Here we go again – it’s that time of year when I polish the crystal ball and put my neck on the block ahead of the new Premier League season.

And Sav the soothsayer says the title will be going back to Manchester this season after a shoot-out between Pep Guardiola and Jose Mourinho which could take a photo finish to separate them.

Having tipped Manchester United to win the Premier League last season, I’m not going to desert them now.

Although Guardiola has spent £200 million this summer, and Manchester City look formidable on paper, I just can’t rule out the Special One winning his fourth title in English football.

I’m afraid it’s bad news for north London: I’m tipping both Arsenal and Tottenham to miss out on the top four this time.

And it’s also bad news for Huddersfield, Brighton and Watford – they are my tips to go down, although Burnley may struggle as well.

Don’t forget: These predictions are made before a ball is kicked, and before the transfer window is closed. The picture should be a little clearer at the end of this month.

And don’t take it personally if you don’t agree with my forecast for your team: It’s just my opinion. Have a great season!

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte celebrates lifting the Premier League trophy (
Image:
Action Images via Reuters)

Arsenal

Uncharted territory for Arsene Wenger as he begins a campaign without Champions League football for the first time in 20 years.

Alexandre Lacazette will add firepower, but things could get worse for Wenger before they get better if he loses Alexis Sanchez.

How on earth was such an influential player allowed to reach the final year of his contract without the club busting a gut to keep him? Le Professeur rode out the storm last season but I suspect he is facing another year outside the mainstream.

Verdict: No top four return 5th

Arsene Wenger says Alexis Sanchez is definitely staying at the club (
Image:
Arsenal FC/Getty)

Bournemouth

Asmir Begovic and Nathan Ake are good signings because only four teams conceded more goals than Bournemouth last season and they needed reinforcements at the back.

New striker Jermain Defoe has one eye on a World Cup place with England, and Eddie Howe’s commitment to vibrant, attacking football should be his passport to Russia.

Verdict: Staying up again 11th

Jermain Defoe is back at Bournemouth (
Image:
RichardCrease/BNPS)

Brighton

It’s wonderful to see Chris Hughton back in the Premier League, where he was treated so poorly by Newcastle and Norwich, and he will enjoy a lot of neutral goodwill as Brighton, one of my old clubs, return to the top flight after a 34-year absence.

I hope it’s not a one-season stopover, but the squad lacks depth of quality. I wish them all the best, but I fear the worst.

Verdict: Going down, sadly 19th

The best player in last season's Championship, Anthony Knockaert, will play in the Premier League this year (
Image:
PA)

Burnley

They turned Turf Moor into a fortress last year and stayed up almost entirely due to a formidable home record.

But Michael Keane will be a big loss for the Clarets at the back, and unless Sean Dyche finds a way to win games on the road this time, I’m afraid Burnley will be dicing with danger.

Verdict: Nip and tuck for Dyche in the heavy rough 17th

Sean Dyche will be up against it again this year (
Image:
REUTERS)

Chelsea

What is going on at Stamford Bridge? I don’t understand why the champions have allowed Nemanja Matic, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Nat Chalobah to leave without oven-ready replacements in midfield.

And Alvaro Morata is a fine player – but is he really an upgrade on Diego Costa? Chelsea were fantastic last season, but with Champions League football back on the menu, they will find the going heavier.

Verdict: No title joy this time 3rd

Alvaro Morata will lead the champions this season (
Image:
Getty)

Crystal Palace

Sam Allardyce’s sudden resignation caught everyone on the hop, and replacing him with Frank de Boer is a major change of direction in terms of playing style.

The Dutchman says he wants Palace to play like Ajax – a noble statement of intent, but safety should be his first priority rather than style.

Having said that, if Wilfried Zaha and Christian Benteke stay fit, they could even finish in the top half.

Verdict: Unpredictable but entertaining 9th

Wilfried Zaha could be the best player outside of the top six sides (
Image:
Getty Images Europe)

Everton

Ronald Koeman’s revolution is in full swing – Romelu Lukaku may have gone, but they have spent £100m on new players with the promise of more, notably Gylfi Sigurdsson, to follow.

After a few false dawns, this could be the year Everton push hard for a top-four finish if they replace £75m departure Lukaku’s firepower with another proven goalscorer.

Verdict: Close, but no cigar 7th

Wayne Rooney is back at Everton (
Image:
Everton FC/Getty)

Huddersfield

Great to see the Terriers back in the big time, and they will be nobody’s pushovers because David Wagner’s team will work their socks off every week.

I like Aaron Mooy’s energy in midfield - but to stay up, Huddersfield will need somebody to score at least 15 goals... and I’m not sure they have that talisman who will lead them to the magic 40-point survival mark.

Verdict: Just enjoy the ride 20th

David Wagner will lead the Terriers into the Premier League for the first time (
Image:
Getty Images Europe)

Leicester

Now the storm clouds have dispersed, and Craig Shakespeare has steered the ship through choppy waters, it should be plain sailing towards mid-table.

We’ve done the great escape, the 5,000-1 title miracle and the fairytale run to Champions League quarter-finals – surely the Foxes are due a quieter season... aren’t they? New arrival Kelechi Iheanacho’s partnership with Jamie Vardy will be worth watching.

Verdict: Around halfway 10th

Jamie Vardy could lose another top class team-mate in Riyad Mahrez (
Image:
Plumb Images)

Liverpool

They were top of the league until December last year but failed the last the course after Sadio Mane went to the African Cup of Nations and a grim sequence of cup results in January undermined their confidence.

Can they go all the way this year? Not sure about that, but Mohamed Salah, Andrew Robertson and Dominic Solanke will strengthen Jurgen Klopp’s hand - and keeping hold of Philippe Coutinho will be key.

Verdict: Top four again 4th

Mohamed Salah is Liverpool's star signing (
Image:
REUTERS)

Manchester City

Pep Guardiola finished his debut season in English football empty-handed, but there’s no way he will draw another blank. City led the charge of big spenders in the close season, shelling out nearly £100m on a pair of full-backs alone, and they will take some stopping.

It’s going to be a thrilling shoot-out with the neighbours across town – and for me, only United are equipped to match them.

Verdict: Photo finish for the title 2nd

Pep Guardiola is under serious pressure after spending another more than £200m (
Image:
REUTERS)

Manchester United

After Jose Mourinho salvaged two trophies and Champions League football from a season which threatened to yield much less, he has strengthened key areas down the spine of his team with the arrivals of Romelu Lukaku, Nemanja Matic and Victor Lindelof.

My tip for the title in 2016-17 went down the gurgler before Christmas, but this year we will get the duel many people were expecting – Pep v Jose for the No.1 spot – and I can’t wait.

Verdict: Toss-up with City for the title Champions

United snapped up Romelu Lukaku for a cool £75m (
Image:
Man Utd via Getty Images)

Newcastle

Back where they belong and, let’s be honest, they would never have gone down in the first place if Rafa Benitez had arrived half a dozen games sooner.

Jacob Murphy is an exciting prospect and a worthy recruit but, with the possible exception of a cup run, Newcastle don’t need to look beyond consolidation over the next nine months. They have enough know-how and quality to survive.

Verdict: Lower mid-table 14th

Mikel Merino has joined Newcastle (
Image:
Getty)

Southampton

I thought it was harsh to send Claude Puel packing after Saints finished eighth and reached a cup final in his first season, and I don’t see how they can hold on to Virgil van Dijk if his heart is set on a move elsewhere. New head coach Mauricio Pellegrino may be looking over his shoulder at times, but I don’t see him being dragged into the quicksands.

Verdict: Don’t expect miracles 13th

Southampton will hope to keep hold of Virgil van Dijk (
Image:
PA)

Stoke

The Potters can’t afford another slow start like the last two seasons because some fans will take to the phone-in airwaves and pile the pressure on my old pal Mark Hughes – which would be unfair because Stoke’s first four games include Everton away, Arsenal and Manchester United.

Kurt Zouma will be a decent loan signing, but they have lost a lot of experience this summer with Jon Walters, Marko Arnautovic, Phil Bardsley and Glenn Whelan all leaving.

Verdict: Danger lights flashing 15th

Kurt Zouma joined Stoke on loan (
Image:
Stoke City/Twitter)

Swansea

Gylfi Sigurdsson’s departure looks inevitable, if not imminent, and Swansea are not so blessed with matchwinners that they can afford to lose the heartbeat of their team.

But I was impressed with the way Paul Clement kept his cool under pressure on the run-in last May and I fancy the Swans to make the cut again – although it may be another tight squeeze.

Verdict: Staying up – just 16th

Gylfi Sigurdsson is on his way out of Swansea (
Image:
Rex Features)

Tottenham

Mauricio Pochettino’s strongest XI is arguably the best team in the Premier League, but their best chance of winning the title may have gone with those near misses in the last two seasons.

Spurs struggled to settle at Wembley in the Champions League, and now they face playing there every week while the new ground is going up at White Hart Lane. It could even cost them a top-four spot.

Verdict: Spurs slipping 6th

Mauricio Pochettino has made no signings yet (
Image:
Reuters)

Watford

New coach Marco Silva arrived as one of the most sought-after managers in England, but he still has much to prove. As well as he did at Hull, they only won a single point away from home after he took over and, ultimately, they went down.

Go ahead and prove me wrong, by all means, but I look at Watford’s fixtures and I don’t see a single easy one among them.

Verdict: Borderline but going down 18th

Marco Silva is still in the Premier League with Watford after suffering relegation at Hull (
Image:
Action Images via Reuters)

West Brom

Tony Pulis does what it says on the tin: He never gets relegated. West Brom tailed off badly after reaching 40 points last season, and they will miss Darren Fletcher’s steadying influence.

But I hope Jay Rodriguez fills his boots after wretched luck with injuries and I trust the fans will give Pulis a fair hearing – because nobody has a divine right to stay in the Premier League.

Verdict: Steering clear of trouble 12th

Javier Hernandez returns to the Premier League with the Hammers (
Image:
West Ham United FC)

West Ham

Much as the Hammers’ recruitment last summer was poor, they have pulled off two of the best deals of this window by bringing in England keeper Joe Hart and Javier Hernandez.

And after the teething troubles of moving into their new home last season, the worst may be over for Slaven Bilic. I fancy them to inhabit the top half.

Verdict: Bubbles flying high 8th

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