Predicting the Unpredictable

Three months of possibly the most anticipated Premier League season ever have passed and we have seen the good, the bad and the ugly: awesome attacking, diabolical defending and controversial refereeing decisions. Of course, there has been some unsurprising aspects of this season too. The teams expected to compete for the league title have shown to possess those qualities, while some sides that were predicted to struggle have not been able to surprise us. Looking ahead to the rest of 2016, who will soar high, surprise us and perform poorly?

Who’s going to be flying high?

Chelsea

Despite an indifferent start to the season, Chelsea have been utterly unstoppable since October. Six consecutive wins in the Premier League and most impressively, not conceding a single goal in the process. Antonio Conte has changed the fabric of a club that underperformed disastrously last season. The next two matches against Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City define a critical juncture for Chelsea, giving fans a clearer indication of how they will be placed come May 2017.  But few will bet against more stellar results to come for Chelsea and they will certainly be up there.

Liverpool

Liverpool have been as charismatic as their manager this season. Jurgen Klopp has employed an infectious style of play which resonates with every fan across the league. Their fixtures are not too challenging until the end of the year and we would expect them to be in the mix for the title come January. These two clubs are most likely to continue their fantastic form as they round off 2016.

Who’s going to surprise us?

Watford

Throughout Premier League history, every season sees some teams who unexpectedly perform in a brilliant manner. I would just like to take this opportunity to give a huge shout out to my hometown club, Watford FC. Being 8th in the Premier League is no joke. Standout victories against Manchester United (the website support officers Hamish and Aaron won’t be too pleased) and the defending champions have bewildered but pleased the neutrals. Given their fixtures up to the end of the year, Watford should continue to defy the odds and maintain their rightful place in the Top 10 – who knows, Top 4 may not be out of the question. Stranger things have happened in the world of football.

The trio of West Bromwich Albion, Bournemouth and Burnley will also look to continue their good results and despite some tough fixtures along the way, the old adage of “anything can happen in football” still rings true.

Who’s going to struggle?

Crystal Palace

As shown on Monday Night Football and the BBC, Crystal Palace have the worst league record in 2016. 22 points from 31 league games places them 92nd in the table of worst performing sides of this year, below York City and Dagenham and Redbridge. Alan Pardew said earlier in the year that it would be the “pinnacle” of his career to manage England. At this rate, England would have to be in an even worse state than they currently are to hand the job to Alan. Palace’s fixture list is not kind until the end of the year and we shouldn’t expect them to add too many points to their tally.

Leicester City

Also – whisper it quietly – Leicester City are struggling. The most remarkable story in sport is well and truly over for the Foxes. While they shouldn’t get relegated (predictions have gone wrong before, why not again?), they face a real fight to get into the top half of the table. But their Champions League run has been nothing short of stunning. Anyone for Leicester City winning the Champions League? Just a thought.

So there it is. As we enter a crucial part of the Premier League marathon, predictions are starting to circulate as to who will be top and bottom come May. If there is one thing we should learn from last season, predictions really mean nothing. We should just enjoy the most entertaining league in the world for all that it gives us, even if it is just plain stupid at times.