Beginning the New Year

First post of the year - thought I'd give a summary of the first half of this year's EPL and an outlook on what's to come for the rest of the season.

TEAM TO BEAT: Manchester City.

City have proven throughout the first half of the season that they are true contenders, netting 56 goals in their first 20 fixtures, and currently holding a three-point lead over Manchester United. City have been the most consistent side so far and have rarely tripped up against inferior opposition. However, the results have not been as solid lately, and the club have exited the Champions League and the FA Cup. I think this part of the season will bring out City's true colors. Yaya Toure (as well as Kolo) leave for the African Cup of Nations, and other than David Silva, Yaya is the team's most important player. Over the next two months, City will travel to Liverpool, Everton, Aston Villa and Porto in a variety of competitions. A home game against Spurs also awaits towards the end of January. This is a key part of the season, and with rivals United only three points behind, Spurs close on their tail, and both Chelsea and Arsenal not completely out of it, City must avoid a drop in form if they are to win the title.

What do the top sides need?

The January transfer window can change the dynamic of a season by adding a spark in a side that is in need of some creativity. None of the top sides this year are so high and mighty that they are without the need to make change. Manchester City has a great squad, and they really don't need to make any acquisitions - but they must offload Carlos Tevez. The longer his presence lingers in Eastlands the worse, and while he is no longer close to being in the side, he should be moved to allow the team to move forward. City have plenty of options in both attack and defense, and the only possible addition would be a holding midfielder to replace Yaya while he is gone. United have many more issues, and Sir Alex Ferguson should be looking to add a central defender and holding/central midfielder. Injuries have hit the squad hard this year, and injuries to Vidic and Fletcher are particularly damaging. This defense has proven time and time again that it is quite frail, and adding a central defender would boost the unit as a whole. A holding/central midfielder seems to have been found, as Paul Scholes has returned for the rest of the season. Tottenham need to make sure they keep their key players at the club, which it looks like they will be able to do. It seems to be a theme but I would like to see Harry Redknapp try and add a central defender. Spurs are after Gary Cahill and he would be a good fit, as Spurs are not great in the air or deep in their defensive ranks. However, it looks as if Cahill could be heading to Chelsea, who need him to replace Alex, who appears to be heading out the door. Chelsea's midfield looks pretty solid, but could use another attacker to replace Drogba when he heads off to Africa. Hulk would be a great addition but Porto is unlikely to let him go, and his release clause is astronomical. Chelsea really just has to hope Fernando Torres gets his game back, but they will probably attempt to add a creative player over the window. Arsenal just bought Mertesacker to help in defense but they really could use another player, especially a right-back, to help with the injuries to Sagna and Jenkinson. The Gunners should be getting Jack Wilshere back soon, which will be a huge boost. Lastly, Liverpool have all sorts of issues now with the Luis Suarez suspension. Andy Carroll isn't getting it done up top, so they could try to buy a striker. Liverpool have the worst chance-conversion rate in the league and if they are to secure a spot in the top four they must be more clinical in front of goal.

Team to Rise Up the Table: QPR.

Rangers have just sacked Neil Warnock and sit 17th in the table, just a point above Bolton. I don't know who they will bring in, but the change will probably give the side a boost, and they will be willing to spend over the window. This team is better than their position in the table suggests, but then again, there really aren't any bad sides in the league this year. QPR will probably bring in some new faces to strengthen the squad and replace Alejandro Faurlin, who is done for the season with an ACL tear. The club seem to have big ambitions since Tony Fernandes' takeover, and I would expect them to easily survive relegation and end up somewhere mid-table.

Team to Fall Down the Table: Newcastle United.

The Magpies currently sit 7th in the league after an impressive unbeaten run at the start of the season, but will lose top striker Demba Ba to international duty and may lose him altogether to another side. Newcastle has consistently sold their best players in January and this year could be the same story. They have been relatively consistent this season, especially defensively, which has come as quite a shock considering their personnel and injuries. But it all just seems too good right now for Newcastle, and I would expect the team to fall down a few places even if they hold onto Ba and their other key players. If they lose some other pieces, Newcastle could wind up with a bottom-half finish.

Last note: I would make some predictions here about the top half of the table and relegation, but have decided to do so the day after the transfer window ends. So much can change in January and a team could look completely different on February 1st than it does today. I originally said the top four would be Manchester City, Chelsea, Manchester United and Liverpool - I think the first three sides are going to be in the top 4 but Liverpool don't stand much of a chance right now. They are just three points back but have the Suarez suspension to deal with and lack the attacking prowess right now to best Arsenal or Chelsea. As for the other side, it is really hard to tell because the teams at the bottom are all as equally bad, and also occasionally good. It should be quite the scrap down there, and the moves each manager makes over this window will likely determine who stays up and goes down.