Goal's writers make their Premier League predictions

Goal's writers make their Premier League predictions image

The waiting is over, and the 2017-18 Premier League campaign is finally upon us.

Though the transfer window remains open, with most if not all teams still looking to strengthen their squads, the season gets under way on Friday evening when Arsenal host Leicester City before the remaining nine fixtures take place over the weekend.

But who will be challenging for the title? Who will be the star names? And which teams and managers will be fighting to avoid the drop and the chop respectively?

Goal's team of correspondents and editors have had their say - but do you agree with their predictions? Have your say in the comments below!


PREMIER LEAGUE WINNERS


Antonio Conte Chelsea

Only one of our experts is backing Chelsea to defend their crown, with the majority believing that the Premier League trophy will be heading to Manchester one way or another. But could Arsenal cause something of a shock and finally get their hands back on the big prize without Champions Leage football to distract them?

Peter Staunton (Chief Correspondent): Arsenal

Chris Wheatley (Arsenal Correspondent): Arsenal

Nizaar Kinsella (Chelsea Correspondent): Manchester United

Sam Lee (Manchester City Correspondent): Manchester City

Paul Macdonald (English Language Editor): Manchester City

Mark Buckingham (UK Editor): Manchester United

Carlo Garganese (Head of Features): Chelsea


CHAMPIONS LEAGUE QUALIFIERS


Jurgen Klopp Liverpool

Despite finishing fourth last term, only a couple of our correspondents believe Liverpool will again secure a place at Europe's top table while some are also expecting Spurs's move to Wembley to have an adverse effect on their season. There are even some who believe Chelsea will go from champions to Europa League qualifiers in the space of 12 months!

Staunton: Manchester City, Chelsea & Tottenham

Wheatley: Manchester City, Manchester United & Liverpool

Kinsella: Manchester City, Chelsea & Liverpool

Lee: Chelsea, Manchester United & Tottenham

Macdonald: Manchester United, Tottenham & Arsenal

Buckingham: Manchester City, Chelsea & Arsenal

Garganese: Manchester City, Tottenham & Manchester United


RELEGATED TEAMS


David Wagner Huddersfield Town

Things do not look good for the three promoted sides, with the majority of our experts believing at least one of Brighton, Newcastle and Huddersfield Town will experience an immediate return to the Championship. It could be a tough campaign for Burnley, Watford and Swansea, too, based on our predictions...

Staunton: Swansea, Newcastle & Crystal Palace

Wheatley: Burnley, Watford & Swansea

Kinsella: Brighton, Newcastle & Huddersfield Town

Lee: Brighton, Burnley & Watford

Macdonald: Watford, Burnley & Huddersfield Town

Buckingham: Huddersfield Town, Burnley & Stoke City

Garganese: Burnley, Swansea & Huddersfield Town


TOP GOALSCORER


Harry Kane Tottenham

It seems like it could again be a straight shootout between Harry Kane and Romelu Lukaku for the Golden Boot, but could Alexandre Lacazette be the missing piece to Arsenal's jigsaw and fire them to the top?

Staunton: Romelu Lukaku

Wheatley: Alexandre Lacazette

Kinsella: Romelu Lukaku

Lee: Romelu Lukaku

Macdonald: Harry Kane

Buckingham: Romelu Lukaku

Garganese: Harry Kane


PLAYER OF THE SEASON


Kevin De Bruyne Manchester City

City and United players unsurprisingly dominate, with Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva and Lukaku all tipped for special seasons. But could Paul Pogba emerge from the shadow of his now former world record price tag and be the star many hoped he would become?

Staunton: Bernardo Silva

Wheatley: Bernardo Silva

Kinsella: Romelu Lukaku

Lee: Kevin De Bruyne

Macdonald: Kevin De Bruyne

Buckingham: Paul Pogba

Garganese: Harry Kane


BEST YOUNG PLAYER


Leroy Sane Manchester City

Despite being named the PFA Young Player of the Year for the last two seasons, there is no love for Dele Alli from our writers. Instead, the majority expect Leroy Sane to continue the fine form he showed in the second half of 2016-17...

Staunton: Marcus Rashford

Wheatley: Alex Iwobi

Kinsella: Tammy Abraham

Lee: Leroy Sane

Buckingham: Leroy Sane

Garganese: Leroy Sane


BEST SUMMER SIGNING


Sead Kolasinac Arsenal

Sead Kolasinac's impressive performance in the Community Shield has alerted some of our experts to his potential while Bernardo Silva's early summer arrival at the Etihad Stadium has not gone unnoticed...

Staunton: Bernardo Silva

Wheatley: Sead Kolasinac

Kinsella: Romelu Lukaku

Lee: Bernardo Silva

Macdonald: Javier Hernandez

Buckingham: Jermain Defoe

Garganese: Sead Kolasinac


WORST SUMMER SIGNING


Wayne Rooney Everton

Few expect Wayne Rooney to have a positive impact upon his return to Everton while few have been impressed by Manchester City's defensive additions.

Staunton: Wayne Rooney

Wheatley: Wayne Rooney

Kinsella: Ederson

Lee: Danny Drinkwater (if he joins Chelsea! If not, Wayne Rooney)

Macdonald: Antonio Rudiger

Buckingham: Kyle Walker

Garganese: Danilo


MANAGER OF THE SEASON


Pep Guardiola

Having failed to win a trophy last season, Pep Guardiola is expected to get it right at Manchester City this time around while only one of our experts is backing a non-top six manager to be hailed come the end of the campaign.

Staunton: Arsene Wenger

Wheatley: Pep Guardiola

Kinsella: Jose Mourinho

Lee: Pep Guardiola

Macdonald: Pep Guardiola

Buckingham: Chris Hughton

Garganese: Antonio Conte


FIRST MANAGER SACKED


Mark Hughes Stoke City

Stoke City face a daunting start to the season and as such Mark Hughes is tipped to be relieved of his duties early on. But could Rafa Benitez's disagreements with Newcastle owner Mike Ashley finally come to a head at St. James's Park?

Staunton: Mark Hughes

Wheatley: Marco Silva

Kinsella: Rafa Benitez

Lee: Mark Hughes

Macdonald: Mauricio Pellegrino

Buckingham: Slaven Bilic

Garganese: Paul Clement