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demonrail666 · 08.16.2010, 06:56 PM

Yeah, what Sonicbebs said, basically. The prem can feel like two or even three divisions sometimes though, especially towards the second half of the season, with all the clubs in the bottom third trying to avoid relegation and those in the top half trying to qualify either for the champions league (top four teams at the end of the season) or the UEFA cup (usually those that finish fifth, sixth, and seventh).

You'll hear lots of pundits talk about the 'Big Four', which in recent years has meant Chelsea, Liverpool, Man U and Arsenal, as they almost always finished in the top four places at the end of the season. That's been shaken recently though, with Liverpool having a bad season last year and finishing 7th, and Spurs taking the 4th spot, qualifying them for this years Champions League, along with Chelsea, Manu and Arsenal. Man City have also been threatening to break into the top four, with a rich owner willing to spend silly money on players. Everton and especially Aston Villa have also looked like they might break into it but Everton don't really have the money to go that extra step and Villa have just lost their manager so who knows how they'll do.

The relegation battle, as SB said, is to avoid becoming one of the teams that finishes in the bottom three at the end of the season and so will go down to the Championship league (not to be confused with the Champions League) next season. This is traditionally fought out between the three clubs that just got promoted from the Championship (in this year's case, Blackpool, West Brom and Newcastle) but teams like West Ham and Bolton typically find themselves involved in it too, and many people think Wigan are pretty certain to go down this season.

It sounds more complicated than it is, especially writing it down. It's really easy to pick up, though.

Anyway, early predictions:

Premier League Champions: Chelsea
Top Four/Champions League: Chelsea; Man U; Arsenal; Liverpool
UEFA: Villa; Spurs; Man City
Relegation: Blackpool (even after what happened on Sat); Wigan; West Brom.

08.16.2010, 06:56 PM	#914
demonrail666 invito al cielo Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 18,509	Yeah, what Sonicbebs said, basically. The prem can feel like two or even three divisions sometimes though, especially towards the second half of the season, with all the clubs in the bottom third trying to avoid relegation and those in the top half trying to qualify either for the champions league (top four teams at the end of the season) or the UEFA cup (usually those that finish fifth, sixth, and seventh). You'll hear lots of pundits talk about the 'Big Four', which in recent years has meant Chelsea, Liverpool, Man U and Arsenal, as they almost always finished in the top four places at the end of the season. That's been shaken recently though, with Liverpool having a bad season last year and finishing 7th, and Spurs taking the 4th spot, qualifying them for this years Champions League, along with Chelsea, Manu and Arsenal. Man City have also been threatening to break into the top four, with a rich owner willing to spend silly money on players. Everton and especially Aston Villa have also looked like they might break into it but Everton don't really have the money to go that extra step and Villa have just lost their manager so who knows how they'll do. The relegation battle, as SB said, is to avoid becoming one of the teams that finishes in the bottom three at the end of the season and so will go down to the Championship league (not to be confused with the Champions League) next season. This is traditionally fought out between the three clubs that just got promoted from the Championship (in this year's case, Blackpool, West Brom and Newcastle) but teams like West Ham and Bolton typically find themselves involved in it too, and many people think Wigan are pretty certain to go down this season. It sounds more complicated than it is, especially writing it down. It's really easy to pick up, though. Anyway, early predictions: Premier League Champions: Chelsea Top Four/Champions League: Chelsea; Man U; Arsenal; Liverpool UEFA: Villa; Spurs; Man City Relegation: Blackpool (even after what happened on Sat); Wigan; West Brom.
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