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

[KTChampions]

12 games with 6 losses is a hell of a lot  A club with such a number of defeats becomes champion probably once every 10-15 years - the statistical norm is no more than 4-5 defeats.

Well if you run the numbers they have 2 EPL titles in the last 35 years, so the average checks out nicely in this case.
(just harmless banter )

Have mercy! Why are you so cruel to Liverpool fans?
As a United fan and someone who knows pain, I condemn it 

For now, it looks like Arsenal will take the title without any competition.

There is always competition in this league and no one wins the title in November. If we had lost to Tottenham and City had won the gap would have been 1 point, that is how quickly things can change in the league. We are in a good position right now, just have to take it one game at a time.

- Jay -

United could easily be in 2nd place too, but they are not there. Fluctuations in results are understandable, but a 12-game period allows for a fairly accurate assessment of both the teams' current strength and trends. There's a long way to go, but it's more rational to believe that a stronger team will succeed than that a weaker team will become stronger and succeed.

[un_rank]

Have mercy! Why are you so cruel to Liverpool fans?
As a United fan and someone who knows pain, I condemn it 

Ha, trust me they have plenty of subject material to banter us back with, they have been more successful than us during that time period.

...but a 12-game period allows for a fairly accurate assessment of both the teams' current strength and trends. There's a long way to go, but it's more rational to believe that a stronger team will succeed than that a weaker team will become stronger and succeed.

You are absolutely right. We cannot run away from the fact that we are favorites or the pressures of it either. Thi is the best chance we have with how the regular top contenders are playing and we have to take advantage, but definitely cannot get complacent thinking we have no real competition. There will be stiff competition from now till May for who wins the title.

- Jay -

[buwaytress]

Bring on the Liverpool vitriol, me brothers. And un_rank I get you, my part-time (because he's only gone out once with me in 3 years) drinking buddy is a Gooner and I've had my share over the last 3 seasons. We deserve everything we get now, so make it hurt.

Besides, we need to break Chelski's and Ige's record. They finished 9th after winning about 10 years ago. I remember very well.

Also, and I don't like to make excuses... but I think Diogo's passing hit hard.

I think nobody really thinks of this when defending a corner though.

No, surely not. But it can have an effect overall. Like I said, not an excuse at all. But that kind of thing is a double-edged sword. Motivation when you're up, but can swallow you whole when you're down.

[un_rank]

Bring on the Liverpool vitriol, me brothers. And un_rank I get you, my part-time (because he's only gone out once with me in 3 years) drinking buddy is a Gooner and I've had my share over the last 3 seasons. We deserve everything we get now, so make it hurt.

We got to get over the line first, I will just poke some fun every now and then until then.

Crazy UCL night. I did not expect Barcelona to lose like that, even with a man down. City losing at home was also a surprise to me putting them in not a good position.

- Jay -

[darbitmobilerecovery]

I feel like this is the first Premier League in a lot of time where we have so much teams in a short gap of points i mean the past season was a ridiculous one when Totenham and Manchester United both from the big six were pure trash and ended in the bottom just above from relegation, and this one seems more like the one which is gonna show us how tight is right now the level in Premier League.

[arallmuus]

I feel like this is the first Premier League in a lot of time where we have so much teams in a short gap of points i mean the past season was a ridiculous one when Totenham and Manchester United both from the big six were pure trash and ended in the bottom just above from relegation, and this one seems more like the one which is gonna show us how tight is right now the level in Premier League.

Its more like how bad all the teams are right now except Arsenal for now but you know its Arsenal so in just few months, they will be losing hella bunch somehow.

Back then based on the last two seasons seasons Liverpool, Manchester City and Arsenal will be the consistent contender for top 3 leaving the others fighting for the 4th place but right now we got Arsenal at the top with 6 points difference while all the other teams are literally trying to grab that 2nd place spot

City losing at home was also a surprise to me putting them in not a good position.

Whats actually weird was their lineup but I guess that also means Pep is gonna focus on winning all the remaining EPL fixtures before the next UCL game

[un_rank]

Whats actually weird was their lineup but I guess that also means Pep is gonna focus on winning all the remaining EPL fixtures before the next UCL game

That could be counter productive - If they miss out on the top eight they would need to play extra play off matches which will affect their focus on the EPL fixtures later on. They could still finish in an automatic slot if the remaining matches go well, little margin for error now.

- Jay -

[darxiaomi]

I feel like this is the first Premier League in a lot of time where we have so much teams in a short gap of points i mean the past season was a ridiculous one when Totenham and Manchester United both from the big six were pure trash and ended in the bottom just above from relegation, and this one seems more like the one which is gonna show us how tight is right now the level in Premier League.

Its more like how bad all the teams are right now except Arsenal for now but you know its Arsenal so in just few months, they will be losing hella bunch somehow.

Back then based on the last two seasons seasons Liverpool, Manchester City and Arsenal will be the consistent contender for top 3 leaving the others fighting for the 4th place but right now we got Arsenal at the top with 6 points difference while all the other teams are literally trying to grab that 2nd place spot

Yes now we are gonna enter the discussion about, the good teams went bad or the bad teams are not longer bad and all are good teams?

If you ask me i support your idea the good teams are complete trash right now, only Arsenal show some solid football, Liverpool is in his worst ever since Klopp(klopp era + Slot) arrive. City keeps to nowhere from the last season, United no sense to talk about them.

[igebotz]

Besides, we need to break Chelski's and Ige's record. They finished 9th after winning about 10 years ago. I remember very well.

Lol the season Willian singlehandedly saved us from getting relegated 

We signed Conte, got ourself D. Costa and win the league the following season after Mourinho left us in the middle. We went from being shitty to Champions - Liverpool would need another Conte-like Manager to pull them out of the hole Arne Slot is digging them through right now..

 Facing this demonic Arsenal team is terrifying. I can't lie: the entire team is in top form, and I'd be pleased with a draw

[Ryu_Ar1]

If you ask me i support your idea the good teams are complete trash right now, only Arsenal show some solid football, Liverpool is in his worst ever since Klopp(klopp era + Slot) arrive. City keeps to nowhere from the last season, United no sense to talk about them.

Many bets are broken, many predictions are also missed especially for big clubs that are currently really bad.

Week 13 starts tomorrow and I am still confused when making predictions in the pools especially for Liverpool because honestly I always hope a lot they make a real change quickly but in recent weeks my predictions about Liverpool ended in destruction and unfortunately some other big clubs also did the same thing except Arsenal which until now they are still quite awake for performance.

[slaman29]

So for the sake of everyone, lets hope Chelsea find a way to beat Arsenal this weekend right? I mean I think Arsenal have the title already, but like people say nobody wins anything in November. Only take some major upset or two in a row and City can start winning games big.

Imagine if Liverpool don't even qualify for Champions League you will replace Chelsea as most expensive squad in Europa or Conference

[KTChampions]

So for the sake of everyone, lets hope Chelsea find a way to beat Arsenal this weekend right? I mean I think Arsenal have the title already, but like people say nobody wins anything in November. Only take some major upset or two in a row and City can start winning games big.

Imagine if Liverpool don't even qualify for Champions League you will replace Chelsea as most expensive squad in Europa or Conference

No I want Pep be fully exposed. Now he fits completely into the pattern of a mid-table coach that cannot win on equal terms, plus for the first time he is creating a team himself and not using someone else’s legacy. Let him stay there. I have no problem with Arsenal losing the title to Chelsea or Liverpool, but I don't want City to be anywhere near a title chance, so I'm rooting for Arsenal. Unfortunately, Leeds are completely dead and today's game is going in a completely comfortable direction for City.

[un_rank]

No I want Pep be fully exposed. Now he fits completely into the pattern of a mid-table coach that cannot win on equal terms, plus for the first time he is creating a team himself and not using someone else’s legacy. Let him stay there.

How I see it, top coaches usually coach top things who have a bit of structure, that does not take away what they bring into those clubs. With City, he elevated them beyond anything they had before he came, he did the same with Barcelona, turning them into the best team in the world at the time, playing the best football too. Bayern is the one team I will say he did not improve when he came in.

Unfortunately, Leeds are completely dead and today's game is going in a completely comfortable direction for City.

Leeds made it much harder than I expected it will be. I was initially not paying attention, but then tuned in for a proper hate watch when they drew level. I think they just sat a little too deep in the end which allowed City win that.
Lots of fireworks between Sunderland and Bournemouth. I knew that will be a really exciting match and it did not disappoint.

- Jay -

[BABY SHOES]

What's the story tomorrow if Liverpool lose? Will Arne Slot's fate remain in the coaching chair? There's a lot of doubt tomorrow, but a win would be a breath of fresh air for Slot.

Leeds made it much harder than I expected it will be. I was initially not paying attention, but then tuned in for a proper hate watch when they drew level. I think they just sat a little too deep in the end which allowed City win that.

Another breath of fresh air for Manchester City but at the end of the match became a highlight for his fans because his team returned to 2 temporary standings.

I just want to watch the Liverpool and Chelsea match.

[buwaytress]

^^ Amen to KTChampions. Pep must be exposed. His lurid dreaming has fooled England for far too long. Damn you Haaland too, I can't stand you but I put you in my squad, and you made me look like a foolish piece of crap.

And damn you Bournemouth, damn you Spurs, damn you Everton. Am I not trying to give you bleeding fools a chance by picking you in the pools? Do you have to lose so marvelously?

[un_rank]

Another breath of fresh air for Manchester City but at the end of the match became a highlight for his fans because his team returned to 2 temporary standings.

I will count that win more as a narrow escape for City. Even though they won Halaand's wait for the 100th premier league goal goes on, the longer that goes on the more it may start to become a talking point and put some pressure on him.

I just want to watch the Liverpool and Chelsea match.

I am confident Arsenal should have enough to get the win, or in the worse case scenario, not lose, just because we are playing away from home, it surely will be a good watch.
I could also see Slot winning convincingly to quieten some of the doubts for now.

- Jay -

[KTChampions]

No I want Pep be fully exposed. Now he fits completely into the pattern of a mid-table coach that cannot win on equal terms, plus for the first time he is creating a team himself and not using someone else’s legacy. Let him stay there.

How I see it, top coaches usually coach top things who have a bit of structure, that does not take away what they bring into those clubs. With City, he elevated them beyond anything they had before he came, he did the same with Barcelona, turning them into the best team in the world at the time, playing the best football too. Bayern is the one team I will say he did not improve when he came in.
~

In Barcelona, ​​he initially had a golden squad of Spanish national team, which, without him, won two European Championships and a World Cup in a row. Plus he continued to buy top stars like Ibrahimovic, Eto'o, Villa, etc. And for what? To be kicked by Mourinho.
In Bayern, he took a top squad (it seems they had two Champions League finals in a row with Jupp Heynckes, one of which was won) and narrowed it down to tiki-taka. He was simply kicked out of there.
He found his place in the City - a cheating club that flooding everything with money, breaking all sorts of rules and which was already a champion before his arrival.
The first coach to spend more than 2 billion on transfers. And that's despite having a stellar squads to begin with! His legacy seems very dubious to me 

[un_rank]

In Barcelona, ​​he initially had a golden squad of Spanish national team, which, without him, won two European Championships and a World Cup in a row. Plus he continued to buy top stars like Ibrahimovic, Eto'o, Villa, etc. And for what? To be kicked by Mourinho.

Many of those Spanish Nationals were given a chance by him, he coached them in the B team and brought a system that allowed them flourish in the team. One could argue that he influenced the national team along with their style of play.
Mourinho, who also got top stars along with the ones already in the team, only won league title off him, hard to call that 'kicking'. And he was sacked, something Guardiola has never suffered.

In Bayern, he took a top squad (it seems they had two Champions League finals in a row with Jupp Heynckes, one of which was won) and narrowed it down to tiki-taka. He was simply kicked out of there.

That was his style of play and it also influenced the German national team, coinciding with the time they won the World Cup. The lack of a UCL title means that time was not very successful, but he was still not sacked.

He found his place in the City - a cheating club that flooding everything with money, breaking all sorts of rules and which was already a champion before his arrival.
The first coach to spend more than 2 billion on transfers. And that's despite having a stellar squads to begin with! His legacy seems very dubious to me 

We cannot blame him for what may have happened at City before he got there. All coaches of top clubs spent money and it has been proven that spending money alone cannot get you success, you need someone to string the system together.

- Jay -

[slaman29]

So for the sake of everyone, lets hope Chelsea find a way to beat Arsenal this weekend right? I mean I think Arsenal have the title already, but like people say nobody wins anything in November. Only take some major upset or two in a row and City can start winning games big.

Imagine if Liverpool don't even qualify for Champions League you will replace Chelsea as most expensive squad in Europa or Conference

No I want Pep be fully exposed. Now he fits completely into the pattern of a mid-table coach that cannot win on equal terms, plus for the first time he is creating a team himself and not using someone else’s legacy. Let him stay there. I have no problem with Arsenal losing the title to Chelsea or Liverpool, but I don't want City to be anywhere near a title chance, so I'm rooting for Arsenal. Unfortunately, Leeds are completely dead and today's game is going in a completely comfortable direction for City.

Fair enough fair enough. You always wonder about some coaches. No denying what Pep can do, after all I thank him for making Barca so famous in my time, but you always wonder if they really are just good at making good teams great, or if they really can apply their skills to improve any team.

Arsenal winning the title as I said is probably the most big outcome but its still nice to give them competition

[KTChampions]

In Barcelona, ​​he initially had a golden squad of Spanish national team, which, without him, won two European Championships and a World Cup in a row. Plus he continued to buy top stars like Ibrahimovic, Eto'o, Villa, etc. And for what? To be kicked by Mourinho.

Many of those Spanish Nationals were given a chance by him, he coached them in the B team and brought a system that allowed them flourish in the team. One could argue that he influenced the national team along with their style of play.

You are a great joker. He literally spent one season at Barcelona B, while Xavi, Iniesta, Puyol, and so on had already been playing in the main squad for 10 +- years by this point.

Mourinho, who also got top stars along with the ones already in the team, only won league title off him, hard to call that 'kicking'. And he was sacked, something Guardiola has never suffered.

Mourinho had Porto, Chelsea, and other clubs under his belt where he achieved something from scratch (with or without money), but we're not talking about him. The irony is that it was Mourinho who gave Guardiola the boot. I remember him running away to Bayern Munich very well, because at the time, it seemed like Mourinho and Ronaldo would dominate La Liga.
Guardiola fled, and Barcelona dominated even without him with no-name coaches 

In Bayern, he took a top squad (it seems they had two Champions League finals in a row with Jupp Heynckes, one of which was won) and narrowed it down to tiki-taka. He was simply kicked out of there.

That was his style of play and it also influenced the German national team, coinciding with the time they won the World Cup. The lack of a UCL title means that time was not very successful, but he was still not sacked.

I bet you can link Guardiola to the Allied victory in World War II 

He found his place in the City - a cheating club that flooding everything with money, breaking all sorts of rules and which was already a champion before his arrival.
The first coach to spend more than 2 billion on transfers. And that's despite having a stellar squads to begin with! His legacy seems very dubious to me 

We cannot blame him for what may have happened at City before he got there. All coaches of top clubs spent money and it has been proven that spending money alone cannot get you success, you need someone to string the system together.

- Jay -

Of course we can. I remember there used to be a reputation... 
If you go to work for a dirty club, you take on reputational losses, and then (in Guardiola's case) you embarrass yourself in different interviews by claiming that "everything is fine at City and I would never have gone there if I had known about the fraud"