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