With the kickoff to the new Premier League season just hours away I’ve decided at the last minute, as I often do, to put my predictions down in writing. That way when the season draws to a close I can say, “Ye I predicted that” in an aloof manner and have the proof to back it up. If I’m wrong then this little piece shall quickly be confined to the annals of history and hopefully never mentioned again. Of course if I do get some right then expect a fair amount of drunken gloating, not my best quality but a quality nonetheless. Let me know what you think in the comments section as I’m almost sure to hurt some feelings, but frankly, I don’t really give a damn.
Premier League top 6: Man Utd, Man City, Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal, Tottenham
Man Utd are favourites for the title and for good reason. Yes they have lost a couple of experienced heads but Sir Alex has a knack for consistently reinventing his side, building a team capable of winning the title with their usual flair and swagger. I believe the injection of youth coupled with the anticipated challenge for the title by their city rivals will give them all the motivation they need to claim their 20th title in the Premiership’s 20th year.
Man City have to be considered serious contenders just by sheer force of numbers, or in this case quality. These players have had one more season together and should be a much more cohesive unit than we saw at times last season. The signing of Sergio Aguero, coupled with the retention of Carlos Tevez and sprinkling of talent in the form of Edin Dzeko and Mario Balotelli and you have a team capable of tearing the league apart. For me question marks still hang over the head of Roberto Mancini and his negative style of football but if they manage to challenge for the title he may still be in a job next season.
I expect a tough first season in the job for Andre Villas-Boas. An aging squad and the youngest manager in the league should make for an interesting combination. If he can get the best out of his misfiring striker, Fernando Torres, then they may mount a strong challenge. I don’t expect him to be given the chance to mould his own squad and I wouldn’t be surprised if the notoriously short sighted Abramovich cuts his two year contract short at the end of this season. Perhaps the Man City job beckons for him come 2012/2013.
Liverpool and King Kenny have spent large sums of cash on English talent and this should see them edge above Arsenal in the race for Champions League football. The partnership of Carrol and Suarez upfront could prove to be one of the most dynamic in the Premiership. Kenny has also bought a balance to the side with the purchase of three left footed players including a much needed left back and a winger. If they start the season like they finished the last then there is no reason why they can’t finish higher up the table than 4th.
I place Arsenal in 5th at my own peril. For the last few seasons their place among the top 4 has been questioned and they have answered their critics on every occasion. They have been enjoying Champions League football at Highbury/Emirates for every year of Arsene Wenger’s reign, so why should this season be any different? Wenger seems to be losing the faith of the fans and the loss of Cesc Fabregas and possibly Samir Nasri isn’t going to lighten their mood. They have made a good signing in the shape of Gervinho which may offer them a plan-B when their slick passing football fails them but they are crying out for a solid centre back and a dependable goalkeeper. I’m afraid until Wenger addresses these problems they will be also-rans as they have been for the last 6 trophyless years.
Tottenham have managed to retain the services of all of their key players which stands them in good stead for the season ahead. They have however failed to add any substantial talent to their squad and they risk slipping down the pecking order in the face of stronger challenges from Liverpool and Man City. They are lacking a 20 goal a season striker and I don’t see Crouch, Pavlychenko and Defoe being able to fire them into the top 4. They will risk losing their stars such as Bale and Modric to the allure of Champions League football at the end of the season.
Premier League bottom 3: Wolves, Swansea, Norwich
Wolves managed to survive by the skin of their teeth on a final day in which they spent most of the 90 minutes in the relegation zone. With not much done to strengthen their squad they may find themselves one place further down, which means one league down come next season.
I expect Swansea to be the Blackpool of this season, playing expansive football under Brendon Rogers, picking up fans along the way but ultimately paying the price for trying to play the game in the right way. Much will depend on their home form, which was the best in the Championship last season, and the form and fitness of Scott Sinclair.
Norwich find themselves in the Premiership after back-to-back promotions and I fear that the quality of the Premier League may be a bridge too far for the Canaries. Their squad is lacking in Premier League experience and are rightfully among the favourites to head straight back down.
Premier League top scorer: Robin Van Persie
I sound like a stuck record. For years I’ve been calling RVP to be the top scorer in the prem but every season he’ll start like a house of fire then he’ll proceed to get injured and end up 5th on the list. So I go out on a limb again this year after his unbelievable run at the end of last season and maybe, just maybe, he’ll stay fit enough to bag 25 goals.
First Premier League manager to be sacked: Steve Kean
Steve Kean struggled toward the end of last season with a Blackburn squad that is woefully short on quality. I don’t expect him to last too long this season, with perhaps a more experienced manager coming in to fill the role at Ewood Park.
Promotion to the Premiership: Leicester City, West Ham, Nottingham Forest
Looking at the Championship and picking three sides to get promoted is one of the hardest things you can do. Leicester City have compiled a squad of Football League elite and under the guidance of Sven-Göran Eriksson they should find their way back to England’s top league.
I fancy West Ham to bounce straight back under the guidance of “Big Sam”. They have managed to hold onto many of their key players such as Carlton Cole and Scotty Parker as well as making some good signings including ex-Newcastle captain Kevin Nolan who made his name under Big Sam at Bolton.
Nottingham Forest have suffered play-off heartbreak on many occasions in recent seasons but with the signing of former England manager Steve Mclaren they have a man with a proven track record in England and in Europe. I fancy them to go one better this season win the most lucrative match in football, the play-off final.
FA Cup winners: Chelsea
It’s not all doom and gloom for Andre Villas-Boas as I expect him to pick up a trophy in his first English season. Both AVB and Chelsea have good pedigrees cup football and I expect them to continue that tradition with a F.A Cup triumph.
Carling Cup winners: Liverpool
Liverpool are the most successful club in the history of the Carling Cup, covering its many reincarnations. With no European football to focus on this season I believe King Kenny will concentrate on bringing some silverware to Anfield through the domestic cup competitions and the Carling Cup provides him with a great chance to do just that.
Champions League winners: Bayern Munich
I could’ve played it safe here and gone for the expected Barcelona. I mean with the signing of Alexis Sanchez and possibly Cesc Fabregas this Barcelona side have a chance to write their names into history and I expect them to do so. But why play it safe? Bayern Munich have always been up there at the business end of this competition and with a couple astute signings they could really challenge for European honours. Most importantly the signing of Manuel Neuer has finally filled the prodigious hole left by Oliver Kahn.
Europa League winners: PSG
With the money pouring into the French capital from Qatari investors the Parisian club has made some headline signings on and off the pitch. Their starting line-up reads like a Ligue 1 dream team and with the record signing of Javier Pastore PSG have shown they really mean business in their bid to find their way back into Europe’s elite. They should start off that journey with victory in the Europa League.
Regards
The Commodore
