As a friend of mine pointed out, yes, I know we’re almost a third of the way through the season, but I find it more interesting to do this sort of prediction once we have a bit of information to go on. Enjoy.

What a season it has been so far in the Premier League. From the Pukki Party to lovely Leicester City, from villainous VAR to abhorrent Arsenal, there have been countless moments to savour this season. But how will it all end up? These are my predictions.

20th: Watford

Watford have quite possibly been the worst team so far this season. They have been devoid of creativity, and disturbingly leaky at the back. I know they managed to come from behind to draw with Arsenal, but, let’s face it, who hasn’t?

19th: Norwich City

Teemu Pukki and Norwich seemed to be a bright spark in the first few weeks of the season. Oh, how times have cruelly changed for the Canaries. Pukki hasn’t scored a club goal since their 3-2 win over Manchester City, and as his form has deteriorated, so has that of his team.

18th: Southampton

This looks likely. They’ve really dropped off compared to recent years, and don’t seem to have the type of player or manager capable of saving them. It would also bring me great happiness if it were to be realised. I don’t have anything really against the Saints, they’re a nice group of players with some real quality, but it would be nice for them to go down just so I could escape the bi-annual destruction of Arsenal’s defence by Shane Long. Please leave us alone.

17th: West Ham United

Poor West Ham fans. When they got their new stadium, then a Premier League winning manager, and some big money signings, they all thought that they’d be able to challenge the top 6. They should be able to, on paper, but unfortunately it hasn’t panned out that way on grass. I hope they do stay up, even by the skin of their teeth, because their players have too much potential to go to waste.

16th: Aston Villa

Another team that showed promise and potential, and haven’t really fulfilled it. I think they’ll stay in the top division, but it won’t be convincing. Hopefully players like Jack Grealish can show their class, and at least play some entertaining football.

15th: Newcastle United

This article really does seem to revolve around underachievers. Newcastle are one of the biggest. With exciting forwards like Allan Saint-Maximain, Miguel Almiron and Joelinton, they could be doing so much better. But they’ll be safe, and perhaps improve next year. Also I love Steve Bruce, and it would be a shame to see him sad.

14th: Brighton and Hove Albion

Like Norwich, Brighton had an excellent start to the season, and then have dropped off a bit in recent weeks. But it won’t be too drastic a drop, so they’ll be safe enough.

13th: Burnley

Can we just stop for a moment and appreciate Burnley? Yes, they may not be the most highly achieving team in the league, nor the nicest, nor that which plays the most attractive football. But that’s the point. They’re the epitome of Sunday League. I love them. Solid season so far, and I hope that continues.

12th: Crystal Palace

Another one of Arsenal’s bogey teams, but Palace are actually a decent team. I would say they could push for the top 10, but they could suddenly just forget how to play football for a few weeks. It happens sometimes with them.

11th: Everton

When will Everton live up to the hype? Not this season, based on performances so far.

10th: Bournemouth

Bournemouth are the anti-Burnley. They are a bit more inconsistent, they try to play attractive football, and they aspire to be a top team. They’ll get there in the next decade or so, but not this season I’m afraid.

9th: Wolverhampton Wanderers

A bit like Bournemouth, until you look at the names they have on their team sheet. Some excellent players like Moutinho, Jimenez, Neves and Patricio, but again, they’re far too inconsistent. I hope they sort that out soon, because then they’ll really be a force to be reckoned with against the top 6.

8th: Tottenham Hotspur

It’ll happen again.

7th: Sheffield United

The story of the season. Honestly, if I’d written this at the start of the season, I’d have pegged them for last. But Chris Wilder and his men have performed miracles. I don’t think they’ll be able to quite get to Europe, but they’ll give everyone else a damn good run for their money in the race for it.

6th: Arsenal

It’ll happen again, but only just. We’ve been woeful this season, and honestly we’ll count ourselves lucky to even get to Europe, based on these performances. Hopefully we can start afresh next year with a new manager and some new defenders. Defenders. Hear that, Raul? Defenders. Please.

5th: Manchester United

What can I say about United that hasn’t already been said. Like Arsenal, they’ve dropped off massively, and aren’t good enough for the top 4.

4th: Chelsea

Sorry fellow Arsenal fans, but I love Chelsea. I love their players individually, I love the youthful exuberance in their style of play, and I love their manager. They won’t be able to challenge for the title convincingly this year, but I believe they’ll blow everyone away in 2020/21.

3rd: Leicester City

Take them seriously. People who thought the league title was a fluke: it wasn’t. They’re a superb team, and they’ll be around the top four for a long time to come..

2nd: Manchester City

I won’t sugarcoat it – the Citizens have been disappointing this year. Inconsistency and injuries have plagued their title challenge, and I don’t think they’ll be able to overcome these issues to recover completely. Try again next year.

1st: Liverpool

This, finally, is their year. There isn’t a single weak spot in that team. If you can find one, please tell me, because I’ve tried and I can’t. Something would have to go seriously, seriously wrong for them to be caught. Touch wood that doesn’t happen, despite the collapse that will happen on social media when it does.

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So that’s my prediction for 2019/20. If I get it spot on, everybody who reads this has to give me a fiver. Please.