Premiership 2009-10: Preview and Predictions

Published by William | Filed under Football (aka soccer), Predictions

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We are finally here. After a long summer and what was nothing short of a soap opera-esque transfer season, the Premiership kicks off the 2009-10 campaign this Saturday. Many players have found new homes and will look to make immediate impacts in their club debuts.


Manchester United looks to become the first team in the history of the Premiership to win the league crown four times running. However, the quest this year may be a bit more challenging than years past without the likes of world class footballer Cristiano Ronaldo to man the troops. The Red Devils also parted ways with Argentine striker Carlos Tevez, who along with former Arsenal goalscorer Emmanuel Adebayor, joined a revamped Manchester City that hopes to crack the perennial Big Four after spending an insurmountable amount of cash this offseason. Meanwhile, annual title contenders Liverpool and Chelsea look to build on the momentum of strong finishes last season and capitalize on a thought-to-be depleted Premier League.


Below is a team-by-team analysis of the Premiership’s Big Four (plus Manchester City) and a few other potential contenders, as well as a continuation of our WSN prediction showdown:


Manchester United
2008-09 Premiership Results: 1st – 90 pts
European Competition Results: Lost to Barcelona – Champions League Finals
FA Cup Results: Lost to Everton – Semi-finals


As said before, this year may be a little more difficult for the three time defending league champions.  The departure of Ronaldo leaves a humongous void to be filled on the right wing.  Portuguese international Nani is the first choice to take over the roll and looked rather impressive in United’s season opening FA Community Shield match against Chelsea in which he scored the first goal in the 10th minute.  However, he left the match in the second half with a dislocated shoulder and could potentially miss a few weeks.  Also expected to play a significant role on the right wing is newly acquired midfielder Antonio Valencia from Wigan Athletic who had a fantastic preseason.  Perhaps the most surprising addition to United this transfer season however is veteran striker Michael Owen from Newcastle United who has been rather quiet by his standards the last couple of seasons, but looked extremely impressive in his preseason campaign scoring 4 goals in 6 appearances.  If Owen can stay fit, he could be a nice compliment to the tandem of Rooney and Berbatov who are expected to carry much of the goal scoring load this season.


First Fixture: vs. Birmingham City – Odds | Statistical Match Preview


Liverpool
2008-09 Premiership Results: 2nd – 86 pts
European Competition Results: Lost to Chelsea – Champions League Quarterfinals
FA Cup Results: Lost to Everton – 4th Round


Liverpool comes into the 09′-10′ season with extremely high expectations. Not to say that differs from any other year, but it is certain that Rafa Benitez’s job will be in jeopardy if he does not produce this season. The Reds, who finished 2nd in the Premiership standings and were eliminated by Chelsea in the quarterfinals of the Champions League, are thought by many to be the preseason favorites for the league crown. However, that may have changed for many with the recent departure of Spanish midfielder/methodical magician Xabi Alonso. In response, Benitez has brought in Alberto Aquilani, who joins from Serie A’s AS Roma for £20m. However, Aquilani is unfortunately expected to be out for another 4-8 weeks after having ankle surgery in May. Until then, Brazilian Lucas Leiva is expected to fill the role. Also added this offseason was English international Glen Johnson who should be a nice additional to the Reds back line. The fact of the matter is that between Gerrard, Torres, Kuyt, Mascherano, and rest of the club, the talent is there. The question is, however, can they finish the job this year?


First Fixture: at Tottenham Hotspur – Odds | Statistical Match Preview


Chelsea
2008-09 Premiership Results: 3rd – 83 pts
European Competition Results: Lost to Barcelona – Champions League Semi-finals
FA Cup Results: Defeated Everton in Finals


Chelsea is, in my opinion, the best team in the Premier League this season. They are stacked in every area of the pitch and have the experience to match. However, they may very well have too much experience. Didier Drogba, Frank Lampard, Nicolas Anelka, Michael Ballack, Deco, Ricardo Carvalho, Andriy Shevchenko, Juliano Belletti and Claudio Pizarro are all over the age of 30 and the first 6 mentioned are most likely to always be included in the regular starting XI when available. I just don’t see all of them staying healthy for the entire season and if so, not nearly as effective towards the end. New manager Carlos Ancelotti, who is Chelsea’s 4th manager in the last 5 seasons, made few moves this transfer season, with the most notable being the acquisition of CSKA Moscow’s Yuri Zhirkov. The defending FA Cup Champions are rumored to be in negotiation with Bayern Munich for French midfielder Franck Ribery at a reported price of €47m and his addition could very well make them a lock for the league title. Until then, I’ve got Liverpool ahead by just a few points.


First Fixture: vs. Hull City – Odds | Statistical Match Preview


Arsenal
2008-09 Premiership Results: 4th – 72 pts
European Competition Results: Lost to Manchester United – Semi-finals
FA Cup Results: Lost to Chelsea – Semi-finals


I don’t know what to make of this Gunner squad. They had yet again, a disappointing Premiership season last year, finishing 4th, which in their terms means last place among the perennial ‘Big Four’. Despite this apparent ‘fail’ of a season, they did manage to advance to the semifinals of both the Champions League and FA Cup before being eliminated by Manchester United and Chelsea, respectively. The problem clearly lies in the defense where they gave up a ‘Big Four’-worst 37 goals. Furthermore, they didn’t improve their situation by selling off their best defender in Kolo Toure to Manchester City. That leaves William Gallas and newly acquired Ajax defender Thomas Vermaelen to carry the load. The good news is they scored 68 goals which was second only to Liverpool so the goal scoring potential is still there. The attacking fleet will, however, be without top-scorer Emmanuel Adebayor, who was also shipped to Manchester City this summer, and according to the team and the Ol’ Gunner faithful, he’s not really going to be missed. That leaves the goal scoring duties to the ever so dangerous Eduardo, Nicklas Bendtner, and Robin Van Persie, as well as young guns Carlos Velas, Aaron Ramsey, and Jack Wilshere. When putting those names next to midfielders Andrei Arshavin, Cesc Fabregas, Tomas Rosicky, and Theo Walcott, this squad looks pretty dangerous. Bottom line: Arsenal will score goals but they are far too vulnerable in the back to compete for the league title. However, look for their dangerous style to make some noise in the Champions League and FA Cup.


First Fixture: vs. Hull City – Odds | Statistical Match Preview


Manchester City
2008-09 Premiership Results: 10th – 50 pts
European Competition Results: Lost to Hamburg – UEFA Cup Quarterfinals
FA Cup Results: Lost to Nottingham Forest – 3rd Round


I just couldn’t let the Citizens go unmentioned after spending £94m this transfer season. Hopefully money can buy them love and give them a crack at what they covet most, the top 4. ‘New-jack’ City welcomes Emmanuel Adebayor (£25m – Arsenal), Carlos Tévez (£25m – Manchester United), Roque Santa Cruz (£17m – Blackburn Rovers), Garreth Barry (£12m – Aston Villa), and Kolo Touré (£15m – Arsenal) to join Brazilian phenom Robinho, who was brought on last year at the transfer deadline for £32m, himself. The only concern seems to be how quickly it takes the revamped squad to find their niche. Manager Mark Hughes hopes to fill a huge void, in a defense that gave up 50 goals last season, with the addition of Touré. I think it’s going to be a battle between the high-scoring attacks of City and Arsenal for the fourth spot, with Manchester City edging the Gunners by merely a few points.


First Fixture: at Blackburn Rovers – Odds | Statistical Match Preview


WSN’s predicitions for the 2009-10 Premiership season:


William
Premiership Top 5:
1. Liverpool
2. Chelsea
3. Manchester United
4. Manchester City
5. Arsenal
FA Cup Winner: Chelsea


Kevin
Premiership Top 5:
1. Chelsea
2. Manchester United
3. Liverpool
4. Manchester City
5. Everton
FA Cup Winner: Liverpool


Filippo
Premiership Top 5:
1. Manchester United
2. Chelsea
3. Liverpool
4. Arsenal
5. Manchester City
FA Cup Winner: Chelsea


Ryan
Premiership Top 5:
1. Chelsea
2. Liverpool
3. Manchester United
4. Arsenal
5. Everton
FA Cup Winner: Manchester City