Whale.io 🐳 | ⚽ English Premier League Season: 2025/2026

[igebotz]

So yeah, same shenanigans with players having a rift with their new manager.  If he gets the sack then I hope Liverpool snags him asap.

The premier league is tougher, you're not only competing against 2 but 5 other top teams for the title unlike 2 horse race in Laliga so my question is; if he flops at Real Madrid with all the best players what chances does he have in the premier?

As a Chelsea fan, you were against signing Ekitike but now that you have seen him play for Liverpool would you prefer to have started the season with Pedro or Ekitike as your main striker?

No, I'll pick Pedro over him although Pedro is not a main striker - he's more of a supporting striker and also versatile. I'd pick Ekitike as my main striker over Delap any day.

[JollyGood]

Delap has not managed to settle at Chelsea. He is very young therefore will have time on his side but Chelsea fans are not happy with him even though he was injured and working back to full fitness. I think they would like Emegha to arrive now rather than at the end of the season but that is because they are impatient.

They paid a lot of money to buy Delap, they should be patient with him. I am sure he will score goals, he should not be put under pressure just as his career at Chelsea has started.

[tokeweed]

So yeah, same shenanigans with players having a rift with their new manager.  If he gets the sack then I hope Liverpool snags him asap.

The premier league is tougher, you're not only competing against 2 but 5 other top teams for the title unlike 2 horse race in Laliga so my question is; if he flops at Real Madrid with all the best players what chances does he have in the premier?

As a league, sure, the EPL is tougher.  But what is one of the toughest, if not the toughest, managerial job in all European football?  That's Real Madrid, with all the different egos and each player having his own gripe.  As a manager, I think Alonso will have an easier and better time with Liverpool.

And not only that, I think he'll thrive just as how Klopp has thrived.  I think Alonso is still too inexperienced for a club like Real Madrid.  It would've been better for him to manage a club in the EPL first then go for the big one in Real Madrid.

[JollyGood]

These are the games taking place on Saturday 22nd November:

Burnley vs Chelsea
Bournemouth vs West Ham United
Brighton and Hove Albion vs Brentford
Fulham vs Sunderland
Liverpool vs Nottingham Forest
Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Crystal Palace
Newcastle United vs Manchester City

I have a feeling Burnley could frustrate Chelsea in to a draw. Bournemouth have an excellent chance to show they are in contention for a European spot because they are playing a team in the relegation zone. I expect them to beat West Ham United.

Liverpool need to make a statement with an emphatic win over Nottingham Forest otherwise it will add more pressure on Slot. I think Newcastle United vs Manchester City will the game to watch. If Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester City add points, it will bring an interesting angle to the top of the Premier League table.

[igebotz]

Delap has not managed to settle at Chelsea. He is very young therefore will have time on his side but Chelsea fans are not happy with him even though he was injured and working back to full fitness. I think they would like Emegha to arrive now rather than at the end of the season but that is because they are impatient.

They paid a lot of money to buy Delap, they should be patient with him. I am sure he will score goals, he should not be put under pressure just as his career at Chelsea has started.

€35m is not so much money in this insane market if you ask me - Delap's performance is understandable; he hasn't played many games and has struggled with injuries.  He's still young and has high potential, so he'll improve over time.  Not to mention, we lost our best creator (Palmer) to injury, and everyone has been struggling ever since.

Personally I'm patient with him, I like him, I have high expectations and I hope he does well in long term.

And not only that, I think he'll thrive just as how Klopp has thrived.  I think Alonso is still too inexperienced for a club like Real Madrid.  It would've been better for him to manage a club in the EPL first then go for the big one in Real Madrid.

At least someone agrees to what I've been saying since he got the job - moving from Bayer to Real Madrid is a lot for someone who just got into management- same mistake Gerrard and Lampard made.

[tokeweed]

^  Don't forget about Solskjaer.  

It seems like every other EPL club at the time were looking for their own manager who might have their own 'Pep factor'.    Even Barca tried it again with Xavi.

But yeah, I think the next one to try prolly be Man City will be Kompany if the club won't be able to acquire Arteta.

These are the games taking place on Saturday 22nd November:

Burnley vs Chelsea
Bournemouth vs West Ham United
Brighton and Hove Albion vs Brentford
Fulham vs Sunderland
Liverpool vs Nottingham Forest
Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Crystal Palace
Newcastle United vs Manchester City

I have a feeling Burnley could frustrate Chelsea in to a draw. Bournemouth have an excellent chance to show they are in contention for a European spot because they are playing a team in the relegation zone. I expect them to beat West Ham United.

Liverpool need to make a statement with an emphatic win over Nottingham Forest otherwise it will add more pressure on Slot. I think Newcastle United vs Manchester City will the game to watch. If Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester City add points, it will bring an interesting angle to the top of the Premier League table.

I could think of a few clubs that could frustrate Chelsea but Burnley isn't one of them.  But I did hear that going to Burnley and going through those narrow passages to get to the club spooks the visiting team.  

[igebotz]

^  Don't forget about Solskjaer. 

It seems like every other EPL club at the time were looking for their own manager who might have their own 'Pep factor'.    Even Barca tried it again with Xavi.

But yeah, I think the next one to try prolly be Man City will be Kompany if the club won't be able to acquire Arteta.

I don't know but players who very good at football often become terrible managers, only few unexpected one made it to the top or are still doing well- the likes of S. Gerard, Pirlo, Rooney, Lampard, Xavi, Gattuso and many more flopped. All the best coaches were just average players during their playing days.

I could think of a few clubs that could frustrate Chelsea but Burnley isn't one of them.  But I did hear that going to Burnley and going through those narrow passages to get to the club spooks the visiting team. 

I said the same thing about Sunderland and lost a lot of money on it- we're good at gifting points to smaller clubs.

[JollyGood]

What are your opinions about how I think the games will end?

win: Chelsea, Bournemouth, Fulham, Liverpool, Crystal Palace
draw: Brighton and Hove Albion, Newcastle United

Burnley vs Chelsea
Bournemouth vs West Ham United
Brighton and Hove Albion vs Brentford
Fulham vs Sunderland
Liverpool vs Nottingham Forest
Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Crystal Palace
Newcastle United vs Manchester City

[igebotz]

What are your opinions about how I think the games will end?

win: Chelsea, Bournemouth, Fulham, Liverpool, Crystal Palace
draw: Brighton and Hove Albion, Newcastle United

Those are good picks but after international break games always comes with goal feast and unexpected results - I'm leaning towards O2.5 goals acca for your  4 win picks @22/1 odds.

BTS for Chelsea, Fulham l, Liverpool, Arsenal and City games.( Will check the odds later )

[examplens]

Those are good picks but after international break games always comes with goal feast and unexpected results - I'm leaning towards O2.5 goals acca for your  4 win picks @22/1 odds.

BTS for Chelsea, Fulham l, Liverpool, Arsenal and City games.( Will check the odds later )

Such breaks usually favour "smaller" teams, to consolidate, especially if they don't have too many players playing for national teams. I am not sure that Newcastle can get a favourable result, they have been in a rather bad form lately and Man. City is not a team against which you improve your form.

[igebotz]

Those are good picks but after international break games always comes with goal feast and unexpected results - I'm leaning towards O2.5 goals acca for your  4 win picks @22/1 odds.

BTS for Chelsea, Fulham l, Liverpool, Arsenal and City games.( Will check the odds later )

Such breaks usually favour "smaller" teams, to consolidate, especially if they don't have too many players playing for national teams. I am not sure that Newcastle can get a favourable result, they have been in a rather bad form lately and Man. City is not a team against which you improve your form.

I don't expect them to win against City, it's quite difficult but not impossible but I do expect them to at least get a goal at home to hit my BTS pick. It's been a tense game so far.

[JollyGood]

RESULTS:

Burnley 0-2 Chelsea
Bournemouth 2-2 West Ham United
Brighton and Hove Albion 2-1 Brentford
Fulham 1-0 Sunderland
Liverpool 0-3 Nottingham Forest
Wolverhampton Wanderers 0-2 Crystal Palace
Newcastle United 2-1 Manchester City

Congratulations to Crystal Palace and Brighton, they occupy European spots because they worked hard to get there. Everything could change at the end of the season but for now, they are playing very well.

Slot is in big trouble. How many people would have thought Nottingham Forest could travel to Liverpool and win the game game 3-0? There is something seriously wrong at the club. Newcastle United had a memorable win over Manchester City, I have no idea why Guardiola seems to be struggling when they face an opponent that is not scared to play them.

[examplens]

I don't expect them to win against City, it's quite difficult but not impossible but I do expect them to at least get a goal at home to hit my BTS pick. It's been a tense game so far.

I didn't watch this game, I fell asleep
Many people seem surprised by this result. I'm not sure what happened, but it seems that City are too dependent on Haaland's goals.
On the other hand, I'm glad that City slipped up, it seems a bit scary when they have a long winning streak. I'd rather see an uncertain fight

Slot is in big trouble. How many people would have thought Nottingham Forest could travel to Liverpool and win the game game 3-0? There is something seriously wrong at the club. Newcastle United had a memorable win over Manchester City, I have no idea why Guardiola seems to be struggling when they face an opponent that is not scared to play them.

It is increasingly obvious that Slot cannot form this team. Everything looks pretty bad, plus it's unclear why some older players have suddenly become so bad.
Regardless, I hope he will stay as long as possible on Liverpool's bench.

[JollyGood]

Slot did not become a bad manager overnight. He took them to the Premier League title in his first season. Even though it was the team that Klopp built, the fact remains Slot was manager when they became champions. Nobody can work out why everything is going wrong for him.

The decline at Liverpool has coincided with their British record purchase of Isak (and his subsequent injury) as well as the complete loss of form that Salah is facing. It seems the team plays well when Salah is playing well. They have won six and lost six of their first twelve Premier League games. They must hope for stability when Isak manages to return to the first team.

It is increasingly obvious that Slot cannot form this team. Everything looks pretty bad, plus it's unclear why some older players have suddenly become so bad.
Regardless, I hope he will stay as long as possible on Liverpool's bench.

[joker_josue]

Slot is in big trouble. How many people would have thought Nottingham Forest could travel to Liverpool and win the game game 3-0? There is something seriously wrong at the club. Newcastle United had a memorable win over Manchester City, I have no idea why Guardiola seems to be struggling when they face an opponent that is not scared to play them.

Look, here are the results that surprised me!

So, after that excellent performance against Liverpool, Man City went on to lose in Newcastle?
I didn't see the game. Did Man City play badly or was Newcastle's victory just pure luck?

Then Liverpool lost again, this time to Nottingham?
It's very strange for a team like Liverpool, after having been champions, to be having such a low drop in form.
What could be happening with the team?

[JollyGood]

So, after that excellent performance against Liverpool, Man City went on to lose in Newcastle?
I didn't see the game. Did Man City play badly or was Newcastle's victory just pure luck?

Manchester City did not play badly. Newcastle United did not win because of luck.

I think Manchester City are used to dominating possession but in the end they must have a goal to make it all count. Haaland has scored 14 goals but eight other players have scored just one goal each (including Ruben Dias in this game). The statistics show that if Haaland does not score then Manchester City seem to be an average team even with 70% possession in their favour.

Newcastle United played the game they needed to ensure a win. They scored then conceded and could have lost the game but instead decided to make their fans proud. They had around 30% possession but won the game because Manchester City do not look like scoring.

Then Liverpool lost again, this time to Nottingham?
It's very strange for a team like Liverpool, after having been champions, to be having such a low drop in form.
What could be happening with the team?

One thing that is definitely happening is that Salah has been playing well below the standards that are expected of him. As a result of him playing below the expected level, Liverpool are playing below the standard they have set for themselves. Van Dijk had a few games where he was not at his best but I will not blame him for the overall loss of form suffered by Liverpool.

Look at this list of 2025/26 Liverpool transfers. Slot was banking on his players bringing him immediate success but that did not work and now he is facing a fight to keep the players, owners and fans happy.

Players purchased:

Alexander Isak – Newcastle – £125m
Florian Wirtz – Bayer Leverkusen – £116m
Hugo Ekitike – Frankfurt – £79m
Milos Kerkez – Bournemouth – £40m
Jeremie Frimpong – Bayer Leverkusen – £29.5m
Giorgi Mamardashvili – Valencia – £29m
Giovanni Leoni – Parma – £26m
Armin Pecsi – Puskas Akademia – £1.5m
Freddie Woodman – Preston – Free Transfer
Will Wright – Salford City – £200,000

Total: £446.2 million

==============

Players sold:

Luis Diaz – Bayern Munich – £65.6m
Darwin Nunez – Al-Hilal – £46m
Ben Doak – Bournemouth – £25m
Tyler Morton – Lyon – £15m
Caoimhin Kelleher – Brentford – £18m
Trent Alexander-Arnold – Real Madrid – £8.4m
Nat Phillips – West Brom – £3m
Jarell Quansah – Bayer Leverkusen – £35m

Total: £216 million

[igebotz]

I don't expect them to win against City, it's quite difficult but not impossible but I do expect them to at least get a goal at home to hit my BTS pick. It's been a tense game so far.

I didn't watch this game, I fell asleep
Many people seem surprised by this result. I'm not sure what happened, but it seems that City are too dependent on Haaland's goals.
On the other hand, I'm glad that City slipped up, it seems a bit scary when they have a long winning streak. I'd rather see an uncertain fight

That's the disadvantage of relying too heavily on one player to score the goals; the day he blanks, the team suffers. I've been concerned about the city team allowing Halaand to score 90% of their goals this season; it makes them more vulnerable and easy to break because all you have to do is keep Halaand from scoring and you're good to go.  Nobody else would score.

I like how Chelsea and Arsenal spreads their goals - it gives opponent managers headaches not knowing who to man-mark.

[JollyGood]

RESULTS:

Sunday 23rd November

Leeds United 1-2 Aston Villa
Arsenal 4-1 Tottenham Hotspur

Leeds United remain in the relegation zone, they were beaten by Aston Villa. After another win, Aston Villa have moved up to 4th place in the Premier League. It seemed impossible after the way they were playing in the early part of the season therefore credit to the manager and players.

In the other game, Arsenal managed a memorable win against Tottenham. Frank is in his first season managing Tottenham therefore obviously needs time to organise the team, I hope the fans give him time. Arteta probably believes Arsenal will win the Premier League especially if Manchester City and Liverpool are dropping points.

[igebotz]

In the other game, Arsenal managed a memorable win against Tottenham. Frank is in his first season managing Tottenham therefore obviously needs time to organise the team, I hope the fans give him time. Arteta probably believes Arsenal will win the Premier League especially Manchester City and Liverpool are dropping points.

North London derby - agreed, but the fans have no right to be furious; they lost to the best team in the league, haven't won at Emirate in a long time, and the disparity between the two clubs is big.  Frank was not going to do magic, and they deserved nothing from the game.  They're in a better place on the standings and having a good season than Liverpool 

Had Manchester city win and BTS on my parley. Lol 

[JollyGood]

There is no doubt about it, Arsenal deserved the win. Even with key players missing (and others being rotated), they are comfortably sitting on top of the Premier League table. Tottenham fans have to accept they were outplayed and that Arsenal deserved to win the game.

Even with the defeat, Tottenham are just three points away from a Champions League place. Frank will have a tough first season at Tottenham, I am sure he will be a success there.

If Manchester United beat Everton this evening and then Chelsea beat Arsenal next week, it will make things exciting and interesting at the top of the table

North London derby - agreed, but the fans have no right to be furious; they lost to the best team in the league, haven't won at Emirate in a long time, and the disparity between the two clubs is big.  Frank was not going to do magic, and they deserved nothing from the game.  They're in a better place on the standings and having a good season than Liverpool 

Had Manchester city win and BTS on my parley. Lol