Shared with my Union friends this past August 2019.
Predictions for 2019/2020 Season
So the new season is upon us and the 7th year of my predictions. As always, I acknowledge that I can’t predict the effect of injuries, suspensions and future transfers but having scanned the teams, this is how I think the teams will stand at the end of the season in various competitions. I've predicted the top 4 in the EPL and top 2 in the other leagues.
EPL Top 4
1. Man City
2. Tottenham
3. Liverpool
4. Chelsea
If Man City had won the CL last season, this would have been a more difficult season for them because I don’t think they would have had sufficient motivation. However, even though they won every trophy available in England, which in itself was an unprecedented achievement, they still have the look of unfinished business about them, they’re still hungry. Add the still relevant fact that they have the deepest and most talented squad and they’ll probably win multiple trophies, including the EPL, again.
De Bruyne is back in midfield with a vengeance and this is likely to be the season that Bernardo Silva and Sterling stamp their talents on the league even further. Defenders beware!
I think last season’s run to the CL final will boost Spurs’ confidence. They’ve always had the talent but lacked a little belief in the most crucial games. Their defence is still great, their midfield will be one of the best in the league and Harry Kane will do his stuff. I expect them to be the closest challengers to Man City because they will consistently beat the small teams and pick up points from some of their top 6 peers.
Liverpool have been over-reliant on their front 3 for goals in the past 2 years. The league will work them out a little bit this year. If Divock Origi and Shaqiri can get more playing time and have extraordinary seasons, then Liverpool could repeat last year's performance and give themselves a chance to win the EPL. But I don’t think Origi and Shaqiri can give them sufficient diversity and excellence in attack to carry them to the title or even second place. as a team, they’ve climbed to the top and they’ve achieved, its only reasonable that we see a little reversion this year, much like 2006 was a slight dip between the great years of 2005 and 2007.
Lampard was not the most talented player. He became a great player by understanding the game at a deep level. I think these traits will translate well into coaching. He also has a good squad. Lampard will surprise many by taking Chelsea to 4th. Man Utd will come a close 5th and Arsenal, regrettably, will come 6th. We need to sort that defence out!!! If we do, then 4th is a realistic target. If we don’t sort out the defence, Everton may threaten our 6th place.
FA Cup
Liverpool will win the FA Cup. The players will lift themselves for crucial games and when they do, they can probably blow any team away on their day. As the league slips away, Klopp will likely elevate the importance of the FA Cup to compensate and keep their spirits up for another run next year.
La Liga
1. Barcelona
2. Atletico Madrid
Barca were traumatized and humiliated by the Liverpool result in last season's CL. It was the second year in a row of such humiliation. They have spent a lot of money in reaction, in the right positions. Frenke de Jong in midfield (from Ajax) should make an impact right away. Emerson, Moussa Wague and Junior Firpo will bolster the flanks. Griezmann strengthens the attack, and they still have all their old stalwarts.
But Atletico will run them oh so close! I love the look of Joao Felix. He’s young but I think he’s the real deal and will win the Ballon d’Or in the near future. He’s a worthy successor to CR7. Kieran Trippier is a good replacement for the great Juanfran. His defensive weaknesses will be better covered by Atleti’s legendary central defence and Simeone’s schemes.
I fear for Zidane. If he doesn’t stop this nonsense with Bale, he may not last the season.
Serie A
1. Juventus
2. Inter Milan
It will be a battle of the 2 immediate past Chelsea coaches in the Serie A.
Sarri is a great coach. His methods are misunderstood in England but he’s overachieved at all his previous clubs (except perhaps at Chelsea where he was at par). Sarri now has both the financial resources and players to dominate a top league. The acquisition of de Ligt from Ajax will bolster an aging but settled defence. I think he’ll pip Conte’s Inter Milan to the title.
Conte will bring his intensity and tactical excellence to Inter. But Inter’s squad is inferior to Juve and he can only stretch them so far. If he can excise the disruptive presence of Mauro Icardi and replace him with Lukaku, I expect Inter to pick up points from all the smaller clubs. Their consistency will make them competitive and threaten Juve without quite overtaking them.
Other Leagues
I’ve not paid sufficient attention to the Bundesliga and Ligue 1 to thoroughly assess the chances of the leading teams. I think dortmund may sneak a surprise but I'm much less confident of this prediction than others. It's PSG in France, with or without Neymar 🙂
Champions League
The strongest cup teams will be Man City, Liverpool, Atletico, Barca and Juventus. These are the teams that can lift their game on any given day and win. I expect the winner to come from among them but I’m unable to settle on one. I'm not even entitled to any credit if anyone of them wins.
Predictions for 2019/2020 Season
So the new season is upon us and the 7th year of my predictions. As always, I acknowledge that I can’t predict the effect of injuries, suspensions and future transfers but having scanned the teams, this is how I think the teams will stand at the end of the season in various competitions. I've predicted the top 4 in the EPL and top 2 in the other leagues.
EPL Top 4
1. Man City
2. Tottenham
3. Liverpool
4. Chelsea
If Man City had won the CL last season, this would have been a more difficult season for them because I don’t think they would have had sufficient motivation. However, even though they won every trophy available in England, which in itself was an unprecedented achievement, they still have the look of unfinished business about them, they’re still hungry. Add the still relevant fact that they have the deepest and most talented squad and they’ll probably win multiple trophies, including the EPL, again.
De Bruyne is back in midfield with a vengeance and this is likely to be the season that Bernardo Silva and Sterling stamp their talents on the league even further. Defenders beware!
I think last season’s run to the CL final will boost Spurs’ confidence. They’ve always had the talent but lacked a little belief in the most crucial games. Their defence is still great, their midfield will be one of the best in the league and Harry Kane will do his stuff. I expect them to be the closest challengers to Man City because they will consistently beat the small teams and pick up points from some of their top 6 peers.
Liverpool have been over-reliant on their front 3 for goals in the past 2 years. The league will work them out a little bit this year. If Divock Origi and Shaqiri can get more playing time and have extraordinary seasons, then Liverpool could repeat last year's performance and give themselves a chance to win the EPL. But I don’t think Origi and Shaqiri can give them sufficient diversity and excellence in attack to carry them to the title or even second place. as a team, they’ve climbed to the top and they’ve achieved, its only reasonable that we see a little reversion this year, much like 2006 was a slight dip between the great years of 2005 and 2007.
Lampard was not the most talented player. He became a great player by understanding the game at a deep level. I think these traits will translate well into coaching. He also has a good squad. Lampard will surprise many by taking Chelsea to 4th. Man Utd will come a close 5th and Arsenal, regrettably, will come 6th. We need to sort that defence out!!! If we do, then 4th is a realistic target. If we don’t sort out the defence, Everton may threaten our 6th place.
FA Cup
Liverpool will win the FA Cup. The players will lift themselves for crucial games and when they do, they can probably blow any team away on their day. As the league slips away, Klopp will likely elevate the importance of the FA Cup to compensate and keep their spirits up for another run next year.
La Liga
1. Barcelona
2. Atletico Madrid
Barca were traumatized and humiliated by the Liverpool result in last season's CL. It was the second year in a row of such humiliation. They have spent a lot of money in reaction, in the right positions. Frenke de Jong in midfield (from Ajax) should make an impact right away. Emerson, Moussa Wague and Junior Firpo will bolster the flanks. Griezmann strengthens the attack, and they still have all their old stalwarts.
But Atletico will run them oh so close! I love the look of Joao Felix. He’s young but I think he’s the real deal and will win the Ballon d’Or in the near future. He’s a worthy successor to CR7. Kieran Trippier is a good replacement for the great Juanfran. His defensive weaknesses will be better covered by Atleti’s legendary central defence and Simeone’s schemes.
I fear for Zidane. If he doesn’t stop this nonsense with Bale, he may not last the season.
Serie A
1. Juventus
2. Inter Milan
It will be a battle of the 2 immediate past Chelsea coaches in the Serie A.
Sarri is a great coach. His methods are misunderstood in England but he’s overachieved at all his previous clubs (except perhaps at Chelsea where he was at par). Sarri now has both the financial resources and players to dominate a top league. The acquisition of de Ligt from Ajax will bolster an aging but settled defence. I think he’ll pip Conte’s Inter Milan to the title.
Conte will bring his intensity and tactical excellence to Inter. But Inter’s squad is inferior to Juve and he can only stretch them so far. If he can excise the disruptive presence of Mauro Icardi and replace him with Lukaku, I expect Inter to pick up points from all the smaller clubs. Their consistency will make them competitive and threaten Juve without quite overtaking them.
Other Leagues
I’ve not paid sufficient attention to the Bundesliga and Ligue 1 to thoroughly assess the chances of the leading teams. I think dortmund may sneak a surprise but I'm much less confident of this prediction than others. It's PSG in France, with or without Neymar 🙂
Champions League
The strongest cup teams will be Man City, Liverpool, Atletico, Barca and Juventus. These are the teams that can lift their game on any given day and win. I expect the winner to come from among them but I’m unable to settle on one. I'm not even entitled to any credit if anyone of them wins.
