Looking back at the 10 predictions we made for 2022 in January, five were right and five were wrong. Arsenal top? Nailed it. Harry Kane wins a trophy? Erm.
The predictions themselves are worth another look before we do it all over again with some 2023 forecasting in the next few days.
10) Burnley are relegated ✓
Not even the combined forces of Sean Dyche and Mike Jackson could keep Burnley safe for a seventh consecutive season. The Clarets are a division lower yet still in a better place now.
9) Jurgen Klopp finally lifts a domestic cup in England ✓
Liverpool were so enamoured by their victory over Chelsea on penalties in February’s thrilling Carabao Cup final that they won the FA Cup in precisely the same manner three months later; Jurgen Klopp completed his set of Anfield trinkets.
8) Manchester City break the record for consecutive Premier League wins x
The runaway Premier League leaders reached a dozen straight victories before being held at Southampton to fall seven short of the record. They lost to Tottenham a few games later. Pfft. Twelve consecutive wins? Pathetic.
7) Norwich break at least one Premier League record x
They were rank awful yet again but Norwich did at least clear those risibly low bars for points, wins, defeats and goals.
6) English clubs reach the semi-finals of three European competitions ✓
Liverpool went as far as the Champions League final, while both West Ham and Leicester ventured to the Europa League and Europa Conference semis before falling to the eventual champions in either case.
5) Someone outscores Cristiano Ronaldo at Manchester United x
This was a far more outlandish prediction at the start of the year than it seems at the end. A late challenge from closest contender Marcus Rashford, who scored 11, pushed Cristiano Ronaldo, for whom it was far from being an easy year, despite his 13 goals for Manchester United in all competitions.
4) Arsenal go top at some point ✓
Not half. They are seven points clear and bloody good value for it. Didn’t even need the alphabetical caveat.
3) Newcastle escape relegation ✓
Not half. Again, this sounds like an absolute p*ss-take in the depths of December but Newcastle began 2022 in 19th, ensconced in the relegation zone between Burnley and Norwich, before ending the year 2nd and breaking up a fight between Arsenal and Manchester City.
2) Wayne Rooney gets a Premier League job x
Wayne Rooney is horrifying players with motivational team…
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