This is the first part of a series of four sections. With the Premiership set to kick off next Saturday everybody is getting their fantasy team together and giving their predictions for the up and coming season. So here are my predictions of how teams will fare in the Premiership this season, divided in four sections. The first section will be those teams who get to 28 games played and no longer have anything to play for (positions 11 – 15). The second part will be analyzing those teams that have potential to do something this season (positions 6 – 10). The penultimate section will be stating which teams will be involved in a scrappy dog fight (positions 16 -20). This analysis will be finished by (dare I say) predicting who will be the Premiership Champions for the 2007/2008 season.
11th Position – Everton
Everton have been fairly inactive this season in the transfer market, having made three signings so far this season. Leighton Baines and Phil Jageilka are great reinforcements. I think David Moyes did a great job last season guiding them to the Uefa Cup finishing in 6th position. They have recently been linked to Lucho Gonzalez of Porto for £11 million which would be a real coup considering Real Madrid had been chasing him a few weeks back. (Although Real seem to be after any player that has two legs!) There is potential in this team and if their top players peak they could be a real force in Europe. Being involved in so many competitions could affect their Premiership form though as they do not have much strength in depth.
Key man: Andy Johnson
12th Position – Aston Villa
Martin O’Neil has been trying to calm Aston Villa fans by telling them reinforcement will arrive, however, in less than a month the transfer window closes and Aston Villa have been very inactive in the transfer market so far. They have sold quite a few players and with the takeover last season there was supposed to be an injection of cash, but this hasn’t been the case. Maybe O’Neil has something lined up before the transfer window closes. (Aston Villa fans hope!) I think he is a great manager BUT if the reinforcements don’t arrive soon Aston Villa will struggle to creep into the top ten.
Key man: Stilian Petrov
13th Position – Manchester City
I think it will be unlucky 13 for City. Much has already been discussed about Sven and his signings, all of different nationalities and many that don’t speak English. This all has the ingredients for Manchester City to struggle with a team that will need plenty of time to gel together. On the bright side I don’t think that they will get relegated, can you imagine how Sven would cope in a British dog fight? For Sven’s sake I hope this isn’t the case.
Key man: Micah Richards
14th Position – Fulham
Fulham have already made some good signings and they seem to be signing Hameur Bouzza from Watford, a player I really rate, BUT I think they will struggle to challenge the top half of the table. They finished last season on a dreadful run and I think Sanchez has a real hard job on his hands. Good luck to him though he seems to know what he is doing. Ironic how different the last two teams are. Sanchez signs players he knew from his Northern Ireland days and Sven buys players he probably had never heard of a few weeks back! That’s the problem with Fulham though; I don’t think the Northern Ireland contingency offer much quality for the Premiership.
Key man: Jimmy Bullard
15th Position – Reading
Reading had a great season last year exceeding expectations and challenging for Europe. However, this summer they haven’t recruited many players and most notable lost Steve Sidwell to Chelsea on a Bosman. After last season’s great performance I think it is essential Reading freshen things up but they have so far failed to do so. I think this year they will struggle and will be affected by the second season syndrome.
Key man: Leroy Lita
Football Opinions 