2021/22 EPL Predictions Part 1
The English Premier League started last weekend and technically we are cheating a bit with our season predictions having seen each team in action but at the end of the day our predictions haven’t changed that much, so running from 20th to 1st here is how we think the 2021/22 EPL ladder will finish.
20th: Watford (Last Season: 2nd Championship)
Watford were promoted from the Championship last season with the best defence in the league last season but struggled with the goal scoring sitting sixth in the league for goals scored. There needs to be a major attacking improvement if Watford want to stay out of a relegation battle.
Week 1 result: W 3-2 Vs Aston Villa; Week 2 Match: Vs Brighton (A)
19th: Norwich (Last Season: 1st Championship)
The Canaries have been yo-yoing between the Championship and the Premier for the past decade with no real stability in the League over the past decade. Norwich finished as the second top scorer in the Championship and will need their attack. A tough start to the season puts them in with an uphill battle to stay in the Premier League again
Week 1 result: L 3-0 Vs Liverpool (H) Week 2 Match: Vs Manchester City (A)
18th: Southampton (Last Season: 15th)
Southampton finished the 2020/21 season absolutely terribly with only 4 wins from their last 21 matches which only just kept them out of a relegation battle towards the end of the season. The biggest lowlight of last season was their 9-0 defeat against Manchester United. The Saints have brought in a couple of key signings including Theo Walcott but they need improvement
Week 1 result: L 3-1 Vs Everton (A) Week 2 Match: Vs Manchester Utd (H)
17th: Burnley (Last Season: 17th)
Burnley struggled during the 2020/21 season which was a far-cry from their 2019/20 season when they finished in tenth spot. Despite finishing 11 points clear of Relegation, The Clarets would consider themselves lucky to not be closer to the battle. A team who used to be nuisance value to the top teams, they struggled against the top teams especially at their fortress of Turf Moor. Their hope will be the fans returning to Turf Moor will help them.
Week 1 Result: L 2-1 Vs Brighton (H) Week 2 Match: Vs Liverpool (A)
16th: Brentford (Last Season: 3rd Championship)
EPL first-timers Brentford have already made a big splash with their 2-0 win over Arsenal in Week 1 of the competition. Attack was never going to be an issue for last season’s Championship top-scorers but there was going to be questions over how they could go up against some of the best in the World. Brentford might have been working on hype and adrenalin for their first game, but they have a tough task to stay up in the league.
Wk 1 Result: W 2-0 Vs Arsenal (H); Wk 2 Match: Vs Crystal Palace (A)
15th: Crystal Palace (Last Season: 14th)
Crystal Palace will have a tough time staying up this season but under new boss Patrick Vieira there is a big hope that they could find a spark that they have been lacking for a while. The times have changed but Palace don’t seem to change with them having never finished above 10th in the Premier League and averaging a position around 13th. If Vieira cannot get the best out of players such as Wilfred Zaha, it’s a long season ahead for the Eagles
Week 1 Result: L 3-0 Vs Chelsea (A); Week 2 Match: Vs Brentford (H)
14th: Brighton (Last Season: 16th)
Brighton are a team that could finish absolutely anywhere because they just promise so much but fail to deliver. With just 9 wins last season, the Seagulls are going to need to improve on that factor given that they had 14 draws to go with those 9 wins. A six-match unbeaten streak with wins against Tottenham and Liverpool show that they can be a threat to the top teams but struggles against teams such as Fulham, West Brom and Sheffield United who were all relegated showed Brighton have a lot of work to do.
Wk 1 Result: W 2-1 Vs Burnley (A); Wk 2 Match: Vs Watford (H)
13th: Wolverhampton (Last Season: 11th)
Another side that could finish anywhere on the ladder without shock is the Wolves; Finishing 11th last season, Wolverhampton struggled in the goalscoring statistics averaging less than a goal per game. The Wolves will be hoping that the return of Raul Jimenez from a fractured skull help their attacking fortunes and the impact of new manager Bruno Lage can fix their woes in attack.
Wk 1 Result: L 1-0 Vs Leicester (H); Wk 2 Match: Vs Tottenham (A)
12th: Newcastle (Last Season: 12th)
There are signs that Newcastle could do better than last season but at the same time they could end up in a similar position. The Magpies will be hoping that Allan Saint-Maxim can find form and there were good signs that he could star for Newcastle this season. Their game against West Ham showed that they could match some of the better teams.
Wk 1 Result: L 4-2 Vs West Ham (H); Wk 2 Match: Vs Aston Villa (A)
11th: Leeds United (Last Season: 9th)
If it was my Football Manager game then I’d be putting Leeds in as first; But their form of last season which shocked many can’t last forever. Their attacking tactics helped them last season but being loose at the back with an attacking focussed game could cause them issues in the game. Their game against Manchester United last time out was poor and highlighted their potential weaknesses.
Wk 1 Result: L 5-1 Vs Manchester Utd (A); Wk 2 Match: Vs
Tomorrow, we’ll bring you our EPL top 10 and leave us a comment on what you think.