Skip to content

The Soccer Saturday pundits give their verdicts on your team’s prospects for 2018/19

Soccer Saturday pundits
Image: We asked the Soccer Saturday pundits to outline each Premier League club's prospects for next season

We asked the Soccer Saturday pundits to outline each Premier League club's prospects for next season. Here are their verdicts...

Arsenal's 2018/19 prospects

Charlie Nicholas' verdict...

I am optimistic because now we've cleared the path to bring somebody new in, they will be able to fix the issues that Wenger has failed to see. I don't have a problem with Brendan Rodgers or Luis Enrique, but I think Massimiliano Allegri is number one because he'd sort the defence out. I think somebody who can bring pace and aggression back to the side would improve us.

Sky Bet odds for Premier League title 2018/19: 25/1

Bournemouth's 2018/19 prospects

Paul Merson's verdict...

They have to just look to stay up again. People get a bit carried away sometimes, thinking if a side's been in the league a few years they can do a Burnley, but for a team the size of Bournemouth, they have to stay up first. I think Jordon Ibe has improved during his time there - he could be a star next season.

Sky Bet relegation odds for 2018/19: 11/2

Also See:

Jordan Ibe did not contribute a goal or assist in his 25 appearances for Bournemouth last season
Image: Bournemouth's Jordan Ibe

Brighton's 2018/19 prospects

Charlie Nicholas' verdict...

I think if they fail to reinvest then they could be in trouble, but I think Chris Hughton will be aware that he needs to reinvigorate the side. They looked at Moussa Dembele in January, with Celtic resisting a £12m bid, and I wouldn't be surprised if they came back in for him, while they could do with a bit more pace at the back and bit more depth generally.

Sky Bet odds for relegation in 2018/19: 5/2

Burnley's 2018/19 prospects

Matt Le Tissier's verdict...

I'd be surprised if they could match finishing above everyone other than the top six, but if they make a couple of improvements then why not. Seventh place is up for grabs for anyone as the quality outside the top six has been lacking.

Sky Bet odds for relegation in 2018/19: 3/1

Chelsea's 2018/19 prospects

Paul Merson's verdict...

I think they'll have a new manager, for starters. It looks that way, although I'd like him to stay. I'd expect some other changes too. I don't think Alvaro Morata will be there - I don't think Chelsea suits him and it doesn't look like he's enjoying it.

Sky Bet odds for 2018/19 Premier League title: 11/1

Alvaro Morata celebrates a Wembley goal
Image: Will Alvaro Morata be at Chelsea next season?

Crystal Palace's 2018/19 prospects

Paul Merson's verdict...

It all depends on Wilfried Zaha. If he goes, you're looking at another relegation battle. If he stays, you'd like to think they could be where Burnley are, fighting with Everton for seventh.

Sky Bet odds for relegation in 2018/19: 9/2

Everton's 2018/19 prospects

Paul Merson's verdict...

There's not much cause for optimism next season. They need about four or five players because the recruitment this season just hasn't been good enough. The team suffered because of a lack of pace. They would need to improve but what's improvement? Finishing above Burnley? That's what you are looking at, finishing seventh. You'd expect them to finish above Burnley next season.

Sky Bet odds for relegation in 2018/19: 25/1

Huddersfield's 2018/19 prospects

Charlie Nicholas' verdict...

Staying up is worth a fortune to the club but I think they'll need to buy better in the summer as the strikers were too similar and they could do with a bit more pace at the back. They need more from Aaron Mooy as he's their best passer but it is all about recruitment if they are to avoid another relegation battle, although they've proved they are capable and a lot of us pundits wrong.

Sky Bet odds for relegation in 2018/19: 11/8

Aaron Mooy celebrates after making it 2-0 to Huddersfield
Image: Huddersfield's Aaron Mooy

Leicester's 2018/19 prospects

Matt Le Tissier's verdict...

It's a tough one to call as a lot will depend on who will stay and who they'll sign. A lot of their recruits since winning the title have struggled to settle and building a really solid defence again is key to them getting back to overachieving rather than just settling for mid-table again.

Sky Bet odds for relegation in 2018/19: 14/1

Liverpool's 2018/19 prospects

Phil Thompson's verdict...

I think just like the other sides in the top six, the aim is to push Man City a lot closer. Every club will be gunning to get a bit closer to them.

Sky Bet title odds for 2018/19: 9/2

Man City's 2018/19 prospects

Phil Thompson's verdict...

Next season will be a massive challenge because they are the team to beat. It will be a massive challenge to repeat what they've done. They'll obviously be gunning for the Champions League and that will Pep Guardiola's big aim and the club's Holy Grail.

Sky Bet odds for Premier League title 2018/19: 4/6

 during a Press Conference at Manchester City Football Academy on April 9, 2018 in Manchester, England.
Image: Pep Guardiola has signed a new contract at Man City

Man Utd's 2018/19 prospects

Charlie Nicholas' verdict...

I don't see them as favourites for the title next season. They're part of the top six but there's so much other sides will do. I see City as big favourites, Liverpool second favourites if they get a goalkeeper, then United as third favourites ahead of Tottenham, who could lose a few key players or their manager.

Sky Bet odds for 2018/19 Premier League title: 7/1

Newcastle's 2018/19 prospects

Phil Thompson's verdict...

The priority has to be to convince Rafael Benitez to stay because even the fans would understand if he walked away due to lack of funding again. They can't make assurances to him again and not back it up because the biggest danger for the club is him walking away.

Sky Bet odds for relegation in 2018/19: 5/1

Rafa Benitez during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Chelsea at St. James Park on May 13, 2018 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England.
Image: Newcastle United's Rafael Benitez

Southampton's 2018/19 prospects

Matt Le Tissier's verdict...

I'd imagine there will be investment as there are two or three positions which really need strengthening, and the quality that comes in will decide whether we're in another battle. There are a lot of variables, including whether Mark Hughes will extend his contract beyond this season, so it will be a crucial summer for the club.

Sky Bet odds for relegation in 2018/19: 9/1

Stoke's 2018/19 prospects

Charlie Nicholas' verdict...

I think they're very strong contenders to bounce back up because they'll have the money to invest. The likes of Ryan Shawcross are gone and it should be a younger, fresher side next season.

Sky Bet odds for 2018/19 promotion from the Championship: 11/4

Stoke City's Ryan Shawcross wears a rainbow captain's armband during the Premier League match at the Selhurst Park, London
Image: Stoke City's Ryan Shawcross

Swansea's 2018/19 prospects

Paul Merson's verdict...

It depends what happens with the Ayew brothers. If they can keep hold of them, they'll get promoted.

Sky Bet odds for 2018/19 promotion from the Championship: 9/4

Tottenham's 2018/19 prospects

Matt Le Tissier's verdict...

I think they'll need a bit of investment to compete for the title next season. It would take a huge jump to win it from 20 points behind the league winners. They will look to improve on their points tally, and if that puts them in the title race then that would be a nice thing, but they need a trophy. There are only three up for grabs and you need a bit of luck to win one.

Sky Bet odds for Premier League title 2018/19: 12/1

Mauricio Pochettino
Image: Mauricio Pochettino

Watford's 2018/19 prospects

Charlie Nicholas' verdict...

They'll get a new manager in, Doucoure will probably leave and they'll make more changes, with the defence the most important change if they are to improve on this season.

Sky Bet relegation odds for 2018/19: 2/1

West Brom's 2018/19 prospects

Charlie Nicholas' verdict...

It could be a rebuilding project that takes a few seasons, although the club have experience of bouncing back, but my money would be on them taking a few seasons to get back into the Premier League.

Sky Bet odds for 2018/19 promotion from the Championship: 11/4

West Ham's 2018/19 prospects

Phil Thompson's verdict...

I think they will have learnt from this season. Keeping David Moyes should be imperative to bringing stability back to club and avoiding another relegation battle.

Sky Bet relegation odds for 2018/19: 5/1

Fantasy Six-a-Side
Fantasy Six-a-Side

Pick your dream team for the FA Cup final to be the latest £50k jackpot winner.

Around Sky