Who does your NRL team compare with in the EPL?

With a strong Australian fan-base for the English Premier League, what English club matches your NRL team?

Brisbane Broncos and Chelsea FC
In Wayne Bennett and Jose Mourinho, both these sides possess innovative and experienced coaches who are obsessed with winning.

Both also have exciting squads full of precocious talent. Names like Anthony Milford, Jordan Kahu and Lachlan Maranta for the Broncos and Eden Hazard, Oscar and Willian for Chelsea FC all excite.

With the players at their disposal and managers who have seen it all, it is no surprise both these teams are on top of their competitions.

North Queensland Cowboys and Tottenham Hotspur
These clubs have the same structure and chemistry in the on-field strategy department. In Harry Kane for Spurs and Johnathan Thurston for the Cowboys, both sides have an attacking lynchpin surrounded by strong men, leading to a consistent and effective game plan.

Penrith Panthers and Southampton FC
Have both been enjoying a rapid rise lately. Southampton brought in Ronald Koeman for immediate effect and possess a solid squad. Penrith have been quietly plugging away the last few years, making transfer after transfer, and have now built a squad worthy of the NRL premiership.

These teams are rocketing to the top, expect big things to come.

Canterbury Bulldogs and Liverpool FC
The sleeping giants of their respective competitions and their huge fan-bases demand success. The Bulldogs have one of the highest average attendances in the league, while Liverpool reportedly have 580 million fans globally.

Both clubs have not tasted success in a while and the only surefire way to satisfy fans is to recreate that winning feeling from days past.

Melbourne Storm and Manchester United
Esteemed sporting clubs that demand respect. They haven’t won their competition’s for what seems like decades but it was in 2012 for Melbourne and the 2012-13 season for United.

Both still a major force, with eight premierships for the Red Devils since 1999, and the Storm have made the finals in the last four years.

Sydney Roosters and Manchester City
The glamour clubs have wealthy owners that have created opportunities for aggressive recruiting.

It can be argued that these sides have the best squad in their separate leagues, and both have tasted premiership glory recently with Man City winning the league the season before last and the Chooks achieving success in 2013.

Cronulla Sharks and Aston Villa
Poor recent form from these teams who don’t have much to show for the past 10 or so years. A heavy defeat in the FA Cup final for Villa and a preliminary final appearance by the Sharks in 2008 before being defeated by the Melbourne Storm are all they have to show for their struggles.

One thing going for these teams is their knack of producing results against quality opposition, their fans will hope though that results will become more consistent.

Gold Coast Titans and Arsenal FC
When on song, both these sides are majestic to watch. Witnessing the Arsenal midfielders link up together or watching the Gold Coast back line – full of speedsters such as James Roberts and David Mead – in full flight is a treat. These clubs are always in the running for goal or try of the year.

New Zealand Warriors and West Ham FC
Two sides plagued by inconsistency. The Warriors are an enigma, they either totally dominate or fumble their way to an embarrassing loss, there seems to be no middle ground.

West Ham can identify with this, after defeating Manchester City they were sitting in fourth after nine games, then a disastrous second half of the season saw them finish 12th and suffering a cringe-worthy 4-0 FA Cup exit to West Brom.

Manly Sea Eagles and Queens Park Rangers FC
Controversy plagued these teams this year. QPR finished 20th out of 20 and Manly are currently occupying last position as off-field issues disrupted both clubs.

QPR manager Harry Rednapp publicly criticised Adel Tarrabt for lack of effort and fitness, while the Daly Cherry-Evans ‘will he or won’t he sign’ saga was disruptive for the Sea Eagles.

Newcastle Knights and Hull City FC
They both started so well before things turned. The Knights were occupying first place in the NRL before losing five straight and now sit at 14th, while Hull City had their first ever European appearance and finished that month’s transfer window with the acquisition of four key player before injuries ravaged them and they ended up being relegated.

Parramatta Eels and Sunderland FC
A story of key signings failing to deliver. The Eels were constantly in the media following the signings of Anthony Watmough, Reece Robinson and Brad Takairangi, while Sunderland, after completing the signing of Jack Rodwell, expected a finish in the top half but were yet again locked in the relegation battle.

St George Illawarra Dragons and Leicester City
A good coach goes a long way to success, as proven by Paul McGregor for the Dragons and Nigel Pearson for Leicester.

The Dragons spent a few seasons building up the roster and now present a quality squad challenging for end-of-season honours, while Esteban Cambiasso was an inspired signing and was a breath of fresh air for the boys in blue.

Canberra Raiders and Burnley FC
Moderate success off the back of one player – Danny Ings for Burnleye and Blake Austin for Canberra.

Unfortunately, despite the successes of individuals, not too much success has come about on the field, with Burnley being relegated and Canberra’s defence conceding the third most points in the NRL.

South Sydney Rabbitohs and Stoke City
Two clubs with key players injured. The Rabbitohs suffered a turbulent off season with the arrests of John Sutton and George Burgess in Arizona, and injuries to Adam Reynolds, Glenn Stewart and Sutton since the season began.

Stoke showed promise and Bojan injected flair to the red and whites before being injured. Despite this Stoke came ninth and the Bunnies are sixth.

Wests Tigers and West Bromwich Albion
West Brom meandered into a comfortable position on the ladder and using the experience gained can look toward the future with promise. The Tigers’ form has yo-yoed and while we haven’t seen the best of them, their talented youngsters getting a taste of first grade will benefit the club in the long run.