Can Chelsea overcome the champions as the stats predict.

A fairly narrow gap splits the top two teams. Hellas have greater depth and a superior defence than Chelsea and match them up top. Chelsea will be using their keeper and midfield to screen the opposing sides.

Dortmund are their closest rivals a well balanced side with a potent attack. Porto are a similar side to  Chelsea with the same kind of balance with Juve another side that is balanced throughout.

Benfica have an obvious weakness in defence but are otherwise a tough side to crack,  Bayern have greater depth than any side in the league and as the season goes on they should make greater progress.  Everton are the wild card side for me, lacking in depth a weaker keeper but on their day could match anyone.

As for relegation 224 is a fair cut off.  This leave 5 sides in obvious danger. Villa with less depth a relatively poor keeper and defence combo might be in more trouble than 17th suggests.    Valencia have a strong attack but may struggle throughout as will Southampton.  West Brom go for the top and tail technique. Hope your keeper saves you and the attack can punt in a few goals.

Division 1 is slightly stronger than last season but with less difference between the highest and lowest teams.

  Gk Def Mid Att Top18 Ave ETOT Pre
Chelsea 95.0 91.5 94.4 96.0 86.0 92.6 232.84 1
Hellas Verona (C) 91.0 92.8 93.2 96.0 87.0 92.0 232.52 2
Borussia Dortmund 92.0 92.8 93.2 95.0 87.0 92.0 231.99 3
FC Porto 94.0 91.5 92.5 96.0 85.0 91.8 231.08 4
Juventus 93.0 92.5 93.4 93.0 86.0 91.6 230.65 5
SL Benfica 95.0 89.8 93.4 95.0 86.0 91.8 229.99 6
Bayern München 94.0 91.0 92.2 93.0 88.0 91.6 228.85 7
Leicester City 91.0 90.5 91.8 93.0 86.0 90.5 227.53 8
Arsenal 90.0 91.3 91.0 92.0 86.0 90.1 226.72 9
Manchester City 94.0 90.5 91.8 91.0 87.0 90.9 226.71 10
Barcelona 92.0 90.8 91.0 92.0 86.0 90.4 226.56 11
Real Madrid 90.0 90.5 90.4 92.0 87.0 90.0 225.76 12
Bayer Leverkusen 90.0 90.3 90.6 92.0 87.0 90.0 225.72 13
Everton 89.0 89.8 91.2 91.0 84.0 89.0 224.67 14
Genoa CFC 91.0 91.8 90.0 89.0 87.0 89.8 224.61 15
Atlético Madrid 91.0 90.3 91.4 89.0 86.0 89.5 224.41 16
Aston Villa 89.0 89.3 90.4 91.0 85.0 88.9 223.75 17
Valencia CF 89.0 88.5 89.8 91.0 87.0 89.1 222.91 18
Southampton 89.0 88.5 89.6 90.0 87.0 88.8 222.10 19
West Bromwich Albion 90.0 88.5 88.8 91.0 85.0 88.7 221.99 20