Premier League 17/18

People that support top clubs it might not affect them as much but for those that support bottom table clubs that don't get much tv time it definitely will.
I'll pay it if need be. I pay fox for foxsoccerplus and it comes in handy as I usually work during champions league matches. I usually work at least 1 weekend day and always stream at work and if it means I have to pay so be it.
They did one hell of a job on covering the prem and I think it's worth paying. Multi camera angels and a crisp stream every time. The app is great and the website is great for streaming as well. Here's $50, keep it up.
Let's all be honest NBC raised the level and raised the profile of EPL in the US. They likely introduced a lot of people to football as well.
I would prefer to watch the Bundesliga as I think their games are more exciting generally and there is quite a few Americans playing there, but I find myself watching the Premier League quite a bit more because the production is just so much better. Bundesliga production on the FOX networks isn't terrible, but it isn't as good as NBC and the PL.

La Liga and Serie A have some serious production issues, though there isn't anything quite like listening to Ray Hudson call a match.
 
So who's ready for what should be one of the most fun matches all year tomorrow?

Almost a shame it comes so early and off an international break, as either or both managers might play a bit more conservatively than normal. No one wants to get boatraced Arsenal style, of course.

Nonetheless, it should still be an open game. Have to imagine Pep brings some more guile to the midfield than poor Fernandinho out there by himself as he has often been. That would be a recipe for disaster. Perhaps it's time for a Yaya start?

I'm also curious as to whether City goes with 3 CBs. If Kompany is out, as seems possible (probable?), I think Pep almost has to go with a 4 man back. That is probably better for City. Pool has been crushing 3 CB formations (see Hoffenheim, Arsenal) because they just can't handle the pace.

I think we can count on the same 4-3-3 as we've seen the last couple from LFC. Hendo, Can, Wijnaldum behind (LtoR) Mane, Bobby, Mo. Probably Gomez into the RB slot as a nodded attempt at solidity, but Moreno on the left for pace. He's a wildcard positionally, but his forays and pace make him a great partner with Mane on that side.

And I think that is where the game will really be decided - the game of chicken out wide. Which side's wide men will keep the others pushed back or at least succeed in getting back into some sort of defensive posture.

The whoscored algorithmic forecasts are interesting and somewhat funny in that they are so obviously data-driven algospeak.
Match Forecast
Liverpool will create many scoring chances - Very Likely
Liverpool will score from a wingplay situation - Likely
Liverpool will score as a result of an opposition error - Likely

This completely ignores what I fear most - the amount of space Silva/DeBruyne might find in and around zone 14 in transition. If City is too ponderous in possessionm as they've been for long stretches at time, it won't be an issue. But if they are humming and getting the ball into those areas quickly, it's a scary proposition for LFC.

Honestly, if I woke up having slept through the match and you told me practically any score from 4-0 to 1-6, I would hardly be surprised. With that, I probably put the 0-0 jinx on it. That might happen, too. I just don't think so, though, not from these teams. I'm obviously more than happy if LFC take a point. If forced into a score prediction, I guess I'd go with my Reds at something like a 2-3 scoreline, but as I said, wouldn't be shocked if it went totally the other way.

Let's hear the blue view. Falastur Falastur Davo15 Davo15 Seth Seth
 
So who's ready for what should be one of the most fun matches all year tomorrow?

Almost a shame it comes so early and off an international break, as either or both managers might play a bit more conservatively than normal. No one wants to get boatraced Arsenal style, of course.

Nonetheless, it should still be an open game. Have to imagine Pep brings some more guile to the midfield than poor Fernandinho out there by himself as he has often been. That would be a recipe for disaster. Perhaps it's time for a Yaya start?

I'm also curious as to whether City goes with 3 CBs. If Kompany is out, as seems possible (probable?), I think Pep almost has to go with a 4 man back. That is probably better for City. Pool has been crushing 3 CB formations (see Hoffenheim, Arsenal) because they just can't handle the pace.

I think we can count on the same 4-3-3 as we've seen the last couple from LFC. Hendo, Can, Wijnaldum behind (LtoR) Mane, Bobby, Mo. Probably Gomez into the RB slot as a nodded attempt at solidity, but Moreno on the left for pace. He's a wildcard positionally, but his forays and pace make him a great partner with Mane on that side.

And I think that is where the game will really be decided - the game of chicken out wide. Which side's wide men will keep the others pushed back or at least succeed in getting back into some sort of defensive posture.

The whoscored algorithmic forecasts are interesting and somewhat funny in that they are so obviously data-driven algospeak.
Match Forecast
Liverpool will create many scoring chances - Very Likely
Liverpool will score from a wingplay situation - Likely
Liverpool will score as a result of an opposition error - Likely

This completely ignores what I fear most - the amount of space Silva/DeBruyne might find in and around zone 14 in transition. If City is too ponderous in possessionm as they've been for long stretches at time, it won't be an issue. But if they are humming and getting the ball into those areas quickly, it's a scary proposition for LFC.

Honestly, if I woke up having slept through the match and you told me practically any score from 4-0 to 1-6, I would hardly be surprised. With that, I probably put the 0-0 jinx on it. That might happen, too. I just don't think so, though, not from these teams. I'm obviously more than happy if LFC take a point. If forced into a score prediction, I guess I'd go with my Reds at something like a 2-3 scoreline, but as I said, wouldn't be shocked if it went totally the other way.

Let's hear the blue view. Falastur Falastur Davo15 Davo15 Seth Seth
Well, it's almost like all bets are off because Kompany has already been ruled out. And considering our bench is our B or C team, City's bench would be another whole A team over here so it could be any lineup you might care to guess at.
 
Well, it's almost like all bets are off because Kompany has already been ruled out. And considering our bench is our B or C team, City's bench would be another whole A team over here so it could be any lineup you might care to guess at.
Yeah, you guys have lowkey gotten yourself into a position with no CB cover, just like Liverpool have. It's kind of nuts. We have only Klavan and maybe Gomez, but that's tough, too, since Clyne is out. I guess if we were really hurting then we could send Can out there as a a CB, but that's a bad situation.
 
For the last 2 or 3 seasons we've had zero ability to play against top teams. There are chances that might change this season, but this is the first big-team game City have had and so there's really no information to go off except what happened last year. For that reason the pessimist in me says 2-1 Liverpool.
 
Hmmm well since I was asked..

Without getting into in depth analysis I'm somewhat pessimistic. I'm not sure if it's the fact I have been a city fan since the Pre Mansour "Typical City" days that makes me fear the worst or the fact that we've yet to reach the predicted heights under Pep. We've had a lot of possession but not enough end product against teams well below Liverpool's level so far this year. Of course Liverpool's weakness is also their defense. I was going with 3-2 to Liverpool. Of course before Midas or anyone of the Red Merseyside persuasion thanks me I would have picked KC by a couple goals against us Wednesday so Nostradamus I am not.
 
Hmmm well since I was asked..

Without getting into in depth analysis I'm somewhat pessimistic. I'm not sure if it's the fact I have been a city fan since the Pre Mansour "Typical City" days that makes me fear the worst or the fact that we've yet to reach the predicted heights under Pep. We've had a lot of possession but not enough end product against teams well below Liverpool's level so far this year. Of course Liverpool's weakness is also their defense. I was going with 3-2 to Liverpool. Of course before Midas or anyone of the Red Merseyside persuasion thanks me I would have picked KC by a couple goals against us Wednesday so Nostradamus I am not.
Lucky for you, I didn't ask you because you were Nostradamus. I just knew you came here with MCFC already in tow, as did Fal and I think Seth.

Frankly, tagged you guys because that's who I figured would be most knowledgeable and interested in the chat. Also, just curious to take the temp of you all.

I think Reds are pretty guardedly optimistic. But frankly, doesn't seem like anyone is too particularly bothered if we do lose. MC has a good squad, and we are bound to lose one to another top club at some point. Better to be MC that MU.
 
Lucky for you, I didn't ask you because you were Nostradamus. I just knew you came here with MCFC already in tow, as did Fal and I think Seth.

Frankly, tagged you guys because that's who I figured would be most knowledgeable and interested in the chat. Also, just curious to take the temp of you all.

I think Reds are pretty guardedly optimistic. But frankly, doesn't seem like anyone is too particularly bothered if we do lose. MC has a good squad, and we are bound to lose one to another top club at some point. Better to be MC that MU.


That line was supposed to come off as self deprecating humor as opposed to snark. Frankly right now my biggest thought is damn it I don't want to have to get up in about 7 hours on a non work day. Teams are pretty even, I think on paper we do edge it talent wise but under Pep we've under performed in big games and or under pressure hence my brain picking your guys to edge it. It's that pesky heart that says we'll do it that'll drag me out of bed to watch.
 
That line was supposed to come off as self deprecating humor as opposed to snark. Frankly right now my biggest thought is damn it I don't want to have to get up in about 7 hours on a non work day. Teams are pretty even, I think on paper we do edge it talent wise but under Pep we've under performed in big games and or under pressure hence my brain picking your guys to edge it. It's that pesky heart that says we'll do it that'll drag me out of bed to watch.
It wasn't taken as such. And the reply wasnt meant to be snarky either.

There's a lot of shit flying around the board these days that has everybody on edge it seems. rightfully, tbf.
ETA:
Shocked how often autocorrect just deletes the negating part of a contraction.
 
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Well, I guess there's a chance for my score prediction. \

It's a red. But I don't fault Mane. Think things went as they should have from him and the ref. I don't know if he ever saw Ederson.