Title Winners: Arsenal
With a 5-point gap and a game in hand, the title is Arsenal’s to lose this season. Although many pundits have predicted Manchester City to string together an impressive set of results to close the gap, this looks increasingly unlikely amid their issues both on and off the pitch this season. The Gunners will not make the major slip ups necessary to finish second this campaign.
Top 4: Man City, Man United, Tottenham Hotspur
Rounding out the Top 4 will be the two Manchester clubs and Spurs. City are simply too good to finish anywhere other than second and United appear to have once again become a really competent outfit under new manager Erik Ten Hag.
As for Spurs, they currently sit 5th and are two points behind Newcastle in 4th. The tactical nous of Antonio Conte and the as-ever sensational form of Harry Kane, coupled with Newcastle’s lack of goals in recent weeks should see them qualify for the Champions League in back-to-back seasons.
Relegated: Southampton, Bournemouth and Leeds
For me, this prediction comes down to the managerial ability of each team in the bottom 6. David Moyes (West Ham), Sean Dyche (Everton) and Julian Lopetegui (Wolves) all have a wealth of experience and are capable of keeping their sides in the Premier League.
Despite some encouraging January signings by both Bournemouth and Southampton, neither team has the quality to sustain a fight for survival this season. With the relative inexperience of both Gary O’Neill and Nathan Jones (who I suspect will find himself unemployed soon), both sides are shoe-ins for relegation.
The third team I believe to be going down is Leeds. Their recent performances have been dire and the overdue dismissal of Jesse Marsch plunges them into even further chaos. The fans look destined to be welcoming Championship football back to Elland Road next season.
While many may have written off this league season as a dud due to the unprecedented Winter World Cup, the second half of the 22/23 Premier League promises to have some really exciting football in store.