Metro’s Premier League predictions: Lukaku topscorer? Man City champions? Conte axed first?

The Premier League season is just hours away from kicking off as a summer of football-less boredom finally comes to an end. Already spending has crossed the £1billion mark with three weeks left until deadline day.

Man City have twice broken the transfer record for a defender, United could end up spending £100m on Romelu Lukaku, Chelsea are in the process of overhauling their squad and Arsenal have kept Alexis Sanchez out of the clutches of rival clubs.

It promises to be on the most competitive and exciting campaigns to date, and virtually impossible to predict. But we’ve tried our best anyway. From the eventual champion to the top scorer, we’ve put our guessing hats on. Go easy on us…

TOP FOUR

Man City are the team with the fewest obvious flaws. If Vincent Kompany stays fit and their new full-backs settle well, doubts about a suspect defence will soon subside. In attack they have a frankly obscene number of options from which to choose and could yet add Alexis Sanchez to the mix. If the Chile star remains at Arsenal, however, then the Gunners can mount a challenge, assuming Arsene Wenger treats the Europa League with the contempt he normally reserves for the League Cup.

Man City look champions at this moment while Chelsea will certainly drop several places with their current squad. Antonio Conte keeps them in the top three. Tottenham still haven’t addressed their main issues. They have a goal scorer, solid defence but they don’t have that winner or experienced head to guide them through the rough patches. I can’t see much change in the top four from last season other than I don’t think Liverpool have strengthened enough to keep a top four place. Although United have made some great additions on paper, once again they are relying on the new signings to hit the ground running and I think Lukaku will need time to come good.

The 2016-17 season was the only season when Guardiola has been actively managing that he hasn’t won anything (except for a lone Manager Of The Month trophy in February). This’ll be the season that makes him or breaks him. My guess is it’ll make him on both the domestic and European stage.

No Champions League is as good as having one hand on the trophy – just ask Leicester and Chelsea. Meanwhile the other contenders have used the transfer window to chop and change (except Tottenham who have suicidally done nothing at all) while Arsenal have simply put two gems on top of an already excellent side. They’ll start the season strongly and now have the squad to see it through. Of the rest of the top four – Man City will concede too many, Man Utd won’t score enough, Tottenham will be good but not good enough. I’m backing Chelsea to implode this season – there are already signs. And if Liverpool lose Philippe Coutinho they might be please just to finish above Everton.

Man City have the best squad in the league and now actually have full-backs (albeit expensive ones). I’d expect them to pip United to the title, with Chelsea dropping off a bit due to featuring in the Champions League. The final place is anyone’s guess but Arsenal could just abandon the Europa League and focus on the domestic season, which could see them move above Spurs who haven’t strengthened.

As with last season, many people are tipping the two Manchester clubs to be the main contenders for the title. I still wouldn’t rule out Chelsea given the superb job Antonio Conte did with an unfancied squad last term, though they do look weaker this time after a disappointing transfer window. United have strengthened in the main areas they want to and Jose Mourinho’s strong second-season record means I’m tipping them to edge a close title race.

After spending well in the summer, Man City could romp to the title and rack up a few cricket scores along the way. Tottenham still have the most balanced starting XI in the division, even if they need more squad depth, while United should challenge if their clinicalness in front of goal improves. Arsenal and Chelsea will battle it out for fourth spot, though the latter’s season is at risk of unravelling before it has even begun.

RELEGATION PLACES

PLAYER OF THE YEAR / YOUNG PLAYER OF THE YEAR

TOP SCORER

FIRST MANAGER TO LEAVE THEIR POST

BEST/WORST SIGNINGS OF THE SEASON

AND THE RESULTS…