EPL predictions

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by Igottago

But I agree that competetive balance is out of whack..I personally think Champions league should actually be a full season league of the top teams in europe, and they could get relegated/promoted from their domestic leagues.

The G-14 would love you!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G-14

However, I think even in a european superleague, you would start to see seperation and in a few years there would indeed be a BIG 4.

[Winsor_Pilates]

I agree that soccer has an uneven playing field when it come to big teams, but how soon we forget as hockey fans:
2003 New Jersey Devils
2002 Detroit Red Wings
2001 Colorado Avalanche
2000 New Jersey Devils
1999 Dallas Stars
1998 Detroit Red Wings
1997 Detroit Red Wings
1996 Colorado Avalanche
1995 New Jersey Devils

that's 9 years straight in recent times that only 4 teams won the cup do largely to uneven finances in the sport. If it wasn't for Dallas it could have been only 3 teams. Not much different from the current EPL

as for predictions:
1-Arsenal
2-Don't care

[troutman]

Originally Posted by Winsor_Pilates

I agree that soccer has an uneven playing field when it come to big teams, but how soon we forget as hockey fans:
2003 New Jersey Devils
2002 Detroit Red Wings
2001 Colorado Avalanche
2000 New Jersey Devils
1999 Dallas Stars
1998 Detroit Red Wings
1997 Detroit Red Wings
1996 Colorado Avalanche
1995 New Jersey Devils

that's 9 years straight in recent times that only 4 teams won the cup do largely to uneven finances in the sport. If it wasn't for Dallas it could have been only 3 teams. Not much different from the current EPL

But, that's why we had the lock-out, right? To even the playing field. And still, EPL has far fewer surprises than the NHL. Think of all the underdog teams that made it to the finals - FLA, BUF, CAR, CGY, EDM, WAS, ANA - that kind of thing is near impossible in EPL.

[Jagger]

Originally Posted by troutman

But, that's why we had the lock-out, right? To even the playing field. And still, EPL has far fewer surprises than the NHL. Think of all the underdog teams that made it to the finals - FLA, BUF, CAR, CGY, EDM, WAS, ANA - that kind of thing is near impossible in EPL.

Yes it pretty much is, in the league situation. However, the cup competitions do provide surprise teams quite often. (Not last years FA Cup though). I remember an upstart Wimbledon team full of thugs like Vinnie Jones beating Liverpool in the FA Cup Final back in 1988. I still have nightmares about that one! There are plenty of shocks in cup competitions. I remember non league teams full of part timers knocking out professional teams. It is highly possible in those one off matches.

[mrdeeds]

1 - Chelsea
2 - Anybody but Man U and Ronaldo

[ricoFlame]

Originally Posted by mrdeeds

1 - Chelsea
2 - Anybody but Man U and Ronaldo

the single worst simulation offender in the world. can't stand the way he plays.

[mrdeeds]

Hey, is anyone in an EPL fantasy league? I wouldn't mind joining one. Anybody?