General Premier League Thread 2018-19

citytillidie

Fixtures released tomorrow Thursday June 14th at 9am before Sky and BT make their changes

Four rounds of Premier League fixtures are scheduled to be played before the first international break, which is over the weekend of 8 and 9 September.

Trigger

Man Utd

citytillidie wrote: »

Fixtures released tomorrow Thursday June 14th at 9am before Sky and BT make their changes

Four rounds of Premier League fixtures are scheduled to be played before the first international break, which is over the weekend of 8 and 9 September.

I know the World Cup is starting tomorrow and I love that but god I hate the first international break of the season, way too early in the season for it

GavRedKing

Man Utd

Spurs new ground likely not to be ready for the first few rounds and have asked to play away and move into the new lane in September, assuming after the international break.

Quazzie

Man Utd

GavRedKing wrote: »

Spurs new ground likely not to be ready for the first few rounds and have asked to play away and move into the new lane in September, assuming after the international break.

4 away games at the start would be tough, but also set them up nicely if they pass the test.

GavRedKing

Man Utd

Quazzie wrote: »

4 away games at the start would be tough, but also set them up nicely if they pass the test.

Ya, I think they asked for 3 away ga,es and the use of Wembley if needed.

I think Liverpool got a few away games early the season just gone too as their stand still wasnt ready, so there is scope for the FA to sort it out.

jacool

Note to self - lay Spurs to win the league, they are no good at playing catch up as evidenced in 2016.
Even if they draw Cardiff, Wolves, Fulham and Huddersfield !
Currently 18/1

Wolves are 7th favourites !!!!!

citytillidie

Quazzie wrote: »

4 away games at the start would be tough, but also set them up nicely if they pass the test.

They have until Friday to let them know if they will use Wembley until the new ground is ready

citytillidie

GavRedKing wrote: »

Ya, I think they asked for 3 away ga,es and the use of Wembley if needed.

I think Liverpool got a few away games early the season just gone too as their stand still wasnt ready, so there is scope for the FA to sort it out.

Nope Liverpool worked with Burnley to swap their games that season as it was scheduled to be Liverpool's 1st home game in game week 2 which Burnley were happy to do, so it was away to Arsenal, home to Burnley, away to Spurs then international break

blueser

Man Utd

citytillidie wrote: »

They have until Friday to let them know if they will use Wembley until the new ground is ready

I'm sure I read somewhere that PL rules forbid having 2 "home" grounds in a season. If that's the case, and the PL don't back down, Spurs would have no alternative to playing their first x games away. Anyone heard any updates on that?

ArmaniJeanss

blueser wrote: »

I'm sure I read somewhere that PL rules forbid having 2 "home" grounds in a season. If that's the case, and the PL don't back down, Spurs would have no alternative to playing their first x games away. Anyone heard any updates on that?

It's true that's it's a rule but the PL exec committee can vote to allow a club to break it.

The rule is really meant to stop say Fulham deciding to play their MUFC home game in a bigger ground, or one of the big6 clubs playing a home game in New York etc.
In the Tottenham situation it would probably be considered OK, as the club would actually be losing money by doing it so they aren't trying to pull a fast one.

GavRedKing

Man Utd

Fixtures are out.

Arsenal have City at home in the first game, better to get them out of the way early I suppose.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2018/06/14/premier-league-fixtures-201819-live-updates/

Quazzie

Man Utd

GavRedKing wrote: »

Fixtures are out.

Arsenal have City at home in the first game, better to get them out of the way early I suppose.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2018/06/14/premier-league-fixtures-201819-live-updates/

Followed by Chelsea away.

Also Spurs and United within 4 days at the start of December. Tough schedule for Emery to get stuck into.

GavRedKing

Man Utd

Dont know about Arsenal but this is Chelseas fixtures after EL games.

West Ham away
Southampton away
Burnley away
Everton home
Fulham home
Brighton away

Nothing in there thats too "difficult" on paper anyway, relatively little travel too, bar Burnley and Southampton.

cj maxx

Chelsea

Could be Liverpools year

blueser

Man Utd

GavRedKing wrote: »

Dont know about Arsenal but this is Chelseas fixtures after EL games.



Nothing in there thats too "difficult" on paper anyway, relatively little travel too, bar Burnley and Southampton.

Fcuk me, you couldn't have handpicked a nicer set of fixtures for after a Thursday night game.

GavRedKing

Man Utd

blueser wrote: »

Fcuk me, you couldn't have handpicked a nicer set of fixtures for after a Thursday night game.

Ya, its pretty handy really.

Of the 4 away, 1 is in London and the other 2 (saints, Brighton) arent that far away really.

Burnely is a trek alright but as long as its on Sunday or Monday night and not Saturday at 5.30 we'll be alright.

The other two games are at home.

GavRedKing

Man Utd

P.S I also reckon we'll be sending a very weakened side out to the EL group stage games.

We'll be top seeds and should breeze the group.

citytillidie

Date/Team Man City Man Utd Spurs Liverpool Chelsea Arsenal Burnley Everton Leicester Newcastle
26th July UEL 2nd Qualifying round 1st leg
2nd Aug UEL 2nd Qualifying round 2nd leg
9th Aug UEL 3rd Qualifying round 1st leg
11th Aug Arsenal (a) Leicester Newcastle (a) West Ham Huddersfield (a) Man City Southampton (a) Wolves (a) Man Utd (a) Spurs
16th Aug UEL 3rd Qualifying round 2nd leg
18th Aug Huddersfield Brighton (a) Fulham Palace (a) Arsenal Chelsea (a) Watford Southampton Wolves Cardiff (a)
23rd Aug UEL Playoff 1st Leg
25th Aug Wolves (a) Spurs Man Utd (a) Brighton Newcastle (a) West Ham Fulham Bournemouth (a) Southampton (a) Chelsea
30th Aug UEL Playoff 2nd Leg
1st Sep Newcastle Burnley (a) Watford (a) Leicester (a) Bournemouth Cardiff (a) Man Utd Huddersfield Liverpool Man City (a)
15th Sep Fulham Watford (a) Liverpool Spurs (a) Cardiff Newcastle (a) Wolves (a) West Ham Bournemouth (a) Arsenal
18th Sep UCL Match Day 1 UCL Match Day 1 UCL Match Day 1 UCL Match Day 1
19th Sep UCL Match Day 1 UCL Match Day 1 UCL Match Day 1 UCL Match Day 1
20th Sep UEL Match Day 1 UEL Match Day 1 UEL Match Day 1
22nd Sep Cardiff (a) Wolves Brighton (a) Southmapton West Ham (a) Everton Bournemouth Arsenal (a) Huddersfield Palace (a)
29th Sep Brighton West Ham (a) Huddersfield (a) Chelsea (a) Liverpool Watford Cardiff (a) Fulham Newcastle (a) Leicester
2nd Oct UCL Match Day2 UCL Match Day2 UCL Match Day2 UCL Match Day2
3rd Oct UCL Match Day2 UCL Match Day2 UCL Match Day2 UCL Match Day2
4th Oct UEL Match Day 2 UEL Match Day 2 UEL Match Day 2
6th Oct Liverpool (a) Newcastle Cardiff Man City Southampton (a) Fulham (a) Huddersfield Leicester (a) Everton Man Utd (a)
20th Oct Burnley Chelsea (a) West Ham (a) Huddersfield (a) Man Utd Leicester Man City (a) Palace Arsenal (a) Brighton
23rd Oct UCL Match Day 3 UCL Match Day 3 UCL Match Day 3 UCL Match Day 3
24th Oct UCL Match Day 3 UCL Match Day 3 UCL Match Day 3 UCL Match Day 3
25th Oct UEL Match Day 3 UEL Match Day 3 UEL Match Day 3
27th Oct Spurs (a) Everton Man City Cardiff Burnley (a) Palace (a) Chelsea Man Utd (a) West Ham Southampton (a)
3rd Nov Southampton Bournemouth (a) Wolves (a) Arsenal (a) Palace Liverpool West Ham (a) Brighton Cardiff (a) Watford
6th Nov UCL Match Day 4 UCL Match Day 4 UCL Match Day 4 UCL Match Day 4
7th Nov UCL Match Day 4 UCL Match Day 4 UCL Match Day 4 UCL Match Day 4
8th Nov UEL Match Day 4 UEL Match Day 4 UEL Match Day 4
10th Nov Man Utd Man City (a) Palace (a) Fulham Everton Wolves Leicester (a) Chelsea (a) Burnley Bournemouth
24th Nov West Ham (a) Palace Chelsea Watford (a) Spurs (a) Bournemouth (a) Newcastle Cardiff Brighton (a) Burnley (a)
27th Nov UCL Match Day 5 UCL Match Day 5 UCL Match Day 5 UCL Match Day 5
28th Nov UCL Match Day 5 UCL Match Day 5 UCL Match Day 5 UCL Match Day 5
29th Nov UEL Match Day 5 UEL Match Day 5 UEL Match Day 5
1st Dec Bournemouth Southampton (a) Arsenal (a) Everton Fulham Spurs Palace (a) Liverpool Watford West Ham
4th Dec Watford (a) Arsenal Burnley (a) Wolves (a) Man Utd (a) Liverpool Fulham (a)
5th Dec Southampton Newcastle Everton (a)
8th Dec Chelsea (a) Fulham Leicester (a) Bournemouth (a) Man City Huddersfield Brighton Watford Spurs Wolves
11th Dec UCL Match Day 6 UCL Match Day 6 UCL Match Day 6 UCL Match Day 6
12th Dec UCL Match Day 6 UCL Match Day 6 UCL Match Day 6 UCL Match Day 6
13th Dec UEL Match Day 6 UEL Match Day 6 UEL Match Day 6
15th Dec Everon Liverpool (a) Burnley Man Utd Brighton (a) Southampton (a) Spurs (a) Man City (a) Palace (a) Huddersfield (a)
22nd Dec Palace Cardiff (a) Everton (a) Wolves (a) Leicester Burnley Arsenal (a) Spurs Chelsea Fulham
26th Dec Leicester (a) Huddersfield Bournemouth Newcastle Watford (a) Brighton (a) Everton Burnley (a) Man City Liverpool (a)
29th Dec Southampton (a) Bournemouth Wolves Arsenal Palace (a) Liverpool West Ham Brighton (a) Cardiff Watford (a)
1st Jan Liverpool Newcastle (a) Cardiff (a) Man City (a) Southampton Fulham Huddersfield (a) Leicester Everton (a) Man Utd
12th Jan Wolves Spurs (a) Man Utd Brighton (a) Newcastle West Ham (a) Fulham Bournemouth Southampton Chelsea (a)
19th Jan Huddersfield (a) Brighton Fulham (a) Palace Arsenal (a) Chelsea Watford (a) Southampton (a) Wolves (a) Cardiff
29th Jan Burnley Bournemouth (a) Cardiff Man Utd (a) Huddersfield (a)
30th Jan Newcastle (a) Watford Leicester Liverpool (a) Man City
2nd Feb Arsenal Leicester (a) Newcastle West Ham (a) Huddersfield Man City (a) Southampton Wolves Man Utd Spurs (a)
9th Feb Chelsea Fulham (a) Leicester Bournemouth Man City (a) Huddersfield (a) Brighton (a) Watford (a) Spurs Wolves (a)
23rd Feb Everton (a) Liverpool Burnley (a) Man Utd (a) Brighton Southampton Spurs Man City Palace Huddersfield
26th Feb Palace (a) Bournemouth Cardiff (a) Brighton
27th Feb West Ham Chelsea (a) Watford Spurs Newcastle (a) Burnley
2nd Mar Bournemouth (a) Southampton Arsenal Everton (a) Fulham (a) Spurs (a) Palace Liverpool Watford (a) West Ham (a)
9th Mar Watford Arsenal (a) Southampton Burnley Wolves Man Utd Liverpool (a) Newcastle (a) Fulham Everton
16th Mar Man Utd (a) Man City Palace Fulham (a) Everton (a) Wolves (a) Leicester Chelsea Burnley (a) Bournemouth (a)
30th Mar Fulham (a) Watford Liverpool (a) Spurs Cardiff (a) Newcastle Wolves West Ham (a) Bournemouth Arsenal (a)
6th Apr Cardiff Wolves (a) Brighton Southampton (a) West Ham Everton (a) Bournemouth (a) Arsenal Huddersfield (a) Palace
13th Apr Palace (a) West Ham Huddersfield Chelsea Liverpool (a) Watford (a) Cardiff Fulham (a) Newcastle Leicester (a)
20th Apr Spurs Everton (a) Man City (a) Cardiff (a) Burnley Palace Chelsea (a) Man Utd West Ham (a) Southampton
27th Apr Burnley (a) Chelsea West Ham Huddersfield Man Utd (a) Leicester (a) Man City Palace (a) Arsenal Brighton (a)
4th May Leicester Huddersfield (a) Bournemouth (a) Newcastle (a) Watford Brighton Everton (a) Burnley Man City (a) Liverpool
12th May Brighton (a) Cardiff Everton Wolves Leicester (a) Burnley (a) Arsenal Spurs (a) Chelsea Fulham (a)

citytillidie

Date/Team Palace Bournemouth West Ham Watford Brighton Huddersfield Southampton Wolves Cardiff Fulham
11th Aug Fulham (a) Cardiff Liverpool (a) Brighton Watford (a) Chelsea Burnley Everton Bournemouth (a) Palace
18th Aug Liverpool West Ham (a) Bournemouth Burnley (a) Man Utd Man City (a) Everton (a) Leicester (a) Newcastle Spurs (a)
25th Aug Watford (a) Everton Arsenal (a) Palace Liverpool (a) Cardiff Leicester Man City Huddersfield (a) Burnley
1st Sep Southampton Chelsea (a) Wolves Spurs Fulham Everton (a) Palace (a) West Ham (a) Arsenal Brighton (a)
15th Sep Huddersfield (a) Leicester Everton (a) Man Utd Southampton (a) Palace Brighton Burnley Chelsea (a) Man City (a)
22nd Sep Newcastle Burnley (a) Chelsea Fulham (a) Spurs Leicester (a) Liverpool (a) Man Utd Man City Watford
29th Sep Bournemouth (a) Palace Man Utd Arsenal (a) Man City (a) Spurs Wolves (a) Southampton Burnley Everton (a)
6th Oct Wolves Watford (a) Brighton (a) Bournemouth West Ham Burnley (a) Chelsea Palace (a) Spurs (a) Arsenal
20th Oct Everton (a) Southampton Spurs Wolves (a) Newcastle (a) Liverpool Bournemouth (a) Watford Fulham Cardiff (a)
27th Oct Arsenal Fulham (a) Leicester (a) Huddersfield Wolves Watford (a) Newcastle Brighton (a) Liverpool (a) Bournemouth
3rd Nov Chelsea (a) Man Utd Burnley Newcastle (a) Everton (a) Fulham Man City (a) Spurs Leicester Huddersfield (a)
10th Nov Spurs Newcastle (a) Huddersfield (a) Southampton (a) Cardiff (a) West Ham Watford Arsenal (a) Brighton Liverpool (a)
24th Nov Man Utd (a) Arsenal Man City Liverpool Leicester Wolves (a) Fulham (a) Huddersfield Everton (a) Southampton
1st Dec Burnley Man City (a) Newcastle (a) Leicester (a) Huddersfield (a) Brighton Man Utd Cardiff (a) Wolves Chelsea (a)
4th Dec Brighton (a) Huddersfield Cardiff Man City Palace Bournemouth (a) Chelsea West Ham (a) Leicester
8th Dec West Ham (a) Liverpool Palace Everton (a) Burnley (a) Arsenal (a) Cardiff (a) Newcastle (a) Southampton Man Utd (a)
15th Dec Leicester Wolves (a) Fulham (a) Cardiff Chelsea Newcastle Arsenal Bournemouth Watford (a) West Ham
22nd Dec Man City (a) Brighton Watford West Ham (a) Bournemouth (a) Southampton Huddersfield (a) Liverpool Man Utd Newcastle (a)
26th Dec Cardiff Spurs (a) Southampton (a) Chelsea Arsenal Man Utd (a) West Ham Fulham (a) Palace (a) Wolves
29th Dec Chelsea Man Utd (a) Burnley Newcastle Everton Fulham (a) Man City Spurs Leicester Huddersfield
1st Jan Wolves (a) Watford Brighton Bournemouth (a) West Ham (a) Burnley Chelsea Palace Spurs Arsenal
12th Jan Watford Everton (a) Arsenal Palace (a) Liverpool Cardiff (a) Leicester (a) Man City Huddersfield Burnley (a)
19th Jan Liverpool (a) West Ham Bournemouth (a) Burnley Man Utd (a) Man City Everton Leicester Newcastle (a) Spurs
29th Jan Chelsea Wolves (a) Fulham (a) Everton West Ham Arsenal (a) Brighton
30th Jan Southampton (a) Spurs (a) Palace
2nd Feb Fulham Cardiff (a) Liverpool Brighton (a) Watford Chelsea (a) Burnley (a) Everton (a) Bournemouth Palace (a)
9th Feb West Ham Liverpool (a) Palace (a) Everton Burnley Arsenal Cardiff Newcastle Southampton (a) Man Utd
23rd Feb Leicester (a) Wolves Fulham Cardiff (a) Chelsea (a) Newcastle (a) Arsenal (a) Bournemouth (a) Watford West Ham (a)
26th Feb Man Utd Arsenal (a) Leicester (a) Wolves Huddersfield (a) Everton
27th Feb Man City (a) Liverpool (a) Fulham Southampton (a)
2nd Mar Burnley (a) Man City Newcastle Leicester Huddersfield Brighton (a) Man Utd (a) Cardiff Wolves (a) Chelsea
9th Mar Brighton Huddersfield (a) Cardiff (a) Man City (a) Palace (a) Bournemouth Spurs (a) Chelsea (a) West Ham Leicester (a)
16th Mar Spurs (a) Newcastle Huddersfield Southampton Cardiff West Ham (a) Watford (a) Arsenal Brighton (a) Liverpool
30th Mar Huddersfield Leicester (a) Everton Man Utd (a) Southampton Palace (a) Brighton (a) Burnley (a) Chelsea (a) Man City
6th Apr Newcastle (a) Burnley Chelsea (a) Fulham Spurs (a) Leicester Liverpool Man Utd Man City (a) Watford (a)
13th Apr Man City Brighton (a) Man Utd (a) Arsenal Bournemouth Spurs (a) Wolves Southampton (a) Burnley (a) Everton
20th Apr Arsenal (a) Fulham Leicester Huddersfield (a) Woles (a) Watford Newcastle (a) Brighton Liverpool Bournemouth (a)
27th Apr Everton Southampton (a) Spurs (a) Wolves Newcastle Liverpool (a) Bournemouth Watford (a) Fulham (a) Cardiff
4th May Cardiff (a) Spurs Southampton Chelsea (a) Arsenal (a) Man Utd West Ham (a) Fulham Palace Wolves (a)
12th May Bournemouth Palace (a) Watford (a) West Ham Man City Huddersfield Southampton Liverpool (a) Man Utd (a) Newcastle

citytillidie

Rough guide when TV fixtures will about announced

Period of matches Approx date of announcement
Aug/Sept 6 July
Oct/Nov 7 August
Dec/Jan 12 October
Feb 12 December
Mar 25 January
Apr 22 February
May 5 April
MW38 post-MW37

GavRedKing

Man Utd

Stellar work citytillidie

citytillidie

GavRedKing wrote: »

Stellar work citytillidie

Rough guide until the TV companies move them about plus some spelling mistakes but ahh well could not be arsed to update those mistakes now will keep a monthly updated one through the season as games change for TV and postponements and cup games

citytillidie

Friday, 10 August
20:00 Man Utd v Leicester (Sky Sports)

Saturday, 11 August
12:30 Newcastle v Spurs (Sky Sports)
17:30 Wolves v Everton (BT Sport)

Sunday, 12 August
13:30 Liverpool v West Ham (Sky Sports)
16:00 Arsenal v Man City (Sky Sports)

Saturday, 18 August
12:30 Cardiff v Newcastle (Sky Sports)
17:30 Chelsea v Arsenal (BT Sport)

Sunday, 19 August
13:30 Man City v Huddersfield (Sky Sports)
16:00 Brighton v Man Utd (Sky Sports)

Monday, 20 August
20:00 Crystal Palace v Liverpool (Sky Sports)

Saturday, 25 August
12:30 Wolves v Man City (Sky Sports)
17:30 Liverpool v Brighton (BT Sport)

Sunday, 26 August
13:30 Watford v Crystal Palace (Sky Sports)
16:00 Newcastle v Chelsea (Sky Sports)

Monday, 27 August
20:00 Man Utd v Spurs (Sky Sports)

Saturday, 1 September
12:30 Leicester v Liverpool (Sky Sports)
17:30 Man City v Newcastle (BT Sport)

Sunday, 2 September
13:30 Cardiff v Arsenal (Sky Sports)
16:00 Watford v Spurs (Sky Sports)

Saturday, 15 September
12:30 Spurs v Liverpool (Sky Sports)
17:30 Watford v Man Utd (BT Sport)

Sunday, 16 September
13:30 Wolves v Burnley (Sky Sports)
16:00 Everton v West Ham (Sky Sports)

Monday, 17 September
20:00 Southampton v Brighton (Sky Sports)

Saturday, 22 September
12:30 Fulham v Watford (Sky Sports)
17:30 Brighton v Spurs (BT Sport)

Sunday, 23 September
13:30 West Ham v Chelsea (Sky Sports)
16:00 Arsenal v Everton (Sky Sports)

Saturday, 29 September
12:30 West Ham v Man Utd (BT Sport)
17:30 Chelsea v Liverpool (BT Sport)

Sunday, 30 September
16:00 Cardiff v Burnley (Sky Sports)

Monday, 1 October
20:00 AFC Bournemouth v Crystal Palace (Sky Sports)

5starpool

Man Utd

Should get a public poll added like other years, be a good laugh later in the year, probably at the expense of Liverpool fans, but hey ho.

Get on it mods, public poll please. Maybe update thread title to General Premier League Thread 2018/19 or something to match last the last couple of years?

GavRedKing

Man Utd

5starpool wrote: »

Should get a public poll added like other years, be a good laugh later in the year, probably at the expense of Liverpool fans, but hey ho.

Get on it mods, public poll please. Maybe update thread title to General Premier League Thread 2018/19 or something to match last the last couple of years?

Gimme a few mins

GavRedKing

Man Utd

Poll added, thread title updated.

Have at it.

I've gone for City, I think they're so far above the rest of the top 6 that they'll be the first side to retain since Utd nearly a decade ago.

Top 4 for me will probably end up the same as last year.

City, Utd, Pool, Spurs.

Chelsea and Arsenal have a lot of ground to make up with new managers and a few signings, right now IMO, neither will finish in the top 4 but wont be far off it.

5starpool

Man Utd

I think it is most likely to be City too. I hope Liverpool are at least the nearest challengers, but despite adding some much needed quality (hopefully), they are I feel just too light on cover up front, and if a couple of key injuries happen, the quality might not quite be there to sustain things. City have better depth in an attacking sense, even before the addition of Mahrez.

I do think Naby Keita will be one of the POTY contenders though from what I've seen of him so far.

City hopefully won't get 100 or so points again though, if they do no one will be catching them. If 86-88 points can be a winning total there are a few teams who could hope to achieve this with a bit of a fair wind.

It'll be interesting to see how Wolves/Portugal get on though this season.

5starpool

Man Utd

My early (to be laughed at) final league table is:

Man City
Liverpool
Man Utd
Spurs
Chelsea
Arsenal
West Ham
Everton
Leicester
Wolves
Southampton
Burnley
Newcastle
Crystal Palace
Fulham
Bournemouth
Cardiff
Brighton
Watford
Huddersfield

GavRedKing

Man Utd

I've setup a PL prediction thread too, was fun to look back at the end of last season.

Trigger

Man Utd

Gone for City to win it, top four to consist of United Pool and Chelsea not particularly in that order. While I don’t think City will mirror last season I do think their squad is too strong to not retain it. I do think the next three will be much closer than last season though, probably something around 5-7 points to second place

Iago

Man Utd

for ****s and giggles

Man City
Man Utd
Liverpool
Chelsea
Arsenal
Spurs
Everton
West Ham
Wolves
Leicester
Newcastle
Southampton
Burnley
Crystal Palace
Fulham
Huddersfield
Bournemouth
Brighton
Cardiff
Watford

HalloweenJack

I reckon it's City's to lose, with United and Liverpool being the the nearest challengers. I expect Liverpool to close the gap somewhat this year.

Spurs to round off the top four and Arsenal and Chelsea to follow.

I think Wolves will have the least trouble adjusting to the top flight and could even get the final European place. I also expect Everton to push on while I can see Burnley struggling to build on last season.

I think the rest of them will be flopping about in the bottom half and swapping places. There's probably quite a few teams that can get sucked into the relegation battle.

GavRedKing

Man Utd

I personally dont think we'll get top 4 if we lose Hazard.

If Hazard doesnt leave before the PL window closes I cant see him going later in August, I think La Liga window is open until the start of September, no way Chelsea will sell if they cant get in any replacement after the PL window shuts so the next 2weeks are huge for us.

I've said it in the Chelsea thread, I think our best chance of CL football next year is to win the EL but that in itself is no easy feat.

I watched our first pre season game and Chelsea this year will be a totally different side under Sarri, it was only Perth Glory so I wont go OTT but the use of Jorginho in the 433 system will be key to how we approach games and its encouraging that we might finally be more of an attacking, free flowing side but I'd still be worried about us long term, 4 at the back doesnt really suit us.

Moses and Alonso are awful FBs, decent WBs but they cant defend at all so the back 5 including the GK will be interesting to see who starts for us. Morata was probably the worst player on the pitch too the other day, which is worrying.

thebaz

Man Utd

i see it as a 2 horse race - City and Pool - Man Utd, Chelsea Spurs and Arsenal to follow.
Don't think everton will be 7th - new manager and hopefully new style - West Ham and possibly Wolves will battle Everton for 7th.

Relegation will be a fight amongst the usual suspects - Cardiff, Huddersfield should probably get relegated - and a battle amongst the also rans for final spot.

Stoke to come back up - they have recruited well.

correction

Man Utd

Surprised people taking United being top 4 for granted. Jose coming into his 3rd season and already acting like a little brat. They haven't improved the defense (as of yet) and I'm not sure I see the makings of a cohesive attack in their mismatch of players. Could easily see them having a nightmare and Jose gone mid season.

GavRedKing

Man Utd

correction wrote: »

Surprised people taking United being top 4 for granted. Jose coming into his 3rd season and already acting like a little brat. They haven't improved the defense (as of yet) and I'm not sure I see the makings of a cohesive attack in their mismatch of players. Could easily see them having a nightmare and Jose gone mid season.

I dont think hes lost the players just yet.

I'd give him another season, assuming they dont win the league or CL before he has a proper meltdown and is out on his ear again.

Deise Vu

Man Utd

Hopefully more of a competition this year. City have signed Mahrez but they already have so many attacking options that you could argue that it doesn't really strengthen them whereas Liverpool have replaced their weakest player and added a bit more guile to a midfield that was a bit pedestrian compared to their front players but will Salah have a season like last year and what happens if VVD gets injured and they have to rely on the best central defender in the world plus an injury prone Matip?

Utd haven't added much and José is going to have to cope with the likes of players like Pogba who have won nothing in their careers except a few Serie A titles and a World Cup. On top of that Utd have to play Leicester on a Friday night. It's hard to see how any team could recover from that body blow.

Spurs haven't lost anyone (yet) nor added anyone. Surprisingly Levy has allowed Alderweireld and Dembele run down their contracts and they could be a fly in the ointment for team spirit if they start agitating for moves or do a Sanchez and disappear over the horizon in January stuffing fiftys into a large suitcase. The move to the new ground plus Kane and Pochettino signing long term contracts should be a boost though and I expect Spurs to make a CL spot again if their start isn't a complete disaster (world Cup hangovers, no home games, Harry & August not mixing). Even without signings they have more strength in depth than most teams bar City.

Chelsea are likely to be weaker on the pitch but stronger off it and Arsenal don't look like they added enough quality signings to lift them the 20 points or more they will need to challenge. If Chelsea lose Hazard, the top four will definitely be City / Liverpool / Spurs / Utd. Winning is between City and Liverpool. I have a sneaking suspicion that World Cup hangovers & being runaway champions will hit City more than Liverpool and City will be more concentrated on the CL. On balance I would make Liverpool slight favourites to build an early lead and pip a late charging City.

Harry Palmr

Man Utd

Voted City to win as for the rest, we'll have a better idea when the transfer window SLAMS SHUT

Deise Vu

Man Utd

Harry Palmr wrote: »

Voted City to win as for the rest, we'll have a better idea when the transfer window SLAMS SHUT

Correct, I meant to mention that we haven't seen the ripple effect from the Ronaldo transfer yet. Anything could happen.

GavRedKing

Arsenal

GavRedKing wrote: »

I dont think hes lost the players just yet.

I'd give him another season, assuming they dont win the league or CL before he has a proper meltdown and is out on his ear again.

I saw the rumblings now with him whinging about lack of transfers - I’ve a feeling he’ll not last the season

Johner

Chelsea

United still finished a good second last season though, I'd predict a 3rd place finish at the moment behind City and Liverpool.

GavRedKing

Man Utd

Crew Harsh Velour wrote: »

I saw the rumblings now with him whinging about lack of transfers - I’ve a feeling he’ll not last the season

True, its bearing a striking resemblance to our disastrous pre season in 2015-16 when we never won a game and he (rightfully) moaned all summer about not getting the players he wanted, that ended with us in 16th and him being sacked and a few crazy situations in between (Physios against Swansea on the opening day).

I dont think his fall will be that spectacular again but if hes not careful, his 3rd season meltdown mightn't be far away.

Iused2likebusts

What I really can't understand is why the league is starting so early its ridiculous . No reason whatsoever why they couldn't have delayed it by a week. The season ends on may 12th no reason that couldn't have been pushed back a week to accomadate a later start. The players need a proper break and its particularly unfair on city, utd and spurs who all had a fair few players involved in the WC right up to the last weekend . Lots of teams won't be able to start with their first choice players due to the early start.

the whole year inn

Man Utd

GavRedKing wrote: »

True, its bearing a striking resemblance to our disastrous pre season in 2015-16 when we never won a game and he (rightfully) moaned all summer about not getting the players he wanted, that ended with us in 16th and him being sacked and a few crazy situations in between (Physios against Swansea on the opening day).

I dont think his fall will be that spectacular again but if hes not careful, his 3rd season meltdown mightn't be far away.

Does he have it in his contract that he cant go to another club in the same season.Wouldnt surprise me to see him back at Chelsea if Sarri gets booted early.

5starpool

Man Utd

the whole year inn wrote: »

Does he have it in his contract that he cant go to another club in the same season.Wouldnt surprise me to see him back at Chelsea if Sarri gets booted early.

That would surprise me, even if there is no contract clause against it.

GavRedKing

Man Utd

the whole year inn wrote: »

Does he have it in his contract that he cant go to another club in the same season.Wouldnt surprise me to see him back at Chelsea if Sarri gets booted early.

Theres no hope he'll end up back at Chelsea for a 3rd stint.

I dont think Sarri will get booted out either, unless we're about at the end of the year and out of the EL and nowhere near the top 4.

Expectations are pretty low for Sarri IMO, same goes with Arsenal, we're the only top 6 clubs with massive bridges to gap, even more so Chelsea considering the managerial change and potentially losing Courtois and Hazard.

I'd take another top 6 finish and a cup if we were pushing the top 4 until the end of the sesaon.

I said it earlier, our best hope of CL football is to win the EL, Liverpool and Arsenal have found its not that easy, even if you're one of the 2 or 3 favourites, which we would be before a ball is kicked.

Utd winning it a few seasons back and finishing 6th, I'd take that, as long as we didnt play the same turgid football as Utd that year and all signs point to Sarri at least being expansive, it might be naive but it should at least be exciting. :pac:

the whole year inn

Man Utd

GavRedKing wrote: »

Theres no hope he'll end up back at Chelsea for a 3rd stint.

I dont think Sarri will get booted out either, unless we're about at the end of the year and out of the EL and nowhere near the top 4.

Expectations are pretty low for Sarri IMO, same goes with Arsenal, we're the only top 6 clubs with massive bridges to gap, even more so Chelsea considering the managerial change and potentially losing Courtois and Hazard.

I'd take another top 6 finish and a cup if we were pushing the top 4 until the end of the sesaon.

I said it earlier, our best hope of CL football is to win the EL, Liverpool and Arsenal have found its not that easy, even if you're one of the 2 or 3 favourites, which we would be before a ball is kicked.

Utd winning it a few seasons back and finishing 6th, I'd take that, as long as we didnt play the same turgid football as Utd that year and all signs point to Sarri at least being expansive, it might be naive but it should at least be exciting. :pac:

Fair enough,thought he didnt burn every bridge there at Chelsea,and him winning the league there I thought would have left a door open for him to crawl through.

GavRedKing

Man Utd

the whole year inn wrote: »

Fair enough,thought he didnt burn every bridge there at Chelsea,and him winning the league there I thought would have left a door open for him to crawl through.

Oh christ no, ill try get the statement the club released at the time.

It wasnt pretty.

Edit : It was actually Emenalo speaking about Mourinho that made for uneasy reading.

Didnt acknowledge him at all.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/managers/jose-mourinho/12057190/Jose-Mourinho-sacked-by-Chelsea-because-of-unhealable-rift-with-players.html

Harry Palmr

Man Utd

Always a highlight of the summer - the guardian season previews and predictions

Arsenal -

https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2018/jul/30/premier-league-2018-19-preview-arsenal-unai-emery

klose

I think spurs, arsenal and Chelsea will be fascinating to see how they play out.

Emery is no stranger to silver albeit mostly in Cup competions and if aubameyang and lacazette can stay fit all year they've as good a forward line as any in the league.

Spurs seem to be sitting tight with what they have and a new stadium for the season, with other teams around strengthening you'd imagine they'd slip back a little but you never know if kane stays fit all year they'll be there or there abouts.

Chelsea a bit of an unknown, a manager who coached a brilliant napoli team but with only one player in and hazard with his head turned can they make up the ground?

As a Liverpool fan I'd be hugely disappointed if we don't pick up any silverware this season and really there's no excuse why we can't klopp has all the tools he wants at his disposal.

blueser

Man Utd

Harry Palmr wrote: »

Always a highlight of the summer - the guardian season previews and predictions

Arsenal - https://www.theguardian.com/football...nal-unai-emery

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