talkSPORT writers predict the Premier League title winners, top scorer, who will be relegated and the Player of the Year
After what feels like an eternity, the Premier League finally returns this weekend with a bang.
Liverpool welcome Championship winners Norwich City to Anfield on Friday night in what promises to be an enthralling clash as last seasons runners-up aim to go one better.
Saturday is officially GAMEDAY on talkSPORT and talkSPORT 2 as we become your go to destination for all the Premier League action.
We’ll bring you LIVE commentary of Premier League games across all three time slots on Saturday – 12.30pm, 3pm and 5.30pm – delivering award-winning coverage to more GameDay listeners than ever.
Champions Manchester City begin the defence of their crown away to Manuel Pellegrini’s West Ham United side, who are hoping to make a European charge this season after breaking their transfer record twice.
We put our writers here at talkSPORT.com on the spot and asked them to make their Premier League predictions ahead of the season.
Scroll down to see what they said.
Premier League ‘big six’ are destroying England’s top flight with their wealth
Jackson Cole, Staff Writer
Who will win the Premier League?
Manchester City
I expect the battle for the title to be a two-horse race once again as Manchester City and Liverpool are a level above the rest of the pack. The Reds may be European champions but they haven’t strengthened their team but City have with the signing of the likes of Rodri so that’s why I believe City will clinch it, although I don’t expect the race to be as close and high standard as last season.
Who will make the top four?
Manchester City, Liverpool, Manchester United, Tottenham
City and Liverpool will finish in the top two no problem although the rest of the pack should be a bit closer than they were last season. It will be a very competitive race for third and fourth but I suspect Manchester United and Tottenham will beat Arsenal and Chelsea to it. The Gunners have done very well still have holes in their squad, while it’s still not clear how Frank Lampard will do in his first season as a Premier League manager. United have made decent signings this summer and will be much better with Harry Maguire, while Spurs have enough to hold off their London rivals.
Who will get relegated?
Brighton, Newcastle, Aston Villa
The Seagulls dropped off at an alarming rate in the second half of last season and hiring Graham Potter as Chris Hughton’s replacement doesn’t exactly scream saviour. Newcastle have lost a terrific manager in Rafael Benitez and have an owner who doesn’t invest in the squad sufficiently.
Their luck will finally run out. And as for Aston Villa, they’ve gone about things completely the wrong way in the transfer window by effectively buying a whole new squad. QPR, Tottenham, Liverpool and Everton will all testify that buying many players all at once simply does not work. Sheffield United will be in the battle to stay up but have a top manager in Chris Wilder and you worry for Crystal Palace.
Who will be Player of the Season?
Raheem Sterling
You could argue he was unlucky to miss out on the PFA Player of the Year award last season but I’m backing Sterling to go one better this time around.
He’s had more of a rest this summer so should be fitter and he is playing for arguably the best team in the world. Plus there surely has to come a point next season where a player successfully dribbles past 2018/19’s best player Virgil van Dijk…
Who will be Young Player of the Season?
Declan Rice
Last season was a breakthrough campaign for Rice and there’s no reason to suggest he won’t carry on his form in 2019/20. The West Ham man’s form also earned him an England call-up in March and he did not look out of place at all.
I’m predicting a good season for the Hammers as they’ve made some sound investments this summer and have a good manager in Manuel Pellegrini. Rice will be at the heart of that success.
Who will win the Golden Boot?
Mohamed Salah
The Liverpool sensation was a bit out of sorts in front of goal last season, but still shared the Golden Boot with Sadio Mane and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang anyway.
Salah will feel he has a point to prove and you can tell when he broke all sorts of records in 2017/18 that he wants it bad. Expect it to be close though with the likes of Harry Kane to give him a run for his money!
Alex McCarthy, US Sports Editor
Who will win the Premier League?
Liverpool
I see Liverpool winning the Premier League. They only lost once last season and if injuries are kinder to them, they have the most dynamic, energetic and deadly side in the league, and that’s a great modern formula.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will be like a new signing and a full year from Joe Gomez would be huge alongside the colossus that is VVD.
Who will make the top four?
Manchester City, Liverpool, Tottenham, Arsenal
Liverpool and Man City are no-brainers. Then it gets tougher. Spurs are likely to land in third and they’ve added well, but then it’s a race between Chelsea, Arsenal and Man United. As Arsenal have grabbed Kieran Tierney, and others, on top of Ceballos and Pepe, they have to be the favourites to grab fourth and even challenge Spurs for third. They’re far more balanced now.
Who will get relegated?
Brighton, Sheffield United, Norwich City
Norwich have found goals hard to come by the last two times they’ve suffered relegation and I’m not sure they’re equipped to learn their lesson. Sheffield United have done a lot of business and spent money, but you could argue they’ve done so on Championship-level players. Burnley, Brighton and Newcastle will all have to fight to avoid the last spot, but I think the Seagulls have rode their luck for long enough.
Who will be Player of the Season?
Raheem Sterling
This is another hard one because it’s intrinsically linked to the fortunes of the team the player turns out for.
Having said Liverpool will be successful, Virgil van Dijk looks a good candidate here. He’s what turned Liverpool from a good side to European champions, but I think Raheem Sterling wins it.
He’s continued to grow under Pep Guardiola and the influence he now has on games in terms of goals and assists is frightening. He’s arguably the most productive player in the Premier League and he’s not even entered his prime yet.
Who will be Young Player of the Season?
Trent Alexander-Arnold
Assuming Raheem Sterling can’t hold it captive any longer, there are several candidates. Aaron Wan-Bissaka could star at Man United, but Chelsea are primed to use an army of young stars during their transfer ban.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Mason Mount and Callum Hudson-Odoi have the chance many have wished they would, can they grab it with both hands? Trent Alexander-Arnold will be the frontrunner in many eyes and I’m inclined to agree. On the ball, he’s one of the best players in the league already.
Who will win the Golden Boot?
Mohamad Salah
This is always so tough to call. Harry Kane is guaranteed goals. Sergio Aguero is guaranteed goals. Mohamed Salah is guaranteed goals.
All men are apart of successful teams, too, and that’s important to consider. If I’m backing Liverpool for the league, I’ll go with Salah here.
Oliver Dawnay, Staff Writer
Who will win the Premier League?
Manchester City
I believe Liverpool’s failure to add recruitments this transfer window will hit them hard. They were very fortunate last season that their attacking trio of Firmino, Mane and Salah remained fit for the whole campaign – and with more fixtures added to their gruelling schedule following their Champions League win, I cannot see them taking City to the wire again.
Who will make the top four?
Manchester City, Liverpool, Arsenal, Spurs
Liverpool will be Man City’s closest challenger but the other spots are more difficult. I believe Arsenal will move up to third due to their stellar recruitment. Chelsea and Man United miss out.
Who will get relegated?
Brighton, Sheffield United, Norwich City
The Blades do not have the squad to remain in the division and Chris Wilder has a huge job on his hands to keep them up. Brighton’s squad is nowhere near strong enough. Norwich will try to play their own brand of football and will be found out by many sides, failing to avoid the drop.
Who will be Player of the Season?
Bernardo Silva
Silva was a contender for the award last season and he will be even better in the next campaign. He will add more goals and assists and will be unplayable.
Who will be Young Player of the Season?
Trent Alexander-Arnold
Alexander-Arnold is already one of the best players in the division and he is only going to get better. His delivery is sublime and he also has an eye for goal. He will again be a menacing presence on the right flank for Liverpool.
Who will win the Golden Boot?
Harry Kane
I believe Kane’s prolonged rest this pre-season will see him get back to his brilliant best in the new campaign.
Sergio Aguero, Raheem Sterling will keep up the pace with him in the race for the award but Kane will get 25+ this term.
Joe Coleman, Staff Writer
Who will win the Premier League?
Manchester City
For me, Liverpool were desperately unlucky to not win the Premier League last time around – losing one game all season is a sensational record. But the Reds have failed to capitalise this season in the transfer market in the same way City have done.
Sir Alex Ferguson always believed in strengthening every summer, regardless of how good the previous season was. City will be too strong once again for Jurgen Klopp’s men.
Who will make the top four?
Manchester City, Liverpool, Spurs, Arsenal
While the two best sides in the country vie for first and second place, the race to fill the final two spots is intriguing. Arsenal have brought in defensive reinforcement and their attack is now so strong the Gunners must be respected.
Leicester were my outside chance to finish in the top four this season given how weak Manchester United and Chelsea are, but this has changed with the sale of Harry Maguire. Tottenham will comfortably finish third once again in front of the Gunners.
Who will get relegated?
Crystal Palace, Brighton, Norwich City
History tells us you cannot continue to flirt with relegation and expect to get away with it in the Premier League; just look at Wigan and Stoke. The sacking of Chris Hughton was a bizarre one from the Brighton board and the appointment of Graham Potter feels like a failsafe measure for Championship football.
Many are tipping Sheffield United to struggle this season, but I think Chris Wilder has the tactical nous to surprise many. Norwich have failed to sufficiently improve their squad, but neither have Palace. The Eagles’ lack of firepower is alarming.
Who will be Player of the Season?
Kevin De Bruyne
Quite simply, there is no one better or more satisfying to watch than a fully fit and focused De Bruyne in the Premier League.
The Belgium international oozes class but, unlike some players in the division, is willing to work hard for his team and turns up in the big times. If he stays fit, expect to see the former Chelsea midfielder star for City.
Who will be Young Player of the Season?
Trent Alexander-Arnold
Very difficult to look past the Liverpool full-back for this award, the rise of Alexander-Arnold has been quite superb.
His technical ability is frightening for one so young and his football IQ and understanding of the game is incredible. If Liverpool fail to secure anymore signings in this window, do not be surprised to see Klopp utilise the 19-year-old in a variety of positions this season.
Who will win the Golden Boot?
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
Harry Kane should be the frontrunner for this award, but his injury problems mean he cannot be guaranteed to last the season. Spurs’ lack of options up front means that by around February, you can expect the England captain to burn out.
Conversely, Unai Emery loves to rotate his forward line and even moves Aubameyang out wide to accommodate Alexandre Lacazette. With record signing Nicolas Pepe in attack as well, the Gunners striker should score goals for fun.
Alex Johnson, Social Media Editor
Who will win the Premier League?
Manchester City
I can’t see past Manchester City winning their third in a row. Liverpool were one of the ‘luckiest’ teams in the league last season going by expected points, and they haven’t improved enough to make that final step to Champion status. No one else is in contention.
Who will make the top four?
Manchester City, Liverpool, Arsenal, Wolves
This is a tough one. There are four obvious contenders for the last two spots in Spurs, Man Utd, Arsenal and Chelsea, but Everton, Wolves, Leicester and West Ham have all made exciting additions to their teams and could be dark horses. I think Arsenal can make it now that Pepe has joined, and there’ll be a surprise with Wolves pipping Spurs to fourth spot – while Lampard and Solskjaer both struggle in their first full season at their respective clubs.
Who will get relegated?
Aston Villa, Newcastle, Sheffield United
Villa have made too many signings in a short space of time and look to me like they will pull a Fulham.
Newcastle are so much weaker than they were last year just by losing Rafa and Rondon, adding Perez into that makes it even harder. And finally I’m going with the Blades, who just don’t have the experience to stay in the top flight.
Who will be Player of the Season?
Raheem Sterling.
A lot of the big guns have been involved in international football over the summer break, and I expect Sterling to take advantage of the extra rest he’s had by coming out of the traps firing and giving his best season to date.
Who will be Young Player of the Season?
Trent Alexander-Arnold
The Liverpool defender has developed into one of the best right backs in the world already. Easy.
Who will win the Golden Boot?
Harry Kane.
After struggling with injury last season, Kane is going to be raring to go and has already found his goal-scoring boots in preseason. Spurs start the season against Aston Villa and I can see Kane putting his August curse firmly to bed and staying at the top of the charts throughout the season.
Sean O’Brien, Staff Writer
Who will win the Premier League?
Manchester City
Many expect Liverpool and Manchester City to go off on their own again, but I think the current champions will walk it. Imagine being without your best player and still getting 98 points? The return of Kevin De Bruyne and the addition of Rodri will take City to even greater heights, while Liverpool may struggle to replicate last season following a quiet transfer window.
Who will make top four?
Manchester City, Manchester United, Liverpool, Spurs
Arsenal and Manchester United will be stronger next season. The question is: will they be strong enough to usurp Tottenham and Chelsea? I think the Red Devils will be a force to be reckoned with next season and might even overtake Liverpool, while the Blues may need a transitional season with everything going on at Stamford Bridge. So my top four would be: City, United, Liverpool – and it’ll be close again – but Tottenham over Arsenal.
Who will get relegated?
Sheffield United, Newcastle, Brighton
You usually fear for the clubs coming up from the Championship, but I think Aston Villa and Norwich will be fine.
Sheffield United, on the other hand, could be in trouble. Newcastle and Brighton may struggle, too. Both clubs have questionable new managers and the summer hasn’t exactly been inspiring for either of them.
Who will be Player of the Season?
Raheem Sterling
If Raheem Sterling continues to improve at such a blistering rate, there’s no ceiling for his potential. Despite the depth of quality at City, he remains one of the first names on the team sheet, and I have a feeling this could be his first 20-goal season.
Who will be Young Player of the Season?
Tammy Abraham
Chelsea’s transfer ban presents a golden opportunity for Tammy Abraham. With only Michy Batshuayi and Olivier Giroud competing with him to be first-choice striker, the 21-year-old should get plenty of chances at Stamford Bridge this term. And following such a prolific season at Villa, it could be a breakthrough season for Abraham.
Who will win the Golden Boot?
Harry Kane
I’m pretty sure he would’ve won the Golden Boot every season for the last three years if he stayed fit. With the introduction of VAR possibly resulting in more penalties, it’s difficult to look past the England captain.
Josh Fordham, Staff Writer
Who will win the Premier League?
Manchester City
City have been relentless over the last two seasons and it is hard to see anyone, even Liverpool, keeping up with them this year.
As well as the usual suspects, Guardiola has signed Rodri and we can also expect this to be a breakout season for Phil Foden.
Don’t be surprised if they edge towards the 100 point mark again.
Who will make the top four?
Manchester City, Liverpool, Tottenham, Arsenal
The top three are pretty settled are unlikely to drop out of the Champions League places with just Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea fighting over the final spot. Chelsea are in a bit of transition this year and it may take a while for Frank Lampard to start to see results from his methods. A transfer ban and the loss of Eden Hazard has not helped things.
Manchester United have not quite signed the players we expected them to this summer and there is still plenty of uncertainty over what their squad will look like by the end of the transfer window.
Arsenal have made some good additions but still have a shaky defence. That front three will rescue them this season, though, and help them sneak in.
Who will get relegated?
Sheffield United, Norwich, Newcastle
Newcastle may have broken their transfer record this summer in signing Joelinton but there are plenty of reasons for fans to fear. Steve Bruce certainly has his work cut out.
Sheffield United will struggle for goals this season and lack a Premier League quality goalscorer.
Teemu Pukki was superb for Norwich last season in the Championship but if he doesn’t start firing then they will be in serious trouble.
Who will be Player of the Season?
Raheem Sterling
Sterling seems to be getting better and better every season he plays under Pep Guardiola. If he replicates what he did last season then he would be hard to look past for the top prize.
Who will be Young Player of the Season?
Phil Foden
Pep Guardiola recently said Foden was the most talented player he has ever seen. High praise from a man who has worked with the likes of Messi, Iniesta and Xavi.
He looks set for a higher workload with City this season and do not be surprised if he is one of the standout players of the season.
Who will win the Golden Boot?
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
Arsenal will create plenty of chances this season and Aubameyang will likely score another 20 plus goals.
It will be close race again between the likes of Mohamed Salah, Sergio Aguero and the Arsenal man but Aubameyang will just edge them.
Billy Hawkins, News Editor
Who will win the Premier League?
Manchester City
Manchester City remain the best team in the division, and there is almost no possibility Liverpool will replicate their marvellous 2018/19 season.
The Reds are sure to push Pep Guardiola’s side, but City will win another title to join the elite list of clubs who have won three English top flight league championships.
Who will make the top four?
Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea, Spurs
Manchester City and Liverpool are shoo-ins for Champions League qualification, and I would strongly back Chelsea and Tottenham to join them in the top four.
Doubts remain about Arsenal’s defence, despite their impressive signings this summer, while Manchester United will struggle with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in charge – and I don’t believe he will see out the entire season as their manager.
Who will get relegated?
Norwich, Crystal Palace, Aston Villa
Norwich have a habit of looking impressive in the Championship before struggling in the Premier League, and it won’t be any different this time around.
Aston Villa are also going to endure a tough season after their busy summer of recruitment, because it will be hard to incorporate all these new signings into Dean Smith’s side.
I expect Sheffield United to surprise many by securing survival by taking key points off their relegation rivals, while Crystal Palace run the risk of falling out the division because they don’t score enough goals.
Who will be Player of the Season?
Kevin De Bruyne
After an injury-hit 2018/19 season, Kevin De Bruyne will return to his best to lead Manchester City’s charge for the title. He is the best player in the Premier League, but just did not get the chance to show it last season. He will have extra fire in his belly to impress after missing so much of the previous campaign.
Who will be Young Player of the Season?
Richarlison
He’s has gone from strength to strength since joining Everton from Watford, and I’m expecting an award-winning season for Brazil’s newest superstar. While I cannot see the Toffees breaking into the top six, Richarlison will do enough this season to earn a move to one of Europe’s elite clubs next summer.
Who will win the Golden Boot?
Harry Kane
Harry Kane would win the Golden Boot every season if he could stay fit for an entire league campaign – something I expect he will do in 2019/20.
He had something of a summer holiday after a long, injury-hit 2018/19 season, and the England captain has looked in fine fettle during pre-season. This is Kane’s chance to get his hands back on the Golden Boot – for the third time.
Saturday is GameDay on talkSPORT and talkSPORT 2 as we become your go to destination for all the Premier League action.
We’ll bring you LIVE commentary of Premier League games across all three time slots on Saturday – 12.30pm, 3pm and 5.30pm – delivering award-winning coverage to more GameDay listeners than ever.