⚽ Sportsbet.io ⚽ Spanish La Liga ⚽ Football Pool Discussion Thread 2023/2024

[slaman29]

agree, they deserve to win, but nevertheless, vouch for Valencia to get cup title, it is a solid competition, as beatable
Rayo in semi-final, and Athletic is probably better rival than Betis in the final, but both teams we can play with

Getafe playing Levante tonight, it is a boring Friday once again, what are your picks for tonight?

I thought all of us agreed that Valencia cannot be relied upon anymore these days? But I think I agree, it would be nice to see them win this one and at this stage, everyone still left can take it.

Getafe won the game as expected, but maybe more easily than most people expected. It's all about Barca tonight however, and I already splashed in on them on a few bets

[1714678115]

1714678115

[1714678115]

1714678115

[1714678115]

1714678115

[1714678115]

1714678115

[boltz]

Too bad Sevilla didn't manage to beat Osasuna last night and be behind Real Madrid at just 1 point but they couldn't do it so they have to be satisfied with 3 points behind them. Also , was it me or Martial simply forgot how to be offensive ? I saw like 30 minutes from the game and he looks like he will have A LOT to work in order to be on the same level with his team.

[Trofo]

Barca looking better than expected in first half. They are dangerous in every attack going forward and what surprised me most, Traore actually looks great. Even his touches and delivery look much better then I have ever seen from him. Maybe he just needed to see a bit of magic on training to pick up some stuff.

My both to score bet passed easy, so now just watching for fun.

[darxiaomi]

It's incredible how badly Atletico is defending this year, and they don't seem to find a way around it to improve it.

Atletico only has to aim for the champions and beg to finish more or less well in the league.

[buwaytress]

So Simeone's hoodoo continues, and Xavi goes to bed with a huge smile. 9 shots each on goal, so seemed to have been entertaining?

Barca looking better than expected in first half. They are dangerous in every attack going forward and what surprised me most, Traore actually looks great. Even his touches and delivery look much better then I have ever seen from him. Maybe he just needed to see a bit of magic on training to pick up some stuff.

My both to score bet passed easy, so now just watching for fun.

Didn't get the chance to see Traore play, or this marvellous scoreline, kind of really tired after watching games for 5 hours, will probably see if I can catch a bit of the Afcon final if I get past dinner without getting sleepy...but saw Traore's name on the assist, so he's already beginning to contribute. Maybe this is all for the better then. Even Torres on the assist, must feel good to hit the ground running with 2 spring buys!

How did Auba do?

Dani scores and gets sent off too, least you can't say he doesn't have spirit eh?

It's incredible how badly Atletico is defending this year, and they don't seem to find a way around it to improve it.

Atletico only has to aim for the champions and beg to finish more or less well in the league.

Sort of second season syndrome. They and Suarez spent themselves in winning the league last season, and at the end very barely hung on to their lead too. Run themselves into the ground -- but if I can afford some generosity, they probably didn't deserve to lose both games against Liverpool in UCL, if they could only play like that every game, but no team can sustain that sort of energy.

[tomahawk9]

It's incredible how badly Atletico is defending this year, and they don't seem to find a way around it to improve it.

Atletico only has to aim for the champions and beg to finish more or less well in the league.

the worst defence in the top half of the league table (30 goals conceded)... if you had told me this was gonna be a real Atletico Madrid stat two or three years ago, i would've laughed at you... crazy. bUT how about Barcelona? Both teams to score is free money in almost every Barca game lol

Dani scores and gets sent off too, least you can't say he doesn't have spirit eh?

he was one of the best on the pitch today (says a lot about Atletico, too), they're totally gonna miss him in the next match against Espanyol, and who knows if a more severe sanction (2 or 3 games) comes out next week cos that looked like he deliberately wanted to hurt Carrasco

[LTU_btc]

In 1st half today I felt like watching old good Barca. Dani Alves bring back these good vibes. But that red card was stupid and not needed at all. Anyway, after it Atletico failed to make something dangerous. Also, I liked how Adama played today.
It's good point about Atletico defence - they conceded 13 goals in 5 recent games. It's 2.6 goals per game in average. performance like bottom table team.

Too bad Sevilla didn't manage to beat Osasuna last night and be behind Real Madrid at just 1 point but they couldn't do it so they have to be satisfied with 3 points behind them. Also , was it me or Martial simply forgot how to be offensive ? I saw like 30 minutes from the game and he looks like he will have A LOT to work in order to be on the same level with his team.

I don't have big expectations about Martial, but maybe it's to early to judge him. It was just 1st his game in Sevilla.
I watched a bit of this game and got impression that Sevilla isn't better on the pitch. Though, on extra time Rakitic had golden chance to score from penalty, but failed to do it.

[Trofo]

In 1st half today I felt like watching old good Barca. Dani Alves bring back these good vibes. But that red card was stupid and not needed at all. Anyway, after it Atletico failed to make something dangerous.

That is just about what Dani Alves brings to the pitch. Great ball delivery, few screamer shots when opportunity comes his way and unfortunately quite a lot of discipline problems and bickering with the referees. It is just his character and I for one prefer to see player like that than players who simply don't care. Barca needed a bit of hot blood to start them.

Did not see Auba today since I watched just first 60 minutes, other two new signings were good.

[slaman29]

In 1st half today I felt like watching old good Barca. Dani Alves bring back these good vibes. But that red card was stupid and not needed at all. Anyway, after it Atletico failed to make something dangerous. Also, I liked how Adama played today.
It's good point about Atletico defence - they conceded 13 goals in 5 recent games. It's 2.6 goals per game in average. performance like bottom table team.

Really really makes me wish I could stay up and watch. Replays are nice but all the fun is gone when you know what happened already from the reports. Just makes me really happy to read and hear about Barca being old Barca, so this serves to reinstate the feelings from the previous games that things were looking better.

Red cards has been a problem for 2 seasons already I felt, like we were playing with pressure and let it get to us. But like Trofo says, I prefer heart than no heart. This is why Real played Ramos every time no matter the sending offs. But still, we need a balance. A whole team of hotheads is also just like harakiri football.

Never imagined Adama Traore getting plaudits but happy if he continues in this form.

[andyou1234]

It was very interesting to watch the Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid match, where both teams had to work hard to win in order to secure the top 4 zone, this match was won by Barca with a score of 4-2, as we know both teams experienced a significant decline in performance due to being left so only by the core players from both teams, so this year they can't play well, and can't compete with other big clubs like Real Madrid who are currently leading the table. In my opinion, these two teams must be able to improve and find player a suitable replacement, so that they can compete for the La Liga title next year.

[tomahawk9]

Never imagined Adama Traore getting plaudits but happy if he continues in this form.

looks like Xavi wants to integrate the well-known Barca dna with the more physical and fast-paced style of football we see in other leagues.

Back in the old days (just 10years ago lol), it was all about tiki-taka and a slower-tempo football and just having a bunch world-class skilled playmakers playing together up front (Xavi, Messi, Busquets, Iniesta, Fabregas), someone like Adama traore wouldn't would fit that style of play (it's literally the reason the club let him go a few years ago), but now it seems like Xavi realized they needed to adapt to the new ways and try something new, hell, they even have the typical tall guy to throw a bunch of crosses to like Luuk de jong (not a Xavi signing but still). It's very refreshing to see, ngl

[slaman29]

Never imagined Adama Traore getting plaudits but happy if he continues in this form.

looks like Xavi wants to integrate the well-known Barca dna with the more physical and fast-paced style of football we see in other leagues.

Back in the old days (just 10years ago lol), it was all about tiki-taka and a slower-tempo football and just having a bunch world-class skilled playmakers playing together up front (Xavi, Messi, Busquets, Iniesta, Fabregas), someone like Adama traore wouldn't would fit that style of play (it's literally the reason the club let him go a few years ago), but now it seems like Xavi realized they needed to adapt to the new ways and try something new, hell, they even have the typical tall guy to throw a bunch of crosses to like Luuk de jong (not a Xavi signing but still). It's very refreshing to see, ngl

It could be a really good idea too. Pep's tiki taka cannot really be implemented if the entire team isn't on the same level or the same capability, but if you keep the passing and patience surrounding the physicality of someone like Adama, it could really work, especially because La Liga doesn't really have the means to cope with this.

Refreshing true.

[casperBGD]

somehow CDR draw saw Betis play with Rayo and they won first match
which sees Valencia and Bilbao tonight playing for the second spot in the final, agree that Bilbao earned their merits for kicking out Real, but someone needs to kick-out favorites, so that teams such as Valencia could get the trophy

hopefully, Valencia will done good tonight

[Trofo]

Heads up guys, new game week starts tomorrow (Friday) so make your picks. Some of you are still missing predictions.

New challenge is also up. I just got my choice for this week settled for me, not much of the derby games but we have 1 high profile clash from each league to keep us entertained.

[casperBGD]

Valencia catch a draw last night with Bilbao, should be enough for a re-match at home, and final with probably Betis

Sevilla and Elche will open this round
Villareal and Real are the most entertaining match for the weekend, but let us not forget about Barcelona city derby, Espanyol could be solid opponent to show is Barca in winning series or what

[tomahawk9]

picks submitted!

tough away game for Real madrid this weekend but, to be honest, i don't care that much about this match... 1-1 draw? meh,, we lose 3-0? don't care, as long as we don't have any major injuries ahead of the CL game next week, it's all good... that six-point cushion at the top comes in handy in times like these (:   nevertheless, villareal win x2.56  real madrid x2.74 ?? the disrespect, smh

[slaman29]

Valencia catch a draw last night with Bilbao, should be enough for a re-match at home, and final with probably Betis

Sevilla and Elche will open this round
Villareal and Real are the most entertaining match for the weekend, but let us not forget about Barcelona city derby, Espanyol could be solid opponent to show is Barca in winning series or what

They were not even the favorites and I thought the odds would prove to be right but woke up to see that. A lot of replays doesn't help any team here.

Sevilla. They have to win tonight don't they? I doubt anyone in this pool would predict otherwise or is that just me trying to psycho someone into drawing? Who knows. I lie in the bottom waiting.

So excited for another Barca weekend hehe.

And tomahawk9 I totally agree how is Real not a favorite there??

[casperBGD]

~snip

Sevilla. They have to win tonight don't they? I doubt anyone in this pool would predict otherwise or is that just me trying to psycho someone into drawing? Who knows. I lie in the bottom waiting.

Sevilla won 2:0, as planned, checked the pool and I think we have 10 exact scores in the pool on this one, probably most since the pool started

yeah, odds are barely on Real side against Villareal, had to check earlier results, and yeah, Real does not win there too often, so it is not unexpected to see odds like those, nevertheless, Villareal is having issues this season, and this can go on Real side

[Trofo]

yeah, odds are barely on Real side against Villareal, had to check earlier results, and yeah, Real does not win there too often, so it is not unexpected to see odds like those, nevertheless, Villareal is having issues this season, and this can go on Real side

On my local bookie they have swung to Villareal side which I find a bit strange. Maybe the bookies know something we don't but only thing that could cause those odds in my opinion is possibility for Benzema to miss out today. Some twitter accounts are saying he should be ready to play so maybe wait until line ups and then placing a big bet on Real is the way to go here.

[slaman29]

~snip

Sevilla. They have to win tonight don't they? I doubt anyone in this pool would predict otherwise or is that just me trying to psycho someone into drawing? Who knows. I lie in the bottom waiting.

Sevilla won 2:0, as planned, checked the pool and I think we have 10 exact scores in the pool on this one, probably most since the pool started

yeah, odds are barely on Real side against Villareal, had to check earlier results, and yeah, Real does not win there too often, so it is not unexpected to see odds like those, nevertheless, Villareal is having issues this season, and this can go on Real side

I don't think I've ever seen so many exact scores for one game either. Sevilla really gave everyone a nice start to the weekend, but I think everyone will be surprised by Villareal game tonight. Not just because they're a favorite, but also because Real are under pressure. But the Barca game is what 90% of people will be on one side, the most onesided derby in the entire La Liga I believe!