Article: What Teams are Most Likely to be the Top 5 at the End of the Season?
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By Jonathan Lewis | 4th NOV 2021
The 2021-2022 season has only just got underway, and predictions are already flying about the teams that will make the top-5 at the end. Discover more here.
The 2021-2022 premier league season is well underway now, and it has been a strong season so far. There are usual suspects in the top-5 positions at the moment, but also teams who were solid last year and are profiting from poor performances from members of the traditional top-7.
Who could be set to stay competing at the summit of league for the rest of the season?
The Current Top 5
As it stands, the top 5 are as follows:
- Chelsea
- Liverpool
- Man City
- West Ham United
- Brighton
There are some familiar faces there, but one that’s probably not used to being in the top 5 is Brighton & Hove Albion, a team really showing their strength so far this season. It’s perhaps thanks to Brighton’s clever summer signings — like the Spanish Marc Cucurella — who has had a fine start to the season.
Chelsea sits seven points above Brighton after the latter’s loss to Manchester City on Saturday. Chelsea has also had a very good start to the season with fans getting the hot Chelsea tickets after last year’s Champions League triumph, let alone their strong title credentials this season. Their resounding 7-0 win against Norwich won’t mean a lot in the long run, with the Canaries struggling to offer any evidence they’ll stay in the division come June. However, Chelsea’s strong defence and star-studded front-line continuing to tick over will be enough to keep the other contenders honest.
Liverpool has had a cracking start to the season, as they always do, and their 5-0 drubbing of rivals Manchester United will send out a statement that both Liverpool are ruthless in front of goal this season, reminding spectators of the 2017/2018 season, and that Manchester United need to do a lot of work to be the contenders they think they are and spent the money to be.
Going further down the pack, Wolves have had a mixed start, winning half of the eight games played, but their underlying numbers under new manager Lage are promising. Arsenal has won and lost games in equal measures and drew 2, with the Gunners seemingly turned a corner in recent weeks, offering fans hope that their project is showing signs of life. But their star signing of the season, Ben White, hasn’t lived up to expectations so far… Aston Villa — now they’ve lost their cherished Jack Grealish to Man City — aren’t doing so well either, currently sitting 13th.
Who Will Finish in the Top-5 This Season?
Prediction:
- Manchester City
- Liverpool
- Chelsea
- West Ham United
- Leicester City
That’s not too far off this year’s top 5. Manchester City will always be more or less at the top of the table as, even if they have doubters, they are formidable in the Premier League. Liverpool, if they stay healthy and cope with Salah, Mane, and Keita’s AFCON departure in the winter, will be there.
Chelsea’s main question-mark is their offensive output. While they have the likes of Lukaku, Havertz, Werner, Mount, Ziyech, Pulisic – an embarrassment of riches – their raw shot numbers and shot-quality numbers aren’t at the level of Liverpool nor City. The Blues’s defence is what they build their credentials on, and impenetrable wall that can fluidly defend key spaces, limiting chance quality and shot numbers.
Fourth and fifth are up-for-grabs. They are anyone’s. West Ham have picked up where they finished off last season, being quietly solid, productive. They’re sustainability and depth will be tested. Leicester City have started the season poorly. However, Rodger’s tactical acumen and a strong squad offers the Foxes a great chance of getting European Football next season, even breaking into the top-4 if things go their way.
Who do you think will end up in the top 5 at the end of the season?
Anything is to play for in this 2021-2022 season, and it has given us some incredible moments of football already. The season is set to be one of the best, and with the return of Cristiano Ronaldo, the Premier League is sure to have some incredible moments to come.
Jonathan Lewis is an MFF sports writer
