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KweséESPN's Complete Premier League Predictions

Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola ESPN

Ahead of the hotly anticipated return of the Premier League, KweséESPN trio Colin Udoh, Michael Oti Adjei and Ed Dove reveal their hot picks and predictions ahead of the new campaign.

In this feature, we've looked ahead to what we're expecting at both ends of the league, and which players we're tipping to star this season.

Predicted winners

Udoh: Arsenal - Yeah, yeah. I know...and I'll gladly lay my head on the chopping block. Heck, I'll wield the axe myself if need be, but I like the looks of Arsene Wenger's team.

Sead Kolasinac gives them solidity at the back and Alexandre Lacazette may not look like much right now, but could be just what Olivier Giroud needs to do great things.

Besides, Arsene deserves it

Oti Adjei: Manchester City - I think Pep Guardiola will get it right this time especially with those defensive reinforcements and the fact that they have held onto Sergio Aguero.

Dove: Manchester United - Jose Mourinho hasn't kept faith in youth as he'd vowed to, but the additions of Romelu Lukaku and Nemanja Matic bolster United's spine and should ensure the Red Devils can swat away the teams below them.

Expect Paul Pogba and Eric Bailly to just get better again over the coming campaign.

Rest of the Top Four

Udoh: Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea - Mourinho will give it a right go, but I'm not sure how Antonio Conte will deal with second-season syndrome and I doubt City will have improved enough from last season.

Oti Adjei: Chelsea, Liverpool, United - I feel Arsenal will lose out again primarily because of the confusion over Alexis Sanchez' future and the general strength of their competitors. Lacazzette adds a genuine goal threat but there has been nothing in defensive and midfield reinforcements to suggest they can deal with the moments of difficulties that they had last season. Jose Mourinho's reinforcements will almost definitely get United into the champions league again via their league position.

Dove: Chelsea, Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur - I fear that a move to Wembley will cost Spurs, but they should still have enough to make the top four...particularly if Alexis Sanchez or Philippe Coutinho move to Spain.

Relegation

Udoh: Huddersfield, Brighton and Hove Albion, Swansea - The Swans don't seem to have righted the wrongs of the last season, and Newcastle United are too good to drop back down.

Odi Adjei: Brighton, Burnley, Swansea - Burnley have done an amazing job staying up throughout and at some point it catches. Losing Andy Grey could make a big difference. Swansea were superb when they survived last season but the signs were there for all to see and I fear Brighton's desire to play it nice may leave them too exposed at the highest level.

Dove: Watford, Swansea, Brighton - While Huddersfield Town moved early and spent big this window, I'm less convinced by Brighton's addition. If and when Gylfi Sigurdsson does go, I'm concerned about Swansea, while Watford's instability will surely have to catch up with them before too long...won't it?

Top Scorer

Udoh: It's hard to look beyond Harry Kane, although I think Romelu Lukaku will give him a right run for his money.

Oti Adjei: A fit Sergio Aguero will score a lot of goals especially in a City team brimming with so much creative talent

Dove: Romelu Lukaku - I'm tipping the Belgian frontman for big things this season after being reunited with Mourinho, and he should relish the challenge of proving himself at a genuine giant.

Who's set to disappoint?

Udoh: Despite spending more than most country's defensive budgets, I don't think Manchester City have the balance to get into the top four, and that will be a disappointment.

Oti Adjei: Spurs have had a terrific run lately, but I fear the bubble will burst this season especially considering the other clubs' level of investment.

Dove: There's a lingering sense that while Liverpool have added another gloss of gold paint to the Bentley, as it were, Jurgen Klopp's squad are still lacking in some key defensive positions.

Player of the Season

Udoh: It's a toss up between Nemanja Matic and Alexis Sanchez.

Oti Adjei: Eden Hazard -- the Chelsea star should have another fantastic season.

Dove: I've backed Lukaku to the hilt here already, so I'm going to back Kevin De Bruyne as my Player of the Season. He made 24 decisive contributions last term, but if the team's built around him successfully, I think he could manage 30ish this term...as he did in his final campaign in Germany.

Breakout Star

Udoh: Marouane Fellaini - Maybe not such a breakout, but Manchester United fans will come to appreciate the value he brings to their side.

Oti Adjei: I hope it'll be Christian Atsu!

Dove: The Premier League hasn't even begun to see the best of Ilkay Gundogan yet as his City career has been plagued by injury to date. Reports suggest that he's primed for a comeback to Pep Guardiola's squad, and if he can stay fit, he could be the Prem's best central midfielder.

FA Cup winners

Udoh: Chelsea

Oti Adjei: Manchester United

Dove: Tottenham Hotspur...but it'll probably be Arsenal.

First manager sacked

Udoh: Mauricio Pellegrino

Oti Adjei: Slaven Bilic

Dove: I think Bilic could find himself in trouble if West Ham don't start well, while Swansea City haven't been afraid to offload managers early in the season recently if things aren't going their way. Without Sigurdsson, Paul Clement might also be in jeopardy.

As ever, however, there's brooding discontent at Newcastle United, so the sensible money might be on Rafael Benitez taking his ball...