Barclays Premier League Preview 2014-15 Part 2: My Predictions

In Part 1 of my season preview I took a closer look at the five teams who I think will challenge for the championship. In Part 2 I will predict the final table and offer my early thoughts of what may happen.

Here's the Behind The Goal predicted table for 2014-15.
(The usual caveat applies, namely the transfer window is still open, but right now, I'm happy with this order.)

1. Chelsea
2. Manchester City
3. Arsenal
4. Manchester United
5. Liverpool
6. Tottenham Hotspur
7. Everton
8. Newcastle United
9. Stoke City
10. Swansea City
11. West Ham United
12. Southampton
13. Crystal Palace
14. Sunderland
15. Queens Park Rangers
16. Hull City
17. Aston Villa
18. Leicester City
19. West Bromwich Albion
20. Burnley

 

First manager to be sacked:

Sam Allardyce of West Ham United. The fans don't particularly like him, the owners David Gold and David Sullivan aren't all that overstruck by his style of football, and their Andy Carroll-less side may struggle for goals if Enner Valencia doesn't hit the ground running as his replacement. The club's imminent move to the Olympic Stadium in a couple of years adds a ton of pressure for them to remain in the Premier League long term, and a poor start may be enough for Gold and Sullivan to pull the trigger.

I also expect Sean Dyche of Burnley and Aston Villa's Paul Lambert to be out of a job before the end of the season. For me, Roy Keane's appointment as Villa's number two looks so much like they have replaced Lambert before even getting rid of him. Think Rene Meulensteen at Fulham last year. That worked out well.

Best summer signing:
Cesc Fabregas, Chelsea.
Some may say Diego Costa; in fact I think he will be Chelsea's best player and top scorer, but Fabregas will be the most important player. He is the final cog in the wheel, and offers a wider variety of midfield options than the others.

Player of the Year:

Diego Costa, Chelsea.
Some may wonder whether Costa can score as many goals in the Premier League as in La Liga for Atletico Madrid, but for me, he is bound to. Chelsea were a top striker away from winning the title last season, but now they may just have found the final piece in the jigsaw.

Most looking forward to:

Seeing how the stars of the World Cup get on, particularly Jefferson Montero at Swansea City.

Leave a comment or Tweet me @adamgray50 with your thoughts on the new season.