Premier League Power Rankings 2013 Week 8

It's been an unpredictable Premier League year already, and power rankings are no cut-and-dry task. For instance, defending champions Manchester United is toiling along with 10 points and is ninth in the EPL table. 

But where to rank them? Sure, the Red Devils have been shockingly inept, but I don't really believe there are nine teams better than them in the Premier League. 

Not much happened this week with the Red Devils to clear things up, either. Coming off of a rough 2-1 home loss to West Brom, the Red Devils levied a 2-1 away win over hopeless Sunderland. 

At this point in the article, I'd like to thank Sunderland for making placing the bottom team in the power rankings an easy task. 

At any rate, here is how I see things shaping up in the Premier League at this point in the season. The power rankings will be followed up by a closer look at the top three. 

Check here for the full league table.

Checking in on the Top 3

Arsenal

The Gunners are another great example of this wild season. In their opener, Arsenal was essentially booed off the pitch by their home fans after an ugly 3-1 loss to Aston Villa. 

At that point, it seemed like Arsenal was embarking on a lost campaign. 

Instead, Arsenal hasn't lost since, and the Gunners have had just one draw. Of course, that draw did come their last time on the pitch against West Brom. It was a familiar result as the two drew at the end of September in a Capital One Cup meeting. 

Playing at The Hawthorns against a surging club and exiting with a point is no cause for concern for the Gunners, and it wasn't enough to drop them out of the top spot in my rankings. 

Liverpool

The Reds are pouring in goals. In their last two matches, Liverpool has triumphed by the combined score of 6-2. Of course, the victories were over Sunderland and Crystal Palace, and that's not a murderer's row of competition. 

Still, this team has been impressive. The Reds defense has been strong all year, and the offense is coming together after Luis Suarez's return from suspension. 

This week, in their 3-1 over Crystal Palace, Daniel Sturridge, Suarez and Steven Gerrard all netted goals. This kind of diverse scoring ability must be developed, and it will serve the Reds well. 

While the Reds are tied atop the table with Arsenal, I leave them in second in the rankings. I need to see a little more from this attack against top teams before I jump them over Arsenal. 

Chelsea

With 14 points, Chelsea sits just behind our leaders in the table. The Blues authored a nice 3-1 away win over Norwich City their last time on the pitch.

Chelsea has had a few poor performances on the year. Losses to Everton and Basel certainly don't inspire dreams of glory, but a few bumps along the road as this team transitions to the guidance of Jose Mourinho were to be expected.

And more than any concerns those contests conjured up is the strength this team has shown in their triumphs. That really shines through in away draws against Manchester United and Tottenham.

Chelsea entered this year with big expectations, and they are living up to them. There is no reason to think that won't continue.