by Hutch's Shoulder » Sun Sep 23, 2018 4:20 pm
In the good old days, six games was the first time the papers published a league table, everyone had played three homes and three always, and most likely a cross section of weak, average and strong sides, so a pattern started to emerge, although there was often a surprise package who stayed up near the top until the serious business started. Therefore, today seems a reasonable time to take that first cut view (PL only).
1. City and Liverpool will fight it out for first/second place. I really despise what they have become and the media hype they get, but saying they won't be our main rivals is wishful thinking. We should still be better than them, but 'champion's complacency', injuries, refereeing decisions, progress in cup competitions and runs of results will make it too close to call at this stage. If we are still neck and neck in February then I would back us.
2. Chelsea are much improved and look certs for third right now. Considerably ahead of the rest, but probably need another season to be real challengers. A good bet for one of the cups.
3. Rags will probably scrape fourth.
4. Spurs and Arsenal battling it for fifth I think. Arsenal on the up and Spurs haven't strengthened, stadium issues etc, so I wouldn't be surprised if Arsenal sneak it at the end, especially if they strengthen in January (for a change). My heart says one of these pips the rags to fourth, but my head doubts it.
5. Watford are the 'surprise package' mentioned above, but I suspect they lack the strength in depth to make top 6. Europa an outside chance.
6. Everton - Europa Cup if they're lucky.