Hello folks! It feels great to be back writing after a fairly long hiatus. I would firstly like to apologise for my inactivity which has been so due to personal reasons on a professional level. Anyway, with that out of the way ( or rather still ongoing), I hope I will be able to bring you news more frequently.
Enough of this chitty-chatty. Lets get down to business!
So, this is being written at the end of Match Day “25” (after the match between Leicester City FC and West Ham) . The reason I have put the Number 25 in quotes is simply because its apparently supposed to have been Match Day 25. While it is so on paper, it could not be further away from the reality of the situation with multiple teams having games in hand, none more so than Burnley! Covid-19 can be thanked for this mess! Yes, this same virus which brought the world to a halt in 2020 is still ravaging across the globe and causing havoc everywhere and in terms of the Premier League, the virus hasn’t spared anyone either with a lot of teams forced to postpone matches due to a combination of multiple injuries and Covid cases, resulting in a lack of first team players.
Having said that, let’s take a close look as to how each team has fared thus far…
ARSENAL FC
Current Position : 6th
The Gunners have been the definition of inconsistency all season. They started poorly, went on a pretty decent run of games and are back to being a mix of hot and cold. A typical Arsenal season from before 2016. Mikel Arteta has definitely (and finally) brought back some identity to their football. The young guns like Saka, Odegaard and Smith-Rowe along with the new arrivals in the form of Ramsdale, Ben White and Tomiyasu have certainly made their impact resulting in them fighting for a Top 4 finish. Off field issues in the form of the behaviour of Aubameyang did make matters messy but with him having been sent to Barcelona, the Gunners can look to steady their ship and go on a decent run and fight for that Champions League spot which their fans really crave for.
Highlight of the Season : 5 red cards all season till date! Top Performer(s) of the Season : Saka and Ramsdale Predicted Finish : 5th
ASTON VILLA
Current Position : 12th
All eyes were on how they were going to react once they sold off their best player Jack Grealish for 100 mil. They didn’t really splash the cash and with every week, the Villains were moving closer and closer to relegation and the decision was made to sack Dean Smith. Cue the entry of Steven George Gerrard. The man for all seasons , fresh off No. 55 at Rangers and with the Rangers on top of the league again, Stevie G took the brave call to move to England and manage Aston Villa and boy has he had a tremendous impact. His influence ensured the arrivals of Coutinho and Digne and with a youthful midfield in the form of Buendia and Ramsey mixed with a robust McGinn, the team looks solid and its been reflective in their performances as well. Next season will be a proper way to evaluate Stevie G, for I fear that Aston Villa will be a force to reckon with and the team will have Steven Gerrard’s stamp issued all over it.
Highlight of the Season : The appointment of Steven Gerrard and arrival of a rejuvented Phil Coutinho Top Performer(s) of the Season : Jacob Ramsey Predicted Finish : 9th
BRENTFORD FC
Current Position : 14th
After multiple close attempts at promotion, Brentford finally made to the Premier League. They were involved in the first game of the season and produced a wonderful display in front of a buoyant Community Stadium. Since then, they have gone largely quiet which is absolutely fine. Thomas Frank and co have ensured that they have points on the board and despite being in 14th, are well clear from the relegation zone. Although Ivan Toney has not lit up the Premier League, his partnership with Mbeumo has been stable at the top. Brentford do play with a progressive brand of football and they have been a welcome addition to the Premier League. The Bees just need to continue doing what they do best and they will be just fine in their first season since promotion.
Highlight of the Season : 2-0 win over Arsenal in the opening match in front of a full Community Stadium with fans bouncing up and down. What a sight! Top Performer(s) of the Season : Pontus Jannsen and Sergi Canos Predicted Finish : 12/13th
BRIGHTON HOVE AND ALBION
Current Position : 9th
When we talk Brighton we have to talk about Misfortune. Graham Potter’s work at Brighton continues to impress everyone across the world. The brand of football they play is genuinely attractive and fun to watch, from the goalkeeper all the way to the penalty box, bar the end product that it deserves. This has always been the theme for Brighton and their finishing means they are only 9th. Their poor finishing also means that they are the Masters of the Draw (12 out of 23!) , particulary the 1-1 scoreline. Having been critical of them, they are where they are, in the top half of the league because they have atleast begun scoring goals unlike last season where they kept hitting the woodwork. If the Seagulls can improve on their end product, the sky is the limit for this side. For the moment, finshing in the Top half would be a tremendous achievement.
Highlight of the Season : Earning a 2-2 draw at Anfield when 2-0 down Top Performer(s) of the Season : Yves Bissouma and Neal Maupay Predicted Finish : 9th
BURNLEY FC
Current Position : 20th
Is this the end of road for Burnley? After surviving multiple relegation battles in their last 7 seasons in the top flight, is the magic of Sean Dyche waning off? Whilst they have been the team most affected by Covid related postponements, with them playing just 21 games (get ready for multiple Double GWs FPL fans!) , they sit currently 7 points off Newcastle United who are above the relegation zone in 17th. The relegation battle will surely come down to between Newcastle, Norwich, Watford and Burnley but with Newcastle having recruited heavily during the winter transfer window, it seems unlikely that the Clarets will escape this time around. A trip to Turf Moor against a robust Burnley side set up by Sean Dyche in crazy weather conditions will surely be missed if they go down.
Highlight of the Season : Their only win till date, a 3-1 victory over Brentford FC Top Performer(s) of the Season : Nick Pope Predicted Finish : 20th
CHELSEA FC
Current Position : 3rd
The current European Champions and Club World Cup Champions have endured an interesting season thus far. The arrival of Lukaku was supposed to push them forth in their bid to compete for the Premier League. They did do very well in the first 15 games or so and it seemed like a Three Horse Race for the Premier League was heating up. But then the Lukaku interview happened and all has not been smooth sailing since then, coupled that with the injuries to full backs Ben Chilwell and Reece James. They have faltered in tremendous fashion since, dropping points at home for fun. The Club World Cup seemed to have come at a right time for the team and hopefully they can get things back on track in the Premier League or else, their focus will once again be the Champions League with of course, the small matter of a League Cup Final against Liverpool at the end of February.
Highlight of the Season : Tremendous 2-2 match against Liverpool at Stamford Bridge Top Performer(s) of the Season : Edouard Mendy and Antonio Rudiger Predicted Finish : 3rd
CRYSTAL PALACE
Current Position : 13th
The arrival of Patrick Viera at the helm brought a lot of smiles to all of us associated with football. Coupled that with the arrival of Conor Gallagher on loan from Chelsea and the smiles on the fans of the Eagles only widened! While their position only reads 13th, the Eagles have been fun to watch. They are no longer the same Defensive set up that they once was under Roy Hodgson but instead Viera has brought Viera ball to the ground. Some of their build up and passages of play have been top drawer. They lack consistency and quality however in all areas of the field and that has been their downfall. Having said that, there is no particular fault that one could find in their approach. A little more ambition perhaps to finish in the Top Half? That hopefully could be a possibility next season.
Highlight of the Season : 2-0 win over Manchester City with Gallagher being a star performer! Top Performer(s) of the Season : Conor Gallagher Predicted Finish : 12/13th
EVERTON FC
Current Position : 16th
Everton’s season began with the curious appointment of former LFC manager Rafa Benitez and things did not seem right from the very off. Barring a decent run of form in October and November, Everton have been downright poor. Blame the manager or blame the players? In this case, I would say both. Benitez’s tactics just did not suit this crop of Everton players and added injuries to Dominic Calvert Lewin and Richarlison and you have makings off a bad season. Which is what happened, resulting in the Toffees perilously close to the relegation zone. This resulted in Rafa getting the sack and the return of Frank Lampard to the Premier League. There’s a lot to mend at Everton. Although it seems highly unlikely that they would get relegated, Everton seem to be sliding further down the table with each season.
Highlight of the Season : Appointing former Reds manager Rafa Benitez! Top Performer(s) of the Season : young Anthony Gordon Predicted Finish : 16th
LEEDS UNITED
Current Position : 15th
Last seasons entertainers have fallen off the blocks in dramatic fashion. Bielsa ball is far from what we used to see last year. The wheels have totally come off for this Leeds side. This has to do with injuries at crucial junctures to crucial first team players throughout the season as well as to do with the inability to maintain that tremendous high octane football that was a joy to watch last season. Raphinha has been the only bright spark in this Leeds side and without his contributions to goal, they would definitely have been in a relegation battle. It would however be interesting to see how the team would perform if all their first team players like Bamford, Kalvin Philips and Stuart Dallas were fit and firing. For now, they really just want the season to be done with without being relegated.
Highlight of the Season : 3-2 win over West Ham Top Performer(s) of the Season : Raphinha Predicted Finish : 15th
LEICESTER CITY FC
Current Position : 11th
Much like Leeds United, Leicester’s season is quickly becoming derailed and despite last season’s FA Cup triumph, there are growing calls for Brendan Rodgers to resign. Their performances in both domestic and European competitions have been dismal. Having said that Rodgers has been playing with a really thin group of players with most of his first team players always found lying on the hospital bed. Their injury record has been really sad to see and the absence of key players has resulted in them being where they are at the moment. Daka has been a wonderful signing but Iheanacho not partnering with Vardy upfront almost seems criminal. Soyuncu has been a shadow of himself . Leicester are just a few more loses away from a crisis if you ask me. They need to get things sorted and fast.
Highlight of the Season : 1-0 win over Liverpool FC without a recognized defence! Top Performer(s) of the Season : Patson Daka and Youri Tielemans Predicted Finish : 14th
LIVERPOOL FC
Current Position : 2nd
Honestly, I feel really bad for Jurgen Klopp. He has built Liverpool into a force to reckon with and I’m extremely certain that they would have won every Premier League season if their rise did not coincide with rise in power of Manchester City. The Reds continue to play dashing football. They have lost just twice in their last 45 matches in all competitions and despite having a terrific record, find themselves 9 points adrift from Man City albiet with a game in hand. The usual exploits of Mo Salah have been sublime and he seems to have gone up a notch this season. Jota has been a revelation along with our other squad members like Tsmikas putting a shift in when called to do so. The Reds are playing like humans while City seem to be performing like machines. They can only hope for a miracle that Man City drop points in their next 13 games or they will finish 2nd in the league once again.
Highlight of the Season : All of their matches involving the Proverbial Top 6, especially the 0-5 win at Old Trafford Top Performer(s) of the Season : Alison, Matip and Mo Salah Predicted Finish : 2nd ( Me being a Liverpool fan, it hurts to write this)
MANCHESTER CITY
Current Position : 1st
Pep and his band of blue men are just unstoppable. Their record is simply stunning and freakish. The size and depth of their squad is just remarkable. They have atleast 3 options in each position and none of them are average. What Man City have assembled has to go down as the most complete squads in the history of the Premier League. It is just absolutely ridiculous. They embark on multiple winning runs and you just don’t see them dropping points against anyone. The only team, for whatever reason, who always pick up points from them is Crystal Palace. Man City seem on course for yet another PL trophy unless something extraordinary takes place!
Highlight of the Season : Losing to Crystal Palace because it is funny how they drop points to them every season Top Performer(s) of the Season : Everyone? Sterling and Bernado Silva perhaps, along with Cancelo. Predicted Finish : Champions
MANCHESTER UNITED
Current Position : 5th
The curious case of Manchester United is a rather funny one. Nobody has an idea as to what is going on there. The once most terrifying place to play, the Theatre of Dreams has become a Theatre of Nightmares. Teams genuinely look forward to going to Old Trafford because they know that it will be a missed opportunity if they do not secure atleast a point. With Ole’s inevitable departure, there seemed to be an air of optimism with Ralf Ragnick’s appointment but it has been the oppositie. Ronaldo’s arrival was meant to spurn on a comeback of the Red Devils. It has far been from so. Was he bought to win titles or was he bought as a reaction to avoid him from going to Manchester City? De Gea is honestly the only reason why they are in 5th. Without him, I kid you not, they would have been just above the relegation zone.
Highlight of the Season : 0-5 loss to Liverpool at Old Trafford! Top Performer(s) of the Season : De Gea Predicted Finish : 6th/7th
NEWCASTLE UNITED
Current Position : 17th
Newcastle’s season has been nothing short of a rollercoaster ride. They seemed dead and buried at the bottom of the table. The club was in the midst of a takeover and it seemed like they would go down once again. Then the most expensive take over took place, Edie Howe returned to the Premier League and close to 100 million pounds was spent in the Winter Transfer Market and Newcastle seem to have new life breathed into them again. The idea behind the takeover was to make them compete for the PL trophy. But that would only occur if they avoided the drop and given their recent splurge in the transfer market, they seem to be on their way away from the relegation zone. The question is , despite all their acquisitions, can they keep this little momentum going? I think they can and they will JUST avoid the drop.
Highlight of the Season : The Great Saudi Takeover Top Performer(s) of the Season : Allan Saint-Maximin Predicted Finish : 17th
NORWICH CITY FC
Current Position : 18th
Norwich along with Fulham are the aptly termed as the Yo-Yo clubs of English football and this season is just another example of why. They just can’t seem to cope with the Premier League. They do very well at the Championship but cannot replicate the same performance levels in the Premier League which goes to show just how high the standards are in the Premier League. The same issues continue to plague the Cannaries. They seem absolutely toothless going forward and are shambolic in defence. This lead to Daniel Farke getting the sack and within 7 days of Dean Smith getting the sack as Aston Villa, he joins Norwich with the improbable task of keeping them in the Premier League. They have shown some recent fight and even went on a 4 game unbeaten run. But is that enough? I’m afraid not.
Highlight of the Season : Josh Sargent’s fantastic brace in a 0-3 win over Watford Top Performer(s) of the Season : Hard to pick really Predicted Finish : 18th
SOUTHAMPTON FC
Current Position : 10th
Southampton endured an awful start to the season and Ralf Hassenhutl seemed to be one of the candidates who were likely to get the sack early on in the season. And thats when the revival began and The Saints began digging in. So much so that they have been on a wonderful vein of form lately and pushed their way into the Top 10. The acquisition of striker Broja has been tremendous and he has formed a great partnership with Che Adams and these two strikers feed off from Stuart Armstrong and one of the Premier League’s best setpiece specialists in the form of James Ward-Prowse. Ralf Hassenhuttl’s side has lost just one in their last 10 games in all competitions. Their style of play seems similar to Liverpool’s off late , just lacking the quality needed to maintain it. The Saints are in a decent position and if they can keep this momentum going , they could be challenging for European spots next season.
Highlight of the Season : James Ward-Prowse’s knuckleball freekick against Wolves Top Performer(s) of the Season : Armando Broja Predicted Finish : 10th
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
Current Position : 8th
Spurs began the season under new manager Nuno in style, winning their first 3 games and that got all the Spurs fans dreaming. But that dream was cut short as they embarked on a dry run which to be honest was not so poor but cost poor Nuno his job. In came Conte and everyone started to dream again. Life under Conte seemed perfect. They had not lost for a long time and Harry Kane found his scoring boots as well. But this as well was cut short and the work at hand under Conte all of a sudden dawned upon him. Taking on Spurs was never going to be easy and Conte has found that out in rude fashion. But at the same time, the growing frustration of the Spurs fans only deepens and one wonders if Conte will be given the time he needs to mend the club with Spurs not really being known to give too much time to new managers.
Highlight of the Season : That Astonishing victory over Leicester with 20 seconds to go Top Performer(s) of the Season : Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg Predicted Finish : 8th
WATFORD CITY FC
Current Position : 19th
Watford have been abysmal all season long barring a couple of games. They have already had 3 managers this season alone and are just unable to find a solution to their problems which seem to be all over the pitch. In need of goals, they got in Joshua King and Emmanuel Dennis, the latter who has been the only bright light in their season. Their talisman Ismaila Sarr isn’t performing up to his usual standards as well. Their defence is far too leaky. There really seems to be no hope and the Championship looms large upon them yet again.
Highlight of the Season : 2-5 win over Everton at Goodison Park! Top Performer(s) of the Season : Emmanuel Dennis Predicted Finish : 19th
WEST HAM UNITED
Current Position : 4th
Just at the beginning of last season when West Ham lost their opening couple of matches, many touted the Hammers under David Moyes to be in a relegation battle. Fast forward to the present scenario and that claim could not have been more wrong. The Hammers have been the Dark Horses this season and find themselves in contention for a place in next season’s UEFA Champions League. The core members of the squad have been fortunately injury free and Jarod Bowen has taken his game up a few levels. While Antonio isn’t delivering in terms of goals, that burden as well as creating goals has been taken on by young Jarod Bowen. The boy has been sensational along with the rest of the team. They really do deserve a Top 4 finish. The only question is if they can sustain and absorb and ride the pressure that comes along towards the end of the season to maintain their current league standing. If you ask me, I think they can.
Highlight of the Season : 3-2 win over Liverpool ! Top Performer(s) of the Season : Jarrod Bowen and Declan Rice Predicted Finish : 4th
WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS
Current Position : 7th
What a story it has been thus far for Wolves! Not many were expecting much after Nuno left. Bruno Lage’s tenure began in mediocre fashion and he too seemed tipped to be given the sack. Fast forward to February 2022, Bruno is very much there and Wolves have quietly moved up the ladder to 7th in the table! They have formed a terrific defence and boast of the 2nd best defensive set up in the league, shipping in only 17 goals. Ruben Neves and Moutinho continue to provide that experience in midfield. They are not scoring many at the same time but they are doing enough to be where they are. They can certainly hold their own against the Big Clubs and only narrowly lost to Liverpool and Man City with a 1-0 scoreline. Pedro Neto is yet to feature as well and his partnership with Mexican comeback sensation Raul Jimenz will be fun to watch! I see this team only moving up !
Highlight of the Season : 0-2 win over Tottenham at White Hart Lane! Top Performer(s) of the Season : Jose Sa Predicted Finish : 6th/7th
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