EPL: Revising the Preseason Predictions (Part One)

Arsenal

What I said: The Gunners started out quickly last season, only to fade down the stretch thanks to some untimely injuries. Nicklas Bendtner seems to be ready to carry a bigger load this season.

Samir Nasri is the real deal; pairing him with Cesc Fabregas will give Arsenal one of the best midfield combos in the world.

How the club has proven me wrong: Injuries and inconsistent play. The Gunners have missed most of their first-choice XI at some point during the season, and Fabregas is set to miss months after suffering an injury against Liverpool.

Arsenal has also only dropped two points in three matches against Man U, Chelsea and Liverpool, but has managed to lose to both Stoke City and Hull.

Aston Villa

What I said: Villa is set in the goalkeeping department after signing a former US International (Brad Friedel) and a current one (Brad Guzan). But how long will Gareth Barry be around? Will Stilliyan Petrov and Gabriel Agbonlahor be enough to lead them into Europe? Yes.

How the club is making me look somewhat smart: They've gotten great goalkeeping play out of Brad Friedel. The Villains have also won all the matches that they were supposed to, and some they weren't.

Blackburn

What I said: Roque Santa Cruz, Blackburn’s best player, is a player coveted by many different teams. If he goes, Blackburn will suffer. I think somebody is willing to make a large enough offer.

How the club has proven me wrong: Santa Cruz is still around, but nobody else has been able to consistently step up for Blackburn. The only club not named Man U, Arsenal or Chelsea to ever win the Premier League might be going down at the end of the season.

Bolton

What I said: Bolton just barely escaped relegation last season, as they sorely missed Big Sam Allardyce on the sideline. They won’t be so lucky this time around.

How the club has proven me wrong: I'm actually not quite sure...only West Brom (12) has lost more league games than Bolton (11) this season. But, Bolton is only three points out of the relegation zone despite sitting 11th in the table. Their fortunes could change in an instant.

Chelsea

What I said: Chelsea grabbed what was perhaps the steal of the summer with Deco, but Manchester United ended their reign as EPL champions last season. Expect them to keep it close, but come up just short in the end with some injury problems.

How the club is making me look somewhat smart: First off, Man U has two games in hand, so Chelsea may well finish third if Man U and Liverpool can maintain their success.

The Blues have indeed had to deal with injury trouble this season, which has exposed a lack of depth up front.

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