Friday, August 13, 2010

Premier League Predictions: 10-1

Here is a link to #20-11. So here is the top-10:

10. Fulham
Manager: Mark Hughes

2009/10 Finish: 12th

Players to Watch: Clint Dempsey, Bobby Zamora, Zoltan Gera

Preview: Mark Hughes is taking over Fulham after Roy Hodgson left for Liverpool. He has a talented squad, and he will be able to please the Fulham fans with a top-10 finish, but just barely. Fulham does have an American connection in Clint Dempsey, on of the best U.S. players.

9. Sunderland
Manager: Steve Bruce

2009/10 Finish: 13th

Players to Watch: Darren Bent, Jordan Henderson, Kieran Richardson

Preview: Sunderland is a very good squad, they will surprise many people by finishing in the top-10 this season. They have a huge scoring threat in Darren Bent up top. Jordan Henderson is a terrific young midfielder. Also, Sunderland have money to spend. They haven't spent it yet, but maybe by the second transfer window. This will be a successful season for Sunderland.

8. Aston Villa
Manager: Caretaker Boss Kevin MacDonald

2009/10 Finish: 6th

Players to Watch: Emil Heskey, Richard Dunne, Nathan Delfouneso

Preview: Villa is sinking fast in the ocean known as the Premier League. With Martin O'Neil quitting a week before the season, plus the eminent sale of star player James Milner. I was tempted to put Aston Villa even farther down in the table, but I can't. They still have some good young players mixed with reliable veterans. As far as I'm concerned, Milner is already on Man City. This will be a disappointing season for Villa because they will miss out on European competition.

7. Everton
Manager: David Moyes

2009/10 Finish: 8th

Players to Watch: Louis Saha, Phil Jagielka, Phil Neville

Preview: Everton are a very interesting club. They have a solid squad all around. Everton are just off the top-6 teams. There will be some separation there. Everton do have an American connection with goaltender Tim Howard, one of the best goalies in the league. Good news: Europa League. Bad news: just the Europa League.

6. Tottenham
Manager: Harry Redknapp

2009/10 Finish: 4th

Players to Watch: Luca Modric, Ledley King, Robbie Keane

Preview: Okay, it's no secret I don't like Tottenham, but that is not why I think they will drop two spots from last season. With Man City improving by the day, Tottenham will just not be able to keep up. Hey look to the bright side: more Europa League.

5. Manchester City
Manager: Roberto Mancini

2009/10 Finish: 5th

Players to Watch: Carlos Tevez, Robinho, Emmanuel Adebayor

Preview: Manchester City is trying the old "buy a championship" approach. I could type every player they've brought/bringing in, but I'm not going to do it. A collection of star players, assembled on a field, having barely played with one another, doesn't lead to success. Just ask team England.

4. Liverpool
Manager: Roy Hodgson

2009/10 Finish: 7th

Players to Watch: Joe Cole, Steven Gerrard, Fernando Torres

Preview: Last season was a fluke for Liverpool. They have a good team. They just need to put it together. Even with a "takeover" imminent at Anfield, the addition of Joe Cole and Christian Poulsen, will help them get back into the top four. That said, they will not compete for the title, as there will be a sizable game between Liverpool, Man City, and Tottenham and the top 3.

3. Chelsea
Manager: Carlos Ancelotti

2009/10 Finish: 1st

Players to Watch: Didier Drogba, Frank Lampard, Michael Essien

Preview: Last season's winners will not repeat as champions this season. The injury bug tends to affect older teams, and Chelsea is certainly getting older. Last season was a last hurrah for the Frank Lampard-John Terry lead team. They still have a good squad, and will contend for the title until the final month of the season.

2. Arsenal
Manager: Arsene Wenger

2009/10 Finish: 3rd

Players to Watch: Cesc Fabregas, Aaron Ramsey, Andre Arshavin

Preview: Wenger's contract runs out at the end of the season. Now, as of posting this, no extension has been agreed upon, but Wenger says one is close. Arsenal need to win some hardware this season to justify a Wenger extension. They can win the Premier League if they can stay healthy, but that just hasn't happened in recent years. They may not win the Premier League, but they may win hardware.

1. Manchester United
Manager: Sir Alex Ferguson

2009/10 Finish: 2nd

Players to Watch: Wayne Rooney, Patrice Evra, Javier Hernandez

Preview: They have one of the best finishers in the Premier League in Wayne Rooney; One of the best young players in Javier Hernandez; One of the best veteran playmakers in Paul Scholes. All of that plus more makes up the best team in the Premiership. They have a blazing counter attack that usually ends in a through ball to Rooney, and you know the rest. United will be Champions once again, but it won't be by a big margin.

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