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

[swogerino]

I completely forgot about the games today,luckily is only one game and Southampton is winning which should give me the default 1 or 1.5 points depending on the result.Going right away to put my predictions for the upcoming games,I had a lot of work at my job today and completely forgot about the Premier League.Southampton winning I would have not predict a win although it is early,mostly I would have gone for a draw as the most predictable result for this game.

[Joca97]

I completely forgot about the games today,luckily is only one game and Southampton is winning which should give me the default 1 or 1.5 points depending on the result.Going right away to put my predictions for the upcoming games,I had a lot of work at my job today and completely forgot about the Premier League.Southampton winning I would have not predict a win although it is early,mostly I would have gone for a draw as the most predictable result for this game.

Well thankfully you didnt miss much of the matches. 1 match was also postponed due to covid so you got lucky.
Im also dissapointed in Brentford i went for draw in this match and it was 1-1 and one point but ended 4-1 and lost all points in this match sadly.

[Welsh]

Philippe Coutinho has signed with Villa. Never saw that coming. Kieran Trippier has also gone to Newcastle. Wonder if the Geordies will sign a big name this year. Not sure I'd put Kieran Trippier in that bracket.

I used to love how Coutinho plays, so its nice to see him in the Premier League again. Whether or not he'll gain his previous form from when he was here last will remain to be seen, but I think it was quite obvious to everyone watching at the time, he has something special about him. Since leaving Liverpool his career has taken a massive downer though.

Trippier is a decent signing, probably the best they can get considering they will likely be battling for relegation. I know they pretty much have unlimited money, but not all the top players want to be earning money, they also want to be winning trophies.

[examplens]

I completely forgot about the games today,luckily is only one game and Southampton is winning which should give me the default 1 or 1.5 points depending on the result.Going right away to put my predictions for the upcoming games,I had a lot of work at my job today and completely forgot about the Premier League.Southampton winning I would have not predict a win although it is early,mostly I would have gone for a draw as the most predictable result for this game.

How many points do you get from this "default" game?
I saw there is only 46% of players picked Southampton to win. Also, 15-16 players did not make predictions for this game. it is very possible that you will not get those default points for this match.

Well thankfully you didnt miss much of the matches. 1 match was also postponed due to covid so you got lucky.
Im also dissapointed in Brentford i went for draw in this match and it was 1-1 and one point but ended 4-1 and lost all points in this match sadly.

I am surprised that you and CasperBGD didn’t have much faith in the new Southampton owners 

[Welsh]

Just watched some highlights on the Brentford vs Southampton game. Seems Brentford are starting to fade away from their honey moon period, and starting to feel the pressure of playing in the Premier League. I think they'll stay up, but I think they're going to struggle in future matches to get some points. Liverpool next.

Coutinho, back in EPL, and under Gerrard. I always wished he'd stayed on. I guess he would never have suited Klopp, so it all worked out in the end, but yah never thought he'd come back actually. Thought he might even have gone to Germany, but I wager he's a good fit for Villa and if he gains his confidence back, he's more than a worthy successor to Grealish.

I've been trying to think back, I'm pretty sure he played extremely well under Klopp did he not? I remember the quote that Klopp came out with (paraphrased): "stay here, and they'll build a statue of you. Go elsewhere and become just another player" it was something along those lines, and looking back Klopp might have actually been spot on. Coutinho at the time I'd say was our absolute best player, and a personal favourite of mine.

Judging on that quote Klopp would have definitely preferred to have kept him. I mean just for his free kick ability. Whenever this man stepped up, I was almost celebrating the goal already. He was absolutely lethal. In fact, he's the only player I remember in recent memory of putting the ball under the wall to score so effortlessly. Its funny because this isn't really a common thing to do, yet most teams in the Premier League now try, and protect against this by lying down a player in the wall. 

[swogerino]

I completely forgot about the games today,luckily is only one game and Southampton is winning which should give me the default 1 or 1.5 points depending on the result.Going right away to put my predictions for the upcoming games,I had a lot of work at my job today and completely forgot about the Premier League.Southampton winning I would have not predict a win although it is early,mostly I would have gone for a draw as the most predictable result for this game.

How many points do you get from this "default" game?
I saw there is only 46% of players picked Southampton to win. Also, 15-16 players did not make predictions for this game. it is very possible that you will not get those default points for this match.

Well thankfully you didnt miss much of the matches. 1 match was also postponed due to covid so you got lucky.
Im also dissapointed in Brentford i went for draw in this match and it was 1-1 and one point but ended 4-1 and lost all points in this match sadly.

I am surprised that you and CasperBGD didn’t have much faith in the new Southampton owners 

I can't see how much points I got from the default pick as when I check the Superbru app it is not updated yet.I just check again now and it says no pick so I got 0 points from this default pick,maybe it will be updated but I believe because this is from remaining games of the round and not a new round it defaults to 0 points.One of the weakest rounds for me with just 5 points in 9 out of 10 games.

[casperBGD]

~snip

I am surprised that you and CasperBGD didn’t have much faith in the new Southampton owners  

actually, forgot about the match, and had pick from earlier, when it was postponed, hence no reminder from Superbru (would change it for a home win certainly)
since the owner change, do you consider wearing Southampton shirt (I got one in the Sportsbet.io competition) as political activity   - and it is a really beautiful black away shirt

[buwaytress]

How many points do you get from this "default" game?
I saw there is only 46% of players picked Southampton to win. Also, 15-16 players did not make predictions for this game. it is very possible that you will not get those default points for this match.

Only 1 point if the default is the correct outcome. And it doesn't count towards any other awards (or slam points).

46% would have been enough to be the majority, which is what would be the default pick. I don't see only 3% for draw or Brentford win.

Besides, this was a postponed match, so Superbru should have kept the scores as it did mine. I upgraded from 2-1 to 3-1, and as a result took home an extra half point (yay).

Coutinho, back in EPL, and under Gerrard. I always wished he'd stayed on. I guess he would never have suited Klopp, so it all worked out in the end, but yah never thought he'd come back actually. Thought he might even have gone to Germany, but I wager he's a good fit for Villa and if he gains his confidence back, he's more than a worthy successor to Grealish.

I've been trying to think back, I'm pretty sure he played extremely well under Klopp did he not? I remember the quote that Klopp came out with (paraphrased): "stay here, and they'll build a statue of you. Go elsewhere and become just another player" it was something along those lines, and looking back Klopp might have actually been spot on. Coutinho at the time I'd say was our absolute best player, and a personal favourite of mine.

Judging on that quote Klopp would have definitely preferred to have kept him. I mean just for his free kick ability. Whenever this man stepped up, I was almost celebrating the goal already. He was absolutely lethal. In fact, he's the only player I remember in recent memory of putting the ball under the wall to score so effortlessly. Its funny because this isn't really a common thing to do, yet most teams in the Premier League now try, and protect against this by lying down a player in the wall. 

He did, very well, yes, but this was before Klopp assembled his full team. But long-term, I think once we had full gegenpress, I'm not sure he'd have been a good fit (then again, we haven't really found someone who has in that role). It was first Bobby, then joined by Mane, and then Salah before we had that attack we now do, and yeah Coutinho stayed on the whole rebuild, and we all missed him, Klopp certainly wanted to keep him as I recall we won a lot of matches we struggled for creativity. We had real problems with delivery and always needed him to crack open defences. We never really did replace him too... but then enter Trent and Robbo and we found a way out of those chance creation problems... not to mention the way Hendo's really developed.

That Klopp quote was amazing, and absolutely true (brings to mind another quote about Klopp made for Liverpool and Liverpool made for Klopp) but I thought he only said that later on during the Gini negotiations?

I tell my kid every time we're watching: do you hear that? Origi's a bit player, but he's come on and the stadium's singing his name. When the Kop loves you, they'll be sure to let you know. There's a song for everyone who's worn the shirt with pride.

I know in my heart players like Coutinho and Gini look back and long to be loved again. I mean, even those who left because there was no space left for them? Thinking of players like Lucas, Ings, Lovren, Moreno... they still haunt the club on social media, you can feel the longing!

My fav Coutinho goal is nothing special, a cheeky lob over de Gea in Europa League heh. That season was so successful for me betting it started my whole current daily sportsbetting haha

[leea-1334]

So tonight we have the final game of the round and it seems darbit just needs to get 1 right outcome and he gets yellow cap For me I guess one win is good an exact score would be nice,,, but it feels so bad to get it right but far away from actual score. I would try to follow scores but if I lock, I cannot change  

Yes,,, despite not having hope of getting to the top I am still trying very had here  

[arallmuus]

it seems darbit just needs to get 1 right outcome and he gets yellow cap

Technically he already won the yellow cap even before this game starts. The other two, Buwaytress and Joca97 have the same outcome on this game which is West Ham to win. Buwaytress and Darbit have the same score prediction 3-0 while Joca97 had 2-1 on this game but it doesnt really matter because even if Joca97 hit the exact scores, Darbit will still get 1 point from the outcome scores

Well actually all of us had West Ham to win on this game lol with 13 players not predicting any scores on this one

[buwaytress]

Nice observation there, arallmuus. The only way I or Joca would have pipped this is with an exact score AND an extra slam point, but it would have been one game short for me to get the 2nd slam point (thank you United?).

We all got Bowen to thank for opening Norwich up or this would have been another upset probably. I too eagerly put 3-0 on this, thought was being smarty pants... Wasn't watching though -- two Super Cups in Spain and Italy were impossible to miss, I switched off EFL semi after Ruediger scored, bleh on that.

[arallmuus]

Nice observation there, arallmuus. The only way I or Joca would have pipped this is with an exact score AND an extra slam point, but it would have been one game short for me to get the 2nd slam point (thank you United?).

In the end, there are even 4 others that got in between you and Darbit. Yep you need atleast 8 correct outcome for the 2nd slam point. Hitting 8/10 seems pretty hard, way easier if we have more games on the same round but hey you got 7 close score also still stands on top of the leaderboard so thats something atleast

Anyway we will have 14 games on the next round that starts on 14th ( 34 players have yet to put in score prediction yet ), time to reap up some points.

[rdbase]

I would think everyone was happy for that result for the last game of the round. I have kept the same on the overall one at place 30 which we still have alot more to go so will be alright finishing in the top 20 by seasons end.
Both Southampton and West Ham did the pool proud and their fans. With both ending in clean sheets for the home squads.
But yes, alot of people did miss their picks for this round having these matches being played midweek. Due to the other tournaments in the league.

[Welsh]

I know I have a soft spot for Coutinho so I've always wanted him to do well, despite the way he left Liverpool. I'm relieved that a talented player like that has been given the chance to recover his career. I think Steven Gerrard is the perfect manager for that, since they've played together, and obviously had a mutual admiration.

Anyway, my predictions are; Liverpool 2-0 against Brentford. They've been shipping a lot of goals for a while now, and while Liverpool definitely won't be at full strength, I think Jota might be able to pull us ahead. I'm also fancying either a 0-0 or 1-1 between Chelsea, and Manchester City. Chelsea have been nothing short of brilliant recently, after going a rather lengthy period of underwhelming performances, and most certainly lack of attacking threat.

I also fancy Aston Villa to beat Manchester United either 2-1 or 2-0. If anyone watched the game in mid week its an absolute miracle how Manchester United won that game considering they were pretty much getting opened up with every attack. I expect Villa to take their chances this time around.

[leea-1334]

I would think everyone was happy for that result for the last game of the round. I have kept the same on the overall one at place 30 which we still have alot more to go so will be alright finishing in the top 20 by seasons end.
Both Southampton and West Ham did the pool proud and their fans. With both ending in clean sheets for the home squads.
But yes, alot of people did miss their picks for this round having these matches being played midweek. Due to the other tournaments in the league.

I guess so yes,,, I moved up two places, with the guy below me getting wooden spoon whoever shipley is, but kryptnick and darbit made the most of this round to climb up 4 and 6 places, very good job.

It is a crazy lot of time for sports now, I admit just putting all my picks in for AFCON games to avoid accidental misses.

If w have 18 more games and I climb 1 spot every game, I can get to #20  

[casperBGD]

~snip

It is a crazy lot of time for sports now, I admit just putting all my picks in for AFCON games to avoid accidental misses.

yeah, there are some postponements and you can miss some match in the process
I missed Southampton, but being postponed had put pick earlier

what do the pool thinks about City and Chelsea on weekend? it should be home win, but Chelsea knows how to play against City, and could prove me wrong
Everton is playing Norwich on weekend, time for a win after some dry period

[buwaytress]

I know I have a soft spot for Coutinho so I've always wanted him to do well, despite the way he left Liverpool. I'm relieved that a talented player like that has been given the chance to recover his career. I think Steven Gerrard is the perfect manager for that, since they've played together, and obviously had a mutual admiration.

Anyway, my predictions are; Liverpool 2-0 against Brentford. They've been shipping a lot of goals for a while now, and while Liverpool definitely won't be at full strength, I think Jota might be able to pull us ahead. I'm also fancying either a 0-0 or 1-1 between Chelsea, and Manchester City. Chelsea have been nothing short of brilliant recently, after going a rather lengthy period of underwhelming performances, and most certainly lack of attacking threat.

I also fancy Aston Villa to beat Manchester United either 2-1 or 2-0. If anyone watched the game in mid week its an absolute miracle how Manchester United won that game considering they were pretty much getting opened up with every attack. I expect Villa to take their chances this time around.

Whatever we feel for him (and it's still positive for me, happy to have him back in England mind you), it's another feather to the EPL cap, and I'd love for Gerrard to get the best out of him. In fact, I'd love for him to hit the ground running against United in a grudge match after Villa got KO'd out of FA Cup (despite being the better team). I did mention my fav goal ever from him was against them, wouldn't it be great to open his account with de Gea?

I've probably got to tone down my Pool pick too... heart says Jota and Firmino are good enough (and the latter did enjoy a backheel goal in FA Cup) but I don't think I've actually seen him, Jota and Minamino play together... we also don't have a full midfield so yeah, this could be tight.

what do the pool thinks about City and Chelsea on weekend? it should be home win, but Chelsea knows how to play against City, and could prove me wrong
Everton is playing Norwich on weekend, time for a win after some dry period

I'm still backing City on the pool, but I'd love to lose Superbru points in exchange for City dropping some, so I'm definitely betting on Chelsea

[Joca97]

I completely forgot about the games today,luckily is only one game and Southampton is winning which should give me the default 1 or 1.5 points depending on the result.Going right away to put my predictions for the upcoming games,I had a lot of work at my job today and completely forgot about the Premier League.Southampton winning I would have not predict a win although it is early,mostly I would have gone for a draw as the most predictable result for this game.

How many points do you get from this "default" game?
I saw there is only 46% of players picked Southampton to win. Also, 15-16 players did not make predictions for this game. it is very possible that you will not get those default points for this match.

Well thankfully you didnt miss much of the matches. 1 match was also postponed due to covid so you got lucky.
Im also dissapointed in Brentford i went for draw in this match and it was 1-1 and one point but ended 4-1 and lost all points in this match sadly.

I am surprised that you and CasperBGD didn’t have much faith in the new Southampton owners 

I know haha,disappointing for me honestly was pretty mad at myself for making a clear mistake,i would have gone in this match if i went for southampton 2:1, i was thinking that Brentford was much stronger and could have taken a draw.When i saw 1:1 in the 30th minute i prayed that it finishes like that but in the end it was 4:1,once i seen so many goals i wanted even more so that all above me who betted on southampton at least get 1 point and not 1.5. This 2 last matches slowed me down in this week,but i cannot complain much last 4-5 weeks have pushed me from 17th place to 8th and i can fight for that first place. Anything can happen still.

[examplens]

since the owner change, do you consider wearing Southampton shirt (I got one in the Sportsbet.io competition) as political activity   - and it is a really beautiful black away shirt

I already had a Southampton t-shirt from season 20/21 (thanks to Sportsbet) and yes, I can't wait for warmer days to wear it as much as I can. 

I know haha,disappointing for me honestly was pretty mad at myself for making a clear mistake,i would have gone in this match if i went for southampton 2:1, i was thinking that Brentford was much stronger and could have taken a draw.When i saw 1:1 in the 30th minute i prayed that it finishes like that but in the end it was 4:1,once i seen so many goals i wanted even more so that all above me who betted on southampton at least get 1 point and not 1.5. This 2 last matches slowed me down in this week,but i cannot complain much last 4-5 weeks have pushed me from 17th place to 8th and i can fight for that first place. Anything can happen still.

I have had sympathy for Saints before, probably from the time when Dusan Tadic played there. then the sponsor (Sportsbet) brought them even closer to me, now new owner 
Even that, I lost many points and bets on Saints, probably because my expectations from them sometimes can be unreal, plus they can play well and destroy some favourites and just a few days later give out some poor performance.

[Welsh]

I've probably got to tone down my Pool pick too... heart says Jota and Firmino are good enough (and the latter did enjoy a backheel goal in FA Cup) but I don't think I've actually seen him, Jota and Minamino play together... we also don't have a full midfield so yeah, this could be tight.

Based on the performance tonight, I think caution should probably be taken. Though, I have a gut feeling, and a bet riding on a 2-0 win with Jota scoring at anytime in the match. I think that's pretty probable. Brentford going through a rough patch at the moment, and conceding a lot. Shipping 3/4 goals recently, however we're significantly weaker without Mane, and Salah so I'm actually feeling the 2-0 here.

Obviously, I haven't bothered to put in predictions since pretty much the start of the season so don't take my advice . I'm predicting a CuJo, Henderson, and Fabinho midfield. Milner being used tonight against Arsenal pretty much confirmed this for me.