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Predicting the English Premier League Top 10 At The Midway Point of the Season

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By @BZarp

Predicting the English Premier League Top 10 At The Midway Point of the Season

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Heading into New Year’s Day, the English Premier League is officially at the midway point in the season. The table doesn’t not look as expected at the halfway point, but we have learned a great deal which teams should be contenders for the top four spots and which teams won’t have enough to stay competitive through the end of the season. At the midway point in the EPL season, here is a prediction of which teams will finish in the top 10.

10. Newcastle United

Newcastle United v Liverpool - Premier League
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10. Newcastle United

Newcastle United v Liverpool - Premier League
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Things were ugly early in the season, but Alan Pardew has weathered the storm and has Newcastle in good shape at the midway point of the season. There will be a few teams in the mix trying to claim a top-10 spot at season's end, and Newcastle is as capable as any of them to end up in the top half of the table, completing a great turnaround for Pardew and company.

9. Swansea City

Nathan Dyer scores for Swansea City
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9. Swansea City

Nathan Dyer scores for Swansea City
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The Swans have been in good form for much of the first half of the season, and they are actually well within striking distance of the top-four at the midway point. Actually getting into the top-four could be a bit ambitious for Swansea, but they've been good at home, winning six and allowing just seven goals in 10 matches. If Swansea continues to play well at home, they should comfortably finish in the top-10.

8. West Ham United

Andy Carroll scores for West Ham against Swansea
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8. West Ham United

Andy Carroll scores for West Ham against Swansea
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West Ham has spent a lot of time during the first half of the season in the top-four, but they've fallen out, which could be a sign of things to come. The Hammers have struggled to get points against some of the other top teams in the EPL, which will make it hard to stay in contention for a top-four spot. They certainly look like a team that will finish securely in the top-10, but a top-four finish would be an overachievement.

7. Liverpool

during the Barclays Premier League match between Burnley and Liverpool at Turf Moor on December 26, 2014 in Burnley, England.
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7. Liverpool

during the Barclays Premier League match between Burnley and Liverpool at Turf Moor on December 26, 2014 in Burnley, England.
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Liverpool hasn't exactly looked the part of a top-10 team thus far, much less a team that earned a Champions League spot last season, but they have plenty of time to turn things around. Daniel Sturridge should return from injury soon, and if he and/or Mario Balotelli can start scoring goals, the Reds will look like a completely different team during the second half of the season and could end up at least close to the top-four.

6. Southampton

during the Barclays Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Southampton at Selhurst Park on December 26, 2014 in London, England.
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6. Southampton

during the Barclays Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Southampton at Selhurst Park on December 26, 2014 in London, England.
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The Saints currently hold a top-four spot and they certainly look like they have the staying power to remain in contention all season. Of course, being a top-four team at the midway point in the season isn't as tough as being there at the end. When competition heats up later in the season, Southampton may start to slip, as more accomplished teams pass them by, leaving the Saints just outside the top five.

5.Tottenham

Tottenham Hotspur v Crystal Palace - Premier League
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5. Tottenham

Tottenham Hotspur v Crystal Palace - Premier League
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Spurs finally seem to have things moving in the right direction. They have consistency on the back line and a viable striker in Harry Kane, which has allowed them to survive a sluggish start to the season. Tottenham should continue to improve over the second half of the season and continue to move up the table. However, they may not be ready to push into the top four and establish themselves as one of the EPL's elite teams.

4. Arsenal

Liverpool v Arsenal - Premier League
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4. Arsenal

Liverpool v Arsenal - Premier League
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The Gunners have turned things up a notch since the return of Oliver Giroud, and they'll be in even better shape when Mesut Ozil returns. Arsenal may not have started the season as strong as they would have liked, but they look like a team that will be great the second half of the season, as they look the part of a top-four team, and they'll be opportunistic if other teams start to falter.

3. Manchester City

5 Bold Predictions for West Bromwich vs Manchester City in EPL Week 18
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3. Manchester City

5 Bold Predictions for West Bromwich vs Manchester City in EPL Week 18
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The defending champions will definitely be in contention in May, but they just don't have the feel of a team that's going to win a championship. Every now and then they have a result that makes you scratch your head, and with Yaya Toure expected to miss all of January, their depth will be tested and they would start to lose ground in the race to repeat as champions.

2. Manchester United

Robin van Persie celebrates a goal for Manchester United
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2. Manchester United

Robin van Persie celebrates a goal for Manchester United
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The team with the best chance to challenge Chelsea could be Man U. The Red Devils appear to buying into what Louis van Gaal has been preaching, and if they can solidify their defense during the transfer window, Man U has a dynamic attack that can score goals on a consistent basis. Also, unlike the other teams in contention, Man U won't be distracted by Champions League, which could give them an edge when it comes to league play.

1. Chelsea

Stoke City v Chelsea - Premier League
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1. Chelsea

Stoke City v Chelsea - Premier League
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The Blues lead at the midway point in the season, and there's every chance that they'll be on top at season's end. Chelsea has been the most consistent team in the EPL this year, with continuity in the back four, a quality goalkeeper, and a multitude of goal scorers and playmakers. Even if they don't maintain their lead all season, Chelsea will be the team lifting the trophy at season's end.

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