Premier League predictions for 2013/14

The National's Andy Mitten, Richard Jolly, Ian Hawkey and Jonathan Wilson make their calls on who is going to do what in the coming season.

All of The National's footballing experts are predicting relegation for Steve Bruce's Hull City.
Powered by automated translation

Richard Jolly, English football correspondent

Champions: Chelsea

Last season may have been the worst of Jose Mourinho's managerial career, but his record of winning league titles is unparalleled. The Portuguese has a brilliant analytical brain and specialises in finding a way to win. If he can sign Wayne Rooney, it will also involve weakening a rival, but even though Manchester United are reluctant to sell and Chelsea are not the finished article quite yet, expect Mourinho to get his way. He usually does.

Second: Manchester City

Third: Manchester United

Fourth: Arsenal

Top scorer: Robin van Persie

Overachievers: Norwich City have been overachieving for years, but having invested heavily and signed two potential scorers in Gary Hooper and Ricky van Wolfswinkel, Chris Hughton's side should flourish.

Underachievers: Newcastle United, again. They have talented players and a fine manager, but the bizarre decision to hire Joe Kinnear could send them into a tailspin. St James' Park could be an unhappy camp.

Relegation

18th: Stoke City

19th: Hull City

20th: Crystal Palace

--------------------------

Jonathan Wilson, Premier League correspondent

Champions: Manchester City

In a chaotic summer of managerial changes and lengthy transfer sagas, City got the jump on everyone and made four excellent signings early purchases that will strengthen their squad and answer specific needs. There is a doubt, of course, as to how quickly Manuel Pellegrini will adapt to the English game, particularly given he is 57 years old, but the strength and balance of City's squad should just about carry them home ahead of improving Chelsea.

Second: Chelsea

Third: Manchester United

Fourth: Arsenal

Top scorer: Robin van Persie

Overachievers: Sunderland. Strip away the controversy and Paolo Di Canio is a workaholic and intelligent coach, while Sunderland's buys have shown a rare imagination.

Underachievers: Fulham. There was a sense of drift towards the end of last season that has not been addressed, while the squad seems dreadfully unbalanced and destined for relegation.

Relegation

18th: Fulham

19th: Hull

20th: Crystal Palace

----------------------------------------------------------

Ian Hawkey, European football correspondent

Champions: Chelsea

Jose Mourinho has chosen a good time to return to English football, and buff up a managerial reputation dented in his final year at Real Madrid. His chief rivals are under new bosses and some key men in his squad are maturing. Oscar, Eden Hazard and Romelu Lukaku have had a full season to accustom themselves to the Premier League, and there is firepower in the midfield, should the strikers have irregular spells. The rearguard should be well disciplined.

Second: Manchester City

Third: Manchester United

Fourth: Tottenham Hotspur

Top scorer: Sergio Aguero

Overachievers: Aston Villa finished a difficult 2012/13 strongly, have kept Christian Benteke, and with a clear game plan, a young team can hurt opponents with their speed up front.

Underachievers: Sunderland. Bedding in so many new players will take some time, and that might test the patience of their manager, Paolo Di Canio. They have lost a fine keeper in Simon Mignolet.

Relegation

18th: Norwich City

19th: Hull City

20th: Crystal Palace

-------------------------------------------------------

Andy Mitten, European football correspondent

Champions: Manchester United

Just. United won the league by 11 points in Sir Alex Ferguson's final season and a repeat by a similar margin is unlikely. United's title-winning squad is more experienced and almost unchanged, though there's concern about the lack of signings since new manager David Moyes took control. With Jose Mourinho, Chelsea will be better than last season. With Manuel Pellegrini, Manchester City will improve, too. But United will have the edge.

Second: Chelsea

Third: Manchester City

Fourth: Arsenal

Top scorer: Sergio Aguero

Overachievers: West Ham United. They went largely uncredited for finishing 10th last season, but Sam Allardyce is obsessed with improvement and marginal gains through sports science. They can improve again, though Europe will be beyond them.

Underachievers: Everton. Some of their fans are glad that he's gone, but they'll miss David Moyes, a manager who helped the Toffees punch above their weight for a decade.

Relegation

18th: Cardiff

19th: Crystal Palace

20th: Hull City

Follow us