Premier League 2013-14: Season Predictions

Swansea City

For Welsh football, last season served as a reminder that these clubs can be successful and can exceed expectation. Newport County and Wrexham contested the Blue Square Conference Play Off Final, ending in a County victory, Cardiff managed to get themselves promoted to the Premier League. But, leading the charge and flying the flag for Wales came Swansea. Two years after promotion, Michael Laudrup's men captured the Capital One Cup, demolishing Bradford 5-0 after comfortably doing away with Chelsea in the Semis. Now as a reward they were granted a place in the Europa League. Although it did mean that Swansea had to be much sharper than other Premier League teams as they were only in the 3rd Qualifying Round and had to play competitively against Malmo on the 1st of this month. They won that 4-0 and drew 0-0 the return setting up a tie against Romanian outfit Petrolul Ploiesti for a place in the main draw. This match sharpness will surely stand them in good stead when they open their campaign against Moyes' Man United on Saturday teatime and may allow them to get an early headstart against provincial teams that they will be vying against for vital positions. However, the drawbacks of European adventures, as Newcastle found out last season, could turn out to be detrimental to their league season coming up. Wilfred Bony has signed from Vitesse Arnhem, Jonjo Shelvey from Liverpool and Laudrup has made his usual dip into the Spanish market to capture Jose Canas and Alejandro Pozuelo to add to the squad depth ahead of the season where they can expect to play 50-60 games. Although Swansea have improved their performance in the League (11th in their first season; 9th in their second), I foresee a different, more worrying season for the Swans, who may have achieved too much too soon. Prediction: 16th