It’s that time of the year when you stick your neck out to forecast an entire season, knowing too well that it can come back to bite you. Further transfer activity will definitely upset the applecart, but nevertheless, here’s the annual ‘Crystal Ball’ predicting the league table come May.
20. Swansea City
Key Player: Scott Sinclair
Swansea leaked a goal per game last year, and without any reinforcement their backline looks feeble. The Sinclair-Graham combo scored 45 goals in the second-tier; they would do well to reproduce one-fifth of it against the likes of Vidic and Terry.
19. Wigan Athletic
Key Player: Ali Al-Habsi
Wigan’s current squad has an N’Zogbia shaped hole and hence Rodallega’s goal-scoring will definitely suffer this year. Wigan clung on to their EPL status by the skin of their teeth, and barring an Al-Habsi miracle show in goal – Wigan look doomed.
18. Blackburn Rovers
Key Player: Morten Gamst-Pederson
Blackburn are the embodiment of stagnation. There’s an absence of star-power and leadership. Even Pederson isn’t the player he was in 2005/06. Steve Kean might well be the first manager to get the chop and it’s hard to see the club recovering after that.
17. Norwich City
Key Player: Grant Holt
Holt’s attacking prowess can save Norwich. Lambert has worked miracles, and his closely knit side has that camaraderie which often becomes the crucial differential.
16. Wolverhampton Wanderers
Key Player: Roger Johnson
Wolves have adequate attacking options in Jarvis and Doyle, but Johnson’s purchase looks to have solidified the backline. The glaring deficiencies of their rivals could eventually save Wolves.
15. Newcastle United
Key Player: Cheick Tiote
The Barton-Ashley combo keeps the club within the realm of derision. Rope in Pardew’s irrationality and signs look gloomy. However this Newcastle side has decent wing-play (Obertan and Ben Arfa); steel (Tiote) and precise distribution (Cabaye) to help them avoid danger.
14. Queenspark Rangers
Key Player: Adel Taraabt
QPR have a competent defense and a dexterous talisman. Taraabt’s talent will enchant the Premier League. He could be this year’s Charlie Adam (albeit a more skillful one).
13. Everton
Key Player: Leighton Baines
Everton, with their ever-inflating treatment room, seem destined for a substandard season, and in turn undoing Moyes’ decade-long struggle. Although inspirational Baines is probably the best left-back in the league, the big two of Arteta and Cahill have neither the element of surprise nor the drive of the past, to lead their side into Europe.
12. Bolton Wanderers
Key Player: Kevin Davies
With neither Sturridge nor Elmander being at the club, Bolton might need to strengthen their attack. If Cahill stays at the club then veteran Davies and manager Coyle can guide the club towards mid-table security.
11. West Bromwich Albion
Key Player: Peter Odemwingie
The Foster signing has backed up West Brom’s attack by fortifying their defense. If Brunt’s supply and Odemwingie’s finishing work in tandem like last year, then Baggies can easily match last year’s impressive finish.
10. Stoke City
Key Player: Matthew Etherington
Stoke’s style is not everyone’s cup of tea, but you can’t deny its effectiveness, especially at the Britannica. Although Europe could be a hindrance, but Stoke’s set-piece danger, competent defense and Etherington pulling the strings in the middle should see the club being the usual mid-table menace.
9. Fulham
Key Player: Clint Dempsey
Martin Jol’s arrival should encourage attacking play. Fulham have a versatile strike-force but arguably, Dempsey is their most potent goal threat. If the Cottagers can complement Jol’s characteristic play with their habitual defensive stability, they could even challenge for Europe.
8. Aston Villa
Key Player: Darren Bent
The arrival of N’Zogbia and the progress of Albrighton can fill the void left by Young and Downing. McLeish should take care of the defensive side. Villa have signed a world-class keeper in Given, and If Bent continues to bang them in, they could have a very productive season.
7. Sunderland
Key Player: Asamoah Gyan
Sunderland’s purchases run the whole gamut from talent to experience. Such a wide influx should drive the club forward, especially since most of the purchases are proven EPL players. Almost all areas have been bolstered and with Gyan leading the line, expect Sunderland to trouble the big boys.
6. Arsenal
Key Player: Thomas Vermaelen
With Fabregas’ transfer to Barcelona nearing completion and Nasri hankering after the exit gate as well, the writing is on the wall for Wenger. The manager has not aided his case by his failure to cite apt replacements, and by being completely oblivious to his team’s shambolic defensive problems. Vermaelen could be a defensive anchor and provide much needed leadership. However, if Wenger sticks to his stubbornly platonic philosophy, he might not last the entire season.
5. Tottenham Hotspurs
Key Player: Rafael Van Der Vaart
After last season’s European euphoria, Redknapp has his work cut out in motivating his side for a fight for Champions’ League qualification. In Van Der Vaart, they have a genuine star. Friedel will provide much needed stability in goal and If Modric stays; Spurs have enough quality in their ranks to challenge the top four.
4. Chelsea
Key Player: Fernando Torres
Villas-Boas has failed to address the fact that the current Chelsea squad is aging and the spine of the side (Terry, Lampard and Drogba) has infiltrated into the wrong side of thirty. This was tangible in last season’s struggles and could encumber the side again. Villas-Boas might eventually formulate an all-conquering side, but not this year. If Torres can erase last season’s misery and replicate his 2007-2009 form, Chelsea might end up closer to the summit.
3. Manchester City
Key Player: David Silva
The lack of team unity could hinder City’s title surge. The absence of pride in the team’s jersey or the dearth of giving it all for the teammates would eventually hurt City. Add a first-ever Champions’ League campaign into the mix and Mancini’s defensively well-drilled side doesn’t have the aura of being Champions – not yet anyway. Nonetheless Aguero and Silva especially, look like having a huge impact on the league this year.
2. Liverpool
Key Player: Luis Suarez
Although Liverpool’s summer expenditure has been scrutinized by some quarters; it is obvious that Dalglish has invested in various cogs to make his machine work properly. The January signings were a masterstroke, as the Suarez-Carroll partnership can terrorize even the topmost defenses. This will probably be the season when Suarez announces himself and could secure the ‘Golden Boot’. The only thing lacking is the ‘been there, done that’ factor within the squad, which could undo the Reds at the final hurdle.
1. Manchester United
Key Player: David De Gea
Sir Alex has not significantly enhanced his side, but since most of their rivals are in a transitional phase of sorts, United are still the team to beat. The Scotsman has freshened up his squads following the mini-exodus of veterans. If the Community Shield is anything to go by, United could up the ante in their play this season. Despite all the star power, the United’s season hinges on the performance of their goalkeeping prodigy. If he can handle the big stage, the English Champions should be there again come May.
