Just so easy to pick the big boys. Didn't quite turn out that way least season. So, where will they finish?

01 - Gunners

02 - Villa

03 - City

04 - Chelsea

05 - Seagulls

06 - United

07 - Pool

08 - Black Cats

09 - Toffees

10 - Cherries

11 - Forest

12 - Spurs

13 - Palace

14 - Peacocks

15 - Sky Blues

16 - Cottagers

17 - Tigers

18 - Bees

19 - Toon

20 - Tractors

I'll revise my predictions - if I need to that is - at the half way stage.

Some bold calls:

Villa for 2nd.

Bees & Toon to go down.

Interesting.

Gunners again!

Arsenal takes it, with Liverpool a close 2nd this year. Man United 3rd, City 4th. Chelsea and Villa next.

Gunners put out an early marker. 3-0 against one of the new boys.

Should have been 5-0 at HT. Sky blues did a little better in the second half. But!! Don't be despondent lads. You only have to visit the Champions once a season. Much easier match at home against The Tigers next week. While Gunners go to Villa. One of the more difficult places to go.

Will Pool whack Toon on Sunday. I think Toon will struggle all season. Shame Eddie left. A quality manager IMO. He is gonna spend the season fishing in the River Misbourne; with one eye on the float and t'other on Toon results.

Cherries go to City. A draw there I reckon. Hope the south coasters can replicate last season. a toughie to start with.

We will see soon enough

I have no idea exactly who's playing for the Villa this year, it's currently changing every day, but I trust Unai to sort something out, so hopefully top 6 finish and a good run in the Champions League, and maybe one of the domestic cups. Finishing 2nd would be wonderful but given the changes, particularly the back four and the goalie, never mind midfield and attack I think it unlikely.

As for the top 3 it's Arsenal's to lose, new managers everywhere else, 2nd maybe Chelsea, 3rd City though possibly the other way around.

Relegated, Hull, Coventry and Ipswich - would like Coventry to stay up but the gulf is just so big.

17 hours ago, Stiddle Mump said:

Just so easy to pick the big boys. Didn't quite turn out that way least season. So, where will they finish?

01 - Gunners

02 - Villa

03 - City

04 - Chelsea

05 - Seagulls

06 - United

07 - Pool

08 - Black Cats

09 - Toffees

10 - Cherries

11 - Forest

12 - Spurs

13 - Palace

14 - Peacocks

15 - Sky Blues

16 - Cottagers

17 - Tigers

18 - Bees

19 - Toon

20 - Tractors

I'll revise my predictions - if I need to that is - at the half way stage.

Good effort. I would like to see Palace finish a lot higher but I fear it's not going to happen.

2 hours ago, Thingamabob said:

Good effort. I would like to see Palace finish a lot higher but I fear it's not going to happen.

TBH, the places from Toffees at 9th downwards could all be shuffled. I cannot see the three promoted teams getting into the top 8. But after that I'm not sure what will happen.

Perhaps I'm being pessimistic about Cherries and Pool. Both could finish higher. However I'm sticking to my club list.

On 8/21/2026 at 9:57 PM, Stiddle Mump said:

Just so easy to pick the big boys. Didn't quite turn out that way least season. So, where will they finish?

01 - Gunners

02 - Villa

03 - City

04 - Chelsea

05 - Seagulls

06 - United

07 - Pool

08 - Black Cats

09 - Toffees

10 - Cherries

11 - Forest

12 - Spurs

13 - Palace

14 - Peacocks

15 - Sky Blues

16 - Cottagers

17 - Tigers

18 - Bees

19 - Toon

20 - Tractors

I'll revise my predictions - if I need to that is - at the half way stage.

I reckon I got The Bees and Spurs mixed up in my predictions.

Spurs only escaped relegation on the last day last season; sending The Irons down. They were awful at The Gtech yesterday. I'm thinking I've overestimated them; and underestimated The Bees.

Tractors off to a great start. Toffees too.

Edited August 23Aug 23 by Stiddle Mump

33 minutes ago, Stiddle Mump said:

Tractors off to a great start. Toffees too.

Hull were splendid, Man U appalling

On 8/22/2026 at 12:49 PM, 241195_1469957797 said:

Gunners again!

Indeed! Who else?

Right then. Round 2 of the season starts tonight. Great match in prospect at Selhurst.

What do we make of last weeks results? I look at my end of season predictions with some horror.

Did I get Bees and Spurs confused? Did I over-estimate Villa and under-estimate Seagulls? A real toughie Sunday for the south coasters when they go to The Bridge. And even tougher for Villa who host the Champs on Monday. Might as well give them the trophy now. Oh wait! They have already got it. Silly me!

Good starts for Tigers and Tractors. United haven't lost their opening two games for yonks. Can another shock come along? What a fillip it would be for Tractors to get even a point. And I had them to finish bottom of the pile. Dear me!

Game of the round for me; Cherries v Toffees. Villa v Gunners is tasty though.

Edited August 28Aug 28 by Stiddle Mump

Can't write City off, but they need to keep Haaland & Cherki fit.

1 hour ago, garygooner said:

Can't write City off, but they need to keep Haaland & Cherki fit.

You are right there Gary. I thought City at this time last year, but when they were in the driving seat, albeit for a short time, they couldn't cut the mustard.

I think The Gunners are tighter at the back. Going forward they are both good.

Good win for them last evening.

Early-season form can be deceptive, but the defensive improvement is a good sign. If that solidity holds while the attack keeps creating chances, they should be in the mix all season.

54 minutes ago, BallTimeTH said:

Early-season form can be deceptive, but the defensive improvement is a good sign. If that solidity holds while the attack keeps creating chances, they should be in the mix all season.

Indeed.

But are there already signs that might tell us us how the EPL season might pan out? One is the top two. I'm sure they will be there or thereabouts at the end. Tigers look solid at the back and that should see them safe. Spurs were terrible last season and their games so far might lead one to think this season will be a struggle.

Tractors, Sky Blues and Cottagers are all in for a fight for survival. Seagulls will climb as will Cherries, Villa and Forest.

You are right about early form being deceptive. I made a pre-season list and now I'm thinking I am nowhere near the mark. I reckon we will see after about 6 matches who will hold their own in mid-table, who will struggle at thebottom and who - if any - will challenge Gunners and City.

Just had a look. Tigers go to The Bridge on Saturday. If they can grab a point, that will send a message that they are not a 3 game wonder. Remember Carlisle a few seasons back?. I recall it well. The Cumbrians led the pack by winning their opening three fixtures at the highest level, for the first time in their history. Only to be relegated that very season; 1974/75.

Can't see Spurs getting better than a draw when the host Toffees at the w/e.

City go to United. Wow! What a match-up that will be.

Interesting top-six prediction. Villa in second would be a statement, but the race from fourth to sixth looks especially tight; Chelsea, Brighton and United could all trade places depending on consistency.

57 minutes ago, BallTimeTH said:

Interesting top-six prediction. Villa in second would be a statement, but the race from fourth to sixth looks especially tight; Chelsea, Brighton and United could all trade places depending on consistency.

Already Villa look dodgy.

Thought Chelsea would do better last year than what they did. Can they do better this season. I fancy Seagulls to finish top 6 now. They lost at the Bridge but were the better team.

Sunday might answer some questions about United.

Hard to argue with Arsenal and Liverpool near the top, but the early matches have made the mid-table race look wide open. Brighton have looked much more confident than I expected, and Villa still seem capable of pushing the bigger clubs. The next few weekends should tell us whether United and Chelsea are genuine top-four contenders.

2 hours ago, BallTimeTH said:

Hard to argue with Arsenal and Liverpool near the top, but the early matches have made the mid-table race look wide open. Brighton have looked much more confident than I expected, and Villa still seem capable of pushing the bigger clubs. The next few weekends should tell us whether United and Chelsea are genuine top-four contenders.

TBH, the season has started in predictable style. Gunners and City 1 & 2. I don't fancy Pool for top 4.

You are right about the next few w/e. United v City on Sunday will be a great watch.

Can Tigers snatch a point at The Bridge?

Some interesting results, pity we don't have some of the contributors we had a few years ago - this forum would be bouncing.

On 9/9/2026 at 5:38 PM, Stiddle Mump said:

Already Villa look dodgy.

Give 'em a chance, they just replaced half the squad!

Nice win against Spurs, new goalie Suzuki looks good as do Jackson and Manzambi, looking forward to seeing Madjo cause chaos after the break. Biggest issue is defence, Harwood-Bellis clearly isn't up to Unai's standards, so we have a Konsa shaped hole at the back.