18th. Crystal Palace
Yes, its true, I have tipped all three promoted teams to go straight back down. This last happened in the 1997-98 Premier League season when Barnsley, Bolton and Crystal Palace were all relegated in their first season back in the Premier League. So the odds of all three teams going down are quite slim but its just how I see it right now. I should have learned my lesson with Palace; this time last year, when they were selling all their best players, I was tipping them to be relegated from the Championship. But here I am again tipping them to be relegated, again. Palace did exceptionally well last season but like a few other teams, dropped off during the second half of the season before making it into the playoff places. As soon as they made the playoffs I had a feeling they may win them due to their manager being Ian Holloway, and that is why I am tipping them to do the best of the promoted three, because of their manager. Ian Holloway did so well with Blackpool when they were last in the Premier League and he is bound to have learned lessons from that season. This time around he surely wont be so gung-ho and will keep it a bit tighter at the back. They have obviously
lost Wilfred Zaha to Manchester United who was so instrumental in getting them promoted but Ive all been impressed with a couple of Palaces summer signings;
Dwight Gayle and Jose Campana. Despite Peterboroughs relegation last season Gayle was brilliant. He has everything a top striker needs and could be one of the surprise packages of the Premier League next season. He will also help soften the blow of
Glen Murrays long-term injury who scored 30 goals for Palace in the Championship last season.
20-year-old Campana was a bargain at £1.75 million from Sevilla. He captained the Spain u20 side at this summers World Cup and has the potential to be a great Premier League player. Despite these two signings, I still think Palaces season will ultimately end in relegation.
Key Player: Dwight Gayle
Transfers In So Far:Kevin Phillips from Blackpool on a free transfer.
Jose Campana from Sevilla FC for £1.75 million.
Jerome Thomas from West Brom on a free transfer.
Dwight Gayle from Peterborough for £4.5 million.
Stephen Dobbie from Brighton for an undisclosed fee.
Elliot Grandin from Blackpool on a free transfer.
Marouane Chamakh from Arsenal on a free transfer.
Possible First Fixture Team (vs. Tottenham): GK: Speroni RB: Ward CB: McCarthy CB: Delaney LB: Parr CM: Jedinak CM: Campana CM: Dikgacoi LW: Thomas ST: Gayle RW: Williams