The 2015-16 English Premier League Crystal Ball

Author Photo
Jose Mourinho

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Can anyone stop Chelsea from defending their title? Is player of the year a straight contest between Eden Hazard and Alexis Sanchez? Who will come of age on the biggest stage? Who will struggle in the spotlight?

Predicted Premier League table

1. Chelsea
2. Arsenal
3. Man City
4. Man Utd
5. Liverpool
6. Tottenham
7. Stoke City
8. Southampton
9. Everton
10. Crystal Palace
11. West Ham
12. Swansea
13. Newcastle 
14. Sunderland
15. Norwich
16 Bournemouth
17. Watford
18. Aston Villa
19. West Bromwich Albion
20. Leicester City


Champion

Chelsea - Jose Mourinho knows how to get the job done and will have his team well-drilled and difficult to break down. It's not a case of Chelsea being amazing...but more the fact no one else is ready to assume their mantle...yet. Arsenal will come closest with both Manchester clubs still unsettled.

 

Player of the Year

Eden Hazard (Chelsea) - You feel as if Hazard has another level to go to. Is not as good as Lionel Messi but is a similar player who has the ability to score close to a goal a game. He is unplayable when slaloming across the top of the box and slamming a right-footed shot into the bottom-right corner. 

 

Golden Boot

Sergio Aguero (Man City) - Despite missing five games through injury, Aguero romped to last year's golden boot. Why won't he again? Diego Costa is injury-prone, you can't expect Harry Kane to be as prolific and Charlie Austin is currently in the Championship with QPR. The only thing that will stop Aguero will be his own injury issues.

 

Young Player of the Year

Memphis Depay (Man Utd) - Aged only 21, Depay will form an important part of United's attack - most likely playing in the no.10 role behind Wayne Rooney. The Dutchman has a strong physique and should be able to cope with the Premier League rigours.

 

Goalkeeper of the Year

Petr Cech (Arsenal) - Ready to prove Chelsea wrong for letting him move to a Premier League rival. Performed superbly last season when called upon in Thibaut Courtois' absence and will add significant backbone to Arsenal's rear guard.

 

Surprise Player

Georginio Wijnaldum (Newcastle) - The former PSV captain has been in brilliant form in pre-season and looks set to play in the number 10 role. The Dutch international scored 14 goals as PSV won the Eredivisie last campaign.

 

Bolter

Stoke City - The Potters are set to improve on their ninth position in 2014-15 after the signings of Ibrahim Afellay, Marco Van Ginkel and Glen Johnson. Most of last season's squad has been retained including Bojan Krkic while Steven Nzonzi is the only significant departure.

 

Sinker 

Aston Villa - Having sold their gun striker (Christian Benteke) and their captain (Fabian Delph), Villa's situation is currently dire. They have brought in significant funds for the departures but can they bring in enough quality to replace? Bringing in creativity is also a must with Spaniard Carles Gil appearing to be a lone hand as a playmaker.

 

Opening Round EPL Fixtures (AEST)

Sat Aug 8: Manchester United v Tottenham 9:45pm @ Old Trafford

Sun Aug 9: Bournemouth v Aston Villa 0:00am @ Vitality Stadium

                      Norwich City v Crystal Palace 0:00am @ Carrow Road

                      Leicester City v Sunderland 0:00am @ King Power Stadium

                      Everton v Watford 0:00am @ Goodison Park

                      Chelsea v Swansea City 2:30pm @ Stamford Bridge

                      Newcastle United v Southampton 10:30pm @ St James Park

                      Arsenal v West Ham 10:30pm @ Emirates Stadium

Mon Aug 10: Stoke City v Liverpool 1:00am @ Britannia Stadium

Tues Aug 11: West Bromwich v Manchester City 5:00am @ The Hawthorns

 

Author(s)
Kieran Francis Photo

Kieran Francis is a senior editor at Sporting News Australia.