All 20 PL Clubs Predicted 26/27

Who will be top four? Who’s heading for the drop? Which teams will surprise and which will disappoint? In this special episode, Gary, Alan, and Micah look ahead to the new Premier League Season. They evaluate every one of the twenty Premier League clubs, predicting where they will finish. r Buy tickets to watch the Rest is Football live show at: therestisfootball.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

• 0:10Speaker 00

  Welcome to The Rest is Football with me, Gary Lineker alongside Alan Shearer and Micah Richardson. Yes lads, it's time for our annual season predictions. Looking forward to it?

• 0:22Speaker 01

  Here we go.

• 0:24Speaker 02

  No, this is the best worst episode. I love doing it, but you just get so much hate online. Well, you know what? Come on, let's have it.

• 0:33Speaker 00

  Yes. Are you confident in your selections, Al?

• 0:35Speaker 01

  No.

• 0:37Speaker 01

  Not at all.

• 0:38Speaker 00

  Well, we'd better find out what they are. We're going to go through all 20 Premier League teams, looking at what they've been up to this summer, how they got on at the weekend and most importantly, how we think they're going to get on this season. We're going to put every team into one of six categories. Champions, top four, Europe, mid-table, relegation fight or the dreaded relegated. Producer Max will be keeping a note of all our answers as we go. So if you've got two teams going down, you'd better be prepared to explain yourself and ourselves at the end. Alan and Micah, it's time to lay our cards on the table, but one little thing.

• 1:21Speaker 00

  Usually, usually we start with AFC Bournemouth, but somebody's made a decision. It's one of our producers, Dave the Rave, who's on Football Clichés and he insists that Bournemouth should be a B and not an A. So anyway.

• 1:37Speaker 02

  Yeah, he can take the blame. What's his government name? What's his second name? Dave? Forget Dave the Rave, we need proper details to send the fans to.

• 1:45Speaker 00

  Walker, I think you're fine.

• 1:46Speaker 02

  David Walker's idea, everybody.

• 1:50Speaker 00

  Anyway, we're going to start with the champions, Arsenal and can they defend their trophy? One of the so-called big six really to have a manager that's been there for quite some time. They've brought in a few signings, Gilmaraes, Konzer, Solis and Meslier from Leeds as the goalkeeper. Trossard's gone of course, and there's a couple of big injuries, Saliba and Timber. So what do we think? You can start, Alan, as you are an A.

• 2:22Speaker 01

  I think Arsenal have had a brilliant summer. I think with what went on last year in terms of them winning it after all the stress and the pressure they were under, I think they've had a brilliant summer. They're going to be flying this season and without doubt, they are the team to beat.

• 2:36Speaker 02

  Yes, I would echo that. I mean, the signings are just so good. Yeah. Konzer's dependable, Zolis fits straight in, didn't he? And then obviously you've got Bruno, the engine in midfield, which allows Rice a little bit more rest. I would say, look tired towards the end of last season. And I just think the business has been, has been great. Everything they've done has been right. They've got the confidence from last season, the shackles are off as it were. So yeah, I think Arsenal are the team to beat.

• 3:04Speaker 00

  Even though some people say it's easier to win your first title than retain it, I disagree. I think they'll retain it. I think not only the fact that they've added to where they were last season when they won the league, but and added well, but I also think that pretty much all the big teams around them are in transition. So I'm actually going to go Arsenal by at least 10 points.

• 3:28Speaker 02

  Whoa, that's first buzzword already. Transition, Gaz is through it there.

• 3:34Speaker 00

  Throwing it in, Micah.

• 3:36Speaker 02

  I like it.

• 3:36Speaker 00

  We'll move on to Villa. Well, the fourth last season, but it's been a kind of chaotic summer. Unai Emery is still there. They lost the opening game of course to Brighton 4-0. It was that score at half time and they've lost some big players. They've brought in a few, but Morgan Rogers, Konzer, we already mentioned at Arsenal, Jori Tielemans to name but three have gone. It's, it's going to be difficult for them to do what they did last season, Micah.

• 4:04Speaker 02

  Yeah, I feel for Villa. It looks as though they might be able to get a few in though before the window closes. They've been linked with Mateta, who I think would be a perfect signing for them. In terms of what they did last season was just remarkable, but I don't think it's going to be as bad as everyone thinks because of the manager. He will get them going. Obviously, Joao Gomez didn't have the greatest debut, but he is a top quality player. Once all the signings bed in and once they get a few more signings before the window, I don't think it'll be like last year, but I think I'm going to go around eighth place for Aston Villa.

• 4:44Speaker 01

  Yeah, I mean, very much like Newcastle, they've sold a lot of their best players. There is talk, I know Micah said about Mateta, I think they're also linked with, are linked with Nicholas Jackson.

• 4:54Speaker 02

  Yes.

• 4:55Speaker 01

  Ollie Watkins looks as if he's off. So I think it's been a really tough summer for them, but their biggest asset is Unai Emery and whilst they've got him in charge, they've always going to have a chance. Yeah, I don't think they'll make top five or top six. So I've got them, yeah, anywhere between eighth, seven, something like that. Yeah.

• 5:15Speaker 00

  I think I'll go mid-table as well. I think it's going to be really difficult. They're playing in the Champions League as well. Yes, they'll probably add one or two. You mentioned Ollie Watkins, that looks like that deal's been done for about 50 million to Al Hilal in Saudi. So he'll be difficult to replace, but I agree, really good manager. And I think too that Villa will be in, upper mid-table, let's say that.

• 5:41Speaker 02

  Upper mid-table.

• 5:43Speaker 01

  Covering all his bases there, Micah.

• 5:45Speaker 02

  He's covering himself in it.

• 5:47Speaker 00

  I'm going, I'm going more accurate than you two. You just got mid-table.

• 5:50Speaker 02

  I say eight.

• 5:51Speaker 00

  Oh, actually a position. Okay. Well, you don't need to do an actual position, Micah.

• 5:55Speaker 02

  Well, you know, I don't want to sit on the fences here.

• 5:58Speaker 00

  Okay, on to Bournemouth without the AFC. Sixth of course last season, they'll be playing European football. Lost to City on the opening day, only very, very late though. Obviously, big deal there is that they've lost Iriola and there's got a new man in charge. Also, Croupy, we all really like, is out for a few months with a fractured toe. So they'll probably miss him. So what do we think? I'm, let me start on this one. I think it will be very difficult to match last season. They're going to have the, it's not a burden or an onus, but it, it does make life difficult playing in Europe at the same time. It will stretch their squad, but it's a very, very well-run football club.

• 6:43Speaker 00

  So I will go another team in mid-table.

• 6:48Speaker 01

  I'm going to say the same guys. I think it'd be a big blow losing their manager because he's very talented. They had a couple go on, I mean, Sinessi I think, but they lost all of their back four in the end, the keeper last year. And we thought they were going to struggle, but they didn't. They surprised us all. So I'm going to say the same. Yeah, I think Bournemouth will be in and around mid-table.

• 7:07Speaker 02

  Yeah, I would agree. They played really well against Man City though. Man City struggled against them at times. They've still got the pace. They still look very organised. The manager's really good, Marco Rose, so I don't have any problems with that. Yeah, it is a transition in terms of changing the manager, but I still think the side is settled enough. So I'm going to go mid-table, but just below Villa in ninth.

• 7:33Speaker 00

  Yeah, you've just equalised on the transition statement.

• 7:39Speaker 00

  Marco Rose, very experienced manager. He's been around for quite some time. Talking about managers that have made an impact, Keith Andrews for Brentford, they finished obviously ninth last season. He signed a long-term contract in February, impressive start to the season, beating Spurs at home. Sangari, we were all really impressed with in his debut, has come in alongside Yannick Schuster and Jaden Anthony from Burnley and Callum Wilson on a free. Jordan Henderson has left. So I think it's going to be difficult for them to be as good as last season. But when I saw them in the opening day, I've kind of changed my mind. I've got a feeling they might sneak European football.

• 8:23Speaker 00

  Not the Champions League, but I think Europa League or Conference League.

• 8:26Speaker 01

  Yeah, Keith Andrews has been brilliant, awesome last year and what a start they made at the weekend. They battered Spurs, didn't they? And they were very impressive in everything they did, whether it was going direct, whether it was pressing, whether it was passing some of the goals. I mean, finishing ninth last season was an incredible achievement, but I think they'll, I think they'll do something similar again. I think in and around mid-table, better part of mid-table, I'm going to go for.

• 8:54Speaker 02

  I'm going to go seventh. I, I think that that team is settled. I agree with you, Al. They're very organised at the back, they're very good at set pieces still. Obviously Keith Andrews was a set pieces coach before he got the, the main gig. And yeah, I want to give him a little bit of love this year. Brentford, they look good, the signing's been good. You mentioned Thiago looks, looks sharp again. So yeah, I'm going to go seventh.

• 9:21Speaker 00

  Yeah, it looks like they're about to sign Elhaj Malik Duf from West Ham, youngster. So that's another addition to their squad. Okay. I think we'll agree that Brentford are going to have another decent season. As for Brighton, well, they did really well, didn't they? Finished eighth last season. They've made it into European football and they've brought a lot, quite a lot of players in actually. Buskovic from Spurs, probably the most expensive. Johanna from A I K. Pascal Shortstrike from Leeds of course. So a numerous players in there. They've lost Van Hecker and they've lost the experience of Danny Welbeck who's gone to Chelsea. So. What do we think?

• 10:03Speaker 01

  Impressive again at the weekend, weren't they? Yeah, I like what they're doing and have done at Brighton. And made a couple of decent signings, I think so. And I don't think they'll suffer too much for what they've, for what they've lost. I think they got very good money for Van Hecker. And what then what they shelled out on others. So I'm going to have them challenging for a European spot here.

• 10:24Speaker 00

  There's quite a lot of travelling in the Conference League as well. We have to bear that in mind.

• 10:28Speaker 02

  Yeah.

• 10:29Speaker 00

  Micah.

• 10:30Speaker 02

  That, that's what I was just going to say, the Conference League. It could hinder them during the season. I, I think they've got the squad in to deal with it. But I just feel Thursday, Sunday, it can have an impact on a league season. So I've got them around 10th only because of that reason, but go far in the Conference League.

• 10:53Speaker 00

  I interviewed Fabian Hertzler just before the start of the season. And for your information, that interview will go out next Friday. He's very thoughtful on the game. I, I really enjoyed his company and I think you'll enjoy that. Right, on to Chelsea, who obviously struggled last season, finished halfway in 10th position. They have made a substantial change at the top with Xabi Alonso. Of course, he was at Real Madrid, didn't work for him there, but he certainly did at Bayern Leverkusen before that. They've made, as Chelsea always seem to do, a lot of signings. Morgan Rogers, Lacroix, to name but two, Danny Welbourn, I've already mentioned, and Jordan Henderson. He's brought two players in obviously for experience.

• 11:38Speaker 00

  Santos has gone, Kukureya has gone, Chalobah's gone. So I, I think it's, I think Chelsea, I'm going to start here because I, I'm not sure it's a hot take. But I think Chelsea might finish second. I've got the feeling that Xabi Alonso's got something about him. If the club as a whole doesn't completely implode, which is a possibility. I think he'll do well with them. I think he's good and I think they have got obviously a lot of talent there. If you go Rogers and Cole Palmer, Joao Pedro up front, that is a good front three.

• 12:15Speaker 02

  I would agree with that, Gaz. I'm not sure about them defensively. Because I, I think tactically, the way that they set up when they got the free and then the fire. They don't quite know the positions yet against Fulham the other night. They got in a couple of times. Chelsea conceded a lot of possession, but the magical up front. So I, I've got them in third just because of defensive reasons. But I think they will challenge all the way till around April potentially and then fall off. Though they might do something in January, but right now there's, there's something missing and it might, it might even just be the goalkeeper.

• 12:58Speaker 02

  I think Sanchez is a good goalkeeper, but he makes too much mistakes at this level.

• 13:03Speaker 00

  He's suddenly been linked with Emmy Martinez. I don't know.

• 13:05Speaker 02

  If they, if they get Martinez, then it, it changes a lot of things. But right now, as of today, I have them around third.

• 13:14Speaker 01

  Uh, yeah, no, no European football for them, so that'll help them. Um, I've got them, same as you guys, I've got them finishing second.

• 13:22Speaker 00

  Not such a hot take then.

• 13:24Speaker 01

  I just think they'll, they'll just lack that little bit to, to take Arsenal all the way. But I think they'll do well and without doubt, definitely Champions League.

• 13:34Speaker 00

  Yep. Onto one of the promoted clubs, the team that won the championship last season, obviously friend of the show. Frank Lampard, who was with us in, in New York, has done a fabulous job so far. This is though, obviously a real challenge. They have brought a lot of players in, which Sunderland did last season. Um, the recruitment needs to be really good, doesn't it, Micah?

• 13:55Speaker 02

  I have actually got them staying up.

• 13:57Speaker 00

  Oh, yeah.

• 13:58Speaker 02

  Just because I watched them last season in the championship and there was a joy to watch. Obviously it was very difficult for them, the start of the season, opening against the champions. And everyone's going to look at that and think they're, they're not any good. But I feel once it gets it going, tactically, Frank knows what he's doing. He's been in that position before in terms of around the bottom of the table with Everton. He would have learned from that experience. So I've got them just out of relegation. I'm going bold, guys, I'm going big.

• 14:30Speaker 00

  Relegation battle, but not going down.

• 14:33Speaker 02

  Not going down, yes, not going down.

• 14:36Speaker 01

  Yeah, as much as I, I want Frank to do really well, because I think he's a great lad. And I love everything about his attitude and what he did going there and how he got them up and everything else. Um, I mean, they've brought so many players in. I couldn't have had a tougher start going away to Arsenal. Yeah, I've, I've got them going down unfortunately, got Coventry going down.

• 14:57Speaker 00

  I think it's going to be difficult for all three of the promoted clubs, as it always is. And until last season, when Sunderland proved us all wrong. Um, so I think it's going to be very difficult. I think they need to get a result or two relatively early on, not helped by having the toughest of fixtures on the opening day. So I think they'll just do it though. I think they'll just avoid relegation. I'm not, I'm not going predictably with all three of the promoted clubs to go down. So I've, I've, I'm, I'm going to back Frank all the way. I might be a little bit heart over head because I like Frank, but who knows? Um, we'll, we shall see. Crystal Palace, um, obviously finished 15th last season, but won a European trophy.

• 15:42Speaker 00

  We should remind everyone of that. But they've lost their coach, Pierre Sage has come in. Um, he finished second, of course, with Lons in the Liga last season. Um, they lost their opening game away. Lacroix has gone, Brennan Johnson's gone. And at the moment, it looks like Saar and Mateta are trying to get themselves out of the club as well. So difficult time, I think, for Palace ahead. And I've got a horrible feeling that, that they might go down. That's my other one.

• 16:14Speaker 01

  I wouldn't put you off that. I think it'll be catastrophic for them if they lose Mateta and Saar.

• 16:19Speaker 00

  I'm only going with if they do lose those two players. If they keep them, I do not, I do not think they'll go down. So, I mean, that's the problem with doing it before the transfer window closes for us. But anyway, I, I thought I'd make that stipulation.

• 16:33Speaker 01

  Yeah, I think it's going to be a really difficult season for Palace. Um, even, even, even if they keep those two, it's, I mean, clearly they want out. I mean, what Mateta did and by all accounts Saar wants to leave. So even if they stay, I'm not sure their mindset will be correct. So I think it'll be a really difficult season for Palace and it wouldn't surprise me if, if they, well, I think they will be anyway. Even if they keep them in a relegation battle, if they lose those two, I'm going with you. I think they will, they could be relegated.

• 17:02Speaker 00

  Looks like Munoz as well might be trying to get out.

• 17:05Speaker 02

  They can't lose Munoz. It'd be, yeah.

• 17:08Speaker 00

  He's great.

• 17:09Speaker 02

  That wouldn't be good for them. I, I had them as well going down. It was, it was Crystal Palace for Coventry. I, I think new manager and the players potentially want to leave at the moment. But let's see the transfer window, but I had, yeah, Palace, severe pressure this season.

• 17:29Speaker 00

  Okay, on to Everton. Um, obviously had a good season, kind of tailed off a little bit because they finished 13th in, in the end. But as I just mentioned, cracking opening game for them, beating Palace at home. Um, they've brought in Brennan Johnson, as I already mentioned, they've got Tyreek George from Chelsea, Merlin Rule from Freiburg. A lot of few players coming in, also Norgard from Arsenal. McNeil's gone out, Dwight McNeil, Idrissa Gay and Seamus Coleman has been released after a fabulous career at Everton. I think mid, similar sort of mid-table.

• 18:04Speaker 01

  I think they might be slightly better than mid-table. I've got them, yeah, maybe eighth or ninth, something like that. I think Everton will have a decent season. I'm pretty impressed with what they, what they did. Watched them a little bit at the weekend, too. Hayden Hackman, I think it was Armstrong in the midfield at the weekend, played really well. A couple of players to come back from injury, just, just above mid-table for me, better side of it.

• 18:30Speaker 02

  Yeah, I, I like what Everton are doing at the moment. I, I watched them against Preston as well last night and it just looked full of confidence. Um, Tiago Barrie looks like he, he knows where the net is now. It was interesting after the, the game, Moyes did an interview and just said, he needs more from him this season. And Tiago Barrie was talking about, he was doing loads during the summer to make sure he's better this season. So I think they're going to score some of them goals that they miss. And yeah, mid-table for Everton.

• 19:01Speaker 00

  Yeah, I think if Barry does realise the potential that he's got, that could make a significant difference hopefully for Everton. Onto Fulham, who also finished in mid-table last season in an 11th spot. Obviously they've had a change of coach now. They've gone with Alberto Arbeloa, who was of course at Real Madrid for a short period last season after Xabi Alonso went. But he, he found it very difficult as well. Lost Chelsea 3-2, it was, it was a very entertaining game. Um, with Chelsea's front three proving too much for them. And they've brought in Garcia and Gonzalo Gonsalo from Real Madrid, 34 million quid.

• 19:47Speaker 00

  I quite liked him on the occasions I saw for Real Madrid when he did actually start. Share Charles from Southampton for 90 million, Cesar Palacios from, another player from, from Real Madrid. So big season, um, for Fulham. Um, I think relegation battle, but I think they'll be okay. There's, I've gone early with this one. Who wants to follow me?

• 20:10Speaker 02

  Yeah, I, I, purely because the, the squad is quite young. I think Fulham could be one of those teams that play really good football, really entertaining to watch, but concede a lot of goals. They do take a lot of chances against Chelsea, but they give a good fight. So it's one of those teams where you look at and think, oh, they're very nice on the eye. But are they going to get over the line? Because they had more possession in that game against Chelsea. And it looked like they was cruising at one point. And then before you know it, a couple of mistakes and then they concede a goal. So yeah, I, I don't think they will be relegated, but I think they'll be flirting with relegation.

• 20:50Speaker 01

  Yeah, relegation battle for me. I think, um, I think it'll be a tough season for them. I thought, I thought they did okay actually on, like you, I thought they did okay against Chelsea and was, was impressed with the way they, with what they showed. So, but I still, I still think they'll, they'll have a tough season relegation battle, yeah.

• 21:08Speaker 00

  We're agreeing on a lot today.

• 21:09Speaker 01

  Too many.

• 21:10Speaker 02

  Oh, yeah.

• 21:10Speaker 00

  Too much, really.

• 21:11Speaker 02

  Must have done our research.

• 21:14Speaker 00

  We'll be back after the break while we're predicting the next 10 Premier League clubs, including both Manchester teams, Liverpool and Alsmob Newcastle as well.

• 21:26Speaker 00

  This episode is brought to you by Guinness. With the Premier League kicking off again, it's time to restart those pre-match rituals.

• 21:34Speaker 01

  Well, I started mine first day of the season, had to have a pint of Guinness in the house and then taxi picked me up into town, into my mate's bar, Harry's, couple of pints of Guinness again, and then walked to the cathedral on the hill. Beautiful, absolutely perfect.

• 21:52Speaker 00

  My pre-podcast routine is a Guinness. So, there you go. There it is. About you, Micah.

• 21:59Speaker 02

  You know what? I wasn't drinking alcohol for a year, but I was drinking Guinness Zero. Lovely job, mate.

• 22:07Speaker 01

  Whether you're at home or the pub, Guinness and Guinness Zero are the perfect pre-match pints.

• 22:13Speaker 00

  Match day is always a lovely day for a Guinness, official beer and non-alcoholic beer of the Premier League. 18 plus. For the facts, visit drinkaware.co.uk. Please drink responsibly.

• 22:33Speaker 03

  Here we are getting a statement from Melba 10 on that flight with 350 passengers on board.

• 22:42Speaker 04

  The great game, strategic struggle between Britain and Russia.

• 22:49Speaker 05

  We assess a Prime Minister with high confidence it was Russian.

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  Holding the Russians accountable is World War III.

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  They took down a British passenger jet containing 350 people.

• 23:00Speaker 04

  Man in the Kremlin is playing, Alex. Got to ask yourself, do you want to play or not?

• 23:07Speaker 06

  You're the Prime Minister. You've done nothing.

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  We would need to understand the policy context. All the relevant context will be structured as a framework today and disseminated into an operation order or frago.

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  A frago that says to kill the President of Russia.

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  Yes.

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• 24:19Speaker 00

  We'll be back with the next 10 clubs in just a tick, including both Manchester clubs and Liverpool. But before then, you may have seen UEFA president Alexander Sheferin making headlines this week. That followed a brilliant interview he gave to Alistair Campbell on The Rest Is Politics, and here's a clip. Is Infantino's plan dead, or will they try to revive it? And will Infantino survive as President of FIFA?

• 24:46Speaker 01

  In this case, football would be literally sold. I'm absolutely sure that the plan is dead, but things get too far. Now, in football, politics is sometimes even more complicated, or if you want dirty than the normal politics. So you never know what will happen in the future. But for me, the most important thing is that we stopped another try to sell the sport. I mean, it's hard to imagine what kind of people would sell the sport that belongs to everyone.

• 25:20Speaker 00

  How does he survive? Because in the end, it's about votes. It is political. It's about the numbers. Tell me what you think he will be trying to do to survive, because he's clearly not going to walk, is he?

• 25:29Speaker 01

  He goes to the elections in March, but in that case, I think he will have a candidate against him. I don't know yet who.

• 25:38Speaker 00

  Nor you.

• 25:38Speaker 01

  No, no, I'm not interested because of two reasons. One reason is that I love UEFA and I love working here. And I think that at a certain point, you have also, I mean, it's time also to enjoy life a bit. Let's see till when. And the second point is my credibility is much, much, much higher if I'm not interested in the position.

• 26:01Speaker 00

  Hope you enjoyed that. If you'd like to hear the full interview, search The Rest Is Politics, leading wherever you get your podcasts. Okay, chaps. I think it's been all too similar so far.

• 26:13Speaker 02

  Too, too nicely, nicely. What's going on?

• 26:15Speaker 00

  I picked out a couple of, I thought, hot takes and you've all gone with them as well. So I was trying to be a little bit, I thought I'd be a bit different, but it's great minds, you see great minds. Right, we're on to one of the promoted clubs who started the season in emphatic style by beating Manchester United. Hull, who finished sixth, of course, in the Championship, came up via the playoffs. Sergej Jakarovic is now in charge. He took them to promotion, of course, in his first season. So there's loads of players in, quite a few players that they obviously needed. They've had a go as the promoted teams have to do nowadays. I think if you'd have asked us this week ago, we'd have all probably

• 27:00Speaker 00

  said, I think they'll be bottom. But after that first result, have we, would you give them a bit more hope?

• 27:06Speaker 02

  Sorry, reactionary. Come on!

• 27:08Speaker 01

  They were brilliant against Man United in that opening game. They battered them, deserved to win. Should have been more. Every single one of them was outstanding. It was a great atmosphere. But I've still got them being relegated.

• 27:21Speaker 02

  Yeah, my Bernie, my Bernie, my neighbour. I'm sorry. I've done all the stats. I've had all the data. It was amazing even getting into the Premier League. But unfortunately, having a relegation battle. Come on, prove me wrong, please.

• 27:43Speaker 00

  Hang on, relegation battle? Does that mean you're staying up or going down, Micah?

• 27:47Speaker 02

  Well, when you've got a mate who plays for a team, you've got to sit on the fence, haven't you?

• 27:52Speaker 00

  We're sitting on the fence in this episode.

• 27:55Speaker 02

  Yeah.

• 27:55Speaker 00

  Creo so, get on.

• 27:56Speaker 01

  He's not renting one of your houses, is he?

• 27:59Speaker 02

  No, no, no, no.

• 28:00Speaker 01

  All right.

• 28:02Speaker 00

  Staying up or going down, Micah?

• 28:04Speaker 02

  Based off the squad right now, I have them going down, yes.

• 28:08Speaker 00

  Okay. I'm sorry, Hull fans. I'll join you on that. But hopefully you'll prove us wrong. On to Ipswich, another of the promoted sides, second in the Championship last season. Kieran McKenna decided to leave. Gary O'Neill has come in. They've had a good start to the season, beating Sunderland. It took, they had a long wait last time they were in the Premier League for their first victory. Obviously, they've brought in quite a number of players. N'Golo Kante, O'Wattara, Emerson from Toulouse for 24 million, Abdul Fataoui, Leicester fans will know that he's really talented. So they're having a go, but will

• 28:51Speaker 00

  they have enough to stay up?

• 28:54Speaker 01

  I'm going to say yes. I think if there's one of the teams that came up can stay up, I'm going to say it's Ipswich. There will be obviously in a relegation battle, but they might just have enough to stay up. So I'm going to say staying up Ipswich.

• 29:09Speaker 02

  Well, what gives you that opinion? Is it N'Golo Kante, the way he played the other day?

• 29:14Speaker 01

  Yeah, I just think they'll have a, they'll be able to score a couple of goals. Was impressed with them at the weekend. And I think the belief that that will give them, because the last time, I think it was 11 games it took them to win, if I'm correct.

• 29:28Speaker 00

  They've spent close on 200 million, you know?

• 29:31Speaker 01

  Yeah, spent the right few quid and they've had a go. So I think they'll just have enough, yeah.

• 29:35Speaker 02

  I like everything that you're saying, you know, Al. And when I watched them, if you took away the name of a team that's just come to the Premier League, you'd think there was an experienced Premier League side. Am I just saying relegation battle because it's Ipswich? And because when the last time they didn't do that well, I had them going down. I had them going down. But I think it's going to be close. I think they're going to push all the way to the end. But in them winter months, I think it's going to be difficult for them. So I've got them borderline, borderline going down.

• 30:13Speaker 00

  I think the relegation fight this season could be really tight amongst quite a number of clubs. Sometimes it works spending that amount of money. Sunderland did it last season, didn't they? They spent quite a lot in the summer, brought in lots of players. Ipswich are now doing it, but. I think the change in managers is a bit of a big deal after you get promoted. So, and I like Gary O'Neil, I think he's really good tactically, but I think it's going to be difficult for them. But they've got three points. For me, I'm on the edge of that one. I think it could be Ipswich or Coventry that goes, but I'm going to go that Ipswich will go down. Okay, Leeds, Leeds, Leeds, Micah.

• 30:55Speaker 00

  Fourteenth last season, of course. I had a really good season under Daniel Farke. Won their opening game against Forest, of course, as well. They've brought in, I think, a top young goalkeeper in James Trafford for 40 million and two or three other signings as well. So Pascal Striker has gone to Brighton, so they'll miss him, but.

• 31:17Speaker 02

  Leeds mid-table, easily, no problems. I don't think pushing for Europe, I think that potentially could be next season, but the manager's got them playing some great football, so organised, away from home as well. And then when they go to Ellen Road, even better. So yeah, Leeds play exciting football. I would like to see a little bit more business from their point of view.

• 31:44Speaker 02

  Obviously, Match is really good, Calvert-Lewin had a really good season. I would like to see another option in that forward position and in as like the number nine position. So, yes, but I think Leeds will be fine. I'm going mid-table.

• 32:00Speaker 01

  Brilliant signing, James Trafford. Outstanding signing. I think he is, and I think he'll win them so many points. Yeah, I've got them in and around, maybe even just above mid-table, but yeah, mid-table for me as well, Leeds. I think it'll be, as per, not many teams will look forward to going to Ellen Road.

• 32:18Speaker 00

  I think in a relegation battle, but the upper side of it. So, it depends whether you say mid-table is for, I think 14th, 15th, a bit like they finished last season. So if that's fighting relegation or if that's mid-table, I'll leave that up to you. But that's where I'm going to go.

• 32:39Speaker 01

  That's Gary sitting on the fence, Micah.

• 32:41Speaker 02

  Sitting on the fence.

• 32:42Speaker 00

  Sitting on the fence, I've actually named either 14th or 15th place. That's not sitting on the fence.

• 32:49Speaker 01

  Okay, we'll go along with that. We think they'll do better than that, me and Micah, yeah.

• 32:52Speaker 02

  Well, yeah, they'll do better than that. Definitely do better than that.

• 32:55Speaker 00

  On to the title winners. Two years ago, Liverpool obviously struggled last season. Cracking opening game against Newcastle, Alan. And a little bit of breaking news on this one, which is quite significant, and it's from David Ornstein, so I think we can probably believe it. Liverpool reach agreement in principle on terms of a deal to sign Bradley Barcola from Paris Saint-Germain. Details to be fine, looks around 120 million, 100 million, something like that. Obviously a player we've enjoyed watching at PSG, so

• 33:34Speaker 00

  that's a good signing, isn't it?

• 33:35Speaker 01

  Brilliant, top player, very, very good player. But I'm not convinced with Liverpool. I think defensively they'll struggle. No, I wasn't, I wasn't impressed with them at all at Newcastle at the weekend.

• 33:49Speaker 00

  When you say struggle, Alan, are you talking like relegation battle?

• 33:52Speaker 01

  I don't think they'll, I don't think they'll challenge for the title. I don't think they'll have enough for that. And they may even miss out on the top four. I've got them fourth or fifth.

• 34:02Speaker 00

  So Champions League, just?

• 34:04Speaker 01

  Just, yeah.

• 34:05Speaker 02

  Yeah, I've got Liverpool fourth. I think, yeah, the balance is not right, but they can still score goals. Midfield is not working as they would like it to. If they get Barcola. Although Barcola is one of those players, he's frustrating in terms of he misses a lot of big chances. He still gets in really good positions and he still gets a team up the field as well. So I think if they get him.

• 34:32Speaker 00

  Got a little bit of Jeremy Doku about him.

• 34:34Speaker 02

  Yes, yes. Yeah, well, it was like Doku, so Doku was really good. He'd beat his man and he'd beat the second man and then he could square it or he could like put it in the top corner and he would sort of just, but he's worked a lot on that Doku and he's got better on that. But I think Barcola, the way Liverpool want to play under Iriola, I think he'd be a very good signing, so. But I don't think it changes the league position for me. I'm still going fourth.

• 35:01Speaker 00

  Yeah, I've got them in about the same place. It's obviously a new manager's coming in. He's got to change the style. He's actually said himself, he's not sure they're quite ready yet for for what I want, but so it might take a bit of time, one or two more signings. They've obviously lost a couple of experienced players, so I'm going to go the same. I think they'll just make Champions League football. Okay, on to Manchester City. Finished second last season, but the big, big, big change there is no longer Pep Guardiola in charge. It's Enzo Maresca who worked with Guardiola, of course, at City a few years ago and was doing pretty well at Chelsea until it all, it all shit hit the fan.

• 35:44Speaker 00

  So they've brought in Elliot Anderson, of course, for a lot of money. They've got a youngster with bags of talent from Leicester, but I don't think he'll feature for a while. And they've obviously offloaded quite a lot, a lot of players that you'll know, Sabinho, Rodri, Trafford, Akanki, Ake, Rinders, Bernardo Silva and John Stones.

• 36:05Speaker 01

  Bouadi they've signed as well, guys.

• 36:07Speaker 00

  Bouadi has come in, of course.

• 36:08Speaker 01

  Maybe Enzo Fernandez as well.

• 36:10Speaker 00

  Enzo Fernandez. So I think City definitely in transition mode in more ways than one, probably more than anyone. So anything could happen this season. I still think they'll make Champions League, but I don't envisage them in a title race. Sorry, Micah.

• 36:28Speaker 02

  Oh, I know. I think, I think you've been honest. One thing I would say, Maresca knows a club, having been there before under, under Pep. So he knows how to deal with the owners, the fans, et cetera, et cetera. I agree. I think there's been too much change. Even Bouadi's 18 years of age is going to be difficult.

• 36:53Speaker 02

  Elliot Anderson coming in, who, you know, going from Forest to Man City, where you're expected to get into the Champions League is different. But I still have faith that they'll play some, some good football. They've got Haaland up front, will always score. Doku towards the end of last season was, was playing really well. Semenyo always got a goal in him. So I don't think it's bad as people think. So I've got them in as second.

• 37:19Speaker 01

  I've got them third. I've got Chelsea in second and I've got Man City in third. Without doubt, Champions League. I do, I just think, yeah, very similar to you, they're different to what they are and it might take them a while to try and get back to where they want to be. So, third for me.

• 37:34Speaker 00

  Okay, on to Manchester United, who did finish third last season after that great run that they had under Michael Carrick in the second half of the season. He's now the permanent manager, but obviously a shocking start to the season, losing at Hull. But Liba's coming subsequently. They've already, we've already seen Santos and Telemans play in midfield. They've lost Casemiro, Anana, Jadon Sancho have gone, so a few changes there. The big question is, is can Michael Carrick continue with how well he was doing last season, given the fact that this time they've got Champions League football as well? I think the squad looks a tad light to compete on all fronts at present, so

• 38:20Speaker 00

  I think, I think between them, I think they're fourth, fifth, along with Liverpool for me.

• 38:27Speaker 01

  Same for me. They were rotten at the weekend, weren't they, against Hull? I mean, if I had done this before the season, I'd have been, that, that performance worried me because I guess they just thought they could turn up and go and play and beat Hull and just click their fingers and it worked and walk away with the points. So that, that's, that was a worrying thing for me, that last weekend. But I'm, I, I still, yeah, I'll go, I'll say them as you guys, I'm going to have them fourth or fifth, battling with Liverpool for that fourth position.

• 38:55Speaker 02

  Yeah, that's exactly what I've got. I mean, you guys have been doing your homework this time, haven't you?

• 39:01Speaker 00

  We always do our homework.

• 39:02Speaker 01

  It's as if he's the only one that looks as, as he's doing his little bit of homework, guys.

• 39:07Speaker 00

  I know, honestly.

• 39:09Speaker 02

  I've got a fifth, I've got them fifth, United.

• 39:13Speaker 00

  Yeah.

• 39:14Speaker 02

  Champions League this year, again, the squad, everything that you guys said, totally agree with, which is a shame, but yeah, I've got them in fifth.

• 39:22Speaker 00

  Okay, we'll give you first dibs on this one. Newcastle, Alan, finished obviously 12th last season. Bit of a disappointing season following the cup's success the year before. There's a few players have come in and obviously the big news is if you lose Tanali, Gamarres and Anthony Gordon, that's a lot of talent gone out.

• 39:44Speaker 01

  Yeah, but that was the same talent that finished 12th last season.

• 39:47Speaker 02

  Can we just stop a minute? Have you noticed how Alan, he was speaking about every team so nicely?

• 39:54Speaker 00

  Yeah.

• 39:55Speaker 02

  The voice didn't change one bit. For how long have we been doing? 40 minutes? No, no change in his voice. As soon as you mentioned Newcastle, oh my God, it goes up a notch, doesn't it?

• 40:09Speaker 00

  Yeah.

• 40:11Speaker 02

  That was the same team who finished 12th last season.

• 40:13Speaker 00

  It got all defensive there straight away, didn't it?

• 40:16Speaker 02

  It's so defensive.

• 40:18Speaker 00

  Come on, Alan.

• 40:18Speaker 01

  So I was, I've been to both of their games. I was at, I was at the Carabao Cup game last night as well. And yeah, I think it'll be a challenging season at times. Plenty of positives out of both of those games they've played. I've got them the other side of mid-table, down maybe 12th, 13th, 14th, something like that.

• 40:39Speaker 02

  I like, I like the manager.

• 40:41Speaker 01

  Yeah, I do.

• 40:42Speaker 02

  I like him. I like the, the effort the players are putting in. It feels as though when Newcastle sign these players like Willock and those sort of bench players and Barnes and this, Walter Marley, we need to see a little bit more. We don't know what is happening with his future as well. But they look more like a team. And I, I don't know if that's because they've got less quality and just more energy and they're just feeding off the fans. But the two games that Newcastle have played, they've been absolutely brilliant in, in, in all aspects. Creating chances, being strong, aggressive, brave on the ball. Miley in, in midfield looks really good again after the

• 41:24Speaker 02

  start he had. He thought he was going to be a superstar and then he got injured and now he looks like he's going to get more game time. So I'm, yeah, I'm quite optimistic about Newcastle, mid-table at least.

• 41:35Speaker 01

  Tell you what, guys, I've seen, I watched him twice in the last two, in the two games, a young boy, 18-year-old Sean Stir, I think that's how you pronounce it.

• 41:43Speaker 02

  Yes, from, from Ajax.

• 41:44Speaker 01

  Yeah, him and, I think they paid about 20 million for him. He looks, if he, if he doesn't, he'll have his moments this season without a doubt, but I think there's a, without, there's a top player in there already. I've seen enough of him, the way he, the way he takes the ball, the way he handles it in possession and the way that forward pass. I think him and, him and Lewis Miley in the midfield, 18 and 19-year-olds, for those two to go into that midfield against Liverpool's on Sunday was a big call from the manager and it worked. So, um, big, I think big things to come from. And if it's not this season, then maybe the season after. But yeah, I've got them just below mid-table.

• 42:21Speaker 00

  Yeah, I've got exactly the same, Alan. I think there've been ups and downs this season. A bit of a change, but I think they'll be fine though. Onto Nottingham Forest, they finished 16th last season. They've now, of course, after about 47 managers last season, they've now got another new one at the start of this, Oliver Glasner, who we know has obviously done wonders at, at Crystal Palace, but he's gone from there now to Nottingham Forest. They've not really been too active in the transfer market. Obviously they lost Elliot Anderson, who's a big loss. Di Maria's coming from Sporting for 34 million as centre-back. I'll start with this one. I think

• 43:00Speaker 00

  a relegation fight, but I think they've probably, with Glasner in charge, just about enough to stay up.

• 43:09Speaker 02

  Yeah, I think names on paper, when you've got McAtee, Sangare, you've got Morgan, Gibbs White, and you've got people like Wood and Jesus, you think they'll be fine. But then two games, no goals conceded, free. And I'm thinking, come on, guys. I know they had chances, but you've got to put these chances away. And if they was to lose again at the weekend.

• 43:33Speaker 00

  Yeah.

• 43:34Speaker 02

  And, and then it starts to spread in the dressing room, that negative energy. It could be a problem, but I think they've got enough quality to stay in the Premier League, no doubt. But they can't think they've got, they've got to do it. So I, I think, yeah, they'll stay up, but they could find it difficult and be in that relegation battle.

• 43:53Speaker 01

  It looks as if they're signing De Lap as well, doesn't it, from Chelsea?

• 43:56Speaker 00

  Yeah.

• 43:57Speaker 01

  For a, for a right few quid, for about 45 or 50 million quid, which is incredible really. But I think he'll give them enough. I would, I would, because of that, I had them in a relegation battle as well, guys, but they'll have enough. Because if, if he does sign, which it looks like, then I think he will, will add to that threat in front of goal, Micah. So, yeah, just below mid-table, yeah, 15th.

• 44:23Speaker 00

  I've got one slight caveat before we move on, is that if they do have a bad start, they've got Liverpool at the weekend now as well, which is a tough game. If they do have a bad start in a few games, if he decides to, to get rid of Glasner, because he's not beyond the realms of possibility, because he seems to be a very emotional owner. If that happens, then I think all bets could be off and Forest could go down. But that's that caveat. They need a little bit of stability in that dressing room. I think that's really important for them this season. So if you get a bad start, they've got, got to try and stick with a tried and trusted guy they've got in charge. Onto Sunderland, who extraordinarily

• 45:08Speaker 00

  finished 7th last season and made fools of every single pundit in world football. Reggie Labrie, of course, guided them to the Europa League. They did lose their opening game against Ipswich, conceding a late one. Not too much in the transfer market. They've brought in Metalli from Toulouse and a couple of other players as well. So there's not been too much change there, but can they possibly do what they did last season? They've also got that.

• 45:38Speaker 01

  No.

• 45:39Speaker 00

  That wonderful, that wonderful burden of European football.

• 45:43Speaker 02

  Well, you know what, right? There was a player liaison who was at Man City at the time. He used to look after us. Wonderful, wonderful person. But you know that social clip at the end of the season, us buffoons saying Sunderland was going to go, she posted it on a story. She did it on a WhatsApp and she did it on Instagram. I'm like, you know I can see this. We're supposed to be mates, right? She's just like, ha, ha, well, you should shut your mouth next time, should you? She's obviously the player liaison at Sunderland now.

• 46:15Speaker 00

  She had a pop at you, Micah.

• 46:18Speaker 02

  A friendly pop.

• 46:19Speaker 00

  Is that going to kind of influence your, your decision as to where Sunderland will finish this season?

• 46:24Speaker 02

  Yes, they're staying up. I don't want to be on the social. Sunderland are so petty that they want, they want to put us up on again. So I'm not going to give them the chance. They're staying up.

• 46:33Speaker 00

  I know what Alan's going to say. Come on, Alan.

• 46:35Speaker 01

  I think they're in a relegation battle. It'll be a very different season this season to, to what they had last season. With European football, people knowing who and what they are. Yeah, I think they'll stay up, but I think they will be in a relegation battle, but they'll have enough to stay up.

• 46:51Speaker 00

  I wouldn't disagree on that. I think it'll be almost impossible to, to do what they did last season in terms of a league position, given the fact they've now got European football as well. They've not brought in a lot of players to, to, to help with that yet. So I, I think the same. I think they'll be okay. I don't think they'll go down, but they could be on the periphery of a relegation fight. Onto Super Spurs Tottenham. Obviously the last couple of seasons, they've, they've just been above the relegation zone. Deserby came in, of course, at the end of last season. Shocking start, getting hammered by Brentford 3-0. Lot, lot of movement. I won't

• 47:32Speaker 00

  bore you with going through all of them. I think we know most of the obvious ones anyway. Loads of players in, loads of players out. Can he make it work? Micah?

• 47:42Speaker 02

  Yes, he can. I love Deserby. I think he's a great manager. I think he says the right things. I think he plays good football. They've bought some good signings though, haven't they? I think once they gel, they'll be fine. I have got Spurs pushing, what, Europa League? Euro, Europa League, I've got them in sixth. So yeah, sixth, seventh, around that sort of part of the table. I like Savino. They've just signed Savino, haven't they? And he.

• 48:09Speaker 01

  Savio he wants to be called, not Savino.

• 48:12Speaker 02

  Oh, he wants to be called Savio, does he?

• 48:13Speaker 01

  Yes, Savio now, isn't it? Not Savino.

• 48:16Speaker 02

  Well, I want to be called the King of Fucking Manchester, but.

• 48:20Speaker 01

  Well, you're not, you're just a knobhead.

• 48:26Speaker 02

  So Savino I'll call him because that's what we've been calling him for the last seven years. So when our, our viewers or listeners are going to think, ooh, Savio.

• 48:35Speaker 00

  Yeah, Savio.

• 48:37Speaker 02

  He looked good the other night for Spurs.

• 48:39Speaker 00

  Where are they finishing, Micah?

• 48:41Speaker 02

  Sixth, seventh, if he was listening.

• 48:42Speaker 00

  I would be hopeful of that. I think that's probably the realistically, the best they can do. I think given the number of changes that are going on and the bad start, I still think they'll, they'll be okay and finish, I think in a European spot, just about.

• 48:58Speaker 01

  Yeah, me too. I think they've paid absolute fortune for some of the players. I mean, they've just given Deserby after all he did. There you go, go and spend what you want. And I think they've paid a fortune for some, some players. But I, I think you're right, maybe sixth or seventh. I'm going along with you.

• 49:12Speaker 00

  Which would be a huge improvement on the previous two seasons. So, you know, it's the hope that kills you. Alan, just want to be clear on your three relegated clubs.

• 49:24Speaker 01

  My three relegated clubs will be Hull, Coventry and I'm going to go Crystal Palace.

• 49:33Speaker 00

  You are going to go with Palace? Okay. Just wanted to, to clarify that.

• 49:37Speaker 01

  I think it'll be Crystal Palace, Ipswich, Fulham, all fighting for that last place, but I'm going to go Palace.

• 49:46Speaker 00

  Okay. We, we didn't disagree too much on, on this particular episode. We'll see, we'll see how we get on. Come April, May, we'll be getting absolutely vilified because we might get one or two incorrect. But I don't think we'll be too far off. We'll see. That's it for this episode of The Rest Is Football. If we weren't that kind to your team, we're just trying to be honest, okay? And we hope you do well. We hope you do well. That's it from us. Goodbye from me.

• 50:14Speaker 02

  Goodbye from me.

• 50:15Speaker 01

  Goodbye from me. Have a great weekend.