Premier League Season Review/Preview Season 2020/21

By Blair McNally

With the English Premier League season reaching the conclusion of Matchday 6, BSR Sports have decided to give you an in-depth analysis behind each of its 20 teams, including their predicted finish, considering important factors such as facilities, experience, recruitment, management and funds. Whether that be challenging for a spot to compete with Europe’s elite in The UEFA Champions League, or scrambling at the deep end of England’s top tier, desperately clinging on to survival and the enormous pay gap separating a place in the Premier League and the Championship..

Starting from 20th position, we have predicted where clubs in Europe’s wealthiest league are most likely to finish and just why that is the case taking into account the start to the season they have had and additions made over the summer. We hope you enjoy:

20th RELEGATED

Burnley

Burnley have avoided the drop for many years and with a lack of additional quality, this year looks like the season of change, compared to other clubs, who have been more willing to spend their Premier league windfall wisely to improve in key areas.

Finished last season – 10th

One to watch – James Tarkowski

Cause for concern – A lack of signings and quality within

Key Signing – Dale Stephens

19th RELEGATED

West Bromwich Albion

A yo-yo team in recent years, the Baggies have opted for a more youthful approach this season and after dismantling a prominent Chelsea team they look lively. Consistency will be vital for survival and with a lack of experience this could be difficult.

Finished last season – 2nd (Promoted from the championship)

One to watch – Callum Robinson

Cause for concern – Lacking experience

Key Signing – Branislav Ivanovic

18th RELEGATED

Fulham

Another team to have bounced up and down the leagues in recent years, Fulham don’t seem to have the same level of quality as their competitors and for that reason we don’t see them having a chance of staying up.

Finished last season – Play off Winners (Promoted from the Championship)

One to watch – Aleksandar Mitrovic

Cause for concern – A team of individuals

Key Signing – Anthony Knockaert

17th SURVIVAL

Sheffield United

After last season’s European push, it seems like the Blades have put all their efforts into last season and failed to majorly prepare for the season ahead. Failure to win so far this season proves Chris Wilder does not have the squad he needs to repeat last year’s remarkable season.

Finished last season – 9th

One to watch – David McGoldrick

Cause for concern – Players ageing with very little fresh legs

Key Signing – Rhian Brewster

16th SURVIVAL

Wolverhampton Wanderers

A European squad in recent years seems to be rocky at the back with captain Conor Cody not in the greatest of form. With the transfer of Star man Jota to Liverpool a massive hole has been left uncovered from last season’s story of success.

Finished last season – 7th

One to watch – Raul Jimenez

Cause for concern – Leaking defensively

Key Signing – Nelson Semedo

15th SURVIVAL

Southampton

The Saints have failed to march into the new season as they ended their last one. Despite a recent run of form with big results against Chelsea and Tottenham, this seems to only be temporary with a lack of squad depth surely playing a part as the season progresses.

Finished last season – 11th

One to watch – Danny Ings

Cause for concern – A lack of depth in certain areas

Key Signing – Theo Walcott

14th AFLOAT

Brighton and Hove Albion

Tariq Lamptey looks a steal from Chelsea as he has thrown up quite a storm against opponents so far this season. His assists and Neil Maupay’s finishing will keep them well above par from their relegation threatened opponents.

Finished last season – 15th

One to watch – Tariq Lamptey

Cause for concern – Very little Premier League experience

Key Signing – Adam Lallana

13th MID-TABLE

West Ham United

Former Hull striker Bowen has set the London Stadium on fire since his arrival and with the partnership of a young Declan Rice and Tomas Soucek in midfield the Hammers are sure to break boundaries they couldn’t do in recent seasons.

Finished last season – 16th

One to watch – Jarrod Bowen

Cause for concern – Ageing squad with a lack of pace at the back

Key Signing – Tomas Soucek

12th MID-TABLE

Crystal Palace

After Keeping star of the show Wilfried Zaha, Palace have only improved over the summer and will have fresh legs in the signing of QPR star Eze to provide other creative options in attack if Zaha isn’t on his A game.

Finished last season – 14th

One to watch – Wilfried Zaha

Cause for concern – Oldest average age in the League with lack of squad depth

Key Signing – Eberechi Eze

11th MID-TABLE

Newcastle

Allan Saint Maximin and Wilson seem to be building up a vital partnership which could prove to be exactly what Steve Bruce needs, if he wants to finish as high as possible this term.

Finished last season – 13th

One to watch – Allan Saint-Maximin

Cause for concern – Midfield lacking power

Key Signing – Callum Wilson

10th MID-TABLE

Aston Villa

After demolishing champions Liverpool 7-2, there will be no survival problems for Villa this year as key men such as Mings, Grealish and Watkins seem to be holding down a vital core to this Villa side, turning cogs like a steam train.

Finished last season – 17th

One to watch – Jack Grealish

Cause for concern – Very little experience

Key Signing – Ollie Watkins

9th MID-TABLE

Leeds United

Leeds have made a good account of themselves so far on their return to the top division, holding giants Liverpool and Manchester City to close calls, respectively. With this, Leeds look keen to advance up the table and make their way back to where they once belonged.

Finished last season – 1st (Promoted from the Championship)

One to watch – Kalvin Phillips

Cause for concern – Premier League experience

Key Signing – Rodrigo

8th MID-TABLE

Tottenham Hotspur

Sergio Reguilon and Gareth Bale lit up Spurs fans eyes on deadline day as they have brought a new lease of life back to London. This seems to have improved the squad morale and performances are showing, with a 6-1 romping of Manchester United. Tottenham have been known in recent years to slip up against smaller teams and this may prove to be the case again this year.

Finished last season – 6th

One to watch – Heung-min Son

Cause for concern – Lack of Pacey centre backs

Key Signing – Gareth Bale

7th MID-TABLE

Leicester City

Brendan Rodgers has an experienced notebook on how to win games the right way. With successful spells at Liverpool and Celtic, he has only improved since coming to the King Power Stadium. This look certain to continue, however, the quality of the clubs above will prove to be one step ahead.

Finished last season – 5th

One to watch – Jamie Vardy

Cause for concern – Soyuncu out till February

Key Signing – Wesley Fofana

6th EUROPA LEAGUE

Manchester United

The signings of Donny Van de Beek and Alex Telles will improve the attacking quality of the Red Devils, however with flops Paul Pogba and Harry Maguire starting most weeks, and defeats to Tottenham and Crystal Palace as evidence, United don’t look strong enough for more than a Europa League spot this season.

Finished last season – 3rd

One to watch – Bruno Fernandes

Cause for concern – Problematic defence

Key Signing – Alex Telles

5th EUROPA LEAGUE

Arsenal

Star striker Pierre Emerick Aubameyang has signed a new contract extension to the delight of the Gunners fans. Atletico Madrid rock, Thomas Partey, looks a great addition and we feel with the aid of these two, Arsenal will qualify for their favoured competition in recent years.

Finished last season – 8th

One to watch – Pierre Emerick Aubameyang

Cause for concern – Lack of confidence at the back

Key Signing – Thomas Partey

4th CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Everton

Carlo Ancelotti’s men look to have recruited the best midfield in the league, with the additions of World cup star James Rodriquez and Napoli veteran Allan. Watford star Abdoulaye Doucouré has added some much-needed Premier League experience and this has payed off as Everton sit comfortably at the top of the league.

Finished last season – 12th

One to watch – Dominic Calvert-Lewin

Cause for concern – Previous lack of Consistency

Key Signing – James Rodriguez

3th CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Chelsea

After spending over £300 million this summer Chelsea will be a real threat, including the additions of the Bundesliga’s most exciting attackers in Kai Havertz and Timo Werner. However, little pace at the back has been exposed so far by teams like West Brom and will continue to be exposed, unless Lampard makes a change.

Finished last season – 4th

One to watch – Mason Mount

Cause for concern – Too many options with an inconsistent line-up

Key Signing – Timo Werner

2th RUNNERS UP and CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Manchester City

This decades free runners have hit a slump after dropping well below par last season and with the start they have had this season it doesn’t look like this will change. Dominant displays against the more superior teams have been fairly outweighed by poor results to smaller teams in recent times.

Finished last season – 2nd

One to watch – Kevin De Bruyne

Cause for concern – Injury plagued squad

Key Signing – Nathan Ake

1st CHAMPIONS and CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Liverpool

After a poor end to their first title win in over 20 years Liverpool seem keen to expand on this. Despite the loss of key defender Van Dijk, the use of Fabinho in this position could work well, as he has previously kept two clean sheets when used here. Liverpool have far too much quality in attack and with the addition of Champions league winner Thiago they seem to have improved their already world beating squad.

Finished last season – 1st

One to watch – Sadio Mane

Cause for concern – Van Dijk possibly out for the season

Key Signing – Thiago Alcantara