2014-15 Predictions
On the eve of the Premier League season, I felt it was only right that I recorded my predictions for the next 9 months. No 2,000 word essays this time, just an easy read on what my crystal ball says. I'm not exactly jumping with excitement for this season and could definitely have done with a longer break, but the return of Fantasy League has me semi-revved up. Anyway, without further ado.....
1. Chelsea
It's only a matter of time until Mourinho gets the title back and, with Fabregas, Costa and Filipe added, their squad looks devastating. The league's best defence now has a good striker to excel at the other end.
2. Man City
Slightly underwhelming champions last season, despite some heavy home wins. Mangala could form a formidable partnership with company but the signings of Sagna, Fernando and Lampard won't do much. Aguero's fitness is a worry - as always - and I think they'll just miss out this year.
3. Arsenal
This'll be the closest Wenger's men have came in a long time. Sanchez will settle in to be a superstar and Debuchy is an improvement on Sagna. Giroud isn't quite good enough, though.
4. Man United
Without any European football and with a good manager, the Red Devils will be much improved. Then again, 4th place still feels sacriligious for this club. An unconvincing defence will be cancelled out be the incredible prospect of Mata behind Rooney and Van Persie. A good start to the Van Gaal era.
5. Liverpool
Quite frankly, Liverpool overachieved last season and now they've lost their world class striker. They've wasted a lot of money this summer, as I doubt Lovren and Lallana will add much to them. However, Rodgers has bulked up his squad and can still rely on the wonderful Daniel Sturridge.
6. Everton
Controversial, maybe, but Roberto Martinez's men have a fearless buzz around them. On their day, they can and often do beat the big teams, they just need to maintain such form against the lower sides. Lukaku, Coleman, Barkley, Stones and McCarthy are a great young core to put with Howard and Baines.
7. Tottenham
Pochettino has a huge squad, with patches of quality, but they flatter to deceive. I don't expect them to collapse in games, like against Man City and Liverpool, but they'll be solid. Eric Dier is a good signing, whilst Christian Eriksen should continue his fine end to last season. Erik Lamela will finally shine.
8. Swansea
The gap between 7th and 8th will remain huge, but Swansea have a good look about them. Players like Sigurdsson, Bony, Williams and Dyer will shine but their weakness is manager Garry Monk. I'm interested to see how Jefferson Montero copes with English football.
9. Stoke
Samd old stuff from Stoke, whose squad has enlargened with the additions of Phil Bardsley, Bojan, Mame Diouf and Steve Sidwell. Expect Shawcross and Begovic to form a solid base, whilst they continue to win home games. Can Arnautovic replicate his half-a-season form over a full year?
10. West Ham
After avoiding the sack, Sam Allardyce was told to get his team playing more attractive football to pacify the fans. By signing target men Enner Valencia and Diafra Sakho, with midfield monster Cheikhou Kouyate, I'm not sure he got the message. Mauro Zarate could be exciting though, whilst Aaron Cresswell's left foot should be a shrewd purchase.
11. Newcastle
Where to begin? I believe the squad will underachieve again because - whilst they have some magnificent players like Cabella, Ben Arfa and De Jong - Alan Pardew will always hinder them. Ben Arfa won't even get a game. If you've met me for three minutes, you'd know I despise the man, so maybe I'm biased. But a lot of the Toon Army are slowly waking up from this mass brainwashing - perhaps finishing lower than last season will finally finish off The King! Cup exits at the earliest stage possible, of course.
12. QPR
The transfer policy at Loftus Road seems a lot more stable than before. By signing Steven Caulker, Jordan Mutch and the fantastic Mauricio Isla, I see a comfortable season for Harry Redknapp's men. I like the prospect of Charlie Austin getting his Premier League chance - but can they keep hold of Loic Remy?
13. Southampton
They've been annihilated, decimated and ripped apart by other teams - mainly Liverpool - but the Saints got very generous fees for all but Lambert. I don't think they'll particularly miss Dejan Lovren, although splashing that money on Graziano Pelle, Shane Long and Florin Gardos is silly. Dusan Tadic is one to watch, though. They'll be far worse than last season but the dross below them will keep them afloat.
14. Hull
Steve Bruce has a decent squad but how will Europa League affect them? Expect nothing spectacular from his team.
15. Aston Villa
They're still all about Christian Benteke and I can't believe Paul Lambert has recruited like this once again. Kieran Richardson, Philippe Senderos and Joe Cole will do nothing for them, whilst losing Ron Vlaar could be disastrous. A dour, miserable season awaits.
16. Crystal Palace
The departure of Tony Pulis last night has dramatically changed mine and everyone else's expectations for the Eagles. They would've been in mid-table safety had Pulis remained but could easily get relegated now. Having said that, they'll be another team saved by the low quality of teams and they'll have some self-belief based on how last season ended.
17. Sunderland
Gus Poyet's side are awful and could easily get relegated. Their centre back pairing is rusty, right now they have no quality strikers and still rely on the inconsistent Adam Johnson to have good days. Signing Jack Rodwell is a huge risk and I don't think they've bought well enough. But they'll just about stay up.
18. Burnley
Sean Dyche must be frustrated at his side's transfer activity, as barely any quality has been added to his Championship side. Kieran Trippier and Danny Ings are their better players, yet have no top flight experience. Their squad is tiny, bereft of quality and it could be a long, hard season for Dyche.
19. West Brom
The appointment of Alan Irvine as manager is confusing. Surely there were better options available. They had a lot of players on loan last season who haven't been replaced adequately. Whilst their defence is fairly solid, their midfield is lacking in quality and their choice of strikers is embarrassing. Unless they have a superb deadline day and get lucky with other teams' failures, I can only see relegation for the Baggies.
20. Leicester
For me, Leicester will finish bottom. Whilst I see Leonardo Ulloa getting a solid 8-10 goals, Nigel Pearson's squad is another that lacks in Premier League quality. With the eye-watering amounts of TV money at this level, it's unforgivable to see a newly promoted side actively do nothing. Anthony Knockaert is a good player, but that's about it.
Top scorer: Daniel Sturridge (even though I have a Paddy Power bet on Wayne Rooney!)
Signings of the season: Alexis Sanchez, Remy Cabella, Diego Costa, Gylfi Sigurdsson
Breakout stars: Eric Dier, Erik Lamela, Charlie Austin
Year to forget: Graziano Pelle, Adam Lallana, Rio Ferdinand, Enner Valencia
Next manager to go: Alan Irvine or Nigel Pearson
Championship promotion: Watford, Derby, Cardiff
Championship relegation: Brentford, Blackpool, Charlton
La Liga: Real Madrid
Bundesliga: Bayern Munich (duh!)
Serie A: Juventus
Europa League: Some CL dropout
Champions League: Real Madrid
1. Chelsea
It's only a matter of time until Mourinho gets the title back and, with Fabregas, Costa and Filipe added, their squad looks devastating. The league's best defence now has a good striker to excel at the other end.
2. Man City
Slightly underwhelming champions last season, despite some heavy home wins. Mangala could form a formidable partnership with company but the signings of Sagna, Fernando and Lampard won't do much. Aguero's fitness is a worry - as always - and I think they'll just miss out this year.
3. Arsenal
This'll be the closest Wenger's men have came in a long time. Sanchez will settle in to be a superstar and Debuchy is an improvement on Sagna. Giroud isn't quite good enough, though.
4. Man United
Without any European football and with a good manager, the Red Devils will be much improved. Then again, 4th place still feels sacriligious for this club. An unconvincing defence will be cancelled out be the incredible prospect of Mata behind Rooney and Van Persie. A good start to the Van Gaal era.
5. Liverpool
Quite frankly, Liverpool overachieved last season and now they've lost their world class striker. They've wasted a lot of money this summer, as I doubt Lovren and Lallana will add much to them. However, Rodgers has bulked up his squad and can still rely on the wonderful Daniel Sturridge.
6. Everton
Controversial, maybe, but Roberto Martinez's men have a fearless buzz around them. On their day, they can and often do beat the big teams, they just need to maintain such form against the lower sides. Lukaku, Coleman, Barkley, Stones and McCarthy are a great young core to put with Howard and Baines.
7. Tottenham
Pochettino has a huge squad, with patches of quality, but they flatter to deceive. I don't expect them to collapse in games, like against Man City and Liverpool, but they'll be solid. Eric Dier is a good signing, whilst Christian Eriksen should continue his fine end to last season. Erik Lamela will finally shine.
8. Swansea
The gap between 7th and 8th will remain huge, but Swansea have a good look about them. Players like Sigurdsson, Bony, Williams and Dyer will shine but their weakness is manager Garry Monk. I'm interested to see how Jefferson Montero copes with English football.
9. Stoke
Samd old stuff from Stoke, whose squad has enlargened with the additions of Phil Bardsley, Bojan, Mame Diouf and Steve Sidwell. Expect Shawcross and Begovic to form a solid base, whilst they continue to win home games. Can Arnautovic replicate his half-a-season form over a full year?
10. West Ham
After avoiding the sack, Sam Allardyce was told to get his team playing more attractive football to pacify the fans. By signing target men Enner Valencia and Diafra Sakho, with midfield monster Cheikhou Kouyate, I'm not sure he got the message. Mauro Zarate could be exciting though, whilst Aaron Cresswell's left foot should be a shrewd purchase.
11. Newcastle
Where to begin? I believe the squad will underachieve again because - whilst they have some magnificent players like Cabella, Ben Arfa and De Jong - Alan Pardew will always hinder them. Ben Arfa won't even get a game. If you've met me for three minutes, you'd know I despise the man, so maybe I'm biased. But a lot of the Toon Army are slowly waking up from this mass brainwashing - perhaps finishing lower than last season will finally finish off The King! Cup exits at the earliest stage possible, of course.
12. QPR
The transfer policy at Loftus Road seems a lot more stable than before. By signing Steven Caulker, Jordan Mutch and the fantastic Mauricio Isla, I see a comfortable season for Harry Redknapp's men. I like the prospect of Charlie Austin getting his Premier League chance - but can they keep hold of Loic Remy?
13. Southampton
They've been annihilated, decimated and ripped apart by other teams - mainly Liverpool - but the Saints got very generous fees for all but Lambert. I don't think they'll particularly miss Dejan Lovren, although splashing that money on Graziano Pelle, Shane Long and Florin Gardos is silly. Dusan Tadic is one to watch, though. They'll be far worse than last season but the dross below them will keep them afloat.
14. Hull
Steve Bruce has a decent squad but how will Europa League affect them? Expect nothing spectacular from his team.
15. Aston Villa
They're still all about Christian Benteke and I can't believe Paul Lambert has recruited like this once again. Kieran Richardson, Philippe Senderos and Joe Cole will do nothing for them, whilst losing Ron Vlaar could be disastrous. A dour, miserable season awaits.
16. Crystal Palace
The departure of Tony Pulis last night has dramatically changed mine and everyone else's expectations for the Eagles. They would've been in mid-table safety had Pulis remained but could easily get relegated now. Having said that, they'll be another team saved by the low quality of teams and they'll have some self-belief based on how last season ended.
17. Sunderland
Gus Poyet's side are awful and could easily get relegated. Their centre back pairing is rusty, right now they have no quality strikers and still rely on the inconsistent Adam Johnson to have good days. Signing Jack Rodwell is a huge risk and I don't think they've bought well enough. But they'll just about stay up.
18. Burnley
Sean Dyche must be frustrated at his side's transfer activity, as barely any quality has been added to his Championship side. Kieran Trippier and Danny Ings are their better players, yet have no top flight experience. Their squad is tiny, bereft of quality and it could be a long, hard season for Dyche.
19. West Brom
The appointment of Alan Irvine as manager is confusing. Surely there were better options available. They had a lot of players on loan last season who haven't been replaced adequately. Whilst their defence is fairly solid, their midfield is lacking in quality and their choice of strikers is embarrassing. Unless they have a superb deadline day and get lucky with other teams' failures, I can only see relegation for the Baggies.
20. Leicester
For me, Leicester will finish bottom. Whilst I see Leonardo Ulloa getting a solid 8-10 goals, Nigel Pearson's squad is another that lacks in Premier League quality. With the eye-watering amounts of TV money at this level, it's unforgivable to see a newly promoted side actively do nothing. Anthony Knockaert is a good player, but that's about it.
Top scorer: Daniel Sturridge (even though I have a Paddy Power bet on Wayne Rooney!)
Signings of the season: Alexis Sanchez, Remy Cabella, Diego Costa, Gylfi Sigurdsson
Breakout stars: Eric Dier, Erik Lamela, Charlie Austin
Year to forget: Graziano Pelle, Adam Lallana, Rio Ferdinand, Enner Valencia
Next manager to go: Alan Irvine or Nigel Pearson
Championship promotion: Watford, Derby, Cardiff
Championship relegation: Brentford, Blackpool, Charlton
La Liga: Real Madrid
Bundesliga: Bayern Munich (duh!)
Serie A: Juventus
Europa League: Some CL dropout
Champions League: Real Madrid
