Jarrod Bowen (Rob Newell, Getty Images)
The English Premier League is one of the most ferocious sports leagues in the world. It is the absolute pinnacle of the global sport that is football.
Just kidding, we all knew Manchester City were going to win it this year, right?
At the start of every season, I write down my predictions for where the 20 teams will end up in the table. I’m often wrong, but sometimes I make such a genius prediction that it boosts my self-confidence for the next week.
So, since I was so anxious to take a look at my predictions, I quickly brainstormed a way to fit this into an article. I figured that if I made some new predictions now, more than halfway through the season with the info at our disposal, I could compare my current predictions to those made in August. That way, I can break down what is currently going on in the Prem, while also satisfying my need to see if I was right.
In the bold subheadings will be my current predictions for the EPL table at the end of the year, and then underneath that will be my August prediction for each club and the differential of my August prediction to my January prediction.
Without further ado, did I predict the champion correctly?
1. Manchester City
Aymeric Laporte and Rodri (Matthew Ashton, Getty Images)
Original Prediction: 1st
Differential: 0
Not a bad start at all. As much as I joked about the EPL being fairly simple to predict, there was certainly a convincing argument that either Chelsea or Manchester United could challenge for the title. A 13-match unbeaten streak and a return to form from some of their star players has helped the Cityzens stay at the stop of the league.
Bernardo Silva and Raheem Sterling are finding their best form, which has made up for the disappointing performances from Jack Grealish.
2. Liverpool
Original Prediction: 3rd
Differential: +1
The Reds have put up a frankly impressive campaign. Though they need a miracle to seriously challenge City for the league title, they remain a guarantee for Champions League football next year.
Mo Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold are both in the running for PFA Player of the Year. The return of Virgil van Dijk has helped Jurgen Klopp's side find their best defensive record in a few years.
3. Chelsea
Cesar Azpilicueta (Robin Jones, Getty Images)
Original Prediction: 2nd
Differential: -1
Though the Blues are certainly in a better position now than they were a year ago, when they floundering under Frank Lampard, the past few weeks have been tumultuous. Thomas Tuchel has been heavily linked with the sack after guiding Chelsea to a UCL title just 9 months ago. Romelu Lukaku has been a disappointment and his behaviour is causing a dip in locker-room chemistry.
Chelsea is another team that will almost certainly be playing in the Champions League next season, but at this point I think a title challenge from Tuchel's side is less likely than one from Liverpool, hence why they are behind the Merseyside club in my updated predictions.
4. Manchester United
Original Prediction: 4th
Differential: 0
Another prediction that I nailed. I figured a lack of team cohesion was going to sting the Red Devils this year and that has been precisely United's downfall. The Ole Gunnar Solskjaer era came to an end, Bruno Fernandes has lost the form from the previous season in a half and Ralf Rangnick's appointment appears to have divided the locker room.
Despite that, United have too much talented to not bounce back and I do expect Champions League football from them next year.
5. Tottenham
Hugo Lloris (Getty Images)
Original Prediction: 5th
Differential: 0
This is a prediction I am proud of. I'm not happy to see Spurs ahead of my favourite team, Arsenal, but I am certainly pleased that my prediction for them is coming to fruition. It is definitely happening in a different way than I expected, though.
I, like many, was stunned by Antonio Conte's appointment. He has been an ambitious hire and is getting results that Tottenham's average squad has no business achieving. They need to back him in the January transfer window before I can truly predict them for UCL football next year, but Spurs are on the right track.
It'll be interesting to see how the Harry Kane saga plays out, especially now that Argentinian wonderkid Julian Alvarez is expected to sign with Manchester City.
6. Arsenal
Original Prediction: 6th
Differential: 0
It's been a season of highs and lows. Finding themselves at the bottom of the table in September as well as a winless January were both infuriating parts of the season to be a Gunners fan, but in the middle were some truly impressive performances.
Arsenal can't be expected to push any higher than 6th without a top-class striker and with Dusan Vlahovic aiming for a move to Juventus, they will have to wait a little longer to find the future of their front line.
Ben White and Gabriel Magalhaes have been very solid at the back and Aaron Ramsdale is passing his test with flying colours.
7. West Ham
Original Prediction: 9th
Differential: +2
I didn't believe that David Moyes could do it. A thin squad being subjected to the Prem and a tough Europa League schedule seemed like a recipe for disaster, but the Scottish manager is doing everything in his power to keep the Hammers in the hunt for Europe.
Jarrod Bowen has been a real highlight, playing himself into the England national team conversation with countless brilliant performances. Declan Rice is continuing to improve with each passing year and is becoming one of the best midfielders in world football.
Will a backline subjected to injuries hold up to keep West Ham fifth in the table? I suspect not, but I doubt the drop-off will be too steep.
8. Wolverhampton
Conor Coady (Catherine Ivill, Getty Images)
Original Prediction: 10th
Differential: +2
A seemingly uninspiring hire of Bruno Lage has paid major dividends for Wolves. With Jose Sa performing excellently between the sticks, Wolverhampton have the second best defensive record in the division.
Their already underwhelming attack is expected to lose pacey winger Adama Traore in the next week, but if Wolves can stay stout until Pedro Neto's expected injury return in March, I think 8th is a reasonable placing.
9. Leicester City
Original Prediction: 7th
Differential: -2
It has been an unexpectedly troublesome campaign at the King Power Stadium. Leicester has been struggling with conceding goals, as they are ahead of just Leeds, Watford, Newcastle and Burnley in terms of goals conceded per match.
However, they are not having any issues scoring and a resurgent season from James Maddison is helping unlock the talents of the three-headed monster that is the Foxes' strike force: Jamie Vardy, Patson Daka and Kelechi Iheanacho.
10. Aston Villa
Danny Ings and Ollie Watkins (Joe Prior, Visionhaus)
Original Prediction: 8th
Differential: -2
The Dean Smith era came to a disappointing end, but hopes are high under Steven Gerrard.
The signing of Phillipe Coutinho was one of the biggest coups in recent memory and as proven by his masterclass off the bench against Manchester United, he still has the skills to run the show in the Premier League.
Their numerous attacking signings haven't had as much of an impact as anticipated, but Emi Buendia does seem to be improving with each passing game.
11. Brighton
Original Prediction: 13th
Differential: -2
Yet another prediction that I was just two places off. We're more than halfway through and I haven't had any shockers yet.
Brighton have been fairly decent this year. Their play in the last 15 minutes is certainly skewing their record in a more positive way, but even old-fashioned football fans must admit that Graham Potter is doing an impressive job. Despite losing Ben White in the summer, Potter has rebuilt his backline with Shane Duffy and former Barcelona left-back Marc Cucurella highlighting that fact.
They still need a clinical finisher, but the team should have a good shot at finishing in the top 10.
12. Crystal Palace
Patrick Vieira (Daniel Leal, Getty Images)
Original Prediction: 15th
Differential: -3
I honestly thought I was being generous to Palace when I predicted them for 15th in the summer. They had a manager who'd been utterly uninspiring at all his jobs and had lost a lot of experience with the numerous free agent departures in the summer.
Despite that, top-class transfer business and some exciting youthful players emerging in the back line has helped the Eagles make their way to a great season.
Conor Gallagher has been world-class all season, but players like Tyrick Mitchell, Marc Guehi and Michael Olise are all proving themselves proper players.
13. Leeds
Original Prediction: 12th
Differential: +1
The Lilywhites have not been playing up to their potential in 2021-22, but luckily for the integrity of my predictions, I was somewhat skeptical at the start of this season.
The injury crisis is well-documented and if Leeds can't sign some reinforcements before the winter window closes, my updated prediction for them might be a bit too optimistic. However, I have too much belief in Marcelo Bielsa to pick Leeds for any position lower than 13th.
14. Brentford
Kristoffer Ajer (Geoff Caddick, Getty Images)
Original Prediction: 17th
Differential: -3
I've been very impressed with the Bees this year. Their performance against Arsenal on the opening day of the season was magical and though the results have dropped off since then, they are doing everything right to stay safe from relegation.
The expected Christian Eriksen signing is very exciting and I do think that if Thomas Frank can fit him into a 3-4-1-2 formation, Eriksen will unlock the poaching abilities of Ivan Toney.
15. Everton
Original Prediction: 11th
Differential: -4
This is my worst prediction on the list, but it's hard to blame myself. Nobody expected the season collapsing for the Toffees like it has. The Rafa Benitez era was absolutely dreadful, as Rafa's style was too pragmatic.
Right now, Vitor Pereira, former Porto, Olympiacos and Fenerbahce manager is expected to take the job, which would be utterly uninspiring. It's hard to imagine things getting too much better for Everton unless Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison can get to their very best form again.
16. Southampton
Armando Broja (Ryan Pierse, Getty Images)
Original Prediction: 16th
Differential: 0
Finally, another correct prediction. Southampton are currently 12th actually, but as they usually do, I think they'll start to struggle as the season goes along.
Armando Broja has been a major bright spot and if the Saints can keep him for the next few years, I expect they'll be able to stay in the division for the next 5 years at least.
17. Newcastle
Original Prediction: 14th
Differential: +3
The richest club in world football has had a disappointing season. Eddie Howe recently picked up his first win as Newcastle boss and if they can't sign a center-back in the next week, relegation could be looming.
Joelinton has been an unexpected bright spot. Stepping into a three-man midfield, the former striker has dictated the play and is becoming one of the first names on the team sheet.
18. Burnley
Erik Pieters and Matej Vydra (Tim Goode, Getty Images)
Original Prediction: 18th
Differential: 0
Sean Dyche has been a miracle worker for the Clarets over the past decade. However, their time in the Premier League may be coming to an end. Losing Chris Wood to Newcastle was a major slap in the face and their strike force has become stale.
As proven by their draw over Arsenal on the weekend, they can still hold the fort with a very solid backline, which is why I expect they'll stay out of the very bottom, but I do think relegation is a very likely option.
19. Norwich City
Original Prediction: 19th
Differential: 0
Dean Smith has definitely been doing a good job as Canaries boss and has them outside of the relegation zone for the first time this season.
Despite that, a leaky backline, a midfield that gets passed by on a regular basis and a front line lacking in any clinical strikers will be what sinks Norwich.
20. Watford
Emmanuel Dennis (Alex Pantling, Getty Images)
Original Prediction: 20th
Differential: 0
I'm impressed with this prediction. I expected Watford's impressive defense in the Championship to struggle after they achieved promotion and frankly, I nailed it.
Outside of Emmanuel Dennis, they haven't had any standout performers and now that Claudio Ranieri has gotten the sack, they don't even have a permanent manager to take them through this tough time.
NO COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT IS INTENDED
Comments
Post a Comment