Check out my Part I preview before advancing so you know the drill. Here is my take on the top half of the table this season in the English Premier League:
10. Manchester City
MLB equivalent: New York Mets
Poor Mets fans, forever destined to play second fiddle. Sure you’ve had some success, but you’ll never live up to your neighbors. Mets fans, you will find solidarity with your EPL equivalent team, Manchester City. Sure they beat Manchester United last year in the regular season causing sheer euphoria, but as always, who had the last laugh? You emphasize the small battles in hopes that someday you’ll reign supreme in your own city. Unfortunately everyone but you realizes you don’t stand a chance. It’s like the Yankees and Manchester United is the annoying older sibling who lets out all his frustrations on you because – well – he can. Expect a standard finish this year for Man. City, right near the middle of the table.
9. Aston Villa
MLB equivalent: Seattle Mariners
Both these clubs seem notorious for two things: either a fast start only to sputter out or a whole lot of wins with nothing to show for it. What a depressing existence these teams share. If you look back at their history, there have been some great seasons with quality players. What you won’t find is evidence of a trophy or celebration at season’s end. You’ll always have people claiming, “This will be their year” and pick them to finally achieve something great. I’m not falling for it. Look for Aston Villa to contend early and start to drop matches around early October.
8. Newcastle United
MLB equivalent: Chicago Cubs
You have to love your team. No – I mean you have to really love your team. You can’t bail on them if the best player goes down or they continually bag their managers. You have to be willing to stick with your team through the multi-layered dimensions of complexity that is your understanding of why they just can’t put it together and win a championship. Being a Newcastle fan or Cubbies fan is no joke. You have to base your whole being around their often miserable existence and be willing to rationalize incoherently about why it all fell apart this year or that year. If you desire the glory and need your team to win constantly in order for you to jump up and say, “YES! This is my team,” then being a fan of these two is not an option for you. Passion. Dedication. More commitment than your own marriage. This is Newcastle United and the Chicago Cubs. With a healthy Michael Owen, Newcastle will definitely be better off this year. I wouldn’t be surprised to see them finish in the top six.
7. Everton
MLB equivalent: Cleveland Indians
You know that team that’s always on the brink of greatness, but seems to always stumble over that last hurdle? Then they take a few years to recover from that travesty and just when they get it back together, they fall face first again right before the finish line? I’ve just explained the past several decades for Everton and the Cleveland Indians. Basically they will become a big tease for all their fans every few years. Neither can make the big signing or big trade, but they always find mild success with what they have – eventually. The same core of guys can then turn around and completely falter for a season or two. This is Everton’s spot unless they can turn out a healthy year, then expect them to contend at a spot or two higher. Already with Tim Howard and Yakubu playing strong, Cahill and Arteta at full strength could make this a dangerous squad.
6. Tottenham Hotspur
MLB equivalent: Milwaukee Brewers
Neither team has won anything remotely important in many, many years (Tottenham the League and FA cup in 1960 and the Brewers a pennant and some MVP’s in the 1980’s). Perhaps finally realizing this has motivated both to improve their roster. The Brewers loaded up their pitching staff to make a final push this season while Tottenham has been the busiest club in the off-season. The only question is, are all of Tottenham’s transactions a recipe for success? They’ve certainly lost big when they gave away Robbie Keane to Liverpool and now rumors are swirling that striker Berbatov is the apple of Manchester United’s eye. But they have signed some good players, my personal favorite being Croatian midfielder Luka Modric. If they hold on to goal scoring hound Berbatov, they may contend for European play. If they lose him, expect them to possibly drop a couple of spots.
5. Arsenal
MLB equivalent: Toronto Blue Jays
Arsenal is a very popular London club who has been knocking on the door the past couple seasons, most recently losing to Barcelona in the 2006 Champions League final (They won the Prem in 2004). They always seem to have a spirited team and continue to compete in a tough “division” akin to the Blue Jays circa 1988-1994. Although, every team slips and I think Arsenal may find some slippery slopes this season. For one, their North London rivals Tottenham are determined to take both regular season matches. For two, where other clubs in the upper echelon like Chelsea, Liverpool, and Portsmouth seem to be signing big time players, Arsenal is trying desperately to hang on to theirs. I know soccer fans will call me crazy for placing them this low, but the loan period is not over yet and Robin Van Persie is a hot commodity. Plus, Rosicky may take his time getting back to full health.
4. Portsmouth
MLB equivalent: Florida Marlins
This is definitely my risqué pick. Portsmouth has climbed steadily up the Premier League table since their promotion a few years ago. Similar to the Marlins, they are finding success quickly despite being somewhat of an expansion team (though the term expansion doesn’t really apply here). They won the FA Cup this past year and have reloaded with the off-season acquisition of Peter Crouch. Along with fellow Englander Jermain Defoe up front, Portsmouth will be a handful in the open field as well as set pieces. With a solid goalie in David James, Portsmouth should keep climbing the table. Can they actually qualify for European play again? I think so. Will it be Champions League as I’ve predicted here? Probably not. Are you sick of me answering my own questions? Okay then, let’s move on.
3. Manchester United
MLB equivalent: New York Yankees
Do you enjoy winning at all costs? Would you like to share your favorite team with millions upon millions of fans worldwide, most of whom could not point to the borough or city on a map? Are you as interested in following your team’s players in the gossip column as much as you are the sports page? If you answered yes to any of those questions, more than likely you’re a Yankees fan which also means you’d enjoy Manchester United. They win championships, have the world’s best players, and plenty of obnoxious fans don United regalia without being able to name five other teams in the Prem (“But hey – we’re champions!”). You’re going to experience much success and elitism at it finest, but expect all the drama and rumors you can handle. In all seriousness I do not think the Red Devils will win three straight Premier League titles this year. Cristiano Ronaldo will start three weeks late following his surgery after Euro ’08. Rooney continues to have injury issues. I’m sure Nani and Carlos Teves will fill in quite nicely, but eventually the grueling schedule of the EPL, the FA Cup, Champions League, and players leaving to complete World Cup qualifying matches is going to catch up with them.
2. Liverpool
MLB equivalent: Atlanta Braves
If we ignore Liverpool’s domination of the league before 1990, this is a perfect comparison. Since their English championship in the ’89-’90 season, they’ve won only one major tournament – 2005 Champions League. Yet, every year they are loaded and are capable of racking up a bunch of tournaments. But as far as the Prem goes, they haven’t exactly lived up to expectations. What appears to be domination year after year has not resulted in a championship. Sound familiar? The Atlanta Braves. All those years of NL domination and only one World Series Championship to show for it. Liverpool is a great club who has made some quality signings the past two years with strikers Fernando Torres and now Robbie Keane, but when will it equate to a league championship? Liverpool fans will tell you this is the year.
1. Chelsea
MLB equivalent: Boston Red Sox
Ahh – the loveable losers. They try so hard through signings and trades, come so close year after year but fall short. They’re so gracious in their efforts that even fans of other teams cheer for them. So much history yet so little to show for it. But wait – what if they win a championship? Loyal fans rejoice and forget about years of torment and bask in the glory. Suddenly the “other” fans can’t stand this team and its new found successes while on the opposite side of the spectrum you have the band wagon overflowing. Success continues and suddenly fans expect championships. Red Sox Nation – this is your Premier League team. Chelsea went 50+ years with no championship until the ‘04-‘05 season and just like the Sox, have won two this decade and are on the verge of another.
So why Chelsea? Scolari is a great coach who I think the players will respond to much like they did with Jose Morinho. Drogba will be healthy, John Terry will be out to prove something, the Deco signing has everyone excited, and there is still a chance at getting Robinho. Ballack doesn’t hurt either even though it looks like he may be the Manny Ramirez of the club. In the end, I see Chelsea being the most consistent and only think their disappointment in the Champions League final will serve as motivation towards retribution.
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