1) Who wins the league? Arsenal. Process of elimination, City and Chelsea will suffer after that CWC farce, I'm expecting a good few injuries for both clubs (Colwell has already done his ACL) and Liverpool have too many new faces to bed. It always takes time for players to learn what sort of runs their teammates make and what way they track back etc. those minor differences cost you a split second and over a season that's a few points. That leaves Arsenal, assuming Goykeres is actually half decent and players coming from Portugal have a questionable record (Bye bye Darwin Nunez) then Arsenal should bag a few more goals and that should get them a few more points. Add that to the points Pool drop and I think they'll nick it.
2) Who comes second? Tricky, it all depends on what affect the CWC has on City and Chelsea, though the fact Chelsea have a 600 man squad probably mitigates that somewhat. I'll be optimistic and plump for Pool
3) The other two (or three) CL qualifiers, in order. CIty and Chelsea. The top four are a step up from the rest, bar mass injuries etc.
4) The three sides relegated from the PL. Jesus, the usual 'any of 6 or 7'. The three who came up must be favourites. Brentford have lost their manager, their 2 main strikers (assuming Wisa goes) and their captain, Norgaard, not sure on Keith Andrews as the new boss. Bournemouth have lost 3 of their back 4 and the keeper has gone. Palace could lose Eze, and Geuhi. Have Wolves have lost Cunha and have they signed anyone? I think Bournemouth and Palace will be fine, they may not do as well as last year but I don't see them going down. Brentford could struggle, a lot depends on the new boss. I'll go for Burnley, I don't think that superb defence holds up in the PL, Sunderland, too many new signings, and Wolves. Although hopefully it's Utd, City and one of Chelsea/Everton
5) Team that massively exceeds expectations. Fulham, cos they haven't lost anyone and are a fairly solid side. Cue them going down.
6) The team that manages to be worse than shite, despite having a solid squad. Do Utd qualify here? Can their squad be called "solid"? Actually, with no european footy they should be ok. Spurs might struggle, but they came 16th last year, so not sure that counts either. If Newcastle don't manage to sign a striker, CL footy and no one to put the ball in the net could shaft them. Or, Brentford for the reasons above.
7) Top scorer in PL Haaland
8) Top assister in PL Salah
9) First manager sacked. A lottery this one, Amorim could be in trouble if Utd start badly, and they have a tricky start to the season. Something about Potter at WH doesn't seem right. Then any manager whose Board start to worry about relegation, Andrews at Brentford or the 3 newly promoted sides. I'll go with Andrews.
10) FAC winner City
11) Worthless Cup winner Arsenal
12) CL winner One from six, City, Arsenal, Pool, Barca, Real, PSG. I'll say Barca
13) CL runner up City
14) EL winner Roma or Villa (depending how they are after the window closes)
15) UEFA Conference winner If they can keep their players, Palace have a great shout at this.
16) The signing of the summer **** knows
17) The biggest waste of money of the summer A season ticket at OT ;-) Probably one of the big money strikers, Ekitike, Goykeres, Cunha, Muembo etc. If history is anything to go by, anyone at Utd.
18) Last team to lose a game City
19) Last team to win a game (please be Utd) Utd, hopefully. They have a tough auld start.
20) Random predictions. City's 115 charges to be unresolved come June. Trent to be amazed that the Real fans give him dog's abuse when he starts phoning in the defensive performances after a few weeks. Konate to run down his contract and join Trent at the world's most hateful club.
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