The 2009/10 English Premier League season is right around the corner. And this has the potential to be one of the most exciting seasons in recent years. Could this be the year that a team other then Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool, and Arsenal finish in the top 4 of the table? Things can change with two weeks left in the transfer window but FPP is ready to predict what teams will finish where in the upcoming season.
1. Chelsea
This will be the year Chelsea takes the title away from three time defending champion Manchester United. Chelsea has the least number of question marks heading into the season. One can also make the argument that Chelsea is the only member of the top four not to get weaker in off-season. The recent signings of Terry and Drogba will prevent any major distractions becoming an issue for the club. A healthy Chelsea football club, led by Carlo Ancelotti, will have enough grit and skill to have them celebrating a league title at Stamford Bridge in May.
2. Manchester United
The Red Devils are too good to just let Chelsea take what is theirs without a fight, but the loss of CR7 will be too much to overcome. Say what you want about Ronaldo’s antics on the field, but losing one of, if not the best players on the planet is never a good thing; especially when that player scored 66 league goals over the last three seasons. Although I do like bringing Valencia on board, the Owen signing, and the fact that Rooney is once again playing his favoured role, I just do not feel that it makes up for all the goals scored and created by Ronaldo last season.
3. Liverpool
I was originally thinking of placing Liverpool at the top of the standings until Xabi Alonso became the latest player to be swooped up by free spending Real Madrid. Liverpool can and will make some moves before the transfer window closes in two weeks, but they are yet another team near top to become weaker in the off-season. The Reds still have the skill to compete, but I feel the loss of Alonso is too large to overcome.
4. Arsenal
Well it’s official, I still have top four intact for one more year at least. I know in opening I stated that this promises to be one of the most exciting seasons in recent years and I believe it will be. I just do not fee the top four will change. However, the loss of Adebayor and Toure to Manchester City will put the Gunners at the greatest risk of falling out of the top four. Fortunately, Arsene Wenger is still managing and he will be able to get the most out of this young talented squad. However, Arsenal does face an early test against Celtic in the play-off round of the Champions League and an early bad result in Europe could lead to distractions that equal bad results domestically.
5. Tottenham
Spurs had a great second half to last season under the guidance of Harry Redknapp and I expect that trend to continue this season. The loss of Darren Bent will not cause too many problems with Dafoe, Crouch, and Keane on board. Also, Luka Modric has the talent to be one of the more dominant players in the league and I’m expecting him to reach that level of excellence this year.
6. Manchester City
Hey Big Spender! With my prediction of the top four staying intact will mean the emergence of the “fab 5” will have to wait at least one more year. Robinho, Tevez, Santa Cruz, and Adebayor will all be capable of scoring goals, but they cannot all be on the field. It will be an interesting and intense season for manager Mark Hughes who will quickly learn there are big expectations when ownership is writing big paycheques.
7. Aston Villa
Villa had a very strong campaign last year finishing sixth and I do not foresee a real drop off this season. Bruce O’Neill has his squad headed in the right direction and positive results should continue to come their way.
8. Everton
Everton had a very strong season a year ago finishing fifth in the table. But I think they will be dropping a few positions this time around. This is still a strong side capable of winning more then a few games, but I just feel the teams leapfrogging Everton in the standings made more substantial changes.
9. West Ham United
West Ham will once again finish the season ninth place in the table. This is a respectable finish for this hard working team. I like some of the moves made in the off-season, but these moves will only enable West Ham to stay in the top ten.
10. Sunderland
This is not a typo; I do believe Sunderland is capable of finishing tenth in the standings this season. Manager Steve Bruce will have a huge impact on this squad and I believe it will propel the team up the table. Darren Bent may have fallen out of favour with Tottenham, but the 15-20 goals he will score with Sunderland will make everyone at the Stadium of Light much happier.
11. Fulham
Fulham finished in seventh place in the table last season, but I do not see another top ten finish this year. This is just a case of Fulham not making enough improvements in the off-season to prevent other clubs from over-taking them in the standings.
12. Wigan
The loss of Antonio Valencia hurts Wigan a lot, but not enough for the team to drop too far in the standings. None of the teams I have placed below Wigan have done enough in the off-season to surpass them in the table.
13. Bolton
The Wanderers will not be heading anywhere near relegation this year. This is a young team full of promising talent. If Bolton is able to keep this squad together then a top ten finish is not far away.
14. Stoke City
Stoke city returns this season with almost the same team intact. Stoke managed to finish last years campaign with 45 points and I imagine this season they will once again hover around that amount.
15. Blackburn
My belief is that the Rovers are dangerously close to relegation, but they will manage to survive another season. The loss of Santa Cruz to Manchester City is a big one for a team that does not have any breathing room. The players being brought in do not add up in talent to the ones that have moved on.
16. Birmingham
Now things start to get really interesting! I believe Birmingham has just enough talent to stave off relegation this time around. Bringing in Joe Hart on loan from Manchester City was a solid move. Scoring goals will be at a premium with this squad, so keeping them out of the net becomes even more important.
17. Wolverhampton
I am giving Wolverhampton the 17th spot in the table based on the fact that this team was promoted as the league champions. It will be a tough test for the Wolves to stay up, but I feel it can be done. However, a good start to the new campaign will be important.
18. Burnley
Burnley will be very close to staying in the Premier League for one more season and any slip up by either Wolverhampton or Birmingham will allow them to do just that. Hull proved last year that a hot start can allow you to stave off relegation and if Burnley gets off to a nice start then they might be able to stick around for one more year.
19. Portsmouth
Portsmouth has seen too much talent leave the squad in the off-season to remain competitive this year. I am giving Burnley a puncher’s chance to stave off relegation, but I do not feel Portsmouth has any shot at sticking around beyond this season.
20. Hull City
Hull proved last year that a hot start can allow the underdog to play one more year with the big boys. But Hull’s season also proved that hot starts quickly come to an end once the big clubs realize what you are all about. Hull City was getting beat by everyone down the stretch last year and I expect the losses to begin to pile up a lot earlier this season.
So that is how I see the 2009-10 Premier League season shaping up. I will revisit the list when the transfer window closes in two weeks, but I do not envision any major changes taking place in the standings. Let me know how you feel about my picks and feel free to make your own. Let the games begin!
I think Liverpool can do it this season and maybe Aquilani will fill the space left behind by Xabi Alonso. I hate to admit it but Man Utd are still the team to beat…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7umwgmMfi4k