It's not new to be in a very competitive league but is it occasionally or systematic ?
This season I read many post and after a little search in my (or friends/ other managers) teams, I saw too many competitive or "crap" draws so I don't believe it's a coincidence (as I lost after 7 leagues my "friend" ).

Of course adding friends, affects the league draw, so I don't believe we can have a solid conclusion when we have those circumstances.

Hey Buff, sorry about the "stars" but I didn't have the patient to write down the quality of every team - which can be "fake" anyway, because of some free agents, academy players or lower q players who are in nego list, waiting for a good offer.