Premier League 2023-2024

[thewobbler]

I'd reckon that if Spurs are still in touch come the January break they'll still be in touch come May. None of the challengers, even if they spend wisely in January, are getting the boost they'll get from Maddison, Van De Ven and Bentacur coming back 

Losing Son, Bissouma and Sarr for a time due to international tournaments

That's a blow, no doubt. But Scouse (10/3) losing Salah and Spurs (28/1) losing those 3 but welcoming back 3 first choice players. I just don't see the gap in those odds myself.

[Captain Obvious]

Should be a safe bet for Liverpool, Manchester City and Arsenal to finish the season ahead of Tottenham however Postecoglou team has a decent chance of a 4th place finish thanks mostly to Newcastle and Manchester United regressing this season.

[shark]

Thanks mostly to themselves. Their Points Per Game average (so far) is higher than both those teams finished with last season. Them regressing has little to do with Spurs' season , apart from the 6 points they gave them.

[Captain Obvious]

Tottenham's points Per Game average (so far) would be roughly the same as it was for Newcastle,Manchester United this time last season and those two aren't going to get 71 to 75 points again this season so 70 or below points could likely be enough points for Tottenham to finish in 4th.

[Armagh18]

Liverpool, City and Arsenal certs you would think. Villa will be in the mix as well.

[Jell 0 Biafra]

I'd reckon that if Spurs are still in touch come the January break they'll still be in touch come May. None of the challengers, even if they spend wisely in January, are getting the boost they'll get from Maddison, Van De Ven and Bentacur coming back 

Losing Son, Bissouma and Sarr for a time due to international tournaments

That's a blow, no doubt. But Scouse (10/3) losing Salah and Spurs (28/1) losing those 3 but welcoming back 3 first choice players. I just don't see the gap in those odds myself.

Problem is that two of those players--Madison and Bentacur--seem quite injury prone. I wouldn't be confident of them remaining injury-free to the end of the season.

[seafoid]

It's like the wizard of Oz. All of the top teams are flawed.

https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2023/1220/1423125-premier-league-mid-season-report-liverpool-to-wolves/


By Rob Wright

Sport Journalist

Liverpool – A

Liverpool have improved majorly from last season's disappointing campaign but questions still remain over Jurgen Klopp's side when it comes to breaking Manchester City's dominance.

Nine points better off than this stage last season, Liverpool have successfully rebuilt an ailing midfield and look more than likely to reclaim a top four place and with it, Champions League football, having missed out last season.

Whether they can realistically aim higher remains to be seen and is very much dependent on their misfiring forward line click into high gear again.

Darwin Nunez has yet to live up to his promise and continues to be wasteful in front of goal, Luis Diaz is hot and cold, Diego Jota is absent through injury and the Reds becoming even more reliant on Mohamed Salah – which opposition teams have figured out.

It's become an increasingly familiar sight to see teams double up on Salah, keep him quiet and then watch his fellow attackers struggle to make an impact. It's a problem that Klopp needs to solve, be that through tactics or transfers, if his side are to kick on again.





It's been Haaland or bust for City so far

Manchester City – B
While there's every chance that we'll still see the now traditional second-half of the season surge from Manchester City, it's hard to shake the sense that this current iteration of Pep Guardiola's all conquering side is on a downward trajectory.

City are seven points off from where they were at this point last season and looking like the exertions of that treble-winning season may have actually caught up with them.

With just one win from their last six league games, the champions look strangely lethargic and devoid of ideas up front if plan A of 'give it to Haaland' doesn't come off.

With 14 goals so far this season – 10 more than anyone else at City – Guardiola has become increasingly reliant on the Norwegian star to dig his side out of trouble and the Sky Blues are in danger of becoming one-dimensional up front.

Injuries certainly haven't helped. Kevin De Bruyne's long-term absence has been keenly felt along with niggles for Haaland and Jeremy Doku, but it's their summer transfer activity that appears to have done the most damage. Losing Riyad Mahrez, Ilkay Gundogan and Aymeric Laporte in one fell swoop has taken a good deal of experience away from the club.

Manchester United – D

The psycho-drama that has taken hold at Old Trafford is probably one of the most entertaining elements of the league for non-supporters of the Red Devils, and there appears be little chance of things settling.

From failed gulf-state takeovers to players briefing against an increasing beleaguered manager and a Champions League collapse, the club continues to make the headlines for all the wrong reasons. That's not even including the €85m signing who is being made to train with the kids.

On the pitch, things remain bleak. Hopes that Erik ten Hag would be the man to finally turn the club around and get them back on their perch have faded and the biggest surprise when looking at the league table is that they remain as high as seventh.

Losing 13 of their the 25 games they've played in all competitions means that they've already lost as many times as they did throughout the entirety of last season, while many of the players not looking particularly bothered.

With another bad run of results Ten Hag could be gone before the Christmas decorations come down and a replacement could get a short bounce from the malcontents within the squad, but even then, a top-four finish looks unlikely.

[bennydorano]

Think it's between Arsenal and City, Liverpool MF is pretty poor imo and that is  insurmountable - unless they buy spectacularly well in January. Would love to see Spurs doing it but it's really hard to see it happening, better chance of them getting beat 7.0 some day, they ride their luck something shocking at times. Villa will be Top 6.

[seafoid]

It depends on Man City. Otherwise it could be like 2016 with Villa or Spurs winning.

[Armagh18]

It depends on Man City. Otherwise it could be like 2016 with Villa or Spurs winning.

Would be very surprised if wither of those finish above Arsenal.

[seafoid]

It depends on Man City. Otherwise it could be like 2016 with Villa or Spurs winning.

Would be very surprised if wither of those finish above Arsenal.

Arsenal have played the easy matches do far. The toughest games come towards the end of the season

https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2023/1220/1423097-premier-league-mid-season-report-arsenal-to-fulham/
By Rob Wright

Sport Journalist

Arsenal – A

The Gunners will be hoping that the old adage 'you have to lose one before you can win one' proves to be true for them, after they went so close to toppling Manchester City last season.

Having fallen short last season there were questions as to whether Arsenal could mount another title push this season but as they look down from the top of the table on Christmas Day, those questions appear to have been answered.

Mikel Arteta's summer gamble to pay West Ham €116m for the services of Declan Rice is paying off handsomely with the midfielder already proving to be one of his side's key players, offering defensive solidity by screening the back four while breaking forward at the other end to showcase his creativity.

Rice's addition has helped Arsenal to look more secure and exert a greater level of control in games, while their other big summer signing Kai Havertz is finally starting to settle and produce the goods after a tricky start.

The only slight concern that Arsenal fans may have is that the fixture list has been kind to their side so far. They face trips to Manchester City, Tottenham and Manchester United towards the business end of the season along with games against Chelsea and Aston Villa but they showed against Liverpool at Anfield that they can dig in and grind out a result when they have to.

[seafoid]

Forest are leading 3-1 at Newcastle

[Captain Obvious]

Forest are leading 3-1 at Newcastle

And won 3-1 away to Newcastle some start for the the new manager.

Liverpool, Manchester City and Aston Villa in the league next for Newcastle. Eddie Howe's time will likely be up.

[marty34]

Forest are leading 3-1 at Newcastle

And won 3-1 away to Newcastle some start for the the new manager.

Liverpool, Manchester City and Aston Villa in the league next for Newcastle. Eddie Howe's time will likely be up.

I think Howe will have another year.

No need to press the panic button yet.  Had a good season last year and this year, with injuries etc., they've had bad luck.

[seafoid]

16-18 is getting tight now.