A fresh Season - soccer analysis for 2012-2013

A new season is here and teams are raring to go!

After an action packed summer, Euro 2012 and big transfer coups, lets look at what we can expect from the top* teams across Europe.

Premier:League:

Manchester United - 

Major Action - The RVP coup and the capture of Shinji Kagawa

Robin Van Persie and Wayne Rooney in a training session

Image courtesy: manutd.com

What to expect - RVP and Wazza at their peak are sure to be most lethal strike force in the world. Europe awaits an explosion this season!!!

Chelsea -

Major Action - Capture of Hazard, Marin and Oscar

Eden Hazard unveiled by Chelsea

Image courtesy: chelseafc.com

What to expect - A busy summer for the Blues promises a bright future for the team, albeit if Di Matteo can find the right mix of first team regulars.

Arsenal -

Major Action - Loss of RVP and the signing of Podolski, Giroud and Cazorla. Song may go too!

Arsenal trio-signings (clockwise from top) - Giroud, Podolski and Cazorla
Image courtesy:  Arsenal.com

What to expect - the loss of RVP will leave a big hole and only time will tell if the new recruits can make good for it! Not much can be expected though and Tottenham and Liverpool will look to take this chance to break into the top four.

Manchester City -

Major Action - None

Carlos Tevez
Image courtesy: mcfc.com

What to expect - City have had a quite summer after only signing Rodwell so far. Oh yes, Tevez is as good as a new signing too!

La Liga:

Real Madrid -

Major Action - Expected to sign Modric

Luka Modric
Image courtesy: Tottenhamhotspur.com

What to expect - The Spanish players in Real will hope to emulate their form for the national team. Murinho has a fantastic squad in place already and the signing of Modric will only make the team stronger. Serious contenders for the Champions League crown.

Barcelona -

Major Action - Departure of Pep Guardiola and capture of Jordi Alba. Song expected to sign too.

Jordi Alba

Image courtesy: fcbarcelona.com

What to expect - The departure of the talismanic coach may be a little too much for the team. Also the ageing (and replacement) of veterans Puyol and Xavi is another concern. The defense needs to be strengthened further. real may again be a big thorn.

Valencia -

Major Action - Loss of Jordi Alba and signing of Fernando Gago

Gago

Image courtesy:  Fernandogago.org

What to expect - The explosive full back was a crucial part of the team and will be difficult to replace. Otherwise a decent team. Should make it to the top four again.

Malga -

Major Action - Loss of Cazorla

What to expect - The financial problems of the team has created problems. Not much can be expected.

Bundesliga:

Borussia Dortmund -

Major Action - Loss of Shinji Kagawa and capture of Marco Reus

Maro Reus

Image courtesy:  bvb.de

What to expect - The team are a force in Germany but yet need to find their feet in Europe. Reus is a promising signing and should help Dortmund in their week area - Goal scoring in Europe. Should give Bayern a run for their money again.

Bayern Munich -

Major Action - Signing of Mandzukic. Expected signing of Martinez.

Javi Martinez

Image courtesy:  wikimedia.org

What to expect - Bayern need to find their feet again after enduring a trophyless season. With a very potent attack, Martinez should be a very good addition for the leaky Bayer defense, which was one of the primary causes of the trophyless season.

Borussia Mönchengladbach -

Major Action - Loss of Reus and signing of Luuk de Jong.

Javi Martinez
Image courtesy:  Mönchengladbach.com

What to expect - Consistency and perseverance help Gladbach last season. The loss of Reus though should be a bad blow.

Schalke 04 -

Major Action - Loss of Raul

What to expect - With the like of Huntelaar and youngsters like Holtby, Schalke have a decent team and should stand a respectable chance to secure a top four finish again.

Seria A:

Juventus -

Major Action - Capture of Lucio and Pogba

Paul Pogba
Image courtesy: Juventus.com

What to expect - Juventus were a force in Italy last season. With the weakening of AC Milan, they will hope to defend the League title. A sccessful Euro 2012 campaign will only boost the morale their of key players like Pirlo and Marchisio.

AC Milan -

Major Action - Loss of Thiago Silva and Ibrahimovic

What to expect - The loss of the duo leaves not a hole but a crater in the team. Looks like the team will endure a difficult season.

Udinese -

Major Action - None

What to expect - Many hoped in Italy for Lazio to qualify for the Champions league due to their stupendous performances in Europe. Udinese should face similar heat Lazio this season too.

League 1:

PSG -

Major Action - Ibrahimovic, Thiago Silva, Lucas Moura and Marco Verrati

Thiago Silva and Ibrahimovic
Image courtesy: PSG

What to expect - Les Parisians have spent Big in the summer. Genuine contenders for the League title. Should expect to go some distance in the Champions League too.

Montpellier -

Major Action - Loss of star striker Giroud to Arsenal

What to expect - The League 1 Champions will look to emulate their impressive form of last season, but with the financial might of PSG, it would be difficult to defend the crown.

Lille -

Major Action - Loss of Eden Hazard and return of Joe Cole to Liverpool. Signed Kalou.

What to expect - Their wizard, French Player of the year and creator in chief has departed and that leaves a hole in the Lille that would be difficult to fill in. Lille still remain a club to be beaten and should finish in the top three.

Seems like there is lots of action in store, especially on the European stage in the Champions League.

Enjoy the new season!!!



*Top clubs here refers to only Champions League qualifying clubs, for simplicity sake.