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

[Welsh]

why is Chelsea and Liverpool suffering so much injuries since last season?

No idea. Some fans are speculating it's certain staff in the club running the players into the ground, but I very much doubt that's the case. Since, Klopp or the medical department would've stepped in. Plus, I feel like they would've learned that's not the correct way to do it by now. So, I don't think there's much substance to that theory. It must be something though, surely two teams can't be as unlucky as they have been this season. At one point, it was a new injury every week for Liverpool, almost like clock work.

I'd like to see squads made bigger to accommodate for the schedule changes, I mean we've had a World Cup in the middle of this season, and we're just carrying on like normal right after it. The schedule is usually jam packed in the winter months, before the World Cup was announced to take place in the middle of the season. There needs to be either more rest or squad size increased.

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[cryptofrka]

FA Cup this weekend so a nice break for LFC fans. I know the FA Cup is a good trophy to win but OMG, it feels good to have a break from being absolutely crap in the PL. we can’t be any worse than our last visit to Brighton, can we.

Hopefully with Jota coming back soon & Luis Diaz not too far away things will get better. I’m still just in shock that we’re not buying a midfielder, it’s borderline gross negligence imo.

I'm really not looking forward to it. They ripped us apart the last time we played, and will be flying because of it.
We still can't assemble a functional midfield nor defend properly from the front line and they have shown this season that they are compact, direct and quite dangerous going forward.

We've had a bit of a break since the Chelsea game, so I hope our energy level will be higher than in recent games. Otherwise we won't have a fun game there.

[Welsh]

Diaz isn't back until March, right? Still over a month away until we get him back. Obviously, the break helps. I don't tend to watch the FA cup unless some of the underdogs or Liverpool are playing. I can't say it means all that much, even when you do win it, but it's a nice feeling to actually perform well. I'll take the break though, this year has been pretty miserable due to our performances.

Hopefully, Arsenal can beat City. That'd be nice. I wouldn't bet on it mind you, think the game could be rather cagey due to what's up for grabs. 1-1 draw anyone?

[cryptofrka]

Diaz isn't back until March, right? Still over a month away until we get him back. Obviously, the break helps. I don't tend to watch the FA cup unless some of the underdogs or Liverpool are playing. I can't say it means all that much, even when you do win it, but it's a nice feeling to actually perform well. I'll take the break though, this year has been pretty miserable due to our performances.

Hopefully, Arsenal can beat City. That'd be nice. I wouldn't bet on it mind you, think the game could be rather cagey due to what's up for grabs. 1-1 draw anyone?

Yep, both Diaz and Jota should be back in training early in March - meaning that they will probably be ready to play a week or 2 after that.
VVD's return date is still unknown, it was a hamstring injury and initially it was said that it will take more than a month. He could be in full training in 2-3 weeks.

Other than that we have no other injuries - but these are in 2 critical positions and Diaz has been our best player this season. I hope he gets straight back to form, although that is not realistic to expect.

[swogerino]

Diaz isn't back until March, right? Still over a month away until we get him back. Obviously, the break helps. I don't tend to watch the FA cup unless some of the underdogs or Liverpool are playing. I can't say it means all that much, even when you do win it, but it's a nice feeling to actually perform well. I'll take the break though, this year has been pretty miserable due to our performances.

Hopefully, Arsenal can beat City. That'd be nice. I wouldn't bet on it mind you, think the game could be rather cagey due to what's up for grabs. 1-1 draw anyone?

I think Arsenal most likely will pass on this game in the sense that they would not play full power against Manchester City,the last thing they need is injuries when they have all the players fit so maybe they will play with bench players to give them space to test them.I know Man.City is not a team where you can do that but I think that Arsenal should value more the Premier League and if possible also to prioritize a bit of force for the Europa League,if they don't win any of these competitions with Premier League being the most likely then we can consider Arsenal season a failed one.

[slaman29]

Diaz isn't back until March, right? Still over a month away until we get him back. Obviously, the break helps. I don't tend to watch the FA cup unless some of the underdogs or Liverpool are playing. I can't say it means all that much, even when you do win it, but it's a nice feeling to actually perform well. I'll take the break though, this year has been pretty miserable due to our performances.

Hopefully, Arsenal can beat City. That'd be nice. I wouldn't bet on it mind you, think the game could be rather cagey due to what's up for grabs. 1-1 draw anyone?

Yep, both Diaz and Jota should be back in training early in March - meaning that they will probably be ready to play a week or 2 after that.
VVD's return date is still unknown, it was a hamstring injury and initially it was said that it will take more than a month. He could be in full training in 2-3 weeks.

Other than that we have no other injuries - but these are in 2 critical positions and Diaz has been our best player this season. I hope he gets straight back to form, although that is not realistic to expect.

As a neutral, I've always found Liverpool to play the most entertaining football in English league, consistently anyway, and always grooming players. I mean, turning Salah into a star, Mane into a most wanted, remember these guys were either from average teams or average leagues. They did the same with Jota, who was very average with Wolves, and Diaz, wow.

So I hope you guys do well.

Arsenal impressed me this season too, and for almost the same reasons they don't really have superstars, just a great team with hunger. I think the game also ends 1-1, but it would be nice to see Arsenal get the cup they seem to love so much

[Welsh]

Yep, both Diaz and Jota should be back in training early in March - meaning that they will probably be ready to play a week or 2 after that.
VVD's return date is still unknown, it was a hamstring injury and initially it was said that it will take more than a month. He could be in full training in 2-3 weeks.

Other than that we have no other injuries - but these are in 2 critical positions and Diaz has been our best player this season. I hope he gets straight back to form, although that is not realistic to expect.

It'll help to have those players back, obviously. However, I think our problems are beyond just those injuries. We needed to solidify that midfield, because that's what's currently letting us down. You could say that the defense or at least pressure due to our pressing style starts at the forwards, but it's that midfield that is constantly being overrun. I've kind of written off this season, and even top four looks a little out of target at the moment. I'm hoping we can get a little more consistent, and at least finish top four this season after our dreadful start.

There's no reason we can't do that either. We have good enough players to achieve that, but we'd need to be pretty much perfect from now onward.

[Ulven]

City are the favorites in this match due to their nine-game winning streak in FA Cup home games and 13 wins in 16 head-to-heads against Arsenal under Guardiola, but Arsenal's current 6-game unbeaten run and Arteta's passion for the team make them a formidable opponent. The key players to watch will be Mahrez and Saka, with Saka looking to end his personal losing streak against City. Expect a high-scoring game, as ten of Arsenal's last 11 FA Cup fourth-round matches have resulted in more than 2.5 total goals.the odds of scoring both teams are 1.70 which I think is a good bet so I wouldn't miss the opportunity.
 

[Welsh]

So, now that we've seen a decent part of the season played. Was Ronaldo really the only problem at Man Utd? Or was it the introduction of Casemiro, and they would've been fine if Ronaldo stayed? Like, I thought Ronaldo was the problem for the longest time, but I didn't think they'd instantly get better when he left. The introduction of Casemiro is a huge one. His position that he plays, I think is one of the most important positions in football. So, I can see that having a huge impact on their play style, and also results. Still, wouldn't have thought they'd improve this much. It's almost night, and day.

City are the favorites in this match due to their nine-game winning streak in FA Cup home games and 13 wins in 16 head-to-heads against Arsenal under Guardiola, but Arsenal's current 6-game unbeaten run and Arteta's passion for the team make them a formidable opponent. The key players to watch will be Mahrez and Saka, with Saka looking to end his personal losing streak against City. Expect a high-scoring game, as ten of Arsenal's last 11 FA Cup fourth-round matches have resulted in more than 2.5 total goals.the odds of scoring both teams are 1.70 which I think is a good bet so I wouldn't miss the opportunity.
 

I'm still sticking to my 1-1 prediction. It'll be cagey, both teams might not put their best teams out, but one thing is for sure both teams will want to win this. I know that sounds counter productive, but both teams have their eyes on bigger things this season. However, City have a good record in the FA cup so they could potentially just put the best side out possible, and Arsenal knowing that might do the same too.

[Igebotz]

As a neutral, I've always found Liverpool to play the most entertaining football in English league, consistently anyway, and always grooming players. I mean, turning Salah into a star, Mane into a most wanted, remember these guys were either from average teams or average leagues. They did the same with Jota, who was very average with Wolves, and Diaz, wow.

I'm guessing you didn't know some of the players you mentioned before they arrived at Liverpool. Well, with the exception of Diaz, they were already stars and important members of their respective teams before Liverpool bought them. Salah failed at Chelsea, but he did well at Basel, Fiorentina, and was already a world class at Roma before moving to Liverpool, and Mane was already a wanted man after his impressive 1 season with Southampton, and Diaz and Jota have yet to make an impact due to injuries since they arrived, but calling Jota average when he was at Wolves is a joke because Jota was an outstanding player at Wolves and is yet to replicate that form at Liverpool. I agree that Liverpool thrust them into the spotlight as one of Europe's top clubs, rather than the other way around.

[Welsh]

I'm guessing you didn't know some of the players you mentioned before they arrived at Liverpool. Well, with the exception of Diaz, they were already stars and important members of their respective teams before Liverpool bought them. Salah failed at Chelsea, but he did well at Basel, Fiorentina, and was already a world class at Roma before moving to Liverpool, and Mane was already a wanted man after his impressive 1 season with Southampton, and Diaz and Jota have yet to make an impact due to injuries since they arrived, but calling Jota average when he was at Wolves is a joke because Jota was an outstanding player at Wolves and is yet to replicate that form at Liverpool. I agree that Liverpool thrust them into the spotlight as one of Europe's top clubs, rather than the other way around.

Even Diaz, was a star before coming. At least, in the Portugal league. Jota was probably the player with the least profile due to playing for Wolves. However, anyone who watched him play can see he's a special player. We usually purchase proven players, but generally are having a hard time elsewhere. Jota, was struggling to get goals due to the overall quality of Wolves, Salah was struggling as you mentioned. The only players that were really proven were probably Alison, Keita, and VVD. Although, you can see where that got us with Keita.

Our recent signings have been a little different. Cody Gakpo isn't as proven as the bigger players we've got, but he's looked fairly decent. Nunes was proven in his league, but I guess similar to Diaz in that aspect.

[Igebotz]

Even Diaz, was a star before coming. At least, in the Portugal league. Jota was probably the player with the least profile due to playing for Wolves. However, anyone who watched him play can see he's a special player. We usually purchase proven players, but generally are having a hard time elsewhere. Jota, was struggling to get goals due to the overall quality of Wolves, Salah was struggling as you mentioned. The only players that were really proven were probably Alison, Keita, and VVD. Although, you can see where that got us with Keita.

Our recent signings have been a little different. Cody Gakpo isn't as proven as the bigger players we've got, but he's looked fairly decent. Nunes was proven in his league, but I guess similar to Diaz in that aspect.

You're right about Diaz, though. He was already an established player when I checked up his data from his previous team, but I didn't watch him until he joined Liverpool.

And as for Salah accepting his loan move to Fiorentina to get more playing time was the best thing Chelsea did for Salah, but selling him to Roma was the worst thing Marina ever did. I want to believe that Salah struggled only at Chelsea because he was young and we had players like Mata, Oscar, and Hazard to compete with for playing time. Oscar said he was always decent in training but shy during games.

At Southampton, didn't VVD play RWB? the dude back then was really decent. We need Kaita x Kante at Chelsea; he's a good player  Klopp hasn't yet found the ideal position for him.

[buwaytress]

FA Cup this weekend so a nice break for LFC fans. I know the FA Cup is a good trophy to win but OMG, it feels good to have a break from being absolutely crap in the PL. we can’t be any worse than our last visit to Brighton, can we.

Hopefully with Jota coming back soon & Luis Diaz not too far away things will get better. I’m still just in shock that we’re not buying a midfielder, it’s borderline gross negligence imo.

I knew we had a break but I thought there'd be midweek footie in the league and then I see Superbru and it's actually next Friday that we start again so yeah, I'm with you on this. Need a break, the team needs it, and we need to count that clock down on injuries (maybe get some early returns?).

I hate to say it too but feels like Bellingham's a more and more distant buy, think we waited too long to cough up. Hope I'm wrong.

Oh and damned City...

[slaman29]

City are the favorites in this match due to their nine-game winning streak in FA Cup home games and 13 wins in 16 head-to-heads against Arsenal under Guardiola, but Arsenal's current 6-game unbeaten run and Arteta's passion for the team make them a formidable opponent. The key players to watch will be Mahrez and Saka, with Saka looking to end his personal losing streak against City. Expect a high-scoring game, as ten of Arsenal's last 11 FA Cup fourth-round matches have resulted in more than 2.5 total goals.the odds of scoring both teams are 1.70 which I think is a good bet so I wouldn't miss the opportunity.
 

Seems like actually City also broke a 100+ year record last night as they had not won against Arsenal in FA Cup since before first World War. So I remember hearing on the radio on the way to work today anyway, seems like such a strange statistic, either City never really cared about FA Cup or they didn't meet too many times!

A huge round of games today and many Premier League teams!

[Welsh]

Thank god for the FA cup. I honestly, thought I forgot to put my predictions in once again today upon waking up. I've put them in now to make sure the same doesn't happen come Friday. A little gutting though, I was looking forward to catching up on some Premier League football, I totally forgot that it was the FA cup this weekend. That doesn't have the same sort of magic for me. If I supported some of the lower tier teams, I'm sure it would mean a whole lot more.

Well, on that note I just hope Liverpool don't put out too many of our first team against Brighton tomorrow, just so we can avoid some of the injuries that we've been plagued with.

[tokeweed]

FA Cup this weekend so a nice break for LFC fans. I know the FA Cup is a good trophy to win but OMG, it feels good to have a break from being absolutely crap in the PL. we can’t be any worse than our last visit to Brighton, can we.

Hopefully with Jota coming back soon & Luis Diaz not too far away things will get better. I’m still just in shock that we’re not buying a midfielder, it’s borderline gross negligence imo.

I knew we had a break but I thought there'd be midweek footie in the league and then I see Superbru and it's actually next Friday that we start again so yeah, I'm with you on this. Need a break, the team needs it, and we need to count that clock down on injuries (maybe get some early returns?).

I hate to say it too but feels like Bellingham's a more and more distant buy, think we waited too long to cough up. Hope I'm wrong.

Oh and damned City...

Wait what?  Klopp is finally deciding to raid his old club?  Bellingham is gonna be a major acquisition as he's not just one of the young prospects with high potential to be great, the guy is from England.  So LFC having him in will be a plus on the pitch, in the club and as a money maker thru shirt sales.  I hope Klopp gets him.

And what's up with City? ...  Don't tell me.  Guardiola and Txiki are going for him too and could convince him to wear the sky blue?  

Edit:  Ah, it looks like Liverpool leads the race for Bellingham.  They could prolly get a deal done but they might not get him out of BVB until summer.  Dunno.

[Welsh]

Edit:  Ah, it looks like Liverpool leads the race for Bellingham.  They could prolly get a deal done but they might not get him out of BVB until summer.  Dunno.

It would be the solution to our problems, but to be honest I'm not sure we can afford him. When it gets closer to the summer, Real Madrid, and the likes will put in some massive bids, with even bigger wages. Which, without breaking the wage structure we just can't compete with. Bellingham would absolutely want to be a Liverpool fan, and prioritise that over a better wage, which I don't think is the case.

We've got more problems than just the midfield it seems, but I feel Bellingham would be an absolutely massive statement. I can't see us willing to pay him the same as Salah though, which will ultimately be the reason he goes elsewhere. I think it's just rumours at the moment, I don't think anyone is leading the race. I think it's just simply the case of Liverpool being the most vocal.

[Igebotz]

Well, on that note I just hope Liverpool don't put out too many of our first team against Brighton tomorrow, just so we can avoid some of the injuries that we've been plagued with.

So why not? If I were Klopp, I wouldn't mind putting all of the available players into the only possible Cup to win this season. I know there is a lot to play for in the league, but don't you think winning the FA Cup and qualifying for the Europa League can be considered a successful season?

It would be the solution to our problems, but to be honest I'm not sure we can afford him. When it gets closer to the summer, Real Madrid, and the likes will put in some massive bids, with even bigger wages. Which, without breaking the wage structure we just can't compete with. Bellingham would absolutely want to be a Liverpool fan, and prioritise that over a better wage, which I don't think is the case.

Am I the only one who thinks this guy is overrated? Is it because he plays in the Bundesliga, where every player shines? He has some potential, but he will need some good players around him to bring out the best in him. Tbh, it's not what Liverpool needs right now.

In reality, Real Madrid does not prioritize English players; they only draw the first sword and never return. They drew first blood for Deli Ali and Kane but never made an official bid for them and never returned. Bili will end up in the English Premier League..

[swogerino]

Thank god for the FA cup. I honestly, thought I forgot to put my predictions in once again today upon waking up. I've put them in now to make sure the same doesn't happen come Friday. A little gutting though, I was looking forward to catching up on some Premier League football, I totally forgot that it was the FA cup this weekend. That doesn't have the same sort of magic for me. If I supported some of the lower tier teams, I'm sure it would mean a whole lot more.

Well, on that note I just hope Liverpool don't put out too many of our first team against Brighton tomorrow, just so we can avoid some of the injuries that we've been plagued with.

It is absolutely a boring weekend when Premier League action is missing but the FA cup is much better in terms of betting.I always end up losing really bad as in the FA cup because I like to bet on some favorite to win,especially when a team is playing against a lower division team and I think that this team one or a couple of division up should have a fairly easy win and most of the times I have seen draws.The best to bet here is no matter the big odd of both teams to score at over 2 for such encounters between teams in different divisions they usually come up as true.

Time for revenge for Liverpool in tomorrow game,I personally can not forget the humiliating lost game 3-0 against Brighton not that long ago.

[buwaytress]

@tokeweed yep, we've been pursuing him (or Klopp has anyway) for at least 3 seasons now, but he's always been too expensive, and then it was also a matter of timing, and now our old backroom acquisition people are gone also, so I'm not sure. It does appear owners are finally willing to consider the fee but then now we're not the only ones.

It would be the solution to our problems, but to be honest I'm not sure we can afford him. When it gets closer to the summer, Real Madrid, and the likes will put in some massive bids, with even bigger wages. Which, without breaking the wage structure we just can't compete with. Bellingham would absolutely want to be a Liverpool fan, and prioritise that over a better wage, which I don't think is the case.

We've got more problems than just the midfield it seems, but I feel Bellingham would be an absolutely massive statement. I can't see us willing to pay him the same as Salah though, which will ultimately be the reason he goes elsewhere. I think it's just rumours at the moment, I don't think anyone is leading the race. I think it's just simply the case of Liverpool being the most vocal.

Yeah, I think he's a smart boy, and our fortunes thus far will have played its part in swaying that "hunger" if there ever was a case that he might choose heart over money. And we can't blame him for that.

I doubt we're in the lead too. It's just the fandom, and as you say, rumours, which have been fanning (admittedly also by me) since even when we won the title (damn that's ages ago).

Time for revenge for Liverpool in tomorrow game,I personally can not forget the humiliating lost game 3-0 against Brighton not that long ago.