The Premier League remains one of the toughest leagues in the world to predict.
After a season of some shock struggles that forced Tottenham Hotspur to survive on the final day and Liverpool to limp into the top five, a number of managerial changes over the summer made things even tougher to call.
So we’ve called in a little help from the supercomputer to give us weekly predictions on how the rest of the season will pan out. Here’s how it stands after gameweek 2.
20
Coventry City
It looks like it could be a ruthless campaign for the newly-promoted sides. In at 20th and on 27 points, AI believes that Coventry City will suffer instant relegation back to the Championship.
It was a tough welcome back for Frank Lampard in the Sky Blues’ first game of the season, as champions Arsenal swept them aside, yet losing to fellow newly-promoted side, Hull City, proved a far more worrying blow.
If the predictions are anything to go by, though, things are not set to get any better.
19
Ipswich Town
It’s the same fate for Ipswich Town. Fresh from promotion and under a new manager in Gary O’Neil, the Tractor Boys spent big in the summer, but it seems like that may not be enough.
After spending more than £100m to welcome the likes of Daizen Maeda and Emersonn, Ipswich are predicted to finish 19th and on 31 points with a goal difference of -24.
18
Hull City
Unfortunately for Hull City, AI believes that it’ll be a short return to the Premier League. Even after the Tigers mauled Manchester United on the opening day, prior to beating Coventry, AI has predicted them to narrowly miss out on survival, despite claiming 34 points.
Only time will tell whether Hull can prove many doubters wrong just like they did on the opening day. Of course, should they fail, then they will join a long list of promoted sides to head straight back down.
17
Crystal Palace
According to AI, it’s going to be a tough season for new managers, with Pierre Sage among them. The new Crystal Palace boss is predicted to struggle as the Eagles get dragged into a relegation scrap.
With European football to balance alongside domestic action, the South London club are predicted to finish 17th and earn just 37 points fresh from winning the Europa Conference League last time out.
16
Fulham
With the Marco Silva era over, Alvaro Arbeloa has the tough task of picking up where the Portuguese left off.
That, however, is easier said than done as far as AI is concerned. Like many, it has predicted the Cottagers to struggle and just about keep their necks above the water in an incredibly tight relegation battle.
Finishing on 39 points, it is predicted that just five points will separate the West London club and the bottom three by the time the season concludes.
15
Sunderland
Whilst Jamie Carragher has predicted Sunderland to be relegated just one season after they qualified for the Europa League, AI has them in a relatively comfortable 15th.
It’s neither spectacular or disastrous for Regis Le Bris, who will have to get the balance of his squad perfect amid so many fixtures.
In a campaign which features a European tour and the threat of second-season syndrome, 15th and a magic total of 40 points would be respectable for the Black Cats.
14
Leeds United
Ever since a genius tactical change from Daniel Farke last season, Leeds United have been a completely different side. Now, they face the prospect of enjoying a campaign away from the relegation zone.
|
Player |
Nationality |
Previous Club |
Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
|
James Trafford |
England |
Manchester City |
£40m |
|
Tarik Muharemovic |
Bosnia and Herzegovina |
Sassuolo |
£34m |
|
Nico Elvedi |
Switzerland |
Borussia Mönchengladbach |
£8.5m |
|
Michael Zetterer |
Germany |
Eintracht Frankfurt |
£4.3m |
|
Harry Wilson |
Wales |
Fulham |
Free |
|
Jean-Mattéo Bahoya |
France |
Eintracht Frankfurt |
Loan |
|
Melvin Bard |
France |
OGC Nice |
Loan |
The 49ers have certainly backed their manager too, welcoming signings such as Harry Wilson and Tarik Muharemovic. AI now thinks they’ll reap the rewards with a 14th-place, albeit with four fewer points than last season’s tally of 47.
13
Bournemouth
Marco Rose will be one of the most interesting managers to watch this season simply because Bournemouth rarely get things wrong.
The new head coach has been backed by AI to prove a safe pair of hands in the wake of Andoni Iraola’s exit, although the Cherries could fall to 13th this time around.
|
Marco Rose career honours |
|
|---|---|
|
German Cup |
2022/23 |
|
German Super Cup |
2023/24 |
|
Austrian champion |
2017/18, 2018/19 |
|
Austrian Cup |
2018/19 |
Whilst that may leave some fans disappointed after finishing sixth last season, the additional responsibility of European football will undoubtedly impact Bournemouth’s Premier League ambitions.
12
Nottingham Forest
In 12th, Nottingham Forest and new manager Oliver Glasner are expected to enjoy a relatively routine, serene season. Whether Evangelos Marinakis accepts that reality is the big question. The Greek owner has sacked four managers in the space of 12 months.
AI believes the Midlands club are in for a more stable campaign, finishing on 45 points and a world away from the European places they so desperately want to head towards.
11
Everton
Everton finished 13th last season, but AI believes that they’ll actually move ahead to 11th this time around, even amid the ongoing concern regarding their transfer business.
Alas, that means they’ll be without European qualification yet again and it remains to be seen whether The Friedkin Group will accept that as progress from David Moyes.
Consider the chaotic nature of the summer window, they may well have to.