League Table Prediction (10-1) Part 2 of 2.

Now that the transfer window has slammed shut now until January I have had time to analyse the teams as they stand right now. With that in mind here is part two of my predictions for the final Premiership Table.

10) Wolves:

My tip for the surprise package of the season. Mick signed a couple of decent players on the cheap (Johnson and O’Hara) and managed to keep Doyle and Jarvis from last season.

9) Stoke City:

Last seasons FA Cup finalists certainly lit up the transfer window this go around. Could be in the running for the most improved team in the EPL? Signed Palacios and Crouch from Spurs and added to quality Premiership defenders. Have already denied Chelsea points in the opening game.

8) Bolton:

Managed to keep Gary Cahill and add Nigel Reo Coker. With Owen Coyle as manager I only see a top half finish for the boys from Bolton.

7) Aston Villa:

After a hellish end to the season last term Villa look to reaffirm their upper table dominance this season. Despite losing key players they did sign Given and keep hold of Bent and Agbonglahor.

6) Arsenal:

Second longest serving EPL manager Arsene Wenger looked like a novice this transfer window. Losing numerous players, Nasri, Clichy, Fabregras and others while only bringing in Arteta, Benayoun and Mertesaker. This will see the first season (barring a cup win) that Arsenal will fail to qualify for Europe.

5) Tottenham:

Cheeky cockney twitcher Mr Redknapp sold a lot of players while getting Adebayor on a loan and convincing City to pay the chunk of his wages still! Also on board are Friedel and Scott Parker, both quality and with ‘Gaff-a-game’ Gomes replaced by the aging American I can see Spurs pushing back on this season.

4) Chelsea:

Not impressed so far. Torres has started this season as he finished off last, dreadful. The team is getting older now and although experience counts for something it is young sides that deal with the length of a season. Andre Villas-Boas meanwhile makes Jose Mourinho look humble!

3) Liverpool:

Should be a good season for Dalglish and Liverpool. Everton on the decline and the red side on the upward curve. Downing and Bellamy add something to a team that was begining to pick toward the back end of the last campaign and despite losing Meireles late on I think they still have enough to guarantee the resumption of Champions League Football at Anfield.

2) Manchester United:

Managed by the most succesful EPL manager ever I think they will fall short this time around. Good purchases were made in particular Ashley Young from Villa. He could be the answer on the wing that has been baffling Fergie since Ronaldo left. Only concerns for me (and the reason I have them second) is that Rooney is the glue that holds them together and he may not be fit all season. In fact it is inevitable he will spend at least a month on the sidelines.

1) Manchester City:

‘Money bags City’, ‘Noisy Neighbours’ with ‘FA Cup Winners’ added last season now you can add ‘Premier League Champions’. Mancini has assembled a team within a team capable of competing in the Champions League and the Premiership. Aguero, Nasri, Clichy and Hargreaves on a free. Managed to keep Tevez although that may prove to be a mistake as he really doesn’t seem happy. Also City welcome back Kolo Toure from his ban.

Written by PA Cityboy