Time to continue our look at what Robbie Savage has to say as he predicts the final Premier League table as the 2022/23 season gets back underway…
11 – CRYSTAL PALACE
World Cup minutes: 406
Robbie Savage said: “With all that firepower – Zaha, Olise, Edouard, Mateta and Eze – there is nothing to worry about at Selhurst Park.
“The Eagles will be fresh because Palace players had the second-lowest aggregate of game time at the World Cup in the division.”
Back in August 2022, he thought they would finish 8th and said: The more I saw of Palace in Patrick Vieira’s first season in charge, the more I liked them. The front three of Wilf Zaha, Jean-Philippe Mateta and Michael Olise is genuinely exciting, and they have definite top-half potential.
12 – BRENTFORD
World Cup minutes: 518
Robbie Savage said: “They will be fine. I don’t know why, because there is uncertainty about striker Ivan Toney’s availability over betting allegations, but I just think they will be fine.
“Manager Thomas Frank will find a way to keep the Bees’ heads above water.”
Back in August 2022, he thought they would finish 13th and said: Get ready for all the cliches about second season syndrome, and losing out to Manchester United for Christian Eriksen’s services was a bodyblow after the Dane’s massive influence on their recovery from a worrying run of four points from a possible 33. But I think they will be OK.
13 – ASTON VILLA
World Cup minutes: 1,216
Robbie Savage said: “Unai Emery will steady the ship after the turbulence which cost Steven Gerrard his job.
“But it may not be until next season that Villa push on up the table and knock on the door of the top six.”
Back in August 2022, he thought they would finish 11th and said: Glass half-full or half-empty? I know manager Steven Gerrard will not be content to float in mid-table, and the arrivals of Diego Carlos and Boubacar Kamara will make them more solid, but Villa may have to settle for steady progress rather than a quantum leap up the table from 14th last term.
14 – WEST HAM
World Cup minutes: 1,153
Robbie Savage said: “Left behind at the starting gate, the Hammers have been playing catch-up all season.
“However, David Moyes’ experience and know-how will be their biggest asset, and they are going well in Europe again.”
Back in August 2022, he thought they would finish 10th and said: To finish sixth and seventh in consecutive seasons, with basically one striker – Michail Antonio – holding the fort was a remarkable achievement, as was holding on to skipper Declan Rice this summer. I expect Jarrod Bowen to go to the World Cup with England, but the top six may be a step too far this time.
15 – EVERTON
World Cup minutes: 824
Robbie Savage said: “The new stadium at Bradley Moore Dock is taking shape, but another relegation battle lies ahead.
“It’s critical that manager Frank Lampard is given the funds to add another striker to supplement Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Neal Maupay.”
Back in August 2022, he thought they would finish 14th and said: If we use last season’s close shave with relegation as a yardstick, and add the loss of top scorer Richarlison, arguably it would be an even bigger achievement for manager Frank Lampard to keep them up again – especially if Dominic Calvert-Lewin is going to miss the first six weeks through injury.
16 – BOURNEMOUTH
World Cup minutes: 495
Robbie Savage said: "Under new ownership, and now Gary O'Neil has been confirmed as full-time manager following an impressive interim spell, I think they will confound pre-season odds and be OK.
"Not with much to spare, but OK."
Back in August 2022, he thought they would finish 20th and said: There is no shame in a club of Bournemouth's history embarking on their sixth Premier League campaign in eight seasons, and I hope they defy the odds to make it seven in nine. But do they have enough quality to survive? I doubt it.
17 – NOTTINGHAM FOREST
World Cup minutes: 865
Robbie Savage said: "There were positive signs of life, after a worrying autumn, when the World Cup break came around.
"Steve Cooper delivered one miracle to win promotion, and I fancy him to come up with another."
Back in August 2022, he thought they would finish 12th and said: I have a sneaking feeling they might surprise a few people, as Sheffield United and Brentford did after winning promotion. It's never easy to establish a pattern after 13 new signings, and they may not see a lot of the ball in some games, but Jesse Lingard will hurt teams on the break.
18 – LEEDS
World Cup minutes: 692
Robbie Savage said: "I predicted they might drop before a ball was kicked, and sadly I have not seen enough over the first 14 games to change my mind.
"Only Southampton have conceded more goals so far and Jesse Marsch might be facing a rough ride."
Back in August 2022, he thought they would finish 18th and said: Jesse Marsch just about dodged a bullet in May, but it was mighty close – and losing Raphinha's flair, and Kalvin Phillips anchoring the midfield, won't help. Marsch has spent a lot of money – around £90 million – on seven new faces, but none excites me and I'm sorry to say Leeds might be going down.
19 - WOLVES
World Cup minutes: 515
Robbie Savage said: "Going down?
"Bruno Lage paid the price for a sluggish start, but his successor at Molineux, Julen Lopetegui, has inherited the lowest scorers in the division – and that will be his biggest problem heading into 2023."
Back in August 2022, he thought they would finish 15th and said: I'm fairly sure Wolves are too good to go down – but I'm far from convinced it will be a comfortable ride. They have had a low-key transfer window, with Nathan Collins arriving from Burnley to boost the defence, but they may be looking over their shoulders in 2023.
20 – SOUTHAMPTON
World Cup minutes: 270
Robbie Savage said: "It's always good to see young British coaches being given a chance in the top flight, but I fear new Saints manager Nathan Jones may have bitten off more than he can chew."
Back in August 2022, he thought they would finish 17th and said: Saints were dropping like a stone at the back end of last season – one win in the last 12 - and wholesale changes to manager Ralph Hasenhuttl's coaching staff may only have rearranged the deckchairs on the Titanic. But there might just be three worse teams than them.
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