Created Sun 28th Jun 10:54am PST by

thaitanium Level 8, Super-Pro (H$6,048)

Excluding the "Big Four" which Premier League team will be highest at the end of the 2009/10 season?

Background: From the 2005-06 season onwards, the "Big Four" (Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal) have dominated the top four spots, but the contest for 5th place has always been closely contested.

Both Aston Villa and Everton performed well last season, but a number of other teams have shown good promise of a strong finish, especially with Manchester City's strong financial backing.

For clarification, the question addresses which team excluding the "Big Four" (mentioned earlier) is at the highest position at the end of the season, not which team finishes 5th.

Settlement details:As reported by a major mainstream news source.

Forecast history %

Everton

Aston Villa

17%

Fulham

Tottenham Hotspur

18%

West Ham United

Manchester City

55%

Any other team, excluding the "Big Four"

Question suspends in 24 weeks

Activity: H$25,930
Predictions: 94
Comments: 5

Suspend date: Sun 9th May 2010 10am PST (24 weeks to go)

Initial likelihoods: Everton: 20%, Aston Villa: 20%, Fulham: 8%, Tottenham Hotspur: 15%, West Ham United: 12%, Manchester City: 20%, Any other team, excluding the "Big Four": 5%

Action history:

Created Sun 28th Jun 10:54am PST by

thaitanium Level 8, Super-Pro (H$6,048)

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Suspend date: Sun 9th May 2010 10am PST (24 weeks to go) details

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Predictions (94)

3 weeks ago

wwwifabz Level 5, Predictor (H$1,960)

predicted Tottenham Hotspur (H$100 at 13%)

3 weeks ago

yogi

predicted Manchester City (H$100 at 64%)

4 weeks ago

oasisman Level 13, Psychic (H$75,276)

predicted Aston Villa (H$50 at 13%)

4 weeks ago

oasisman Level 13, Psychic (H$75,276)

predicted Tottenham Hotspur (H$20 at 14%)

5 weeks ago

ghostbuster Level 12, Guru (H$35,376)

predicted Tottenham Hotspur (H$50 at 13%)

Comments (5)

oocares Level 13, Psychic (H$56,163)

When Manchester City start buying some defenders, I may start believing...

posted 18 weeks ago

tun3r84 Level 14, Prophet (H$101,485)

Time needed for the quality to gel, which may take a 10-games or half a season.. Doubt Mark Hughes aility in dealing wif bunch of superstars too.. Worthful thought on teams with much unchanged line-up, Aston Villa, Everton or Tottenham?!?

posted 14 weeks ago

thaitanium Level 8, Super-Pro (H$6,048)

Villa and Everton seem like they could struggle with smaller squads and little to no money to spend on transfers. Villa slumped at the end of last season with the sheer number of matches they were playing. I still believe they can make a strong challenge for the top 6 spots though.

I think Tottenham could do well, people seem to have forgotten how badly they started last season, if they'd played at the form they had towards the end of the season I don't see why they can't achieve a top 6.

City's poor pre season performances just shows that the side needs a lot longer to start working together. If they'd signed Lescott and a couple of other proven defenders, i'd say they had a much better chance, but the defence is still so weak. They've spent so much money, but would those players be starting most matches at a top four club? Tevez was on a rotation, and Arsenal were tired with Adebayor's lack of commitment. Questions over Santa Cruz's fitness as well?...

Anyway, here's a season preview people taking part in this question might like to look at.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/a/arsenal/8147195.stm

posted 14 weeks ago

buckojo Level 11, Legend (H$18,580)

If Teves and Adebayor can jell with the midfield they can both finish beautifully. Everton looks a bit tired. My monies on Aston Villa just for the odds though.

posted 12 weeks ago