2010-11 Finish: 6th (17-7-14, 58 points)
Season outlook: The American money is being tossed around like it’s from a board game, but real life results will be expected. Anything outside of the top four would be considered a massive failure.
Biggest addition: Stewart Downing
Biggest subtraction: N/A
Star player in 2011-12: Luis Suarez
Band it resembles: Red Hot Chili Peppers - Currently on the comeback trail after a bit of an absence, they have all the pieces to put on a world class show... and likely will.
Manchester City
2010-11 Finish: 3rd (21-8-9, 71 points)
Season outlook: If big things were expected last season, bigger things will be on tap this year. Hugely talented and flush with cash, this is the year City makes its mark on the league, maybe even the continent. I don’t think a title is in it just yet, but it’ll be in the running.
Biggest addition: Sergio Aguero
Biggest subtraction: Carlos Tevez (presumably)
Star player in 2011-12: David Silva
Band it resembles: Muse - The only way is up. Becoming larger than life before our very eyes, these guys will soon be world beaters.
Manchester United
2010-11 Finish: 1st (23-11-4, 80 points)
Season outlook: From what I’ve seen of its preseason, Manchester United is a pretty good side. A pretty darn good side. If it is able to sign Wesley Sneijder before the end of the summer, might as well close the book on this season now.
Biggest addition: David De Gea
Biggest subtraction: Paul Scholes
Star player in 2011-12: Wayne Rooney
Band it resembles: U2 - Is there a bigger band out there right now? No, I think not. Talented and timeless, there is very little that it can’t do.
Well there you have it. The first 10 teams in TFE’s EPL Preview Edition. The remaining 10 teams will be discussed in as much detail next Friday, barring some extraordinary circumstances like I find a million dollars in a suitcase or get hit by a bus. Fingers crossed! (On the money, that is).
It also means, as I said at the start, you all have to wait another week to see how I think the league table will shake out. Sucks to be you, doesn’t it! Little spoiler here: I don’t think anyone will be too surprised with what I come up with. I expect few arguments, though they are obviously welcomed.
We aren’t finished here just yet though, as there is a Community Shield to forecast. Jolly good fun. Let us do that before I reach my internal word limit for the night. I can only type so much, you know.
The Bacon (as in Bringing it Home): FA Community Shield Style
Manchester City vs. Manchester United (Aug. 7, Wembley Stadium, 9:30 a.m. ET, Fox Soccer)
This should be something special. Whenever silverware is on the line, the match tends to be pretty solid. Whenever silverware is on the line and it’s two rivals fighting for it, it’s even better. Whenever it’s these two teams, well, hide ya kids, hide ya wife.
Make no mistake about it, these clubs do not like each other one bit. It’s going to be a testy, close match with lots of yapping back and forth about calls and non-calls. In other words, it’ll be one you won’t want to miss.
As far as how it’ll play out, it’s pretty obvious that United is the more harmonious and in-form side at the moment. Its preseason has been nearly flawless and the team is playing as a team. City however has been distracted by the Carlos Tevez saga and the continual whinging of Mario Balotelli. If you don’t want to be with the club, fine, just pick a new team, lower your astronomical wage demands and get on with it.
Anyway, the match will give us goals after a point, and I think it could be the Citizens who strike first. United is inexperienced in goal and if De Gea starts, which we all expect him to, he could rattle easily.
The quality up front is there for Sir Alex’s side though and it’ll maintain throughout, eventually taking over in the second period. Wayne Rooney will put it away late and will add another trophy to the club’s already bulging cabinet.
TFE Prediction: United edges it late on in a nearly-heart-stopping-but-not-quite-but-good-enough-for-the-Community-Shield affair 2-1.
And Finally...The Black Pudding of the Week
Wesley Sneijder, Inter Milan: I haven’t seen uninhibited flirting this hard since I was on my 8th grade weekend trip to Gettysburg (don’t ask why we went there). Jeez. Well, I guess you could count the Cesc to Barca stuff as well, but my lord does Sneijder want to go to Manchester United. If only his wages weren’t out of this world. Anyway, the move needs to happen and would benefit all parties. I just don’t want it to linger and become an uncomfortable saga that should just be squashed by all parties. They are the absolute worst. Coincidentally, that’s kind of like my first serious relationship...
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