The Premier League is arguably the best domestic league in the world. Despite the league's top teams struggling in the Champions League the biggest teams from other leagues, the Premiership is undeniably the most competitive league from top to bottom. Any team can beat any team on any day, and this is why it is the most entertaining league in the world, in my opinion.
In this blog, I will review and analyze the Premier League season thus far. With nine games played of a total 38, the season is about a quarter of the way over.
The maximum amount of points possible from nine matches is 27. Last season's champions and record-setters are setting the pace with 23 points and an impressively high goal difference. Re-energized Liverpool possess the same attacking fire power as last season, but now have acquired an elite Center back and goalkeeper. They are mounting a title push. Both City and Liverpool have won seven and drawn two, not losing yet this campaign.
Chelsea also have not lost yet this season. Lead by Eden Hazard, the Blues have won six and drawn three. Arsenal and Spurs round out the top five and the pack of title chasers really keeping pace. After an abysmal start to the season, Arsenal have completed caught fire, winning their last 10 matches in all competitions. They scored one of the goals of the season Monday as they defeated Leicester City 3-1.
The biggest disappointment thus far is not difficult to identify. Manchester United have already lost three games and possess a negative goal difference, only good enough for 10th in the table. They conceded a 90+6' equalizer against Chelsea at the weekend, which only amplified the drama surrounding manager Jose Mourinho. They also just lost to Juventus at home in the Champions League on Tuesday.
Bournemouth, Watford and Wolves are all exceeding expectations thus far. These teams are trying to emulate the example of Burnley last season, who, behind a stout defense, finished 7th and earned a Europa League spot.
AFC Bournemouth are truly one of the most well-ran organizations in all of sports. As recently as 2009-2010, Bournemouth were in the 4th tier of English football. They earned three promotions in six season, and played their first ever PL season in 2015-16. Against all odds, they stayed up, and the next season they finished in the top half (9th). Now they are flying high and scoring an immense amount of goals lead by strikers Josh King and Callum Wilson. Massive praise has been heaped onto progressive manager Eddie Howe. The 40-year-old (young in terms of football managers) spent much of this playing career at Bournemouth and has been managing the club since its time in League One.
Wolves and Watford have taken the opposite approach. They have both bought massive amounts of players. Wolves, have gained promotion after winning the Championship, have experienced a financial takeover during the summer. Their business has made them a favorite of many fans and pundits to finish the highest of any of the newly promoted teams.
Shock 2015-2016 Premier League champions Leicester City sit comfortably mid-table along with last-years success story Burnley. Brighton and Hove Albion, lead by their mainstay center back partnership of Lewis Dunk and Shane Duffy, fended off relegation last season and are now sitting comfortably in 12th. Dunk was recently called up to the England National Team.
The relegation battle always possess as much entertainment, if not more, than the title chase. Sometimes the title chase can be decided weeks before the season is over, while at least one spot in the relegation zone usually comes down to the final day. Having multiple things at stake—the title, Champions League spots, relegation—makes the league competitive from top to bottom. This is something that is unavailable in American sports.
Cardiff City are this season's Huddersfield Town. Last season, Huddersfield's first in the PL, they were tipped by most to go directly back down. However, they survived thanks to a late season away draw at Chelsea. Cardiff spent one season (2013-2014) in the Premier League prior to this, and were relegated dead bottom. This past weekend, Cardiff scored four goals in a Premier League match for the first time in their history, dispatching fellow newly promoted side Fulham 4-2.
Over the past few years, I have made it a point to predict the final Premier League table each season. Some close friends look forward to my predictions, and we always love a friendly debate. Here are my prediction before the beginning of this season.
Some other good links:
コメント