What an exciting summer! We’ve witnessed the establishment of a new coalition Government, Robbie rejoining Take That, the annual instalment of the ‘Fabregas to Barca’ soap opera, and Gazza tempting murderers with chicken, And let’s not forget the World Cup. No, sorry, let’s.
But despite all the excitement, throughout the last three months something has been missing. An undeniable void has appeared every week, and I don’t mean Jonathan Ross’s smug mug every Friday night. This weekend that void will finally be filled once again. Following the hors’devours of last Sunday’s Community Shield the English Premier League returns at 12.45pm tomorrow to make every football-loving man, woman and child complete. And what a Premier League it promises to be.
For the first time since the top flight was known as Division One, almost 20 years ago, up to 6 teams can make genuine claims to having a chance of winning the title. And not only that, but barring Blackpool, it’s almost impossible to predict which teams will lose their seat at the top table come next May. And I mean no disrespect to Blackpool with that statement – I’ve been anticipating Ian Holloway’s first pre-match press conference as much as any action on the pitch - but unfortunately, despite their manager’s brilliance, theirs is the only finishing position I would have confidence predicting right now. So what about the rest?
I think the EPL has become a league of two tiers recently. The same teams have regularly been appearing in the top eight positions, and many of the perceived weaker teams having become more established during the past couple of years, meaning that any teams outside that top eight could be faced with a tricky season on their hands.
I'll post my predictions for the two tiers shortly.....
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