Where will the top 7 Premier League clubs finish in May?

It has been a rousing Premier League season so far. Familiar plot-lines have been interspersed with incredibly unlikely success stories while new heroes have shone, even as older ones prepare to walk away.The uncertainty extends not just to the question of who will triumph at the end of it all, or even to who will go down. It would take a genuine trance from Professor Trelawny (remember her?) to predict the Top 7 in the Premier League come May. Our attempt at the same is more like one of her predictably over-dramatic, if patently fake trances that fool no one.Read on, as we try and make sense of the mess the League finds itself in this season, while glancing sideways and hoping no one notices that it takes little more skill than it takes Mario Balotelli to crash his camouflaged Bentley Continental GT.

#7 Liverpool

As anyone but Brendan Rodgers could’ve predicted, Liverpool have gone from title challengers to the league’s comedy club before Luis Suarez even had a chance to bite into the Spanish La Liga (in a manner of speaking. Or not). The new arrivals have done nothing to resurrect the pace and drive that was so irresistible last season, although Lazar Markovic, for one, is finally showing signs of life.

Daniel Sturridge’s injury concerns could not have come at a worse time, and in his absence, Raheem Sterling has led the line (literally and figuratively) with about as much poise as one could expect from him. However, it is not all doom and gloom for Rodgers’ men, who only have to look as far as Tottenham to see that it takes a while for an influx of new boys to bed in.

They may not want to look too closely at fellow Red Mario Balotelli, though. Yet again, anyone but Rodgers could’ve seen the disaster waiting to happen. A few of his team-mates will be privately glad that the Italian has been around to take most of the flak, but they cannot hide behind his propensity to self-destruct for much longer.

Captain and Messiah Steven Gerard has announced his intention to leave Merseyside at the end of the season - a shock to the senses if ever there was one. The entire squad will be raring to give the legend the kind of send-off he deserves. And if it is one thing the captain has repeatedly alluded to, it has been trophies, trophies and more trophies.

In Europe, Liverpool’s young squad is very inexperienced and Rodgers’ first experience in the Europa League led to a Round of 32 exit for the Reds.The inexperience will lead to Liverpool’s downfall in Europe and they won’t qualify for the Champions League virtue of winning the tournament they have won a record three times in its previous guise.

Realistically, Liverpool are not likely to make it into the top four, while there are a couple of better-drilled sides even outside that number. A seventh place finish would echo Rodgers’ first season in charge, but a Cup success would see a Reds legend walk away into the sunset with no regret. And so, purely on emotional value, I’m going for a spectacular FA Cup win for Liverpool.

Premier League – Seventh

Europa League – Quarterfinal

FA Cup – Winner

League Cup – Semifinal

#6 Tottenham Hotspur

Mauricio Pochettino’s appointment in the summer was greeted with much enthusiasm, with the Spurs looking in dire need of some direction after Tim Sherwood’s strange reign. Any manager who places his faith in Emmanuel Adebayor is likely to come to regret it – a fact that the new man caught onto quickly.

With Roberto Soldado looking forlorn in London, the manager’s faith in youngster Harry Kane appeared to be a power play – a natural reaction to Adebayor’s pompous and often bizarre bust-ups. But the Englishman’s increasingly confident displays in the Europa League began to rub off on his Premier League form, as he took to his manager’s high-intensity game-plan like a duck to water.

And he hasn’t been the only one. Pochettino’s Southampton were a high pressing unit who were devastating on the counter-attack, and it was evident right from the word go that this was his blueprint for Tottenham. A 4-0 whitewash of QPR on the opening day of the season had Spurs anointed title challengers – such was the authority on display.

But they proceeded to stutter and stumble through the early part of the season, only really finding their feet when star man Cristian Eriksen finally found his touch under the new regime. Nacer Chadli has been a revelation while Kane terrorising Cahill and Terry was the perfect way to ring in the New Years’ for Spurs fans.

They will fancy their chances in the Europa League, and to a lesser extent in the FA Cup. But a League Cup victory does look particularly tempting now that they find themselves in the semi-finals. But Pochettino’s tactics are as energy-sapping as they are rewarding. Marco Bielsa’s disciple does not really care for a “Plan B”, and this should see Spurs continue their trend of breath-taking displays, interspersed with mediocre outings, to settle in with good grace in the top 6.

Premier League – Sixth

Europa League – Semifinal

FA Cup – Quarterfinal

League Cup – Winner/final

#5 Southampton

It is about time that we stopped calling the Saints the surprise package of the league such has been their sustained excellence. As with most success stories, their rise cannot be attributed to just one outstanding facet rather, it has been a continuous process that takes pride in its meticulousness.

The Southampton manifesto states that We are Southampton, we dont just buy success, we breed it. That core of domestic players have a work ethic and a dedication that rubs off on the rest of the team, and is a major reason why their high pressing, rather risky high line of defence has flourished. This is an inherently a Dutch philosophy, and it shows that Ronald Koemans arrival was a well thought-out move that did not want to compromise on the excellent work done the previous season.

This continuity will serve them well in the months to come. It has already seen them bounce back after a dip in form over the Christmas period, with revenge wins over both United and Arsenal a sign that this team can certainly stand up to the big boys.

Morgan Schneiderlin and Victor Wanyama function wonderfully as the ball winners in the team, with their ability going forward an added bonus to the way the Saints play. The full-backs bomb forward to make up for the clever inside runs of the likes of Dusan Tadic and Sadio Mane, while Graziano Pelle has been a revelation up front. Jose Fonte has been a rock at the center of defence, having been with the Saints since their days in League One.

January loanee Eljero Elia may have been a surprise starter against United, but his pace on the counter allowed the Saints to tuck in to neuter Uniteds attacking threat while raising questions themselves. Eventually, Tadic and James Ward-Prowse were able to combine with Pelle to give the Saints the all-important goal perhaps their most impressive tactical display thus far.

Such clarity and poise augurs well for an extended FA Cup run, but in the absence of European action is unlikely to harm their domestic progress. A chance to play in Europe next season is certainly on the cards, and it will be interesting to see if the Saints can make the big step up, both on and off the pitch.

Premier League Fifth

FA Cup Quarterfinal/Semifinal

#4 Manchester United

The Red Devils have lost some of the shine that was apparent just a couple of weeks back, what with all the talk of Louis van Gaal’s record at this stage of the season comparable to that of David Moyes’ ill-fated reign. But all of that is just media hype as usual - United have certainly been playing far better football than they did under the Scotsman.

Injuries have certainly made the Dutchman’s life a lot harder, but if there’s one man in football who doesn’t really give a s**t, it is the United manager. Criticism of his three-man defense has fallen on deaf ears, while his handling of Columbian sensation Falcao has appeared to be lackluster. But with a fully fit squad, he will likely return to the four-man defence that the Old Trafford faithful have long been used to.

In a season that has seen a number of more fancied teams fail to live up to expectations, Van Gaal has done extremely well to steer the ship as well as he has. And, perhaps more importantly for a United manager, given the impression of doing so. The supporters are certainly used to seeing an iron fist at the helm while the players seem to be buying into his “philosophy”.

The problem, however, is all that getting translated onto the pitch. Van Gaal appears to want his defense to be able to win possession quickly, and then release the ball effectively so that the ball is in dangerous areas, with as few passes as possible. United’s transitions have none of the verve of old, however, especially when Angel Di Maria plays so high up the pitch. Wayne Rooney and Juan Mata should be finding pockets of space in advanced areas, but United’s inability to stretch the play finds that explosive quartet (the fourth of whom is Robin van Persie) look very predictable.

Van Gaal, however, has proven to be a man who will change things around when a certain system does not work. But with United unlikely to sign any of their long-term prospects in the on-going window, ironing out these chinks will only get them so far. A return to the Champions League beckons, while an absence of European action this season should see United figure in the latter stages of the FA Cup as well. The promise of Champions League football, combined with an encouraging domestic cup run, should round off the season quite nicely for the Red Devils.

Premier League – Fourth

FA Cup – Quarterfinal/Semifinal

#3 Arsenal

This is what Arsenal do. They will play like Champions on a given day, then go down meekly another. One by one, the vast majority of their players will stumble from one injury to another. Player versatility will be stretched to the limit, and criticism of Arsene Wenger will rain down from all and sundry.

A couple of players will be in the form of their lives, and carry the team to the finish line. One of those players has been in the slight form of Santi Cazorla for a while now, while the other one has seen Robin Van Persie, Aaron Ramsey and now Alexis Sanchez take up the mantle. And by finish line, I mean, of course, the promised land of Champions League football.

One way or another, the Gunners manage to book their annual ticket to the Champions League Round of 16, where they are promptly decimated by a far superior team in the first leg. The second leg will then see them put up a spirited fight that will all-too-typically just fall short, but it will act as a boost for the team to go on a run of form that will see them take up their all-too-familiar fourth spot in the table.

This season has seen the Gunners get far too much credit for their frankly meek attempts at competing with the best in the business. The sheer inconsistency of their performances should see them much lower than fifth spot they currently occupy – but then this is a Premier League season unlike most others. And true to their nature, Arsenal will emerge from all the doubt and uncertainty into a thoroughly undeserved third place, and pat themselves on the back for jumping up a place.

The FA Cup will bring with it fond memories of the year before, but barring a minor miracle the like of which saw them waltz through the competition without facing a major challenge, expect an undignified exit in the later stages.

Their European sojourn is likely to take them to the quarterfinals, with Round of 16 opponents AS Monaco not a particularly robust challenge. A quarterfinal exit beckons, and the team will heartily congratulate itself on the “progress”. And the mediocrity will extend to the next year and the year after that. Sigh.

Basically, regardless of their progress (or lack of it) in the cup competitions, the Gunners will settle in behind Chelsea and City in the table. Of course, it could all go horribly wrong – but then that’s the fun part of being an Arsenal supporter. A stroke is always right around the corner.

Premier League – Third

UEFA Champions League – Quarterfinal

FA Cup – Quarterfinal

#2 Manchester City

City seem to be following a predictable trend under Manuel Pellegrini – lurk behind your rivals while they indulge in taking pot-shots at one another, and then waltz your way to the title when they’re done slugging it out. Why fix something that ain’t broke, right?

Except that this time they may well have shown their hand a little too early. Probably because no other team seems to be worth the attention when it comes to being hailed as title challengers alongside Chelsea. While Mourinho (predictably) spent much of the second half of last season asserting that City were the outright favourites for the title, it was with an air of relaxed contempt, even. This time around his charges are locked in a two-way battle with the Champions, and there is no hint of complacency or pretension.

The Citizens are a remarkably settled lot who certainly have the stomach for a fight, but the African Cup of Nations has come around to take their lynchpin away. Yaya Toure practically powered City to the title last year and has rediscovered that vein of form after an indifferent start to the season. Such is their reliance on him that the last City win without him in the side came 11 months previously. The addition of Wilfried Bony is an inspired move, but he will be by his Ivorian captain’s side for the foreseeable future.

On the plus side, Toure’s absence may well turn the focus of City’s play to the wings – with Samir Nasri (who has picked up an injury) and particularly Jesus Navas looking good in recent weeks. David Silva has long been an expert at bringing others into the game, and it augurs well that the Spaniard has been finding the back of the net with increasing regularity of late. Sergio Aguero will look to hit the ground running again – something that has become a feature of his time in Manchester.

All in all, as much as Toure will be missed, there exists an abundance of talent that is more than capable of exploring other avenues on the pitch to make up for the Ivorian’s buccaneering runs and eye for goal.

They will look to exorcise the demons of ‘that’ FA Cup final loss to Wigan Atletic in 2013, in a competition that saw them take their first steps to becoming title challengers with a 1-0 win over Stoke City in 2011. Realistically, they stand little chance of advancing in Europe, even if their Round of 16 opponents Barcelona are no longer the fearsome beast they once were. Pellegrini’s team have time and again flattered to deceive in Europe, so this season will be all about retaining the domestic title, with the added bonus of a possible FA Cup win.

Expect City to take it right down to the wire with Chelsea, even if they are likely to fall short of their challengers’ hunger and drive. A possible domestic cup win will act as scant compensation; an offering from Pellegrini to the Qatari overlords as a sign of better things to come.

Premier League – Runners up

UEFA Champions League – Round of 16

FA Cup – Semifinal/Final

#1 Chelsea

While the rest of the world has taken to criticising the lengths to which Jose Mourinho will go to take the attention off his team, his Chelsea team continue to sit pretty atop the league table. No matter what you think of him, there is hardly any doubt that his methods continue to be ruthlessly effective. Much like their manager seems to invite every controversy with all the panache of a rabid bulldog, this Chelsea team will only be buoyed by that quite astounding loss to Tottenham Hotspur.

Any semblance of complacency that may have crept in will have dissipated on that New Year’s day, especially in the wake of how quickly City have managed to catch up over the last eight weeks or so. It is hunt or be hunted, and the Blues will smell blood now – with both talisman Yaya Toure and new recruit Wilfried Bony engaged in African Cup of Nations duty for the Citizens.

As such, Mourinho will only be irked by the FA Cup and League Cup fixtures this month, at a time when they will be looking to establish a little breathing room at the top, before the Champions League bandwagon rolls into town again. Chelsea will fancy their chances in Europe this time around, with their squad a potent mixture of past winners and ever-hungrier hopefuls.

In that number is a certain Francesc Fabregas. It seems inconceivable that the World Cup winner has not yet got his hands on European club football’s top prize; he will be raring to tick that off his bucket list. However, Fabregas has had a marked tendency to go off the boil in the second half of the season – something Barcelona fans will remember all too clearly.

It is a theme that may yet come to haunt Mourinho, with the Portuguese’s lack of faith in those outside his first eleven counting heavily against him. The manager will be acutely aware of the same, and, if the past is anything to go by, he will certainly prioritise the league title above all else. Expect the Blues to lift the title come May, but do not count against them knocking Real Madrid off their perch in Europe just yet – this team accomplished the impossible in 2012 with far less.

Warriors like John Terry and Didier Drogba will want to give the man who shaped their careers a European night to remember; it is deeply personal for Mourinho himself. As much as City will run them close domestically, Chelsea will shrug off any challengers with that irresistible mixture of brute force and sheer class; while giving Carlo Ancelotti and Pep Guardiola (to name two) much to think about.

Premier League – Winner

UEFA Champions League – Final

FA Cup – Semifinal

League Cup – Final/Winner