EPL 2016/17: Top Four Predictions
The Premier League for the past several seasons was a story of the ‘top four’ vying for the coveted crown and title. This top four consisted of Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea. Being able to predict the winner was never easy, but knowing who would be playing in the Champions League come next season certainly was.
Though as one team began to fall away, another would take its place as Liverpool lost steam and Manchester City began to invest heavily. Now though things are different.
Predicting the top four is no longer as simple as it once was as six teams are left to fight amongst each other for a seat in Europe’s most prestigious competition. This article will predict the chances of each of the top six and who will fall by the side come season’s end.
Chelsea
At this stage of last season, Chelsea were completely ‘down and out.’ For a team consisting of title-winners, both domestically and nationally, languishing near the middle of the table was surely not on the agenda.
They were cumbersome on the ball, lacking quality and self-belief as the opposition began to smell weakness. Teams took to this advantage time and again, over-running a title-winning team that had seemingly given up.
Fast forward to the present and the juxtaposition in style and mentality is genuinely mind-boggling. Few, if any people would have predicted a meteoric rise in the style and performances we have seen from Chelsea this season. A cataclysmic downfall would apparently not repeat itself once more.
Many are labelling them as ‘Champions-elect’ with nine games still to be played and every team they face now have already been beaten previously in the season. There are still tough fixtures to come such as those against the Manchester clubs or against an Everton team slowly gaining confidence and form.
However, even if Chelsea are only able to pick up some less than favourable results, a place in the Champions League next season beckons.
Not only have Chelsea been able to restore parity to their performances, they have also been able to transform at will during games by adopting a myriad of differing styles if games are not going their way.
There’s the ruthless and efficient unit that stretch their opponents all over the pitch before picking them off, such as against Manchester United and Everton earlier in the season. Then they have lightning fast counter-attacks, such as against Arsenal and Manchester City, when the opposition are pressing against them.
Most importantly we have seen their pragmatic style come to the fore in recent weeks, able to ride their luck by grounding out results against compact and defensive-orientated teams such as West Bromwich Albion and Stoke.
Pragmatism is what wins Championships, or so they say. In the 2014/15 season, Chelsea played with a swashbuckling tenacity during the first half of the season prior to resorting to a sturdy and compact side in the second.
As the season draws to a close, results are head and shoulders above style in terms of importance and that is what we are beginning to see now.
Chelsea possess players whose abilities can not be doubted, whose influence and experience is paramount to leading a title charge. Eden Hazard is back to his scintillating best as he turns defences over with considerable ease.
Diego Costa has quelled the disruptive side to his play, allowing the beast within to focus on the ball and not the oppositions’ players, seventeen goals and five assists so far this season attest to that. Chelsea though, are a team, rather than a group of individuals with incredible talents.
N’Golo Kante and David Luiz have been imperious at the heart of midfield and defence as they usher away any threat of danger by winning second, third or even forth balls if need be.
The balance and spine Chelsea possess is what sets them apart from their rivals. Their often impenetrable defence can shift into a dynamic and free-flowing attack almost instantaneously. They don’t possess a league-best thirty-seven goal difference for nothing.
This is a team who is nailed on for a top-four finish and quite possibly, another title for the trophy cabinet.
Chances of a top four finish - 10/10