Part 2: English Premier League Season Preview and Predictions
It doesn't seem as though the football world took a break after the world cup. Ever since Andres Iniesta netted the match winning goal, that saw Spain lift the World Cup trophy for the very first time. Maybe the shocking impact of this stuck with football fans the world over, bringing about a sense of continuation. However, with the Premier League season kicking off this past weekend all that happened with the world cup is now old news.
The opening matches of the premier league saw teams such as the cash spending Manchester City and Tottenham (who are currently participating in their first ever Champions league) go on to draw their opening game. Teams like Arsenal and Liverpool also managed to draw with each other over the course of the same weekend.
However it is still unclear as to how teams like Blackpool, West Brom and Newcastle, along with the more popular teams of the English league will perform over the course of the next nine months. Here is a look at what experts believe might happen.
Aston Villa
One of the biggest shocks leading up to the English Premier League was that of Aston Villa manager, Marin O’Neil resigning. This coupled with the inevitable transfer of James Milner out of the club will have a negative impact on the club and the team. O’Neil built a brilliant squad, one that no one other him could successfully manage.
With no signs of any future signings and the departure of their manager, along with the potential loss of their best player, the future does not look bright for Aston Villa. If Villa also fail to hold on to Ashley Young, then they won’t do better than a bottom half finish.
Aston Villa have let go of, Andy Marshall, Wilfred Bouma, Marlon Harewood and Nicky Shorey. They have managed to sign no players so far and don’t look like they're going to be signing any in the near future.
Experts believe that if Aston Villa stays the way it is, they could finish in the top ten. However if they let go of their key players then a bottom half finish is the maximum the team can expect.
Bolton Wanderers
Owen Coyle has managed to invest well in the transfer market so far. His capture of Martin Petrov on a free transfer is a stroke of genius. That along with Robbie Blake teaming up with Coyle up front could add some serious fire power to the side.
With Bolton’s faithful, Jasskelainen looking to continue his job as Bolton’s number one and the likes of Kevin Davies, Johan Emlander and Martin Pertov Bolton will have an attack that’s equally as competent as their defence. If Bolton manage to play at the same level that is expected of them, then they could expect to surpass their greatest expectation this coming season.
The players that were allowed to leave the club included, Rocardo Vaz Te, Ali Al Habsi and Nicky Hunt. The players that were brought in are, Martin Petrov, Robbie Blake, Marco Alonso and Tom Eaves.
According to experts if Bolton manage to develop a good understanding with each other and Owen Coyle manages to guide the team the way he has so far, then they could surprise every one with a finish in the top half, otherwise a top fourteen finish is guaranteed to the team. Bolton might not be able to win any major titles or the league for obvious reasons, however they might be able to cause a major upset in the Carling Cup this term.
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