The Premier League returns on Friday. With it comes fresh hope for fans of all 20 teams, as well as fantastic betting opportunities for punters. We’ve made our full predictions below, as well as highlighting our best bets for the 2022/23 season, alongside SkyBet‘s exclusive sign-up offer where you can get 50/1 about a shot on target in Crystal Palace vs Arsenal.
Before we begin, here is our table of predictions for the season ahead:
- Manchester City
- Liverpool
- Tottenham
- Chelsea
- Manchester United
- Arsenal
- Leicester
- Newcastle
- West Ham
- Brighton
- Crystal Palace
- Aston Villa
- Wolves
- Everton
- Fulham
- Leeds
- Southampton
- Nottingham Forest
- Brentford
- Bournemouth
And so to the competitors at hand:
1. Manchester City – 7/10 To Win Title (Unibet)
Who do you sign for a team that has everything? The world’s deadliest striker apparently.
On paper, Erling Haaland’s arrival at the Etihad should spell the end of meaningful competition in the Premier League. Manchester City have won the last two titles without ever relying on a recognised striker and now they have arguably the best in the business who is still only 22 years old.
They should only improve upon 93 points last term. That is a nightmarish prospect for all involved in trying to stop them, but perhaps things will not be as simple as they appear.
After all, they are only a shade of odds-on, having denied Liverpool by a solitary point last season. Haaland’s signing is aggressive, but could also disrupt the way City play, while the losses of Gabriel Jesus, Raheem Sterling and Oleksandr Zinchenko could be keenly felt despite their squad depth.
Nevertheless, you could end up looking very stupid if you back against them. After all, they are a world class side who has strengthened their only area of obvious weakness. Pep Guardiola only has one year left on his contract and will want to go out in style.
2. Liverpool – 3/1 To Win Title (Unibet/Matchbook)
Despite Manchester City’s dire straits on the final day, there was never actually a point at which Liverpool were top of the table. However, it is difficult to think anything other than that Jurgen Klopp’s men were painstakingly close.
Two trophies last term undeniably represents success after their bizarre near-miss of the Champions League places in 2020/21. Two more would have been nice though, as they were 180 minutes away from achieving something another English club may never have repeated.
The big names in their squad are finally being given a shake-up, with Sadio Mane having already moved on to Bayern Munich and rumours abound about Roberto Firmino’s destination come August 6. Mane’s replacement, Darwin Nunez, could cost close to £100 million when add-ons are taken into account and rival clubs’ fan accounts are already hungry for blood.
While Diogo Jota and Luis Diaz’s arrivals did ultimately bring change to the Reds’ front three, they arrived with far fewer expectations. Nunez has to hit the ground running and so much will depend on him replicating or surpassing Mane’s output.
Fabio Carvalho could also prove tidy business and he and Nunez may not force a shift of tactics quite like Haaland at Manchester City but will they be enough for Liverpool to keep up with the Sky Blue tide?
50/1 about a shot on target in Crystal Palace vs Arsenal.
3. Tottenham – RECOMMENDED BET Manchester City, Liverpool, Tottenham Tricast – 7/1 Bet365
Chelsea suffered a late wobble last year, but still comfortably finished in the position of third best. Not strong enough for a title challenge, but easily too good for a top four battle, their season on the field was relatively drama-free. This season, that role might belong to Spurs.
Antonio Conte conjured quite the tune out of his side come the season’s end. Nobody scored more goals in the Premier League since his arrival than Harry Kane and the England captain’s combination with Son Heung-Min and Dejan Kulusevski was lethal.
Richarlison and Ivan Perisic are the headline signings and are joined in North London by Yves Bissouma from Brighton, Djed Spence from Middlesbrough and Clement Lenglet from Barcelona. They are not messing around.
Momentum is with them after their late-season form saw them into the Champions League at rivals Arsenal’s expense. Similarly, Conte’s record is truly outstanding wherever he has been and not many would have expected Chelsea to win the league in his first full season at Stamford Bridge.
Could Tottenham challenge? They are certainly the likeliest to break the duopoly at the top.
4. Chelsea – 4/5 To Finish In Top Four (SBK)
Let this be a warning to Manchester City fans: last season a team in blue, champions of a major trophy, signed a lethal striker to complete their puzzle as they looked to surpass their successes of the previous season.
Chelsea, fresh from winning the Champions League, re-signed Romelu Lukaku, scorer of 64 goals in 95 games for Inter Milan in the previous two seasons. Sometimes, though, fate works against you and the transfer designed to rocket-fuel them instead held them back.
Lukaku’s overtures saw him return to Inter on loan and while transfer business has been mixed due to Barcelona’s repeated interventions, Raheem Sterling and Kalidou Koulibaly represent intriguing business. Lukaku’s departure, however, is not on the same scale as another big-name exit.
Roman Abramovich is no longer. American Todd Boehly now reigns from a financial perspective and big business does not appear to be immediate, for all their apparent efforts in the transfer market.
This could end up being a consolidatory season for Chelsea in spite of their previously lofty ambitions. Dreams of the title are far off again and it is more important for them to fend off from below than claim scalps from above.
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5. Manchester United – 2/1 To Finish In Top Four (Betway)
The 13-time champions of England are in crisis. The good news – they may now have a manager in Erik Ten Hag to guide them in a specific direction for the first time since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement. The bad news – said crisis has now been going on for the best part of a decade.
There have been highs in that time, including three major trophies, but success has been frighteningly scarce. Despite some seriously underwhelming seasons post-Ferguson, last term represented a deeper nadir than ever, with just 58 points accrued, a goal difference of 0 and 12 defeats in the league.
Overall, that saw them finish 35 points off Manchester City and 13 points behind Tottenham in fourth. They were only 36 points ahead of basement side Norwich, but at least things are changing. Deadwood is being cast aside and Christian Eriksen and Lisandro Martinez appear to be smart signings.
Once again, the Old Trafford club is embroiled in a seemingly endless transfer saga with Frenkie De Jong proving immovable from Barcelona as yet. They will have to cope with off-field drama once the season opens and that could prove problematic once again.
No club in the Premier League may be as reliant on a fast start this season as United. Liverpool represent the only top six club in their opening five games and if the Red Devils are not quick out the blocks, Ten Hag may face a similar fate to the men who preceded him.
6. Arsenal – 9/5 To Finish In Top Four (Betfair/Paddy Power)
The thing about Arsenal is, they always try to walk it in.
Last season, they may as well have tried to with every attack. Strikerless due to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s absence and Alexandre Lacazette’s loss of instinct, only Eddie Nketiah’s late burst provided the Gunners with any meaningful presence in the no.9 spot.
Now comeths a saviour. Gabriel Jesus never managed to nail down a full-time role in Pep Guardiola’s starting line-up at Manchester City, but for £42 million, a relative snip in modern terms, the Brazilian could prove great value if able to maintain his goals-to-minutes ratio over 90-minute stints.
Fellow former Citizen Oleksandr Zinchenko will now wear red too, as will Portuguese attacking midfielder Fabio Vieira. These are useful signings, but there remains the potential for all-too-familiar failings. After all, despite their strikerless woes, Arsenal should still have finished in the top four but for results to dip as the finish line approached.
At their best, they are now a young and vibrant team with a coach who the players believe in. However, mental barriers may well remain and there is no permanent captain figure to lead the way.
50/1 about a shot on target in Crystal Palace vs Arsenal.
7. Leicester – 20/1 To Finish In Top Four (SkyBet, Boylesports)
After successive seasons of heartbreak for Leicester, the immovable reality of their plight caught up with them in 2021/22.
A place in the Champions League was well within their grasp in both 2020 and 2021, only for it to slip away in the dying moments in both years. Despite being Premier League champions more recently than all of Arsenal, Tottenham and Manchester United, their aim to compete on a level playing field was always ambitious.
Nevertheless, despite West Ham’s recent consistency and Newcastle’s billion-pound resurgence, Brendan Rodgers’ men may still be the ones to compete most fiercely to break the top six. Kasper Schmeichel’s departure for Nice may signal a tide turning, but the Dane is 36 this year and refreshments could help replenish this squad.
Ultimately though, there are two men who will be key for the foxes. Jamie Vardy may also be firmly in the veteran stage of his career, but he still notched 15 league goals through an injury-troubled spell. Young centre back Wesley Fofana began to really impress once again after returning from a pre-season leg injury towards the end of last term.
There remain a lack of big signings and James Maddison would be a big loss if tempted elsewhere. However, until that time, they should not be underestimated.
8. Newcastle – 4/9 To Finish In Top Half (Unibet)
Newcastle’s 2021/22 season was a fantastic demonstration of how far money can get you in the lower reaches of the Premier League.
Having gone 14 games without a victory to start the campaign, Eddie Howe’s men ended up coasting to 11th, winning 13 of their last 24 games. There is no doubt Howe had a significant impact after Steve Bruce’s erosion, but newcomers Kieran Trippier and Bruno Guimaraes did so much to revitalise the side.
Now, the pull of Saudi billions will be truly tested. They ultimately wrestled Newcastle up nine places last term, but the upper echelons are harder to buy. European football is now a distinct possibility, but it will be a challenge rather than a stroll.
Sven Botman, Matt Targett and Nick Pope look smart transfers that give them solid depth all-round. That said, none of them are match winners and though this more long term thinking by their owners will surely pay off soon, it may not happen immediately.
Most importantly, Howe’s Newcastle were able to play without any pressure, so woeful was the start predominantly under Bruce. The Toon Army will now expect once again and that could bring its own difficulties.
50/1 about a shot on target in Crystal Palace vs Arsenal.
9. West Ham – 8/13 To Finish In Top Half (generally)
David Moyes’ boys have been making all the noise in East London and beyond, with a second straight season of European football confirmed by their seventh-placed finish.
More memorable for Hammers fans was their run to the Europa League semi-finals last term and though this season’s travels will be to compete in the Conference League instead, the journey will be exciting once again. The newest European competition may have been maligned in its infancy, but a final between Roma and Feyenoord showed that it is worth taking seriously.
Last season, Moyes did brilliantly to blend domestic and continental ambitions with much the same side, but that cannot be sustained forever. Though Gianluca Scamacca and Nayef Aguerd bring more intrigue and solidity to an increasingly exciting outfit, they still do not have the deepest squad.
Any injuries to key men such as Declan Rice and Jarrod Bowen could serve to derail them in the league if they are not careful. That is pure speculation of course and the mood and positive momentum the club possesses should continue to serve them well.
It is more the improvement and revival of others that could see a slight drop off from West Ham this season. Nonetheless, the London Stadium will still be an away trip most teams undoubtedly fear.
10. Brighton – 6/5 To Finish In Top Half (SkyBet, Bet365, Unibet)
We all know Graham Potter will be England manager one day, so what he achieves with Brighton in the meantime will largely be CV fodder.
The Seagulls ended up in ninth last season, an historic effort for the club that was largely considered a triumph of their head coach. A 4-0 thrashing of Manchester United was the highlight, but their position in the table was particularly impressive given only Neal Maupay and Leandro Trossard surpassed ten goal involvements.
That will have to change if Brighton are to even consolidate their lofty attempts last term. Moreover, transfer “ins” have been only steady and in the direction of youth, while the “outs” already include midfield monolith Yves Bissouma and may extend to the versatile Marc Cucurella very soon.
That said, this is a settled and competitive squad and Trossard was the creative focal point who looks set to be the leading figure in attack once again. Given the football they play and the chances they create, Brighton could easily achieve even more if they become even a tiny bit more clinical.
Ultimately, there seems little danger of a sudden nosedive. If they emerge from their first three games (Manchester United, Newcastle and West Ham) with steady points on the board, they could go far.
11. Crystal Palace – 5/2 To Finish In Top Half (Unibet)
There was a lot to like about Patrick Vieira’s return to the Premier League as manager of Crystal Palace. The former Arsenal captain led his side to 12th, with his vision of more attractive football carried out in style by his players.
Their final position was only moderate, but that owed mostly to 15 draws from their 38 games, a couple of which were the fault of late goals. Palace were not always the most secure towards the end of games, but they completed 2021/22 with a positive goal difference and only six teams conceded fewer goals.
Eberi Eze should get back up to speed after his very delayed start to last season, while free transfers for Sam Johnstone and youngster Malcolm Ebiowei, who has looked sharp in pre-season, could bolster a squad that has barely lost anybody significant to transfers. Palace now look like a club with a sustained direction.
Wilfried Zaha will come under scrutiny after his most successful goalscoring season and will be key for his side once again, but he is no longer the be-all-and-end-all. Marc Guehi has been called up by England and Michael Olise could easily feature more heavily this term after a season adapting to the Premier League.
Another mid-table season awaits without any great dramas. Another run such as their FA Cup semi-final efforts of last term would go down well alongside some progressive football.
12. Aston Villa – RECOMMENDED BET: 11/10 To Finish In Bottom Half (SkyBet)
Early business has been strong for Aston Villa and with the pull of Steven Gerrard as magnetic as that of any manager outside the top six, progress is expected.
Diego Carlos is a statement signing alongside the extraordinary coup of getting Phillippe Coutinho for just 20 million euros. The Brazilian tailed off a bit towards the end of last season, but has a point to prove ahead of his first full season back in this league. The free transfer of Boubacar Kamara may work out smartly too.
However, it is worth pointing out that though Gerrard broadly did well last season after a stuttering start for Villa under Dean Smith, the team’s overall record remained uninspiring. They picked up 35 points from Gerrard’s 28 games, enough to spare them any thoughts of relegation, but even if that was extrapolated over a whole season, they would have only finished one place higher in 13th rather than 14th.
Further development from Jacob Ramsey could prove key in the centre of the park, while the likes of Leon Bailey and Emiliano Buendia could easily step up on last season’s exertions. They must also be careful not to fall into a trap of buying big and stifling the development of those further down the age groups.
Ramsey is the only Villa youngster set to get numerous minutes after the imminent departure of Carney Chukwuemeka to Chelsea. At surface level, Villa could challenge for Europe at their best, but excitement must not be exaggerated so soon.
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13. Wolves – 11/2 To Be Relegated (LiveScore)
We’re onto those who could find themselves under a bit of pressure. Wolves slumbered into tenth last season, much to the majority of fans’ unknowing.
There were only 81 goals involved in Wolves games last season, a little over two per game. That is fewer goals than Norwich conceded, and Liverpool and Manchester City both scored. Only the top four teams had better defensive records, but only the bottom three plundered fewer than 38 goals.
The fact that Conor Coady was their fourth top scorer last season speaks volumes to their lack of creativity. Raul Jimenez still struck the most for them, but he did not look anywhere near as lethal after returning from his horror head injury.
Ruben Neves looks likelier to stay than leave which will be hugely important to their clockwork motion and they are evidently assured enough defensively. Bruno Lage broadly appears a more aggressive manager than predecessor Nuno Espirito Santo, but his team have to start showing it soon.
There has been no obvious discovery within their transfer dealings so far and clubs are overtaking them fast. Until there is a more concrete refresh in their attacking options, a drift down the table is incoming.
14. Everton – 37/10 To Be Relegated (SBK)
Mismanagement from top to bottom took Everton to the brink of relegation for arguably the first time this century. Frank Lampard, by good judgement or not, kept them up.
This is arguably a fortunate second chance for Lampard after his disappointing Chelsea spell, but he has at least earned some respect among Everton fans for completing the task at hand in 2021/22. James Tarkowski and Dwight McNeil have been two of Burnley’s top performers for the last few seasons and may be astute additions in time.
The big change though is out the exit door: Richarlison has moved on to Tottenham in excess of £50 million and that money is as yet unspent. In many ways, it may be better retained given the business done in recent windows, but the Brazilian’s departure leaves a big hole upfront, especially as Dominic Calvert-Lewin is reportedly in doubt for the Toffees’ opener against Chelsea.
Danger could continue to lurk for them, but on paper, their squad remains one of Premier League quality. Defensively, there is ample depth, while the likes of Dele Alli and Andre Gomes could bounce back to have better seasons.
There is little for Everton fans to get hugely excited about ahead of this term and it may be more the failings of others that keep them safe. Stability, and Lampard lasting the season, would be acceptable.
50/1 about a shot on target in Crystal Palace vs Arsenal.
15. Fulham – 6/4 To Be Relegated (SkyBet)
Norwich conned us into believing their successive Championship titles would make them a Premier League level side and now Fulham are back in their place. Will they do exactly the same thing?
The first time Fulham returned, off the back of a play-off success in 2017/18, they spent £100 million and were soundly sent packing back to tier two. Last time, they spent far less thriftily and paid the price for poor use of the loan market. This year, a balance must be struck.
Going forward, the Cottagers should have few issues. Aleksandr Mitrovic’s brutal 43-goal haul last term was tremendous and he should be able to best his previous efforts in the top division. Harry Wilson and Neeskens Kebano are very capable support acts, while Tom Cairney and Harrison Reed have points to prove back at this level.
Signings have come in at a considered rate: Joao Palinha arrives as the biggest star from Sporting Lisbon with Andreas Pereira, Kevin Mbabu and Bernd Leno all needing to prove they were worth smaller outlays. They join a team that scored 106 Championship goals, though they were cancelled out by 43 conceded, almost a goal per game.
Ultimately, Fulham were not as emphatic winners of the Championship as they could have been. If their lethal attacking force retains its fearsomeness, they could well benefit from the weakness of other rivals and remain afloat.
16. Leeds – 23/10 To Be Relegated (Betfair/Paddy Power)
After a sensational return to the Premier League in 2020/21, Leeds United nearly succumbed to complacency in May. The sleeping giant was nearly knocked unconscious once again.
Heading into the final day in 18th, a 2-1 win at Brentford secured safety as Burnley limped to defeat at Turf Moor. Their celebrations were wild that night, but they probably did not last long. Wounds required licking, not least that left by the departure of the messianic Marcelo Bielsa, whose wisdom had guided them back to the Premier League.
Jesse Marsch came in from left field and sits in a very similar position to Frank Lampard at Everton. Ultimately, all he needed to secure his job at the start of this season was keep his side in the league. Though the margins were narrow, the American succeeded and his mandate will be similar once again.
His job has not been made much easier by two massive sales. Raphinha and Kalvin Phillips were as important as any other squad members last season and their loss will be keenly felt. Americans Tyler Adams and Brendan Aaronson join from Red Bull Leipzig as the most direct replacements, with Luis Sinisterra, Marc Roca and Rasmus Kristensen other signings challenging for a first XI place.
Marsch will not simply undo Bielsa’s blueprint, but there are changes afoot at Leeds to avoid a repeat of last season. They may not fully avoid that, but they should stay up, especially if Patrick Bamford is seen more often.
50/1 about a shot on target in Crystal Palace vs Arsenal.
17. Southampton – 3/1 To Be Relegated (generally)
Southampton have now been in the Premier League for a decade, but their grip on a stable position is loosening by the moment.
Successive 15th-placed finishes have been achieved without any serious danger of going down. Yet, they remarkably moved to the top of the table at one point during 2020/21 and were consistently mid-table last season until losing their final four games. At least this time there was no 9-0 shellacking.
Ralph Hasenhuttl has now been in the job for nearly four years. The best he has to show for that is 11th and though his Saints side are tireless workers, the fact that James Ward-Prowse’s free kicks are seen as a selling point is probably a concern.
Mohammed Salisu, Nathan Redmond and Che Adams would not be out of place in any squad below the top six, while Ward-Prowse has been linked with clubs even higher, but overall this is a squad in need of serious updates. So far this summer, only Joe Aribo has signed over the age of 20.
The club are at least investing in the future, but they have to be careful. Without improvement, the immediate future may be spent in the second tier.
18. Nottingham Forest – 15/11 To Be Relegated (SBK)
Every season, there is a club that neutral fans almost universally want to do well. Good luck then to Steve Cooper and Nottingham Forest.
Away from the top flight for 23 years, Forest secured a return via a cagey 1-0 win over Huddersfield in the play-off final at Wembley. That capped a comeback of sensational proportions. When Cooper was hired, Forest had one point after seven games before securing 79 points in 39 with him at the helm.
They would have finished top had they earned points at that rate throughout the season. Brennan Johnson caught the eye most significantly last term, as did Djed Spence, now departed to Tottenham. No matter though: Forest have signed 12 players either permanently or on loan, including a club record spend on striker Taiwo Awoniyi, as well as further great expenditure on Neco Williams from Liverpool.
Jesse Lingard, Wayne Hennessey and Dean Henderson have all come in either on loan or on a free transfer and will be crucial. Of the existing squad, only Steve Cook, Jack Colback and the out-of-favour Harry Arter had regular Premier League experience before.
Their squad is now vast, but there is a danger of it ballooning. Cooper has proven a superb manager in the Championship and should do well at the top level, but any finish of 17th or above should be celebrated.
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19. Brentford – RECOMMENDED BET: 45/17 To Be Relegated (SBK)
Second Season Syndrome has been a disease as contagious as the C-word in recent Premier League seasons. Brentford will now do very well to avoid catching it.
In 2021 it was Sheffield United who fell dramatically from seventh to bottom after gaining just two points from their opening 19 games. Last term, Leeds only just avoided a similar fate, dropping from ninth to 17th, surviving on the final day. That said, Brentford did not secure anywhere near as lofty a first-season finish as either of those two.
The Bees were 13th last term, impressing with their ability from set pieces and their desire to go toe-to-toe with even the biggest teams in the division. A 3-3 draw with Liverpool early in the season was deservedly earned, while Christian Eriksen’s saint-like arrival at the halfway stage provided a guile which had begun to vanish.
Unfortunately, despite a strong Danish contingent at the club including manager Thomas Frank, Eriksen has now left South West London. Though Ben Mee, Thomas Strakosha, Aaron Hickey and Keane Lewis-Potter look additions right out of the shrewd Brentford playbook, none of them are direct replacements for him.
Ivan Toney does look set to stay, which could be extremely important. However, the novelty factor is gone and Nottingham Forest are now the neutrals’ darlings. Brentford’s time could run out swiftly if they do not reinvent themselves.
20. Bournemouth – RECOMMENDED BET: 2/1 To Finish Bottom
There has been a trend recently among promotions from the Championship. The winners are either Fulham or Norwich, the play-off heroes are popular underdogs and the runners-up mostly beg the question: how did they get here?
Both West Brom and Watford, the last two sides to finish second in the Championship, were each relegated immediately without answering that question. Neither even threatened to break 30 points, let alone 40 and Bournemouth may find themselves in a similar predicament.
A common denominator for them and the aforementioned duo is that they have enough individual quality for the Championship. Dominic Solanke scored at a prolific rate in the second tier and their defence conceded the fewest goals with Jefferson Lerma and Philip Billing assured ahead of Lloyd Kelly.
However, Scott Parker was not always the most adventurous on the sidelines, in spite of his relatively strong squad. Similarly, having been such comfortable favourites for promotion at halfway, it was only a late 1-0 win over Nottingham Forest in the penultimate week that secured second place.
Marcus Tavernier is the only player bought for a fee so far this summer. As things currently stand, a long season stands ahead for the Cherries.
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Our Recommended Bets for the 2022/23 Premier League Season
Aston Villa to finish in the bottom half – 11/10 SkyBet
Bournemouth to finish bottom – 2/1 general
Brentford to be relegated – 45/17 SBK
Manchester City, Liverpool, Tottenham Tricast – 7/1 Bet365
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