The Unofficial 2019-20 European Football Leagues Discussion Thread

[Tones]

Well it is that time of year again! This thread is to discuss ongoing topics within the English Premier League, La Liga, Bundesliga, Serie A, Ligue 1 and other European football leagues

The 2019 Summer transfer window thread:
https://www.blowoutforums.com/showthread.php?t=1293727

League Leaders:
English Premier League: Liverpool (Champions)
Spanish Liga: Real Madrid (Champions)
German Bundesliga: Bayern Munich (Champions)
Italian Seria A: Juventus (Champions)
French Ligue 1: *season cancelled*

[Blake711]

Man I am ready lets football underway!

[Portlaw]

Villa for the league, more than likely by accumulating the most points in premier league history, wouldn't be surprised if they win all 38 games and go unbeaten....and yes my mother had me tested

[Nobody0211]

I’m excited for the season to start, unfortunately, as a United fan, I’m not expecting much

[Tones]

Working on my season table predictions, still teams with holes to fill in there team as well as players linked with moves away that could effect where they finish so will wait until the transfer window shuts to make my predictions.

[Tones]

Here are my 2019/20 EPL predictions.....

1. Manchester City
- Still have the best team in the league which only got better, will be tough for any team to take them off the pole, it will be a close race but I still think City will edge out on top.
2. Arsenal
- Last season Arsenal relied way too much on Aubameyang and Lacazette to score Arsenal all of the goals, which saw them struggle at the end of the season, could have easily finished 3rd. With the huge signing of Nicolas Pepe Arsenal will be a tough team to beat, strong additions for the back line including Kieran Tierny and David Luiz on deadline day will help out immensely on keeping down the goals conceded.
3. Liverpool
- Fell short of winning the title last season and a lack of activity in the transfer window will see them fall back a little.
4. Tottenham
- Good business from Spurs over the summer, but there are still holes that need to be filled. They struggled at the end of the season and their North London rivals Arsenal came up clear winners in the window.
5. Chelsea
- The loss of Eden Hazard along with a transfer ban in the window will really hurt Chelsea, and cannot see them finishing in a Champions League place this season.
6. Everton
- Another successful transfer window for the toffees, squad definitely has the capability of finishing in a Europa League spot this season ahead of ManU
7. Manchester United
- It will be another rough year for the Red Devils. They are struggling to attract talent with the lack of Champions League football, missing out on many targets. I do not believe Harry Maquire will be the answer to their defensive problems and the loss of Romelu Lukaku on deadline day takes away one of their top attacking firepowers.
8. Wolverhampton
- This team is good and only getting better, a shock to everyone on how well they did last season and a successful transfer window will see them competing to finish in a European League spot, but I just don’t think they will be able to have the longevity to get in.
9. Watford
- A first team that looks really good on paper, but lacks a lot of depth, will struggle with fatigue in the second half of the season. If the team can stay healthy, I have no doubt that they will be fighting for a spot in the top 6.
10. West Ham
- Poor, poor, West Ham. Have yet to really show the ambition of European football. The loss of Arnautovic will be tough to cope with. Pablo Formals a good signing on paper, but its all going to come down to if he can make it in the Premier League. Could see them finishing as high as a Europa League spot if he hits the ground running.
11. Leicester City
- I was struggling to figure where I wanted to put Leicester. I honestly could see them finishing as high as a Europa League spot and as low and verge mid bottom of the table. I think this is a safe place to put them given their signings/losses throughout the window.
12. Southhampton
- Che Adams and Moussa Djenepo were excellent additions to this team, they will see a slight improvement in form as long as everyone manages to stay fit, still lacking depth.
13. Bournemouth
- Being able to keep ahold of Ryan Fraiser was crucial for this team, and could have easily saved them for dropping down the table. Failing to get target Jack Butland from Stoke means top 10 for them will be definitely out of reach.
14. Aston Villa
- A team not only with a lot of top flight experience, but a lot of top flight quality in the team. Key players who were out on loan last season along with new signings, I think Villa will thrive and make the most of being back in the top flight.
15. Brighton
- Brighton escaped relegation last season with a late increase in form. A new manager was needed and they got him, and also managed to keep hold of highly rated defender Luis Dunk.
16. Burnley
- Sean Dyche is a great manager and was able to bring Jay Rodriguez back to his hometown club. This will surely be a morale boost for the team in their fight to staying up in the premier league.
17. Crystal Palace
- An unsettled Wilfred Zaha will not be able to help his team this season. I feel a dip in form for him will be coming and the loss of Wan-Bissaka to Manchester United will surely hurt the Eagles.
18. Newcastle
- A good transfer window in terms of players coming in, a bad transfer window in terms of players going out. A lot of new faces that have little time to mold together will see them struggle throughout the season. When it's all said and done they will have some good stints but I don't think it will be good enough.
19. Norwich City
- There will be a lot of pressure on Teemu Pukki, who played a huge role in getting this team promoted last season, scoring 29 goals. It will be extremely difficult to replicate that season at the top level, and I just cannot see Norwich staying up.
20. Sheffield United
- Did not do very much to prepare themselves for the Premier League. Phil Jagielka was never a top rated defender and is well out of his prime. Oli McBurnie is a great signing but will be relied upon way too much, and won't be able to turn positive results.

[Tones]

Week 1 Predictions
Liverpool 3-0 Norwich City
West Ham 1-3 Manchester City
Crystal Palace 1-1 Everton
Burnley 0-0 Southhampton
Watford 1-0 Brighton
Bournemouth 2-0 Sheffield United
Tottenham 2-1 Aston Villa
Leicester City 1-2 Wolverhampton
Newcastle 1-3 Arsenal
Manchester United 1-1 Chelsea

[Tones]

Matchday one is over and Liverpool top Norwich City 4-1. Overall it was a onslaught from the reds that Norwich just could not contain. Allison going down for Liverpool could be huge, with talks that he may miss the game vs. Arsenal later in the month. One positive for Norwich was a well composed goal from their leading scorer last season, Teemu Pukki, who they need to transition well in the Premier League.

[Tones]

1-0 to the Arsenal!

A scoreline historically known by Arsenal closing games out at, but in recent history a scoreline that makes a lot of Arsenal fans nervous. I was quiet impressed with Arsenal's defending today, containing Newcastle at home, a stadium that is always tough to travel to. Chambers impressed me at center back and Sokratis was at his best. Newcastle played quiet well but a defensive error when Maitland-Niles pressed and set up Aubameyang in the box who cannot be given time on the ball in the box who lifted it over the keeper. Sub appearances from 3 Premier league debutants in Dani Ceballos, Nicolas Pepe and Gabriel Martinelli. Not much time to analyze the three players, but a well earned important win! COYG!

[Portlaw]

Super proud of the lads for the performance they put on against Spurs Saturday evening. All the talk I've been hearing before the season started was about Mings being a massive over pay and he was immense, Engels and Heaton also impressed and nothing needs to be said about John Mcginn he is such a workhorse and always gives 110%. Wesley, our record signing, was very disappointing but it was always going to be tough to make an impact with such little supply, hopefully will grow into the league more as time passes.

Ultimately spurs were too strong and Eriksson coming on made the difference along with Villa losing concentration which gets punished at this level.

Im going to be travelling over to Birmingham for the game against Bournemouth next week so looking forward to that one and hopefully we can put 3 points on the board.

All in all, if we keep performing like that we'll be just fine this season

[Tones]

Week 2 Predictions
Arsenal 3-0 Burnley
Aston Villa 1-1 Bournemouth
Brighton 1-2 West Ham
Everton 3-2 Watford
Norwich City 2-2 Newcastle
Southhampton 0-4 Liverpool
Manchester City 3-1 Tottenham
Sheffield United 2-1 Crystal Palace
Chelsea 0-2 Leicester City
Wolverhampton 1-2 Manchester United

[Tones]

Full time at the Emirates and another hard worked win for Arsenal as they edge Burnley 2-1. Today was all about Dani Ceballos. We are only two games into the season and I am already not looking forward to seeing him return to Real Madrid next year. If he keeps this up, Arsenal need to do whatever they can to sign him on a permanent deal because he looks to be the perfect replacement for Aaron Ramsey. Both on an off the ball today he was electric. It only took him 12 minutes to grab his first assist from a corner with a terrific muscled in finish from Alex Lacazette. He managed 3 shots on target throughout the game before assisting Aubameyang for the game winner after working hard to get the ball back in Burnley's half. A quick nick forward to the Gabon striker who did the rest; a powerful shot fro outside the box into the bottom left corner.

Nice to see Nicolas Pepe come on for the second half of the match who showed multiple glimpses of what he can do, cannot wait for him to start producing.

For once I can say I am looking forward to a big match, and a big match it is when we travel to Anfield next weekend. A win away against a side that may be looking a bit short in defense would not only show contention for top 4, but the premier league title.

[Blake711]

Great news on Ceballos that kid has always impressed me when playing for Real Madrid.

Work and life has been crazy lately. I have a DVR full of football I need to sit down and start watching.

[Tones]

Week 3 Predictions
Aston Villa 1-2 Everton
Norwich City 2-2 Chelsea
Sheffield United 0-2 Leicester City
Manchester United 3-0 Crystal Palace
Brighton 2-1 Southampton
Watford 1-1 West Ham United
Liverpool 3-3 Arsenal
Bournemouth 1-4 Manchester City
Wolverhampton 3-1 Burnley
Tottenham 2-1 Newcastle

[Tones]

In my predictions I am being unbiased but to take put a take on the big game of the weekend, Liverpool hosting Arsenal, I am going into the game thinking we can take the three points.Liverpool do not look solid at the back and Adrian put up a pretty poor display against Southampton, and they were lucky not to concede more. This mistakes can't be made agent Arsenal's attack as they will be punished. But them same on the other side as well. Arsenal did not do a good job taking care of the second ball which gave Burnley a goal last week. It is a game that is all about the defense and who makes the least mistakes. Goals will be scored on either ends, but I am confident we can come out on top!

[Eckstein197]

Chelsea’s back line is atrocious, need to bet every Chelsea over

[Tones]

Originally Posted by Eckstein197

Chelsea’s back line is atrocious, need to bet every Chelsea over

I'd say too bad they decided to sell Davi Luiz, but he struggled against Liverpool

[Tones]

Week 4 Predictions
Southampton 1-1 Manchester United
West Ham 2-1 Norwich
Leicester City 2-1 Bournemouth
Manchester City 3-0 Brighton
Newcastle 0-1 Watford
Chelsea 2-1 Sheffield United
Crystal Palace 1-2 Aston Villa
Burnley 0-3 Liverpool
Everton 2-2 Wolverhampton
Arsenal 2-1 Tottenham

[Tones]

For the second week in a row, Arsenal have a massive game, with the North London derby just days away. I think Arsenal are going to bounce back strong after their away defeat to Liverpool last week. Anfield is by far the toughest stadium to travel to, so taking anything away from the game was going to be tough. But this is the derby. At the Emirates with a team of players that know how much this game means to the fans. Tottenham have not been looking confident of late and they cannot always turn to Harry Kane to be there game in and game out. Arsenal can exploit their uncertainties. I expect a narrow win with the Gunners coming out on top!

[Tones]

Well it was a game of two halves. Arsenal preformed very poorly in the first half. The first gaol was given to Tottenham due to yet another poor defensive error. Xhaka was challenging the ball up the field and Sokratis was playing well too forward. When the ball was lifted up he lost the battle and Spurs were on the counter attack which means he had to rush back, not realizing the Eriksen was making a run to his left, who was able to slot home a tap in after Leno made a save. Xhaka was then the cause of the second goal who made a reckless challenge on Son inside the box, no where near the ball and Spurs went 2-0 with a confidently placed penalty from Harry Kane, his 10th goal in 10 North London derby's against his boyhood club. Arsenal did manage to pull one back before the break with a muscled in strokers goal form Alex Lacazette.

Arsenal came into the second half all guns firing with Guendouzi running the game with a man of the match performance, who slotting an amazing pass over the top to Aubameyang who slotted home Arsenal's leveling goal. It was all Arsenal at this point. Nicolas Pepe had countless opportunities but struggled to get his shots on goal and a lot offside call saw Arsenal's winner get ruled out. A great comeback but the fight we put in I really hate to not walk away with the 3 points.

[Tones]

Didn't get a chance to get my predictions in before the weekend due to a bust work week.

What a terrible performance from Arsenal today. 2-0 up midway through the first half, could have easily ran away with the game. Followed by a second half filled with a plethora of defensive errors and a lack of teamwork going forward. Watford pulled it back 2-2 from a ball given away by Arsenal in the final third and a penalty given away by David Luiz. Arsenal have now conceded a penalty in each of the last 3 games, all od which resulted in us dropping points. Another season, same old Arsenal defense...

[Tones]

Week 6 Predictions
Southampton 1-3 Bournemouth (Match Result)
Leicester City 1-1 Tottenham
Burnley 1-2 Norwich City
Everton 1-0 Sheffield Utd
Manchester City 3-0 Watford
Newcastle 0-1 Brighton
Crystal Palace 0-2 Wolverhampton
West Ham 2-2 Manchester Utd
Arsenal 3-1 Aston Villa
Chelsea 1-2 Liverpool

[Tones]

I wonder if Allegri is looking for a job

[Tones]

Class from Aubameyang giving the penalty to Pepe, who slots it home. First goal for Arsenal, hope that will be a nice confidence booster for him.

[Tones]

Back to square one. Our back line is a joke