Half time 05/06

If you’re worried by my musings about WW3, take solace in the record of my football predictions, most of which are already proven false!

Here is what I wrote, with half-time comments in italics:

Champions: Chelsea. Only question is whether they go unbeaten or not.

Beaten by ManU, but otherwise all too predictable

Order of Top 4: Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool, ManU.
I think it quite possible that ManU might drop out of the top four if they have a season like last one. I also think Liverpool might come second (and be the main challengers to Chelsea in the coming seasons).

Arsenal’s poor form has been the biggest surprise; they’ve struggled to replace Vieira and Campbell has withered. They will come back, but whether they get to 4th I’m doubtful. Liverpool will be second – and they will be the main challengers to Chelsea. I’m really impressed with Benitez. As for the Imperial Lord Ferg – ah well, for everything there is a season.

Dark Horse (ie might get into the top 4): Tottenham.

Europe: Tottenham, ‘Boro.

Right on Spurs, wrong on Boro – although they will do well in the Uefa cup I think, and recover in the second half of the season.

Good seasons for Man City, Birmingham, Blackburn and Pompey.

Badly wrong on Birmingham and Pompey – and I’m most surprised about Birmingham. I thought Bruce had sorted out their defence – now they’re kack. Redknapp won’t be able to keep Pompey up.

Bad seasons for Newcastle (unless they get Owen), Charlton and Fulham.

Newcastle got Owen, so I think they should get a Uefa cup slot. If they sort out their defence with someone to replace Bramble they might even press for the fourth position. Right about Charlton and Fulham though.

Nothing happening at Aston Villa.

Other than a takeover. I rate O’Leary as a manager, but I wonder if he will survive.

Relegation: Wigan, WHM (shame) and WBA. Which means I pick Sunderland to survive out of those four. Those having bad seasons might have terrible seasons allowing one of those to escape.

Couldn’t get more wrong, could I? Sunderland will be relegated, Wigan and WHM won’t (which pleases half my family as they are WHM supporters). So who will join Sunderland? Pompey and… er…. probably WBA but I hope not… hope it’s not Everton either…. that will be an interesting fight, probably going down to the wire with half a dozen teams at risk.

~~~

And what about the Burley/Woodward combination at Southampton? I think that has all the makings of a great team – if Woodward can keep his ego in check for long enough.