Premier League 2019-20: match-bet predictions, odds, tips & betting guide

Arsenal narrowly missed out on Champions League qualification last season but collected four more points than sixth-placed Manchester United and look value to eclipse the Red Devils in 2019-20.

The Gunners have not made big changes to their squad but potent forwards Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette should ensure Arsenal are a major threat in attack.

Unai Emery will be more used to the demands of English football and his second season looks likely to bring at least modest improvement.

• New rules explained

Progress is also expected of United but they appear to be taking a longer term view by snapping up talented youngsters Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Dan James from Crystal Palace and Swansea.

Both are exciting prospects but it would be unfair to expect them to turn United's fortunes around.

They will be learning on the job and the same could be said of manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who is simply not ready for such a massive post.

United won just two of ten games at the end of last season and are a long way away from challenging for the Premier League title.

Watford can put Bournemouth in the shade

Watford and Bournemouth have both progressed nicely since gaining promotion in 2014-15 but the Hertfordshire side were five points superior last season and are likely to remain in the ascendancy over the next nine months.

Javi Gracia guided Watford to 11th (their highest Premier League placing) and they probably would have finished higher had they not taken their eye off the ball to focus on the FA Cup final.

A top-half finish looks unlikely for Bournemouth due to their porous defence. The Cherries shipped 70 goals last season, the third-most in the division.

• First scorers to follow

Norwich and Sheffield United face difficult challenges trying to adapt to a higher level but the Canaries have the better chance of survival.

Each of the last five teams promoted as champions have stayed up the following season and so could Norwich, despite resisting the temptation to spend big.

A tougher campaign is in store for the Blades, who finished five points below Norwich in the Sky Bet Championship.

Leicester should finish higher than Wolves

Leicester responded positively after appointing Brendan Rodgers in February and are targeting European qualification in their first full season under the Northern Irishman's stewardship.

Back them to be top dogs in the Midlands at the expense of Wolves and Aston Villa.

• Where to watch the Premier League this season

Leicester supporters quickly took to Rodgers, who delivered 20 points from a possible 33 while overseeing a switch to a more offensive, possession-based style of football.

It was an encouraging start and, having had a summer to fine tune the squad, Rodgers should have an even better chance of success.

On-loan Monaco midfielder Youri Tielemans was key to the way Leicester played last season and has a big part to play in the club's future after signing a permanent four-year-deal this summer.

Leicester were also delighted to snap up Ayoze Perez, who was outstanding in his last season at Newcastle.

Improvement can be expected from the Foxes but there appears to be very little room for growth for Wolves, who were outstanding last season.

Qualification for the Europa League was the reward for Nuno's side, who had the knack of the upsetting the division's big guns.

But playing in Europa League qualifiers is far from ideal preparation for the Premier League and was arguably a key reason behind Burnley's slow start to the 2018-19 campaign.

Villa have been busy signing players but they are a way off competing with Leicester and Wolves on their Premier League return.

Recommended on July 29
Watford to finish above Bournemouth
6pts 4-6Sky Bet
Leicester top Midlands club
5pts 11-8 bet365
Arsenal to finish above Man Utd
4pts 11-10 Betfred
Norwich to finish above Sheff Utd
5pts 8-11Betfred

Today's top sports betting stories

Follow us on Twitter @racingpostsport

Like us on Facebook RacingPostSport