Sportsbet.io's English Premier League Football Pool Discussion Thread

[examplens]

Sooo with everyhing going on now and seeing how hard the restart is turning out to be, is it now more plausible that the EPL finishes as is, declare LFC the champions, relegate the bottom three?  What do you think?

I would love to see what every team would think (Including teams battling relegation) if they're faced with just two options 1. Finishing as it is with LFC as champions and bottom three relegated or 2. Complete all fixtures in a closed and neutral location.

1. It would not happen. All of the three teams have a chance to stay in the PL, it would be unfair to them if relegated without playing the rest of the games. Only Liverpool will be satisfied, but I don't think they want such a title either after one of the best season played. of course, mathematically they still haven’t scored enough points.

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[hilariousetc]

I think getting all teams on board won't happen, perhaps a consensus would do. I don't see a team winning a legal suit in this situation though, since it's clear that no team is in an obvious advantage over another, but maybe I'm just naive or not getting the bigger picture. I mean during polictal unrest we've had teams play their away games in the opponent's stadium but don't even get to play their home games in their own country, that's worth an argument for a clear disadvantage.

You'll never get every team to agree. Every club will want something based on what's best for them. I don't think it will stop clubs from suing if they feel like they've been hard done by or been given a disadvantage. Everything is fair if every club has to deal with the changes but that probably wont stop them from arguing that it was unfair to them as they might not have been relegated if the season continued as normal. Just watch what happens to the relegated teams. I'm sure they'll complain about something even if it's just about the lack of fans or that the gap in play was too long or they didn't get enough time to train before the league resumes.

Sooo with everyhing going on now and seeing how hard the restart is turning out to be, is it now more plausible that the EPL finishes as is, declare LFC the champions, relegate the bottom three?  What do you think?

I would love to see what every team would think (Including teams battling relegation) if they're faced with just two options 1. Finishing as it is with LFC as champions and bottom three relegated or 2. Complete all fixtures in a closed and neutral location.

I'm sure every team would want it to end now except maybe those in positions where if the league ends as is they will lose out, like relegated teams and teams who could grab the CL and EL places. It probably doesn't really matter to Liverpool whether they are crowned champions now or later as they practically have it in the bag as all they need is two wins I believe.

[cryptofrka]

I'm sure every team would want it to end now except maybe those in positions where if the league ends as is they will lose out, like relegated teams and teams who could grab the CL and EL places. It probably doesn't really matter to Liverpool whether they are crowned champions now or later as they practically have it in the bag as all they need is two wins I believe.

Yep, exactly. If there was not a money issue and there was a vote, I'm sure most of the teams would vote for the season to end as it is now.
The only teams that would vote against that are the bottom 3, United, Tottenham and Arsenal.

I wonder how many teams will put crazy lineups once the league restarts, personally as a Liverpool fan I'd like them to play with almost full 2nd squad as soon as we mathematically secure the title.

[hilariousetc]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/52699654

Premier League clubs hope to give their players the go-ahead to return to training in small groups this week.

But there is a growing feeling the intended 12 June date for matches to start again will need to be pushed back.

A vote is due to take place on training and medical protocols when the 20 top-flight clubs hold their next meeting on Monday morning.

If passed, players would be able to train in groups of five from Tuesday.

That would be on condition that they observe social distancing rules and adhere to a series of strict criteria, which include getting changed at home and driving to training grounds on their own.

At least 14 of the 20 clubs must agree that safety protocols are sufficient for the plan to be approved.

It seems 14 of the 20 clubs is what's needed for a consensus. I'm sure they can get that. Seems a bit weird limiting training to groups of 5 if they're going to be playing full games.

Sooo with everyhing going on now and seeing how hard the restart is turning out to be, is it now more plausible that the EPL finishes as is, declare LFC the champions, relegate the bottom three?  What do you think?

I doubt it. They certainly won't relegate the bottom three. It just wouldn't be fair. If the PL is good to go then I'm sure the Championship will follow suit.

Oh, and if anyone wants to watch the Bundesliga games Skybet are live streaming them all. It's free to sign up. Can't say I'm that bothered about most games but I'll definitely be watching Dortmund Vs Bayern on the 26th.

[tomahawk9]

@hilariousetc   It's happening Return to training approved.

Premier League Shareholders today voted unanimously to return to small-group training from tomorrow afternoon, the first step towards restarting the Premier League, when safe to do so.

https://www.premierleague.com/news/1670160

Seems a bit weird limiting training to groups of 5 if they're going to be playing full games.

As weird as the Bundesliga recommendation of maintaining social distancing when celebrating a goal, even though players touch each other during free kicks and corners lol

[LFC_Bitcoin]

Maybe we should void the Superbru pool & hand out prizes to the winners of last season (joking). Glad to see training returning, we should be about a month away from getting this show back on the road.

[LTU_btc]

While EPL clubs are allowed to return to training, Scottish Premiership ended season and announced Celtic as champions - they were ahead Rangers by 13 points.
BTW, is it there any news when they are planning to continue Championship season? I only remember reading that all leagues bellow League Two were cancelled without any promotion/relegation between divisions.

Oh, and if anyone wants to watch the Bundesliga games Skybet are live streaming them all. It's free to sign up. Can't say I'm that bothered about most games but I'll definitely be watching Dortmund Vs Bayern on the 26th.

I watched most of Bundesliga games during weekend and now I watch Werder - Bayer game and what I can say - watching football in empty stadiums gives weird feelings, but such football is better than nothing. But fact that we will see empty stadiums in most leagues at least until 2021 makes me sad...

[cryptofrka]

It is possible we will have to wait a bit longer for the Premier league to return. 6 players/staff have tested positive for Covid-19.

No names/clubs were mentioned and these players (or staff personnel) will have to go to quarantine for 7 days.

They did 748 tests, so less than 1% tested positive.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/52726278

[tokeweed]

While EPL clubs are allowed to return to training, Scottish Premiership ended season and announced Celtic as champions - they were ahead Rangers by 13 points.
BTW, is it there any news when they are planning to continue Championship season? I only remember reading that all leagues bellow League Two were cancelled without any promotion/relegation between divisions.

Good question.  Maybe the FA should at least cancel some of the lower leagues and totally focus on what to do with the EPL. 

[examplens]

While EPL clubs are allowed to return to training, Scottish Premiership ended season and announced Celtic as champions - they were ahead Rangers by 13 points.
BTW, is it there any news when they are planning to continue Championship season? I only remember reading that all leagues bellow League Two were cancelled without any promotion/relegation between divisions.

Good question.  Maybe the FA should at least cancel some of the lower leagues and totally focus on what to do with the EPL. 

I read in the local newspaper, LFP France league 1, considering continuing the season through 3rd August, which is the last day for the end of all leagues. IDK is it true, or just speculation. Still, I think, PL is much more serious and much more money is there. they can't just let the season end. Bundes league just restarted, I guess they will follow how it's going on and use the same model.

[DeathAngel]

It is possible we will have to wait a bit longer for the Premier league to return. 6 players/staff have tested positive for Covid-19.

No names/clubs were mentioned and these players (or staff personnel) will have to go to quarantine for 7 days.

They did 748 tests, so less than 1% tested positive.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/52726278

Pretty sure it’ll be like any other industry, the sick stay home & away from the healthy. PL football is probably one of the safest industries to work in atm, they get tested twice a week now.

[LTU_btc]

I read in the local newspaper, LFP France league 1, considering continuing the season through 3rd August, which is the last day for the end of all leagues. IDK is it true, or just speculation. Still, I think, PL is much more serious and much more money is there. they can't just let the season end. Bundes league just restarted, I guess they will follow how it's going on and use the same model.

Strange. I can't find more details about it, only found some French articles :/. But it would be really strange to continue season after it was already ended and PSG were crowned.
Bundesliga now is good example for other major leagues. EPL and other leagues simply can't afford to cancel season and lose so much money. No doubts that French or Eredivisie would continue if not their governments.

[hilariousetc]

While EPL clubs are allowed to return to training, Scottish Premiership ended season and announced Celtic as champions - they were ahead Rangers by 13 points.
BTW, is it there any news when they are planning to continue Championship season? I only remember reading that all leagues bellow League Two were cancelled without any promotion/relegation between divisions.

Oh, and if anyone wants to watch the Bundesliga games Skybet are live streaming them all. It's free to sign up. Can't say I'm that bothered about most games but I'll definitely be watching Dortmund Vs Bayern on the 26th.

I watched most of Bundesliga games during weekend and now I watch Werder - Bayer game and what I can say - watching football in empty stadiums gives weird feelings, but such football is better than nothing. But fact that we will see empty stadiums in most leagues at least until 2021 makes me sad...

Scottish League is small fry in numerous ways compared to the PL, but it's harsh that they relegated Hearts. They shouldn't be doing that unless they mathematically can't get out of the relegation zone. I'm sure they'll get that over-turned. They should do what the Belgium league did and just suspend relegation and play with the extra team next year.

And If the PL goes ahead then I'm sure the Championship will do as well. It's going to be very harsh if they void that league and deny Leeds the chance to finally get back into the PL after all those years.

It is possible we will have to wait a bit longer for the Premier league to return. 6 players/staff have tested positive for Covid-19.

No names/clubs were mentioned and these players (or staff personnel) will have to go to quarantine for 7 days.

They did 748 tests, so less than 1% tested positive.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/52726278

People are bound to test positive, but that's why they do the tests so they don't spread it so people testing positive is unlikely to halt things.

[cryptofrka]

People are bound to test positive, but that's why they do the tests so they don't spread it so people testing positive is unlikely to halt things.

I agree with that, yes. 1% is really a low number, they will get tests regularly and it looks as safe as it can be at this time.
I'm not for any more delays, it was just a conclusion that could have been drawn from this particular article.

It is a good thing that the Bundesliga resumed without any issues during the weekend, that will potentially speed things up as well.

[hilariousetc]

Watford and Burnley were the two teams with players/staff that tested positive:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/52726278

This was after Troy Deeney stated he wouldn't be returning to training fearing for the safety of his family:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/52721397

People are bound to test positive, but that's why they do the tests so they don't spread it so people testing positive is unlikely to halt things.

I agree with that, yes. 1% is really a low number, they will get tests regularly and it looks as safe as it can be at this time.
I'm not for any more delays, it was just a conclusion that could have been drawn from this particular article.

It is a good thing that the Bundesliga resumed without any issues during the weekend, that will potentially speed things up as well.

It could become an issue if more and more players refuse to play. A handful have already voiced their concerns.

[DeathAngel]

My issue is we see people returning to work all over the UK now, why should PL players not do the same? There is regular testing of the players & club staff so there doesn’t seem to be a real justified reason for them not to return.
Obviously everybody has the right not to return but in that case they shouldn’t expect to be paid.

[tokeweed]

Watford and Burnley were the two teams with players/staff that tested positive:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/52726278

This was after Troy Deeney stated he wouldn't be returning to training fearing for the safety of his family:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/52721397

Heh.  -_-

Looks like other players could follow this move.  Can't the club make him play tho..?  He is under contract.  Fine him?  I mean..  Is that it?  A fine?

[tomahawk9]

Looks like other players could follow this move.  Can't the club make him play tho..?  He is under contract.  Fine him?  I mean..  Is that it?  A fine?

hefty fine + no salary...No work, no paycheck.

On another note, weird pic of the day:


https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/11668266/mo-salah-arrives-at-liverpool-training-with-cracked-car-windscreen-as-klopps-leaders-gear-up-for-premier-league-return/

Well that's something you don't see too often 

[tokeweed]

^  Rofl.  I wonder what happened.  A Rona riot while going to the super market to buy his groceries?  

[Trofo]

My issue is we see people returning to work all over the UK now, why should PL players not do the same? There is regular testing of the players & club staff so there doesn’t seem to be a real justified reason for them not to return.
Obviously everybody has the right not to return but in that case they shouldn’t expect to be paid.

Exactly, it is not like our bosses ask us if we would come back to work, we have a job and contract. If I am not fulfilling my part of contractual obligation I will find my ass on the street without job very fast. What if doctors said they will not come to work to protect their families.

Ok, I am exaggerating a bit, we can't really compare essential services like healthcare and sports but I feel footballers are getting way too whiny. 20 years ago nobody would have said anything and leagues would already be restarted for sure. Hell, I have already started playing football with my mates and professionals didn't? Cinemas, theaters and shopping centers are opening all over the Europe and football stadiums are problems?