So the below list is something I wrote for last years thread to give potential new fans an idea of the teams that will be challenging for the top 4. I've updated it for this year without any transfer info as the window just opened and predicting how transfer will do is a crap shoot in my mind. I'm listing the teams in the order I predict them to finish:
Chelsea - Current title holders and expected to challenge on all fronts next year, will be the bookies favorite to repeat and win the league as well. Called the Blues, they had no history of winning anything until Roman Abramovich bought them and turned them into his personal play thing starting in 2002 with about $1bn spent to build a team of stars. Since then they've won the league three times and the champions league once. Managed by Jose Mourinho who is either a cult hero or villain depending on your perspective, the key to this year will probably be whether he branches out past his core and trusted group of 8 players as they seemed to limp to the finish line last year as those players got worn out. They're located in London and play at Stamford Bridge with their main rival being Arsenal and their best player is Eden Hazard.
Arsenal - Some are even calling them favorites for the title this year, though the bookies disagree. I'll go with that and say they'll finish 2nd again for now. Called the Gunners, have a pretty good history of winning throughout their existence and play a nice offensive brand of football though with 2 FA Cup title wins in a row. They're owned by Stan Kroenke, an American, who is never there as the manager Arsene Wenger basically runs the club. They've started spending big money after paying off their stadium loans on key acquisitions though whether that will expand to the rest of the roster is yet to be seen. Located in London they play at the Emirates which is a big plastic bowl and their main rival is Spurs. Best players are Santi Cazorla and Alexis Sanchez
Manchester United - Finished 4th last year and I'm predicting a move up to 3rd but with a big gulf between Chelsea and Arsenal and the rest of the top 4 challengers. Called the Red Devils, the most successful team in England, they're currently owned by the Glazer family who are Americans and own the Buccaneers and are not much loved by the fans. They've won the league 7 times since 2000 and are back in the Champions League after a year removed though they have to navigate a tricky playoff to get into the group stages. Their manager,Louis van Gaal, is a crazy Dutchman that has no problem showing his balls to his players and using big elbowing midfielders as the focal point of his attack. They're located in Manchester, play in the largest club stadium in England which is Old Trafford and their biggest rival is Liverpool. Their best player is Wayne Rooney and Phil Jones
Liverpool - After a disappointing season with a 6th place finish I'm predicting 4th place on the hope Sturridge can play at least 25 games this year. They have no nickname, they are the 2nd most successful team in England behind Manchester United as they haven't won a league title since 1989. They're currently owned by Fenway Sports Group who own the Boston Red Sox. Currently managed by Brendan Rodgers who is the bookies favorite at the moment to be the first manager fired this year with Jurgen Klopp waiting in the wings. The team is located in Liverpool which is 20 miles from Manchester in the Northwest of England, they play at Anfied which currently being expanded and their main rival is Manchester United. Their best player is Daniel Sturridge when fit and Phillipe Coutinho
Manchester City - Finished in 3rd place last year, with an aging squad and a lame duck manager I'm going to predict they fall out of the top 4 this year as they have more question marks than any other team in my mind. Called the citizens, they were good in the 1960's, then sucked until bought by the Royal family of Abu Dhabi about 7 years ago. They're currently managed by Manuel Pelligrini who I think is actually a pretty good manager but is hamstrung by the demands of the owners who with FFP lifted will go back to their mega spending ways. They've won 2 out of the last 4 league titles and want to eventually have worldwide soccer dominance through their affiliated clubs NYCFC and some Australian shithole team. They're located in Manchester which is in Northwest England and play at the Etihad which they can't even fill on a regular basis but are talking about expanding the ground anyway. Their biggest rival is Manchester United and their best players are Sergio Aguero and David Silva.
Tottenham Hotspur - Finished 5th last year, I'm going to go for a 6th place finish this year unless Kane goes to another level. Called the Spurs, they haven't won a cup in 30 years or the league in almost 60 but you wouldn't know it by the way the club and fans act who think they are at the same level as the teams mentioned here when they aren't. The team is owned Joe Lewis who is a Brit billionaire and is run by Daniel Levy who is actually Doctor Evil in disguise. They are managed by Mauricio Pochettino who brings an all action pressing style though it's yet to be seen if this style can sustain itself over a full season. The team is located in London, they play at White Hart Lane and their biggest rival is Arsenal. Their best players are Harry Kane and Christian Eriksen.
Aside from that you have Southampton and West Ham that should be within the Europa League spots (5-7 league finish) and Everton could always rebound I guess
