The Premier League season starts on Friday with Champions League winners Liverpool hosting Norwich.
Sportsmail columnist Peter Crouch runs the rule over each team ahead of the big kick-off.
ARSENAL
CROUCHY'S VERDICT: 6th
MANAGER: Unai Emery - were Arsenal really any better last season than under Arsene Wenger? Possibly, but now Emery’s been backed in the transfer market, he needs to finish in the top four.
KEY MAN: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang - a world-class striker. Should flourish with Nicolas Pepe providing supply lines and vital to Arsenal’s hopes of qualifying for the Champions League.
ASTON VILLA
CROUCHY'S VERDICT: 18th
MANAGER: Dean Smith - superb job to take Villa from 14th in October to promotion in May. Heavily backed in the transfer market and will need to get off to a good start after such big spending.
KEY MAN: Jack Grealish - Villa have spent heavily on new players this summer but Grealish remains their standout star. If he can reproduce his superb Championship form in the Premier League, Villa should survive back in the big time.
BOURNEMOUTH
CROUCHY'S VERDICT - 16th
MANAGER: Eddie Howe - to take a club the size of Bournemouth up through the divisions and into the big time was impressive. To keep them there for five seasons is astonishing. Surely a bigger job beckons soon!
KEY MAN: Callum Wilson - seemingly over the injury problems that have plagued him since Bournemouth’s promotion in 2015. Big new contract and England recognition no more than he deserves. Now he just needs to stay fit.
BRIGHTON
CROUCHY'S VERDICT - 19th
MANAGER: Graham Potter - unproven at the top level but impressive start to his career in Sweden and at Swansea. If he can keep Brighton up, it’s job done for Potter.
KEY MAN: Lewis Dunk - captain, leader, Brighton legend. Dunk’s form over the past two seasons earned him an England cap. If Brighton survive, a large part will be down to Dunk.
BURNLEY
CROUCHY'S VERDICT - 11th
MANAGER: Sean Dyche - has performed miracles at Turf Moor but fear is he’s taken them as far as he can. If this is his last season, Burnley could surprise a few people with a settled squad and no Europa League.
KEY MAN: Tom Heaton - appears to have won the battle for the gloves at Burnley after Tom Heaton was sold to Aston Villa. If progress continues, could even challenge Jordan Pickford as England No 1.
CHELSEA
CROUCHY'S VERDICT - 4th
MANAGER: Frank Lampard - back at the Bridge and looks a perfect fit. Transfer ban means club’s young stars might finally get a chance. Fans will show patience but it’s what Roman Abramovich wants that matters.
KEY MAN: Ross Barkley - impressed in pre-season and appears to have been given more freedom by Lampard. Difficult start to life at Chelsea, but this could be a big season for Barkley.
CRYSTAL PALACE
CROUCHY'S VERDICT - 15th
MANAGER: Roy Hodgson - the Premier League’s oldest ever manager, 71, has had to use all his experience in a difficult summer that has seen him lose a key player and fight off interest in star man Zaha.
KEY MAN: Andros Townsend - greater responsibility and maturity has seen Townsend flourish at Palace. Pacy, direct and an eye for goal —Townsend could earn an England recall if he builds on last season’s performances.
EVERTON
CROUCHY'S VERDICT - 9th
MANAGER: Marco Silva - poor start at Goodison but tweaked tactics and Everton finished strongly. Has spent big again but has bought well and could threaten top six.
KEY MAN: Fabian Delph - underrated midfielder and one of the bargains of the summer. After four years at Man City, his winning mentality could be just what Everton need.
LEICESTER
CROUCHY'S VERDICT - 8th
MANAGER: Brendan Rodgers - immediate impact last season raised expectations Leicester can challenge for a top-six place this time.
Even if they don’t, it will be good to watch.
KEY MAN: Jamie Vardy - still the main man for Leicester. Hasn’t lost any of his electric pace and is always a threat. With Tielemans and Maddison feeding him, expect Vardy to be in the Golden Boot race.
LIVERPOOL
CROUCHY'S VERDICT - 2nd
MANAGER: Jurgen Klopp - spent big but won big last season. Klopp has transformed Liverpool and got them playing brilliant football, but that agonising wait for the title goes on.
KEY MAN: Virgil van Dijk - imperious. The world’s best defender has made his then record £75m fee look like a bargain after just 18 months at Anfield. The master and commander of it all and Klopp’s most important signing so far.
MANCHESTER CITY
CROUCHY'S VERDICT - 1st
MANAGER: Pep Guardiola - the best in the business. Yes, he’s spent a fortune and yes, City already had a brilliant squad, but he’s moulded them into a unstoppable winning machine playing football from the gods.
KEY MAN: Kevin De Bruyne - the best player in the Premier League. De Bruyne missed 19 league matches through injury last season — and City still won the title. If he can rediscover his 2017-18 form, they’ll take some stopping.
MANCHESTER UNITED
CROUCHY'S VERDICT - 5th
MANAGER: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer - can the United legend topple Guardiola and Klopp? The jury is very much out on that one. Needs a good start after such a poor end to last season.
KEY MAN: Harry Maguire - once again United have paid over the odds but the England man will improve their leaky defence and provide some much-needed leadership.
NORWICH
CROUCHY'S VERDICT - 14th
MANAGER: Daniel Farke - German defied expectations to take Norwich to the Championship title last term. If he can lead Norwich to survival, Farke will be a man in demand.
KEY MAN: Teemu Pukki - 29 goals in 43 games en route to the Championship title last season suggests the Finland striker can make the step up. Norwich will need him to if they are going to avoid a season of struggle.
NEWCASTLE
CROUCHY'S VERDICT - 17th
MANAGER: Steve Bruce - needs a good start to placate fans unhappy at his appointment. With Arsenal, Spurs and Liverpool to play in first five games, that could prove tricky. A tough season ahead.
KEY MAN: Joelinton - Newcastle smashed their transfer record to sign the big Brazilian and will hope they have found their latest iconic No 9. Looks well-suited to the Premier League.
SHEFFIELD UNITED
CROUCHY'S VERDICT - 20th
MANAGER: Chris Wilder - another who beat the odds to win promotion. It will be fascinating to see how this talented English boss gets on in the Premier League. Has made some interesting signings but faces an uphill struggle.
KEY MAN: Oliver Norwood - started all four of Northern Ireland’s Euro 2016 games and makes the Blades tick in midfield. Good passing range and vision. How he copes with step up is key to survival.
SOUTHAMPTON
CROUCHY'S VERDICT - 13th
MANAGER: Ralph Hasenhuttl - on the evidence of last season when he transformed Southampton, plenty to suggest Hasenhuttl could enjoy a long Premier League career. Tactically astute and innovative, the Austrian will be one to watch this season.
KEY MAN: Nathan Redmond - a little bit of everything. Fast, tricky, creative and can score goals. When Redmond plays well, Southampton play well.
TOTTENHAM
CROUCHY'S VERDICT - 3rd
MANAGER: Mauricio Pochettino - could this be his last season at Spurs? Has performed miracles so far against richer rivals but Argentine needs some silverware to show for all his fine work.
KEY MAN: Harry Kane - so much more to his game than goals but few better strikers around. If he stays fit, expect Spurs to secure a fifth consecutive top four finish — and Kane to win the Golden Boot.
WATFORD
CROUCHY'S VERDICT - 10th
MANAGER: Javi Gracia - surprised everyone last season, even Watford fans. The FA Cup run impacted on league form but Watford might just have found a manager they want to keep for more than five minutes.
KEY MAN: Gerard Deulofeu - inspirational performance in FA Cup semi-final showed just how influential the ex-Barca man can be. If he can find more consistency, Watford could improve on last season’s efforts.
WEST HAM
CROUCHY'S VERDICT - 12th
MANAGER: Manuel Pellegrini - has been backed in the transfer market again and will be confident of improving on last season’s mid-table finish playing trademark attacking style.
STAR MAN: Declan Rice - breakthrough season last year ended with a deserved England call-up. Will provide solid base to give West Ham’s array of attackers freedom.
WOLVES
CROUCHY'S VERDICT - 7th
MANAGER: Nuno Espirito Santo - sensational first season in the top flight, playing an exciting brand of football. Bigger clubs will have taken notice of his talents.
KEY MAN: Ruben Neves - so much more to his game than spectacular goals. The Portuguese midfielder can do a bit of everything and impressed in his Premier League debut season.
Weeenrtyz
0
korsia
Rikaeitz
0
laat crouch loop naai
Smartin0
0
Manchester United will surely surprise many
Tuzbdnr
0
You will see the reaction of Man united fans react for their top 5 prediction
penbcknpsu
0
You sir are right
doybmnotuy
1
crouth is 6.6 tall and as tall as he is, he doesn't have any sense😂.. arsenal 6th man u 5th Chelsea of all teams on transfer ban 4th.. does he think it's repetition of last season football?😂😂😂
Loyal_Ben
2
Crouch is 6.6 tall so he see the future ? Manchester United will be in Top 4 Mr. Peter. How come you even put your former Club Liverpool in 2nd? Weird guy. Keep your prediction to yourself
Kohkmnopyz
0
i dont why everyone who try to predicates, man utd is out of top four. i sure you that liverpool will not finish at second place, their whole squad is so tired this season referred to the match that they had last season and out of that they haven't depth squad especially in their attack line only three important player mane Sarah and Robert, especially man who is key in their attack line sadio , who played all of the match in last season plus afcon, i dont think i he will have the morale that he had last season , by the you have to look the way liverpool played their pre season match you can i argue with me that liverpool will not finish at second place, on my view i give them fourth place even if you will look the performance of virgil on the pre season match who is the main man in their defence line plus their full back, they seems like there are tired so i dont think they will finish at second place. and man city a lot of people who predicted they said that they will win again EPL , let me tell you that is not easy like that don't forget these big six club all of them this season they did well in transfer market u have to think on that also i can say that man utd on this season they will finish on big four i remove Chelsea from big four
thanks man
king_cx_7
0
i dont why everyone who try to predicates, man utd is out of top four. i sure you that liverpool will not finish at second place, their whole squad is so tired this season referred to the match that they had last season and out of that they haven't depth squad especially in their attack line only three important player mane Sarah and Robert, especially man who is key in their attack line sadio , who played all of the match in last season plus afcon, i dont think i he will have the morale that he had last season , by the you have to look the way liverpool played their pre season match you can i argue with me that liverpool will not finish at second place, on my view i give them fourth place even if you will look the performance of virgil on the pre season match who is the main man in their defence line plus their full back, they seems like there are tired so i dont think they will finish at second place. and man city a lot of people who predicted they said that they will win again EPL , let me tell you that is not easy like that don't forget these big six club all of them this season they did well in transfer market u have to think on that also i can say that man utd on this season they will finish on big four i remove Chelsea from big four
I agree with u bro
Kohkmnopyz
1
i dont why everyone who try to predicates, man utd is out of top four. i sure you that liverpool will not finish at second place, their whole squad is so tired this season referred to the match that they had last season and out of that they haven't depth squad especially in their attack line only three important player mane Sarah and Robert, especially man who is key in their attack line sadio , who played all of the match in last season plus afcon, i dont think i he will have the morale that he had last season , by the you have to look the way liverpool played their pre season match you can i argue with me that liverpool will not finish at second place, on my view i give them fourth place even if you will look the performance of virgil on the pre season match who is the main man in their defence line plus their full back, they seems like there are tired so i dont think they will finish at second place. and man city a lot of people who predicted they said that they will win again EPL , let me tell you that is not easy like that don't forget these big six club all of them this season they did well in transfer market u have to think on that also i can say that man utd on this season they will finish on big four i remove Chelsea from big four
kayodeomolayo
0
D only correct prediction here is first and second
obbyoHD
2
I think Crouch has brain problem any one please help him to recover from that disease!!!
kokackmrty
0
Just hope spurs continue in top three. Pressure will be on them after current window but i am confident Poch know how to handle.COYS
Zunabeimuz
0
Thanks Crouch
languidc
1
Amazing before a ball has been kicked, this guy can make a prediction. I wonder if Crouch plays football manager?
acteman
1
The easiest prediction is on Spurs to end the season trophyless, i would put my mortgage on it.
radcdlno
0
Surprise team Arsenal and spurs ..arsenal might fight for the top three and miss maybe by going forth while spurs are contenders might outclass Liverpool on the way
Nieabdkls
0
Man utd ❤️❤️😂
Zuamrstz
0
I will definitely sue Crouch if Manchester United finished out of 4th place! Crouch you hear me. You better change your prediction on MU.
SamratCR7
0
Manchester United already beat starting XI of Tottenham Hotspur and maintained while winning streak without new defender and do you really think they will be even out if top 4[Crylaugh][Crylaugh]
Henryrukis
2
CROUCH WILL GO TO JAIL IF LIVERPOOL DID NOT FINISH 2nd..
Flocka237
2
I want what he smoked .
Edoo87
1
Tallest man that sure he was seen the champions from now [Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh]
Germany5971746
2
Crouch you're sick in the head saying Arsenal will be in 6th position u're infact insane
XxkingXx789
0
we can't be second again! lol
naelkayyali
0
the second he puts Chelsea 4th he doesn't know any thing and Aston Villa 18th[Crylaugh][Crylaugh]
RichardBaffoe
1
opinions are like noses,each an everyone has one
bastv
2
I feel for shefied united, they came from relegation to relegate. [Crylaugh][Crylaugh]
Trust98
1
Weed is talking. Thank you.
lionraj10
0
This guy fill my whole screen with his picture,lol
Vitabdelmy
2
Chelsea 20th 🤣😂
DCkathimpu19
0
For Crouch also Liverpool in Second place? I feel like they are not going to snatch EPL from Man City this year also. But I see Spurs a great contender for the title.
Toblana
3
Liverpool fans right now after seeing these predictions:
kristvanbeston
1
that dude is damn tall, he could see the future. wow lets give it up for *Clouch*
king-chekwa
0
his predictions are mostly similar to how last season
king-chekwa
0
his predictions are mostly similar to how last season ended
Titiisaac
1
great words