**** OFFICIAL Premiership 2006-07 season Thread!*****

[ThaSaltCracka]

wow, New001, good luck with that

[ThaSaltCracka]

btw Jared, I don't think I have seen you mention who you like in the EPL.

[JaredL]

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btw Jared, I don't think I have seen you mention who you like in the EPL.

[/ QUOTE ]

In the fan sense of like I vaguely support Liverpool. I used to be really into them before studying in Spain. Now I spend far too much of my football fan energy on Sevilla to really be a fan of anyone else. For example, when they won the Champion's League I basically didn't care except that it was such a memorable match. I also supported Arsenal while Jose Antonio Reyes was there.

As far as my predictions I think it's a one horse race at the top. Chelsea are clearly the best side and I don't see them anywhere but top after 38 matches. They could easily bust out of any of the cup competitions as they don't always look perfect, but over the long haul I don't see anybody catching them.

After that I think Manchester United are fairly solidly the best side. It's somewhat similar to Chelsea in that they are quite susceptible to getting beaten. For example, they were solidly beaten against Arsenal who were struggling at the time.

3rd and 4th I would say should go to Arsenal and Liverpool, though they need to get their act together.

These are obviously pretty boring picks. I think Everton may challenge for a European spot. I would be very surprised in Villa, Portsmouth or Bolton finished in a Champion's League spot despite doing pretty well so far.

[New001]

Psh, there's still space on the bandwagon!



Also, I'm going to go out on a very small limb right now and say Liverpool will not be in the Champions League. One of Everton, Portsmouth, Bolton, or Villa will be.

[JaredL]

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Just a random musing, but what are the barriers to setting up an ELO ranking for the big leagues? Seems to me it could be useful/fun/interesting.

[/ QUOTE ]

So if you were going to do this, how far back would you have to go? Say were doing it for Spain, should we go back a few years?

Also, I think you would unfortunately have to either put in a ridiculous amount of work or exclude European competitions because I would think you would have to rate all European teams including their domestic competitions.

Do you know a good site for match info the last several years in various countries? Marca has good Spain info for the last 5 or 6 but I'm not sure about other countries.

[New001]

I'm really not sure how it'd get started. Nate from Baseball Prospectus/2+2 did it for MLB, and it got me interested in its applications elsewhere since I was already well aware of its use in international soccer competitions and other sports/events.

Also yeah, I imagine it'd be impossible to take European competition into account without way too much work.

[ThaSaltCracka]

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Also, I'm going to go out on a very small limb right now and say Liverpool will not be in the Champions League. One of Everton, Portsmouth, Bolton, or Villa will be.

[/ QUOTE ] agreed.

[JaredL]

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[ QUOTE ]
Also, I'm going to go out on a very small limb right now and say Liverpool will not be in the Champions League. One of Everton, Portsmouth, Bolton, or Villa will be.

[/ QUOTE ] agreed.

[/ QUOTE ]

As I said, they need to get their act together. When I've seen them they've looked awful.

Of those, I would bet on Everton.

[ThaSaltCracka]

I am going to go with Everton. Doesn't the FA cup winner or something get a champions league qualifier bid or something like that?

[JaredL]

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I am going to go with Everton. Doesn't the FA cup winner or something get a champions league qualifier bid or something like that?

[/ QUOTE ]

UEFA cup spot.

This is sometimes interesting when a team is relegated but also playing in Europe.