Premier League 2013-14: Season Predictions

Cardiff

And so we come to the first of the newcomers. Having sown up the League in April, 8 points clear of Hull, Malky Mackay's team secured the Welsh outfit's first crack at the top flight since 1962. Certainly one cornerstone of the Championship success last season was their defensive record, having only conceded 45 goals (only higher than Brighton). Marshalled by the experienced captain Mark Hudson, they are very organised and disciplined unit at the back. The purchase of Steven Caulker from Spurs only helps to bolster their defence with vital Premier League experience So, while things look well in that department, further up the field the signing of rising star Andreas Cornelius, whose 18 strikes last season for FC Copenhagen has only stood the 20 year old in good stead for his new club. Much will be hoped that he becomes their target man for a team whose top scorer scored only 8 goals International class also comes in with the signing of Gary Medel from Sevilla, known for his marking skills (once nullyfing Lionel Messi in a recent World Cup Qualifier for his native Chile). So, this indicates that Mackay likes to play directly and Medel is a perfect link bridge for that. Games against the newly promoted sides and others like Sunderland and Aston Villa must be seen as the priority games for points to be accrued against. For wins against these, will propel Cardiff well clear of safety in the end, thus preserving the twofold Welsh influence in the Premier League. Just. Prediction: 17th