Here are my big predictions before the business end of the Premier League season:
- Liverpool wins the title
As hard as it is to admit, I feel the red half of Merseyside will finally get their 19th Premier League title. The Reds have been grinding out results and finally seem to have some grit in their teams. Manchester City will need to slip up, but with the added exertion of playing in three additional competitions still, a slip-up is on the cards.
- Barcelona win the Champions League
I don’t see anyone stopping that Argentine bloke. Expect a repeat of the 2015 Champions League final, when Barca beat Juventus 3-1.
- Arsenal clinch top four
Unai Emery’s team is finally looking like his own. The team’s fluid system coupled with the firepower of Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang should be enough to propel the Gunners into the Champions League. Playing none of the top teams in the remaining eight games gives Arsenal an edge.
- RIP Sarriball
Hopefully Maurizio Sarri hasn’t gotten too used to the English way of life because it looks likely that the Chelsea manager will be back home in Italy in the next two months. Honestly, I’m surprised that he’s still in the hot seat at Stamford Bridge. Expect Eden Hazard to leave West London, too.
- Dortmund see off Bayern
Marco Reus isn’t going to let this one slip. The Dortmund legend is back from injury and, judging from his showing last week, he looks more than ready to carry Borussia Dortmund past the finishing line in first place.
- City win the ugly double
The FA and League cups will reside at the Etihad after this season, though it’s all they’re going to win. A brittle midfield will crumble under the pressure of competing for four trophies.
- Solskjær secures the job
A trophy-less finish outside the top four certainly looks terrible on paper, but the Manchester United coach has exceeded expectations at the club. Executive Vice Chairman Ed Woodward has surely noticed the change in atmosphere. Paul Pogba and company finally look like a team, and disrupting the unity is never a good idea in the red part of Manchester.
- The relegation battle ends predictably
Cardiff City, Fulham and Huddersfield will sink in their efforts to stay afloat in the Premier League. Neil Warnock, the Cardiff manager, will finally retire from coaching and return to his ranch back in Yorkshire. It will be back to square one for Fulham — expect a fair share of departures, among them English teen Ryan Sessegnon.
- Bielsa arrives
Leeds United will finally end their exile from the Premier League. It only took 15 years, 21 managers and one maverick Argentine. Expect fireworks and spies next season!
- End of era for Spurs
A new stadium beckons a new generation of Tottenham Hotspur players, hopefully a silver-plated one. But another season on the brink will finally break down the last brick of patience in some of the team’s players. Expect Barcelona, Real Madrid and Juventus to come summer shopping in North London.
