MOST LIKELY OUTCOME: 8th
Blackburn Rovers:
Rovers will need to defy history having been bottom on xmas day; however 4 points at Anfield and Old Trafford subsequently may be a sign of things to come. Blackburn can score goals, a vital commodity for relegation haunted teams, which could get them out of trouble but the last week can’t mask a poorly managed club and average players.
MOST LIKELY OUTCOME: 19th
Bolton Wanderers:
Seemingly an established PL team Bolton’s squad, which had always overachieved under Sam Alladyce and Gary Megson, haven’t responded to Owen Coyle’s more progressive tactics. For the first time Kevin Davies has stopped scoring and The Reebok is not the fortress it once was. Should have enough to get out even with the imminent departure of Gary Cahill.
MOST LIKELY OUTCOME: 17th
Chelsea:
The West Londoners found themselves in the proverbial transitional period; with the spine of the team (Cech, Terry, Lampard and Drogba) all north of 30 Villas Boas has the unenviable task of transforming Chelsea but as we know Roman Abramovic is not a patient man and sitting outside the Champions League places for the first time in a decade this is an intriguing situation. Mata and Sturridge have been stars and if Torres finally clicks then expect to see better things.
MOST LIKELY OUTCOME: 5th
Everton:
With no real investment Everton continue to tick over. Hard to beat but no frills is the Goodison Way. Landon Donovan could be an astute loan signing but after an indifferent start a top half finish is as much as the Toffee’s can expect.
MOST LIKLEY OUTCOME: 10th
Fulham:
Martin Jol has never looked comfortable at Craven Cottage and he has tried to introduce a more attacking style to a team who have been successful playing for pragmatic managers like Hughes and Hodgson. However, Fulham have proved to be a tough team to beat and have taken points off Manchester City, Arsenal and Chelsea and were unlucky against Spurs. Dembele, Dempsey and Ruiz should possess the quality to move Fulham comfortably into mid table.
MOST LIKELY OUTCOME: 13th
Liverpool:
The Dalglish ‘revolution’ was expected by many at Anfield to present a credible title challenge in 2012. However, to the outside world it was obvious the likes of Downing, Henderson, Adam and Carroll are no more than top 6 players who will enable Liverpool to finish in the top 6. Suarez’s lengthy suspension will be aided by Gerrard’s return and Liverpool will continue to win big games and draw against the lesser teams. Don’t rule out a top 4 push, but don’t put your mortgage on it either.
MOST LIKELY OUTCOME: 6th
Manchester City:
Despite some indifferent away form of late City have produced some of the most scintillating performances of recent times. The wins at Spurs (5-1) and Man Utd (6-1) were as emphatic as they looked and their form at Eastlands has been relentless, all this without their talisman Tevez who has been well and truly swept under the carpet. All of City’s big games in 2012 will be at home (except Arsenal) and they don’t have the distraction of Champions League football either which could prove to be a blessing.
MOST LIKELY OUTCOME: 1st
Manchester United:
United started the season firing on all cylinders blowing Arsenal, Spurs and Chelsea away but the hammering by Man City looked to be a huge psycological blow; however United responded and are now neck a neck with their ‘noisy neighbours’. Vidic’s injury and Ferdinand’s long term fitness concerns mean they are weaker defensively and De Gea still has his critics. Fergie may lose the battle this year but history dictates that in the long term he’ll win the war.
MOST LIKELY OUTCOME: 2nd
Newcastle United:
The surprise package of 2011. With no expectation Alan Pardew’s team have been rubbing shoulders with the elite and Demba Ba has looked like the find of the season. Much of their strength has been built on the continuity of their defensive unit which has now been broken up with Steve Taylor’s injury. Difficult to see them maintaining this form although they will have some fun along the way.
MOST LIKELY OUTCOME: 7th
Norwich City:
Some decent performances and refreshing to see a team come up through the divisions; Morrison and Holt have found their feet and the Canaries have specialised in late goals. The second half of the season may well catch up on them and could be some hairy moments in 2012 but would like to think they’ll have enough.
MOST LIKELY OUTCOME: 16th.
QPR:
Whatever happens for the rest of the season QPR will always have their victory over deadly rivals Chelsea to look back upon. The enigmatic Taarabt has proved to be more of a hinderance but with the experience of Wright-Phillips, Barton and Helgusson Warnock’s men have a fighting chance of survival. Expect them to strengthen in the transfer window too.
MOST LIKLEY OUTCOME: 15th
Stoke City:
The rugby experiment continues to reap its rewards for Tony Pulis and Stoke are incredibly difficult to beat when their set pieces, line-outs and scrums are good. The Potters have a mouth watering Europa League clash with Valencia to look forward but this competition could become a distraction should they progress. They are now an established team and a top half finish would show further progress.
MOST LIKELY OUTCOME: 9th
Sunderland:
Things had got very stagnant under Steve Bruce and Martin O’Neill has achieved a typical upturn in morale and performances, culminating in a 1-0 victory over Manchester City. Sunderland will be resurrected but not spectacular in 2012 and may do well in the FA Cup.
MOST LIKELY OUTCOME: 12th
Swansea City:
How refreshing to see a team play in such a way. Swansea will earn lots of friends for their style of play and will take points from their home games although their fortunes on the road will be a concern for Brendan Rogers.
MOST LIKELY OUTCOME: 14th
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR:
It looked to be a club in turmoil following the first 2 weeks of the season but Harry Redknapp has galvanised an already talented and balanced squad; the signings of Scott Parker, Friedel and Adebayor have been inspired and Gareth Bale has continued to demonstrate his value. Spurs have some tricky ties coming up in 2012 with away visits to Man C, Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea which define how far Harry can take his team. No European Football could vital.
MOST LIKELY OUTCOME: 3rd
WEST BROMWICH ALBION:
Roy Hodgson has ensured that West Brom are difficult to beat, but are equally difficult to watch. Mid table mediocrity is a relative success to a club who have ‘yo-yo’ed’ between the top flight and the championship but under Hodgson’s stewardship Premier League football will be back at the Hawthorns next season.
MOST LIKELY OUTCOME: 11th
Wigan Athletic:
The perennial strugglers every season might finally have gone as far as they can. Whilst we must applaud the philosophy of Roberto Martinez it is hard to see Wigan achieving enough points this season now that N’Zogbia has left and Rodallega has lost his form of last season.
MOST LIKELY OUTCOME: 20th
Wolves:
They started the season incredibly well but have plummeted back down the table. Having survived last season on goal difference Mick McCarthy has now added significant quality to his side and despite a fortunate draw at Arsenal they are my tip for relegation.
MOST LIKLEY OUTCOME: 18th
