Of birthdays, beach balls and goalkeepers.

Its an honor to be a part of the sportskeeda team and a pleasure to finally get started here. This seems like a nice time take a quick look back at the season so far in the Barclays Premiere League as almost a quarter of a season is behind us and we have had a good look at all the teams and their form. So here is a look back at the season so far and some predictions about the top eight this season.

Manchester United:

The champions united have been leaders since Chelsea got beaten at Villa. Theirs has been a pretty weird season so far to say the least. While they have been criticized even by their own fans sometimes this season for their performances (or the lack of them), they still find themselves at the top of the heap. There are reasons for these, some too apparent, others not quite so. Their form so far has been inconsistent especially due to the loss of a certain Cristiano Ronaldo. They definitely miss his ability and sharpness especially at the fag end of closely fought ties. They certainly seem to lack creativity in the center of the pitch with Anderson just about beginning to get back. Ferdinand and his form in the long term have not given them much hope at the back with even the ever reliable Vidic not looking as solid as he did last term. Full backs are not problem for his team but the wings certainly cry out for better. Much could be made of the over reliance on Giggs. Nani has definitely not yet fulfilled his early promise and Valencia might need more time to settle in a team where definitely more is expected from him than just being able to run past defenders at pace. Rooney and Berbatov are proven players but whether the Owen gamble works, only (more) time will tell. The goalkeepers in the title of this post talk of van der Saar/Foster/Kuzsack (or could be Akinfeev in Jan). Van Der Saar coming back is probably the greatest positive for united so far this season.

Even though they have got the results, united can be safely dubbed ‘lucky’ s far this season. They got away even after being the worse of the two sides against Arsenal and won in extra time of extra time in the Manchester derby. These are the sort of things that make a difference in a league and united certainly have that little bit of luck. But all in all, it is a team of champions and even a greatly weakened United team is still to strong more than half the premiere league teams. By all counts, it is difficult to say with conviction that united will be top at the end of the season, personally I would see them finish second in the table this season.

Chelsea:

Title favorites Chelsea are employing a new coach (again) and a new system this season (but the same players). While they are the strongest team on paper and also on the pitch, they do have their own problems even if they are not necessarily current and on the pitch. The most obvious one is the aging squad at Ancelloti’s disposal. Most of the current squad are at wrong side of thirty. Although Kalou did prove that he is a capable option beyond Drogba and Anelka in the champions league, I for one am not entirely convinced that this attack is complete without the ivorian. Midfield and defense are areas where this team really bullies the boys. Although the lack of a quality winger is a concern. But this too could soon be corrected with the return of Joe Cole. Even though on the pitch, there is’t much to put a finger on, inexplicable errors during the Villa game and the loss to Wigan could open up a few chinks in the Blue’s armor. Also, most of their problems are off the field especially the ban on transfers (which they are going to contest and could be suspended if reports are to believed). If so, their problems are set to be compounded with the African cup of Nations in Jan. Chelsea look good for a third place, I know its a long shot but I think their form against the top teams and some more blips like the ones at Wigan and Villa could really decide it for them. Also, Ancelloti’s credentials against his peers at the top are still in question.

Tottenham:

Spurs seem to have an opposite of their past two seasons when they began badly but finished respectably. They have the strongest team they have had in a few seasons but the loss of Modric could hurt more than anything in the long term. They do have decent quality in the centre and the forward lines, especially Lennon and Defoe who are really turning it on now, but defensive problems still need to be sorted out. King, Woodgate, Dawson and Bassong are all good players but at least two or three of them are injured all the time. Also, inconsistency seems to be their biggest problem. They will eventually move down the top four but look good value for a Europa League spot.

Arsenal:

It was Arsene Wenger’s 60^th birthday this week and he has promised the club a trophy this season which has eluded them for almost four years now. He has changed the formation this season and it looks like the most attack minded team he has ever put out. Their performances have been the best so far this season with the most goals scored and those coming from everywhere on the pitch. The players are a year older and seem to have ironed out most of their problems. While they have no problems whatsoever in attack with likes of Robin van Persie, Eduardo, Bendtner, Arshavin, Rosicky, Walcott and Vela. Even with a few injuries they seem to do fine in that area. Midfield has a similar set of problems with Song and Fabregas the only certainties for now and Nasri to return. Defence especially the centre is where the problems are with no replacements for Gallas or Vermaelen. They too are set to lose one of their most improved players so far in Song to the ACN this year. But I would stick my head out and say that Arsenal look like they could really win it this season. They are sure to keep up their free scoring form but if Wenger manages to iron out some of the defensive frailties like switching off and also the goal keeping dilemma, then this could be the premiership’s answer to Barca.

Manchester City:

The so called ‘computer game team’ are living up to their billing this season. They really look good to finish fourth with even more new players rumoured to come in the transfer window. This is team certainly looks better than the last year’s side and have the strength and depth to take on the top four. They have a host of options all round the pitch but it could soon prove to be a headache for sparky Hughes to satisfy the egos of all of City’s superstars. Fourth spot beckons.

Liverpool:

The beach ball aside, it was still a pretty poor game for pool and they could have easily lost it 2 or 3 nil but for Darren Bent’s largesse. Their four losses on the trot seem justified and so does the over reliance on StevieG and Torres. If the current mess at Anfield continues, pool look like favourites to suffer an embarrassing existence outside the ‘top four’. Defensive problems are showing up and so is a lack of goals. If Benitez does manage to keep his job till then, he will have to sort out a whole range of problems in the January window (if he has the resources too). A bank balance and status reducing fifth place looks imminent for the mereysiders especially with the emergence of city.

Aston Villa:

Martin O’Neill is one of the most astute managers in England and that fact is reflected in the fact that his team boasts of the most miserly defensive record in the league. But the Villa fans can complain of a lack of goals up front this season. A solid side capable of challenging anyone and with confidence soaring high after the win against Chelsea, O’Neill and his boys could look forward to another campaign in Europe. They look decent enough to finish above Everton, their most direct rivals, but their fight against spurs will be interesting. Could end up in seventh behind spurs but it is a game of narrow margins as we know for the last few places in Europe.

Everton:

Resourcefulness is the word that comes to mind when we speak of manager David Moyes and his Everton team. While this season, he is set to have close to a full squad soon to choose from (this of course will have its own set of problems). Even then, it is unlikely that the toffees will finish above Aston Villa and spurs this year. Their results in the past few seasons seem to have been due to a combination of under-performing rivals and their own performances which according to many seem to be above themselves.

That rounds off my top eight for this season. Even though these predictions might seem downright astounding to some, they are just those- predictions. But if current trends continue, I am pretty sure these will be the standings at the end. Its still quite a task to predict who will win the title for sure and also the Europa league spots for that matter. All in all, the league looks much more open this season and with more result games and more goals, it is clear that the managers and their teams are more frequently going for the jugular. I guess we could look forward to some surprise packages too and Roberto Martinez and his Wigan look like favourites to ruffle some more illustrious feathers this year. Cheers and may we have another top season this year.