Season Prediction 2015/2016

We're exactly a month into the new season and with the transfer window closed, let me share my opinions on how the domestic season will unfold

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.

Christian Benteke sees off plucky Bournemouth

With adjustments made to the offside rule at the start of every season, it's hardly rocket science to predict that there would be at least one occasion in which the officials get it wrong. Christian Benteke put in a tremendous shift as his side collect all three points at Anfield. 

Bournemouth thought they had made a magical start when Tommy Elphick had headed them in front only for the referee to blow for a foul on Dejan Lovren. The south coast side had made the brighter start and looked as if they wanted to take the game to Liverpool. Callum Wilson had the beating of Lovren on several occasions but this tailed off towards the end of the half.

Front men Wilson and King persisted all night and were keen to stamp their mark on the game as where Gradel and Ritchie down the flanks. Bournemouth were getting men down the flanks to great effect and this seemed their most likely way to scoring a goal. 

Eventually Liverpool began to get a foothold in the game Phillipe Coutinho starting to get on the ball and dictate the play. Dropping into pockets of space, Bournemouth found it hard to get close to the Brazilian and he started to create chances. Liverpool were using their alternative route to Benteke well with the Belgian winning 7 out of his 9 aerial duels in the first half.

The deadlock was broken through the new man who pounced on a cross from Jordan Henderson to score his first goal for Liverpool. While the goal may have been awarded under controversial circumstances, it will be a great weight lifted from the Belgian's shoulders. Henderson went close minutes later, with a dipping shot from 30 yards that grazed the cross bar. As the first half progressed, Liverpool began to dominate more and more as Bournemouth dropped deeper and invite more pressure and were in need of a lucky break to boost their confidence. Coutinho had a glorious chance to double the home sides lead but he scuffed his shot wide. Bournemouth were unfortunate to be a goal down. 

At the start of the second half, Bournemouth had to be the first side to strike and, similar to the first half, they started the most lively. Not getting many shots on target in the first half, Howe had instructed his side to shoot more in an attempt to test Simon Mignolet in nets who had very little to do. Bournemouth continued to push for an equaliser and Matt Richie's half chance on the hour mark smashed the upright. A goal would give the visitors the confidence and switch the momentum. Bournemouth were creating chances through the middle with the midfielders overlapping.

70 minutes saw the introduction of Roberto Firmino to raucous applause as he made his Anfield debut. While Liverpool were somewhat comfortable, a second goal was required to drain Howe's men mentally. They had an excellent chance to do so on the counter when Benteke broke the line and found Coutinho but his poor first touch enabled Charlie Daniels to get the block in. 

Benteke caused problems for the Bournemouth centre back pairing all night long and nearly doubled his tally in the dying embers with his close range shot cannoning off bar. The Belgian's hold up play was exemplary and he could hardly have started his home debut in better fashion.

Eddie Howe can take many positives from tonight and look to build on them as they look to secure their Premier League status for next season. It was a professional, but not flashy performance from The Reds. Christian Benteke's performance is a major plus, but there are improvements needed to be made in defence.

The Rise of AFC Bournemouth

On Monday 27th April 2015 goals from Marc Pugh, Matt Ritchie and Callum Wilson secured Bournemouth their promotion to the highest level of English football for the first time in their 125 year history. The emotion was clear on the face of 12,000 Bournemouth fans packed into the small stadium as it went into raptures once the final whistle was blown by the referee. The southern England side have come on a long adventure, but they have bigger and better challenges awaiting.

The adventure of Bournemouth and Eddie Howe relates to one of my many Football Manager escapades. At the end of 2008, Howe was appointed manager, taking over a side in financial turmoil and on the brink of liquidation. Howe masterminded the 'Great Escape' and guided them to League 2 promotion, before subsequently signing with Burnley. The former player returned after a few barren years and got them promoted to the Championship, their first time in the second division of the English League since 1990. After solidifying themselves as a Championship side, a comfortable victory over Charlton and a last minute equaliser from Sheffield Wednesday wrapped the title up for the Cherries.

The rest of the article can be read on Eleven.