McNulty Picks Arsenal to Retain Premier League Title, Puts Chelsea 4th in 20-Team Forecast
Updated
Updated · bbc.co.uk · Aug 19
McNulty Picks Arsenal to Retain Premier League Title, Puts Chelsea 4th in 20-Team Forecast
3 articles · Updated · bbc.co.uk · Aug 19
Summary
Arsenal are tipped to finish first again after ending a 22-year wait for the title last season, with Phil McNulty calling retention the "easiest prediction" after their Community Shield win over Manchester City.
Manchester City are forecast to place second as Enzo Maresca begins a post-Pep Guardiola era, despite major departures and a £116 million move for Elliot Anderson already signaling another rebuild.
Liverpool are projected to rebound to third under new manager Andoni Iraola, while Chelsea are backed to jump from 10th to fourth in Xabi Alonso's first season.
Manchester United, Aston Villa and Tottenham complete the next tier in fifth through seventh, with Nottingham Forest, Brighton and Brentford rounding out McNulty's top 10.
At the bottom, promoted Coventry City, Ipswich Town and Hull City are predicted to finish 18th, 19th and 20th, underscoring how hard survival looks in a season with nine new managers.