Los Merengues, Arsenal Raise Trophies in 2013

As long as Robin Van Persie remains healthy, he remains the most valuable player outside of Spain.

It's that time of year. The time in which predictions define those valiant enough to be humbled and humiliated reporting within the fifth estate. The quest to guestimate based on the information available prior to the all important transfer window deadline has passed is not for the faint of heart. One of the fundamentals of investigative journalism remains one's ability to follow the money. 

Ligue 1 - PSG

Redefining 'Money Ball',  PSG President
Nasser Ghanem Al Kholaifi and Leonardo

Splashing cash has flowed directly from the oil rich Qatar Investment Authority to the city of light.  Paris Saint-Germain's new benefactors had to Tivo their favorite episodes of 'Supermarket Sweep' as they crippled Serie A contenders AC Milan and Napoli before snatching Manchester United's bid for Brazilian starlet Lucas Moura from the jaws of victory as Leonardo whispered sweet Portuguese nothings on late night phone calls to his native Brazil.

That's more than a splash. An Oil Tycoon Typhoon more accurately represents this epic shift of the tectonic plates of the football world.

It would be an outright embarrassment for the club to lose Ligue uhhh. Zlatan, Thiago Silva and Lavezzi will raise that cup, but how deep will they progress in the Champions League? 

Carlo Ancelotti hasn't yet had the time to repeat the success of Luis Fernández winning in Europe and domestically despite spending an estimated £143m on top players. They are sure to command respect amongst Francophile football fanatics this season emboldened by Lucas' arrival in the Spring, but a UEFA Champions League semifinal berth is unlikely. While the Italian manager's success came quickly winning the double in his first season at Chelsea, his European Cups at Milan came at the conclusion of his second and sixth seasons. Ultimately, the domestic title will keep him on course much like Roberto Mancini's FA Cup victory in 2011 saved his neck, Sheikh Mansour recognizing the value in building for the future as clubs like Lille, defending champions Montpellier, and Marseille vie for deux.

English Premier League - Arsenal

Roberto Mancini and Sheikh Mansour celebrate City's win

Mansour's Qatari neighbors' £40m bid to sign Mario Balotelli was summarily rejected keeping the defending Premiership champions intact for their mission to again lift the Barclays trophy as the only team in Manchester solidifies their stranglehold over league silverware. United's Shinji Kagawa and the old-timers will challenge for the top spot through the strongest 12-man roster (the presence of Sir Alex Ferguson tipping the scales). It would not be a surprise to learn that the word 'Manchester' has already been carved into the trophy given the class of dual 89 point seasons at the most entertaining photo finish. Mancini's deus ex machina came in the form of Aguero's right boot sinking Sir Alex Ferguson's scottish smirk into a scowl like a bad facelift. 

AVB's inability to handle players will sink his ship again

Despite the fact that the Red Devils are getting their captain Nemanja Vidic and their young yet tricky mid Tom Cleverly back from injury, they've got their work cut out for them to contend with an aging core. Plus, they're already decimated on the back line with Smalling out for months and Phil Jones benched. Carrick at center back is a band aid on a wound requiring stitches.

Meanwhile Manchester City's spending has been trumped by Chelsea and their usually frugal London neighbors Arsenal. The Blues have done enough to pay their way back into Champions League qualifying position under Roberto Di Matteo without the need to win at Wembley Stadium in late May. Oscar, Eden Hazard, and Marin buys for Roman Abramovic won't guarantee a repeat, but they're sure to erase any and all bad vibes from the AVB era. Speaking of which, expect Tottenham to struggle to qualify for Europa League ball. 

Arsenal renew world-wide interest in the club with win

Arsenal, on the other hand, it can be argued, hold the keys to the Bentley. Robin van Persie's epic 43 goal-season make him the hottest commodity on the market. Whether to convince him to stay or in anticipation of replacing the flying Dutchman hellbent on a change of scenery, Arsenal have stocked up. The gunners have dashed their typical do-just-enough-to-qualify-for-the-Champions-League philosophy bringing in Santi Cazorla, Giroud, and Podolski determined not to allow the gap in their trophy timeline to extend any further. The return of German international Per Mertesacker will anchor the spine of this fun-and-gun side.

If van Persie's left leg keeps swinging, in other words, if he stays healthy, his club will win the Premiership. That could mean Sir Alex celebrates his club's 20th title or it could mean Wenger stops waking up in a sweat still dreaming of the Invincibles. Obviously, this is a conditional prediction. So, in order to save all the gratuitous hedging, its necessary to come out and say that as it stands Arsenal will win the League title, but they won't win the  Champions League. That's for sure.

Los Merengues to celebrate the royal pair: UCL & La Liga titles.

La Liga - Real Madrid

The royal double will go to Real Madrid. Los Merengues will win both the Champions League and La Primera Division in Espana. Barcelona will challenge, but their new manager Tito Vilanova lacks the confidence and vision to win so soon after getting poked in the eye by Jose Mourinho at the outset of last season. Political games will take Tito far, but nothing cures front office friction like fortune on the pitch. La Blaugrana possess an aging backline now fortified by Jordi Alba, but will they be potent enough to stop Los Blancos from repeating their Spanish success and building upon their stuck-on-semi-final success in Europe. If Jose Mourinho can win the tournament with Porto, he can bring the trophy back to capital city putting another feather in Cristiano Ronaldo's cap in the process.

Bundesliga - Bayern Munich

Lastly, old faithful will continue spitting sulfur and Bayern Munich will again fail to win the Champions League final. However they will not allow Borussia Dortmund a chance to claim three straight domestic titles. Heynckes will bring Klopp down from cloud nine restoring order to Germany. 

It's sure to be an entertaining season with Real Madrid claiming the 'Kings of Europe' title as well as winning La Liga while Arsenal, PSG, and Bayern Munich win their domestic leagues across the top competition in Europe. Likewise, the beautiful game will continue to be the most entertaining and popular sport in the world.