The 2011-2012 English Premiere League Preview & Predictions

Welcome to the second annual English Premiere League preview in The Foot! I've written about nothing but television since the month of February, so it will be nice to write about something different. Last year, I previewed several European leagues. I had decent knowledge of the EPL but little-to-none for the other leagues. Well, that's changed. Whether I preview the other leagues remains undecided; however, with the EPL, I won't predict Blackpool to finish 12th this season because they've been relegated to the Championship League.

The great sport of soccer (football to every other country in the world) experienced a wonderful last 12 months. The English Premier League season was extremely competitive. The three relegated teams amassed more points than each relegated side of the 2009-2010 season. During the World Football Challenge, ESPN broadcasters tried to brainwash American viewers into thinking that MLS teams could compete with top European sides. America's interest in soccer soared for one week when the US Women's National Team made their run to the finals of the Women's World Cup. When they lost to Japan, the interest disappeared replaced by criticisms regarding the use of penalty kicks to decide championship games. The women were celebrated only to return to the obscurity of the WPS. The US Men's National Team had a disastrous Gold Cup. They struggled in the group stage and somehow advanced to the finals only to lose to a Mexican side that made the Bob Bradley's squad look like fossils. In the following weeks, Bob Bradley was fired. Bill Simmons continued to push for a World Cup every three years, unaware that America would lose more interest in the sport because the national team's light-years from winning the World Cup. Plus, the shorter window would hinder USA's chances of even qualifying for the World Cup.

However, it seems that the sport's becoming more popular in the states, which is good. Sports writers and talking heads on the radio will continue to treat soccer badly without investing time into learning about the game. Bill Simmons is a good man for his effort to cover the sport at his website. People came in droves to watch Manchester United, Man City, Real Madrid and Barcelona compete on American soil, which is encouraging. Baby steps, I suppose.

Anywho, today's post is about English Premiere football. Will Manchester United repeat? Will Man City and their expensive squad usurp Man U? Will Andre Villas-Boas lead Chelsea back to number one? Will the team have the flair and excitement that Porto did? Will Nani become the next Portuguese sensation? All right, I've had enough of my nonsense questions. It's time to preview and predict the league in DESCENDING order.

THE 2011-2012 ENGLISH PREMIERE LEAGUE PREDICTIONS

1. Manchester United

The Reason: The season's long. The team might stumble at some point. Anything's possible. It's hard to repeat; however, Manchester United is so damn good. I have no other way to describe the team. In the Community Shield, they rallied for three goals in the second half to stun Man City. City looked slow and hesitant compared to United's fearless, open style of play. Sir Alex Ferguson added Ashley Young and Phil Jones. Danny Welback's returned from his loan at Sunderland. They'll need to replace Paul Scholes in the mid-field. I don't think any EPL team fields a Starting XI as good as United. Hernandez and Rooney could be unstoppable. The back line's stronger with the addition of Phil Jones. I can't foresee any team overcoming them for the league crown. The worry for the team is David De Gea, who came from Atletico Madrid to replace Edwin van der Saar. He looked tentative in the Community Shield. Oh yeah, the team might land Wesley Sneijder.

2. Chelsea

The Reason: Yeah, I'll drink the Andre Villas-Boas kool-aid. The young coach has been compared to Jose Mourinho because Villas-Boas worked alongside the brilliant soccer mind. I watched two or three Porto games last season, during Europa League play, and their style of play was amazing to watch. If Chelsea replicates it, they'll be the funnest team in the EPL; however, a wise man opined that England isn't Portugal. Chelsea experienced an atrocious stretch of football mid-season in which they hit rock-bottom when Wolves beat them 1-0. Still, the talent hasn't left Stamford Bridge. Lampard, Drogba, Terry, Ivanovic and Torres had good pre-seasons in Asia. The team WON the Asian Trophy. They've experimented with different tactics. I like this team.

3. Manchester City

The Reason: Money well spent does, indeed, provide great returns. Manchester City brought Sergio Aguero to the team from Atletico Madrid to bolster a lineup stacked with top European talent. City struggled in the Community Shield because they haven't hit mid-season form yet and their fitness was a notch below United's. Gael Clichy, formerly an Arsenal defender, comes to City to fortify an already stalwart defense. David Silva had a so-so season in 10-11. If he harnesses his potential and skill, he'll be among the best players in the EPL. Championship Glory still eludes them. Maybe they'll win next season if they acquire Neymar from Santos.

4. Liverpool

The Reason: Kenny Dagliesh injected new life into the squad when he took over for Roy Hodgson. The transfer agreement with Ajax for Luis Suarez was a coup. Suarez carried Uruguay to the Copa America title in July. He'll be the difference between a sixth place finish and a fourth place finish. He's that good.

5. Arsenal

The Reason: Poor Arsenal. The team had five chances to win a trophy last season and failed in all five opportunities. Arsene Wegner's been quiet on the transfer market. Samir Nasri's been rumored to leave the team for another EPL side. The team added Gervinho from Lille. I've read that players soured on Wegner's philosophy in the last year, that the youth movement hasn't worked (well, it hasn't), and that the manager's on a short leash. Arsenal fans will groan if they finish 5th and win a spot in the Europa league.

6. Tottenham Hotspur

The Reason: Tottenham's been on the fringes of EPL glory in past seasons but the team usually falters when it matters. Modric's been rumored to leave on a transfer, which would hurt the team. Gareth Bale's one of the best players in the world and he won't be leaving. Rafaeal van der Vaart was a great addition last season. Roman Pavlyuchenko's an excellent striker. Jermaine Defoe's one of my favorite players in the league. However, it's not a complete team. They have issues in the mid-field and the back line.

7. Sunderland

The Reason: Steve Bruce's squad has gotten better and better over the years. Over the summer they added mid-fielders Craig Gardner and Sebastian Larsson from Birmingham. The team has its issue with inconsistency. One week, they'll beat a top flight team then play seven matches without notching a win. So, we'll see if I look smart or foolish with this pick.

8. Fulham

The Reason: They have a new manager following a rocky season. Clint Dempsey remains their right-wing. The team's solid enough to finish in the top half of the table. I remember one game last season against Manchester United when they wouldn't quit. In extra time, they pushed forward and eventually earned a draw following a dramatic header off a corner kick. That's sort of what Fulham is in a nutshell.

9. Stoke City

The Reason: Stoke City's been a stable team since their promotion to the EPL. They advanced to the FA Cup finals last season and lost to City. The trip to finals earned the team a place in the Europa league where they'll try to replicate the run Fulham made two years ago. Kenwyne Jones is one of my favorite strikers in the league. They just added Carlton Cole from West Ham--a move that strengthens the offense.

10. Everton

The Reason: The team doesn't make moves because of their tight financial structure. Everton lost to an MLS team, the Union, during their pre-season. Tim Cahill hopes the fans have low expectations for the season. Perhaps a 10th place finish is generous. I doubt the team finishes lower than 12th. Cahill's been rumored to leave. If he does, the team will struggle even more. Still, they have talent despite their inactivity at the window.

11. West Bromwich Albion

The Reason: West Bromwich had a triumphant season in their return to the EPL. Roy Hodgson became their manager following his departure from Liverpool. They finished 11th. They hope to finish in the top half of the table. Albion has some scrappy players who aren't afraid to attack and to play exciting football. Peter Odemwingie's a player worth watching.

12. Aston Villa

The Reason: Alex McLeish joined Villa following his tenure with Birmingham, which ended with relegation. Villa fields enough talent that McLeish should avoid the fate of Avram Grant (Grant basically manages a team that's relegated, returns to the EPL then takes his new team down to League One). Darren Bent's a great striker. The team added Charles N'Zogbia. Shay Given replaces Brad Friedel in net. Experts worry that McLeish will use the boring, uninspiring style that he employed at Birmingham but he rejected that notion. We shall see. Certainly, the team has the players to employ a more aggressive and exciting style of football. Villa's not as young as Birmingham was either.

13. Bolton

The Reason: Poor Bolton--I briefly considered a top table spot for the Wanderers. Owen Coyle lost Johan Elmander and Daniel Sturridge in the off-season. His attacking options have been reduced to Kevin Davies and Ivan Klesic. For those staring at their screens blankly because of those strange names, think of an NBA team like Phoenix who used to boast scoring options but now don't because of free agency. Chung-Yong Lee broke his leg. Bad times for Bolton right now.

14. Queens Park Rangers

The Reason: Why the hell not? They won the Championship League. The owners have opted to follow Blackpool's approach to the EPL. Blackpool was relegated but they nearly survived relegation day, so QPR might find the luck Blackpool didn't. No one knows how the talent will fare in the tough premiership. But that's why they play the games, right?

15. Wigan Athletic

The Reason: I have a soft spot for Wigan. They'll fight and scrape to survive in the Premiere League once again. Roberto Martinez is a great coach, good enough to compensate for weaknesses in the team. Hugo Rodallega is the key to the team's attack.

16. Newcastle United

The Reason: The Magpies' fanbase have become disgruntled with the team's self-destructive gossip, according to Louise Taylor at The Guardian.  Newcastle had a solid 2010-2011 campaign. The off-season hasn't been great. Joey Barton took to twitter to blast the team and its manager. Newcastle added Demba Ba (another one of my favorite strikers). Doubt and pessimism surrounds the team, though.

17. Norwich City

The Reason: Norwich is a feel-good story. They've been promoted in back-to-back years. I have nothing else to write about the team because I've never seen them play.

18. Wolverhampton Wolves

The Reason: They survived relegation last season. They might again. Mick McCarthy's one of my favorite managers in the league. Wolves experience weeks of incompetence on the pitch before they break through with a 1-0 win. Eventually, luck runs out and they'll be playing for the Championship League.

19. Swansea City

The Reason: I'd like to see the Welsh side remain in the EPL. I just remember watching them nearly blow a three goal lead to Reading. If not for the worst defender I've seen in soccer, Swansea wouldn't have beaten Reading for promotion. They've promised to play the same exciting style of football at the top level. The key for the team: defense and a mediocre road record.

20. Blackburn

The Reason: The owners are arrogant and misguided, believing that their Rovers should be competing for 5th place. I have no idea how Blackburn managed to score three goals against Wolves to survive. The team's horrendous to watch.

For more thorough previews of the upcoming Premiere League season, visit goal.com or grantland.com or theguardian.co.uk. And watch a few games--it's fantastic.

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