PREMIER LEAGUE PREDICTION/REVIEW

I just found an article about Premier league review where were someone's prediction's from before the start of the season. I thought it would be a brilliant idea to look at my predictions, however I didn't think of that before. So I am going to try to predict next season, so I can look here in a year time and see how accurate I was. Not to make it only so boring I am also going to sum up the previous season on which I basically make my predictions (The numbers in brackets are Christmas standings).

Premier League 2017/2018

1. Manchester United (3rd)
The thing with Man U is that you can't say they had a disappointing season despite finishing 6th. How crazy is that? They won Community shield, EFL cup, unbeaten in 29 games and playing final in Europa league (which might mean a possible Champions league place). You just can't call that unsuccessful. Having said that finishing outside top four has been going on for way too long (expect one occasion which wasn't real stunner really). It was Jose's first season and the way they played their first game and their final one, is significantly different. There is definitely starting to show a Mourinho impact on the team. The only thing that cost them a top finish were all those draws. Jose is going to work on that during the summer and also he might bring a few more new faces in. Anyway Man United did well, but the result wasn't pleasant. That's why I think next year it's going to work out just perfect.
 

2. Manchester City (2nd)
Pep Guardiola's only achievement was finishing in top four last season which is a big smack in the face for Pep and city fans. They are playing an attractive football, but it was just not enough to be any sort of a threat for the league leaders. To be fighting to stay in top four till the last game of the season is quite shameful. Pep has certainly learned a lesion that Premier league is no fairy tale walk and will produce a decent team competing to win the league. I think the deciding fact, that they won't win the league will come a couple of matches early.

3. Chelsea (1st)
Conte is a sensational manager as last season showed. They deserved the title with the way they were playing. Even if Costa leaves they still have plenty of great players. I don't think they will go mental in transfer window, having just won the league, but if they sign one or two young talented players, Conte can let one or two of his key players go (he should keep hold of Kante though). He will be seriously one of the strongest managers to beat, but he won't be winning forever. They'll be top at Christmas, but the luck will turn the back on them. A couple of draws along the way will put them in 3rd just behind blue team from Manchester. 1-2 points behind, maybe decided on goal difference. It will be a tight run.

4. Arsenal (4th)
Oh, how useless Arsenal and Wenger were in last season. Being an Arsenal fan must hurt. I believe that we've just seen Wenger's last season at Emirates. The question is, who will replace him? It will be very hard to answer that question, but if somebody capable will step in Arsene's shoes, they will do well. Which means 4th, as usual. But you never know. It;s Arsenal. They sign Alan Pardew and Arsenal will be lucky to get to the top half. It will be decisive who will lead north-London team in next season. If I'm wrong and Wenger stays, my prediction will stay the same. They will be though to beat, but they will be possible to beat.

5. Liverpool (8th)
Scousers will face another disappointing season after being almost out of Champions league. Jurgen Klopp is a great man, doing a great job, but nobody can do magic. Managing Liverpool side and expect to win trophies is like cooking an exact portion of spaghetti for one. It is possible, but nobody has ever done it and nobody ever will. Southampton did rather well last season, so we can expect some more signings in Liverpool squad, but they can't let go Firminho and Couthinho. I think everyone else in that squad is replaceable, but those two 'inhos are a crucial part of the team. And if they won't sign a new keeper they might be in big trouble. After all it is going to be a difficult season next year, and I don't think Liverpool is going to handle it well. I believe that the same old thing is going to happen again. They will be unbeaten against top four all season, but they going to give away a Champions league place by loosing to Crystal Palace at Anfield.
 

6. Everton (7th)
Everton played extraordinary football last season. They did really well and they will keep going all the way through next season. It will be very exciting for them, spending most of the year above their biggest rivals from across the river, but the things will turn to be sour for them. Finishing behind Liverpool after a couple of lost important games. All of that only if Ross Barkley and Lukaku will stay at Goodison next season.

7. Newcastle (5th)
Geordies did really well in Championship and they deserve to be in the top flight. Newcastle are a big club and what can be better for them than being promoted as champions and seeing their rivals relegated from the bottom of the table. After having a non-pleasant experience from lower league, their finish in this season will pump them right up to the high finish in the Premier league. They've got many talented players who can help them to do really well. And with that fantastic support many great wins are on the way.

8. Spurs (6th)
Spurs hunted the champions again. Yet they failed again. Luckily for them they stayed second and what's better feeling than laughing at Arsenal for not making it into Champions league. They gave farewell to White Hart lane, which wasn't a good idea in my opinion. Just look at West Ham. They played some poor football at Olympic stadium. The killer for Tottenham will be Wembley. They never did well at this ground and I don't think they are about to change it. After quite successful season some of the key players might even leave the club which won't help them to keep up the good work. I see their next season as a big disappointment for them.

9. Southampton (11th)
Beach boys are doing better and better each season. There is always something missing to be among the elite of the league. With the budget they play with it's truly remarkable to see them doing so well. Next season will be another one full of positive surprises. But I'm afraid they will only go downhill from there. I'm just gonna throw in another predictions that it's likely they will change a manager during the season, which will be a right decision, but it will be a bit too late to do anything significant to the league table.

10. Brighton (14th)
Another one of those small teams which everyone likes to see them do well. And I think they will. I am not really sure about this one, as they might finish in lower places, but why not? Just look at Leicester, Burnley or Bournemouth. Is Brighton going to be another one of those? They almost won the league last season and to win Championship is a tough competition bearing in mind that you have 4 more teams to compete with, therefore 8 more games. That is something, that is not easy, but they managed to do very well, so I think they will keep on going.

11. West Brom (13th)
West Brom games have always been 50-50. Weather they play Liverpool or Swansea. They just have the capability to surprise, but to disappoint at the same time. Tony Pulis is doing a great work, but as I said it's so-so and that's why I'm going with middle table finish with West Brom.
 

12. West Ham (9th)
It was very hard for hammers this season. Having some great players and yet still not get the results as they used to is not something you see very often. But you see it. Olympic stadium was a big blow for them. I could never see them do well on this ground. It is not Upton park. And you can see that not only on the look of the ground, but in the way of play as well. One season was maybe not enough and they are gonna suffer more. It will take some time, to make Olympic stadium their home.
 

13. Bournemouth (10th)
It is obvious what is the reason Bournemouth are still in the Premier league. There is only one name. Eddie Howe. For me he is one of the best managers of the season. If you'd put in charge anyone else, they would be fighting relegation for sure. Eddie is making Bournemouth a decent club, and he will do for a long time. I can't see them having any big worries about getting relegated next season, although they will need to fight, but it won't be that hard.

14. Leicester (16th)
The famous Leicester. A big champions with a small club. Those days are gone. Ranieri is gone. Which I will never understand, but it happened for whatever reason. Foxes started to write a new story. Literally, when Shakespeare took over. It was a nice read at first, but then it got a bit boring. Vardy and Mahrez were not available despite being on the pitch, which is going to change next season. If you look at Leicester history they have every other season successful. They change every season and having last season not so great, in the next one they are going to break this streak. Leicester glory days are over. They will remain safe in the top league, but with nothing interesting to watch. Maybe season after that. 
 

15. Stoke (17th)
Stoke are one of those clubs who are not on top of your watch list. Next season they will have to step up from the relegation zone, where they will find themselves for a short time. Nothing serious though, they will stay high and dry long before the end of the season.

16. Swansea (12th)
After a nightmare, stressful finish of last season, Swans are going to learn a lesson. The team in white are going to be a tough place to visit and will be playing some decent football, however, things will change. They will drop. Not too low, but close enough to give them some worry lines on their faces. The end of the next season is not going to be an easy walk through once again. But they will manage to stay up.

17. Burnley (18th)
Sean Dyche is another one of those who can surprise us. However I do not believe Burnley is a tem for Premier league. Yeah, it's nice to see them play with the biggest clubs in the country, but I think it's just a matter of time, when they will be sent back to Championship again. Having said that I can see them saving themselves on the very last day of the season having their arses burnt by the flames of Championship.

18. Crystal Palace (15th)
Palace is a club where you just don't know what to expect. Last season was played with only Zaha and Benteke. I believe they will do well until January, when either one of them is going to use a transfer window and we will see Crystal Palace slip all the way down to relegation place. As I mentioned above, it will be decided in the last game, where they will not be able to gain urgent, important points, that would keep them in the league.

19. Reading (20th)
I am going to go with Reading over Huddersfield. I saw the game at Hillsborough and Huddersfield to me was not the team for the PL. Reading are going to have that extra bit of luck and will be celebrating a nice win at Wembley (maybe after extra time). That's my prediction number one for them. The other one is, that they will go where they came from. Next season will be a struggle for them and they will only wish that the season would be over. 

20. Watford (19th)
Sacking a manager just for not speaking English seems a bit harsh for me (just look at Pochetino. remember his first days at Southampton?), however I do think it is a right decision. What I don't think is a right decision is a choice of a next manager. I don't know who that will be, but I've just got this gut feeling, that it is not going to end well. Watford will suffer a painful season and Mazzurri will only look and laugh at them.

Here are some additional predictions:
FA CUP: Man City - I see an easy draw for City. Although challenging for PL title and having priorities elsewhere, they will manage to get all the way through to final and maybe compensate for the standing in the league.
EFL CUP: Newcastle - After spending a year in not so prestigious Championship Newcastle will surprise us with not only league performance, but I reckon they will manage to get their hands on this piece of silverware. 
COMMUNITY SHIELD: Chelsea - Easy 3-1 win against Arsenal. Can't see it any other way.
Championship promotion:
1.Fulham - After last season of great football, they will get a revenge for not getting promoted last season.
2. Hull - If they will manage to keep all the hard-working players, maybe sign some more, there will be an exciting season for them
Play offs - Sheffield United - Yeah, for this one I am going with my heart instead of my head, but who knows? Chris Wilder is making a fantastic job. Top six is not that unrealistic. 

Regarding Europe, in Champions league an English team will get as far as semis. To be knocked out by a Spanish team (Real or Barca presumably). Who will that team be? I'm gonna go with Chelsea. I might be wrong though.
Europa league will be a bit obvious with a giant called Arsenal in there. Although I would like to see them loose in the final. Just to bring some nice memories from Liverpool game. Oh. It still makes me laugh. That's that then. I'm off to have a Coke.

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