With the Premier League season kicking off this Friday (August 15th), now seemed like a good idea to provide a quick preview for every club involved. Where they stand, what to get excited about, what to be worried about, and try and provide a rough prediction on where they could (or should) be finishing.
In this fourth and final part, we will focus on Nottingham Forest, Sunderland, Spurs, West Ham, and Wolves.
Nottingham Forest
What happened last season?
Considering many thought Forest would be fighting a relegation battle again, they had an unbelievable campaign. They spent the entire season in and around the Champions League spots, only to miss out by 1 point, as they finished 7th. Due to Crystal Palace being demoted from the Europa League, after UEFA found them in breach of multi-club ownership rules, Forest will take their place.
Reasons to be cheerful
Their participation in the Europa League will be a welcome surprise to Forest fans (much to the fury of Palace supporters). They’ll also be delighted that, despite Spurs activating Morgan Gibbs-White’s release clause, their star player decided to sign a new contract instead. They’ve also managed to move on 8 players (mostly surplus squad members) for a combined fee of £102m ($138m). Though incoming transfers have been in short supply, Forest are on the brink of signing Omari Hutchinson (Ipswich Town) James McAtee (Man City), and Arnaud Kalimuendo (Stade Rennais).
Reasons to be fearful
One of those departing players was Anthony Elanga (to Newcastle United), who was among Forest’s top performers last season. Head coach Nuno Espírito Santo also spoke candidly in an interview with Sky Sports, saying “We are very far – very, very far – from where we should be. We are very far in terms of preparation, in terms of planning, in terms of the squad.” Though Forest had a superb season last time out, they struggled to find results when forced to change from their ‘Plan A’. Will teams be more savvy when facing them now?
Key signing
Dan Ndoye. The Swiss 24 year old is a direct replacement for Elanga, and has big shoes to fill. If he can replicate his form for Bologna in the Premier League, he’ll be a threat, but it’s a big ‘if’.
Predicted finish: Mid-table
Having a European campaign alongside the Premier League will take it out of Forest, whose success last season was partly down to a being able to field a consistent line-up. Once they are forced into significant rotation, they’ll find it difficult to keep up with teams in the top half.
Sunderland
What happened last season?
An excellent season in the Championship saw Sunderland promoted to the Premier League via the play-offs, beating Sheffield United in the final. This was despite having one of the youngest squads in the division, many of whom came through Sunderland’s youth ranks. In fact, the winning goal at Wembley was scored by teenager Tommy Watson, who has since signed for Brighton.
Reasons to be cheerful
It was only 4 seasons ago that Sunderland were in League One (3rd tier), so the fact they’re in the Premier League is a monumental change of fortune. They are stocked full of young talent. They’ve made 11 signings so far, for a combined fee of £132m ($179m). Not many people are giving Sunderland much chance of staying up, and the Black Cat fans will love proving people wrong. They have the Stadium of Light, which can be an intimidating place for visiting teams. Oh, and there’s the small matter of the return of the Tyne-Wear derby (vs Newcastle United).
Reasons to be fearful
Despite spending plenty of money on transfers, only a couple have Premier League experience (Granit Xhaka and Simon Adingra). Other Premier League sides may see that as a potential weakness, and target their young players. Head coach Régis Le Bris has no experience at this level of competition, either.
Key signing
Granit Xhaka. He made a huge contribution to Bayer Leverkusen’s title-winning season in 2023/24, and continued his fine form in a more advanced role last season. He can offer technique and control in a midfield that will come under serious pressure in the coming months.
Predicted finish: Relegation battle
Of the 3 promoted sides, Sunderland probably have the smallest chance of staying up. The Stadium of Light could play a huge part in any success they have this year.
Tottenham Hotspur
What happened last season?
Domestically, one of the worst seasons in Spurs‘ modern history; finishing just 17th in the Premier League. Despite the long, miserable months, it ended in jubilation, as they won the Europa League, defeating Manchester United in the final.
Reasons to be cheerful
Their first silverware of any kind in 17 years, and their first European trophy in 41 years. The Europa League win also gives them qualification for this season’s Champions League. They have a new head coach (Thomas Frank), some shiny new signings (with more on the way), and they have one of the best stadium’s in the world.
Reasons to be fearful
Thomas Frank did an incredible job with Brentford, and the majority of experts agree that he’s earned the chance to manage a ‘big club’. Having said that, his lack of experience at this level might be laid bare. He’s also had extremely limited experience managing a team in Europe, and never in the Champions League. Attacking midfielder James Maddison has also suffered an ACL tear, and will miss the vast majority of the season. Will Daniel Levy be willing to sanction a replacement?
Key signing
João Palhinha. Before his underwhelming season at Bayern Munich, he was one of the Premier League’s best defensive midfielders while at Fulham. If he can get back to that level, then he’s a genuinely world class option.
Predicted finish: Challenge for Europe
Frank’s tactical flexibility means that Spurs will be a difficult opponent for any Premier League side. Having Champions League commitments might stretch the squad a bit too much, but their first-team should be good enough to get them inside the top 7.
West Ham United
What happened last season?
Ask a West Ham fan this, and they’d be forgiven for not being able to remember a single, notable moment from last season. After a bad start, head coach Julen Lopetegui was sacked, with the team sitting just above the relegation zone. In came Graham Potter, but the form never seemed to improve. The fact they finished 14th was more to do with there being 6 teams worse than them, rather anything West Ham did.
Reasons to be cheerful
Graham Potter did a fantastic job while at Brighton, and now he’s had a pre-season with his squad, there’s reason to think that performances will improve now. They’ve made some decent signings too, including a couple of savvy free transfers (Kyle Walker-Peters from Southampton, Callum Wilson from Newcastle United).
Reasons to be fearful
Many fans feel like the transfer targets haven’t been particularly ambitious, and very few will influence how the team attacks. West Ham only scored 46 goals in 38 matches last season. They also sold Mohammed Kudus, one of the few bright sparks last year, to Tottenham Hotspur.
Key signing
Kyle Walker-Peters. Though he was a free transfer from a side relegated from the Premier League last season, he was by far their best player. He’s able to carry the ball, play on either flank, and deliver dangerous crosses into the box. He offers West Ham something they didn’t have before.
Predicted finish: Mid table/bottom half
There will be an improvement for the Hammers, but it’s hard to think of where the goals will come from, besides “give it to Bowen”. This is a big season for Graham Potter, who needs a notable improvement to retain his status as a ‘top level’ coach.
Wolverhampton Wanderers
What happened last season?
1st half: woeful, leading to Gary O’Neil getting fired 10 days before Christmas. 2nd half: huge improvement under Vítor Pereira, who galvanised the squad, leading them to a 16th-placed finish, and avoiding relegation.
Reasons to be cheerful
Well, Vítor Pereira. Shortly after taking the job, he coined the phrase, “first the points, then the pints.” After which, he was often seen in various Wolverhampton pubs with fans, often heavy metal bars, and has become a real favourite among the supporters. There are some exciting additions to the squad too, notably Jhon Arias, who was one of the stand-out performers at the Club World Cup, while at Fluminense.
Reasons to be fearful
Despite some nice additions, the departures are significant. Gone are marauding left-back Rayan Aït-Nouri (Manchester City) and the occasionally brilliant Matheus Cunha (Manchester United). Cunha in particular is irreplaceable. As well as massively out-performing his ‘expected goals’ (15 goals from an xG of 8.6), he scored the joint-most goals from outside of the box (6).
Key signing
Jørgen Strand Larsen. Yes, he was on loan at Wolves last season, but now it’s permanent. After a slow start to last season, Larsen really showed promising signs of his quality by the end. So much so, that Newcastle United are rumoured to be interested in his signature this summer. If he doesn’t provide the goals for Wolves, you do worry where else they’ll come from.
Predicted finish: Relegation battle
Wolves finished 2 places above the relegation zone last season, and have since weakened their playing squad. Pereira is going to have to work his magic again, if he’s going to prevent Wolves being overtaken by the promoted sides.
