Premier League predictions. What are your thoughts?
I do this at the start of every season and like most football fans, I get as much right as wrong but here we go.
[u]General Thoughts. [/u]
Firstly, I think that the days of the top six are over. Newcastle, Villa and perhaps Brighton form a premiership top nine and there is a gap between those teams and the rest of the league. There are also teams down the bottom with some major problems so I think it will be quite a stretched league with a gap between the best teams and the middle ones and again between the middle and the bottom.
So here we go:
1) Arsenal.
A young team packed with talent and seemingly on the rise. Saka is one of the best players in the league and they look stronger than last season. I'm boldly predicting them for the title because I think City will be weaker. I know that this is controversial and sorry to my Spurs-supporting friends but I don't care.
2) Man City
Champions for the last three seasons and treble winners. However, their squad (though outstanding in quality) is short on numbers. One or two long-term injuries would create huge problems. Also, Kovacevic is a downgrade on Gundoghan and they could be worn out by the drama and the amount of games last season. Guardiola is one of the greatest coaches of all time and they will still be very strong but I feel like being brave and I'm betting on them to miss out on the title.
3) Liverpool
They will definitely be better than last season and they will score a lot of goals. Question marks remain about their defense and they have completely changed their midfield. Their recruitment has been good and will be better if they land Caceido because they need a six. If they get him, they could be title contenders again.
4) Chelsea
Another bold prediction after last season's clusterf**k. Dodgey as it is, Saudi Arabia helped them shift all the dead wood and they are now left with a very young and very talented team. Poch is the right coach for these young players and - as A Burnley fan - I know that you can put together a new side to do very well if the fundamentals are right. And I think they are. No European fixtures are a help but they need a defensive midfielder badly.
5( Man Utd
Ten Haag is an excellent coach and they are moving in the right direction. However, they are still short in a few areas and I don't think Rasmus Højlund is good enough yet to be the main striker that this team needs. Last season was a slight over-achievement so I think they will miss out. Not Ten Haag's fault though so United fans shouldn't moan about him.
6) Spurs
Kane looks set to sign for Bayern and that leaves a massive hole. However, Ange is a good appointment and they have enough quality to have a decent season. No European football is a big help, otherwise, they would be lower. Will both score and concede a lot.
7-8-9
Newcastle, Villa, Brighton in that order. Villa and Brighton to go deep in Europe.
[u]Relegation battle[/u]
16) Fulham
Second season syndrome and probably losing Mitrovic.
17 Everton
Loads of problems and no money. I am predicting them to stay up only because this league has other weak teams and because Dyche is the perfect coach for their predicament.
18) Luton
Great heart and organisation but is too short on quality at this level. There is a huge gap between the Premiership and the Championship and it's getting bigger. They will get a few big wins and probably get over thirty points but -sadly - just miss out on staying up.
19) Wolves
Losing their coach and some key players. Not able to make signings and don't score enough goals. Gary O'Neil has one hell of a tough job on his hands.
20) Sheff Utd
I saw them play twice last season in the Championship and they pushed Burnley hard. A big, well-organised side who deserved their promotion. However, their financial problems mean that they have sold two of their best players and not replaced them. The owners seem to have written the season off already.
[u]Other Teams[/u]
I think Palace will start badly and sack Roy Hodgson but then improve because their squad is decent. I predict Burnley to be about 14th.
[u]General Thoughts. [/u]
Firstly, I think that the days of the top six are over. Newcastle, Villa and perhaps Brighton form a premiership top nine and there is a gap between those teams and the rest of the league. There are also teams down the bottom with some major problems so I think it will be quite a stretched league with a gap between the best teams and the middle ones and again between the middle and the bottom.
So here we go:
1) Arsenal.
A young team packed with talent and seemingly on the rise. Saka is one of the best players in the league and they look stronger than last season. I'm boldly predicting them for the title because I think City will be weaker. I know that this is controversial and sorry to my Spurs-supporting friends but I don't care.
2) Man City
Champions for the last three seasons and treble winners. However, their squad (though outstanding in quality) is short on numbers. One or two long-term injuries would create huge problems. Also, Kovacevic is a downgrade on Gundoghan and they could be worn out by the drama and the amount of games last season. Guardiola is one of the greatest coaches of all time and they will still be very strong but I feel like being brave and I'm betting on them to miss out on the title.
3) Liverpool
They will definitely be better than last season and they will score a lot of goals. Question marks remain about their defense and they have completely changed their midfield. Their recruitment has been good and will be better if they land Caceido because they need a six. If they get him, they could be title contenders again.
4) Chelsea
Another bold prediction after last season's clusterf**k. Dodgey as it is, Saudi Arabia helped them shift all the dead wood and they are now left with a very young and very talented team. Poch is the right coach for these young players and - as A Burnley fan - I know that you can put together a new side to do very well if the fundamentals are right. And I think they are. No European fixtures are a help but they need a defensive midfielder badly.
5( Man Utd
Ten Haag is an excellent coach and they are moving in the right direction. However, they are still short in a few areas and I don't think Rasmus Højlund is good enough yet to be the main striker that this team needs. Last season was a slight over-achievement so I think they will miss out. Not Ten Haag's fault though so United fans shouldn't moan about him.
6) Spurs
Kane looks set to sign for Bayern and that leaves a massive hole. However, Ange is a good appointment and they have enough quality to have a decent season. No European football is a big help, otherwise, they would be lower. Will both score and concede a lot.
7-8-9
Newcastle, Villa, Brighton in that order. Villa and Brighton to go deep in Europe.
[u]Relegation battle[/u]
16) Fulham
Second season syndrome and probably losing Mitrovic.
17 Everton
Loads of problems and no money. I am predicting them to stay up only because this league has other weak teams and because Dyche is the perfect coach for their predicament.
18) Luton
Great heart and organisation but is too short on quality at this level. There is a huge gap between the Premiership and the Championship and it's getting bigger. They will get a few big wins and probably get over thirty points but -sadly - just miss out on staying up.
19) Wolves
Losing their coach and some key players. Not able to make signings and don't score enough goals. Gary O'Neil has one hell of a tough job on his hands.
20) Sheff Utd
I saw them play twice last season in the Championship and they pushed Burnley hard. A big, well-organised side who deserved their promotion. However, their financial problems mean that they have sold two of their best players and not replaced them. The owners seem to have written the season off already.
[u]Other Teams[/u]
I think Palace will start badly and sack Roy Hodgson but then improve because their squad is decent. I predict Burnley to be about 14th.
41-45, M
