It's always entertaining to see just how wrong we can be about how a season pans out, so let's do it again! I'm not going to bother about the whole 20 but here's my Top 5 and Bottom 4. 1. City 2. Liverpool 3. Sp*rs 4. Chelsea (optimism ftw!!) 5. Utd 17. Brighton 18. Fulham 19. Huddersfield 20. Cardiff Who you got?
1. City - adding Mahrez and a healthy Mendy doesn’t make them worse. 2. Pool - were already gaining last year and have loaded up. Even with Salah coming back to earth, they will be monsters. 3. Tottenham - still think this team is great, even if they refuse to improve through the transfer market. 4. Chelsea - by default and only if we make a couple of additions before the deadline. Arsenal won’t be the same w/o Wenger and United already seem to be imploding. Relegated: Cardiff, Huddlesfield Town, Watford ...tho I also think Leicester’s time may be coming to a close.
I think you guys are really underestimating United. They aren't pretty to watch but can scrap wins. My top 5 1. City 2. Pool (they might win it but will be interested to see if Klopp can maintain form. Think he might just fall short) 3. United 4. Chelsea (if we retain Hazard and somehow add one more quality player) 5. Spurs
My take on utd is less about the squad and more about Mourinho. It feels like this is the year that he drives the final wedge into the squad and impacts the performances on the pitch. With their squad they should absolutely be targeting top 2 but we know first hand what the Mourinho death throes can do to a locker room.
Fair point. He complains so much nowadays and spreads a lot of negativity. However, I think the players will pull them out. Time will tell.
This is LFC's year! Just kidding. City win. LFC are clear 2nd best in the prem on paper, but doesn't mean the results will necessarily follow. Should be locked in for top 3 at worst, but that's why they play the games as they say. Spurs, United, Chelsea battle for 2 other CL spots. I could see United imploding, but on paper they are a very clear top 4 side. Moreso than Chelsea. As many are suggesting, Jose is the x-factor. Arse clearly the best of the rest, but their defense will keep them out of 5th IMO. But part of me thinks I could be talked into putting them in the top 4 fight... maybe I'm missing something. This is one of the most interesting teams in the prem for this upcoming season, can't wait to see what they can do post-AW. Bitters take 7th. Wouldn't be blown away if they overachieved a little relative to this, but it would require a lot from Pickford. West Ham 8th? I don't know what to make of them, frankly. Relegation, I have no idea.
I think you guys may be sleeping on Arsenal. I think they'll be in the thick of it fighting for top 4.
I think this will be a dismal year and a major step backward as a club. We've not gotten stronger, we've had less time to prepare, we have major contract questions, and we've gotten older. Plus the team is adjusting to a brand new style of football that is being quarterbacked by a brand new player who is obviously a favorite of the manager. If teammates turn on him or he gets injured, it's all over. Even if things go OK, Chelsea will be behind many other clubs this season. 1. City 2. Liverpool 3. United 4. Spurs 5. Arsenal 6. Chelsea Relegated: Cardiff, Newcastle, Brighton
For the first time ever I am not going to pick Chelsea first on principal 1. City 2.scouse 3 Utd 4 tots 5 Chelsea could rise if get a top playmaking acm, could drop if we have no gains and lose players mid tier Europa fight Ars, Eve, Bur, Wolves Safe-ish tier Bou, Lei, Sou, WHU not Safe-ish BHA, CRY, FUL, Hud Bye Bye Car, New, Wat
see, and I think it is Benitez, that will take them down, really do think he is overrated and too predictable, which will take a toll with a second go round and not much in improved talent. Though he deserves credit for a better than expected last year. Lot of other teams in the relegation battle I think, but one can hope. Love me some Ritchie and Kennedy though
I the flaws you described will keep him from getting back to a top tier side but will also be the reason why he will keep Newcastle mid table.
Leicester should easily finish in the top half. Cardiff, Brighton and Huddersfield to drop for me (though could be one or two others but certainly not Leicester as I see it). My surprise 'tips' City and Liverpool as one and two! :-D