2013/2014 Season Preview

With three of the top four clubs hiring new managers, the 2013/2014 promises to be an exciting season. Each week, I will predict all 10 games, plus match my scores with Mark Lawrenson (http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/23667286). Let’s start.

Table Predictions

Winners: Chelsea

Runner-ups: Manchester United

Champions League: Manchester City, Arsenal

Europa League: Liverpool

Additional potential Europa League: Tottenham, Everton

Relegation: Sunderland, Hull City Tigers, Crystal Palace

1 Chelsea

Chelsea’s biggest signing of the summer could prove to be crucial this year. And, oddly enough, it’s not a superstar player that they have signed, but a superstar manager.

Strengths:

Chelsea and Mourinho. That’s a combination you can not go wrong with. Owner Roman Abramovich put aside his ego (as did Mourinho) to bring back the manager he had sacked just under six years ago. Already a legend at Stamford Bridge, Mourinho has nothing to prove to anyone. His comeback will prove to be Chelsea’s biggest strength. If Wayne Rooney goes to Chelsea, the title will be pretty much done and dusted by the end of the transfer window.

Weaknesses:

The core of the team aka John Terry and Frank Lampard is aging. However, I feel that Mourinho will continue to play both players just out of a sense of loyalty. This could hurt the team. There is also talk that Mourinho does not rate Juan Mata very highly, something that is dumbfounding since Mata was Chelsea’s best player last season.

Conclusion:

Mourinho’s arrival and the managerial changes at the two Manchester clubs means that Chelsea should win their fourth Premier League title.

2 Manchester United

Life without Fergie could be off to a rocky start.

Strengths:

Manchester United possess the best striker in the Premier League and this will make sure that they score a lot of goals this season. The only other thing that could work in their favor is that they’ve been there, done that, several times over the years.

Weaknesses:

Where to start? The biggest challenger for United this season is that Sir Alex Ferguson is no longer at the helm and those are some tough shoes to fill. Wayne Rooney is unhappy and it will be interesting to see how that transfer saga plays out. Plus, the lack of any real major signing by the club means they will find it hard this season. The club’s top two transfer targets decided against moving to Manchester and that’s something that could be a worry for the future.

Conclusion:

Overall, the quality of the team should be enough to help them finish above Manchester City, but is not enough to win the title, unless they sign a couple of midfield players.

3 Manchester City

Another change in manager could mean a tougher season in the league for City.

Strengths:

Man City have done well to get rid of players who were causing too much trouble at the club, namely Carlos Tevez and Mario Balotelli. As well, the club have replaced their strikeforce with four new signings, which means they will create a lot of chances and score a lot of goals.

Weaknesses:

Roberto Mancini’s sacking only adds instability to the club and new manager Manuel Pelligrini will basically have to build from the ground up. That could take some time. In addition, the club have not made a single defensive signing which could prove fatal in the end.

Conclusion:

City will do well to get that last automatic Champions League spot. Maybe a cup win will also mitigate the displeasure of their fans.

4 Arsenal

Arsenal have not sold their club captain for the first time in three years and this could help with their bid to finish fourth.

Strengths:

Arsenal have kept hold of their new talisman (Santi Cazorla), something that they haven’t been able to do so in the last few years. Although the club have failed to make a big signing so far, their bid of 40m of Luis Suarez definitely signals their intention of bringing a big name in. There is still time in the transfer window and I expect a couple of players to arrive.

Weaknesses:

Despite what Arsene Wenger says about mounting a challenge for the title, Arsenal will start the transfer season to finish fourth. There is pretty evident by the lack of signing they have made thus far. With so much wealth at their disposal, Wenger could do wonders in the transfer window, but how many world-class players would actually want to join a club that does not challenge for the title?

Conclusion:

Having said all that, I somehow feel that after 8 long years, Arsenal might be able to finally win some silverware this season.

5 Tottenham Hotspur

This could be the second season in a row that Spurs sell their best player to Real Madrid.

Strengths:

Spurs have been very impressive in the transfer market this season. To strengthen their midfield, the club have signed Paulinho, who got the Bronze Ball in this year’s Confederations Cup. In addition, the signing over Roberto Soldado has been a major coup. Soldado had an extremely productive spell in Spain and scored 30 goals in all competitions in La Liga last season.

Weaknesses:

The future of Gareth Bale hangs in the balance, but I would expect him to depart before the end of the transfer window. It’s seldom that the world’s richest club misses out on their targets, so this should merely be a formality. Spurs need to strengthen their defense if they’re serious contenders for that last Champions League spot.

Conclusion:

I am predicting Spurs to finish above Liverpool even without Bale. If, however, Bale decides to stay, Arsenal will be looking over their shoulder all season.

6 Liverpool

Holding on to Luis Suarez will be critical for Liverpool if they want to finish in the top 6 this season.

Strengths:
Luis Suarez is one of the top strikers in the league so the fact that he’s staying at Liverpool will do wonders for the club. An unhappy Suarez will still get you goals, provided he stays away from any controversy. As well, the club have sold players like Stewart Downing who were nothing but a liability in the team, and brought in much more decent replacements.

Weaknesses:

Liverpool still lack a world class defense and midfield. They need at least one big player in each position to really strengthen the team. An aging Steven Gerrard doesn’t instill enough confidence in the team. The signings that Liverpool have made this season will not necessarily get them goals.

Conclusion:

With David Moyes departing Everton, Liverpool have a chance of finishing above their local rivals.

7 Everton

Like United, Everton have lost their best manager and this could hurt them.

Strengths:

So far, Everton have kept hold of all their big players in the transfer window. In addition, manager Roberto Martinez has gone back to his previous club and signed a couple of players that will add weight to the squad. Martinez worked on a shoestring budget at Wigan, and this ability could work in his favour.

Weaknesses:

Any team would usually struggle with a change in manager and Everton could be one of those teams. With the exception of Leighton Baines, they do not have a world-class defender and this means that they will leak in vital goals.

Conclusion:

Everton could have another successful season, provided that Baines and Marouane Fellaini do not hop off to Manchester United.

2012/13 Premier League Preview

It’s the 2012/13 season. And it’s going to be exciting. Therefore, I’ve decided to expand my blog beyond Manchester United. Each week, I will predict all 10 games of the week, plus give a detailed analysis of all Manchester United games. Here we go!

Table Predictions

Winners: Manchester United

Runner-ups: Manchester City

Champions League: Chelsea, Newcastle

Europa League: Liverpool

Additional potential Europa League: Arsenal, Tottenham

Relegation: Southampton, Norwich, Wigan

1 MANCHESTER UNITED

Two days ago, I wouldn’t have pipped Man United to win the title. However, the signing of ex-Arsenal captain, Robin van Persie changes everything.

Strengths:

Van Persie was the best player in the league last season, and he will only get better. Him and Rooney form perhaps the deadliest strike duo in the league, so I expect United to score a lot of goals this season. Also, the United defense missed captain Nemanja Vidic immensely, and his impending return can only make United stronger. As well, Darren Fletcher could make a comeback into the team with Shinji Kagawa adding to the creativity.

Weaknesses:

United clearly lack in central midfield. Tom Cleverley is still young and developing, while Paul Scholes cannot play week in week out. In an ideal world, United should have signed another midfielder rather than a striker, and missing out on Lucas Moura could be vital. Another area United lack in is left-back. There is no one to cover for Patrice Evra should he get injured. There has been talk of Leighton Baines signing for the club, but nothing has materialized so far.

Conclusion:

With the strikers at United’s disposal and the flair and pace of their wingers, they’re going to score a lot of goals. When you score a lot of goals, you almost certainly win games.

2 MANCHESTER CITY

Manchester City haven’t made a big signing all transfer season. And this could be why they won’t go all the way.

Strengths:

Manchester City have the squad with the most depth. They have several players covering each position. This gives them a lot of options, and competition for places only brings out the best in you. Carlos Tevez looks rejuvenated and Mario Balotelli may have learned a few valuable lessons post-season. City have a brilliant leader in the shape of Vincent Kompany and arguably, the League’s best goalkeeper in Joe Hart. Hard to break down and hard to defend against. It’s the perfect combination.

Weaknesses:

City have allowed too much drama to happen of late, mainly from Tevez and Balotelli, which naturally hurt their progress last season. That cannot continue. Also, it will be a real challenge for Roberto Mancini in keeping the entire squad happy. If you tinker too much with the squad, it causes instability. Most importantly, it’s hard enough to win the title. But much harder to defend it.

Conclusion:

I believe that while City will put up a big fight for the title, it wouldn’t be enough. A lack of signings could be the thin line between both Manchester clubs.

3 CHELSEA

Spending over £60m in the transfer market means Chelsea could do a lot better than last season.

Strengths:

The key for Chelsea is that they have stuck with Roberto Di Matteo. Di Matteo turned around Chelsea’s faltering season by leading his side to the Champions League title. He was instrumental to the club’s success, and this could continue this season. Fernando Torres is improving, and the club have not held back in the transfer market. Eden Hazard and Oscar are both exciting and able players and should be what Chelsea need to finish in the Top 3.

Weaknesses:

Chelsea have lost their talisman, Didier Drogba. The striker has been absolutely fantastic for the London club over the years and he will be missed. Also, the departure of Jose Bosingwa could mean that the club will be a little short of full-back cover. The ongoing ‘trial’ of John Terry with the FA makes matters worse.

Conclusion:

With the new signings, Chelsea could really mount a title bid, though they still need to do a lot of work if they are to topple the Manchester clubs.

4 NEWCASTLE

Newcastle were the surprise team last season, and if they continue where they left off, could surprise everyone again.

Strengths:

The Magpies have managed to hold on to most of their star players. What they had last season was consistency and resilience, and in Tim Krul have one of the best shot-stoppers in the game. Key to their success was the 16 clean sheets they kept. The signing of Ajax midfielder Vurnon Anita could provide them with that extra man in midfield.

Weaknesses:

Newcastle’s away form was awful last season. They would need to improve on that. While the pairing of Demba Ba and Papiss Cisse sounds deadly on paper, it was the opposite on the field. Adding to the trouble are Europa League matches, which could be seen as an unnecessary distraction.

Conclusion:

Newcastle’s main advantage is that their immediate rivals, Liverpool, Arsenal, and Tottenham, haven’t built on from last season and this could help them finish in a Champions League place.

5 LIVERPOOL

A change in manager could see Liverpool back in the hunt for Europa League soccer.

Strengths:

Liverpool were going nowhere under Kenny Dalglish. A change in manager is exactly what they needed. They went out and brought in a manager who instilled free-flowing and exciting soccer into his team. Steven Gerrard still has the goods to deliver, while the signing of Fabio Borini and the return of Joe Cole could be crucial.

Weaknesses:

Dirk Kuyt, who has probably been Liverpool’s best player for the last few seasons, is no longer with the club. In addition, Craig Bellamy has departed and Andy Carroll does not feature heavily in Brendan Rogers’ plans, so I wonder where the goals are going to come from? Defensively, they are weak as well and have insufficient cover.

Conclusion:

Liverpool will play exciting soccer this season, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll win games.

6 ARSENAL

Having lost their captains in two success seasons, things are looking a bit grim for Arsenal.

Strengths:

Arsenal have done really well in the transfer market, in terms of buying players. I’ve always like Lukas Podolski and the effervescent Santi Cazolra should provide the team with pace and creativity that they need. Jack Wilshere is back, and he is like a new signing. Thomas Vermaelen has been promoted to skipper, which should add more confidence in the Arsenal defense.

Weaknesses:

Three words. Robin van Persie. When you lose your best player and captain, you don’t expect to do well. The Dutchman’s goals will be missed, and Arsenal are only half as strong without him. Add Alex Song to the departure list and you have a real worry. There is talk of Nuri Sahin coming in to replace him, but until that happens, I don’t see Arsenal going anywhere this season.

Conclusion:

It’s a bold statement, but I wouldn’t be surprised if this will be Arsene Wenger’s last season at Arsenal.

7 TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR

You don’t get rid of your best player. And you don’t get rid of your best manager. Unfortunately, Spurs have committed both crimes.

Strengths:

Gareth Bale is the Spurs’ new talisman. He will need to be at his very best if Spurs are to do well this season. Jermain Defoe is STILL one of the best finishers in the league and he would need to start games. The signing of young manager Andre Villas-Boas means that the team will continue to play attacking soccer, which may help their cause.

Weaknesses:

It is no secret that Luka Modric had been wanting to leave the club for a while now. And he finally had his wish granted. He was the best player at the club, and he will be a massive loss. The departures of Steven Pienaar and Niko Kranjcar leaves the Spurs short in midfield and this could hurt them. Former manager Harry Redknapp led the side to 4^th last season, which was a pretty good finish, but it wasn’t enough for the chairman. It seems that Villas-Boas would need to do even better than that, which puts him under a lot of pressure.

Conclusion:
Spurs will be lucky to finish 7^th with the changes that have taken place at the Lane, provided that Everton have a rare off-season.