With just a few sweaty, feverish hours left till the sparkly new Liverpool are unleashed on the football world in a fiesta of passing, movement and ultimate disappointment, the final Anfield Wrap predictions are in.

Just three this time, but we were limited for space after Kristian Walsh used up the world’s whole daily supply of internet with his 900-word opus.

Enjoy, discuss, do your own in the comments. The process of all these bold statements falling apart starts tomorrow.

 

ANDY HEATON (@Andrew_Heaton)

 

Who’ll win the league?

Citeh, comfortably

How many points will Liverpool get? 

65-70

Make three wild, baseless predictions (LFC or otherwise)

Sunderland and Newcastle will struggle

AVB won’t last 12 months at Spurs

Southampton will do just fine

Who’s going down?

Reading, Wigan and Norwich

First Premier League managerial departure?

Pardew

Which departing Liverpool player will have most success elsewhere (include not yet departed if you like)?

I’d love to see Dirk do well in Turkey, Aquilani also has great ability if the system suits him

Everton. What of them?

What of them indeed.

 

PHIL BLUNDELL (@PhilBlundell)

 

Who’ll win the league?

It looks as if Mancini has decided to go with a formation similar to what Napoli have spent the last few years employing. If that works City could improve, if it doesn’t work, they could stay the same or go backwards. I don’t think he’s as clever as he thinks he is so I’ll have to guess that that won’t work and side with United.

How many points will Liverpool get?

66

Make three wild, baseless predictions (LFC or otherwise)

1. Lucas will score five league goals

2. Harry Redknapp will be West Ham manager by Christmas

3. Jose Enrique will knock the fake tan on the head and come out pastier than Tony Hibbert

Who’s going down?

Sunderland

Norwich

Southampton

First Premier League managerial departure?

Reading have just been taken over I think and Brian McDermott’s bald head might be on the chopping block if they start slowly.

Everton. What of them?

They’ll beat a few big sides, they’ll lose to a few rubbish sides, they’ll end up about 8th.

 

KRISTIAN WALSH RECREATES IN SEARCH OF LOST TIME (@Kristian_Walsh)

 

Who’ll win the league?

Manchester United. It is pretty rare Ferguson allows the Premier League title to slip two years on the bounce – only Mourinho’s Chelsea have managed that (2005, 2006).

There’s still a few questions over City for me: can they replicate their incredible home form for two seasons on the bounce? Will three at the back, with Clichy and Milner as wing backs, work? What to do with Carlos Tevez?

United were pretty poor at times last year and yet were only a minute from the title. I’m not overly inspired by their signings either – not because of who they are, but more what they are. They still need a midfielder who puts their foot on the ball and slows down the tempo. That being said, Kagawa will be a star, Nick Powell will enjoy a few decent cameos and van Persie will bring goals (if he signs). Vidic will be back, Evans is improving, Ferdinand will be fresh with no England distractions. They do need a new left back, mind you.

I think United take it, with City a couple of points behind. I’d be even more certain if they sign Javi Martinez by August 31.

How many points will Liverpool get?

Around 60. 16 wins, 12 draws, 10 defeats. Sounds about right to me. I think Liverpool will enjoy a better home record than last year, not that it’s too hard. It’s a learning curve for Rodgers and I can see that telling on the road. If they are 1-0 down to West Brom, Stoke, Aston Villa (why are all these clubs in such close proximity?), Reading et al and need a goal with 20 minutes to go, I’m not sure the formula and/or solution is there yet. I’ll be amazed if the team pick up more than, let’s say, 25 points away from Anfield. This is all guesstimation from me though really, isn’t it?

Make three wild, baseless predictions (LFC or otherwise)

– Samir Nasri becomes a proper superstar, outshining David Silva in the process. Nasri will have a massive season and we’ll take Silva for granted.

– Juventus and Lyon win the Champions League and Europa League respectively (I said Bayern Munich and Sporting Lisbon last season, so not too far away).

– Luis Suarez either scores the most goals or makes the most assists, as arbitary as the latter statistic can be.

– I’m making a fourth because I want it in writing: Michu plays himself on to Arsenal/Tottenham’s radar after a stellar season at Swansea. Liverpool target Mark Davies instead. Maybe.

Who’s going down?

Before you read on, it is important to note I said Newcastle last season. So here’s what to disregard:

– I think Southampton are in trouble, especially with a poor start. Adkins is his own biggest fan and has a touch of the Phil Browns about him; if it starts going wrong, expect the eject button to be pressed.

– Norwich will suffer from second-season syndrome and find themselves down. I like Hughton but I think Lambert captured lightning in a bottle at Carrow Road with what he did there. Not sure the magic can be recaptured.

– I fancy a more established side to get dragged into it. One of Stoke, Sunderland or West Brom. People forget Stoke finished very low down last season and scored the least amount of goals – something they haven’t rectified. Sunderland won two of their last 14 once the O’Neill factor died down and, again, will struggle for goals. I was more sure on West Brom before they did well in the transfer market; Lukaku is very astute. It all depends on Clarke and how he takes to being the top dog. Having thought about it, I’ll say Wigan.

First Premier League managerial departure?

Adkins – see above. I think they struggle. I also think Brian McDermott could be in trouble; Reading have money now and won’t be afraid to use it in order to get a manager with more Premier League experience.

Which departing Liverpool player will have most success elsewhere (include not yet departed if you like)?

Fenerbache have signed well and that’s typified with Dirk Kuyt’s arrival. I expect him to give it a decent go in Europe – be it the Champions League or Europa League – and score a few goals. Maxi will knit well back home; Aquilani will be injured; Stephen Darby might do alright at whatever League Two club he’s ended up at; Charlie Adam will become a Goodison Park cult hero.

Everton. What of them?

Poor start. Great finish. Belief a good start next season will see them top four. Wash, lather, repeat. They will be much better off without Cahill, that’s for sure. Jelavic won’t be as prolific but Liverpool will still cast a few envious glances at him. Fellaini is their player of the season, with Osman/Pienaar as tidy as ever. Naismith, the most Everton signing ever, will do well. They’ll probably be near Liverpool in all honesty.