2008-2009 EPL Preview Part I

The English Premier League will begin its 2008-2009 season this Saturday. Like me, I’m sure many of you reading are not privy on all the Premier League teams, so I’ve done a little something to help you choose which team to follow and maybe even cheer. I’ve taken America’s pastime and found the Major League teams that most resemble a Premier League team. Since we’re covering all twenty teams in the Prem, I figured I would also make my predictions on where they’ll finish and why. Without further ado, here is my prediction on the bottom half of the EPL table and each club’s MLB equivalent:

20. Hull City
MLB equivalent: Detroit Tigers
Remember how dismal the Tigers were in 2003? 119 losses if you’ve forgotten. And remember how they turned that around in a few years and won the American League pennant in 2006? Tiger fans, say hello to Hull City, your EPL equivalent team! Hull City has recorded the third fastest climb in all levels of English football the past few years to finally reach the Premier League. But unfortunately with a fast climb comes a quick descend, eh Detroit? Hull City should enjoy their resurgence – I anticipate them to finish bottom of the table and make a trip back to The Championship, the league below the Premier League. And if that isn’t enough of a similarity for you, both teams sport the tiger mascot.

19. Sunderland
MLB equivalent: Cincinnati Reds
Both these clubs have a ton of success…just not recently. Sunderland has fantastic fan support and is one of the traditional English clubs. I don’t think they have the manpower to match up this year against other Premier League teams. Expect them to be scratching and crawling to stay away from the bottom three by season’s end.

18. Wigan Atheltic
MLB equivalent: Tampa Bay Rays
Much like the young upstart Rays, Wigan is the newest member of the league, having first being promoted to the Prem in 2005 and has narrowly avoided relegation ever since. Similar to the Rays this season, Wigan will have to prove if they’re actual contenders in the Prem or just pretenders these past few years. I’m afraid Wigan’s stay in top-flight football will come to an end this season.

17. Stoke City
MLB equivalent: Washington Nationals
The Senators/Nationals made their return to the Majors this century after a long absence. Stoke City is newly promoted this year, making their return to the top competition after a twenty-three year absence. It is not unusual to see two of the newly promoted teams get relegated, so Stoke City will have a lot of work to do to avoid the bottom three spots.

16. Fulham
MLB equivalent: SF Giants and LA Dodgers
Fulham has been a popular club in the past with Americans because it had so many U.S. players like Reyna, Bocanegra, McBride, and Keller. This London club does boast some tradition, as they are the oldest club in all of England. Unfortunately the successes and advancements of other London clubs like Arsenal and Chelsea have made Fulham like the red headed stepchild, similar to how the Yankees took over New York and forced the original New York baseball Giants and Brooklyn Dodgers to take a back seat to their successes. The addition of striker Andy Johnson from Everton should boost their offensive production – only if he can get and stay healthy. Expect Fulham to avoid relegation again.

15. Bolton
MLB equivalent: Pittsburgh Pirates
Bolton and the Pirates have had some really good years. More recently, however, Bolton and the Pirates have had some not-so-good years. Even though Bolton qualified for European play last season, it doesn’t seem to me they are committed to continuous success. They give away good players, just like the Pirates, and have dangerously flirted with relegation (they finished sixteenth last season only securing their stay in the Prem in the last game). Expect much of the same from the Wanderers this season.

14. Blackburn
MLB equivalent: LA Angels
Everyone likes a management willing to go out and make the team better, right? The Angels have made some good signings recently and it’s paid off in their record, just not in a championship (of course I am referring to signings after the 2002 World Series). Blackburn continues to sign quality players from all over and continue to find themselves in the top of the table. Both clubs have experienced championships, Blackburn in 1994 and the Angels not far removed from their own. It seems like too many other teams have made the big time signings for Blackburn to break into the top of the table this year.

13. West Ham United
MLB equivalent: Philadelphia Phillies
Quick – which American city has the craziest, most unstable fan base? If you answered Philadelphia then you, sir (or madam), are a true American sports aficionado. Who would boo Santa Claus? Who would throw batteries at opposing players? Who would place a whole judicial system in their new stadium? Okay, that last one was the Eagles, but you’re missing the point. Nobody loves their team so much that integrity and common decency goes out the window when they feel cheated like Phillie and West Ham fans. Phillie fans, you have to cheer for West Ham United because if you completely flip out and involve yourself in some hooliganism following a tough loss, nobody will be surprised nor will they even care. You’re sick of your neighbors like the New Jersey Devils and New York Yankees experiencing recent success. So is West Ham; they have to play in London next to Chelsea and Arsenal. So confide in one another Phillie and Hammers fans. And when your team loses, pick up the nearest blunt object and throw it in the general direction of human life.

12. West Bromwich Albion
MLB Equivalent: Texas Rangers
West Brom won The Championship last season to get promoted and had a +33 goal differential, scoring eighty-eight goals. Now that’s some firepower. Who else in the Majors the past few years has been as explosive as the Texas Rangers? Twelfth seems pretty high for a newly promoted team, but it’s not uncommon. Two years ago Reading made their first year in the Prem a memorable one as they finished eighth and recorded some big upsets. As Derby County taught us last season, you have to come into this league with some cannons, and West Brom apparently has some. I think they’ll impress and finish somewhere towards the middle of the table.

11. Middlesbrough
MLB equivalent: Baltimore Orioles
I admit I don’t know much about Middlesbrough. From the games I’ve watched, they don’t exactly fill the stadium. But there is always this group of tightly compacted fans behind one of the goals that stays loyal throughout. Camden Yards is the same way. You can see empty stadiums in the Majors and it is as dead as it looks. Not Camden Yards. I’ve been to Camden Yards and they have a similar loyal fan base like Middlesbrough. Always present. Always cheering. Never allowing the state of the team or management to dull the pride they have in their beloved Orioles. And if you think about it – does anybody really hate the Orioles? I don’t get that feeling from Middlesbrough either. They’re just so darn likeable and I don’t know why.

EPL Preview Part II