2020/2021 EPL Predictions
Top 2
Let’s run through the teams in the English premier league in 2020. For me the same top 2 as last year. Both Man City and Liverpool are light years ahead of the chasing pack. Liverpool have already bought well and have strengthened nicely. Will they be better this year? I think LIverpool will develop a maturity. You simply cannot play every game at helter skelter pace. You need to pick your teams well to deal with the opponent. I think Liverpool will do this well this season.
Man City will be the closest chaser. They have a solid squad, but Pep may just wear these guys out. He is intense, and possibly the focus is on CL glory. Defensive weakness still exists.
Positions 3rd – 8th
Chelsea, Arsenal, Everton, Man United, Leicester and Tottenham in the mix here but in which order? Chelsea definitely seem to have the best squad out of this group, but they are missing a van Djik type defender that will take them up to the next level. I see them improving one position up to 3rd.
Man United for me are going to be poor. Are they going to get better than 66 points this season? Maybe up to 70 or so at best, but they have not really moved forward from last season. Solksjaer gone sometime in January when they are miles off the pace (again).
I do like Arsenal, and think they will make a huge improvement. They have had two huge problems. One was getting results against the top teams and the other was away form. At home they have been really good, especially against the lower half teams. I think they will improve the away record massively, and will finish 4th.
Everton, Man United and Spurs will be fighting for the 5th position, and I feel that United could even be as low as 7th (if no transfers come in). They just look so poor, and I think another huge slump may be coming sooner than later. Tottenham, under Mourinho, could surprise, but it could also go pear shaped quickly.
Positions 9th – 13th
Wolves, Leeds United, Brighton, Sheffield United, Newcastle United. Not sure why Wolves are selling players, but it will not help them. Leeds and Brighton look good. They are playing with some style, and will score goals and entertain. Leeds may run out of legs towards the end of the season but they will be safe. Newcastle will continue to improve, and will finish higher than last season (13th). Callum Wilson an excellent signing.
Positions 14-17
Burnley, Aston Villa, Crystal Palace, Southampton. Burnley will be comfortable in the end. They are always a difficult style/opponent and will find their way. Palace have already surprised me, but I don’t think they will find soft opponents like Man United every week.
Positions 18-20
Fulham, West Brom, West Ham. I have not really seen any teams as bad as West Brom and Fulham, and my expectation is that both these teams will be relegated. West Ham got a little lucky last season, but not sure they can dodge relegation this time around. It will be close for them. They have a brutal run of fixtures to start, and could have less that 5 points after 7 or 8 games.
First manager fired ?
For me the two candidates are David Moyes and Ole Gunnar Solksjaer. West Ham (no points after 2 games), have Wolves(H), Leicester(A), Spurs(A), Man City(H), Liverpool(A). Perhaps something against Wolves but the rest will be tough. Could have 3 or fewer points after 7 games, and already feel adrift.
Solksjaer is also staring down the barrel. United have Brighton(A), Tottenham(H), Newcastle(A), Chelsea(H), Arsenal(H), Everton(A). So 3 top 6 teams at home and 3 tricky away fixtures against decent opponents. Add to this that Crystal Palace gave the league a blueprint on how to beat United. I see trouble ahead, in a blowout season.