By Raghav Prabhakaran
The 2020-21 Premier League season is right around the corner and with a late start caused by a delayed end to last season, the relatively shorter campaign is already showing signs to be one of the most entertaining in recent years. Despite a difficult financial climate caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, clubs are continuing to strengthen across the board. A prediction of the final standings for this highly anticipated year has been made based on mathematical models of each club’s spending prior to Game week 1 and underlying stats of teams from last season.
To begin at the bottom, Fulham and West Bromwich Albion who have just been promoted, are predicted to go right back down. Due to a mixture of no key signings along with relatively weak squads, they are not likely to stay up. Similar reasons can be attributed for Crystal Palace’s low finish who despite the signing of the highly talented Eberechi Eze, will not be able to survive, particularly with their poor form at Selhurst Park. As for mid table, Southampton, Sheffield, newly promoted Leeds and especially Everton have strengthened immensely. Southampton and Everton will consequently improve from last season and Leeds will immediately settle into life back in the top division with their highly experienced manager, Marcelo Bielsa. However, despite some decent signings, Sheffield are likely to drop off in their second season in the Premier League with teams now more prepared to face them on the pitch. Leicester are likely to face a huge decline from their brilliant efforts last season with the loss of Ben Chilwell along with added fixtures in the Europa League this season. Newcastle, Burnley, Brighton and Aston Villa will have similar campaigns to last year. Lastly, despite outperforming expectations every year, Burnley are predicted to drop off this season primarily due to other teams improving. Now onto the top 7 of the table; despite Mikel Arteta’s highly motivated Arsenal camp adding some promising talents at the back, their lack of overall depth and considerably poor midfield will lead them to a higher position from last season but one in which they will miss out on Europe.
Next, an improved Wolves squad with new signings and no more Europa League football and a progressing Manchester United team will compete for a 4th place finish but are predicted to miss out. However, Spurs will get there with key signings like Matt Doherty and Pieree-Emile Hojbjerg, especially considering Jose Mourinho historically succeeds in his second year at any club. As for Chelsea, their 200 Million Euro+ spending spree should see them compete for the title, but their defensive frailties despite some good signings will see them miss out. With the ‘title winning fatigue’ phenomenon which saw a dip in the club’s form from the time they won the league and with Jürgen’s Klopp’s energetic press likely to catch up to the squad, Liverpool will drop to 2nd. Finally, with the additions of Nathan Aké and Ferran Torres, along with frustration due to missing out on the title by nearly 20 points, Manchester City will win the league and if their form post-lockdown was any sign, they will do it with class. Overall, this season is going to be one of the best in recent years with the addition of quality players in the form James Rodriguez, Kai Havertz, Hakim Ziyech and Donny van de Beek amongst others. With a shorter season, games will come and go fast making it even more intriguing. Arsenal and Fulham are kicking off the league, and some cracking fixtures in Game Week 1 include Everton travelling to Spurs and Sheffield hosting Wolves, both on Sunday, 13th September. Only time will tell how the year will play out, but it does already promise a lot of competition and entertainment.
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