2016/2017 Title race

UweBein said:
don't get too cocky... we're not even half way through.
Also I can not see us having such an excellent second part of the season as the first one. City are still only six points away and they'll improve further.
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City are 7 points off top, we could be 6 points away in 24 hours.

It's pretty normal that people act like the title is wrapped up for Chelsea right now but I think it's far from done. A 6 point gap (potentially) is easily closed after one or two slip-ups, and it's not like the rest of the top four is that far away. Chelsea look invincible at the moment but we're only halfway, players could go out of form, like every other team you're a Costa suspension or Hazard injury away from a defeat (not wishing any injuries to your players of course, and I don't think you'd collapse if that happens but there is always that possibilty). It was only a month ago that most of the people on here acted like top four was well and truly done for United while they're right in the thick of it at the moment. Momentum can change very quickly in football.

Kudos to Conte though, unbelievable what he's achieved in only six months time.
 
U99ted said:
Just like how City really kicked on in 2014 after winning 2 out of the last 3.
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True. Maybe there isn't a hole. Maybe there's just relentless up and down and no established hierarchy. Maybe that's what our league is now.
 
City vs Liverpool could be pivotal for either team. Very good test for your title credentials here.

Both teams ideally need a win. Should be a fantastic match
 
Chelsea have huge title credentials. A winning manager; players who have done it before; no European commitment; best defence in the league. I can't look past them for the title right now. Only positive is that it's still December.
 
We blew an eight point lead 4 seasons ago with like 3 weeks of PL football left, anything can happen but too many things are going well for this Chelsea side to look past them. No European commitment, guaranteed 20-25+ goals in Costa, Eden Hazard back to his best, lot of quality in their supporting cast of Kante, Matic, Fabregas, Willian, Pedro and most importantly a great manager in Conte. While PL is a far cry from what Serie A is, people forget that Juventus finished 7th when he took over and he completely transformed that side to a juggernaut it is today. He's won league three times in a row so he knows what it takes to win it and same applies to current set of Chelsea players who've all been part of league winning campaign.

2nd to 6th is completely open, I wouldn't be surprised if any of the club in there finished as a runner up or finished sixth.
 
If Chelsea win their next game, then they'll sit back and watch their two nearest rivals kick lumps out of each other and extend their lead.

I do think they'll hit a bump somewhere in the road, hopefully they're far enough ahead of Pool and City when that happens.
 
Today they were without Costa and Kanté. It was a big test to see how they could come out of it. They completely thrashed Bournemouth.
 
Conte is someone who has the balls to not let the title slip away from them. I think they just need 40 points to win it now.
 
notcool said:
True. Maybe there isn't a hole. Maybe there's just relentless up and down and no established hierarchy. Maybe that's what our league is now.
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While obviously I'd love us to dominate for the next 20 years, I think maybe its better for the sport that there's no established hierarchy any more.
 
Klopper76 said:
You don't think we can beat City?
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I think you'll beat City. They never seem to get a result at Anfield.

Hopefully though, the effort put into the City game means Sunderland (yeah, Sunderland) hold you to at least a draw when you play them away less than 48 hours later.
 
Strachans Cigar said:
I think you'll beat City. They never seem to get a result at Anfield.

Hopefully though, the effort put into the City game means Sunderland (yeah, Sunderland) hold you to at least a draw when you play them away less than 48 hours later.
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Sunderland is the worry for me. I'm just happy you lot put them under a lot of duress. They next have a relegation battle just before meeting us. Moyes may be worried about his own team by the time they meet us.
 
Santi_Mesut_Alexis_87 said:
You are favourites, but as both teams have shaky defences, i can see it finishing 2-2.
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Yeah a draw is possible. I can definitely see Aguero getting a goal or two against us.
K2K said:
If Stones plays, you have a massive chance.
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Here's hoping.
Strachans Cigar said:
I think you'll beat City. They never seem to get a result at Anfield.

Hopefully though, the effort put into the City game means Sunderland (yeah, Sunderland) hold you to at least a draw when you play them away less than 48 hours later.
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Yeah that's the one I'm more worried about (Sunderland).Going up there less than 48 hours after a game against City is ridiculous.
 
If Liverpool are to really push for this thing then I think Sturridge will have a significant role to play. To be able to 'introduce' a player of his ability now could be vital. Origi is a decent goal threat but Sturridge is class. Keep him fit and this will be very tight.
 
Think I have to give the edge to Liverpool for that game but I wouldn't be surprised if it's 4-3 or something ridiculous like that

Don't expect a clean sheet for either team. Both teams really do need a win though so should be interesting with plenty to play for. Should also be a good litmus test for Pep's progress
 
Klopper76 said:
Yeah served his four game ban now. He'll definitely cause us problems.
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Its a game where we somehow have to get Coutinho and Sturridge on to the pitch at some point. Both love scoring against City.
 
Liverpool supporters hijacking the title race thread.

"But it's all about top 4 this year and making sure we can compete for top talents in the summer", right?

You're all thinking it. You're just afraid of being seen as cocksure on a hated rivals forum. Afraid your posts will come back and bite you in the arse. Smart move, I guess - even though it's hella transparent. Memories of '14, perhaps?
 
rio's upper lip said:
Liverpool supporters hijacking the title race thread.

"But it's all about top 4 this year and making sure we can compete for top talents in the summer", right?

You're all thinking it. You're just afraid of being seen as cocksure on a hated rivals forum. Afraid your posts will come back and bite you in the arse. Smart move, I guess - even though it's hella transparent. Memories of '14, perhaps?
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If you're a Utd supporter can you please stop cluttering this thread. :p
 
rio's upper lip said:
Liverpool supporters hijacking the title race thread.

"But it's all about top 4 this year and making sure we can compete for top talents in the summer", right?

You're all thinking it. You're just afraid of being seen as cocksure on a hated rivals forum. Afraid your posts will come back and bite you in the arse. Smart move, I guess - even though it's hella transparent. Memories of '14, perhaps?
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It is about the top four but being six points off of top spot at the halfway point means that we have to be counted as contenders.

We can post in here without actually thinking we'll win it anyway. Chelsea don't have European football and look like a far more balanced side than we do.

I think we'll end up second or third personally.
 
Dumbstar said:
If you're a Utd supporter can you please stop cluttering this thread. :p
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Choosing quips over showing some balls, that's what I thought. Too scared to stick your neck out?

Another slip or another Crystanbul moment would be even more hilarious than last time knowing that you caf dippers will read every word of the abuse.
 
If we were a bit lucky we could be second after Bournemouth's game. Need to get as many points as we can before febraury. Our fixtures are terrible in that month.
 
What's impressive about Chelsea is that the fixture list doesn't seem to be phasing them. They are playing equally well regardless of a lesser team vs a stronger team without much change to their set up. When they were on form they blew teams away including us, Everton and City. When needed they were able to grind out results against the likes of Spurs for example.

They are making good and bad teams look alike and that's always the sign of a strong team.
 
If only we'd held on against Bournemouth. It's weird because the first half was one of the best halves I've seen us play this season.

Chelsea have a difficult January coming up. Here's hoping they drop some points.
 
rio's upper lip said:
Choosing quips over showing some balls, that's what I thought. Too scared to stick your neck out?

Another slip or another Crystanbul moment would be even more hilarious than last time knowing that you caf dippers will read every word of the abuse.
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You mean like the near 75% of the Caf that posted in the pre-season poll, 'Who Will Win the PL', that United would win it ? Your post just reads like Sour Grapes because you aren't in the title race. Just WUMing not actually entering the discussion, very childish post indeed, sounds like a 13 yo in the playground.

For Liverpool fans to discuss it when we're in the Top 4 and in contention (6 pts off the top and with Chelsea yet to come to Anfield) isn't even debatable, as anyone of a reasonable and sound mind would agree. There have been more than a few United posters tipping us over the past few weeks, before Chelsea strung 12 on the bounce, but it's reasonable that 'Pool supporters would be a little reserved with their hopes and dreams considering the history of the PL.
 
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ShadesOfTomato said:
If only we'd held on against Bournemouth. It's weird because the first half was one of the best halves I've seen us play this season.

Chelsea have a difficult January coming up. Here's hoping they drop some points.
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So do we ! And February. If we are to make up ground I don't see it until the last two months (unless we beat them at Anfield).

Klopp said we learnt a valuable lesson against Bournemouth - I guess he meant over-confidence and arrogance. Just a pity the ball didn't go the final 2cms over the line from Milner's corner, at 3-0 that match really would have been done, small (minute even) detail that could be a mighty factor in the Top 4 / Title race..
 
Santi_Mesut_Alexis_87 said:
If we were a bit lucky we could be second after Bournemouth's game. Need to get as many points as we can before febraury. Our fixtures are terrible in that month.
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City have a relatively easy run until the CL kicks back in on 21st Feb. Away at Liverpool and at home to Spurs their only really tough matches.
Arsenal have an easy January but then a really tough run of matches through February and March.
Liverpool have a mixed but generally difficult January & February.
Chelsea a mixture of difficulty level matches through January/February but an easy March.
United relatively easy through January & February with only Liverpool (H) and City (A) to worry about (a very tough last two months with possibly the EL to worry about too).
Spurs a mixture of tough and easy matches through January & February.

Conclusion ? The Top 4 battle could be a lot lot closer by the end of February before it eventually stretches out again in the last two months. I expect to see Chelsea still at the top, City second and then not much between the other four before April & May when I expect to see Liverpool kick on to join Chelsea and City clear of the other three battling it out for 4th.

Or maybe it will be nothing like that at all.
 
At this stage Liverpool, City, Arsenal and United need Chelsea to come unstuck - 12 consecutive wins is pretty strong going, especially as wins against United, City and Spurs are in and among those results. Can't even remember the last time they conceded a goal, it was a while back.

One of two things need to happen: 1) they come tactically unstuck and some team figures out how to set up and play against them; 2) they get injuries, particularly to Hazard, Costa, or Kante or injuries that disrupt their system.

I think its more likely the teams chasing them have a blip [again], but Chelsea have to go to us and Spurs before January closes and there is a chance that those chasing them can make some ground up on them on the back of those games but then again other top of the table encounters could well just end up evening themselves out. I think we will beat them to be honest, im biased of course but our results and performances against them and City recently have been pretty good, we get up for the big games.
 
Rafateria said:
City have a relatively easy run until the CL kicks back in on 21st Feb. Away at Liverpool and at home to Spurs their only really tough matches.
Arsenal have an easy January but then a really tough run of matches through February and March.
Liverpool have a mixed but generally difficult January & February.
Chelsea a mixture of difficulty level matches through January/February but an easy March.
United relatively easy through January & February with only Liverpool (H) and City (A) to worry about (a very tough last two months with possibly the EL to worry about too).
Spurs a mixture of tough and easy matches through January & February.

Conclusion ? The Top 4 battle could be a lot lot closer by the end of February before it eventually stretches out again in the last two months. I expect to see Chelsea still at the top, City second and then not much between the other four before April & May when I expect to see Liverpool kick on to join Chelsea and City clear of the other three battling it out for 4th.

Or maybe it will be nothing like that at all.
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None of the top teams seem to be dropping too many points as we have been used to in the last few years. We need to be really consistent to have a chance of getting into the top 4. I can only see Tottenham falling off but even they will not drop too many. Arsenal somehow always manage to get into the top 4 each and every year regardless of form. Liverpool are in excellent form and without Europe to worry about, they also look destined to get into top 4 and might even challenge for the title. Chelsea are too far away to even think about. Only City seem to be struggling a bit. Even though they have won 3 in a row, it is clear that they can be beaten and will drop points. So if are to get into top 4, it's City and Tottenham that we need to overtake.
 
stevieg4ever said:
One of two things need to happen: 1) they come tactically unstuck and some team figures out how to set up and play against them; 2) they get injuries, particularly to Hazard, Costa, or Kante or injuries that disrupt their system.
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I don't believe in this 'eventually teams will figure out how to set up and play against them'. There are some cracking managers in the PL, I don't believe they won't have the nouse and tactics to set up their teams to handle their formation - it comes down to the players being good enough to handle it or not. So far it's 'not.

Chelsea have been incredibly lucky with injuries over the past 4-5 seasons when, if you look at Phyisoroom's historical data, Chelsea have regularly been around the bottom f the 'most match days lost to injuries' league table. often losing only 1/3 to 1/2 of player starts lost to injuries. It's pretty incredible really and is a fantastic reflection on their training and medical teams - or luck.
 
abhayselvan said:
None of the top teams seem to be dropping too many points as we have been used to in the last few years. We need to be really consistent to have a chance of getting into the top 4. I can only see Tottenham falling off but even they will not drop too many. Arsenal somehow always manage to get into the top 4 each and every year regardless of form. Liverpool are in excellent form and without Europe to worry about, they also look destined to get into top 4 and might even challenge for the title. Chelsea are too far away to even think about. Only City seem to be struggling a bit. Even though they have won 3 in a row, it is clear that they can be beaten and will drop points. So if are to get into top 4, it's City and Tottenham that we need to overtake.
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Where Arsenal are concerned what is the term used by insurance companies ? History is not an indicator of future performance ? Most seasons we don't see 6 teams all capable of challenging for a Top 4 spot, which is clearly the case now. They haven't been performing at optimal so if their form doesn't pick up, and if they somehow manage to progress in the CL (they do have a reasonable chance) and have a good FAC run, then they may miss out on Top 4. In such a tight season it maybe that any good cup run proves detrimental to PL form and aspirations.
 
Rafateria said:
Where Arsenal are concerned what is the term used by insurance companies ? History is not an indicator of future performance ? Most seasons we don't see 6 teams all capable of challenging for a Top 4 spot, which is clearly the case now. They haven't been performing at optimal so if their form doesn't pick up, and if they somehow manage to progress in the CL (they do have a reasonable chance) and have a good FAC run, then they may miss out on Top 4. In such a tight season it maybe that any good cup run proves detrimental to PL form and aspirations.
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It's not just history. Fergie knew how to win titles. Similarly, Wenger knows how to get his team into top 4. He has done it for 16 years in a row or something and many times with teams much weaker than this. This season is going to be tougher than usual but I still expect him to do it. I don't see them getting past Bayern anyway. They are already out of the EFL cup. They will only have the FA cup to worry about. Whereas we are in all the three cup competitions and I expect us to go far in the Europa and get to the final in EFL as well.
 
Wow, Chelsea playing Leicester away, Spurs away, Liverpool away and Arsenal home in the next 40 days.
 
Liverpool have scored four goals seven times in the League this season.

It's still December.

Yet the narrative is often about the defence which isn't remarkably worse than most teams around them. But the goal threat is significantly better than most.
 
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