Premier League 2012/13 Season Predictions – 10th – 1st

8. Newcastle United

The "Cockney Mafia" have been derided and ridiculed by Newcastle fans but going into the last day of last season they still had an outside shot of the Champions League. As it was they had to settle for the Europa League but how many of the Geordie faithful would have proclaimed that last August. Rightfully the both Alan Pardew and chief scout Graham Carr have been lavished with praise from all around but the challenge will be if you can do it once then you can do it again. Challenging for the Champions League position again is an unrealistic ask especially when you combine the spending of their rivals with the fact that they will have energy sapping trips into the Europe. With the talents of Cabaye, Ben Arfa, Cisse and Ba anything other than being the best of the rest will surely not be good enough. I have them just missing that target because of European exploits and they will lose players in January for an African Cup of Nations but their trials this year will stand them in good stead for future seasons. First Three Games: Tottenham (H), Chelsea (A), Aston Villa (H)