Comments on: English Premier League – Most Competitive in the World?

By: Chris Walker

Chris Walker — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 20:11:12 +0000

I guess it is all down to how we interperate the word ‘competitive’ it is the tightest battle i can remember: 6 points between 10th and the drop is quite unbelievable. However like we all probably think, its the same teams year in year out challenging for the title. Just for once can we see a shock to the system even if it means Fulham or Wigan win it!

By: Bakang Bonolo Mguni

Bakang Bonolo Mguni — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 14:04:19 +0000

Great post! The EPL is definately not the most competitive league around. Compared to the other top leagues the chances of anyone one team beating another are way to slim in the english game. The unfortunate thing is there is no foreseable end to the trend. The issue of a clubs finsncial muscle is now showing even at the continental stage. The top four are indeed the best teams in the world, how can they not be they buy all the new talent. I pity the beautiful game…

By: James Harris

James Harris — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 03:47:43 +0000

Thanks for taking the time to read the article and the feedback. I appreciate hearing everybody's views. We are all aware of the dominance of the big four but when you actually run the numbers and track it on a simple chart, even then, it is still astounding.

AtlantaPompey – I like your question of how the current “tightness” of the table stacks up against previous seasons, especially, as you mention there is no “Derby” for the 08-09 season. If I can track down the data I will put something together.

Also if we go down the table just a little we will notice right now that the 10th placed team, Fulham lead 20th placed WBA by one win – 14 points against 11….and this is the table after 12 games, not 3!

So, I agree that there is competitiveness within the sub-plots of the league, and there is no doubt promotion to the EPL leads to mass celebrations for the successful teams (we've heard about the 60 million pound cup final for the Championship play-off winners), but ultimately, at least for now, you can pretty much bet on at least 3 more green highlighted squares in the top four chart at the end of the season.

By: AtlantaPompey

AtlantaPompey — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 14:12:29 +0000

Good first post. A couple of points you raised were outstanding. First of all, that only 9 points separate 5th place Aston Villa from 20th place WBA. 9 points from European football to the Fizzy Pop League. What I would love to know is how that difference in points compares to other years after 12 matches. Yes, this is close right now, and there is no Derby County-bad team, but how does it compare to previous years?

A league can be competitive in several different ways. The NFL here in the US claims, rightly so, that on any given Sunday, anyone can beat anyone. I believe the same is true in the EPL, which is one of my definitions of competitiveness. WBA can beat Chelsea, although they are unlikely to do so. The tightness of the table, after the Big 4, shows the competitiveness as well.

However, the league is not very competitive, as you pointed out, in terms of European Football and league titles. ManU has dominated the Premier League and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future. Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal don't show any signs of slipping down the table this season or anytime soon. In that respect the league is not all that competitive. When "Fifth is the new First" is the mantra of most of the league, it shows that there is a competitive problem.

By: Arjun

Arjun — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 11:57:27 +0000

Hey, nice first post. Good to see a more statistical analysis rather than simply a review, preview or judgment (not that they're bad). Brings a new dimension to EPL Talk.