With no hot favourite this year the race for the title is wide open, or blogging team have had a hard time picking who they think will secure that top spot as well as which teams will be fighting it out down in a relegation battle. We've also got a selection of predictions from a few people that may have that extra little insight into the game...
Outside The Box Blogging Team
Top 6
Chelsea
Manchester
United
Manchester
City
Tottenham
Arsenal
Liverpool
Jose
Mourinho's return to his "home" is the major story so far this
summer, although it one that had been seen coming a mile off. With both
Manchester clubs also changing managers, it's Chelsea who have the advantage in
the league this season. United's change of manager and lack of transfer
activity leads me to believe that they'll come up short, however this side won
the league more than comfortably last year and they have the quality to challenge
again. Manchester City have strengthened greatly, however their defence still
looks shaky and for that reason alone I have them at third although it wouldn't
surprise me if these 3 sides swapped places come the end of the season. Tottenham
are another side who have strengthened incredibly. The signings of Paulinho and
Soldado have strengthened an already very strong starting line up, while Chadli
and Capoue give the side more energy and experience in the depth of their
squad. With Arsenal's lack of spending and Liverpool's giant gap they need to
close I see Spurs as the pre-season favourites for that fourth spot. Spurs
have been a club in the headlines all summer long concerning the transfer
activity, regarding their star man and PFA Player of last season, Gareth Bale.
Whether or not the club keep Gareth Bale may not effect their chances as much
as many believe. Unless Arsenal can find quality additions and quick I can't
see them finishing above their north London rivals. Liverpool played some
superb football towards the end of last season and have brought in several new
attacking options. If Sturridge can continue last season's form and Rodgers'
side can find consistency they could be there or there a outs but I feel there
consistency and ruthlessness could see them miss out again.
Bottom 3
Stoke
Hull
City
Crystal
Palace
The
bottom three is also as hard as ever to call this season. The two new boys Hull
and Palace are simply not going to have enough in my opinion. Palace should
have goals in them under Holloway and have spent big money on Peterborough's
highly rated striker Dwight Gayle but this has to go down as a risk at Premier
League level. We feel these two will do OK and may entertain us throughout the
season with a few upsets but will ultimately fall short. Picking the third side
to go down was the hardest decision of all with several other teams in the mix,
the final spot will most likely be decided on the final day. We have gone
for Stoke simply because I'm not sure how much Hughes will improve them,
a new approach under the new manager may be too much for the team to
handle and we feel they'll struggle to adapt and will go down
Top
Scorer
Robin
Van Persie
It’s
hard to look past last season’s top scorer. The Holland international scored
twice in Manchester United’s charity shield victory and looked to be in the
same form at the start of this season as he was at the end of the
last. The only thing that I think could prevent this would be injury.
Richard Laverty
Top 6
Chelsea
Manchester
United
Manchester
City
Tottenham
Arsenal
Liverpool
Personally
I think Chelsea look strong and with Mourinho there they'll be better than
ever, he'll get the best out of Lukaku too and tighten up the defence. Think
United and City will be close with Tottenham not far behind, in fact I think
the additions so far including Capoue will be great for the squad even if Bale
goes, and no doubt they'll get 2 or 3 more in with the money if he does go to
Madrid. Think Liverpool will be close to Arsenal too, impressed by their business
and Coutinho will be a star.
Bottom 3
Fulham
Hull
Crystal
Palace
At the
bottom, not impressed by Palace or Hull's signings although Tom Huddlestone
could be cracking business. It's hard to judge because the lower league teams
will bring more in before the deadline but think Cardiff have done enough just
to be clear at the moment. Fulham had an awful run in April/May, they've lost a
few good squad players and we don't know much about their new signings bar the
goal keeper. New owners too can always be disruptive, hope I'm wrong as I like
them as a club but think they'll struggle.
Top
Scorer
Soldado
Soldado
should thrive on service from Lennon, Chadli and possibly Bale, and even from
Dembele and Paulinho through the middle. Not sure RVP can repeat the heroics,
Chelsea's goals will be evenly shared around between the front four and we
don't know where Suarez's mind is. Aguero was another shout but injuries could
hamper that.
Neville Southall
Top 3
Manchester
City
Chelsea
Everton
Bottom 3
Crystal
Palace
Hull
Southampton
Short
and sweet from Neville, going out on a wishful limb tipping Everton for that
third place finish.
Ramon Isaac
Top 6
Chelsea
Manchester
City
Manchester
United
Tottenham
Arsenal
Liverpool
Think
Chelsea will win the league not only because of the Mourinho factor but the
likes of Hazard and Oscar are improving with every game and combined with Mata,
they provide the most creative attacking talent that any team has to offer in
the league. Spurs' signing of Soldado gives them the edge in North London as
he's by far the best striker when looking at what Tottenham and Arsenal have to
offer. Their central midfield is strongest in the league with the addition of
Paulinho.
Bottom 3
Stoke
Crystal
Palace
Hull
Stoke
have rode their luck and I think Hughes will be unwilling to maintain Pulis'
less that aesthetically pleasing but efficient brand of football, combined with
his previous incompetence their safety looks anything but assured. Hull and
Palace haven't done anything in the transfer window to suggest that they can
manage to stay up.
Top
Scorer
Soldado
Alan March
Top 6
Manchester
City
Chelsea
Manchester
United
Arsenal
Tottenham
Liverpool
With
Balotelli & now Tevez departed, the ship may be steadied somewhat but for
this prediction the new gaffer must I still the 2011/12 form and desire into
Aguero and the engine, Yaya Toure. It was hard for me to place Chelsea. With
the smooth one back in charge would this be a season he rebuilds but fail to
top the table or is football written for a glorious return? David Moyes is
kind of on a hiding to nothing in his first season. Win the league and its
mainly the team SAF put together, fail to win and the Old Trafford may grumble.
Van Persie's form & Rooney's saga could determine the outcome, Suarez
or not, I always pick the Gooners to finish 4th, purely for Wenger's ability.
However, another non trophy season could be on the cards with Wilshire's
fitness key to their season. Anyone would miss Gareth Bale, the form he's
shown in the last 2-3 years has been scintillating, however there's money and
quality at Spurs to worry teams. some will say I'm mad. Rodgers will need
to finish here or higher to stay in a job and I for one hope he does. Gerrard
needs support and the need to purchase well now and in January with goals a key
area.
Top
Scorer
RVP
What a
tough call. RVP could be the man this year, especially if he is Utd's only
leading man, however his goals may not secure David Moyes the title!
Graeme Bailey
Top 6
Manchester
City
Chelsea
Manchester
United
Tottenham
Arsenal
Swansea
I think
Arsenal and Spurs will have almost another personal battle for fourth, but I
like the business Spurs have done and as long as Soldado performs, can see them
getting fourth. I also think Swansea are capable of breaking the top-six
this year, as long as they avoid any big injuries.
I think
the top three will be a titanic battle, but I am just giving Pellegrini the
egde as I like the look of City’s this year – saying that if Chelsea or United
won, that would not be a shock at all.
Bottom 3
Sunderland
Hull
Crystal
Palace
I think
the bottom two spots fill themselves although both will give it a real go – the
last slot I think Stoke, Villa, Fulham and Cardiff will all flirt with the drop
but I just can’t see the Di Canio experiment working.
Top
Scorer
I'll go
with RVP ahead of Soldado and Remy.
Mike - Football Club Magazine
Top 6
Chelsea
Manchester
City
Arsenal
Tottenham
Liverpool
Manchester
United
Bottom 3
Cardiff
Crystal
Palace
Hull
Top
Scorer
Suarez
Ian Ladyman
Top 6
Chelsea
Manchester
City
Manchester
United
Arsenal
Tottenham
Liverpool
Bottom 3
Norwich
Crystal
Palace
Hull
Top
Scorer
Robin
Van Persie
The
return of Jose Mourinho should be enough to edge Chelsea in to first place this
time. Chelsea have a talented squad that under-performed last season and that
is unlikely to happen again now that the Special One is back. City have also
bought well and I think they will have too much for neighbours United who will
take time to find their direction under David Moyes. At the bottom, I find it
hard to see Norwich repeating the feat of the last two Premier League seasons,
despite their new signings. They were beginning to head In the wrong direction
at the end of last season and I fear that may continue. As for Palace and Hull,
I just think the lack quality.
Jim Broadman
Top 6
Manchester
City
Manchester
United
Liverpool
Chelsea
Tottenham
Arsenal
That's
my top six, maybe as much out of hope as any real conviction it's going to
happen! Both Manchester sides have changed manager but I think the blue lot
will adapt better than their neighbours. I don't think Chelsea will apapt well
to the return of their old boss either, still top four but nowhere near the
title. Spurs will probably miss out on top four again but I feel this might be
season when Arsene Wenger finally runs out of time. Liverpool in third is
probably (definitely) wishful thinking but pre-season optimism has kicked in.
Bottom 3
Hull
Fulham
Stoke
Hull
seem the most likely of the promoted sides to go straight back down and the
change of owner might just be the undoing of Fulham, who don't seem to be doing
much to improve their squad. Stoke seem to be planning to change the way they
play without changing the players they've got, something that might just backfire
on them.
Top
scorer
Aguero
Michael Bridge
Top 6
Chelsea
Manchester
City
Manchester
United
Arsenal
Tottenham
Liverpool
Mourinho
feels at home at Chelsea and loves the Premier League. This will give him the
edge over his rivals. Not entirely convinced Man City's expensive new
signings will deliver the title. Still no new signings and no Sir Alex.
Tough job for Moyes. Still think Arsenal will spend, but won't be anywhere near
the top 3. This is on the assumption Bale will leave. If he stays, Spurs
will finish in the top four. Made some great signings. Should be in the
top six if Suarez stays.
Bottom 3
Cardiff
Hull
Crystal
Palace
Bruce
has signed players from the Premier League but still don't think it'll be
enough. Palace have lost Zaha and haven't strengthened. Cardiff have made some
good signing, but need more.
Top
Scorer
Sergio
Aguero
Ian 'Moose' Abrahams
Top 6
Chelsea
Manchester
City
Manchester
United
Tottenham
Liverpool
Arsenal
Bottom 3
Newcastle
Hull
Crystal
Palace
Top
Scorer
Robin
Van Persie
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