As I always do, here are my predictions for the new football season. I shared this on my social media fora last week.
I think the EPL is between Man City, Man United and Chelsea.
Man City will win the league if Vincent Kompany plays at least 34 out of the 38 matches. He will stabilise the defence. They have the most talented squad and if Guardiola doesn't meddle too much tactically, he just let's them play, they'll win the most matches. All he has to do is to ensure that they don't take the day off against the small teams.
Man U will be really solid this year. Eric Bailly will marshall the back better, they have a stronger midfield. 1 goal should be enough to win most of their matches because they won't concede easily. If Man City slip up in anyway or if the Citizens leak at the back because Kompany is not there, then Man U will pip them to the title. Man U will be even more dangerous if they actually buy Serge Aurier, as has been rumoured.
Chelsea is still a great team and could win. I just feel that Man U and Man City have improved over last year and they are better than Chelsea. Morata will score his fair share of goals but he won't be a match winner like Diego Costa. To score the 3rd goal in a 3-0 win over Watford (the sort of goals that Morata will score) is not the same as scoring the first goal in a tightly contested match against Loserpool.
EPL
Man City, Man U, Chelsea, Tottenham
La Liga
Real Madrid, Barca, Athletico, Sevilla
Bayern and PSG will win in Germany and France
UCL
Barcelona will beat Bayern in the final
FA Cup
Everton. I think Koeman has built a very strong team that can beat any other team in a one-off match, even Man City and the top teams. Because Everton can't win the league, Koeman will seek to protect his job with the FA Cup.
Perhaps Arsenal will win the Europa Cup but I doubt it. Our best will be 5th in the league!
