Season Predictions: Mid-season review

The Premier League is now over halfway through the season’s fixtures, and there is plenty to dwell on from the last few months of football. Back in August, the iThinkUnited season predictions were published on the blog. Now at the halfway stage of 2012-2013, here’s a look at whether those predictions are coming true, or whether they need revising:

Cup Winners

COMMUNITY SHIELD:

August prediction: Manchester City

City did indeed win the community shield over ten-man Chelsea as a show of intent for the coming season.

Mid-season prediction: Won by Manchester City

CARLING CUP:

August prediction: Manchester United

United unluckily fell to Chelsea in the fourth round, who now themselves look like the favourites for the trophy.

Mid-season prediction: Chelsea

FA CUP:

August prediction: Liverpool

Liverpool’s defence, and in particular their goalkeeper, haven’t looked as solid as last season, but perhaps in the new year (with a few astute signings) the Merseysiders will go on a successful cup run.

Mid-season prediction: Liverpool

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE:

August prediction: Real Madrid

Madrid may be behind Barcelona in La Liga, but have qualified with relative ease from a tough Champions League group, and under Mourinho still would be most people’s favourites. A certain team in red lie eagerly in waiting first however.

Mid-season prediction: Real Madrid

Premier League

CHAMPIONS:

August prediction: Manchester United

Manchester United has opened-up an impressive lead at the top of the table, and if they can avoid another plague of injuries there’s no reason they shouldn’t be lifting the title come May.

Mid-season prediction: Manchester United

TOP FOUR:

August prediction: 2-City, 3-Arsenal, 4-Chelsea

It would be odd if Manchester City failed to finish in the top two after last season’s triumph, despite a recent Chelsea resurgence. The other spots are up for grabs between Chelsea, Arsenal, Tottenham and even Everton. A typical late Arsenal surge may just pip the others to third.

Mid-season prediction: 2-City, 3-Arsenal, 4-Chelsea

RELEGATED:
August prediction: Southampton, Aston Villa, Reading

Accepting that Sunderland and Newcastle are probably too strong to get relegated, it appears a five horse race between QPR, Reading, Wigan, Southampton and Aston Villa. Wigan always seem to get themselves out of trouble, and a team spirit that seems to abide at Reading may be the key factor that saves them come May.

Mid-season prediction: Southampton, Aston Villa, QPR

PLAYER OF THE YEAR:

August prediction: Nani

Whilst you can’t doubt Nani had the potential to be player of the season, he couldn’t be further away from it. By far the worst prediction of the lot, Nani has had a torrid season so far. Meanwhile it is the likes of Gareth Bale, Juan Mata, and Robin van Persie who appear to vying for the award.

Mid-season prediction: Gareth Bale

TOP SCORER:

August prediction: Wayne Rooney

An early injury and the acquisition of van Persie to United makes this prediction look increasingly unlikely. Perhaps it will turn out to be the Dutchman who scores the most goals.

Mid-season prediction: Robin van Persie

Other Predictions

BEST SIGNING:

August prediction: Eden Hazard

Hazard has indeed looked a quality signing so far for Chelsea. Santi Cazorla, Robin van Persie and Moussa Dembele have also looked like superb purchases for their respective clubs. Michu at a bargain £2million for Swansea City looks by far the most effective and financially-astute purchase of the season however.

Mid-season prediction: Michu

SURPRISE TEAM:

August prediction: Fulham

Players at Fulham such as Dimitar Berbatov have helped to install some quality into the team, although the departures of Moussa Dembele and Clint Dempsey are obviously a setback for the side. A recent blip has seen Fulham ‘fall faster than Felix Baumgartner’ in the table as one football presenter put it. Nevertheless, come the end of the season it is still possible Fulham may surprise us all with a good top half of the table finish.

Mid-season prediction: Fulham

FLOP TEAM:

August prediction: Newcastle

To call Newcastle a flop may seem harsh, but they are evidently not going to finish anywhere near their 5^th place from last season. A second-half of the table finish, as they are currently placed, would be an obvious disappointment.

Mid-season prediction: Newcastle