Posted July 30, 20168 yr So with just 2 weeks to go until the Premier League season. What do you think the positions will look like at the end of the season. Even if you just have a fleeting interest, it's good and fun to make rough predictions, purely to see who was right or wrong. Premier League Table: 1. Manchester United 2. Manchester City 3. Chelsea 4. Arsenal 5. Liverpool 6. Tottenham Hotspur 7. Leicester City 8. West Ham 9. Stoke City 10. Everton 11. Southampton 12. Crystal Palace 13. West Brom 14. Watford 15. Swansea City 16. Middlesbrough 17. Sunderland 18. AFC Bournemouth 19. Hull City 20. Burnley Points Total For The Champions: 83 Golden Boot Winner: Harry Kane Player Of The Year: Henrikh Mkhitaryan (Paul Pogba if he actually signs for Manchester United) First Manager To Get Sacked: Francesco Guidolin
July 30, 20168 yr Aha I was looking forward to this thread appearing! Will post some later today & see if I can flop as badly as I did last season :lol:
July 30, 20168 yr Author Yeah normally someone else would have created this thread by now but it looked like it wasn't going to happen so I did it before it was too late :lol:, the predictions were very hard this time after the incredible season that was 2015/16. Mine are just off the basis that Leicester are weaker than they were last season and despite having Pep as their manager Manchester City don't seem to have improved much or at all from last season and Manchester United have done the most notable business in the transfer market so far. And Arsenal.............. are just Arsenal :lol:
July 30, 20168 yr Here we go then! (With full commentary to compound just how wrong I'll be!) 1. Man City - bit of a cop out but aside from their defence (which I'm sure they'll sort out) they still have the best squad. Pelligrini won in his first season so no reason why Pep can't (it pains me to say it) 2. Chelsea - think there'll be a huge turnaround for them. Decent signings, a very good manager & no European football to focus on 3. Man United - can't see us going the whole way but our primary aim is automatic CL qualification. We'll start strong but suffer a few wobbles along the way & don't think we'll be as consistent 4. Liverpool - a bit of a punt but it's Klopp's first full season so I feel he really has to aim for CL. After a shaky start there were some strong signs last season which should continue this year 5. Arsenal - controversial but I think this is finally the year they concede their grip on CL sparking Wenger's departure. They badly need a new striker & if they get one I may revise this prediction 6. Tottenham - yep they're bound to finish below Arsenal as per usual. Can't see them scaling the heights of last season & English's shite showing in Euro will continue to affect half of their team negatively early into the season 7. Everton - I really rate Koeman & think he'll be successful. They'll be fighting for Europe most of the season but just miss out late in. Lukaku to have his best season yet 8. Leicester - I certainly can't see them offering a worse title defence than Chelsea last season but all the extra games might take its toll on their squad. They'll start the season in the same form as last mind! 9. West Ham - might take a while for them to adjust to the new stadium but they'll have another solid season without quite managing the same levels as last 10. Stoke - about usual for them, fourth year for Hughes now so good stability & they have a strong squad, something tells me they'll have a good cup run which might distract from the league if they're not fighting for anything 11. Southampton - every season they seem to defy the odds & improve after selling all their best players and whilst I don't think they'll beat last season they should be comfortable again but just miss out on top half this time 12. Swansea - had a poor season last time but I don't see that repeating here. No relegation concerns & as long as they bring in a decent striker they'll play some good stuff under Guidolin 13. West Brom - as ever it won't be pretty but it'll be effective under Pulis. Grinding out results when required with the odd shock should see them never really have any relegation concerns 14. Middlesbrough - on paper should be fine. Great signings in Negredo & Valdés showing their intentions for a promoted team. They'll be the Bournemouth of this season & ultimately survive comfortably 15. Bournemouth - with a fit Callum Wilson they *should* do even better but that's seldom how the league works out. Still they have an enthusiastic young manager who will continue to impress by beating the odds again 16. Sunderland - there's only so many times you can survive by the skin of your teeth but something tells me they'll pull it out the bag again. If they keep Moyes all year they'll be fine but I'm not so sure he'll be given enough time. Another man to come in & the process will repeat... 17. Crystal Palace - I think they'll struggle this season with the form they were in through the second part of last season. Tends to carry over & they'll be in trouble but ultimately pull it out the bag as they still have individual matchwinners in their squad 18. Burnley - could be wrong & they survive comfortably but they'll be reliant of Andre Gray's goals for sure. I was wrong about Bournemouth last season but I'm not sure they have quite enough depth to survive (but they easily could do!) 19. Watford - all the consistent managerial changing will takes its toll eventually & I can see one or both of Deeney/Ighalo either moving or getting injured which will nullify their attack. They to be the "surprise" relegation 20. Hull - have to say right now I can't see anything that leads to me believe they'll survive. Injury plagued squad, no manager (at present) & very suspect owners don't give me much hope of them putting up much of a fight Points Total For The Champions: 88 Golden Boot Winner: Sergio Aguero Player Of The Year: Kevin De Bruyne First Manager To Get Sacked: whoever Hull employ Edited July 30, 20168 yr by Ðøßßø
July 30, 20168 yr 1. Manchester City 2. Arsenal 3. Manchester United 4. Liverpool 5. Chelsea 6. Tottenham Hotspur 7. West Ham 8. Leicester City 9. Stoke City 10. Everton 11. Southampton 12. Crystal Palace 13. Watford 14. AFC Bournemouth 15. Swansea City 16. Middlesborough 17. Sunderland 18. Burnley 19. West Brom 20. Hull City Top scorer: Aguero First of all, I've changed my mind so much. The top 6 I feel is super close and then there's always the added extra of a real surprise package. I've gone for Man City, but I'm not super confident. It will be interesting to see how they adapt to 'death by football' and how teams try to counter it. I've a feeling their home games could range them being absolute hammerings to opposition teams, to lots of boos when things don't go their way. Arsenal are in a good position, if they sign a striker and another defender then I think they have a great shot of the league. Manchester United.. I'm still not convinced. Mourinho will make them stronger in the short term, but all their positives from last year will disappear. I'm intrigued to see how it all works out, but still some way off being title winners for me. They will try and bin the Europa League off as quick as possible, but even so, playing Thursday-Sunday will really hurt them. Call me biased with Liverpool, but I think we will do okay. Maybe 5th, but I'm going to be really optimistic. Lots of time to prepare, and we were not far away from the Top 4 last year and have strengthened over the summer. If Sturridge stays fit for 80% of the year then can't see us not finishing in the top 4 personally. Chelsea will turn in to the most boring team in the league, I think Spurs will initially struggle. They've strengthened their squad, but not their first XI. Would say all their competitors so far have strengthened both their squad and their first XI. This is where I think Spurs will struggle. IMO West Ham will be fine, but I think getting used to the new stadium will take some time, it depends on ow away teams capitalise on that. After the top 7 it's largely anybodies game.. I think Leicester will do OK but playing in Europe will hurt them and there is no way they maintain that throughout the next year. Plus, they're Champions now. Everybody is going to want to beat them. Stoke will do fine, Everton will be better than last year but still average. Even if Watford do poor to begin with, they will loan half of Serie A come January. Bournemouth could struggle, but think they will be fine still. Same goes for Palace. Relegation spots speak for themselves, Hull are certs to go down. No manager, no players.. recipe for disaster. Burnley again, they might pull a Bournemouth but not convinced so far. That said, I expect Andre Gray to have a fine season. My tip to go down is West Brom. They really struggled towards the end of last season and I can see the same again happening. I think Middlesborough will do OK, but again, they're risking a lot of a few hasbeens. Could go either way, and perhaps do a Hull in 2014/2015. Exicted for the new season, think it will be a good one again. Just please, I don't want any Mourinho/Guardiola or Mourinho/Wenger rubbish. It's tiresome.
July 30, 20168 yr Dobbo - I think Chelsea is a really interesting one. Conte is going to have them be brutal to play against and really slick on the counter attack. I think it could go either way really. I think their defence is still their weak spot, but no way I can see them being as poor as they were last year. That said, I think they could struggle. Ambitious, but wouldn't surprise me at all if Conte was the first manager to be sacked!
July 30, 20168 yr Oh I agree! So many top teams this year could go either way but Chelsea are the biggest unknowns. Conte could pull a Scolari or an Ancelotti (well not necessarily win it) so it will be interesting to follow. I do think lack of Europe will certainly help them, same for Liverpool in fact.
July 30, 20168 yr Author I think and hope it will be a good season but I doubt it will beat 2015/16. The 2015/16 season was the best in Premier League history in my opinion and it will be remembered for decades I think. Especially between Aug-Nov 2015 when every week was like a soap opera.
July 31, 20168 yr 1. Manchester United 2. Manchester City 3. Chelsea 4. Arsenal 5. Leicester City 6. Tottenham Hotspur 7. Liverpool 8. West Ham 9. Everton 10. Southampton 11. Stoke City 12. Bournemouth 13. Crystal Palace 14. Middlesbrough 15. Sunderland 16. West Brom 17. Swansea City 18. Burnley 19. Watford 20. Hull City Points Total For The Champions: 90 Golden Boot Winner: Zlatan Ibrahimovic Player Of The Year: Henrikh Mkhitaryan First Manager To Get Sacked: Walter Mazzarri
July 31, 20168 yr Manchester United.. I'm still not convinced. After discussing football with you for ever ten years now, I'd be amazed to hear anything but these words ever come out of your mouth :lol:
July 31, 20168 yr 1. Manchester United 2. Chelsea 3. Tottenham Hotspur 4. Manchester City 5. Arsenal 6. Liverpool 7. Leicester City 8. Middlesbrough 9. Everton 10. Stoke City 11. West Ham United 12. Watford 13. Swansea City 14. West Bromwich Albian 15. AFC Bournemouth 16. Crystal Palace 17. Sunderland 18. Southampton 19. Hull City 20. Burnley Points Total For The Champions: 86 Golden Boot Winner: Zlatan Ibrahimovic Player Of The Year: Paul Pogba First Manager To Get Sacked: David Moyes (Sunderland)
July 31, 20168 yr After discussing football with you for ever ten years now, I'd be amazed to hear anything but these words ever come out of your mouth :lol: To be fair to myself, since Fergie has left, I have been largely spot on!
July 31, 20168 yr To be fair to myself, since Fergie has left, I have been largely spot on! No arguments from my end. Although I miss our defensive stability under Van Gaal already. #WeMissU
July 31, 20168 yr It's only pre-season and Jones has been on the pitch. If we sell that useless c**t we will be back on our way to a solid defence.
August 1, 20168 yr Sorry would have posted this sooner. 1. Manchester City 2. Chelsea 3. Manchester United 4. Liverpool 5. Arsenal 6. Tottenham Hotspur 7. West Ham United 8. Leicester City 8. Stoke City 9. Southampton 10. Crystal Palace 11. Everton 12. Swansea City 13. Watford 14. Middlesborough 15. West Brom 16. Bouremouth 17. Crystal Palace 18 Sunderland 19. Burnley 20. Hull City Points Total For The Champions: 85 Golden Boot Winner: Sergio Aguero Player Of The Year: Paul Pogba First Manager To Get Sacked: David Moyes (Sunderland)
August 2, 20168 yr 1. Manchester City 2. Arsenal 3. Liverpool 4. Manchester United 5. Chelsea 6. Spurs 7. Southampton 8. Leicester City 9. West Ham 10. Everton 11. Crystal Palace 12. Stoke City 13. Swansea 14. Sunderland 15. Middlesborough 16. West Brom 17. Bournemouth 18. Watford 19. Hull City 20. Burnley Everything in the bottom half of the table looks extremely open. As does the top 5 tbqf. I predict Jose won't do as well as expected at United though.
August 2, 20168 yr Unless Hull City sort out their issues then they are odds-on for relegation and last this season.
August 3, 20168 yr 1. Manchester City 2. Manchester United 3. Arsenal 4. Southampton 5. Tottenham 6. Liverpool 7. Chelsea 8. Stoke 9. Leicester 10. Everton 11. Sunderland 12. West Ham 13. Crystal Palace 14. Middlesbrough 15. West Brom 16. Bournemouth 17. Swansea 18. Burnley 19. Watford 20. Hull
August 4, 20168 yr Southampton 4th spot ML - that's a curveball - the new manager did so well with Nice though so lets hope to see a repeat!
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