5 things to look forward to in 2014

Can Pep guide Bayern into the record books?

Can Bayern retain their Champions League crown?

After winning everything under the sun in 2013, there seems like Bayern Munich can do, to go one better under Pep. But, the fact is, there still is, a couple of things, the Bavarians can do, to cement their position as one of the greatest club sides of all time. Although they won the league by a record points margin, they still lost once and this time around, have the opportunity to do something that has never been done since the formation of the Bundesliga in 1963. They also have the chance to beating their own mark of most goals scored in a League campaign, which currently stands at 101.

Whilst there is a very good chance, Bayern might go the entire season undefeated in the League, they have an even bigger mountain in front of them, in Europe. No team has managed to defend the UEFA Champions League in its current format. Even the famed Barcelona team of a few years ago, were unable to do that. But, if Bayern do retain their trophy, they will not only become the first team to do so, since Arrigo Sacchi’s Milan of the Early 90’s, they will also go down in the record books as one of the finest club sides of all time. Can they do it, only time will tell?

Where will Manchester United finish in the League?

Where will Moyes finish in his first season in charge of the Red Devils?

At the start of the season, many United fans would have taken a finish in the top four, and probably a trophy at the end of the season. But, until a few weeks back, that looked like a very distant dream. Thankfully, over the past few weeks, they have found some of the fighting spirit of old and the return of a few key players, has certainly helped their cause. But, how high can they finish in the League? Do they have a legitimate shot at winning the title?

On the back of their six successive wins to close 2013, it certainly looks like they have finally found some momentum and if they keep up this good run, they can conceivably finish in the top four. But, having lost to three of the current top five and won just once, against Arsenal at home, it looks like it will take a massive upturn in their form against the big teams, if they are to even have a shot at even winning the League. But, if history has taught us anything, it is to never count United out. On the face of it, though, this one, certainly looks like it is beyond the Red Devils, particularly given the strength of their competition.

Suarez: Will he or won’t he?

Where will Suarez be next season?

Having recently signed a bumper contract that will supposedly keep him at the club till 2018, making him highest-paid player in the club’s history, it seems like a silly thing to ask. But, this is football and stranger things have happened in the past. On current form, he is the hottest striker in Europe, with 19 goals already to his name in just 12 League matches so far. But, it not just the goals, his five assists and all-round play were a massive reason why Liverpool were top at Christmas.

Given all of that, it seems unlikely that he moves in January, but there is a very good chance that he might want away from Anfield, if the Reds finish outside the Champions League places. Last summer, Arsenal tried to woo him away with a £40m-plus-£1 bid, and to ensure that the fiasco doesn’t happen again, Liverpool have, according to the Daily Mirror set a £130m buy-out clause for other Premier League clubs and £100m for non-Premier League clubs. And Real Madrid might just be tempted to test the Reds resolve next summer. Will he or won’t he? We just have to sit back and wait.

What will happen in Brazil?

Can Scolari lead Brazil to victory on home soil?

The summer of 2014 will bear witness to the greatest celebration on earth. The return of the World Cup to Brazil after 64 years has thus far been marred by reports of violence, corruption and crime. But, one thing is for sure, when the first ball is kicked on 12^th June 2014, football will once again reclaim center stage. Spain will be looking to reclaim their crown and Brazil will be looking to bury the ghosts of Maracana and become only the seventh team and first time since France back in 1998, to win a World Cup on home soil.

Providing the duo with some tough competition will be the usual suspects and maybe couple of South American teams, looking to capitalize on the fact that the World Cup is held in their continent for the first time in over three and a half decades. The draw has been made and the stage is now set, for some sun, samba and spectacular soccer.

Can Atletico Madrid break the duopoly at the top of La Liga?

How far can Simeone lead Atletico?

Joint-top of La Liga going into 2014, five points in front of their cross-town rivals, with the meanest defense in the League and the leading goal scorer in Europe leading the attack, 2013 has certainly ended according to plan for Atletico Madrid. Having finally rid themselves of the “mental block” win a win over Real Madrid, they are looking like they have what it takes to finally break the duopoly at the top of La Liga. Koke has come of age, this season, with 8 assists far, only Rooney and Fabregas have managed more. Simeone’s side are in every possible way a mirror image of himself, but the big question will now be, how far can they go?

They are in the knock-out stages of the Champions League and have thus far looked like Spain’s second-best side in Europe behind Real Madrid. But, how far can they go in Europe? Will their high-pressure style of play affect them as the games come thick and fast, towards the latter end of the tournament? Will going far in Europe compromise their League position? If so, which would they prefer to win? These are all questions that need answering as Atletico look ahead to a bright 2014 ahead of them.