EPL Power Rankings
American Football and English Football both returned this week, granted the international break was only a little over a week, while the NFL off-season was six months. Regardless, there are some really interesting story lines to follow, and a lot of movement on the table. So lets get right to it:
1. Manchester United (no change)
Even though the Red Devils had a tough match against Stoke City, the team is still the best in the league (so far). Last weekend, was the first goals they allowed this season, surprisingly to Stoke City. The attack has been red-hot, with Rashford and Lukaku scoring goals. Wayne Rooney returns to Old Trafford next week, and Lukaku faces his old club, expect a good match.
2. Manchester City (+1)
Is Manchester Blue or Red? Both have absolutely strong cases to be number 1 this week. However, I am going off goal differential, and letting the table separate these two rivals. This power ranking is more of 1.1 to 1.2, because both have been fantastic. Manchester City slaughtered Liverpool after Sadio Mane was sent off. I expect for their form continue with Watford coming up.
3. Chelsea (+10)
A huge jump here from their shock result against Burnley, a month ago. Chelsea responded with 3 straight wins, and are looking like a title team, once again. Kante is running the midfield like his old self, and put in a solid performance against his former team. Will be playing an Arsenal side that has been struggling, this weekend.
4. Tottenham Spurs (-2)
Spurs pounded Everton 3-0, and recovered from their previous two matches. Their squad depth will be tested, since they play Dortmund mid-week, then Swansea City on the weekend. Even with the tough mid-week match, I expect the Spurs to win against Swansea City.
5. Watford (+5)
Watford is the only club without a loss, besides both Manchester teams, but have a tough match against City. Have to give the team credit for being unbeaten, but I believe that the team will get their reality check against an intimidating City side.
6. Burnley (+1)
A big opening win against Chelsea, and a solid draw against Spurs, is a dream start for the side. After losing some key pieces this transfer window, the team has played above and beyond. Playing a vulnerable Liverpool side, I wouldn’t be shocked if they pulled off another result.
7. Huddersfield Town (-1)
Easily, the biggest shock of this season so far. Huddersfield spent the money this off-season and it is paying off. They did take their first loss of the season to West Ham (who have been dreadful), so I expect to see things cool off for the new Premier League side.
8. Liverpool (+1)
They moved up one spot, but they really didn’t. Sitting at 8 for this team is abysmal. On top of their 5-0 loss, they also lose Sadio Mane for the next three matches. They will play a tough Burnley side that won’t give anything easy to the team. They’re going to have find solutions this month with Mane gone.
9. Arsenal (-5)
It’s hard to say when Arsenal’s season starts, but I think it starts when #WengerOut starts trending on Twitter. The team made some moves and kept Sanchez this window, but still have had a patchy start to the season. The Bournemouth victory should get the side back on track.
10. Stoke City (+5)
An impressive draw from the team, and a great individual performance by Choupo-Moting. He scored two goals to keep his team even with the Red Devils. Even though Geoff Cameron is expected to be out a few weeks, I think the team can find some momentum.
11. West Brom (-3)
West Brom is starting to level off, after an impressive start. It’s hard losing to a side that just got promoted this year, and I expect West Brom to stay around this part of the table.
12. Newcastle United (+7)
After a very rough start to the season, Newcastle has won its last two games. They’ll look to stay out of the relegation zone this season.
13. Brighton (+4)
Got their first win of the season, and sit at fourteen on the actual EPL table. How long can they stay above the relegation zone?
14. Southampton (-3)
Scoring goals is still a problem. The team has a solid defense, but they need to find the back of the net, if they want to make real strides up the table.
15. Everton (-10)
Wayne Rooney may have celebrated a little too early (figuratively and literally), after his team’s opening weekend. Everton got routed by the Spurs, and could face a similar fate at Old Trafford.
16. Swansea City (-4)
Pretty much pick up where they left off, last season. They could be seeing a turnaround in results, once their late signings gel together.
17. Leicester City (-3)
I still think Leicester has a title hangover (hard to blame them). Honestly, they have had an extremely tough schedule these opening weeks, and we can expect to see things turnaround once they play middle/lower table teams.
18. West Ham (+1)
Some movement is better than none! The team got their first victory of the season, after a nightmare start to the year. They still need to address some defensive flaws, if they want to have anything to play for this season.
19. Bournemouth (-3)
Myself and others, had some decent expectations for last year’s surprising side. However, these expectations have crumbled, and the team now have nothing to show (0 points in four matches).
20. Crystal Palace (no change)
Rock bottom. Frank De Boer lasted four games with zero goals, and Crystal Palace are now prime time relegation candidates.
