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A season of predictions
Written by Kj talk | 18th August 2006 | 0 Comment(s)
Now we are at the start of the curtain raiser ready for the Premiership big boy's boys to enter the frame I like thousands of others ponder over the winners and losers of this season's football.
PREMIERSHIP: Chelsea Liverpool Manchester U Arsenal
Starting right at the top of the tree Chelsea is playing to join an elite bunch that has retained the title on three successive occasions and there is every chance they will. They have brought two world class stars to an all ready established galaxy of top players who are hungry for more honours.
What I like about the way Mourinho goes about his transfer targets for the following season, is the fact that he gets his men early. The chasing pack you could argue is still searching for quality recruitments even now.
Manchester United need a top striker to replace the departed Van Nistlerooy and despite some smart business done by Liverpool they too could use a twenty five goals a season type striker. Arsenal need to find a top international centre half and they to need to shift the over reliance on Henry with another forward. I am surprised none of the Premiership's leading clubs have made a move for Germany's Miroslav Klose who I felt was the bet striker of the world cup.
Well time moves fast when at the keyboard and time will tell if Dirk Kuyt is the player to shoot the goals Liverpool require. Personally I have my doubts. And if Owen Hargreaves does arrive at Manchester United is he not a little to similar to Carrick?
It's quite possible that the chasing teams will add to their squads before the August 31st deadline and fill the gaps or try get by until the January window opens. A strange policy as all the best players will still be with the best teams competing in the Champions league.
Spurs and West Ham I expect to continue to make steady progress and a mention must go to the superb job Mark Hughes has done at Blackburn. Another good season their and he will soon start to get named as Sir Alex Ferguson's successor. And I expect Andy Johnson at Everton to bag plenty of goals.
If any of the newly promoted sides Reading, Watford and Sheffield United avoid relegation in their first season in the top flight they will consider it a job well done.
CHAMPIONSHIP: Leeds West Brom Birmingham Crystal Palace
In the Championship it is talked about as being the hardest league to escape from and as this site deals with top four teams I must add mine.
Once form has found its level the teams with the bigger support and previous know how should come to the fore. That then would be Birmingham and Leeds with also West Brom and Crystal Palace contesting things at the top. I have feeling that Coventry City may do well and Leicester also. Huge pressure will be on Birmingham city manger Steve Bruce if they are not in the top five and challenging for top spot over the Christmas period.
SCOTS PREM: Celtic Rangers Hearts Kilmarnock
North of the boarder one would love the see Hearts (or anyone) burst the Glasgow stranglehold but I don't think it's going to happen. I feel Celtic will have just enough to retain their title with Rangers close behind with third and fourth spots held by Hearts and Kilmarnock respectively.
One loss to the Premiership in these modern times is the lack of real Scottish talent coming down to the leading clubs in England after making a name for them selves in the tartan country . Being boss of the Scottish national team must be one of the hardest jobs in football when you consider the weight of expectancy coupled with the dearth of talent.
LE CHAMPIONNAT: Lyon Marseille Lens Paris St Germain
Over into Europe we cross the channel into France where once again I cannot see a team stopping Lyon. Manger Gerrard Houllier has taken over the reigns seamlessly from his predecessor and even if one or two players are sold they should still have enough.
I take a Marseille who have put past troubles behind them to finish second with Lens third and one of the most disappointing teams in France, Paris St Germain to finish forth. Here is a club with all the resources and is in the elite G14 group of clubs yet falls woefully behind.
BUNDESLIGA: Bayen Munich Hamburg Werder Brehman Schalke
Upon German soil how can one look beyond a title being retained by Bayern Munich? Although they don't have the super money to attract the best from England and Spain and Italy they have the power to get top players from the German system and sometimes Holland and Belgium. After a time away from the top half Hamburg have
a good chance of second place and Werder Brehman and the consistent Schalke may scrape a fourth spot.
EREDIVISE: PSV Eindhoven Ajax Feynoord AZ Alkmaar
In the land of the orange PSV should continue to be Holland's top club despite losing to Ajax in the Dutch super cup last Sunday. Ajax will do well to finish second which will be a big improvement on last years fourth place and Feynoord to be third with AZ Alkmaar placed forth.
SERIE A: Inter Milan Ac Milan Roma Sampdoria
If Inter Milan does not win this year's Serie A it will be a huge surprise as they start clear favourites. And to help matters they have bolstered their midfield with the capture of Patrick Vieira The reprieve given to Milan, Lazio and Fiorentina in retaining top flight status is one thing but it will take an almighty effort to overcome the point's reduction's and take a top spot.
Milan probably will and have enough to grab a second place as they are only eight points down and I think Roma will be their closest team and hit third followed by Sampdoria. All eyes of course will be on Juventus in their attempt to overcome the handicap of a seventeen point reduction and bounce back from Serie B at the first attempt.
PRIMERA LIGA: Barcelona Real Madrid Valencia Athletico Madrid
The last of my tour of Europe ends in Spain, Europe's best league. And a country where David Beckham still seeks a title with Real Madrid. Sadly for David I fear this will not be his year either as I back Barcelona to make it three in a row. Real will do well to record a second place with Valencia second and Athletico Madrid fourth.
Fourth place now is a gold laden finish as it will mean qualification into the vital Champions league where a good run in the competition brings in millions. And that is the reason why Victor Predictor asks competitors to predict their top four teams in these leagues.
The single predictions tend to be made with a gut feeling and skilled instinct so on that motivation here is mine.
FA CUP WINNER: Arsenal
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE WINNER: Barcelona
EUROPEAN PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Fernando Torres
PFA PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Cesc Fabregas
EUROPEAN GOLDEN SHOE: Fernando Torres
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE TOP SCORER: Adriano
GOLDEN BOOT: Thierry Henry
CARLING CUP: Liverpool
So that's my theory publicly displayed for mirth and scorn but that's the beauty of Victor Predictor. You put your own knowledge and instinct to the test and win a bundle at the same time!
Good luck and happy predicting.
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