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

[casperBGD]

looking at the table, Barca was the winner in Madrid tonight

Just 12 games to go. If Barca can maintain the undefeated form in the league, they can pretty well be the winner of LaLiga as well. CL defeat against PSG will help them focusing on this single objective. However, I would still love to see the remontada on 10th, who wouldn't as a Barca fan?

seems impossible, but actually with two fast goals in the beginning, does not have to be
PSG is not that great, have fantastic result, but they have lost better than that already

just as crypto super cycle, this could be "this time is different", but two fast goals, and PSG ship is already near to sinking

not a Barca fan, just thinking

[slaman29]

looking at the table, Barca was the winner in Madrid tonight

Just 12 games to go. If Barca can maintain the undefeated form in the league, they can pretty well be the winner of LaLiga as well. CL defeat against PSG will help them focusing on this single objective. However, I would still love to see the remontada on 10th, who wouldn't as a Barca fan?

Man I'm trying so so hard not to get excited. Last night was truly the best outcome for Barca. we stay 2 points ahead of Real who will get stronger. And Atleti is now only 3 points ahead with their game in hand. And of course, you and me will be hoping for the 10th magic, I mean, isn't that how we usually progress nowadays? By making it hard the first time hehe;)

The game of the season could be in May though. We welcome Atletico still:)

[webtricks]

snip

Man I'm trying so so hard not to get excited. Last night was truly the best outcome for Barca. we stay 2 points ahead of Real who will get stronger. And Atleti is now only 3 points ahead with their game in hand. And of course, you and me will be hoping for the 10th magic, I mean, isn't that how we usually progress nowadays? By making it hard the first time hehe;)

0% Chance, 0% Luck but 100% Faith! Imagine if following happens...



Or could be Umtiti Magic.. 

[Trofo]

0% Chance, 0% Luck but 100% Faith! Imagine if following happens...

Or could be Umtiti Magic.. 

I will never rule out Messi magic, if things start and he has one of the better performances...sky is the limit. Quite sure Umtiti magic is not happening though 

For me the problem for Barca is not even scoring those 4 goals, it will be much harder to keep their net clean. Only real chance for me is if PSG decides to go super defensive and defend lead from the first game and then after they are 0:2 the panic starts to rise and it gets difficult to start playing. Don't expect them to be that stupid though.

[casperBGD]

0% Chance, 0% Luck but 100% Faith! Imagine if following happens...

Or could be Umtiti Magic.. 

I will never rule out Messi magic, if things start and he has one of the better performances...sky is the limit. Quite sure Umtiti magic is not happening though 

For me the problem for Barca is not even scoring those 4 goals, it will be much harder to keep their net clean. Only real chance for me is if PSG decides to go super defensive and defend lead from the first game and then after they are 0:2 the panic starts to rise and it gets difficult to start playing. Don't expect them to be that stupid though.

yeah, but eventual after 0:2, they have to attack with all forces, and do not have to keep their net clean (2:5 suits them perfect, and that is 2:3 from 0:2 point), just play without defense after 0:2 (if that happen)
must say that I do not expect that, would put 10% chances in Paris, and 25% in Liverpool tonight to see mayor upsets, but cannot rule out that this could happen

just remainder, MUTD made 1:3 few seasons ago on the same pitch, having much worse form than Barca at the moment, and not having Messi

[Harkorede]

0% Chance, 0% Luck but 100% Faith! Imagine if following happens...

Or could be Umtiti Magic.. 

I will never rule out Messi magic, if things start and he has one of the better performances...sky is the limit. Quite sure Umtiti magic is not happening though 

For me the problem for Barca is not even scoring those 4 goals, it will be much harder to keep their net clean. Only real chance for me is if PSG decides to go super defensive and defend lead from the first game and then after they are 0:2 the panic starts to rise and it gets difficult to start playing. Don't expect them to be that stupid though.

Umtiti magic isn't going to happen, neither is the Messi's magic going to... All eyes will be on Messi and he wouldn't be much involved in individual plays.

Quote me, If Barcelona are to make it through, Messi play the most important part, but might not even be on the score sheet.. So, Barcelona would need to count on both Greizmann and Dembele to clinical rather than wasteful as usual.

[webtricks]

0% Chance, 0% Luck but 100% Faith! Imagine if following happens...

Or could be Umtiti Magic.. 

I will never rule out Messi magic, if things start and he has one of the better performances...sky is the limit. Quite sure Umtiti magic is not happening though 

For me the problem for Barca is not even scoring those 4 goals, it will be much harder to keep their net clean. Only real chance for me is if PSG decides to go super defensive and defend lead from the first game and then after they are 0:2 the panic starts to rise and it gets difficult to start playing. Don't expect them to be that stupid though.

Barca's lineup from recent games, i.e. 3-5-2 looks much more strong defensively. They are able to keep clean sheet in 3 straight games without giving opposition much spaces to attack. However, as temping as this lineup is, they can't go with the same in PSG game. In my opinion, to have any chance of winning the draw, they should go with the following formation:



An attacking 4-2-3-1 formation. Although, I marked Griezmann as CF but we all know how it's in Barca. Messi and him exchanging positions dynamically. The advantage of this formation is that Barca can switch to new working 3-5-2 formation whenever they think they are losing the control. Depending upon which wing is attacking, the lineup can become one of the following:



Important Exclusions/Inclusions:

1. Dest - He has been superb in his new role as the right-midfielder. With Mingueza covering area behind him, he gets more chance and space to dribble forward and doing that superbly. But he hasn't been clinical in shooting. On the other hand, Trincao has been finding net frequently in recent league games. With 4 goal deficit to fill, I bet on Trincao over Dest anyday, even if it makes the squad weaker defensively.

2. Pedri - He has been the talk of this season. He has become such an important player that Koeman had played him in every Laliga and CL games except one. But Busquets is thriving in the new system and surely upper in the pecking order than Pedri. So, Buquets-De Jong in midfield would be best when 4 are playing upfront.

3. Umtiti - This may be one of the worst Laliga season for Clement Lenglet. He alone has cost Barca 4-6 points in the league. But even with his defensive mistakes, he's better than Umtiti any day. Since, Araujo isn't fit, Pique-Lenglet pairing would be ideal with Mingueza-Alba providing further cover.

If Barca fails to increase goal tally with the above formation, Koeman should make early substitutes (in 60-65th minutes) and bring on Braithwaite, Pedri and Dest in the place of Griezmann, Busquets and Mingueza. Depending upon performance, he can even replace Dembele/Trincao with Puig if necessary.

This in my opinion is the only possible plan for the remontada to happen. We can concede a goal or two but this formation is capable of getting 4-5 goals. Let's see what Koeman has in mind. 

[slaman29]

0% Chance, 0% Luck but 100% Faith! Imagine if following happens...

Or could be Umtiti Magic.. 

I will never rule out Messi magic, if things start and he has one of the better performances...sky is the limit. Quite sure Umtiti magic is not happening though 

For me the problem for Barca is not even scoring those 4 goals, it will be much harder to keep their net clean. Only real chance for me is if PSG decides to go super defensive and defend lead from the first game and then after they are 0:2 the panic starts to rise and it gets difficult to start playing. Don't expect them to be that stupid though.

Guys please don't raise my hopes up so high. I know we've done it before and the good news is we actually do it when we are down, and seeing us do this twice now in the Copa del Rey makes me think maybe it can happen.

No harm to hope, but as long as we go to win big and score, I can live with myself. We're 3.5x to win so who knows?

[casperBGD]

~snip

No harm to hope, but as long as we go to win big and score, I can live with myself. We're 3.5x to win so who knows?

when Barca entered Anfield with 3:0 (which is better for losing team than 1:4 at home), it was hard to believe that Liverpool will go through, and that happened
without audience, there is little to save PSG at home if things go down, and it could happen, just psychology

of course, two fast goals (first 30 minutes) are pre-condition for everything to become interesting

[webtricksALT]

0% Chance, 0% Luck but 100% Faith! Imagine if following happens...

Or could be Umtiti Magic.. 

I will never rule out Messi magic, if things start and he has one of the better performances...sky is the limit. Quite sure Umtiti magic is not happening though 

For me the problem for Barca is not even scoring those 4 goals, it will be much harder to keep their net clean. Only real chance for me is if PSG decides to go super defensive and defend lead from the first game and then after they are 0:2 the panic starts to rise and it gets difficult to start playing. Don't expect them to be that stupid though.

Guys please don't raise my hopes up so high. I know we've done it before and the good news is we actually do it when we are down, and seeing us do this twice now in the Copa del Rey makes me think maybe it can happen.

No harm to hope, but as long as we go to win big and score, I can live with myself. We're 3.5x to win so who knows?

Okay then let me lower your hopes. Pique isn't fit to play against PSG. So, center back duo will be Lenglet and Umtiti or Lenglet and Mingueza. RIP Barca!

[buwaytress]

Sorry to you Barca fans. I bet on you too, in case you also want others to share in the misery (but not that it helps, trust me I know nothing makes me feel better when my team doesn't win).

Does anyone else feel like we should bet against Real Madrid tonight? Just because they might have eyes on Europe? I do. 18/1 is too tempting not to take given the way they've been playing lately. I thought a handicap at least but since I like throwing money;)

[slaman29]

Huge huge win for us last night and you could actually tell that people like Messi looked like he was enjoying himself again:) 4 points now and yes we were the huge favorites but just the way we can now score again and actually look happy? 2 goals for our man, catching up and going past his best friend Suarez?

Atalanta to KO Real Madrid tonight you think guys?

[casperBGD]

Huge huge win for us last night and you could actually tell that people like Messi looked like he was enjoying himself again:) 4 points now and yes we were the huge favorites but just the way we can now score again and actually look happy? 2 goals for our man, catching up and going past his best friend Suarez?

Atalanta to KO Real Madrid tonight you think guys?

not really, there is a slight chance for Atalanta, but they are far from last year team
back to topic, Atletico is down with their form, and Barca could reach top spot in the end, did not expect that, but long season with audience is obviously taking its toll

on the other hand, Sevilla has an easy game tomorrow, but two loses in a row put them already out of title race, which was expected, more or less

[Trofo]

Huge huge win for us last night and you could actually tell that people like Messi looked like he was enjoying himself again:) 4 points now and yes we were the huge favorites but just the way we can now score again and actually look happy? 2 goals for our man, catching up and going past his best friend Suarez?

Atalanta to KO Real Madrid tonight you think guys?

not really, there is a slight chance for Atalanta, but they are far from last year team

I am thinking Atalanta has nice chance to KO Real Madrid today. They are very fired up after first game when they played man down for the most of the match and they will come out to play and prove that they good team.

Real is also far from their best form and don't forget they will be without Casemiro today who is maybe their most important player in games like this one. There could be anything in this match but I am looking to place money on both to score market or Atalanta to qualify.

[webtricks]

Real is also far from their best form and don't forget they will be without Casemiro today who is maybe their most important player in games like this one. There could be anything in this match but I am looking to place money on both to score market or Atalanta to qualify.

Ain't this the game which destroyed our BTTS multi-bet last time?
I am rooting for Atalanta as well. Will Ilicic start tonight? He was the biggest reason for Atalanta's success last year. But since his horrific self-realization period, he isn't up to his game. Nevertheless, he's one of my favorite player and I want him to destroy Real the same way, he destroyed Valencia in CL Round of 16 last season.

In Spain, the title race is getting more brewed! First three teams are separated by just 6 points. Atletico has dropped 9 points in last 6 league games. Real is running better than Atletico but still far from perfect. Barcelona has suddenly become invincible and haven't lost in last 17 games (just 6 points dropped)! This is easily the strongest Barca I have seen since 2018 World Cup. 3-5-2 is working. My money is on Barcelona to win the league (however, vs. Real and vs. Atletico games yet to come).

[Trofo]

Real is also far from their best form and don't forget they will be without Casemiro today who is maybe their most important player in games like this one. There could be anything in this match but I am looking to place money on both to score market or Atalanta to qualify.

Ain't this the game which destroyed our BTTS multi-bet last time?
I am rooting for Atalanta as well. Will Ilicic start tonight? He was the biggest reason for Atalanta's success last year. But since his horrific self-realization period, he isn't up to his game. Nevertheless, he's one of my favorite player and I want him to destroy Real the same way, he destroyed Valencia in CL Round of 16 last season.

Damn, I forgot about Atalanta being top team on my blacklist. I am avoiding them in Italy but as you said they screwed me even in Europe. Today is the day they turn it around for me or I will never again place a single cent on them

In Spain, the title race is getting more brewed! First three teams are separated by just 6 points. Atletico has dropped 9 points in last 6 league games. Real is running better than Atletico but still far from perfect. Barcelona has suddenly become invincible and haven't lost in last 17 games (just 6 points dropped)! This is easily the strongest Barca I have seen since 2018 World Cup. 3-5-2 is working. My money is on Barcelona to win the league (however, vs. Real and vs. Atletico games yet to come).

Also very happy to see Barca getting along with good performances. If Real passes tonight that could hinder their title challenge as well. They don't have big squad depth and their key players aren't exactly the youngest. I am predicting Real will be really bad come season end, especially if they go far in Europe.

[casperBGD]

^^^

seems that Atalanta was not up to business to kick-out Real, but hopefully you got your Both-to-Score bet

back to topic - Sevilla is playing tonight, and it should be an easy one for them, but quotes are bad to play anything, no matter that Sevilla could be back to chase Real, but they really do not look good enough to enter top 3, La liga has their own rules

[Trofo]

^^^

seems that Atalanta was not up to business to kick-out Real, but hopefully you got your Both-to-Score bet

back to topic - Sevilla is playing tonight, and it should be an easy one for them, but quotes are bad to play anything, no matter that Sevilla could be back to chase Real, but they really do not look good enough to enter top 3, La liga has their own rules

Yeah, I got it in the end for a nice win but they made me sweat almost until the end. Really hate betting on Atalanta, maybe I should quit now on a positive score.

I found odds on Sevilla @ 1.5, that seems like more than fair for home game against quite week opposition. Also Elche won last game maybe 10 days ago against Sevilla so it will be pay back time. I am taking Sevilla to win on my high stake multi.

[casperBGD]

~snip

I found odds on Sevilla @ 1.5, that seems like more than fair for home game against quite week opposition. Also Elche won last game maybe 10 days ago against Sevilla so it will be pay back time. I am taking Sevilla to win on my high stake multi.

the match was as expected as a match can be, 2:0 in the end, easy win, hopefully you got it right on your multi
just saw that there was 9 from 12 members of the pool that choose 2:0 as an outcome, so 9 exact scores, did not saw that much on a single match earlier (must say that I do not check that on a regular basis, but seems as really a high percentage)

did not watched the match, so maybe that was not that easy as it seems, but looking at result, seems good

[slaman29]

~snip

I found odds on Sevilla @ 1.5, that seems like more than fair for home game against quite week opposition. Also Elche won last game maybe 10 days ago against Sevilla so it will be pay back time. I am taking Sevilla to win on my high stake multi.

the match was as expected as a match can be, 2:0 in the end, easy win, hopefully you got it right on your multi
just saw that there was 9 from 12 members of the pool that choose 2:0 as an outcome, so 9 exact scores, did not saw that much on a single match earlier (must say that I do not check that on a regular basis, but seems as really a high percentage)

did not watched the match, so maybe that was not that easy as it seems, but looking at result, seems good

Yeah, got myself Sevilla on my cards too last night, unfortunately, Spain did not do too well in champions league last night so I lost everything. Really thought the current La Liga leaders would show Chelsea who's boss but failed to turn around the night and got plenty of cards for their efforts too. Guess now they have nothing but the league to look on.