'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The 2015/16 Premier League season kicks off on 5 AugustFrom Charlie Adam's spectacle of a strike at Stamford Bridge to Leicester's inconceivable escape from the jaws of relegation, the 2014/15 Premier League season was overloaded with twists and turns. And ahead of this weekend's opening set of fixtures, fans anticipate much the same from the forthcoming campaign. This term sees the arrival of a host of prominent faces to the English game, including Bastian Schweinsteiger, who ended his Bayern Munich tenure to join Manchester United, and Roberto Firmino, the Brazillian revelation eager to make his mark at Liverpool. England's top flight will welcome Norwich City back to the big time after a one-season absence, while Bournemouth will be making their Premier League debut. Clubs will be eager to rectify the errors of last season, and every battle from top to bottom promises to be incredibly tight and competitive. Last season’s title-winning manager himself as claimed that any one of five sides could see their ribbons dress the Premier League trophy in May. And with all of the big clubs strengthening in at least one department, he couldn’t be more right.Whether we witness the tightest campagin to ever grace our screens or a season of complete domination by Mourinho’s Blues, the EPL is back in business, and the next 10 months promise plenty of excitement, desolation and astonishment. So what does the crystal ball say about the likely winners and losers this season?
#6 Relegation
The impulsive nature of a relegation dogfight can initiate free-fall for the biggest of clubs – take Portsmouth as an example. Last season, QPR, Burnley and perhaps most surprisingly of all, Hull City all faced the plunge, and lessons can be learned from these sides’ dismal fate.
QPR had the attacking potency to challenge for European competition, but a very leaky defence saw them exploited week-after-week. On the other hand, the longevity and intensity of the league season stung Burnley the most. However, Hull City embody just how brutal the Premier League is. Following a good summer’s spending, Steve Bruce’s side started the season poorly and maybe underestimated the threat of relegation as complacency killed off the Tigers.
Against this dreary backdrop of sides in decline, there is a spark of eagerness from the trio of sides promoted to the big time last term – Bournemouth, Watford and Norwich City.
Runaway victors in England’s second tier last season, Bournemouth could stay up by the skin of their teeth and be the only one of the promoted sides to keep their heads above water. The enigmatic Callum Wilson and Ipswich-bound Brett Pitman netted just shy of 40 between them in 2014/15, while Matt Ritchie scored 14 himself. Showcasing a brand of attacking, fluid football under the watchful eye of hungry 37-year-old Eddie Howe, the spirit and humility of this Cherries side should carry them over the line comfortably.
Promoted following a faultless display in May’s play-off final against Middlesbrough, Norwich City responded to a slow start with a good second half to the season. But the Premier League could prove too much for Alex Neil’s side this season. Conceding a half-century of goals and averaging less than 80% pass accuracy last campaign, a stable set of players and eager attitude won’t do enough for the East-Anglian club who lack any game-changing players and move the ball too slowly for the EPL’s liking.
Watford’s multitude of summer signings could be their greatest downfall. They may fail to gel quickly, and a poor start from Quique Flores’ men could mean the writing would be on the wall very early. Troy Deeney could play a vital role (if they retain him), but even with their top-scorer last season, the Hornets could have a troublesome time of it this year.
Newcastle, Villa, West Brom, Sunderland and Leicester are not averse to being sucked into the relegation battle themselves; they all pose weaknesses which should be exposed at some stage this season. But Leicester look the most likely to face the drop. They have inferior experience of the league in recent seasons compared to Sunderland and West Brom, and with Pearson gone, Ranieri is raw to the English game and may seriously struggle to adapt.
Relegation Predictions: Leicester (18th), Norwich (19th) and Watford (20th)
#5 Europa League
Southampton, Liverpool and Tottenham secured Europa League football last season, as did West Ham, by virtue of UEFA’s Respect Fair Play ranking. Along with those three, one can expect Everton, Swansea and even Stoke to throw their names into the mixing bowl, making this area perhaps the most competitive across the entirety of the division.
The Toffees will be coming off the back of a rather disappointing season by their standards, and Roberto Martinez will seek redemption. Scoring a miserable 48 last term, finding an alternative source of goals to Romelu Lukaku should be their top priority. But the signing of Gerard Delofeu from Barcelona may confirm the Merseyside club’s summer spending is over, with Martinez reluctant to add more than a couple of faces ordinarily. Retaining John Stones would be the most effective piece of business, and Chelsea could miss out by a whisker.
Southampton defied all the odds last season to finish seventh, acting sharply to rebuild from a so-called exodus. With the impressive Jordy Clasie replacing the departed Schneiderlin in midfield and Jay Rodriguez returning from an injury that sidelined him for most of last year, do not be surprised to see Koeman’s boys do it again. With a youthful, composed crop of players all desperate to impress, St. Marys could act as a greatly feared coliseum for the Saints, and I tip them to go two better than last term and finish 5th.
Relatively underrated were the Swans’ performances in 2014/15, and Bafetimbi Gomis’ contribution also seemed overlooked. Garry Monk has moulded a settled set of players, and signing the prolific Eder from Braga and the influential midfielder André Ayew from Marseille will only bolster their chances. The Welsh club did the double over both Manchester United and Arsenal last season and do not seem fazed by the big occasions. No notable names have left the Liberty and it could be a very big couple of years for the Swans.
Sandwiched between seventh place Swansea and fifth place Southampton will be Liverpool. Danny Ings should have a good season, given game time, while Roberto Firmino should take the burden of creativity off Coutinho’s shoulders and could emulate the pace shown by Sterling in the last couple of seasons. Performing in the big games will be important for Liverpool but their inability to string a run together last season until it was practically too late cost them dearly. Improving on a poor return of just 52 goals will also be a focal point.
Tottenham, in all honesty, failed to impress me in the slightest last campaign. Lacklustre defending has prompted the signings of Toby Alderweireld and Kevin Wimmer, but practically speaking, the Spurs have done nothing this window.
Soldado has flopped, Lamela is a shadow of his former Roma self and Adebayor looks on the brink of leaving. Hopes for the season ahead rest heavily on the shoulders of the prolific Harry Kane whose tally of 21 carried the North Londoners last season. Should second season syndrome strike for the 22-year-old, then Tottenham could struggle massively this time around.
Europa League Predictions: Swansea City (7th), Liverpool (6th), Southampton (5th)
#4 Manchester United
United’s barrage of summer signings will do little to propel them up the league ladder. Sure, the players brought in are top-class, but are they appropriate? Van Gaal’s side lead the way with regard to average pass accuracy (86%) and possession (57%) last term, yet their bigger signings have predominantly been midfielders, and the rusty defence remains untouched this window.
Once renowned for being a side incredibly difficult to beat, especially on home turf, last season Manchester United saw many a side stroll into Old Trafford and walk away with a comfortable three points. Marcos Rojo at 25 is far too inexperienced to marshall such a prestigious defence, and United fans will see their side as the diminutive figure in the title race unless they strengthen at the back. Should Van Gaal snap up a deal for La Liga’s statistically sharpest defender last season, Nicola Otamendi, then they could very easily start to challenge right at the very top.
Furthermore, if United are serious about contending for the title, then competition for Wayne Rooney could be paramount. While Memphis Depay can play through the middle, an injury to Rooney would leave the Red Devils very short of options, although rumours have emerged over the past few days that a deal to sign Barcelona’s Pedro is gathering momentum.
Another factor to consider this season is the burden that a return of Champions League football could bring for a side absent from the European frame. This fuels United’s need to bring in depth, which is exactly what they’ve done, but even then football in mid-week could take its toll on the squad.
Unless a couple more signings are made, it seems difficult to envisage this side breaking into the top three. There could be some impressive debut seasons from the likes of Depay and Schweinsteiger, while Darmian and Romero could nail down starting spots early.
#3 Manchester City
Manchester City have entered the most challenging period in the team’s recent history since Sheikh Mansour took over the club. A season without silverware, a gaffer under pressure and an ageing squad mean that the Sky Blues have had to invest in youthful, home-grown talents this summer, with the hope of revitalising their game. And it hasn’t been cheap.
EPL Golden Boot winner Sergio Aguero lead the line last season, netting 26 times. But it’s keeping the Argentine fit for the majority of the season which still proves difficult. When Aguero is away, City struggle, and often fail to find the net against smaller sides; a factor they hope will have been put to bed with the arrival of £49-million man Raheem Sterling.
The Englishman will no doubt perform in Manchester, but the club still need a lot of work to challenge the likes of Chelsea for the title. Their game has both very positive aspects and some seriously damaging defensive ones.
City, on average, won just 47% of their challenges in the air, highlighting their lack of physicality in the defensive zone; I feel a solid partner for Vincent Kompany is required. Mangala is error prone and is still adjusting to life in the Premier League, so an experienced head who is quick on his feet and has good knowledge of the English game could be a good buy.
Third may seem a little harsh for a side which have finished as the league’s leading goal scorers in three of the last four seasons, but one vital component is diminishing fast in the side’s game – pace. With Jesus Navas the only recognised out-and-out winger in the side (Sterling will most likely be deployed through the centre), I still believe some legs are required for an attack that has lost Stevan Jovetic and Edin Dzeko to Serie A this summer. The EPL serves up a very fast, attacking style and to top such a division, you need speed in abundance.
A centre-half, creative midfielder and couple of forwards would mould City into a powerhouse side. But with financial restrictions lurking in the shadows and the highest wage bill in the league to deal with, signings could be difficult to come by. I predict many a team will come to the Etihad this season and feel comfortable in taking points home with them.
#2 Arsenal
Fresh from their Community Shield triumph over Chelsea last weekend, the Gunners will be eagerly anticipating the resumption of the Premier League season. There is a heightened sense of optimism surrounding the Emirates at present.
Once prime targets for critics of the defensive game, Arsenal’s back-line partnership of Koscielny and Mertesacker has blossomed over the past 18 months or so, and there are a few impressive statistics to back up the development. Qualms about a new centre-half being required should perhaps be silenced after Wenger’s boys finished joint top with Chelsea on average duels won (52%), while the North London club made more interceptions than any other Premier league side last term (762).
Francis Coquelin was a revelation last season, anchoring down the holding role in Arsenal’s midfield and adding a nitty-gritty, explosive dimension to their delicate passing game. Hector Bellerin and Nacho Monreal have also cemented their respective places at full-back, and Arsenal’s defence no longer looks like the accident waiting to happen that it once did.
Couple this improving back-line with the sturdy bedrock of Petr Cech resting comfortably behind them, and it looks like Wenger’s side will be harder to beat than ever this season. With 168 Premier League clean sheets to his name, simply having the former Chelsea shot stopper’s name on the team sheet eases any nerves, and I expect Arsenal to show resolve against the toughest of opponents this campaign.
If he gets the games, Theo Walcott will capitalise through the centre, as will Olivier Giroud who finished with 18 for the season. Once Alexis Sanchez has returned from his extended break, Wenger would have a whole host of attacking options at his disposal.
The defence is sound (helped greatly by the presence of Assistant Coach Steve Bould) and the attack is as exciting and clinical as ever, so why only second? Well, the Gunners suffer with something no amount of training can fix – a psychological block.
To be serious title contenders, a team needs to be consistent, and far too often Arsenal fell to disappointing draws against mediocre sides (1-1 draw with Leicester and 2-2 draw with eventually relegated Hull City, while they also failed to take the initiative to defend a three-goal cushion against Anderlecht, eventually slumping to a 3-3 draw with the Belgian outfit).
So it’s a mentality thing for the Gunners, but generally Arsenal look well prepared to challenge for the title this season. That said, they will undoubtedly come up short against the current powerhouses of the English game – Chelsea.
#1 Chelsea
Last summer’s series of artful dealings have left Chelsea boss José Mourinho with little to do this transfer window. Since returning for a second spell in charge at the Bridge, the Blues have trampled all over their Premier League opponents, romping to an 8-point title victory last season. I doubt the Blue ribbons will be leaving the Premier League trophy anytime soon.
Combining defensive ruthlessness with a brutal attack, the Blues lost just three times last season and had the meanest defence in the league (conceding just 32). Replacing Cech with Asmir Begovic from Stoke and Didier Drogba with Falcao on a season-long loan deal, Chelsea have been very shrewd in this transfer window and are set up to be a force once again this year.
I believe the Blues lost out to the Gunners in the Community Shield because it was silverware craved far more by Wenger’s team. Yet in the long run, no side is hungrier and more determined than Chelsea. Diego Costa is expected to miss the start of the season which could set them back ever-so-slighty, but the midfield virtuoso Cesc Fabregas and stellar talent Eden Hazard should find no problem in getting the Blues off to the best of starts.
Chelsea pose unrivalled squad depth and, after all, the league is a marathon, not a sprint. Gary Cahill and John Terry have a formidable partnership through the centre and seldom lose out in aerial battles, while Nemanja Matic has proven himself as one of the best defensive midfielders in world football, closing down the most versatile of attacks with his superior strength and excellent reading of the game.
Although Chelsea’s attacking statistics were far from average, their game is heavily focused around the defence, and the potential acquisition of John Stones would only strengthen this area further. Thibaut Courtois will be a year older, so will have more experience, as will Gary Cahill, while young Kurt Zouma will be knocking on the door for a first team place too.
Ultimately though, it was Mourinho’s magic in the big games that helped Chelsea storm to such a convincing title last season; the Blues were unbeaten against Manchester City, Arsenal, Manchester United and Liverpool to name but a few. His mind games may frustrate and at times his arrogance may look repulsive, but Mourinho has built a team that could dominate this division for years to come.
