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.