Revised Expectations for Every Premier League Team for Rest of 2014/15 Season
The Premier League is regarded by many as the most entertaining division in the world for a reason, and the 2014-15 campaign has succeeded thus far in once again providing an open and unpredictable landscape.
Leading into this season, each team had expectations laid ahead of them, with some managing to go above and beyond those targets while others have fallen dismally short so far.
Between now and May's conclusion, the standings will undoubtedly shift dramatically depending on which clubs showcase stamina and the ability to combat injuries and other setbacks.
Certain outfits look capable of pushing ahead, maintaining or even improving further as we go, but there are those who must settle with the fact their prospects simply aren't that bright.
Read on for a club-by-club breakdown of what is realistically expected of each side in the months to come, along with predictions of where they'll actually end up.
Arsenal: Record Is in Serious Danger, Desperately Clinging to Fourth-Place Hopes
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It's been another season of mixed fortunes and split allegiances at the Emirates Stadium so far in 2014-15, with calls for the manager's head ringing more loudly than ever in patches.
A 3-2 defeat at Stoke City in December once again saw the anti-Arsene Wenger brigade out in force, the club currently sitting just a point outside the top four and hoping to continue their 17-season Champions League streak.
However, with the Premier League hierarchy expanding to include the likes of Southampton and West Ham United in the reckoning, their record is in danger of ending and squad issues are once again a core issue.
The acquisition of Alexis Sanchez this past summer papered over the cracks in almost identical fashion to Mesut Ozil's 2013 transfer, but defensive reinforcements have to be brought in this winter.
The Gunners did well to earn a draw at home to Manchester City in September, but an inability to take three points from their top-four peers promises to see them suffer. That, combined with the defeats to teams such as Stoke City, Swansea City and Southampton, could see them nudged down the English order.
Predicted Finish: 5th
Aston Villa: Happy to Stay Up
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It all started off so well at Villa Park, but after going unbeaten in their first four games of the 2014-15 season, Paul Lambert's side have managed to win just two of their last 17 games.
If one were to extrapolate Aston Villa's mid-season points tally, they would probably get over the 39-point mark, which has been enough to place 17th or above in the last three Premier League seasons.
However, genuine top-flight talent and depth is their biggest worry. Ten of their total 22 points came from the first four games of the season and it would be difficult to envision another run of that stature coming again any time soon.
After 21 matches, the Villans sit 13th in the table but have managed to score only 11 goals—at least seven fewer than any other team—and only four of those have come away from home. On the plus side, Lambert's men have conceded just 23 goals, a tally only four teams can better.
It's likely that a testing latter half of the campaign will only see Villa drop further down the pecking order and a relegation battle is likely to ensue unless their potentially strong defence can be backed up by goals.
Predicted Finish: 18th
Burnley: Clarets on the Up, Survival in Their Sights
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It's taken a period of acclimatisation, but Burnley are finally looking like a team capable of avoiding the drop this season and showing that Sean Dyche certainly can survive on a shoestring budget.
The Clarets made extremely modest squad renovations over the summer, but a team which once looked of Championship standard are now rallying around their honest manager.
Going 10 games without a win at season's start, Burnley now have four victories and just three defeats in their last 11 and recently moved back out of the bottom three, hoping to never re-enter that gloom.
The fitness of Danny Ings will be of grave importance to Dyche's dreams as the Burnley goalscorer leads their charts with six goals, Ashley Barnes a more unassuming hero with four of his own.
Turf Moor has become a daunting place for any team to travel and recent draws at Manchester City and Newcastle United show this outfit are no shrinking violet when playing away, either.
If they can continue to produce results against their fellow survival hopefuls and pinch points from the bigger outfits here and there, this dark horse can keep improving and muster the end-of-season run-in needed to stay up.
Predicted Finish: 16th
Chelsea: Jose Mourinho Eyeing Third Premier League Crown and More
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Talk of a quadruple has inevitably emerged after Chelsea began their second season back under Jose Mourinho with great strides, but the Premier League will rank among the Portuguese's highest priorities.
Given that they once held a seven-point lead at the table's summit, the Blues really have no excuse to settle for anything other than the title, despite dropping in form since suffering their first 2014-15 defeat in December.
Since then, Chelsea have lost to Tottenham Hotspur and dropped two points against Southampton, but arguably no other team possesses a depth in every position that they do.
Mourinho's most difficult away fixtures are now behind him. Chelsea will see trips to Arsenal, Swansea City and West Ham as the only ones that could truly trouble his team on paper, but even then, they're more than capable of going three wins from three.
Given that it was only in 2014 that Mourinho lost his unbeaten Stamford Bridge record, home form should hold up, and as long as the team can continue to thrive on good luck in the injury department, the trophy should be theirs.
Predicted Finish: 1st
Crystal Palace: Bottom-Half Mediocrity Will Do for Selhurst Park
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Including the pre-season departure of Tony Pulis, Crystal Palace are onto their fourth manager of the season with Alan Pardew—Keith Millen assumed the caretaker role on two occasions—and are now seeking stability.
Selhurst Park fans will hope the 2-1 win over Tottenham in Pardew's first league game in charge was the start of things to come, but the truth is it's difficult to ascertain expectations for a team still under fresh appointment.
Last season's 11th-place finish was a marvellous achievement for the Eagles and many felt Pulis should have retained his place, but under the new helmsman, Palace have a manager with different ambitions.
It was, after all, those ambitions which apparently played a part in Pardew's Newcastle exit, unhappy to settle on mediocrity, although his maiden campaign in south London isn't likely to produce much more.
Pardew will bring a new outlook to a team which has potential and will once again seek to make Selhurst a stronghold. Gaining an identity again should help the team not only survive, but seal their top-flight future in good time, looking to bigger things next term.
Predicted Finish: 14th
Everton: Toffees Stuck in Mid-Table Limbo
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Spirits have been understandably glum at Goodison Park of late. This time last year, Everton were fighting for their finish among the Premier League big guns, but it's all gone a bit wrong this time around.
Romelu Lukaku's £28 million summer acquisition isn't looking to be worth half that amount right now and Roberto Martinez's tenure is even in question, a sorry sentiment of how far hopes have fallen.
Currently in 12th, the Toffees have won just three home games thus far and have taken victory only once in their last nine, despite emerging with some success in the Europa League stakes.
That juggling of responsibility has perhaps played a part in the club's domestic downfall, but with the expansion of the Champions League contenders also comes a trickle-down effect.
Those clubs have pushed the Toffees down the ranks and proceeded to give other teams confidence of what can be achieved against the elite teams, while injuries, particularly in defence, have hurt Everton.
Without that same stinginess, the club can't expect to make Europe again, but they do have a knack for end-of-season form and can hope to boost their prospects, albeit only slightly, by season's end.
Predicted Finish: 10th
Hull City: Tigers Whimpering to Avoid Relegation
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Hull City are another outfit coping with a period of damaged expectations after last season's FA Cup final, with Steve Bruce's side once again starting their season on a high, but now falling flat.
It was a similar tale last term in what was their first campaign back in the top flight, but this time the threat of going down appears all the more real.
One of the Tigers' main problems has been the struggle to find their strengths and what it is they're good at. The team have scored an equal amount of goals at and away from home (10) and have even taken one more point away from the KC Stadium than they have in front of their own fans.
Bruce has been somewhat unfortunate in his struggle to pair a fully fit strike partnership of Nikica Jelavic and Abel Hernandez together, while the failed loan experiment of Hatem Ben Arfa goes down as a disappointment.
Unless the side can come upon some clean sheets—they have only five this season—and start turning some of their defeats into results, their Premier League future is at risk.
Predicted Finish: 17th
Leicester City: Fighting a Losing Battle
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It's usually the case that in any Premier League season, one or more of the promoted parties struggles to adapt to their new top-flight surroundings; this season, it's Leicester City.
Leonardo Ulloa initially looked as though he might be Nigel Pearson's saviour after starting the campaign brightly, but the Argentinian has since dropped off in form and so too has the club's points record.
The Foxes are in need of strengthening this winter and require class in defence more than anything else, with captain Wes Morgan among those doing his best to repel the Premier League's finest.
It's been a losing battle for some months now, though, and last year's Championship winners are battling against doubts in Pearson's management, not to mention shortcomings across the squad.
Predicted Finish: 20th
Liverpool: Champions League Finish a Hope Too Far
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Of all the teams who have regressed in comparison to their 2013-14 form, Liverpool are perhaps the side to have fallen furthest. From title contenders to top-eight uncertainties in just a year, it's been a difficult last six months at Anfield.
At the beginning of the season, pundits and prophets worldwide were scrambling to quantify just how significant a blow Luis Suarez's departure would be to the club. Daniel Sturridge remained as a top-class finisher, the club reinvested heavily across their squad and Mario Balotelli was a potentially promising asset.
Now, we're more aware of how much the club is missing Suarez and his Golden Boot-winning talents: a lot.
A miraculous second half of the season, combined with those above them dropping many a point, may be enough to revive any top-four dreams, but it's almost the impossible race at this point.
Rodgers' side still have to travel to Swansea, Arsenal, Southampton, Chelsea and Stoke, all of which will be tremendously hard destinations from which to take wins.
That being said, things are improving. Liverpool are now unbeaten in five—their longest such streak this season—and have the return of Sturridge to look forward to. If he can be kept healthy, his presence alone should be worth points.
Predicted Finish: 6th
Manchester City: Title Race Is Far From Over
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With eight points between the Citizens and third-place Southampton, Manuel Pellegrini's men look like the only outfit capable of holding a candle to Mourinho's leaders.
Manchester City are again showing that their strength lies in more than just a few stars, and even with Sergio Aguero missing for periods, others have taken his place to tide over the club's scoring fortunes.
First place can't be ruled out yet. The reigning title-holders recently drew level with Chelsea and came inches within becoming the first team to dethrone the Blues from the summit this season.
Now two points away, all attentions are fixed upon the battle between the top two at Stamford Bridge on January 31, where a win for the travelling team could finally see the west Londoners fall.
A draw for City wouldn't be a terrible result by any stretch, but Pellegrini will undoubtedly know that his team must chase the win in order to take an edge leading into the late stages of the campaign.
Ultimately, though, it's City's vulnerability in dropping points against the lesser teams that makes them an inferior team at present.
Stoke City, Queens Park Rangers, Burnley and Everton have all stolen points from the Citizens this term, and it's likely more dropped points will come as the season progresses, something that isn't as assured of Chelsea.
Predicted Finish: 2nd
Manchester United: European Status Restored, Eyes on What's to Come
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Defeat at home to Southampton saw Manchester United give up third spot and surrender their 10-match unbeaten streak last weekend, as well as taking their first home loss since the opening day of the season.
However, Louis van Gaal's side look to have got through the worst of their injury troubles and can still hope to solidify their place among the top four before season's end.
One factor which will play a big role in the race is United's legacy. Although many of the old guard have now moved on from Old Trafford, the club and its fans are familiar with an end-of-season fight such as this and it gives them a certain mental edge.
Van Gaal is gradually finding his feet in the English top flight, and with an established back line, he can hope to improve as things go, but finding his best XI (and defence) will be crucial in that regard.
Trips to West Ham and Chelsea could still derail their progress, but the away schedule doesn't look too threatening aside from those fixtures.
If the dominant strain at home can be rediscovered, Southampton and others will be under pressure to maintain their stride, a storyline many within the Red Devils' squad are more familiar with.
Predicted Finish: 3rd
Newcastle United: Magpies' Wings Clipped and Top-Half Fate in Doubt
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From the heights of potential top-four contention to their current mid-table toiling, it's been a topsy-turvy campaign at Newcastle United, who are still without a manager following Alan Pardew's exit.
The Magpies are still to claim a win under caretaker boss John Carver, but with four defeats in their last six Premier League games, things aren't looking bright at St. James' Park.
That number represents as many losses as Newcastle suffered in their first 15 games of the season, showing just how the decline has come about for the north-east outfit.
It's a narrow void that separates those vying for the top six, but with three points now between Newcastle and ninth-place Swansea City, it's there the gap begins to widen.
And what's more worrying is that Newcastle's peers look all the more threatening of late, with higher prospects which could see the Tyneside club drop further.
Mathematically speaking, a revival could still see the club stage an assault on the top eight, but given their current turmoil, it's plausible Newcastle will only fall further.
Predicted Finish: 11th
Queens Park Rangers: Hoops Relying on Home Form to Salvage Top-Flight Future
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A struggle for consistency this season has seen Queens Park Rangers yet to claim even a single point away from home, and it was only several weeks ago the club achieved their first back-to-back results.
Performing at Loftus Road has thus far been their only point of reliability, but in that plight they've done well to take wins off the likes of fellow new boys Burnley and Leicester City, sides who are also in the relegation fight.
While the likes of Leicester and Palace are striving to unearth a reliable figure to lead their front lines, Harry Redknapp at least has his in the shape of Charlie Austin.
Just as Ings will be vital to Burnley's cause, ensuring Austin can maintain his scoring efforts this term will be vital for the Hoops, and it's often a star presence up front that can save teams vying at the bottom.
However, QPR's home schedule looks daunting. Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal, Tottenham, Southampton and West Ham account for six of the remaining eight ties at Loftus Road, making the promise of points slim and a scrap at the league's base is likely.
Predicted Finish: 19th
Southampton: Saints March on Champions League Places
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Ronald Koeman has overcome any and all pre-season setbacks that would have damaged Southampton's hopes leading into the campaign, building a revitalised squad with even bigger targets in mind.
The south-coast outfit are the fairytale story of the 2014-15 campaign, a product of underdog proportions that any neutral can get behind.
As things stand, the Saints boast the best defence in the division, and as the old saying reads, it's goals that win games, but clean sheets that win titles.
There may not be any silverware in sight for Koeman's men—the gap between them and the top two is simply too vast—but placing in the top four will feel like a championship in itself.
Graziano Pelle and Dusan Tadic have come in as arguably some of the best buys from last summer, while Jose Fonte continues to lead a back line with Fraser Forster keeping a solid guard up.
There's a fine mixture of power and potential in the squad, who have conceded fewer away goals than any other team and merely need to maintain in order to seal Champions League football.
However, this is the club's first campaign in a long time shouldering such a weighty burden, while their peers are more experienced in that regard.
Predicted Finish: 4th
Stoke City: Potters Fighting to Escape "Average" Status
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It's been a tough few seasons at the Britannia Stadium but last year's ninth-place finish was a happier ending for the Potters, who would undoubtedly jump at another top-half chance this season.
Before that, Stoke City finished between 11th and 14th for five successive seasons, an amicable enough record, but not one which shows the club are looking to make great strides any time soon.
Fans at the Britannia may well look at teams like Southampton and West Ham and question why their hopes aren't as high, with Mark Hughes still struggling to implement his regime.
However, it seems likely the club are looking at another just-below-average term. Stoke recently went three games unbeaten for the first time this season, but could otherwise use a bit of that long-gone Pulis stinginess.
Predicted Finish: 13th
Sunderland: Uninspiring but Effective Black Cats Seeking Mid-Table Finish
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No team have drawn more games than Sunderland this season, the club becoming masters in frustration—the problem being that they annoy themselves almost as often as the opposition.
In only five matches have the Blacks Cats managed to score two goals or more this season, struggling to get Jozy Altidore, Steven Fletcher and Connor Wickham in any kind of consistent scoring form.
Six of Sunderland's 11 draws this term have ended 0-0 and it seems likely the club will once again be in a race to reach the magic 40-point mark as swiftly as possible, enough to ensure top-flight survival in the last 11 Premier League seasons.
In a way, the ability to shut out bigger opponents is a valuable trait, but the record 8-0 defeat against Southampton back in October showed Gus Poyet's men can be far off the pace at times.
Despite a lack of glitz and glamour, Sunderland will see the seven-point gap between them and 10th-place Newcastle as far from unassailable.
With a little of what's already been displayed and improvement in attack, a second-half revival may yet see the Wearsiders fight back, although it will be far more difficult than the mathematics alone suggest.
Predicted Finish: 15th
Swansea City: European Dreams Slipping
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According to the Ivory Coast Football Federation, per BBC Sport, Wilfried Bony's £28 million move to Manchester City is now complete, a switch which threatens to upset Garry Monk's attack.
The Swans may yet reinvest those funds to help their hopes of achieving a European finish this season, but a record of five wins in their last 18 outings doesn't exactly sparkle.
The Liberty Stadium has been a fortress this season as Garry Monk's side have lost just twice on home turf, but a record of only two away wins speaks less confidently of their quality.
The effect of Bony's departure will only be known once Swansea complete their January window, but Monk would assuredly rather the Ivorian be leading his line.
At their best, the Swans look like a team fully capable of placing in the top six, but those highs have been followed by disappointing lows in patches, dropping points to lesser outfits they really should have beaten.
Predicted Finish: 9th
Tottenham Hotspur: Spurs Still Seeking Edge in Race for Champions League
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Tottenham's maiden campaign under Mauricio Pochettino has brought the club as low as 12th, but Spurs are now in a much more pleasing stride after losing just twice since the start of December.
Much of that has been due to the emergence of Harry Kane as Pochettino's most reliable striker, surpassing Roberto Soldado and Emmanuel Adebayor in the team's pecking order.
The north Londoners are one of those teams involved in the broader merry-go-round battling for the top six and sit just three points off Manchester United in fourth as things stand.
However, goal difference could be a factor which comes to haunt the club, conceding 29 goals, the second-worst defensive record of any club currently in the top half.
Top four is still a dream for Tottenham once again, but as has been the case in recent campaigns, the end-of-season run-in could be unkind as other teams gain pace.
Even more, clubs such as Liverpool and West Ham threaten to displace Spurs further.
Predicted Finish: 7th
West Bromwich Albion: Tony Pulis' Appointment to Drag Baggies Up
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If there's anything Pulis' Premier League record has shown, it's that he knows how to bring substance, if not sizzle, to a team.
The manager has already made some impact after West Bromwich Albion's 1-0 win over Hull City—and an unsurprising clean sheet—in his first Premier League game in charge of the Baggies.
West Brom are an intriguing prospect for Pulis in that their squad is actually filled to the brim with players, many of whom could be of great use if utilised correctly.
The Hawthorns outfit can hope to see their new chief get players like Brown Ideye and Stephane Sessegnon in firing form, while Saido Berahino may lead the club to some glory.
The aforementioned defeat of the Tigers brought West Brom their first win in five games and above all, Pulis should implement a more confident home stature for the club, who can still place in the upper quarters of the bottom half.
Predicted Finish: 12th
West Ham United: Sam Allardyce Hammering on Europe's Door
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It's been a turbulent couple of years under Sam Allardyce, but the tactician is finally bringing West Ham fans the hope they went without for so long.
Just two seasons after re-emerging from the Championship, the Hammers have soared into the hierarchy this term and still lay just four points off the final Champions League spot.
It's often the case, though, that in these types of stories, the inevitable collapse is as harrowing as the initial rise was glorious. And for West Ham, one senses the rollercoaster has to end somewhere.
For Big Sam, beating the likes of Southampton, Liverpool, Arsenal and Tottenham strikes as a step too far. They've lost a couple of big players to the Africa Cup of Nations and it's showing in their recent four-match winless streak.
It just so happens that aforementioned quartet of teams account for West Ham's next four away games, too, which should come to shape their European candidacy and decide whether the east Londoners are ready.
Predicted Finish: 8th
