Premier League

Who do you support?

England – Tottenham Hotspur (Since 1990)

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Football began for me with Italia 90. England’s run to the semi-final is permanently etched in my memory, as is my first ever Panini sticker book. That was where I discovered that my new hero, Gary Lineker, played for Spurs. It turned out Paul Gascoigne did as well, but that wasn’t as important to my eight-year-old self. An FA Cup victory came immediately in 1991 and since then…two League Cups and a lot of suffering. I also have a soft spot for Portsmouth (where I went to school) and Havant & Waterlooville (my local side), who once led Liverpool at Anfield.

Spain – Celta Vigo (Since 2003)

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I used to like Deportivo La Coruña after Bebeto’s 1994 World Cup heroics, but I then got to study in Vigo for a year and from then on there was no question which Galician side I would be backing. La Liga tickets were 3 Euros a pop and a packet of 3 Champions League group stage tickets (AC Milan, Brugge and Ajax) were an absolute steal at 20. I got to see them take on Arsenal in the next round, too, but a toothless front line led by former Villa striker Savo Milosevic saw them relegated to Segunda at the end of the season. After Celta, I look out for Rayo Vallecano results and then the Yellow Submarine of Villarreal.

France – Lyon (Since 2004)

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I could have been a PSG fan, having been born and gone to school in the capital, but it didn’t end up that way. They’re the opposite of my type of club, so it’s just as well. While working in Lyon over the summer holidays, I got to see Les Gones take on Manchester United in the Champions League and Sochaux in Ligue 1 at the Stade Gerland. This was the time of Juninho, the Brazilian master of free-kicks, and Lyon instantly became my Champions League team, who I’d back over the English “big four” without hesitation. Seven consecutive titles came between 2002 and 2008 before the emergence of the PSG monolith.

Italy – Atalanta (Since 2017)

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I never really had an Italian side that I supported, but I would previously have said Inter if pushed, and I did enjoy Mourinho’s backs to the wall Champions League triumph with Samuel Eto’o leading the line. However, it was the other Nerazzurri that won my heart in the end. My first memory of watching them was their classy dismantling of Everton home and away in the Europa League. Since then, it has been a rollercoaster coming so close to the cup, the league and the Champions League, but not quite making it. As if I didn’t have enough of that as a Spurs fan!

Germany – Union Berlin (Since 2019)

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Yes, a latecomer to this phenomenal story. I was a minor fan of Dortmund when Lewandowski and the rest of the Polish trio were tearing it up for Klopp, but as soon as I watched this short documentary I was hooked on Union. From donating blood to raise money for the club to fans building their stadium with their own hands, the community spirit is unbeatable. Their first season in the top flight was very much about securing safety with set-pieces key, but in the last two years they’ve developed into a real force securing European football twice in a row. Here’s to more of the same!

Premier League Final Stretch Predictions

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CHAMPIONS – MANCHESTER CITY
Liverpool have done an incredible job to get back into contention for the Premier League, but their run-in is nightmarishly difficult compared to City’s. Pep will claim an eighth league title for the artists formerly known as the “noisy neighbours”.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE – LIVERPOOL, CHELSEA, SPURS
Liverpool and Chelsea are too far ahead to be caught and will finish second and third. Spurs have finally broken their win-loss sequence and found some consistency under Conte. They will finish narrowly ahead of Arsenal for the sixth season in a row…provided the first 11 stay fit.

EUROPA LEAGUE – ARSENAL, MANCHESTER UNITED
The Gunners will, however, get some European football thanks to a fifth-placed finish. Manchester United have enough of a gap over West Ham and Wolves to pick up a comfortable sixth, which should be enough for the Europa League as long as Palace don’t win the FA Cup.

CONFERENCE LEAGUE – WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS
West Ham are going to have their hands full over the next few weeks with two tough Europa League quarter-final matches against Lyon and then the possibility of Barcelona in the semis. Bruno Lage has done a great job steadying the ship at Wolves and they will claim seventh.

RELEGATED – NORWICH, EVERTON, WATFORD
The Canaries showed signs of life after Dean Smith took over, but six defeats in a row mean relegation. Everton have a tough fixture list and will exit the Premier League for the first time. They will be joined by Watford, as Sean Dyche pulls off a stunning escape for the Clarets.

PROMOTED – FULHAM, BOURNEMOUTH, MIDDLESBROUGH
Fulham are all but promoted, sitting 14 points clear of 3rd placed Luton Town. Bournemouth are 6 points clear with 2 games in hand. In the play-offs, Chris Wilder’s Middlesbrough will win through. They might even come up against his old Sheffield United side on the way.

FA CUP WINNERS – CHELSEA
Liverpool have a tendency to field a weaker side in the domestic cups, and that should let City claim the semi-final. Despite Crystal Palace’s excellent recent form, Chelsea should win theirs. Tuchel will do a tactical job on Guardiola in the final, as he did in Europe last year.

TOP SCORER – MOHAMED SALAH
No contest here with Salah 7 goals clear on 20…and 10 assists to boot. His main rival Harry Kane’s slow, disgruntled start to the season has made things considerably easier for the Egyptian, but you can only beat what’s put in front of you.

CONTINUE READING…
BUNDESLIGA FINAL STRETCH PREDICTIONS
LA LIGA FINAL STRETCH PREDICTIONS
LIGUE 1 FINAL STRETCH PREDICTIONS
SERIE A FINAL STRETCH PREDICTIONS

Premier League – 10 games to go (2020/2021)

Teams are in reverse order. Last five games begins with the most recent.

20th – Sheffield United – 14pts – LLWLL – Team Profile
In the Wilder-less wilderness, it was more a new manager thud than bounce as United crashed to a 5-0 defeat at Leicester last time out. Time to plan for the Championship.
Next 5: Leeds (A), Arsenal (H), Wolves (A), Brighton (H), Spurs (A)

19th – West Bromwich Albion – 18pts – LDLWD
The only way Sam Allardyce can continue his 100% record of avoiding relegation is by resigning or getting the sack. The Baggies will be joining the Blades down a division.
Next 5: Chelsea (A), Southampton (H), Leicester (A), Villa (A), Wolves (H)

18th – Fulham – 26pts – LWLDW
Scott Parker has worked wonders to have any chance of avoiding the drop after a terrible start and has proved a lot of doubters wrong in the process, myself included.
Next 5: Leeds (H), Villa (A), Wolves (H), Arsenal (A), Chelsea (A)

17th – Newcastle United – 28pts – DDDLL – Team Profile
Another awful season of uninspired football. Callum Wilson has looked good on occasion, but the fact that Andy Carroll is still in the picture tells you all you need to know about Joelinton.
Next 5: Brighton (A), Spurs (H), Burnley (A), West Ham (H), Liverpool (A)

16th – Brighton and Hove Albion – 29pts – WLLLD – Team Profile
All the metrics except points say that Brighton should be miles clear of the relegation scrap. Neal Maupay’s wayward finishing and heaps of terrible luck have cost them dearly.
Next 5: Newcastle (H), Man U (A), Everton (H), Chelsea (A), Sheff U (A)

15th – Burnley – 33pts – WDDLD – Team Profile
Nobody’s second team keep grafting away under foreman Sean Dyche, who keeps them competitive despite feeding on crumbs. Nick Pope has been a revelation.
Next 5: Southampton (A), Newcastle (H), Man U (A), Wolves (A), West Ham (H)

14th – Southampton – 33pts – LLWLL – Team Profile
Nobody saw either their flying start or recent nosedive coming in what’s been an up then down season. More of a log ride than a rollercoaster for the Saints.
Next 5: Burnley (H), West Brom (A), Palace (H), Leicester (H), Liverpool (A)

13th – Wolverhampton Wanderers – 35pts – LDLDW – Team Profile
The loss of Diogo Jota to Liverpool and Raul Jimenez to serious injury has stopped their progress in its tracks. Not even wearing the Portugal kit could turn things around.
Next 5: West Ham (H), Fulham (A), Sheff U (H), Burnley (H), West Brom (H)

12th – Leeds United – 36pts – DLLWL
Marcelo Bielsa’s swashbuckling tactics have somehow made Leeds an eminently likeable side. Consistently found out by better teams, but destroyers of mediocre ones.
Next 5: Fulham (A), Sheff U (H), Man City (A), Liverpool (H), Man U (H)

11th – Crystal Palace – 37pts – WLDDW – Team Profile
Roy Hodgson continues to work miracles on a shoestring. Zaha’s looked much more interested this year and Benteke’s finally rediscovered the whereabouts of the net.
Next 5: Everton (A), Chelsea (H), Southampton (A), Leicester (A), Man City (H)

10th – Arsenal – 41pts – WDWLW – Team Profile
Mikel Arteta has continued his rebuild at the Emirates with plenty of promising youngsters unearthed. However, the Europa League is looking like the only possible salvation this season.
Next 5: West Ham (A), Liverpool (H), Sheff U (A), Fulham (H), Everton (H)

9th – Aston Villa – 41pts – DDLWL – Team Profile
After a really strong start, they’ve lost their way since talisman Jack Grealish’s injury. He’s about to return though and could help them make a late push for Europe.
Next 5: Spurs (H), Fulham (H), Liverpool (A), Man City (H), West Brom (H)

8th – Tottenham Hotspur – 45pts – LWWWL – Team Profile
After topping the league for the best part of a month, Spurs imploded. A recent recovery saw Kane, Son and Bale finally gelling, but then the NLD happened. Could still win two cups though.
Next 5: Villa (A), Newcastle (A), Man U (H), Everton (A), Sheff U (H)

7th – Everton – 46pts – LLWWW – Team Profile
Carlo Ancelotti’s been doing a fine job at Goodison with Calvert-Lewin turned poacher extraordinaire but they’ve lost their last two. Still in the mix for Europe.
Next 5: Palace (H), Brighton (A), Spurs (H), Arsenal (A), Villa (H)

6th – Liverpool – 46pts – WLLWL – Team Profile
A record-breaking six straight losses has seen Fortress Anfield collapse after a terrible run of injuries. Still in the Champions League this year, but probably won’t be in 2021/2022.
Next 5: Arsenal (A), Villa (H), Leeds (A), Newcastle (H), Man U (A)

5th – West Ham United – 48pts – LWLWW – Team Profile
David Moyes has rediscovered his mojo and taken the unfancied Hammers to a position he used to sit in with Everton in the days of the “Big 4”. Soucek and Antonio have been a big part of that.
Next 5: Arsenal (H), Wolves (A), Leicester (H), Newcastle (A), Chelsea (H)

4th – Chelsea – 51pts – DWWDD – Team Profile
Sacking club legend Frank Lampard was a huge call, but it seems to have been utterly vindicated. Thomas Tuchel remains unbeaten since taking the reins. Nailed on for top four.
Next 5: West Brom (H), Palace (A), Brighton (H), West Ham (A), Fulham (H)

3rd – Leicester City – 56pts – WWDLW – Team Profile
The Foxes are enjoying another wonderful year under Brendan Rodgers. The shock Europa loss to Slavia Prague could give them the energy in the tank required for a tough run-in.
Next 5: Man City (H), West Ham (A), West Brom (H), Palace (H), Southampton (A)

2nd – Manchester United – 57pts – WWDDW – Team Profile
Bruno Fernandes and a bunch of penalties (some more deserved than others) have given Ole his best year in charge yet. Will have a tilt at both the FA Cup and Europa League.
Next 5: Brighton (H), Spurs (A), Burnley (H), Leeds (A), Liverpool (H)

1st – Manchester City – 71pts – WWLWW – Team Profile
After much “after you, no after you”, City bashed the door down with 21 wins on the bounce featuring Gundogan as the unlikely hero. The title is rightfully theirs. Quadruple anyone?
Next 5: Leicester (A), Leeds (H), Villa (A), Palace (A), Chelsea (H)

Why not check out:
Bundesliga – 10 games to go
La Liga – 10 games to go
Ligue 1 – 10 games to go
Serie A – 10 games to go