5 Bold Predictions For The 2022-23 Premier League Season

Pre-season is well underway, and we can’t wait for the Premier League to restart in August! The transfer window has been open for months now and big deals have been made by those in the English top flight. So, with that in mind, we’ve got some bold predictions for the 2022-23 Premier League season. Here are five of our picks!

5 Bold Predictions For The 2022-23 Premier League Season

#1 – Chelsea to miss out on the top four

We start with a particularly out there claim, as Chelsea finish in the top four more often than not. However, things are different now, as this will be the first full season not under the ownership of Roman Abramovich for the Blues since 2002-03.

Chelsea have a great squad, but that’s not enough to secure Champions League football in the Premier League’s ultra-competitive top six. The Blues are by no means the only major English club to spend lightly this Summer, but aside from the recent acquisition of Raheem Sterling from Manchester City, they haven’t brought anybody of note in.

Couple this with the likes of Romelu Lukaku, Anthony Rudiger and Andreas Christensen all leaving without replacements being found and the Stamford Bridge side have regressed since last season.

While promoting youth players has worked out for Chelsea in recent seasons, it will take a lot of youngsters to successfully step up to plug the gaps left by first-team leavers. We also believe that Thomas Tuchel will be the first manager to be sacked in the 2022-23 season.

#2 – Arsenal to return to the Champions League

So, with Chelsea missing out on the top four, who will take their place? We believe it’ll be none other than Arsenal.

The Gunners haven’t finished in the top four since Arsene Wenger left the club, but Mikel Arteta could set that record straight this campaign.

Arsenal only just missed out on top four last season, finishing two points behind North London rivals Spurs. With solid additions like Gabriel Jesus, Fabio Vieira and the exciting Marquinhos, Arsenal could surprise a few.

Of course, Arsenal do have a tendency to bottle the big occasions, but they’ll never have a better opportunity of regaining Champions League football that this season.

#3 – Newcastle to qualify for Europe

It’s hard to believe that Newcastle United looked nailed-on for relegation in the early stages of last season. However, the Magpies defied all expectations to go on an incredible run in the second half of the season and finish in 11th overall.

It’s a big ask of course, but we think the Northeast club will continue their fine form into 2022-23 and gain a European qualification place. Now, depending on what happens in the cups, this could extend down to seventh in the league, as is usually the case.

Newcastle will face stiff competition from the likes of West Ham, Wolves and Leicester City for these places, but we believe they have what it takes to beat most of them. Nick Pope and Matt Targett are proven Premier League talents, while Sven Botman could be one of the most exciting young players of this season.

Newcastle also have the advantage of not having European football to contend with in midweek, something that West Ham will have to navigate.

#4 – Nottingham Forest to survive… Comfortably

The momentum of newly promoted clubs has been key in some of their first seasons in the top flight in recent years. Sheffield United (9th), Leeds United (9th) and Brentford (13th) all showcased this, and we see no reason why Nottingham Forest can’t replicate that in 2022-23.

Forest are competing in their first Premier League campaign since 1999 and there will be a huge feel-good factor around the City Ground.

The Tricky Trees are one of the favourites to go down, but we believe they’ll finish in mid-table. Dean Henderson is an excellent signing in goal, while defensive acquisitions such as Neco Williams and Moussa Niakhaté will do the club no harm.

Taiwo Awoniyi should also help score goal up top, but we wouldn’t be surprised to see a few more players come through the door before the transfer window slams shut.

#5 – Brentford and Leeds to go down

Second season syndrome is undoubtedly a thing in the Premier League, and we think it’ll see off Brentford this campaign. Leeds United also survived by the skin of their teeth last campaign but we think this season will be the Whites’ last in the Premier League for now.

Let’s start with the Yorkshire club first, as we think they could well finish bottom of the league this campaign. Kalvin Phillips has left for Manchester City, while rumours regarding Raphinha’s future are all pointing the Brazilian away from Elland Road.

Couple that with no players with Premier League experience coming in and the fact that the squad is extremely injury-prone, and you have a recipe for disaster. Leeds shipped goals for fun last season and don’t appear to have any cutting-edge up top. 2022-23 will be one to forget for their fans.

Brentford, meanwhile, aren’t as certain to go down, but we still feel like they’ll go. It’ll be close between them and Fulham for the last relegation spot, but we favour Fulham just edging out this contest. The Bees will be back in the Premier League, and we’d be surprised if manager Thomas Frank gets the axe.

However, Brentford’s recruitment has been lacklustre so far, while losing players such as Christian Eriksen won’t help their cause.