We all had our top four predictions for the 16/17 Premier League season. It’s likely that those teams now sit in different positions among the top 6. Or even the positions below that, if you love a bad gamble. Some of the expectations for the season haven’t quite panned out, like Pep vs. Mou, and we have had to revise our predictions with half of the season gone.
As good as we are, even FutnSoccer has needed to review its Premier League top four predictions. And pretend the August predictions never happened. Here is the sure ranking for the top four at the end of the season:
- Chelsea
Chelsea will win the Premier League this season; if only for the fact that they were number one at Christmas. Traditionally, the team in this position has always been the best bet for the Premier League title. Chelsea not only has one of the strongest squads in Europe but also the team is only playing one game a week in an intense league. This advantage will carry them through.
- Man Utd
Am I crazy? No, hear me out. Since first coaching a league contending team, in FC Porto, Mourinho has only finished outside the top two twice. He came under a lot of scrutiny in his start as Manchester United manager but seems to finally have them in the right direction. The summer’s big arrivals, of Mkhitaryan, Pogba and Ibrahimovic, are also going from strength to strength.
- Liverpool
Yes, Liverpool has just as much rest as Chelsea but their defense has shown to be much more porous. Porous defenses don’t win leagues. Nevertheless, Liverpool has got goals in the team and just like during Brendan Rodger’s time, this will have them in the top four. Liverpool didn’t lose to any of the top six in the first leg and it has been admitted results against each other will be important for the top four contenders.
- Arsenal
This is a running joke. But who is brave enough to bet against Arsenal finishing among the top four? Their season has played out the same way over the last few years and this one is unlikely to be different. Arsenal usually finishes the league strongly and this will be an advantage in the expected tight race for top four.
