Relegation Battle
Last season Sunderland looked a lost cause, but managed to scrape clear, picking up 12 points in their last 8 matches. Unfortunately for them, I cannot see them surviving another season. Admittedly, I do like their summer signing in Jeremain Lens who has a goal and 2 assists to his name this season. Also up front is 32 year old Jermain Defoe who has 9 goals in over 20 appearances for the Black Cats. Defensively is the major issue. Although good positionally, John O'Shea is not the player he once was, as is Wes Brown and both will be done for pace if a player is able to get in behind.
Bournemouth were the fairytale story from the Championship last season and even though Eddie Howe spent his transfer window bringing in many new faces, I don't see this being enough to keep them in the league. Last season, Bournemouth were somewhat a surprise package having finished in mid-table of the Championship the season before. It may be a step too far for Howe's men, but they have already thrilled the Premier League with a decent performance against Liverpool and Callum Wilson's hat-trick against West Ham and will continue to do so.
Finally, Norwich will be fortunate to beat the drop. The Canaries bounced back from their relegation in 2013/2014 with a play off win to get them back into England's top league. Norwich have several key individuals, notably Nathan Redmond. The England U21 international has the potential to be a key man and if Norwich can get him firing then they would be in with a great chance of staying up.
Champions
Similar to last year, the title is there for Chelsea or City to take. Although they have made a stuttering start to the season, I do think Chelsea will triumph in this year's campaign. Up front Diego Costa and Radamel Falcao will rotate accordingly and provide an excellent attacking threat. Defensively however they have been frail this season. Neither John Terry or Gary Cahill have performed anywhere close to the last season. Simiarly Nemanja Matic was a defensive wall last year and was a vital component behind the title victory last season. Several games in, Matic has not offered any protection to the back four. Once Mourinho rectifies this, Chelsea will be able to launch their title charge.
Champions League
Manchester City have raided the market and acquired Kevin de Bruyne, Raheem Sterling, Niclas Otamendi, and Fabian Delph. All of a sudden they look twice was dangerous on the attack as they did last season. The only team with a 100% record, they started like a greyhound out of the blocks. If City do not topple Chelsea then they will come second, at least five points ahead of third position. Not only are they a force going forwards, but their defensive rock in Vincent Kompany has returned from a barren spell last season and is showing why he is so highly rated by football fans.
Manchester United and Louis Van Gaal have taken a lot of stick largely over the departures of their strikers and the purchase of Anthony Martial. I think United have a strong enough squad to improve on last season, even if it is only by one position. What will hinder them from launching a proper title challenge, is their weak numbers up front. If Rooney gets injured, then United will be seriously stuck.
I seriously think Arsenal were in with a chance of pushing for the title if Arsene Wenger had got his signings right. A lot of Gooners were filled with optimism when the purchase of Petr Cech was announced, thinking that if they sign another striker and holding midfielder, then they would be on set for a great season. They missed out on key players so I don't see them finishing any higher than fourth position.
Europa League
Currently sitting in 7th with two wins, a draw and a loss to their record. Last time out Liverpool were poor defensively, showing signs that their problems at the back have not been rectified. Before their 3-0 loss to West Ham, they kept three clean sheets, which suggests that West Ham may have just been an off day. With Benteke up front, most defences will have trouble dealing with him and if they can continue to keep clean sheets then 5th place looks a certainty and can look to pressurize Arsenal who look vulnerable at the minute. A win against United tomorrow would certainly help get the momentum going.
Last but not least, Spurs are hoping to compete a bit higher than the Europa League spots. Failing to get transfer target Saido Berahino on the last day of the transfer season, Tottenham will have to struggle through the first half of the season with Son Heung Min and Harry Kane as strikers with Emmanuel Adebayor unregistered and seemingly heading for the door. They have enough to get Europa League football, but need to strengthen if they are to challenge for a Champions League spot.
Race for Europe
The race for the remaining Europa League positions is very interesting. Normally it would be Everton and Spurs leading the chase, but this season they will have competition from West Ham and Swansea.
Looking at West Ham, this season presents a massive risk. Having got rid of Sam Allardyce after the last campaign, Slavan Bilic was announced as his successor with the though of reinventing the Hammers' style of play. Bilic has built a talented squad with the signatures of Dimitri Payet and Alex Song along with the crop of players already at the side. I look forward to watching this side as the season progresses.
Swansea City Football club has grown at the same rate of their manager. Already touted as Roy Hodgson's successor, Garry Monk has been working wonders in the south of Wales. The purchase of Andre Ayew is paying dividends already, winning the player of the month for August, and Bafetimbi Gomis is on course to be one of the Premier League's top marksmen come May. Not only do they have talent up front, Jonjo Shelvey is superb at pulling the strings from deep and Ashley Williams is a superb captain and defender.
Everton struggled to cope with the pressures of balancing Europa League football and their domestic campaign last season. This season however will be different. Roberto Martinez has recruited Gerard Delofeu back from Barcelona after exciting the Toffees two seasons ago. We all know of Romelu Lukaku's prowess in front of the goal, if Deulofeu can get the correct service to the Belgian then Everton will certainly be competing for Europa League positions.
Those are my predictions as to how the season unfold. Although several game weeks in, a lot can happen in the remaining matches. I'll endeavour to cover every team at least once as the season progresses as well as others from the continent. Don't hesitate to talk back to be on one of the various social media outlets below or else in the comments below.
Champions
Similar to last year, the title is there for Chelsea or City to take. Although they have made a stuttering start to the season, I do think Chelsea will triumph in this year's campaign. Up front Diego Costa and Radamel Falcao will rotate accordingly and provide an excellent attacking threat. Defensively however they have been frail this season. Neither John Terry or Gary Cahill have performed anywhere close to the last season. Simiarly Nemanja Matic was a defensive wall last year and was a vital component behind the title victory last season. Several games in, Matic has not offered any protection to the back four. Once Mourinho rectifies this, Chelsea will be able to launch their title charge.
Champions League
Manchester City have raided the market and acquired Kevin de Bruyne, Raheem Sterling, Niclas Otamendi, and Fabian Delph. All of a sudden they look twice was dangerous on the attack as they did last season. The only team with a 100% record, they started like a greyhound out of the blocks. If City do not topple Chelsea then they will come second, at least five points ahead of third position. Not only are they a force going forwards, but their defensive rock in Vincent Kompany has returned from a barren spell last season and is showing why he is so highly rated by football fans.
Manchester United and Louis Van Gaal have taken a lot of stick largely over the departures of their strikers and the purchase of Anthony Martial. I think United have a strong enough squad to improve on last season, even if it is only by one position. What will hinder them from launching a proper title challenge, is their weak numbers up front. If Rooney gets injured, then United will be seriously stuck.
I seriously think Arsenal were in with a chance of pushing for the title if Arsene Wenger had got his signings right. A lot of Gooners were filled with optimism when the purchase of Petr Cech was announced, thinking that if they sign another striker and holding midfielder, then they would be on set for a great season. They missed out on key players so I don't see them finishing any higher than fourth position.
Europa League
Currently sitting in 7th with two wins, a draw and a loss to their record. Last time out Liverpool were poor defensively, showing signs that their problems at the back have not been rectified. Before their 3-0 loss to West Ham, they kept three clean sheets, which suggests that West Ham may have just been an off day. With Benteke up front, most defences will have trouble dealing with him and if they can continue to keep clean sheets then 5th place looks a certainty and can look to pressurize Arsenal who look vulnerable at the minute. A win against United tomorrow would certainly help get the momentum going.
Last but not least, Spurs are hoping to compete a bit higher than the Europa League spots. Failing to get transfer target Saido Berahino on the last day of the transfer season, Tottenham will have to struggle through the first half of the season with Son Heung Min and Harry Kane as strikers with Emmanuel Adebayor unregistered and seemingly heading for the door. They have enough to get Europa League football, but need to strengthen if they are to challenge for a Champions League spot.
Race for Europe
The race for the remaining Europa League positions is very interesting. Normally it would be Everton and Spurs leading the chase, but this season they will have competition from West Ham and Swansea.
Looking at West Ham, this season presents a massive risk. Having got rid of Sam Allardyce after the last campaign, Slavan Bilic was announced as his successor with the though of reinventing the Hammers' style of play. Bilic has built a talented squad with the signatures of Dimitri Payet and Alex Song along with the crop of players already at the side. I look forward to watching this side as the season progresses.
Swansea City Football club has grown at the same rate of their manager. Already touted as Roy Hodgson's successor, Garry Monk has been working wonders in the south of Wales. The purchase of Andre Ayew is paying dividends already, winning the player of the month for August, and Bafetimbi Gomis is on course to be one of the Premier League's top marksmen come May. Not only do they have talent up front, Jonjo Shelvey is superb at pulling the strings from deep and Ashley Williams is a superb captain and defender.
Everton struggled to cope with the pressures of balancing Europa League football and their domestic campaign last season. This season however will be different. Roberto Martinez has recruited Gerard Delofeu back from Barcelona after exciting the Toffees two seasons ago. We all know of Romelu Lukaku's prowess in front of the goal, if Deulofeu can get the correct service to the Belgian then Everton will certainly be competing for Europa League positions.
Those are my predictions as to how the season unfold. Although several game weeks in, a lot can happen in the remaining matches. I'll endeavour to cover every team at least once as the season progresses as well as others from the continent. Don't hesitate to talk back to be on one of the various social media outlets below or else in the comments below.
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