Top 6 prediction 2016-2017

Who will win the league?

  • Leicester

  • Man Utd

  • Tottenham

  • Arsenal

  • Chelsea

  • Man City

  • Liverpool


Results are only viewable after voting.
I like your optimism for the new season but we both know that won't happen. Even if Arsenal are 15 points ahead at Christmas, they would blow it by spring. It's not really a question of ability, it's more mental strength. When the pressure is on it goes horribly wrong. Look at the team we beat Arsenal with at Old Trafford last season. What big injuries did youse have, especially compared to us that day. When it matters Arsenal implode, the fans were fighting amongst themselves in the stands by the end of last year. The club are not unified, there is no belief in the manager or the transfer window.

It's the same old story, Arsenal might have finished second last year but it doesn't reflect how it was. Arsenal didn't compete for the league last season, they sneaked past Spurs on the last day. They were closer to a battle to stay in the top 4 in the last five weeks, never mind winning the league. They had such a good opportunity last year. Chelsea were poor, United were bad, City were crap. You know it's going to be so much tougher next year.

I dont fully buy into this feeble Arsenal mentality tosh thats disseminated among pundits and general football fans. This Arsenal side of 2013-present have actually demonstrated true character, strength and togetherness when questioned in the last few seasons and I accept they've let themselves down on several occasions but so has every team.
The game away at United last season was a disappointing result however thats only one game at one of the toughest grounds in the world where any team could come away without the points if they dont play to their maximum whether Man United had several injuries or not. I believe we were also missing vital squad players that match ourselves such as Chamberlain, Arteta, Wilshere, Cazorla and Rosicky which meant we could scarcely rotate the midfield during that period. Actually the majority of Arsenal fans have some sense and are still behind the manager, sure questions need to be asked and he could be more aggressive in the transfer market but overall I prefer our approach on that front compared to your team or Liverpool spending crazy ridiculous amounts on the likes of Mane, Lallana, Depay, Schneiderlin etc.

No unfortunately we weren't involved in the title run-in last year for various reasons but in the end the team came together to go 10 games without defeat claiming second over all our traditional rivals despite all the injuries inflicted on the squad. Chelsea, United and City had no excuses last campaign given the money they all spent the preceding summer.
The fight could be ten times harder next campaign but nobody actually knows how quickly if at all the likes of Guardiola, Mourinho and Conte will adapt to their new sides and implement their individual tactics. Arsenal and Tottenham in contrast have settled squads, managers and cohesive playing styles which could give them the edge. Liverpool & West Ham could also be dark horses but I'm not sure av=bout Leicester now they've sold Kante.
 
City have great squad already?

That so called great squad finished above us on goal difference. Their CM is still a joke. Yaya will still be there and Gundogan is injured. They going to waste £50m on Stones. Their fullbacks are all old.

They have a lot of work to do.

I agree. City having a great squad currently is the biggest myth I've seen in years.

Their squad has plenty of holes. And their transfer dealings so far haven't been anything special IMO.
 
Impossible to predict without knowing the extent of transfers. Bit surprised by the number of people putting Liverpool above spurs though. Spurs have finished above Liverpool for 7 of the last 8 years. The only exception was the "Suarez" year.
The only rule in football is 'nothing stays the same'. A case could be made for any of the top 10 teams in the league to do well (I'm not talking about winning the title). It's a fascinating season ahead and I can't wait for it to start !
 
If the injuries lessen at Arsenal compared to the last three seasons we should win the league and challenge in Europe also.

Football fans enjoy labeling Arsenal as bottlers but forget the sheer number of injuries to key players that've kept them out of the team for sustained periods of campaigns.
Both United and Liverpool had far more injuries than Arsenal last season and yet United finished only 5 points behind them and Liverpool 11. Both included managerial and tactical changes too compared to a stable Arsenal and Liverpool selected weakened teams near the end of the season to concentrate on the EL. I don't think Arsenal's injury list can be used as any excuse considering the advantages they held last season over most other clubs in the PL.
 
The only rule in football is 'nothing stays the same'. A case could be made for any of the top 10 teams in the league to do well (I'm not talking about winning the title). It's a fascinating season ahead and I can't wait for it to start !
Yes that's true but just note how many people on here make comments such as, "They (Arsenal) always do", and "history tells us...." etc.
 
Spurs and Arsenal inspite of having a good squad and manager blew their chance last season of winning the title.

Not sure how they'll be better this season when both City AND United have obviously upgraded their manager. Chelsea are bit of a wildcard for me.
 
I chose City though it pained me to do so. I will be happy if we at least make a fight of it. Top 3 would be good after the last 3 years of shite.
 
Its between us and City, depending on who buys best over the summer. Chelsea could be an outside bet with Conte in charge, and Arsenal will do their usual looking like winning it but end up in 3rd/4th place as long as Wenger is there.

1st/2nd: Utd/City
3rd: Chelsea
4th: Arsenal
5th: Tottenham
6th: Liverpool
 
No clue.

Lots of City predictions in the thread, but I don't think Bonucci, Gundogan and Nolito is quite enough to compensate for the decline of Toure, Kompany and Aguero's injuries.

If Le Arse can put it all together they are surely the favourite, but we know they'll bottle it at some points.

We are a mystery. All depends on how Ibra and Bailly work out. On paper not quite there yet, even if we sign Pogba, but Mourinho's side is always competitive (last season excluding)

Spurs can be a dark horse, they'll strengthen as well, but lack of genuine star quality tend to fail them at crucial points in the campaign.

Chelsea is basically the same as us.

It all depends on which team can come out of the block firing on all cylinders. Basically a decent point cushion and hunkering down the rest of the way. All of the above are capable of it.

'Pool have no chance with that defense. If they sign a quality CB and GK then add them into the mix.
 
The first of these no doubt many circus side-shows - distracting and disruptive - will come when Rooney gets dropped. Cue a Rooney-led campaign of media leaks and whispers about how terrible things are inside the squad under Mourinho.
A bit presumptuous don't you think? Though you do seem to believe United will be a circus this season as if it's set in stone. Perhaps, ya know, there will actually be no internal conflict within the club to derail us, just as there was none - that I can recall in Jose's first season back at Chelsea.

But by all means, use that as a reason to slate us and determine our position by this season.
 
A bit presumptuous don't you think? Though you do seem to believe United will be a circus this season as if it's set in stone. Perhaps, ya know, there will actually be no internal conflict within the club to derail us, just as there was none - that I can recall in Jose's first season back at Chelsea.

But by all means, use that as a reason to slate us and determine our position by this season.

It's a presumption, yes, but one solidly based on Mourinho's track record, which in turn is based on his narcissistic and antagonistic personality. And as far as Rooney is concerned, given both his decline and the signings you've made (and are seeking to make) it's easy see that his days in the first XI are coming to an end ... and not a stretch to imagine that he'll react badly to this.
 
City have great squad already?

That so called great squad finished above us on goal difference. Their CM is still a joke. Yaya will still be there and Gundogan is injured. They going to waste £50m on Stones. Their fullbacks are all old.

They have a lot of work to do.
They don't have a 'great' squad but it's still the best in the league currently.

All the rivals have similar problems at full back and CM.

Man United - How will Shaw cope after his injury, replacements are Rojo/Blind or CFJ. Darmian or Valencia at RB is poorer than what City have. Question marks on Carrick, BFS, Schneiderlin.

They may waste £50 million on Stones, or bring in Bonucci. But Kompany, Stones/Bonucci and Otamendi is stronger than Smalling, Bailly and Jones.

City have work to do, but so do the other contenders. Pep isn't as clueless and naive as MP, he won't let Toure get away with what he did last season(if he stays).
 
It's a really tough call this season. I don't think Pep will get off to a flying start at City and I can only look at things as the situation stands with transfers and incredibly likely transfers counted. I don't count Pogba in this, for example, as I don't think he'll come, same with Bonucci to City. I think Mourinho will slowly mold us into a good side again, and I believe that Bailly and Mkhitarayan will be great for us (Bailly might take a bit more time to settle), but we'll likely have a very similar squad to last season otherwise, besides Zlatan who is one of my all-time favourite players, but as much as I hate to say it, I'm not sure he's going to be the same player we saw last season and then we're relying on Rashford a lot. I do think City will finish above us, just, but we'll be better organised by our manager while they'll just have better players.

Chelsea I actually think are the safest bet to do well this season. Conte won't make too many changes, he's flying a bit under the radar but will fire them up and set them up to be very tough to beat. I can't see Arsenal doing anything other than 'an Arsenal', similarly Tottenham, and Liverpool are not signing enough quality to make a huge difference, although I do think Wijnaldum is a good signing for them, and Klopp being much more settled will help them. Leicester are likely to lose Mahrez, so they'll be out of the top 4 I think also.

It'll be very close, the winners will have relatively low points won compared to seasons of old, and the top four will be incredibly close to each other, but I'll go with:

1. Chelsea
2. City
3. United
4. Liverpool
5. Arsenal
6. West Ham
 
It's a presumption, yes, but one solidly based on Mourinho's track record, which in turn is based on his narcissistic and antagonistic personality. And as far as Rooney is concerned, given both his decline and the signings you've made (and are seeking to make) it's easy see that his days in the first XI are coming to an end ... and not a stretch to imagine that he'll react badly to this.

To be fair, his narcissistic and antagonistic personality usually becomes a serious problem only after two-three years at one club. Jose is probably still the best short-term manager in the world so I fully expect United to do well in the near future.
 
Other than JT, which other "aging" players do we have in the back four? Ivanovic won't be a starter.
I think he might be - especially If Conte wants to go with a back three I could see Ivanovic as the right sided centre back (alongside Cahill and Zouma)... if they do get Bonnuci for example then I could just as easily envisage Cahill being the one to miss out as Ivanovic... Im not sure I see JT playing too many games in a back three at all
 
Very difficult this as we are still really at the start of the transfer window but here goes:

1: Man Utd - I think there is a very good chance Utd will have a great season - Jose although new to Utd knows the league inside out and this gives him the edge over Pep and Conte
2: Arsenal - I expect them to push Utd all the way but fade - still an excellent team
3: Tottenham - Yes I am biased but we have stability and a young team who can only improve - also our signings so far have been shoring up the weaknesses in our squad
4: Chelsea - I think they have a stronger team than City and with the signing of Kante they will be very difficult to beat
5: Man City - Very big ask for Pep, new league and a team that requires significant investment imo - still some top class players in the squad of course
6: West Ham - I like Bilic, I think they have a good team and will continue to perform well in the league
 
Thinkers & sheep.
LOL, yes ok, but my point is that if the "sheep" are basing their predictions on the past then why are they putting Liverpool above spurs? Anyway, football doesn't follow predictions fortunately.
 
I dont fully buy into this feeble Arsenal mentality tosh thats disseminated among pundits and general football fans. This Arsenal side of 2013-present have actually demonstrated true character, strength and togetherness when questioned in the last few seasons and I accept they've let themselves down on several occasions but so has every team.
The game away at United last season was a disappointing result however thats only one game at one of the toughest grounds in the world where any team could come away without the points if they dont play to their maximum whether Man United had several injuries or not. I believe we were also missing vital squad players that match ourselves such as Chamberlain, Arteta, Wilshere, Cazorla and Rosicky which meant we could scarcely rotate the midfield during that period. Actually the majority of Arsenal fans have some sense and are still behind the manager, sure questions need to be asked and he could be more aggressive in the transfer market but overall I prefer our approach on that front compared to your team or Liverpool spending crazy ridiculous amounts on the likes of Mane, Lallana, Depay, Schneiderlin etc.

No unfortunately we weren't involved in the title run-in last year for various reasons but in the end the team came together to go 10 games without defeat claiming second over all our traditional rivals despite all the injuries inflicted on the squad. Chelsea, United and City had no excuses last campaign given the money they all spent the preceding summer.
The fight could be ten times harder next campaign but nobody actually knows how quickly if at all the likes of Guardiola, Mourinho and Conte will adapt to their new sides and implement their individual tactics. Arsenal and Tottenham in contrast have settled squads, managers and cohesive playing styles which could give them the edge. Liverpool & West Ham could also be dark horses but I'm not sure av=bout Leicester now they've sold Kante.
Settled squad, settled manager?The fact is your club haven't the league since 2004. That will be 13 years this year if youse do it, a bit too settled. There is no real progression on the pitch. Yeah Arsenal won two back to back FA cups in recent times but they should be aiming for the league . Everybody knows the deficiencies in the side but they are never addressed in the transfer window.

I can't believe that you don't question Wenger at this stage. I respect the man for what he's done. I do question his ability to create leaders in a team. He inherited many leader's from George Graham when he came to Arsenal which led to there success in my opinion. He had the backbone of players like Adams,Dixon,Seaman ect and then Wenger brought the style. You're team lack steel and are mentally fragile. Rival fans know it, the media do and your own fans do. Arsenal broke mentally when youse bottled the league against Birmingham. It was sad that Eduardo broke his leg that day but youse collapsed. Your captain that day Gallas showed the club up, something broke in Arsenal that day and it hasn't been the same since. Don't give me injuries as an excuse last year, absolute rubbish excuse. Arteta and Rosicky would have made such a difference?

You prefer Arsenal's approach to not spending crazy money, like United on Depay and Schnierdelin? Wow, if crazy money is spending less than 30m I don't know. We spend because we are trying to get to the top, we aren't happy for top four every year. The club also bring through it's own talent too, Arsenal should know that more than anyone from last season. You used the word edge in your post, that's something that Arsenal lack. Real cutting edge, when you play badly and get a result away to us our city when it matters.
 
Before the transfer window is closed its almost impossible to predict the outcome. But as at stands today

1st/2nd - City & United
3rd/4th - Arsenal & Chelsea
5th/6th - Tottenham & Liverpool
7th/8th - Everton & West Ham
9th/10th - Leicester & Crystal Palace

City - Favorites. Best squad. Great manager who will make them organized and difficult to brake down. They have enough talent up front to score a couple of goals in every game. Their weakness will be that Pep is inexperienced with the PL and that he probabaly will underestimate the physicality and the tough Christmas fixtures.

United - With four new starters, (Shaw counts as new) probably five if we include Pogba we will be like a brand new team. Mourinho's approach to the game will suite us better then playing possession style. Zlatan and Mhkitaryan will give us enough creativity and power upfront to score against the teams who parks the bus. Bailly will provide us with height and physicality. Pogba, if coming, will give us drive and stability in the middle. On top of that I expect Martial to take another step up in his development. Behind our starters we very talanted youngsters. Lingard, TFM and Rashford have all enough experience to step in without losing quality whenever needed. We have a very strong squad with lots of options. At the back we have the best keeper in the world. He alone is worth a couple of points.

Chelsea - Conte will bring out the best of them but they are stil two or three players away from the top. Hazard and Costa isn't enough.

Arsenal - is Arsenal. Very good team but lack mentality. Wenger will start in flying style but then it all go south. As usual. (with all of us smiling....again)
 
As I've just said it's 3 in the last 7 years. There are no players in the current squad from 20 years ago.

LOL - Your stubborness is almost admirable. As a club, you have a pitiful record. I expect you to return to irrelevance quite soon.

By the way, why do so many of you refer to De Gea as the best keeper in the world? He isn't. Neuer is. He's won the award three years in a row. So stop it.
 
Would be very interested to see this poll on a neutral site - I voted United but I dont think its as clear cut as the numbers are suggesting. Its just that all the big teams are in transition and I dont think Leicester can do it again.

I think the top 3 will be United, City and Chelsea, all of who were pretty abject last season. But of course I would not be at all surprised to be spectacularly wrong about that.
 
LOL - Your stubborness is almost admirable. As a club, you have a pitiful record. I expect you to return to irrelevance quite soon.

By the way, why do so many of you refer to De Gea as the best keeper in the world? He isn't. Neuer is. He's won the award three years in a row. So stop it.

I expect Liverpool to again finish below Spurs, as you have done for many recent seasons past ... bar once when you had temporary hold of Suarez.

PS. I've not mentioned de Gea and I'm not sure who the "you" refers to, so I don't know why you've dragged him into your post.
 
I meant Man Utd fans in general, not in response to anything you said. Hence " by the way."
 
I expect Liverpool to again finish below Spurs, as you have done for many recent seasons past ... bar once when you had temporary hold of Suarez.

PS. I've not mentioned de Gea and I'm not sure who the "you" refers to, so I don't know why you've dragged him into your post.

Is it every fourth or fifth year that they break into the top 4 before sliding back to their natural position of about 7nth or so immediately? I forget.
 
LOL - Your stubborness is almost admirable. As a club, you have a pitiful record. I expect you to return to irrelevance quite soon.

By the way, why do so many of you refer to De Gea as the best keeper in the world? He isn't. Neuer is. He's won the award three years in a row. So stop it.
Ha ha ha, coming from a Liverpool fan that's really funny. I presume by "irrelevance" you mean finishing above Liverpool AGAIN, as we have for 7 of the last eight years. If spurs are "irrelevant" I wonder what that makes Liverpool? I suppose "total crap" would sum it up.
 
Spurs fans crow about this every chance they get, as if it were an achievement. To bring into clarity the relative status of our two clubs, can you imagine Liverpool fans gloating about finishing above Spurs if Spurs had gone through their worst period since the sixties? Liverpool fans are only happy when we win things. Every time a Spurs fan talks we see just what a small club you are.
 
Spurs fans crow about this every chance they get, as if it were an achievement. To bring into clarity the relative status of our two clubs, can you imagine Liverpool fans gloating about finishing above Spurs if Spurs had gone through their worst period since the sixties? Liverpool fans are only happy when we win things. Every time a Spurs fan talks we see just what a small club you are.

Spurs fans are focusing on the here-and-now and how the club has progressed in recent times. They are also looking forward to CL football this season and the new stadium not too long after. And why should they not?

And actually, when you consider that 5 Prem other clubs currently have a significantly larger income, including two sugar daddy clubs, it is an achievement to have finished 3 times in the top 4 in the last 7 years.
 
Spurs fans crow about this every chance they get, as if it were an achievement. To bring into clarity the relative status of our two clubs, can you imagine Liverpool fans gloating about finishing above Spurs if Spurs had gone through their worst period since the sixties? Liverpool fans are only happy when we win things. Every time a Spurs fan talks we see just what a small club you are.
Not crowing at all, just pointing out the irony of your stupid "irrelevant" comment. Next time I suggest you make sure your brain is engaged before you hit the keyboard. As for Liverpool fans only happy when you win things, lol, take a look on RAWK, they're crowing every season about how it's "their year" to win the league. Totally deluded. I have NEVER heard or seen a spurs fan claim that we will win the league before the season starts like Liverpool fans do.
 
United
City
Chelsea
Liverpool
Arsenal
Spurs

have a feeling this will finally be the year Arsenal drop out of top 4.
 
United
City
Chelsea
Arsenal
Liverpool
Spurs

Very hard to predict the top 4. Could be in any order. Liverpool ahead of Spurs because spurs will have an eye on the CL