Soccer Shorts' Mid-Season Predictions

Premier League Title Winners:

Manchester City are my bet, and have been since day one, to win the Barclays Premier League this season. Their scintillating home form and unprecedented free-goalscoring has led to humiliating results for title rivals already this season. Away from home, the return of club captain and leader Vincent Kompany has improved their resilience, and they are now showing title winning consistency. Manuel Pellegrini presides over a squad with comprehensive depth like no other team in the league – shown by the fact Stevan Jovetic (who would command a starting place in most sides in the Premier League) has barely played this season. Should Arsenal sign a first-class striker like Balotelli, Diego Costa or Berbatov – this could really alter the title race and provide them with the depth to reclaim the title. The same goes for Chelsea, who are lacking an outstanding striker to make the transition between a top-3 side and a title winning side.

Top 4 in the Premier League:

In this order: Man City, Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool. The only real difference in quality between City, Chelsea and Arsenal is the depth in fire-power. The squads in all other areas are relatively equal. Liverpool’s squad is a bit thin but conversely, they have the goalscorers, but their midfield lacks the depth needed to push for the title. One wonders what would happen if a stalwart like Lucas Leiva succumbed to injury for a long period of time. The fact Liverpool possess the in-form striker in world football, and have Sturridge and Gerrard to return after a busy Christmas period, should mean they land 4^th spot, although Spurs and Everton could push them close. Manchester Utd, much maligned under David Moyes, continue to struggle against their rivals, and now look entrenched in a battle for the top 4. Sir Alex Ferguson left behind a good squad, but one which needed a few top class additions. This hasn't yet occurred, and their relatively weak midfield has been overrun in the series of surprising home defeats to date. A few top tier additions are required in January, and they also need van Persie and Rooney to get back fit and firing if they are to challenge for the top 4 positions.

Champions League Winners:

Real Madrid. In a season within which Cristiano Ronaldo is hitting peak form and will perhaps receive the coveted Ballon D’or, ‘La Decima’ is very much on the cards. Carlo Ancelotti is undoubtedly the manager capable of taking Madrid to European glory, and it would take a brave man to bet against anyone stopping Ronaldo & Bale in current form. It’s hard to envisage Bayern Munich doing what no team has done since Milan in 1989 and 1990 in winning back to back European Cups, but Pep Guardiola is the man, if anyone can, to achieve this feat (Bayern did in fact win back to back European cups in 1974, 1975 and 1976). However, Arsenal is an incredibly tough draw, with Arsenal due a bit of luck in the knock-out stages following a series of horrible draws and poor refereeing decisions. A Bayern vs Real Madrid final would be one hell of a spectacle for the neutrals, whilst PSG would be a wise bet to reach the final. I believe 2013 will be the year Ronaldo surpasses Messi in the crowning of the Ballon D’or, completing his season with European glory.

Written by Richard Jaffa