Revised Expectations for Every EPL Team

The Premier League is already halfway done and it's a perfect time for us to revisit every English Premier League team's expectations for this season.

So far, this season has been remarkably exciting with Everton, Chelsea, Tottenham, Arsenal all pushing for the much-coveted top-four finish.

Meanwhile, having conceded only 20 goals, Stoke City established themselves as perhaps the toughest team in the league.

What expectations could Stoke have now? Will West Bromwich be able to challenge for the top-four spot until the very end?

Read on and find out each Premier League club's expectations and how they can fulfill them.

Arsenal: Claim a Top-Four Finish

Arsenal start pretty much every season with the same expectations: winning a trophy to end the terribly long drought.

However, as the season progresses it becomes ever more clearer that winning a trophy is an unrealistic expectation and the focus shifts to achieving a top-four finish and qualifying for the Champions League.

By now, it's obvious that Arsenal probably won't win a trophy, and the main goal must be finishing in a top-four place.

Failing to do so could have serious consequences on the whole club.

Aston Villa: Avoid Relegation

Aston Villa have had their ups and downs throughout the season and they are now just three points above the relegation zone.

The inconsistency that plagues the Villans is their biggest problem—Villa went from winning 3-1 at Anfield against Liverpool to a 0-15 streak in terms of goals in their next three matches.

That's simply unacceptable.

Villa must find some consistency to somehow avoid relegation or Lambert will lose his job. It's as simple as that.

Chelsea: Win a Trophy

Having been spectacularly knocked out in the Champions League group stage, defeated in the Club World Cup final as well as practically losing every hope of winning the Premier League, the Blues are in a dire need of a trophy to save their season.

However, it's not all so dark for Chelsea—the Blues are still in the running for the Carling Cup, the FA Cup and the Europa League.

With such a rich squad Rafael Benitez has at his disposal, surely Chelsea can win at least one trophy?

Everton: Don't Stop Now, Champions League Football Awaits

It's fair to say Everton are one of the surprise packages this year.

The Toffees have been amazing so far, with the likes of Nikica Jelavic, Steven Pienaar, Marouane Fellaini and Leighton Baines pushing for the club's first top-four finish in a long time.

The only thing that remains for the Toffees is to continue performing this well.

Who knows? Everton might even play in the Champions League next year.

Fulham: Avoid the Relegation Battle

Fulham are currently just six points above the relegation zone.

The Cottagers probably won't have much problems avoiding relegation, but the club could easily get drawn in the relegation battle, which can have serious consequences.

However, having said that, winning a couple of games should be enough for Fulham to get away from the notorious relegation battle.

Liverpool: Qualify for Europe

Liverpool started the season slowly but are finally picking up some momentum in the league.

After two back-to-back 3-0 wins and the signing of Daniel Sturridge from Chelsea, Liverpool must no longer be overlooked.

Steven Gerrard and Luis Suarez are in top form, and the Reds might now even be in a position to push for a top-four finish.

However, Liverpool must not get ahead of themselves. Ensuring European football—even Europa League will do—next season will be a priority for the Merseysiders in these hard times of transition.

Manchester City: Defend the Title

Manchester City once again failed miserably in the Champions League and must now focus on the Premier League.

The seven points that currently divide Manchester United from City at the top of the table can be overcome, but the Manchester Blues will have their work cut out for them.

Furthermore, Roberto Mancini won't have much time left in Manchester if he continues to disappoint.

Now, ensuring the league trophy is the main priority for the club.

Manchester United: Win Back the League Title

The Red Devils sensationally lost the Premier League title last year and Sir Alex Ferguson will be keen to avoid a similar scenario this season.

And so far, Manchester United have been rather convincing in the league as they currently have a seven-point advantage over their main rivals Manchester City.

Their shaky defence remains perhaps the only reason for fans to be worried, but should the Red Devils continue performing this well, they could win back the title with relative ease.

Newcastle United: Avoid Relegation

What happened to Newcastle United?

The Magpies have gone from Champions League contenders to battling relegation in a matter of months. The team's core is intact, the manager is still in his place, but the team is seriously underperforming.

The second-season syndrome appears to have caught Newcastle unprepared, and avoiding relegation will be their main priority now.

Norwich City: Avoid Getting Drawn in the Relegation Battle

Don't be fooled by Norwich's fine league placing at the moment.

The club has lost four consecutive games, and with some tough fixtures—including Liverpool and Tottenham—in the weeks ahead of them, Norwich could be down fighting for survival in a matter of weeks.

This is the time for Chris Hughton to show how good he is, and unless he proves it, the Canaries will be in huge problems at the end of the season.

Queens Park Rangers: Avoid Relegation at All Costs

When the season began, QPR were the main favourites to be the dark horses of this campaign.

However, the illusions were soon shattered as the club went winless in their first 16 games. Mark Hughes was consequently fired and Harry Redknapp was brought in to replace him.

The club is still a long way from being a surprise package, but improvements can already be seen—the Rangers have already won two games.

The club owners have already shown that they are not afraid to spend heavily on squad reinforcements, and the January transfer window could be key to QPR's Premier League survival.

This is a chance for Redknapp to at least partially rebuild his team ahead of the tough relegation battle that will plausibly last until the very last round.

Reading: Reinvent the Defence and Try to Stay Afloat

Another team who are finding the relegation battle particularly hard are Reading.

The Royals were never expected to make a huge impact in the Premier League, but they managed to underperform nevertheless.

With only two wins and 40 goals conceded in 21 league matches, one can easily see what is Reading's biggest problem—their defence.

Brian McDermott will have a huge task on his hands reinventing the defence in the middle of the season, but failure to do so could cost him his job.

The Royals must find a way to get back on the winning track soon or they'll face imminent relegation.

Southampton: Shore Up the Defence to Avoid Relegation

Southampton have no problems scoring goals, but neither do their opponents.

The Saints lost points by conceding late, late goals on countless occasions this season and that has to be changed before it sends them deep into the relegation zone.

With QPR's sudden revival, Southampton might need a few defensive reinforcements in order to avoid relegation as the battle for survival won't be won until the very end.

The Saints need to shore up their defence to prepare themselves for the tough months ahead.

Stoke City: Finish the Season in Mid-Table

As I already mentioned, Stoke City have established themselves as a tough nut to crack.

Their defence has been impeccable as they currently have the second-best defence in the league, having conceded just 20 goals in 21 outings.

Meanwhile, their offence has struggled so far, but the club still manages to have a positive goal difference of plus-one.

The Potters won't be able to challenge for Europe but will once again probably have no problems avoiding relegation.

Sunderland: Shoot for the Mid-Table

Even though the fans had high expectations at the start of the season, they soon disappeared, crushed by reality.

Sunderland have largely underperformed, and at the moment the only players who seem worthy of the shirts they're wearing are Steven Fletcher, the club's leading goal scorer, and Simon Mignolet, the club's goalkeeper.

However, in spite of their truly dreadful football, Sunderland can still achieve a mid-table finish provided that they find a good run of form.

Swansea City: Finish in the Top Half of the Table

Similarly to West Bromwich, Swansea City started their season with a bang, but found it increasingly difficult to perform on the same level consistently.

The managerial change before the start of the season apparently had no effects on the team as the Swans still play perhaps the most attractive football in the league.

Simply continuing to do so will probably be enough to ensure a satisfactory finish.

Tottenham Hotspur: Don't Implode, and Push for the Champions League

When Andre Villas-Boas was appointed as the new Tottenham manager, many fans were rather sceptical about their new boss. After all, the man was fired from Chelsea just a couple of months earlier.

However, it all seems like a distant memory now.

Spearheaded by Gareth Bale and Jermain Defoe, Tottenham are finding it relatively easy to compete in the league, playing surprisingly well, and might even be able to achieve their unlikely goal—the Champions League qualification.

But as you probably remember, the last season was pretty much the same until they imploded without any obvious reason.

If Villas-Boas can avoid that scenario, there's no reason to believe Tottenham won't be able to qualify for the Champions League.

West Bromwich Albion: Ensure a Mid-Table Finish

West Bromwich Albion started the season brightly, but the momentum is slowly disappearing and the club is sinking down in the standings.

But, truth be told, qualifying for Europe was probably never in Steve Clarke's plans, and the club can be happy with the work he's done so far.

Clarke's main focus should be on stopping further deterioration and ensuring a mid-table finish for the Baggies.

Not bad, considering the fans imagined that they would have to fight to avoid relegation.

West Ham United: Don't Slip Down Now

No one really expected West Ham United to perform this well after their promotion to the Premier League.

The relegation they suffered two seasons ago seemingly had no effect on the Hammers. The club returned to the top flight instantly and is now enjoying a relatively successful season in the Premier League.

The Hammers are currently sitting in 11th place in the standings, and there's not a single reason for fans' concern.

It would be almost impossible for the Hammers to get relegated now, and the only thing that remains for Sam Allardyce's men is to try to finish as high as possible.

Wigan Athletic: Do What You Do Each Year and Avoid Relegation

Wigan Athletic have built up a reputation in the Premier League in recent years.

The Latics are underperforming for most of the season each year, before finding a fantastic run of form at the end of the season as they ensure Premier League survival in the last couple of games.

So far, this season has been exactly the same.

Roberto Martinez will just need to do what he does each year and avoid relegation.

How hard can it be?