David Silva: Making Armchair Pundit look halfway competentOn August 5, I made a bunch of predictions for the upcoming Premier League season.
As we reach the campaign's midpoint, it is time to take a look at how I am doing so far.
- - -
Prediction: Champions - Manchester United
What I wrote: 'Manchester City might have brought down the '35 years' banner but they still exude a faint air of desperation.
Second: Manchester City, Third: Liverpool, Fourth: Chelsea.'
How it looks now: Not great. Desperation has turned to supreme confidence and City are odds-on to convert their exceptional start into a first league title since 1968. United remain the closest challengers, but injuries to key personnel and the lack of authority in central midfield look set to cost them. Third now looks a touch high for Liverpool, with Spurs and Arsenal battling to crash the top-four party.
Prediction: Relegation - QPR, Blackburn Rovers, Norwich City
What I wrote: 'Blackburn's Steve Kean is a manager under pressure, nor is he helped by goings-on at boardroom level.'
How it looks now: Plus ça change... Kean is still there but Rovers look relegation fodder. Norwich perch in a lofty ninth place, while Tony Fernandes's money has added some impetus to QPR. But there is still time for things to change, as Blackpool will tell you.
Prediction: Sack Race 'winner' - Steve Bruce
What I wrote: 'Sunderland took 10 points from their final 14 Premier League games last season, and the supporters are growing impatient. They have spent significant money on players who don't exactly set the pulse racing - £8m Connor Wickham has bags of potential, but Craig Gardner, John O'Shea and Wes Brown? Surely the definition of solid but unspectacular.'
How it looks now: Bingo. Bruce won the race, though that owed much to Venky's seemingly inexhaustible patience with Kean.
Prediction: Also to leave his job - Arsene Wenger
What I wrote: 'Arsenal were booed off at the end of their Emirates Cup game against Boca Juniors, which they drew - a fair indication the fans are at the end of their tether. Another trophyless season could leave the Frenchman with little option but to fall on his sword.'
How it looks now: Arsenal's traumatic start to the season, including an 8-2 defeat at Old Trafford, made Wenger's departure look increasingly plausible. They have since turned things around and are one of two English sides left in the Champions League. A Robin van Persie injury could change everything, though.
Prediction: PFA Player of the Year - David Silva
What I wrote: 'If he continues his development this season, the probable departure of alpha male Carlos Tevez will allow Silva to shine even brighter. Clever, imaginative and sumptuously-skilled - Silva could become a universally-admired player to rank alongside Gianfranco Zola and David Ginola.'
How it looks now: It hardly took Nostradamus to predict great things from Silva this season, and he has certainly not disappointed. He is the runaway favourite to pick up the PFA award.
Also on shortlist: Luis Suarez, Wayne Rooney, Robin van Persie, Mario Balotelli, Ashley Cole
How it looks: Suarez - good. Rooney - OK. Van Persie - Great. Balotelli - surprisingly good. Cole - no chance.
Prediction: What Mario Did Next
What I wrote:
'1- After his Maserati is impounded for the 51st time, Balotelli cycles back to the Manchester from London, and is pictured turning up for training on a Boris Bike.
2- Reaches Britain's Got Talent final, showcasing ability to balance a Mini on the end of his nose. Loses to cute 12-year-old singer.
3- The biggest shock of all this one - scores 15 Premier League goals, 20 in all competitions. Secures PFA Player of the Year nomination.'
How it looks now: I didn't predict fireworks, training-ground brawls or 'Why Always Me?' but the Italian has certainly proved himself on the pitch.
He already has 11 goals, 8 in the league, and looks bang on schedule to finish on 15/20.
And the PFA nomination? As ever with Balotelli, you never know...
- - -
BONUS ITEM: TOP SIX FESTIVE POINTS PREDICTOR
Manchester City - Stoke (h) - WIN, West Brom (a) - WIN, Sunderland (a) - DRAW, Liverpool (h) - WIN.
Predicted points: 10
Manchester United - Fulham (a) - DRAW, Wigan (h) - WIN, Blackburn (h) - WIN, Newcastle (a) - DRAW
Predicted points: 8
Tottenham Hotspur - Chelsea (h) - WIN, Norwich (a) - WIN, Swansea (a) - DRAW, West Brom (h) - WIN
Predicted points: 10
Chelsea - Tottenham (a) - LOSS, Fulham (h) - WIN, Aston Villa (h) - WIN, Wolves (a) - WIN
Predicted points: 9
Arsenal - Aston Villa (a) - DRAW, Wolves (h) - WIN, QPR (h) - WIN, Fulham (a) - DRAW
Predicted points: 8
Liverpool - Wigan (a) - WIN, Blackburn (h) - WIN, Newcastle (h) - WIN, Man City (a) - LOSS
Predicted points: 9