Mbappé, Premier League and Ballon d’Or: our football predictions for 2023
TO Just enough time to recover after the anthology final offered by Argentina and France in the World Cup final, and the disappearance of Pelé. Football has regained its rights and promises a rich new season, whatever the competition or league.
Here are the ten predictions of Point for football in 2023.
Finally a good year for PSG in the Champions League?
After a decade of hopes followed by failures, the Qatari version of Paris Saint-Germain still hasn’t managed to win the cup with big ears. Against Bayern Munich in the round of 16, Christophe Galtier’s men will face a major obstacle next February. But with their brilliant individualities, starting with a Kylian Mbappé in a state of grace, a finally world champion Messi or even a vengeful Neymar, the club from the capital has good individual arguments.
Publisher’s prediction: no. This version of PSG Galtier didn’t quite convince in the group stage. Other teams like Manchester City seem better equipped, especially collectively.
Will RC Lens find the big European parties?
What was initially a surprise is becoming a confirmation. Back in Ligue 1 in 2020 after much turmoil, Racing Club de Lens has finally found its rhythm. With captivating play from their coach, Franck Haise, the northerners are firmly runners-up for the moment, having inflicted their first defeat of the year on PSG.
READ ALSOLigue 1: PSG suffer their first defeat of the season in LensIf the OM goes far behind, the other pursuers such as Monaco, Rennes or OL are quite erratic. This bodes well for Seko Fofana and his family, who hope to return to the European Cup 16 years after Sang et Or’s last appearance on the continental scene.
Publisher’s prediction: Yes. RC Lens continues to progress and proves that you can have great ideas without breaking the bank during the transfer window. The Champions League returns to Bollaert!
Will Arsenal win the Premier League?
The hit of the summer ended up being the hit of the year. After several years of wanderings, the Gunners are back to being a scary team and above all one that plays very well. Led by Mikel Arteta, Pep Guardiola’s former assistant, the Londoners are solid leaders in the Premier League. While their advantage isn’t insurmountable, especially for Manchester City, their consistency and good results in league clashes are undeniable assets.
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Publisher’s prediction: Yes. Even if Manchester City have the formidable Erling Haaland, the Citizens will get tired with the Champions League. And Arsenal are not giving up!
Will Napoli continue its crazy rise?
With thirteen wins and two draws in Serie A, the Neapolitans have been irresistible since the start of the season. Luciano Spaletti’s team confirmed their good European position by finishing at the top of their Champions League group, ahead of the favorites Liverpool and Ajax. Led by the Georgian revelation Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Victor Osimhen, former Losc striker, the Partenopei want to break the curse that has lasted since 1990 in Serie A.
Publisher’s prediction: Yes. Napoli will win the Scudetto and make a good run in the Champions League, with a place in the semi-finals.
Will the Greens avoid another relegation?
After an already nightmarish 2021-2022 season in Ligue 1, AS Saint-Étienne are having very complicated hours downstairs. With only 3 victories in 17 days and a last place in the standings, the Forez club is not settling in Ligue 2. The threat of a prolonged descent into hell exists, and given that the leaders are still unable to sell, the future is increasingly uncertain.
Publisher’s prediction: Yes. The Greens began to recruit good people like Gaëtan Charbonnier to save themselves.
Haaland or Mbappé: who will score more goals?
After Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, this is the new duel that ignites the football planet. If in terms of successes Kylian Mbappé is ahead of the Norwegian with his titles, including the 2018 World Cup, the Manchester City forward raised the bar very high in his debut in the Premier League. Even if Lionel Messi’s historic record of 92 goals in 2012 seems unattainable, the two prodigies have the ability to get even closer.
Publisher’s prediction: Haaland. The Norwegian lives up to his cyborg nickname and the hardships of the Premier League don’t scare him.
Will Zinedine Zidane find work?
The coach with many successes with Real Madrid has not yet found a bench since May 2021. In anticipation of a new challenge, the 98 world champion craves the Blues, but Didier Deschamps clings firmly to his seat. As far as clubs are concerned, Zidane was heavily approached by PSG but it didn’t materialize last summer. Options are getting smaller over time for the old number 10.
Prognosis: no. Zinédine Zidane is very selective and will still have to wait before finding a job.
Ballon d’Or: who will win?
From now on, the ultimate individual reward designates the best player at the end of the season. After the World Cup he recently won, Lionel Messi starts with an advantage, but his PSG team-mate Kylian Mbappé made an impression in Qatar. His late hat-trick, including a splendid second goal, made him even more admired. With the Champions League in sight, the hand to hand promises to be thrilling to the end.
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Publisher’s prediction: Mbappe. If Messi already has solid arguments for his eighth Ballon d’Or, the young French striker has moved on to another dimension with the recent World Cup.
Who will be the surprise of the Blues in 2023?
With its inexhaustible pool, the French team can count on a multitude of talents. Despite the failure in the final of the last World Cup, the future looks bright for the Blues and Didier Deschamps, who should soon extend his mandate in charge of this selection. With Euro 2024 qualifying, France will have the opportunity to test new faces and some will have great opportunities to seize.
Publisher’s prediction: Mathys tel. There has already been talk of the very young Bayern Munich striker and the Blues will need a replacement for Olivier Giroud.
What will be the biggest transfer of the year?
The world of football still does not know the crisis and the sums announced for the next market transfers go in this direction. Chelsea would in particular be ready to pay 120 million euros for Enzo Fernandez, the amount of the release clause of the midfielder who won the World Cup with Argentina. But we could see much crazier deals, especially next summer.
Publisher’s prediction: Jude Bellingham. England snatch Dortmund’s half and the contest will go on well.
