Crystal Balls

As a new year begins it is customary to reflect back on the previous twelve months, which in the footballing world contained a noisy and somewhat disappointing World Cup, further excellence on the pitch from Lionel Messi and co; and further excellence just next to the pitch from Jose Mourinho. Looking back, while fun, is indulgent and nostalgic (I could happily reflect on 2010 all day long, best year of my life as it unquestionably was) but instead I think it is important to look forward. Reflect not on the good times past, but look ahead to the good times yet to pass.

With that positive approach I have decided to cast my attention to what 2011 has in store. These predictions are not to be relied on to improve your financial position...if they do however, please send 10% of any winnings to SubPlease, 42 Wallaby Way, Sydney, Australia...

Manchester United enter the year in a position of considerable advantage. Their main rivals over the past 5 years are spluttering more than my first car when I was yet to learn what the choke was for; and the threat from cross city rivals City or Wenger's Arsenal has more choke than my first car when I was yet to...you get the picture. Chelsea will get their act in gear and with 2 games against United they are definitely capable of closing that gap significantly. With a possibly rejuvenated Liverpool and the ongoing strength of Tottenham, Sunderland, Bolton et al; it will not be a standard procession from the Red Devils and they will not repeat the post-Christmas procession that has been seen so often in the past. They'll drop points, and it will be tight...but I'm backing them to sneak yet another title.

The teams at the top of the table, as with last year, are going to find that 5 into 4 does not go, so at least one club with Champions League credentials and ambitions is going to fall short. Liverpool don't have enough quality to trouble the top four at present - even with a King Kenny inspired improvement, they are not at the required level. Like a humiliated and battered Australian cricket side, Liverpool may need to face up to a painful and difficult rebuilding process ahead - their problems are more than even Dalglish can fix.

Tottenham's participation in next year's competition may well depend largely on their performance in this year's. If they are able to defeat AC Milan in what promises to be a horror show for fans of dour defending but good fun for the rest of us, the demands of competing on numerous fronts may impact on their pursuit for the top four. Of course this applies to United, Arsenal and Chelsea also...well, perhaps not John Coffy (like the drink only not spelt the same) AKA Arsenal who are on football's equivalent of the Green Mile, facing a knockout tie against Barcelona. City have the squad to cope with what should be a long run in the Europa League and I'm backing them to be in the big cup next season. Top four: United, Arsenal, Chelsea, City.

The relegation battle is often something that at this stage of the season looks incredibly tight, then due to a few teams smelling the excrement on it's way to the fan and improving so as to avoid the impact, ends up with a 3 from 4 type scenario. This year I expect to see the three W's who have struggled for most of the season - West Ham, Wolves and Wigan, continue to battle the drop, and the others to fight alongside them will be Blackpool and West Brom. They may have enough credit in the bank to just keep afloat, but I doubt it. Going down - Wolves, West Ham, Blackpool.

In Europe I have a sneaky feeling that with global warming, impending Korean nuclear war, Saturn being in Uranus and everything building to a head, we are going to be blessed with a latter stages Champions League El Classico. Mourinho will be once again given the task to stifle and nullify the best team in the world, and this time with the added ingredient of the revenge mission from the 5-0 spanking that the world watched 6 weeks ago. Just a feeling, but Madrid to face Barcelona in one semi final, see what odds you can get. With the final being at Wembley the onus is on England's competitors to reach the last hurdle, particularly the London clubs. However this may count against them as this competition seems to have a tradition of spoiling the dreams of the hosts - in recent years many teams with credible winning aspirations have been handed the honour of hosting the final - Madrid, United, Barca (who also would have loved to win it at El Bernabeu last time) but always fallen short. Maybe it's the added pressure, but I believe Ol Big Ears will be heading down to Spain this summer.

Oh, one more thing, by way of a personal indulgence...Southampton will win promotion to the Championship, and will give United a scare in the FA Cup before losing by a single goal...and Melbourne Heart will make the final six post season playoffs...