User blog comment:IamJakuhoRaikoben/Sorcerer Magazine, Issue 42: June 2015/@comment-1153699-20150702021033/@comment-4933386-20150703033327

I do agree that Juvia isthe third strongest, she's highly defensive due to her water body, her attack are highly mobile and can pack a hit.

When I first watched the episode where Freed tries to force Cana and Juvia fight, I already assumed that Juvia will be the winner, but that fight was to show Juvia being finally accepted in the Fairy Tail Guild.

I do wish to see the outcome of Freed vs Juvia though.