da pinnacle： The third of our predictions for the 16/17 Premier League season comes courtesy of our very own Assistant Editor – Alex Hams.
da pinup bet： As with the previous two, there’s no hiding who Hammo supports. Going to get some serious ribbing in FFC Towers for these predictions…
Champions – Liverpool
It looks like this will be a difficult season for a host of clubs and I think Liverpool are best suited to take advantage of the potential mayhem.
Manchester United and Manchester City both have new managers, as do Chelsea, Arsenal have not strengthened to the required degree, Spurs will have to balance Champions League football with league duties and, as horrible as it is to say, Leicester’s rise was a one-season thing.
If you look outside of this six, Liverpool are best placed to take advantage, with Jurgen Klopp having had the pre-season he sorely missed last term while drafting in players to add goals from midfield such as Sadio Mane and Georginio Wijnaldum.
Top Four
Liverpool
Manchester City
Arsenal
Manchester United
(Alex hasn’t given an explanation here, but I think we’re all owed one. Liverpool? Really? – FFC Ed)
Three to go down
Watford
Burnley
Hull
FA Cup – West Ham/Southampton
A hard one to call and not one you’ll find on a list of top sports betting sites, but I’d like to see a team like West Ham or Southampton taking this competition far more seriously. There’s no doubt they have the quality.
Signing of the Season – Sadio Mane/Granit Xhaka
Having backed Liverpool for the title I think I have to pick one of their new signings and Mane, for me, is one of the ‘under the radar’ deals to have been done.
Granted he cost a huge fee at £30m+, but he scored 11 league goals last term for Southampton despite having been in and out of the team amid talk about his future, and in a side with better players around him he really could fly.
Away from Liverpool, Granit Xhaka seems to be the midfielder Arsenal have needed for a while, and Jordon Ibe could thrive under Eddie Howe at Bournemouth, where the pressure on him will be reduced.
Flop of the Season – John Stones
How he’s worth £47.5m is beyond me. He’s good on the ball, but his defensive frailties will always be picked upon by opposing managers, and with the pressure of that fee and the attention that comes with being at Manchester City, he could struggle this season… if he even plays regularly!
Young Player to Watch – Jordan Ibe
As I mentioned before, I think Ibe could do well at Bournemouth. A fresh start is what he needs and there’s no doubt he has real talent. Howe is a top manager and his style of football should suit the youngster.
Team most likely to ‘do a Leicester’ – Bournemouth
I don’t think there’s any chance of another Leicester season, but (I fear I may be becoming a closet Cherries fan) Bournemouth look well placed to push for upper mid-table.
They missed a striker for the bulk of last term but now have Benik Afobe and Callum Wilson fit again, which will make a huge difference.
Top scorer – Daniel Sturridge
Daniel Sturridge if he can stay fit. Failing that, Harry Kane guarantees goals.
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