To be honest people say this every year, yet it seems like every year at least one big top 4 contender shits the bed - like us last season or Chelsea + Liverpool this season. And every year there's a big surprise team in the mix - like Leicester, West Ham or Brighton. Even Fulham were flirting with top 4 this season.
It definitely has become more competitive over the years but I doubt it's going to be more than the usual 3-4 teams fighting it out. It's just too difficult to predict what happens next season.
True...I just feel if Liverpool/Chelsea have 10-18 less games next season they will enjoy the benefit Newcastle are having currently...1 game a week would be a luxury for any manager.
But yes number of games is only one part of the equation.