It is now time for me to put my neck on the line and make my predictions. Let's remember the transfer window is still open and club rosters have yet to be set. No excuses, just a friendly reminder. As I look into the future, it becomes clear to me that this season is loaded with plenty of question marks.
The defending Champions, Manchester United have strengthened substantially in the summer and look strong candidates to retain their title. But the big question is if David de Gea can replace Edwin van der Sar between the posts. In the past United have proven capable of winning the league without a solid number one, but this year the competition looks to be a lot stronger than before. Smart acquisitions by Sir Alex Ferguson (Ashley Young) and the emergence of youngsters Danny Welbeck and Tom Cleverley continue the Red Devils tradition of breeding new blood.
Chelsea is coming in with a new look and credible title challengers to the crown. They have a new young manager with new ideas for the team. Andre Villas-Boas first mission is getting Fernando Torres to find his old form. The returning Yossi Benayoun might be able to help Torres regain his reputation and provide the Blues with the playmaker they desperately need. Villas-Boas also has plenty of fire power upfront if Torres falters, the returning Daniel Sturridge has looked fantastic in pre-season and the recent acquisition of Romelu Lukaku gives the manager a problem most would gladly accept.
Manchester City on paper looks like a power house. The amount of talent in the squad is mind-blowing. But questions can be raised at Roberto Mancini's defensive tactics despite having all those weapons. Plus disharmony in the locker room amongst players with huge contracts that are not part of Mancini's plans could provide a major distraction to those who are. Regardless, the addition of Sergio Aguero helps their cause and no one can deny their strength if it’s harnessed properly. Mental toughness however is clearly lacking, they have a bad habit of losing focus and switching off before the final whistle. Not good enough if your trying to challenge for the title.
Liverpool will start the season focused on restoring the glory of years past, and trying to break back into the top four. John W. Henry made that clear this summer after splashing heavily into the transfer market and expecting Champions League soccer next season. A healthy Andy Carroll will help and with the addition of a natural winger in Stewart Downing providing him with the service, Carroll could have a huge season. Throw Luis Suarez into the mix and you can see why Kopites around the world are smiling. A title challenge looks a little premature but with over one hundred million pounds of investment spent, manager Kenny Dalglish has to get the Reds to produce on the pitch.
Arsenal limp into the season with the most questions of all the clubs. Will Fabregas finally be sold to Barcelona? Will Samir Nasri soon follow out the door? And will the Gunners ever reach the potential Arsene Wenger has promised. He failed to strengthen the squad where needed most and start the season with a number of high profile injuries. Thankfully for Gunners fans they aren't long term but without replenishing the ranks the threat of falling outside the Big Four is a big possibility.
Tottenham is another club who struggled all summer to strengthen and is more focused on retaining what they have, Luka Modric being the prime example. The Croatian handed in a transfer request and made his desire to join Chelsea public. Harry Redknapp has so far been able to hold on to Modric but has failed to sell some of the dead weight on the roster. Adding an ageing Brad Friedel was a positive, the American is more consistent then the error prone Gomes. But that’s not enough to break into the top four.
The next two clubs I have down to possibly push for a Europa League place are Sunderland and West Bromwich Albion. Steve Bruce has put the Jordan Henderson transfer money he received from Liverpool to good use, adding almost a dozen new faces to the Black Cats roster. Connor Wickham especially is one to watch. Now they will have to avoid their usual second half slump if they want to be taken seriously. West Brom is my pick to be this season's over achievers. Roy Hodgson had the Baggies playing great since taking over the club. Ben Foster is a major upgrade in goal and will keep them in games. Shane Long arrives from Reading and if he can form a strong partnership with last years stand out player Peter Odemwingie, West Brom has the potential to stop being a yo-yo club and threaten for a spot in the Europa League.
Following closely behind will be Everton, Aston Villa and Stoke City. The Toffees are notorious slow starters which usually is their downfall. Without adding to the squad David Moyes will have a tough job and Europe will be out of his reach. Aston Villa start the season with a new manager in Alex McLeish, minus two important players as Ashley Young and Stewart Downing were sold this summer. The addition of Charles N'Zogbia helps and will provide Darren Bent with the service he needs and Shay Given is a major improvement between the sticks. He alone will win games for the Villains this season. Stoke City will be playing in the Europa League this season which will really test Tony Pulis' squad. The Potters have somewhat strengthened their back line with the addition of Jonathan Woodgate and Matthew Upson but playing on two fronts will definitely prove to be too much.
Speaking of playing on two fronts, Fulham will see their side pushed to the limit. New manager Martin Jol had to start the new campaign early in the Europa League and will find things extremely difficult as the season progresses. Newcastle United comes in with major problems within their ranks. The sale of club captain Kevin Nolan after the departure of Andy Carroll last season has led to a major backlash. Add the Joey Barton soap opera and the recent sale of Jose Enrique; the magpies are in for a tough year. The return of Hatem Ben Arfa and additions of Demba Ba, Gabriel Obertan, Yohan Cabaye and Sylvain Marveaux will prevent the threat of relegation, which is a relief to the black and white of Tyneside.
The next two clubs will be struggling all year. Starting with Bolton, Owen Coyle will find it difficult to replicate the results from last season. Daniel Sturridge is back at Chelsea after his loan deal expired, Stuart Holden is still recuperating from a major injury, Johan Elmander was sold and the recent leg breaks of Lee Chung-Yong and Tyron Mears will be devastating. Wigan Athletic is used to being on the relegation bubble and will find it just as difficult this year to sustain their status. Every season Roberto Martinez watches his best player get sold without really being able to buy a replacement. Another grueling season awaits the Latics who continue to punch above their weight.
Out of the newly promoted clubs Norwich City looks the best suited to avoid the drop. David Lambert has added wisely to an already solid unit. Canadian International Simeon Jackson was a major bright spot teaming up with Gary Holt in the attack last term. On the defensive end the returning Robert Green has the quality to keep them safe.
Swansea City will struggle a little more, no disrespect to Brendan Rodgers, he has done well in Wales. The competition is just far superior to that of the Championship. But I do however think they will be in a better position then Queens Park Rangers. Despite how they dominated last season in the Championship, problems within will lead to a relegation battle that will be difficult to overcome. Adel Taarabt has asked for a move and adding Kieron Dyer was laughable at best. D.J. Campbell and Jay Bothroyd were key pick-ups but that’s where the positives end unfortunately for QPR.
The bottom two will suffer the same fate but for different reasons. Wolverhampton will begin their third campaign in the league and have always struggled to score goals. Lacking a true goal scorer that can provide the goals needed to win games. Mick McCarthy gave new acquisition Roger Johnson the captain’s armband but he will unfortunately suffer the same fate he did with Birmingham City last year.
And Finally I arrive at Blackburn. My heart goes out to them. After being purchased by Venky’s, Rovers have slid down the table drastically. The Indian based poultry company has made some poor decisions and the club has paid the price, the firing of Sam Allardyce has been costly. Steve Kean doesn't look like he can steady the ship and unfortunately they will suffer the pain of relegation. All this talk about signing big names and Champions league football by the owners seems to be smoke and mirrors. The sale of Phil Jones opened up funds to make changes, but only ten percent of that money has been used. The addition of David Goodwillie from Dundee United doesn't exactly show the same ambition on the pitch then what’s being spoken in the boardrooms and to the media.
We will see how good my prediction's are in May. Just sit back and enjoy the start of the Prem!
Top Four: Chelsea, Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool
5th - 8th: Arsenal, Tottenham, Sunderland, West Bromwich Albion
9th-13th: Everton, Aston Villa, Stoke City, Fulham, Newcastle United
14th-17th: Bolton, Wigan Athletic, Norwich City, Swansea City
Relegation: Queens Park Rangers, Wolves, Blackburn
FA Cup: Liverpool
Carling Cup: Arsenal
Leading Goal Scorer: Sergio Aguero
Top Keeper: Pepe Reina
Young Player of the Year: Jack Wilshere, Daniel Sturridge
Watch Out for: Aaron Ramsey, Luis Suarez, Tom Cleverley
Sack Race: Steve Kean, Alan Pardew, Neil Warnock
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