The 2021/22 Premier League season is approaching the halfway stage, and what a campaign it has already been.
From a legitimate three-way race for the title to Mohamed Salah staking a claim as the best player in the world to some huge names managing in the division, there is for once some truth to the claim that the Premier League is the best sports league in the world.
Indeed, there has been excitement, drama and despair at every corner of this campaign. And as we head into 2022, what happens next this season is anyone’s guess. But here at HITC Football, we take a bash at three bold predictions that could happen in the New Year.
From an unlikely team qualifying for the UEFA Champions League to the last name you’d expect to scoop up a major award, here are our three bold Premier League predictions for the second half of the 2021/22 season.
West Ham clinch fourth place
With the top-three locked between Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea, fourth place will be hotly contested between as many as five clubs. Yet for West Ham, the east London side could have what it takes to secure the elusive spot come the end of the campaign.
The Hammers have come up with some quite incredible results. Namely, the 3-1 and 3-2 wins against Liverpool and Chelsea respectively. And it’s these kinds of displays against the English big guns that will set them apart from their top-four rivals.
The race for top-four could be as enthralling as the chase for the title. Yet with West Ham reaching levels of football never before seen in the Premier League era, David Moyes and co could just do the impossible and book their ticket in next season’s Champions League.
Aaron Ramsdale wins Golden Glove
Arsenal’s signing of Aaron Ramsdale in the summer raised many eyebrows. However, every critic of the transfer has been put rightfully in their place. The now-England international has been one of the in-form keepers in the Premier League. And the youngster is now a contender for the Golden Glove award.
Not many would have predicted Arsenal’s defence to sharpen up following their chaotic three first games of the season. However, the likes of Takehiro Tomiyasu and Ben White have proved their worth. Yet it is Ramsdale who has stolen the spotlight. And the keeper could well win one of the top awards this season.
Petr Cech was the last Arsenal keeper to win the prestigious accolade, and with the Gunners keeping clean sheets for fun at home and holding their own away from home, Ramsdale could well be in with a shot of winning the Golden Glove award in May.
Norwich City retain their Premier League status
We have had two bold predictions, but this could be the most ridiculous one of all. Norwich being relegated from the Premier League is as common an annual occurrence as the clocks moving back an hour or Jeremy Clarkson tweeting on A-Level results day.
Just like in Avengers: Endgame, the timeline cannot be disrupted. And Norwich going down to the Championship after one year in the Premier League follows the passage of time. However, things could be different this season.
Under Dean Smith, the Canaries look fresh and revitalised. And whilst it’s still wild to suggest that the Norfolk side can avoid the drop, it’s far from impossible. With the relegation fight set to be tight, Norwich might be the team to creep out of the bottom three and to safety when May rolls around.
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