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<\/h1>\n<\/h1>\nYou do realise that it’s been nearly one whole month since the FIFA World Cup finished, right? Three-and-a-bit weeks have passed since France dismantled\u00a0Croatia in Moscow, which in our minds means we’ve been deprived of top class football for far too long. It’s about time the 2018-19 season kicked off and we get back to what really matters. Cast aside the mundane pre-season tours and\u00a0friendlies for the real, proper, competitive, edge-of-your-seat drama acted out by the best players football has to offer.<\/strong><\/p>\n After all, that’s what we’re all here for. The big leagues and the big names. And in 2018-19 those big names have a lot to answer for. There’s a mouthwatering title tussle in England while Cristiano Ronaldo sets out on his new adventure in Serie A, Steven Gerrard is the main story in Scotland and, as ever, the likes of FC Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich and Juventus are bearing down on Real Madrid to steal their European crown.<\/p>\n With just a handful of days until the big kick-off we, the staff of\u00a0<\/span>Icons.com<\/a>, are back again to answer (or at least attempt to answer) the burning questions on everyone\u2019s minds ahead of the season opener at Old Trafford on Friday night. But don\u2019t just take our word for it, send us your predictions for the season ahead on our\u00a0<\/span>Facebook<\/a>,\u00a0<\/span>Twitter<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span>Instagram<\/a>\u00a0pages. You can hardly do much worse.<\/span><\/p>\n And, of course, be sure to check out our fantastic range of signed items from\u00a0Premier League<\/a>\u00a0stars\u00a0past and present \u2013 available right now on\u00a0Icons.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n Manchester City and Liverpool are strong favourites to contest the Premier League title.<\/p><\/div>\n Premier League<\/a> winners:\u00a0<\/strong>MANCHESTER CITY<\/a>\u00a0are the strongest team with a great coach. There’s no reason that\u00a0Liverpool<\/a> can’t win it but City have strengthened with the addition of Riyad Mahrez from Leicester City. It’ll be close. Serie A winners:\u00a0<\/strong>Cristiano Ronaldo<\/a>\u00a0will change his role by coming deeper and be as good as ever. He has a lot of supporting acts at\u00a0JUVENTUS<\/a>, who should take the title easily. UEFA Champions League<\/a> winners: <\/strong>The arrival of Arturo Vidal to\u00a0FC BARCELONA<\/a>\u00a0will bring Real Madrid<\/a>‘s three-year dominance to an end. Barca have an excellent coach who can pull it off. Signing of the season: <\/strong>The very attacking RIYAD MAHREZ will only grow under\u00a0Pep Guardiola<\/a>\u00a0alongside much higher quality teammates.<\/p>\n My team, FC Barcelona<\/a>, will… <\/strong>be stronger at the back with a superb goalkeeper in Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Samuel Umtiti growing in stature. They’re now a real team and not just an attacking force.<\/p>\n Mark my words… <\/strong>Zinedine Zidane<\/a> will be managing\u00a0Manchester United<\/a> before Christmas. More of the old school of English managers will be replaced by younger continental coaches.<\/p>\n There’s a new face in Turin. You may already know his name.<\/p>\n Premier League<\/a> winners:\u00a0<\/strong>MANCHESTER CITY<\/a> haven’t gone backwards so should retain the title under Pep Guardiola<\/a>. That said, key component Fernandinho must stay fit. Serie A winners: <\/strong>It’s not just the arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo<\/a> that makes\u00a0JUVENTUS<\/a> favourites. It’s also the capture of Emre Can and the return of Leonardo Bonucci. UEFA Champions League<\/a>\u00a0winners<\/strong>: <\/b>From a tactical standpoint,\u00a0LIVERPOOL<\/a> are more suited to winning on the ultimate stage than in domestic competitions. Signing of the season: <\/strong>NABY KEITA is like Roy Keane<\/a> on steroids mixed with Paul Ince on fast forward.<\/p>\n My team, Liverpool<\/a>, will… <\/strong>be pipped to the post by a\u00a0Manchester City<\/a> team who have more experience. But teams coming to attack allows us to counter with extreme pace so it should be another exciting campaign at Anfield.<\/p>\n Mark my words…\u00a0<\/strong>Manchester United<\/a> will implode, leaving Jose Mourinho<\/a> to pack his bags and leave his hotel just in time for Christmas. England<\/a>‘s youth players will start to break in to first teams across the country \u2013 the future is bright for 2026. Fulham<\/a>\u00a0(who have bought very well over the summer, by the way) will stay up with a surprisingly entertaining brand of football.<\/p>\n Jose Mourinho is into his third season at Manchester United…<\/p><\/div>\n Premier League<\/a> winners: <\/strong>Out of sheer hope as much as expectation, I’ll say\u00a0LIVERPOOL<\/a>. Serie A winners:\u00a0<\/strong>Could you imagine\u00a0JUVENTUS<\/a> not winning the title now? UEFA Champions League<\/a> winners: <\/strong>Isn’t it\u00a0FC BARCELONA<\/a>‘s turn again? Signing of the season:\u00a0<\/strong>NABY KEITA gives Liverpool<\/a> a new famous number eight as well as a proper number one.<\/p>\n My team, Liverpool<\/a>, will…\u00a0<\/strong>start strong but find themselves in second place after a tricky spell around Christmas time. Still, dare I say it’s our year? In the end they’ll have the league won with two games to spare.<\/p>\n Mark my words…\u00a0<\/strong>Jose Mourinho<\/a>\u00a0will be gone by this time next year while at the same time the world transfer record will be broken once again and Liverpool<\/a> will have won silverware. I also predict that I will have changed my mind about most of the above within the first two weeks of the season.<\/p>\n Liverpool’s Naby Keita is much-fancied to be a hit in the Premier League.<\/p><\/div>\n Premier League<\/a> winners: <\/strong>No surprises here, really. I can’t see anyone beating MANCHESTER CITY<\/a>. The only thing that I can see upsetting their dominance is an injury to Fernandinho as they don’t have a quality replacement at the time of writing. Serie A winners:\u00a0<\/strong>AC Milan will run\u00a0JUVENTUS<\/a> close. UEFA Champions League<\/a> winners:\u00a0<\/strong>FC BARCELONA<\/a>\u00a0will beat Manchester City<\/a> in the final. Signing of the season:\u00a0<\/strong>NABY KEITA is exactly what Liverpool<\/a> need and he suits their playing style perfectly.<\/p>\n My team, Aston Villa<\/a>, will…\u00a0<\/strong>reach the play-offs at best. They need to rebuild after last season and the new owners will help with that. But to galvanise the team enough to put consistent performances across 46 gruelling games and win that league is a step too far.<\/p>\n Mark my words…\u00a0<\/strong>Burnley will drop like a stone with the addition of European football to their fixture list. They’ll finish 17th. Manchester United<\/a> will have a horrendous season with\u00a0Jose Mourinho<\/a> gone in January. Losing Assistant Manager Rui Faria is massive \u2013 it’s going to be a hard watch for United fan this season.<\/p>\n Steven Gerrard is the big story in Scotland as he looks to topple Brendan Rodgers’ Celtic.<\/p><\/div>\n Premier League<\/a> winners: <\/strong>LIVERPOOL<\/a> have just about enough to topple Manchester City<\/a>. Either way this will be an enthralling title race that goes down to the wire. Buckle up, this is going to be a classic. Serie A winners: <\/strong>Carlo Ancelotti pulls off the mother of all upsets in bringing the Scudetto back to NAPOLI. UEFA Champions League<\/a> winners: <\/strong>Those of us who had at least one eye open during the FIFA World Cup<\/a> will have seen just how fearless and seemingly unstoppable Kylian Mbappe<\/a> is right now. Under the astute guidance of Thomas Tuchel, this is the year that PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN<\/a> finally get it right. Signing of the season: <\/strong>Tottenham’s capture of… wait<\/em>… what? Oh. Oh my.<\/em> Okay, in that case, I’ll go with ALISSON. The keeper will prove his distribution is as assured as his brilliant shot-stopping.<\/p>\n My team, Cambridge United, will…\u00a0<\/strong>finish so aggressively mid-table that they may even break the league in two. My other team, Rangers<\/a>, will close the gap on Celtic<\/a>, win at least one Old Firm derby and snag the Bhoys’ Treble Treble by claiming one of the cups. All aboard the Steven Gerrard<\/a> bandwagon \u2013 the Gers are on their way back.<\/p>\n Mark my words…\u00a0<\/strong>the pressure on Premier League<\/a> officials to implement VAR will prove all too much after a campaign riddled with refereeing mishaps. Ryan Sessegnon will be snapped up by a top six side in January amid fresh calls for his inclusion in Gareth Southgate’s England<\/a> squad but the most exciting home-grown prospect will break through down the road at Chelsea<\/a>. Callum Hudson-Odoi<\/a>, remember the name.<\/p>\n Lionel Messi’s FC Barcelona are expected to retain the Spanish title.<\/p><\/div>\n Premier League<\/a> winners: <\/strong>MANCHESTER CITY<\/a>‘s very talented squad will cruise to the title if they stay fit. Serie A winners:\u00a0<\/strong>I expect great things from\u00a0JUVENTUS<\/a> after the arrival of\u00a0Cristiano Ronaldo<\/a>. Juve will be closely followed by Napoli. UEFA Champions League<\/a> winners:\u00a0<\/strong>JUVENTUS<\/a>\u00a0will push through. For their sake, I hope the officials are more switched on this season. Signing of the season:\u00a0<\/strong>FELIPE ANDERSON will do great things for West Ham United<\/a>.<\/p>\n My team, Leicester City, will…\u00a0<\/strong>finish fifth this season. There’s not much else they can do. It would be great to see a repeat of their title-winning exploits in 2015-16 but it’s best to be realistic.<\/p>\n Mark my words…\u00a0<\/strong>Arsenal<\/a> will not lift a trophy this season or finish in the top five. Sorry to all the Gunners out there.<\/p>\n Paul Pogba is now a world champion \u2013 can he shine at Old Trafford?<\/p><\/div>\n Premier League<\/a> winners: <\/strong>MANCHESTER UNITED<\/a> Serie A winners:\u00a0<\/strong>I would love to see one of the Milan sides back on top but\u00a0I don’t think it’s possible after CR7<\/a>‘s move to\u00a0JUVENTUS<\/a>.![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.icons.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/GettyImages-942049520.jpg\"){kind=icon}
Edward Freedman, Non-Executive Chairman<\/u><\/strong><\/h1>\n
\n2nd \u2013\u00a0<\/strong>Liverpool<\/a>\u00a03rd \u2013\u00a0<\/strong>Manchester United<\/a>\u00a04th \u2013\u00a0<\/strong>Tottenham Hotspur<\/a>
\nRelegated: <\/strong>Cardiff City, Fulham<\/a> and Crystal Palace<\/a>
\nGolden Boot:\u00a0<\/strong>SERGIO AGUERO<\/a>\u00a0looks fit and on form with lots of support from City’s myriad creative talent.<\/p>\n
\nLa Liga winners:\u00a0<\/b>FC BARCELONA<\/a>\u00a0have strengthened while Real Madrid<\/a> have disappointed during the summer. Madrid have already lost\u00a0Ronaldo<\/a> and if Luka Modric<\/a> goes too that will be a seismic a blow.
\nBundesliga winners:\u00a0<\/strong>BAYERN MUNICH<\/a>. It’ll be the same old, same old in Germany, which, admittedly is quite boring.<\/p>\n
\nUEFA Europa League<\/a> winners: <\/strong>SEVILLA have a decent team and are well experienced in winning this competition. I like them out of the frontrunners.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.icons.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/GettyImages-995490164.jpg\"){kind=icon}
<\/p>\nDan Jamieson, CEO<\/u><\/strong><\/h1>\n
\n2nd \u2013\u00a0<\/strong>Liverpool<\/a>\u00a03rd \u2013\u00a0<\/strong>Tottenham Hotspur<\/a>\u00a04th \u2013\u00a0<\/strong>Arsenal<\/a>
\nRelegated: <\/strong>Newcastle United<\/a>, Cardiff City and Huddersfield Town
\nGolden Boot: <\/strong>SERGIO AGUERO<\/a> is the biggest goal threat in the league’s best and most creative team.<\/p>\n
\nLa Liga winners: <\/strong>Lionel Messi<\/a> and FC BARCELONA<\/a> win the league title for fun but is another league and cup double really enough?
\nBundesliga winners: <\/strong>I’ll go with RB LEIPZIG just for the fun of it.<\/p>\n
\nUEFA Europa League<\/a> winners: <\/strong>Unai Emery knows how to win this competition and he’ll bring that nous to\u00a0ARSENAL<\/a>.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.icons.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/GettyImages-592209522.png\"){kind=icon}
Ben Soley, Sales and Marketing Manager<\/u><\/strong><\/h1>\n
\n2nd \u2013<\/strong>\u00a0Manchester City<\/a>\u00a03rd \u2013<\/strong>\u00a0Manchester United<\/a> 4th \u2013\u00a0<\/strong>Chelsea<\/a>
\nRelegated:\u00a0<\/strong>Huddersfield Town, Fulham<\/a> and Crystal Palace<\/a>
\nGolden Boot:\u00a0<\/strong>HARRY KANE<\/a> will finally break his August duct and, despite being exhausted from his FIFA World Cup<\/a> exploits, the Englishman will win this honour yet again.<\/p>\n
\nLa Liga winners:\u00a0<\/strong>FC BARCELONA<\/a>\u00a0will surely be Spanish champions again.
\nBundesliga winners: <\/strong>The obvious choice in Germany is\u00a0BAYERN MUNICH<\/a>.<\/p>\n
\nUEFA Europa League<\/a> winners: <\/strong>With a mere 50 hours left of the transfer window at the time of writing CHELSEA<\/a> have only to keep their squad together to walk this competition.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.icons.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/GettyImages-998603742.png\"){kind=icon}
James Tildesley, Head of New Business<\/u><\/strong><\/h1>\n
\n2nd \u2013<\/strong>\u00a0Liverpool<\/a>\u00a03rd \u2013\u00a0<\/strong>Arsenal<\/a>\u00a04th \u2013\u00a0<\/strong>Tottenham Hotspur<\/a>
\nRelegated:\u00a0<\/strong>Cardiff City, Huddersfield Town and Crystal Palace<\/a>
\nGolden Boot:\u00a0<\/strong>The metronome that is\u00a0HARRY KANE<\/a> wins this while Mohamed Salah<\/a> does well again… but not as well as last season.<\/p>\n
\nLa Liga winners:\u00a0<\/strong>With Real Madrid<\/a> in transition,\u00a0FC BARCELONA<\/a>\u00a0retain the title.
\nBundesliga winners:\u00a0<\/strong>If anyone gets near\u00a0BAYERN MUNICH<\/a>\u00a0expect the Bavarian side to buy their key players at the end of the season.<\/p>\n
\nUEFA Europa League<\/a> winners: <\/strong>If CHELSEA<\/a> embrace the playing style of new manager Mauricio Sarri, they’ll be excellent in Europe.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.icons.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/GettyImages-954645148.jpg\"){kind=icon}
Alistair Hunter, Senior Editor<\/u><\/strong><\/h1>\n
\n2nd \u2013\u00a0<\/strong>Manchester City<\/a>\u00a03rd \u2013<\/strong>\u00a0Tottenham Hotspur<\/a> 4th \u2013\u00a0<\/strong>Chelsea<\/a>
\nRelegated:\u00a0<\/strong>Cardiff City, Bournemouth and a Rafa-less\u00a0Newcastle United<\/a>
\nGolden Boot:\u00a0<\/strong>Another season among Europe’s top scorers cements HARRY KANE<\/a>‘s place among the Premier League<\/a> greats.<\/p>\n
\nLa Liga winners:\u00a0<\/strong>Arturo Vidal gives FC BARCELONA<\/a>\u00a0much-needed backbone. La Blaugrana won’t be stopped in Spain \u2013 unless they find themselves twelve yards from goal, of course.
\nBundesliga winners: <\/strong>John Williams’ Imperial March plays as\u00a0BAYERN MUNICH<\/a> sweep their rivals aside once again.<\/p>\n
\nUEFA Europa League<\/a> winners: <\/strong>Rangers<\/a> storm to success in Baku… only joking. Not even Stevie G can pull off a miracle of that magnitude. I’ll play it safe and go with perennial UEL winners SEVILLA.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.icons.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/GettyImages-932044216.jpg\"){kind=icon}
Brett Sinclair, Warehouse Manager<\/u><\/strong><\/h1>\n
\n2nd \u2013\u00a0<\/strong>Tottenham Hotspur<\/a>\u00a03rd \u2013\u00a0<\/strong>Liverpool<\/a> 4th \u2013\u00a0<\/strong>Chelsea<\/a>
\nRelegated: <\/strong>Cardiff City, Huddersfield Town and Fulham<\/a>
\nGolden Boot:\u00a0<\/strong>This is tough one with some of the world’s best footballers playing in the league this season but I hope PIERRE-EMERICK AUBAMEYANG’s pace gets the service it deserves.<\/p>\n
\nLa Liga winners:\u00a0<\/strong>FC BARCELONA<\/a>\u00a0take the title with Real Madrid<\/a> not too far behind.
\nBundesliga winners:\u00a0<\/strong>No-one will come close to\u00a0BAYERN MUNICH<\/a> as they glide to victory.<\/p>\n
\nUEFA Europa League<\/a> winners: <\/strong>CHELSEA<\/a> will focus on winning this.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.icons.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/GettyImages-999759896.jpg\"){kind=icon}
Daryl Angel, Head of Customer Support<\/u><\/strong><\/h1>\n
\n2nd \u2013<\/strong>\u00a0Liverpool<\/a>\u00a03rd \u2013<\/strong>\u00a0Manchester City<\/a>\u00a04th \u2013\u00a0<\/strong>Arsenal<\/a>
\nRelegated:\u00a0<\/strong>Southampton<\/a>, Cardiff City and Brighton and Hove Albion
\nGolden Boot:\u00a0<\/strong>ROMELU LUKAKU shares the honour with HARRY KANE<\/a>.<\/p>\n
\nLa Liga winners:\u00a0<\/strong>