Tottenham Hotspur: 10 Bold Predictions for the Rest of Spurs' 2011-12 Season

I don't think there's any argument that Tottenham Hotspur is the most improved team in the Premiership over the last few years.

With manager Harry Redknapp at the helm since 2008, fans at White Hart Lane have seen a revolution of sorts with their Spurs. The club has improved in nearly all aspects of the game—scoring more goals and collecting talented soccer players from all over the world.

This year, fans in north London have every reason to believe that their Spurs could overtake the Manchester twins and win a title. But what else can Tottenham fans expect for the rest of the season?

Without further ado, I give you my 10 bold predictions for the rest of Spurs' 2011-12 season.

Gary Cahill and David Hoilett Will Join in January

Tottenham fans will be getting late Christmas presents this year: Gary Cahill from Bolton and David Hoilett from Blackburn.

Both of these clubs are sinking ships with relegation looking more and more like a distinct possibility. Bolton leads the league with 10 losses and Blackburn has less points than Tottenham has wins.

Hoilett would provide an attacking partner for winger Gareth Bale and Cahill would shore up a defense that is on its last legs—with Ledley King, this is not an exaggeration.

Tottenham Will Break Their Record for Run of Games Without Losing

Back in 1949, Tottenham set a club record for going undefeated in 22 straight games. Impressive, right?

Not as impressive as when they break that record on February 11 with a win over Newcastle United at home.

The team is currently on a streak of 10 games without a loss. One look at Tottenham's schedule until January reveals that it's not only possible, but probable that the team can get to a 16-game undefeated streak. Their only challenge until the New Year is a Chelsea team that will be in the middle of a nine-day stretch in which they must play three games.

Tottenham must start 2012 with seven matches without a loss. When you look at those seven opponents—WBA, Everton, Wolverhampton, Manchester City, Wigan Athletic, Liverpool and Newcastle—you see that it is entirely possible.

Spurs fans, brace yourself. I predict you're going to see history next February.

Adebayor Will Surpass His Single-Season Record of 24 Goals

Emmanuel Adebayor had a sensational 2007-08 season, scoring 24 goals in 36 league appearances for Arsenal.

I predict he'll break that record, but not by much.

Adebayor has already scored seven goals and with 26 matches remaining, it's entirely possible he can score 18 more. After all, with the way he, Jermain Defoe and Gareth Bale are gelling this season, how can you bet against him?

With Tottenham ending a potentially title-winning season against porous defenses like Fulham, Sunderland and Blackburn, the forward, on loan from Manchester City, has every opportunity to have his best season yet.

...and Lead the League in Assists

Emmanuel Adebayor represents the best transfer signing in recent history for White Hart Lane.

The Togolese international star is the reason that Tottenham is the only legitimate challenger to Manchester City for the title and he is the reason that they are on pace to score 84 goals this year—six more than Manchester United scored on their way to last year's title.

I've already said that he'll have the best season of his career. Semi-bold at best, right? How does leading the Premiership in assists sound, haters?

Spurs are on fire offensively, scoring an astounding 2.2 goals per match. Adebayor will be in the running for the Golden Boot and while he won't win, he will be a part of many of Tottenham's goals.

I predict that Manchester City's David Silva will end the season with 21 assists on the season.

Emmanuel Adebayor will collect 22.

Brad Friedel Will Receive a Contract Extension

Is there anyone not named Harry Redknapp who thought 41-year-old Brad Friedel was going to be as sensational a goalkeeper as he's been this year?

Friedel's 16 goals conceded ties him for seventh-best in the league, and he's collected three clean sheets through 12 matches. That's not even the best part. The former American international has 59 saves this year, the most in the league.

More than Joe Hart, more than Tim Krul and more than David De Gea.

Will he win Golden Glove? Now that would be a bold prediction.

Will he sign an extension to the two-year contract he signed this summer? You bet your Spurs he will.

Spurs Will Overtake Manchester City for the Title

It will be a banner year for Tottenham. Star forward Emmanuel Adebayor will have completed the best season of his career and the club will have secured at least a top-three finish by the end of April.

In May, however, Tottenham will do something they haven't done since 1961—win the title and be able to call themselves the best club in English soccer.

The Manchester clubs are the only two teams that pose a problem for Tottenham, but Manchester United has shown signs of decline in recent weeks, scoring only three goals combined against bottom-feeders Everton, Swansea City and Sunderland. United's 6-1 drubbing at the hands of City shows that Manchester has a new best team, and it ain't the Red Devils.

Tottenham's match against Manchester City on January 22 will show a lot about where both teams are, and I predict that Spurs will win (even though it's at Etihad Stadium), move into first place and hold their place as king of the hill for the rest of the season.

Tottenham Will Keep Emmanuel Adebayor...

This is less a prediction and more a result of two things: It's the only thing I asked Santa for this year, and Adebayor has told The Sun that he wants to stay at White Hart Lane.

He's the best hold-up striker in the league and, as I said previously, the reason that Tottenham has a chance at their first title in 50 years.

Adebayor will get Daniel Levy to pay up, and the Tottenham brass won't mind one bit.

...and Luka Modric...

Tottenham's keeping Friedel, Adebayor and Modric?

You bet your sweet Redknapp they are.

Friedel won't command a huge contract, Adebayor wants to stay (and Daniel Levy wants him to stay) and a contract with Modric is all but signed.

Sure, the contract is supposedly contingent on Tottenham securing a place in next year's Champions League. If the team somehow implodes between now and this spring, fans at White Hart Lane will have bigger things to worry about than whether their star midfielder will be on the pitch for the 2012-13 season.

...but Lose Gareth Bale

Gareth Bale is a talent. He's a heck of a talent. So much so that there were rumors of him going to Barcelona, and games where he's double-teamed by opposing defenses.

There were reports that Bale was being sold last summer, but the Spurs brass couldn't get enough value for him.

After what will be a stellar campaign this season, Daniel Levy will be looking for any and all opportunities to get some cash and provide for players like Adebayor, Modric and Rafael van der Vaart.

Harry Redknapp Will Leave White Hart Lane

It's not a prediction I want to make. It's not a prediction anyone in north London wants to make. It's not even that bold. But the more Tottenham progresses into a championship team, the more likely it is that Harry Redknapp will leave White Hart Lane for the England national team.

In an interview with MaltaStar.com, Redknapp said it "would be difficult for any Englishman to turn the job down...[W]hoever gets offered the job, if they're an Englishman, it would be hard to say no because it's your country."

I predict that Tottenham will win the title. I predict they will be in the Champions League for 2012-13. I predict they will enter next season with as good a team as they've ever assembled.

Sadly, I also predict that May 13 will be the last time Harry Redknapp will be on the touchline as manager for Tottenham.