Predictions: Who will be 2010/11’s main winners and losers Part 2

Well you’ve heard what our Panel members have had to say for themselves, now it’s time for the “experts” to have their say.

We’ll start off with writer Hugh Larkin. He loves the underdog but he thinks Chelsea are just far too strong for anyone to cope with and thinks Arsenal and Spurs are going to drop out of the top four. His team to watch is Liverpool. “Roy Hodgson will get the maximum from them and with Torres and Gerrard staying plus no CL, and possibly a change of ownership they will do much better in the Premiership than last year.”

Premier League: Chelsea
Top Four: Chelsea, Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool
Relegated: Blackpool, Wolves, Wigan Athletic
FA Cup: Spurs
Carling Cup: Chelsea
Championship: Nottingham Forest
SPL: Rangers
Champions League: Bayern Munich
Europa League: Villareal

Paul Grech is a massive Liverpool fan so it must pain him to say this but he thinks Manchester United will wrestle the title back off of Chelsea this season. He also thinks Roy Hodgson will be unable to force their way back into the top four. I think he’s playing mind games!

Premier League: Manchester United
Top four Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester City
Relegation: Blackpool, West Bromwich Albion, Bolton Wanderers
FA Cup: Tottenham
Carling Cup: Manchester City
Championship: Middlesbrough
SPL: Rangers
Champions League: Chelsea
Europa League: Juventus

Now Portsmouth fan Peter Rendle is really going to turn things on its head now . . . he’s from Australia! Unfortunately British football still looks the same down under as it does here as he can’t see anyone but Chelsea winning the title. However, Peter, who has joined the “experts” this season following his club’s relegation, has gone for Celtic to win the SPL – well it’s either one or the other – and thinks Blackburn and Fulham could be huge casualties in the Premier League.

Premier League: Chelsea
Top Four: Chelsea, Manchester United, Manchester City, Spurs
Relegation: Fulham, Blackpool, Blackburn Rovers
FA Cup: Aston Villa
Carling Cup: Manchester City
Championship: Cardiff
SPL: Celtic
Champions League: Manchester United
Europa League: Borrusia Dortmund
And where do you think Portsmouth will finish in the Championship? 12th

But fellow Portsmouth fan and Panel member Dan Taylor is not looking forward to life in the Championship. He thinks it will be a real struggle for the Fratton Park side but expects big things from David James’s new side Bristol City.

Premier League: Chelsea
Top four: Chelsea, Manchester United, Liverpool, Manchester City
Relegation: Blackpool, West Bromwich Albion, Wolves
FA Cup: Liverpool
Carling Cup: Spurs
Championship: Bristol City
SPL: Rangers
Champions League: Real Madrid
Europa League: Liverpool
And where do you think Portsmouth will finish? 17^th

We will also be joined by West Ham United fan Matthew Beeby for this campaign. The young Hammer is a season ticket holder at the Boleyn and has an opinion on everything in the game. He is also hugely competitive so he may be one to watch this year. Matt has gone for Chelsea to win the league but thinks both Arsenal and the Hammers could end the season with silverware.

Premier League: Chelsea
Top Four: Chelsea, Manchester United, Arsenal, Manchester City
Relegation: Blackpool, Wigan Athletic, West Bromwich Albion
FA Cup: Arsenal
Carling Cup: West Ham United
Championship: Nottingham Forest
SPL: Celtic
Champions League: Real Madrid
Europa League: PSV Eindhoven
And where do you think West Ham will finish? 11th

Squarefootball editor Antony Melvin believes both Merseyside giants will improve on last season. “Everton can’t have as bad a run of injuries as last year and Roy Hodgson will surely improve on seventh,” said Antony. He even thinks the Toffees could end the season with a trophy.

Premier League: Chelsea
Top Four: Chelsea, Manchester United, Arsenal and Manchester City
Relegation: Blackpool, Wigan Athletic, West Bromwich Albion
FA Cup: Tottenham
Carling Cup: Everton
Championship: Nottingham Forest
SPL: Celtic
Champions League: Real Madrid
Europa League: Liverpool

As for me, Aberdeen fan Colin Illingworth, I agree with most of the pundits on here regarding Chelsea and the title. They have the strength in depth to cope with everything the demands of top flight football can throw at them. I think West Ham United will have a good season under Avram Grant and Blackburn Rovers and Liverpool will also finish higher than last time, however, I think Newcastle United will surprise a few people this season. Chris Hughton has managed to form a tight knit unit at St James’ Park and there are a number of players with points to prove.

 

Premier League: Chelsea

Top Four: Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester City, Manchester United

Relegation: Wigan Athletic, Blackpool and West Bromwich Albion

FA Cup: Spurs

Carling Cup: Arsenal

Championship: Middlesbrough

SPL: Aberdeen (I am the eternal optimist!)

Champions League: Barcelona

Europa League: Atletico Madrid

 

So the majority of the “experts” are going for Chelsea to retain their Premier League crown and for Wigan Athletic, West Bromwich Albion and Blackpool to slip through the trap door. Middlesbrough and Nottingham Forest are also the hot picks for Championship glory.

Well, that’s what we think. But what about you? Who do you think will be the main winners and losers? We’d love to hear from you.