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Sportsyndicator Predicts Football in 2012/13
Here at Sportsyndicator we have always fancied ourselves as pundits. So on transfer deadline day 2012, here are our predictions for what we consider to be the big London clubs this season. Who knows, if you're really lucky there will be an update at Christmas!
Arsenal by Jeremy Rusling
WHERE WILL YOU FINISH IN THE PREMIER LEAGUE THIS SEASON?
I think we’ll finish in the top 4. I have a feeling that should the new boys find some consistency going forward then we could be in a position to challenge for the league, at least until Feb when too many games at once will stretch our squad too thinly AGAIN!
WHO WILL WIN THE PREMIER LEAGUE?
Citeh. I expect it to be close again with the Blue half pipping the red half of Manchester, mainly due to results against each other.
WHO WILL WIN THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE?
Real Madrid. Jose wants the big cup again. Settled squad, highly motivated players. Ronaldo, Benzema, Di Maria, Higuain and Ozil as a forward 5 will pick apart any team in the world.
WHO WILL BE RELEGATED FROM THE PREMIER LEAGUE?
QPR – Seem to be trying to sign a team based on performances from the ‘05/’06 season. Fernandes to bankrupt the club within 2 years.
Norwich – Strange transfer activity and I think most of the bigger teams will have figured them out now.
One from West Ham (Allardyce football won’t work), Wigan (Looked really quite bad against Chelsea) or Villa (really poor in the first two games).
WHO ELSE WILL FROM THE PREMIER LEAGUE QUALIFY FOR THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE?
Citeh, Utd, Chelsea
WHO IS YOUR SHOT FOR THE FA CUP?
If Citeh don’t make the latter stages of the Champs League I’d back them to put more eggs in the FA cup basket. If they do get through however, I think they’ll focus attention on Europe and it’ll be one of the other top 4 or 5 clubs.
WHO WILL BE YOUR CLUB’S STAR PLAYER?
Cazorla – Looks a special player, great on the ball, willing to try a through ball, shoot from distance. Picked himself up quickly from a few of Stokes more ‘industrial’ challenges. Him and Steve Bould , who’s influence on our play is clear to see already.
IF YOU COULD HAVE ANY OTHER PLAYER FROM THE TRANSFER ACTIVITY THIS SUMMER FOR YOUR CLUB, WHO WOULD THAT PLAYER BE?
RVP – Nuff said
Chelsea by Hugh Anderson
WHERE WILL YOU FINISH IN THE PREMIER LEAGUE THIS SEASON?
In the top 3. A great result for us this season, with the new players coming in and a slightly new system and roles for some players, would be to be the best team in London and comfortably qualifying for next seasons UEFA Champions League. I feel that we can challenge for the title too after a bright start. We have a bright future kicking on from what ended up being our best season ever in 2011/12.
WHO WILL WIN THE PREMIER LEAGUE?
My heart says Chels. Why not? We have made a fab start to the season surpassing original expectation that saw us taking longer to gel with the slightly different system, new players in and new roles for the like of Super-Frank. We shall only get better and better from here. If I were to put my mortgage on it though, I would say United to pip Chelsea and City to it. Mainly that Ferguson is the ‘Commander of the Premier League’ and just makes it happen … through an inordinate amount of penalties and extra time awarded in their favour ;0). He just knows how to win it, year after year. For the first time United have bought for the now bringing in RVP to hopefully bring the goals which would have set them apart from their ‘Noisy Neighbours’ last season. My feeling on City is that, whilst they always score goals and are a threat at any point throughout the game, their current inability to not ship goals may catch them out at key moments in the season. Saying that, if they sort their defence out soon it will be a three horse race, and too hard to call really. Not wanting to sit on the fence I will go with my heart and say CFC – The Pride of London.
WHO WILL WIN THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE?
Usual suspects will be the favourites straight away. It depends who makes it through to knock outs though, as anything can happen then. PSG and St Petersburg may cause a couple of upsets between them. You would say Real Madrid and Barcelona are favourites, Italians teams are getting stronger again. Don’t write off the English teams. Arsenal to be terrible! hahaha
WHO WILL BE RELEGATED FROM THE PREMIER LEAGUE?
Reading to go straight back down. Norwich in the deadly second season and already look as if they will struggle. I’m also sorry to say Aston Villa may not hold on this year. Feel that Southampton may just ride the honeymoon season to stay up over Villa.
WHO ELSE WILL FROM THE PREMIER LEAGUE QUALIFY FOR THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE?
Say Chelsea won the league, which is what I am going with, I think City and United definitely. Arsenal, if they can start scoring soon. Wild cards for potential fourth spot – Everton, Newcastle (if they keep hold of their players today) and Swansea! (Why not – that would be great!)
WHO IS YOUR SHOT FOR THE FA CUP?
I am going to go for Everton this year. They are always in contention to the latter stages of the cup each year and they are stronger this season. Just for a change, I will go with them.
WHO WILL BE YOUR CLUB’S STAR PLAYER?
Eden Hazard is likely to be that man. Mata and Torres may have something to say about that though. We have added some awesome talents to the ranks with Marin, Cesar, Moses who will be coming off the bench more this season to make their impact. Oscar, will be a great of the Premier League one day. Reminds me of a young Zidane in the way he roams and is always in a great position to give and receive the ball. He also has some serious gas, like Hazard. His hero is Frank Lampard too, good lad! Gary Cahill to continue his journey to be the best centre back in the country. Frank to continuing being the legend that he is, and becoming the all-time highest goal scorer for the Blues this season.
IF YOU COULD HAVE ANY OTHER PLAYER FROM THE TRANSFER ACTIVITY THIS SUMMER FOR YOUR CLUB, WHO WOULD THAT PLAYER BE?
We are really happy with our new boys so there wouldn’t be many that would really say top our signings. A late scoop for Dempsey for under £10m would be a great deal for a club bringing in a 20 goal a season man.
Tottenham Hostpur by Nathan Warner
WHERE WILL YOU FINISH IN THE PREMIER LEAGUE THIS SEASON?
Whilst I’d love us to sneak into 4th (again) I expect this season will be something of a transition season with lots of new faces coming in and new tactics being deployed. Waving goodbye to Ledley, Luka & Rafa is going to take some time to adjust to so a top 6finish is probably more realistic. I expect Everton & Liverpool to be our main rivals for this position with Arsenal scrapping into the Champions League ahead of us (again). A decent cup run would be a bonus and beating Chelsea or Man Utd away for the first time in the Premier League would also be nice please Andre.
WHO WILL WIN THE PREMIER LEAGUE?
While United will be hungry, I still feel that City have the better first XI on paper – and also the resources to recruit further in January. However, following the Champions League draw, City will just have too many big games to keep the momentum going until May. United to win on goal difference.
WHO WILL WIN THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE?
Surely it has to be Real – Jose will be totally focussed on winning this and you wouldn’t want to bet against him, would you.
WHO WILL BE RELEGATED FROM THE PREMIER LEAGUE?
Wigan surely have to go this time, plus Norwich & QPR who are becoming a laughing stock with their erratic spending
WHO ELSE WILL FROM THE PREMIER LEAGUE QUALIFY FOR THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE?
City, Chelsea and Arsenal
WHO IS YOUR SHOT FOR THE FA CUP?
It’ll be one of the top 4 – so I’ll plump for Chelsea
WHO WILL BE YOUR CLUB’S STAR PLAYER?
He won’t grab the headlines but Sandro is an absolute monster of a player. He has everything that a driving midfielder should – pace, passing ability, strong in the tackle, reads the game and chips in with the odd goal. Fully expect us to sell him for £30m within 2 years.
IF YOU COULD HAVE ANY OTHER PLAYER FROM THE TRANSFER ACTIVITY THIS SUMMER FOR YOUR CLUB, WHO WOULD THAT PLAYER BE?
Since we qualified for the Champs League 2 years ago we haven’t had a clinical goalscorer so I would have loved RVP. Am still hopeful we’ll get Llorente with 12 hours of the window still open!!
West Ham United by Richard Astley
WHERE WILL YOU FINISH IN THE PREMIER LEAGUE THIS SEASON?
I will take anything from 17th up this year. 2012/13 has to be about staying up for West Ham so we need to build from there next season. I was really cynical and the start of the season because I am not a fan of Big Fat Sam and while the performance against Villa was encouraging, the nightmare of Swansea hasn’t helped my mood- but the Swans did play some tremendous football. We have had a good transfer window though, so that helps. I can’t remember the last time West Ham bought a striker who lead the line for his country in a major tournament; that has to count for something.
WHO WILL WIN THE PREMIER LEAGUE?
United. I think they only lost the league on goal difference last season and this year they have a better team whereas City have stood still. Kagawa, Rooney and Van Persie could be a very powerful combination. Chelsea will be there or thereabouts but I think Fergie has the experience to do it.
WHO WILL WIN THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE?
You can’t look beyond the Spanish giants, right? As a football purist, something sorely lacking at Upton Park at the moment, you have to back Barcelona. If when they don’t win it, they are still the best team. Real will push them hard though and PSG will be a surprise package with Ancelotti and all that cash. The Premier League teams and Bayern will play their part.
WHO WILL BE RELEGATED FROM THE PREMIER LEAGUE?
Please God anyone but us. Norwich, Reading, Southampton are the bookies favourites and that seems fair to me.
WHO ELSE WILL FROM THE PREMIER LEAGUE QUALIFY FOR THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE?
City, Chelsea and Arsenal. It’s a sad indictment of the Premier League that it’s so predictable. I want Rogers to do well at Liverpool but this won’t be their year. I couldn’t care less about AVB at Spurs but again I don’t think they will be consistent enough. I would love to see Everton in there. David Moyes does things the right way.
WHO IS YOUR SHOT FOR THE FA CUP?
Arsenal seem the most desperate for a trophy, so surely they are a good bet. If not then a surprise package may be Fulham who are building nicely and Jol is a good coach.
WHO WILL BE YOUR CLUB’S STAR PLAYER?
I hope it’s Andy Carroll. If he performs like he should … especially with Jarvis and Nolan … then he will score 20 goals and we will be fine. If he gets injured or doesn’t perform it will be much more difficult.
IF YOU COULD HAVE ANY OTHER PLAYER FROM THE TRANSFER ACTIVITY THIS SUMMER FOR YOUR CLUB, WHO WOULD THAT PLAYER BE?
Eden Hazard. That boy looks absolute mustard, and just 21 years old. Hopefully he can inspire Belgium to qualify for the next World Cup because a player like that deserves the biggest stage, something that Ryan Giggs always missed out on, sadly.
