Yesterday I looked at Arsenal, Villa, Bournemouth, Chelsea and Palace. Today I focus on Everton, Leicester, Liverpool, Manchester City and United.
Everton:
They have a good manager, although they would say, a disappointing 2014/15 season. This time around though they have added Tom Cleverly which, despite losing Sylvan Distin and Alcarez, I think strengthens them. This season they have an added bonus of no Europa League commitments, which I feel stretched them last season. Add to that the capture of an exciting young striker Gerald Deulofeu and the Toffees fans could be in for a good season.
Final Position:
With the side not traveling all across Europe every other Thursday I think we should really get to see an on form Everton this season. I am thinking that a good cup run would not be out of the question but maybe possibly pushing the top sides for a spot in Europe again next season?
Leicester:
It is fair to say that it was a miracle the side stayed up last season. The off field antics in particular divided a lot of fans and now, under a new manager, the out look should seem brighter, right?
I am not convinced that Claudio Ranieri, the Tinker man, will be able to do much more than Pearson did last season. Already he is lowering expectations by targeting one point more than the side got in the last campaign. That’s fine, but would only give the side 42 points and means you are not expecting anything more than a nervous and frustrating, relegation fight again. I am not convinced that Ranieri is the right man for the job, I think a character like Pearson or even Neil Lennon would be. But, you pay your money and you take your chance.
Final Position:
I think the Foxes will struggle and will be in a relegation battle come the end of the season. Ranieri will most likely be gone at the end of the season to pastures new, if he makes it until then.
Liverpool:
This will be a difficult one to call. Milner is a great, run through a brick wall for you, type of player and certainly Benteke is a proven goal scorer in the Premier League. On the negative side Mr Liverpool himself has left and so has Raheem Sterling which, no matter what the fans try to tell you, leaves a big hole.
Two seasons ago they finished second and only two points off the top spot. Last season they finished out of the Champions League spots and a cool twenty two points away from their previous years total and twenty three from Champions Chelsea. This season they have Europa League and I bet you they will be closer to last seasons total at the end of this season than two years before. If that is the case then Brendan Rodgers may want to freshen his resume and start handing it out.
Final Position:
All of the teams who had finished above Liverpool last season, with the possible exception of Tottenham, seem to have improved their squad from last term. Southampton and, as mentioned earlier, Everton were not far back last season and have improved. With Europa League distractions I can really see Liverpool fall away from the top four even more this season, possibly a cool 30 points behind the eventual winners when the season ends.
Manchester City:
The money being flashed around in Manchester, from both United along with City is crazy. I like the youth which has been on show recently in Australia and, along with the purchase of Delph, Sterling (and possibly DeBruyne?) I think City have made the transition well. Losing Richards and particularly Milner was a blow to the English quota, along with just being quality, bleed for the cause guys.
Concern will still be with the defense but I think the side will look better going forward this season than last. However, City do not want to be selling all their strikers with Bony yet to find form and Aguero out for the start of the season they may have to keep Dzeko, until Christmas at least.
Final Position:
I think it will be a battle of Manchester for the title this season. Second or lower will surely only be acceptable this season if success in the Champions League can be shown.
Manchester United:
Having spent a lot of money, and having brought it the quality Van Gaal has, you now have to deliver on the pitch. Cleverly, Nani and Van Persie have gone. Schneiderlin, Schweinsteiger and Depay have come in. Fans are buzzing, United are back. Now there is Champions League football back at Old Trafford. Remember last season though, when there was no European distraction and there was Mr Falcao and Mr DiMaria and the same things were being said?
Final position:
I do feel that United will be better this season than last. European football could be a distraction but then again, Old Trafford thrives on European nights and that could carry them through. I certainly wouldn’t expect them to finish out of the top four but, after two seasons of really heavy investment, fourth is not going to be satisfactory again this season.
Let me know what you think of these predictions and come back tomorrow when I will look at the next five teams.
Jason is a Freelance Soccer Writer. You can follow him on Twitter @PACityboy and www.facebook.com/jasonbardwell1979
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