A number of subtle power shifts have occurred over the course of the first couple of weeks of November in the Premier League.
Most notably, Chelsea has relinquished its place as surefire league champions with a run of mediocre form. Behind Chelsea sits a mediocre — yet undefeated — Manchester United and a high-flying Arsenal team that nobody quite trusts, but if one of those two teams take a step forward, the league title could really be up in the air.
Elsewhere in the table, the newly promoted teams have had a decidedly poor month. While each sat in the top half of the table in October, only Newcastle still tenuously rests there. Now, the reality of scrapping to avoid relegation has set in.
For Liverpool, the season of angst has continued. After an undefeated run and win over Chelsea, ugly Liverpool reemerged, losing 2-0 to Stoke. Liverpool will need need to pick up its form to keep up with the likes of Aston Villa, Bolton and Everton — all of which look to make the top half of the table rather crowded.
| Premier League Power Rankings |
| 1 |
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| Last week: No. 1 |
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A 3-0 home loss to Sunderland was confirmation of something that Chelsea has been hinting at for the past month. They actually aren't shoo-ins to win the league. Still, there's no doubt that they would have to lose a couple of more matches to not be odds-on favorites. |
| 2 |
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| Last week: No. 3 |
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While the Red Devils looked hapless and overmatched at Villa Park until they were in a two-goal hole, there's no denying that this team has a desperate gear that will make "Manchester United time" happen over and over again. Also, they still haven't lost since May. |
| 3 |
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| Last week: No. 2 |
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The Gunners' victory over Everton wasn't their prettiest, but the Newcastle loss is starting to feel like a distant memory. Arsenal's run in second place in the table seems likely to be short-lived. If they beat Tottenham on the weekend, a Chelsea tie would see the teams go level, but if they lose, it's hard to believe that Manchester United's home tie against Wigan wouldn't put the Devils back above the Gunners. |
| 4 |
![Premier League Power Rankings Have Liverpool Falling to 12th After 13 Matches]() |
| Last week: No. 5 |
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City basically has the fourth spot in the table by default — given the poor form of Liverpool and Tottenham. They managed to play 180 minutes of 0-0 football last week, begging the question: How does such a talented, expensive team not score? |
| 5 |
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| Last week: No. 14 |
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If you beat Chelsea 3-0 at Stamford bridge, you move up nine spots in the rankings. Sunderland looked like a team destined for Europe on Sunday, but it may rely too heavily on Asamoah Gyan, Darren Bent and the suddenly very impressive Danny Welbeck. |
| 6 |
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| Last week: No. 4 |
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Tottenham held serve with its win over Blackburn this past weekend, but the loss of Tom Huddlestone may further expose what is a very shaky defense for a top-four club. Talk of discontent in the crowded midfield probably isn't helping, either. |
| 7 |
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| Last week: No. 11 |
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Bolton is a deserving fifth in the Premier League table. Its creativity and young talent in midfield, as well as the elite play of Johan Elmander, makes the Wanderers a legitimate threat for Europe this season. |
| 1-7 8-14 15-20 |
