The English Football Thread

[bababoom 4,478]

No doubt in my mind the Premier league is the best league in the world. You get some real high quality matches, some absolutely crazy matches and real big upsets. Just look at some of the best matches from the top four teams (Chelsea, Arsenal, Man City and Liverpool) this season;

Man City
Man City 4-1 Man Utd, Man City 6-0 Tottenham, Man City 6-3 Arsenal, Tottenham 1-5 Man City

Chelsea
Man City 0-1 Chelsea (Only one goal, but it was a real high quality match), Chelsea 3-1 Man Utd, Chelsea 2-1 Liverpool (Again another high quality game, our high pressing was fantastic. Should have been more goals to be fair)

Liverpool
Liverpool 5-1 Arsenal, Liverpool 4-0 Everton, Tottenham 0-5 Liverpool, Everton 3-3 Liverpool (End to end match, sums up how exciting the PL is)

Arsenal
Arsenal 2-0 Liverpool (Arsenal was so dominant against Liverpool in this match, compare this match to the one today... crazy)

Also look at the big upsets so far this season: Stoke 3-2 Chelsea, Newcastle 2-0 Chelsea, Arsenal 1-3 Aston Villa, Cardiff 3-2 Man City, Aston Villa 3-2 Man City

What other league offers this much entertainment, excitement and unpredictability?

Not only the results but look at the table, Chelsea, Man City and Arsenal all have a real chance to win the league, Liverpool too, but it’s unlikely. It’s very hard to predict who’ll win, each week there’s so many twists and turns.

P Pts
4 Liverpool 25 50
5 Everton 24 45
6 Tottenham 24 44
7 Man Utd 24 40

Now focusing on the top four, Liverpool are clear favourites. They've been exceptional this season. It’s maybe too far for United but with players such as Rooney, RVP, Mata, Januzaj, Carrick and De Gea, you can never write them off.
Tottenham were in good form under Tim Sherwood, they have now dropped points in their least two games (Losing 5-1 to City and drawing to Hull), but they have definitely improved since AVB got sacked.
Everton are the team that can give Liverpool a scare, they have been great so far this season, obviously from their point of view the loss at Anfield was disappointing, but apart from that they have been in real good form.

To be honest, it’s anyone’s guess; even though Liverpool are favourites I wouldn't put it past the other three teams to push them all the way.

The relegation battle is probably the most unpredictable; it’s out of ten teams.

P Pts

10 Swansea 25 27

11 Hull 25 27

12 Aston Villa 25 27

13 Stoke 25 26

14 Crystal Palace 25 26

15 West Ham 25 25

16 Norwich 25 25

17 Sunderland 25 24

18 West Brom 25 23

19 Cardiff 25 21

20 Fulham 24 19

Look how close it is, Swansea are 10^th, it doesn't seem too bad, right? But they are only four points ahead of West Brom who are 18^th in the league. One loss and they’ll be right back in the thick of it. I seriously can’t call it.

I honestly don’t know a league more exciting than the Premier league, maybe I’m bias living in England and all, but in my opinion it’s definitely the best league in the world. It also seems to be getting better and better each season.

[Ainsley Harriott 2,732]

I swear there are strikers in League Two who are better than Olivier Giroud. Sometimes Torres looks like Maradona compared to this bloke.

I heard the best description of him a couple of minutes ago, "oversized french fire hydrant".

[Roquila 1,335]

[Pizy 17,872]

Spuds are fucking terrible.

[Weckerz 3,781]

[BleedsBlue 1,549]

If United lose today,it'd be the perfect end to a weekend of the Barclays Premier League.

[Barbara 15,149]

I like it that Spurs won and that they're one win away from Liverpool because it puts a little bit of pressure on Pool. That way they'll always be on pressure to win to consolidate their 4th place and UCL spot.

This year's championship really is amazing. Exciting times to be an English football fan.

[Pizy 17,872]

I like it that Spurs won and that they're one win away from Liverpool because it puts a little bit of pressure on Pool. That way they'll always be on pressure to win to consolidate their 4th place and UCL spot.

This year's championship really is amazing. Exciting times to be an English football fan.

You're right, but I still hate seeing Spuds win. That match was a microcosm of their season. Play like complete drab shit and squeak by with a lame 1-0 win. Would be totally undeserved if they can pip any of the current top 4 by the end of the season.

Just look at their embarrassing goal difference compared to everyone around them.

[SinineUltra 1,170]

That's the downside of English football - the domestic competitions are very competitive so it takes its toll on European front. I mean Real Madrid, Barca, Bayern Münich have 3-5 tough fixtures against equal rivals, other games are about gaining confidence and target practice.

[Ollie 4,400]

If Fulham win here it will be the biggest shock ever in premier league history regardless how bad Man Utd have been this season. Fulham are awful. I reckon this will be at least 4-0.

Surprised Everton lost that last match too, were so much the better team. Fell asleep once and paid the price.

Don't you just love it though... Man Utd and Liverpool battling for 4th. But saying that.... Liverpool are only 6 points behind us and we still need to go there. It's been a mad season, so tight top and bottom. I'm excited about our run in though.

I don't even care if Fulham get smashed today tbh.

[Barbara 15,149]

That's the downside of English football - the domestic competitions are very competitive so it takes its toll on European front. I mean Real Madrid, Barca, Bayern Münich have 3-5 tough fixtures against equal rivals, other games are about gaining confidence and target practice.

That's one side of it and you're right, but I'm really more involved with domestic competition rather than UCL, so for me it's always going to be EPL >>>>>>>>>>>>>> UCL by a fair lead. I'm not a big fan of knock-out competitions and I simply love the Premier League. Ofc I love the FA Cup and UCL, but my heart belongs to EPL and if it was up to me, it'd always be our #1 priority (although I don't dismiss UCL for EPL, ofc, but I don't dismiss EPL for UCL either - which at least in Brazil is very common - fans dismiss the nation league for the continental competition).

The other side is that English teams may arrive in Europe sharper, used to facing top dogs and therefore more used to the pressure, difficulty and maybe experienced on how to find a way to win those important matches. It's really a two-sides coin

[Special Juan 27,112]

The question on SKY….

Can United do this?

How the might have falling, they are playing fulham FFS.

[Pizy 17,872]

Fulham are absolutely fucking DIRE!

United haven't been great either to be fair.

[samzilla 517]

lol man u

[renanh 311]

Whoooooooooooooo the fuck are man uniiiiiited, whoooooooo the fuck are man uniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiited!

[Thendo 1,088]

Fulham scores!

[Pizy 17,872]

LOL!

The commentators sound so disappointed. Poor biased chaps.

[Bir_CFC 3,455]

I was just going to talk shit about Holtby for being so slow on the ball and taking 10 extra touches every time but then he puts in a sweet lob pass and a nice finish by Sidwell.

I still don't expect them to hold on and get anything here, they are way too shit.