Most yellow playing cards, prime scorers, relegation and extra

The 2022-23 European soccer season will quickly start, with groups nonetheless fine-tuning their squads throughout an thrilling switch window. From the two-horse race within the Premier League, a brand new attacking rivalry in El Clasico to the French champions, Paris Saint-Germain, searching for European glory, our insiders share their picks and predictions throughout Europe’s Large 5 leagues.

Which participant will win the Golden Boot? Which crew will likely be topped champions of Europe? Who will rack up probably the most yellow playing cards?

ESPN FC writers Rob Dawson, Gab Marcotti, Constantin Eckner, Julien Laurens and Alex Kirkland make their forecasts.

LaLiga

Prime 4

Barcelona’s summer season switch window has been ominously profitable, strengthening the crew in each key space. Xavi’s first season as coach was promising, and now he has the instruments at his disposal to take Barca again to the highest. Actual Madrid will not be far-off, however a repeat of final 12 months’s near-perfect season feels unrealistic. Atletico Madrid must be extra constant this time round — particularly if Antoine Griezmann finds his kind — and Villarreal have sufficient high quality to take fourth, with out the distraction of Champions League soccer this time.

1st place: Barcelona
2nd place: Actual Madrid
third place: Atletico Madrid
4th place: Villarreal

Prime scorer

Robert Lewandowski. Eventually, some severe competitors for Karim Benzema! Actual Madrid’s captain prime scored in LaLiga final 12 months with 27 objectives, 9 greater than closest rival Iago Aspas, however that is a league tally Lewandowski has topped in six of his final seven seasons at Bayern Munich. Benzema will not hand over his crown and not using a battle, and their rivalry will likely be a whole lot of enjoyable to observe: not fairly classic Messi vs. Ronaldo stage, however not far off.

Relegation

Cadiz, Actual Valladolid, Almeria. Cadiz solely survived by a single level final season — after an inconceivable escape on the ultimate day — they usually have not made any important enhancements to the squad this summer season. Of the promoted sides, Girona ought to rating sufficient objectives to remain up after including Taty Castellanos to an assault led by Cristhian Stuani, however Actual Valladolid look more likely to wrestle. Almeria have been lively available in the market but when they begin poorly, supervisor Rubi will come beneath speedy stress.

Finest goalkeeper

Thibaut Courtois. Sevilla’s Bono received Spain’s Zamora trophy for the goalkeeper with the bottom goals-to-games ratio final season, however there is not any query that Courtois was the most effective keeper within the nation. His Champions League remaining masterclass got here as no shock to these of us who’d watched him carry out miracles all 12 months. Actual Madrid’s defence ought to enhance with the incorporation of Antonio Rudiger, too.

Most yellow playing cards

The 2 dirtiest groups in LaLiga final season have been Valencia — then coached by Jose Bordalas — and his earlier facet, Getafe. Whereas Bordalas is now gone, his alternative at Mestalla Stadium, Gennaro Gattuso, has the same win-at-all-costs mentality. If we will decide one participant, although, let’s go for Getafe’s Urugayan full-back Damian Suarez, who has been one in every of LaLiga’s most comically gratifying hard-men for years now.

Champions League winner

Identical to final 12 months, it is exhausting to look past the 2 greatest groups within the Premier League and Europe: Liverpool and Manchester Metropolis. Metropolis’s continued capability to choke within the latter levels of this competitors is inexplicable given their high quality and depth, if not stunning; Liverpool will really feel they have been the higher facet in defeat to Actual Madrid in final season’s remaining. They’ve the expertise, and the coach in Jurgen Klopp, to go one step additional this time. — Kirkland

Premier League

Prime 4

It is exhausting to see both Manchester Metropolis or Liverpool dropping out of the highest 4, which leaves two spots for Chelsea, Tottenham, Arsenal, Manchester United and probably Newcastle. Tottenham have spent properly this summer season and have had the advantage of a full preseason beneath Antonio Conte, and Chelsea nonetheless look robust regardless of one thing of a chaotic offseason. Arsenal and Man United will run them shut, however Spurs and Chelsea will make up the highest 4 alongside Man Metropolis and Liverpool.

1st place: Manchester Metropolis
2nd place: Liverpool
third place: Spurs
4th place: Chelsea

Prime scorer

Harry Kane. He is a confirmed Premier League objective scorer and Conte is a grasp at getting the most effective out of his centre forwards. Tottenham ought to have an excellent season, which implies loads of possibilities for Kane. The one challenge will likely be whether or not or not he can keep match and the way a lot the World Cup in Qatar takes out of him forward of the second half of the season.

Relegation

Brentford, Bournemouth, Fulham. Brentford went by means of a poor spell final season when it regarded like they could get dragged into the relegation scrap, they usually’ve misplaced Christian Eriksen to Man United. As for Bournemouth and Fulham, it is all the time tough for newly promoted sides, and as issues stand, their summer season recruitment would not look adequate to maintain them up.

Finest goalkeeper

Man Metropolis and Liverpool are each thrilling attacking groups, however they’re additionally superb defensively — primarily as a result of opposition groups hardly have the ball. It means Brazilians Ederson and Alisson are the 2 prime candidates for the Golden Glove, and with Metropolis set to be with out centre-back Aymeric Laporte till not less than September, Alisson appears to be like an excellent guess to say the title.

Most yellow playing cards

Granit Xhaka. At 29 years previous, the Switzerland midfielder is not going to vary the best way he performs now. Whether or not Mikel Arteta needs him to or not, he is nonetheless going to fly into tackles and get on the fallacious facet of referees. Solely three gamers had extra bookings than Xhaka final season and he is an excellent shout to prime the record this time round.

Champions League winner

Manchester Metropolis. Pep Guardiola has acquired Man Metropolis commonly reaching the latter levels of the Champions League and they’ll recover from the road sooner moderately than later. They’re too good a crew to not. So much will depend upon how rapidly Erling Haaland settles and whether or not he can affect the most important video games at such a younger age, however all of the substances are there for a primary Champions League triumph. — Dawson

Bundesliga

Prime 4

Earlier than Sebastien Haller’s testicular tumour analysis, I might have confidently picked Borussia Dortmund to win the championship. Nonetheless, with their new first-string striker lacking massive chunks of the season, Dortmund drop again to 2 in my energy rating. This leaves Bayern Munich as the one logical option to win the league, and for an eleventh time in a row, with Dortmund ending second. Behind the 2 powerhouses, issues develop into unpredictable, as each RB Leipzig and Bayer Leverkusen have robust squads however might wrestle within the first half of the season.

Leverkusen ought to get well from early setbacks faster, as Florian Wirtz will come again from his knee damage sooner or later and assist them attain third place. Fourth goes to VfL Wolfsburg — not essentially probably the most thrilling facet within the league however one which will get the job achieved beneath former Bayern boss Niko Kovac.

1st place: Bayern Munich
2nd place: Borussia Dortmund
third place: Bayer Leverkusen
4th place: VfL Wolfsburg

Relegated groups

This season could possibly be the season during which Augsburg lastly go down. The small membership positioned 40 miles northwest of Munich has been within the Bundesliga since 2011 and outdoors of 1 or two outlier seasons, Augsburg have often been in survival mode. Enrico Maassen, their new supervisor, has no top-flight expertise, as he coached Dortmund’s reserve crew most lately and semi-professional sides earlier than that. Whereas Maassen is undoubtedly proficient, conserving Augsburg within the league would possibly develop into an unimaginable process.

The second crew that will likely be relegated is Werder Bremen, who’ve made sensible signings following their promotion, however nonetheless do not possess sufficient high quality to complete above the relegation zone.

Prime scorer

If Patrik Schick may keep wholesome, he may simply be one in every of Europe’s elite strikers. Ankle points and different accidents have impacted the Czech’s profession fairly considerably, but if he’s match, he turns into an virtually unstoppable objective scorer. Schick is tall and technical, agile and astute — briefly, he has all of it. With first rate distribution from his teammates at Bayer Leverkusen, he ought to be capable of rating 25 objectives.

Finest goalkeeper

This might develop into an in depth race between Bayern’s Manuel Neuer and Dortmund’s Gregor Kobel, provided that these two will work behind secure defences and infrequently make any errors. Whereas Neuer has been among the many greatest goalkeepers on this planet for a decade, Kobel had his breakthrough moderately lately. Nonetheless, it appears nothing can actually rattle the 24-year-old Swiss. He’ll put up an amazing battle in opposition to Neuer, however has to yield to Germany’s no. 1 another time.

Most yellow playing cards

This could possibly be an in depth contest, as a result of a few gamers within the league have made a behavior out of choosing up yellow playing cards. Even the extremely gifted English worldwide Jude Bellingham will get within the books each different weekend, though he appears head and shoulders above most of his opponents. Be that as it could, I decide Mainz’s Stefan Bell to obtain probably the most yellow playing cards. The 30-year-old is just a bit bit too gradual and, on the similar time, fairly old-school in his method to defending. Some mistimed tackles and tactical fouls will get him to not less than 10 bookings this 12 months.

Champions League winner

We should always by no means get carried away by early-season outcomes, however Bayern Munich’s efficiency in opposition to RB Leipzig within the German Supercup final weekend makes you suppose that this facet is perhaps higher now than earlier than Robert Lewandowski left. And not using a conventional goal participant up entrance, supervisor Julian Nagelsmann will exploit a few of the tactical concepts which have been at the back of his thoughts since he arrived in Munich. If Bayern hold their crew wholesome, they’re my decide to win the cup subsequent June. — Eckner

Serie A

Prime 4

I write this with an enormous caveat. The window would not shut till the tip of the month and Serie A squads, for quite a few causes, are more likely to see main overhauls between at times. So I reserve the proper to make completely different predictions come Sept 1. That mentioned, I believe we’re one other Milanese derby for the title, with the arrival of Romelu Lukaku and Henrikh Mkhitaryan shifting the needle in the direction of Inter (although “Prince” Charles de Ketelaere” is a captivating increase for Milan).

I’ve Juventus at third, although Paul Pogba’s damage state of affairs must be intently monitored. And Jose Mourinho’s Roma, with the addition of Paulo Dybala, look properly positioned to pip the Kalidou Koulibaly-less Napoli to fourth.

1st place: Inter
2nd place: AC Milan
third place: Juventus
4th place: Napoli

Prime Scorer

I believe it is a three-way race between Lukaku, Lazio’s Ciro Motionless (hey, he is already received it 4 instances) and Juventus’ Dusan Vlahovic. I am choosing Lukaku as a result of I believe Simone Inzaghi will tweak the assault to make it extra centre-forward targeted, whereas Motionless is a 12 months older and Juve nonetheless have unanswered provide chain questions for Vlahovic (How will Chiesa bounce again from his damage? How match will Pogba be? What situation is Angel Di Maria in?)

Relegation

Sampdoria, Salernitana, Cremonese. I’ve a tender spot for Cremonese, however they misplaced 4 key contributors to their promotion run who returned to their dad or mum golf equipment on mortgage (Marco Carnesecchi, Gianluca Gaetano, Nicolo Fagioli and Caleb Okoli). Salernitana pulled off a miracle final 12 months, however lightning not often strikes twice. Sampdoria are a large number financially and are working on a shoestring: it is all the way down to them and Lecce, and I am backing Lecce to remain up.

Finest goalkeeper

Mike Maignan. He conceded the fewest objectives in Serie A final season and defensively Milan stay very robust. Inter ought to run them shut, however it’s not clear to me who their beginning keeper will likely be, so Maignan is the safer guess.

Most yellow playing cards

Gianluca Mancini of Roma. He led the league final season and Roma are more likely to be fired up once more this 12 months. Roma as a crew had the second-most yellow playing cards final season and Venezia have been relegated, so they give the impression of being well-placed to take the crown right here. Perhaps it is a pure consequence of Jose Mourinho’s depth inflicting you to take extra dangers than you usually would.

Champions League winner

Manchester Metropolis. I actually do not know, and should properly change my thoughts many instances between now and the beginning of the season. I really feel that Pep Guardiola is due and, allowing for how tough it’s to repeat, how final season took a lot out of Liverpool, how Bayern have unanswered questions, how Paris Saint-Germain have a brand new coach, how Kylian Mbappe did not be part of Actual Madrid and the way Erling Haaland’s season will not be affected by the World Cup, I am going to say Metropolis. — Marcotti

Ligue 1

Prime 4

Paris will likely be too robust for Ligue 1 as soon as extra. New supervisor Christophe Galtier cannot mess it up and the crew performed properly within the Trophée des Champions with Lionel Messi and Neymar trying sharp. It’s way more attention-grabbing to look behind PSG at who can end within the prime 4. Lyon have achieved a formidable recruitment (Lacazette, Tolisso, Tagliafico). Monaco will compete, Lucien Favre can do good issues at Good who recruited properly. Marseille, who’re already going by means of a disaster with new supervisor Igor Tudor, will miss out.

1st place: PSG
2nd place: Lyon
third place: Monaco
4th place: Good

Prime scorer

Kylian Mbappe. He completed with 28 objectives final season, 27 the 12 months earlier than, and 18 previous to that. So it’s three seasons not going over the 30 objectives a season mark, like he did in 2018-2019 with 33 and that is the 12 months when he’ll recover from 30 once more. After extending his contract at PSG and having extra tasks, he will likely be even stronger on the pitch. With Messi and Neymar trying sharp already, and Paris’ good recruitment this summer season (Vitinha, Ekitike, Sanches, Mukiele), Mbappe will star much more than common.

Relegation

Auxerre, Clermont, Lorient, Troyes. This season, 4 groups are taking place as Ligue 1 is shifting again to an 18-club league as a substitute of 20 so it’s vital to remain up. It’s a battle between six golf equipment: the 2 promoted sides, Auxerre and Toulouse in addition to Brest, Lorient, Clermont and Troyes. Toulouse have been sensible this summer season and their mission is promising. For Auxerre, will probably be robust. Similar for Lorient and their new supervisor Regis Le Bris. Clermont misplaced their greatest participant Mohamed Bayo, whereas there are tensions between gamers and supervisor already at Troyes.

Finest goalkeeper

Walter Benitez received it with 14 clear sheets final season. He since left for PSV Eindhoven and has been changed by Kasper Schmeichel. My winner for this season is Donnarumma. The PSG defence will likely be stronger with a again 3 and Galtier has chosen the Italian as his primary so he’ll play each league recreation not like final season, and can hold many clear sheets. Alexander Nubel and Monaco could possibly be up there too, alongside Patrick Pentz at Reims.

Most yellow playing cards

Facundo Medina. There are a number of contenders. Marco Verratti “received” this award final season with 12, forward of Lille’s Benjamin André and Lens‘ Facundo Medina with 11. Medina was additionally third the season earlier than with 11 once more. I believe he must be prime this season. He’s an aggressive defender in a crew which presses quite a bit. So it’s the proper match!

Champions League winner

PSG, lastly, that is their 12 months (I write this each summer season). The squad is a lot better than final 12 months, extra balanced, youthful and extra French, even. New supervisor Christophe Galtier will make this squad click on and the magic of Messi, Neymar and Mbappé, in addition to the management of Sergio Ramos, will do the remaining. “Paris, Champion of Europe” sounds nice. — Laurens