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I think it's pretty wide open. As much as I'd love to agree with you about Arsenal, I won't say anything until I've seen at least 3 signings which Arsenal need badly. Otherwise, Arsenal are in the best position and if they take the initiative it's ours to win.
Chelsea are probably my front runners though, they have the best team in the league. However, their main problem is playing to Mourinho's tactics which he will take away all the flair and replace it with functionality. He's also certainly going to dip into the transfer market so we'll have to see how those signings fit in with a pretty established team.
City is going through transition so I'll say they're the dark horses.
Fergie got the best out of mediocre players so it's going to be interesting to see if Moyes can get United to play as well as Fergie did.
Liverpool and Spurs have a shit load to do if they want to reach the top 4 this season.
If Pellegrini can give the City guys a good enough kick up the arse, there's no reason for City not to win this year. They were lazy as hell last season and were still good enough to comfortably hold onto second place, and United are going to have their weakest season in a long time. But again, it depends on how the new manager motivates them.
Chelsea, Arsenal, Spurs and Liverpool all need big signings to be competitive, ideally strikers all round. We'll see, it's hard to make predictions before those signing are or aren't made.
I'll just make the biased prediction that City can regroup from the manager switch than anyone else. I just don't see Arsenal as that big a threat anymore, and one more season like their last few could be Wenger's last anyway.
I think Moyes will want to do his best to make his first season a title-winning one. He'll bring in some names most likely and I'm gonna say it'll be neck and neck between Chelsea and United, with United snatching it. But it really could go either way.
Thanks Taker_2004 for the banner!
City are getting their people in early, that has to be a bad sign to the rest of the league!
Not sold on Moyes at all. Everton fans rave about him, but I never saw the attraction.
Jose and Roman are always one conversation away from meltdown, and it will happen sooner than last time because they will be entering the relationship with previous problems. It's like getting back with your Ex. The first two or three weeks are good because you both know what each other likes, but the first argument brings back all the reasons you broke up for in the first place. I can't see Jose lasting the season.
The Arse are being linked with everyone who is valued over £30m, but no one has come in yet. They arn't even favorites to resign Fabregas... Until they make a signing over £30m I'm going to keep believing they are skint.
Spurs are dragging their heels over signings as well, but no change there from Levy...
Currently, I've changed my mind from Arse winning it to City winning it.
Newcastle will win it 😄
Nah, I'm not that delusional. Will probably never happen in my life time, if ever.
I reckon Chelsea have a great chance to winning it this year.
I get the feeling that City will struggle with the high profile players they've signed so far struggling to adapt and the new manager having to deal with being in the lime light. It's not like he's had a successful career, so could struggle. It'll be an odd season for them I'm sure.
United are likely to fall behind a bit. Losing Ferguson is a massive loss, and I;m not sure if Moyes will be able to just carry that on. It's not like I think he'll do bad, I mean how can you with a team like Uniteds? But he doesn't have that presence that Ferguson has. I've even seen Everton fans commenting on how he doesn't use strikers right which is why they never have high scoring strikers. So I'm interested in how he'll use the strikers that United have since they're by far the best in the league. You wouldn't think you could go wrong.
Arsenal just don't have that much of a threat to me, haven't for many years. It's only going to be between Chelsea, United and City. Arsenal will be lucky if they get 4th in the upcoming season. I get the feeling that Tottenham will finally overtake them.
I'm going for Chelsea. They'll score a lot of goals (even if Torres' run continues) through Ba, Mata, Oscar, Hazard and possibly the returning De Bruyne and Lukaku. Ramires looks like the player they wanted to sign from Benfica and Lampard's just had his best season in years. Azpi looks settled, Cole is consistent, leaving Luiz and Cahill battling Ivanovic for the CB positions (maybe push Luiz up alongside Lampard/Ramires when playing 3-5-2. Bring back Courtois to give Cech a rocket up the arse and they're away.
Also, if Suarez stays and carries on the way he left off, I think Liverpool could break the top 4. With Sturridge alongside, Coutinho, Aspas, Suso, an improving Sterling and a Bale-type positional change from full-back to winger for Johnson, they could be one of the best teams to watch going forward. Defensively they're a worry. Reina is struggling as is Skrtel, Wisdom is promising but unproven and Coates is unconvincing. Agger is a fantastic defender, but with Carragher retiring I'm not sure Kolo is the answer. They really need a couple of top drawer centre-backs (Martinez at Sociedad, Marquinhos) to become the team Rodgers wants.
I'm going for Chelsea. They'll score a lot of goals (even if Torres' run continues) through Ba, Mata, Oscar, Hazard and possibly the returning De Bruyne and Lukaku. Ramires looks like the player they wanted to sign from Benfica and Lampard's just had his best season in years. Azpi looks settled, Cole is consistent, leaving Luiz and Cahill battling Ivanovic for the CB positions (maybe push Luiz up alongside Lampard/Ramires when playing 3-5-2. Bring back Courtois to give Cech a rocket up the arse and they're away.
Also, if Suarez stays and carries on the way he left off, I think Liverpool could break the top 4. With Sturridge alongside, Coutinho, Aspas, Suso, an improving Sterling and a Bale-type positional change from full-back to winger for Johnson, they could be one of the best teams to watch going forward. Defensively they're a worry. Reina is struggling as is Skrtel, Wisdom is promising but unproven and Coates is unconvincing. Agger is a fantastic defender, but with Carragher retiring I'm not sure Kolo is the answer. They really need a couple of top drawer centre-backs (Martinez at Sociedad, Marquinhos) to become the team Rodgers wants.
Hashtag justsayin'
So, only 10 weeks until the new season kicks off, who do you guys recon will take the title this year.
I think (and it hurts my head) this could be Arsenal's year. They are the only settled management team and if they add one or two (they have had a bid for Fellaini accepted) then they could really push on.
Man Utd will be decent, but may suffer with Moyes moving to a more defensive style.
Chelsea will be far more functional, but should challenge.
City are strengthening, but I think they will struggle again.
Spurs should be better than last year, but it all depends on grabbing a top striker before the season kicks off.
Liverpool chances of top 4 depend on Suarez staying or being replaced well.
Everton will be nowhere near the top 6 this year and Martinez will be lucky to finish top 10...
No one else in the division matters.
Not doing a prediction table. I was typing one but kept changing the positions as it all depends on who is bought and sold.
Thoughts?