ThreeMatchBan 2009/10 Season Predictions

At the beginning of every season, as the kick-off edges ever closer, my anticipation of the excitement to come can rarely be contained and I am compelled to make my predictions for the coming season, in the vain hope that it will bring the start just a little bit closer.

Having said this, by no means am I an authority, as my predictions for last seasons campaign were exposed by the unpredictability of the league, excluding of course the top four places. For example, after narrowly escaping relegation the season before, I had Fulham to be candidates for the drop, with Stoke heading straight back where they came from and Newcastle were never even in my thoughts as potential relegation fodder, especially after their opening day draw at Old Trafford.

Much maligned by my friends for my terrible predictions, considering my supposed interest and love for the game, I decided after a few in the local to make them preserve their predictions on a scrappy piece of paper.

Most forecasts followed a similar pattern, although no one was willing to name this seasons equivalent of Newcastle or Fulham, the surprise package. In general the top four from last season have been predicted to dominate once more, with the exception being Manchester City who have been marked by a few to break this stronghold.

Overall there is a belief, or perhaps even a hope that City’s millions will fail to have a major impact on their final league position and I must admit I personally hope that they fall short of breaking into the top four. This isn’t because I want to see the same teams dominate once again, but I don’t want to see this achievement bought by a cheque book. I would much rather see a new team in the top four that is organised, plays good football and deserves the place on merit, without the aid of a transfer strategy similar to the one I employ when playing Championship Manager. This though could just be wishful thinking.

The middle pack was ignored as trying to predict what order the pursuing teams will come in is nearly impossible, so instead the focus was placed on the top seven European places and the bottom three destined for relegation.

As the majority of the predictions come from Aston Villa fans, the boys in claret and blue often feature on the edges of success and just inside a European qualification place, although much depends on investment in new players, after the loss of Gareth Barry to City and the inspirational Martin Laursen to retirement. The signing of youngster Fabian Delph and the win in the Peace Cup final over Juventus are signs though that things are heading in the right direction.

As for the dirty of end of the table, there will always be a surprise team that gets caught up in the mire of relegation. However, most have played it safe and stuck to the promoted teams as likely candidates, with Mick McCarthy’s Wolves being tipped by everyone for the drop, which is hardly surprising considering his abysmal record in the division. It seems Phil Brown’s attempt at singing on the last day of the season was too much to bear and are a popular choice for the drop, along with new boys Burnley, who are an easy target, as are unfashionable Bolton. Surprisingly Villa’s local rivals Birmingham are only listed once as potential relegation candidates, perhaps in the hope that they will provide a guaranteed and welcome six points for their city rivals for seasons to come?

By no means is this a definite list as a lot can change during the course of the season and a team is likely to emerge at the top or the bottom of the table that hasn’t even been thought of. Perhaps the exodus at Portsmouth will leave them struggling for points, perhaps Burnley will prove the doubters wrong and survive with ease and perhaps someone will finally break into the top four, or is that going too far?

Posted By Dan Mobbs - Monday August 3, 2009.
Tags: pre-season