Real Madrid odds on favourites, who will come second?

Perhaps and over simplistic view but as Madrid would be solid mid table in D1 and Leverkesuen 2 whole points away you can’t see around Real Madrid romping back to D1 and even having time to spare to build a stronger team while they do it.

Leverkeusen also though have a strong side . Second place should be relatively easy and they too have a side built for a higher league with no real vulnerabilities.  Everton and Ajax are harder to judge. Everton have a weaker keeper but more depth than Ajax who risking everything if they get injuries.  Liverpool Stoke and Anderlecht strong in midfield but weaker at the back.  To survive D1 you will need 224 so this is kind of the cut off , unless you can improve your team while gaining promotion.

Last season anything less than 221 suggested a struggle.  This puts 5 teams already fighting before the season has begun. Zenit look least well equipped to survive with a week attack and defence combo that will suffer against 90 + rated attacks. Hoffenheim will be good up front but can they out score their opponents.  Same could be said for River Plate but they should get more possession than some . Udinese are more balanced and have good depth , which should do them fine. AC Milan trade depth for a stronger midfield which should be good for at least the first few games.

Cup run teams ? Anderlecht & Udinese

Average for Division 222.65 up 0.4 from last season.

  GK DEF MID ATT Top18 Ave ETOT
Real Madrid 91.0 91.3 92.2 93.0 88.0 91.1 228.69
Bayer Leverkusen 90.0 90.0 90.4 92.0 87.0 89.9 225.36
Everton 89.0 90.5 90.4 91.0 85.0 89.2 224.75
Ajax 91.0 90.0 90.0 92.0 82.0 89.0 224.56
Liverpool 89.0 89.5 91.0 91.0 86.0 89.3 224.55
RSC Anderlecht 89.0 89.5 90.2 91.0 88.0 89.5 224.15
Stoke City 89.0 89.0 90.2 92.0 85.0 89.0 224.04
São Paulo FC (P) 92.0 89.3 90.4 90.0 85.0 89.3 223.46
Paris Saint-Germain 90.0 89.8 90.0 90.0 86.0 89.2 223.46
Manchester United 88.0 88.3 89.8 92.0 85.0 88.6 223.00
Southampton 89.0 89.3 89.8 90.0 86.0 88.8 222.74
Sporting CP (P) 88.0 90 89.2 90.0 85.0 88.4 222.62
Hamburger SV 91.0 89.0 89.5 89.5 86.0 89.0 222.22
Hertha BSC 88.0 88.5 89.2 90.0 86.0 88.3 221.54
Werder Bremen 88.0 88.5 88.8 90.0 85.0 88.1 221.10
AC Milan 88.0 88.8 89.0 88.0 86.0 88.0 220.28
Udinese Calcio 88.0 88.8 88.8 88.0 87.0 88.1 220.24
River Plate 87.0 87.5 88.6 89.0 86.0 87.6 219.49
TSG 1899 Hoffenheim 87.0 87.3 87.8 90.0 86.0 87.6 219.34
Zenit Saint Petersburg (P) 88.0 87.0 88.0 87.0 86.0 87.2 217.43