Premier League Picks – Part Two

August 20, 2013
By: Deke Hardman

Premier League Trophy

After taking a look at last seasons top six, this part of the seasons predictions looks at those who finished in mid-table last time around:

LIVERPOOL

Another club who had a preseason dominated by talk of one of their star players potentially moving on, Liverpool kicked off the campaign with a 1-0 victory over Stoke City at Anfield.

Luis Suarez now looks likely to remain on Merseyside, and together with the new talent brought in by manager Brendan Rodgers this summer will be helping the club attempt to improve on last season’s seventh place finish.

Last season: 7th

Key player: Philippe Coutinho

Prediction: 6th

Pick: Liverpool to finish on 66 points or more @ 1.9 (9/10) with Stan James

WEST BROMWICH ALBION

The Baggies lost their opening fixture to Southampton thanks to Rickie Lambert’s last minute winner on Saturday afternoon.

Steve Clarke guided the club to their best top flight finish in over thirty years in his first year in charge, though they could struggle to replicate last season’s top eight finish after top scorer Romelu Lukaku returned to Chelsea.

Last season: 8th

Key player: Youssouf Mulumbu

Prediction: 11th

Pick: West Bromwich Albion to achieve a top twelve finish @ 2.63 (13/8) with Stan James

SWANSEA CITY

The Swans were on the receiving end of Manchester United’s opening day victory on Saturday, and currently find themselves in a battle to keep hold of star player Michu and captain Ashley Williams who are reportedly targets of Arsenal.

The club won their first ever piece of major silverware last year, and like West Brom achieved their best league finish since the early 80’s, though with a European campaign to contend with, they could well miss out on a top half finish.

Last season: 9th

Key player: Wilfred Bony

Prediction: 14th

Pick: Swansea City to finish 13th or worse @ 1.7 (7/10) with Stan James

WEST HAM UNITED

Sam Allardyce’s men kicked off their campaign with a 2-0 win over Cardiff City, and having done some shrewd business in the transfer market, have a great chance of once again finishing in the top half.

Only five teams scored less that the Hammers last season, but with new signings Andy Carroll and Stewart Downing expected to link up well, they could well better their tally of 45 from last season.

Last season: 10th

Key player: Kevin Nolan

Prediction: 9th

Pick: West Ham United to finish in the top half @ 2.5 (6/4) with Stan James

NORWICH CITY

The Canaries have also done some good business in the transfer market this summer, and it was their record signing Ricky van Wolfswinkel that salvaged a point for them against Everton.

The club had to wait until the penultimate game of the season to secure their Premier League status last year, eventually finishing in eleventh place, and they are expected to have a much more comfortable season this time around.

Last season: 11th

Key player: Ricky van Wolfswinkel

Prediction: 12th

Pick: Norwich City to achieve a top twelve finish @ 2.63 (13/8) with Stan James

FULHAM

A goal from Pajtim Kasami saw Martin Jol’s men secure an all too rare away victory in the league against Sunderland on Saturday.

The added firepower of Darren Bent should see the club improve on their travels, and see them escape any fears of relegation this season.

Last season: 12th

Key player: Darren Bent

Prediction: 13th

Pick: Fulham to finish outside of the top twelve @ 1.73 (8/11) with Stan James

STOKE CITY

Stoke were another team who failed to secure their top flight status until late on last season, and began this campaign with defeat to Liverpool.

Like Fulham, the club struggle away from home and, in Juan Agudelo, they have also brought in an international striker – albeit with far less experience, and a far lesser record.

They will once again be reliant on their defensive record as they battle for survival, though with few goals in their squad, they could well be pulled into the bottom three.

Last season: 13th

Key player: Asmir Begovic

Prediction: 18th

Pick
: Stoke City to be relegated @ 4.0 (3/1) with Ladbrokes.

Go here to read English Premier League Picks Part III.

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