A REVIEW ON MY 2023/2024 EPL PREDICTIONS
Before the season began, I predicted where all 20 clubs would finish and I think it’s safe to say this is one of the most entertaining and surprising seasons the Premier League has had in a while. We are halfway through and it’s time we go over how far the predictions are faring. With the matches played giving extra insight into how the teams may fare, we will now be going over the hits and misses and speculating how they will finish at the end of the campaign.
Just as before, I’ll be giving a breakdown of how I think the PL table would look at the end of the season in the following categories:
- League Table (From 1st to 20th) 📑
- Most Goals ⚽
- Most Assists 🅰
- Most Clean Sheets 🧤
- Best Player 🌟
- Best Young Player 👦
- Best Manager 🧥
- First Manager(s) to Be Sacked ❌
1. LEAGUE TABLE
Biggest Gains:
- Liverpool (+4)
What I said before the season: “Liverpool miss out on UCL spots here as I strongly believe the team currently doesn’t have a defensive profile in midfield that’ll prevent them from conceding goals (most especially on counters). Liverpool are heavily linked with Lavia and if they do sign him, I don’t see him doing enough in that aspect for their side.”
What’s happened so far: The Reds currently sit on top of the table thanks to sheer resilience & all-around great performances, coming back from one-goal deficits in 3 of their first 5 games of the season. Their longtime main talisman Mo Salah has been cooking with 12 goals and 7 assists this season already becoming the joint second and top player in the respective categories.
Last summer’s signings Wataru Endō and Alexis Mac Allister along with existing players such as Curtis Jones have been impressive defensively in midfield putting my initial doubts in that position to rest. Their other new signing can’t go unnoticed, Dominik Szoboszlai has provided an extra layer of dynamism to their midfield and is already touted as “the next Gerrard” by some fans.
Liverpool now has the best home record (7 wins & 1 draw) and will look to go all the way in their title charge this season.
- Wolves (+7)
What I said before the season: “Wolves finished last season in the Premier League in poor form, winning only 1 of their last 5 games with their side struggling to score goals. Sales of Ruben Neves, Nathan Collins, and Conor Coady would also be huge blows for them. However, the signings of Mattheus Cunha and Boubacar Traore brings a glimmer of hope for the Dingles. But with the sale of their main man up front, Raul Jimenez, things would only go bad to worse next season. Hence, they go in 18th position.”
What’s happened so far: Well I think it’s fair to say I underestimated them, Wolves now sit at 11th on the table after some impressive showings over the past few months!
Despite a poor start to the season winning only one of their first five games of the season, they went ahead on a fairly incredible run beating notable sides such as Man City, Spurs, and Chelsea.
And it wasn’t like my predictions came without merit, Mattheus Nunes was another key player sold and it all seemed gloomy for the team. But it’s their offense that’s stood up for the squad with the likes of Hwang Hee-Chan, Pedro Neto, and club record signing Mattheus Cunha putting up standout performances this season.
Things are currently looking very good for the Dingles with wins in their last two games, including their greatest goal haul of the season on a 4–1 win away at Brentford and they will look to maintain their momentum in the coming games.
- West Ham (+6)
What I said before the season: nil
What’s happened so far: I predicted West Ham would be a mid-table side and I was wrong, they are currently 6th after what has been a roller-coaster of a season. They lost their main man, Declan Rice to London rivals Arsenal and almost sold Lucas Paqueta to Man City. However, it’s been the new signings of Mohammed Kudus, James Ward-Prowse, and Edson Alvarez that have been stellar this campaign, squad players such as Emerson and Tomáš Souček have also been solid this season. And not to forget Bowen who is arguably having his best season so far with 11 goals and 2 assists to his name.
Similar to Wolves, they also had a rough start to the season winning only one of their first five games which included 3–1 losses to Man City and Liverpool respectively, and an embarrassing 4–1 whopping defeat to Aston Villa. However, they came out of that awful stretch beating the likes of Spurs, Man United, and most recently, Arsenal convincingly in a 2–0 game away.
Honorable mentions: Aston Villa & Tottenham Hotspur.
Biggest Misses:
- Newcastle (-5)
What I said before the season: “The Magpies surpassed expectations finishing 4th place last season & would look to keep the momentum going into the new season. The recruitment of Tonali and Barnes would add and improve depth to the squad as they go into the Champions League for the first time since 2003! Eddie Howe is building a really good team and I feel they can continue to progress going forward.”
What’s happened so far: Three straight defeats after an opening-day win against Aston Villa hinted at a season of struggle for last season’s surprise Champions League qualifiers. Now with just one win in their last 5 matches, Newcastle has gone down to 8th position. Not to mention getting knocked out of the Champions League at group stages.
With all of the setbacks, the Magpies will be looking to add to their squad in January. Tonali’s ban which ruled him out for the rest of the season would mean a midfielder would probably be a priority signing on Eddie Howe’s cards.
Manchester United (-4)
What I said before the season: “Man United have done an impressive job in recruitment this summer window with signings of Onana, Mount & Højlund, assembling a new & improved “spine” in the club. In a recent interview, Ten Hag said he wants his side to become the best transition team in the world & the new recruits will help their cause. Provided the club doesn’t get more players like Amrabat or Todibo to improve squad depth, United could be one key injury to losing out on the top 4. Just like Arsenal, expect this United side to challenge for other silverware!”
What’s happened so far: Well, it looks like the only challenge this side will have is to try and qualify for Europe. The club has been on a very streaky form all season winning 10 and losing 8 games this season. Mediocre performances have been the order of the day as the side rarely looking dominant in-game. Manchester United is a team synonymous to drama of recent years and this season hasn’t fall short; From on-pitch struggles such as goal droughts and defensive porosity to off-field issues such as a now dropped legal cases on Antony and Sancho’s very public controversy with his manager, Erik Ten Hag. Therefore the question of how far they can go this season will depend on how they address their several underlying issues.
- Manchester City (-3)
What I said before the season: “I just don’t see City finishing anywhere else (at 1st position). Mahrez would be a significant loss to their attack but existing players such as Foden & Silva should more than cover up in that aspect. Haaland is a robot and provided he stays fit, he will continue to farm this league.”
What’s happened so far: Man City are barely hanging on to top 4 spots in what has not been one of their best halves of a season. Starting it off with 9 wins out of their first 11 matches, they were at the top of the table. However, they’ve been short of form ever since with only two wins and four draws in seven games.
The Cityzens have had their fair share of setbacks too. Key players such as Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland have both been out of action due to injuries with the former having only played 24 minutes in the opening game against Burnley and the latter missing the last 3 Premier League matches.
Still with a game in hand and only 5 points away from 1st, City will be eager to reclaim their former spot.
Dishonorable mentions: Burnley, Brentford and Fulham.
2. MOST GOALS
What I said before the season: Erling Haaland
What’s happened so far: Unsurprisingly, Erling Haaland is the top goal scorer this season. This guy already has 14 goals to his name in only 15 appearances. Absolutely ridiculous!
3. MOST ASSISTS
What I said before the season: Mo Salah and Bruno Fernandes (Tied)
What’s happened so far: Mo Salah, Pedro Neto and Kieran Trippier are all tied for the most assists this season (6).
4. MOST CLEAN SHEETS
What I said before the season: Ederson
What’s happened so far: Alisson, Andre Onana and Jordan Pickford are all tied for the most clean sheets this season (6). Ederson is joint tenth with four.
5. BEST PLAYER
What I said before the season: Mo Salah
What’s happened so far: With 12 goals and 7 assists, joint second and top player in the respective categories and top of the league, it’s safe to say Mo Salah is the best player this season.
6. BEST YOUNG PLAYER
What I said before the season: Romeo Lavia, Alejandro Garnacho, Milos Kerkez & Rico Lewis
What’s happened so far: In what has been a rather quiet season for U-21s in the league, there isn’t really much competition for the best young player this season. Lavia has been out for the majority of the season with a long term ankle injury, Garnacho and Kerkez have been pretty average and Rico Lewis has been fairly impressive in the little game time he’s seen, even earning himself his first cap for the England senior team!
7. BEST MANAGER
What I said before the season: Mikel Arteta
What’s happened so far: Ange Postecoglu has deservedly won three consecutive manager of the month awards so far this season which is the most of any EPL manager, so I will give that title to him.
8. FIRST MANAGER(S) TO BE SACKED
What I said before the season: Roy Hodgson, David Moyes & Julen Lopetegui
What’s happened so far: Julen Lopetegui, Paul Heckingbottom and Steve Cooper were the first managers to get the sack this season.
Penny for your thoughts? What are YOUR predictions for the upcoming season🫵? Lemme know down in the comments 😁⬇️
That’ll be all from me, I’ll see you at the end of the season either ruing my choices or giving myself a nice pat on the back☺️ I’d like to extend my warmest wishes for a joyous holiday season to you and your loved ones, have a wonderful holiday and a happy New Year!
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