The Premier League is set to return to action on Monday with the traditional Boxing Day fixtures, as top clubs Arsenal, Manchester City, Tottenham, Newcastle, and Liverpool will be in action.
Before the games begin, it’s time to reset and discuss how the remaining fixtures of the 2022/23 Premier League campaign will ultimately shake out.
All eyes are on the surprise teams. Can Brentford, Fulham, and Brighton stay in the top 10 or even compete for European places? Will Liverpool go for an unpleasant surprise back to a top-four side?
And what about current top-four sides Newcastle United and Arsenal? Do the Magpies have what it takes to qualify for the Champions League? Will the Gunners keep their place at the summit of English football by the end of Matchday 38?
Here are predictions for the top half of the 2022/23 Premier League table before Boxing Day.
10. Aston Villa
New Aston Villa manager Unai Emery has his work cut out for him, but he also has copious talent at his disposal. The likes of Leon Bailey, Lucas Digne, and Boubacar Kamara should be among the best in the Premier League at their respective positions.
Though they are currently 12th in the table, Villa have every reason to finish in the top half.
9. Leicester City
Leicester City were the most disappointing team of the season through the first matches, but they have already shown signs of a turnaround, climbing up to 13th.
The Foxes are still a way’s off from where they need to be, though, as they should be aspiring to finish in European places every season.
Leicester have received seven goals and four assists from star man James Maddison, as well as six goals from Harvey Barnes. If top striker Jamie Vardy can bounce back, Leicester could come roaring back.
8. Brighton
Roberto De Zerbi’s first season in the Premier League is going well thus far, as Brighton sat 7th in the table before the World Cup.
It will be very difficult for the Seagulls to improve on that and finish in the top six, but it is honestly even more difficult to see them falling out of the top 10.
De Zerbi’s tactics are innovative and effective, and Brighton are a talented side, even accounting for a possible winter transfer departure.
Alexis Mac Allister, Solly March, Pascal Groß, Leandro Trossard, and Moisés Caicedo form quite the talented quintet.
7. Chelsea
Chelsea currently sit behind Brighton, and it is difficult to predict where they will land because they are expected to be active buyers in the transfer market.
That said, the Blues have so many flaws in their squad. Their attack is anemic. The signing of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been a disaster to this point, and there is no indication of any improvement from the former Arsenal striker.
The Blues just lack star power in the attack, whereas the teams currently in the top six all have top players in the front line. Even Chelsea’s midfield hasn’t looked up to its usual standard.
6. Manchester United
Erik ten Hag has done a splendid job at Manchester United through his first months on the job.
The new additions have really improved things, and parting ways with Cristiano Ronaldo should ultimately prove to be what’s best for both the Red Devils and the legendary forward.
Of the current players, Marcus Rashford looks most likely to make a big leap forward, as his recent wonder-strike against Burnley showed. The biggest reason for optimism is defensive, of course.
Casemiro has elevated the quality of this side significantly, while former Ajax man Lisandro Martínez is one of the top-performing center backs in the entire league.
5. Tottenham
Dejan Kulusevski and Rodrigo Bentancur have proven to be quite the additions to Antonio Conte’s side.
It’s hard to pick against them finishing in the top four, but that speaks more to the overall quality of the teams they are competing with. Because Tottenham still have question marks in defense.
They have one of the best attacking quartets in world football, led by Harry Kane’s 12 goals in 15 starts. But they are also starting Ben Davies, Eric Dier, and Emerson Royal.
4. Liverpool
While Liverpool have not been the biggest disappointment of the Premier League season, it’s fair to say that the Anfield faithful expected more out of Jürgen Klopp’s side.
The injury to Luis Díaz has been a huge blow, but the positive side is that when he returns, Liverpool will have a group of attackers that is as good as any in the league.
Liverpool’s depth questions are concerning, but their top-end talent is up there with the best of them. Under Klopp, their fighting spirit can never be doubted either.
Like in 2020/21, the Reds should come roaring back for a top-four spot, but this battle will be even tougher against the likes of Spurs, United, Chelsea, and Newcastle.
3. Newcastle
The Magpies are third in the league heading into Boxing Day, and this is a position they should be able to maintain. There is so much to like about their playing style under Eddie Howe.
Their pressing game, organization, ability to bait defenses into mistakes, and fluidity in the attack are enviable.
Newcastle is a well-constructed, well-coached side with a bevy of the Premier League’s top-performing players.
Bruno Guimarães, Miguel Almirón, Joelinton, Fabian Schär, Nick Pope, Allan Saint-Maximin, and Kieran Trippier have all been tremendous this season.
2. Manchester City
It almost seems foolish to pick against Manchester City, what with Kevin de Bruyne being the league’s best player and Erling Haaland on pace to shatter the Premier League goals record.
However, something seems off about this City side. They don’t look as consistent, as organized, or as resilient.
For the first time, they look vulnerable defensively. Both Newcastle and Arsenal are allowing fewer goals than the Citizens.
Maybe a winter signing could change fortunes for City, but it doesn’t even look like they will be as aggressive as the teams they are sandwiched between in the table.
1. Arsenal
Arsenal will do it. Until proven otherwise, they are the top contenders in the Premier League, because the Gunners first-place status is no fluke.
They have earned this through their quality on the pitch, their team spirit, their astute tactical planning, and a core of players who match talent with intensity.
Arsenal is everything a team in the Premier League should aspire to, especially a young team looking to stake their claim.
Better yet, there is every indication that the board will back star manager Mikel Arteta by making a big, title-affirming splash this winter.
Could you imagine Dušan Vlahović and/or Sergej Milinković-Savić among the crop of players Arsenal currently have? And being in that lineup for the next decade, no less?
Exciting times are ahead for the most complete and consistent team in the Premier League right now. Yes, even over the one billion euro City powerhouse.
Via https://thetrivelaeffect.com/premier-league-table-prediction-arsenal-win/
