2023/24 season outcome

[Meanwood Villa]

In theory we have improved the squad and not lost anyone so we should be looking at an improved league placing. Big unknown is the impact of Europe. I'm naturally pessimistic so expecting a drop off this season.

[Toronto Villa]

I think the Pau Torres at LB and Konsa at RB are more CB systems that slide across rather than conventional full back roles. Emery mentioned that in certain circumstances he would play only one traditional FB and then the three CBs. It will be interesting to see if he plays Digne or goes with the three CBs with them having Barnes and Almiron who both play wide. If both start that is.

[Drummond]

In theory we have improved the squad and not lost anyone so we should be looking at an improved league placing. Big unknown is the impact of Europe. I'm naturally pessimistic so expecting a drop off this season.

It all depends if and how others have strengthened too. I'd expect us to overtake Brighton at least , but who knows.

Chelsea are an unknown but have spent big and would expect top 4. Tottenham are usually in the mix but have a new boss.

Liverpool have lost and are replacing an entire midfield.

Newcastle are going to drop off a bit I reckon.

I want 6th at least and think we'll get it.

[chrisw1]

I think Chelsea will come good again this season and the Top 3 will be them, Arsenal and Man City. Spurs will carry on as they left off, I think, and if any of the "big" clubs have a wobble it'll be Man Utd.

Honestly the top 6/7 will probably be a repeat of last season in terms of teams, with Chelsea replacing Spurs in the mix.

Between us, Newcastle, and Brighton, it'll come down to who can balance their European campaigns with the league. I think finishing 6th, and well clear of 7th, would be a good season. Assuming it's coupled with a trophy, or at the very least going deep in both cups and Europe.

I agree.  Chelsea have bought well and now have a proper manager, although the injury to Nkunku may slow them.  I was expecting them to be top 4.

It will be a major scrap for 6th, unless 5th opens up with someone like Liverpool going off the rails.

[Richard]

Phil McNulty on BBC site has us finishing 5th! Behind MC, Liverpool, Arsenal and MU.

[rougegorge]

Phil McNulty on BBC site has us finishing 5th! Behind MC, Liverpool, Arsenal and MU.

He was close last year, predicting us to finish 8th, but then quite a number of his other placings were wide of the mark.

[eamonn]

Ooh, it's like summer 1997 when Fergie tipped us as dark horses (Rock of Gibraltar?) for the title.

Starting the season with four defeats on the bounce wasn't the way, though... nine wins out of the last eleven was pretty mint, mind.

[LeeB]

Ooh, it's like summer 1997 when Fergie tipped us as dark horses (Rock of Gibraltar?) for the title.

Starting the season with four defeats on the bounce wasn't the way, though... nine wins out of the last eleven was pretty mint, mind.

That Blackburn game, yikes!

[chrisw1]

I'm going with:

1. Man City
2. Arsenal
3. Man Utd
4. Chelsea
5. Newcastle
6. Liverpool
7. Villa
8. Brighton
9. Spurs

[Meanwood Villa]

Ooh, it's like summer 1997 when Fergie tipped us as dark horses (Rock of Gibraltar?) for the title.

Starting the season with four defeats on the bounce wasn't the way, though... nine wins out of the last eleven was pretty mint, mind.

That Blackburn game, yikes!

We were on holiday and watched MOTD that night not knowing the score. The featured match was Man Utd beating someone or other and seemed to go on forever until a quick round up of the other games. Definitely not worth staying up for.

[OCD]

Newcastle will have it tougher trying to compete in the Champions League and league. It's a bit different playing teams like Porto, Inter and PSG than the likes of Hibs or Luzern.

[paul_e]

Phil McNulty on BBC site has us finishing 5th! Behind MC, Liverpool, Arsenal and MU.

I'd question Liverpool being included in that group, I think 4-7 will be us, liverpool, chelsea and newcastle in some combination. That said 1-2 injuries and I could see ManU dropping out of that top 3 as well, they have a good 11 but there isn't much depth in behind that.

[PeterWithesShin]

We know that barring a miracle Man City will be up there, but besides them I think it's open with a bunch of clubs. The effect of Europe, a couple of injuries and who knows. Can Arsenal repeat last season and deal with Europe, same for Newcastle, how much will Chelsea improve, Man Utd and Liverpool should be up there but have shown they can have a lot of off days, will Spurs continue to go backwards/tread water, and then there's us. And maybe someone doing a Brighton. It's actually quite interesting for once rather than knowing before a ball is kicked what the top end of the table will look like.

[AV84]

Have been watching/reading quite a few predictions for the season and it's a weird feeling seeing a lot of people talk about us in the same breath as Liverpool and Chelsea, but it's nice to see Emery being recognised as the brilliant manager he is.

An interesting point I saw being made on a video was that most likely Man City and Arsenal are the top 2, but there's 6 or 7 other teams that are just as likely to be battling for 2nd come the end of the season, as they are to be battling for 6th.

Everyone seems to be writing Spurs off, especially if Kane goes, which seems right, I think. I don't envy Postacoglu trying to prepare for the new season with a team that's basically built around Kane, with no idea if Kane will be there or not.

As for us, I've seen it pointed out multiple times that we have an easier European campaign to balance, which is a fair point, and probably better squad depth than the teams we're likely to be competing for places with.

I think 5th is a reality now, and that's possibly enough for Champions League this year, although I'd be happy with Europa.

[paul_e]

Have been watching/reading quite a few predictions for the season and it's a weird feeling seeing a lot of people talk about us in the same breath as Liverpool and Chelsea, but it's nice to see Emery being recognised as the brilliant manager he is.

An interesting point I saw being made on a video was that most likely Man City and Arsenal are the top 2, but there's 6 or 7 other teams that are just as likely to be battling for 2nd come the end of the season, as they are to be battling for 6th.

Everyone seems to be writing Spurs off, especially if Kane goes, which seems right, I think. I don't envy Postacoglu trying to prepare for the new season with a team that's basically built around Kane, with no idea if Kane will be there or not.

As for us, I've seen it pointed out multiple times that we have an easier European campaign to balance, which is a fair point, and probably better squad depth than the teams we're likely to be competing for places with.

I think 5th is a reality now, and that's possibly enough for Champions League this year, although I'd be happy with Europa.

Spurs have a top 6 attack and a bottom 6 defence and I'm not sure they're doing enough to fix it. If Kane goes as well then I just can't see them troubling the European spots.