Champions League format

+ UEFA double standards and Newcastle United profits.

1) Champions League changes

When discussions about changes to the format of the Champions League format were held earlier this year, some of the big clubs were reportedly in favour of automatic qualification.  To support this argument Charlie Stillitano, co-founder of the International Champions Cup was quoted as saying...

"What would Manchester United argue?  Did we create soccer* or did Leicester create (it)?"

* #USASoccerguy #awesome

It's a stupid quote, because obviously the history of football is far bigger than any one club, not to mention the fact that neither Man United nor Leicester were part of the original line-up for the Football League back in 1888-89 which was won by Preston North End.

To be fair, Stillitano has since claimed, "I think, honestly, that was misquoted," but whatever the truth of the matter he's recently clarified his position with the following statement...

Hypothetical league tables...

...FIFA, team work and agendas.

1) How the table would finish based on form so far this season

If Spurs, Arsenal, Man City, West Ham and Man United were to get the same average number of points per game as they have done so far this season, Leicester would only need 13 points from their last nine games to be champions. #hypothetical #justabitoffun

This how the top six would finish up...

1 Leicester - 79
2 Tottenham - 72
3 Arsenal - 68
4 Man City - 68
5 West Ham - 64
6 Man United - 62

* Points totals rounded to the nearest point.

So as Leicester are currently on 60 points they would only need 13 more points to be champions.

Obviously, you would expect at least one or two of the top six to put together a strong run in, so the above statistics don't actually mean anything, other than underlining what everyone already knows, namely that the chasing pack are going to have to up their game to have a realistic chance of taking the title.