League A5: Season 10

Due to transfer activity, some sides may have chaned.

Aberdeen
A small Scottish side at the level is an astonishing achievement for Mike! Hence they will struggle, but have enough stardust in their team to string a few results together. Their attacking trio of Mathie, Svensson and Berry would cause any defence problems. It is a question of whether they can hold out the flood of goals or not.

Ajax
An intriguing side with lots of pace. They are dangerous on the counter attack, have quality backups also. A good young squad which needs to settle. Too much inconsistency last season. No big names in the team who could help push for the championship, though they have enough resources for a long cup run. A sold alround top level team.

Arsenal
An impressive top half finish last season, will struggle to improve on that. A titanic defensive partenership of Peixe and Cyprien should ensure they stay out of bottom 4. Though the lack of creativity in the team means they will struggle for goals to push for a top half. Although ok down middle the team is out of balace on the flanks or find themselves becoming ordinary. Raul has heavy burden on his shoulders of carrying the team, though they should get enough points at home to survive.

Aston Villa
Sam Wilson persists in sticking with the 5 man midfield tactics, which is proving more fruitful this season. They have always had a strong defence with likes of Rio Ferdinand now joined by his brother Anton. An excellent GK in Robinson and Ferrari and P. Neville providing plenty of steel. Defence has never been an issue for Villa, creating and scoring goals has. Borawski was the only one to provide some spark, though now Gray has matured in to a real power house midfielder. With the acquisition of the 2 Brazilians Pato and Robinho, Villa have enough fire power to penetrate defences. Can they stay focussed on the league or will a long cup run prove a distrction again? Expect Villa to finish in the top 3, this could finally be their season to land the title.

Barcelona
One of the giants of the game who have been quiet in the recent times. They have a big stadium, big money, big squad and yet not enough big results. It will depend on how a new manager will manage the stars, to name a few; Paciorek, Musampa, Schumann. They have plenty of backups and should present a serious challenge for the title and the cup.

Bayern Munich
At last a German side arrives at the top level! Bayern are long overdue success in Europe and will want to make a big impression in their debut season. They have a clever manager but his lack of experience at this level may count against him. A strong defence and a varied attack, but they need more spark in the middle to upset the very top sides. A exciting team which should establish themselves at this level.

Croatia Zagreb
On paper they look like the greatest team ever assembled! A team full of galacticos who could sweep anyone aside. A recent arrival of Wome has declared their intent to finally land some silverware. Kluivert, Morris, Matys, Topchiev, Votava..... and they have quality bakups as well. Hard to believe that any team would be able to beat them. The only thing standing between them and the title is the tendancy of the Dean Lowe to keep tinkering with the squad. If the team is allowed to settle, there is enough quality to win the double.

IFK Gothenburg
They struggle again this season, and are now more likely to return to div 1. A lack of a decent keeper and a severe weakness to aerial attack has been their undoing. Despite top talents of Denilson, Kostadinov and De La Pena, they just concede too many goals. They need new blood and a re-think for next season's promotion challenge. This season is now just about playing out for relegation.

Juventus
A big team who have had a couple of disappointing seasons finishing outside the top title challengers. Having also started this season in topsy-tervy form, they now have renewed hope with a new manager at the helm. Results have dramatically improved, and players are playing with new zest. They have the clinical Flachi and Owen in attack, massively talented Thomson and Hassler in midfield and very solid Coco and Nagy in defence. Outside these ther are pockets of weakness in the team which need to balanced out to make Juve a real force again. The top 4 will look warily now at their away fixture at Juve.

Lazio
The italian side used to be a feared team, though now are an ageing and declining side. They have an alround impressive, settled and balanced team who can still stand up to the best of them. The attacking talents Stefani, Quique and Ronaldo (Bra) will also cause plenty of problems. They need to keep remain consistant to avoid being sucked into a relegation fight. They should stay out of relegation as long as they get their home wins.

Liverpool  

After a double season, Liverpool were the team to beat. A shoking start to the season has seen them scrambling to catch up with the top 3. Th ey have too much quality to not challenge for the title, hence their recent resurgence. They have too many great players to name all, but with Carson in goal and recent aquisitions of the hugely promising Richards and Pique in defence, they have something they were missing before. A top class GK and quality back ups. Midfield has astAounding riches of Schuster, Ambrosini and the mrecurial little master that is Messi ! Liverpool have plenty of variety and options in attack in the form of Van Persie, Martins and Walcott, though none have yet proved to be the constant out and out goal poaching threat, though Martins is showing signs. The Anfield side are expected to finish in the top 4 at the very list as well as being favourites to land the cup again. No surprise with a squad containing the some of the best players and best youngsters in the league. Pressure to produce on as always.

Man Utd
A stormy end of the season saw them win the title for a record 2nd time, no other team has won it twice! The new manager Rick promptly sold 2 of their best players in Wome and Kostadinov. Sure, now they have about 50m to spend but the fans must be demanding some big signings. A quick rebuild of the team needs to be done make any serious challenge at either trophy. Man Utd may have to be resigned to a season of consolidation, they can not afford to struggle in relegation.

Napoli
A team with likes of Vicente, Mussi and Graafland causing havoc in attack should not be struggling at this level, though they will again be fighting to avoid the drop. Their defence is ageing and will not hold out against the best strikers. 6-pointer games against other strugglers will be of huge importance.

Porto
An ageing but very much a rock solid team, who have been quite impressive. Hopes of further silverware have diminished since manger Jigar Desai departed after winning league and then cup. Though he left a very balanced and solid team who have proved to be very difficult to beat. A solid back 4 along with captain Detari anchoring ahead. Likes of Butt and Nerlinger providing steel as well as creativity in midfield and the big names of Votava and Kliuvert frightening opposition. This team will long remain a thorn to premier teams, again expect them to finish in the top half.

Vitesse Arnhem
An impressive second placed finish last season has led to teams no longer under estimating this small Dutch outfit. A more experienced and matured team should challenge for the title again. Small squad remains a problem as manager Jigar Desai can not resist a cup run, always a dreamer, need to be more realistic. First team is sprinkled with star dust with likes of Berry, Poschner and Rindle steel and skill in equal measure. Daye and Labbadia continue to prove to be one of the best partnerships. Defence id much improved with the titanic Lorse stadying the ship at the back. The defence has gained much confidence now with the fantastic Mondragon keeping goal. Away games will tell what the Arnehm arny can achieve this season.

Utrecht
The Dutch giant killers are holding strong despite departure of their legendary manager Sam Wilson. The magnificent title victory 2 seasons ago will linger long in the memory of fans. Despite their now, expected, gradual decline, fans expect to stay in the top flight. An occasional upset against a big team will keep the board happy. There is still plenty of quality in the team, with the likes of Smolarek and Petras causing any defence problems and Sturing providing solid steel and Cassilas in goal, this is still a team to be reconed with. They should comfortably stay up to enjoy another well deserved season in top flight.