Ultimate Premier League Preview

OFFICIAL 2011/2012 PREMIER LEAGUE PREVIEW

Alas, the eve of the Premier League kickoff. It’s the moment we’ve been waiting for. Tired of pointless transfer talk? aren’t we all… Let’s play the game already. To me, there’s nothing like watching your fresh squad step foot on the pitch for the first time, donning their freshly pressed new kits, and proudly displaying your club’s crest, and joyfully representing the storied clubs we all know and love.

Each club essentially has the same goal, to win the Premier League, but most clubs have more realistic expectations, and modify their goals to start out. Whether it be to win the league, qualify for a European spot, or to just stay afloat, there will be a number of teams that don’t quite make the mark. Let’s take a glance at what to expect this year in the top flight:

The folded arms say it all Arsene

Arsenal… will struggle to stay in the Top 4 this year as their lack of squad depth becomes a major sticking point. The loss of Fabregas and Nasri will be their undoing. Another season of leaky defensive displays could underline Wenger’s transfer market shortcomings

Aston Villa… will miss departures Ashley Young and Stewart Downing. Alex McLeish will hope to revitalize a defense that stood tall two seasons ago. The N’Zogbia signing should be beneficial for Darren Bent up front

Blackburn… will face a relegation dogfight. Lack of scoring up front could see their boss dismissed sooner than later. If Christopher Samba stays, they have a chance at survival.

Bolton… will look to shake off injuries and a horrid end to last year’s campaign. It’s all on the shoulders of skipper Kevin Davies yet again. Owen Coyle will need to dig deep to get some crucial points early in the season (like last year).

Chelsea… will dodge questions of hiring a young manager, as the Blues get off to a hot start once again. Injuries could end up being their undoing, but youngsters like Sturridge and McEachran could finally get a shot at more playing time this season. A title charge is not out of the question, but just seems less likely than in years past.

Everton… will remain steady as she goes. A cool start is expected once again, especially with some formidable early season foes. Tim Cahill also looks to bounce back from a late season slump, and propel the sometimes stagnant Toffee attack.

Fulham… will likely end up mid-table again, but possibly with some mid to late season struggles. Martin Jol has built a slightly deeper squad at Craven Cottage, but injuries never seem far from Fulham. A healthy Zamora/Johnson pairing up front would really help, but is unrealistic.

Carroll's goal haul could soar this season with lots of support

Liverpool… will be the biggest mystery going into the 2011/12 campaign. Dalglish seems to get his men up for the big games, but they sometimes struggle against lesser opponents. The Reds will surely tread that CL qualifying line all season. Early season struggles must be avoided if a top four spot is in the cards

Manchester City… will look like title challengers. It looks like Tevez will stay, and with Kun Aguero in tow, their goal-scoring could really pick up this season, and serve as a compliment to a very strong defense at Eastlands. Mancini will be the man under the microscope however.

Manchester United… will likely claim the PL title this year. After a solid summer in the transfer market, SAF’s boys look to be the pundits’ pick as top dogs yet again. If United can maintain a better record away from Old Trafford, they’ll likely secure #20.

Newcastle… will probably struggle more than some people think. After losing Carroll, Nolan, and Jose Enrique, the Magpies could be in for a rough season. Survival seems to be in order, but the Joey Barton saga doesn’t seem over with just yet.

Norwich City… will likely be the team propping up the table. Although the Canaries can score, their defense seems to be similar to that of West Ham’s last year. Don’t expect much from a team that was playing in League 1 just 18 months ago.

QPR… will be the fun team to watch from the bottom half. Manager Neil Warnock could be this year’s Phil Brown or Ian Holloway; the sound boards are ready. On the pitch, a relatively unknown squad is highlighted by Adel Taarabt, who could be this year’s Charlie Adam.

Stoke City… will continue their good form, and challenge for a spot in the top half of the table. A solid defense has been built, and scoring tandem Kenwyne Jones and Jonathan Walters may turn some heads at the Britannia

Sunderland… will be the slight let down, after posing as many pundit’s sleeper team. Their transfer market looks great on paper, and could really help an offense that struggled to score last year. A less than youthful backline makes me wonder about defensive frailties. Injuries will be a major player.

Sinclair... could be a hot commodity come next transfer window

Swansea… will be the surprise team to start off the year. Their ability to go hot and cold could make them an upset waiting to happen for some bigger squads. Expect a dogfight to stay afloat, but clutch scoring could help them grab some vital points along the ride

Tottenham… will likely regress, yet again. Gareth Bale’s a joy to watch, but teams figured him out by the end of the season. Van Der Vaart can’t seem to stay healthy. Unless Uncle ‘Arry lets Pavlyuchenko loose, Spurs may struggle to score. Can they pull another transfer rabbit out of a hat?

West Brom… will continue to flourish under Roy Hodgson. It’s Fulham all over again, and a trip to the top half of the table is not out of the question. Defensive worries remain, but their scoring should continue if Odemwingie can keep fit.

Wigan… will do the same thing all over again. Martinez may finally see the axe this season, but a weaker schedule to start the year may help his cause if he gains points early on. Having sold many of their top players, the Latics could find themselves hanging out around 18^th place again.

Wolverhampton… will finally succumb to relegation. Mick McCarthy appears to have added a nice piece in Roger Johnson, but the rest of his squad just doesn’t seem up to the task. If one or two players really step up and lead on the pitch, they may have a chance.

Moving forward, how does this all translate in terms of what the table may look like at season’s end? Here’s how WhitSport sees things playing out…

Man United will certainly not walk away with the title, and Man City looks to be their biggest threat as of now. With Arsenal’s troubles, it’s no surprise to think they could fall out of the top 4. Aston Villa and, with West Brom and Sunderland moving up the ranks. Swansea will do just enough to beat the drop, while Rovers, Wolves and Norwich all boast the weakest squads, and thus look headed for relegation.

Other Predictions:

Nani has shown up in big spots for United recently

FA Cup: Liverpool
Carling Cup: Chelsea
Champions League: Real Madrid
Player of the Year: Nani
Young Player of the Year: Andy Carroll
Golden Boot: Robin Van Persie
Manager of the Year: Steve Bruce
Most Goals Scored: Chelsea
Most Goals Allowed: Norwich City
First Manager Sacked: Steve Kean
Coming up from Championship: West Ham, Reading, Cardiff City

Feel free to weigh in with your own take on how the season will play out. Here’s to a great season, game on!