The 2022/2023 football season is finally upon us - and what a relief it is to have the beautiful game return.
Because we don't care how much you tell yourself that you love feeding off transfer rumours and 'catching a break' from football, when it comes down to it, there's nothing quite like the action coming thick and fast.
Whats more, it's a World Cup year. So as well as the usual club season attractions, we get to look forward to even more madness as the likes of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo get their final shot at securing football's ultimate crown.
In the spirit of things, then, we here at GIVEMESPORT have decided to try our hand at predicting who will win 11 of the biggest competitions coming up over the next nine or so months.
Will Man City retain there Premier League crown? Could Barcelona usurp Real Madrid in La Liga? Can anyone else in English football that isn't City or Liverpool lift a trophy?
Let's dive in...
HUMILIATED (The Football Terrace)
World Cup
We'll start with the biggest of them all - the famous World Cup.
There are a few teams that look especially strong candidates to seize the trophy in Qatar this coming Winter.
France are always a frightening proposition. Likewise Brazil, who seem to have grown as a team since their defeat to Belgium in the quarter-finals of the 2018 edition. England can also lay claim to having, what is quite arguably, the deepest squad at the competition in terms of quality.
But Argentina's staggering undefeated streak of 33 games and counting is enough to suggest to us that they have every chance of going all the way.
Their talisman and the ultimate footballing GOAT Messi has been in inspired form on the international stage and, if the way they drummed Italy 3-0 in the so-dubbed 'Finalissima' is anything to go by, La Albiceleste have their best chance of lifting the trophy since the days of Diego Maradona.
Winners: Argentina
Champions League
Like most of football, the Champions League is an especially difficult one to call.
Liverpool are an obvious candidate given they've reached an incredible three finals in the last five years.
But, to the horror of Reds fans throughout the world, we're actually tipping their rivals Man City to finally get their hands on old 'Big Ears'.
The way we see it, the addition of Erling Haaland could be a huge factor in helping them get through those crucial knockout ties.
And whilst we believe Liverpool have traditionally been more suited to cup competitions under Jurgen Klopp, they wound up goal-less in every major final they participated in last year.
Pep Guardiola is simply too good a manager not to get his hands on European silverware at some point and we think this is his year.
Winners: Man City
Europa League
An interesting riddle to unlock this. Manchester United and Arsenal certainly stand a very real chance of attaining some European glory here, but we've picked out a curve ball that could prove tough opposition to anyone.
Jose Mourinho's Roma have made some gigantic moves in the transfer market this summer, signing none other than Paolo Dybala and soon enough Georginio Wijnaldum.
Sixth place in the Serie A last season doesn't flatter them, however they did lift the Europa Conference League - thereby displaying some solid European pedigree.
Besides, with Mourinho at the helm and an impressive team under him, you just know he's got the potential to put Roma in contention for big trophies.
Winners: Roma
Premier League
If you happen to be a Liverpool fan, don't get too angry about the City for Champions League suggestion just yet, because we're also tipping the roles to be reversed and the Reds to claim the domestic league title in 2022/2023.
Jurgen Klopp and his recruitment team look to have hit the nail on the head this summer and their squad depth now looks better than ever before, whereas City have let two of their best attackers in Raheem Sterling and Gabriel Jesus move on to pastures new.
Sure, you could argue Haaland supplements that loss, but with his injury prone nature he's bound to spend a few weeks on the sidelines at the very least - and that time could prove costly with the small margins these two leave each other come the end of the season.
Liverpool also looked much sharper in the Community Shield and we fancy them to start the season with a bang.
Winners: Liverpool
FA Cup
So, can anyone else really lift a trophy that isn't one of England's two dominant forces right now? We reckon so, and we fancy Antonio Conte's Tottenham to do it here.
They've made some very astute signings with the war chest provided by their ownership group - Ivan Perisic and Yves Bissouma in particular - and whilst we think the league is a step too far, a third place finish and an FA Cup would be a dream of a season for Spurs fans.
The first major trophy of Harry Kane's career is inbound!
Winners: Tottenham
League Cup
On the flip side, we fancy their arch-rivals Arsenal to lay claim to this year's League Cup honour.
Mikel Arteta has pulled a worldie bringing in Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko from his former club.
The Brazilian especially could be instrumental in every success they achieve this campaign - his seven pre-season goals will tell you that...
Straight in the fantasy team.
Winners: Arsenal
Championship
A notoriously impossible minefield to traverse if you ever want to place a bet or predict a winner, so we'll play it safe and be ever so slightly boring here.
Norwich have won the competition the last two occasions they've been a part of it. Dean Smith is also a top manager and was unfortunate to be sacked at Aston Villa, so we're going to give them the benefit of the doubt and back them to return to the bigtime.
We'll also then back them to go straight back down again, but, you know...
Winners: Norwich
La Liga
Real Madrid managed a La Liga/Champions League double last year and looked a real force come the end of the campaign.
However, we do still have our doubts over the ageing nature of some of their star players.
Meanwhile Barcelona, for all their troubles off-pitch, arguably haven't looked so good in years when it comes to the set-up of their squad.
Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha could be a match made in heaven, and let's not forget they also boast the likes of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Ansu Fati, Ousmane Dembele, and much, much more.
We're going bold and backing the Blaugrana to storm back with vengeance.
Winners: Barcelona
Bundesliga
Need much be said when it comes to the German top-flight? Bayern Munich, Bayern Munich, and erm, Bayern Munich again.
They've clinched 17 league titles since 2000, as well as claimed their tenth in a row last time out.
If you were ever to literally put your house on something - and we stringently advise against doing such a thing - then this would be it.
Although, you'd probably only make about a tenner anyway...
Winners: Bayern Munich
WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 20: Serge Gnabry of Bayern Munich celebrates after scoring their side's third goal with Sadio Mane during the pre-season friendly match between DC United and Bayern Munich at Audi Field on July 20, 2022 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
Serie A
AC Milan pipped arch-rivals Inter to the Scudetto in 2021/2022 after a closely run affair.
Of course, Inter have now brought Romelu Lukaku back into the fold and if he can replicate past form for the club, well, then it's really game on - although we must admit that we have our doubts about that happening so seamlessly after his Chelsea disaster.
Juventus have also made some big signings in Paul Pogba and Angel Di Maria, so it remains to be seen if they can elevate the Old Lady into contention.
But we're going to stick with the Rossoneri for our tip. Rafael Leao could play a big part as he continues his development and is certainly one to keep an eye on ahead of a potential Premier League move next summer.
Winners: AC Milan
Ligue 1
Much like with the Bundesliga, we'll jump straight in and just call this one - Paris Saint-Germain.
There's simply no way that a team with Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe up front doesn't win the French League.
Winners: Paris Saint-Germain
