Guardian writers’ predicted position: 19th (NB: this is not necessarily Will Unwin’s prediction but the average of our writers’ tips)
Last season’s position: 1st, Championship
Prospects
The Championship was won at a canter but, as Burnley will testify, that means nothing in the top flight. It has not helped that their star man, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, and manager, Enzo Maresca, have left for Chelsea, forcing them to spend the early part of the summer finding someone to lead the side. An alleged breach of profitability and sustainability rules (PSR) could lead to a points deduction, making an already difficult task to survive in the Premier League looking nigh-on treacherous.
Steve Cooper is very different to Maresca and it will be interesting to see how quickly the players adapt but the squad have quickly taken to his methods and enjoyed a positive pre-season. Whereas Maresca liked to control possession, counterattack is the way to go for Cooper.
Business has been somewhat light, with the centre-back Caleb Okoli joining from Atalanta after last season’s loan with Frosinone and Bobby De Cordova-Reid arriving on a free from Fulham. The teenage midfielder Michael Golding has come from Chelsea and winger Abdul Fatawu made his loan from Sporting permanent but it has been quiet for a side who need to step up a level, although the financial issues explain that. The De Cordova-Reid signing is an indication of what Cooper wants because he likes having experienced Premier League players.