With Manchester City reigning supreme in the Champions League as well as West Ham's triumph in the Conference League, it would be fair to say that English teams dominated Europe last season. As we approach the group stages for the 2023/24 campaign, here's how I think the Premier League sides will fare this time round...
Manchester City
Where else to start than the team that look unstoppable in Europe right now. Before last season, Manchester City were known as 'bottle merchants' in the Champions League, but now they've got that monkey off their back, The Citizens have the scope to dominate the competition in years to come.
With the departures of Ilkay Gundogan, Riyad Mahrez and Aymeric Laporte in this summer's transfer window; Man City have lost some key players, who have been integral to their recent success. To add to this, their captain, Kevin De Bruyne has been ruled out until December, following a hamstring injury on the opening day of the season. Despite this, Pep Guardiola still has one of the best squads in Europe at his disposal and if the likes of Erling Haaland, Kyle Walker, Rodri etc can stay fit for the rest of the season, who would bet against Pep's men doing it again?
Champions League prediction: Winners
Arsenal
For a club of Arsenal's stature, being starved of the Champions League for six years must have felt like a lifetime for Gunners' fans. While last season will still feel like a disappointment to them for losing out on the Premier League, one of the positives they can take is that Mikel Arteta has got them back to where they belong - at the highest level of European football.
Read more: Getting to know your Premier League Club before the start of the season - Arsenal
With a young squad that have very little Champions League experience between them, it would be hard to see Arsenal going all the way this season. However, the likes of Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice and Gabriel Martinelli will be itching to make their CL debuts and showcase their ability on the European stage. If Mikel Arteta can get his side playing in Europe the way they did domestically last season then the Gunners will certainly be a force to be reckoned with this upcoming campaign.
Champions League prediction: Semi-finals
Manchester United
When United kicked off their Premier League campaign last season with a 2-0 defeat at home to Brighton, followed by a 4-0 away defeat to Brentford, not many would have foreseen The Red Devils earning Champions League football. Fast forward to now, Erik Ten Hag has implemented his style and has brought a feel good factor back to Old Trafford.
With a Champions League spot and a League Cup trophy, overall, Man United had a successful 2022/23 season, however Ten Hag's side have looked far from convincing in their opening matches of this campaign. In their games against Wolves and Tottenham, United have looked a shell of the team they were last season and if they have any European ambitions this will have to change immediately. On the plus side, United fans are yet to see their new signing Rasmus Hojlund in action due to injury, but will be pleased to know the Dane should be available for the group stages.
Champions League prediction: Last 16
Newcastle United
If Champions League football feels like a lifetime ago for Arsenal fans, for Newcastle supporters, it must feel like a different era. It's been a long twenty years since the European elites have graced St James' Park but after a superb 2022/23 Premier League season, Eddie Howe has ensured it will happen again.
While The Magpies may not have quite the same squad depth as some other teams in the competition, the atmosphere at St James' Park on European nights can strike fear into any opponent. Furthermore, despite the long wait for Champions League football, Eddie Howe still has some players with experience at this level; Sandro Tonali was part of the AC Milan side who reached the semi finals last season and captain, Kieran Trippier has reached the final of the competition before with Spurs.
Champions League prediction: Quarter finals
Liverpool
For a club the size of Liverpool, Europa League football is a downgrade from the level that the Anfield faithful have been used to witnessing over the past few seasons. The Merseyside club have competed in the last six Champions Leagues, but after a disappoint domestic campaign last season, Jurgen Klopp's side will have to settle for Thursday night football.
As a manager that's always complaining about fixture congestion, it will be interesting to see whether Klopp plays a full strength side in the early stages of the tournament. If he does, surely Liverpool will be favourites to go all the way, as they still possess one of the best attacks in Europe. Despite this, Liverpool have parted ways with their captain, Jordan Henderson, who moved to Saudi Arabia in the summer. Henderson was an integral part of Liverpool's success in Europe in recent years, but could the current lack of leaders in the team lead to an early exit for The Reds?
Europa League prediction: Semi finals
Brighton and Hove Albion
Seagulls' fans have a lot to be excited about right now. Roberto De Zerbi has got his team playing free-flowing attacking football and in doing so has achieved success. After attaining their highest ever finish in the Premier League (6th) last season, Brighton fans will be buzzing to go on their first ever European tour.
It seems as if The Seagulls have an endless supply of young talent. With players like Kaoru Mitoma, Pervis Estupinan and Evan Ferguson as well as experienced veterans such as James Milner and Danny Welbeck; Brighton have built a solid foundation for a good run in the Europa League.
Europa League prediction: Quarter finals
West Ham United
West Ham have ensured Europa League football this season in a slightly more unconventional route, by winning the Europa Conference League last season. European football is becoming the norm for Hammers fans, as they prepare for another adventure on the continent for the third year running.
Before last season, West Ham hadn't achieved European success since 1965, but their Conference League victory was by no means a fluke. David Moyes' side made the semi finals of the 2021/22 Europa League, so they have slowly but surely built an established European team.
Read more: getting to know your club at the start of the season - West Ham
If West Ham are to achieve success in Europe this season, theyll have to do it without their former captain and talisman, Declan Rice, who moved to Arsenal in the summer. However, with Moyes at the helm and the likes of James Ward-Prowse, Lucas Paqueta and last season's hero, Jarrod Bowen, it will take a big performance to eliminate the East London side.
Europa League prediction: Semi finals
Aston Villa
After defeating Hibernian 5-0 in the first leg of their Europa Conference League qualifier, it's fair to say that Aston Villa already have one foot in the competition. The Villans finished in an impressive seventh place in the Premier League last season and will be looking to follow it up with European success.
With manager, Unai Emery, Aston Villa have a serial winner on the European stage, who no doubt will take the competition seriously. With the biggest budget in the competition and with star players; Ollie Watkins and Moussa Diaby, Villa will be the favourites to win their first European trophy in 41 years.
Europa Conference League prediction: Winners
As we never know what the draw could conjure up in the latter stages of European tournaments, it can be hard to predict what the outcome may be. This means I could be horrendously wrong in my predictions, so please, let us know your thoughts in the comments below...
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