The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Doug Roberson recaps MLS results from Aug. 12-13, as well as the opening weekend of the Premier League.
Lastly, some of you responded to my request for your EPL predictions. Here are your predictions:
Alan P. Templeton, Signal Mountain, Tenn.
Top Four:
- Manchester Thing 1
- Manchester Thing 2
- Tottenham
- Everton (yes, being a homer! Why Everton? Tim Howard, Landon Donovan, Brian McBride, Joe-Max Moore)
Bottom Three:
- Burnley
- Brighton And Hove Albion
- Huddersfield Town
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Andy Adams, Chicago/Atlanta
Top four:
- Man City - Pep added much needed defense and I expect the offense to continue to improve.
- Manchester United: Adding Lukaku was huge.
- Tottenham: They didn't lose much from last season but also didn't add much.
- Liverpool - Losing Coutinho hurts but they added Salah. Klopp is a winner.
Bottom three
- Burnley - Just sold off Gray and they just don't have enough to hang on
- Brighton - Their defense will be better than Huddersfield's
- Huddersfield - Not enough quality players to stay up
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Matthew Sartor, Gainesville Ga
1. Manchester City - They have outspent many countries on their defense, and it has so far shown. The additions solidify the back, and allows more possession and opportunities to the most talented attacking team in the league. With a full season under Pep Guardiola, the ribbons at the end of the season will be Sky blue.
2. Manchester United - Jose Mourinho is a proven winner, and it should show in the table. The added addition of Lukaku will add an extra counter attacking strength and speed they didn't have with Ibrahimovic. With the parking the bus tactics and Pogba getting forward they should be able to gain many points. However, the lack of creativity in the center of the pitch will lead to second place.
3. Chelsea - They are clearly one of the best teams in the league, as shown last year. They stay solid in the back, and have the knack for getting a goal when they need it. However, playing European football this year will add extra wear on the tires. This, coupled with a small squad and the of luck of seasons with non injuries, will lead to a harder time capturing the EPL crown. They still have the quality however to be near the top of the table.
4. Liverpoool - My surprise addition to this list. Jurgen Klopp is one of the brightest minds in the world of soccer. He has turned mid spenders at Mainz and Borussia Dortmund into highly competitive squads. With the addition of Salah and Robertson they should be able to convert more in the final third. This is all dependent though on if they keep Coutinho. If they don't, I foresee Tottenham Hotspur getting this final spot. It will be close in any capacity, however Spurs have not added to their roster in the transfer window.
18. Watford
19. Newcastle United
20. Burnley
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Anton Golf - Alpharetta
- Man City - too much firepower
- Liverpool - back 4 will be stronger than expected
- Tottenham - new stadium will bring Kane the golden boot
- Chelsea - Conte in love with the Paparazzi
Bottom 3:
18. Swansea - bring back Bob Bradley
19. Huddersfield - back to the pastures
20. Brighton - could not Albion the EPL
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Jordan Coker, North Atlanta
Top four:
1. Manchester City
2. Chelsea
3. Arsenal
4. Tottenham
Pep Guardiola seems to have the tools he needs to launch City to the top again. Choosing Manchester City and Chelsea to go 1-2 isn't groundbreaking, but there's no reason to doubt Guardiola's squad or what Conte has achieved already at Chelsea. As an Arsenal supporter, I may just be cautiously optimistic about the Gunners this year. After finishing 5th and feeling the pressure for his job, Arsene Wenger addressed some of the biggest needs for Arsenal: finishing from the front (Lacazette) and providing a more physical aspect to the Gunner backline (Kolasinac). If Alexis gets healthy and isn't completely disgruntled, they have the talent to reclaim a top 4 spot.
Bottom three:
18. Burnley
19. Brighton and Hove Albion
20. Watford
