Why Chelsea are the team to beat in the Premier League

First of all let me say that I am not normally one to blow my own trumpet. However, you may or may not remember that before the season started I wrote a piece titled ‘Who will be top of the Premier League at the end of September?’ With it now being that time, I am pleased to state that I was correct in predicting that Chelsea would be sitting top after an unbeaten start to the season left them with 14 points.

Like many, I expected good things under the new regime and in all fairness to everyone connected with Scolari’s Chelsea - they have delivered. So, in a mini review of the Premier League campaign so far, let’s see just how accurate I was in my pre-season predictions and why Chelsea have become the team to beat this season.

Prediction: Chelsea v Portsmouth: I’m going for a 2-0 win for the Blues. I think Pompey could struggle a bit this year and I’m confident Scolari will get off to a winning start.

Reality: Chelsea 4-0 Portsmouth: Ok, I may have been a couple of goals out, but it was the comfortable victory we all expected to get the Scolari era off to an excellent start. Saw Deco get his first goal for the club as well.

Prediction: Wigan v Chelsea: Not an easy game at this stage of the season, but Chelsea will grind out plenty of away results under the new regime. 1-0 victory.

Reality: Wigan 0-1 Chelsea: Bang on the money. This feels good. Deco’s excellent free kick sealed the points against a hard-working Wigan side in the type of victory that wins you the title.

Prediction: Chelsea v Tottenham: I don’t really want to say it but I think that Spurs will have a decent year. Under Juande Ramos they will play good football and I’ve been impressed with their signings. 1-1.

Reality: Chelsea 1-1 Tottenham: Darren Bent scored just before half time to cancel out Juliano Belletti’s early strike. I may have got the prediction correct, but it certainly doesn’t seem like Spurs are having a decent year!

Prediction: Man City v Chelsea: Under new boss Mark Hughes, Manchester City are under a lot of pressure to better last season. Considering they qualified for Europe last season, this could prove difficult. No eye-catching signings lead me to conclude that Chelsea will walk away with a 3-1 victory.

Reality: Man City 1-3 Chelsea: My prediction came before the takeover at Eastlands and before they made the rather ‘eye-catching’ signing of Robinho. Nevertheless, Carvalho, Lampard and Anelka goals ensured it was another bang on prediction.

Prediction: Chelsea v Manchester United: A lot depends on whether Ronaldo and Rooney are back for Ferguson. Nevertheless, I expect a score draw. Chelsea to dominate, but somehow Man Utd will scrape a 2-2. I’m annoyed just thinking about it!

Reality: Chelsea 1-1 Manchester United: A goal from Salomon Kalou meant that my prediction of a score draw was correct, but the home side were far from dominant. In the end, a draw was a good result.

Prediction: Stoke v Chelsea: Well, this one is a no-brainer. 3-0 win for a Chelsea side that may rest some players after the Man Utd game. Stoke will be going down this year, I’ve never been more certain of anything.

Reality: Stoke 0 - 2 Chelsea: The football odds heavily favoured a Chelsea win and they duly delivered. Stoke have performed better than I expected, but the win for Scolari’s men was never in doubt.

So, there you have it. I must say I am quite pleased with my predictions. More importantly though I am pleased with the way the team is performing. The players are working superbly under Scolari and have secured a number of excellent results with very professional displays.

With Arsenal losing to Hull and Manchester United struggling early on, it is Liverpool who sit joint-top with Chelsea on 14 points. The most significant factor though, for me, is that Chelsea haven’t reached their peak yet. They sit top of the league and the best is still to come. Didier Drogba is yet to get off the mark for example.

In terms of football betting, there is no doubt Chelsea are the favourites for the title at this moment in time and I would predict that they will be for the majority of the season.

By Thomas Rooney