Predicting the Premier League Table in 5 Years Time

The reason so many people watch the Premier League instead of other leagues is often because of the unpredictability the league is famed for, and the history of the league, combined with how modern everything has become, meaning teams like Leeds, Blackburn and Blackpool, who used to be some of England's First Division's giants, have had falls from fame and now have to settle for Premier League relegation battles at best.

This makes my job exceptionally hard, but I will try my best by looking at the history of the league, strength of teams, momentum of teams, etc. For example: usually about two teams who were previously promoted from the championship go down, with one staying up and placing in the top 15 (think how it seems Leeds will stay up, while Fulham and West Brom will nearly certainly go down).

This aforementioned pattern means you often get "boomerang teams", who keep on getting promoted, getting relegated, getting promoted, getting relegated. Examples are Fulham and Norwich. This means that it is pretty likely that the "boomerang teams" who get relegated this season will come back up the season after next, and then the season that occurs in five years time. Without further ado, let's go.

1: Liverpool FC

The current Champions and (arguably) one of the two best teams in the world, I can't see Liverpool falling in the next five years. Robertson and Trent will both be 31 or under, and Allison will be 33, around his prime. With Salah, Mané and Firmino at 33-34, either still brilliant or replaced, Van Dijk and Fabinho only 32, and the likes of Gomez, Jota, Keita and Jones from 24 to 30, I think with a few replacements (possibly Mbappe, Upemacano, etc) Liverpool will stay among the top teams in the world.

2: Chelsea FC

Looking at Chelsea I see a brilliant young team full of life who will still be flourishing in 5 years time. Up front Werner, Pulisic and Abraham will all be under 30, while Ziyech will stand at 32. In the midfield Havertz and Mount will still be well under 30, with Kovacic only 31 (although I think we could expect to see a new face to partner the first mentioned 2). The defense may need some fixing up, but with Zouma, Chilwell and Mendy under 32, they will still be a very strong team.

3: Tottenham Hotspur FC

Tottenham are currently top of the table, being managed by one of the best managers of all time. I think it is this man, Jose Mourinho, who will decide their fate. If he can break the three-year curse, I think Wembley will become a fortress for years to come. With a team built around Kane and Son, who will be 32 and 33 respectively, Mourinho can make them into on of the best teams in the world (is it possible that Tottenham could get a trophy?!).

4: Leicester City FC

If the Foxes continue to keep players such as Youri Tielemans, in five years the squad should have aged like wine, youthful players immersed in their prime. This includes the aforementioned Tielemans, James Maddison, Timothy Castagne, Caglar Soyuncu, Cengis Under, Wesley Fofana, James Justin, Wilfried Ndidi and Harvey Barnes, meaning only one or two forwards and a goalkeeper will need to be brought in. By then, they should have become one of the big six, meaning one team will fall out of that category. By then a title should be a much smaller surprise than it was in 2016.

5: Manchester United FC

United had a fall from grace, but unlike Arsenal their fall was slower and less drastic. I think they will retain their place as an undisputed Big Six member, although I'm not sure that Ole will be the one to steer them through. The team may have to spend a bit and get rid of the likes of Pogba, Fred, etc., but with someone like Poch or Zidane at the wheel, United will again rise up to at least be an outside challenger.

6: Arsenal FC

A shocker for some, I think Arsenal's crisis will turn out to be slightly exaggerated, and once Arteta is sacked (necessary for Arsenal's development) it is essential that a top-class manager is brought in (even for a short period) to get them back on track. Arteta has clearly lost the dressing room, and his players are disorganized due to his inexperience. He needs to try his hand at a lower level first. As a side note, I would enjoy a Arsene Wenger return, but that's just me.

7: Manchester City FC

I think it is pretty clear I am not a fan of Manchester City. Possibly England's most hated club at the moment, the Sheikh Mansour Era has become a devastating thing for historically England's best clubs, and they held Liverpool off the title for a long time, kicked United off their "Top Team in Manchester" pedestal, and left the likes of Arsenal, Tottenham and Chelsea having to scramble for the lower spots. A lot has gone wrong, and without a trophy this season Pep might have to leave, possibly to rejuvenate Barcelona. This will lead to a decline caused largely by boredom and possibly a sale from the Sheikh.

8: Everton FC

The Toffees are doing very well under Carlo Ancelotti, and top players are being attracted there by the dozen. What's more, there is quite a bit of youth in the squad. Richarlison and Calvert-Lewin should be in their prime, and if Ancelotti stays, a strong team could be built, and a Big Seven could be on the cards.

9: Wolverhampton Wanderers FC 

Wolverhampton Club de Portugal is a top team already, and under Santo the team should soon be a team made up of half the population of Portugal and Conor Coady. Fabio Silva should slot in perfectly and a team built to accommodate for the youngster could go places and continue to be a firm mid-table club.

10: Southampton FC 

With Ward-Prowse still only 31, Southampton should stay comfortably mid-table. Hasenhuttl should stay and build a team around the young midfielder, and with other talent they shouldn't have any relegation threats in the next few seasons.

11: Crystal Palace FC 

The first of three teams who I predict will be in the same position in five years as they are now, I think any rational Palace fan should be ok with this. I do not think Hodgson, Zaha, Batshuayi or the in-form Benteke will still be around by this time, but I think with a team built around "the next Zaha in nearly every way", or Eze, they should stay comfortably mid-table, as they have been recently.

12: Newcastle 

Also in the same position in five years, Newcastle are fairly well suited to Steve Bruce, and I can see him staying with them. I can see a takeover, but probably not a high profile one, just to someone who cares about the club. With the league all the more competitive, this is really a blessing in disguise for the passionate fans, and I think it likely a slow rise through the table will be on the charts for the Magpies.

13: Leeds United FC 

Leeds only came up this season, but I think they are here to stay. Old Patty Bamford should keep them in the top flight for at least two seasons, and by then they will be midtable, well-balanced squad, similar in that regard to Newcastle, modern day and in five years.

14: West Ham United FC 

The Hammers are currently on a high, but past this season they will not continue, especially when you consider that Declan has about as much loyalty to teams as John Terry has to his family and friends. Back to midtable they go.

15: Brighton Hove and Albion 

You could make a case for Brighton being the most loved team in England. The Ngolo Kante of football teams, the seagulls will continue to punch above their weight until they reach that weight, and become cemented in the Premier League.

16: Burnley FC

Without a takeover and/or Sean Dyche, Burnley will get relegated. However, it is extremely unlikely that Dyche will leave, and that is the simple reason why Burnley will overcome five straight relegation battles. Simple.

17: Norwich City FC 

Norwich are another well liked underdog team, who I predict will come up, get relegated, return and survive relegation narrowly to sit one spot above the relegation zone by Christmas. Fairly good result for Canary fans.

18: Fulham FC

Boomeranging between the Premier League and Championship, relegation and promotion, the Cottagers will be back up England's first division, ready to get re-relegated.

19: AFC Bournemouth

Becoming another boomerang club, Bournemouth will do well to still be fighting to stay up by 2025. As they are in the Championship right now, there can be no complaints from the fans to become the second of two teams who are not currently in the league.

20: Aston Villa FC

Jack Grealish is like Declan Rice in many ways, and once the big clubs start calling he will go there faster than you can say "Don't get drunk while you're there, 'cause we won't take you back". Then, in 2025, a meltdown will occur.

This post is dedicated to Gerard Houllier.

Noah ಠ_ಠ