Football is back, ladies and gentleman!The Championship and Ligue 1 get underway this evening and the return of Premier League, La Liga, Bundesliga and Serie A action is to come in the coming weeks.It sure comes around quickly.It’s mightily tough to call the Premier League this year, with Manchester City and Manchester United both strengthening in the transfer window.Champions Chelsea have signed Antonio Rudiger, Tiemoue Bakayoko and Alvaro Morata but have also said goodbye to Nemanja Matic, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Nathaniel Chalobah, and look set to sell Diego Costa.Tottenham Hotspur haven’t signed anyone and Arsenal have so far managed to keep hold of Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil.It promises to be another enthralling campaign.
Savage's predictions
Former professional Robbie Savage has predicted the entire 2017-18 table - although he couldn’t decide between two teams in the battle to win the title.
Check out his top 10.
Champions: Man City or Man United
“My tip for the title in 2016-17 went down the gurgler before Christmas, but this year we will get the duel many people were expecting – Pep v Jose for the No.1 spot – and I can’t wait,” Savage said.
Third: Chelsea
“Alvaro Morata is a fine player – but is he really an upgrade on Diego Costa?
“Chelsea were fantastic last season, but with Champions League football back on the menu, they will find the going heavier.”
Fourth: Liverpool
“Mohamed Salah, Andrew Robertson and Dominic Solanke will strengthen Jurgen Klopp’s hand - and keeping hold of Philippe Coutinho will be key.”
Fifth: Arsenal
“Alexandre Lacazette will add firepower, but things could get worse for Wenger before they get better if he loses Alexis Sanchez.”
Sixth: Tottenham
“Mauricio Pochettino’s strongest XI is arguably the best team in the Premier League, but their best chance of winning the title may have gone with those near misses in the last two seasons.”
Seventh: Everton
“After a few false dawns, this could be the year Everton push hard for a top-four finish if they replace £75m departure Lukaku’s firepower with another proven goalscorer.”
Eighth: West Ham
“Much as the Hammers’ recruitment last summer was poor, they have pulled off two of the best deals of this window by bringing in England keeper Joe Hart and Javier Hernandez.”
Ninth: Crystal Palace
“If Wilfried Zaha and Christian Benteke stay fit, they could even finish in the top half.”
Tenth: Leicester City
“New arrival Kelechi Iheanacho’s partnership with Jamie Vardy will be worth watching.”
Relegation battle
And here’s who Savage thinks will be relegated.
Eighteenth: Watford
“Go ahead and prove me wrong, by all means, but I look at Watford’s fixtures and I don’t see a single easy one among them.”
Nineteenth: Brighton
“I hope it’s not a one-season stopover, but the squad lacks depth of quality. I wish them all the best, but I fear the worst.”
Twentieth: Huddersfield
“I like Aaron Mooy’s energy in midfield - but to stay up, Huddersfield will need somebody to score at least 15 goals... and I’m not sure they have that talisman who will lead them to the magic 40-point survival mark.”
Savage's prediction in full
1: Man City or Man United
2: Man City or Man United
3: Chelsea
4: Liverpool
5: Arsenal
6: Tottenham
7: Everton
8: West Ham
9: Crystal Palace
10: Leicester City
11: Bournemouth
12: West Brom
13: Southampton
14: Newcastle
15: Stoke
16: Swansea
17: Burnley
18: Watford
19: Brighton
20: Huddersfield