Season predictions

Every season I do my own predictions on the winners and losers of the season. Here are my choices and reasons for it:

BPL:

1) Manchester United

2) Chelsea

3) Liverpool

4) Manchester City

If not for the African Cup of Nations, my choice would be Chelsea, but missing the likes of Essien, Drogba, Kalau and co will be too costly. As for Man Utd that’s just about the time they will surge into a record 4^th title in a row. The choice of Liverpool in 3^rd wouldn’t come as a surprise to much but I feel Man City will nick Arsenal to 4^th place as the current City can attract some superstars in January and further boost their squad. This will work as an advantage as missing Adebayor and Toure won’t be felt as much. Not forgetting City do not have any distraction in Europe this season.

Relegated: Portsmouth

Wolves

Hull City

Portsmouth look really out of shape and I think it will be too late before it is resolved. Wolves just lack the squad for the premier league though there are worse teams that have played there before. As for Hull I am surprised they even survived last season and they don’t seem to get any consistency. Burnley and Birmingham City might survive only because there are worse teams around in the premier league.

FA Cup: Chelsea

Chelsea to win back to back FA Cup’s due to the fact that they will get stronger at the tail end of the season.

Carling Cup: Manchester City

Man City will certainly treat this cup more seriously than their counter parts who are in Europe and this will give them the advantage over the other teams. Mark Hughes will also want to have silverware to show to the wealthy owners.

UEFA Champions League: Chelsea / Inter Milan

The fact that Chelsea have come so close in the past few season will drive them further to win it. With the African players coming back just at the right time, their squad will be boosted and with Ancelotti’s experience, this might be their year in Europe.

As for Inter Milan, I think Jose Mourinho can steal the attention away from Spain and England just like how he did it with Porto in 2004.

UEFA Cup: FC Porto/Atletico Madrid

Both these teams are from the same group in the Champions League along with Chelsea and as it looks like Chelsea will sail through, either one of them risk missing out. Both are strong teams and there is a high chance of the loser in the Champions League winning it.

Writers/PFA Player of the Year: Rooney / Drogba

Players from Man Utd and Chelsea have a good chance as they play consistently week in week out. Rooney though has a better chance as Drogba will be away on international duty on January.

Contenders vs Pretenders part 2

Looking at the history of the premier league, Spurs have always been among the team that Man Utd love playing. Though this time, the Old Trafford team has had some fear in them as Spurs are in red hot form and are looking to keep their 100% record. Many eyebrows were raised when Redknapp opt to start with Crouch, Defoe and Keane but as it turned out he was the one who ended up red faced.

Spurs had a splendid start and playing Crouch did look like a good gamble. Crouch was a menace in the box and Vidic’s sloppy header gave Defoe an excellent chance which he took brilliantly with an overhead kick. Then again, as always, Man Utd came back against Spurs and win it with goals from Giggs, Anderson and Rooney.

This will not discourage Spurs though this is evident that there is still a gap between the big 4 and the others, but for now only Man City look like they will break into it. With Liverpool finding their stride, it’s a matter of time before the big guns cement their place at the top.

Contenders vs Pretenders part 1

This week of action is best to be branded as contenders vs pretenders. Manchester City faced their first real test under their new regime and it turned out to be a success as they managed to overhaul Arsenal whose bright start to the season looked like just a short phase of success. City’s win has not only maintained their 100% record but with that they have also made a statement that they are among the contenders. Despite the injury to record singing Robinho, the likes of Craig Bellamy and Shaun Wright Phillips managed to pull the rabbit out of the hat. Players who have been mediocre in past have grown to be big game players and fulfill their potential.

In the case of Arsenal, it does look like one of those seasons that they have always been having. They make us say, ‘oh it looks like Arsenal are contenders’, and just when we are convinced, they lose 2 games back to back against title rivals. Many might argue that they were unlucky to lose against Man U but if you want to win the title, it’s not about playing well, it’s only about winning. Ask Man U and Chelsea in the past few seasons. If there is any sort of encouragement for Arsenal, There is still another 24 points to be taken off the traditional big 4 and Man City, so it’s not all doom and gloom.