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| Who will be celebrating come May? |
The Premier League season is now only a day away and after all of the changes this summer it looks like another fantastic season is on its way. Jose Mourinho finished trophy-less last season - surely it cannot happen two years in a row? Can Manchester City become the first team since Manchester United in the 2008/09 season to retain the title? How will Liverpool adapt without Suarez? Will Louis Van Gaal be a success? and will Arsenal finally buy a quality striker and defensive midfielder?
The battle for the top four begins with both North-London and Merseyside clubs eyeing 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 1st.
TITLE - CHELSEA
Personally I do feel the winner will be Chelsea. I tipped them last season but Mourinho's failure to sort out the midfield as well as the lack of a world class front man played its part.
The latter of which has now been taken care of with the arrival of Diego Costa. Now I am a huge fan of this player. I really believe he will be a hit in the Premier League. He's big, powerful and a genuine goal scorer. I honestly expect 20+ goals in the Premier League this season from him.
My concern is the midfield. For me Mourinho last season put his faith in the wrong players too often. Oscar is a classic example of this. Players like Schurrle should have been in that starting team every week. I also feel Kevin De Burnye got some rough treatment as I was impressed with his performances.
Now this season Fabregas is the main man. Huge season for the former gunner. He will get plenty of game time and will be crucial if Chelsea are to regain the Premier League crown.
It is difficult to see where the weaknesses are as they seem so strong all over the field. Also unlike Manchester City I do not think their attitude and application week in week out will be an issue.
The latter of which has now been taken care of with the arrival of Diego Costa. Now I am a huge fan of this player. I really believe he will be a hit in the Premier League. He's big, powerful and a genuine goal scorer. I honestly expect 20+ goals in the Premier League this season from him.
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| Costa to fire Chelsea to the title |
Now this season Fabregas is the main man. Huge season for the former gunner. He will get plenty of game time and will be crucial if Chelsea are to regain the Premier League crown.
It is difficult to see where the weaknesses are as they seem so strong all over the field. Also unlike Manchester City I do not think their attitude and application week in week out will be an issue.
2ND - MANCHESTER CITY
Title holders Manchester City have kept the main bulk of the squad from last season without too many stand-out first-team additions. Caballero, Sagna and Fernando will add to the already impressive squad depth and provide further competition for the likes of Hart, Zabaleta and Fernandinho.
The main area that needed addressing was the centre of defence. City have for years been searching for someone decent to partner Kompany. Eliaquim Mangala is the latest man to try and fill this void. £32 million is a huge price tag for a defender but he comes with a very good reputation. Personally I have not seen him play so will reserve judgement at this time.
The main problem with City is as I said last year. It is the attitude of the players. I watched them last year throw away points away at sides like Aston Villa and Cardiff. Luckily for them in the end it did not matter as many of the other teams were doing the same. This year though it will cost them. Manuel Pellegrini has a job on to keep them focused week in week out. One of the problem is that the team is so strong that most weeks they know they are far superior to the opposition however this can make them lazy. Instead of getting 2/3 up they too often sit on a 1-0 lead and then end up in a needlessly precarious position towards the end of the game. Last season this cost them numerous points. If I were a fan this would frustrate me hugely.
Having said this they have a formidable front line and the ability to hit nearly any team in the league for six.
Title holders Manchester City have kept the main bulk of the squad from last season without too many stand-out first-team additions. Caballero, Sagna and Fernando will add to the already impressive squad depth and provide further competition for the likes of Hart, Zabaleta and Fernandinho.
The main area that needed addressing was the centre of defence. City have for years been searching for someone decent to partner Kompany. Eliaquim Mangala is the latest man to try and fill this void. £32 million is a huge price tag for a defender but he comes with a very good reputation. Personally I have not seen him play so will reserve judgement at this time.
The main problem with City is as I said last year. It is the attitude of the players. I watched them last year throw away points away at sides like Aston Villa and Cardiff. Luckily for them in the end it did not matter as many of the other teams were doing the same. This year though it will cost them. Manuel Pellegrini has a job on to keep them focused week in week out. One of the problem is that the team is so strong that most weeks they know they are far superior to the opposition however this can make them lazy. Instead of getting 2/3 up they too often sit on a 1-0 lead and then end up in a needlessly precarious position towards the end of the game. Last season this cost them numerous points. If I were a fan this would frustrate me hugely.
Having said this they have a formidable front line and the ability to hit nearly any team in the league for six.
On paper they are extremely strong and will be in and around the top 2/3 for the whole season. They will without doubt be a major threat in all competitions again this season.
3RD- ARSENAL
Yet again Arsene Wenger managed to get Arsenal into the top four last season despite not addressing key issues with the team. For the first half of last season Arsenal were flying. Top of the table and Aaron Ramsey could do no wrong. However as ever with Arsenal injuries to key personnel played a key role in destroying the fans dreams of a league title. Ramsey, Wilshire, Gibbs and Walcott were just some of the casualties who headed to the treatment room.
They also capitulated in key games being hammered by both Chelsea and Liverpool in embarrassing circumstances. For me the same problems have persisted for years and Wenger has ignored them. Arsenal are too easily bullied by the bigger sides all over the field. This is still and problem and I expect it to happen again this season as it still has not been addressed. In midfield they have a number of fantastically skilled players but they are all very lightweight and they seem only a light tackle away from a lengthy lay off.
They still ended the season top four and with an FA Cup win much to the fans delight as it is hoped this will be the springboard for more honours to come. Last weeks Community Shield victory against a sub-stanadrd Manchester City team should also provide them with the confidence to push on this season.
Wenger has recruited some top players this summer. Alexis Sanchez is a great player who I think will adapt to the Premier League quicker and more successfully than Mesut Ozil. Matheiu Debuchy will also add a competitive edge at right back. Personally I see this as an upgrade on Sagna. Also the signing of youngster Callum Chambers from Southampton is an interesting one. No doubt the lad has potential and I look forward to seeing him develop hopefully into a England player.
No main goalscorer and no midfield leader are the main issues for me. I am at a complete loss as to why they have not tried harder to sign Loic Remy. He would be ideal, cheap in comparison to others and would fit right into the team.
Oliver Giroud and Yaya Sanogo will not fire Arsenal to the title.
Yet again Arsene Wenger managed to get Arsenal into the top four last season despite not addressing key issues with the team. For the first half of last season Arsenal were flying. Top of the table and Aaron Ramsey could do no wrong. However as ever with Arsenal injuries to key personnel played a key role in destroying the fans dreams of a league title. Ramsey, Wilshire, Gibbs and Walcott were just some of the casualties who headed to the treatment room.
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| Predicting Sanchez to be a hit |
They still ended the season top four and with an FA Cup win much to the fans delight as it is hoped this will be the springboard for more honours to come. Last weeks Community Shield victory against a sub-stanadrd Manchester City team should also provide them with the confidence to push on this season.
Wenger has recruited some top players this summer. Alexis Sanchez is a great player who I think will adapt to the Premier League quicker and more successfully than Mesut Ozil. Matheiu Debuchy will also add a competitive edge at right back. Personally I see this as an upgrade on Sagna. Also the signing of youngster Callum Chambers from Southampton is an interesting one. No doubt the lad has potential and I look forward to seeing him develop hopefully into a England player.
No main goalscorer and no midfield leader are the main issues for me. I am at a complete loss as to why they have not tried harder to sign Loic Remy. He would be ideal, cheap in comparison to others and would fit right into the team.
Oliver Giroud and Yaya Sanogo will not fire Arsenal to the title.
4TH - LIVERPOOL
The loss of Luis Suarez is sure to have a huge impact on Liverpool. Despite my own personal dislike of the man, his contribution in making Liverpool title contenders last season was there for all to see. Personally I do think they were right to get rid and considering his indiscretions the offer was too good to turn down. I expect a major star-studdied signing from Liverpool is the next few weeks to replace Suarez. Falcao and Balotelli have both been linked and of the two Falcao would be the preferred option. Balotelli is high risk both on and off the field. He would also not bring the consistency to make them title winners this year.
For me a striker is a must. Lambert will be useful in the squad given the number of games they will have to play this season but he is not your main man. Daniel Sturridge is far too inconsistent for me, as I have said on numerous occasions and proved at the World Cup. He will get goals again this season because he gets so many chances in the league given the quality of the midfield supplying him however in those big games, maybe even in the Champions League, I would have no faith in him burying his maybe only chance.
Brendan Rogers has brought in Lovren, which in theory will be a good signing if he can replicate his Southampton form, even if £20 million was a tad overpriced. However one signing is simply not enough in this area. For me both full-backs are weaknesses, especially Glen Johnson at right-back. This man is a liability at the top level and will cost Liverpool numerous points this season.
I think the midfield area is strong again, with the introduction of both Adam Lallana and Emre Can only improving squad depth. Raheem Stirling will be the star again and I would expect 15 league goals at least from him.
I think Liverpool will struggle with the schedule of being back in the Champions League but do still expect a top four finish.
The loss of Luis Suarez is sure to have a huge impact on Liverpool. Despite my own personal dislike of the man, his contribution in making Liverpool title contenders last season was there for all to see. Personally I do think they were right to get rid and considering his indiscretions the offer was too good to turn down. I expect a major star-studdied signing from Liverpool is the next few weeks to replace Suarez. Falcao and Balotelli have both been linked and of the two Falcao would be the preferred option. Balotelli is high risk both on and off the field. He would also not bring the consistency to make them title winners this year.
For me a striker is a must. Lambert will be useful in the squad given the number of games they will have to play this season but he is not your main man. Daniel Sturridge is far too inconsistent for me, as I have said on numerous occasions and proved at the World Cup. He will get goals again this season because he gets so many chances in the league given the quality of the midfield supplying him however in those big games, maybe even in the Champions League, I would have no faith in him burying his maybe only chance.
Brendan Rogers has brought in Lovren, which in theory will be a good signing if he can replicate his Southampton form, even if £20 million was a tad overpriced. However one signing is simply not enough in this area. For me both full-backs are weaknesses, especially Glen Johnson at right-back. This man is a liability at the top level and will cost Liverpool numerous points this season.
I think the midfield area is strong again, with the introduction of both Adam Lallana and Emre Can only improving squad depth. Raheem Stirling will be the star again and I would expect 15 league goals at least from him.
I think Liverpool will struggle with the schedule of being back in the Champions League but do still expect a top four finish.
5TH - MANCHESTER UNITED
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| Tough first season for LVG ahead |
A new era at Manchester United has begun. New manager, new captain and maybe a new lease of life. Louis Van Gaal is in and looks like he means business. I expect a vast improvement on last season from United however if they are to finish in the top four or challenge for the title then signings are required. The current squad is not good enough for me to challenge for the title. They still lack a midfield powerhouse and defensive leaders. The back four or three depending on if he plays his favoured 3-5-2 looks weak. It is a massive season for Chris Smalling, Phil Jones and Johnny Evans. For me all three will be out the door this time next year should they fail. These are not three defenders I would trust given the performances I have seen from them. Also at full-back Luke Shaw is a great talent but is he ready? and Rafael has for me has always been a weak link/liability. I always feel the man is a red card waiting to happen. There seems far too many weaknesses in the defence and squad depth also appears an issue in this area.
Wayne Rooney has been given the armband and much is expected from him this season - they hope in leading United back to the top. He was woeful in the World Cup (as always) but expect a good season from him for United. I also expect Juan Mata to have a good year and start to stand out in United's matches.
Personally if the defensive area is not addressed LVG will not make them title contenders. They will be in a top four scrap and the weak defence means they will just miss out.
6TH - TOTTENHAM
Last season Tottenham were a disaster. The Bale money was not used in the wisest way and the team suffered. As I predicted last season centre-back was going to be a major weakness and it was with Spurs shipping far to many goals. Defensively I still think they are weak but the signing of young Englishmen Eric Dier could improve things.
I expect an improvement from new man Maurico Pochettino who did a great job at Southampton. It will take a while to maybe see the improvement but I expect that by the end of the season we will have seen a change in Spurs' play. Players such as Christian Erikson and forgotten man Eric Lamela will be the key to their successes this season.
Personally I can not see them getting in the top four.
7TH - EVERTON
Roberto Martinez did a great job last season and the permanent signings of Lukaku and Barry will aid their top four ambitions this season. For me they will fall short due to squad depth and like Hull City are contending with the Europa League. I expect a good season from Everton and probably a good run in the Europa League but their domestic form will suffer and end their dreams of the top four for this season at least.
I am interested to also see how Ross Barkley continues to develop and if Seamus Coleman can have another quality season.
8TH - SWANSEA
Good season for Swansea and I wouldn't rule out as an outsider for the FA Cup.
I am interested to also see how Ross Barkley continues to develop and if Seamus Coleman can have another quality season.
8TH - SWANSEA
Last season the Europa League had a major affect of Swansea's season. The squad was not strong enough the deal with it. Add to this the loss of Michu and Swansea were in trouble. However in Wilfried Bony they had a top striker and one who kept them in the league. Bony was hugely impressive and it is surprising he is still at Swansea. It will be interesting to see how he gets on in his second season - will it be second season syndrome like maybe Benteke suffered from or will he go from strength to strength?
Gary Monk has recruited well with Bafetimbi Gomis looking like he is going to be a handful. Also the return of Gylfi Sigurdsson is a great signing and I expect him to return to form this season finishing the season with about 10 goals.
9TH - NEWCASTLE
Now where to start. Newcastle have recruited 7 players into the first team squad this summer and as a fan I am still reeling. It needed to be done however I had no faith it would be. The signings are promising with Siem De Jong and Remy Cabella the eye-catchers.
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| Much expected of talented Cabella this season |
Another one I am interested to see is young left winger Rolando Aarons. He has looked fantastic in pre-season and for a me he must be pushing starting XI.
Major concern is still the defence - and as a fan this has been the case my entire life. Also with Loic Remy gone they desperately need new boy Emmanuel Rivere is step up. The lad has looked useful in pre-season and I am hoping for good things. Loic Remy and Yohan Cabaye contributed 20 goals last season and looking at the squad at the moment it is difficult to see them finding those goals from elsewhere. That is the big question with Newcastle, where are the goals coming from?
I am going to be positive and hope the new players do live up to or even surpass expectations leading to a good year for Newcastle.
Another dream in a good cup run.
Here's hoping that Pardew can get it right and the new players settle in quickly.
10TH - STOKE
Expect Stoke to build on last season with a solid defensive record but Bojan will provide more attacking potency .
I admit last season I got it wrong. I thought Mark Hughes would be a disaster and Stoke would go down. In fact they did extremely well finishing just inside the top half. Credit where credit is due he did a great job. This season the fans will be expecting as he has now had a year to 'change the style' as well as three transfer windows to improve the side.
The stand out capture is that of Bojan. The ex-Barcelona man is a great talent and one that many Stoke fans as well as neutrals are eager to see in the Premier League. He has been in top form in pre-season and I think could be the star of the season.
11TH - SOUTHAMPTON
It has been a tough summer for Saints fans having lost many of their star players. Lallana, Shaw and Lambert were all key components to their success last year and will be sorely missed. Losing your best players is bad enough but losing your manager also really is a disaster.
Ronald Koeman has come in and I think he has recruited ok. The signing of Shane Long will prove vital as this is a man who will get you 10-12 goals.
Heard plenty about Tadic and am looking forward to seeing how he fairs this season. One position that had been crying out for improvement was goalkeeper. I said it last season that the obvious target should be Fraser Forster and low and behold that's exactly who that got. He is a quality keeper and I am delighted to see him get a well deserved chance to impress in the Premier League.
Not as good as last season but a safe and solid season for Southampton.
It has been a tough summer for Saints fans having lost many of their star players. Lallana, Shaw and Lambert were all key components to their success last year and will be sorely missed. Losing your best players is bad enough but losing your manager also really is a disaster.
Ronald Koeman has come in and I think he has recruited ok. The signing of Shane Long will prove vital as this is a man who will get you 10-12 goals.
Heard plenty about Tadic and am looking forward to seeing how he fairs this season. One position that had been crying out for improvement was goalkeeper. I said it last season that the obvious target should be Fraser Forster and low and behold that's exactly who that got. He is a quality keeper and I am delighted to see him get a well deserved chance to impress in the Premier League.
Not as good as last season but a safe and solid season for Southampton.
12TH - HULL CITY
Hull have recruited well by getting Tom Ince, Harry Maguire and Robert Snodgrass. All three will add to an already solid squad. I expect them to be defensively strong again with Curtis Davies having another strong year.
Concerning that Shane Long has been sold however expect Bruce to splash the cash. Also they have the dreaded Europa League to deal with. It deeply affected Newcastle and Swansea's seasons in recent year with both clubs ending up in relegation fights. Do Hull have the squad to deal with the extra games and the constant Thursday/Sunday schedule and have a good season ? I think no.
But they will survive.
13TH - QUEENS PARK RANGERS
Harry Redknapp has been this usual self in the transfer window trying to buy everyone specialising in those past their best and not just on the field after Glen Hoddle joined the coaching staff. Steven Caulker and Rio Ferdinand have been brought in as centre backs which on the face of it is a dream partnership -one young promising and the other with over 10 years of Premier League and International experience. Although given Ferdinand's injury record I cannot see him playing 20 games. Also looking at his performances last season you would be worried. He looked a man way past his best and struggling with almost everything. Expect him to be continually caught out this season - leading to his retirement at the end of it.
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| Mutch was a stand out player for Cardiff last season |
Jordan Mutch is a good signing and I think he will impress again just as he did last year with Cardiff. Loic Remy would be a huge asset should he stay and goals would guarantee survival.
Going to take a gamble and say an up and down season but ultimately staying up as long as Loic Remy stays.
14TH - WEST BROM
Last season was a very tough one for fans of West Bromich Albion. After having a couple of stable years suddenly they were in a relegation dog-fight. The sacking of Steve Clarke for me made this worse and was a woeful decision by the board. Having somehow managed to have scrapped their way to survival this season the fans will be hoping for a more stress-free time.
Alan Irvine's appointment was not happily received by the fans and this had added more pressure immediately before the season has even started. Jolean Lescott is a good signing and will bring experience with Craig Gardener whilst Brown Ideye is the big money goalscoring hope.
The core of the squad with the likes of Morrison, Brunt, Dorrans, Foster, Sessegnon and youngster Berahino means they will they will be safe.
15TH - CRYSTAL PALACE
The departure of Tony Pulis is a huge blow to Palace. Before this announcement, despite having a quiet summer transfer window, I was predicting them a safe, solid season finishing 11th. However I am really not sure. The squad does not have the obvious quality to survive and without Pulis' organisation they could be in trouble.
Fraiser Campbell will provide an added goal-threat and Brede Hangeland will aid the defence.
I am predicting they will survive but without a manger going into opening weekend it is not looking ideal for Palace.
16TH - WEST HAM
Another manager in serious trouble is Sam Alladyce. I am will amazed if he is still in charge come November 1st. West Ham have had a dire pre-season and with the news of Carroll out until Christmas as well as the off-field disagreements with the board it is not difficult to see trouble ahead.
From what I have seen they are missing a serious goal threat and going forward they have looked very poor indeed. Having said this I am going to take a gamble on Valencia being a hit and helping the hammers to survival - but only just.
From what I have seen they are missing a serious goal threat and going forward they have looked very poor indeed. Having said this I am going to take a gamble on Valencia being a hit and helping the hammers to survival - but only just.
17TH - SUNDERLAND
Like for all the sides who I am predicting will be down the bottom the problem is goals. Sunderland are another team who are desperately weak in this area. Now that Poyet has had more time I am sure Sunderland will have more possession however they will have no cutting-edge. This is exactly what he did with Brighton. They played lovely possession football however could not put teams away on a regular basis. I expect a very similar incidence here although unlike the championship they will be punished for this more regularly.
Borini would be a good signing could they pull it off but he is not the goalscorer they need. Jack Rodwell is another interesting signing but how many games will he play?
Expect many low-scoring games involving Sunderland this season with Sunderland being right at the bottom of the goal-scored chart.
18TH - LEICESTER CITY
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| Will Ulloa be a hit in the Premier League? |
I cannot see Leicester having enough to survive.
Nigel Pearson is another one like Sam Alladyce and Paul Lambert who I think will be sacked before November 1st.
19TH - ASTON VILLA
Surely the time has come for Aston Villa. They have been flirting with relegation for the last few years and as the season approaches they are looking just as vulnerable again this season. Paul Lambert is certainly on borrowed time and personally can not see in still being in charge come November 1st. Roy Keane will likely take over however the squad is poor. I can foresee Villa again being on the end of some hammering this season.
Another relegation scrap looms but this time they will fall short - Villa fans must be worried.
20TH - BURNLEY
It is a very easy to write off Burnley this season. They are thought of as almost certainties to be relegated however after what happened with Crystal Palace last season you never know. Although as of this moment in time looking at the squad, with very few new additions, they do not look as if they have the quality to stay in the division.
Danny Ings is the star man but how many chances will he get?
Danny Ings is the star man but how many chances will he get?
