The big 4 are top but where will they finish?

1. Liverpool
2. Arsenal
3. Chelsea
4. United

Arsenal and Chelsea will slip up with the African Nations, United haven't been that great this season and I don't think they have depth...but it all depends on injuries...Liverpool have dealt without Alonso and Agger for a long while now...and Torres for a bit too. If Agger had played in the slip up games they would not have been slip ups. Agger is vital.
The Arsenal game if Alonso hadn't got injured, and Mascherano hadn't either when no subs could be brought on.
So alot is down to luck but Liverpool have amazing strength in depth bar centre back and striker....United have no strength in depth in a couple of areas...Arsenal don't have either...

I agree its ridiculous to say Utd will finish 4th.

cant remember who, but someone a while ago posted up a list of all the players in Liverpools team who have won a league before, and it was a good chunk of em, so saying they wont know how to if it comes down to it, is a bit silly too. and most importantly, Rafa knows how to do it.

If everything in the run in is even enough, and every game is like a cup final - i think we can definately do it. After all, most people admit that in one of games/cup competitions, Rafa is the best around (PHB is also on record as being of this opinion )

chopperbyrne wrote: »

They'll lose their two best players: Essien and Drogba.

did drogba's country qualify for the ANC?

something in the back of my head is telling me thay didnt but cant really remember

Unearthly wrote: »

They did, only African player I can think of not going is Adebayor. His country failed to qualify

that is prob who i was thinking of. I knew it was a big player for one of the teams

you are very annoying.

you will never give us an ounce of credit.

the day will come when you rue your smugness!

Arsenal
Man Utd
Liverpool
Chelsea

All within 5 to ten points of each other. If Liverpool are still unbeaten in Feb when they go to Chelsea (which i think they will be) then anything can happen. Though just being there or thereabouts at the end of the year would be very refreshing.

This season could turn out like La Liga last season. At the moment, the top four are pretty much inseperable.

Arsenal's first XI is great, and they've been playing some of the best football in the league this season. Losing Kolo will be a blow, and if the likes of Gallas picks up an injury, it could raise serious questions. Prediction? 1st\2nd

Liverpool's perennial problem has been a rubbish start. Liverpool fans know the whole 'if the league started in October, we'd be champions' thing far too well. Other posters have said that they lack the capability to put together a run - I feel that's nonsense. Our defence is water-tight, and it's not unusual to go on a long run of games without conceding. In terms of injuries/African nations, we're well placed. Kewell, Alonso, Agger and Aurelio are all approaching full fitness, and we'll hopefully have a clean bill of health for the important Christmas run. The fly in the ointment is the Champions League - I may not be the only one who'd not be too downcast over a bad result in Marseille, if it concentrated minds. Prediction:1st/2nd/3rd

Man Utd: They have the talent, they have the experience, they have the manager. They won't be affected by the African Nations. However, Fergie will no doubt have an eye on Europe, after coming close last year. They're a little short on defensive cover, and perhaps haven't been playing as well as others, but they always finish strongly. Prediction:2nd/3rd

Chelsea: Mourinho's departure didn't have the expected impact on the club. They're winning, if not playing particularly well. Losing Drogba, Essien and Mikel is a huge blow, and it will be interesting to see if there are any ins/outs in January. I'm not sure if Grant has the experience/ability to marshall the squad through difficult times like Mourinho could. Prediction: 4th

It's all very much on a knife-edge, and it may very well come down to a key injury or a head-to-head.

Melion wrote: »

We can win games without them and our game doesnt change too much when Gerrard doesnt play. United looked clueless against Bolton last week when those 2 were missing, and the same thing at the start of the year when they were both missing.

When was the last time you played a game without either one of them???:rolleyes:

1st/2nd will be United/Arsenal, still too early to judge which of them will finish top, but Arsenal have been really impressive.

Chelsea will finish 3rd with Liverpool 4th, they're just too inconsistent to back this year.

Nailz wrote: »

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Chelsea have lost too much points already to come near enough to the top 2 positions.

Eh, Chelsea are two points behind United.

Cup games are won by getting through, either through winning the games or getting a draw and getting penalties. Liverpool for some reason are incredibly good at penos (indeed their ability at them surely has to cast doubt on the idea that it's a 50/50)
Take for example, the last time Liverpool played Chelsea in the champions league. They were down by one goal from the first leg, got a goal back, and then, and I have no doubt about this, played for penalties. They then won on penalties. Indeed, once Liverpool got back from 3-0 down, instead of pushing on for a fourth (which they could have gotten if you looked at the state of the Milan defense) they sat back and played for penos. This is something you cannot do in a league game, and won't be like a cup final for Liverpool at all.