2022 is finally here and its set to be another exciting year in the football world. With some big games and events to look forward to, lets see what my prediction are for the year ahead.
PREMIER LEAGUE: Man City
City for me are the favourites because of how far ahead they are and the quality of squad they have. They're capable of going on long winning streaks and with Liverpool losing Salah and Mane to AFCON along with Chelsea going to the UAE for the Club World Cup, I can see City have a comfortable margin by at least March.
TOP FOUR: 2. Chelsea 3. Liverpool 4. Man United
Chelsea have been inconsistent recently, but I still think they'll get themselves back on track with the quality of squad they have. With Liverpool losing Salah and Mane to AFCON, I can see them fall off the pace and Chelsea take advantage. The reds should get themselves back on track when the pair come back but I think Chelsea will have developed a comfortable margin between themselves and Liverpool.
Man United may not be in the top four at the moment, but I still think they'll get themselves in there with the squad they have. It will take them time to get used Ralf Rangnick's methods but with the players they have I can see them finish above the likes of Arsenal, Spurs and West Ham.
RELEGATED: 18. Watford 19. Newcastle 20. Norwich
Watford may look decent going forward but defensively they're all over the place. They're yet to keep a clean sheet this season and with Burnley having a good defensive record and a manager who knows how to get them out of this situation, I can see them leapfrog the Hornets and send them down.
Newcastle should make some signings in January with the money they have but I can't see them buy anyone of a high calibre due to the league position they're in. They already have tough task ahead of themselves and unless the signings they make work out, I can't see them make much of a difference.
Norwich have been doomed since early on in the season and I still can't see much hope for them now. They're not scoring enough goals and they're also conceding a lot of goals which was the case form a couple of seasons ago. With their squad not being a Premier League quality squad, I can only see them go one way.
PFA PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Mohamed Salah
Salah has been the best player this season by a mile and I can see him keep up his impressive form in the second half of the season. He's currently top of both the goal scoring and assist charts and I can see him stay there come the end of the season.
PFA YOUNG PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Phil Foden
With City set to run away with the title again, I can see last seasons winner Foden play another crucial part for them. He's having another top season for his club and I can see him carry that form into the second half of the season and defend his trophy.
MANAGER OF THE SEASON: Pep Guardiola
With City heading towards another title, I've got to back Pep to win this award come the end of the season. His team are sitting comfortably at the top of the Premier League along with playing some wonderful football and I can see it staying that way for the rest of the season.
PLAYER TO WATCH: Mason Greenwood
Greenwood has been an exciting talent for some time and I have the feeling that this year could be the year where he really announces himself. With a World Cup coming up at the end of the year, I think he'll really push himself to make that squad for the big tournament.
FA CUP: Chelsea
Chelsea have a good record in the FA Cup and will again be one of the favourites for the competition. They were beaten in last years final by Leicester but with the quality of squad and manager they have, I can see them go all the way this year.
CARABAO CUP: Chelsea
The Blues are already in the semi finals for this competition with a game against Spurs to look forward to later this week. I can see them get past their London rivals in that one and beat either Arsenal or Liverpool in the final next month.
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: PSG
They may be labelled as a team of individuals but PSG for me are still my favourites for the Champions League. They have the squad on paper to go all the way and I still believe that they'll come together and finally win the trophy they've been desperate to win.
EUROPA LEAGUE: Napoli
I don't really bother with Europa League predictions but I'm still going to give one now. I've chosen Napoli because I feel that they've got a good enough squad to go all the way. There may be other strong contenders left in the competition but I still think Napoli will go all the way.
BALLON D'OR: Kylian Mbappe
Mbappe has been tipped as a potential Ballon D'or winner for some time and I can see this year being his year to win it. I've gone with PSG to win the Champions League where I can see him play a major part and with a World Cup at the end of the year, I can see him light up that tournament once again in Qatar.
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