The EPL season begins on Saturday as 20 teams will be hoping that this is the year that their team can have a special season and take their team to new heights.
For those who don’t know, the EPL is very different from leagues in North America. The standings first and foremost are located in one division and every team will play every other team home and away for a total of 38 games. There is also a FA Cup and League Cup that is separate from the league standings.
For the North American that isn’t familiar with the EPL, here is your guide to the 2016-2017 season.
Arsenal
Based in North London, Arsenal is a very strong team with rich tradition. They often make the UEFA Champions League and are a notch below rivals Chelsea.
American comparison: New England Patriots.
A very strong team but other teams tend to hate them. Be careful about jumping on the bandwagon of this team, their team name is the gunners and their logo looks like a board game piece from the board game Risk. To be honest, I wouldn’t want to be known as a gunner.
Teams goal: Win Title
Burnley
Making an appearance in English's Top Tier after making a brief appearance two years ago. Small stadium with a lot of passionate fans. Talent wise, they will be in tough this year.
American Comparison: Cleveland Browns
Both teams have passionate fans despite having a long run of failure in both cities.
Team Goal: Avoid relegation
Bournemouth
Smallest team in the Premier League this year. Their stadium is very small with just over 10,000 seats. They are also the most southern team in the Premier League. This year marks the second year that Bournemouth will be competing in England’s top flight division.
American comparison: Miami Marlins.
Both teams are small but close to the ocean. The Marlins have never won a division title and Bournemouth has never played a game up until last year in the premier league. In addition, both teams have fancy stadiums. Problem is, fancy doesn’t get where you any points when it matters.
Teams goal: Avoid relegation
Chelsea
Lots of tradition with this team. It seems that whatever the amount of money they choose to spend, never works out to winning many titles. In other words they underachieve. Personally, I thought they were the best team in Europe last year, however they bowed out in the Round of 16 in the Champions League to PSG.
American comparison: Boston Red Sox.
Up until 2012 Chelsea had never won the UEFA Champions League, since then they are title contenders in Europe. Very similar to the Red Sox who after won the World Series in 2004, seem to be contenders every year but still underachieve themselves as well.
Team Goal: Win Title
Team Goal: Win Title
Crystal Palace
Fourth consecutive year in the Premier League, small fan base but loud fans.
American comparison: Calgary Flames.
Both teams have had limited success in the past but both are on the rise now. When the Flames are good the Saddle Dome can be a very intimidating place. Same can be said for Crystal Palace who also have passionate fans. A moment of glory for the Flames was their 1989 Stanley Cup victory. The moment of glory for Crystal Palace was their 1990 FA Cup Final appearance and their heartbreaking loss in last years FA Cup as well. The Calgary Flames theme song is “Ring of Fire” and every fan knows the words. Crystal Palace’s theme song is “Glad All Over” that gets the fans going before the game.
Teams goal: Top 10 finish
Hull City
Promoted this year and will be competing in the Primer League for the third time in four years. Just like any team in the Primer League after coming up, they will likely struggle but I wouldn't be surprised if this team stayed up.
American Comparison: Memphis Grizzlies
Two decades ago, both teams were a laughing stock. The Grizzlies were in Vancouver and Hull was in the 4th Tier of English Football. In the past few years, both teams have had a revival.
Team Goal: Avoid Relegation
Promoted this year and will be competing in the Primer League for the third time in four years. Just like any team in the Primer League after coming up, they will likely struggle but I wouldn't be surprised if this team stayed up.
American Comparison: Memphis Grizzlies
Two decades ago, both teams were a laughing stock. The Grizzlies were in Vancouver and Hull was in the 4th Tier of English Football. In the past few years, both teams have had a revival.
Team Goal: Avoid Relegation
Everton
Their logo looks like something from Hogwarts in Harry Potter. Nevertheless Everton is competitive but always seem to be in the shadow of Liverpool.
American comparison: Washington Redskins.
Both franchises are competitive but haven’t been able to get to the next level. Everton competed in the Europa League last year whereas the Redskins made a splash in the NFL playoffs in 2013 before losing to the Seahawks.
Teams goal: clinch a Europa League spot
Leicester City
They had a very strong year last year and surprised everyone last year by winning the Title. 5000 -1 odds last year and they won the EPL title. This year they are 28-1 odds to win and people are doubting them.
American comparison: Sacramento Kings.
When both teams are doing well it is very exciting. Does everyone remember the early 2000's when the Kings had a great team?
Teams goal: Top 10 Finish
Liverpool
Lots of history with this team as well. They compete most years for a Champions League place but don’t get there every year. They haven’t won a League Title since 1989. However they almost saw it two years ago until Liverpool blew a 3-0 lead at Palace to cost themselves a chance at the Title.
American comparison: Dallas Cowboys.
Both teams have a lot of followers world wide but neither team can win the big game. Last Champions League title was 2005 for Liverpool. Dallas was on pace to win the Super Bowl in 2007 until Romo couldn’t get it done against the Giants
Teams goal: Qualify for Champions League
Manchester City
Man City struggled for many years until the late 2000’s when they started to compete and then finally winning the EPL title in 2012. They are in the shadow of Man U who strives to win the title every year.
American comparison: LA Clippers.
Clippers also were the laughing stock within their own state for many years, and lost the spotlight from their opposing home town team, but lately have greatly improved. Now, the tables have turned and Manchester City appears to be much better than Man United, the same way the Clippers are exceeding the Lakers.
Teams goal: Win League Title
Manchester United
Richest team with the most fame. Everyone says they are a Man United fan, even if they don’t watch or hate soccer.
American comparison: New York Yankees.
Easiest comparison there is. Both teams win lots and everyone has an opinion about them. If you support another team, you hate them. Pretty simple.
Teams goal: Win League Title
Middlesbrough
In the Primer League for the first time in quite sometime. They have a chance to be competitive this year amongst the bottom teams in the league. Whether that is enough to avoid relegation is impossible to tell.
American Comparison: Seattle Mariners
Neither team has had success in awhile and both teams are quite North in their respective countries.
Team Goal: Avoid Relegation
In the Primer League for the first time in quite sometime. They have a chance to be competitive this year amongst the bottom teams in the league. Whether that is enough to avoid relegation is impossible to tell.
American Comparison: Seattle Mariners
Neither team has had success in awhile and both teams are quite North in their respective countries.
Team Goal: Avoid Relegation
Southampton
Small team in the south with limited resources but lately have done a great job building. They will be competing in the Europa League for the first time in their club’s history.
American Comparison: Houston Texans.
Both teams have came a long way in a decade but both teams also have a long way to go before they can compete with the big boys.
Teams goal: Qualify for Europa League
Stoke City
They have made a climb in the standings in the past few years and it’s quite remarkable considering how much money they spend.
American comparison: Oakland Athletics.
Soccer’s version of Money Ball. If you haven’t seen the movie, you should. Both teams don’t spend much money now but in the same way it’s crazy that they still compete the way these teams do.
Teams goal: Top 12 Finish
Sunderland
By avoiding relegation the last three years, Sunderland felt reassured that they would finally turn the ship around. Nonethless they did, but completing way too many ties avoided a strong finish. Many years ago, this team used to be league favorites but as of late has lost their edge.
American comparison: Toronto Maple Leafs.
Both teams are many years away from competing again and have the players to make a run to promise. Dating back to their glory days, both were top dogs of the league, though its been awhile. For Sunderland it was the 50’s and for Toronto it was the 60’s.
Teams goal: Avoid relegation:
Swansea City
Team based in Wales and yes, this is allowed. They have had great success the last decade or so after being in the 4th tier of English football not to long ago.
American comparison: Toronto Raptors.
Both teams struggle for respect while playing in a different country as the rest of the teams. The Raptors broke trough last year and will be interesting to see if Swansea can make a splash this year.
Teams goal: Top 10 finish
Tottenham Hotspur
London based team that have a history of losing right when you think they are just about to win big. They consistently compete in the Europa League but hit their stride last year and will be competing in the Champions League this year.
American comparison: Chicago Cubs.
Both teams are in a big city with long droughts. The Spurs haven’t won the league title since 1961 while the Cubs haven’t won the World Series since 1908. Do I need to say more? Both teams believe they might break their respective droughts this year.
Teams goal: Win Title
Watford
Not much success in the Premier League era. Watford will take a chance to gain recognition as their second year in Primer League. If your a fan of Elton John, this is the team for you. He once owned the team back in the day. Staying up will be a challenge but not impossible.
American comparison: Columbus Blue Jackets.
Both teams struggle but like most small teams, there is always hope. In both teams cases there are just too many good teams they are competing with.
Teams goal: Avoid relegation
West Bromwhich Albion
They haven’t been strong in awhile. However in the last few years there has been a bit of progress.
American comparison: Pittsburgh Pirates.
Both teams are small markets but have gotten better quickly lately. Hopefully for West Brom’s fans a playoff chance is in the future. (Likely Europa League) just like the Pirates got in the playoffs last year.
Teams goal: Top 15 finish
West Ham United
They struggle competing as a team in London. Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham are all much better than West Ham. New Stadium this year so the hype is high this year. Potentially a chance to be a big team in the future.
American comparison: New York Jets.
Both teams are in big cities that our overshadowed by very successful sports teams.
Team Goals: Top 10 finish
No comments:
Post a Comment