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Premier League Gameweek 18 (16th - 18th December 2017)
- Thread starter Sandyman
- Start date
Hopefully, Spurs beat City today, would be perfect timing with the Christmas period beginning!
Is Kompany out? With Mangala maybe playing I think there's a good chance Spurs could actually get something here. Son, Alli, Eriksen and Kane have to be on top form.
The only big team Poch defeated away from home was City, so, please, a repeat here and everything will be fine.
City have had a slightly easier first half of the season than us in terms of playing the top 6: 3 games at home and 2 away in contrast to our 2 at home and 3 away.
I feel minimal pressure to beat Spurs to be honest. Worst case is an 8 point gap which was the same as getting a draw at OT and beating Spurs, with a run of a handful of generous games ahead from there.
I’d like to see us keep adding to the wins record but that’s just a bonus. In reality if we lost every single game against the traditional top 6 from here and won the rest we’d still finish on 94 points which will be plenty for the title. Until we drop points in a silly game I’m strangely relaxed now.
I’d like to see us keep adding to the wins record but that’s just a bonus. In reality if we lost every single game against the traditional top 6 from here and won the rest we’d still finish on 94 points which will be plenty for the title. Until we drop points in a silly game I’m strangely relaxed now.
City will lose today. Mark my words. I'm so confident.
Seems a bit like clutching at straws to be honest. They got six points from a possible six whereas we got four from a possible nine. I don’t think we were awful, they were just better.
Fair point, although you could argue our team is more suited to play away from home where teams open up slightly more.
Just had a look and we took 40 home and 38 away points last year. This year we’ve taken 22 home and 27 away this year, having played an extra game away.
Just making an observation.
I suppose you could make the point that we're more suited to playing away but we haven't had much of a problem with getting that first goal at home and so opening the game up.
I counted 24 from 9 games at home and 14 points from 8 games away. That's only in the league though.
I meant from City’s point of view.
Oh. So Mourinho used the right tactic against you? Basically your bane is no space in behind? Have you had any problems with teams pressing you very high e.g. from goal-kicks. I saw Swansea do that at 2-0 and you were very quick to cut through them.
Slightly concerned about the Bournemouth game. We haven’t been great in the last two games and really need a win.
Bournemouth haven't been great in their last 5 (3 draws with weaker teams and 2 defeats to stronger teams) and have the 18th worst home record in the PL. Think we can win this 1-2 or 1-3 since they play a more open game that should suit us.
Exactly. You're in a very comfortable position and even losing today won't change anything in terms of the title race. If you lose a against a smaller team I would start to worry if I were you but for now you don't need to panic. As it stands for us to catch you we are relying on someone coming to the Etihad and beating you which doesn't look like happening.
Leicester City vs Crystal Palace
I wouldn't be surprised if we couldn't beat Newcastle today.
Am I dreaming or a few days ago a certain Arsenal fan was saying here enough is enough, Arsenal is a useless team to watch... no, probably it was just my impression...
They have one point from their last 5 man. Should be beating them.
Defensively you could argue we had very limited clear cut chances despite lots of the ball, and without Lukaku at the back we were perhaps fortunate to grab two, but he did nothing offensively. That strategy could have been good for a draw had you played it well, but you had to win.
I would say we’ve had very few problems with teams who press us, mainly because they don’t always do it effectively as a team, and it leaves one of Silva or De Bruyne free behind the midfield once you’re through, running at the defence with 3 forwards to choose from. I think the last month has been evidence enough that we struggle more with sides that sit deep in two banks.
Spurs have been known to press very well as a team though, so today could be a different proposition. We’ll see.
Damn, was hoping to see Fosu Mensah playing, but apparently he's injured.
So perfect time to play arsenal then. Home or away? I can see another arsenal meltdown classic in front of 50'000 screaming geordies
If I was an Arsenal fan I'd be absolutely cynical about them thrashing Newcastle today, which they surely will.
Nah you're fine at home against sides like that.
Liverpool and Napoli were the two teams that gave you some trouble by attacking you, but then nobody else in the PL is as good at moving and keeping the ball. Spurs press well but are not particularly good at pinning great teams back. Look at the way they played Liverpool, us or even you last season. Think it'll be more of the same for them. Ultimately, what they do will only matter if you're not on your best
It's at the Emirates. They will be fine. Of course Arsenal have not won in their last 3, so the meltdown would be great
Leicester or Stoke?
Nah, I hope you're right. Actually, quite fancy all the City's today. Stoke is the most doubtful one what with their bad form and West Ham's decent showings lately, but then West Ham have been in park the bus mode against stronger teams. We don't know how they can play when they're not putting 10 behind the ball so I'd still favour Stoke there.
Leicester in great from going into this. Palace in good form too. Will give Leicester the nod with home advantage.
Then Man City, well I'll expect them to win but you never know.
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Leicester vs Crystal started.
Already started looking for Vardy over the top. Love that.
He went flying 
City can afford to drop points.
Don't think it changes much. The league is theirs to lose.
Don't think it changes much. The league is theirs to lose.
Palace close. Benteke should have gotten a touch at least.
Don't know how they can stand the sight of him let alone pick him. Hope Leicester win solely to hasten his removal from football.
Their finishing is atrocious even when they look threatening. Found that out when they played us. Unfortunately, its' the perfect fixture for you to put 3 or 4 past them and get into gear.
Incredible number of passes going awry.
Yeah he has been very poor lately right? Has he even scored this season?
Yeah - hard to fathom that
Hasn't scored in 700 minutes of football or something.
And he scores!!