Looking ahead to the coming season and because Bournemouth AFC have now joined the big boys we believe it will be an exciting addition to offer weekly score predictions. Starting this week we will also offer our predictions for the League season ahead and before each competition begins we will predict our winners.
We start with league positions; top scorer; player of the year and young player of the year.
Sam Cridland
I am a university student living in London. I have played football and rugby since I was 5 for a range of local clubs.
1st Manchester United
2nd Arsenal
3rd Chelsea
4th Liverpool
5th Manchester City
6th Tottenham Hotspur
7th Crystal Palace
8th Stoke
9th Southampton
10th West Ham
11th Everton
12th Swansea
13th Newcastle
14th Leicester City
15th West Brom
16th Bournemouth
17th Norwich
18th Aston Villa
19th Sunderland
20th Watford
Top Scorer: Wayne Rooney
Player of the Year: Alexis Sanchez
Young Player of the Year: Roberto Firmino
For the season ahead I expect the title race to be very close between Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal. The signing of Petr Cech gives Arsenal a world class goalkeeper, which could be key in them winning the title for the first time in 12 years. Chelsea will have a very strong season, but for them their interests may be more heavily focused on Europe. United have made some impressive signings and could easily reclaim their position on top IF the players gel quickly.
The team to watch this season for me is Crystal Palace. With the signings of Cabaye, Sako and Alex McCarthy Palace look to say good bye to the relegation battle they have encountered in their last few seasons and instead have a strong chance of pushing for a European place with even a cup run in their sights. For me Cabaye is a top signing and is a very talented footballer and as we saw in his days at Newcastle he possesses the gift to unlock teams through the centre which is perfect for the likes of Zaha and Bolasie.
I predict Aston Villa to go down as I believe the main reason they have managed to survive the drop over recent years is because of Benteke and unless they sign someone who can bag them 15 goals a season I do not believe they will have enough to avoid the drop. However the signing of Benteke for Liverpool is massive. He has proved himself in the Premier League and along with the signing of Milner I believe they now have a squad who are capable of challenging and cementing a place in the top 4. it will be Manchester City who will miss out, having not made any signings to have improved their squad. Finally I believe Bournemouth will find a way to survive under Howe, after managing to keep intact there strike force that was vital in getting them promoted last season alongside the experience they have brought in at the back with the likes of Distin and Boruc.
Alex Butcher Age 20
I am a Trainee Accountant living in Weymouth.
1st Chelsea
2nd Arsenal
3rd Manchester City
4th Manchester United
5th Liverpool
6th Tottenham Hotspur
7th Southampton
8th Crystal Palace
9th Everton
10th Stoke
11th West Ham
12th Newcastle United
13th Swansea
14th West Brom
15th Leiscester City
16th Bournemouth
17th Aston Villa
18th Norwich City
19th Watford
20th Sunderland
Top Scorer: Sergio Aguero
Player of the Year: Eden Hazard
Young player of the Year: Gerard Deulofeu
Chelsea tied this up last year, the challengers have made all the signings, but so have a host of smaller teams waiting to trip up the big guns. One of these teams that could be hugely underestimated this season is Stoke. With Bojan back to fitness and the recruitment of Affellay, the two former Barcelona players should feel at home with Hughes recruitment of ex La Liga players. The Potters might be cautious after losing Begovic but there is no reason why Butland cannot step up and make that Number One jersey his own. They will have experience in Glen Johnson who may be able to settle down and get back to his game without the pressure of the Kop.
Leicester City, I fear, will not fare so well. Whilst showing glimpses of quality in their stellar escape to safety last term, they have failed to back up the success, losing the manager who kept them up and keeping quiet in the transfer market. West Brom are another side hard to predict for the season ahead. Usually a steadfast mid table side, they have toyed with the relegation zones in recent seasons and things could go either way. However, Tony Pulis is a man that can squeeze the absolute best out of a squad and with Ricky Lambert providing that focal point up top, and potentially a few goals, it’s hard to think about anything other than another safe season
William Pritchard
Care Assistant in Weymouth Dorset. Age 20
1st Arsenal
2nd Chelsea
3rd Manchester City
4th Crystal Palace
5th Manchester United
6th Liverpool
7th Tottenham Hotspur
8th Southampton
9th West Ham
10th Everton
11th Stoke
12th Swansea
13th Sunderland
14th West Brom
15th Bournemouth
16th Newcastle United
17th Aston Villa
18th Watford
19th Norwich
20th Leicester
Top Scorer: Radamel Falcao
Player of the Year: Eden Hazard
Young Player of the Year: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
My prediction for Palace is worth a couple of quid for any punter. Palace in their last two seasons have not had the same manager throughout the season and I believe Pardew will be there this time next year. This is a massive boost for Palace as last season their away record was merited a 4th place position, however their home record slumped to a relegation spot which with stability can create the fortress that was responsible to keeping them in the Premier League two seasons ago. If they can repeat that home record and last seasons away record there should not be any reason why they are not competing for the top 4. Cabaye has the quality to play for any one of the top 4 teams and with Ward rated as the best English full back in the Premier league for the last two seasons along with the pace and skill from Zaha and Bolaise I cannot see why they wont be able to mount a serious challenge especially with Southampton coming so close last season.
On the title race, I think this year it is finally going back to the red side of North London after 12 years with the magnificent signing of Petr Cech for the Gunners. The stability he will bring to the back along with the attacking force of Sanchez, Walcott and Chamberlain will result in a more resilient Arsenal team that has been missing for just over decade. Manchester United for me will fall just short, I believe their defence was the main concern last season and as they have not strengthened it in the central areas and still uncertainty about De Gea, it will cost the Red Devils dearly. At the bottom Leicester will finish rock bottom. They have not made any key signings and for me they have not got a squad that can survive against the quality of the opposition this term.
Sam, Alex and Will
