By Simon Wright – Follow
me on Twitter @Siwri88
Just over a
month has passed since the conclusion of the World Cup finals in Brazil and now
the domestic season is about to begin for the top flight teams. The Barclays
Premier League returns for its 23rd campaign this weekend, as the
elite prepare to do battle over the next nine months. And whether the club you
support is likely to be in the mix for the title or the desperate scramble to
survive, it is bound to provide plenty of drama and tension along the way.
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| The Premier League returns this weekend and the competition will be fierce |
Here, I
preview the 20 clubs taking part in the 2014/2015 season and rate their chances
with a final finishing position.
ARSENAL
Prediction: 2nd
(Runners-Up)
Arsenal
topped the table for a large portion of last season, but fell away in the final
third of the campaign and crumbled spectacularly on away trips to Anfield and
Stamford Bridge last season. However, Arsene Wenger did manage to end the
silverware drought with an extra time win over Hull City in the FA Cup final.
Now Community Shield holders too, the Gunners team looks a happy and settled
camp. Alexis Sanchez adds to their firepower and is a quality signing whilst
Calum Chambers’ time might come sooner than expected following the departure of
skipper Thomas Vermaelen to Barcelona. With Theo Walcott due back soon and
Mesut Ozil bound to improve on a sticky first season on these shores, Arsenal look
well placed for a strong title challenge. The squad looks still a bit short to
fight on four fronts but I reckon they will end up as plucky and very close
runners-up.
ASTON VILLA
Prediction: 18th (Relegated)
For many
years now, Aston Villa have hugely underachieved and last season was another
underwhelming campaign for the Villa Park faithful. Great wins away at Arsenal
and at home to Chelsea were cancelled out by a string of appalling performances
at the end of the season that saw them only finish 15th for the second
successive campaign. Roy Keane has joined the coaching staff and Randy Lerner
wants to sell the club, but can’t find a prospective buyer and no wonder.
Whoever scouted Philippe Senderos and told Paul Lambert he was a worthwhile
signing should also be down the job centre; as Senderos is a car crash of a
defender just waiting to happen. With star striker Christian Benteke out
injured until October, it will be a tough start and the manager will do well to
survive it. However, their Premier League ever-present status will be consigned
to the history books by next May.
BURNLEY
Prediction: 20th
(Relegated)
Sean Dyche
has done an incredible job and is one of the brightest young managers in the
game. On a tight wage bill, he managed to achieve the improbable and get
Burnley promoted back to the big time after a four-year absence. It is likely
though that the Clarets will find the going extremely tough. Last season’s
wonders have stayed together and whilst Matt Taylor and Steven Reid add
valuable Premier League experience, you’d be hard pushed to see Burnley staying
afloat. More signings are required and I know the manager will be working on
strengthening the ranks. It will be a brave and valiant battle against the
drop, but Burnley’s stay back in the top flight is expected to be just a one season
wonder again.
CHELSEA
Prediction: 1st
(Champions)
Having not
won any silverware in two years as a manager, Jose Mourinho has gone through a
lean patch in his previously controversial but hugely successful career. Last
season was about him redeeming himself after a tainted final year at Real
Madrid. Now, he needs trophies because that is what owner Roman Abramovich is
expecting. Goals were a struggle last season; although whether Diego Costa is
the answer remains to be seen. Frank Lampard and Ashley Cole have gone but
another club icon has returned in Didier Drogba and the acquisition of Cesc
Fabregas is the best bit of business done this summer. If Costa can get 20
goals minimum and be still aided by the likes of Andre Schurrle, Drogba, Eden
Hazard and Oscar to name a few, the ribbons on the trophy should be blue again
next Spring.
CRYSTAL PALACE
Prediction: 17th
Crystal
Palace survived last season but start the new campaign in turmoil after LMA
Manager of the Year, Tony Pulis, walked out on the club by mutual consent just
48 hours before the season begins. A frustrating summer transfer window for the
Eagles has seen the Welshman call time on his fantastic short time in the
Selhurst Park dugout. Brede Hangeland, Frazier Campbell and Martin Kelly have
all joined and there is enough depth in the squad for them to stay afloat this
time. Appointing the right man though is priority no.1 and Malky Mackay would
be a wise choice, compared to other mentioned names, like Chris Hughton and
David Moyes.
EVERTON
Prediction: 6th
With a
Premier League points record for the club and now, breaking their transfer
record to sign Romelu Lukaku on a permanent basis, things are good if you are
an Evertonian. Roberto Martinez has taken on the work that Moyes started onto a
new level and the Toffees are one of the league’s most exciting teams to watch.
Whilst they still lack a bit of squad depth, their starting XI is among the
league’s best. Dealing with the Europa League will be a challenge but they
should be able to handle it. Again, I think Martinez’s men will just fall short
of a top four finish but another top six placing in the table will be seen as a
strong season for the blue half of Merseyside.
HULL CITY
Prediction: 12th
For Steve
Bruce, last season was a year of redemption. After his profile took a battering
with his disastrous spell as Sunderland manager, Bruce reminded everyone that
he is a great managerial talent. Survival and an FA Cup final was great and it
gives the fans the excitement of European football arriving at the KC Stadium
for the first time in the club’s history. Losing Shane Long is a blow, but the
£12m transfer fee should give Bruce enough time to find a strong replacement,
whilst the midfield is full of quality – added by the arrivals of Tom Ince and
Robert Snodgrass. If they enjoy the Europe experience and get out of it by
Christmas, a strong lower mid-table finish is on the cards for the Tigers.
LEICESTER CITY
Prediction: 16th
After a gap
of 10 years outside the Premier League with even a year spent in the third tier
as recently as 2009, Leicester City have finally returned back to the big time
as champions of the Championship. There are high hopes to make the Foxes a
stable member of the elite but it is all about survival this season for Nigel
Pearson. He has added Leonardo Ulloa for a club record fee of £8m from Brighton
but they have been noticeably quiet in the transfer market so far. It’s great
to see them back and I think they will achieve their aims and stay up –
although home form must be very strong for them to achieve it.
LIVERPOOL FC
Prediction: 8th
Liverpool FC
came so close, yet so far. The Premier League title that looked theirs for the
taking after beating Manchester City in mid-April, slipped away almost quite
literally in the final furlong. Top goalscorer Luis Suarez has got his dream
move to Barcelona and whilst he will be missed by LFC fans, another bite on a
professional footballer at the World Cup meant it was a step too far for the
board at Anfield. Active in the transfer market, but Dejan Lovren aside – no player
looks like they will make a big impact. Steven Gerrard is on the decline and
question marks remain over a leaky backline. Some fans think the title is on
but realistically, Brendan Rodgers’ side will get a wake-up call. I hope I’m
wrong with my fears but mid-table mediocrity beckons.
MANCHESTER CITY
Prediction: 3rd
It was a
hugely successful debut season in England for Manuel Pellegrini. He guided
Manchester City to a League Cup victory and that was backed up by a second
Premier League title in three years, playing some of the best football seen in
years in England. City did break Financial Fair Play rules, so they have had to
be careful with their transfer business but added Porto pair Eliaquim Mangala
and Fernando, along with a short-term loan move for Frank Lampard. Much will
depend on whether Yaya Toure can regain his deadly form from last season and if
Sergio Aguero can have a full campaign without injury disruption. I expect them
to go further in Europe this time, but slip into a third-place finish in the
league as the challenge from the capital grows.
MANCHESTER UNITED
Prediction: 4th
So, ‘The
Chosen One’ was ‘The Wrong One.’ After the failed David Moyes experiment, step
forward Louis van Gaal. The Dutchman might have questionable man-management style but he is a character and a
born winner. His CV speaks for itself with domestic titles in Holland, Spain
and Germany along with the Champions League with Ajax all the way back in 1995.
Luke Shaw and Ander Herrera aside, last season’s average players are back for
another go – although it will be interesting to see how the youngsters step up
now that Ryan Giggs, Nemanja Vidic, Patrice Evra and Rio Ferdinand have
departed the playing staff. It will be a much better campaign for the Red
Devils. I think Van Gaal will make winning the Capital One Cup a priority and
if he achieves some silverware and a top-four finish, then it is a successful
first season. Winning the league isn’t impossible but I do think there are
three sides with better squads than what Manchester United have at their
disposal.
NEWCASTLE UNITED
Prediction: 9th
After 18
months of virtually no transfer activity, Alan Pardew has added eight players
to the squad at St James’ Park. Last season was a story of two halves. Fighting
for European qualification and in the top six on Christmas Day, the Magpies
collapsed spectacularly in the second half of the season – winning just five of
their last 19 matches. The manager also attracted bad headlines for his crazy head-butt
into Hull’s David Meyler in March. Siem de Jong looks the pick of their
signings but it will be another mediocre season for the Geordie faithful. 9th
place though would be a minor improvement and hopefully, a quieter year out of
the spotlight on and off the pitch.
QPR
Prediction: 14th
It is welcome
back to Harry Redknapp and he will claim there is unfinished business in his
managerial career. The man who likes being interviewed out of car windows might
not be everyone’s cup of tea but he does attract headlines and often gets the
best out of his teams. Redknapp has managed to attract Rio Ferdinand to Loftus
Road whilst Steven Caulker and Jordon Mutch are very good additions. Loic Remy
has stayed…for now at least and if he does, he’ll get the goals to keep QPR
well clear of any relegation danger.
SOUTHAMPTON
Prediction: 15th
Southampton
have had a nightmare summer. Five key players have departed, their manager
resigned for the Tottenham job and a star midfielder has told the club he wants
to leave and is in no mental condition to play football! It is fair to say that
Ronald Koeman seems to have a poisoned chalice on his hands. Saints have added
Shane Long to their ranks, whilst Dusan Tadic could be one of the surprises of
the season if he matches what he did at FC Twente last season. A drop down the
table is anticipated and it is sad to see what has happened on the south coast
this summer. They should have enough though to survive.
STOKE CITY
Prediction: 7th
Having been
as low as 17th in late January, Stoke City went on an impressive run
afterwards to finish in ninth place – their best in their Premier League
history. Mark Hughes has shown that his QPR mere was just a blip in a fairly
strong managerial career to date. The Potters have a tremendous wealth of
striking options. Bojan and Mame Diouf join Peter Odemwingie, Peter Crouch and
Marko Arnautovic and with a competitive midfield and a strong defensive unit
that doesn’t concede many – it could be even better this time around. The fans
at the Britannia can expect another strong campaign. Stoke are my dark horse
tip.
SUNDERLAND
Prediction: 11th
Gus Poyet
worked miracles last season to keep Sunderland among the elite. They were
bottom on Christmas Day and seven points adrift after a 5-1 defeat to Tottenham
on 9th April, yet still survived with unexpected wins over
Manchester United and Chelsea helping them achieve the improbable. Poyet has
ended Jack Rodwell’s rotten two years at Manchester City and added him to a
talented midfield. They still lack a 10-15 goal machine in attack but that is
all they need to challenge Newcastle to be top dogs in the Tyne & Wear
battle over 38 games.
SWANSEA CITY
Prediction: 10th
After
steering Swansea clear of danger, Garry Monk has earned a full-time promotion
to the manager’s hotseat. He has had a difficult summer with Jonathan de Guzman
returning to Villarreal, Michu moving to Napoli on loan and Chico Flores, Ben
Davies and Michel Vorm all moving onto pastures new too. Wilfried Bony has
stayed on and if they start September with the Ivorian still in their ranks,
Bony’s goals will keep Swansea well away from trouble. With no European
distraction either, it should be a return to the top half for the Swans this
time around.
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
Prediction: 5th
Tottenham’s plan
to buy a whole new team for Gareth Bale backfired. Christian Eriksen aside,
none of the newcomers made much of an impact in a turbulent campaign that saw
Andre Villas-Boas finished as a Premier League manager before Tim Sherwood’s
colourful six months in charge. Now, the calm Mauricio Pochettino (who now
speaks English with the media!) takes the helm with the aim of bringing
Champions League football back to White Hart Lane. I don’t honestly know what
to make of Tottenham if I’m being honest. It could be a season where they beat
many of the top teams, then drop silly points to the lesser-quality teams.
Fifth place will be the final position but is that enough for owner Daniel
Levy? It probably won’t be if previous history goes to form.
WEST BROM
Prediction: 19th
(Relegated)
West Brom’s
decision to hire Alan Irvine as manager in June was a big surprise. Having
tried and failed with the Pepe Mel experiment, the Baggies look like a strange
case of wanting more when it was unrealistic. I wonder how Steve Clarke is
feeling now after his harsh and undeserving sacking before Christmas last
season. Irvine deserves a chance to at this level but it will be an extremely
tough challenge. I don’t think there is enough quality in the squad to survive.
Albion used to be the yo-yo club between Premier League and Championship. I’d
have to agree with many media outlets that have WBA down as a relegation
favourite.
WEST HAM UNITED
Prediction: 13th
Sam Allardyce
kept his job after receiving the dreaded vote of confidence from the owners.
David Sullivan and David Gold like Big Sam – even if the fans are growing tired
of his fairly sterile tactics. The joint-chairman have insisted that Sam plays
a more attacking brand of football but if pre-season formations are anything to
go by; this is unlikely. Allardyce has his ways and it keeps teams afloat in
the Premier League but it doesn’t fulfil huge progress. Much of the same for
West Ham but it is imperative they stay in the Premier League. It would be a
tragedy for their great fans to welcome the move to the Olympic Stadium in two
years’ time without Premier League football to go with it.
So that’s
what I think. Good luck to all 20 teams competing. It is bound to be a
nail-biting and enjoyable season ahead.
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