Premier League Table Prediction

The most watched sporting league in the world is back! I have predicted what I think the table will look like and tried to keep my Liverpool bias at bay as much as possible. Much depends on the future of Rooney, Suarez and Bale though it is my belief that the former two will remain at their clubs for this window. Many more transfers are expected before deadline day but I believe, regardless, it will look something like this…

1: MANCHESTER CITY: New boss Manuel Pellegrini’s first priority will be spice up last season’s runners-up attacking play. The additions of Jesus Navas, Jovetic and Negrado provides City may not constitute starting players but offer plenty of variety in the attacking positions while Fernandinho will add some much-needed pace to the midfield. They woefully underperformed last year despite the best squad in the league. As ever City’s spine of Kompany, Aguero and Silva will be imperative to the team’s performance.
Key Player: Sergio Aguero, he won the league for City before; he has the nous to do it again.
2: CHELSEA: The Special One is finally back and the Mourinho factor is bound to give the club the extra boost they need to challenge for the title. Though the Premier League is more competitive today than when Mourinho helped the club to back-to-back title wins in 2005 and 2006. However, they will fall short at the final hurdle with a sub-par defence as Terry is no longer the player he was and Cahill, simply, not good enough.
Key Player: Eden Hazard, expect big things from the Belgian this year having settled in the EPL.
3: MANCHESTER UNITED: Alex Ferguson’s departure from the Red Devils has made United something of an unknown quantity. David Moyes showed what a good manager he was at Everton but has no experience of competitively challenging for multiple titles and has not added to a squad (though awesome) while his rivals have strengthened considerably. But with RVP firing one would expect them to take their enemies to the wire.
Key Player: Robin Van Persie, with Rooney’s future uncertain RVP is the teams’ sole superstar.
4: TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR: Will he stay or will he go? It’s impossible to exaggerate the importance of Gareth Bale to this team. Regardless of Bale, Spurs have built a physically imposing squad with arguably the best midfield in the league. Out are fringe team players like Parker and Dempsey with potential world-beaters like Paulinho and Soldado in replacement.
Key Player: If Bale goes it will be up to Roberto Soldado to provide the last-minute winners.
5: LIVERPOOL: In the second half of last year they were very, very good and played the most attractive football in the league. If Suarez stays and FSG actually decide to spend some money then expect Liverpool to be top-4 contenders, but that’s a mighty big IF. Rodgers has had a year to mould the team into one that is starting to resemble his philosophy with a significantly stronger squad, if not first eleven, than last year. However, a wonky Carra-less defence and a lack of character in the squad could mean the fourth spot is just a step to far.
Key Player: Phillipe Coutinho has the whiff of Iniesta about him; stylish passing and pace to burn.

Can Liverpool rejoin the Elite this year?

6: ARSENAL: Farcinal have managed to outdo themselves this year with stereotypical Frenchman “Le Professeur” being frugal to the point of worldwide ridicule. They clearly need one or two big name signings to help them challenge for the title. For Wegner to have let Higuain and Gustavo slip through his fingers and go to lesser clubs has been pure lunacy. Though Arsenal do live in fourth place no matter how many times I predict the opposite.
Key Player: Laurent Koscielny will be looked on to plug the holes in a squad lacking steel.
7: WEST HAM: You can say what you like about Big Sam Allardyce but his Premier League record is undisputed. Hard to beat at home with a strong defensive record they could really push for a cup title or Europa League spot this year. Alladyce has made the most of Liverpools firesale with Cole, Downing and Carroll a trio of talented, hard-working characters who know each other well. The prospect of Jarvis and Downing on each flank with Andy Carroll’s head between them is utterly fearsome.
Key Player: Andy Carroll, a towering beast born out of Sam Allerdyce/Tony Pulis wet-dream.
8: SWANSEA CITY: Michael Laudrup’s team has made some terrific signings with Jonjo Shelvey and Wilfried Bony (scorer of 31 goals in 30 games in last year’s Eredivisie) catching the eye. They have the potential to break into the top eight but the squad may be stretched thin as they have to juggle their domestic commitments with Europa League action. Other teams will be more aware of a certain Mr Michu so don’t expect him to see him score so many goals; at least in the EPL.
Key Player: Wilifired Bony, expect him to be linked with top Champions League teams next summer.
9: NORWICH CITY: Chris Hughton has been the most astute manager in the transfer window using the new TV money intelligently to overhaul his attacking options. Gone is Championship lump Grant Holt with Ricky van Wolfswinkel (Sporting Lisbon, £8.5m), Leroy Fer (FC Twente, £7m), Gary Hooper (Celtic, £5m), Martin Olsson (Blackburn, £2.5m), Nathan Redmond (Birmingham, £2.2m rising to £3.2m) all sexing up a squad in dire need of some glamour. If each man beds in as well as the quality of his reputation then expect Norwich to consolidate themselves as a Premier League outfit.
Key Player: Leroy Fer has the ability to run the midfield with his impressive engine.
10: EVERTON: Roberto Martinez has transition on the cards at Goodison Park as the team gets used to a new, more continental playing style. TIt will be hard for the Toffees to better last season’s sixth place and with Martinez and his preference for a high defensive-line they will surely lose (but maybe win) more games. A lot depends on whether Fellaini and Baines staying the clubs. If he can stay fit expect Kevin Mirallas to break double goal-figures.
Key Player: Leighton Baines, if he can repeat his league topping goal-creation stats from last season

11: FULHAM: Many would have predicted Martin Jol’s side to falter this season but the additions of Adel Taarabt and Darren Bent (both on loan) represent some goal-scoring backup for the enigmatic Berbatov. Fernando Amorebieta from Bibao is an experienced international defender and Maarten Stekelenburg will be keen to cement his place at the Dutch number 1. Though there have been many outs at Craven Cottage the squad is still largely in the latter years of their career and this season will test their stamina to the max.
Key Player: Dimitar Berbatov is the classiest player in British football, a joy to watch.
12: WEST BROMWICH ALBION: Steve Clarke’s team overachieved greatly last season and the return of top scorer Lukaku to Chelsea hardly helps their cause. Too solid a unit to go down; expect them to struggle in the latter parts of the season as they rely on the tired legs of Anelka to score the goals.
Key Player: Diego Lugano has 85 caps for Uraguay and will need all of them to fend off Premier League strikers.
13: ASTON VILLA: Just escaped relegation after a traumatic campaign but this is a young side (an average age of 23) with plenty of talent and they should do better this year having been thrown in at the deep end last year. Mid-table mediocrity beckons for Paul Lamberts side.
Key Player: Christian Benteke; Flash in the pan or the new Didier Drogba? This season we find out.
14: SOUTHAMPTON: Mauricio Pochettino’s side pulled away from the teams struggling towards the bottom last season with impressive wins against Manchester City and Liverpool. Victor Wanyama (Celtic, £12.5m), and Dejan Lovren (Lyon, £8.5m) look to be above-their-station signings but both are unproven in a competitive league and Wanyama, in particular, is known to loose possession constantly. Hard to see them breaking into the top half but they have more than enough to stay up.
Key Player: Jay Rodriguez, this could be the versatile forwards opportunity to book a flight to Rio.
15: NEWCASTLE UNITED: Joe (fucking) Kinnear has ensured a season instability and power-struggles at the North-East club this season for a talented squad that has been dire in the last twelve months. They do have the air of a team in decline and Alan Pardew is the bookies favourite for the sack-race. Despite the problems payers such as Cabaye (Kebab) and Ben Arfa (Ben Afri0 have the ability to drag the squad through the mire but a season spent in the bottom half of the table looks likely.
Key Man: Yohan Cabaye, dark times in Newcastle if the playmaker moves back to France.

16: CARDIFF CITY: The Welsh side should have enough strength of character to avoid an immediate return to the Championship. However, quality players seem reluctant to sign and the fans are at odds with the eccentric owner. Malky Mackay is a likable chap but may find himself out of his depth in the fearsome Premier League.
Key Player: Craig Bellamy, now more than ever the Welshman’s extensive experience is needed by his teammates.
17: SUNDERLAND: Finished in 17th position last year – and 50 per cent of sides who have finished there in the last 18 seasons has been relegated the following year. Paolo Di Canio has completely gutted the squad with double-figures coming in and even more out. Expect the Italian to be box-office as his inexperience and hot-temper cloud his judgement. Jozy Altidore (AZ Alkmaar, £6.5m), and Emanuele Giaccherini (Juventus, £6.5m) represent great business and could be the difference between survival and relegation.
Key Player: Emanuele Giaccherini is an experienced and versatile player, a real coup for the club.
18: STOKE CITY: Mark Hughes flopped badly at QPR and his continued hiring by Premier League clubs is truly astounding. Hughes has inherited a rambunctious rugby-team of a squad and has reversed his QPR policy by barely spending a dime. Pulis may be gone but expect another season of air-ball and shin-kicking just don’t expect it to be nearly as effective.
Key Player: Charlie Adams performances were undermined by personal loss last year, hopefully his head is straight now and he can delight audiences with his set-pieces.
19: CRYSTAL PALACE: Palace has never survived more than one season in the Premier League in four previous attempts. However, they’ve got an inspirational manager in Ian Holloway, who plays an entertaining brand of football and is the most quotable manager this side of Mourinho. The fact remains that Palace is severely underpowered compared to their contemporaries.
Key Player: Julian Speroni is in for a stressful year.
20: HULL CITY TIGERS: Steve Bruce will have them well organised but the newly promoted side are likely to struggle for goals having scored a pitiful 61 in the Championship. Unless Hull spends some money fast the new addition to their title will not be the only thing opposition fans will be laughing at.
Key Player: Tom Huddlestone, Huddlestone has fantastic passing ability and will be looking to put himself back in England contention.
So that’s it! My other predictions include Mackay to win the sack race, Aguero to top the goal scoring charts, Hazard to prove himself a superstar and Coutinho to win young player of the year.

So that’s it! My other predictions include Mackay to win the sack race, Aguero to top the goal scoring charts, Hazard to prove himself a superstar and Coutinho to win young player of the year.