Hayters season predictions: Who we think will win the league, get relegated, be the Footballer of the Year and MORE | OneFootball

The new Premier League season is here, and the Hayters team have cast their predictions on the title race, relegation battle, Golden Boot, Player of the Season, as well as the domestic cups.

Here’s what we think will happen this year…

Dan Bennett

Top five: Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United

Arsenal will win the league in much more straightforward fashion than last season. They have the strongest squad in the division and have improved again this summer. Chelsea should benefit from having no European football and drastically improve under Xabi Alonso, while Manchester City look set for a season of transition.

Relegation: Coventry City, Ipswich Town, Hull City

Hopefully at least one of the promoted teams can stay up. Coventry should mount the best survival bid, but I think all three will find the step up too great.

Top scorer: Erling Haaland

Who else?

Biggest surprise: Leeds United

They have had a strong summer of recruitment and I fancy them to be in the mix for Europe.

Footballer of the Year: Declan Rice

The midfielder was in the mix last year before losing out to Bruno Fernandes. He might have a slow start to the season following a gruelling past year, but will fire Arsenal to another title.

FA Cup: Chelsea

With no European football, Chelsea can give more priority to the cup competitions and have a squad deep enough to compete on multiple fronts.

League Cup: Arsenal

They lost in the final last season but will go one better this time.

Dan Wales

Top five: Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City, Liverpool, Manchester United

Good news for fans of the European Super League, with five of its founding members finishing in the top five places in the Premier League. After challenges to the established order in recent years from Newcastle United and Aston Villa, normal service is resumed.

Relegation: Ipswich Town, Coventry City, Hull City

The phenomenon of all three promoted clubs going straight back down to the Championship is, unfortunately, becoming a common occurrence in the Premier League, such is the financial gap between the two divisions.

Ipswich have previous experience in the top flight and will come the closest to remaining, but Coventry and Hull are likely to fall very short.

Top scorer: Erling Haaland

Manchester City are likely to have an ‘off season’ by their standards as they go through a major transition both on and off the pitch, but Erling Haaland will remain as robotic as ever in his ability to score goals. Who can possibly stop him?

Biggest surprise: Tottenham struggle again

I don’t believe Tottenham Hotspur will be in the colossal mess they were last season, with the fiery pit of relegation warming their feet. However, for the money they have spent this summer, some of their signings have been slightly underwhelming. A season of mediocrity awaits.

Footballer of the Year: Declan Rice

Buoyed by what some have described as a slightly underwhelming World Cup on a personal level, Declan Rice will have a standout season, being the driving force that fires Arsenal to another title.

FA Cup: Newcastle United

Matthias Jaissle is a “rock star” and a “winner” according to Newcastle United CEO David Hopkinson, and this could be where he proves it. Certainly, this is a prediction that could go badly wrong, but such can be the luck of the draw in the FA Cup. You simply never know. Fortune favours the brave.

League Cup: Chelsea

Chelsea have come close to winning the League Cup on a couple of occasions in recent seasons, with Liverpool twice preventing them at Wembley. This time they will get over the line to give Xabi Alonso his first title in charge of the Blues.

Nazira Yusuf

Top five: Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur

I honestly can’t see anyone matching the Gunners this season. If their Community Shield fixture against Manchester City was a blueprint for what’s to come, they will definitely be hard to stop.

They won’t walk away with it, though, as it is the Premier League and winning it back-to-back is never straightforward, as Liverpool discovered last season.

Relegation: Sunderland, Hull City, Ipswich Town

Sunderland were tipped to go down by many last season, myself included, but they were so good, exceeded expectations and even secured European football. However, that is one of the key reasons I think they’ll go down this time: they don’t have the squad to cope with European football.

Of the three promoted teams, Frank Lampard has Premier League experience both as a player and manager, while Coventry look like the side most capable of beating the drop. In reality, it would be nice for Lampard to silence his critics and prove he can manage at the top level and sustain it. Hull and Ipswich will be relegated.

Top scorer: Alexander Isak

He may not have had the debut expected of a £125m player at Liverpool last season, with various fitness issues, but this could be the season he delivers. With a full pre-season under his belt and a World Cup with Sweden ahead, as long as he remains fit throughout the campaign, Liverpool have enough quality to supply him with the goals and show why they paid such a hefty fee.

Biggest surprise: Newcastle United avoid relegation

So many injuries, a new manager and the departures of midfield engine Bruno Guimaraes to Arsenal, Sandro Tonali to Spurs and Anthony Gordon to Barcelona could leave Newcastle struggling. With few incomings and mixed pre-season results, the signs are there that they could have a difficult campaign. I think they’ll just about survive.

Footballer of the Year: Declan Rice

FA Cup: Arsenal

Arsenal have the squad depth to do the double, which they nearly achieved last season. I think that will give them the motivation to aim for more than just the Premier League this campaign.

League Cup: Liverpool

Only Liverpool have won the competition more times, with 10 League Cup triumphs, and I think they will start the Andoni Iraola era with a trophy. After such an underwhelming campaign last season, starting a new era with silverware would not be a bad thing.

Stan Smith

Top five: Manchester City, Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester United

Retaining a Premier League title is seldom as simple as it looks on paper, and it is a feat that has only been accomplished by Sir Alex Ferguson, Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola.

Arsenal have signed some top players and continue to pursue more, but it takes more than that to remain at the top, as Liverpool discovered last season. Still, with every other top team in transition, the Gunners will enter as big favourites.

Nevertheless, after coming up short last term and losing multiple high-profile players, Manchester City’s remaining world-class talents will have a point to prove. Enzo Maresca’s side remain somewhat of an unknown quantity, but if they find a winning formula quickly, they can go all the way.

Relegation: Sunderland, Ipswich Town, Hull City

After massively overachieving last season, the burden of fixture congestion with European football could prove costly for Sunderland.

Ipswich Town have the added benefit of experience, but their squad looks no stronger than during their last stint in the division. Meanwhile, Hull City simply do not have the quality to compete in the Premier League.

Top scorer: Erling Haaland

Already one of football’s biggest superstars, Erling Haaland’s fame reached new heights with his exploits in the United States over the summer. The Norwegian fired home seven World Cup goals at an incredible strike rate on his debut on football’s greatest stage, proving that he will score goals anywhere and everywhere.

Barring injury, the Premier League Golden Boot should remain in his hands for the foreseeable future.

Biggest surprise: Manchester United’s troubles return

Michael Carrick was able to steady the ship at Old Trafford in the second half of last season and led United to a top-three finish. Despite that, across his period in charge, results have often flattered mediocre performances.

The manager does not have the credentials of his predecessors, with a promising start to his only other job at Middlesbrough soon fizzling out.

Still, the biggest challenge for United this season will be their return to a busy schedule. The Reds had the luxury of playing the bare minimum 40 games last campaign, the least of any Premier League side. With at least eight Champions League fixtures added to that total and at least a few more expected, a sharp reality check is incoming.

Footballer of the Year: Erling Haaland

Although it can be overlooked, Haaland’s ridiculous goalscoring record means he will almost always be a worthy candidate for the award.

FA Cup: Arsenal

After getting across the line last season, the Gunners should kick on and claim more silverware this campaign. The most successful side in the history of the FA Cup could continue their love affair with the competition.

League Cup: Manchester City

Both of City’s last two managers kicked off their tenures by claiming the League Cup in their maiden campaigns. Maresca will look to follow suit.

Gerry Cox

Top five: Manchester United, Arsenal, Manchester City, Liverpool, Aston Villa

Michael Carrick turned United around last season and can make them a real force this year.

Relegation: Hull City, Newcastle United, Fulham

Newcastle have been in decline for over a year, while Fulham will struggle without Marco Silva.

Top scorer: Erling Haaland

Again.

Biggest surprise: Tottenham avoid relegation

A top-half finish is realistic with a good manager and some good signings. They could finish in the top five if they sign a top number nine.

Footballer of the Year: Erling Haaland

Votes usually go to goalscorers.

FA Cup: Manchester City

Not quite title challengers, but City are always good in the cup.

League Cup: Arsenal

Compensation for failing to retain their league title.

Dan Ludlam

Top five: Chelsea, Manchester United, Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester City

With no European distractions, Chelsea will do what they did under Antonio Conte in 2017 and go from 10th to the title.

A good blend of experience and youthful exuberance, combined with a manager who has won a league title in one of Europe’s top five leagues, is the perfect recipe for a season of success at Stamford Bridge.

United will continue their strong showing under Michael Carrick and push Chelsea all the way, while Arsenal will suffer a drop-off in form and momentum to finish outside the top two.

Tottenham and Manchester City complete the top five.

Relegation: Hull City, Fulham, Crystal Palace

Hull will fail to acclimatise and struggle from the outset. Fulham’s slow decline over recent seasons will eventually see them succumb to relegation after losing some key players, while a summer of upheaval at Crystal Palace and another European campaign will see the surprise relegation of the Eagles.

Top scorer: Joao Pedro

Key additions and a vibrant attack will see Joao Pedro score bundles of goals to lead Chelsea in their quest for the title.

Biggest surprise: Coventry City

Frank Lampard will lead Coventry to a comfortable mid-table finish, with only a brief flirtation with the relegation places.

Footballer of the Year: Cole Palmer

A rejuvenated Cole Palmer will be unleashed by Xabi Alonso and fire Chelsea to their first league title in a decade.

FA Cup: Aston Villa

Unai Emery will deliver silverware on the domestic stage with Aston Villa.

League Cup: Manchester United

A strong season for Michael Carrick will see United secure a top-two finish and a trophy.

Nick Callow

Top five: Arsenal, Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester United

Arsenal have not defended the title since the 1930s, but that changes this season as they win it in style.

Despite missing out on a couple of key transfer targets, they still have one of Europe’s best and deepest squads, now strengthened by the experience and know-how to match their outstanding ability and attention to detail.

As predicted here before, Mikel Arteta is emerging as a generational managerial talent.

Relegation: Sunderland, Hull City, Ipswich Town

Sunderland were so good last season but will struggle to cope with European football. Of the three promoted teams, only Coventry look like they have the quality to beat the drop this time. Hull and Ipswich will be blown away again.

Top scorer: Erling Haaland

The Norwegian is the best striker the Premier League has ever featured and will break all records if he stays around long enough.

Biggest surprise: Tottenham avoid the relegation battle

I was so wrong when I tipped Tottenham to finish mid-table or better last season and surely cannot be so wrong again. I fancy a solid 10th-place finish this time now they have a half-decent manager and are spending money for the first time in recent memory.

Footballer of the Year: Martin Odegaard

If, and it is a big if, the Arsenal and Norway captain can stay fit, there are few better creative players in the Premier League. His performance against Manchester City in the Community Shield was the perfect example of what he can do this season.

Had Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka been fully fit coming into the season, he might have a rival at his own club.

FA Cup: Arsenal

Arteta and his players want more than one trophy and maybe they are due a double. The club has achieved it three times and not since the great Arsene Wenger side of 2002. The French coach rated that as his most talented squad, so Arsenal have a lot to live up to.

League Cup: Manchester City

It is what City do, and perhaps a trophy for new coach Enzo Maresca can get the engine running at full steam again in this latest iteration of the Abu Dhabi Express.

Nayan Murthy

Top five: Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur

Arsenal are the best team in England; I struggle to see past them as the winners.

The rest of the top five is harder to predict. Spurs and Chelsea both missed out on Europe and have improved their sides this summer, so I am expecting better performances from both.

Manchester City are in a year of transition; their midfield is undergoing a complete overhaul and Pep Guardiola has left after a decade in charge.

I also have high hopes for Liverpool, who have a lot of quality but struggled to make it click last season.

Relegation: Fulham, Hull City, Ipswich Town

If the Championship had been decided by expected points last season, Hull would have come second bottom, and yet they are now in the Premier League as play-off winners. I find it difficult to see them riding that luck again, however.

Fulham are my shock team to go down. Losing Marco Silva and Harry Wilson in one summer is a big blow. Ipswich are my third team to go down.

Top scorer: Erling Haaland

He is the best goalscorer in the league by a long way.

Biggest surprise: Newcastle improve

As much as the Newcastle side have been gutted this season with Sandro Tonali, Bruno Guimaraes, Anthony Gordon and Eddie Howe leaving, I think they will be a surprise package.

They have recruited a lot of young talent, including the particularly impressive Sean Steur from Ajax. Although I don’t think they will be as high up as in seasons past, they could finish in the top 10 this year.

Player of the Season: Bukayo Saka

Saka struggled with injury last year, but he will be back this season. With Noni Madueke and Max Dowman able to take more of the load, he will be able to play fewer minutes but contribute more quality in those times.

FA Cup: Tottenham Hotspur

Spurs have recruited well this summer and look much more stylish than last season. Without European football, I think they will be able to go far and win the FA Cup.

League Cup: Chelsea

Chelsea will be the best of the rest next season after Arsenal, and much like Spurs without their European football, they will be able to claim a trophy under Xabi Alonso.

Japtej Ghura

Top five: Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur

Arsenal look by far and away the best team in the league. Their 3-0 demolition of Manchester City in the Community Shield only serves to prove that point.

City have enjoyed success for years, but it may be their turn to sit on the sidelines now that Pep Guardiola has departed. I expect Xabi Alonso to do well at Chelsea, with only one game a week to contend with.

Relegation: Coventry City, Hull City, Ipswich Town

It would be a shame for all three promoted teams to go down, as has happened in previous years, but I can’t see any other outcome.

None of the three have upgraded their squads sufficiently, and the gap between them and the other teams should prove too big.

Top scorer: Erling Haaland

Mohamed Salah has left the Premier League, and Arsenal don’t have a player capable of winning the Golden Boot. This award is Haaland’s to lose.

Biggest surprise: Tottenham do well

They have recruited well, De Zerbi is a top manager, they have one game a week and, apart from Arsenal, there are no outstanding teams in the league. Tottenham should have a good season. Finally.

Player of the Season: Gabriel Magalhaes

A boring pick, but I can’t see there being one outstanding player this season. Salah has gone, and I think Manchester City will struggle a bit, so it won’t be Haaland.

I expect it to be an Arsenal player, and big Gabriel is as consistent as they come.

FA Cup: Manchester United

United have recruited nicely, and I expect a season of relative calm for them. Michael Carrick is very composed and just gets on with his business. I think United will do the same.

League Cup: Chelsea

They won’t be ready to win the Premier League, but they can definitely be the best of the rest after Arsenal. They could do with a domestic trophy win. Their recent Wembley record is appalling.