Premier League 2022/23 predictions: Manchester City or Liverpool for the title?

A Premier League season quite unlike any other gets under way on Friday when Crystal Palace and Arsenal contest the first match at Selhurst Park.

For the first time, the Premier League will take an extended break at the end of the year during the Qatar World Cup, and how clubs handle that six-week gap in the season could prove crucial to achieving their objectives.

Champions Manchester City and runners-up Liverpool are once again expected to set the pace at the top of the table, while the race for the top four looks poised to be more fiercely contested than ever. Meanwhile, at the other end of the standings, the three promoted clubs - Fulham, Bournemouth, and Nottingham Forest - will be aiming to avoid an immediate drop back into the Championship.

Ahead of the big kick-off, The National's sports desk have provided their predictions for the 2022/23 Premier League season.

Champions: Liverpool

Liverpool won two trophies last season, but missed out on the two they really wanted, including the Premier League as they trailed Manchester City by a point. Sadio Mane's departure is offset by the sensational form of Luis Diaz, while Darwin Nunez has the perfect physique to lead the Reds on a gruelling assault on the title.

Top four: Liverpool, Manchester City, Tottenham, Chelsea

Tottenham Hotspur have transformed under Antonio Conte, and the additions of Ivan Perisic, Richarlison and Yves Bissouma make them even more formidable. Probably won't have the legs to outlast Liverpool and City, but can improve on last season's fourth-place finish.

Relegated: Brentford, Leeds, Fulham

Leeds stayed up by the skin of their teeth last term, but have lost their most potent weapon in Raphinha. Fulham are a perennial yo-yo team and I fear