Liverpool or Manchester City for the title? Who will finish top goalscorer? 2020/21 Premier League season predictions

The National's writers and editors offer up their forecasts for the new season, including champions, top four, relegated clubs, and players to watch

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The National
Sep 09, 2020
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Just three weeks after the Champions League final in Lisbon, the 2020/21 Premier League season gets underway this Saturday.

The three-month break between March and June caused by the coronavirus pandemic has severely disrupted Europe's professional football schedule, but the good news for fans is that the break between campaigns has been barely noticeable.

So as focus turns towards the new Premier League season, The National's editors and writers offer up their predictions.

Steve Luckings, Deputy Sports Editor

Champions: Liverpool. Hard to look beyond Liverpool as Manchester City still haven't addressed the centre-back problems that blighted their last campaign.

Top four: Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Tottenham

Relegated: Aston Villa, West Brom, Fulham

Player of the season: Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City). If he can stay fit for a majority of the campaign then De Bruyne but otherwise Bruno Fernandes could run him close

Top scorer: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Arsenal)

Player to watch: Donny van de Beek (Manchester United)

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Jon Turner, Assistant Sports Editor

Champions: Manchester City. There were signs Liverpool were starting to run out of steam toward the end of last season having set a relentless and record-setting pace. City have more than enough quality to close the gap and reclaim the title. Should be a closer contest this time around, though.

Top four: Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester United

Relegated: West Brom, Fulham, Aston Villa

Player of the season: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool). Can a right-back be the best player in the Premier League? Alexander-Arnold is making a strong case and will continue to do so this season.

Top scorer: Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)

Player to watch: Hakim Ziyech (Chelsea)

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2020/21 completed transfers

Ibrahima Diallo - Brest to Southampton (£12 million). AFP

Ibrahima Diallo - Brest to Southampton (£12 million). AFP

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John McAuley, Reporter

Champions: Manchester City. Stung by Liverpool's cruise to the title, the former champions will rebound in an incredibly close-run race. Only issue may be prioritising the Champions League.

Top four: Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester United

Relegated: West Brom, Fulham, Aston Villa

Player of the season: Kevin De Bruyne. Still the most eye-catching player in the league who makes City tick. Scores spectacular goals and lays on assists to match. In terms of creation, no one rivals him.

Top scorer: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

Player to watch: Mason Greenwood (Manchester United)

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Liverpool season ratings

File photo dated 11-01-2020 of Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp. PA Photo. Issue date: Thursday June 11, 2020. Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is enjoying watching his players create their own atmosphere as his side warmed up for their Premier League return with a 6-0 Anfield friendly win over Blackburn. See PA story SOCCER Liverpool. Photo credit should read John Walton/PA Wire.

LIVERPOOL 2019/20 RATINGS: Jurgen Klopp - 9 out of 10: The likeable German deserves huge credit for overseeing the best start to any season by any team and delivered a first league title to Anfield in 30 years. Late goals were a feature of this Reds team often inspired by the manager's substitutions. PA

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Paul Radley, Reporter

Champions: Manchester City

… Or Liverpool. Might even be a tie, with identical records, and they will have to toss a coin to decide. After taking 196 points from the past two seasons, Liverpool could run out of puff given the truncated schedule and the pressure of defending their crown. So City to edge it. Possibly.

Top four: Manchester City, Liverpool, Manchester United, Chelsea

Relegated: West Ham United, Fulham, West Bromwich Albion

Player of the season: Kevin de Bruyne. The assist king's eye for a pass is beyond compare in the division at present, and perhaps in the history of the Premier League, too. If City are to bounce back from falling short last season and claim a third title in four campaigns, expect him to be at the centre of it.

Top scorer: Harry Kane (Tottenham)

Player to watch: Donny van de Beek. "Maradonny" van de Beek might not even be the brightest star in Manchester United's gilded midfield, alongside Paul Pogba and Bruno Fernandes. But judged on what he showed for Ajax, particularly in their run to the brink of the Champions League final in 2019, United have invested in a gem.

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Manchester City season ratings

MANAGER: Pep Guardiola - 7: City have been thrilling to watch at times, particularly at home, but have also found ways to lose games they should have won. Hard to think of a trophy winning season as a failure, but such are the standards set by Guardiola that it seems like that after the defeat in Lisbon. Long-term injuries to Aymeric Laporte, Sergio Aguero and Leroy Sane, before he was sold, didn’t help the cause, nor did Mikel Arteta’s departure for Arsenal in December. Plenty to think about over the break, but it would be a surprise if City weren’t stronger next season. AFP

MANAGER: Pep Guardiola - 7: City have been thrilling to watch at times, particularly at home, but have also found ways to lose games they should have won. Hard to think of a trophy winning season as a failure, but such are the standards set by Guardiola that it seems like that after the defeat in Lisbon. Long-term injuries to Aymeric Laporte, Sergio Aguero and Leroy Sane, before he was sold, didn’t help the cause, nor did Mikel Arteta’s departure for Arsenal in December. Plenty to think about over the break, but it would be a surprise if City weren’t stronger next season. AFP

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Ian Hawkey, European football correspondent

Champions: Manchester City

Yes, Liverpool's giant lead over last season's runners-up will take some eroding, but City have the coaching staff and players to correct their frailties and a depth of squad to manage what will be an unusually exhausting schedule for all the elite clubs.

Top Four: Manchester City, Liverpool, Manchester United, Arsenal

Relegated: Fulham, Brighton, West Brom

Player of the season: Kevin de Bruyne. Who needs Lionel Messi? Can there ever be as loved a creative genius as David Silva in City's light blue? Well, there's a Belgian who's been offer compelling answers to those questions for a while.

Top scorer: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Arsenal)

Player to watch: Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace)

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Manchester United season ratings

MANCHESTER UNITED SEASON RATINGS. David de Gea - 5. Clicked through United 400 games recently in his nine-year United career, but how many more? Retains the support of his manager and a contract so vast that nobody would want to match his wages. But 2019-20 was his poorest season since he arrived from Madrid as a callow teen. Played every single minute of all 38 league games, but while once it was possible to pinpoint where he saved United points when he was player of the year four times in five seasons, now the focus is on costly mistakes. Needs to get back to his best and has built up enough credit to get the support while he does that. AFP

MANCHESTER UNITED SEASON RATINGS. David de Gea - 5. Clicked through United 400 games recently in his nine-year United career, but how many more? Retains the support of his manager and a contract so vast that nobody would want to match his wages. But 2019-20 was his poorest season since he arrived from Madrid as a callow teen. Played every single minute of all 38 league games, but while once it was possible to pinpoint where he saved United points when he was player of the year four times in five seasons, now the focus is on costly mistakes. Needs to get back to his best and has built up enough credit to get the support while he does that. AFP

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Richard Jolly, Premier League correspondent

Champions: Manchester City. Partly because they should improve, partly because it would be astonishing for Liverpool to keep up the pace they have set in the last two seasons.

Top four: Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester United

Relegated: Fulham, Crystal Palace, West Bromwich Albion.

Player of the season: Kevin de Bruyne. Astonishingly good in the last two seasons when he has been fit throughout.

Top scorer: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

Player to watch: Kai Havertz (Chelsea)

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Chelsea season ratings

CHELSEA 2019/20 RATINGS: MANAGER: Frank Lampard - 8. Lampard's appointment last summer was met with realistic optimism. Chelsea's greatest goalscorer was back at the club but had to contend with a transfer embargo that meant he was unable to replace the sold Eden Hazard. Billed as Chelsea's weakest squad in years, Lampard steered the Blues to a top four finish in the Premier League, the FA Cup final, and the Champions League last 16. All while giving ample opportunities to the club's youngsters. There is still plenty of room for improvement, particularly with the team's defensive frailties, but an impressive first year in the Stamford Bridge dugout. Getty Images

CHELSEA 2019/20 RATINGS: MANAGER: Frank Lampard - 8. Lampard's appointment last summer was met with realistic optimism. Chelsea's greatest goalscorer was back at the club but had to contend with a transfer embargo that meant he was unable to replace the sold Eden Hazard. Billed as Chelsea's weakest squad in years, Lampard steered the Blues to a top four finish in the Premier League, the FA Cup final, and the Champions League last 16. All while giving ample opportunities to the club's youngsters. There is still plenty of room for improvement, particularly with the team's defensive frailties, but an impressive first year in the Stamford Bridge dugout. Getty Images

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Andy Mitten, European football correspondent

Champions: Manchester City. Vengeful after last season. More consistent too.

Top four: Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester United

Relegated: West Brom, Fulham, Brighton

Player of the season: Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United). Continues his progress since arriving in England.

Top scorer: Raheem Sterling (Manchester City)

Player to watch: Mason Greenwood

Gareth Cox, Assistant Sports Editor

Champions: Liverpool. The drought has been ended and now the floodgates are open after winning the league for the first time in 30 years. Jurgen Klopp's team has no weaknesses with top quality players in every position and a powerful spine that will once again take some stopping.

Top four: Liverpool, Manchester City, Chelsea, Manchester United

Relegated: West Brom, Fulham, West Ham United

Player of the season: Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United). Helped transform United in half a season, now has full campaign to really make his mark.

Top scorer: Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)

Player to watch: Timo Werner (Chelsea)

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Arsenal season ratings

ARSENAL 2019/20 RATINGS: MANAGERS: Unai Emery – 3. After 18 months, the Spaniard was sacked at the end of November following a run of seven games without victory and with Arsenal eight points off the top four. His appointment brought optimism following the gradual decline under Arsene Wenger but Emery ultimately proved an ill fit. Reuters

ARSENAL 2019/20 RATINGS: MANAGERS: Unai Emery – 3. After 18 months, the Spaniard was sacked at the end of November following a run of seven games without victory and with Arsenal eight points off the top four. His appointment brought optimism following the gradual decline under Arsene Wenger but Emery ultimately proved an ill fit. Reuters

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