Originally posted in response to
@Pharm Frog so it's written for him. The original was just too long for even me to want to read and this bit made more sense quoting this post.
I still prefer the EPL to the other top leagues in Europe only because, though still very top heavy, there's more depth at the top than the other leagues. For the past 20 years (since I started college and have been able to follow European soccer) you've seen a dominant run from Man U and Chelsea, but the very top seems to turn over more frequently in England. Before Man U and Chelsea you had some strong years from Arsenal. Recently Man City have usurped top billing and Liverpool appear positioned to be elite there for a long time possibly starting with a title this year. Similarly, Tottenham have made a case that they're a threat to win the title for several years now and their new ground may be the impetus needed to push them over the top. All 6 of these clubs seem very committed to winning and spending (some certainly more than others) so you've got a strong top third of the league that provides for a lot more entertaining matches.
And Leicester City emerged a few years ago out of nowhere to win the title and they've remained just outside the top 6 ever since. Everton is another club that you'd expect to come around soon and make a splash with Liverpool's resurgence. The Merseyside Derby is one of the most bitter rivalries in sport and has a deep Catholic vs. Protestant divide to it going back to the early days of the league. You know Everton won't sit idly by while Liverpool dominate them forever. The point is, not only does the EPL have a top 6 sides who could all win it each year there are also some other clubs with a chance and reason to make the investment required to compete at that level.
Spain (La Liga) is essentially Real Madrid and Barca every year. I think a club not named Barca or RM has won the league once or twice in the last 20 years.
Germany (Bundesliga) is basically Bayern Munchen and Borussia Dortmund with a heavy lean toward Bayern. The top of the Bundesliga isn't even as evenly distributed as La Liga between the two dominant clubs. Also like La Liga, I think there have only been one or two champions not named Bayern or Dortmund in the last 20 years.
Hiphopfroggy loves Serie A (Italy), but it's also very similar in that you can pretty much bet going into the season Juventus will win with Inter Milan in striking distance with a chance to take the title. Every once in a while you'll see a dalliance from AC Milan to add a 3rd competitor, but that's only happened a few times in the last 20 years. Every time I watch a Serie A match it just seems like a stadium full of Tech fans taking in a fairly uninspiring game of soccer because they have nothing better to do that set off smoke bombs and destroy stuff behind high chain linked fencing protecting players from fans. It doesn't appeal to me in the least bit.
League 1 (France) doesn't have the same top heaviness to it (though PSG have recently been dominant there for the last 6-8 years it seems), but it's just not near the caliber of the EPL, Bundesliga, Serie A, and La Liga IMO. I'd probably watch Dutch league (Eredivisie) before League 1 and they have a very top heavy problem there too with Ajax and PSV. I just tend to follow more American players in the Dutch league than the French league.
