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Premier League Round Up : Rating each team out of 10 after 7 games played in EPL
The players have gone on international duties and there will be no Premier League game played until the 20th of October. Each team has played 7 games so far and the time has come for our first assessment of each team. Some teams had a slow start but recovered well,some are still struggling while some have made a great start but slowly losing pace. So let’s look at each club and see how they’ve fared so far. We have also rated each time out of 10.
Note : The ratings are based solely on the initial expectations of the club, hence a lower placed team in the league could have a higher rating than the team placed above them.
Arsenal : 7/10
Though Arsenal lie in the 7th spot behind city rivals Tottenham and Chelsea, they will not be too disappointed because they have played at least 3 big games so far : Man City, Chelsea and Stoke away (not sure if i should count Liverpool game as a big game). That is why Arsenal have a rating of 7 and we’re not being too critical about them. But in all fairness they would have hoped to win at least one of those games. Cazorla and Podolski have adjusted well but Giroud really needs to step up to the next level to be a regular.They need to sort out their striker problems if they want to finish in the top 3.
Aston Villa : 3/10
Paul Lambert’s Villa could well be on their way to the Championship if he doesn’t sort out the mess soon.They are in 16th place. No home win yet and eyebrows were raised when he stripped Bent from captaincy and dropped him against West Ham. Ironically Bent came on as a substitute and scored the equalizer in that match. Villa have some very good players like Agbonlahor, N’zogbia,Given, Dunne and current captain Ron Vlaar but they are just not getting it right.
Chelsea : 9/10
League leaders, no losses so far, playing attractive football unlike last season and won their only big game (against Arsenal). The only reason Chelsea do not get a straight 10 is because of their draw against QPR and given their form and class, one would have expected them to win all their 7 fixtures. But the real test for Chelsea starts now. With a flurry of tough fixtures lined up mixed with tricky Champions League matches in the middle, this will undoubtedly be a very important time of the season for the Blues.
Everton : 8/10
Had a superb start to the season with an opening day victory against Man United, a game in which they dominated the Red Devils in all areas. They also proved the start wasn’t a fluke and maintained pace with the top 3 clubs and lie in fourth place. If they can keep a hold of their midfield magician Fellaini this winter, then they could be serious contenders for Europe.
Fulham : 6/10
Bobby Zamora said “many players do not like the manager Marin Jol” and Martin Jol has accused Bobby Zamora of “sour grapes” in reply. All this happened only a few days back and though the club are doing OK in 9th and maintaining their pre season target of finishing in the top 10. This row will certainly spice things up. It will be interesting to see how Fulham react to this after the break.
Liverpool : 3/10
Had the worst start to a Premier League season in 101 years. Lots of questions over the unavailability of a second striker have been raised. Liverpool have definitely missed a trick here. But despite this, they played good attractive football( apart from the first game) so far. With a new manager choosing to give teenagers regular first team football, Liverpool is a club going through a transition. But that cannot be an excuse for their under achievements.
They are the only team to play against the teams that finished 1,2,3 from last season so far hence the board will not be too harsh on Brenden Rogers now. If they can manage to get around 20 points from their next 12-13 games,then they will have around 26 points from the first half of the season. And then if they get in a good striker to partner Suarez, they can think about Europa League again. But unless all these happen, it looks very unlikely for them to finish in the top 6.
Manchester City : 7/10
The defending Champions are the only team apart from Chelsea to remain unbeaten in the league so far. But 3 draws in 7 games is not an ideal start for City. It is hard to find mistakes in a team which boasts of big names in each and every position and players who hardly make any mistakes. But one would be a fool to write off City so early in the season and we can expect them to bounce back immediately.They have the same points as their city rivals United and are 3rd only on goal difference.
Manchester United : 7/10
Second in the league but already have two losses in 7 games. And they are yet to face Chelsea, Man City and Arsenal. They have been poor defensively although injuries have not helped them out. They have been over reliant on RVP although it’s changing now. They are known to make comebacks both in the games as well as in the table standings. So it will be only a matter of time for United to be on top of the table.
Newcastle United : 5/10
They are 10th in the table and it would have been O.K. had it been 2 years back. But after finishing 5th last season and increasing their standards and expectations, Newcastle haven’t quite made the start they’d wanted. Sadly for them, their entire first choice defence and goal keeper are injured.
Norwich City : 2/10
This team is our pick for the “team definitely getting relegated” this season. No wins so far and very poor defensively, Norwich let in 17 goals this season and lie in the 19th spot. It will take a big effort from both the manager and the players if they somehow manage to stay in the top flight.
Q.P.R. : 1/10
They deserve to be criticized. Just 2 draws in 7 games and no wins puts them right at the bottom of the table. The sad part is that Q.P.R have signed no less than 12 players in the Summer Transfer window. Though half of those signings “were” big names once, most of the players are past their prime. It will be a shame to see players like Park Ji Sung, Bosingwa, Julio Cesar or Granerio playing in the Second Division next season as Q.P.R. are heading right there.
Reading : 3/10
Another team without any wins so far. They look weaker of the 3 promoted clubs and will need some good home results. 3 of their next 4 fixtures are against Fulham, QPR and Norwich and they should look to take maximum points from these games.
Southampton : 5/10
Their league position(17) is pretty harsh on the club which is playing good offensive football. But their defence is a contrast to their attack. They scored 12 goals in 7 games but they let in 20 goals this season more than any other club. They have a 5/10 not only because of their good style of play but also because they played both the Manchester clubs, Arsenal and the in-form Everton.
Stoke City : 6/10
In contrast to Southampton, Stoke scored 6 and let in only 5. Their stats read 1 win, 1 loss and 5 draws. Arguably the roughest and the most physical team of the League, they will be happy to already get points from Arsenal, Manchester City and Liverpool.
Sunderland : 5/10
The trademark mid table club, Sunderland fans will not be too worried. But they will not have much to celebrate either. They know they will not get relegated but they will certainly not win anything either. Their main target will be to finish in the top 10.
Swansea : 6/10
After the departure of Allen and Scott Sinclair in the summer, one would have expected Swansea to struggle. But Michu has been a real steal for them and his 6 goals so far are just what the doctor ordered for the club.
Tottenham Hotspur : 7/10
After 2 points from 3 games, Spurs managed to win the rest of the 4 games in a row. This included a massive 3 points against Manchester United. New boss AVB asked only for 1 thing – time and he is likely to get it here. They made some real good signings in summer including Dempsey, Dembele and Lloris but the departure of Van Der Vaart and Modric will still have voids. AVB has done a good job so far this season and the team looks settled after their early struggle but up next for them is a game against city rivals Chelsea. This game will have so many mini battles in itself – the battle of the fans, the players and most importantly AVB vs his former club.
West Brom : 8/10
Exceeding expectations already. Only the 3-0 loss against Fulham is the black mark of their season so far. With wins over Liverpool and Everton, West Brom have made a bright start. But they haven’t faced any big teams so far but totally deserve credit for the work done till now.
West Ham : 7/10
The best of the 3 promoted teams, it will take some drastic errors for the Hammers to get relegated again. All this with Andy Carroll playing just 2 games. The English striker was sent from Liverpool to West Ham to get his form back. If he starts netting goals, then West Ham can as well finish above Liverpool itself.
Wigan Athletic : 4/10
The Premier League pundits stated that Wigan wouldn’t be able to run their luck for the third time in a row. They are currently in the 15th place with just 1 win and with teams like Aston Villa and Southampton who are placed below them likely to move up, it could be a long and tense season for them yet again.
So this is how the teams have fared so far and our ratings based on their performances. Feel free to comment.
Argentina will be aiming for a record-breaking 16th Copa America title when they take on Colombia
The Copa America 2024 is set for an electrifying conclusion as defending champions Argentina face off against Colombia at the Hard Rock Stadium in Florida on Sunday. This highly anticipated final marks the first-ever Copa America final meeting between these two footballing powerhouses. Argentina aim to secure a record-breaking 16th title, making them the most successful side in the competition’s history.
Argentina’s road to the final has been marked by grit and determination. They navigated a nerve-wracking penalty shootout against Ecuador in the quarter-finals before securing a comfortable 2-0 victory over Canada in the semi-finals. Julian Alvarez opened the scoring, followed by a historic goal from Lionel Messi, who now stands as the second-highest male goalscorer in international football with 109 goals.
Argentina’s unbeaten streak now extends to 10 matches, and they remain unbeaten in major tournament knockout games on American soil since the 1994 World Cup. It is no understatement that they go into the clash as favourites.
Colombia are no pushovers, however. They have been in exceptional form. Since their 1-0 loss to Argentina in World Cup qualifying in February 2022, they have embarked on a record-breaking unbeaten run of 28 matches.
Jefferson Lerma’s header gave Colombia the lead before Daniel Munoz’s red card put them at a numerical disadvantage against Uruguay. Despite this setback, Colombia’s resilience shone through as they held on to secure their place in the final. The victory over Uruguay was marred by a brawl involving Uruguayan players and Colombian supporters, but Colombia’s focus remained unwavering. This final represents a chance for Colombia to end a long wait since their first Copa America triumph in 2001.
Team News and Predicted XI
Argentina
For the final, Argentina face no injury or suspension issues. Head coach Lionel Scaloni is expected to maintain an unchanged lineup. The defence will feature a solid back four with Gonzalo Montiel, Cristian Romero, Lisandro Martinez, and Nicolas Tagliafico, with Emiliano Martinez as the goalkeeper.
In the midfield, Enzo Fernandez and Rodrigo De Paul are anticipated to keep their places, even though Giovani Lo Celso and Exequiel Palacios are pushing for a start. Angel Di Maria is poised for his international farewell on the right wing. Alexis Mac Allister, who has been impressive on the international stage, will play a crucial role, linking up with Messi from the midfield.
Lionel Messi, who overcame a leg injury to play the full match against Canada, will lead the attack alongside Julian Alvarez. Lautaro Martinez, the tournament’s top scorer, is expected to begin on the bench and should be brought on in the second half.
Predicted Playing XI (4-4-2): Emi. Martinez; Molina, Romero, Lis. Martinez, Tagliafico; Mac Allister, E. Fernandez, De Paul, Di Maria; Messi, Alvarez
Colombia
With Daniel Munoz suspended, Santiago Arias is set to start at right-back, joining Davinson Sanchez, Carlos Cuesta, and Johan Mojica in a solid four-man backline. Camilo Vargas will likely be the goalkeeper.
In midfield, Jefferson Lerma and Richard Ríos are expected to form the double pivot, providing protection for the defence and allowing the attacking players to push forward.
Captain James Rodriguez, who has recorded a tournament-high six assists, will continue in the number 10 role. He will be supported by Liverpool’s Luis Diaz and Fluminense’s Jhon Arias on the flanks.
Jhon Cordoba, who has contributed with two goals and two assists, is expected to lead the attack, with Jhon Duran and Rafael Santos Borre available as options.
Predicted Playing XI (4-2-3-1): Vargas; Santiago Arias, Sanchez, Cuesta, Mojica; Rios, Lerma; Jhon Arias, Rodriguez, Diaz; Cordoba
Key Stats
- Victory will see Argentina win their 16th Copa America title, making them the most successful side in the competition’s illustrious history.
- Colombia are unbeaten in their last 28 international games.
- Argentina have won 26 of their 43 meetings against Colombia in all competitions.
- A win for Colombia will see them win just their second Copa America title, their first since 2001.
Match Deciding Duel
Enzo Fernandez (Argentina) vs James Rodriguez (Colombia)
Argentina have been solid in defence and penetrating their backline has proven to be a challenge for most sides in the competition. Colombia have a rather dynamic attack but will depend on the veteran James Rodriguez to act as the playmaker.
With the likes of Luis Diaz able to make the most of opportunities, the onus will be on Enzo Fernandez to ensure Rodriguez does not have space to manoeuvre in. The duel between the two players could certainly set the tone for which way the cookie crumbles on the night.
Prediction
Argentina 2-1 Colombia
The clash is likely to be an entertaining one with the midfield battle expected to set the tone for the result. Argentina. however, have more strength in depth and the ability to bring a player of Lautaro Martinez’s calibre off the bench in the second half is akin to a cheat code. The Inter Milan star is expected to lead the defending champions to a close 2-1 win on the night.
Spain and England will face off for continental supremacy in the Euro 2024 final
As Euro 2024 reaches its climax, the football world braces for a thrilling final between Spain and England at the Olympiastadion in Berlin. This highly anticipated match will determine the champions of Europe, with Spain looking to add to their illustrious history and England aiming to lift the Henri Delaunay Trophy for the first time.
Spain, guided by Luis de la Fuente, entered the tournament somewhat under the radar but quickly established themselves as a formidable contender. They navigated the so-called ‘Group of Death’ with ease, securing nine points from three matches against Croatia, Italy, and Albania. Impressively, they emerged from the group stage without conceding a goal to an opposition player.
In the knockout stages, Spain demonstrated their resilience and quality. A stunning 4-1 comeback against Georgia in the last-16 and a tense extra-time victory over hosts Germany in the quarter-finals showcased their grit and talent. The semi-final against France was another test of their mettle, with young star Lamine Yamal lighting up the Allianz Arena and Dani Olmo sealing the win.
Spain’s journey to the final has not been without challenges, but their blend of experience and youthful exuberance has seen them through. They now stand on the brink of history, aiming to become the first European men’s team to win four major tournaments consecutively.
England’s Euro 2024 campaign has been a rollercoaster. Gareth Southgate’s men had a mixed group stage, winning only once against Serbia and drawing against Denmark and Slovenia. Their knockout phase has been a tale of resilience and drama, coming from behind in both the last-16 and quarter-finals.
A lacklustre win over Slovakia and a penalty shootout victory against Switzerland set the stage for a semi-final clash with the Netherlands. Despite early setbacks, including a goal from Dutch prodigy Xavi Simons, England produced their best performance of the tournament. A late winner from Ollie Watkins, following a perfect penalty from Harry Kane, propelled them to their second consecutive Euro final.
Southgate’s squad has shown incredible determination and character, setting new records along the way. Kane’s scoring feats and the team’s ability to perform under pressure have been pivotal to their success.
We take a look at how both sides could line up on the night and what tactics they might employ.
Team News and Predicted XI
Spain
Spain’s bad-tempered quarter-final against Germany saw Dani Carvajal and Robin Le Normand fall foul of the referee, leading to their suspensions for the semi-final. Both players are now back at De la Fuente’s disposal, bringing much-needed fresh legs to the Roja XI. Carvajal will replace Jesus Navas, while Le Normand should push Nacho to the bench.
Spain are expected to maintain a 4-3-3 formation with Unai Simon in goal. Daniel Carvajal and Marc Cucurella should hold the flanks in defence, while Robin Le Normand and Aymeric Laporte should form the centre-back pairing. Rodri should form the midfield pivot, with Dani Olmo and Fabian Ruiz pushing forward.
Skipper Alvaro Morata should lead the line with the electric duo of Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams providing support. Morata was initially a concern given his freak injury after the win against France. Thankfully for Spain, he trained normally and should lead them out.
Predicted Playing XI (4-3-3): Simon; Carvajal, Le Normand, Laporte, Cucurella; Ruiz, Rodri, Olmo; Yamal, Morata, Williams
England
England arrive in Berlin with a fully fit squad, including Luke Shaw, who has recovered from injury. Shaw’s performance against Switzerland and his effective stint in the semi-final suggests he may start, replacing Kieran Trippier at left-back.
Southgate is likely to stick with his preferred 3-4-2-1 formation. Jordan Pickford will guard the goal, with a back three of John Stones, Harry Maguire, and Marc Guehi.
Shaw and Kyle Walker will operate as wing-backs, while Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham form the midfield pivot. Phil Foden and Bukayo Saka will support captain Harry Kane in attack. Southgate has enough game-changers on the bench and it remains to be seen if he will have the nerve to make bold calls or play the long game and roll the dice.
Predicted Playing XI (4-3-3): Pickford; Walker, Stones, Guehi; Saka, Mainoo, Rice, Shaw; Bellingham, Foden; Kane
Key Stats
- A victory on the night will see Spain secure their fourth title, making them the most successful side in the competition’s history.
- A win for England will see them triumph in the European Championships for the first time in their history.
- Spain and England have faced off 27 times in all competitions. La Roja have won 10 games while England have won 14. Three games ended in a draw.
- England have never lost to Spain in a UEFA European Championship clash before.
Match Deciding Duel
Lamine Yamal (Spain) vs Luke Shaw (Spain)
Lamal has been a critical difference-maker for Spain in this year’s tournament and will hope to end it on a high. Up against the recently returned Luke Shaw, he will aim to run rings against the English veteran.
Shaw’s ability to get caught out could provide Yamal the space he needs to run into and put the English backline into disarray. This should also subsequently free up Dani Olmo to make his trademarks into the box.
Prediction
Spain 1-1 England (Spain to Win on Penalties)
England will be keen to end their trophy drought and also go one better than last time around. While they have a strong squad with plenty of depth, Southgate’s inability to take calculated risks should play right into Spain’s hands. It remains unlikely that the trophy will go ‘home’ anytime soon.
Argentina and Canada will face off in the first semifinal of Copa America 2024, a repeat of the competition opener from Group A
Canada have a golden opportunity to make history as they face defending champions Argentina in the first semi-final of Copa America 2024 at MetLife Stadium on Tuesday.
In a rematch of their tournament opener, Canada can become the second CONCACAF team to reach the Copa America final. Both sides advanced to the semi-finals via penalty shootouts, with Argentina defeating Ecuador and Canada overcoming Venezuela after 1-1 draws in regular time respectively.
Argentina’s path to the semi-finals has been fortified by their exceptional defence and goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez. The victory over Ecuador secures their fifth consecutive appearance in the Copa America semi-finals. Historically, Argentina have been strong at this stage, progressing in seven of their last eight attempts, with the only setback being against Brazil in 2019.
A triumph on Tuesday would mark the first time Argentina reached the Copa America final as defending champions since 1959. Scaloni’s team has been defensively sound, conceding just once throughout the tournament. The Albiceleste are unbeaten in their last nine matches across all competitions, allowing only three goals during this period.
On the other hand, Canada has shown remarkable resilience since their initial loss to Argentina. Jesse Marsch’s squad has conceded just once in their last three games. They are the third CONCACAF team to reach the Copa America semi-finals in their debut appearance, following Honduras and Mexico. They are also the first from the region to advance this far since the USA in 2016.
This semi-final marks Canada’s fifth appearance in the final four of a continental tournament this century. They have progressed beyond this stage twice, in the 2023 Nations League and the 2000 Gold Cup. Canada aims to emulate Mexico’s 2001 Copa America run, where Mexico reached the final before losing to Colombia.
Argentina’s defensive stability and tactical discipline under Scaloni will be pivotal, also giving their world-class frontline a base to build upon. Canada, under Marsch, has transformed into a more disciplined and resilient team. Jonathan David and Alphonso Davies will be crucial in breaking down Argentina’s defence. SoccerSouls takes a closer look at this clash.
Team News and Predicted XI
Argentina
Lionel Messi was not at his best against Ecuador and will be keen to make amends for the penalty miss in the shootout. he missed the final group game with a hamstring injury but now appears to be back to full fitness.
Lionel Scaloni is likely to retain his flexible 4-3-3 formation with Emiliano Martínez in goal. He should be protected by the back four of Nahuel Molina, Cristian Romero, Lisandro Martinez and Marcos Acuna.
Midfielder Leandro Paredes should perform the role of the pivot in the centre, giving Liverpool star Alexis Mac Allister and the dynamic Rodrigo De Paul the freedom to push forward. Lionel Messi is expected to don the playmaker’s role with Lautaro Martinez and Julian Alvarez leading the line. Angel Di Maria will offer Argentina another option off the bench should they need to shift gears.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Emi. Martinez; Molina, Romero, Li. Martinez, Acuna; Mac Allister, Paredes, De Paul; Messi, La. Martinez, Alvarez
Canada
Inter Milan Tajon Buchanan remains a major doubt for Canada after he suffered a broken tibia during training just days before their match against Venezuela. This injury puts his participation in doubt not just for the semi-final clash against Argentina but also for the remainder of the tournament.
Jesse Marsch has an otherwise fully fit squad to choose from for the clash and is expected to set his side up in a 4-2-3-1 formation with Maxime Crépeau in goal. The shot-stopper should be protected by the back four of Alistair Johnston, Moise Bombito, Derek Cornelius, and Alphonso Davies.
Stephen Eustáquio and Jonathan Osorio should form the double pivot, freeing up Jonathan David to act as the playmaker. Cyle Larin should start up front, with Richie Laryea and Jacob Shaffelburg providing support out wide.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Crepeau; Johnston, Bombito, Cornelius, Davies; Osorio, Eustaquio; Laryea, David, Shaffelburg; Larin
Key Stats
- Argentina have never conceded a goal against Canada.
- Argentina have not lost a major tournament match on U.S. soil since a 3-2 defeat to Romania in the 1994 World Cup’s round of 16.
- A win on the night will see Canmada make it to their first-ever Copa America final at the first time of asking.
- Argentina have not made it to the final of the competition as defending champions since 1959.
Match Deciding Duel
Lautaro Martinez (Argentina) vs Derek Cornelius (Canada)
Lautaro Martinez is the top scorer in the tournament this season and has made it a habit of scoring late goals for Argentina. This augurs well for a side that is defensively compact, giving them a second wind to settle the game as the opposition gets tired. Derek Cornelius will have his hands full all night but will know that he cannot slack off for even a second with Martinez on the prowl.
Argentina’s ability to score late coupled with Canada’s vulnerabilities in the second half of the game makes for a thrilling finale in the final 30 minutes of the first semifinal. While Argentina do have several threats and matchwinners in their lineup, Martinez’s clinical touch has given them the edge this summer. He will certainly be aiming to make a difference once again on Tuesday.
Transfer Watch
Jonathan David
The LOSC Lille attacker is Canada’s trump card going forward and is expected to leave the Ligue 1 giants this summer. David is a pacy player whose ability to get into space and clinical ability in the box helps make a difference. While several clubs are keeping tabs on him, a solid showing against the defending FIFA World Cup holders will only help boost his profile among potential suitors.
David will be up against the meanest defence in the competition on the night. The duo of Cristian Romero and Lisandro Martinez aren’t just formidable defenders but their ‘take no prisoners’ approach will certainly add a physical element to the duel. David is unlikely to come up against a meaner backline in the competition and how well he handles this challenge could determine his stock this summer.
Prediction
Argentina 2-0 Canada
Both teams will be familiar with each other having felt each other out on the opening day. The stakes are much higher this time round and Canada will be hoping for a monumental upset. Argentina were handed a late scare against Ecuador and that perhaps will ensure they don’t take Tuesday’s game for granted. The game should be a hard-fought one with Argentina’s match winners making the difference in the second half of the game.
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