Premier League Predictions

Will United be celebrating come May?

The Premier League season is now only a day away and after all of the changes this summer I can say that it will be the most interesting season ever. Four of last season's top six have changed their manager and never before has there been so many questions before the start of the season. Will Jose Mourinho be successful again? How will United fare without Sir Alex Ferguson? How will City and new man Pellegrini perform? Rooney/Suarez/Bale transfers? and the age old classic, will Arsenal actually spend any money?  to name but a few.

Astonishingly of the predictions I have seen hardly any pundit is tipping Manchester United for the title. The lack of any summer signings, the departure of Ferguson and suddenly it would seem the champions are vulnerable. It would seem the return of Mourinho has lead many to believe its Chelsea's title. Manchester City have continued spending, splashing out 90 million, but will it bring the title back to the Ethiad?

The battle for the top four begins with both North-London and Merseyside clubs eyeing a top four spot.

How will the newly promoted sides do? Who's staying up and who's going down?

Time for me to predict the season as I feel it would turn out should the current squads still be the same come September 2nd.

TITLE - CHELSEA 

Return of the Special one

Personally I do feel the winner will come from the big three and I, like many of the pundits, am tipping Chelsea. Maybe it is the Mourinho factor but I just feel with Jose in charge they will be on top come May. In Eden Hazard and Juan Mata they have two World Class players which will concern any opposing side. I also like the look of Kevin De Burnye as an attacking option and think we will see plenty of him this year. Also with the experience of Frank Lampard surrounded by such talent really is a side to be feared.

My only concern is Torres due to his form and performances over the past two years. However the return of Lukaku, after a great season at West Brom,  presents a threat to Torres' place in the side. Mourinho still may make a big name signing before the window shuts with Rooney his obvious target.

2ND - MANCHESTER CITY 

For City, it is the attitude of the players. For me they have the best squad of players in the League, as they did last year. But when I watched them last year they looked lazy and I know they have a new manger now but I still think it is questionable. New man Manuel Pellegrini has a job on to focus them and make them a team again. The signing of Jesus Navas has improved the side and I expect a great season from him. City will need David Silva, Yaya Toure and Vincent Kompany back to form of 2011/12. I fear for the defence as it does look vulnerable and recently performances from Joe Hart do not inspire confidence.

On paper the team is excellent and expect them to give Newcastle a thrashing monday night.

3RD- MANCHESTER UNITED

I think David Moyes will struggle. It is never easy to follow a club legend. It will take time for him to make the squad his own however feel desperately that the squad needs new players to bolster its chances. As of today I think I am being kind in saying they will be third. If they make 3 top signings in the next two weeks then they are right back in it. A world class midfielder is a must and a position that has been calling out for signings for past 3 years.

The likes of Ton Cleverley and Ashley Young for me are not good enough for United. I feel the squad left by Ferguson is not as strong as people have made out and this will be exposed this season. 

The Rooney situation is harming them at present and until this is resolved it will continue to do so. Personally I think his future at United is in jeopardy as so many bridges have been burnt but I think they cannot afford to let him go. 

The air of invincibility seemed to have been removed due to the non-presence of Sir Alex Ferguson and I think his departure will boost others as no longer are you taking on the great Manchester United with a legendary manager.

Robin Van Persie will provide the goals but feel at present that it will be a long, tough season ahead for Moyes.

4TH - TOTTENHAM 

Will he stay or will he go?

Tottenham have brought in the likes of Paulinho, Soldado, Chadli and Capoue, spending 60 million in the process. The squad looks strong and they have cleared many of the weaker players out. The area of concern would be at centre back due to departures of Gallas and Caulker without replacements as of yet. I would say that IF they keep Bale I would tip them for top four and maybe even challenge 3rd. However I think Bale leaves their battle for top four will be lost.

5TH - LIVERPOOL

Liverpool have dreams of the top four and should Liverpool keep Suarez they will feel they have a chance. Coutinho looked a top player when he was signed in January and many have high hopes for him this season. The signing of Kolo Toure will bring experience but personally even with Suarez I do not think Liverpool will make it as they are not strong enough but they will go very close. I do think more signings will come before the window ends. I feel they will just pip Arsenal but only if Suarez stays and wants to play.

6TH - ARSENAL

Arsenal are roundly being tipped to miss out of top four to Spurs. Arsenal fans have had a very frustrating summer having been linked with so many top names but signing.... none one of them. With 17  players gone and only 1 in (20 year-old striker, free transfer from France) fans will wonder what is going on. The only positive is that the 17 players gone will not be missed, much of the deadwood has been cleared leaving room in the squad and money in wages to be spent elsewhere. However with two weeks to go in the transfer window time is running out. Arsene Wenger is under pressure. It would seem they have pinned all their hopes on a deal for Suarez which is looking increasing unlikely to come off. Fans will worry about panic buying in last few days of the window as happened before when Arsenal signed Park and Santos. Two players who never should have been signed.  As of today, with Bale I feel Tottenham are stronger and would tip them for top four. However the loss of Bale and Arsenal suddenly sign the 2/3 top players required then I would tip Arsenal not only for top four but put them in with a title shot as the arrival of big signings could also inspire and lift the hugely talented players already there. The squad clearly has talent but needs a lift or another season of discontent could follow.

7TH - EVERTON

For Everton, Roberto Martinez takes charge of an already top squad of players. The signing of Kone will boost the attacking options and although I think they will impress this season I do not think they will make the top four with the current squad. Keeping the likes of Fellani and Baines will be key to their season ambitions. Fancy Everton for decent run is FA Cup.

8TH - SWANSEA

In terms of a surprise top four contender, as Newcastle were two year back, I think Swansea could be that one. The demands of Europa League will test the squad and so their chances will be affected (look how it affected Newcastle last season). At this moment they would not seem not to have the squad depth or quality to maintain a serious challenge for the top four. Swansea will have a solid year and the signing of Wilfred Bony will take some of the pressure of Michu.

9TH - WEST HAM

Carroll to take West Ham into top half

I feel West Ham will have another good season and do not think they will be in danger of relegation. For West Ham a fit Andy Carroll will provide the goals needed to survive. The recruitment of Stewart Downing has surely been done with providing Carroll in mind. It is a big year for both of these players as the World Cup squad will be a target (should we qualify).

10TH - WEST BROM

I feel West Brom will have another good season and do not think they will be in danger of relegation. Lukaku will be a big miss for West Brom however the signing of Nicolas Anelka and Matej Vydra are promising and they will provide plenty of goal threat. Steve Clarke's side to have a very solid season.

11TH -  SOUTHAMPTON

Southampton played some very good football in the second part of last season and they will hope to reproduce that on a regular basic this year. I think Rickie Lambert will continue to score and Luke Shaw is a promising player. Do feel they overpaid for Celtic's Victor Wanyama and will be interesting to see how he adapts to the Premier League. 

12TH - NORWICH

Norwich have recruited well and I feel Chris Hughton will be delighted with the calibre of players he has brought in. I believe they have enough quality to stay in the division and be a very good side to watch. Only problem I can foresee is getting goals as Ricky Van Wolfswinkel and Gary Hooper are unproven at Premier League level.

13TH - FULHAM
The signing of Darren Bent by Fulham is a great bit of business. The striker goal record speaks for itself. I am sure if Bent has an injury free year and gets playing time he will fire Fulham to a safe mid-table position. This along with the class of Berbatov gives Fulham a threatening attacking line-up, which can not be said for others in the division. If these two stay fit a top half finish is not out of there reach.

Never dull when Paulo is around

14TH - SUNDERLAND

With Paulo Di Canio as manager you know it is not going to be a quiet year at Sunderland. They have recruited a number of new players and I expect to see a different Sunderland this year, not so inconsistent. You can be sure they will be a difficult team to beat and will run and run. Scoring goals will be the problem.

15TH - ASTON VILLA

The biggest success for Villa will be keeping Christian Benteke. For this reason alone I think they will avoid relegation. I do not think they will have the good season that people are suggesting they will. For me they are weak. They have been for the last 3 years and in my opinion have been hugely lucky to survive the past two seasons. They will be involved in the scrap but Benteke gives them that quality that other do not have.

Loic Remy: Newcastle's only summer signing 

16TH - NEWCASTLE UNITED

Always a very difficult job predicting a Newcastle season. As a fan I do fear as it is almost the same side from the nightmare campaign of last year. No Europa League this year will help the small squad however its does not look good. A lack of attacking options is a major major concern. Also the defence consists of only Captain fantastic Collocini. Without him they appear are totally lost. 

A tough season for sure without signings in next two weeks, a striker and a centre back are a must. Even with Remy, who I rate very highly, they appear woeful short of attacking options. The Gomis deal looks dead, Bent has gone to Fulham and signings look nowhere near done. Also with rumours of Cabaye's departure, things are looking bleak. I hope the January signings such as Moussa Sissoko can rediscover some form as well as Cisse finding the net again. 

17TH - CARDIFF 

Despite having money I think Cardiff are in real danger of going down. I think they need 3/4 players before the window ends but I think they will get them.  The signing of Steven Caulker should aid a defence who are sure to be busy most weeks. The club has plenty going for it and think they will just survive. Again like many down the bottom the problem is goals.   

18TH - STOKE 

I think Stoke will go down this year. This is Mark Hughes' final chance having had a poor time at Manchester City and QPR. He was a success at Blackburn Rovers but that was years ago now and he has an air of failure about him. I think that despite the criticism he received even from his own fans, this season will reveal the top job Tony Pulis did.

19TH - HULL

Difficult season ahead for Crystal Palace

Steve Bruce's Hull will struggle this season. Signing of Danny Graham, Tom Huddlestone and Jake Livermore will give them Premier League experience but feel that they will not have enough.

20TH - CRYSTAL PALACE

I think Crystal Palace are going to be on the end of some absolute hammering this season and honestly think they will be bottom of the league. They just do not have the quality to survive. 

The Problems With The London Broncos

London embarrassed in Cup semi-final. 

I have waited a few weeks after the 70-0 mauling by Wigan Warriors in the Challenge Cup semi-final to write this one as to have a serious think about the London Broncos current situation. The Broncos are bottom of the Super League massing a mighty 8 points from 24 games. Despite having a few games to go I seriously doubt this points tally will improve.

With the announcement by the RFL that the Super League will revert to a 12 team tournament from 2015, the place of the Broncos in that new set-up is very much at risk. It is no surprise that many feel that the Broncos will be removed as they have a small fanbase and a poor quality side. The 'London experiment' , as they are often referred to , would seem to have failed to produce a top Super League side.

There are many problems with the current set-up of the London Broncos and many mistakes have been made in the past, notably calling themselves Harlequins like the Union team. Firstly, and the biggest problem is the idea of identity. London as a place for a team has no identity. The city is divided into different areas, as can be seen with the football. This idea of a team 'London' just does not work. Just look at the basketball, ice hockey and American Football sides they have created. All have failed. In the Rugby Union those with London in their name actually play outside London, e.g London Irish.

This is also not helped by the constant change of home. The Broncos have moved ground so many times that the fans they may have gained whilst playing at one venue with now have to travel miles to watch them. Personally the idea of Fulham RL as it was originally was the way forward. I understand that in the current sporting climate and the financial power of the Premier League, that gaining such a partnership is almost impossible. If they were able to return to Fulham and call themselves Fulham RL the issue of identity would improve. You could also gain some of the Football fans if it is sold the right way, a long-shot it may be , but you never know. 10,000 attended they original first game at Craven Cottage when they beat Wigan back in 1980.

The third problem is the change of tactic regarding players. In the past it was mainly northerners with some australians/New Zealanders and maybe a couple of Londoners. Recently they have this dream of a team winning the Super League being full of Londoners. This does not work. The Londoners coming through the system are not yet at the level needed to compete. In the last 20 years the only one who has come through and gone on to success is Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook. One player. Kieron Dixon is another currently talked highly of however we wait to see how he turns out. You look at some of the local club sides in Yorkshire and Lancashire they are producing at least one at every age group.

I understand that the game appeal and popularity is far greater in Yorkshire and Lancashire compared with London however considering the population of 8 million I still feel they are under performing. As a result the quality of the team and its ability to compete has deteriorated for years.

They constantly talk of the terrific youth set-up and the number of children playing the game now in the capital but they just are not coming through.  At this moment the Broncos are unable to compete in the Super League. Tony Rea must look on in despair considering the players he had in the old Broncos team compared to this one.

This coming off-season is huge. They must go back to the old strategy of quality northerners with a few quality Australians/New Zealanders. They need people of experience who know the game. Far too many times this season they have looked totally lost as to what to do.

The target should be to try and bring through one/two Londoners into the main squad each year if they are good enough, as it is with some football clubs. It is the only way the Broncos can survive at present. If they do not change then next season will be like this one and they will for sure lose their Super League place.

My dream is the return of Fulham, but I know that this is as likely as Wayne Rooney signing for the Wigan Warriors. This along with the return to the  policy regarding players is the only way I can see the Broncos having a long-term and successful future. 

I want Rugby League to succeed in London and the UK as it is a great game. Unfortunately the stubbornness and inverted-snobbery of this northern idea of 'our game' and the M62 corridor has stopped it's progression. The failure of the Rugby League to spread to areas such as the Midlands and Cumbria just shows it lack of ambition. I want to see a successful World Cup and hope Wembley is packed for its matches however I doubt it will be.

I live in the South-East and am a big fan of Rugby League but look on in despair at the games failures in marketing and expansion. So many mistakes have been made over the years and despite leading the way in terms of innovation with the likes of video technology and most recently ref-cam the game has fallen behind. There are many reasons for this however fundamentally many have arisen from Red Hall and the RFL.