2017-18 Premier League predictions

The start of another season heralds the arrival of another set of probably wrong predictions from me, so you all now probably know who not to bet on for the coming season. This season seems to be maybe a little bit easier to predict than previous years, especially at the top of the table, although the frenetic movement towards the end of the transfer window could all change this.
Who will be champions?
Although the quality of both Leicester and Chelsea’s two recent title winning teams both were aided to the title by the other big players completely throwing it away. I don’t think that this will happen in the coming season, with the team who win the title being pushed all the way and winning it on their own merit. This team I think will be Manchester City. They’ve spent big this summer and at the end of the year they will need something to show for it, and with the squad the Guardiola has created this will likely be the title. Despite spending the same amount on their defence in the past year as a small country, this could be their downfall. But winning football matches is all about outscoring the opposition, and with the goalsocring prowess of Aguero and Gabriel Jesus, as well as the plethora of creative midfield talent at the Etihad, this will not be a problem. City look the team to beat in every way and if Guardiola settles on a tactical system early, which judging by their preseason he seemingly already has, then the title may well be returning to the blue half of Manchester come May.
Who will get top four?
The race for top four is again between the traditional top six, and despite Everton’s big spending I don’t think that they have the quality to make the Champions League. I would say that top four returns for both Arsenal and Manchester United based on their transfer dealings are likely, with last years champions Chelsea taking the final place. It will be a close race, and Liverpool especially will push hard, however they could probably do with one or two more signings than their top four rivals at the time of writing. The future of Coutinho could also change things, much like how Arsenal’s season could rest on the future of Alexis Sanchez. A return to the Champions League may also be a big distraction for Liverpool, and the same can be said for Chelsea who will struggle if their squad stays the size it is. Spurs playing at Wembley, coupled with their lack of signings and Champions League football, will be a big hindrance, and they could struggle this season with a placing of sixth or potentially even lower not out of the question.
Who will go down?
This season is one of the strongest seasons in Premier League history, meaning that it is even more difficult to predict who could be relegated to the Championship in May. My picks for relegation though are Brighton, Burnley and, with a very heavy heart, Huddersfield. Brighton really haven’t strengthened enough going into their first Premier League season, and any repeat of their collapse that saw them lose the Championship title at the end of last season would end any hopes of staying up. Burnley stayed up last season based almost solely on their home form, with Turf Moor becoming a bit of a fortress for them, based on the defensive qualities of their back line marshalled by Michael Keane and their counter attacking play embodied by Andre Gray. Both are gone and neither has really been replaced, so Burnley will really struggle this season. I don’t want Huddersfield to go down and their fairytale is beautiful, but it is tough to think of two let alone three teams worse than them this season. They however have signed some good players, I’m interested in seeing how Steve Mounie and Aaron Mooy do in the Premier League. If any team I’ve mentioned can mount a great escape its Huddersfield, the only problem being it is tough to see who could take their place. Swansea will probably be down there, but I’m saying Huddersfield will be the third side to go down.
Who will win the Golden Boot?
Spurs’ Harry Kane has won the last two Golden Boots but I don’t think that he’ll make it a hattrick this year. Aguero will challenge for it, as will Sanchez (if he stays), and also Alexandre Lacazette. There is no striker without a big weakness in the running for the Golden Boot and taking out the threat of injuries Aguero would probably win it. However, on a realistic level Aguero might not stay fit all season meaning that Lukaku with all his goals against the small teams will probably come in and take it.
Who will win Player of the Season?
If Spurs do better than I expect then it wouldn’t shock me if Dele Alli took the trophy home, but at the moment I’m going to predict one of Manchester City’s creative players, maybe David Silva, who’s been very unlucky not to win it in the past, or if he stays fit all season Kevin de Bruyne. I’d expect Hazard to be nominated again if he keeps up his form of last season, with probably Lukaku and Sanchez and Coutinho (if they stay) also challenging for it, but I’d say a City player, and that man may well be KDB.
Surprise package?
Bournemouth’s potential success this season based on their last two seasons may not even be a surprise any more, but I expect them to do well this season, with probably another top half finishing beckoning for them.
Signing of the summer?
In the highly inflated transfer market of today, value is always important so my prediction for signing of the summer will be based on who will offer the best value for money to their new team. Free transfer Sead Kolasinac at Arsenal looks like a bargain already, maybe because he was. A free transfer for a left back who should have been far more highly sought after, especially by Liverpool and Manchester City, is great business by Arsenal and his Community Shield performance on Sunday illustrated this. West Ham have made some shroud signings this window, especially in Javier Hernandez who I think will probably get between 10 and 15 goals for them this season, but based solely on value for money (or no money in his case) the Bosnian tank that is Sead Kolasinac will go down at signing of the summer.