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

[tokeweed]

Now that Tuchel has been appointed as the new England manager, that puts all the rumours about him replacing Ten Hag to rest for good. I think he would have made a good manager at Manchester United but he was never going to allow them to buy and sell players without his consent. As for Tuchel, I am sure we all wish him success as England manager (the first German to hold that role) and as for Ten Hag, he might be more relieved after he heard the news 

Really..?  Noice!  When is the next World Cup and Euros again?  I'm not really into FIFA and international football stuff but I def wanna see England's development under Tuchel.  They'd prolly make a good bet for the outright to win the World Cup.    The line would prolly be around 7 but hoping for it to be over 10. 

And yeah, he actually could be decent manager for United.  I remember that he did well at Chelsea and won them the UCL but the club gave him the sack anyway.  Lol. 

[JollyGood]

Arsenal is a definite win. But I won't touch Man Utd even with a 10th foot pole. I can definitely see both Tottenham and Aston villa win their games

Maybe this is the week when the smaller teams take points away from the bigger teams. Bournemouth could get a draw against Arsenal and in the other game Fulham could also get a point against Aston Villa, if that were to happen the Sunday games would become very interesting.

Here was my original post:

Win: West Ham United, Aston Villa, Ipswich Town, Brighton, Arsenal
Draw: Manchester United, Southampton

Now I am changing my mind. Overall, I think West Ham will beat Tottenham. Bournemouth will get a draw against Arsenal. Fulham will beat Aston Villa. 

They're not far from it; back-to-back finals - Tuchel might be the final piece to the puzzle that leads to the team's triumph; they have some of the best players; all they need is someone to put them to good use, which Tuchel is good at.

Tuchel is a determined coach, he will try his best with England but there have been criticisms in some corners about hiring another foreign coach. I suppose the best way to silence them would be to make a winning start.

And yeah, he actually could be decent manager for United.  I remember that he did well at Chelsea and won them the UCL but the club gave him the sack anyway.  Lol. 

He was successful in that first season at Chelsea, they did win the Champions League but in the end the club pushed him out. Any decent manager would want control over which players are brought and sold but the club made it clear the sporting directors would be controlling that. In the end, Tuchel was going to get sacked eventually and he did.

That was the same reason he refused to take the Manchester United job at the end of last season and he made the right choice, how can a manager manage when he does not know when any of his squad will be sold without his permission and when any player could forced in to the squad without his permission.

[nelson4lov]

~Snipped

Maybe this is the week when the smaller teams take points away from the bigger teams. Bournemouth could get a draw against Arsenal and in the other game Fulham could also get a point against Aston Villa, if that were to happen the Sunday games would become very interesting.

Here was my original post:

Win: West Ham United, Aston Villa, Ipswich Town, Brighton, Arsenal
Draw: Manchester United, Southampton

Now I am changing my mind. Overall, I think West Ham will beat Tottenham. Bournemouth will get a draw against Arsenal. Fulham will beat Aston Villa. 

~Snipped

Arsenal knows that there's a possibility of Liverpool dropping points against Chelsea so they'd want to win Bournemouth. I know there are no 100% certainty in football but I just don't see a situation where Arsenal draws tomorrow — still an easy win in my books. Can't argue about Tottenham vs West ham game because the winning is still in the air and anybody can win it.

Tottenham - shitty team.
West ham - even shitter.

~Snipped

I will be there....

Fingers crossed for Sunday 

[CryptopreneurBrainboss]

***

Again, glad the international breaks is over

Win: Tottenham, Aston villa, Brentford, Ipswich & Arsenal
Draws: Newcastle/Brighton, Southampton/Leicester,

For Sunday, I'm looking forward to going head to head with @CryptopreneurBrainboss and @Igebotz and get their arses handed to them by Liverpool 

We beating you guys or we both share the point period, I don't see us losing to Liverpool. We coming with the attacks while Liverpool comes with the defense. The players are coming from the international break so we shouldn't expect the same energy as they were performing before the break. Things might be different and it makes the game not to live up to expectations as we're all expecting a blockbuster on Sunday.

[JollyGood]

Arsenal knows that there's a possibility of Liverpool dropping points against Chelsea so they'd want to win Bournemouth. I know there are no 100% certainty in football but I just don't see a situation where Arsenal draws tomorrow — still an easy win in my books. Can't argue about Tottenham vs West ham game because the winning is still in the air and anybody can win it.

This is true. Playing football is in some cases similar to playing chess because you want to gain an advantage whenever possible and you also want to make sacrifices by resting players in some games during some competitions. If Arsenal field their best eleven and take all three points against Bournemouth they will go two points clear at the top of the Premier League as least until tomorrow. It is a big game for them but Bournemouth will not make it easy for them.

Again, glad the international breaks is over

Win: Tottenham, Aston villa, Brentford, Ipswich & Arsenal
Draws: Newcastle/Brighton, Southampton/Leicester,

We can compare notes after the results 

[Luzin]

Liverpool vs Chelsea
This week I've been waiting for this match. Maybe Liverpool will be favored because of the better ranking. But remember Chelsea's current condition is starting to improve. Enzo Maresca has made quite a difference since he arrived. If Liverpool underestimated Chelsea it would be wrong.  Liverpool must be vigilant, even though they play at Anfield chelsea can make a surprise.  Chelsea's record is also good, in the EPL in 7 matches they only lost 1 time, this is the same as Liverpool. Enzo Maresca managed to make the outcasts of the big teams into good players.

[JollyGood]

How do you expect the game will finish tomorrow? As already discussed, if Arsenal win today they will go to the top of the Premier League table therefore it will add pressure on Liverpool to try to get all three points. Chelsea are sitting in 4th place above Aston Villa on goal difference therefore they would want to get at least a point at Anfield and hope Fulham beat Aston Villa. Both Liverpool and Chelsea will be desperate to get all three points but might settle for a draw instead as neither team wants to add another loss to their record.

Liverpool vs Chelsea
This week I've been waiting for this match. Maybe Liverpool will be favored because of the better ranking. But remember Chelsea's current condition is starting to improve. Enzo Maresca has made quite a difference since he arrived. If Liverpool underestimated Chelsea it would be wrong.  Liverpool must be vigilant, even though they play at Anfield chelsea can make a surprise.  Chelsea's record is also good, in the EPL in 7 matches they only lost 1 time, this is the same as Liverpool. Enzo Maresca managed to make the outcasts of the big teams into good players.

RESULT:

Tottenham Hotspur 4-1 West Ham United

West Ham United took the lead but Tottenham hot back with four goals. It was an important win for Tottenham because their manager was facing a lot of pressure because they did not make a fantastic start to the season. Tottenham manager Postecoglou can enjoy the rest of the weekend now but what is going wrong at West Ham since Moyes left to be replaced by Lopetegui.

RESULT:

Tottenham Hotspur 4-1 West Ham United

What a performance from Tottenham and I was right picking them over westham. Man united has just given Erik another banter free weak with this victory. ETH will also be enjoying the weekend as Postecoglou too. I had believe that they'll somehow get the victory but wasn't certain.

Tottenham coming back from behind to end the game with 4 goals after first conceding from Kudus early goal says alot about the mentality of the team. Not many teams can comeback after going down but Tottenham being at home would had contributed to them having the strength to fight back.  

Westham season keep getting worse and now they'll be without Kudus after his red card incident. Arsenal game ongoing, let see how that ends.

[nelson4lov]

@JollyGood So I was wrong about that Bournemouth vs Arsenal game. After seeing their lineup, I knew nothing good will come from their attack. Sterling + Havertz without the creative mastery of Odegaard and Saka meant little to nothing going forward.  Arsenal really gunning for top spot for amount of red cards this season.

Tottenham won because West ham is an even shittier team.

[igebotz]

What a performance from Tottenham and I was right picking them over westham. Man united has just given Erik another banter free weak with this victory. ETH will also be enjoying the weekend as Postecoglou too. I had believe that they'll somehow get the victory but wasn't certain.

Something to keep the supporters and owners busy for another 6 months, I knew he was going to buy himself more time and there was no perfect time to do it. The new £200k wall at the training ground must be working.

@JollyGood So I was wrong about that Bournemouth vs Arsenal game. After seeing their lineup, I knew nothing good will come from their attack. Sterling + Havertz without the creative mastery of Odegaard and Saka meant little to nothing going forward.  Arsenal really gunning for top spot for amount of red cards this season.

Tottenham won because West ham is an even shittier team.

Saka does everything; he has been the team's engine since last season, and his absence always has an impact on team performance, which I expected Arteta to address this season with a strong backup... the only thing he thought of was stealing. I lost a lot of money on that game.

[Egii Nna]

Liverpool vs Chelsea
This week I've been waiting for this match. Maybe Liverpool will be favored because of the better ranking. But remember Chelsea's current condition is starting to improve. Enzo Maresca has made quite a difference since he arrived. If Liverpool underestimated Chelsea it would be wrong.  Liverpool must be vigilant, even though they play at Anfield chelsea can make a surprise.  Chelsea's record is also good, in the EPL in 7 matches they only lost 1 time, this is the same as Liverpool. Enzo Maresca managed to make the outcasts of the big teams into good players.

Even though it a home game for Liverpool anything can happen, and am glad you also know that. So it will definitely not going to be a simple prediction, because Liverpool been top on the table doesn’t means that there are more than everyone in the league. Moreover we all know that Chelsea mostly tend to play a very good performance when there are playing against a stronger team than them.

So all I will say is, we should get ready to see what so ever will happen tomorrow in their game. But I have a feeling that the game might end up on a draw or a win for Chelsea. But let see what will happen tomorrow in the pitch.

[nelson4lov]

~Snipped

Saka does everything; he has been the team's engine since last season, and his absence always has an impact on team performance, which I expected Arteta to address this season with a strong backup... the only thing he thought of was stealing. I lost a lot of money on that game.

Absolutely. He has contributed (scoring + assisting) to most of their goals for both last season and this season. I think you forgot Odegaard as well. Since we got injured, Arsenal has been struggling and only Saka have tried to carry the team forwards. If you saw today's game, you'd know that arsenal didn't have anything to contribute towards goals even before that Saliba red card.

Immediately I saw that weak attack comprising of Havertz, Sterling and Trossard, I knew it's so over. Trossard performs better with the support of Odegaard and Saka.

Noticed a pattern so far. Immediately arsenal gets a red card, they immediately start to park the bus and do very little to even attack.

[CryptopreneurBrainboss]

Mistakes happen but it isn't the mistake that matters but how you respond and the decision you take next. I'll be watching Arteta to see how he responds to this loss, Arsenal have been soon good for so long that seeing them lose kinda sucks.

This game might be the reason Arsenal doesn't win the league this season again.

No character was shown from Arsenal in that lost and that's the difference between a contender and and winner, Man city wont have lost that game if they were in Arsenal shoes.

Well the kids have played and now it's time for supper Sunday. Waiting on Liverpool game, glad it's Slot we facing now and not Klopp on the wheels, we do have a chance of getting something from this match as I have said earlier.

[JollyGood]

These are the games taking place today 20th October 2024:

Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Manchester City
Liverpool vs Chelsea

I am expecting Wolves to beat Manchester City and in the late kick-off game I am expecting Chelsea to beat Liverpool 

@JollyGood So I was wrong about that Bournemouth vs Arsenal game. After seeing their lineup, I knew nothing good will come from their attack. Sterling + Havertz without the creative mastery of Odegaard and Saka meant little to nothing going forward.  Arsenal really gunning for top spot for amount of red cards this season.

Bournemouth were determined to at least get a point, in the end they won and that is the beauty of the Premier League. If a lower ranked and much smaller club can beat the Championship contenders without conceding, it makes it the best football league in the world.

These are the results from the games played yesterday:

Tottenham Hotspur 4-1 West Ham United
Fulham 1-3 Aston Villa
Ipswich Town 0-2 Everton
Manchester United 2-1 Brentford
Newcastle United 0-1 Brighton and Hove Albion
Southampton 2-3 Leicester City
Bournemouth 2-0 Arsenal

[nelson4lov]

Mistakes happen but it isn't the mistake that matters but how you respond and the decision you take next. I'll be watching Arteta to see how he responds to this loss, Arsenal have been soon good for so long that seeing them lose kinda sucks.

This game might be the reason Arsenal doesn't win the league this season again.

No character was shown from Arsenal in that lost and that's the difference between a contender and and winner, Man city wont have lost that game if they were in Arsenal shoes.

Well the kids have played and now it's time for supper Sunday. Waiting on Liverpool game, glad it's Slot we facing now and not Klopp on the wheels, we do have a chance of getting something from this match as I have said earlier.

First —I don't understand why Arsenal automatically defaults to parking the bus and defending ONLY whenever they concede a red card. They did the same thing against Brighton, City and yesterday against Bournemouth and in all 3 games, they were punished for it. Against city, they switched to defence only after coming out for the second half. For Bournemouth, the defending start right from the 30th+ minute. It was very painful to watch them play.

I've seen teams that get a red card and still play really good football and can even go ahead to win the game. For arsenal, they'd start chanting "it's so over".

Glad to have won against you earlier today. I knew Liverpool was going to win but it wouldn't be an easy job. Ggs to your team. It was a good fight and Liverpool was outplayed for most part of the game as reflective of the 43 vs 57 ball possession of the game.

[JollyGood]

These are the results of the games played today:

Wolverhampton Wanderers 1-2 Manchester City
Liverpool 2-1 Chelsea

Wolves could have held out for a draw but controversy surrounding a very late header by Stones to give Manchester City the winning goal will not go away. By all accounts the way the games were reported pointed to Wolves and Chelsea being the winners but both walked away without getting any points. Liverpool sit at the top of the Premier League.

[igebotz]

First —I don't understand why Arsenal automatically defaults to parking the bus and defending ONLY whenever they concede a red card. They did the same thing against Brighton, City and yesterday against Bournemouth and in all 3 games, they were punished for it. Against city, they switched to defence only after coming out for the second half. For Bournemouth, the defending start right from the 30th+ minute. It was very painful to watch them play.

I've seen teams that get a red card and still play really good football and can even go ahead to win the game. For arsenal, they'd start chanting "it's so over".

It's stupid to fall back and allow your opponents to sit on you for too long; the best form of defence is attacking; he literally had 6 defensive players (4 CBs & 2 DMs) in the starting lineup; I didn't understand why -1 CB affected the entire setup; his team plays dirty; he should at least have a backup formation for situations like this. Last season, Klopp and Pep won games with a -1 player.

Glad to have won against you earlier today. I knew Liverpool was going to win but it wouldn't be an easy job. Ggs to your team. It was a good fight and Liverpool was outplayed for most part of the game as reflective of the 43 vs 57 ball possession of the game.

We didn't respond well after the penalty, the players let one decision impacted the result. We could have done better, no excuse.

[Sandra_hakeem]

Wolverhampton Wanderers 1-2 Manchester City

That volley from Gvardiol was sick.. in the midst of uncertainty, with the pressure from the 2 defenders up and against him, pulling off with such a volley from a standing-tap position is one of the most outstanding moments I've ever witnessed. On the other hand, I knew city would still wanna figure out a way to win, before the last whistle.

Liverpool 2-1 Chelsea [/b][/size]

Something really intrigued me in Jackson's goal... The counter attack was slow and I never thought the ball would go in. The gaol was initially ruled as offside but was reviewed and counted. Although from a very precised angle, it looks like konate was half an inch away from putting him onside.

By all accounts the way the games were reported pointed to Wolves and Chelsea being the winners but both walked away without getting any points. Liverpool sit at the top of the Premier League.

I'm afraid it may end like this? Who knows? Look, that's exactly what the premier league is... Undoubtedly one of the most unpredictable league in the game.

[nelson4lov]

It's stupid to fall back and allow your opponents to sit on you for too long; the best form of defence is attacking; he literally had 6 defensive players (4 CBs & 2 DMs) in the starting lineup; I didn't understand why -1 CB affected the entire setup; his team plays dirty; he should at least have a backup formation for situations like this. Last season, Klopp and Pep won games with a -1 player.

Arteta clearly has a lot to learn. When Saliba was shown the red card, I was expecting this time to be different because people often say that the 3rd time is the charm but I was very disappointed to see an underdog like Bournemouth holding Arsenal by the scruff of their neck. Well, a wise man once said — "if you hang around the barber's shop, sooner or later, you'll get a hair cut". Arsenal sitting deep gives their opponents countless opportunities and there's an increasing possibility that one would go in.

If teams start exploiting this:

— Bait Arsenal to concede a red card.
— probe until goal is scored.

Rinse and repeat.

We didn't respond well after the penalty, the players let one decision impacted the result. We could have done better, no excuse.

Playing against a team like Liverpool, it won't be easy to respond the way you want or even play the kind of football you want i know this and applaud your team for trying.

[JollyGood]

That volley from Gvardiol was sick..

The volley from Garnacho for Manchester United against Brentford was brilliant 

There is one game taking place this evening:

Nottingham Forest vs Crystal Palace

The score is currently 1-0 with around 20 minutes remaining.

[tokeweed]

These are the results from the games played yesterday:

Tottenham Hotspur 4-1 West Ham United
Fulham 1-3 Aston Villa
Ipswich Town 0-2 Everton
Manchester United 2-1 Brentford
Newcastle United 0-1 Brighton and Hove Albion
Southampton 2-3 Leicester City
Bournemouth 2-0 Arsenal

Lawl...  Would've loved to see Brenford take a point at Old Trafford.    I didn't watch the match but looking at the fixture's timeline it looks like they could've gotten it after making the first goal at the end of first half.  Lolol.  Ten Hag lives to fight another say.    

And tough loss for Arsenal as they're playing Liverpool this weekend.  What do you guys think..?  Are Arteta's boys gonna play their heart out and get all three points?

I think this ain't ending with a draw...