🐳 Whale.io 🐳 Ligue 1 Football Pool Discussion Thread 2025/2026 🐳

[slaman29]

We got some really surprisingly scorelines from the games today, a sharp contrast from the low scoring theme of last week. I expected Lille to win but did not expect the margin to be that high and it's been a goal fest at Stadium de Toulouse with 9 goals scored in total. PSG will not like to have conceded 3 goals as they had the game in control for most parts.

I have finally gotten off the canvas, good week so far. No one took a risk with a high score line for any of those games.

Yeah, I even see some guys get perfect 3-2 scores, its hard for me to ever make such picks even when strong teams are involved as I feel 2-1 or even 1-1 is more probable when strong teams meet each other. Lille scoring 7 nobody would ever guess!!

Is anybody making money yet from handicaps of PSG? They will probably keep doing it like this. Congrats to @leea for your yellow cap. That was pretty awesome.

[Trofo]

Round 3 yellow cap winner is Leea-1334 with 14.5 points.
Unfortunately I don't have your whale nick since you didn't send it so free bet not coming your way just yet
Hit me with PM asap

[morvillz7z]

Just seen the Joao Neves hat-trick, wow, a brace of bicycle kicks and a screamer from distance. 

Does anyone have a favorite hat-trick? I would never forget watching Rivaldo's hatty against Valencia in the early 2000s, it is the closest thing to perfection.

https://www.reddit.com/r/Barca/comments/18jp3uy/rivaldo_hat_trick_against_valencia_june_17_2001/

[Upgrade00]

Yeah, I even see some guys get perfect 3-2 scores, its hard for me to ever make such picks even when strong teams are involved as I feel 2-1 or even 1-1 is more probable when strong teams meet each other. Lille scoring 7 nobody would ever guess!!

I enjoy it very much when I score such different scorelines, like the 1 - 0 exact score I got this round. When someone goes for an unpopular score line it's usually due to a gut feeling as opposed to rational expectation, except for matches that are typically gets lots of goals.

Just seen the Joao Neves hat-trick, wow, a brace of bicycle kicks and a screamer from distance. 

Those were all brilliant goals from an unlikely player to score a hatrick.
I do not have a favorite hatrick,  but I've always been amazed by quick ones, like the one Mane scored for Southampton.

[slaman29]

Yeah, I even see some guys get perfect 3-2 scores, its hard for me to ever make such picks even when strong teams are involved as I feel 2-1 or even 1-1 is more probable when strong teams meet each other. Lille scoring 7 nobody would ever guess!!

I enjoy it very much when I score such different scorelines, like the 1 - 0 exact score I got this round. When someone goes for an unpopular score line it's usually due to a gut feeling as opposed to rational expectation, except for matches that are typically gets lots of goals.

I like exact scores too, but I know its all about luck sometimes. 1-0 to 2-1 are the most common scores in football anyway, I respect the most when there is some weird scoreline like 4-3 or 5-1 and somebody got it right.

Club World Cup Bayern first game does not count, in fact there 1-0 would have been the shocker lol

Just seen the Joao Neves hat-trick, wow, a brace of bicycle kicks and a screamer from distance. 

Those were all brilliant goals from an unlikely player to score a hatrick.
I do not have a favorite hatrick,  but I've always been amazed by quick ones, like the one Mane scored for Southampton.

I guess people can try anything in farmers league No offence but if he tried that in La Liga or EPL he would be tackled to the ground in 2nd attempt

[Upgrade00]

I like exact scores too, but I know its all about luck sometimes. 1-0 to 2-1 are the most common scores in football anyway, I respect the most when there is some weird scoreline like 4-3 or 5-1 and somebody got it right.

Club World Cup Bayern first game does not count, in fact there 1-0 would have been the shocker lol

True, there's a risk when you try to predict a bold scoreline. The safer option I to fo with the expected picks that happen more often than not.

Norway just entered the chat for ridiculous scorelines.

I guess people can try anything in farmers league No offence but if he tried that in La Liga or EPL he would be tackled to the ground in 2nd attempt

I think very similar goal have been scored in both of those leagues.
International break strikes again with injuries to Dembele and Doue. If it was just one of them I'll expect PSG to cope fine, but with both of them out at the same time, the team could struggle a little.

[slaman29]

I guess people can try anything in farmers league No offence but if he tried that in La Liga or EPL he would be tackled to the ground in 2nd attempt

I think very similar goal have been scored in both of those leagues.
International break strikes again with injuries to Dembele and Doue. If it was just one of them I'll expect PSG to cope fine, but with both of them out at the same time, the team could struggle a little.

Nah I was just kidding, obviously I have seen super dumb goals in English and Spanish leagues. Just always making fun of French Ligue even tho I actually started following it when my idols left Barca and played for Paris.

Do PSG have a right to be mad at France? Yes, of course, when they were not fully risk free and they got played with not much to gain.

Plenty of subs to use tho so they will be fine.

[paco92x]

International break strikes again with injuries to Dembele and Doue. If it was just one of them I'll expect PSG to cope fine, but with both of them out at the same time, the team could struggle a little.

Finally, the international break is over and fun football can start. It's a big blow for PSG, but they have adequate substitutes, especially in the French league. The Champions League is a little different. They have Atalanta at home and Barcelona away — I don’t know how long the duo will be out, but they’ll definitely be missed in these games if they are out.

[Upgrade00]

Nah I was just kidding, obviously I have seen super dumb goals in English and Spanish leagues. Just always making fun of French Ligue even tho I actually started following it when my idols left Barca and played for Paris.

I was being too serious. I've seen too many ridiculous takes from people comparing different leagues and deciding what's possible in one or the other. Most especially when they are comparing leagues all in the top 5.

Do PSG have a right to be mad at France? Yes, of course, when they were not fully risk free and they got played with not much to gain.

i don't think they do in this case. In situations where the player was already a security risk or is yet to feature for their club while returning from an injury, the country shouldn't play those players, but they do many of the times.

The Champions League is a little different. They have Atalanta at home and Barcelona away — I don’t know how long the duo will be out, but they’ll definitely be missed in these games if they are out.

I think I read Doue will be out for a month and Dembele for 6 weeks, but I may be mixing them up.

[Trofo]

International break strikes again with injuries to Dembele and Doue. If it was just one of them I'll expect PSG to cope fine, but with both of them out at the same time, the team could struggle a little.

Finally, the international break is over and fun football can start. It's a big blow for PSG, but they have adequate substitutes, especially in the French league. The Champions League is a little different. They have Atalanta at home and Barcelona away — I don’t know how long the duo will be out, but they’ll definitely be missed in these games if they are out.

Yeah there shouldn't be any problems in domestic games but with CL coming up, there is nice to have some top shelf backup. They do have some good young players as well, I am thinking some of them should get a chance in easier domestic games. We shall see. There is always an option to simply throw games in the league, they are winning titles with 20 points to spare anyway 

[darxiaomi]

So.... what is gonna give this league to us in this new round after a international break?

Another super boring round full of 1-0 results? Or a very fun one like the previous one in which we saw a lot of goals in the mayority of the games?

Marseille is gonna start to play good?

So much questions for a farmer leagues.

[slaman29]

Nah I was just kidding, obviously I have seen super dumb goals in English and Spanish leagues. Just always making fun of French Ligue even tho I actually started following it when my idols left Barca and played for Paris.

I was being too serious. I've seen too many ridiculous takes from people comparing different leagues and deciding what's possible in one or the other. Most especially when they are comparing leagues all in the top 5.

Fair enough. Everyone has their favorite league (mine is La Liga) and it can be hard to be fair and objective. I guess after you reach a certain age and you see how crap your team can be in management, you can finally get disillusioned and start seeing things fairly.

For example I think La Liga is no longer competitive. We are more like German and French league compared to Italy and England.

Do PSG have a right to be mad at France? Yes, of course, when they were not fully risk free and they got played with not much to gain.

i don't think they do in this case. In situations where the player was already a security risk or is yet to feature for their club while returning from an injury, the country shouldn't play those players, but they do many of the times.
[/quote]

So we actually agree here. PSG is mad at France and they have a right to. Because the players who got injured were exactly in that situation you say. At big risk of injury because of lack of fitness. I feel this is a problem with a lot of 'big' countries.

[Upgrade00]

For example I think La Liga is no longer competitive. We are more like German and French league compared to Italy and England.

The management of laliga are killing the competitiveness of the league. I'm a Barcelona fan and despite our financial crisis, the league makes it very difficult for the clubs to generate funds and also makes spending very strict. I still think laliga is very competitive, just behind the seria A and then the English league.

So we actually agree here. PSG is mad at France and they have a right to. Because the players who got injured were exactly in that situation you say. At big risk of injury because of lack of fitness. I feel this is a problem with a lot of 'big' countries.

I was not aware of the injury situation of the players. I only knew Dembele was injured during the club world cup, but thought he was already back and fully fit.

[paco92x]

I think I read Doue will be out for a month and Dembele for 6 weeks, but I may be mixing them up.

So they're without both of them for the first three Champions League games? The third one is away against Leverkusen on 21/10. They could be in a lot of trouble—and even panic—if they don't pick up any points from those matches.

Looking at the situation now, they might have to put their trust in the 17-year-old Ibrahim Mbaye, at least for some games.

[buwaytress]

Nah, PSG won't worry losing half of the group games. No one favourite will. Judging from how things turned out last season anyway.

1.5 points, but Marseille didn't need to score the extra goal. Still, to get a half point more than most of you bodes well for my *cough* aspirations in this pool.

[slaman29]

I am still seeing bookies put PSG at super favorites even with this so called injuries lol

For example I think La Liga is no longer competitive. We are more like German and French league compared to Italy and England.

The management of laliga are killing the competitiveness of the league. I'm a Barcelona fan and despite our financial crisis, the league makes it very difficult for the clubs to generate funds and also makes spending very strict. I still think laliga is very competitive, just behind the seria A and then the English league.

It is painful for us fellow Blaugrana to accept the past few years after Messi left, I am still trying to get over it.

But I think we really did commit so many financial crimes, not to mention the crimes against our most beloved players, so I think this is the price we pay.

Competitive yes but if you are Atletico maybe you have 10% chance, otherwise only Real and Barca fighting for the title, for us its nice as fans but for neutrals I think they get really bored and prefer to see Italian and English league where you never know what can happen.

Whoops sorry for insinuating that French league is the worst in terms of competitiveness

[Upgrade00]

So they're without both of them for the first three Champions League games? The third one is away against Leverkusen on 21/10. They could be in a lot of trouble—and even panic—if they don't pick up any points from those matches.

They should have enough quality in other positions to cover up. They have good squad depth and also very quality youngsters.

I am still seeing bookies put PSG at super favorites even with this so called injuries lol

They are still super favorites.

Competitive yes but if you are Atletico maybe you have 10% chance, otherwise only Real and Barca fighting for the title, for us its nice as fans but for neutrals I think they get really bored and prefer to see Italian and English league where you never know what can happen.

Whoops sorry for insinuating that French league is the worst in terms of competitiveness

This is true. City has dominated the English league the last decade, but at the beginning of every season there are about 4 names that have a big chance of winning it. You never know how it'll end.

Barcelona has had it really bad these couple of years, hopefully the worst is over now.

[Trofo]

This is true. City has dominated the English league the last decade, but at the beginning of every season there are about 4 names that have a big chance of winning it. You never know how it'll end.

For me that isn't even the point. I remember situations in France when PSG hits rough patch and looses points in several games in a row. Then I check the table to see if they have maybe fallen from the top and I realize they still have 20 points cushion on the top. There isn't anybody in France that will have dominating season together with them. In Premier League if you are loosing points in consecutive games you aren't first anymore. There is always few teams having great seasons.

[slaman29]

Monaco win, somehow I'm still hoping someone gives PSG upset one of these seasons.

This is true. City has dominated the English league the last decade, but at the beginning of every season there are about 4 names that have a big chance of winning it. You never know how it'll end.

For me that isn't even the point. I remember situations in France when PSG hits rough patch and looses points in several games in a row. Then I check the table to see if they have maybe fallen from the top and I realize they still have 20 points cushion on the top. There isn't anybody in France that will have dominating season together with them. In Premier League if you are loosing points in consecutive games you aren't first anymore. There is always few teams having great seasons.

Lol exactly, to win in England you have to get what 90+ points. Just look at Liverpool in one season losing 2 games or something the whole season and still didn't win it?

PSG can lost 5 games and win by a big gap. They can focus on Champions League, easily. Other teams in England and Spain really have to fight every competition with no room for sacrifice.

Competitive yes but if you are Atletico maybe you have 10% chance, otherwise only Real and Barca fighting for the title, for us its nice as fans but for neutrals I think they get really bored and prefer to see Italian and English league where you never know what can happen.

Whoops sorry for insinuating that French league is the worst in terms of competitiveness

This is true. City has dominated the English league the last decade, but at the beginning of every season there are about 4 names that have a big chance of winning it. You never know how it'll end.

Barcelona has had it really bad these couple of years, hopefully the worst is over now.

Yeah as much as I like La Liga you can never say England provides predictable outcomes. Even with City and Liverpool dominating, you see teams like Arsenal probably having a good chance, and then always some other teams making it very far in Europe, look Spurs winning Europa and then Chelsea winning Club Cup.

Also hoping the bad times are over for us brother.

[Upgrade00]

In Premier League if you are loosing points in consecutive games you aren't first anymore. There is always few teams having great seasons.

I see that level of dominance only in the French league and the German league a couple of seasons ago. The German league has gotten more competitive for a couple of seasons now, it reminds me of the time Dortmund were pushing Bayern all the way in the league and ucl too.
You're the only one that can take the yellow cap away from me this round now. I'm really surprised how I've gotten so many exact scores.

Yeah as much as I like La Liga you can never say England provides predictable outcomes. Even with City and Liverpool dominating, you see teams like Arsenal probably having a good chance, and then always some other teams making it very far in Europe, look Spurs winning Europa and then Chelsea winning Club Cup.

About Europe domination, the Spanish league has done so much. Atletico Madrid have won the Europa league a couple of times, Sevilla dominated for a couple of years and when it comes to the big one, Real have been dominant for so long.