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

[cryptofrka]

At this point I do not care about Arsenal at all, I just wonder will this be another blow for City

[tokeweed]

Arteta signs a 3 and a 1/2 year contract as head coach with Arsenal .
He takes over on Sunday !

Really tricky pick tomorrow first match - Everton v Aresenal , gonna wait on Ancelotti news before I make my pick

Wow...  They really did it.  I wonder why Arsenal didn't choose between Benitez, Ancelloti or Allegri as the manager for their rebuild.  A manager that has 20 or so years of experience.  They chose the guy who puts the cones for Pep during training.  Lol.

I mean he could be great but he's a mystery box.  He could flop too.

[Mbitr]

Arteta signs a 3 and a 1/2 year contract as head coach with Arsenal .
He takes over on Sunday !

Really tricky pick tomorrow first match - Everton v Aresenal , gonna wait on Ancelotti news before I make my pick

Wow...  They really did it.  I wonder why Arsenal didn't choose between Benitez, Ancelloti or Allegri as the manager for their rebuild.  A manager that has 20 or so years of experience.  They chose the guy who puts the cones for Pep during training.  Lol.

I mean he could be great but he's a mystery box.  He could flop too.

Yep , no idea if Arteta will be successful or not , but I’m pretty sure Man City won’t miss him !

[hilariousetc]

Getting my picks in now, doesn’t look like I have much chance to get into the paid positions via pool position but still the prizes for high scorer in individual match week to fight for. I will keep trying

As panjul07 said, I don't think you're out yet. I know it looks a long way but the tables can turn quite easy, especially with consistent results. Happened last year with Mattle40 being in the second half of the table for most of the season until he gradually kept climbing up to take a 5th place position by the end of the tournament. I've got a feeling I'm going to keep slipping down the table from being in the top few for most of it so far. This weekend will probably be disastrous for me. Having trouble calling most of the games. Lots of teams I can't split so will probably go for draws but that's always risky. I'm sure some will come in but most likely won't. The 3 o'clock kicks offs are pretty dire this round. Basically the shittest teams are all playing each other. The opening game or Everton vs Arsenal is also going to be a tough one. Arsenal are playing shit and it's the first game with Arteta in charge. Who know's what's going to happen.

[tomahawk9]

Really tricky pick tomorrow first match - Everton v Aresenal , gonna wait on Ancelotti news before I make my pick

What for? Nothing's gonna change this weekend, even if Ancelotti takes the job, he won't be on the bench until the next game, same with Arteta.

About the game, I think we're going to see another crappy display of football from Arsenal, and the Everton players might want to prove the board wrong by winning one last time with Ferguson as the head coach (who knows? maybe a win will make the board reconsider hiring Ancelotti). So, yeah, I think i'm going to pick a home win.

Wow...  They really did it.  I wonder why Arsenal didn't choose between Benitez, Ancelloti or Allegri as the manager for their rebuild.

My take: having a top manager in charge would demand immediate results, if those results don't come then it would pretty clear that something's gotta change starting from the higher-ups.
With Arteta, everything changes, the higher-ups found a way to cover their asses because: 1) expectations are low 2) people would be more tolerant since Arteta is an inexperienced manager, 3) according to everyone on the internet, the club wants to start a new long-term project meaning that the current results aren't so important. Just my two cents.

[Trofo]

3) according to everyone on the internet, the club wants to start a new long-term project meaning that the current results aren't so important. Just my two cents.

That is the only thing they can do, since they don't have enough quality in their side to fight with the best clubs Premier League can throw at them. Only problem with this approach is that they will probably lose Auba (by far their best player) since he will probably not be interested to spend his best footballing years at club which is slowly rebuilding.

One other thing, GET RID OF THE OZIL!!! That guy is still firmly in the top 10 footballers with biggest wages in the world. All the rest of that company are game changers ever single week and I can't remember when was the last time he played OK match let alone had the performance in accordance with his wage.

[cryptofrka]

Auba is a headless chicken. No way a top club will take him and his wages from Arsenal for a big fee so I see him there for a bit more.
I think this is exactly his ceiling, a decent club that will play to his attributes. He can play only a 'run behind 700 times in a game' role, I just don't see him in a better team than Arsenal.

And that contract they gave to Ozil was hillarious. No wonder he's not interested in playing football, he's getting more money than Salah and Mane combined.

[Hhampuz]

Anyone else excited to see Zlatan in Everton? Could be interesting

[BitcoinGirl.Club]

Anyway, I picked City 2 - 1 but I fear for Citehhh.  Rodgers will prolly go for quick balls like how LFC and United did it.

Well I gone with 3 - 1 for City. I think Leicester has started to slow down a bit. Draw with Norwich and another draw with Everton where they were 2 - 0 ahead in the EFL. Leicester have not played against big teams like Liverpool and City. This will be their real test now.

Really tricky pick tomorrow first match - Everton v Aresenal , gonna wait on Ancelotti news before I make my pick

It indeed but I have gone with Arsenal. One thing is for sure that Everton will have lead in the first half LOL

Tottenham vs Chelsea and Watford vs Utd are couple of tricky matches I guess.

[buwaytress]

The PL is pretty much in the bag at this point as long as they don't do something crazy and there's no CL for a while either so I feel like he could have afforded to put decent teams out for a couple of games in the CC. Just seems silly to me to get all the way to the quarters then just throw it all away as they could have easily won this tournament. Leicester are arguably the only team left with a title shot but they seemed to take it serious. If the only thing Liverpool win this year is the PL I can't help but feel it will be a little underwhelming. Not to take anything away from that as it's a huge achievement in itself, but big clubs should be proving their worth by winning multiple trophies and it'll probably be either Leicester or one of the Manchester teams that wins it now. If City go on to win one of the other domestic trophies and maybe even to win the CL that will probably trump Liverpool's seasons IMO. City did the domestic treble last year so I feel like Liverpool should also be aiming for it especially with the PL essentially already won. I feel like Klopp could have really pressed to reschedule the game, especially when the alternative is fielding an inexperienced team of kids. They could have even just flat out refused to play and I'm sure they would have rescheduled it then.

Yeah, I still feel also like he could have left behind some of the boys, and like you said, QF. I read a report saying we crashed out at this stage for the first time in a decade, can't be right? But if so, then yeah, a shame. Hope it doesn't set a precedent. We might even actually have played a lot better against Monterrey if we started strong, and then controlled the game, but yeah I'll try not to second guess myself. I can't remember reading all the permutations of what would have happened if Klopp refused but anyway we'll never know the negotiations with the FA. All I can say is... I think any other time, we'd have chosen League over CWC.

Liverpool are a really strong team now that seems to get stronger. I wonder what they feel now and perhaps Klopp will be judged by his end of season results. Maybe he doesn't feel it's strong enough to challenge on all fronts (I don't think they are). But you have a point too... what if other teams get even stronger next season (and they will, I suspect)?

You don't get a best team in a generation like we have now atm. The good news I guess is our front 3 are all 28/29 next year. That's super peak age...

[examplens]

Did I miss something about Manchester City vs. Leicester City game?
Almost all players on pool picked MC to win, lot of 3:1, 3:0 picks ... Leicester is not Arsenal, they have a much better defence and very dangerous counterattack.

Also, his forms in last seven matches look much better than MCI

[hilariousetc]

Didn't watch the Everton/Arsenal game but it just ended 0-0. Seems most people went for the Everton win as did I. 30% got the draw right but no correct score which isn't uncommon with no goal games.

Yeah, I still feel also like he could have left behind some of the boys, and like you said, QF. I read a report saying we crashed out at this stage for the first time in a decade, can't be right? But if so, then yeah, a shame. Hope it doesn't set a precedent. We might even actually have played a lot better against Monterrey if we started strong, and then controlled the game, but yeah I'll try not to second guess myself. I can't remember reading all the permutations of what would have happened if Klopp refused but anyway we'll never know the negotiations with the FA. All I can say is... I think any other time, we'd have chosen League over CWC.

Liverpool are a really strong team now that seems to get stronger. I wonder what they feel now and perhaps Klopp will be judged by his end of season results. Maybe he doesn't feel it's strong enough to challenge on all fronts (I don't think they are). But you have a point too... what if other teams get even stronger next season (and they will, I suspect)?

You don't get a best team in a generation like we have now atm. The good news I guess is our front 3 are all 28/29 next year. That's super peak age...

I really think the governing bodies and team managements need to have discussions about the scheduling of some games or tournaments, especial when they're playing them one or two days apart. They should maybe even think about playing some of the tournaments out of season, especially if clashes like this are going to keep happening. It's pretty boring when the seasons over for months and professional footballers are not school kids who should have months off (and especially the amount of money they earn), but I agree playing three games a week or two in quick succession is too much. I've always thought they should do some sort of club world cup where all the best teams from all around the world play. Do it in the summer every four years or something in between the EUROs and World Cups when nothing is on. I'm surprised they haven't tried to do this already really because it would be like a mix between the World Cup and Champions league and would be huge in terms of revenue.

Did I miss something about Manchester City vs. Leicester City game?
Almost all players on pool picked MC to win, lot of 3:1, 3:0 picks ... Leicester is not Arsenal, they have a much better defence and very dangerous counterattack.

Also, his forms in last seven matches look much better than MCI

Well maybe this is your chance to go against the grain and potentially pick up some points. This is one of those games where anything could happen, but Leicester are still the underdogs and I don't think they're strong enough to beat City at home. I've also got a feeling their form is going to drop drastically at some point and maybe the draw to Norwich last week was the turning point. Maybe another draw is on the cards. Either way, it should be a good game to watch and is probably the only one I'll bother with today, though I hope they don't cancel each other out and something like a bore draw happens.

Anyone else excited to see Zlatan in Everton? Could be interesting

I can't see him going there. He's too good for them even at his age. I'd like to see him back in the PL though.

[cryptofrka]

Anyone else excited to see Zlatan in Everton? Could be interesting

Yes please! Huge ego without any remaining skill in a club fighting relegation with unrealistic expectations, what could possibly go wrong?

He'd be a good character to have in the league, it's all a bit too nerdy recently. I don't like him, but he's interesting to have around - a footballer's version of Mourinho of sorts.

[LTU_btc]

Damn, today it was one of the most difficult day to pick results because almost all games were unpredictable. And it seems that most players had very different predictions in all games. City is the only team obviously favoured by players today.

They should maybe even think about playing some of the tournaments out of season, especially if clashes like this are going to keep happening. It's pretty boring when the seasons over for months and professional footballers are not school kids who should have months off (and especially the amount of money they earn), but I agree playing three games a week or two in quick succession is too much. I've always thought they should do some sort of club world cup where all the best teams from all around the world play. Do it in the summer every four years or something in between the EUROs and World Cups when nothing is on. I'm surprised they haven't tried to do this already really because it would be like a mix between the World Cup and Champions league and would be huge in terms of revenue.

I doubt that such World Cup for clubs would be interesting because level of football in other continents is much lower. There is only very few clubs in South America and Asia who can give some competition for top European clubs.
And season is already very long. Footballers are getting millions for their work, but they're humans only. When there is Euro or World Cup, they have just month for recovery until new season. And it's not enough. Just remember how good Modric was in World Cup and how he played almost half season for Real Madrid then. And we can find many similar examples.

I can't see him going there. He's too good for them even at his age. I'd like to see him back in the PL though.

Let's be realistic. He is 38 years old already. Yes, he scored many goals for LA Galaxy in MLS, but it's retirement league with much smaller intensity than EPL or other top league. I doubt that he is too good for Everton. I wish to see him in EPL, but I'm afraid that it would be big disappointment.

[tomahawk9]

Well, the Citizens won, as expected. It's been a while since i saw such a one-sided game in the EPL. Leicester City were outclassed in every single inch of the pitch, game could've easily ended 6-1 or 7-1 for City but Schmeichel was fantastic.

And my performance in our pool was as bad as Leicester's on the Etihad stadium today, i've got only 3 pts so far  Good job @toke for the 11 pts today, not bad...

[Harkorede]

Well, the Citizens won, as expected. It's been a while since i saw such a one-sided game in the EPL. Leicester City were outclassed in every single inch of the pitch, game could've easily ended 6-1 or 7-1 for City but Schmeichel was fantastic.

And my performance in our pool was as bad as Leicester's on the Etihad stadium today, i've got only 3 pts so far  Good job @toke for the 11 pts today, not bad...

I've had 9 points so far for this round.

I for didn't expected City to have complete dominance in the match (Not referring to possession of the ball  ) And looking at Leicester's performance this season, you'd expect to see some resistance. After Leicester took the lead I thought it could be another Man Utd vs City affair 

[LFC_Bitcoin]

tokeweed’s opened a little bit of a gap now, I don’t want him to get too far ahead of me
Going to have to really try harder with my predictions, I haven’t had a really good score for a while now.

[BitcoinGirl.Club]

tokeweed’s opened a little bit of a gap now, I don’t want him to get too far ahead of me

It's getting harder to catch up with tokeweed these days. We both started with same points in this round but he is well ahead than me now. I was lucky to have exact pick for City match or I could be more behind.

Tottenham match is tricky tomorrow, in fact the other match between Watford and Utd is tricky as well. Watford is a team always harmed my picks. Let wait for tomorrow 😛

[buwaytress]

They should maybe even think about playing some of the tournaments out of season, especially if clashes like this are going to keep happening. It's pretty boring when the seasons over for months and professional footballers are not school kids who should have months off (and especially the amount of money they earn), but I agree playing three games a week or two in quick succession is too much. I've always thought they should do some sort of club world cup where all the best teams from all around the world play. Do it in the summer every four years or something in between the EUROs and World Cups when nothing is on. I'm surprised they haven't tried to do this already really because it would be like a mix between the World Cup and Champions league and would be huge in terms of revenue.

I doubt that such World Cup for clubs would be interesting because level of football in other continents is much lower. There is only very few clubs in South America and Asia who can give some competition for top European clubs.
And season is already very long. Footballers are getting millions for their work, but they're humans only. When there is Euro or World Cup, they have just month for recovery until new season. And it's not enough. Just remember how good Modric was in World Cup and how he played almost half season for Real Madrid then. And we can find many similar examples.

I think the problem will always be Europe, at least that's the opinion of Asian federations, and even South American. The winter and summer breaks seem to be non-negotiable and almost part of the European football culture, whereas for everyone else, the calendar year is how the season starts. Schools in the global south start in January, so does football, so does basically everything else. We have a 2019 season, but Europe has a 2019/20 season, school and everything starts in July/August in Summer I always found that strange too.

So if the Federations found a way to sync their calendars, it would work out. And definitely a big club world cup proper tournament every 2 years even would be super, but then the international qualifiers and the other continental cups would suffer because their players would be playing club football. I don't know the solution either, but there definitely has to be a better way.

I will say though, that club competitions like these ARE important, otherwise the hegemony in Europe continues and we get shittier and shittier football in our regions in the south.

But back to EPL. I'm going to try and catch the Hornets game to see if they can improve on their showing against Liverpool and beat United. 5/1 isn't too bad for a home game right?

Also, why the hell do Newcastle keep winning and Palace keep losing? Didn't watch that game but every time I see either play, Palace surely has better football.

[tokeweed]

Arteta signs a 3 and a 1/2 year contract as head coach with Arsenal .
He takes over on Sunday !

Really tricky pick tomorrow first match - Everton v Aresenal , gonna wait on Ancelotti news before I make my pick

Wow...  They really did it.  I wonder why Arsenal didn't choose between Benitez, Ancelloti or Allegri as the manager for their rebuild.  A manager that has 20 or so years of experience.  They chose the guy who puts the cones for Pep during training.  Lol.

I mean he could be great but he's a mystery box.  He could flop too.

Yep , no idea if Arteta will be successful or not , but I’m pretty sure Man City won’t miss him !

I think Pep will.  He was being groomed to take over at City in preparation once Pep leaves.