EPL 2016-2017

[dolamite]

Should be an interesting season, everything is going to be wide open with 6-7 teams with a legitimate shot at not only the top 4 but the top of the table.

 

 

We can use this thread to track and discuss.

[dolamite]

First weekend is in the books.

 

Chelsea closed opening weekend with a 2-1 win over West Ham in the London Derby. Luckily for them Payet only played the last 20-30 minutes, and Lanzinni didn't play at all or this could have easily been an L or at best a draw. Chelsea dominated for most of the match but a late West Ham goal tied it before some Diego Costa heroics in the 88th minute.

 

 

Liverpool beat Arsenal.

 

Zlatan keeps doing Zlatan things and Man U won their opener. Ibrahimovic has now scored in his debut for EPL, Serie A, La Liga, and Ligue I, that's pretty impressive.

 

Man City won in the debut of the Pep Guardiola era.

 

LC actually upset by Hull 2-1

 

Everton and Spurs played to a draw.

[Getslow]

After last season's fun, I have a feeling we'll see a return to status quo this year.

 

Only caught the Leicester/Hull match this weekend. Hopefully I'll see a few more most weekends.

[dolamite]

After last season's fun, I have a feeling we'll see a return to status quo this year.

 

Only caught the Leicester/Hull match this weekend. Hopefully I'll see a few more most weekends.

 

Who's in your top 4? The usual suspects?

 

 

I think I'm going to go with Man U., City, Chelsea, with Arsenal, Liverpool, Spurs and LC battling it out for the 4th spot.

 

I guess you could throw West Ham in there then add Chelsea to that mix and say its a 5-6 way battle for two remaining spots.

 

Chelsea basically has same team that won the title a couple of years ago, but also the same team that flirted with relegation for a big part of last season. I think Conte and Kante should both be what the Dr. ordered to get them playing more at their championship form than last seasons form. Hazard, Oscar, Matic, etc. have already looked head and shoulders better than last season. This team now has fight and some life to them so I'm hoping for a nice bounce back season.

 

West Ham is intriguing with Payet and Lanzinni back, and then Ayew coming in from Swansea. However, it's still West Ham so hard to see them out doing their 7th place finish from last year.

 

 

I look for the Spurs to do Spurs like things and possibly miss top 4 after being so close to the title last year.

 

Man U scares me. For one, Mourinho is always great at getting teams to play their best in his first two seasons, it's the long term where his teams always break down. Plus with all the new editions I think this is going to be a tough squad once they get rolling.

 

I like what Arsenal is "trying" to do, key word trying. I mean this is the most money Wenger has tried to spend in ages so if he can lock down Mustafi, Lacazette and a few others on top of Xhaka then add them to the likes of an in form Alexis and Ozil then this could get interesting.

 

Liverpool should be right there, I really like Klopp as a manager. Giroud has proven to be one of the best goal scorers in the EPL so they will rely on his goals much like Spurs relied on Kane last year if they want to really make noise.

 

City should bounce back with Guardolia and all the reinforcements (although I feel they got fleeced on Stones ).

 

LC is the unknown. Kante was a bigger loss than anyone will expect. Plus do we really expect LC to do big things again? And what will happen with Mahrez?

 

 

Just really wide open though, no stand alone teams this year which should create the same type of parity we saw last season. But I do agree it should be more of the traditional big four this year.

[Getslow]

I think United and City will be very good. I think Chelsea has that potential, but last season gives me pause. I'll take Liverpool for the fourth spot at this point, but they could potentially be better than that.

[dolamite]

I think United and City will be very good. I think Chelsea has that potential, but last season gives me pause. I'll take Liverpool for the fourth spot at this point, but they could potentially be better than that.

 

Right there with you. As a Chelsea fan I am more optimistic than most but I think Conte was the right man for the job. Hard to bet on them, but tough to bet against them in terms of not being in the top 4. It really could go either way, but they should be in contention.

[dolamite]

Man U over Southhampton 2-0.

 

Pogbas debut and Zlatan steals the show. Both goals for Zlatan, one on a beautiful header the other from a PK. Three goals already for Zlatan in two games, not bad for 34.

[mexitucky]

Liverpool keeps Liverpooling. I would love for Lovren, Henderson, and Mignolet to get lost on their way to the stadium for like 36 straight games.

[akw4572]

Liverpool keeps Liverpooling. I would love for Lovren, Henderson, and Mignolet to get lost on their way to the stadium for like 36 straight games.

 

I'm with you on Henderson and Mingolet. I'll keep Lovren........he really improved last year.

[mexitucky]

I'm with you on Henderson and Mingolet. I'll keep Lovren........he really improved last year.

 

He did, and then this season started. He doesn't close out on attackers at the edge of the box quickly enough

[dolamite]

Who's in your top 4? The usual suspects?

 

 

I think I'm going to go with Man U., City, Chelsea, with Arsenal, Liverpool, Spurs and LC battling it out for the 4th spot.

 

I guess you could throw West Ham in there then add Chelsea to that mix and say its a 5-6 way battle for two remaining spots.

 

Chelsea basically has same team that won the title a couple of years ago, but also the same team that flirted with relegation for a big part of last season. I think Conte and Kante should both be what the Dr. ordered to get them playing more at their championship form than last seasons form. Hazard, Oscar, Matic, etc. have already looked head and shoulders better than last season. This team now has fight and some life to them so I'm hoping for a nice bounce back season.

 

West Ham is intriguing with Payet and Lanzinni back, and then Ayew coming in from Swansea. However, it's still West Ham so hard to see them out doing their 7th place finish from last year.

 

 

I look for the Spurs to do Spurs like things and possibly miss top 4 after being so close to the title last year.

 

Man U scares me. For one, Mourinho is always great at getting teams to play their best in his first two seasons, it's the long term where his teams always break down. Plus with all the new editions I think this is going to be a tough squad once they get rolling.

 

I like what Arsenal is "trying" to do, key word trying. I mean this is the most money Wenger has tried to spend in ages so if he can lock down Mustafi, Lacazette and a few others on top of Xhaka then add them to the likes of an in form Alexis and Ozil then this could get interesting.

 

Liverpool should be right there, I really like Klopp as a manager. Giroud has proven to be one of the best goal scorers in the EPL so they will rely on his goals much like Spurs relied on Kane last year if they want to really make noise.

 

City should bounce back with Guardolia and all the reinforcements (although I feel they got fleeced on Stones ).

 

LC is the unknown. Kante was a bigger loss than anyone will expect. Plus do we really expect LC to do big things again? And what will happen with Mahrez?

 

 

Just really wide open though, no stand alone teams this year which should create the same type of parity we saw last season. But I do agree it should be more of the traditional big four this year.

 

Obviously I meant Gerrad instead of Giroud there. Just now noticed it, but I guess it shows what kind of mark Gerrard left while he was there. I had no idea he was no longer on the squad. Guess it will be up to Coutinho and Sturridge to score all the goals. A Liverpool squad without Gerrard sounds strange to me.

[jpa2825]

Liverpool keeps Liverpooling. I would love for Lovren, Henderson, and Mignolet to get lost on their way to the stadium for like 36 straight games.

 

Sadly, so true. Dominate 80% of the possession, get good chances, don't put 'em away and then give up 2 goals in counter attack. Until they prove they can overcome it, I expect to see plenty of middling teams pack the box and then try to steal a goal in counter.

[dolamite]

Wild end to the transfer window yesterday. Jack Wilshere ends up going from Arsenal to Bournemouth. Chelsea end up bringing David Luiz home after two successful seasons at PSG.

 

Now that the window has closed we have a better look at what the squads shall look like. Man U obviously won the summer after bringing in Pogba, Zlatan, Bailly, and Mkhitaryan but Arsenal, Chelsea, and City had good hauls as well.

 

I think N'golo Kante is the most important signing of the summer as it filled Chelsea's most pressing need with arguably the leagues most valuable player from last season. Luiz is prone to mistakes but he is a good ball playing CB that will be a major welcome back to Stamford Bridge.

 

Arsenal with Xhaka, Mustafi, and all of their moves also filled some major needs.

 

 

 

So now that the window has slammed shut, I will go with a top four of Man U., Chelsea, City, and Arsenal with Liverpool knocking on the door and Spurs/LC fighting for Europa spots.