Quote:
If the Premier League were a horse race in the 2011-2012 campaign, it would have been a two horse race with a photo finish. Both of these horses hailed from the city of Manchester. City would take the lead early in the race only to be overtaken by United. United held a strong lead going into the home stretch, whilst City came roaring back. City was sprinting and firing for all she is worth and United were looking tired. The final game of the season came down to the wire, with City winning by a nose in extra time. The photo finish declared City the victors by goal differential in the most exciting finish of the Premier League era.
Whilst the top two finish provided more than enough excitement to carry the league, the rest of the table was somewhat close. The third through sixth place nearly went to the wire as well, with only six points separating third place Arsenal from sixth place Chelsea. Between the Blues and the Gunners sat Arsenal and Newcastle. By rule, the top four squads “normally” qualify for European play in the UEFA Champion’s League. However, Chelsea’s side (led by caretaker Roberto Di Mattio) shocked the European world by defeating Bayern Munich in penalties on their home ground. Because the Premier League can only take a maximum four teams to Europe and the European Champions are guaranteed a spot, Chelsea claimed the final European spot at the expense of fourth place side Tottenham Hotspur.
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In the 2012-2013 season, we may not get quite the photo finish that we saw when City lifted the trophy. However, the battle for the top four in the Premier League will certainly be an exciting one.
United have never finished worse than fourth place (since the inception of the Premier League) and they have won the league twelve times since the inaugural 1992-93 season.
Picking City and United to finish in the top four seems like a no brainer. Looking at the lines, the bookies have priced in this mind set. It is unlikely that either United or City will finish outside of the top four. Just as the third through sixth spots were a tight race last season, I expect the same for this season.
Chelsea looks the most like a top four side going into the 2013 Premier League Campaign. Arsenal have entirely too many questions going into this campaign.
Uhm... & Liverpool ???
Predicted finish for the 2012-13 Premier League Season (in order)
Manchester United
Manchester City
Chelsea
Newcastle/Arsenal/Liverpool/Spurs