The summer of 2010 was certainly a lot clammier than 2009, only Manchester City really splashed out the big bucks this year. However AC Milan’s last second move for Ibrahimovic has completely shaken up European Football and Javier Mascherano going to Barcelona completes their squad.
EPLThe EPL title is Chelsea’s to lose. They might not have improved much, but neither has United, Arsenal, or Liverpool. Chelsea is the most consistent team in the EPL and only a long Champions League run will hurt their chances for this title.
1. Chelsea - This could be their best shot ever at winning both the EPL and Champions League.
2. Arsenal – Picking Arsenal is always some what of a gamble, but each year they’re right in the hunt.
3. Manchester City – The only reason we didn’t pick them to win it, is because they have too many egos to gel in one season. Balotelli will go down as the greatest signing in history of football, and on paper hey have as much talent as anyone.
4. Man United – Things could get crazy if Man City is able to over take them. We just don’t have a good feeling about United this season.
The Rest – Liverpool will still be adapting to a new coach, don’t be surprised if this season is one to forget. Tottenham will be too busy with the Champions League. With Man City and Liverpool focusing heavily on the EPL title, there is little chance for any other teams to break the top four.
Serie A Serie A might have the most competitive top 10 teams in any league in recent memory. So many teams will have a chance at the Champions League this campaign.
1. Inter Milan – They have an awful lot of talent, but
you have to wonder if Milto and Sneijder can match what they did last season. Look for a lot more goals from Eto’o this year.
2. AC Milan – Everyone is down on them, but we expect the Ibra deal to be done, which will either totally change the team for the better or hurt it long term. If they can stay healthy, you have to like their chances with that offense.
3. Juventus – We’re not a fan of the 4-4-2 system. With the players they have it’s probably the wrong formation. With so many stars on one roster it could be a combustible situation in Turin. However they might have the best second string squad in the world.
4. Napoli – After a few years of build up Napoli finally has a Scudetto contending team.
The Rest – There are five other teams who could finish in the top 4. Starting with Roma, but they could be hurt by a decent Champions League run. Genoa has had the best transfer campaign in Serie A and is just about everyone’s darkhorse. Palermo will be in the mix to the end as it’s tough to go to Sicily and win. Florentina, without the European Leagues to worry about could be surprise contenders.
La Liga This campaign could be more of the same as Real and Barc look miles ahead of the competition.
Jose Mourinho has a simple mission, and that’s to win the league title and Champions League, and of course beat Barcelona at all costs. The real question for fans in Spain is if any other team will be able to step up and mount some type of challenge.
1. Real Madrid – Real have enough fire power to win the La Liga. However can the Special One handle so many stars?
2. Barcelona – The Mourinho mind games will cause them to slip up in league play.
Germany – It should be all Bayern again this year. However look for German teams to struggle a bit in European competitions. However
Juventus Wolfsburg with Dezko and Diego could be a force.
France – Marseille will look to retain their title. Lyon will have a chance thanks to picking up Gourcuff.
Europa LeagueIt might be the hardest trophy to win, and this year it will have some definite star power. We believe the winner should get an automatic bid into qualifying for the Champions League the following season. Juventus are the favorites, followed by Man City. Liverpool could shift their focus to this trophy especially if their Premier League chances look bleak. Also keep your eye on two up and coming Italian team, Napoli and Palermo.
Champions League
The most important annual trophy in the world of sports, is also one of the hardest to defend. However this year the bottom 16 teams aren’t that strong. We know this is the Championship of Europe, but they’re ton of teams with knock-out stage talent sitting on the sidelines. Maybe even magnified this year, there are only a handful of teams capable of winning this trophy. Starting at the top, I think you need to look at Chelsea, Inter Milan, Barcelona, and Real Madrid. However it probably will take Jose Mourinho two years to build the European contender he wants. Right now I’m not sure they have the defense to win this trophy, however with their attack they just might outscore everyone. In less the rest of La Liga can get it together and challenge Real or Barc, these teams have an advantage in the Champions League.
Inter will not go out easy, but they have a tough schedule with the World Championships and Serie A, not to mention a new coach. Chelsea have as good as chance as anyone, and they might have some extra focus this season.
If you start thinking about tier two teams, you have Bayern, Man U, Arsenal, AC Milan and look for Roma to be a surprise outfit. With the Champions League it always comes down to the draw in the knock out rounds, so we’ll find out.
Contenders – Chelsea, Barcelona, Inter Milan, Real Madrid
Line 2 – Bayern, Arsenal, Man Untied, AC Milan, Roma, Marseille
It should be an entertaining season, and don’t forget to the check out our bi-weekly
World Soccer / Football Club Rankings
Filippo Inzaghi scored both goals in the 2-1 win. Kaka pitured above will now probably be crowned the best player in the world. Even through RizzoSports.com was saying that since the fall. Also pictured with Kaka is Massimo Oddo who came to the AC Milan defense in January, he is probably the main reason Milan won the trophy. Along with half the members of Italy World Cup winning team Milan has one of the most vertern and exprienced sides in European football history.