Premier League 2013-14: Season Predictions

Manchester City

Pushed over in their defence of the title to Manchester United by 11 points, would've hurt City faithful. The sacking of Roberto Mancini, the most successful City manager in a generation, would've hurt. But, now it's all about new beginnings with Manuel Pellegrini at the helm. Now is the time for City to respond to being deposed as champions and respond well. Looking back to last season, City's acquisitions in preparation for their title defence were unexpected and, to a certain extent, unfit for purpose; they weren't quality signings you would've expected them to sign. 12 months on, they have done their business early and the talent that they have managed to accrue have somewhat looked to plug the gaps that were deficient last season. Nigel De Jong was a very pivotal part of that 2011-12 squad, as he allowed Yaya Touré to maraud forward to devastating effect. He was sold and Touré, more often than not, had to sit back and couldn't utilise himself to such effect again. So, to try to fix this problem, £30million was spent on the defensive midfielder Fernandinho, in the hope that he will provide the cover when Touré does go forward. Also, another star of that title winning season, David Silva seemed peripheral and nowhere near his brilliant best last season. He couldn't provide much creativity and invention for the forwards to latch on to, or to inspire the whole team. Jesus Navas has thus been signed, so he could probably coax the best out of his national teammate and visa versa in the hope that they will dovetail perfectly and fire them to the title. Finally, up front Stevan Jovetic and Alvaro Negredo have been entrusted to fire the goals in along with current players Sergio Aguero and Edin Dzeko to create a formidable foursome, who are very capable of deputising and rotating when needs necessitate it, in order to get back at neighbours United who stole Robin Van Persie away from them. The only area of concern is that, often when perennial leader Vincent Kompany was out injured, they lacked discipline and leadership in the backline and conceded goals that arguably they wouldn't with him in the team. I think that they require another centre back before the window shuts and then it may become possible that 'The Engineer' can engineer the regaining of the title. Prediction: 2nd