Print this out and save for May to let me know what a clueless jackass your humble writer is. (Sorry guys this post was accidentally scheduled to publish on Saturday, oops.)
20. Stoke City -- Anyone got a good Harry Potters pun at the ready?
19. Hull City -- In Windass we trust.
18. Fulham -- I know Brian McBride and Andy Johnson, you're no Brian McBride.
17. Bolton -- If a tree falls in Bolton does it make a sound?
16. West Brom -- Mowbray makes it Great Escape 2.0.
15. Newcastle United -- Over/under on different managers this season is 2.5. Takers?
14. Blackburn Rovers -- Paul Robinson is going to have his hands full.
13. Middlesbrough -- Another season, another middle of the pack finish.
12. Manchester City -- Seems destined for an ugly soap opera ending with the Thai chariman.
11. Wigan Athletic -- No frills, just good results at the JJB.
10. Sunderland -- Roy Keane for mayor.
9. Everton -- Needs reinforcements, post haste.
8. Tottenham -- God only knows...
7. West Ham -- Finish contingent on finding a new manager.
6. Portsmouth -- The best of the rest.
5. Arsenal -- Like a certain central European nation in WWII, tough to fight wars on two fronts.
4. Aston Villa -- Barry gets his belated wish of the Champions League.
3. Manchester United -- Just a hunch, but Ronaldo fights niggling injuries all season.
2. Chelsea -- Probably will win the title, but ethically cannot chose them even if it makes me look dumb.
1. Liverpool -- God save me, might as well roll the dice here. (Look, I acknowledge Chelsea is the chalk pick. Picking Liverpool with the possible front office turmoil is a calculated gamble on my behalf. Most likely I'll eat my words.)
Top scorer: Fernando Torres (26). Darkhorse: Nic Anelka
Best transfer: José Bosingwa from Porto to Chelsea. As if Chelsea needed another good player. Runners up: Luka Modric from Dinamo Zagreb to Spurs (yeah it was in April, but still...); Brad Freidel from Blackburn to Aston Villa; Robbie Keane from Spurs to Liverpool; Amr Zaky from Zamalek to Wigan.
Worst transfer: Mark Schwarzer from Middlesbrough to Fulham. It was free, but what was the point? Runners up: Johann Ellmander from Toulouse to Bolton (Way too much money.); Younas Kaboul from Spurs to Portsmouth. (Eisch); Pascal Chimbonda from Spurs to Sunderland (Has he already filed a transfer request with Keane?)
Wuestions/Storylines:
* Can anyone crack the Big Four?
* Will anything other than another spell of internal strife slow down Chelsea?
* Can Ronaldo repeat his 2007-08 form?
* Will any of the three promoted teams survive?
* Will any American field players make an impact?
* Can either Aston Villa, Portsmouth or someone else make the "leap"?
* Is there anything to separate the presumed lower half of the table?
* Who will be the first manager sacked?
* Which club will next be linked to an American sugar daddy?
* The tedium of ownership at Liverpool and Newcastle.
* Can this season come close in tightness and excitement at the wire as last?
Round 1 Quickies
Saturday
* Arsenal v. West Brom -- (Live, 7:45 a.m., Setanta) This could actually turn out to be a fairly frisky season openers, as a Cesc-less Arsenal gets the quick turnaround after their midweek game in Holland. West Brom should be rested and rearing to go. The Baggies might put up a fight for a little while, but expect an Arsenal winner -- likely from Adebayor -- in the final 15 minutes. ... Arsenal 2, West Brom 1
* Bolton v. Stoke City -- Good to get this one out of the way early. Fittingly it's apparently the only game unavailable on television. ... Bolton 1, Stoke 1
* Everton v. Blackburn Rovers -- (Live, 10 a.m., FSC) Early tone setter for both squads. ... Everton 1, Blackburn 1
* Hull City v. Fulham -- (Delayed, 2:15 p.m., Setanta) If you're Hull, there isn't a better way to open things up that a match vs. Fulham. This could be the highlight -- singular -- of the season for the Tigers. ... Hull 1, Fulham 0
* Middlesbrough v. Tottenham -- (Live, 10 a.m., Setanta) Who exactly is starting for Spurs? ... Boro 1, Spurs 0
* West Ham United v. Wigan Athletic -- (Delayed, 2:30 p.m., FSC) Ok, let's get this right. West Ham lost to the MLS All Stars, so if they beat Wigan that means MLS is better than Wigan? Ask Don Garber. ... West Ham 1, Wigan 1
* Sunderland v. Liverpool -- (Live, 12:30 p.m., FSC) The world gets its first big look of the odd, checkered grey-blue Liverpool away shirts. ... Sunderland 1, Liverpool 2
Sunday
* Chelsea v. Portsmouth -- (Live, 8:30 a.m., Setanta) On paper, the best match of the first weekend and could be a good chance for Pompey to spring an upset...or not. .. Chelsea 2, Portsmouth 1
* Aston Villa v. Manchester City -- (Delayed, 1 p.m., FSC) So, Villa romps over FH Hafnarfjordur in UEFA Cup qualifiers, meanwhile City falls to FC Midtjylland. Can somebody buy a vowel or something, quick? ... Villa 2, City 0
* Manchester United v. Newcastle United -- (Live, 11 a.m., FSC) Well, at least the Magpies get one of their bi-yearly 4-0 shit-stompping out of the way in August. ... Manchester United 3, Newcastle United 1
_____________________
** Bob Bradley named his squad for next week's USMNT 2010 qualifier with Guatemala. True to form, there are no surprises on the roster. In short, the usual suspects. One thing of note is that defender Oguchi Oneywu wasn't even listed as an available substitute in Wednesday's Standard Liege/Liverpool Champions League qualifier. Maybe the only intrigue is if Sasha Kljestan warrants a spot in the first XI. He's certainly one of the few guys you can truly list as 'in-form.'
Goalkeepers: Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Tim Howard (Everton)
Defenders: Carlos Bocanegra (Rennes), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover), Jay DeMerit (Watford), Frankie Hejduk (Columbus), Oguchi Onyewu (Standard Liege), Heath Pearce (Hansa Rostock)
Midfielders: Michael Bradley (Heerenveen), Maurice Edu (Toronto), Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA), Eddie Lewis (Derby County), Pablo Mastroeni (Colorado)
Forwards: Brian Ching (Houston), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles), Clint Dempsey (Fulham), Eddie Johnson (Fulham)
** Yes, I have a soft spot in my heart for him, so it's nice to see Clint Mathis has once again washed ashore with Real Salt Lake after what figured to be a disastrous stint in Greece. It's a shame his long range bomb vs. South Korea often gets forgotten in the great run of 2002. Personally this move excites me more than Kasey Keller turning up with the Seattle Sounders FC.
20. Stoke City -- Anyone got a good Harry Potters pun at the ready?
19. Hull City -- In Windass we trust.
18. Fulham -- I know Brian McBride and Andy Johnson, you're no Brian McBride.
17. Bolton -- If a tree falls in Bolton does it make a sound?
16. West Brom -- Mowbray makes it Great Escape 2.0.
15. Newcastle United -- Over/under on different managers this season is 2.5. Takers?
14. Blackburn Rovers -- Paul Robinson is going to have his hands full.
13. Middlesbrough -- Another season, another middle of the pack finish.
12. Manchester City -- Seems destined for an ugly soap opera ending with the Thai chariman.
11. Wigan Athletic -- No frills, just good results at the JJB.
10. Sunderland -- Roy Keane for mayor.
9. Everton -- Needs reinforcements, post haste.
8. Tottenham -- God only knows...
7. West Ham -- Finish contingent on finding a new manager.
6. Portsmouth -- The best of the rest.
5. Arsenal -- Like a certain central European nation in WWII, tough to fight wars on two fronts.
4. Aston Villa -- Barry gets his belated wish of the Champions League.
3. Manchester United -- Just a hunch, but Ronaldo fights niggling injuries all season.
2. Chelsea -- Probably will win the title, but ethically cannot chose them even if it makes me look dumb.
1. Liverpool -- God save me, might as well roll the dice here. (Look, I acknowledge Chelsea is the chalk pick. Picking Liverpool with the possible front office turmoil is a calculated gamble on my behalf. Most likely I'll eat my words.)
Top scorer: Fernando Torres (26). Darkhorse: Nic Anelka
Best transfer: José Bosingwa from Porto to Chelsea. As if Chelsea needed another good player. Runners up: Luka Modric from Dinamo Zagreb to Spurs (yeah it was in April, but still...); Brad Freidel from Blackburn to Aston Villa; Robbie Keane from Spurs to Liverpool; Amr Zaky from Zamalek to Wigan.
Worst transfer: Mark Schwarzer from Middlesbrough to Fulham. It was free, but what was the point? Runners up: Johann Ellmander from Toulouse to Bolton (Way too much money.); Younas Kaboul from Spurs to Portsmouth. (Eisch); Pascal Chimbonda from Spurs to Sunderland (Has he already filed a transfer request with Keane?)
Wuestions/Storylines:
* Can anyone crack the Big Four?
* Will anything other than another spell of internal strife slow down Chelsea?
* Can Ronaldo repeat his 2007-08 form?
* Will any of the three promoted teams survive?
* Will any American field players make an impact?
* Can either Aston Villa, Portsmouth or someone else make the "leap"?
* Is there anything to separate the presumed lower half of the table?
* Who will be the first manager sacked?
* Which club will next be linked to an American sugar daddy?
* The tedium of ownership at Liverpool and Newcastle.
* Can this season come close in tightness and excitement at the wire as last?
Round 1 Quickies
Saturday
* Arsenal v. West Brom -- (Live, 7:45 a.m., Setanta) This could actually turn out to be a fairly frisky season openers, as a Cesc-less Arsenal gets the quick turnaround after their midweek game in Holland. West Brom should be rested and rearing to go. The Baggies might put up a fight for a little while, but expect an Arsenal winner -- likely from Adebayor -- in the final 15 minutes. ... Arsenal 2, West Brom 1
* Bolton v. Stoke City -- Good to get this one out of the way early. Fittingly it's apparently the only game unavailable on television. ... Bolton 1, Stoke 1
* Everton v. Blackburn Rovers -- (Live, 10 a.m., FSC) Early tone setter for both squads. ... Everton 1, Blackburn 1
* Hull City v. Fulham -- (Delayed, 2:15 p.m., Setanta) If you're Hull, there isn't a better way to open things up that a match vs. Fulham. This could be the highlight -- singular -- of the season for the Tigers. ... Hull 1, Fulham 0
* Middlesbrough v. Tottenham -- (Live, 10 a.m., Setanta) Who exactly is starting for Spurs? ... Boro 1, Spurs 0
* West Ham United v. Wigan Athletic -- (Delayed, 2:30 p.m., FSC) Ok, let's get this right. West Ham lost to the MLS All Stars, so if they beat Wigan that means MLS is better than Wigan? Ask Don Garber. ... West Ham 1, Wigan 1
* Sunderland v. Liverpool -- (Live, 12:30 p.m., FSC) The world gets its first big look of the odd, checkered grey-blue Liverpool away shirts. ... Sunderland 1, Liverpool 2
Sunday
* Chelsea v. Portsmouth -- (Live, 8:30 a.m., Setanta) On paper, the best match of the first weekend and could be a good chance for Pompey to spring an upset...or not. .. Chelsea 2, Portsmouth 1
* Aston Villa v. Manchester City -- (Delayed, 1 p.m., FSC) So, Villa romps over FH Hafnarfjordur in UEFA Cup qualifiers, meanwhile City falls to FC Midtjylland. Can somebody buy a vowel or something, quick? ... Villa 2, City 0
* Manchester United v. Newcastle United -- (Live, 11 a.m., FSC) Well, at least the Magpies get one of their bi-yearly 4-0 shit-stompping out of the way in August. ... Manchester United 3, Newcastle United 1
** Bob Bradley named his squad for next week's USMNT 2010 qualifier with Guatemala. True to form, there are no surprises on the roster. In short, the usual suspects. One thing of note is that defender Oguchi Oneywu wasn't even listed as an available substitute in Wednesday's Standard Liege/Liverpool Champions League qualifier. Maybe the only intrigue is if Sasha Kljestan warrants a spot in the first XI. He's certainly one of the few guys you can truly list as 'in-form.'
Goalkeepers: Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Tim Howard (Everton)
Defenders: Carlos Bocanegra (Rennes), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover), Jay DeMerit (Watford), Frankie Hejduk (Columbus), Oguchi Onyewu (Standard Liege), Heath Pearce (Hansa Rostock)
Midfielders: Michael Bradley (Heerenveen), Maurice Edu (Toronto), Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA), Eddie Lewis (Derby County), Pablo Mastroeni (Colorado)
Forwards: Brian Ching (Houston), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles), Clint Dempsey (Fulham), Eddie Johnson (Fulham)
** Yes, I have a soft spot in my heart for him, so it's nice to see Clint Mathis has once again washed ashore with Real Salt Lake after what figured to be a disastrous stint in Greece. It's a shame his long range bomb vs. South Korea often gets forgotten in the great run of 2002. Personally this move excites me more than Kasey Keller turning up with the Seattle Sounders FC.
Labels: Prem League, Prem Picks, Soccer, USMNT
Cardillo,
Gooch was carrying a suspension from last year's tournament. That's why he was unavailable...that and the virtual certainty he would have trundled into a 'Pool player w/in 25 yards of the goal at least three times.
I will take the over on the Newcastle managers and personally, I think that Boswingwa's unibrow will will easily lock up best new comer to the Prem.
Do you think Benitez will really put enough emphasis on winning the Prem this year?
20. Stoke City
19. Fulham
18. Hull City
17. Middlesbrough
16. WBA
15. Wigan
14. West Ham
13. Bolton
12. Sunderland
11. Newcastle
10. Blackburn
09. Manchester City
08. Portsmouth
07. Tottenham
06. Everton
05. Aston Villa
04. Arsenal
03. Liverpool
02. Manchester United
01. Chelsea
It might be a down year for the EPL and Chelsea winning it would be a disappointment.