**** OFFICIAL Premiership 2007-08 season Thread!*****

[gusmahler]

The Charity Shield (Man U vs. Chelsea) this weekend marks the close of the pre-season and the start of the new season. Any predictions? A Man U repeat? A return of Chelsea to the top? Does any other team have a shot at winning the league?

[ThaSaltCracka]

FU Gus, I was about to make this thread!!!1 [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]


I think ManU repeats, however I think all of the top 4 have the quality to compete this year, unlike last year. The cup competitions should be better. I am thinking my Arsenal are getting a trophy this year.

My prediction for the top 4.
1.ManU
2. Chelsea
3. Arsenal
4. Pool

My reasons: ManU added some depth to their squad, although this striker situation currently looks shakey. They have to fix that in order to repeat, however they have a great midfield and could get by with that and with a weaker strike force. Injuries should be a major concern for them IMO.

Chelsea, I think the ANC will screw them big time. 4 Players, two of which are starters are gone for at least a month. They do have some quality backups though. Wouldn't surprise me to see them win CL this year.

Arsenal, still concerns over depth, however from what I have seen from the pre-season, several of their young guys look improved. The team looks fresher, happier, and more organized without Henry. As long as Eduardo gets his papers, I am not too concerned. We are losing Eboue and Toure to ANC. I have heard Adebayor is no longer playing for Togo, which is nice [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] I can see us nagging a cup. FA would be nice.

Liverpool added some good players, but man, they shipped out a lot as well. It could take them several months to get use to playing with each other. Of course, they will probably do well in CL.



Other predictions, I think Birmingham and Sunderland are staying up. Derby, Wigan, and Boro(!) to drop.

[ThaSaltCracka]

just to add: Teams getting into Europe (other than the top 4)

-Spurs
-Newcastle
-Man City

Also to add:
Ivory Coast better win the ANC. Drogba, Kalou, Toure(s), Eboue, and Zokora. Wow.

[Fletcher19]

TSC, prop bet on the higher finish between arsenal and liverpool? [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

[ThaSaltCracka]

I don't bet money on sports.

[reo]

1 - Chelsea

All I know . . .

[The once and future king]

Jose is under pressure to produce more attractive football. I am hoping we can keep the relentless pressure grind that was our trade mark last season with mucho added attacking bite.

This will deliver the holy quad.

Also Pool will finish above the arse.

[72off]

[ QUOTE ]
...I am thinking my Arsenal are getting a trophy this year.

My prediction for the top 4.
1.ManU
2. Chelsea
3. Arsenal
4. Pool

...

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm also of the opinion that Arsenal is more likely to finish 5th than 3rd. At the risk of looking really foolish next spring, I'll attempt to predict the entire table:

1. Chelsea
2. Manchester United
3. Liverpool
4. Arsenal
5. Tottenham
6. Portsmouth
7. Blackburn
8. Everton
9. Bolton
10. West Ham
11. Manchester City
12. Newcastle
13. Aston Villa
14. Middlesbrough
15. Fulham
16. Sunderland
17. Reading
18. Birmingham
19. Wigan
20. Derby

But I really have no idea what I'm talking about.

[TheRover]

I do not understand the love Pompey are getting from this forum at all.

[New001]

[ QUOTE ]
I do not understand the love Pompey are getting from this forum at all.

[/ QUOTE ]
Because they're awesome. I think a more realistic placing for them is 8th-12th or so, though I'd love to see them higher. They're not better than the big four, or Everton or Spurs, or Newcastle. Rovers, Villa, maybe Bolton, maybe Reading are more in their league. They'll only get a spot in Europe if the above underperform and/or they overperform.

Edit: Fixed stupid mistake. I wouldn't be surprised to see Everton finish higher than Spurs this year in 4th or 5th.