Premier League Title Race Preview 2017/18

With pre-season coming to an end and the 2017/18 season rapidly approaching, ballersblog takes on the unenviable task of attempting to predict how the Premier League will unfold over the next eight months. So here goes...

1st - Manchester United - 90 points

After a successful first season in the cup competitions, Jose Mourinho will look to make a much greater impact on the league in his second season as Man Utd manager. Looking to improve on last season's disappointing sixth placed finish, Mourinho has brought in three high profile signings in the shape of young centre back Victor Lindelof, club record signing Romelu Lukaku and old ally Nemanja Matic. Mourinho will hope that Lukaku can continue the remarkable goalscoring form he showed at Everton to fill the gap left by Zlatan Ibrahimovic's serious knee injury. The arrival of Matic could form an unbreakable midfield partnership between himself and interception king Ander Herrera, which United fans will hope will allow Paul Pogba to get further forward and start to justify his £89 million price tag. Added to United's title credentials is Mourinho's history of second season success, and with players such as Gareth Bale and Ivan Perisic being strongly linked with moves to Old Trafford, who knows how well United will perform. Can Jose deliver a first premier league title to Old Trafford since 2013?

Last Season: 6th

Key Man: Romelu Lukaku

One to watch: Angel Gomes

Unsung Hero: Ander Herrera

2nd - Chelsea - 82 points

What a start it was for Antonio Conte at Chelsea. The Blues blew away everyone before them with their revolutionary 3-4-3 formation on the way to their fifth Premier League title, but the doubtshow they will deal with the added burden of European football next season. Conte's starting XI remained largely consistent last year, suggesting that the Blues could use some greater depth next season. In terms of arrivals, Conte has looked to upgrade his squad in all areas, with Antonio Rudiger arriving as John Terry's replacement, Timoue Bakayoko replacing Manchester United bound Nemanja Matic, and club record signing Alvaro Morata taking Diego Costa's place up front in the starting XI. The question on everyone's lips however is whether or not Morata can finally become a '20 goal a season striker', and if Michy Batshuayi can challenge him for a starting berth. One potential disadvantage for Chelsea is that everyone now knows how they will set up and play, something that Leicester discovered the hard way last season. Surely Chelsea's title defence can't go any worse than last time... can it?

Last Season: 1st

Key Man: Eden Hazard

One to watch: See Vitesse Arnhem...

Unsung Hero: Marcos Alonso

3rd - Manchester City - 80 points

Money, Money, Money has been the story of City's summer so far, having spent £129 million on full backs alone, added to the arrivals of Monaco ace Bernardo Silva and the world's most expensive Goalkeeper Ederson. Last season was a trophy less anti climax after the hype surrounding Pep Guardiola's arrival in the Premier League, and with many fans now doubting his managerial credentials, paired with the vast amounts of money spent on new players, Pep is under more pressure than ever to deliver. Working in City's favour is their enviable amount of attacking talent in midfield, including the likes of Bernardo and David Silva, Leroy Sane, Raheem Sterling and many fans' tip for PFA Player of the year Kevin De Bruyne. With this impressive arsenal of attackers the Citizens have the potential to run riot next year, but surely Guardiola can't keep all of them happy? One interesting development will be the competition between Sergio Agüero and Gabriel Jesus, with Guardiola usually favouring a sole striker, one will have to settle for a place on the bench. City fans will be hoping Ilkay Gundogan can stay fit after an injury ridden debut campaign in England. City's title hopes also rely on John Stones to mature into a top quality Premier League defender, and prove his World Cup credentials. Counting against City is their lack of experience of winning trophies. The departures of Joe Hart, Bacary Sagna, Gael Clichy, Jesus Navas, Aleksander and Pablo Zabaleta have left a big gap in City's leadership group, so Guardiola will be relying on the likes of Raheem Sterling, Kyle Walker and De Bruyne to step up and lead from the front.

Last Season: 3rd

Key Man: Kevin De Bruyne

One to watch: Phil Foden

Unsung Hero: Fernandinho

4th - Arsenal - 79 points

Where else but 4th for Arsenal? Despite a fairly promising transfer window, it looks as if 2017/18 will be another nearly season for Arsenal as they aim to end their 13 year title drought. The arrival of powerhouse left back Sead Kolasinic should give the Gunners more energy in defence, and if his pre season displays are anything to go buy he could be one of the signings of the season. The signing Arsenal fans are most excited about must surely be Alexander Lacazette. After years of calling for a new striker, Arsenal fans may have finally found the heir to Robin Van Persie, and many will hope that he can transfer his impressive Ligue 1 goalscoring record into the Premier League. Lacazette won't be short of chances with the likes of Mesut Özil and Aaron Ramsey feeding him, so Arsene Wenger will be hoping that he can take the goalscoring burden off star man Alexis Sanchez, whilst also proving to be an upgrade on football's sexiest striker Olivier Giroud. The biggest story surrounding Arsenal however is the future of Arsene Wenger. Arsenal fans have become divided over the whole 'Wenger Out/Wenger In' saga, which culminated in Wenger signing a new two year deal with the club. However, as Wenger aims to bounce back from missing out on Champions' League football for the first time in twenty years, we can assure you that the debate will resurface as soon as Arsenal's season starts to show cracks. It also remains to be seen whether Arsenal will be hit by the 'Europa League Curse' t that has crippled the likes of Man Utd, Liverpool and Newcastle in recent years. Another question many fans are asking is if Arsenal can make the 3-4-3 formation work for them, or if it will be disastrous. One thing we can guarantee however is that Arsenal's season will be entertaining from start to finish, so be sure not to miss the likes of Troopz, Claude and Moh on Arsenal Fan TV.

Last Season: 5th

Key Man: Alexis Sanchez

One to watch: Rob Holding/Alex Iwobi

Unsung Hero: Francis Coquelin

5th - Tottenham Hotspur - 77 points

Thats right, we're predicting that normal service will resume and Arsenal fans will be able to celebrate St. Totteringham's day once again. It's make or break time for Mauricio Pochettino and Tottenham. After two impressive title challenging seasons, Spurs need to start winning trophies to keep hold of their top players. Failure to do so could lead to the likes of Dele Alli, Harry Kane, Eric Dier and Christian Eriksen following Kyle Walker out of White Hart Lane in search of silverware. Tottenham's high pressure style of attacking football has won them many plaudits, and they arguably have the strongest defence in the League. It seems like a recipe for success, right? However, questions remain over Spurs' strength in depth, and how they will cope if they make a greater impression on the Champions' League whilst aiming to win their first trophy in nine years. Spurs fans have been left frustrated by the lack of signings this summer, as Mauricio Pochettino has as of yet added no new players to the side which finished second last season, instead deciding to promote from within to replace one England right back Kyle Walker with another in Kieran Trippier. One thing that Spurs fans can rely on is the strength of their academy, which has developed the likes of Harry Kane and Andros Townsend in recent years, and with Harry Winks and Josh Onomah looking to break into the first team, Spurs fans can be rest assured that the future is in safe hands, no matter how this season pans out. It remains to be seen what effect playing at Wembley will have on Spurs this season whilst their new ground is completed. One thing for sure is that if their Wembley form is anything like it was last year, they won't stand a chance of winning a first Premier League title. Can Spurs continue last season's invincible home form at Wembley? Or will away teams raise their game under the famous white arch?

Last Season: 2nd

Key Man: Harry Kane

One to watch: Harry Winks/Kyle Walker Peters

Unsung Hero: Moussa Dembele/Heung Min Son

6th -Liverpool - 74 points

Unfortunately for Liverpool fans, although you may think it's your year again, it most likely isn't. After a successful 4th placed finish in 2015/16 that saw the Reds return to Champions League football, Jurgen Klopp will hope to put together a solid title challenge whilst writing a new chapter in Liverpool's rich European history. Liverpool have dipped into the transfer market to solve their left back dilemma by signing reliable Scotland international Andrew Robertson from Hull, which, although is not a headline signing, could prove to be a very wise move. Also arriving at Anfield is former Chelsea flop Mohamed Salah. The Egypt international will add flair to an already exciting attack, alongside Phillipe Coutinho, Gini Wijnaldum, Adam Lallana and Sadio Mane, should he prove his doubters wrong. Liverpool's biggest problem in recent years has been building a defence that is capable of matching the quality of their attack. In Joel Matip, Liverpool appear to have found a Premier League quality defender, and should now seek to find him a top quality partner in the heart of defence. After the Virgil van Dijk saga, Liverpool are still yet to do this, and until they do, many fans are predicting a difficult season defensively for Liverpool, especially after last season's goalkeeping difficulties. Expect to see plenty of goals at Anfield in the club's 125th anniversary season. At both ends.

Last Season: 4th

Key Man: Sadio Mané

One to watch: Dominic Solanke

Unsung Hero: James Milner

7th - Everton - 58 points

Another year, another 7th place finish for Everton. The Toffees' aims to break into the top six and establish themselves as a major force in the Premier League continue will continue to fall short, despite having arguably the most successful transfer window in the League. The £75 million departure of Romelu Lukaku has funded Ronald Koeman's signing spree, with seven new players arriving at Goodison Park. Jordan Pickford becomes the most expensive English 'keeper of all time, whilst Koeman has added England centre back Michael Keane to his defence along with former Southampton player Cuco Martina. The arrivals of Dutch wizard Davy Klaassen and prodigal son Wayne Rooney will give Everton more attacking impetus from midfield, and with bthe rumoured arrival of Gylfi Sigurdsson Everton could be a deadly attacking force next season. Meanwhile, in Sandro and Henry Onyekuru Everton have two of Europe's most exciting youngsters, who will add to Everton's promising Englishmen Ademola Lookman and Tom Davies. Yannick Bolasie and Morgan Schniederlin will feel like new signings after limited roles last year, whilst Idrissa Gueye will provide the engine in midfield once again. If Everton can find a proven Premier League goalscorer to replace Romelu Lukaku there is no reason why they can't penetrate the Top 6, but as of yet this appears unlikely.

Last Season: 7th

Key Man: Seamus Coleman

One to watch: Ademola Lookman

Unsung Hero: Idrissa Gueye