The Premiership, probably at the moment, is the most open league for anyone to win since its introduction in 1992. The emergence of teams like Bolton and Sunderland is making them competitors worthy of testing the best in the league. The league in my mind has stretched across a different range altogether, watching a resurgent Newcastle United side under Chris Hughton and a spirited Blackpool side under Ian Holloway, who in their own way have silenced critics that wrote them off even before the season kicked off. However, the question lies, is the league getting any stronger or in contradiction, getting weaker to such an extent that even an average side on any day can take points off so-called “The Big Four”?

Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal have clearly dominated the Premiership; with Manchester United winning the league remarkably eleven times off the eighteen that the league has been contested. However, this season appears to be a bit different.

Let’s examine the Big Four and the other teams more closely:

Manchester United

United, though unbeaten, have looked ragged at the back and have already drawn seven games out of the fifteen that have been played. Johnny Evans, most notably, ever so brilliant looks completely out of sorts this season and has been criticized for United throwing away games at Everton and Fulham.

United though have played smart in the transfer window getting in the likes of Javier Hernandez, Bebe, Chris Smalling and Gabriel Obertan. Sir Alex has been a magician over the years in getting the best out of the youth by playing them with the experienced players, one can’t stop thinking that these players have been brought for the future and still have a lot to learn. Although, United were brilliant against Blackburn last weekend,  they still lack that touch of class that has been a feature of United’s play for years. United for sure have weakened since the departure of Carlos Tevez and Cristiano Ronaldo. Though United might be stronger than what they were last season but they are definitely not the Manchester United we know.

Arsenal

Arsenal, though they look stronger than the last couple of seasons, are still extremely vulnerable at the back and are horribly inconsistent to be even regarded as a serious title threat. Holding on to leads or finishing the game has simply gone out of the window since the Henry-Vieira-Pires era. Even though they play the best football in Europe alongside Barcelona but how many times have Arsenal been regarded as “bottlers who never reach their potential” and a side lacking mental toughness to challenge for top honors? The lack of experience and Arsene Wenger’s fear of handling egos has lead to Arsenal fans not seeing silverware for five years. Arsenal, though stronger than the last season, continue to have their problems and are definitely not the once called “Invincibles.”

Chelsea

Chelsea, though they played well at the start of the season, can’t seem to get over the   loss of four influential players in Ricardo Carvalho, Joe Cole, Deco and Michael Ballack. It is so evident seeing their recent form and vindicates the fact that it is a side that lacks depth. Chelsea also have an aging core to their side in Lampard, Drogba and John Terry with the likes of Essien, who is either injury prone or not the player he once was. They might have Malouda and have brought in Ramires but they lack a flair player like Robben, Joe Cole or a Damien Duff back in the day. Except Josh McEachran and Bruma, who are a couple of the best young players in England, they lack players who can walk in to the first team, unlike United and Arsenal.

Liverpool

As for Liverpool, I think even the Liverpool supporters wouldn’t deny that this is the weakest Liverpool team to have played in the Premiership.

Gerrard and Jaime Carragher aren’t getting any younger for the Reds. They also lack replacements for Alonso and Mascherano. Poulsen and Raul Merieles are decent players but are they Liverpool quality? It’s a puzzle in its own as to how Lucas Leiva is playing at Liverpool.

Liverpool have simply failed to replace quality with quality. Aquilani was a quality signing who failed to make an impact. He is performing exceptionally well at Juventus during his loan spell and so, there is a strong chance that Juventus, who have an option of buying Aquilani will make his loan move permanent. Kelly and Shevley are good players but you have to think that they are too young and inexperienced to make an impact at the Premiership level. I mean, just have a look at the recent transfers: Riise out, Konchesky in; Mascherano out, Poulsen in; Alonso out, Lucas in; Crouch out, N’Gog in; Bellamy out, Jovanovic in; Benayoun out, no one in. Signing average players like Konschesky and Poulsen, and a manager in Roy Hodgson seems to be turning Liverpool into Fulham than into the Liverpool of old.

Spurs and Man City

Manchester City and Spurs are the only clubs who are getting stronger every day but still don’t look to impose a serious title threat. City with the owner Sheikh Mansour making multi-million pound signings doesn’t seem to be getting the desired results and it only underlines the fact that money can’t buy trophies.

Their title aspirations were questioned when City played for a draw at home to Manchester United.

Having a manager in Harry Redknapp, Tottenham seem to be heading in the right direction. Spurs have a balanced side, with pace, experience, zeal combined with a team that plays some of the best football. But again, they majorly lack consistency. On one day, they teach the Champions of Europe a lesson; four days later, they get outclassed by Bolton 4-2 and the following week, they beat Arsenal at the Emirates 3-2. That’s Spurs’ story.

The Rest of the League

For the rest of the Premiership, Steve Bruce’s Sunderland and Owen Coyle’s Bolton have surprised a lot of people.

Though they have won only four games this season, Sunderland have their tails up and their 3-0 victory against Chelsea has set a benchmark for anyone who wants to go to the home of the champions and literally insult the champs by playing better football for periods in the game. Sunderland have bolstered their squad by making four loan signings in Nadeem Onuoha, Menshah, Elmohamady and Danny Welbeck, along with spending 13 million GBP on Asamoah Gyan. These are great signings who have performed well this season but you really have to wonder, what would have happened if these players would have performed the same way had they been playing in the league five years ago.

Same thing applies for Bolton, Fulham, Aston Villa, etc. and rest of the teams battling relegation; though saying that some of the managers like Chris Hughton and Ian Holloway have done a commendable job.

The fact of the matter is that the gap between the Big Four, or now the top six, has been reduced remarkably and it’s not because the entire league has gotten stronger. This is because, the top teams have weakened to such an extent that they are becoming challenged by the teams that would normally not stand a chance to even compete and would finish mid table. These top teams are often finding it hard to get results even against the teams that might eventually end up getting relegated. For example, Arsenal lost to West Brom 2-3 at the Emirates and United played a 2-2 draw against West Brom at Old Trafford. Chelsea recently have only picked up five points out of a possible eighteen.

The English Premier League has turned into a weird league but one that has turned into probably the most entertaining league in the world. The reason of the overall competiveness and weakening of the league is not due to the teams outside of the top four getting ever so strong, which admittedly is a slight factor, but because “The Big Four” have not been replacing “older” players and creating a new fresh cycle with the same level of quality.

In our attempts to further break down and analyze all things Premier League, EPL Talk proudly announce the addition of a new weekly column entitled Premier League Footballer of the Week. The column will be opinion driven, but we’ll strive to take an in-depth look at one single player in the Premier League who impressed during the most recent round of matches. As always, EPL Talk will count on you, the readers to join in the debate whether you agree with us or not.

It’s difficult to watch all ten Barclays Premier League matches every single week as we attempt to stay abreast on the happenings in other great European leagues in Germany, Spain and Italy. So, if we missed a great performance or you don’t agree with ours, leave a comment to let us know.

As for the column itself, we hope to take a more in depth look at a player’s performance as opposed to giving the accolades to whoever scored the most goals. Goals are important, don’t get me wrong, but this column will focus on more than just your average post. Here are some highlights you can expect going forward with Premier League Footballer of the Week:

• Positioning in team formation
• Effectiveness of position moving forward in attack, holding in midfield, or in defense
• Movement off the ball
• Goals scored, if any
• Assists
• Corners (accuracy)
• Overall effect on team spirit
• Important tackles
• Minutes played
• Nation of origin and a short background of the player
• Bookings
• And much, much more!

Readers should look for the first entry in an ongoing series of Premier League Footballer of the Week this Thursday as we analyze the mid-week matches. On normal weeks where matches are played on Saturday and Sunday, the post will be up Monday. What else would you like to see covered with this column?

Don’t forget to make EPL Talk your first stop when surfing the Internet for all the best news and analysis of the world’s most exciting league, the Barclays Premier League.

Will there be joy or pain in Middlesbrough come Monday?

This is it.

Match day 38 has arrived, and with it comes the promise of Premier League salvation or the gloom of a forced descent into the Championship.

Here’s what we know

Manchester United own the championship trophy, while Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal will be joining them in varying stages of the Champions League in 2009-2010.

Everton and Aston Villa have two of the three available Europa League spots.

West Bromwich Albion is going down. Two of the following will join them: Sunderland, Hull City, Newcastle or Middlesbrough.

Here’s what’s fuzzy

Will Fulham or Tottenham Hotspur will claim the final Europa League spot?

Who the heck is going down with the Baggies?

Sorting out the bottom

I’m not an engineer, so I lack the math skills required to tell you how many different possible outcomes there are Sunday for the games that involve the teams scrambling to avoid the drop.

So let’s put it this way:

For Boro to stay up – Gareth Southgate’s club need to win at West Ham and get losses from Newcastle and Hull – all while turning over a -4 goal difference.

For Newcastle to stay up – Alan Shearer’s club need to win at Aston Villa and a loss by either Sunderland or Hull. The Toon can also draw and stay in the top flight if Hull City falls at home to United.

For Hull City to stay up – The Tigers can beat United. If they draw and Newcastle loses, they’ll be fine. If they lose and the Toon nips a point at Villa Park, the Tigers will be returning to the Championship.

For Sunderland to stay up – A win at home over Chelsea would be the shortest route to safety. The Black Cats can also draw and be safe is Hull doesn’t win. If they draw, and both Hull and Newcastle win, then goal difference and perhaps even goals scored might come into play.

The matches

Arsenal vs. Stoke City

The Gunners wrap their season at home to the Potters in a game that frankly doesn’t matter a great deal.

Don’t be shocked if Arsenal trots out a Carling Cup-type lineup for this one.

Predict the winner with the EPL Talk Predictor

Aston Villa vs. Newcastle

A massive game for Newcastle as it tries to avoid falling out of the top flight for the first time since 1993.

Villa has fallen apart down the stretch, picking up only one win in the last 12 games. Of course, Newcastle has exactly the same recent form.

“People have asked me whether it’s possible to be optimistic after the hammer blow at the weekend. It’s not only possible, it’s imperative that we stay positive,” said Iain Dowie, Shearer’s assistant on Tyneside.

We’ll see if that positivity leads to a point – or three.

Predict the winner with the EPL Talk Predictor

Blackburn Rovers vs. West Brom

The Rovers have booked their place in the EPL next season, while the Baggies will be heading back down to the Championship.

Not much for neutrals to see here.

Predict the winner with the EPL Talk Predictor

Fulham vs. Everton

The Whites can lock up a Europa League spot with a win, and with a five-goal edge over Spurs on goal difference, a draw will probably be enough as well.

The Toffees will be trying to finish in fifth place, which will provide a better entry point to UEFA’s second-tier competition next season.

Predict the winner with the EPL Talk Predictor

Hull City vs. Manchester United

The Tigers face a huge game at home Sunday as the Red Devils come calling. With the Champions League final looming on Wednesday, it’s likely that Sir Alex Ferguson will field a somewhat-weaker-than-normal side.

Of course, nobody boasts the depth and talent that United has at its disposal.

Predict the winner with the EPL Talk Predictor

Liverpool vs. Tottenham

Tottenham visits Anfield with dreams of Europe still within reach. The Reds don’t appear to have much to play for in this one, but their captain, Steven Gerrard, is hoping for a strong finish to the campaign.

“We haven’t got much to play for really, but I think every time you put the Liverpool jersey on in front of your home supporters, the least they deserve is effort and if we go into it with that attitude, we can finish on a high with three points,” he told The Liverpool Echo.

Predict the winner with the EPL Talk Predictor

Manchester City vs. Bolton

Maybe City will use this game to put together a highlight reel for players it wants to lure during the transfer window. Other than that, neither side seems to have much to gain or lose here.

Predict the winner with the EPL Talk Predictor

Sunderland vs. Chelsea

The Black Cats can assure their survival with a win over the Blues, but that might be a tall order against a surging side.

Chelsea have 22 points from its last eight matches, and will look to build momentum towards its FA Cup final next weekend.

Predict the winner with the EPL Talk Predictor

West Ham vs. Middlesbrough

Boro need three points from its visit to Upton Park on Sunday – and even that might not be enough to save them from the drop.

Middlesbrough will look to break an eight-match winless streak at Upton Park, and will have to do it without injured midfielder Stewart Downing.

Predict the winner with the EPL Talk Predictor

Wigan vs. Portsmouth

Pompey can jump Wigan in the table with a win at the JJB, but really, that’s about all the drama on offer here.

Predict the winner with the EPL Talk Predictor

The 2010-2011 season could be a turning point for the Premier League. ESPN could have the TV rights to the league by then and could share it with either Sky Sports or Setanta Sports in the UK, and possibly Setanta Sports in the United States. And now we learn that the Premier League may have a new sponsor beginning that season because Barclays Bank are reviewing their sponsorship decisions.

It’s about time the Premier League gets a new sponsor. Barclays has sponsored the league since 2001 and has added an air of respectability to the Premiership. But it’s time to change. Barclays is not a global brand, so the millions that the bank spends on sponsoring the Premier League has no relevance to me because there are no Barclays Banks nearby. Sure, it helps the bank overseas especially in new markets such as Asia, but what the Premier League needs is a global brand that is respectable and that can take the Premiership to the next level in terms of money.

Last year I wrote about how the Premier League were risking losing their brand-name recognition after they decided to officially drop the “Premiership” name and replace it with the official name of the league, the “Barclays Premier League” (BPL). I criticized the decision at the time because the initials would have to change whenever a sponsor changed.

For example, what would happen if, hypothetically, Siemens became the new sponsor of the league. The league’s new acronym would be the SPL. But everyone knows that the SPL is the Scottish Premier League, so unnecessary confusion would be created. I believe that the Premier League should stick to being called “the Premier League, sponsored by [insert name]” and drop the ridiculous acronym idea.

Who do you think would be the right sponsor for the Premier League if and when Barclays Bank doesn’t renew its agreement? Click the comments link below and let us know.