Each season we take 5 of our favourite FFUKers, and get them to predict what is going to happen in the Premier League and in FPL in the forthcoming season.
Check out last season’s predictions click here
This season we are changing it up slightly and each day its a different predictor that will be telling you what they think is in store. 5 Premier League predictions and 6 for FPL. Let’s go.
Next up it’s James Simpson, the big man from Bournemouth is an Arsenal fan with a best FPL finish of 50k, check out his predictions below:
Q1. What will the top 4 be at the end of this season?
1st Man City / 2nd Arsenal / 3rd Man Utd / 4th Liverpool
“Despite the departure of key players including Gundogan and Mahrez, I can’t see anyone else but City winning the league. We have improved our squad but with Champions League added to our schedule, I can’t see Arsenal being able to sustain a challenge for the whole season. ETH has got Utd playing with a decent shape/set up and a number of players will continue to improve further – AWB, Shaw and Sancho spring to mind. If their defence can stay injury free, Liverpool could finish above Utd and possibly even Arsenal. The front 6 are great, the key will be how quickly their new midfield settles.”
Q2. What will the bottom 3 be at the end of the season?
20th Luton / 19th Sheff Utd / 18th Everton
“Luton were a fairy tale to get promoted but similar to Sheff Utd, I think they will struggle to maintain intensity and focus across a whole season, scoring the goals required. Typically promoted teams are more likely to go down. I see Burnley under Kompany adapting well to the pace and intensity of the Premier League but I’m not sure Sheff Utd will. I initially went for Forest in 18th but lack of transfer activity points to Everton having another tough season unless McNeil and DCL can stay fit and find form. Otherwise it’s difficult to see where goals come from.”
Q3. Who wins the golden boot (top goal scorer) in the PL this season?
“If he stays fit, Haaland will dominate again. End of.”
Q4. Which team will do much better than expected this season?
“Chelsea. Awful last season but Poch is a good manager and will build a team spirit/togetherness that’s been lacking of late in the club. There’s some serious attacking talent at Chelsea, if James and Chilwell can stay fit they’ll do very well and ahead of them Mudryk, Madueke, Nkunku and Jackson will show their class – some FPL bargains to be found for sure.”
Q5. Which team will do worse than expected?
“West Ham. An amazing European run and trophy win masked poor league form.. The fans want a certain style of possession football played, which Moyes doesn’t deliver, and there’s already rumours of differences of opinion regarding recruitment. They will miss Rice’s leadership and it wouldn’t surprise me if Moyes is under pressure early on and sacked.”
Q6. Who will be the top scoring GK this season?
“Pope – Newcastle. Despite the distraction of Champions League, I think Newcastle will continue to keep it tight at the back.”
Q7. Who will be the top scoring defender this season?
“TAA – Liverpool. Last season was a tale of two halves. Second half of the season, in his new inverted position, Trent became a bonus magnet again due in part to pass completion as well as proving a better attacking threat.”
Q8. Who will be the top scoring midfielder this season?
“Salah – Liverpool. He’s a forward, playing as a midfielder in FPL. Last season Odegaard (an actual midfielder) was the 2nd highest scoring midfielder behind Salah, but was still 27pts behind.”
Q9. Who will be the top scoring forward this season?
“Haaland – City. 36 goals last season. With the number 2 in the list (Kane – 30 goals) potentially off to Munich, and the 3rd in the list (Toney – 20 goals) banned until the New Year, no one will come close if Haaland stays fit.”
Q10. Which player will be the surprise package next season?
“Can I pick two? If so Wissa (Brentford) and Sancho (Utd) look interesting to me. Wissa scored 111pts last season despite only playing 1587 minutes. He should get plenty of match time with Toney banned. Sancho scored 105pts and played 1683 minutes. Alongside this he had a number of personal issues and injuries to contend with, with Utd removing him from Manchester and rehabilitating him in Holland. If he stays fit, he’s a goal threat and an assist machine.”
Q11. Which player will be the biggest disappointment this season?
“I’m worried Arsenal will emulate City further with a lot of rotation. I’m not sure any of Martinelli, Saka, Odegaard or Trossard will score/assist as much vs last season purely to minutes being managed, plus teams will target The Arsenal even more this year. Controversially, I’ll go with Saka due to his higher ownership.”
Massive thanks to James for taking the time to give us his predictions, we will be back soon with the final FFUKer’s forecast.
Why don’t you give us your predictions in the comment below.
Cheers
Chris
FFUK 