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

[tokeweed]

To me it seems Guardiola knew very well the Manchester City owners were using their national finances to circumvent the fair play rules but he did not care as he chased glory. If they are found guilty of cheating, I think they should be made a serious example of and the best way to show a strong hand that works as a deterrent for other would-be cheats is to strip them of all the titles going back to 2009, give them a massive fine and relegate them to League Two.

Guardiola will have the perfect excuse to leave if the club are relegated. If they are found guilty of cheating but stay in the Premier League with a points deduction, he will have to make a decision.

I don't think so.  Guardiola came in the club not knowing the comings and goings as far as club finances go.  And the moment this financial misconduct allegation blew up, Guardiola announced that he'll have a press conference.  A lot of the football journos were saying that he might leave the club because he doesn't want his reputation to be tarnished.  But then some words started swirling around that the owner of the club, Ferran Soriano and Txiki had a sit down with Guardiola to explain the club's finances.  And the next thing we know, Guardiola announced that he won't leave and that he trusts the club.  He prolly knew the club was safe from getting penalized.

But I think yeah, what Manchester City is doing could be seen as 'cheating' as they're trying to inflate earnings through the use of their sponsorship deals but technically tho the club found a loophole in the system and used it to their advantage.

[JollyGood]

Players and managers are not different; they are all liars.

I don't think so.  Guardiola came in the club not knowing the comings and goings as far as club finances go.  And the moment this financial misconduct allegation blew up, Guardiola announced that he'll have a press conference.  A lot of the football journos were saying that he might leave the club because he doesn't want his reputation to be tarnished.  But then some words started swirling around that the owner of the club, Ferran Soriano and Txiki had a sit down with Guardiola to explain the club's finances.  And the next thing we know, Guardiola announced that he won't leave and that he trusts the club.  He prolly knew the club was safe from getting penalized.

But I think yeah, what Manchester City is doing could be seen as 'cheating' as they're trying to inflate earnings through the use of their sponsorship deals but technically tho the club found a loophole in the system and used it to their advantage.

If Manchester City are hiding their funding from the country using loopholes to chat the system, they will have to face the consequences of their actions. If they are found not guilty that is the end of the matter unless an appeal is lodged. However, if they are found guilty I hope the report will not be watered down in order to meet a mutually acceptable solution. If that results in Guardiola leaving, most neutrals and fans will not have a problem with it.

[hd49728]

I don't think so.  Guardiola came in the club not knowing the comings and goings as far as club finances go.  And the moment this financial misconduct allegation blew up, Guardiola announced that he'll have a press conference.  A lot of the football journos were saying that he might leave the club because he doesn't want his reputation to be tarnished.  But then some words started swirling around that the owner of the club, Ferran Soriano and Txiki had a sit down with Guardiola to explain the club's finances.  And the next thing we know, Guardiola announced that he won't leave and that he trusts the club.  He prolly knew the club was safe from getting penalized.

But I think yeah, what Manchester City is doing could be seen as 'cheating' as they're trying to inflate earnings through the use of their sponsorship deals but technically tho the club found a loophole in the system and used it to their advantage.

Issues in finance of Manchester City has existed in many years since their club milestone from an average club to a rich one or one of richest clubs globally. This financial milestone has changed and impacted their club financial strategy from player transfer budget to player salary ceiling and many other things financially.

In many years, they have spent massive money for players to build up their clubs and no doubt that they already made many 'cheating' techniques but FIFA and UEFA know about it too, and sooner or later, just matter of time, before these 'cheating' activities of Manchester City will be investigated fully and they will have to pay high cost for it.

I disagree that Pep Guardiola did not know about it before he signed a first contract with Manchester City years ago or until recently. This story is very famous and Pep Guardiola surely knew about it, even many years ago before he joined this club.

[CryptopreneurBrainboss]

But I think yeah, what Manchester City is doing could be seen as 'cheating' as they're trying to inflate earnings through the use of their sponsorship deals but technically tho the club found a loophole in the system and used it to their advantage.

If it's a loophole then it isn't cheating, Chelsea did something similar when they signed many players on long contract and they could avoid the FA. Every club is spending money in the premier league and that's what keep the competition high here. Man City shouldn't get punished for their success as I'm thinking this was why they got look into because of the numbers of success Pep has been able to bring to the club in his short stay.

I disagree that Pep Guardiola did not know about it before he signed a first contract with Manchester City years ago or until recently. This story is very famous and Pep Guardiola surely knew about it, even many years ago before he joined this club.

I believe he did too and knowing Pep, he won't care as far the money is there, he only goes to clubs that can fund his spending on players lifestyle so he can assemble the squad he needs to win trophies for the club.

[JollyGood]

Calling it a loophole is generous but the reality it is cheating if they are found guilty of any of the 115 charges. This is from the bbc sports website:

• 54x Failure to provide accurate financial information 2009-10 to 2017-18
• 14x Failure to provide accurate details for player and manager payments from 2009-10 to 2017-18
• 5x Failure to comply with Uefa's rules including Financial Fair Play (FFP) 2013-14 to 2017-18
• 7x Breaching Premier League's PSR rules 2015-16 to 2017-18
• 35x Failure to co-operate with Premier League investigations December 2018 - Feb 2023

This is how they are broken down:

For nine years to 2017, the club did not provide accurate financial information about their revenue
That from 2009 to 2013, they didn’t give full details of how much they were paying their manager
From 2010 to 2016 they didn’t give full detail around payments to players
From 2013 to 2018 they didn’t comply with Uefa FFP regulations
From 2015 to 2018 they didn’t comply with the Premier League’s PSR rules
And finally, from 2018 onwards, they did not co-operate with the Premier League’s inquiry

There is a separate case the Premier League has brought against Manchester City over the associated party transactions rules (APT) which are supposed to ensure sponsorship/affiliate deals are not used financially to cheat the rules.

In my opinion, they will probably be found guilty of breaking APT rules because of the amount of money being flooded in to the club from the nation state that owns it (allegedly via overinflated advertising deals).

If it's a loophole then it isn't cheating, Chelsea did something similar when they signed many players on long contract and they could avoid the FA. Every club is spending money in the premier league and that's what keep the competition high here. Man City shouldn't get punished for their success as I'm thinking this was why they got look into because of the numbers of success Pep has been able to bring to the club in his short stay.

[tokeweed]

^  And yet they haven't been charged of anything...

Anyway, interesting match between Nottingham Forest and Man City this weekend for the early kick off.  The home side is at 3.80..?  Seems like value for the draw no bet at 2.75 for Nottingham Forest but the double chance and BTTS combo at 2.65 looks really good imho.

Nottingham Forest lost just one match at home in their last 8 home games.  And with City being City..  They prolly have a good chance to score a goal in this spot.  What do you guys think?

[tokeweed]

^  Pretty much it will affect them by a lot as they lost both legs which they poured their hearts and minds into and they're now out of the UCL.  Which showed as the lost their next match at home vs Liverpool.

But they prolly have shaken it off by now.  But then again Nottingham Forest's squad is a hungry bunch.  They'll be playing with everything they got and make it a lot tougher for City than City can do to Nottingham Forest.  Best scenario for City would be something like 1 - 1.

[JollyGood]

I am sure the members posting in this thread would appreciate more than just a one liner. It seems you are posting in multiple threads with the intention of promoting the URL in your forum username. I have deleted your post and ask that you to contribute in a positive manner.

Wondering how City's recent defeat against Real Madrid will affect their morale. Think my bet is still on City against Forest though.

[CryptopreneurBrainboss]

In my opinion, they will probably be found guilty of breaking APT rules because of the amount of money being flooded in to the club from the nation state that owns it (allegedly via overinflated advertising deals).

Okay so with all the explanations that you have given I think I won't be calling that a loophole and before Man city got charged obviously, they have found out that man city was cheating.

I don't really care what happens to them because if  they were cheating then that was unfair for other clubs playing fair. But do think they'll actually be punished? With all the big and wealthy people associate with the club, will they get what they deserve, I don't think so but while we wait on the FA to give their final verdict, man City plays Nothingham Forex next, I think Nottingham forest gets a result from this game although the odds are favouring Man city. Man city are already getting the punishment they deserve this season for cheating in previous seasons.

[CLS63]

^  And yet they haven't been charged of anything...

Anyway, interesting match between Nottingham Forest and Man City this weekend for the early kick off.  The home side is at 3.80..?  Seems like value for the draw no bet at 2.75 for Nottingham Forest but the double chance and BTTS combo at 2.65 looks really good imho.

Nottingham Forest lost just one match at home in their last 8 home games.  And with City being City..  They prolly have a good chance to score a goal in this spot.  What do you guys think?

Yes it is really going to be an interesting match. Nottingham Forest are having their most successful season in the recent years. But recently their form is really poor. They won only once in their last 5 league matches. Their scoring statistics are also quite changing these days. But they are good against teams having weaknesses in their defenses. Manchester City didn't concede against Tottenham last week. Maybe they could be getting better in defense. If I bet on this match my choice would be to give Manchester City win a chance.

[JollyGood]

These are the games taking place tomorrow Saturday 8th March:

Nottingham Forest vs Manchester City
Brighton and Hove Albion vs Fulham
Crystal Palace vs Ipswich Town
Liverpool vs Southampton
Brentford vs Aston Villa
Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Everton

Okay so with all the explanations that you have given I think I won't be calling that a loophole and before Man city got charged obviously, they have found out that man city was cheating.

I don't really care what happens to them because if  they were cheating then that was unfair for other clubs playing fair. But do think they'll actually be punished? With all the big and wealthy people associate with the club, will they get what they deserve, I don't think so but while we wait on the FA to give their final verdict, man City plays Nothingham Forex next, I think Nottingham forest gets a result from this game although the odds are favouring Man city. Man city are already getting the punishment they deserve this season for cheating in previous seasons.

I think the FA has nothing to do with the 115 charges. I believe the Premier League are bringing the charges against Manchester City in the first case and then the second case is by Manchester City taking the Premier League to court over the APT rules.

As for punishment, I think the Premier League will make an example and send out a strong message. Everton were in dispute with the Premier League over an overspend of £19.5 million and that resulted in a ten point deduction before it was reduced to six points after a successful appeal.

Manchester City have been charged with far too many offences and deliberate cheating therefore a record financial penalty along with a record amount of points deduction and automatic relegation to League Two would be appropriate if they are found guilty on just a few of the charges.

If Manchester City players go in to the game with the looming judgement on their minds, it could the perfect opportunity for Nottingham Forest to take three points.

[tokeweed]

^  And yet they haven't been charged of anything...

Anyway, interesting match between Nottingham Forest and Man City this weekend for the early kick off.  The home side is at 3.80..?  Seems like value for the draw no bet at 2.75 for Nottingham Forest but the double chance and BTTS combo at 2.65 looks really good imho.

Nottingham Forest lost just one match at home in their last 8 home games.  And with City being City..  They prolly have a good chance to score a goal in this spot.  What do you guys think?

Yes it is really going to be an interesting match. Nottingham Forest are having their most successful season in the recent years. But recently their form is really poor. They won only once in their last 5 league matches. Their scoring statistics are also quite changing these days. But they are good against teams having weaknesses in their defenses. Manchester City didn't concede against Tottenham last week. Maybe they could be getting better in defense. If I bet on this match my choice would be to give Manchester City win a chance.

Yeah...  But take a look at Nottingham Forest's home form.  4 wins and a couple of draws in their last 6 matches.  And you have to also take a look at City's away form.  They're 3 wins, 2 losses and a draw in their last 6 away matches.

So yeah, with both of these clubs more like to score and with Nottingham Forest's decent form at home, this could with City just getting a point from this match up..  I'm thinking a 1 - 1 scoreline.

[JollyGood]

RESULTS:

Nottingham Forest 1-0 Manchester City
Brighton and Hove Albion 2-1 Fulham
Crystal Palace 1-0 Ipswich Town
Liverpool 3-1 Southampton
Brentford 0-1 Aston Villa
Wolverhampton Wanderers 1-1 Everton

Everton have become a tough team to play after Moyes returned to manage them therefore congratulations on a draw against Wolves. Aston Villa are back in the hunt for a Champions League spot after a difficult away win at Brentford. Nottingham Forest had a memorable win over Manchester City. I saw most of the game, they deserved the win. Guardiola has run out of ideas, his team are not as good as they once were and he has to accept it. As expected Liverpool beat Southampton and strengthen their position at the top of the table. Ipswich Town suffered another defeat as Crystal Palace won at home.

Checking through their last 5 H2H matches with Man City winning 4 and a draw in 1, everyone will predict a win for Man City here but considering the present away form of Man City and the home form of Nothingham Forest, it may be a bit difficult for Guardiola's side to secure 3 points here. My prediction for this match is over2.5. I'm expecting both team to score since Nothingham Forest usually play well at home. I'm also looking at Man City to have a higher chance of winning.

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These are the games taking place today Sunday 9th March:

Chelsea vs Leicester City
Tottenham Hotspur vs Bournemouth
Manchester United vs Arsenal

Chelsea can move up to 4th place if they beat Leicester City. Bournemouth are not playing great football but Tottenham have been bad therefore I am edging towards a win for Bournemouth. As for Manchester United, maybe they will click today and beat Arsenal.

Do you agree?  

wins: Chelsea, Bournemouth, Manchester United

[igebotz]

Chelsea can move up to 4th place if they beat Leicester City. Bournemouth are not playing great football but Tottenham have been bad therefore I am edging towards a win for Bournemouth. As for Manchester United, maybe they will click today and beat Arsenal.

Do you agree? 

wins: Chelsea, Bournemouth, Manchester United

You almost hit this triple parlay, sadly Manchester united and Bournemouth couldn't not hold their lead but both won either half which is a good market for anyone who staked.

We moved back to the 4th place, not the scoreline I expected but at this stage of the season nobody cares about performance - just 3 points.

[JollyGood]

Chelsea 1-0 Leicester City
Tottenham Hotspur 2-2 Bournemouth
Manchester United 1-1 Arsenal

You almost hit this triple parlay, sadly Manchester united and Bournemouth couldn't not hold their lead but both won either half which is a good market for anyone who staked.

We moved back to the 4th place, not the scoreline I expected but at this stage of the season nobody cares about performance - just 3 points.

Nearly is never good enough  

I think Manchester United should have won the game but Arsenal were resilient and scored a brilliant goal by Rice. Manchester United would in the relegation zone if it were not for Fernandes. He scored a stunning Ronaldo style freekick.

Bournemouth lost a two goal lead but ended the game with a draw at Tottenham. As for Chelsea, they absolutely do not care about performances at the moment, they just want the points. When they moved up to 4th place in the Premier League table, Manchester City dropped down to 5th.

[igebotz]

I think Manchester United should have won the game but Arsenal were resilient and scored a brilliant goal by Rice. Manchester United would in the relegation zone if it were not for Fernandes. He scored a stunning Ronaldo style freekick.

Bournemouth lost a two goal lead but ended the game with a draw at Tottenham. As for Chelsea, they absolutely do not care about performances at the moment, they just want the points. When they moved up to 4th place in the Premier League table, Manchester City dropped down to 5th.

Yeah nearly is not good enough, but I didn't think it would this close at first.

Manchester United just have to pin that one lack of a good finisher, Arsenal were awful for most of the game, United created a lot of chances and deserved to win, but that's what happens when you have mediocre attackers leading the team. Amorim has really shown himself in big games this season, and that's something Enzo Mascara struggles with; no matter how bad Amorim's team looks against weak teams, they always put in a good game against tougher sides.

A big game manager more than Enzo Mascara I think..

[CryptopreneurBrainboss]

I think Manchester United should have won the game but Arsenal were resilient and scored a brilliant goal by Rice. Manchester United would in the relegation zone if it were not for Fernandes. He scored a stunning Ronaldo style freekick.

They would have won if not for their striker, man united are always good against bigger teams and that's my happiness with them. Irrespective of how awful they can be in games that they ought to win but you see the ones that people don't rate them at, they'll put on a display. Rice played so well in this game from defending the goal that man united were supposed to score after a mistake from arsenal to scoring the equalizer.

Bournemouth lost a two goal lead but ended the game with a draw at Tottenham. As for Chelsea, they absolutely do not care about performances at the moment, they just want the points. When they moved up to 4th place in the Premier League table, Manchester City dropped down to 5th.

This game was one of those games that I'm happy that we got the three points and don't care how many goals we scored. Cucurella strike made the difference and he has being our most inform players and him now winning is games is giving me Marcos Alonso vibe when he was still playing at Chelsea (defending and scoring us winners too).

[JollyGood]

RESULT:

West Ham United 0-1 Newcastle United

There was one game played yesterday. Newcastle United move up to 6th place in the Premier League table, they are now on joint 47 points with Manchester City.

Manchester United just have to pin that one lack of a good finisher, Arsenal were awful for most of the game, United created a lot of chances and deserved to win, but that's what happens when you have mediocre attackers leading the team. Amorim has really shown himself in big games this season

They spent £72 million on Hojlund when he was 22 years old. Amorim has stuck with him but if does not score he will be sold at a massive loss for the club. Arsenal did not really threaten the goal though had a much improved second half. If Arteta is not careful, they could be in danger of watching Nottingham Forest overtake them in the Premier League table.

and that's something Enzo Mascara struggles with; no matter how bad Amorim's team looks against weak teams, they always put in a good game against tougher sides.

A big game manager more than Enzo Mascara I think..

This seems to be a fairly accurate way to sum up but something went wrong with Maresca in the last 10-12 games, before that Chelsea were playing above the expected level for a new manager. If they sort out one or two problems with their strikers, they will score goals and that way their defensive midfield and defenders will have to show class to hold out to win games. Thy might challenge for the title next season.

This game was one of those games that I'm happy that we got the three points and don't care how many goals we scored. Cucurella strike made the difference and he has being our most inform players and him now winning is games is giving me Marcos Alonso vibe when he was still playing at Chelsea (defending and scoring us winners too).

Chelsea needed the points especially after Manchester City lost again. Psychologically it was an important game because Chelsea moved in to a Champions League place. Even 5th place should give a Champions League place this season but Manchester City have other teams (Newcastle United, Brighton, Aston Villa and Bournemouth) challenging them.

[tokeweed]

Nottingham Forest 1-0 Manchester City
 

Oof.  I knew City's best case scenario playing against Nottingham Forest away would be at least a point but didn't expect them not to score at least one goal.  Lol.  Lost my bet as I had the double chance and BTTS combo for Nottingham Forest.  Lol.

It would've been a lot better to run with that spot and also bet on the draw no bet which was lined over 3.00 if I remember it right.  Heh.

And here's the funny part for City...  They're playing against Brighton.  A club that's been in form as of late in their lasr 4 fixtures.    Away form is decent too.

[JollyGood]

Manchester City were outplayed by a determined Nottingham Forest team. Manchester City had lots of possession and were close to breaking through but the Nottingham Forest defence was extremely efficient. The goal was stunning, how many of us thought Hudson-Odoi would try to score at thee near post from that angle? they deserved the win.

What are the chances of Nottingham Forest finish the season in a Champions League spot but Manchester City missing out?

Oof.  I knew City's best case scenario playing against Nottingham Forest away would be at least a point but didn't expect them not to score at least one goal.  Lol.  Lost my bet as I had the double chance and BTTS combo for Nottingham Forest.  Lol.

It would've been a lot better to run with that spot and also bet on the draw no bet which was lined over 3.00 if I remember it right.  Heh.

And here's the funny part for City...  They're playing against Brighton.  A club that's been in form as of late in their lasr 4 fixtures.    Away form is decent too.