Premier League Season: Looking Ahead | OneFootball

Now that this damned International Break is over, we can finally get back to the real soccer business: league play. My colleague the Qooligan argued that because I love the World Cup so much I should probably pay more attention to the qualifying, but no. The break is a horrific interruption and an emotional strain.

This is Hooligan Soccer’s third (and final) piece of our Premier League review of the initial third of the season. Three and three, very evenly balanced. We asked our PL-focused writing team for the Best So Far, and the Worst So Far. And in this piece we look ahead.

Who will be the surprise transfer in the Winter window?

Kobbie Mainoo started in the Euro 2024 final for England less than a year and a half ago, he has earned just one more cap since then. The midfielder has made just one start for Manchester United this season – in their humiliating League cup exit against Grimsby. With him unable to find a role in Ruben Amorim’s system, and the World Cup fast-approaching, the 20-year-old will surely be searching for an exit this January. His talent is evident, and it would not be a surprise to see the Carrington graduate to join one of United’s Premier league rivals this Winter. — Stan Smith

Marc Guehi to Liverpool. The Reds need to sure up at the back and after such heavy expenditure in the summer, what’s one more signing? — Japtej Ghura

I’m not sure it will definitely happen mid-season, but I could see there being more Saudi Pro League interest in Mo Salah. It has long been on the cards and perhaps he could be tempted given Liverpool’s demise. — Dan Bennett

This is a double transfer here but Richarlison to Everton and Iliman Ndiaye to Spurs. Tottenham are in desperate need of creativity in attack and Ndiaye has excelled in the Premier League so far this season. Although this is very unlikely it could be a deal that helps Spurs start scoring freely. Richarlison still has a soft spot for Everton and he has  struggled to find form so far this season in a Spurs shirt, going back to his former club could help him reignite his form. — Nayan Murthy

Ivan Toney back from Saudi. Does that count as a surprise? He’d be great for Tottenham. — Nick Callow

Who will be relegated?

None of our crew deviated from the trifecta of Wolverhampton Wanderers, Burnley and Leeds United on this question. Regarding early season bumblers West Ham and Nottingham Forest, most made comments similar to this one from Stan: “The spending power and experienced managers of [those two] should be enough to ensure their safety.”

Which team(s) should excel during the Crucible?

For those unfamiliar, the Crucible is that six-week period between the International Break and New Year. We’ve written an explainer article.

Man City. They have struck a rich vein of form and their fixtures are favourable. Until the fourth of January, their only real challenge is against Real Madrid in the Champions League. They now look like the main title contenders to Arsenal. — Japtej Ghura

Despite not looking entirely convincing, Chelsea have made a strong start to the season and find themselves third in the table. With talisman Cole Palmer set to return and their squad remaining unaffected by Afcon, Enzo Maresca’s side should improve across the festive period. — Stan Smith

Liverpool have to use this favourable run of fixtures to kick start their season and I think they will. — Nick Callow

Manchester City will be buoyed by their 3-0 win over Liverpool prior to the break and will know they have to keep winning to put the pressure on Arsenal at the top. They’ve got some very winnable games in that spell too. — Dan Bennett

Arsenal will excel during this period due to their squad depth. The games run thick and fast during this period and Arteta’s ability to rotate his side with quality players will make sure that they drop as few points as possible. — Nayan Murthy

Which teams will stumble?

I worry a bit for Arsenal, despite predicting them to win the league. They resume at home to Tottenham and have tricky trips to Villa, Chelsea and Bournemouth coming up – not to mention Harry Kane and Bayern Munich in the UCL. Fault to beat Tottenham and it could be a testing time. — Nick Callow

Chelsea. The Blues have a famously horrid Winter record, almost every year, and I don’t see it being any different this year. They face Barcelona, Arsenal, and Manchester City in this period and how they fare will be a good test of where they are at. But they also consistently struggle against the smaller teams. — Japtej Ghura

Unfortunately I don’t think Sunderland’s current form is sustainable and I think there will be a drop off. This is no criticism given how well they have already done but it would be surprising for them not to slip down the table at some point. — Dan Bennett

Sunderland, after a fast start, the fast run of games against quality opposition will be too much for Regis Le Bris’ men and they will struggle to compete. — Nayan Murthy

Perhaps an obvious answer, but Sunderland’s exciting form will shortly take a hit across the festive period. The Black Cats have been brilliant so far on their return to the Premier League but Afcon will hinder them severely. Regis Le Bris will lose seven of his players to the international tournament and their early season form will prove unsustainable. — Stan Smith

Who’s the next manager to be sacked?

I don’t think he should be but if Newcastle’s struggles continue, they could well opt for a change by sacking Eddie Howe. It would be incredibly harsh though given what he has already achieved at the club. — Dan Bennett

Scott Parker, he has been given a tough task in trying to keep this Burnley side up and I think that they will look to move to a Premier League proven manager in the latter stages of the season in a bid to salvage a spot in the top division. — Nayan Murthy

Ruben Amorim. Despite some recent good form, back-to-back draws against Forest and Tottenham have soured the mood. They face tough tests against Everton, Palace, West Ham and Wolves in the next four games, and Amorim has a difficult job in continuing to convince United fans that he is the man for the job. Most still want him gone. — Japtej Ghura

Daniel Farke led Leeds to the Championship title with 100 points last season, only to be immediately hit with questions surrounding his future. Whilst he ultimately remained in his post, the German is once again under fire. Leeds have picked up some good results at home but they could find themselves in real trouble when tougher opposition come to town. — Stan Smith

It would not surprise me if Leeds part ways with Daniel Farke by the turn of the year if results go against him. I don’t think they should get rid, but suspect they will. — Nick Callow