Joe Aribo from Rangers. He scored a beauty in pre-season and was key in Rangers’ run to the UEL final last season. These signings may not fit right in to the Premier League style right away, but it should be enough for survival and good improvement going into the upcoming seasons at St. Mary’s.
14: Brighton
Despite the losses of Yves Bissouma and likely Marc Cuccurella with not much in replacement putting Brighton in the relegation battles of most, I think that this team will work together very nicely, as well as all the dumpster fire teams this season will get them comfortable mid-table and secure survival by Late March.
13: Nottingham Forest
They’ve made some really savvy signings in my opinion. Jesse Lingard, Taiwo Awoniyi, Nuno Da Costa, Orel Mangala, Neco Williams, Dean Henderson, and Omar Richards will all do well, thrusting this team to Brentford and Sheffield United heights. I’m very excited to see this historic team finally back in England’s top flight.
12: Brentford
The loss of Christian Eriksen will be felt in this side, but this Brentford team have really pulled some signings out of the bag here. Thomas Strakosha will be the most under-the-radar good signing of the season, Aaron Hickey looks really good, and Ben Mee will be their best CB this season. They’ll play a solid defensive style and finish mid table, no second-season-syndrome for them.
11: Crystal Palace
AMAZING KITS by the way. However, the signings are unremarkable, just gap-fillers left by departures, and it will be an unremarkable, boring season as they finish just bottom half.
10: Fulham
“What? Is this guy ok?” is what you’ve probably said or thought about this prediction, but hear me out. They’ve got many good youngsters in Palhinha, Manor Solomon, and Kevin Mbabu as well as a good right now player in Bernd Leno. Who knows, he might follow the route of Emi Martinez. They are looking good.
9: Aston Villa
Speaking of looking good, Aston Villa are on a mission, it seems. They’ve made 3 statement signings in Philippe Coutinho, Diego Carlos, and Boubacar Kamara, with minimum departures, and pair that with an already good team, and you’ve got a team with a great shot at glory.
8: West Ham
Gianluca Scamacca. That’s the sentence. With no huge departures, West Ham have done nothing but improve this summer and Scamacca will be a huge part of it. He will be one of the signings of the season, score around 15 goals, and cement his place in the Italian National Team. Nathan Aguerd is a good signing as well, and Alphonse Areola, in his 3rd PL season, should be even better. They will just miss out on Conference League Football.
7: Man Utd
They’re going nowhere this season, whether they have Ronaldo or not. It was a disappointing transfer window, and it seems hard to see a bright future ahead for United. Their signings will be disappointing, maybe a bounce back season for a few, but overall nothing to cheer about. 23-24 will see Conference League football for the Red Devils.
6: Spurs
Again, I know. Spurs are said to be the breakout team of the year, but I don’t see the hype. They just signed Richarlison, Yves Bissouma, and Ivan Perisic. With all the improvement above them, I can’t place them any higher than here.
5: Newcastle
They were in the top 4 in 2nd half of the season form, and didn’t lose anyone big while brining in Nick Pope and Sven Botman. More signings are definitely on the way as well. The 1st half of the season they’ll be top 8, but as the big teams recoil from the World Cup, Newcastle will thrive. They’ll jump 3-4 spots and end up 5th, still a fair way from Champions League Football though.
4: Chelsea
Chelsea have improved somewhat, but it is just the greatness of the top 3 that push them this far down. The top 4 will be miles above the rest, and the season of Chelsea and 3rd place won’t be that interesting after March, just a rivalry for 3rd. It will be a good season for Chelsea nonetheless.
3: Arsenal
Almost every signing will flourish. Gabriel Jesus will prove himself to be one of Brazil’s best. Pretty much everything will click for Mikel Arteta’s side this season as they win Europa League and finish 3rd in the Premier League. Gabriel Jesus will score 25, Bukayo Saka will get 15 assists, Aaron Ramsdale will get 10 saves, and the defense will have a season like no other. They will be back.
2: Man City
No, don’t click off the article, I know that you think I’m mad and will get this all wrong, but hear me out. Man City will be up by about 10 or so points near the end and have a deep UCL run. Because of that, they will rest players and drop points. It will be like a race where the person in front thinks they’ve already won so starts jogging toward the finish while the 2nd place person sees their chance and starts sprinting towards it and just pips the person in front at the last moment.
1: Liverpool
While they have a slow start, Liverpool will start charging toward City in 2023. Mohamed Salah, having missed the World Cup, will do wonders, score 6-7 goals and win POTM as the Reds get 4 points back. They’ll slowly close the gap until Final Day where they just get by City. It will be a thrilling end to the season.
Aaand we’re done. In May when I look back at these, I’ll either look like a Genius or an utter fool. I can’t wait to look like an utter fool. I’m Jim James, until next time.