Top 4 Race 19/20 | duffer: "We [Chelsea] are getting 3rd. Despite what the lunatics in here think, Man United are not all that."

Andy_Cole

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I’m guessing it’ll be Liverpool and City top two again.

So fighting for the other two spots I’m expecting the rest that make up the top 6.

Looks like all 4 may have a bumpy season with Spurs, Arsenal and United all losing this weekend.

Thinking it will be an exciting race!

By the way, feels rubbish that for the first time I’ve lowered my expectations and no where near expect being in the title race.
 

bosnian_red

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Think Spurs will get 3rd but they can easily get dragged back into the race with us and Arsenal. Chelsea I dont think will be too close, neither will Leicester or Wolves or Everton. Will be a top 2, then 3rd-5th, then 6th-9th in terms of the groups.
 

Klopper76

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Hard to call who will finish where from 3rd to 6th.

I had Spurs down to finish 3rd but their form since the beginning of 2019 has been woeful.

I think Arsenal will have enough about them to get there though.
 

redshaw

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Spurs could be a surprise team to fall away but right now I have City, Pool, Spurs/Arse.

I'm expecting Spurs to get out of their poor run from the end of last season but it can be deflating to see the final of the CL and try to stay motivated for another very unlikely stab at overhauling City and Pool.

I give us an outside chance of getting top 4. Arsenal will probably score a lot again and if Spurs get the steel back it's a lock. Players like Martial will have come of age if we're to challenge where as the other teams have an established strike force
 

filibuster

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Pochettino now knows he can't fulfill his ambitions at Spurs, so that will have an effect on their performances. They will not achieve more points than last year so that means 4th at best in my opinion if everybody else don't find any kind of form.

Chelsea will only get better as the team gels and the important injured players come back into the team. So I expect we'll get 3rd, that is also because I'm biased of course but I really do believe we have what it takes not to drop too far from last season. Even before Spurs loss today I was saying that they will drift away this season, as there is some tension there already with Poch feeling he is not well supported, today was just a first sign. But they will not fall too much compared to last season, so it depends a lot on how United and Arsenal will play.

I really think it is United's place in top 4 to loose, as you have the better team, but you do have some diva problems that might hinder your progress. So it is kind of in the air with the 4th spot.
 

Raw

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It's so hard to predict. All the potential teams to get the remaining 2 top 4 spots (after City and Liverpool) are pretty underwhelming at the moment.

Think Arsenal will get in for starters. Their attack is up there as one of the best and it'll cover up the shiteness of their defence. With the remaining spot being between Spurs, United and Chelsea I'd have to go with Spurs simply because they have a better team and manager.
 

Irwin99

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Aside from the big six, Everton, Wolves, and Leicester have all had mixed/poor starts too. Too early to tell that much other than City and Pool will dominate like last year.
 

always_hoping

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Team that finished 4th the last five years to give example to what is required.

2018-19 Spurs W 23 D2 L13 GF 67 GA 39 PTS 71

2017-18 Liverpool W 21 D 12 L5 GF 84 GA 38 PTS 75

2016-17 Liverpool W 22 D 10 L6 GF 78 GA 42 PTS 76

2015-16 Man City W 19 D 9 L10 GF 71 GA 41 PTS 66

2014-15 Man United W20 D10 L8 GF 62 GA 37 PTS 70

If the points total is 66 to 70 points this season then united might have a decent chance anything above 70 points its unlikely IMO.
 

bosnian_red

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Team that finished 4th the last five years to give example to what is required.

2018-19 Spurs W 23 D2 L13 GF 67 GA 39 PTS 71

2017-18 Liverpool W 21 D 12 L5 GF 84 GA 38 PTS 75

2016-17 Liverpool W 22 D 10 L6 GF 78 GA 42 PTS 76

2015-16 Man City W 19 D 9 L10 GF 71 GA 41 PTS 66

2014-15 Man United W20 D10 L8 GF 62 GA 37 PTS 70

If the points total is 66 to 70 points this season then united might have a decent chance anything above 70 points its unlikely IMO.
I see us getting lower/mid 70's this season tbh. We got 66ish last season, and it was a mess of a season. And I'd say we are in a MUCH better position now than last year.
 

always_hoping

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I see us getting lower/mid 70's this season tbh. We got 66ish last season, and it was a mess of a season. And I'd say we are in a MUCH better position now than last year.
Has been a mess in 5 of the last 6 seasons where United have struggled to finish 4th (before that United went 20 years in the top 3) and i hope it won't be a mess again this season. Average points total since Fergie left is 69 points and its only that high because United got 81 points in 2017-18.
 

bosnian_red

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Has been a mess in 5 of the last 6 seasons where United have struggled to finish 4th (before that United went 20 years in the top 3) and i hope it won't be a mess again this season. Average points total since Fergie left is 69 points and its only that high because United got 81 points in 2017-18.
Yes but the defence being strengthened with Wan Bissaka and Maguire will make a massive difference IMO. Enough for low 70's. We'll see though.
 

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Of the 4 team I think united is the weakest in the sense that they depend on one player more than others. If pogba gets injured they are in trouble.

Chelsea will create enough to score despite their defense being weak

Arsenal has goals and once they get their fullbacks back and pepe settles look strong. But they have a manager that complicates things

Spurs is in weird place. They were mote outclassed than arsenal vs city but the result went their way. Since start of this year their football has been slower and more predicable. They also seem to have few rumblings inside the team. In the end i think

Spurs
Arsenal
Chelsea
United

Arsenal and chelsea can go either way
 
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sharpstar69

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Tottenham will grab 3rd, followed by Arsenal, Chelsea, Utd....Leicester outside shot at 6th. Wolves European adventure will hold them up this year.

Arsenal, Chelsea and UTD all have obvious flaws, so it will be close. All this, UTD are unlucky, could've had 9 points etc is rubbish.......were dead lucky not to be 2 - 0 against Chelsea first match.

No matter what the circumstances were, losing to Palace at home was shocking. Add this to the horrid last 10 games last year Utd look bang average.
 

Oxeki

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We have a chance at top 4, but it all depends on how spurs and Utd do this season.

On paper our front three should see us through, but I don't think it will be a sustainable strategy to rely on our front four especially seeing how defence is not really that great.

Bellerin and Tierney coming back from injury will be a massive boost to us
 

Infra-red

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We've won 3 of our last 14 games.

I don't think we can credibly be talked about as likely top 4 finishers at this point.
 

Raw

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We've won 3 of our last 14 games.

I don't think we can credibly be talked about as likely top 4 finishers at this point.
Spurs also have a similarly abysmal record too, they won 3, drawn 2 and lost 7 of their last 12 league games of last season and have the same record as us this season (so 4W, 3D and 8L in the last 15) but people still think they'll finish 3rd. We shouldn't take last seasons results into account when it's a new team with new players (transfers and youth).
 

GGT

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This thread is missing something, all posters are are assuming the top 4 places are between the top 6.

According to odds offered by bookmakers overall one of Wolves, Leicester or Everton have around a 20% chance of finishing in the top 4.

This thread could take a big turn after another couple of matches
 
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Infra-red

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Spurs also have a similarly abysmal record too, they won 3, drawn 2 and lost 7 of their last 12 league games of last season and have the same record as us this season (so 4W, 3D and 8L in the last 15) but people still think they'll finish 3rd. We shouldn't take last seasons results into account when it's a new team with new players (transfers and youth).
They did also reach a Champions League final in that period, knocking out the best side in the country along the way, and, on any objective analysis, have a superior squad, first XI and manager.

Given that the vast majority of our squad/XI has remained the same, it's legitimate to look at last season's results and wonder about how much these players are actually capable of achieving.
 

charlenefan

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Given we almost made top 4 last season despite our horrible start and disastrous end writing anyone off now would be foolish
 

SilentWitness

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I'd be worried about Spurs. Their 2019 league form is dreadful. It's going to be a 4 way battle for 3rd.
 

Havak

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It's literally anyone's now, but I'd still favour Spurs & Arsenal for top 4, United just missing out and Chelsea 6th. A lot can change though and while those are my more expected positions, I wouldn't be surprised to see those four teams finish in any order from 3rd to 6th either.
 

crossy1686

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We've won 3 of our last 14 games.

I don't think we can credibly be talked about as likely top 4 finishers at this point.
We've only lost 5 of our last 21 league games.

I know it's super trendy right now to keep highlighting the last 14 games in all comps but it doesn't tell the full picture does it?
 

Oxeki

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A lot of the posters here are all underrating arsenal and Utd and overrating spurs.

If not for the collapse of arsenal and Utd, spurs, would have finished 6th last season.

A lot of fans seems to think that spurs has the 3rd spot locked.

But in reality, I think it's going to be 3 teams fighting for that 3rd spot.
 

neilv93

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Aside from the big six, Everton, Wolves, and Leicester have all had mixed/poor starts too. Too early to tell that much other than City and Pool will dominate like last year.
Leicester are currently fourth and unbeaten! I'm sure they'll take that come May - hell, so would I!!!
 

romufc

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Why is there such doom and gloom at us finishing 4th?

So we are being written of behind Arsenal?

We have a better Defence and even Midfield than them?

The only difference is their strikers compared to ours.

Their reliance on Aubameyang to be fit all season.
 

mccreadie207

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Apart from City as champions the other 3 places are up for grabs. Cannot see Liverpool replicating last season’s outstanding form. A lot will depend on the deals done in January, and whether or Chelsea can bring in new players then. Spurs seem unsettled, Arsenal have David Luiz factor to contend with, whilst United’s fanbase seem uncertain as to the ability of OGS. Think this will be one of the most interesting season’s in a long time. Far too early to predict outcome, other than for top spot. City have quality in abundance.
 

ExecutionerWasp001

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There's nothing between Spurs, Arsenal, Chelsea & Utd. Spurs lost a third of their games last season & still got 4th. It will be a very similar story this season. Very little consistency will be shown from these teams & it'll be a season long scrap for the 2 CL places. There's little change in quality in the teams outside the top 6 so don't expect any of them to move up. Wolves may have had a chance but EL will hold them up.
 

Irwin99

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Leicester are currently fourth and unbeaten! I'm sure they'll take that come May - hell, so would I!!!
Only one win though, that's what i meant.

Come to think of it, it seems unusual for every team except two to have dropped more than three points at this early stage. Just shows it's an unpredictable league.
 

neilv93

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Only one win though, that's what i meant.

Come to think of it, it seems unusual for every team except two to have dropped more than three points at this early stage. Just shows it's an unpredictable league.
Yeah I knew what you meant, don't worry.

PL is genuinely hard to call. I had Spurs as certs for third behind the top two and us/Chelsea/Arsenal battling for fourth. Quite frankly now I think any of those four could finish anywhere and there's every chance Everton or Leicester can break into the top six (don't fancy Wolves, second season syndrome plus EL will see them mid-table IMO).
 

Focusmate

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Liverpool have started better than I expected (hoped?), so I think top 2 are done. The 4 teams vying for 3rd and 4th are all on ridiculously bad runs if you include the end of last season. I could easily see Spurs missing out as much as anyone.
Going to be really important to get a system working early. All 4 teams have a similar chance and there still too much of a gap to Wolves etc for anyone else to break in.
Im optimistic that we will finish 3rd, but depends which of the teams get out of the bad form first.
 

Thunderhead

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I think we'll know more on Leicesters chances after the next 5 games, I wouldn't write them off yet as they've had a tricky fixture list to start with.
 

taribhumpu

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Apart from City as champions the other 3 places are up for grabs. Cannot see Liverpool replicating last season’s outstanding form. A lot will depend on the deals done in January, and whether or Chelsea can bring in new players then. Spurs seem unsettled, Arsenal have David Luiz factor to contend with, whilst United’s fanbase seem uncertain as to the ability of OGS. Think this will be one of the most interesting season’s in a long time. Far too early to predict outcome, other than for top spot. City have quality in abundance.
I doubt about Liverpool not being in the top4. Heck they might win it this time (hope the jinx works). The top 2 spots are booked for city and lpool. I would go ahead and claim that utd will claim the 3rd spot. I feel it's among spur, arsenal and chelsea for the final spot with spur winning the race for the final spot.
 

mccreadie207

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I doubt about Liverpool not being in the top4. Heck they might win it this time (hope the jinx works). The top 2 spots are booked for city and lpool. I would go ahead and claim that utd will claim the 3rd spot. I feel it's among spur, arsenal and chelsea for the final spot with spur winning the race for the final spot.
Not saying Liverpool won’t make top 4, just that they’ll not replicate their points tally and therefore City will win the title in a canter. The real content will be for 2nd to 4th.
 
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Scroto Baggins

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Man City have looked on another planet the games I have watched. Arsenal same old same old, great in attack, Pepe, Lacazette, PEA is a scary attacking trio. But as per usual Arsenal are lacking in defence. Spurs have come down a peg and will drop further once Eriksen departs. Lucky to get away with a point at City, woeful performance at home vs Newcastle. Chelsea a bit of a rebuilding season with a lot of new youngsters and on an xfer ban with a new manager.

I feel we are still a bit of an unknown, I dont have a lot of faith in our front three. But then we dont have to catch Liverpool and City, we just have to be better than Arsenal, Spurs and Chelsea for third. Which is very doable.
 
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amolbhatia50k

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This thread is missing something, all posters are are assuming the top 4 places are between the top 6.

According to odds offered by bookmakers overall one of Wolves, Leicester or Everton have around a 20% chance of finishing in the top 4.

This thread could take a big turn after another couple of matches
These teams are incredibly overrated here. Especially Wolves and Everton. Theres no chance either of those two are making top 4
 

NoPace

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I think we'll know more on Leicesters chances after the next 5 games, I wouldn't write them off yet as they've had a tricky fixture list to start with.
They're tough to call because I feel like it'll come down to how Barnes (raw but looks their likeliest winger and they need a consistently productive one), Tielemans (bad so far, but obviously talented) and Soyuncu (I don't have a read yet on him) do and that could be great or not so much. If 2 out of 3 play well, they'll be up with the 4 through 6 placed teams, I think, since Vardy, Maddison, N'Didi, Pereira, Chilwell, Evans and Schmeichel (and even Choudhoury I have to say I've never seen have a truly bad game) are solid 5th-6th place level players (maybe the fullbacks and Maddison a tad higher).