Contenders for the title

[Audacity]

You're probably all discussing this in the Premier League thread, but I can't be arsed looking in there and it's probably best if we keep it all central here over the course of the season.

Basically, who do you feel is still in the title race? Who are you ruling out? I said in a post on neoseeker before the end of the transfer window that Man Utd would be lucky to make top four, I predicted 5th for them and after seeing what they've done so far this season I'm safely ruling them out of retaining the title. Arsenal have made a strong start and being top - by four points - you've got to consider them real contenders. So they definitely can do it. Might get nervous when it comes to the run-in though.

Liverpool's aim is top four this season. Even though they were up at the top for a spell and are currently just 4th right now, I don't see them winning the league. Nor do I see their neighbours Everton, who I thought were bonkers for targeting top four at the start of the campaign but actually, it's not that ludicrous a claim. They still have a small squad though so injuries could ruin their season. Chelsea are my tip for the title, before the season and now. Their home record under Mourinho is so strong and even when they play badly they manage to conjure up a win. London rivals Tottenham will be in a battle for top four but not top spot, they signed a lot of great attacking players but it's not really working for them at the minute. Next season they'll have more of a chance.

Manchester City make up the trio of teams I think could realistically win the league. When they're on form there's no one more devastating and I see them being right up there at the end of the season.

So, three contenders for me. Is that the general consensus or do you think another team can win it? Are we all ruling Man Utd out?

[Chelsfccg]

For me Arsenal are definitely the favorites at the moment, majority of the team is playing well(even Bendtner has a goal), Ramsey and Ozil will be the main ones to take the praise if they do win the league but feel Flamini has been one of the differences, been exceptional since rejoining them, class ball winner but also decent technically too.

Man City and Chelsea are the only others I see having a chance as they realistically do have bettter players then Arsenal but consistency has been a problem for both. See Liverpool and Man U fighting out for the 4th and final spot with Spurs, Everton and maybe Newcastle and Southampton in the mix for Europa league.

[g7vikings]

For all the madness that has ensued the league so far, it'll tail off into a fairly predictable outcome.

Of course Arsenal are contenders, but they will be slowly chipped away at by City and Chelsea who'll make it a strong 3 horse race. I tipped Chelsea at the start of the season but I would change my mind to City now, I think they're the more likely to go on a sustained run.

Moyes will get things right at Utd and they'll do enough to sneak into 4th but I can't see them getting close enough to make a title push, but it's not really needed this year. It's all about Moyes finding ways to make it work for him and getting his squad together.

[Star of Spurs]

Arsenal are certainly good, and there's nothing saying they *can't* win the league, but you've got to remember they're only two (very good) players up from the side that struggled a lot last year. I'm not going to give the bogus "they don't have enough strength in depth" argument, they have, whether or not it's enough to win a title (and spread itself across at least three competitions) is another matter.

City have enough for all three and a frightening attack. Should win the title, they won't keep losing against the lower teams forever.

Chelsea are a cipher to me, I can't help but think they're not actually that good. A lowly 3rd.

As for 4th? Us. Just think we're better than our competitors. We won't be shit all season.

[LJack]

I've said Chelsea since the summer, and I'm not about to change my mind now. Generally agree with the consensus that it's going to be a 3 horse race with Arsenal and City as the supporting cast. The race for 4th is much more interesting, imo. Man U, Spurs, Liverpool, Everton, Southampton if they show some ambition, Newcastle grabbing at the coat tails of all of them - shaping up really nicely. Predict that one will go the boring way of Man U in the end, hope Spurs put up a good fight, but I'd love to see Everton or Southampton stake a claim.

[Arwelt]

Agree that it'll be a 3 horse race between Arsenal, Man City and Chelsea. I think City will win it, they're ridiculous at home and they'll start playing away from home soon. Not sure who'll get second, could go either way. Should be an interesting battle though. I think Man United might be battling there too for 3rd actually, definitely by fighting for CL. 4th is looking like a good fight too, Man United, Spurs, Liverpool and maybe Everton going for it.

[Stu]

Jack we're going to be 11th by the time Boruc is back, we'll be lucky to stay in the top half come the end of the season.

[sween]

Between Arsenal, Chelsea and City for me. Man Utd aren't in a title race this year as far as I'm concerned. They're in a battle for the last CL place with Liverpool, Spurs and maybe a few outsiders.

[U R GAY]

Arsenal or City. Current gap is 6 pts, if they still have that 6pt gap by January 1st then they should win it. Depends if they crumble with the really tough set of fixtures they have in December.

Everton (H), City (A), Chelsea (H), West Ham (A), Newcastle (A)

Wide open for the rest to finish in the top 4.

Chelsea, Liverpool, United, Spurs, Everton fighting for 2 places.

If I was guessing now I'd go for Chelsea and Liverpool (if they keep Suarez in January) but I honestly wouldn't be surprised if Everton get there.

Would be fantastically apt if Liverpool & Everton finish in the top 4 ahead of Chelsea with Sturridge and Lukaku knocking in 20 each and playing a huge role.

[mockingalvin]

It's a three horse race between Arsenal, Chelsea and City. I'd like to think Arsenal can sustain this form and go on and win it it, but i think they'll struggle against the teams around them, particularly away from home (see the end of March where their fixtures are Spurs (A), Chelsea (A), City (H) & Everton (A)). Might come down to who has a shorter champions league run out of the other two, can see City maybe taking their eye off the league a bit of they have a bit of success there.

[Gianni Infantino]

Calling for a manager to be sacked halfway through his second season so they can progress.

Spot the Chelsea fan. Very rarely works. Only really Rafa who's done it.

[Stu]

City are going to win it, if they can get into some sort of form away from home then they'll run away with it.

Chelsea, Arsenal and hopefully Everton will make up the top 4, fuck knows what order.

[Mick]

Think it will come down to City and Chelsea in the end, Arsenal will either drop off at some point or become even stronger.

If City can get that home form and apply it to there away games they could just walk the league.


Think it will finish like this

City
Chelsea
Arsenal

And hopefully us,United and Spurs in a fight for fourth.

[Ryan]

City are winning the title and Arsenal will finish 2nd. Other 2 top 4 spots to be occupied by 2 from Chelsea/Liverpool/United.

[tjc93]

Can't see past City no doubt, they'll beat Arsenal at home then they're in