The HUGE Offside Bloggers Predictions and Previews

By: Rob | August 13th, 2010

A big shout out first of all to Jack at the Chelsea offside, who put this beast together, with a little help from his friends, to compliment my own epic prediction post. I’ll hand over to him:

The Premier League season overview
Brought to you by the bloggers of the EPL Offside

The Premier League has returned. Thank you 8 pound, 6 ounce, newborn baby Jesus.

With the season’s return comes predictions – oh so predictable predictions. They’re everywhere. Sure, here at the EPL Offside, you’ll get another dose of them. However, only here will you have the glorious opportunity of finding out what our crack team of bloggers think is going to transpire in England this season. Not just one person mind you (no offense, Rob), but many of the Premier League Offside bloggers you’ve grown to love – and hate – have contributed to this mega-post.

Such infamous names as Ed (Liverpool Offside) and Martin (Arsenal) – yes, they were among the crowded roundtable. Matilda (Bolton), Thad (Manchester City), Chris (Spurs), Martin (West Ham), Ryan (Villa). Even the notorious lothario, Ethan Dean-Richards (West Brom), was involved.

The idea was simple: compile your table, average the results. What follows is how this esteemed group of prognosticators see the 2010-11 season playing out in the English top flight. Presented in alphabetical order for your enjoyment – and ridicule.

Arsenal

“The West Brom Blog is an idealist whose heart always rules over Its head, but Arsenal’s potential starting XI includes: Arshavin, Fabregas, Van Persie and Chamakh and that level of fire-power, aligned with an increasingly impressive defensive set up, gives Arsenal the strongest XI of all the title contenders. What’s more, whereas their squad has left them short in the past, players like Bendtner, Nasri and Walcott now provide very strong backup. Prediction: 1st”
-Ethan Dean-Richards, WBA Offside

“It depends, doesn’t it? If Wenger buys a keeper and a center back, I think we will be in the mix come spring. If not, we may need some luck just to stay in the top 4.”
-Martin, Arsenal Offside

Offside Prediction: 3rd

Aston Villa

“I believe I have figured out how to solve all of Villa’s problems. Name lifelong fan Prince William manager, and convince the handsome young thing to invest a bit of the family fortune into the club, and all will be well. Prediction: 9th”
-Thad, Manchester City Offside

“I don’t think this will be an easy season for Villa, but the club has a strong enough foundation to survive the potential turmoil. Prediction: 8th”
-Matilda, Bolton Offside

“With Martin O’Neill leaving, and Milner apparently on his way to City, it doesn’t look good. But if we can secure Ireland in that deal, and get a good manager who does rotate, it could be our saviour. That’s a lot of if’s and but’s BUT it is my team so. Prediction: 5th”
-Ryan, Aston Villa Offside

Offside Prediction: 8th

Birmingham

“Last season’s surprise outfit will not be so successful at the second asking. A comfortable finish, however, should be viewed as a success. The rumored addition of Charles N’Zogbia would be a masterstroke. Meanwhile, with a first-rate owner, solid coaching and an improving squad, City could well cement themselves in the top flight over the next couple of seasons. Prediction: 14th”
-Jack, Chelsea Offside

“The. Same. As. Last. Season. Prediction: 12th”
-Ethan Dean-Richards, WBA Offside

Offside Prediction: 11th

Blackburn

“Fat Sam and his blight on football will unfortunately survive for another year. Prediction: 14th”
-Martin, Arsenal Offside

“Like it or not, Sam Allardyce is the master of mid-table (copyright TWBB). Expect clean sheets, home wins and goals from set-pieces. Is that the kind of creative analysis you readers wanted to hear? Well, it’s what you got. Bite me. Prediction: 10th”
-Ethan Dean-Richards, WBA Offside

Offside Prediction: 14th

Blackpool

“Will be everyone’s second-favorite club this year, and I’m a big fan of Blackpool’s particular shade of Creamsicle orange. Unfortunately, Sir Stanley Matthews is not walking through that door. Until the five signings made this week, it was unclear whether Blackpool were even trying to stay up; they could be forgiven for taking the money, enjoying the ride, and knowing this year in the top flight will have provided financial stability for the club for several years to come. Prediction: 20th”
-Thad, Manchester City Offside

“Look out Derby! Putridity is about to get a whole lot stinkier.”
-timmyg, Fulham Offside

“Fairytale stuff for the debutants, but sadly the best part of their campaign will be Ian Holloway. Prediction: 20th”
-Ed, Liverpool Offside

Prediction: 20th (unanimous)

Bolton

“I know picking Bolton to finish eighth seems crazy, but every season there is one team that surprises everyone by finishing in the top half, and Owen Coyle is a good manager who’s had a full offseason to get some players in and get them playing his tactics. I think they will surprise people, and reward the Bolton fans who had to watch Megson’s teams the last few years.”
-Martin, Arsenal Offside

“Wanderers have all the tools to be very effective, particularly at home, this season. Owen Coyle at the helm being the key. Coyle will view a fit Gary Cahill in the center of defense, who missed several months last season with a blood clot, a massive boost. The winger Martin Petrov on a bossman is potentially the transfer of the summer. Don’t forget Kevin Davies punching your mother in the face, either. Prediction: 9th”
-Jack, Chelsea Offside

“Bolton have made some excellent signings this summer, and Coyle knows what he’s doing. We’re not top half quality yet, but relegation fears of yester-season should be far away. Prediction: 11th”
-Matilda, Bolton Offside

Offside Prediction: 12th

Chelsea

“A lot of players out and only the talented Yossi Benayoun inbound. Chelsea have depth, no doubt, but losing Joe Cole and Ballack, plus a really bad pre-season and losing the Charity Shield is no way to start a season. They’ll be there at the end, but probably will need more signings in January. Prediction: 2nd”
-Martin, West Ham Offside

“They make it look easy, on the verge of some great signings, offloading some oldies, they are my champions again. Prediction: 1st”
-Ryan, Aston Villa Offside

“It’s a difficult ask to retain a title in any league in the world. That prospect is made even harder when those around you include the likes of Manchester United, Arsenal and Manchester City – wait, what? Nevertheless, the famous CFC features the strongest first team in England, despite growing concern surrounding our embattled captain. Squad depth will again be a chief issue, but with the return of a fit Michael Essien and the additions of Ramires, Yossi Benayoun and potentially others (Neymar among them), the Blues appear well placed to repeat. Prediction: 1st”
-Jack, Chelsea Offside

Offside Prediction: 1st

Everton

“Always a great team but without financial backing they will always find it hard. Prediction: 8th”
-Ryan, Aston Villa Offside

“A prime example of what an excellent, understated manager can do when given time and ample, not overwhelming, funds. David Moyes has so far fended off hovering interest for his key pieces and as a result has a first team on par with Arsenal, at least in my mind. The key – and this has been the case for several seasons running – is whether this group can 1. stay healthy and 2. avoid the traditional poor start. Do that, and the Toffees are well on their way to challenging for a Champions League place. Prediction: 5th”
-Jack, Chelsea Offside

Prediction: 7th

Fulham

“The Europa league finalists should have another great year. Without the burden of European football (which forced them to all but abandon their league play last year) and the determination that Mark Hughes has to succeed after a less than pleasant exit at City, they should jump up the pecking order. For them to realistically reach this ninth spot, Bobby Zamora and Dempsey are going to have to have another strong year. Prediction: 9th”
-Chris99, Spurs Offside

“Mark Hughes knows how to handle a side like this – or should, anyway. Probably needs to pull off one or two attacking signings, but they should have a good year. Prediction: 8th”
-Thad, Manchester City Offside

“I have no idea. No, really, I have no freaking clue what’s going to happen this season.”
-timmyg, Fulham Offside

Offside Prediction: 9th

Liverpool

“I think things will look up a bit for Liverpool with the arrival of Roy Hodgson, but not enough to make a difference. They’ll have to wait til next season to see real change. Prediction: 5th”
-Matilda, Bolton Offside

“Roy Hodgson, as opposed to Joe Cole, is the key to Liverpool’s season being a successful one. For TWBB, Arsenal, Man Utd and Chelsea are competing for the title, whilst Liverpool, Man City and Tottenham are competing for fourth – of that mini-league’s managers, Hodgson is number one; on experience and know-how.”
-Ethan Dean-Richards, Liverpool Offside

“Great potential here for supporters’ souls to be absolutely shattered – much better than last season, still not the first to number 19. Prediction: 3rd”
-Ed, Liverpool Offside

Offside Prediction: 4th

Manchester City

“Conjecture around Man City has been more abundant than any other club this summer, but conjecture breeds misconceptions. People question whether or not Man City’s ‘catalogue of big names’ can play well together, but TWBB questions how many big names they have – Yaya Toure, David Silva and Carlos Tevez are the only three that could genuinely be considered ‘world class’ (whatever that means) and two of those three are not guaranteed to adapt well to the Premier League. Also, City remain defensively frail and have to rely on Roberto Mancini as an organiser – compared to Hodgson he is a novice. Prediction: 5th”
-Ethan Dean-Richards, WBA Offside

“The ‘throw loads of superstars on the pitch and let them play’ strategy only gets you so far. Fact. Prediction: 6th”
-Matilda, Bolton Offside

“Still waiting on that ‘team’ part to come together.”
-timmyg, Fulham Offside

“Hey, if I don’t think City can win the title, no one else will either. The talent is undoubtedly there, and the addition of Boateng and Kolarov at right and left back will prove to be a vast upgrade that gives City many more tactical options. The question is whether City can play as a team and with self-belief, and whether each individual can accept their role: it’s tough for an international to be a squad player. It’s a tall order, but ‘aim for the stars, hit the moon.’ Prediction: 1st”
-Thad, Manchester City Offside

Offside Prediction: 5th

Manchester United

“One word: Chicharito, the best thing since indoor plumbing. Don’t let the fact that he looks like an out of place 13-year-old fool you, this kid’s gonna light it up. They’re young, determined, and Sir Alex wants that top spot back. Prediction: 1st”
-Chris99, Spurs Offside

“They will be in the mix, like they always are, but I still think their midfield is just enough of a weak link to prevent them from winning the league. Prediction: 2nd”
-Martin, Arsenal Offside

“Let me first say that I’m officially in awe of how much Sir Alex has squeezed out of an aging side in recent years. Scholes and Giggs deserve all the kudos they get. As to this year, I think signing Ozil if they pull it off would make them favorites. The other keys for me are how many games Vidic and Rio are healthy for, and whether Macheda and Hernandez can break through and become genuine next-gen stars for a club that really needs one to go along with Rooney. Prediction: 2nd”
-Thad, Manchester City Offside

Offside Prediction: 2nd

Newcastle

“Welcome back to the disgraced Geordies, who’ll assert themselves as top-flight regulars after a tough few years. Prediction: 16th”
-Ed, Liverpool Offside

“This year’s Birmingham. I don’t think Andy Carroll is going to be as potent as he was against Championship sides, but fans should expect Kevin Nolan to have another good year. They have a crop of so-so strikers in front of a better than average defense, not the most encouraging mixture for an 11th place finish. However, there’s always one surprise. Prediction: 13th”
-Chris99, Spurs Offside

“The Magpies’ big signing, Sol Campbell, really. If they don’t want to be in a relegation battle from day one, the Magpies are going to need more than Campbell. They were bad away from home last season in the Championship. That means bad news for their chances of staying up. Prediction: 16th”
-Martin, West Ham Offside

Offside Prediction: 16th

Stoke City

“Pulis’ football won’t be winning any beauty contests any time soon, but it gets the job done. Prediction: 10th”
-Matilda, Bolton Offside

“Watching Tony Pulis’ squad is like wearing a plastic bag over your face, but they’ll be playing Premier League football next year. Prediction: 15th.”
-Ed, Liverpool Offside

Offside Prediction: 13th

Sunderland

“The Black Cats have signed players who had no idea where Sunderland was, so clever move there. If Darren Bent can stay healthy then Sunderland can expect a season like last (13th). If he is injured then they could be down there battling with Wigan, Wolves and Blackpool.”
-Martin, West Ham Offside

“Sunderland. Black Cats. Steve Bruce. Mid-table. As ever. Prediction: 13th”
-Thad, Manchester City Offside

Offside Prediction: 10th

Tottenham

“No key signings going into a fight for champions league and fourth again and a cup probably knowing Harry. I just don’t think they will do it again. Prediction: 7th”
-Ryan, Aston Villa Offside

“‘Arry did a great job last year, but as Liverpool and Man City have continued to make tangible improvements, his side have stagnated – with only Sandro as a major addition. What’s more, like Chelsea, Spurs did very well in games against teams around them in the league last season, and like Chelsea, TWBB thinks that they will struggle to reproduce those results. Would it be mean to discount the Champo League as a distraction because they won’t be in it for very long? Oh. Prediction: 6th”
-Ethan Dean-Richards, WBA Offside

“I put my Spurs fourth, ahead of Citeh for a few reasons. Gio (much like his Mexican counterpart) is finally going to blow up, they will be able to handle the extra bundle of games that the Champions League will bring (despite what most think), and I wholeheartedly believe that just buying everyone on the market regardless of whether they fit a specific system of style of play will bring you championships (or in this case, Champions League). You can slide in a bit of personal bias in there as well… Prediction: 4th”
-Chris99, Spurs Offside

Offside Prediction: 6th

West Bromwich Albion

“Question: What happens after the yo-yo comes up? Answer: The yo-yo goes down. Prediction: 18th”
-Martin, Arsenal Offside

“Baggies fans will take solace knowing that they have Ethan Dean-Richards on their side, but it’s back to the Championship. Prediction: 19th”
-Ed, Liverpool Offside

“The West Brom Blog doesn’t like to talk about West Brom: check The Blog, you’ll see it’s a policy. Prediction: 19th”
-Ethan Dean-Richards, WBA Offside

Offside Prediction: 19th

West Ham

“They may have a shiny new manager, but they aren’t out of the mire yet. Safety for West Ham, but not before a relegation struggle. Prediction: 15th”
-Matilda, Bolton Offside

“A perplexing side. Avram Grant, however mundane his personality, has proven he can right a ship or two. The Sullivans’ ship, though, may prove just as violent as that wretched dory in Portsmouth. Attempting to sign David Beckham? It’s going to be long season at Upton Park. Prediction: 15th”
-Jack, Chelsea Offside

“Yes, last year was Houdini’s greatest trick, but new manager, new (and good) signings could mean better things to come. New boys Hitzlsperger, the German captain, Pablo Barrera, the Mexican wunderkind, and New Zealand hero Winston Reid mean that the fans should see some great football at Upton Park. Mid-season will be a respectable position.”
-Martin, West Ham Offside

Offside Prediction: 15th

Wigan

“I actually came to like Roberto Martinez quite a bit during his World Cup commentary gig, but you can’t ignore the fact that Wigan had the worst goal differential in the Premiership last season and at times looked completely outmatched. But frankly, any team that can’t sell more than 20,000 tickets to a league match probably doesn’t deserve to be in the Premiership anyway. Prediction: 19th”
-Martin, Arsenal Offside

“Not clear cut relegation, but a good ol’ helping of consistency will be needed to stave off the prospect this time. New arrival Mauro Boselli will provide an excellent compliment to the talented Hugo Rodallega, but there are too many questions regarding this defense to mention. You know the future is harrowing when you lose Titus Bramble and it’s considered a telling blow. Prediction: 18th”
-Jack, Chelsea Offside

Offside Prediction: 18th

Wolves

“Relegation battle last season and no signs that won’t happen again this year. New signings Mouyokolo and Hunt from Hull City could help Wolves in their upcoming relegation fight. Prediction: 18th”
-Martin, West Ham offside

“Picking between Wigan and the Wolves for this spot was just as difficult as picking between Liverpool and Citeh. They scored the fewest goals in the EPL last but Steven Fletcher, who hit double digits with Burnley last year, will form a solid strike partnership with Kevin Doyle. Other than this, the rest of their squad just does not have enough quality to save them from relegation. Mick McCarthy, and his bluntness, will be missed.”
-Chris99, Spurs Offside

Offside Prediction: 17th

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