Premier League – Matchweek 27

For those who take an interest or worry about these things, here is a breakdown of all the games before the international break of the teams down at the bottom.

Bournemouth PL25 PTS 21 GD -27
Liverpool (H)
Villa (A)

Southampton PL25 PTS21 GD-21
Man Utd (A)
Brentford (H)
Spurs (H)

Everton PL26 PTS22 GD-19
Brentford (H)
Chelsea (A)

Leeds PL25 PTS22 GD-11
Brighton (H)
Wolves (A)

West Ham PL25 PTS23 GD-10
Villa (H)

Leicester PL25 PTS24 GD-7
Chelsea (H)
Brentford (A)

Forest PL25 PTS26 GD-24
Spurs (A)
Newcastle (H)

Wolves PL26 PTS27 GD-16
Newcastle (A)
Leeds (H)

Palace PL25 PTS27 GD-11
Man City (H)
Brighton (A)
Arsenal (A)

Four points from our two games would put us in a very favourable position judging all the other teams games. West Ham only have one game due to the FA Cup and Palace could be right in it if they don't get anything from three very hard games.

Starting this weekend here are some interesting fixtures featuring the two teams battling it out for the title.

Man City
Palace (A)
Southanpton (A)
Leicester (H)
Leeds (H)
Everton (A)

Arsenal
Palace (H)
Leeds (A)
West Ham (A)
Southampton (H)
Forest (A)
Wolves (H)

Palace, Leeds and Southampton have to play both City and Arsenal.

Thanks, Derek.

helps to worry with the full details to hand!

Thanks Derek. Helps to see our rivals fixtures, three points tomorrow would be massive.

Here we go again. Thanks to the massive cock-up that is our board I find myself hoping RS win today. something I thought I had expunged in the 80's

Poison Bill and Moshri have a lot to answer for as fairly soon I am going to need therapy

COYB at 3.00pm

Also sat here watching and hoping for an RS win. I hate supporting them but needs must. Another thumping 9-0 would be lovely!

FFS 9-1?

1-0 Bournemouth wouldnt you just know it.

There going to lose on purpose.

How did this team scored 7 against manure!!? FFS!

Sick of looking for other teams to do us a favour, the responsibility lays with Everton to stay in the Premier-league, starting with a win today. No more excuses.

The RS are shite so far. Virgil van Twerp being run ragged

The funny thing is that RS is getting a helping hand from the ref too lol!

It’s Pickford’s fault

Soren (11) it wasn’t that team, this team has been chosen with the Real Madrid game in mind, I imagine Klopp will use his five subs in the second half.

Man Utd lose 7-0 and win next game 4-1.

RS win 7-0 and fuck up next game 0-1.

I hate football.

Dave, I just can't see they manage to overturn it at Madrid! They need to win with 4 clear goals at Bernabeu!

What a weird feeling, willing the shite to up their game and win this match.
Be typical if they lose this only for their horrible followers to claim it was this loss that condemned us to the Championship just as it actually WAS the draw in the Goodison derby that season that stopped them winning the premier league.

Bournemouth look better going forward than we do, which basically isn't much to crow about to be fair, lol!

Bournemouth look better going forward than we do, which basically isn't much to crow about to be fair lol

Salah looked like he missed that on purpose. FFS

He couldn’t stop giggling. Betting scandal.

They clearly want to lose!

Can't remember Salah missing a penalty by such a wide margin, something fishy going on here or what?

Ever feel like everything was going against us?

Well first S't Virgil stops running and allows the Bournemouth player to just run away from him and set up Bournemouth's goal. He then misses an easy header from 2 yards and finally Salah misses a penalty by an absolute mile and can't hide his fucking delight.

Pickford's fault - just like when all the health issues start in the late 40's for those who are on the "perfectly legal" supplements. Milner will have a Talk Shite campaign going for him within 5 years

Michael, late 40's aside, Pickford was at fault against Forrest last week.

We can moan about Liverpool all we want, but Everton have 38 games to stay in the PL. Not having goalscoring strikers, midfielders that pass a ball forwards or goalkeeper that keeps clean sheets will relegate Everton, not Liverpool.

Yeah obviously Liverpool don't want to finish fourth. After all they only need a four nil win in the week. Ffs !

There will be a few payouts by the bookies today after that game. They were happy to lose that and how often do you see Klopp with a smile on his face when his team are losing ?
One thing is for sure and that is we could not have beaten Liverpool today. Bournemouth pass the ball well and have excellent movement. We do neither.
Shit or bust today for us I think and we’re gonna need to score a few.

Penalty to Man City!

Crystal Palace 0-1 Manchester City

City doing their bit to keep Palace in touching distance of the drop, thank goodness. The more in the mix with us, the better our chances of survival, imo.

Take it easy, mates. The bookies have Nottm Forest, Southampton and Bournemouth going down with us and Leicester City just getting by with West Ham and Palace above that

I'm lighting one up. We are safe as fuck! Go uh well uh okay, Villa, and suck it Moyes.

Palace are dropping like a stone. Daft as it seems there are 9 teams yet in the mix for relegation.

What do I know, not a lot but I would guess that Leicester, Wolves and West Ham have enough quality players to stay up but their not showing much at the moment.

WH 0-1 Villa

Silly penalty for Villa to concede. 1-1.

Weak penalty to WH 1-1

Is it me or is it that every other team looking fit and pacey except us?

FFS! Casimeiro is off!

Games we wanted to help us not working out.

Casemiro will miss Man Utd's game against us.

It's you. West Ham looked like they would need help to score and got it. Watkins should have made it 1-2.

Well, except maybe WHU!

Arsenal strolling it at Fulham. Thought Fulham could have put up a better showing than this.

Sorry, Soren. I might be a bit jumpy looking for the next future phantom-quasi-pseudo problem that plagues Dyche's decision-making. I'll light one up.

If you start talying games in hand for teams below though ……;)

Jeez, Walcott on a clear run on goal from his own half, but luckily fluffed his lines.

Subs making a difference for Villa. They look the more likely in the last 20.

Soren @ 40,

it's not you, it's been that way for a long time.

The obvious improvement in recent games is testament. It will get even better now, I believe.

Hammers drop a deuce at home in a must-win match. Man City away and Southampton at home next with Man City postponed for fixture congestion later.

No doubt they needed this bad and were gifted a point. Bookies will take them down a notch for this. Damn Villa – they just shot right at the keeper in the box.

Not too bad if it stays this way for the next few minutes. As Rob pointed out, Casemiro will be banned for our game and he has been their key player.

Been a good weekend for us, for sure.

Is it just me or are the teams around us playing better football and with more confidence?

How the hell did we end up playing one more game than everyone else in the bottom half, lol?

Colin, they can do what they want so long as we keep winning. Two of them haven't won today.

I know what you mean but we are improving.

Soren,

new for us, we so often seem to've had games in hand over the seasons - which we usually never profit from. Perhaps this is the better way...

Soren,

I think it's because of all games that were postponed back in September following the death of the Queen, and we've played that game away at Arsenal before anybody else has played the game that should have been played back in September.

There are six additional games in the gameweek we play Spurs, all re-arranged games from September.

No Gordon for the Barcodes — not even on the bench, maybe injured?

Sorry Soren 40, just seen we think alike.

Kevin 60.

Gordon has got an ankle injury. I don't think he'll be missed.

Today and yesterday prove there's a long way to go this season and any team from 12th down is in the mix.

Everton, keep this spirit going and get ready for Chelsea.

UTFTs!

Ever the optimist, A draw next week v the Chavs. Spurs under the lights, a win and a very scrappy draw against Man Utd.

And I have only had two beers so far today so not a drunken prediction.

Antonee Robinson had a dreadful first half for Fulham. He was fortunate that his own goal was off side.

Then, for the first and third goals, he jumped and the ball sailed over his head and for the second he let the Arsenal player get goal side at the back post.

Poxy bastards Southampton. Played Chelsea away who were dreadful and couldn't score then get to play Man Utd with 10 men at Old Trafford. When was the last time that happened to Everton? Fuck off!

Kevin #60, yep, ankle injury. And our old boy Anthony is also suffering from some hurt feelings, complaining in the papers that he didn't get any "credit" from Everton before we sold him:

“I thought, I'm a 22-year-old lad, I'm not going to handle every situation in life perfectly but, as a club with thousands of people working for them, I think the effort I gave them last year, I was a massive part in keeping the club up. Players player, manager's player of the year, so for them to not really show me any credit or thank me for anything, it hurt me a little bit.”

Sniveling is such a good look. I think we won't miss him.

Ed #65, yeah, he was awful. Still love the guy, but geez, he really sucked today.

Pope should be off again, he gets Jimenez with his hand.

How on earth did Pope get away with that? And some think he’s better than Pickford!

We got very lucky just there. Obvious penalty and sending off for Pope, but the ref swallowed his whistle and the VAR didn't overrule. Wolves should be leading.

Looked like a penalty to me.

I sincerely hope the ankle isn’t bad but that ego injury may require a specialist.

Mike, no guarantees Wolves would have scored the penalty.

FC Saudi getting outplayed at home. Hate to root for them, but ya gotta do what ya gotta do.

Skunks ahead.

Yesss. Those guys 1-0 Wolves

Nicely timed comment, Gaynes.

Rob #74, nah, the barcodes backup keeper is no Halligan.

Very true, Mike, very true!

James,

I'm stone-cold sober at the moment. I took it easy last night, I can't recall being as drained after a game for years.

The beers are chilling but I believe that Everton will surprise a few teams on the road between now and the end of this season.

UTFTs!

Promising set of results so far.

Nick @ 66,

I'm sure Southampton fans would not agree with your description of their team!

Regards Gordon, he and his advisors chased the money and got it, but so did we – never worth £40 million for me.

In my opinion, it will all go pear-shaped for this young fella, but he won't care – judging by his recent remarks, it looks like he is still being badly advised.

When is it we play the Barcodes at Goodison?!

This weekend is falling into place nicely.

Obviously we can only take care of ourselves, but whether we like it or not, we need other results to go our way.

I'm having to feign interest in college basketball as my daughter is playing in the Yale band v Princeton so no football in my household today. :(

Mike @67,

Gordon also talks about being from the streets, which makes me think he must have done something to upset those young kids outside Goodison, on the streets, just after the Southampton game.

Danny, there's only been one result not been in our favour this weekend. No prizes for guessing which one.

How can a team put seven past Man Utd, without reply, one week, then lose to Bournemouth without scoring, the next? Proves that last week was a pure fluke!

Although we do face a difficult trio of fixtures, catching them in their present form is a small gift. We have played well at Stamford Bridge and Spurs are in Euro-depression, plus Casemiro is out. Not bad at all.

"I’m having to feign interest in college basketball..."

That's funny! I can almost feel the strain.

I hope you're right, Rob, but as I said yesterday, the last team I'd ever want a favour from is Liverpool.

The VAR is a complete Joke. Pope for Newcastle, certain red card, and penalty for Wolves.

Kieran, does the Ivy League count as college basketball anymore?

Tony, he really is full of shit. "From the streets" brings up the image of poor ragamuffins kicking cans in alleyways. Not an upper-middle-class kid who got into an academy at 11. Can you imagine what his Mama will have to say to him about that?

Not everything going our way, ideally Villa beat West Ham, Man U beat Saints, RS beat Bournemouth, Brighton beat Leeds, so mixed weekend for me, I want every result to fall our way, but I'm greedy.

Wolves pushing Skunks.

Mike,

I was saying something similar to my wife based on the level of the players, the tiny very quiet crowd, I'd say No.

Everton had just been beaten by the team that was bottom of the league once again, the crowd were angry, and I heard that he was laughing at those kids on the streets when they asked him to wind his window down and talk to them.

He drove away, but very nearly came unstuck, and you could see by the look on his face that he knew this. We have received a lot of money for Anthony Gordon, so if he wants a bit of credit and praise, I will thank him now, because he won't be getting any thanks when we play those Geordie Maggots!

Tony, I hear what you're saying, mate. I wouldn't want anything off them bastards. Besides, I can see a barn-storming finish to this season, and boldly predict we will finish on 42 or 43 points, and comfortably mid-table.

Talking about Liverpool, not the Skunks!!

Damn. 1-1.

What a right fuck-up by the skunks to gift Wolves an equaliser.

It's a mystery how Newcastle are so high in the table, and were even higher. I haven't seen so much of them but, whenever I have, they've looked very ordinary.

Yeeeuh 2-1 those guys

I promise I'm not talking with hindsight here but I never want Liverpool to win – whether it benefits us or not! If they were playing the combined Waffen SS, Khmer Rouge, Taliban & Tory eleven, I'd want them to lose badly! UTFT!

Almiron comes on and puts skunks back in front.

Love that Almiron. Groucho eyebrows and a nice left foot.

OK, not so ordinary for a second there, but you know...

Will, ordinary talent can win a lot of games if it's well-organized and well-coached. And face it, the imminent infusion of a few billion in Arab oil money is good for morale.

You're right, Mike,

it's just, they always looked quite flat whenever I've seen them. Obviously, it's kinda working for them...

VAR can somehow see a mystical handball by Gray but can’t see a stonewaller by Pope
Unbelievable

Only five points now separating the bottom nine teams. Can’t remember it ever being this tight for the relegation places.

Yes, I've long suspected this season will have the lowest points total to stay up. Forget that 40 points, won't need that this season.

Paul, only once in the last decade has 36 points not been enough for survival

It's going to be one heck of a run-in, with the 'better' teams,apart from Arsenal and Manchester City, not necessarily being classed as 'bankers' in any given game, and the rest of the division more than capable of pulling a result out of the bag. Our matches against Wolves, Leicester and Palace away will be key, as will possibly the Bournemouth match at Goodison. Win those four matches a big ask given our form on the road, and we'll likely survive, but obviously we have to take some points prior to those matches and the more we put on the board the better. I don't suppose that any game will be enjoyable for fans of most of the lower half, until the necessary points are achieved to remain in the division.

Hopefully Rob, but only if we get our centre-forward back firing on all cylinders!

I'm tired after celebrating our win, and I don't think Pope touched the Mexican. Just like at Goodison yesterday, football is never going to be an honest and transparent sport when they have got all the tools but we still don't get to listen to the decision-makers having their conversations.

Paul 109,

How many points do you reckon to survive? I'm thinking at least 36.

Cheers Dennis, I think it'll take less than that this season, though the race is certainly tight!

Tony E, Last 6 games:

Everton: 7 points.
Bournemouth: 7
Southampton: 7
Wolves: 7
Leicester City: 6
West Ham Utd: 6
Leeds Utd: 5
Nottm Forest: 5
Crystal Palace: 3

Yep – tight!

I think we need to get to 40 points, which is achievable with four wins and three draws.

I think you're right, Paul, & I have to admit that the lower the threshold is the more confident I am that we can cross it

Looking at our opposition, that sounds a helluva task, Tony...

Let's hope less points may prove to be enough.

Wednesday night it's:

Brighton v Palace
Southampton v Brentford.

Palace and Saints playing their game in hand on us. Let's hope Brighton and Brentford go for a European place.

The grim reality is that we'd be adrift at the bottom under Lampard now, struggling to keep up with Palace in that form table.

Personally, I think 3 more wins will do it. We'll get a few draws to bump up the points to around the 37 mark, hopefully.

Meanwhile during Week 36 of the Championship, Tom Cannon again with the eventual game-winner.

Fight, instant control, feint, smash into the back of the net, all in one go.

Don't know how Tom will wind up, but he is skilled and composed at 20-years old.

Link

James - and could have been 2.

Kieran, Congrats to your girl. I spend the entire season avoiding women's basketball as my wife is a South Carolina Gamecock fan

James (121) Tom Cannon has looked a better player from the start of this season, he’s looked ordinary since coming into the youth team but looks like a different player this season, more confident and believing in his ability. He played a few minutes in a couple of games for the first team before he left for PNE on loan.

Ed #123. Is that a euphemism??

Thanks James, I also thought that was a very good goal Cannon scored.

Will, yes and should have been.

What was good though, was he was moving to his left there in a bit of traffic.

With his goal, he was moving to the right.

Either direction, he was in close control to get shots away, even with bodies moving around him.

Dave @124, good assessment of Tom Cannon, he has become free, and is playing with vigour and purpose in the Preston team.

I think that with the U23s, there must be a threshold, -skill development and mental, in terms of young footballers at Everton, making the grade at Everton.

I expect several of the better players to move on this summer, in view to further their careers.

I wouldn’t blame them, and in view of the numbers of managers Everton have had the last 14 months, no doubt many have not been deemed good enough, or not “ my type of player”.

Will, Patterson, be brought back when fully fit, this will be interesting, and Im, not convinced, but there’s a prime requirement to stay in this League and so youth players may be on rations in terms of game time, until Everton, are safe..

So I’m sure others on TW, have their views, but for now, survival is key, to the future of Everton FC.

UTFTs!

.

Will, It’s good to see us top of the form league for the bottom 9 ! The upper ones seem to be dropping points the lower gaining. It’s becoming a squeezed middle.

For a bit of humour, it’s possible that there will be nine teams on the same, say 33 points, going into the last game of the season. Absolutely ridiculous, but a possibility.

Robert, agree with that, Lampard was all at sea and sinking fast, Sean Dyche has steadied the ship and set a new course. Got a great chance now of staying up especially with Garner, Patterson and Calvert-Lewin returning for the last ten games.

We need that quality and strength in depth to cope with the fatigue and possible injuries. Their return will help us stay stronger in the second half of matches. May even help us to one or two unexpected wins. A lot of hard graft left yet, but Dyche thrives on that. Cautiously optimistic, but it’s going to be a roller coaster.

Mystery solved about Gordon’s absence from the Newcastle squad today. I’ve just tuned in and saw he is presenting Crufts on channel 4

Dave, my memory is that his name started popping up as a goal-scorer last season.

Then this one, he kept scoring for U-21s.

The main thing is I can't remember him being highly-touted in here. Or he was and I missed it.

Anyway, he's come on quite a bit these last 2 years.

Barry #115, I think 35 points will do us.

James, I like the way he doesn’t mess about too much, he is always primed to pull the trigger and burst the net with power and pace on his shot. Nice bit of control and composure there for his goal too.

Also the missed chance when carrying the ball intelligently into a clever central position was quite positive. Struck his shot well but at the keeper. It will be interesting now to see if he can be consistent the that league. Some promising signs.

Paul (128), Yes I think most managers will not take risks with young players especially when their teams are in danger of going down and there are rumours that Price the U21 player is possible moving on when his contract is up in the summer and he may feel he is getting nowhere at Everton although recently called to the Irish international squad.

Some players will get better financial offers to move and go for the money while others like Coady, when at Liverpool, moved because he was ambitious, he received a very good three deal to stay at Liverpool but moved to Huddersfield knowing he would get first team football and after a short spell there he got a move to Wolves, Baxter, Ledson and Walsh moved from Everton for similar reasons and while none of those three made the premier league they are earning or earned decent money in the lower leagues, and there are other players who have made these moves.

Tony (133) - Agree. He gets right down to business.

Dave, agreed, I think Tom, Isaac, and even Nathan, will have a decision to make, stick or twist, though I think a couple of these are, nailed on to leave.

Charlie Whitaker has an ACL injury sadly, I think he will be done at Everton and for me he's not shown enough consistent spark.

Stanley Mills, I'd hope will get a chance, but it comes back to what we've said earlier on this thread.

But looking to the future for Everton, to stay in this League, and develope or perhaps restructure U18, U21, U23, youth football to have more purpose, and benefit for Everton FC.

I've said for donkies, bring back the Central League. But the world has changed and, in context, it's a prehistoric time in football in this age.

But now some may say I'm outdated and a dinosaur.. but, the lack of youth potential at Everton in to genuine first-team squad players, is concerning.

Since Billy Wright, Higgins, and the 4 decades since, how many players coming through the ranks have been a core, key player for Everton?

Thelwell must have a plan but let's see what shapes up under Sean Dyche and his team.

I recall Burnley in the 60s,70s, 80s, and since have had a good pedigree with player development.

I'm struggling to see the aim of youth football policy at Everton as, whilst it takes some time, unless young players are given a chance, then they'll go stale and the candle burns out.

But for now, let's focus on staying up this season, and a rebuild of the board and stability in the preseason...

But easier said than done.

UTFTs!

Thanks Paul, could even come down to goal difference!

Been away all weekend so only just seen the Salah penalty.

That was so far to the left, in comparison it makes Lineker a Nazi.

BBC really stitching themselves up here. Bunch of freelance contractors down tools and walk off the job and management say sorry please come back. We now all know who holds the power. When the next contract comes up for renewal are they going to be able to refuse a 100% increase in his pay or does he then become a villan for being a greedy ***** whereas now he is a hero for sticking it to the government.

Paul (136),

Yes, you might be outdated and a dinosaur like me but we have values that I'd rather have than some of the things that are accepted today, the diving and cheating and "win at any cost" attitude that are the values of today's football right across the spectre of football.

Give me doing your best, playing with the team and for the team without even thinking about it, and playing football as it was meant to be played, and taking pleasure in playing it and happy and made up to be paid for it if you were good enough.

Anyway, Paul, enough of that. Let's do as you say and concentrate on staying up this season and a rebuild of the board and stability in the preseason, yes it will be a hard job but it can be done and hopefully will be.

This season, is as tight as any season in living memory., in terms of the teams in contention for relegation.

But UTFTs, there’s a spirit, and resolve which based on results, was missing this season until 7 weeks ago.

Dave, well in, and granted, and we can look with good hope to the end of this season, survival, and to the Everton Board, getting sorted out.,

Clear mindedness for the start of next season, would be a good win for all concerned.

But for now, let’s focus on the next game. Good old Chelsea, fond memories, and many stories, of the past and present, for recall at the end of this season,

Everton, and the old guard, and all Evertonians, around the World, will be around for a very long time.

“Whats Our Name?”

UTFTs!

John 125, University of South Carolina teams are the Fighting Gamecocks or just Cocks for short. The women's teams are the "Lady Gamecocks". You can buy T shirts with "We love our Cocks" and similar messages in Columbia. People who donate to the athletic program are cock donors. When one of the teams is bad they become the Lamecocks.
Hope that helps.

Ed, that is some Quiz question.. Fair game.

UTFTs!

36 points 🤔

Based on games still to play, then last year these are the points gained in those fixtures,

Southampton 11
Norwich (=forest)
Bournemouth (=watford) 12
West Ham 12
Leeds 17
Everton 15
Wolves 14
Leicester 19
Palace 19

To show how little change - 50% of the games so far have the same result as last season. Southampton drew at OT last season. They have dropped 10 points at home compared to last season, Leicester 11. Liverpool and Chelsea's away form is what has caused their slump, Chelsea -16, Pool -23.

I am more hopeful after this weekend.

For a bit of humour, it's possible that there will be nine teams on the same, say 33 points, going into the last game of the season. Absolutely ridiculous, but a possibility.

Tony - scary!

Phil, thanks - endless permutations. 36 should do it but not easy.

Will, I boldly predicted we’ll finish on 42 - 43 points yesterday, and I’m sticking to it.

That's a biggie, Rob.

Of course, I'd LAV IT if we did. Never thought our goals and ambitions would be this way but I'll take it for this season.

With you, Rob. We're doing this.

Just watched a shared video on the leaving of Goodison to the tune of leaving of Liverpool.

I'm looking forward to the new Everton Stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock and the future. We need to do it. But it made me very emotional and realise how much it's going to break my heart.

Anyway, Saturday is on the horizon. We can get something out of them.

5 wins, 3 draws, 3 defeats!

Rob,

That is definitely bold but I like your attitude. Nice contrast to all the posters who've been reminding us every week since November that we have already been relegated.

Danny #148, ha!

I have just watched the same video with tears rolling fine my cheeks. Jeez, gawd knows what I will be like next season.

I am with you and Rob, we are playing better and showing more resilience. Capable of beating anyone at Goodison, could with 1 or 2 away wins though to settle things a bit.

UTFT

I think of the games against Chelsea, Spurs, and Utd we could get between 2-4 points.

Fulham, Palace and Newcastle, between 4-7 points.

Leicester, Brighton, and City between 2 and 5 points.

Wolves and Bournemouth, between 3 and 6 points.

If we attain the lower end, that's 10 points and finishing on 35 points and that could be very risky - our goal difference could count against us.

The higher end sees us get 21 points and finishing with 46, which would be Dreamland.

So I reckon we'll more likely fall in between those, getting somewhere between 14 and 16 points, so finishing between 39 and 41. which I think should be safe.

Neil, I’ve also seen that video. Does indeed bring a tear to the eye. Will be very emotional at the end of next season.

Ok………

Wins against Spurs, Fulham, Bournemouth, Leicester and Palace.

Draws against Newcastle, Wolves and Man Utd.
Losses against Chelsea, Man City and Brighton.

Rob # 154, are you confident enough to pop down to Ladbrokes and put a bet on this prediction? … or will you run it by Ivan Toney first?

Mike, if I was a betting man, I might throw a tenner on them, but I think in my entire life, I’ve only been into a bookies about twice and put a bet on, and that was for the national! I don’t even understand odds!

March 14 (Reuters) - The 2026 World Cup will have 104 matches instead of the traditional 64 games due to the expanded format with 48 teams taking part, global soccer governing body FIFA said on Tuesday after its Congress in Kigali, Rwanda.

The 2026 edition, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, will be the first edition of the quadrennial tournament where 48 teams are taking part. The final will be held on July 19.

The new format will also stick to drawing four teams in a group after a proposal for a three-team group was shot down over fears of collusion. However, the number of groups will increase from 12 to 16.

Plenty of TV and talking heads to watch and listen to in 2026 then!

It just grows arms, legs and tentacles and becomes too big to be meaningful Barry.

A bit like the (non) Champions and Europa Leauges.

Aw crap. I was ready to hate on the Red Shite. I guess I can continue that, kind of a natural state.

Can we do CL here? Cracking start to City v Leipzig. Suck it Ziggy

Barry

How many teams have any kind of a shot at winning the wc? Maybe 8 at a stretch? Now we have all of 40 hangers on to get rid of before the fun begins.

But their math doesn't work

"The new format will also stick to drawing four teams in a group after a proposal for a three-team group was shot down over fears of collusion. However, the number of groups will increase from 12 to 16."

If there were 16 groups that equals 3 per group as opposed to 4 so they've got that last sentence backwards. But that means we have 72 games or 6,480 minutes of action in the first round, just to see who the last 32 teams are. Last 32, so 6,480 minutes of football just to get us to the normal starting point of 32 teams.

Grealish still looks uncomfortable in that City system.

Tom Cannon has just put Preston 1 up away at Rotherham

Penal!

City 1-0 Zig

Well make that 2-0 DeBruyne off the bar from outside the box keeper couldn’t touch and headed in

Thought it was a harsh penalty, Dale.

I didn't think it was a penno at all tbh. Don't think the ball touched the players arm and judging by his reaction the player didn't think so either.

WTF was Ederson doing there? Does he think he’s Pope?

Jeez what a mad minute or so!!!!

Why wasn’t Grealish booked then, for a clear and obvious dive?

I like Grealish but that's fucking embarassing.

Is that Bingo on the Leipzig bench, minus the glasses?

Hey Rob, possibly but that angle from the byline showed the defender moving his arm one way then another toward the ball, unnatural I think. Definitely missed the foul on Werner outside the box by the keeper.

3-0 doesnt matter now

Poxey third goal for Haaland.

City very lucky with the pen, and Grealish a diving bastard. Hate seeing that. Game over

The way Leipzig started I thought this was going to be a classic but Blaswich unnerved his defence a couple of times and their defence was pulled apart by some Guardiola scheme.

Shows what a crappy sports channel we have in Canada showed the first leg but not the second

As so often, we see that big team "Do it when it matters" display.

4-0. Leipzig getting hammered.

Ffs how must it feel for City supporters watching this team week in week out.........jammy bastards!

5-0. Haaland gets his fourth.

Arse fans probably squeaking some bum over this.

Glad these aren't counting towards my season guess total of 39 goals for Haaland.

Unreal……..Haaland gets his fifth.

Erling Haaland starring in The Man Who Could Not Help But Score.

Robot.

Absolute machine.

Taken him off otherwise he'd have bagged a double hat-trick.

I'd like to see a one-to-one interview with him and Roy Keane!

Brian, something not right though. Since the Arab money they have won the league 7 times. Upto then it was twice in their entire history going back over 100 years.

How the other half, do it.. Fair play to City.

I was watching the Wigan v Coventry game to see what Gyökeres is playing like.

He looks a decent player and scored a very good brave header. He looks more an all-round footballer with his slick pacing and movement, than an out-and-
out striker.

I'd need to see him playing against the top teams, as well, but I don't think Everton would pay ott money for him, come the summer.

A long way to go, starting Saturday.

UTFTS!

Joe,

sadly that's now a given. It's a wallet playing a chequebook for the chance to play an investment.