Premier League preview: Every team’s chances in the 2017/2018 season ranked

WITH the Premier League season about to begin, Matt Windley runs a rule over the 20 teams and picks out those destined for greatness and those headed for the drop.

Manchester United's star recruit Romelu Lukaku.

• AUSSIE WATCH:How Mooy and Ryan will fare this season

• CLUB-BY-CLUB:Every EPL team’s chances rated

• ROBBIE SLATER:Premier League title race is wide open

MANCHESTER CITY

Etihad Stadium (55,097)

Last season: 3rd

Manager: Pep Guardiola (ESP)

Star man: Kevin De Bruyne (BEL)

Big ins: Kyle Walker (Tottenham), Benjamin Mendy (Monaco), Danilo (Real Madrid), Ederson (Benfica)

Big outs: Aleksandar Kolarov (Roma), Pablo Zabaleta, Gael Clichy, Jesus Navas (all released)

TAB odds Title: $2.85 Relegation: $2501

Windley says: It is the second year of the Pep Guardiola reign and the demands are high at the Etihad — it’s title or bust for this expectant and ambitious club. The signs were there at times last season that the players were starting to get the feel for the master manager’s style of play, but the defence was leaky. Stunning transfer spends on Mendy ($85m) and Walker ($84m) fixes the problems at fullback, they forked out a goalkeeping record fee of $60m for Ederson, while a new centre back will be the cherry on top and should propel City to success.

Verdict: Champions

MANCHESTER UNITED

Old Trafford (75,643)

Last season: 6th

Manager: Jose Mourinho (POR)

Star man: Paul Pogba (FRA)

Big ins: Victor Lindelof (Benfica), Romelu Lukaku (Everton), Nemanja Matic (Chelsea)

Big outs: Zlatan Ibrahimovic (released), Wayne Rooney (Everton), Adnan Janazaj (Real Sociedad)

TAB odds Title: $4.25 Relegation: $2501

Windley says: They’re back — in more ways than one. It has been an almighty struggle since Sir Alex Ferguson left in 2013, with the Red Devils going through two managers and slipping down the table. But now, with a reinvigorated Mourinho — entering his second season and with Champions League football returning to Old Trafford, this could the season United challenges again. They splurged $127m on Lukaku and $44m on Matic, a sign United believes it is firmly in the title window.

Verdict: Runner-up

Week One Draw

SATURDAY, AUGUST 12

Arsenal v Leicester City, 4.45am; Watford v Liverpool, 9.30pm

SUNDAY, AUGUST 13

Everton v Stoke City, 12am; Crystal Palace v Huddersfield, 12am; Southampton v Swansea City, 12am; West Brom v Bournemouth, 12am; Chelsea v Burnley, 12am; Brighton v Man City, 2.30am; Newcastle v Tottenham, 10.30pm

MONDAY, AUGUST 14

Man United v West Ham, 1am

*Note: home team listed first

CHELSEA

Stamford Bridge (41,623)

Last season: Champions

Manager: Antonio Conte (ITA)

Star man: Eden Hazard (BEL)

Big ins: Alvaro Morata (Real Madrid), Tiemoue Bakayoko (Monaco), Antonio Rudiger (Roma)

Big outs: Nemanja Matic (Man Utd), Juan Cuadrado (Juventus), John Terry (Aston Villa)

TAB odds Title: $4.50 Relegation: $2501

Windley says: Title defences haven’t been kind to Chelsea over the years. And Blues fans could be getting nervous after the pursuit of Romelu Lukaku failed and the fact the Diego Costa saga drags on — the exiled striker still hasn’t been offloaded. But in Conte they have a cool, calm and collected boss who has the potential to ensure his side rises above it all. Depth is the major question as Chelsea, unlike last season, has to contend with Champions League again.

Verdict: Champions League — 3rd

Tottenham Hotspur star Harry Kane

TOTTENHAM

Wembley Stadium (90,000)

Last season: 2nd

Manager: Mauricio Pochettino (ARG)

Star man: Harry Kane (ENG)

Big outs: Kyle Walker (Man City), Tom Glover (Central Coast)

TAB odds Title: $9 Relegation: $1001

Windley says: Two big questions surround Tottenham. 1) Will playing at Wembley this season have any impact on Spurs’ campaign while White Hart Lane is being redeveloped? 2) Can the same squad that impressed, but still fell just short last season, challenge for top honours given the vast improvements made in Manchester? No new signings had come in at time of writing. It’s refreshing in this age of vast spending, but they do say if you’re not refreshing you’re going backwards.

Verdict: Champions League — 4th

LIVERPOOL

Anfield (54,074)

Last season: 4th

Manager: Jurgen Klopp (GER)

Star man: Philippe Coutinho (BRA)

Big ins: Mohamed Salah (Roma), Andrew Robertson (Hull)

Big outs: Lucas Leiva (Lazio), Andre Wisdom (Derby), Jake Brimmer (Perth)

TAB odds Title: $11 Relegation: $1001

Windley says: Champions League nights at Anfield are iconic, but how much will the European burden drain a Liverpool squad that hasn’t been strengthened anywhere near as much as its north-west rivals? If Brazilian star Philippe Coutinho is poached by Barcelona then it will be back to the drawing board. In Klopp the Liverpool fans do trust, but questions might start to be asked if the team’s high-octane style doesn’t hold up towards the back end of what promises to be an exhausting campaign.

Verdict: 5th

Will Alexis Sanchez stay at the Emirates?

ARSENAL

Emirates Stadium (60,432)

Last season: 5th

Manager: Arsene Wenger (FRA)

Star man: Alexis Sanchez (CHI)

Big ins: Sead Kolasinac (Schalke), Alexandre Lacazette (Lyon)

Big outs: Wojciech Szczesny (Juventus)

TAB odds Title: $11 Relegation: $1001

Windley says: Arsene Wenger survived the worldwide push for his head and, in typical Wenger fashion, the status quo at Arsenal continues apace. While the Manchester clubs have engaged in a stunning arms race, the Gunners’ off-season transfer window has been comparatively quiet — although $90m man Lacazette is a good get — while the standoff with Sanchez over his future continues to bubble along. If the midfield is not strengthened, a second straight season outside the top four beckons.

Verdict: 6th

EVERTON

Goodison Park (39,572)

Last season: 6th

Manager: Ronald Koeman (NED)

Star man: Wayne Rooney (ENG)

Big ins: Wayne Rooney (Man Utd), Michael Keane (Burnley), Jordan Pickford (Sunderland)

Big outs: Romelu Lukaku (Man Utd), Gerard Deulofeu (Barcelona), Tom Cleverley (Watford)

TAB odds Title: $67 Relegation: $101

Windley says: Rooney’s return is romantic, but a flurry of other transfer activity should be seen as a statement of intent, despite losing Lukaku. The now “Big Six” is well established, but a couple will be looking nervously for Everton over their shoulder.

Verdict: 7th

West Ham United's English midfielder Michail Antonio.

WEST HAM

London Stadium (57,000)

Last season: 11th

Manager: Slaven Bilic (CRO)

Star man: Michail Antonio (ENG)

Big ins: Javier Hernandez (Bayer Leverkusen), Marko Arnautovic (Stoke), Pablo Zabaleta, Joe Hart (both Man City)

Big outs: Alvaro Arbeloa (retired),

TAB odds Title: $351 Relegation: $10

Windley says: Surely the second season at London Stadium can’t be as tumultuous? A couple of Man City offcuts are handy pick-ups, paying $41m for Arnautovic demonstrates his worth, while the season could live or die on Hernandez finding his 2010-13 Man United form.

Verdict: 8th

LEICESTER CITY

King Power Stadium (32,500)

Last season: 12th

Manager: Craig Shakespeare (ENG)

Star man: Jamie Vardy (ENG)

Big ins: Kelechi Iheanacho (Man City), Vincent Iborra (Sevilla)

Big outs: Robert Zieler (Stuttgart)

TAB odds Title: $201 Relegation: $15

Windley says: It is back to reality for the 2016-17 fairytale story — no “champions” tag and no Champions League. But if the upward spike in form after Claudio Ranieri was sacked is any guide, the Foxes may yet have some punches to throw.

Verdict: 9th

Will the Cherries defy the odds yet again?

AFC BOURNEMOUTH

Dean Court (11,464)

Last season: 9th

Manager: Eddie Howe (ENG)

Star man: Steve Cook (ENG)

Big ins: Jermain Defoe (Sunderland), Nathan Ake, Asmir Begovic (both Chelsea)

TAB odds Title: $751 Relegation: $7

Windley says: Probably lost among the Leicester hoopla, but Bournemouth is killing it considering it was in League One five seasons ago. Ake cost a club record fee, Defoe is back after playing there as a teen. No sign of this fairytale ending.

Verdict: 10th

SOUTHAMPTON

St Mary’s Stadium (32,689)

Last season: 8th

Manager: Mauricio Pellegrino (ARG)

Star man: Oriol Romeu (ESP)

Big ins: Jan Bednarek (Lech Poznan)

Big outs: Jay Rodriguez (West Brom)

TAB odds Title: $251 Relegation: $26

Windley says: It’s a fourth manager in five seasons for a Saints side that has become accustomed to finishing in the top half, but, 2013-14 under Pochettino aside, failed to go any further. This season could be the sliding season.

Verdict: 11th

The Magpies are back - but will they stay?

NEWCASTLE

St James’ Park (52,354)

Last season: Championship winner

Manager: Rafa Benitez (ESP)

Star man: Aleksandar Mitrovic (SRB)

Big ins: Javier Manquillo (Atletico Madrid), Florian Lejeune (Eibar), Christian Atsu (Chelsea)

Big outs: Florian Thauvin (Marseille),

TAB odds Title: $501 Relegation: $4.50

Windley says: Newly promoted entrant simply hoping for survival? Or one-time top flight powerhouse back where it belongs and ready to ruffle feathers once more? For Magpies fans, they’ll be hoping the former, particularly with Benitez still pulling the strings.

Verdict: 12th

WEST BROMWICH ALBION

The Hawthorns (26,500)

Last season: 10th

Manager: Tony Pulis (WAL)

Star man: Nacer Chadli (BEL)

Big ins: Jay Rodriguez (Southampton), Zhang Yuning (Vitesse)

Big outs: Darren Fletcher (Stoke)

TAB odds Title: $501 Relegation: $7

Windley says: Mired in the eternal mid-table struggle, last season’s top-half finish was a pleasing result, but the Baggies will be hard-pressed to go any better this campaign with a thin squad that hasn’t been significantly added to.

Verdict: 13th

Jose Holebas will need to fuire to keep Watford up.

WATFORD

Vicarage Road (21,977)

Last season: 17th

Manager: Marco Silva (POR)

Star man: Jose Holebas (GRE)

Big ins: Tom Cleverley (Everton), Will Hughes (Derby), Kiko Femenia (Alaves)

Big outs: Mario Suarez (Guizhou Hengfeng)

TAB odds Title: $1001 Relegation: $2.50

Windley says: Watford has been an active participant in the transfer market, with the strength of the ins outweighing the blows of the outs. Six straight losses to end last season meant relegation was only just avoided, but this season promises improvement.

Verdict: 14th

STOKE CITY

bet365 Stadium (27,902)

Last season: 13th

Manager: Mark Hughes (WAL)

Star man: Joe Allen (WAL)

Big ins: Darren Fletcher (West Brom), Kurt Zouma (Chelsea)

Big outs: Marko Arnautovic (West Ham), Phil Bardsley (Burnley),

TAB odds Title: $501 Relegation: $8

Windley says: While there has been a regeneration of sorts of an ageing squad, everything else about Stoke seems stable, with Hughes now the fourth-longest serving boss currently in the EPL. Goals are the major issue, but the Potters should be solid enough to survive.

Verdict: 15th

Stoke City will be hoping Joe Allen can work some magic.

BURNLEY

Turf Moor (21,401)

Last season: 16th

Manager: Sean Dyche (ENG)

Star man: Ben Mee (ENG)

Big ins: Jack Cork (Swansea), Jonathan Walters (Stoke)

Big outs: Michael Keane (Everton), Joey Barton (released)

TAB odds Title: $1001 Relegation: $2.35

Windley says: Preparing for consecutive top flight seasons for first time since the 1970s — but don’t they say the second year is often the hardest? Hard to beat at home and experienced campaigners have been bought to ensure that this stay lasts.

Verdict: 16th

CRYSTAL PALACE

Selhurst Park (26,309)

Last season: 14th

Manager: Frank de Boer (NED)

Star man: Wilfried Zaha (CIV)

Big ins: Ruben Loftus-Cheek (Chelsea), Jairo Riedewald (Ajax)

Big outs: Steve Mandanda (Marseille)

TAB odds Title: $501 Relegation: $5.50

Windley says: Sam Allardyce was the relegation saviour before quitting five months into a two and a half year deal. There is stability, with Palace going into a fifth-straight EPL season for the first time, but De Boer can’t afford a rocky initiation.

Verdict: 17th

Fernando Llorente looms as a key player for Swansea.

SWANSEA CITY

Liberty Stadium (20,972)

Last season: 15th

Manager: Paul Clement (ENG)

Star man: Fernando Llorente (ESP)

Big ins: Roque Mesa (Las Palmas)

Big outs: Jack Cork (Burnley), Bafetimbi Gomis (Galatasaray)

TAB odds Title: $751 Relegation: $3.25

Windley says: With Bob Bradley in charge, last season seemed destined to end in relegation before Clement’s late heroics. Again, though, the drop looms and the EPL could again be without Welsh representation, especially with Gylfi Sigurdsson going.

Verdict: Relegated — 18th

BRIGHTON AND HOVE ALBION

Falmer Stadium (30,750)

Last season: Runner-up, Championship

Manager: Chris Hughton (IRE)

Star man: Mat Ryan (AUS)

Big ins: Mat Ryan (Valencia), Izzy Brown (Chelsea)

TAB odds Title: $1001 Relegation: $2.20

Windley says: In Brighton the EPL now has a nifty new stadium and another Aussie, with Mat Ryan to be the Seagulls’ No. 1 goalkeeper. But surviving will be a huge task for an attack-minded side that was close to League One relegation in 2014-15.

Verdict: Relegated — 19th

Can Aaron Mooy help Huddersfield stay up?

HUDDERSFIELD TOWN

John Smith’s Stadium (24,500)

Last season: Promotion playoff winner

Manager: David Wagner (USA)

Star man: Aaron Mooy (AUS)

Big ins: Steve Mounie (Montpellier), Tom Ince (Derby)

TAB odds Title: $1001 Relegation: $1.55

Windley says: All Aussie eyes will be on Aaron Mooy as the star Socceroos midfielder places Huddersfield upon his shoulders on the big stage. Purely surviving would be a win and plenty of reinforcements have been brought in to help make that happen.

V erdict: Relegated — 20th

Originally published as Premier League preview: Every team’s chances in the 2017/2018 season ranked