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The domestic season for most of Europe's top leagues commenced this weekend and we all prepare for another year of exciting club football that has been missing from our television screens for just over two long months.
Keeping in mind the top European leagues, we've decided to have a go at some prognostications with three bold predictions ahead of the new season.
Editor’s Note: be sure to check out all of our articles, and read more about English Premier League (EPL, BPL) fantasy analysis and European football news.
1) Chelsea Will Not Retain the League
As we all know, Chelsea stormed past the competition last season to convincingly win their first league title since 2010. One key factor, other than an already strong squad and a world class manager, was their investments - Cesc Fabregas and Diego Costa were key signings whilst the recall of Thibaut Courtois from loan was a masterstroke.
Another key factor though was how poor the other teams performed - such as Arsenal and Manchester City (without taking anything away from Chelsea). However, with these teams now strengthening and having looked good in preseason, Chelsea are at risk of being yet another team that will fail to retain their title the following season.
The Blues have had a preseason to forget and even lost to Arsenal for the first time under Mourinho in a 1-0 loss in the Community Shield. If there are no attacking additions other than Falcao - who seems to be past it - Chelsea will at most, finish in the top two as while a stable squad is good, an improved squad is even better and with links to Antoine Griezmann in the past, Chelsea should be pursuing at least one potentially world class attacking option.
2) Pep Guardiola Will leave Bayern Munich
When Pep Guardiola joined Bayern Munich, he inherited a side that had won the treble the previous season. Many assumed it would be a match made in heaven given Guardiola's pedigree and success with Barcelona and while he has won two league titles in two seasons, many might say he has underperformed.
Bayern already dominate the Bundesliga so the league title should be a minimum requirement for the German giants. However, the Bavarians suffered humiliation in the Champions League semifinals in Guardiola's debut season, losing 5-0 on aggregate to the eventual winners, Real Madrid.
This past season was more of the same as they won the Bundesliga but lost to Barcelona in the semifinals 5-3 on aggregate after a 3-0 first leg loss. Additionally, they failed to even win the German Cup. Having sold fan favorites Toni Kroos and Bastian Schweinsteiger, Guardiola isn't the most popular person in Bavaria and has had his fair share of problems with the Bayern board.
If things continue to go the same way, especially in the Champions League this upcoming season, it won't be a surprise to see the Spaniard leave, especially with his contract up at the end of the season.
3) Inter Milan will win Serie A
This prediction may sound a little wild considering how Inter Milan have performed the last few seasons, but the Italian side have really done some astute business this transfer window.
Having sold the likes of Joel Obi and Ricardo Alvarez, Roberto Mancini has brought in some big names in Miranda, Geoffrey Kondogbia, Stevan Jovetic and Martin Montoya.
With the already recently signed Xherdan Shaqiri and Davide Santon, it is virtually a completely different side from the one that was languishing in midtable not so long ago. Winning the Serie A - despite their investment - may still be a stretch but Mancini has done it before and is still a top experienced manager.
Pipping Roma and Juventus will be difficult but given their recent additions, one could argue they've had a better transfer window that the Bianconeri who lost Arturo Vidal a few days ago to Bayern Munich.
If Inter's signings all play as well as they can, there's no reason for Inter not to taste Serie A glory for the first time since 2010 and with a few weeks left in the transfer window and more potential signings, we think Inter can do just that.
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