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About This Page: This is a discussion on Soccer within the LetsGoKings.com forums, at Los Angeles Kings Hockey Fan Forum. Now that the 07/08 Community Shield is done and dusted, we are less than one week away from the start of the new season.
More money and more talented players
Now that the 07/08 Community Shield is done and dusted, we are less than one week away from the start of the new season.
More money and more talented players have been injected into the league. Both Chelsea and ManUtd have made key additions to their already strong squads. Liverpool were finally able to join the ranks and spend over 15 million pounds on a single player.
Position for position, Chelsea, ManUtd and Liverpool have the most "quality depth" in the league. At the end of the season, my guess is only 10 points will separate them.
Arsene Wenger thinks Arsenal will be title contenders. When he called a "undefeated season" in 2003/4, Arsenal did just that. There's no question that Arsenal's kids are extremely talented. Van Persie will probably have a breakout season this year, and Eduardo da Silva is very talented a perfect player for Arsenal's system.
However, the departure of both Henry and Ljungberg, and the absence of some of Arsenal's African players during next January's African Nation's Cup will be too much for Arsenal to overcome. I pick Tottenham to finish above Arsenal.
How the top teams play out against the mid table group, which is one of the best in years, will play a large part in determining the final standings. This group includes Portsmouth, Everton, Blackburn, Newcastle, Manchester City, and possibly Sunderland. I'd include Aston Villa but they haven't done much this offseason considering the quality of their manager in Martin O'Neil and the financial backing they have.
-With Roy Keane at the helm, Sunderland could be the Wigan and Reading from each of the last two seasons.
-Newcastle, although not yet very strong in defense, will be an irritating bunch under Sam Allardyce. A player like Alan Smith was a perfect signing for Fat Sam.
-With David James in goal, Sol Campbell and Sylvain Distin at CB, and an energetic Muntari protecting the back 4 just as well as he is going forward, this mini spine in the middle of the defense for Portsmouth is just good as any in the league. Harry Redknapp is not an elite manager, but has a wealth of experience and he's doing it with with Portsmouth
-Since the sale of Wayne Rooney, David Moyes has quietly built Everton into a Top 6 team. I hate to say it but Moyes is a very good manager.
-Mark Hughes, another great manager in the making, has added Roque Santa Cruz and retained his best performers from last season to make Blackburn's attack more potent...that's if Santa Cruz settles in the EPL just as well as Benny McCarthy did.
-If you didn't follow the English league, you'd think Manchester City were a top club by the way they spent this offseason. They've hired Sven Erickson who is proven at club level, and he was given a 50 million pound war chest. So far, so good. Manchester City could gel by the second half to fight for a spot in the top 6.
I think this is going to one of the most competitive seasons in the history of the English league. Can't wait.
There's my $0.02. Feel free to discuss, add you own analysis or your predictions for the upcoming season.
Last edited by redxalonso; August 6th, 2007 at 06:18 AM.
It's going to be a great season!!! Looking forward to see Tottenham vs Arsenal, there are a lot of young guns on both teams.
Chelsea could come off to a slow start this year as Captain John Terry is out for at leasta month with a knee injury and striker Didier Drogba might not start next weekend.
I say Man. U takes the league (hope this isn't a jinx ASU...) with their combination of skill, speed, and coaching. Tevez & Rooney are a terrible twosome...
I'm probably in denial that Tottenham aren't legitimately good enough to challenge for 3rd place.
The more I see Berbatov, the more impressed I am with this guy. He guy can receive a 50 yard pass, with both feet, on the run, like an NFL wide receiver does with their HANDS!
Anyhow check out Robbie Keane's goal vs. Torino. Also notice Steed Malbranque's assist on Berbatov's goal.
I'm waiting to see if C. Ronaldo can reproduce this season, or if it was a fluke year (which is my theory).
I also feel Drogba is going to go on a scoring tear again.
As for the champs, I can never pick anyone above Liverpool, but we'll see if that can happen. Looks like it's going to be a great season, and I am very much looking forward to it!
Since Mourinho has gone back to the 4-3-3 they were so much more successful with I'd pick them to win the league if they can stay healthy. Having Ben-Haim and Alex this year will make the loss of Terry or Carvalho less of a blow.
United has the advantage of being able to slowly work their new players in and get them comfortable in a new league. Liverpool does not and they will need to gel quickly or the title may be lost by November.
Maybe I'm going with my heart instead of my head but I think Arsenal gets the last champions league spot over Spurs. van Persie is going to have a monster year.
Spurs are another team that have so many new faces it should take them a while to get into a groove. They also conceded twice as many goals as the top 3 teams and almost twice as many as Arsenal while scoring the fewest goals. The back four need to play much better if they are going to compete for a CL spot.
I'm waiting to see if C. Ronaldo can reproduce this season, or if it was a fluke year (which is my theory).
I don't think he'll struggle to put the ball in the back of the net. I think he goes on a tear again and it's my belief that United takes it this year.
2007/08 English Premier League Season 
Mr. Irreverent
