Premier League Champion Prediction

by Thomas Penlington

Manchester City?

Javi Garcia
(source: nofootballnolife.com)

Manchester City narrowly were narrowly crowned last season’s Premier League champions thanks to a last-minute strike from Sergio Aguero to secure a win against Queens Park Rangers and snatch the title from Manchester United on goal difference. However, this season's start hasn’t been up to the same standard of last season.  Most notably Manchester City have been slightly weak in defensive areas, only securing 2 clean sheets so far in 9 games (whereas they had 4 at this stage last season) and conceding 9 goals so far this season (compared to 7 last season). This may be due to the fact their talisman and arguably the best defender last season Vincent Kompany isn’t showing the same league-winning form. It also may be down to a number of injuries to key players like Micha Richards, who had a very good season but is now out for a number of weeks, as well as the likes of Pablo Zabaleta.

Their problem hasn’t been scoring goals this season as they have put three past Southampton, Queens Park Rangers and Sunderland as their attack is still a reservoir of top quality players and, as well as a few good additions in midfield, with the likes of Javi Garcia, Jack Rodwell and Scott Sinclair added, they have many options, although I believe they all have to prove themselves still. However I don’t believe this will be enough to ensure a second consecutive league title and their defensive problems should cause concern for Roberto Mancini. The January transfer window may provide them opportunities to offload players like Kolo Toure and to make a defensive signing but by then it may be too late.

Chelsea?

Eden Hazard
(source: football.co.uk)

Chelsea looked to be in trouble as Roman Abramovich yet again got rid of a manager and brought in the young Porto manager Andre Villas Boas with the main aim of guiding Chelsea to be the first London based club to win the Champions League. There was much excitement and a sense of good prospects surrounding Chelsea and AVB but League and Champion’s League form didn’t fill the owner with confidence. So yet again Chelsea said good bye to another manager and Roberto Di Matteo took over for the rest of the season. He managed to produce a brilliant end to the season with two trophies and the one they craved so much.

Over the summer, Chelsea made a number of expensive and comprehensive signings that clearly set out their intentions for the next season. They wished to create a beautiful attacking style by signing Eden Hazard, Oscar, Marko Marin and Victor Moses all for a large sum of money.

So far this season Chelsea have been sitting at the top of the Premier League for the majority and players like Hazard and Oscar have brought a new flair to their attack along with the likes of Juan Mata. However a recent drop in form with a 3-2 loss to Manchester united and a 1-1 draw with Swansea have resulted in them slipping to second, one point behind Manchester United. However, with the return of players like Ivanovic and Frank Lampard, they will surely have the best team at the manager’s disposal.

In conclusion, I believe Chelsea has the attacking quality to score a large number of goals, so the problem may come in defence. David Luiz is too rash for English football and too inconsistent, John Terry is nowhere near the player he used to be so a centre half signing in January should fix this problem. And with this cause of action I think they can go onto win the Premier League under Roberto Di Matteo.

Neil Chhabda offers an alternative prediction of this season's Premier League champions