lookupsport

Ok so my skill at predicting football is not without it’s flaws, but then if it was perfect I would be worth millions.

At the beginning of the season I put my neck on the line and named the clubs I though would head for Europe and those that would get relegated from the Premiership. Now before you read that and start to pull it apart, two things to remember.

1. The season is not yet over.

2. Few would have predicted the sudden demise of Spurs and Fulham and the erratic form of Liverpool or that the kids at Arsenal would start to click.

For those that haven’t read it, I predicted that the league would finish Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal, Spurs, Pompey (of course). I also predicted that Derby, Wigan and Reading would go down, and that newly promoted Birmingham and Sunderland would avoid the drop.

Let’s start at the bottom and work our way up (said the actress to the bishop) - no real prizes for predicting Derby would head straight back down I suppose, but my prediction that Reading and Wigan would join them are still not blown away. History shows that there is always a surprise in the final few games, with somebody unexpected getting dragged into the mire and somebody who looks dead in the water getting out of trouble. With the exception of Derby any of the bottom 8 could get dragged into trouble with only 3 points separating 6 teams.

I expect Fulham to put a run together and get out of jail. I will therefore stick with Wigan and Reading to go down - my prediction that Sunderland and Birmingham would finish top half might have been over zealous but they will get out of trouble. The Sunderland players in particular will be too scared to upset Roy Keane again for fear of flying chairs.

At the other end of the table, it looks like being the closest finish for years, which will no doubt lead to some thrilling and tempestuous matches in the final couple of weeks, as the big 4 play each other. There is bound to be some controversy and some poor refereeing decisions but that all adds to the excitment - Fergie looks to be already feeling the heat with accusations flying that he gestured to the crowd/dugout when Manchester United eventually broke Reading down on Saturday.

Much as I hate to do so, I’ll revise my prediction for the top 6 and boldly say that Liverpool won’t make the Champions League and that will be the end for Rafa - even the fans that love him at the moment will not settle for that. I will keep the order for the top 2 though - Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal is the new prediction. The pressure will start to tell on the young gunners and much to my surprise Avram Grant appears to have settled in at Chelski - I gave him 2 weeks I think - like I said though my predictions are not without flaws.

Who will finish 4th though? It would be nice to think that either Everton or Manchester United will, considering the rivalry in those respective cities and that they have been living in the shadow of their respective neighbours for so many years. If it’s Everton then it will definitely signal the end for Rafa - if its Manchester City then it will be excellent news for Sven.
I still have hopes for Pompey nicking 6th spot, but they will have to turn Fratton Park back into the Fortress it once was - I haven’t done the maths, but if they had produced their home form of previous seasons, combined with their away form then they would probably be top 4. Harry must be scratching his head over this one. It’s a bit like playing golf - your putting and chipping never seems to coincide with you driving well.

The imminent arrival of Baros and Bergher will help, and they have to play a lot of the teams in the bottom half, which could also help. I guess the good thing is that not being a “big club” like Newcastle we would still be happy with a 7th or 8th place finish, with a chance to improve next season - I’m sure we wouldn’t say no to a cup run though - with Plymouth next round and more of the premiership sides clashing it could be good!