We are just a few days away from all major European football leagues getting started (soccer, for our North American readers), and with this in mind, here at MotivaGoal we’ve decided to write up our predictions for the upcoming season in Europe’s two most exciting leagues: The EPL and La Liga.
Spain - La Liga
Only two teams will fight for the Championship here, and we all know who they are. Last year FC Barcelona took home the league title despite Real Madrid´s valiant effort, yet this year things could begin to change. Mourinho´s squad looks very solid defensively and the new arrivals of versatile players such as Coentrao, Sahin and Altintop (despite his injury) should give the team more depth than last year. Also, Cristiano Ronaldo looks to be in top form once again and with the support of offensive players such as Ozil, Benzema, Higuaín and Di María, Madrid look to be ready to contend. They have looked very solid in pre-season.
Only two teams will fight for the Championship here, and we all know who they are. Last year FC Barcelona took home the league title despite Real Madrid´s valiant effort, yet this year things could begin to change. Mourinho´s squad looks very solid defensively and the new arrivals of versatile players such as Coentrao, Sahin and Altintop (despite his injury) should give the team more depth than last year. Also, Cristiano Ronaldo looks to be in top form once again and with the support of offensive players such as Ozil, Benzema, Higuaín and Di María, Madrid look to be ready to contend. They have looked very solid in pre-season.
However Madrid must compete against one of the best sides in the world. You can never write off FC Barcelona, and despite having a mediocre pre-season, the ¨Pep Team¨ has demonstrated over the past years that it is the best side on the planet. With the likes of Messi, Iniesta, Xavi, Villa and Pedro up front it is difficult to find other rivals in La Liga that can compete with that. Add to the mix a solid defensive line led by Puyol and Piqué, and the potential arrival of Fabregas in midfield, and we may just be talking about the best club side to ever play the game.
Valencia, Villareal, Atletico Madrid and Sevilla will play ¨the other liga¨ for the remaining European spots.
MotivaGoal´s Prediction: 1. FC Barcelona, 2. Real Madrid, 3. Valencia, 4. Villareal, 5. Atletico Madrid
Watch out for: Malaga FC and Athletic Bilbao
England – Premier League
Unlike in Spain, four or five clubs should make a run at the league title in the EPL this season. Manchester United look solid yet again, and proof of that is their recent Community Shield title victory over bitter rivals Man City. Chicharito and Rooney are lethal upfront and will continue to terrorize defenders this year. Add to that the potential arrival of Wesley Sneijder and Man Utd will be very hard to beat.
Man City will probably be in the race until the end but are unlikey to win it all. Too much individual talent but team chemistry and cohesion are still lacking. Also, Mancini's defensive mindset will not help this team filled with offensive superstars. Watch out for Agüero this season though. England is yet to find out his true potential.
Arsenal and Liverpool will also contend. The Gunners and the Reds will most likely hang in till the last few matchdays, but it seems hard to believe that either of these sides will come out on top. Particularly if Cesc finally leaves the Emirates, Arsenal could struggle to retain a Champions League spot. It would represent a very big loss for them. Liverpool on the other hand, do not have the financial backing to attract top class superstars to the Kop, so they too will have to settle for a European spot. Luis Suarez should score often for the Reds. Another young exciting South American to watch out for this year in the EPL.
Finally we look at Chelsea. The most important signing for the Blues this summer was the manager, André Villas Boas, or AVB as he has now been nicknamed by the British press. If he can get the most out of superstars like Drogba and Torres (who had trouble adapting to Stamford Bridge last year) and can keep veterans Terry and Lampard in line, we may just have the perfect balance for a new champion in England. Here at MotivaGoal we have a soft spot for AVB after having chatted with him during the Europa League Final, so we are going to back him up and predict a Blue victory this year.
MotivaGoal´s prediction: 1. Chelsea FC, 2. Manchester Utd, 3. Manchester City, 4. Liverpool, 5. Arsenal
Watch out for: Everton
Enjoy the season. And keep reading MotivaGoal.
Feel free to leave us your comments
Diego Valdés Rendón
BA, MBA, Master in Sports Management
diego.valdes@motivagoal.com
BA, MBA, Master in Sports Management
diego.valdes@motivagoal.com
