⚽ English Premier League Season: 2023/2024

[JollyGood]

Lastly Manchester City blew an golden opportunity to catch up to Arsenal and now they may find it really difficult to catch up, and therefore Arsenal fan’s can now truly start believing that the league title is almost theirs.

Their problems will increase now because if Manchester City are penalised for breaking financial rules Guardiola will probably resign. He already said in the past he would and now he may have to do it.

Arsenal are now 5 points ahead with a match in hand, and given the condition and inconsistency of other teams and Manchester City, one could argue Arsenal is already closer to the crown than we all thought- If Manchester City is found guilty of FFP violations, they could lose 15 points. I've stopped believing that City could be a threat at this point. Arsenal put so much effort into this, and I believe they deserve it.

There are still 17 to 18 games of the season left to play and only 20 to 21 games have been played therefore it is probably premature to say Arsenal will win or they deserve to win the Premier League.

As for Manchester City, it has been clear for years they have broken financial rules and the only reason they escaped UEFA penalties was because the alleged offences took place over 5 years ago from the point UEFA charged Manchester City.

In the case of the FA they have no statutory timetable therefore Manchester City are in big trouble. They could be relegated if the other 17 Premier League teams decide that is what is appropriate punishment.

The only game taking place this evening is:

Manchester United vs Leeds United

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[Igebotz]

Arsenal are now 5 points ahead with a match in hand, and given the condition and inconsistency of other teams and Manchester City, one could argue Arsenal is already closer to the crown than we all thought- If Manchester City is found guilty of FFP violations, they could lose 15 points. I've stopped believing that City could be a threat at this point. Arsenal put so much effort into this, and I believe they deserve it.

There are still 17 to 18 games of the season left to play and only 20 to 21 games have been played therefore it is probably premature to say Arsenal will win or they deserve to win the Premier League.

I said this a few weeks ago, but I have to face reality now because the other clubs who are supposed to put pressure on them are not consistent enough to make it happen. For example, in the last game, City had a chance to close the gap to 2 points, but Pep blew it by making the wrong lineups and substitutions against a weak Tottenham team. It's crazy, but the race is quickly becoming a one-horse race.

In the case of the FA they have no statutory timetable therefore Manchester City are in big trouble. They could be relegated if the other 17 Premier League teams decide that is what is appropriate punishment.

The FA would not want one of the biggest teams in the past 10 years to be relegated and damage what they had worked so hard to build over years just like that. The only feasible punishment is a point deduction or a monetary fine.

[JollyGood]

It is about the other Premier League clubs too not just about the FA.

Let us not forget it was the FA that have charged Manchester City with over 100 financial irregularities therefore they have to expect a reaction and a justifiable punishment. If Manchester City won their league titles in the early years of them being taken over by the present owners because they lied about how much money they were actually receiving versus what they were actually spending including hush-hush money being paid out to individuals to avoid them being openly in breach of fair play rules then Manchester City should be punished heavily.

A points deduction for this season is one thing but what about if they allegedly won several premier league titles because they cheated? Should they be stripped of those titles if they are found guilty? The Premier League is far too big to suffer any consequences if Manchester City are relegated. In Italy, Juventus were relegated as a result of breaching various rules and Serie A had no problems with that.

If found guilty, the punishment for Manchester City has to be big in order to make it a deterrent for other clubs to not do the same thing otherwise the signal they will send is they can cheat and be awarded Premier League titles then face consequences later.

The FA would not want one of the biggest teams in the past 10 years to be relegated and damage what they had worked so hard to build over years just like that. The only feasible punishment is a point deduction or a monetary fine.

[tokeweed]

^  We'll see but I'm leaning more towards how Ige is thinking about it as not all charges will be proven, some of them will be dropped and some of them would also show that City isn't guilty.  It's all just gonna be another round of fines and some point deductions.  If the FA does strip City off of their titles then I'd say I was dumb and they should be congratulated for growing a solid pair.  Lol.

For the matches this weekend, what do you guys think of West Ham at home vs Chelsea?  You guys think Moyes out foxes Potter here and win the match?  Draw no bet is at 2.29, seems like value or get your money back.

[JollyGood]

RESULT:

Manchester United 2-2 Leeds United

From the game yesterday, Leeds United looked as though they were going to pull off a stunning upset when they were winning 0-2 but Manchester United scored two second half goals to equalise but could not manage the third goal for a win.

Well done to Leeds who played well especially after their manager was sacked recently.

[JollyGood]

These are the game taking place tomorrow Saturday 11th February 2023:

West Ham United vs Chelsea
Arsenal vs Brentford
Crystal Palace vs Brighton and Hove Albion
Fulham vs Nottingham Forest
Leicester City vs Tottenham Hotspur
Southampton vs Wolverhampton Wanderers
Bournemouth vs Newcastle United

Arsenal have a chance to create a bigger gap at the top of the Premier League table if they can beat Brentford. Both Tottenham and Newcastle United will be trying to close the gap on the top three as both Manchester clubs will play their games tomorrow.

[JollyGood]

RESULTS:

West Ham United 1-1 Chelsea
Arsenal 1-1 Brentford
Crystal Palace 1-1 Brighton and Hove Albion
Fulham 2-0 Nottingham Forest
Leicester City 4-1 Tottenham Hotspur
Southampton 1-2 Wolverhampton Wanderers

Tottenham take one step forward then another step back, what is going on with them if they lost at Leicester 4-1. Chelsea could only manage a draw at West Ham.

Arsenal could not beat Brentford but are still top of the Premier League table. They are just 6 points ahead of Manchester City and 8 points ahead of Manchester United.

[execijutiere]

We saw some surprise results today.  I especially didn't expect Totthenham to lose 4-1. It's a pity for a team like Totthenham to get such a result away from home when they are in the championship race. Especially when they have played more games than their other rivals. I knew it would be a difficult game for Arsenal and it was. They lost 2 points this week by drawing with Brentford at home. City need to win tomorrow to close the gap in the championship race.

[tokeweed]

RESULTS:

West Ham United 1-1 Chelsea
Arsenal 1-1 Brentford
Crystal Palace 1-1 Brighton and Hove Albion
Fulham 2-0 Nottingham Forest
Leicester City 4-1 Tottenham Hotspur
Southampton 1-2 Wolverhampton Wanderers

Tottenham take one step forward then another step back, what is going on with them if they lost at Leicester 4-1. Chelsea could only manage a draw at West Ham.

Arsenal could not beat Brentford but are still top of the Premier League table. They are just 6 points ahead of Manchester City and 8 points ahead of Manchester United.

^  And you forgot to mention how Southampton lost to Wolverhampton with just 10 men.  Lol.  

Surprise of the weekend is Leicester.  Lulz of weekend is Tottenham.    But hey...  It's Tottenham.  

Arsenal could be starting to decline in performance and they're going against Aston Villa away next weekend.  It could be a good spot to fade the Gunners imho.  Aston Villa draw no bet is at 3.50 and double chance win or draw is at 2.18.

Could also be good to take those bets before Arsenal's midweek match vs City.

[execijutiere]

Arsenal losing points at home is not good for them. The points difference in the championship race is closing. While they were doing so well at the beginning of the season, with the 5 points they lost in the last 2 weeks, other teams started to enter the race. If City win tomorrow, the points difference will drop to 3 but they will have played one more game.
Brighton, on the other hand, did not win a game they played well. They have been playing very well this season but they didn't get the result they wanted this time.

[Queentoshi]

RESULTS:

West Ham United 1-1 Chelsea
Arsenal 1-1 Brentford
Crystal Palace 1-1 Brighton and Hove Albion
Fulham 2-0 Nottingham Forest
Leicester City 4-1 Tottenham Hotspur
Southampton 1-2 Wolverhampton Wanderers

Tottenham take one step forward then another step back, what is going on with them if they lost at Leicester 4-1. Chelsea could only manage a draw at West Ham.

Arsenal could not beat Brentford but are still top of the Premier League table. They are just 6 points ahead of Manchester City and 8 points ahead of Manchester United.

What a game this weekend, am surprise look at Chelsea with all the signings they could not win West Ham. Arsenal dropped another point that means Manchester United are in still in the title race, but let's talk about Chelsea what is really wrong, I think they should sack that coach because I think the club is just too big for him. Chelsea has the best player at the moment but they can't even find their self, how long are they going to struggle like this, is annoying am not a Chelsea fan but with the money they spend this summer this result is not good are all. The coach need to be replaced

[CLS63]

What do you think that the reason behind Arsenal's losing points in their last two matches could be? Can't the players deal with the pressure on the championship race because of being young? I was able to watch only the last moments of the match against Brentford. Therefore it isn't possible for me to do a detailed match analysis now. But the players were very nervous and they were constantly fighting with rival players. Arteta might need to create a solution for this.

[JollyGood]

These are the games taking place today:

Leeds United vs Manchester United
Manchester City vs Aston Villa

Both Manchester teams have a chance to close the gap on first placed Arsenal if they win their games today. The first game between Leeds and Manchester United has ended 0-0 at half-time.

Manchester City will play Aston Villa at 4.30pm. If they win today and then beat Arsenal when the teams meet after just 3 days, then Manchester City will be top of the Premier League on goal difference and Arsenal will be second place with 52 points and Manchester United will be third either with 43, 44 or 46 points depending on the game today.

[Rruchi man]

Leeds United vs Manchester United

Both teams have had good chances to be ahead, Leeds with a very good chance at the start of the games and Bruno Fernandez with another chance in the last few minutes before the first half ended. The defenders from both teams have made mistakes behind also, mistakes that were dangerous and would have cost them in this first half. Leeds have played well and been able to maintain the pressure Manchester United. I know that many Manchester United supporters still do not understand the coach's decision to start Harry Maguire ahead of Martinez today, hopefully the decision will not be one the coach gets criticized about at the end of the game.

There will be goals in the second half, the question is which team is going to score first.

[JollyGood]

At the start of the game Leeds United would have accepted a draw and with it a point because of their position in the league table and because they have a temporary manager until a permanent replacement can be found. As for Manchester United, if they have any slim chance of winning the Premier League or finishing as runners-up they have to win today.

There will be goals in the second half, the question is which team is going to score first.

[JollyGood]

RESULTS:

Leeds United 0-2 Manchester United
Manchester City 3-1 Aston Villa

Manchester United beat Leeds United in a difficult game but they took 4 points instead of 6 points over back to back games against them. It still keeps them in the title race.

This is turning out to be an exciting chase for the title. If Manchester City beat Arsenal when the two teams meet after 3 days then Manchester City will be sitting on top of the Premier League table.

If Arsenal win it will be a massive boost for them but if Manchester City win it will probably mean they will sit at the top of the table until the day they are crowned champions.

Here is the Premier League table as it currently stands:

[Juggy777]

RESULTS:

Leeds United 0-2 Manchester United
Manchester City 3-1 Aston Villa

Manchester United beat Leeds United in a difficult game but they took 4 points instead of 6 points over back to back games against them. It still keeps them in the title race.

This is turning out to be an exciting chase for the title. If Manchester City beat Arsenal when the two teams meet after 3 days then Manchester City will be sitting on top of the Premier League table.

If Arsenal win it will be a massive boost for them but if Manchester City win it will probably mean they will sit at the top of the table until the day they are crowned champions.

Here is the Premier League table as it currently stands:

@JollyGood Arsenal has a game in hand and if they win it then they’ll comfortably sit ahead on the top, and Manchester United are sadly yet not in the title race unless City and Arsenal drop lots of points. However I’m happy with how Manchester United performed last night, and what a player Rashford is turning out to be because I never really expected him to score so many goals for the club.

[tokeweed]

Arsenal losing points at home is not good for them. The points difference in the championship race is closing. While they were doing so well at the beginning of the season, with the 5 points they lost in the last 2 weeks, other teams started to enter the race. If City win tomorrow, the points difference will drop to 3 but they will have played one more game.
Brighton, on the other hand, did not win a game they played well. They have been playing very well this season but they didn't get the result they wanted this time.

And Arteta has Unai Emery and his boys to worry about at the weekend early kick off match.  Aston Villa has a week's rest, is playing at home.  While Arsenal has just a couple of days rest from playing one of the best clubs and is coached by one of the best managers in the EPL.  Again...  There could be value on Aston Villa, Aston Villa draw no bet and Aston Villa double chance win or draw.  IMHO.

[JollyGood]

The title race has not ended. It is not yet a clear race between Arsenal and Manchester City because Manchester United are not that far behind as they occupy the top three positions in the Premier League table. There are still 51, 48 and 45 points available to the top three teams until the season ends therefore the race is not over. The top 5 including Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur are also in the chasing pack though they might be too far behind to mount a serious challenge if Arsenal collapse and go through a bad run of form (as I expect they will do).

I would not be surprised if Manchester City win the title to become champions again and for this season they remain champions because their legal team drags out the process until next season by filing a strong defence to each of the 155 alleged breaches, which means if they finish top they will be champions 2022/23. In that scenario they could receive a points deduction or relegation next season but they will remain champions for this season.

If they are found guilty by the FA and they lose the appeal and all that happens before the current season ends, they could theoretically have either points deducted or be relegated for breaching financial fair play rules therefore it could be a case of Arsenal or Manchester United ending the season second place in the Premier League table but one of them could end up being crowned champions if Manchester City are removed from the equation.

If the FA find Manchester City guilty of any of the 115 charges and are punished with a points deduction or more likely relegation, I think they will consider going to the High Court to try to have the verdict overturned using legal challenges to try to reverse the punishment. If they are found guilty, I am sure Guardiola will stand by his words and he will resign because he said he believes the club did not lie to him when they said they did not break financial fair play rules.

If Manchester City are punished with relegation there is no doubt the majority of their players will leave as they would not want to play in the second tier and they would want to play Champions League football. That would leave them in financial difficulties because the owners could easily cover all costs but they would have to do so within scrutinised financial fair play rules therefore to cover the salaries of the players without Premier League income will be impossible. If the Premier League also place an embargo on their teams buying Manchester City players it will make it harder for them to balance their books outside of the Premier League.

If Manchester City are found guilty by the FA on any of the 115 allegations, possible punishments from the FA and the Premier League could include:

Huge financial penalties
Points deduction
Severe points deduction leaving them bottom of the Premier League meaning unavoidable relegation
Automatic relegation at the end of the season
Several season long ban on Manchester City re-entering the Premier League
Transfer embargo where no Premier League teams engage with Manchester City

@JollyGood Arsenal has a game in hand and if they win it then they’ll comfortably sit ahead on the top, and Manchester United are sadly yet not in the title race unless City and Arsenal drop lots of points. However I’m happy with how Manchester United performed last night, and what a player Rashford is turning out to be because I never really expected him to score so many goals for the club.

[AakZaki]

~snip~
However I’m happy with how Manchester United performed last night, and what a player Rashford is turning out to be because I never really expected him to score so many goals for the club.

Actually they didn't perform well there were some player mistakes that shouldn't have happened. It did Shaw and Maguire. Even Maguire was worse because there were a few moments of mispasses and the ball was lost in the defensive area. I also saw several times Ten Hag couldn't believe it by shaking his head. The second half was enough to make me happy that Man United shifted Shaw and in Luiz Martinez.  Bruno was sacked and Garnacho was sacked then Rashford was the striker and Wout was behind Rashford. This tactic worked even though Man United didn't actually have many shots on goal.