To be fair to our chief football writer Phil McNulty, he always holds his hands up about his 2015-16 predictions, when he said Leicester would be relegated... only to see them pull off an incredible title win.

Phil again acknowledges that during his predictions for the new season, which you can see in full here.

Despite that, he's again tipped Leicester to go down on their return to the top flight, along with fellow promoted sides Southampton and Ipswich, while he reckons Manchester City will make it five titles in a row, with Arsenal, Liverpool and Aston Villa rounding out the top four.

Sorry Adam, I said Liverpool to win the league was a bold call but also meant to say I admire you for sticking your neck out. After all, stranger things have happened in the Premier League.

In fact, only Fara Williams and former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock believe the Reds will even finish in the top two this season. Most feel they will finish third.

"I am giving second place to Liverpool this time," said Warnock. "I just think a fresh voice in the dressing room, and new ideas, will be a positive thing.

"From what I've seen of them over pre-season, I think they are going to have more control of games and play very similarly to Manchester City and Arsenal in the way their style is going to be more possession based. Because of that, I don't think Liverpool are going to run out of steam as quickly."

Image source, PA Media

That's a bold call, Adam. Not one of our 30 pundits feel Arne Slot will lead Liverpool to the title in his first season as Reds boss.

Newcastle and Italy midfielder Sandro Tonali had been banned for 10 months by the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) for breaching betting rules.

The FIGC confirmed that Tonali had breached the rule which prohibits players placing bets on football events organised by FIGC, Uefa and Fifa, and he had also been fined 20,000 euros (£17,380).

In May 2024, Tonali was given a suspended two-month ban after admitting to breaches of Football Association betting rules.

The Italian, 24, will not serve the ban if he does not commit further breaches before the end of this season.

“His edge is there now because he knows it is around the corner. He will miss the start [of the season] but he’s a massive player for us,” Newcastle manager Eddie Howe said in July.

Image source, Reuters

Leon Osman and Pat Nevin were two of only six pundits who predicted a top-four finish for Newcastle, with both saying they will finish third.

Osman said: "Newcastle are my outside bet. They can focus on the Premier League and cannot possibly have the bad luck on the injury front they did last season, but Isak is key."

Nevin added: "Newcastle don't have the stress of the Champions League and, as long as manager Eddie Howe stays in place, they have got a chance."

Newcastle United

Newcastle have announced that Sandro Tonali will be available again for selection on Wednesday, 28 August.

That follows the conclusion of his 10-month ban from competitive football after the Italy midfielder admitted to breaches of betting rules.

Steve Sidwell may have the bravest top-four prediction ahead of the new season.

In not so shocking news, Sidwell has chosen Manchester City to win the league, but thinks Manchester United will finish second.

Sidwell has picked Arsenal to finish third and Chelsea to land a spot in the Champions League.

Do you agree?

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, PA Media

After signing Leny Yoro, Matthijs de Ligt, Joshua Zirkzee and Noussair Mazraoui, Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag will be looking to guide his side back into the Champions League this season.

BBC Sport pundit Micah Richards is one of the six pundits who has predicted a top-four finish for Man United, with Steve Sidwell saying they will finish runners-up to Manchester City.

"United are a big shout for second but they could surprise a few people," he said. "At times it was a hard watch under Erik ten Hag last season but I feel this squad has grown, and with some shrewd signings like Matthijs de Ligt it propels them higher.

"Watch out for 20-year-old midfielder Toby Collyer - if given a chance he could be a shining star just like Kobbie Mainoo."

• Read the full prediction story here

Image source, Getty Images

Away fans will continue to be barred from derbies between Celtic and Rangers despite an agreement reached in March for their reintroduction this season.

Rangers have issued a statement saying they were informed on Wednesday "that Celtic will make no allocation for away fans for the September Old Firm game".

The Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL) said in March that the Glasgow rivals would provide derby ticket allocations of "around 5%" for away supporters from next season "following engagement with both clubs".

• Click here for more info on why there have been no away fans at Old Firm matches

After 30 BBC TV and radio pundits predicted their top four, it's now your turn!

Will Man City make it five in a row or is it finally Arsenal's time?

Can Arne Slot's Liverpool mount a title challenge? Will Man United find a way back into the Champions League?

What is your wildest take for the season? Ellen White thinks West Ham can finish fourth. Do you agree?

Let us know using the contact details above.

BBC's 30 TV and radio pundits were put to the test as we asked them for their top-four predictions ahead of the new Premier League season.

Using a system of four points for first place, three points for second, two points for third and one point for fourth, here are the teams who are most fancied.

1. Manchester City (108 points)
2. Arsenal (99)
3. Liverpool (54)
4. Tottenham (12)
5. Manchester United (8)
6. Newcastle (8)
7. Chelsea (8)
8. Aston Villa (2)
9. West Ham (1)

Read the full predictions piece here

Earlier, we brought you the back page of The Times, with the Premier League telling clubs: "Be patient with VAR".

In that story, The Times also say there have been tweaks of certain rules, including the offence of holding at set-pieces, which will be more stringently penalised this season. Holding effectively means blocking or obstructing.

It may mean a change in tactics for Arsenal, in particular, as they scored more goals from set-pieces (22) than any other team in the Premier League last season.

In last season's fixture between Tottenham and Arsenal, two of Arsenal's goals came from corners which led to questions of whether Spurs goalkeeper Vicario needed more protection.

At the time, our chief football news reporter Simon Stone said: "I have seen goalkeepers getting crowded at corners at a wide spread of levels in the game this season.

"I wonder if the change is partly to do with managers being aware that committing players to defending the goalkeeper means opposition players are free."

Image source, Getty Images

Real Madrid

Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham says praises summer signing Kylian Mbappe who scored on his debut, as the Champions League winners beat Atalanta 2-0 to win the Uefa Super Cup.

Adam Millington
BBC Sport

A new independent company owned by clubs which has taken over the top two tiers of English women's football can elevate the game to "unprecedented levels", says its chief executive.

Women's Professional Leagues Limited (WPLL) now controls the Women's Super League and Women's Championship, and says it will create a "new era" for the sport.

WPLL – which was known as NewCo before the deal was done – will be led by former Nike director Nikki Doucet, who said English women's football has had “unprecedented growth", but can go further.

Doucet said: "We are fiercely committed to building on this momentum by creating a thriving landscape which prioritises the welfare and development of players, fosters and excites a vibrant fan community, and nurtures the sport's growth."

With the change of ownership now complete, BBC Sport has taken a look at what is different and what might be on the horizon.

• Click here for the full details

Image source, Getty Images

Emma Sanders
Senior Women's Football Reporter

BBC Sport understands Tottenham are set to sign Australia international Clare Hunt from Paris St-Germain.

Her move is expected to be confirmed within the next 24 hours. A strong signing for the north London club.

Spurs are also looking to bring in a midfielder to replace Grace Clinton, who returned to parent club Manchester United this summer.

Read more on BBC Sport here.

Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler wasn't being drawn into any talk surrounding Leeds forward Georginio Rutter after the Seagulls triggered the German's £40m release clause.

Leeds signed Rutter in January 2023 from Hoffenheim in a club-record deal that could rise to £35m.

Rutter established himself as a fans' favourite, scoring eight goals and making 16 assists in a total of 51 appearances last season.

Brighton have already been active in the transfer window with new boss Hurzeler looking to put his own stamp on the squad following the departure of Roberto de Zerbi.

Rutter's sale would be a record for a player in the Championship who has not just been relegated.

Image source, Getty Images

Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer

Brighton's predicted finish: 12th

Brighton's season rather fizzled out in the final days of the charismatic Roberto de Zerbi and, in keeping with the club's approach, he has been replaced by the intriguing appointment of the Premier League's youngest-ever permanent manager in 31-year-old Fabian Hurzeler, fresh from leading St Pauli into the Bundesliga.

Hurzeler takes over a talented squad, with the return of exciting Japan star Kaoru Mitoma a huge lift. He will also hope young striker Evan Ferguson can fulfil his rich potential in an attack also boasting Joao Pedro and Simon Adingra.

Yankuba Minteh and Ibrahim Osman add threat, although the loss of cult hero Pascal Gross will be felt.

Hurzeler will also hope Brighton can fend off overtures from Napoli for Billy Gilmour so he can figure in midfield along with new £25m signing Mats Wieffer from Feyenoord.

This may not be the top-six season of a couple of years back but Brighton are always so watchable and will be again. A trip to Amex Stadium is never a wasted one.

• Read all of Phil's Premier League predictions here