PL Weekend Fixtures 17/10/20 - 19/10/20

Mrs Smoker

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Average number of goals per game so far this season: 3.8

Average number of goals per game in 19/20: 2.7
Average number of goals per game in 18/19: 2.8
Average number of goals per game in 17/18: 2.7
Average number of goals per game in 16/17: 2.8
Average number of goals per game in 15/16: 2.7
Average number of goals per game in 14/15: 2.6

I know it's only been 5 games into the season. But the PL so far have been absolutely full of goals.

I don't know if that's a VAR thing, or a tiredness thing, or poor defending thing. But it is a thing.
Noticed Serie A with plenty of goals this season as well. 3.5 so far, in 34 matches, 4 rounds. Will be at 3.6 in some 10 minutes.
 

RashyForPM

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No fans leads to far more open games, goals are up all over the place
Which begs the question why most managers and teams become nigh on cowards when there are fans. It’s not like playing defensive is more beneficial too. By going gung ho, teams like Everton, Villa, Brighton and Leicester have proven to essentially be equals to the big boys.
 

Untd55

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Poor finishing/shooting has cost Brighton a lot so far this season. Not the best game, but they have shown they are really good in possession.

They should have 10 points by now if they get a draw today, but they just don't have the goalscorers.
 

Untd55

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Desperate to score the goal, but not sure how that was going to work.
 

prateik

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They have had 4 wins all year.. what a pointless side.

Bunch of budget hardmen.
 

AltiUn

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That was a hilariously shite challenge :lol: why is Zaha such a little cnut though? Every single game he tries getting in a fight with someone.
 

DWelbz19

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That's the thing. As a neutral I'd much rather watch Brighton play than Palace and bar Zaha you'd say their squads are of similar ability e.g. Lallana as good as Townsen, Maupay as good as Ayew/Batsuyhai, White as good as Cahill etc yet Palace hold on and they're already 6 clear of Brighton and will feel confident of finishing ahead of their rivals. Also beat Man. United comfortably which Brighton couldn't do despite their dominance.

So which coach of the two is getting the best out of the squads at their disposal? It's an interesting question.
I think it’s one of those innate feelings as a fan - especially a neutral - to overrate the capacities of a side and a coach who are more aesthetically pleasing than one who simply get the job done. Brighton have scored 9 goals in 5 matches, which is more than anyone around them has or anyone they want to be competing with, but they’ve also conceded an unimpressive 11 goals. Fine line between playing good football and it veering on the side of tactical naivety at this level.
 

SilentWitness

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A bit of unstoppable force vs immovable object that game. Brighton always seem to play really well and deserving of a win but never do and Palace always play dogshit and deserve to lose but always scrape away with some points.
 

DRM

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Eurgh just can't stand mourinho and spurs, really hope they lose but I suspect they'll win comfortably. Mourinho has set them up really well
 

Idxomer

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Eurgh just can't stand mourinho and spurs, really hope they lose but I suspect they'll win comfortably. Mourinho has set them up really well
Look at how Moyes is setting up his team, don't think it'll be in any way comfortable for Spurs.
 

Untd55

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I think it’s one of those innate feelings as a fan - especially a neutral - to overrate the capacities of a side and a coach who are more aesthetically pleasing than one who simply get the job done. Brighton have scored 9 goals in 5 matches, which is more than anyone around them has or anyone they want to be competing with, but they’ve also conceded an unimpressive 11 goals. Fine line between playing good football and it veering on the side of tactical naivety at this level.
To be fair, 10 of those were conceded against Chelsea, Manutd, and Everton (who have had a great season). Can you say they played the wrong way against us? They completely dominated us and had plenty of chances to score, except for poor finishing. Despite the goals conceded, they should have won. The same can be said for the game against Chelsea as well. They even played well against Everton, but I would say Everton were the better team in that game.

Playing defensively is a far cry from guaranteeing any points against the top sides, so either you try and win or try and draw. The fact of the matter is the majority of the time they will lose no matter the style of play.

Today, Crystal Palace only had one shot on target which was the penalty, so I think they will be fine. They need to start making their domination count, though, and actually put the ball in the net.
 

acnumber9

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I remember having an argument with people a month or two ago that Kane was a better passer than Martial. Those people are looking increasingly ridiculous.
 

Untd55

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How some people don't rate Kane that highly I don't know. He can do almost everything.