May

22

Reading the goat entrails

Filed Under Football, Soothsaying | Leave a Comment

What did the experts and the pundits predict for Manchester United this season? Let’s see …

The BBC.

A crucial season to try to end the Chelsea dominance … United look short of goals without Ruud van Nistelrooy … the club are probably playing for second once more.

The Guardian.

The midfield has less bite than Shane McGowan, Cristiano Ronaldo’s heart isn’t in it, the fragile Louis Saha makes Darren Anderton seem like Geoff Capes and referees will have it in for Wayne Rooney.

Mark Lawrenson.

… the midfield needs addressing and they don’t have the strength in depth of Chelsea or even Liverpool.

The Guardian writers on United’s final position.
Kevin McCarra: 3rd, Richard Williams: 4th, David Pleat: 3rd, Michael Walker: 4th, Daniel Taylor: 3rd, Dominic Fifield: 3rd, Matt Scott: 4th, Stuart James: 3rd.

And last but by no means least, here’s a prediction done with mathematics …

Michael Essien.

It is just a matter of days before we are the leaders…I have done the calculations and we will finish at least five points clear of United at the top of the table.

Aug

13

“As I preducted!”

Filed Under Football, Soothsaying | Leave a Comment

The Guardian’s pundits take a close look at their balls — their crystal ones, that is — and they all think Chelsea will retain the Premiership title this season.

(I wish I had the time to check their predictions for the previous season; I suspect they would have all picked Arsenal’s “Invincibles” for the 2004/2005 title.)

Niall Quinn: United to finish 4th.

David Pleat: United to finish 2nd.

Kevin McCarra: United to finish 4th.

Michael Walker: United to finish 2nd.

Jon Brodkin: United to finish 2nd.

Daniel Taylor: United to finish 2nd.

Dominic Fifield: United to finish 4th.

Matt Scott: United to finish 4th.

Aug

12

Pundit prognostication

Filed Under Football, Soothsaying | Leave a Comment

Two more soothsayers play the prediction game.

First up, Mark Lawrenson:

(United to finish 3rd) I still worry about the way they struggled to break certain teams down last season - and the midfield is clearly not the force area it was five years ago.

Meanwhile, Alan Hansen, after modestly reminding everyone he got it right last season, predicts:

(United to finish 2nd) … I feel United have the talent to challenge Chelsea.

Aug

7

The tea leaves: EPL edition

Filed Under Football, Soothsaying | Leave a Comment

Fuyoh! presents its latest feature: pundit predictions for English Premier League season 05/06. Will there be a pundit who will surpass Alan Hansen’s “you’ll never win anything with kids” reading of the goat entrails?

First up, Soccernet’s Dale Johnson:

(United to finish fourth) “Ferguson has failed to strengthen the rest of the squad.”

The Observer’s Paul “I might very well be wrong, but at least I’m not sad” Wilson:

(United to finish fourth) “Plenty of goals, but suspect farther back.”