"It will be a battle royale"
Can anybody stop Manchester City winning the title yet again? Our panel of experts delivers its verdict
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Jamie Carragher
Sky Sports Football Analyst
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Photo by Neal Simpson/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images
Can anyone stop Manchester City doing it again?
The only team that could stop Manchester City this season is Arsenal.
Who will finish in the European spots?
Manchester City, Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester United, Tottenham and Aston Villa.
Arsenal have come second for two seasons in a row. Getty
How do you see the newly-promoted teams doing?
A lot better than last season, which isn’t too difficult to be honest. I’ve always felt that last season we had three Championship teams in the Premier League, and the Championship had three Premier League teams. Ipswich are the surprise package and are more like what we saw last season: a team who haven’t been there for a while. Certainly, in Southampton and Leicester City, we’ve got teams who will be thinking that they want to have a good showing in the Premier League. Ipswich will be delighted if they can just avoid relegation.
Is there a team you think may surprise people?
Everton have had a poor pre-season, but they might deliver a shock and get into the top half this season. There was a lot of negativity around them last season. They have sold some players, but if they can keep Jarrad Branthwaite, they could
do all right.
Are there any early signings who stand out?
It is going to be interesting to see what Amadou Onana is like at Aston Villa. I wasn’t convinced by him when he was at Everton, but I was impressed with him when I saw him play for Belgium. He’s got a great physique and is going into a good team. It will be interesting to see if he flourishes with a better team and different style of football.
Pat Nevin
Radio 5 Live commentator
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Who do you see being in the hunt for the title?
I think it will be between Manchester City and Arsenal again. The difference between them last season was Erling Haaland. Arsenal need a goalscorer. That said, I still think it will be a battle royale.
Who else will push for Champions League qualification?
It’s going to be tough for new Liverpool manager Arne Slot; I don’t think he’ll have enough to catch City and Arsenal in his first season. Ange Postecoglou did a good job at Spurs last year, but it wasn’t his team. He will have the chance to change that this season. For Manchester United, I think Erik ten Hag has to be successful from the kick-off – if not, the new ownership won’t hold back. Finally, this has to be the season Chelsea get back in the top four. You don’t spend a billion to finish tenth.
Will Erling Haaland win the golden boot for the third season in a row? Shutterstock
Who do you see struggling?
I think the promoted teams will find it difficult. Alongside them, Brentford need to be careful. They fell like a stone last season.
Who’s your pick for golden boot?
I don’t think anybody would say anyone other than Erling Haaland. He’s the best striker playing in the best team.
Sam Matterface
Talksport chief football commentator
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Are you excited about the return of the Premier League?
Absolutely. It’s the greatest league in the world in terms of competitiveness. I genuinely think we’ll have a proper title race this season.
And who will win the title?
Manchester City will always start as favourites as they have the best coach, the best squad and the best resources, but Manchester United, Arsenal and Spurs are all stronger and will push them all the way.
Which teams do you think will be pushing for the European places?
The teams I have just mentioned, plus Liverpool, Newcastle United and Aston Villa. Newcastle have been a bit restricted in what they can invest due to Financial Fair Play rules, but Villa are an exciting young team. Villa’s stand-out player for me is Ollie Watkins. Scoring the winner in a Euros semi-final means he knows he can perform on the biggest stage.
Who do you see being involved in a relegation dog fight?
Outside of the promoted teams, Leicester City, Ipswich Town and Southampton, I think Brentford will struggle – I’m sure Ivan Toney will go and his replacement, Igor Thiago, is out injured until at least Christmas. Nottingham Forest will find it hard, too.
Who will win the golden boot?
It’s easy to say Erling Haaland at Manchester City, but for me that’s a bit of a cop-out, so I will also mention Rasmus Hojlund for Manchester United.
Manchester United striker Rasmus Hojlund is tipped to build on the promise of last season. Getty
If you could change one rule, what would it be?
I’d revert back to teams only being allowed three substitutions. Five subs for each side disrupts the game and is being used to eat up the clock. That’s cheating supporters who have paid a lot of money to watch 90 minutes of football.
Des Lynam
Former Match of the Day host
Clive Rose/Getty Images
Can anyone stop Man City winning the title again?
I don’t think they are nailed on, but they will definitely be the ones to beat. It will be interesting to see how Liverpool fare under Arne Slot.
Who do you think will finish in the Champions League spots?
I’ve a feeling that Manchester United will re-emerge this season, but otherwise I think it will be between the same teams. I hope I live long enough to see my club Brighton mount a title challenge.
How do you see the promoted teams doing?
I’ve a feeling Leicester will do OK, but it will be a battle for the other two.
Who are you backing to be the player or the year?
It will be interesting to see how Man City’s Phil Foden plays. Having been the best player in the league last season, he didn’t come to the fore in the Euros, did he? He may have something to prove.
And how about the winner of the golden boot?
I’m going to play it safe and say Erling Haaland again.
Chris Iwelumo
Talksport and Sky Sports commentator
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How excited are you about the start of the new season?
When a season finishes you’re initially looking forward to a bit of time off. After a week I’m counting down the days until the fixtures are out!
Who will win the title?
I think it’s going to be another two-horse race between Arsenal and Manchester City.
And how about the Champions League spots?
Arne Slot will need to manage a transitional period at Liverpool while he is implementing his ideas, but I see similarities between him and Jürgen Klopp and I think that they will do well. Manchester United have recruited well and have Ruud van Nistelrooy back at the club as a coach, which is a great shout for me. Spurs will be there or thereabouts, too. Aston Villa will also be pushing for a European place, but I worry how competitive they can be on several fronts.
Who are you tipping for the golden boot?
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You can’t look beyond Haaland.
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