The National's 2021/22 Premier League predictions

The 2021/22 Premier League season kicks off on Friday with promoted Brentford hosting Arsenal.

The Bees will be making their Premier League bow and are the 50th club to play in the top tier now in its 30th season.

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 08: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Arsenal during the Pre-season friendly between Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on August 08, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill / Getty Images)

Premier League kits 2020/21: ranked, reviewed and rated

Manchester City begin their title defence away to Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday while European champions Chelsea take on London rivals Crystal Palace.

Manchester United welcome Leeds United to Old Trafford, Community Shield winners Leicester City face Wolves, Aston Villa are away to new boys Watford and Southampton travel to Everton.

Burnley v Brighton and Newcastle United v West Ham United complete Matchday 1.

Our writers have compiled their predictions for what's in store this campaign.

Andy Mitten - European Football Correspondent

Champions: Manchester City

Top four: Manchester City, Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool

Relegated: Watford, Crystal Palace, Norwich City

Top scorer: Edinson Cavani

Surprise package: Brentford

Player of the season: Kevin de Bruyne

MANCHESTER UNITED RATINGS: David de Gea - 7. First pre-season appearance and set to be United’s number one when the league starts. Saved by the crossbar in the second half and a couple of nervy moments in the first where Everton should have done better.

Steve Luckings - Deputy Sports Editor

Champions: Manchester City

Top four: Manchester City, Chelsea, Manchester United, Liverpool

Relegated: Brentford, Norwich City, Watford

Top scorer: Romelu Lukaku

Surprise package: Bryan Gil

Player of the season: Jack Grealish

Manchester City's new signing Jack Grealish poses with fans outside the Etihad Stadium on Monday, August 9.

Richard Jolly - Premier League Correspondent

Champions: Manchester City

Top four: Manchester City, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United

Relegated: Brentford, Southampton, Norwich

Top scorer: Mohamed Salah

Surprise package: A Grealish-free Aston Villa

Player of the season: Kevin de Bruyne

Manchester City's English midfielder Liam Delap (L) vies with Bournemouth's English defender Jack Simpson (R) during the English League Cup third round football match between Manchester City and Bournemouth at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, north-west of England, on September 24, 2020. - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications.
/ AFP / POOL / MIKE EGERTON / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications.

Manchester City's Liam Delap, left, battles with Bournemouth's Jack Simpson during the League Cup third round.

Dominic Hart - Sports Editor

Champions: Chelsea

Top four: Chelsea, Manchester City, Manchester United, Liverpool

Relegated: Crystal Palace, Brentford, Newcastle United

Top scorer: Romelu Lukaku

Surprise package: Watford

Player of the season: Romelu Lukaku

CHELSEA RATINGS: Edouard Mendy – 7. Had to be alert to block Dia in the first half. Spared humiliation after Gerard Moreno hit the post after he slipped when playing out a goal kick. Made way for Arrizabalaga before the shoot out

Ian Hawkey - European Football Correspondent

Champions: Manchester City

Top four: Manchester City, Chelsea, Manchester United, Liverpool

Relegated: Brentford, Newcastle United, Norwich City

Top scorer: Romelu Lukaku

Surprise package: Bryan Gil

Player of the season: Bruno Fernandes

Striker Kelechi Iheanacho lifts the Community Shield trophy after Leicester City defeated Manchester City at the Wembley Stadium on Saturday, August 7, 2021.

Gareth Cox - Assistant Sports Editor

Champions: Manchester United

Top four: Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea, Liverpool

Relegated: Burnley, Brentford and Norwich

Top scorer: Mohamed Salah

Surprise package: Ivan Toney

Player of the season: Jadon Sancho

(L-R) Dortmund's Swiss defender Manuel Akanji, Dortmund's English forward Jadon Sancho and Dortmund's Norwegian forward Erling Braut Haaland celebrate a goal that was cancelled by VAR during the German first division Bundesliga football match Bayer 04 Leverkusen vs BVB Borussia Dortmund in Leverkusen, western Germany on February 8, 2020. - RESTRICTIONS: DFL REGULATIONS PROHIBIT ANY USE OF PHOTOGRAPHS AS IMAGE SEQUENCES AND/OR QUASI-VIDEO
/ AFP / INA FASSBENDER / RESTRICTIONS: DFL REGULATIONS PROHIBIT ANY USE OF PHOTOGRAPHS AS IMAGE SEQUENCES AND/OR QUASI-VIDEO

Borussia Dortmund's Jadon Sancho, centre, celebrates with Erling Braut Haaland, right, after scoring against Bayer Leverkusen in February - only for the goal to be ruled out by VAR. AFP

Paul Radley - Sports Reporter

Champions: Manchester City

Top four: Manchester City, Chelsea, Manchester United, Liverpool

Relegated: Burnley, Norwich City, Brentford

Top scorer: Romelu Lukaku

Surprise package: Dane Scarlett

Player of the season: Kevin de Bruyne

THE 20 MOST EXPENSIVE PLAYERS: 1). Romelu Lukaku (€327.56m): Anderlecht to Chelsea €15m / Chelsea to Everton (loan) €3.5m / Chelsea to Everton €35.36m / Everton to Manchester United €84.7m / Manchester United to Inter Milan €74m / Inter Milan to Chelsea €115m

Jon Turner - Assistant Sports Editor

Champions: Manchester City

Top four: Manchester City, Chelsea, Manchester United, Liverpool

Relegated: Norwich, Watford, Crystal Palace

Top scorer: Mohamed Salah

Surprise package: Newcastle United

Player of the season: Kevin de Bruyne

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 12: Mohamed Salah of Liverpool scores a penalty for his team's first goal during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Leeds United at Anfield on September 12, 2020 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Paul Ellis - Pool/Getty Images)

1. Mohamed Salah's bid for the Golden Boot started against Leeds in the first game of the season on September 12, netting from the penalty spot in Liverpool's 4-3 win. Getty