I’ve always liked predictions. They enable everyone to bust out the old crystal ball…or magic eight ball if that is what you fancy, and let the group know what you think will happen in the upcoming season. Really it gives everyones a chance to make a statement…that we can inevitably go back and look at when the season is over and say “emonahan, you are absolute garbage, last year you thought Cint Dempsey would win the Golden Boot. Get off this site and never come back, your membership is revoked…you are dead to us!”
Predictions let you lay it on the line and they always lead to some good banter, arguments and “man, I am moron!” type moments in the months that follow. Although, if you prefer stating for the millionth time that Wenger should purchase a winger, proceed to previous or following thread.
Let’s hammer out some ground rules first.
1. All predictions, no matter how close to the cuff or radical they may be, are open to ridicule. Not the “you f*cking moron!” type of ridicule, but the “how can you think Cesc will win the golden boot, how red are your glasses” type of ridicule.
2. All ridicule should be defended by the predictor…if you have the stones or ability to defend said prediction. Not defended with “you don’t know what you’re f*cking talking about you dope” type defense, but the “Spurs did nothing to change their horrid defense, that is why they’ll be gym class heroes again this year. Sure Ropbinson can pull the impossible save out of his @ss, but he lets in 2 softies for everyone he shouldn’t save” type of defense.
3. There are three standard predictions that everyone should weigh in on, then fire away with any other prediction that your expanding American gut should feel right about.
The three standard predictions that I suggest…and hopefully everyone will weigh in on (as I wonder if I have ever seen Victoria Beckham not wearing sunglasses):
1. What will the top 7 of the table look like at the end of the 07-08 season? If you don’t have Arsenal #1 in the table (shame on you) how many points back will they be from the Champions?
2. Who will win the Golden Boot this year in the EPL? And if not an Arsenal player (shame on you), who will lead Arsenal in scoring?
3. What will be the biggest surprise and/or dissapointment this year for Arsenal?
Those are the questions three and only after answering those three questions, can you the predict that Craig Bellemy will stab a teammate with a blunt object by Christmas!
Enjoy and I hope that you will all feel comfortable enough to participate.
41 Responses to “Prediction Time!”
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July 26th, 2007 at 4:16 pm
1. What will the top 7 of the table look like at the end of the 07-08 season?
1. Man Utd
2. Liverpool
3. Chelsea
4. Spurs
5. Arsenal
2. Who will win the Golden Boot this year in the EPL?
Torres
And if not an Arsenal player (shame on you), who will lead Arsenal in scoring?
Eboue
3. What will be the biggest surprise and/or dissapointment this year for Arsenal?
Wenger will quit
July 26th, 2007 at 4:17 pm
top 7:
Arsenal
ManUre
Chelski
Liverpool
Everton
Aston Villa
Bolton
golden boot winner:
Didier Drogba
arsenal leading scorer:
Robin van Persie
Arsenal’s biggest suprise will be Cesc’s 10-15 goals
July 26th, 2007 at 4:27 pm
Top 7?
1. Chelsea (consistency wins, and they are solid and have depth)
2. Liverpool (Babel and Torres are the real deal)
3. ManU (could win the league again if they get Tevez)
4. Arsenal (20+ points behind the leaders again)
5. Totts (they have improved their team, could be another last day fight for 4th)
6. Everton (good team, just behind the top group)
7. Blackburn (ditto to Everton)
GOLDEN BOOT
Wayne Rooney
(Arsenal’s leading scorer, RVP, nobody else close, heaven forbid he gets injured again)
Biggest Surprise for Arsenal?
That William Gallas was named Captain!
Biggest Disappointment?
That William Gallas ws named Captain, or that Freddie Ljungberg scores more goals than any Arsenal midfielder!
I predict that we will see very much the same type of team that we saw last season, once again this season for Arsenal.
Flashes of brilliance in which we beat a United or Chelsea or Liverpool, and utter frustration when we drop points regularly to teams we should pummel.
July 26th, 2007 at 4:31 pm
1. Chelsea
2. ManUtd
3. Arsenal
4. Liverpool
5. Spurs
6. Everton
7. Middlesborough
Golden Boot: Robin Van Persie (edging out Drogba the Mouth)
AFC scoring leader: see above
Biggest surprise(s): RvP’s breakout year, Diaby’s development, the fact that Liverpool falls backwards.
Biggest Disappointments: the defence, the lack of said winger, Billionaire Stan’s takeover attempt succeeding. Oh, and the defence.
and a few extras:
Carling Cup champions: Arsenal
FA Cup champions: ManUtd
Champions League champions: Barca
And Bellemy will stab a teammate by the (American) Thanksgiving holidays!
July 26th, 2007 at 4:54 pm
Exciting question but better answered at the end of the transfer window as things can easily change.
League standings:
1. Chelsea
2. Arsenal
3. Man U
4. Liverpool
5. Newcastle (my surprise team for this year)
6. Spurs
7. Everton
Golden Boot:
Didier Drogba
Arsenal High scorer:
Robin v.Persie
Biggest surprise:
Theo Walcott - watch him pry the the starting spot away from Hleb
Biggest disappointment:
Hleb - fancy but unproductive vs. Gallas
Predictions subject to change prior to close of the transfer window
July 26th, 2007 at 5:01 pm
Just wanna predict a “Dark Horse” of the Premiership this season - MAN CITY.
I m not a fan of Sven, and know that lot of ppl in England aren’t fond of him. But he is a solid tactican, a quality coach who know a trick or two to “make the most out of what he got”. The English press and fans likewise like to point fingers on him of England’s “underachieved”. Hell, with the quality of the players England got, I think he had “overachieved” with those lot. Just look at how McClaren been doing with this bunch of so-called “Golden Generation”.
And because of his reputation and contact in Europe, he’s able to sign someone Stuart Pearce would never be able to attract.
Plus, the extra amount of cash will surely help his cause.
Spurs, as usual, been enjoying their best time of the whole season - the summer - when they can always DREAM!
They are talking about squeeze us out of the big 4. Yeah right.
As far as I’m concerned, their manager might end up as among the first getting sacked.
Am i being biased? Perhaps. The thing is, in order to be a top 4 side, you need to be able to strike a fear factor into ur opposing teams, and u need to be able to kill off the smaller side week in and week out.
Picture that when Spurs taking on the Newcastle, Blackburn, Aston Villa the likes, even with all their summer spending, can u see them have confidence and ability to grab all 3 points from those teams?
I think to judge how good a team is - all u have to do is to look at the away teams’ approach when they play them at home. If the away teams pack their defence, that means they know they are playing against some very strong quality sides.
And when the away teams go to ur backyard and dare to go out and attack, you know you are just a pretender. That is the case with Spurs.
Plus, they are the biggest “bottlers” in the Premiership, period. No team had the ability to throw away a 3-0 lead by half time (at HOME) and playing against 11 Vs 10 yet still managed to lose 3-4…. and not too many teams are capable leading 3-0 by half time and end up losing 3-5, again, at home.
So, instead of predicting them squeezing into the big 4, I’d tip them got squeezed out of top 6. As Newcastle, Man City and Aston Villa will improve, IMO.
July 26th, 2007 at 5:10 pm
I’m not big on predictions, so I’ll just weigh in with Arsenal finishing in the top 4. Don’t know where. It’s anyones league.
July 26th, 2007 at 5:36 pm
Too early for predictions. End of august after first few matches and last-minute signings is the ideal time.
1. Arsenal (goes without saying)
2. Chelsea (consistency with added squad players)
3. Man Utd (find goals a little harder to come by with ronaldo not contributing as much)
4. Liverpool (their big-name signings who are not as good as they think take too long to settle so with a late run by the skin of their teeth on the last day from)
5. Spurs (thanks to Berbatov’s goals so long as he stays but only just from)
6. West Ham (biggest spenders)
7. Sunderland (best of the rest ahead of Newcastle, Man City and Blackburn in the top ten)
Berbatov to win the Golden Boot as he plays every game unlike all the other top strikers. Drogba, Van Persie, Kuyt, Rooney and Ashton best of the other top six.
Surprise: For Arsenal, winning the league. Elsewhere, the FA Cup going outside the top four for the first time in years as Spurs, West Ham, Villa, Man City, Middlesboro and Newcastle really need a trophy.
Disappointment: For Arsenal, one of their ex-players wins the Champions League, not saying which. For the others, Arsenal winning the League.
As I say, reserve the right to change these by the end of August.
July 26th, 2007 at 5:42 pm
Yeah, I don’t like to do predictions either because clubs are still puttting their teams together. There are too many variables like injuries, loss of form, new player integration, etc.
Chelsea lost the title last year because they sold Gallas and Huth and didn’t bring in adequate replacements. I think they’re the strongest team. Liverpool will start slowly but finish strong. Spurs will be very strong up front and in the back but their middle is soft. Man Utd. is too hard to make a sound assesment on because we don’t know who their strikers are and there’s still so much going on.
I think teams that will surprise is Everton, Newcastle, Reading, and Sunderland. Wigan, and Derby will most likely go down.
As for Arsenal it’s simple. Prophetically, we’ll create chances. If we finish only ten percent more of our chances than we did last year then we’ll be in the title race. If we lose our nerve in front of goal again, we’ll struggle to finish in the top four.
One prediction I will make is the team spirit will be high. Gilberto believes in this team and will be a better influence. Also, we have some young guys that will be motivated to prove all the critics wrong. It will be fun to watch.
July 26th, 2007 at 5:52 pm
1. Chelsea
2. Man U
3. Arsenal
4. Liverpool
Golden Boot - RvP, he will score 20+ this year.
Biggest surprise - Cesc scoring more than 10(in all competitions)
Biggest disappointment - Gallas taking the armband over Kolo
July 26th, 2007 at 5:53 pm
I forgot the teams from 5th to 7th
5. Spurs
6. Everton
7. Newcastle
July 26th, 2007 at 6:43 pm
1. Man Utd
2. Chelsea
3. Arsenal
4. Liverpool
5. Tottenham
6. Aston Villa
7. Newcastle
Golden Boot: Drogba
Arsenal High Scorer: Eduardo
Biggest surprise: Cesc will score a lot more goals and run the show
Biggest disappointment: Toure/Gallas failing to form a decent partnership
July 26th, 2007 at 8:32 pm
1. ManUre
2. Liverpool
3. Chelski
4. Spurs
5. Arse
6. Villa
7. Newcastle
Relegated - Wigan, Reading, Sunderland
July 26th, 2007 at 9:47 pm
Arse
Chelski
ManUre
L’Pool
Newcastle
Villa
Spudz
Golden Boot:RvP
Arsenal Leading scorer: RvP
Surprise of the year: RvP winning the golden boot scoring 30+ goals
Optimistic, I know…but that’s me at the start of every season!! The glass is always 9/10 full with me. I think with my heart rather than my head.
July 26th, 2007 at 10:00 pm
Chelsea
Man U
Liverpool
Spurs
Arsenal
Man City
Everton
Golden Boot - Drogba
Arsenal Top Scorer - RvP
Arsenal Surprise of the Year - Diaby dominates midfield
Disappointment - Current Board thwarts takeover, leading to continued ostracism of Dein, leading to Wenger’s resignation.
July 26th, 2007 at 10:50 pm
1. Manure
2. Chelski
3. Liverpool
4. Spurs
5. Arsenal
6. Bolton
7. Everton
Golden Boot: Drogba
Leading Arsenal scorer: RvP
Suprise: Walcott will break through to a regular spot on the wing over Hleb
Disappointment: Gallas/Toure partnership and Rosicky injuries
July 26th, 2007 at 10:58 pm
1.) ManU
2.) Chelsea
3.) Arsenal
4.) Liverpool
5.) Spurs
6.) Villa
7.) Newcastle
Golden Boot: Rooney
Arsenal Top Scorer: RvP
Suprise: Walcott; will grow up and start to believe in himself.
Disappointment: The board; will not get past petty immaturity and start to believe the things they are saying.
Why ManU will win: quality depth, pragmatism.
Chelsea will come second because of off-the-field problems: too many good players sit unhappy on the bench, too many administrators involved in the team selection, too many microphones for Mourinho to pass up, too many bored fans.
Liverpool is optimized for Europe, less so for the Premiership.
Arsenal will improve, finishing more of their chances and defending better. But they will still drop some points due to inexperience and are still vulnerable to injuries to key players in ways that ManU and Chelsea are not, e.g. Lehmann, Gilberto, Toure, Gallas can perhaps be replaced on the field, but not in the locker room. Finish 8 points out of first. But free of serious injuries, and with a determined captain, anything can happen.
July 26th, 2007 at 11:31 pm
1.) Chelsea - It kills me to say it. But they will be the most consistent. I f’in hate them.
2.) Arsenal - If they stay healthy in key spots. The talent is there. But they will need to find consistency we have yet to see. Next year is the year. But a 2nd place this season would be gravy.
3.) Man Utd - They will get a few injuries in key spots. They are due for some. Scholes is already hurt, why not Ronaldo or Rooney?
4.) Everton - They have a solid bunch of players, not world beaters, but solid
5.) Liverpool - The defense is getting older and slower
6.) Newcastle - Fat Sam will change the mentality of the club
7.) Spurs - If Ledley King is healthy they are dangerous, but it is a massive if because he is made of glass
Golden Boot - Eduardo - Why not? just get on the end of the chances we create
Not Drogba because I can see Chelsea going back to 4-5-1 and getting more goals from midfield.
Biggest Arsenal surprise - Eboue gets his act together after a stern talking to by Kolo and delivers the goods on the flank
(I would have said Fabregas gets 10 goals, but since several of you already chose that, it doesn’t seem that surprising…and I really miss the Eboue from the Champions League run of two years ago)
Biggest Disappointment (for the fans) - AW doesn’t sign a winger
Craig Bellamy - I envision some sort of controversy involving him and a Christmas goose. Not sure if that qualifies as before or after the holiday.
I’m awful at predicting tables, so I did Arsenal a service by not picking them to win.
July 26th, 2007 at 11:39 pm
1. ManU
2. ‘Pool
3. Arsenal
4. Chelski
5. Bolton
6. Spurs
7. Everton
GB - C. Ronaldo
TS - RvP
Surprise - Rosicky stays healthy for the whole season
Disappointment - We gave up too many late goals early in the season and could have easily taken 2nd over ‘Pool.
July 27th, 2007 at 12:13 am
How do you post a story? I clicked on “Submit a Story”, typed it out, and now i’m forever stuck in “Draft” mode. Any help for a first time poster? thanks.
July 27th, 2007 at 1:32 am
As painful as this table looks…
1) Chelsea — even though I think they will have their worst form in the last 3 years, they should grind enough 1-0 games out.
2) Man U
3) Liverpool
4) Arsenal (upwards of 15 points behind)
5) Spurs
6) Don’t care
7) Don’t care
Top EPL scorer: Drogba
Arsenal top-scorer: Da Silva
Biggest Surprize: Da Silva actually manages to find thet net on a consistent basis. Wishful thinking. Also, I expect Cesc to be able to withstand more physical play and thread even better passes.
Disappointment — Giving up late goals and more defensive flaws. Once again, dropping points to mid & bottom table teams.
July 27th, 2007 at 2:23 am
1. Chelsea
2. ManU - if Tevez joins, it will be close
3. Arsenal - hoping but will be very close; gap to the top will be 12+ points
4. Liverpool
Don’t care beyond this.
Top Scorer - Drogba
Arsenal - RvP
Surprise - Da Silva will do well and replace Ade as RvP’s partner; Cesc will score 10 goals in all competitions
Disappointment - We will continue to suck in the air, importantly in defence; if Cesc gets injured, we will be screwed
July 27th, 2007 at 2:34 am
1 Chelski
2 Manure
3 Pool
4 Gunners
5 Everton
6 Twottenham
7 Man City
Golden Boot: Drogba
Lead Scorer: van Persie
Biggest Surprise: Tomasz Rosicky
Biggest Dissapointment: David Dein (for aiding a possible take-over)
July 27th, 2007 at 4:37 am
Off Topic:
Mark Randall says - “Hopefully I will get a run out in the Premiership this season but maybe I will go out on loan I don’t know yet.”
It pretty clear that he will go on loan if we sign a winger, so there is still hope.
Hurrah!!!
July 27th, 2007 at 4:50 am
[b]1: What will the top 7 of the table look like at the end of the 07-08 season?[/b]
1: Chelski
2: Arsenal
3: Mancs
4: Liverpool
5: Newcastle
6: Spuds
7: Man Shity
[b]2. Who will win the Golden Boot this year in the EPL? And if not an Arsenal player (shame on you), who will lead Arsenal in scoring?[/b]
Arsenal top scorer = Van Persie 18 to 22 goal
Golden Boot = Dogbag 23 to 28 goals
[b]3. What will be the biggest surprise and/or disappointment this year for Arsenal?[/b]
Surprise = We manage to finish 2nd after all the doom a gloom of the summer comings and goings.
Disappointment: We get knocked out in the semi finals of Carling Cup by Barnet 9on penalties) having been the first team to field an all ladies side in the competition
July 27th, 2007 at 6:26 am
SeattleG, after u finished the post, just click SAVE, and leave it there. it will do.
July 27th, 2007 at 6:34 am
sorry off topic: something Niall Quinn said I agree with it 100%.
Also, one reason i think Chelsea been having a bit of difficulties to sign players themselves is due to the amount of money they paid for players at the past. When Roman first arrived, his mentality probably was - get me the players i wanted, and i don’t care how much we have to spend.
It proved to me successful as they often got the men they wanted. but the side effect now is clubs would tend to over priced their players whenever they heard Chelsea is interested.
When Mourinho claimed last season “it’s one price for other clubs, one price for Chelsea”… well, they didn’t have the right to moan about it did they?
anyway, here below is Quinn’s interview:
He said: “There’s six or seven new owners who are spending money, but are they getting the type of player that the top four want? I don’t think so.
“If I was going to spend a fortune on breaking the bank, I would be going after the players Liverpool or Manchester United wanted to sign.”
” What horrifies me is people who have made money out of property or biscuit tins telling a class act who’s managing their club who they should be signing.
Sunderland chairman Niall Quinn
Quinn added: “But, in the middle, people are fighting each other and raising the prices for the same players. You can see it with West Ham and Portsmouth. “
July 27th, 2007 at 7:08 am
Andez, Sunderland paid 5.5M for Kieran Richardson, 5M for Michael Chopra and 3M for Halford. They were also ready to pay big money for Nugent (who went to Pompey), Craig Gordon and Baines. Isn’t it slightly a case of the pot calling the kettle black?
July 27th, 2007 at 7:59 am
I think we’ll squeak 3rd, but close the gap a bit. In fact, I think we’ll see more parity in the league overall. Its going to be closer to a La Liga finish from last season, than anyone doing it on a canter. And I coudn’t care less who finishes above us, as long as it’s not Spurs, which it won’t be.
Golden Boot: Drogba, probably. Somebody like Bent could surprised. I predict Torres will flop. La Liga transplants generally do.
Arsenal High scorer: Ade or RvP, whomever stays healthier. Eduardo looks promising, but I have a feeling he’s going to be more of an assist man, as he’s too light and easily pushed around. It will take him half a season to get a rhythm where he’ll figure out how to use his bursts of pace to beat defenders, but he’ll get into the box a lot.
Surprise: Flamini will score more. I like what Andez is saying about Man City. This season’s Everton.
Disappointment: more injures, drying up our goals.
July 27th, 2007 at 8:29 am
Again, I don’t like to predict to much either, but I do agree with what a few said. Theo Walcott will be a big surprise, his speed is just explosive. His size is a factor, but mark my word he’ll be a gem.
July 27th, 2007 at 8:33 am
“Andez, Sunderland paid 5.5M for Kieran Richardson, 5M for Michael Chopra and 3M for Halford. They were also ready to pay big money for Nugent (who went to Pompey), Craig Gordon and Baines. Isn’t it slightly a case of the pot calling the kettle black?”
That’s exactly WHY Niall Quinn been saying what he said - they are paying inflated price because of some clubs’ buying policy and push the price up.
July 27th, 2007 at 9:02 am
1: What will the top 7 of the table look like at the end of the 07-08 season?
1: Chelsea
2: Arsenal
3: Man U
4: Liverpool
5: Spurs
6: Everton
7: Man City
2. Who will win the Golden Boot this year in the EPL? And if not an Arsenal player (shame on you), who will lead Arsenal in scoring?
Arsenal top scorer = Van Persie
Golden Boot = Drogba
3. What will be the biggest surprise and/or disappointment this year for Arsenal?
Surprise = We finish second and claim the CL!!!
Disappointment: We fail to win the league!
July 27th, 2007 at 9:10 am
1. chelsea
2. Arsenal
3. Liverpool
4. Manc’s
5. Everton
6. Pompey
7. Newcastle
Spurs RELEGATED!!!!!!!!!
OK maybe Spurs for 5th but Pompey got better and ManUre wont get the same from Giggs and Scholes as they did last year.
Golden Boot; Drogba RVP or Berbatov
Player of the year: Fabregas
Arsenal top scorer; RVP
Surprise: Blackburn in a relegation fight, Boro going down and Wigan staying up again. Oh yeah Pompey for Europe.
Surprise for theArse:Walcott gets his 10.
July 27th, 2007 at 9:18 am
Off Topic: I just realised that Wenger dispatched Lauren because of Eboue and Hoyte and then spent 6-7M buying Sagna.
July 27th, 2007 at 11:31 am
My hope and expectation is the ability of the mid-table teams to try and win against the top teams. I think Arsenal will, overall, improve from last year but that may not equate to improved league position. I also think Arsenal will benefit from a few more teams trying to play for 3 against them rather than 1.
Chelsea’s biggest challenge barring Drogba injury is the ANC- they wobbled at the same time this year and I think they will more this year. That said I think Man U. will slide a little and Liverpool is the team most likely to improve from next year.
Top 4: Arsenal, Chelsea, Man U. and Liverpool (picking that order if I have to..)
5: Tottenham
6: Everton
7: Aston Villa
Biggest contenders for the drop:
Derby, Wigan, Fulham, Birmingham, ‘Boro
Golden Boot: Drogba
Top Scorer: RvP
Surprise: Walcott shows he can play as a winger, Adebayor’s finish improves and challenges RvP as top scorer.
Disappointment: the disappearance of Eboue and Hleb as everyday players
July 27th, 2007 at 2:06 pm
1. Manu
2. Arsenal
3. Chelsea
4. Liverpool
5. Spurs
6. Bolton
7. Everton
Golden Boot: Robin v. Persie
Top Scorer: v. Persie
Surprise: Diaby will improve dramatically and become the new Viera for Arsenal
Dissappointment: Arsenal’s defence, will continue to let up bad goals to bad teams.
July 27th, 2007 at 2:07 pm
Andez, thanks.
July 27th, 2007 at 3:26 pm
Arsenal will be good but not consistent. Arsenal is better than last year. But other also better.
1- Man Utd
2- Liverpool
3- Chelsea
4- Arsenal
5- Spuds
6- Newcastle
7- West Ham
8- Sunderlad
Golden Boot:
Berbatove
Arsenal Golden Boot:
Theo Walcott
Biggest Surprise: Theo Walcott being the key for this year. Arsenal will stay in the run, but will end up 4th again. The differences will decrease with Liverpool looking good.
July 27th, 2007 at 5:10 pm
24 predictions so far. What is the consensus? I added up the positions given to each of five teams and came up with a score, 1 points for 1st, 2 points for 2nd etc. The lowest score finishes highest.
Chelsea - 43
Man Utd. - 50
Arsenal - 70
Liverpool - 82
Spurs - 127
So Arsenal to finish third! Better than last season.
July 28th, 2007 at 7:42 am
1. Chelsea
2. Man U
3. Liverpool
4. Arsenal
5. Spurs
6. Newcastle
7. Everton
Golden Boot: Drogba
Arsenal GB: Van Persie
Biggest surprise:
- breakthrough of one of Diaby or Denilson, pressuring captain Gilberto for his starting spot.
- Adebayor becoming the new Drogba (if he improves his finishing)
- Rosicky showing what he is capable of
Biggest disappointment:
- Lack of goals from midfield. more than last year but still not enough.
- Rosicky’s fitness preventing him from achieving what he is capable of.
July 30th, 2007 at 10:35 am
1.) Man U
2.) Arsenal
3.) Liverpool
4.) Chelsea
5.) Spurs
6.) Man City
7.) Newcastle
Golden Boot goes to Wayne Rooney
Top Scorer for the Gunners is RvP
Biggest suprise is that the Gunners take home champions league much to the dismay of one French Striker
Biggest disappointment is that Arsène Wenger says goodbye