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Robbie Savage

Robbie Savage predicts YOUR TEAM'S final Premier League position as 2022-23 season resumes

Now, where were we before the World Cup?

Arsenal resume the Premier League season on Boxing Day against West Ham with Mikel Arteta's side standing five points clear at the top ahead of reigning champions Manchester City. Newcastle United - with only one loss to their name - and Tottenham currently round off the top four, while in the bottom three, Nottingham Forest, Southampton and Wolves are in the relegation zone.

But I think the table will look very different next May. Taking into account the total number of minutes played by their players at the World Cup, here's my view of where each club will finish. You don't have to agree with my opinion – but Merry Christmas, whoever you support.

1 – MANCHESTER CITY

World Cup minutes: 4,624

They will win the title comfortably – again.

Although their players played more World Cup minutes than any other Premier League club, they have the depth of quality to cope easily, and there was no sign of any hangover against Liverpool in the Carabao Cup on Thursday night. I expect them to reel in Arsenal and leave them behind.

2 – MANCHESTER UNITED

World Cup minutes: 3,873

Erik ten Hag's World Cup contingent will come back from Qatar full of confidence, especially the defenders. Harry Maguire had an excellent World Cup, Lisandro Martinez won it with Argentina and Raphael Varane reached the final with France. And up front, Marcus Rashford is flying.

Resurgent United will prosper without Cristiano Ronaldo.

Marcus Rashford was back with a bang for United, scoring in the Carabao Cup (Getty Images)

3 – ARSENAL

World Cup minutes: 1,699

That injury Gabriel Jesus suffered at the World Cup with Brazil has given Gunners boss Mikel Arteta a huge test.

Although Jesus had not scored in 11 appearances before the break, his all-round contribution was so integral in Arsenal's flying start.

4 – LIVERPOOL

World Cup minutes: 1,788

Surely they will find some consistency, and regain their swagger, after such a patchy start?

Mo Salah will be raring to go after the World Cup break, and I expect Darwin Nunez to kick on and fire them back above the dotted line.

5 – TOTTENHAM

World Cup minutes: 3,687

Antonio Conte's players played the third-most minutes of World Cup football between them, and it will be interesting to see how they cope with the fall-out.

Conte is a winner, but a top-four finish will be a stretch from here.

6 – NEWCASTLE

World Cup minutes: 458

With the joint-lowest goals against record to date, there is growing talk of Champions League football on Tyneside next season.

Last year, they didn't win any of their first 14 games. Just let that sink in.

Eddie Howe's Newcastle have lost just once so far this term (Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images)

7 – CHELSEA

World Cup minutes: 3,326

A big month for head coach Graham Potter.

There is no doubting his ability, and he steered them through the Champions League group comfortably, but football is a results business and Chelsea's Premier League results need to improve fast.

8 – BRIGHTON

World Cup minutes: 1,544

What a fantastic thing, for a club like Brighton, to welcome Alexis Mac Allister back to the Amex as a World Cup winner.

And I expect Roberto de Zerbi will keep the Seagulls flying high.

9 – LEICESTER

World Cup minutes: 982

Just three months ago, the calls for manager Brendan Rodgers to go were deafening after a 6-2 defeat at Tottenham.

But they will keep climbing the table with expert coaching and a strong work ethic.

James Maddison didn't play a minute for England in Qatar. (Getty Images)

10 – FULHAM

World Cup minutes: 1,333

Favourites to go down back in August, their energy and tempo was refreshing before the break.

They can target a top-half finish if talisman and leading scorer Aleksandr Mitrovic stays fit.

11 - CRYSTAL PALACE

World Cup minutes: 406

With all that firepower – Zaha, Olise, Edouard, Mateta and Eze – there is nothing to worry about at Selhurst Park.

The Eagles will be fresh because Palace players had the second-lowest aggregate of game time at the World Cup in the division.

12 – BRENTFORD

World Cup minutes: 518

They will be fine. I don't know why, because there is uncertainty about striker Ivan Toney's availability over betting allegations, but I just think they will be fine.

Manager Thomas Frank will find a way to keep the Bees' heads above water.

Thomas Frank continues to do a remarkable job at Brentford (Chloe Knott/Getty Images)

13 – ASTON VILLA

World Cup minutes: 1,216

Unai Emery will steady the ship after the turbulence which cost Steven Gerrard his job.

But it may not be until next season that Villa push on up the table and knock on the door of the top six.

14 – WEST HAM

World Cup minutes: 1,153

Left behind at the starting gate, the Hammers have been playing catch-up all season.

However, David Moyes' experience and know-how will be their biggest asset, and they are going well in Europe again.

15 – EVERTON

World Cup minutes: 824

The new stadium at Bradley Moore Dock is taking shape, but another relegation battle lies ahead.

It's critical that manager Frank Lampard is given the funds to add another striker to supplement Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Neal Maupay.

The Toffees desperately need Dominic Calvert-Lewin fit and back to his best (Everton FC/Everton FC via Getty Images)

16 – BOURNEMOUTH

World Cup minutes: 495

Under new ownership, and now Gary O'Neil has been confirmed as full-time manager following an impressive interim spell, I think they will confound pre-season odds and be OK.

Not with much to spare, but OK.

17 – NOTTINGHAM FOREST

World Cup minutes: 865

There were positive signs of life, after a worrying autumn, when the World Cup break came around.

Steve Cooper delivered one miracle to win promotion, and I fancy him to come up with another.

18 – LEEDS

World Cup minutes: 692

I predicted they might drop before a ball was kicked, and sadly I have not seen enough over the first 14 games to change my mind.

Only Southampton have conceded more goals so far and Jesse Marsch might be facing a rough ride.

19 - WOLVES

World Cup minutes: 515

Going down?

Bruno Lage paid the price for a sluggish start, but his successor at Molineux, Julen Lopetegui, has inherited the lowest scorers in the division – and that will be his biggest problem heading into 2023.

20 – SOUTHAMPTON

World Cup minutes: 270

It's always good to see young British coaches being given a chance in the top flight, but I fear new Saints manager Nathan Jones may have bitten off more than he can chew.

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