World Football: 8 Bold Predictions for the Remainder of the Season
While the likes of Real Madrid may have already clinched La Liga, countless other leagues—the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, the Premier League, the Bundesliga—are yet to be decided.
The trophies may swing in any team's favor, and the unpredictability of football means that there are some bold predictions to be made.
What follows in this slideshow are eight bold predictions for the rest of the season.
8. Liverpool to Finish Ahead of Chelsea
1 of 8Before anyone unleashes their fury by proclaiming that Chelsea are a staggering seven points ahead of Liverpool, who are even behind Newcastle United, ponder upon the list of fixtures that Chelsea face in the last 10 games.
Chelsea face Manchester City, Arsenal, Tottenham and Liverpool in their last 10 games, while Liverpool only faces Chelsea amongst the "Big Six"—Manchester United, Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool.
Given the tight set of fixtures coupled with the grueling Champions League matches, Chelsea might have an even more horrendous end to the season.
7. Athletic Bilbao to Win the Copa Del Rey
2 of 8Athletic Bilbao have had a tremendous season.
Their dynamic level of midfield play coupled with superb coaching has drawn a great level of praise. Recently, Barcelona coach Pep Guardiolo described Bilbao's coach Marcelo Biesla as the "best coach on the planet" after outclassing Manchester United in the Europa League.
It's true that they face Barcelona in the final, but there is a chance that Bilbao might emerge victorious. Earlier in the season, they almost beat Barcelona, only for Lionel Messi to equalize in injury time to make the scores 2-2.
6. Juventus to Win Serie A
3 of 8Juventus are only four points adrift of AC Milan, and there is a possibility that Juventus will edge out the Milan side for the Serie A trophy.
Milan also have to concentrate on the Champions League, while Juventus' sole focus will be on the league.
A trophy for Juventus would mark a triumphant comeback for the Italian giants and place them a road to recovery for European glory again.
5. Everton to Win FA Cup
4 of 8The FA Cup is a tournament marked by a great level of unpredictability, and although the likes of Chelsea and Liverpool remain in the tournament, David Moyes' side have the tenacity and will power to bring home the trophy to Goodison Park.
Everton last won the prestigious cup in 1995, and another win would increase their tally to six.
4. Manchester City to Win Premier League Title
5 of 8Only a month ago, the Premier League title was Manchester City's to lose.
Now, however, Manchester United remain firm favorites. United have a relatively comfortable set of fixtures, barring the one with City.
City face Chelsea and Arsenal before facing their crosstown rivals.
Yet, City might defeat Arsenal and Chelsea before humbling United to proclaim the title for themselves.
3. Valencia to Win UEFA Europa League
6 of 8The quarterfinal (QF) draws for the Europa League are as follows:
QF 1: AZ vs. Valencia (Predicted Winner: Valencia)
QF 2: Schalke 04 vs. Athletic Bilbao (Predicted Winner: could swing either way)
QF 3: Sporting Lisbon vs. Metalist Kharkiv (Predicted Winner: Sporting Lisbon)
QF 4: Atletico Madrid vs. Hannover 96 (Predicted Winner: Atletico Madrid)
The two semifinals would be between winners of QF 1 and 4 and winners of QF 2 and 3.
SF 1: Valencia vs. Atletico Madrid (Predicted Winner: Valencia)
SF 2: Sporting Lisbon vs. Schalke 04/Athletic Bilbao (Predicted Winner: Sporting Lisbon)
In my opinion, the final will be won by Valencia.
2. Borussia Mönchengladbach to Win the Bundesliga
7 of 8Second place Bayern Munich and third place Borussia Mönchengladbach are separated from leaders Borussia Dortmund by five points and eight points respectively.
Borussia Dortmund have a harder fixture facing the likes of Bayern, Borussia M'Gladbach and Schalke, while Bayern will also be occupied with the UEFA Champions League.
Mönchengladbach might just emerge victorious in this race for German supremacy.
1. Bayern Munich to Win UEFA Champions League
8 of 8This season Bayern Munich have an opportunity to play the final at their home ground.
They have a phenomenal team and play an exciting blend of football with mesmerizing wing play.
Their midfield is solid with the likes Schweinsteiger and Toni Kroos, and they have perhaps two best wingers in the world with Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery—not to mention Philipp Lahm operating as a full-back.
And they have "Super" Mario Gomez and Thomas Müller upfront.
There is a great possibility that Bayern will win the UEFA Champions League this season.
