1. MANCHESTER CITY

There is no hiding the fact that Manchester City are after a new number nine this summer, though failing to recruit a player for this position should not have an impact on their title defence.

The acquisition of Jack Grealish has already added more quality to an incredibly strong squad that is expected to challenge in all four major competitions this campaign.

Key players such as Kevin de Bruyne and Phil Foden are set to miss the first few weeks of the season due to injury, but Guardiola has other options he can turn to in the meantime.

With their rivals having also recruited well, winning the Premier League by such a large margin, as in previous years, is unlikely, though City will be a force to be reckoned with once again next term and are rightly favourites to retain their crown.

2. LIVERPOOL

Liverpool have been utterly outgunned by some of their main title contenders as far as the transfer window is concerned, with Manchester City, Manchester United and Chelsea all spending big and strengthening in key areas.

However, the returns of Van Dijk and Gomez in particular will be like two major new signings for the Reds, and their last two seasons at anything close to full strength have seen them accumulate a whopping 196 points in total.

The fact that Man City won the title with just 86 points last season - and were still 12 points clear of second place - will give Liverpool optimism that a return to their best could bring with it another Premier League crown.

Couple that with supporters returning to Anfield - a factor which Liverpool were missing as keenly as any team last season given how much Klopp's style feeds off the fans - and there is every reason to regard the Merseysiders as serious title contenders once again in 2021-22.

The top four is likely to be even more competitive this time around, though, and if Man City add Harry Kane to their ranks then their position as favourites will only be strengthened.

Therefore, while Liverpool will expect to improve greatly from the 2020-21 campaign, they may still have to settle for second place behind the defending champions.

3. MANCHESTER UNITED

Man United will be expected to launch a strong challenge for this season's Premier League title, and we expect that to be the case, with Man City, Liverpool and the Red Devils potentially all being bunched up.

Man City will be incredibly strong once again and are undoubtedly the favourites, but it could be one of the most fascinating title races in years, with Chelsea also being in the argument, and we cannot see past the four teams mentioned for the Champions League positions.

Ultimately, though, we think that Solskjaer's side will just fall short, with Man City and Liverpool potentially taking the top two spots and Man United finishing a close third, but it would not be a surprise to see any of our predicted top four end the campaign at the summit.

4. CHELSEA

The fact that Chelsea are yet to make any significant improvements to their squad may lead to some alarm bells ringing, but Roman Abramovich and Marina Granovskaia have another three weeks to conduct their transfer business, and big-name additions are usually a given during the Blues' summer windows.

For all of their defensive solidity and free-flowing attacking under Tuchel last term, Chelsea are far from invincible, and any hopes of a shot at Premier League glory may not come to fruition just yet.

Chelsea also have a Champions League crown to defend and may elect to prioritise unprecedented back-to-back triumphs in Europe, so we are tipping the Blues to claim fourth behind Manchester City, Liverpool and Manchester United.

5. LEICESTER CITY

Leicester just missed out on a spot in last season's top four, and we can see the Foxes again finishing just outside the Champions League positions in the coming campaign. Man City, Man United, Chelsea and Liverpool will all be strong next term, and we are finding it difficult to look past those teams in the top-four battle.

As a result, Leicester's best chance of securing a spot in the 2022-23 Champions League could come through the Europa League, and Rodgers's side are certainly good enough to win the competition.

6. ARSENAL

Arteta will not allow his side to let up during their EFL or FA Cup endeavours, but Arsenal's ever-alarming injury woes should ease with no midweek European encounters, which can only be a good thing in terms of their league prospects.

The Gunners have strengthened in areas that had to be strengthened and are still being tipped to send some shockwaves in the transfer market, but any more big-money moves will certainly hinge on departures of a plethora of fringe players.

A top-four charge is surely still out of the question for Arsenal, but two seasons without European football is simply incomprehensible, and we expect an under-fire Arteta to steer his side back into the top six above North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur.

7. TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR

Keeping Kane on the books could prove to be the difference between Spurs competing with the big boys or dropping out of European contention entirely, although Nuno has overseen three impressive incomings during his first transfer window.

The pre-season signs are also positive, but taxing midweek trips across Europe for the UEFA Conference League could yet hinder Spurs' bid for a top-four finish, especially if the medical room starts piling up.

Nuno managed to turn Wolves from a Championship side to top-seven challengers, so there is no reason why the Portuguese cannot steer Spurs into continental competition once again, but a top-six finish may be just out of their reach.

8. ASTON VILLA

Of course, remodelling your attack in the lamented absence of your most influential player by far is not necessarily the ideal way to start a season. It certainly remains to be seen whether Dean Smith's new recruits can collectively fill the gap left by Jack Grealish, but at least Villa's over-reliance on the England playmaker will end, causing - or allowing - others to step up to the plate.

With an established back four and a Copa America-winning goalkeeper who rates among the best in the league, the foundations remain in place for Villa to enjoy further progress this season, with a top-half finish certainly achievable for an expensively assembled squad.

Furthermore, the club's coaching staff have distinctly improved players on an individual level in the past two seasons - during which they have accumulated some valuable Premier League experience - and that can continue for the likes of Konsa, Targett, Cash and Watkins across this new campaign.

A forward line featuring the latter, plus Buendia, Bailey and Ings, is a match for any defence in the division, so improving on their main weakness - regularly finding the net - could be the key to a push for European football next term.

9. LEEDS UNITED

Leeds will now be looking to fully establish themselves at this level once again over the next few years, and it is difficult to see them being in any relegation trouble for the foreseeable future, unless something drastic occurs.

Last term proved to be a huge success, and their form in the latter stages of last season suggests that they are more than capable of pushing for a top-seven finish in the 2021-22 campaign.

We are fully expecting the Whites to be in and around the European positions heading into the final straight but have just predicted them to miss out and claim another ninth-place finish in the top flight.

10. WEST HAM UNITED

Attempting to juggle domestic and European commitments is something that many of these players are yet to experience, and even the most ardent Hammers supporters can expect that to impact their league form.

Keeping Rice on the books is a vital move, but failing to secure Lingard on a permanent deal or bring in a new frontman is cause for concern, and we can see the Hammers slipping back into mid-table obscurity this term.

11. EVERTON

Everton have not lost any key players this summer, and they are expected to add at least a couple more new additions before the transfer window closes. That said, we are predicting another frustrating season for the Toffees, as it is difficult to back them with any real confidence to make a push for the European spots.

It would not be a surprise to see the Merseyside giants in and around the top seven at the start of 2022, but their problems with consistency could see them ultimately finish just inside the bottom half of the division.

12. WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS

With Jimenez back in the fold and the likes of Daniel Podence and Pedro Neto returning from unfortunate injuries, Wolves certainly have the look of a European-competing team on paper.

However, Lage may take his time to find his feet in English football, and despite bringing in some truly talented players, another bottom-half finish may be on the cards for the Molineux club.

13. CRYSTAL PALACE

While it is hard to pin down a finishing position for a squad that has seen such upheaval - with not only several regulars, but also some strong personalities packing their bags over the summer - there is reason for optimism around Selhurst Park.

The club appear to have recruited well so far - filling the void left behind by a mass contract expiry with promising buys such as Michael Olise and Marc Guehi - while Joachim Andersen's arrival should aid a leaky back four and Wilfried Zaha remains on-board for another year.

Undoubtedly, Eberechi Eze's expected long-term absence will be a bitter blow to new boss Patrick Vieira and the exciting young star alike, as an Achilles injury suffered during training could keep a player flirting with the fringes of the England squad out for a while yet.

As a result, Zaha will again be the man charged with shouldering the creative burden for the Eagles, and if he can keep focused on the job, his penetration and goal threat can help Vieira improve their final placing. Perhaps a cup run is also due, after their dismal fortunes in knockout football last term.

14. SOUTHAMPTON

Significant progress is unlikely to be forthcoming for Southampton this season, given a relative lack of investment in personnel so far.

Undoubtedly, Che Adams and company will have to raise their game with Danny Ings departed, but whether or not they can fill the void in terms of goals could be the difference between a challenge for the top 10 and a grim campaign spent glancing over their shoulders.

Hasenhuttl knows that defensive inconsistencies must be ironed out too, if Saints are to achieve their goals - which should include a prolonged cup run - so pinning down a number one goalkeeper and regular rearguard may be decisive in that respect.

Given their accumulated Premier League experience and a handful of talented pros, any thoughts of demotion should remain distant, as they see out the season in mediocrity once more.

15. BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION

Certainly boasting a stronger squad than several sides in this year's Premier League, even with the absence of Ben White, the Seagulls should have more than enough to avoid the drop again this campaign.

With another season of Potter's system, they are bound to click eventually, and could pull off more upsets like last season's victories over Liverpool and Manchester City to propel them up the league.

While we do not expect them to push the top 10 sides, the South coast outfit should at least match last season's points tally, thanks in part to the addition of Enock Mwepu alongside Bissouma in the engine room, while Neal Maupay is almost certain to find his scoring boots eventually, given the volume of chances that Brighton create.

16. BRENTFORD

Everything points towards Brentford being a welcome addition to the Premier League. The Bees solidified last season and they are determined to build on the foundations that have enabled them to get this far.

For the first summer in a while, they have not had to worry about losing their best players to bigger clubs. They have a talented core group who seem destined to take the step up in the top flight.

Tactically smart and packed with potential, Brentford fully deserve their place in the Premier League and they may well have the quality to survive.

Replicating such a successful first year in the top flight, as Sheffield United and Leeds United managed to achieved in recent seasons, is unlikely but avoiding relegation, which is certainly their priority, will be a realistic ambition for the Bees this campaign.

17. NEWCASTLE UNITED

No matter their springtime flourishing, pessimism persists at St James' Park and Steve Bruce's men have it all to do if they are to avoid presenting their fans with another year of bitter bickering and crushed dreams - but, of course, change must start at the top.

Given the stasis in which Newcastle find themselves - with uncommitted and reviled owners apparently unable to sell and several suitors similarly unable to buy - it is hard to see how the current playing squad can match ambitions befitting a historic giant of the English game.

If they can avoid injuries and sufficiently augment their team with proven Premier League quality, then Bruce could well see out the season with the club drifting along comfortably in mid-table.

That is a big 'if' however, as choppy waters nearly always follow spells of smooth sailing at St James' Park, and a danger-filled second half of the season is in prospect should things turn sour once again.

18. BURNLEY

Burnley's strategy, as it has been for the last five years, will be to reach the 40-point mark and work from there. However, with competition around them seemingly getting stronger, this could be the year where they struggle.

A lack of activity in the transfer market is a concern, particularly when the vast majority of the other Premier League sides have been busy.

Burnley's starting XI are a robust unit that know how to get the job done. However, problems occur when key men are missing. With their lack of squad depth, any injuries picked up by their first-team regulars, or indeed any summer departures, will be noticeable and would certainly make them weaker.

If they can bolster their squad before the deadline, then they may have a fighting chance of survival once again. However, it does not look like the chequebook will be used any time soon and so the Clarets could be in for a difficult campaign.

19. WATFORD

Avoiding relegation is certainly Watford's priority for this season, though it remains to be seen whether their squad has the quality to stay clear of the bottom three.

A lot has changed at Vicarage Road both on and off the pitch since their demotion two years ago, and Munoz is confident that he has the foundations in place for the club to compete and survive at this level.

However, with other top tier sides around them having also bolstered their squads, Watford could be in for another difficult year in the Premier League. Another relegation battle could be on the cards this season and although they will be desperate to avoid it, we can see them getting dragged into the drop zone.

The Hornets ended up in 19th place two years ago and that is where we have predicted them to finish in 2021-22.

20. NORWICH CITY

While they should be more streetwise than their last spell in the top flight, we still expect the Carrow Road outfit to carry their attacking style into this season, not fearing the league's most dangerous sides, and unfortunately, that could be their downfall.

Certainly expect the Canaries to pull off several eye-catching home victories, like the win over Manchester City two years ago, but ultimately we see them falling back down to the second tier due to their slight lack of a battling core.

Farke's style seems to be suited far better to games in which Norwich are dominating, and they will get few opportunities to control the ball in the top flight, so we see them having a difficult campaign, especially without talisman Buendia.