Premier League Preview 11/12 - Top 6 + Bottom 3

With the Premier League season set to burst into action in a few hours, I look at the teams I think will be in the Top 6 this season and who I think will face relegation come May 2012.

WINNER:

MANCHESTER UNITED

FROM A FAN - 

Season Expectations?

From a fans perspective, I believe we have to be finishing top two this season as a bare minimum. We are overwhelming favourites with most bookies and in my opinion have the second best squad in the league.We should also be looking to go far in the Champions League again, while a decent cup run wouldn't go amiss.

Season Goals?

I think the clubs goals will be similar to the fans goals. I think they'll be looking to win the league again, and have a good cup run along with getting far into the Champions League. They'd like to win the cup competitions, but I don't see it as a massive loss if we don't win them, while we'll want to win the Champions League after losing last years final - we won't be expecting to win such an elite competition.

Key Player for the Season?

Has to be Wayne Rooney. He had a superb pre-season scoring four goals and his passing/movement looked very sharp throughout. He did well in the Community Shield last weekend, but I expect a massive season from him this year in his new role as the withdrawn forward spraying passes and finishing chances.

RUNNER UP:

MANCHESTER CITY

Personally, I think City will finish second this season. They've strengthened well with Aguero, Clichy and a fully adapted Edin Dzeko. The likely loss of striker Carlos Tevez however could have an effect on the club, especially as he's been relied upon for two years for goals. If Aguero doesn't adapt quick enough and Dzeko/Balotelli don't live up to their price tags it will be difficult for them to keep up with the experienced title goers of Chelsea and Manchester United.

FROM A FAN -  Joe Hulbert, 16

Season Expectations?

"My main expectation is that we maintain a realistic title challenge. Mancini had a good record in cup competition in Italy, so we expect the same and hopefully another good cup run will come this season to offer more silverware. The expectations on Roberto Mancini and Manchester City are high from the board and

fans alike, we have lived in our neighbours shadow for too long and I along with the board believe we need to be challenging for honors. I sadly feel that if Roberto doesn’t mount a fair title challenge he might be dismissed and that is something I do not want."

Season Goals?

"I think throughout the season we should be looking to keep on Manchester United and Chelsea’s tail. The main goal overall is to be up there come the end of the season. Another goal in my eyes is to do well in one of the cups, possibly win one."

Key Player?

"For me as a City fan there are 3 key players in the side. Vincent Kompany, Nigel De Jong and David Silva. Kompany is a superb leader and in my eyes is the 2nd best center back in the league only to Nemanja Vidic. His sound defensive side to his game and his ability to organize a defence that looked shaky in the Community Shield will be key.
Nigel De Jong is the anchor of the midfield. Last year Manchester City’s record without the Dutch hardman was worse than our record without talismanic striker Carlos Tevez. I recall in the game against Liverpool without De Jong we were destroyed 3-0 as they found space in between the midfield and the defence, De Jong needs to be at his best this season.

David Silva is the final key player, he is a superb playmaker and without him we lack any real danger up top passing wise. Yaya Toure provides the odd long pass but mainly it is Silva who provides the danger."

3RD PLACE:

CHELSEA

Personally, I see Chelsea falling to third in the league this year. Despite a new manager, they haven't made any real additions to their first team during the summer and the loss of Michael Essien for 6 months before the season even began is a huge blow. A solid pre-season though, where they didn't concede a single goal, tells me that they will still be as tough to beat as ever.

FROM A FAN - Kieran Fox, 19

Season Expectations?

"My personal expectations is for us to win the Premiership. With maybe a signing or two more we can do that as United have strengthened their squad tremendously. Also I would expect us to win either the Carling Cup or FA Cup and do well in Europe, but I don't think we will win it."

Season Goals?

"Abramovich being Abramovich he will want us to win everything. Realisticly I think Boas will be looking to secure our 4th Premier League title and so will the fans. As for the Champions League, we will have a very good chance as we do every year. I'm sure the players and coaches will want to win it this year more than ever as we have a very ageing squad and for players such as Terry, Lampard and Drogba, it may be there last chance."

Key Player?

I believe this season Torres will be key, January transfers are never the best buys, a lot of them have shown in the past. I think everyone has been unfair on him saying he's a flop etc, but this season he would have settled fully, be working on his game a lot more, and be very confident in himself. He isn't the only key player though, we also has the likes of Terry and Lampard which are the spine on the team.

4TH PLACE:

ARSENAL

Despite having lost captain Cesc Fabregas to Barcelona and the likely looking sale of Samir Nasri to Manchester City, I still feel Arsenal will finish fourth in the league. They have been actively targeting centre backs throughout the summer, showing they know they have a weakness there. Although they haven't signed one yet, they will eventually and it will help. Gervinho is a superb addition to the side too and with the emergence of Frimpong and Aaron Ramsey to the first team, I think they'll have enough about them.

FROM A FAN - Frankie Hobbs, 18 (@FrankieHobbs)

Season Expectations?

"My expectations aren't that high. The squad seems depleted after selling Fabregas and seemingly imminent sale of Nasri. Despite our failings in the transfer market to sign a centre back we so desperately needed and losing those two players, I still think we'll maintain a top four status. I also think we should be winning a trophy this season whether it's the FA Cup or the Champions League it's about time the fans got a reward from the seasons effort."

Season Goals?

"I think the club and fans just want to see a trophy in the cabinet at the Emirates. The goal for the season should be without question to maintain a top four status and win any form of silverware during the season. Of course this will be harder with the added competition in the league this season."

Key Player?

"Robin Van Persie. He's been at Arsenal for so many years and it feels like we've never had a full season out of him. When fit, he's one of the best strikers in Europe and fits Arsenal's play perfectly. If, and this is a big if, Robin can stay fit and can fire, Arsenal could have a good year."

5TH PLACE:

LIVERPOOL

Despite being rejuvinated by the return of 'King' Kenny Dalglish and an array of new signings during the summer, I still think that Liverpool will fall just short of the top 4 this season. After such a horrid start to the season last year, they will want to kick off in big fashion and I feel they will start well but fade away towards the end. Luis Suarez had a very long year/summer, so I feel that after not really resting this summer due to the Copa America towards the business end he'll fade away and it will hurt the Kop.

FROM A FAN - Alex Whitehouse, 20 (@AlexWhitehouse9)

Season Expectations?

"Under the stewardship of Dalglish, I expect a lot better football than we've been accustomed to at Anfield over the past two years. League position wise, I expect us to to fall short of a title challenge, but if the new signings click and bed in quickly, then I can see us finishing top 4, honestly, I can't see us finishing lower than 5th with a good cup run, that'd be nice.."

Season Goals?

"The most important thing this season is that we re-establish ourselves as a Champions League club. It is imperative that we do so. My personal goals for this season, are to finish in the top four and to also have a day out at Wembley, in either the League Cup final or the FA cup final. It has been years since the club has had a good run in either cup competition. John W Henry has come out and said that he is aiming for top four, but I doubt Dalglish would be happy with that, being the winner that he is. I have no doubt whatsoever that he will go all guns blazing for the leaguue title."

Key Player?

"Surprisingly, it was a tough choice between three players; Lucas Leiva, Stewart Downing or Luis Suarez. Ultimately, it can only be one man, whilst the other two hold huge roles for us this season, our key player is surely Luis Suarez. He showed in the second half of last season what he is capable of, with 4 league goals, a hatful of assists and several outstanding displays, it's easy to see why he is becoming the new darling of Anfield. The Player of the Tournament in Copa America and at around £22.5m in todays market, he is a bargain."

6TH PLACE:

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR

After missing out on Champions League football last season, I felt that Spurs would buy big during the summer and really push. However, they haven't spent at all and have almost an identical squad to last year. Due to this, I feel they'll fall away further and finish 6th this season unless they really step up in the transfer market and get some real quality into the side.

FROM A FAN - Cj Murray (@CJMurray247)

Season Expectations?

"Due to our current lack of transfer activity so far, and the huge investment in our rivals, such as Man City and Liverpool, I cannot currently see us finishing in the top 4. Our current strikers seem to lack the ability to play up front on their own and score 15+ goals a season and I see that to be the only difference between us and our rivals. As it stands, I would expect us to finish 5th/6th with Arsenal. However, should we manage to sign a striker capable of scoring 15+ goals then I see no reason why we cannot qualify for the Champions League."

Season Goals?

"Our main goal is clear, to qualify for the Champions League. It is imperative that this season we qualify otherwise it seems pretty clear that Modric and others may leave in the hope of playing Champions League football again.. A good run in the Europa League and Domestic cups giving some of our better youth prospects game time would be great as well."

Key Player?

"Gareth Bale. Although last season I would have said Luka Modric due to his ability to control games, it became apparent to me during pre-season that we scored very few, if any, goals without Bale in the team. His direct approach, speed, and ability to put the ball on a plate makes him for me, our most important player and goal threat. If we can keep him fit all season, then we may have a chance of reaching the Champions League again."

# # # # #

So there is my Top 6. I feel that is the most realistic but that 4th spot really is up for grabs. Any of the 6 teams could finish there, but really it's between Arsenal, Liverpool and Spurs with Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United fighting for the title. 

Now onto my bottom 3 - 

18TH PLACE:

WIGAN ATHLETIC

I think Wigan will go down this season. They've scraped relegation the last few seasons and this year they lost their best player in Charles N'Zogbia. They haven't replaced the French winger and it seems they'll be relying on Victor Moses to make the step up. They haven't really strengthened the squad over the summer either so I don't see them staying up unfortunately.

Key Player?

In my opinion, their key player is once again going to be Hugo Rodallega. He is their talisman and usually their top goalscorer. He scored the goal that effectively kept them up last season, and he is their all time top Premier League goalscorer. He has to be firing and fit for Wigan to stand any chance of staying up this year.

19TH PLACE:

SWANSEA CITY

Swansea City are a newly promoted side, and I feel they will be the entertainers that Blackpool were last year. They have a mentality of "if you score 2, we'll score 3" and it's excellent to watch as a neutral. However, they'll find - much like Blackpool did - that it's very difficult to keep that up in this league. They've strengthened well, but I think their lack of Premier League experience and weaker defense will prove too much of an obstacle and they'll go straight back down.

Key Player?

It's got to be Scott Sinclair for me. He scored 27 goals last season including a hat-trick in the playoff final at Wembley. His direct style and goal threat will be a massive boost to Swansea, but it's a big step up for the former Chelsea player and whether or not he can make the step up will be crucial to whether Swansea can stay up.

20TH PLACE:

NORWICH CITY

Despite their automatic promotion to the Premier League last season, I think Norwich will go straight back down bottom of the pile next year. They based their game on attacking play, but their defence isn't that great. They've strengthened slightly over the summer, including signing Ritchie De Laet from Manchester United on loan and James Vaughan from Everton. However, these players are largely unproven at Premier League level so will struggle to really help the cause in my opinion. 

Key Player?

In my opinion, their key player has to be captain and head goalscorer Grant Holt. He made the step up from League One to Championship with ease and fired them to the Premier League. The team will hope that he can make the next step up and fire them to Premier League safety. He's built for the Premier League and a great finisher, but it's whether he can be given the ammunition to fire in the goals.