Perfect Premiership Predictions (Possibly) (Football Tipster in General)

Member Name: Scott Fowler

Product:	Football Tipster in General
Date:	19/07/02 (142 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Silky flowing skills

Disadvantages: not a one

With the new premiership season only a few short weeks away the build up has begun. The teams are back for their gruelling pre-season workouts, there are new faces (most notably El Tel at Leeds), a few bruised egos from the World Cup (Arsenal’s French Legion) and Middlesbrough are still trying to buy Juninho. But the real question on everyone’s lips is “Who’s going to win it?” or perhaps if you’re a Man City fan when will Keegan get the sack?


Well the usual suspects will be there obviously Arsenal and Man Utd. They will be joined by Liverpool who have been looking more and more like a team capable of winning a championship. We can’t rule out Leeds, who have quite frankly under-achieved in the last couple of seasons and at last year’s surprise package – Newcastle – expectations will be high.

The Usual Suspects.

Arsenal -

I think they have a far tougher season ahead of them this time out. They have only one new face in the camp – Cygan and key players are going to be out for the first couple of months of the season – Ljunberg, Pires and Van Bronckhurst. A lot will rest on how they start – if they can get through the first couple of months without dropping too many points they should be in pretty good shape to defend their crown.

Another potential problem lies again with the injured players. Pires had a phenomenal season until his injury. Will he be able to recapture this form? The same goes for Ljunberg who stepped up his game a notch in the absence of Pires. Will these players regain the form they displayed after being out injured, particularly Pires. How will his knee hold up? Only time will tell, but it could be very damaging to Arsenal’s ambitions if these two do not recover fully.

The World Cup has presented a possible problem for Wenger as well – How will his French superstars react to leaving the world stage with
a whimper? In particular how will Henry react? He is a player who thrives on confidence and who had a great season last year, but the results France suffered in Japan and Korea must surely have dented his self-belief and if he starts of in a negative frame of mind it will be very bad news for the Gunners. Overall though Arsenal should have another good season.

Man Utd –

Last year was nothing short of a disaster for Fergie. He made some questionable decisions (Messrs Blanc and Veron please stand up) and as a result won bugger all. The much-publicised failure to deliver from Veron must be a thorn in Fergie’s side. He buys one the most admired midfielders in the game for a huge sum of money and not only does the player not deliver to his full potential but in accommodating him in the team he tinkers with what had been the best midfield in the country with terrible results. Scholes is a midfielder, an attacking midfielder yes, but he can’t play off the shoulder of a lone attacker. This didn’t deter Fergie who persisted in playing him just behind Van Nistellroy when it was obvious the player wasn’t happy. Given the chance I’d offload Veron (especially after his World Cup Performances) to anyone who was willing to buy him.

However this may be a little harsh on Veron lets not forget the likes of Overmars, Petit and Pires had less than memorable first seasons in the Premiership. It may well be that we’ll see the best of him in the following months.

The other area of trouble for the Red Devils is undoubtedly in defence. They gave away sooooo many comedy goals last year, Barthez can shoulder the blame for a few and Blanc surely must share this. If they can prise Rio from Leeds then problem solved, if not then it’ll be more of the same this season. Blanc still has a great footballing mind but he doesn’t have the legs to keep up with it, he now relies more on reading the game and when yo
u’re up against some of the fearsome pace the premiership has to offer (who said Owen?) this sometimes isn’t enough.

Liverpool –

Here’s a team that’s been looking better and better every season. It may not be pretty to watch but under Houllier the have become a tough team to break down. The Defence is solid having finally sorted out their goalkeeping problems with both Dudek and Kirkland and with Hyypia and Henchoz in the middle it’s a formidable line-up. The have a truly world class player in Owen and one big concern must be keeping this lad fit, without the “boy wonder” leading the line Liverpool can look decidedly ordinary. Hamman is somewhat of an unsung hero, the amount of attacks he breaks up before the become a danger to the defence is staggering and you can really notice his absence from the team, so again keeping him fit will be vital to Liverpool’s chance of success.

Houllier has been busy in the transfer market as well signing the impressive looking Diouf to complement his attack and seemingly about to sign Bowyer as well. Bowyer could be a great purchase he is the type of player Liverpool’s midfield have been crying out for. His drive and will to win would be a great boost to any team and his goal scoring record from midfield speaks for itself. As we all know he isn’t a player who’ll shy away from a tackle either.

The Hopefuls

Leeds –

This could be a very tough season for Leeds. They have an abundance of raw talent at the club with the likes of Keane and Kewell, and in my opinion the best finisher in the English game in Robbie Fowler. They will however be hit very hard by the probable departure of Bowyer and Rio. Rio looked solid at the back for them last season and is turning into a great defender – he’s not quite the finished article but not far from it. But the stark truth is Leeds must sell players to balanc
e the books and with it looking more and more likely that Dacourt will stay these two are the obvious ones to leave. Bowyer won’t sign a new contract and Rio wants out (whatever happened to club loyalty? Would Rio be playing for England if it wasn’t for Leeds? Would Bowyer be playing at all if it wasn’t for Leeds paying his legal fees?).

El Tel will be looking to the rest of his players to step up their game in the absence of these two. In particular I’m sure he’ll be wanting more from his Aussie chums Viduka and Kewell who both had disappointing seasons last year.

I think Leeds will struggle to make it into the Top 5 this season.

Newcastle –

Last year’s surprise package and a real breath of fresh air to the Premiership. They play attractive, exciting football and they play it well. With the old war horse Shearer leading the line and in inspired form, complemented with the tenacious Bellamy who his incredible pace only a fool would write off their chances. Again a lot will depend on keeping key players fit but I think Newcastle will have another good season. The have Dyer returning this time out and have shored up there somewhat suspect defence. Given was in inspired form throughout the season and the toon army will be hoping he can continue in such fine form.

I’m going to take Newcastle as my outside bet for the Championship.

Chelsea –

Everyone’s favourite under-achievers. Can they actually fulfil the potential that their squad show? To be honest I doubt it. They have no problems scoring goals with Jimmy Floyd but in my opinion their midfield has been the problem in recent years. Lampard took time to settle in last year, but started to produce better displays towards the end of the season. Petit also had a slow start but began to look more assured in the latter games. Perhaps if these two can get off to a good start it’ll be a different s
tory this season, but I doubt it. There is just something about Chelsea they seem to be where Liverpool were a few seasons ago – capable of beating the big boys but struggling against “lesser” opponents. Who can say why this is? Perhaps they should get a sports psychologist in to sort them out!

In short I think the table will look like this come next May:

1. Man Utd
2. Liverpool
3. Arsenal

I think Man Utd will be too strong for everyone else next year, especially if they sign Rio.

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