who will win the barclays premier league !

will it be another year of domination for Manchester United or will they be dethrone by their city rival Manchester City.

could it be the year the title returns to london with chelsea or could it be Arsenal's time to end their trophy drought?

could Spurs and Liverpool ruin everyone's parade and steal a march on the top guys

Will Man Utd declare Howard Webb as a squad member this year?

legendkillar wrote:Will Man Utd declare Howard Webb as a squad member this year?

going by ryan babel's picture on twitter id say he was signed on a multi year deal at utd estimate worth 9 goals a season

Unfortunatly I think it will be United again this year, no team seems that strong, but United have that extra thing that just means they can play badly all year but still end up winning the whole thing.

I went for Man City. Got a squad together now and everything seems quiet, which for me as a little sign that things have settled down and that the squad are gelling together.

I think Liverpool are in with a real shout, particuarly after the way Dalglish got them playing in the 2nd half of last season.

As a M.United fan I have to choose them but I think Chelsea and Arsenal will be our main rivals again.

City may be making leaps and bounds but they will do what Spurs did last year and struggle with balancing the Champions League and the Premiership and maybe bottle the top4 finish.

Spurs just edge Liverpool out for the fight for 4th spot.

It will be City or United, not sure yet.

Or QPR or West Brom

C'mon the Bolton!!

Utd to win no.20
But another close title race
L/pool & Arsenal to come close
Chelsea/City/spurs 4-5-6

If Swansea win will they change the name to E&WPL

Currently, more people think Wigan will win that Arsenal.

Excellent!

invincibleILeak (CL-6WF) wrote:Unfortunatly I think it will be United again this year, no team seems that strong, but United have that extra thing that just means they can play badly all year but still end up winning the whole thing.

Yeah it's called Howard Webb!

Who voted for Arsenal? I can understand QPR and Swansea, but Arsenal?

In my opinion, obviously could change given transfers etc:

1) Chelsea
2) Man U
3) Man City
4) Liverpool
5) Spurs
6) Everton
7) Arsenal
8.) Stoke
9) Bolton
10) Fulham
11) Newcastle
12) West Brom
13) Aston Villa
14) Sunderland
15) QPR
16) Blackburn
17) Wolves
18.) Wigan
19) Norwich
20) Swansea

Awww yeah! 3 people voted for Q.P.R

Guess it could be our year this year!

Forward Pass wrote:Utd to win no.20
But another close title race
L/pool & Arsenal to come close
Chelsea/City/spurs 4-5-6

You think Chelsea are going to be pipped by Liverpool and Arsenal?? Not a chance. Arsenal maybe but defo not Liverpool. Maybe in a couple of seasons.

I'd say Arsenal have a good shout of challenging Chelsea and finishing above them, but as said it will take time for this Liverpool squad to settle down and be strengthened, particularly in defence.

It will be interesting to see how Man C go, as if everything comes together they could walk every comp (except the CL), but if it doesn't then it could be the same this season with them battling for CL qualification

mmm, as much as i hate to say it, i think manu will get no 20, their closest competitors will probably be chelsea again, but that depends on iftorres returns to form, as well as his injury problems, liverpool i think will get a cl place,it just depends on how people like downing settle down, and suarez continues to show his promise, city had an overreliance on tevez last year, alot of how their season will go will depend on if aguero can replace him, and arsenal are the team i feeel will miss out, especially if they allow the fabregas saga to drag out again so they dont have time to get a replacement in

Liverpool let in 3 goals in a friendly against not great opposition (OK we got 6). Playing like Spurs under Ardiles isn't going to win PL.

If defence is sorted out then we have a shout. If not forget it. Blackpool did double on us last season....

Same true for Arsenal: Wenger never seems to have built a defence, he inherited Seaman, Winterburn, Adams, Bould or Keown, Dixon.

Which *gagging at the thought* leaves Chelski, M*n *td, or Man City.

Liverpool let in 3 goals in a friendly against not great opposition

A friendly though? Can't really judge it on a friendly.

A friendly though? Can't really judge it on a friendly.

Well it's the only form available, but I'd prefer 3-0.

Interesting, Liverpool and Utd are leading the poll, I would've expected a lot more votes for city. I voted for the reds but unfortunately I think fergie's mob will get number 20. Kenny got us back on track last season and I'm quite positive about about Downing and charlie adam. It was only a friendly antoineclarke, I wouldn't take too much out of it. Regardless I'm still expecting a decent season ahead.

antoineclarke wrote:
Same true for Arsenal: Wenger never seems to have built a defence, he inherited Seaman, Winterburn, Adams, Bould or Keown, Dixon.

What about the Lauren, Toure, Campbell, Cole defence I think that was a pretty good defence with Viera in front of it that Wenger built. Won a few things as well as i recall.

I also don't think you can take anything from friendlies as the players aren't focused on being competitive but merely getting fit and trying out their training ground moves.

Smirnoffpriest wrote:

antoineclarke wrote:
Same true for Arsenal: Wenger never seems to have built a defence, he inherited Seaman, Winterburn, Adams, Bould or Keown, Dixon.

What about the Lauren, Toure, Campbell, Cole defence I think that was a pretty good defence with Viera in front of it that Wenger built. Won a few things as well as i recall.

I also don't think you can take anything from friendlies as the players aren't focused on being competitive but merely getting fit and trying out their training ground moves.

Arsenal have played prettier football but won less. At Liverpool, we want the Premier League winning 1-0 (36 times with a deflected mis-kick) and drawing away 0-0 a couple of times, not finishing fourth by scoring goal of the month for each month of the season and losing to Norwich and Swansea at home. Once we have the Premiership, then we can try playing "you score three, we'll score six" with Barca and co.

Some decent signings so far (especially the keeper Doni), but two top notch defenders needed. And they need to work together.

Sorry antoine but what has your response that Arsenal play pretty football but don't win anything got to do with my comment that Wenger has built a good/great defence in his time?

I didn't see anybody on this forum argue that Liverpool should play pretty football or that pretty football is more effective than any other type of football. Although I will say that although Arsenal haven't won anything for 6 years they've been a damn sight closer than a lot of other teams that spend a great deal more - 3 finals, and 3 years where we were the strongest challenger in the Prem to the eventual winner.

@Smirnoffpriest

Arsenal are a very good side and have done quite well.

No arguments there.

And developing talent? I'd advise any young player to go to Arsenal.

But Wenger's early success was made easier by inheriting a very strong defence. I'm saying Liverpool need the same. And I think Arsenal have not prioritised this enough. But that's just my opinion.

Yes but after that defence retired Wenger built a new one and did the invincible season as I previously stated. He also bought a number of good defenders in his time. Goalkeeper is his main weakness as he's signed a lot of shockers, but I'm hopeful that Fab and Szczneczny(sp?) are comign good.

Arsenal have also spent a huge amount less than a lot of teams that have finished above and below them (Man U, Chelsea, Man C above, Liverpool, Spurs, even Newcastle below)

Who cares
Now the Murdoch bubble is bust they will all be broke within 5 years.
Overpaid egomaniacs the lot of them.

I know, why don't they have and English Premier League that has some English players~ that's a new idea.

too hard to call

We always end up there or there abouts at the end but this year with a new keeper and still no investment in the middle of midfield despite losing scholes, I wouldn't want to put my money on United

Chelsea - new manager so new ideas, Torres will be looking at proving a lot of doubters wrong, squad as a whole will want that title back

Liverpool - are they really back under Dalglish? Performance in 2nd half of last season proves they have the ability and will need to find that on a consistent basis. Some good investment since January, we already know how good Suarez is but I have a feeling that a Downing and Carroll combo will lead the assists and scorers charts this year

City - Quiet so far this summer with only the two signings made. As long as he doesn't interrupt what he built last season with a load of new players they should maintain their progress and be challenging this year. Tevez will be a loss but Kun Aguero would be an ideal replacement for them. He has a better attitude as well

Arsenal - Have signed Gervinho who looks to be a good buy, however shadows hang over thr futures of Cesc and Nasri, that sort of thing can't be positive heading into a season. Need this sorting ASAP as they will surely need to buy to replace despite Wengers unwillingness to spend big in teh transfer market

Spurs - For me they can maybe get a top four spot but some way of challenging for the league. They have class in Bale and Van Der Vaart, and have some other talented players in the squad. But the problem is they have a keeper who while he can save them 8 or 9 points a season he can also cost them the same figure, and the guy they have brought in to replace him, while still a good keeper is 41??? They don't have a striker who you can rely to dig them out of the sh!t when needed and bag them 20+ goals a season, defoe, crouch and Pav blow hot and cold and are too inconsistent.

Just my opinion though

i voted for an outsider i went for arsenal

however my team arent in the premier leage this season

Still can't see past Man United to be honest with Chelsea being a near 2nd

I'm going with the old superstition of 3rd time lucky.
This will be my 3rd season as a MAN CITY supporter and think we have all that it takes to win the league.

aja424 wrote:I'm going with the old superstition of 3rd time lucky.
This will be my 3rd season as a MAN CITY supporter and think we have all that it takes to win the league.

Who did you support previously? Chelsea?

I'm guessing follow the money.

Lets revive this thread a tad.

1. Man Utd
2. Chelsea
3. Liverpool
4. Man City
5. Spurs
6. Arsenal

18. Swansea
19. Wolves
20. QPR

1. Manchester United
2. Manchester City
3. Chelsea
4. Liverpool
5. Spurs
6. Arsenal

18. Norwich
19. West Brom
20. Swansea.

1.united
2.chelsea
3.arsenal
4.liverpool
5.city
6. everton
7.spurs

18. wba
19. norwich
20.wigan

I love the way every season for the past 4? people have said Arsenal will finish outside the top 4,5,6 (and I've seen posts here saying 7th below Everton) yet without spending a great deal they've consistently finished Top 4, and usually been challenging for the title until Feb/March time.

I am usually a pessimist with Arsenal and they always exceed my expectations, which is why I'm being more optimistic this year.

1. United (as much as it pains me)
2.Arsenal
3. M City
4. Chelsea
5. L/Pool
6. Spurs
7. Bolton
(as much as I'd like to see Everton being in the top 6/7 I don't think they've got the funds to strengthen their team adequately)

Wigan, Swans, Norwich (in no particular order)

IF LIVERPOOL WIN THE LEAGUE THEN I WILL SHAG CHERY COLE.

1 Man u
2 Man c
3 Chelsea
4 Liverpool
5 Arsenal
6 Spurs
.
.
.
18 Swansea
19 Wigan
20 QPR

Swansea!

My top 6:

Utd
City
Chelsea
Liverpool
Spurs
Arsenal

This seems to be the general consensus but I can't see anything different happening apart from possibly City/Utd swapping places and Spurs/Arsenal doing the same. Not really convinced by Spurs or Arsenal but I don't think anyone else is strong enough to challenge for 5th/6th, Everton possibly. I think from 7th down to 15th will be very close, being a Wolves fan I hope we are in that bracket somewhere rather than the bottom 5.

City reminds of the old Chelsea of Mourinho early years. They have come good this season finally. Aguero and Nasri have fitted in seamlessly. That performance against Spurs was brilliant.

Swansea have more votes than Arsenal

Chelsea are improving with every match so far, will be bang in it at the end of the season, believe me...

Really think this season will be the tightest in a long time. Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea. Never bet against United, City look at the top of their game, and have the strongest squad, Torres could hit form for Chelsea and who knows what they will do in January?

My vote goes to Manchester United.

Man Utd should win it although i expect Man City to run them close

we ( united ) should win it, we've had a cope without half our team and we are level on points with city most teams in the top 10 would struggl with our injury situation

Definately still think City. Man Utd still have to play a lot of the better teams away from home.

Yaya Toure has been a miss for City and he only misses one more game too.