Premier League Phrontistery: Week XI - Top 4 & Bottom 3 Predictions!

Liverpool Looking Lovely

To say Liverpool’s performances have been easy on the eye this season would be a gigantic understatement. Klopp’s men have been absolutely insatiable in front of goal, scoring a whopping 30 goals in 11 games! The humbling 6-1 victory against Watford was the fifth time this season they’ve scored more than four goals in one game, and statisticians forecast them to have at least 17 games by the end of the season in which they score 4 goals or more. Mind boggling.

Pundits in the mainstream media complained that Liverpool’s defence would be the undoing of them in future games when their strikers aren’t able to score goals; yet the 17 shots on target at Anfield this weekend told a different story. 10 different players have scored for the Merseysiders and Daniel Sturridge isn’t one of them despite cracking two beauties off the woodwork this weekend. Just to put that initial stat into perspective, since Opta started to analyze the Premier League in 03/04 those 17 shots on target was the highest number ever recorded in a single game. Incredible.

Top of the Table Looking Tight

With 2 points separating first placed Liverpool from (surprise surprise) 4th placed Arsenal, the race for the title is well and truly a tightly contested affair. 5th placed Tottenham are 5 points adrift, yet remain undefeated this season after their 1-1 draw away to Arsenal.

Despite considering City the team to beat during the opening fixtures, the fact that Liverpool and Chelsea aren’t taking part in any European competitions surely bodes well for their chances. Fewer injuries and less energy spent travelling and playing games midweek must be a significant advantage to both clubs. It’s too tight to call, but I think this season is a building process for Pep’s City and I just don’t see Arsenal being mean enough to challenge for first place. Tottenham have some winning to do if they want to be in with a shout, so that leaves Chelsea and Liverpool to battle it out for the top prize.

Race to Avoid the Drop

At the other end of the table things look equally as intriguing. With 3 points separating 18th place Hull and 10th place Southampton, it’s fair to say that it’s all to play for. I must make a note of how poor Swansea have looked this season, statistically they’re just as bad as Sunderland! But hopefully after a huge win against Bournemouth, Moyes’ men can turn things around.

Ultimately it’s the team who have the most leaders on the pitch with enough grit, mettle and determination to drag their team’s out of the mire and into safety that tend to stay up. Anichebe and co. gave the Sunderland faithful hope that perhaps they have enough about them to make a go of avoiding relegation; however, looking at the likes of Crystal Palace, West Ham, Hull and Swansea questions need to be asked about who will step up and lead their team to safety? Ultimately there’s a lot of football left to be played, let’s see who can get some momentum and keep it going.

Predictions

Top 4: 1) Liverpool, 2) Chelsea, 3) Manchester City, 4) Arsenal

Bottom 3: 18) Crystal Palace, 19) Swansea City, 20) Hull City.

Aye, the glass IS half full.