[Archived] Premier League Predictions 2010/11

[philipl]

I know we are all waiting for the Transfer Window to open but you have probably not noticed the 2010/11 domestic football season starts tonight with a Championship game...

Ordinarilly, we save these things until there is a decent view of who has signed whom but on the basis nobody is signing anybody (apart from City splurging £100m on near nobodies) here is my, as always completely incorrect, projection:

1. Chelsea - have got too much for all other clubs to compete with but might suffer from players continuing their lousy World Cup form into the early new season.

2. Arsenal - do or die season for the Wenger kids (and Wenger who has not renewed his contract expiring at the season end). Surely cannot be as badly affected by injuries as the last two seasons?

3. Man U - the Mexican looks a very good signing but still massively reliant on Rooney. Tirng midfielders are a year older and slower, Van der Saar 40 this year I believe and central defence is better than the sum of its parts.

4. Man City - might well do well early on as fixtures are kind but anywhere between 1st and 8th for this lot so plumped for mid-range.

5. Liverpool - Benitez going is worth at least six points in itself. Hodgson is a great coach, and whilst the players he has inherited are mostly mediocre, his early transfer trading suggests they will be stronger when the window closes. Keeping Torres is offset by his injury and an opening fixture list from hell.

6. Tottenham - I know I projected great things for them last season and they let me down by only winning a string of key games against other clubs at the top when it mattered and qualifying for the CL. Weird that 'Arry has not traded (unless his sticky fingers have been pulled completely out of the till and he isn't bothered any longer). Only in 6th because I think City and Liverpool will be much tougher this time round and the CL (depending on the qualifying draw) will stretch them too much.

7. Everton - if they keep everyone fit could be the surprise package challenging for a CL place.

8. Aston Villa - just think that O'Neill has been rumbled. Still a very potent side.

9. Fulham - huge fan of Sparky and he will strengthen without losing anyone. Could well be in the mix higher up the table than this for much of the season.

10. Rovers - OK I am assuming that we will make signings by 1 September and that we won't have a rubbish first half to the season like we did last time. If we continue the run we had in the last 20 games last season, we will be top half.

11. Stoke - have money and still cannot make signings. Will be better than last season but needed a dramatic overhaul to move into real contention at the top this season.

12. Birmingham - probably being unkind to this lot. Have a suspicion the rest of the Prem will know how to handle them better than last season.

13. West Ham - Grant is a very good manager and is making shrewd signings. That they supplied so many players for England says more about England than West Ham though.

14. Sunderland - Bruce is a poor manager. I am assuming they make an OKish start and he keeps his job. Anyone else in charge and they should be in the top half.

15. Bolton - huge regard for Coyle but too many question marks in the team. Fletcher might be quite a useful acquisition though.

16. Newcastle - definite relegation candidates but probably have too much about them to go straight back down.

17. Wolves - signing players from relegated clubs for a shed load of money will probably keep this lot in the Prem for another season.

18. Wigan - love the Manager but I think that defence is going to cost them once too often this time. Will probably lose one if not two players before the window closes sealing their fate.

19. West Brom - been making good signings but I don't think the yo yo will stop this season.

20. Blackpool - Holloway is inspirational but without half the team that won him promotion (gone back to the clubs that loaned them out) and no signings it is walking on water time; 38 times! Sunderland and Derby will be looking for relief from their entries in the Premier League's record books.

[brfcshabba]

15. Bolton - huge regard for Coyle but too many question marks in the team. Fletcher might be quite a useful acquisition though.

I assume you mean Fletcher for Wolves

[Ricky]

Good analysis there, I personally see Newcastle finishing slightly higher up the table but apart from that I don't think you will be a million miles away.

City won't break the top 4 in my opinion. I've watched them a few times in preseason. I know it's only pre season but they look like a team in transition.

Spurs will finish in the top 4 again I think, Liverpool in 5th and city in 6th.

[philipl]

OOPS!

[1864roverite]

I am not going to do the whole table but thats a good read Phil.

For me, the winners will be either Chelsea or Manure.

Top 4 from the two above, Arsenal, Liverpool and City.

Rovers to finish 9th or 10th.

Relegation Blackpool, WBA and either Newcastle or Wigan.

FA Cup - Manure

League Cup - Rovers

Champs League - BARCELONA

Championship - winners Ipswich, promoted - Sheff Utd and Middlesboro.

[LeChuck]

18. Wigan - love the Manager but I think that defence is going to cost them once too often this time. Will probably lose one if not two players before the window closes sealing their fate.

They have improved their defence a lot this summer.

Alcaraz looked brilliant in the World Cup, he's a massive improvement on Bramble. Ronnie Stam is a good full back as well, he's playing for Holland next week.

If they keep hold of Figueroa at left back then they've got a really solid base there.

[Hughesy]

Il wait till next week...but if they dont improve between now and September - Wolves for relegation

Brum to drop abit from last season too, unless they splash some cash!

[MarkBRFC71]

They have improved their defence a lot this summer.

Alcaraz looked brilliant in the World Cup, he's a massive improvement on Bramble. Ronnie Stam is a good full back as well, he's playing for Holland next week.

If they keep hold of Figueroa at left back then they've got a really solid base there.

Agreed. I think Wigan could well finish above us this season if we don't add any more to our squad - I know it's only pre-season but I believe Boselli's been knocking them in for fun? Add N'Zogbia (very, very good player imo) and Rodallega and their front line looks more threatening than ours.

I agree with philip's top 6, and while heart says Rovers will replicate last season, head says we will be down about 15th/16th with the current squad.

[LeChuck]

I know it's only pre-season but I believe Boselli's been knocking them in for fun?

I was gutted when I heard he went there, but Tim Vickery doesn't think he'll do very well here, and he's usually very good with his South American knowledge.

"I'll be happy to be proved wrong but I'll be surprised if he's a success. He's an out-and-out goalscorer - he doesn't offer anything outside the penalty area.

With Estudiantes, Boselli was playing in front of the best midfield in South America. So there were lots of chances, he put a few away and his confidence soared...if he's not scoring, he doesn't do much else."

He could be wrong of course, but judging by that I'll be surprised he's if a success.

[Hughesy]

Squad now/ compared to squad last season is pretty similar...given I think Diouf will do better than Di Santo....& Also some of our youngsters have improved over the last 6-9 months - I think 10th is a very realistic possibility again.

[K-Hod]

Much of it for me depends on how City gel. Man for man they've got some of the best players in the league (with the notable exception of defence which is god awful!). If they fail, It's Chelsea's to lose again with United pushing them a bit harder possibly. Liverpool will improve and probably make up the top 4 along with Arsenal.

[philipl]

Just for you Hughsey!

[Hughesy]

Just for you Hughsey!

Ooops must of been on the next page or something.....

This seems more a overall prediction thread to be honest Phil - I was looking at it more from a Rovers point of view....

MODS could you merge my post into here if you see fit.

[philipl]

The Beeb assesses PL squads in the light of the new rules.

[laughatthedingles]

1. Manure - Berbatov will come to the fore and United will be too strong.

2. Chelsea - Not as good as last season but better than most.

3. Manchester City - Will break the top four, not sure it will be with Mancini though.

4. Arsenal - Still lacking something but in Chamakh, Fabregas, Arshavin, Nasri and Van Persie (all specialists of the 'purple patch' they will qualify for UCL.

5. Liverpool - A better season under Woy but same old story, shame Torres wasn't fit all the time.

6. Everton - Jagielka, Cahill, Yakubu and most importantly Arteta being fit all season will see the Toffees grab 6th.

7. Tottenham - UCL campaign and not enough new blood will prove too much for Spurs.

8. Fulham - Good signings and the Hughes factor will see a good season for Fulham - cup finalists.

9. Aston Villa - Over achieved previously, on the slide now.

10. Bolton - Coyle's men will over achieve.

11. Stoke - Pulis will have his home form backed up with gritty on the road performances, comfortable.

12. Sunderland - spent plenty, return - not much, Bruce will leave.

13. Birmingham - Not a good team but enough to be safe.

14. Blackburn - Not pretty but will survive.

15. West Ham - Good job others are worse.

16. Newcastle - see above.

17. Wigan - see above (just).

18. West Brom - Defence too leaky + don't score enough = 1 thing.

19. Wolves - weren't good enough last time around.

20. Blackpool - would love to say different but I can't.