Bargain- Golden Boot- 👀 - Saturday Social’s Premier League Predictions 23_24 🏆

Saturday Social brought to you by EA Sports FC with PlayStation 5. Hello and welcome to Saturday Social. We are back for a fifth season, the first show of the season, but we are bigger and better than ever, aren't we? Extra 30 minutes, we've got more guests, more family access, a new studio and a new camera that Gavin's very excited about. Yeah, it does really get close to you, doesn't it, this camera? I'm really excited about it. I'm very excited about it. I'm excited about the whole season. Yeah, like you said, back bigger and better than ever. And we want to hear from you guys at home as we do every single season. Our guests are going to be giving some predictions today, so we want to get your predictions too. We're on X. It was formerly known as Twitter. At Sky Sports PA, we use the hashtag Saturday Social. Let's meet our guests, shall we? Let's meet the guests. First up, one of the country's most recognisable, I would say, entertaining influencers. It is HP, like the source, Harry Panero. Harry, how are you? What have you been up to, mate? You're a very busy man. Yeah, well, I've just started a new football podcast with Culture Cams called The Inside Scoop. We started that just before the season ended and now we're into the season now, so I'm very excited about that. So we're going to be everywhere. Love it. Going to be everywhere. Going to be everywhere. Talking of everywhere, let's bring in Nicole Holiday, Lionesses, Arsenal. How have you been? Really good. Yeah, I've been working with Arsenal pre-season, which has been pretty fun. It's got me in the mood. It's got me excited. Big things are coming for the Lagooners. And yeah, the Women's World Cup has been brilliant. Fingers crossed for the Lionesses this morning, actually. Well said, yeah. Massive game this morning, of course. Next up, host of the Ripple Effect, EFL expert, He told me to write that. Are you sure about this? He told me to write that. QPR fan as well. Many QPR fans. James Alcott, looking superb as always, James. How have you been? Good, yeah. It's nice to find out I'm an expert. Yeah, things are good. Had a little break. Back with YouTube, back with a new idea as well, which is going to get small creators a chance to be on the channel. So, yeah, really excited. Now, looking at the rundown, James, apologies, there isn't a lot of QPR content in the show. So you've got about 10 seconds to give us your thoughts on QPR so far. Rock bottom of the championship. How are you feeling? Do you do 10 seconds? I'm using my 10 seconds. I'm looking forward to the rest of the season. Well done. Liar. Absolute liar. And as well as hearing from HP, Nicole and James throughout the show, me and Swiffy, we've got Ben Chilwell and Bruno Fernandez, two separate features there, so we're going to be bringing you those later on in the show. Yes. Right. We are going to kick off with our stereotypical traditional Saturday Social pre-season predictions. Now, this was iconic last season because we had Rory Jennings on the show who had Harland as flop of the season, just a 52 goals in all competitions, so we didn't invite him back. We did. We invited Rory back multiple times. He said no. There are seven categories, so think long and hard about this when you think of how viral that clip went. Do you want to tell us the seven categories that the guests have got to get off the fence for? Yeah, absolutely. We can have a look at the categories on your screen now. You can see them on the left-hand side. I think we should go straight in there with champions because a rare occurrence here. Three different teams. Harry Panero. Hey, you know me. I mean, what's happened? Well, look, we finished third last season with players that we essentially didn't want. Ten Hag didn't want those players. So I feel like we went to a League Cup final, which we won, if you forgot, and we got to FA Cup final, which we lost to the best team in the world. So for me, I feel like with the players that we've signed already, the players that are leaving, like Harry Maguire, Fred, I believe that this is the team that Ten Hag actually believes can at least try and attempt to win the League. Now, listen, I support United. I love United. They are part of who I am, part of the fabric. My heart is half Organ, half United. So I'm only going to go with what my heart is telling me. So don't shoot the messenger. This is terrible practice, right? You both clearly have never jinxed your team because if I think QBR are going to go and do well, they don't. You don't say it and you both made a huge error. Every time I come on this show and I say something about United, the opposite happens. So who knows? But it happens, so it's not about jinxing. It's my actual truth and my belief. It is not, Harry. I don't believe for a minute. I don't think you have any leg to stand on 93% of the season. Nicole, your thoughts on Arsenal? Guys, what do you mean? You're acting like it's an absolute hot take. Hello, look how well Arsenal did last season. We've only got stronger. Declan Rice, Timber, by the way, have you seen him pre-season? He looks so good. Havertz, an interesting one. Because I think what's quite good for us with Havertz is there's actually not much pressure on him, right? Because everyone's saying he's going to be a flop. So as long as he does better than what everyone's expecting, which clearly isn't that much in the football world, I think he'll do well. I think Mikel Arteta will actually get quite a lot out of him. I think he'll be a lot better playing for Arsenal. So we've strengthened. Surely we're only going to do better this season. We've done one season of pushing Man City all the way. They've got more experience now. This is a young side. They've got the talent. We can do this. OK, so they're disagreeing on this. I think Arsenal will have a good season, actually, with the players they've bought. Through gritted teeth. Let's have a look at the top four, then, as well, because this helps to understand where you think the order is. James, we're going to come to you, because you've got Man City as champions, but you've all gone the top four, interestingly, but in a different order. So you think City shoo-in for the championship, but Liverpool run us up for you. You definitely said that when the guys said it. I mean, that would have been an absolute game-changer and I would have felt really good about this. It was Liverpool and Arsenal, for me, in terms of those two spots. Man City, I just don't see conceding goals at all. I think they've got all the answers. With Liverpool, I just see so many goals in that team. Do you? And I think, also, there's a lot of players there that people have forgotten about how good they are. No-one's talking about Mohamed Salah. No-one's talking about Jota, Luis Diaz. Gakpo's going to be better. Darwin Nunes has got a system that's going to make him better, as well. So I think they're going to score so many goals. So I think they've got a chance. They need a couple more players, but they've still got time. Any other thoughts on the top fours? I was going to say Chelsea, as well. I think because of the fact that they've bought so many players, but I think it's going to take them a longer time. And just like what James said, I think with Liverpool, towards the end of the season, as well, we saw how good they can be, as well. And I think with the additions that they've got this season, there will be a lot of goals. They're a goal machine, that team. Interesting no-one put Chelsea. No-one put Newcastle, as well, of course, who did finish in the top four. They do have Champions League football, as well, so they added games. Yeah, and nobody put Tottenham. Are you OK, though? I think we've got to move on to the next one. It's a long answer, Harry, that. It's not a short answer. And we will definitely discuss Tottenham, because somebody has said them for an upcoming prediction. But not yet, because now we're talking overachievers. Next, let's have a look at who you've said for your overachievers. Villa, Burnley and Bournemouth. Nicole, you saw Burnley last night. Yeah, OK. To be fair. I thought they were actually all right. I do, I agree. I think they had some moments where they were very good. Very unfortunate for them that their first game of the Premier League season is against Manchester City. Or is it good for them? They got it out of the way. Yeah. But I think what company did last season with them in the Championship was brilliant. I think they're going to stay up, which straightaway, surely that's kind of overachieving, because a lot of people have them. It's very easy to say the recently promoted teams are the ones that will be going down at the end of the season. I think they'll do quite well. And I think, from what we saw last night, they're going to really give it a go. I agree with that. I think what's impressive about Vincent Kompany, a lot of people looked at the points tally and said they won the Championship quite comfortably and credit to them. But actually, it's the way that they've played and they've changed the complete philosophy of how Burnley play. It's not just what they achieve, but it's how they play as well. I think it's a good shout. Bournemouth? Similar sort of story. I think it's a good move to bring him in. They are going to be probably the fittest team in the league. I like the depth that they have now in the attacking positions. I'm a bit worried about set-pieces in the back line, but I think they're going to do really well. It's interesting that Burnley and Bournemouth, teams that you would generally have right down the bottom there and then just not think about anymore. I think you're going to see a different Bournemouth this year and I think they'll be good to watch. HB, you said Villa. Now, they had a really good back end of the season. I think they finished seventh, didn't they? What's overachieving for Villa? Is it that they've got to win the...? I think they're going to cause a lot of big teams problems when they go to Villa Park. We've seen in the season when he was at Arsenal and even when he went to Villa how quick you can change the philosophy of a team and make them believe. I think they're going to overachieve. I think they're going to be knocking on the door of the top four. Probably not get in, but they'll be knocking on the door. That's how I believe. They're definitely going to do well in Europe, aren't they? Definitely. My friend said a joke the other day. He goes, if Villa was in Serie A, they'd probably win it. I think they're that good. They're a good team. That is some clay. Where's my friend? I don't know if he knows where I'm going after this. Maybe it was me, who knows? My friend Harry, who knows? He's got a joke, he was waiting for people to laugh and then no-one did. Not convinced about that one at all. What a job when Henry did that. 17th at the end of last October. Yeah, incredible. Next up, underachievers. Here we go. Let's have a look at who you've gone with. Right, OK. James has gone Wolves, Nicole's gone West Ham. Harry, you've gone Tottenham. Yeah, yeah. Why Tottenham? I think obviously... No, no, I just didn't know who was going to be here. No, I'll be honest. I look at the fact that Spurs were absolutely woeful last season and then your biggest player has officially gone now and I think that's going to make it even more difficult and I don't think Richarlison as a striker is enough to get you to the amount of goals that Kane gets you and saves you. So I think, for that reason, I think it's going to be very, very hard for you. Why is Nicole laughing at me? She's just looking at my face laughing. No, I'm not laughing. I feel sad for you. Right. You've lost your star man. Yeah, yeah. I think that's worse. I feel really sorry for you, Smithy. No, it must be hard losing such a key player from your team when it's already been quite bad. It's been horrible. Let's just have a moment for Smithy. I think we should be a bit positive about Ange. I think Ange is, like, you know... Why are you laughing? Can I say one thing? At least it's dealt with and they can progress on. I've actually really liked the way that Ange has conducted himself and how he's spoken so honestly and also how he's trying to play football, he's changed his system. I think it's very easy to be negative about us. Now, I am really sad about Kane. But I think, you know, Ange hasn't had a competitive game. I think you've got to give a new manager a chance to hit the ground running. I think you could get less points this season than you did last season and have a much better time. And that's what it's all about anyway. Absolutely. I mean, West Ham and Wolves as well. Yeah, interesting. Yeah, West Ham. I mean, look, I actually probably should have gone with Spurs but at the time of writing that, Harry Kane hadn't yet left. I think West Ham, I think winning the Europa Conference League almost papered over the cracks slightly. They had a bad Premier League season last season, as we all know. I think losing Declan Rice, I just don't think they've done enough. I mean, it depends on what signings they do make because they're obviously being heavily linked with a few players. I just don't think they're going to be good enough. I think they're going to struggle again this season. And Wolves. Wolves, I think that the FFP thing is a massive thing here. I think you've got a lesser manager, however you want to put it together. I think O'Neill is exciting and young and all those things, which is great. But Lopetegui is a better manager, so you've lost him. You can't really bring in better players as well. They don't score many goals. They've got no depth in the centre-back position at the moment. And that all kind of creates the idea for me that they could go down. Yeah, I mean, they were rock bottom before Lopetegui took over. Apologies to Wolves fans that might be watching with James. It's worth pointing out for a bit of balance as well. I know what you're saying. Lopetegui, great management. Gary O'Neill did have a good end to the season with them. Did a great job keeping them up. So worth pointing out with that. Next one. Let's talk transfers, shall we? Yeah, transfer hit, isn't it? Yeah. Two Arsenal. Oh, three Arsenal. Yeah, yeah. Three of the same name. And then you're in Timber. So Declan Rice, Nicole, let's come straight to you. You're an Arsenal fan. Yeah, I mean, I'm buzzing. I know that everyone's been going on about the price tag. However, obviously now with what Caicedo is probably going to be going for, I feel like it's kind of taken off that pressure from the Rice transfer. I think he's a quality player. I think he'll make Arsenal even stronger. I think it's what we needed as well. And I think he's got that leadership quality as well. He's already settled in really well with the team. I just think absolutely brilliant signing for Arsenal. And you agree, James? I think he's awesome. And I think he's only going to get better. I think you saw in the Community Shield that he kind of got given the left-hand side to just deal with. And also, you're actually buying like four players for 25 million because he can play in so many different areas. It gives him so much multifunctionality. He's awesome. I think he's so good. Pays with the time as well. Since his breakthrough season, he's started 175 of a possible 190 games for West Ham. That's in the Premier League. And obviously winning possession is clear more than any other player. 1,453 times. He's going to be such a pivotal player for Arsenal. You disagree? No, no. I agree with what they're saying about Declan. I think I'm a big fan of what he's done at West Ham. And I think he'll do really well at Arsenal. But I think for me, last season, where I felt like defensively, Arsenal kind of suffered was that right-back, centre-back, in case Gabriel gets injured or Salih. I think Jürgen Timber is incredible. He can do everything. Only 38 million as well. That's a steal. And the Community Shield, if there's anything to go by, he played really well in that game against the best team in the world. They've got so many players you can play in different positions as well. And that's why I think Arsenal would be very – they'll be up for it. Yeah, Mikhail Tesar likes that, doesn't he? A lot of players that can actually do a job in various positions. Well, Timber himself, he can literally play mostly right-back, centre-back, and left-back. He's been really good. So, yeah. Just while we're on the topic of transfers, just wanted to talk about Caicedo a little bit. Because obviously it was such big news yesterday, wasn't it? 110, 111 million pound bids being accepted and then kind of going to Liverpool potentially, then going to Chelsea. Jimbo, where are you at with Caicedo? You should let me know when it's done. That's crazy, wouldn't it? We will. Sky Sports will let you know when it's done. I think it's a bit of a disaster for Liverpool because it's such a signing if you get him. Because there's a lot of talk about Trent and getting in behind him. If you get Caicedo in that team, that helps that so much. Liverpool needed more than Chelsea for me. But it looks like he's probably going to go to Chelsea. Are you surprised with the way it did pan out in that he turned down Liverpool with the fee agreed and everything like that? Are you surprised with how that actually played out, that transfer? Well, I think the problem here is that we know about it. So when these things get kind of put out into the ether, then we kind of know what the storyline is. That's the problem. These things must happen all the time where they have second thoughts and all that stuff, but it's probably not out. He confirmed it in his press conference. He said we've had a bid accepted between the clubs at least. That game on Sunday could be... Imagine if Chelsea present him pre-game. That would be awesome. I would love it. It would be something that I'd probably put in my list of the greatest things that ever happened to me. But I think with Caicedo, he's also one of those players that we've all seen what he did at Brighton. So the fee is obviously a madness, but we know what type of player that both of the teams want, and I think you're right. Liverpool do need him more, especially when they've missed out on Jude Bellingham. It would have been integral for them to get him, and because they have it now, I think that just puts a damper on their season a little bit. A lot of transfers going on, so I think it's going to be a really exciting, busy end to the transfer window. The next category we're going to look at is transfer miss. This isn't necessarily a transfer we think is going to be terrible, but it's one that you may think, with price tags involved, might not be as successful as others. Kai Havert appears twice here. Erasmus Hoyland as well appears. So, Kai Havert, both of you have gone. Why have you gone with Kai, Harry? I didn't think Arsenal needed him, personally. I felt like it was a buy that surprised me. I think when Declan Rice was announced, it made sense. Jürgen Timbaugh, it made sense. But Havert, I thought, I don't know why they need him, because at Chelsea, for me, he wasn't good at all. By him scoring in the Champions League final, I don't think he's got a moment at Chelsea where it was like, yeah, he's worth the money that they've bought. And I think this season, he's going to be a really, really bad person. Really, really bad. He honestly thinks he's going to be really, really bad. In an Arsenal team that were exceptional last year, with one of the best coaches in the league. I don't think the side that Havert, because I don't even know what Havert's position is, I'll be honest. But is that not the beauty for this Arsenal side, that he is so versatile? He can play as an eight, he can play as a nine. But can he play in those positions really, really well? Is he better than Odegaard in the eight? No. Is he better than Martinelli on the left? No. So it's like, you're buying a player. I don't know what Arteta's idea is, and we'll find out this season, but as it stands right now, I don't think he's, it was a needed buy. Do you think he starts when everyone's fit for Arsenal? Probably because of the money he's paid, but if you're going off talent, no. Martinelli, Saka and Jesus, that's the front three for me. You've got him as well. Yeah, I think he could lead to a lot of frustration in a couple of different ways. So first of all, I think in the big games, you'll play Declan Rice there, if you're playing Man City or whoever. I think against the lesser sides, Trossard's a great player if you're going to play in that sort of left-sided eight position. So then if he plays up front, I'm not sure he's that great there either. But I think he could frustrate there as well in terms of missing some chances if he's not getting the game time as well. So you're either not playing him in a position where people thought he was going to be exciting there, or you're playing him in a position where really you'd rather have a Hoyland. Nick, you're the Arsenal fan. It's upset Joe, this one, I've got to say, so go on. What do you think about Ryan's first four? Well, Havertz, I think what you're saying is I don't think he will be a starter. I think he's good cover because he's got the versatility and you can play him in a number of places. He's expected to be a starter, isn't he? That's the thing. I don't think it's his fault a little bit. I think they've got probably a few too many players in that position. I think that's why it will be seen as a bit of a miss. But yeah, there's a lot of money. It is a lot of money. I trust in Mikel Arteta. We've seen what he can do. I think he knows how to get the best out of players. I think he's obviously seen something in Havertz that he thinks he can work with and he can get something and the best out of him. So again, like I said earlier, I understand what you're saying. It is a lot of money. I do think he'll be able to show the best version of himself and what he can do at Arsenal. He's not first choice anyway. I think everybody looks a bit better at Arsenal because they're playing such a functional unit. I think it's hard to look bad in such a good team. Like, I think he... Yeah, I would be surprised if it's like a standout. I think it's more about the noise of a big money signing. You expect big output and I just don't think you'll see that. So your pick. Go on. Okay, hear me out. I've gone for Hoyland. Now, I think it's a miss. I think it's maybe a bit more of an overrated transfer for this season in terms of he is 20 years old. What was he? 72 million. That's a hefty price tag. I know there's a lot that's been put on how many goals or how few goals he scored last season. I think it was nine in 32 games. Yeah, nine in 32 league games. I think 10 in 34 all comps it was. Okay. I think he's very talented, obviously. I think he's got a lot of potential. I think he will come good. I think for this season there's quite a lot of pressure on him to come in and straightaway in the Premier League do a Haaland, light up the league. And I don't think that's going to happen. I think he's one to watch and he could do big, big things there. But right now this season, I don't think he's going to be this goal-scoring machine. HP actually convinced Rasmus to join. HP was in his DMs with Rasmus saying, come to United, wouldn't you? Yeah, early on. You got 10% of the speed. No, I don't do it for that. Or if it's Harry involved, at least 20%. This is for all the United fans across the world. No, but obviously with Hoyland, I think, you know, me and Cam, we spoke a lot about how we view what Man United need. And we need a player who can link up play really, really well, who's a goal scorer, who isn't going to, you know, do too much on the ball. And I think that's Hoyland. Right. Let's finish off, shall we? Last category. Player of the season. Ooh. Only one shout for Erling Haaland. The man with sense. Because he'll get golden. Can I say how he says the man with sense? He had Bruno Fernandes and text our producer. After Haaland's second goal, went, I think we're going to have Haaland now. You know what? Can I be real with you? Yesterday, yesterday, after Haaland's second goal, I text Bob. I said, yeah, bruv, take him off. Take him off. No, I'll be honest. The reason why I tried to be different. I felt like if I feel like United's going to win the league, I know that Bruno's going to be in the top five. But you don't think they're going to win the league. I didn't know you were a sidekick. But no, I think Haaland, Haaland, if he started a season last season like that, it's only going to get better. I think he's definitely. Unbelievable start. You disagree, Nicole? No, no, I don't disagree. Haaland's getting the golden boot, right? So if I'm picking him for that, I want it to be a bit different. Make it a bit more fun. It's a bit boring. Just Haaland for everything. He's a machine. We know that. He's going to get 7 trillion goals this season. Cool. Well done. Saka. I'm with you. Like, you know, Saka. We all love Bukayo Saka. He is incredible. Still young. He's got so much to give. I think last season he was brilliant for Arsenal. I think we're going to see more of that this season. I think he's even more confident than ever. Still got so much potential. Yeah, I think he's going to be brilliant. Unbelievable season. 14 Premier League goals, 11 Premier League assists last season. What a player. Yeah, he was strength. Yeah, I didn't get introduced as an entertainer. Harry did, but Harry went with the Haaland shout. But I'm looking to entertain it, guys. What I'm trying to do here is, look, whoever wins the league, a player from their team will win it. So it could be Odegaard, could be Saka. Haaland's obviously a great shout. I just think, at the end, in terms of nominees, I think Trent is going to have a season where people get out of their own way a little bit and go, OK, hang on, but he's a right back and there's a ball in behind him. The guy's unbelievable. The guy's going to have 100 touches a game. The guy's going to create a whole compilation of passes where you go, wow. I love him drifting into that role, getting on the ball and playing those beautiful passes. And I just think, by the end of the season, we'll stop focusing on what he's not good at, and I've probably been guilty of it as well, but he's been in that position, and we'll be focusing on how wonderful he is. Love it. I've got to say, three good shouts. EFL expert, perfectly put.