Forest RELEGATED, Arsenal CHAMPIONS? Revisiting our start of season predictions | OneFootball

The halfway point of the Premier League season has now passed, with some big surprises so far.

Nottingham Forest are in an unexpected battle for Europe, Man City have slipped out of the title picture and Manchester United are worse than anyone thought.

With that in mind, the Hayters TV team have revisited our start of season predictions and made some new ones based on what we’ve seen so far…

Dan Bennett

Top four: Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea, Man City

Original prediction: Arsenal, Man City, Tottenham, Liverpool

I had Arsenal winning the league at the start of the season and while still a possibility, I would be surprised if Liverpool do not win it from here. Chelsea have been better than expected and I’m backing Man City to improve when they get players back fit.

Relegated: Ipswich, Southampton, Leicester

Original prediction: Ipswich, Southampton, Leicester

I’m sticking with my original prediction of the three promoted clubs to go down. Ipswich the most likely of the three to avoid the drop.

FA Cup winners: Arsenal

Original prediction: Man City

I had Man City winning the FA Cup but given their recent struggles, I’m changing my prediction to Arsenal.

Golden boot: Erling Haaland

Original prediction: Erling Haaland

Much has been made of Haaland not being at his best but he has still scored 14 goals this season. While he trails Salah by three at the moment, I think he will do enough to win the golden boot again.

Footballer of the year: Mo Salah

Original prediction: Bukayo Saka

I had Saka winning this but his recent injury has probably ruled him out of that. Mo Salah is the obvious choice now.

Gerry Cox

Top four: Liverpool, Man City, Arsenal, Chelsea

Original prediction: Man City * depending on possible points deduction, Arsenal, Tottenham, Manchester United (Liverpool * if Man City have points deducted)

Relegated: Southampton, Ipswich, Leicester

Original prediction: Nottingham Forest, Ipswich, Everton *depending on possible points deduction (Leicester *depending on possible points deduction and Man City * depending on outcome of 115 charges)

FA Cup winners: Liverpool

Original prediction: Liverpool

Golden Boot: Erling Haaland

Original prediction: Erling Haaland

Footballer of the year: Mo Salah

Original prediction: Rodri

I could not have been more wrong about Nottingham Forest, tipping them for relegation, but I still think they will struggle to maintain their superb start, and finish outside the top four. Liverpool have exceeded expectations, not just from me but most pundits, and have been helped by City’s astonishing drop in form. Rodri’s absence means Mo Salah is well on his way to winning his third Footballer of the Year award, but I still tip Erling Haaland to overtake him for Golden Boot as City pick up after making key signings in January.

Nick Callow

Top four: Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea, Man City

Original prediction: Arsenal, Man City, Liverpool, Man U

Simply can’t see Liverpool maintaining such good form and fortune. Arsenal are well placed and will have Saka back fresh for the run in. Chelsea, United and City are the surprise packages this season, for different reasons. If Arsenal don’t make it third time lucky then they will next season.

Relegation: Southampton, Ipswich Leicester

Original prediction: Southampton, Ipswich Leicester

I have seen nothing to change my mind so far.

FA Cup: Newcastle Utd

Original prediction: Newcastle Utd

They have to win a trophy one season so why not this one when they have no Europe to weigh them down.

Golden boot: Mo Salah

Original prediction: Kai Havertz

Kai Havertz was my original choice but Salah is on 16 to his seven and is not going to catch him up now.

Footballer of the year: Martin Odegaard

Original prediction: Martin Odegaard

As stated at start of season – based on my prediction of Arsenal winning first title in 21 years it will be fitting that their captain is the best player.

James St Denis

Top four: Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea, Nottingham Forest

Original prediction: Arsenal, Manchester City, Tottenham, Liverpool

Liverpool’s season so far has been unbelievable. I did not expect them to be where they are but Arne Slot has come in and made them unbeatable. Chelsea have also impressed me alongside Nottingham Forest who I think will find a way to remain in the top four.

Relegated: Everton, Leicester, Southampton

Original prediction: Leicester, Southampton, Everton

Everton will do enough to not finish bottom but not enough to survive. They simply can’t find enough consistency. Southampton’s start to the season has been shocking, and a return to the championship is guaranteed.

FA Cup: Chelsea

Original prediction: Chelsea

Chelsea have two squads ready to play in different competitions. Their ability to ensure 85 per cent of their 25 man squad are match ready will be a big advantage.

Golden Boot: Mo Salah

Original prediction: Dominic Solanke

No surprise here. Salah has been nothing short of incredible this season, and I expect him to pick up the golden boot.

Footballer of the year: Mo Salah

Original prediction: Bukayo Saka

Salah has been by far the best player in the Premier League this season, hitting numbers that have not been seen before. If this is to be the Egyptian’s final campaign with the Reds, then he is going out in record breaking fashion.

Dan Ludlam

Top four: Liverpool, Man City, Arsenal, Chelsea

Original prediction: Man City, Liverpool, Man United, Arsenal

Liverpool’s title to lose from this position and it would take a catastrophic decline in form to not see them crowned champions in May. Still anticipating one of Man City’s winning streaks which will propel them into the top two but they’ve given themselves a lot of work to do. Arsenal and Chelsea to secure Champions League football.

Relegated: Southampton, Leicester, Ipswich

Original prediction: Leicester, Southampton, Nottingham Forest

Awful shout on Forest at the start of the season but the three promoted sides haven’t shown enough to survive another season. Ipswich have looked promising at times but cannot see them reeling in other teams to make a fight of it.

FA Cup: Liverpool

Original prediction: Liverpool

Remains the same. Arne Slot to complete a remarkable first season in charge at Anfield.

Golden boot: Mo Salah

Original prediction: Mo Salah

Leading the way at the moment and I expect him to stay there.

Footballer of the Year: Mo Salah

Original prediction: Rodri

Rodri’s long-term injury has been hugely significant, much like Mo Salah’s incredible form for Liverpool. He’ll rightly win Footballer of the Year.

Japtej Ghura

Top four: Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea, Man City

Original prediction: Man City, Arsenal, Liverpool, Tottenham.

Sticking with three out of my original four but Tottenham won’t make top four and with the form that Chelsea are in, despite a recent slip, they should make it in.

Relegated: Ipswich, Leicester, Southampton

Original prediction: Bournemouth, Southampton, Ipswich

Sad to be adding Leicester in to the mix as they are always a good watch and I like Ruud Van Nistelrooy, but there are serious holes in their squad.

FA Cup: Newcastle

Original prediction: Man Utd

The Magpies have been flying this season and with Alexander Isak in the form of his life, this feels like the year they could finally clinch silverware.

Golden boot winner: Mo Salah

Original prediction: Erling Haaland

I’d be fairly shocked if he doesn’t win it. Three goals ahead of Haaland at this stage, but Haaland looks short on confidence along with his teammates, whilst Salah is in red-hot form and fuelled by a potential new contract. Maybe even a Ballon d’Or charge…

Player of the year: Mo Salah

Original prediction: Rodri

I’m pretty confident he will win the Golden Boot, but I’m absolutely certain he will win player of the year. With 30 goal involvements in 18 games, he has been streets ahead of any other player in the league so far this season and I don’t see that changing in the second half of the season.

Arthur Ferridge

Top four: Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea, Nottingham Forest

Original prediction: Manchester City, Arsenal, Manchester United, Liverpool

After Liverpool’s firs half of the season, it is hard to see them finishing anywhere other than top. Similar can be said for Forest, who have shocked just about every pundit in the game by finishing 2024 in second, but I expect Arsenal and Chelsea to finish above them and secure European football.

Relegation: Southampton, Leicester City, Ipswich Town

Original prediction: Nottingham Forest, Brentford, Southampton

All three promoted sides being relegated for the second year running does not seem a terribly unlikely prospect. Southampton have a huge amount of work to do, while an uninspiring Leicester show little promise. Ipswich look most likely to survive, but Kieran McKenna’s men face a stiff opposition.

FA Cup: Chelsea

Original prediction: Chelsea

Despite staggering slightly over the festive period, there is nothing to suggest Chelsea will not be able to compete for silverware under Enzo Maresca this year.

Golden Boot: Mo Salah

Original prediction: Dominic Solanke

As Erling Haaland seems to have misplaced his shooting boots and Dominic Solanke struggled with injuries and consistency, the path is clear for Liverpool’s Egyptian King to claim another Golden Boot.

Footballer of the Year: Cole Palmer

Original prediction: Cole Palmer

Despite improving massively from last season, Chelsea still seem overly reliant on their star boy. Say what you want about what that means for the team, but it allows Palmer the license to continue shining.