Season Predictions

Football has returned. Well actually it was never really away; the Euros and the Olympics treated (?) us to a football-filled summer. But the real deal starts again this weekend, and what better time to make the iThinkUnited predictions for the coming season.

Cup Winners

COMMUNITY SHIELD:

Manchester City

Predicting City to start the new season with a win, however this game might just give us a clue as to what we can expect from a new-look Chelsea side in the coming year.

CARLING CUP:

Manchester United

After a trophy-less season, it would be typical of United to win the Carling Cup, a guarantee of silverware at its least. It won’t be easy though.

FA CUP:

Liverpool

This knock-cup competition requires its winners to have steel and a defensive solidarity that takes them through the rounds. Liverpool looked very defensively secure last season-add in Brendan Rodgers possession philosophy, and they could go all the way.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE:

Real Madrid

We’re talking about Madrid under Jose Mourinho here. He just wins stuff. Now Madrid have taken the league title from Barca, expect them to go one step further this season and claim the European crown.

Premier League

CHAMPIONS:

Manchester United

United will be coming back with force this year. City will be strong, but it would be wrong on a United blog not to predict them to win the title. Providing the reds avoid a disastrous repeat of last year’s injuries, it should be achievable.

TOP FOUR:

2-City, 3-Arsenal, 4-Chelsea

City will be very strong and get second place. Expect a strong Arsenal challenge, stronger than usual, but ultimately falling away as usual. Chelsea will probably improve on last season, but not enough to challenge the title yet; they are a team in transition.

RELEGATED:
Southampton, Aston Villa, Reading

Southampton play nice football, but I can’t see them staying up in what is a very competitive league. Lambert hasn’t sufficiently strengthened at Villa and their squad and playing style could well see them drop down this year. Reading are a team on the rise under Brian McDermott, but probably don’t have quite enough in their squad to beat the drop this year.

PLAYER OF THE YEAR:

Nani

Possibly, and potentially, the world’s best winger after Messi/Ronaldo, this season could be the year Nani reaches his full potential.

TOP SCORER:

Wayne Rooney

The creativity of the United forward line looks destined to bring Rooney another bucket-load of goals. Expect last year’s goal-grabbers Aguero and Van Persie to score plenty too.

Other Predictions

BEST SIGNING:

Eden Hazard

Let’s be honest, this guy will probably light up the Premier League in years to come, and will be seen as a very good bit of business, (or wrangling, or money splashing), by Chelsea.

SURPRISE TEAM:

Fulham

Martin Jol is building something good at Fulham, and providing they hold onto key players like Dempsey and Dembele, they might not be too far off European places at the end of the season.

FLOP TEAM:

Newcastle

Despite having seemingly held onto their best players (so far), Newcastle haven’t dramatically strengthened and it will be a big ask for them to replicate last season’s extraordinary 5^th place. Don’t be surprised if they finish bottom half this year.