Who will gatecrash the top six? And which signing has gone under the radar? It’s All Kicking Off hosts answer FIVE big questions ahead of the new Premier League season

The Premier League season gets back underway on Friday night as Manchester United host Fulham at Old Trafford. 

There are big questions to be answered at both ends of the table, as teams look to end Manchester City‘s recent run of dominance, while Leicester, Southampton and Ipswich aim to avoid the drop following promotion.  

Ahead of the opener, Chris Sutton and Ian Ladyman have returned for season two of the It’s All Kicking Off podcast. 

The first episode ahead of the new season was released today, with new episodes every Monday and Thursday on Apple, Spotify, Amazon, or wherever you get your podcasts. 

Sutton and Ladyman are never shy of sharing their punchy opinions and here, the pair give their answers to five big questions ahead of the new Premier League season.  

The Premier League season gets back underway on Friday when Manchester United play Fulham, with Manchester City (pictured) aiming to win a record fifth straight title 

Who could gatecrash the top six party?

Sutton: Manchester United. They underachieved last season, a ‘Big Six’ club only in name, but Erik ten Hag has been given another chance after winning the FA Cup. United can’t be as bad this time around, can they?

Ladyman: United will finish fourth, albeit a distant fourth. I expect Newcastle to get back in the European places, as long as they keep hold of Eddie Howe. They have kept their best players, don’t have the distraction of the Champions League and can’t be as unlucky with injuries once again, surely.

Chris Sutton said Man United will ‘gatecrash’ the top six after finishing eighth last season

Who may be sucked into the relegation scrap?

Sutton: Brighton always think outside the box and that has helped them punch above their weight, but I do wonder if they’ll come unstuck.

Ladyman: Forest seem vulnerable again because of a lack of transfer strategy and because they have the wrong manager. I haven’t seen anything from Nuno Espirito Santo to suggest he is the man to lead a great club forwards.

Which signing has gone under the radar?

Sutton: I really liked Germany’s Niclas Fullkrug at the Euros. He’s an old-fashioned centre forward who’s good in the air but much more than that. West Ham fans will love him.

Ladyman: I am with Chris on Fullkrug and I also like Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall from Leicester to Chelsea. He’s a really talented player and I hope he doesn’t get crushed by the Chelsea madness.

Niclas Fullkrug joining West Ham  is a signing that has arguably gone under the radar 

Alternative pick for player of the season?

Sutton: It’s always the goalscorers who dominate the chat for prizes but if Arsenal are to topple City this time, a huge part of that will be down to William Saliba in the heart of their defence. He was brilliant last season.

Ladyman: Defenders never win Player of the Year. It’s not fair but it’s true. I am going for Son Heung-min. Now Spurs have signed a through-the-middle striker in Dominic Solanke, Son should be free to recapture the form he showed when Harry Kane was there.

Ian Ladyman backs Son Heung-min to return to top form alongside Dominic Solanke

One promoted player to KEEP an eye on?

Sutton: Ipswich left back Leif Davis. He pushes up high and his delivery is superb. He racked up 18 assists last season, the most ever by a Championship defender.

Ladyman: I am surprised to learn that Norwich’s biggest fan has chosen an Ipswich player. What next, Rangers for the SPL? Anyway, my tip is Ghana winger Abdul Fatawu, who had a good season on loan at Leicester in the Championship and has now been signed permanently from Sporting Lisbon.