Premier League Review Pt 1

Now the dust has well and truly settled on the Premier League season, here is my review and how my predictions matched up:-

Alexis scored 25 goals in his first Arsenal season, including a stunner in the FA Cup final

Arsenal
For Arsenal it will be viewed as a successful season, retaining the FA Cup and that other trophy Arsene Wenger covets, Champions League qualification, yet in reality it was a missed opportunity. They could have provided a challenge to Chelsea, and certainly should have progressed further in the Champions League, the Monaco loss, being the low point of the season. Sanchez had a sterling first season, and in Francis Coquelin, they have found a solution to the missing piece in their midfield. Injuries still hamper them though.
FA Cup: Winners
Champions League: Round of 16
Prediction: 3rd Actual: 3rd
Player of the Season: Alexis Sanchez

Fabian Delph's form earned him an England call-up

Aston Villa
Aston Villa made a great start, handed Paul Lambert a new deal and then sunk like a stone. Tim Sherwood's arrival, rejuvenated Benteke, and turned around Villas fortunes, their league form slipped once safety seemed assured and the final beckoned. However, a word of caution, Hull were in a similar position last season, their league form nosed-dived once they reached the final, and they never really recovered the form. Indeed in the last 2 years both Wigan and Hull have reached the final and been relegated in the following season, Villa will want to avoid that.
FA Cup: Runners up
Prediction: 17th Actual: 17th
Player of the Season: Fabian Delph

Tom Heaton had a safe pair of hands for Burnley making 98 saves

Burnley
It was always a big step up for Burnley, even more so when it took them 11 games to get their first win. However, at one stage it looked like Burnley might reach safety, but the lack of goals was telling, Ings' initial form tailed off, and a good profit for him, would be a help towards rebuilding. They deserve a lot of credit for not over spending, and sticking to their principles.
Prediction: 20th Actual: 19th
Player of the Season: Tom Heaton

Eden Hazard was voted PFA Premier League Player of the Year,
after scoring 14 goals and making 9 assists in the league.

Chelsea
Chelsea were ruthlessly efficient in the league, establishing a gap by Christmas and never letting anyone close to them. Costa fired in the goals initially, although his injuries caught up with him towards the end of the season, as happened at Atletico last season, a possible future concern. In Eden Hazard, they had the league's best player, and their defence, shielded by Nemanja Matic was formidable. Europe was the only disappointment, losing to PSG after extra time, when PSG had only 10 men.
League Cup: Winners
Europe: Round of 16
Prediction: 1st Actual: 1st
Player of the Season: Eden Hazard

Scott Dann was a key part of Crystal Palace's defence

Crystal Palace
On the eve of the season, Tony Pulis left and Neil Warnock took over, not a great start and the malaise continued until Christmas. Palace were in grave danger of relegation, until a new manager was appointed (much like the previous season). Alan Pardew came in and fortunes were revived, Palace finishing in 10th place well clear of relegation. Bolasie, Zaha and Puncheon provided pace and width, whilst Glen Murray provided some goals, with a better striker next season, Palace could kick on.
Prediction: 9th Actual: 10th
Player of the Season: Scott Dann

Premier League Predictions Review pt 1

Premier League Predictions

At the start of the season I made some predictions regarding the season, as we approach the business time of the season, over a third of the way in, it seems a good time to check in on my predictions.

Predicted Premier League Table 

It's still early days yet, but I'm spot on with the top 2 so far, the rest, well we'll have to see.

Southampton and West Ham have been the shining stars, so far, but Southampton are starting to drop away, as their fixture list has delivered some tougher assignments of late.

I'll review each team one by one as before.

Arsenal - Predicted 3rd - Current 6th
Same old Arsenal, I pontificated that Shad Forsythe maybe Arsenal's best signing if he could prevent the injury crises of previous seasons, unfortunately he has not. 

Arsenal are stuck in a rut, they are threatening in attack, with Sanchez proving an almost instant hit, with 9 goals and 5 assists in the league. However, Arsenal's formation, tactics and lack of defensive cover (both in the sense of a holding midfielder and enough defenders) have meant they have struggled to capitalise on the opportunity for 3rd place.

They need defensive cover in January and a re-think of their holding/central midfield tactics.

Aston Villa - Predicted 17th - Current 12th
Paul Lambert must be the ultimate opportunist, Villa took 10 points from their first 4 games, and Lambert was awarded a new contract. 6 straight defeats followed and in total they went 9 games without a win.

I predicted without Benteke they could struggle at the start, and that has been the case. In fact considering they have only scored 11 goals, they are doing very well to have 20 points at this stage.

They need to start scoring goals soon, they'll be hoping Benteke starts to hit form.

Burnley - Predicted 20th - Current 18th
It's been a steep learning curve for Burnley, it took them 10 games to get a win.

But they have adjusted well, and are within touching distance of safety. They are built on a disciplined defence. Scoring goals has been the issue, with only 12 scored at this stage of the season, less than Sergio Aguero.

However, Danny Ings and Ashley Barnes have started to fire, and they have Sam Vokes set to return, however they still seem light weight up front.

Chelsea - Predicted 1st - Current 1st
It's been a near perfect start for Mourinho's men, and I predicted they would be in first place. 

However, I also predicted Diego Costa would struggle, and he has scored 12 goals.

Chelsea look impressively strong, with depth in every position, it is hard to see anyone other than Man City challenging them.

Crystal Palace - Predicted 9th - Current 17th
I made my predictions on Crystal Palace whilst Tony Pulis was still in charge, and understandably Palace have struggled without him. They lie just one place above the drop zone, however I would expect them to stay up, with the creative forces of Bolasie and Zaha out wide, they just need a goal scoring front man, and they should correct that in January.

*Since writing this, Neil Warnock has been sacked and a new manager is yet to be appointed.