Premier League Prediction Rehash

Well, I’ve been away for a while,I did draft a few posts over October and November but decided they weren't worth posting. I've had a lot to complain about Forest in the last few weeks, mainly idiots calling for the manager to be sacked, but I digress… New year, so I’m going to rehash my Summer predictions. I’ve purposefully waited until after Man City v Liverpool to post these, so with the FA Cup break this weekend, a perfect time to reflect.

20^th Huddersfield Town (Summer- 19^th)

As I feared, the lack of goalscoring threat is costing Huddersfield so dearly, and the injury to Aaron Mooy has robbed them of much of their creativity. It is a shame, especially since David Wagner has done such a good job, but at the end of the day their lack of goals could see them struggle big time, and if they want to stay up, a proven Premier League goalscorer is needed. Peter Crouch anyone?

19^th Cardiff City (20^th)

Cardiff are getting a few results, but I still can’t see them staying up unless they spend heavily in January. They have adapted to the Premier League better than I expected, but at the end of the day, most of their players are Championship players, and it has shown. One positive I will say is that they are getting results against the teams around them, and this may well go a long way to proving me wrong.

18^th Burnley (14^th)

Oh dear, I think the bubble has burst. I thought their early Europa League exit would see an improvement in form, but Burnley look a shadow of the team they were last year, and Turf Moor suddenly doesn’t seem as scary to go to. There is still time to escape, but one think they must do is keep faith in Sean Dyche. In my opinion, sacking him could cause an implosion at the club, and be fatal, although I doubt the board will do so. I’d be more worried about him jumping ship to another club.

17^th Fulham (15^th)

They were bottom at Christmas, but I think the appointment of Claudio Ranieri will see them survive. He knows a bargain, and if he does even just half of the job he did at Leicester (how did that work out again? Fulham will be just fine. The defence already looks improved and he has decent tools to guide Fulham to safety, although I think a defender or two wouldn’t be a bad idea, even on short term options.

16^th Brighton and Hove Albion (18^th)

Are turning into a difficult to beat outfit, I think Brighton will chug along nicely under Chris Hughton and avoid the drop. It is probably time for Brighton to look to establish themselves in the Premier League like Bournemouth have, and they can start by looking for a replacement for Glenn Murray. Don’t get me wrong, I like Murray, but time for the Seagulls to look long term.

15^th Southampton (12^th)

I’m disappointed with Soton, I thought they would bounce back from last year, but it’s been more of the same. In saying that, I think they’ve sacked Mark Hughes at the right time, and while I don’t know much about Hasenhüttl, he comes with an impressive CV, and has the January transfer window to stamp his mark on the team. One positive for them, I can’t see Liverpool coming to poach anyone at the moment!

14^th Newcastle United (13^th)

I’m not going to say any of the usual stuff about Mike Ashley, I think I’ve made my opinion clear on him in the past. Despite the slow start, they should be OK, and I think Benitez will guide them to midtable, but reinforcements are needed, and I worry a little about their lack of firepower up front. Salomon Rondon is a good striker on his day, but that only seems to be once every few weeks.

13^th Crystal Palace (11^th)

Another side who I feel have underperformed a bit, but I think will be fine. They have missed Zaha terribly during his injury, and need to sign someone to relieve some of the load. On the plus side, full backs Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Patrick Van Aanholt have been impressive, and a run of good results for them could see them shoot up the table.

12^th Watford (17^th)

Who saw this coming? I know Watford usually start strong and tail off, but something feels different this time, and OK I think they’ll drop again slightly, but nice and safe with no relegation worries. Ricardo Pererya and Will Hughes have been brilliant in midfield, and their defence looks stronger and much more disciplined. Some strengthening in depth may still be needed however, but they have the Richarlison money to spend on that.

11^th Bournemouth (16^th)

Again, WOW! This was not what I was expecting from Bournemouth after watching them lost 2-0 to Forest in July. Ryan Fraser and Callum Wilson have been brilliant in particular, and Josh King is starting to look much more consistent. They’ve fallen away in recent weeks in the face of tough fixtures, but again, a solid mid-table finish should beckon. My main worry for the Cherries, is like Leicester, keeping hold of players, as well as Eddie Howe, who must now surely be a contender for a job at a big club.

10^th  Wolverhampton Wanderers (9^th)

I honestly can’t make Wolves out at the moment. They beat Chelsea, and take points of Arsenal and the two Manchester clubs, run Spurs close and play attractive, attacking football…. But at the same time, they’ve dropped a lot of points against clubs at the wrong end of the table. Nothing wrong with how the season is going for them so far, but if they want to challenge for Europe, they need to turn up for all games, not just the big ones.

9^th Everton (8^th)

I’ve been impressed from what I’ve seen of Everton this season. Michael Keane and Gylfi Sigurdsson have established themselves after poor starts, and new signings Richarlison, Lucas Digne and Angel Gomes have settled in quickly. Marco Silva seems a good fit for the club, my only worry is goals. Cenk Tosun just isn’t consistent enough, and although Richarlison has done well in the striker role, I just think a more natural striker would see them challenging for the Top 7 rather than Top 10.

8^th West Ham United (7^th)

On the whole, I don’t think West Ham’s season so far has told the whole story of them so far. They’ve had a lot of tough matches earlier in the season, but are starting to click, and the January signing of Samir Nasri should help propel them well into the top half. It is good to see them playing attacking football again, and Felipe Anderson looks like one of the signings of the season. Mid table stability this year, and look to challenge for Europe in 2020 will probably be their best option.

7th Leicester City (10^th)

I think Leicester have to be commended for carrying on in such horrible circumstances, whatever happens this season, the tragic events of October 27^th 2018 will leave a black cloud. On the pitch, they’ve looked strong, and now established as a mid-table side. Harry Maguire has continued his World Cup form, and James Maddison has adapted to Premier League life quicker than expected. I think the main worry for Leicester now is that they become the new Southampton, and the bigger clubs swoop in for their young talents such as Maddison, Maguire and Ben Chilwell. Recent results have taken an upturn, and I think the experience of their unexpected Title win, with some players still in the squad, will help them battle for the final European spot. (A Forest fan tipping Leicester for Europe- I must have gone mad)

6^th Manchester United (3^rd)

My predictions of Lukaku top scorer and Sanchez to have a good season are probably my worst predictions since I said Psycho would take Forest straight up to the Prem in one season, but it has to be said, getting rid of Mourinho was the best decision made at Old Trafford for years. He was good in the past, but I think he’s yesterdays man. The football is boring, he’s stifling young talents such as Rashford, Pogba and Martial, and clearly has lost most of the fans. The reaction of the players said it all, and I don’t wholly commend it, but it was the right decision. I think it’s too late for them this year, and they’ll stay 6^th, but looking much more positive.

5^th Arsenal (6^th)

I’ve been impressed with Emery. It feels like Arsenal have got their swagger back, but I think they’ll fall short of the Top 4 this season. I for ridiculed for suggesting it last year, but I said I felt Arsenal played better without Ozil, but on recent form, I think my unpopular opinion at the time has been vindicated. Kudos to Emery for also giving a second wind to some previously underperforming players such as Lacazette and Bellerin, and I think Granit Xhaka is also starting to prove his worth. Like I say, I think Spurs and Chelsea are stronger, and if Arsenal want Champions League football next season, they should look to win the Europa League.

4^th Chelsea (5^th)

Sarri’s hit the ground running quicker than I expected, but there are still a few too many negative results from Chelsea if they want to challenge for the title. They’ve had a good start, but they need to replace Morata if they want to challenge for the top. I’m also worried about their overcrowded midfield, there are too many quality players in the middle of the park, and I think one or two will have to move on to satisfy their need for game time (there could be worse problems to have).

3^rd Tottenham Hotspur (4^th)

A few weeks ago, I had Spurs missing out on the Top 4, but it seems the North London Derby defeat has spurred them on (Pardon the pun). The lack of summer transfer activity doesn’t seem to have hampered them too much, but I think reinforcements will be needed now. I can’t see them challenging Man City and Liverpool yet, but another Top 3 finish should be gettable.

2^nd Liverpool (2^nd)

Despite many changes to my predictions, the top two remain unchanged. Liverpool, have mostly looked strong, and despite having the upper hand in the league, I think City are still in the prime position, especially after last night. Very few of the Liverpool players have experience winning the title, and I think despite the experience of the likes of James Milner in this retrospect, it could cost them.

1^st Manchester City (1^st)

And so, even before last night, I’d still go for Manchester City for the title. They’ve had a dip, but Pep Guardiola has been through this before, and players such as David Silva, Sergio Aguero and Fernandinho have also done this, have the T-shirts, and will help them make their challenge. It is nearly 10 years since anyone defended a Premier League title, but I think this City side will have enough about them to finish the job.