TEAMtalk

TEAMtalk Predictions: Rob McCarthy

Thursday 04-August-2011 08:31

With the new campaign drawing ever closer, TEAMtalk's team of writers are once again turning soothsayers as they consider the potential success stories and tales of woe in 2011/12.

We're bringing you their predictions over the course of the first fortnight in August. Now it's the turn of Rob - our resident Tottenham fan - to step into the limelight.

Your opinions count too, so let us know your thoughts on his selections by using the Comments area below...

Premier League top six: Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea, Tottenham, Arsenal, Liverpool.

I fancy United to retain their crown after making some decent summer signings, although the loss of Paul Scholes and, in particular, Edwin van der Sar could prove pivotal.

David De Gea has the ominous task of replacing the Dutchman and much will depend on how the 21-year-old copes with the more demanding nature of the Premier League, but if he shines then I can't see beyond United.

Chelsea may take a little time to adjust to manager Andre Villas-Boas' new regime while City, with Carlos Tevez or Sergio Aguero, or even both up front will go closer this time around and nick second spot from the Londoners - although getting the better of their city rivals will have to wait for at least another season.

My blind faith, and desperate hope that Luka Modric stays and at least one top-class striker signs, sees Spurs beating arch rivals Arsenal and a much-changed Liverpool team to that final Champions League spot.

Premier League bottom three: Swansea, Wigan, QPR.

Swansea play the right way, but that didn't help Blackpool in the end, so I fancy Brendan Rodgers' men to head straight back to the Championship along with QPR.

Despite an impressive defensive record last season, the R's were effectively a one-man team as Adel Taarabt pulled the strings and scored some wonder goals. Take him out of the equation and they'll really struggle.

Wigan somehow managed to avoid the drop last season but losing Charles N'Zogbia's creativity and goals will hurt them and I can't see the Latics surviving again.

Premier League top-scorer: Javier Hernandez (Manchester United).

I was hugely impressed with 'Chicharito' last season and fully expect him to hit the 30-goal mark for United this campaign. At times, he reminds me of Gary Lineker in his prime with his movement across the line, and he also has that happy knack of always being in the right place at the right time in the box.

First Premier League manager to be sacked: Steve Kean (Blackburn).

He was fortunate to get the job in the first place and I don't see what he's done since to keep it to be honest. A poor start and I reckon he's plucked!

FA Cup winners: Tottenham.

I have to back my boys to win something and, with Harry likely to prioritise and play the youngsters in the Europa League and Carling Cup this season, a trip to Wembley hopefully beckons come May.

Carling Cup winners: Chelsea.

Andre Villas-Boas might miss out on the league but I can see him tasting cup success with the Blues in the first final of the season.

Champions League winners: Barcelona.

I just can't see beyond Pep Guardiola's men as they seem set to dominate European football for a few more years to come yet. What's more I reckon Roman Abramovich's desperate quest for CL glory will end in tears again as Chelsea are the beaten finalists.

Europa League winners: Napoli.

They've qualified for the Champions League this season but I think they'll drop into the Europa and thrive, with Uruguayan hitman Edinson Cavani banging in the goals and midfield duo Marek Hamsik and Gokhan Inler pulling the strings.

Championship top six: Leicester, Ipswich, West Ham, Reading, Nottingham Forest, Middlesbrough.

The Foxes have bought well so far this summer and should have enough to seal the title, although the Championship has turned into the most difficult division to predict and I could make an argument for any of my top six to win it and probably a few clubs beyond that as well.

Paul Jewell's Ipswich have made decent signings in David Stockdale, Lee Bowyer and Michael Chopra and will automatically follow the Foxes into the promised land, and I reckon Forest will progress via the play-offs at the expense of West Ham. Watch out for Keith Hill's Barnsley side as a surprise package, however, as they'll play attacking football and have a potentially dangerous front pairing in Danny Haynes and Craig Davies.

Championship bottom three: Watford, Coventry, Peterborough.

Posh will struggle to score the goals they did in League One and Darren Ferguson was found wanting when he stepped up a division with Preston last season, while Coventry don't have a strong enough squad for me and will really miss goalkeeper Keiren Westwood. Watford, meanwhile, are in trouble after the loss of manager Malky Mackay to Cardiff and leading scorer Danny Graham to Swansea.

Championship top-scorer: Shane Long (Reading).

If the Royals can keep him, then I'm backing the Republic of Ireland hitman to be top marksman this season.

First Championship manager to be sacked: Andy Thorn (Coventry).

It will be a season of struggle and ultimately relegation for the Sky Blues and I reckon former Wimbledon and Crystal Palace defender Thorn will be the first to lose his job.

SPL champions: Celtic.

I'm backing the Bhoys to bounce back this season and for Neil Lennon to ruin Ally McCoist's first campaign in charge at Ibrox.

SPL top-scorer: Gary Hooper (Celtic).

I've been impressed whenever I've seen the former Scunny star in action and I'm confident he'll fire Lennon's Bhoys to SPL title glory.

League One champions: Huddersfield.

Despite losing influential winger Anthony Pilkington to Norwich, I'm backing the Terriers to bounce back from last season's play-off final heartbreak and finish top of the tree.

League One top-scorer: Jordan Rhodes (Huddersfield).

The Town hitman is fairly prolific at this level and could come out on top.

League Two champions: Crawley.

I reckon the Red Devils will make it back-to-back promotions as they aim to charge up the divisions.

League Two top-scorer: Adam Le-Fondre (Rotherham).

Far and away the best goalscorer in the division, although watch out for Crawley's free-scoring Matt Tubbs.