Latest / Friends on Football / Ep. 47 - Harry Kane Wins Ballon d'Or, Fleetwood Town Stun Arsenal, Serie A Midweek Madness, Premier League Weekend Preview, FPL Strategy & Games to Watch

Transcript

Ep. 47 - Harry Kane Wins Ballon d'Or, Fleetwood Town Stun Arsenal, Serie A Midweek Madness, Premier League Weekend Preview, FPL Strategy & Games to Watch · Friends on Football

0:22
SPEAKER_00: Hello, friends, and welcome to another episode of the Friends on Football Podcast.
0:25
SPEAKER_00: I'm one of your co-hosts, Brandon Johnson, and joined with me as always is my good friend, Sean Boyle.
0:31
SPEAKER_00: Sean, how are you doing?
0:32
SPEAKER_00: Brandon, I'm doing fantastic.
0:34
SPEAKER_01: I don't know if I could be doing better, honestly.
0:36
SPEAKER_01: In the world of football, we're having quite a week.
0:39
SPEAKER_01: So I'm doing well.
0:40
SPEAKER_01: How are you doing?
0:41
SPEAKER_00: Same, it's been an incredible week.
0:43
SPEAKER_00: Uh I can't even we'll get into it, Sean, but it's I can't even put it into words.
0:47
SPEAKER_00: I think this is probably the highest point I've been at, football-wise, in in quite some time.
0:53
SPEAKER_00: So I'm I'm really enjoying it.
0:55
SPEAKER_01: Yeah, it's at least since the Europa League final for me.
0:58
SPEAKER_01: It dates back at least till that day.
1:00
SPEAKER_01: And if you look at the things that were starting to stack up, it might start to trump that in comparison.
1:05
SPEAKER_01: So we're we're we're just hoping to keep the momentum going.
1:08
SPEAKER_00: Yes, definitely, Sean.
1:10
SPEAKER_00: Starting off with our number journey, I did not mention in the intro, but this is episode 47.
1:16
SPEAKER_00: Uh, one player definitely sticks out, and I'll profile him tonight, and that is Phil Foden.
1:20
SPEAKER_00: Phil Foden wears the number 47, currently plays at Manchester City.
1:25
SPEAKER_00: Uh, many players have worn 47 as they've broken through into the professional game, but a lot of them will trade 47 for a lower number as they become more ingrained in their squads.
1:37
SPEAKER_00: Uh, but Phil still wears 47 to this day.
1:40
SPEAKER_00: He played his whole youth career and his senior career at Manchester City, and he's only 26 years old, but he's actually been at the club for almost 20 years at this point.
1:48
SPEAKER_00: Yeah, he's been there since 2008, which is pretty remarkable.
1:52
SPEAKER_00: He wears 47 Sean in honor of his grandfather, who passed away at the age of 47, and he actually also has a 47 tattoo on his neck for the same reason.
2:01
SPEAKER_00: And it's been cool because he's really come into form lately for Manchester City, and it's been a really interesting experience getting to see a guy who's a true homegrown stick around and play with the same club, and he's having such a career with the club that he's been at his whole entire life.
2:17
SPEAKER_00: Usually guys will get sold off, especially a club like Manchester City, who can pretty much get whoever they want.
2:23
SPEAKER_00: It's cool to see one of their homegrown boys start at the academy, work all the way up to the first team, and is really a key contributor to their team still to this day.
2:32
SPEAKER_01: Yeah, he's quite a footballer.
2:34
SPEAKER_01: He's had his ups and downs in the last couple of years, but he was a young talent that burst onto the scene and did not disappoint.
2:41
SPEAKER_01: He continues to prove it on this level as well.
2:45
SPEAKER_01: It's not like he got lost after a bad run of form and getting left out of the World Cup squad.
2:50
SPEAKER_01: He's bounced back in a big way.
2:52
SPEAKER_01: I also like that he's kept 47, as you mentioned, Brandon.
2:55
SPEAKER_01: 47 very much feels like a number that is slapped on to kids as they come through the academy and get their first appearance.
3:01
SPEAKER_01: It's like, yeah, yeah, just take that.
3:03
SPEAKER_01: And his was actually by choice.
3:05
SPEAKER_01: Usually it's a hostage situation in 47, not for Phil.
3:09
SPEAKER_01: I actually did a deep dive on why he wore it after I saw the neck tattoo.
3:13
SPEAKER_01: Because I was like, okay, there has to be a reason.
3:16
SPEAKER_01: It's not just a number for him.
3:17
SPEAKER_01: Because I had assumed it was just a number he was given and he didn't change it yet.
3:21
SPEAKER_01: But no, he does indeed wear it for a reason.
3:23
SPEAKER_01: It's a good reason.
3:24
SPEAKER_01: So I'm glad you went that direction for this episode.
3:27
SPEAKER_00: Yeah, yeah.
3:27
SPEAKER_00: Thanks, Sean.
3:28
SPEAKER_00: Definitely a cool one.
3:29
SPEAKER_00: As he's again, he's been at Manchester City for literally 18, going on his 19th year right now.
3:35
SPEAKER_00: So really cool to see that for Phil.
3:39
SPEAKER_00: But Sean, this week, it's been an incredible week of football.
3:43
SPEAKER_00: We hinted at it in the intro there, but our I guess we'll we just we'll just start right now.
3:48
SPEAKER_00: Harry Kane, our guy, wins the Ballin d'Or.
3:51
SPEAKER_00: And Sean, we didn't talk about the Ballon d'Or in this program really at all.
3:55
SPEAKER_00: And I think you and I both had an unwritten, unspoken rule that, hey, let's not jinx this, let's not ruin this for our boy Harry.
4:03
SPEAKER_00: Behind the scenes, we didn't talk about it either, but we knew there there was a chance, and it was great to see Harry getting that award this week.
4:12
SPEAKER_00: Just what what were your thoughts on that?
4:14
SPEAKER_00: Did you think he was gonna win?
4:15
SPEAKER_00: And do you think it was deserved for him?
4:18
SPEAKER_01: Yeah, he's he's Harry Kane, he's one of our own.
4:21
SPEAKER_01: I can't believe it.
4:22
SPEAKER_01: It's kind of surreal, even though I do think it's entirely deserved.
4:26
SPEAKER_01: It it seems like Harry has been among the world's best for a long time now.
4:31
SPEAKER_01: It took the move to Bayern Munich for a larger audience to appreciate it, maybe get some of that Spurs, Spursy label off of him because he hadn't won trophies at the club level.
4:41
SPEAKER_01: But Tottenham fans know just how good Harry Kane is, was, has been, and will be.
4:47
SPEAKER_01: He is an incredible once-in-a-generation type footballer.
4:50
SPEAKER_01: He might go down as the best English football player ever.
4:53
SPEAKER_01: That's the kind of conversation he's elevated himself into.
4:56
SPEAKER_01: I thought he definitely deserved it because if you just looked at his numbers and thought about the context around those numbers this year, it was clear that he's been the best player in the world over the last year, 18 months, and even if you extend it two years, he had a good performance at the World Cup, which is of course important.
5:12
SPEAKER_01: He's been phenomenal for Bayern Munich.
5:14
SPEAKER_01: His stats there are pretty much unmatched in that league.
5:17
SPEAKER_01: And he's now won trophies with that club as well.
5:19
SPEAKER_01: He's had good form in the Champions League.
5:21
SPEAKER_01: He's really checked every box you could check.
5:24
SPEAKER_01: And he doesn't come with any off-the-field drama.
5:27
SPEAKER_01: He's always been very humble, very disciplined, very hardworking, just everything you would look for in a player for your club.
5:35
SPEAKER_01: He represents Byron well, he's represented Tottenham well, he represents England well.
5:39
SPEAKER_01: It's a special moment for him, his family, and it's just an example of a guy who isn't the most athletically gifted by any means.
5:47
SPEAKER_01: You would actually say it's kind of a disadvantage for him and has been, but his technical ability has been unbelievable.
5:55
SPEAKER_01: His discipline, I think, off the pitch and just how he takes care of himself and his diligence and making sure his body's right to go.
6:02
SPEAKER_01: It's been sensational.
6:03
SPEAKER_01: I'm I'm super happy for Harry.
6:04
SPEAKER_01: It feels like your son went on to go and accomplish something, even though Harry's a couple years older than I am.
6:09
SPEAKER_00: I agree with that completely.
6:10
SPEAKER_00: I couldn't say it any better, Sean.
6:12
SPEAKER_00: And I think you highlighted it at the end.
6:14
SPEAKER_00: The off the field is really, I think, even more where Harry shines.
6:18
SPEAKER_00: He's a husband, has I think four kids, great father.
6:23
SPEAKER_00: There's never any drama with him off the field.
6:25
SPEAKER_00: And unfortunately, with some of these superstars, they may score the goals and have the assists, but then they're doing whatever on the weekend and getting in trouble.
6:33
SPEAKER_00: And that's just not it for Harry.
6:36
SPEAKER_00: He just does his thing, he goes home to his family, and it's rinse and repeat.
6:40
SPEAKER_00: And it's just been incredible to see.
6:41
SPEAKER_00: You mentioned the last 18 months.
6:43
SPEAKER_00: I agree with you, the last two years.
6:45
SPEAKER_00: He's really, really been in that conversation, and I'm glad to see it rewarded.
6:50
SPEAKER_00: It's a great award, and it's going to a great guy.
6:52
SPEAKER_00: So big shout out to Harry.
6:54
SPEAKER_00: He mentions Tottenham in his speech.
6:56
SPEAKER_00: He says he couldn't couldn't have done this without Tottenham.
6:58
SPEAKER_00: And like you said, it's kind of like an older brother winning an award or a son or father winning an award.
7:04
SPEAKER_00: And it it's it's great.
7:06
SPEAKER_00: And it's something that us as Spurs fans, we can hold our heads up high for.
7:11
SPEAKER_00: I saw there was actually one game, I believe it was 2011, where Harry Kane and Luca Moderk, another former Tottenham Hotspur, that went on to win a Ballandor as well.
7:21
SPEAKER_00: Uh it was the only time they played on the field together.
7:24
SPEAKER_00: But it was cool.
7:25
SPEAKER_00: I don't remember that game.
7:26
SPEAKER_00: I don't know if I watched it.
7:27
SPEAKER_00: We were probably in high school then, but uh it's cool that two future Ballendor winners were playing on the same field for our team.
7:34
SPEAKER_01: Yeah, and it was certainly cool when Luca won his Ballandor years ago, and I felt some sense of pride and certainly bragged about it.
7:42
SPEAKER_01: But it's a different level when it's an actual homegrown Academy kid who's been at Tottenham since he was age 10, 11.
7:48
SPEAKER_01: He's he was at Tottenham basically his whole life, leading into his adulthood, and that makes it even more special.
7:55
SPEAKER_01: Only a couple of things, Brandon.
7:57
SPEAKER_01: I was prepared to run a smear campaign on this podcast against the Ballandor Award.
8:02
SPEAKER_01: I was gonna say it's Mickey Mouse, and I was gonna really rip into it if Harry didn't win, so I was having that in my back pocket just in case.
8:09
SPEAKER_01: And then also, Harry, the next, the only thing really left to accomplish for you, because you've done it all, individually, would be breaking that Premier League goal record.
8:19
SPEAKER_01: And what better way to do it than coming back home to Tottenham?
8:23
SPEAKER_01: Because boy, do we need a nine, Harry.
8:25
SPEAKER_01: Uh, you'd be uh you'd be tapping goal to in under De Zerby and scoring for fun.
8:30
SPEAKER_01: I mean, we're missing sitters every week with Solanke.
8:33
SPEAKER_01: I I need you back.
8:34
SPEAKER_01: Let's go break the record together.
8:35
SPEAKER_01: I don't care if you're 35 and you don't have to train midweek, nothing.
8:41
SPEAKER_01: Come out on the weekend, bag some 20 goal seasons, etch your name into the Premier League history books.
8:47
SPEAKER_01: You deserve it.
8:48
SPEAKER_00: Absolutely.
8:49
SPEAKER_00: And we'll put you on 400 grand a week, too.
8:51
SPEAKER_00: So if you need that to sweeten it.
8:54
SPEAKER_00: We got money now.
8:55
SPEAKER_00: Yeah, yeah.
8:56
SPEAKER_00: Yeah.
8:57
SPEAKER_00: Oh, Sean.
8:58
SPEAKER_00: Not to not to make this even better about Tottenham Hotspur, but also this week, Arsenal lose in the Carabao Cup to fourth division side Fleetwood Town FC, Sean.
9:13
SPEAKER_00: A 1-1 game uh goes to penalty shootout, and Fleetwood Town ended up winning 5-3.
9:19
SPEAKER_00: The scenes afterwards, I hope you got a glimpse of that, Sean.
9:22
SPEAKER_00: It was fantastic.
9:23
SPEAKER_00: Fan storming the field.
9:24
SPEAKER_00: It looked like a college football game.
9:26
SPEAKER_00: The commentators are trying to interview players while they're getting mobbed by the fans, and they're just like, we don't know what's going on.
9:32
SPEAKER_00: We don't care that we're 18th in the fourth division.
9:35
SPEAKER_00: Maybe we'll get relegated from fourth division.
9:38
SPEAKER_00: They're like, we just beat Arsenal, we just beat the champions, we're on cloud nine right now, and that's the beauty of these cups.
9:44
SPEAKER_00: Sometimes I can be a little wishy-washy on cups, but when you see something like that, Sean, you you have to celebrate it.
9:51
SPEAKER_01: Brandon, I have been a notorious hater of the EFL Cup, the League Cup, the Carabao Cup, whatever you want to call it.
9:58
SPEAKER_01: I'm an FA Cup guy through and through.
10:00
SPEAKER_01: I like everyone having a chance, not just the professionals, which is the difference between these two.
10:05
SPEAKER_01: The EFL Cup, this Carabao Cup is only for the teams in the English pyramid, those top four or five leagues.
10:12
SPEAKER_01: And the FA Cup is open to everybody.
10:16
SPEAKER_01: Local pub teams can get in the mix.
10:18
SPEAKER_01: So that's why I appreciate the FA Cup.
10:20
SPEAKER_01: But of course, I'm not going to miss an opportunity to dance on a grave of my enemy.
10:25
SPEAKER_01: And the fishermen, the cods, Fleetwood Town, good team, Brandon.
10:30
SPEAKER_01: Good team.
10:30
SPEAKER_01: Great side.
10:31
SPEAKER_01: Showed signs.
10:34
SPEAKER_01: They're unbelievable.
10:36
SPEAKER_01: I really, really, really could not get enough of it.
10:39
SPEAKER_01: I turned the game on live when I saw Fleetwood go up a goal.
10:42
SPEAKER_01: So I saw Twitter break into a frenzy and I was like, oh, we already have something.
10:46
SPEAKER_01: And then Arsenal scored to start the second half, and you're like, oh damn it.
10:50
SPEAKER_01: It's gonna the luck's gonna run out.
10:52
SPEAKER_01: But it didn't.
10:53
SPEAKER_01: And it created one of those moments that all of us will always remember.
10:57
SPEAKER_01: It reminds you of why you love the sport and what makes it so special.
11:01
SPEAKER_01: Things like this.
11:01
SPEAKER_01: A team like Fleetwood Town able to beat the mighty, mighty Arsenal.
11:05
SPEAKER_01: Yeah.
11:06
SPEAKER_01: Have that mugs.
11:07
SPEAKER_01: I think it was a really, really cool atmosphere.
11:11
SPEAKER_01: I'm glad it was in Fleetwood Town too.
11:13
SPEAKER_01: I think that adds to it because not only would Arsenal obviously have a better chance of winning if the game are at home, but you take a moment away from that whole community.
11:22
SPEAKER_01: I'm sure the night out on the town was absolutely special.
11:25
SPEAKER_01: I couldn't imagine.
11:26
SPEAKER_01: I think they still might be drinking a day and a half later.
11:30
SPEAKER_01: So it's really cool stuff.
11:32
SPEAKER_01: I think we also should talk about, and I want to get your opinion, the Max Dowman red card situation and kind of the aftermath of that, because that was another big takeaway for Arsenal.
11:41
SPEAKER_01: The 16-year-old starts, gets a red card, gets sent off, and then he gets the cold shoulder and a little snide comment from his manager, Mikhail Arteta.
11:49
SPEAKER_01: I want to know what you think about that.
11:51
SPEAKER_00: Yeah, not great.
11:52
SPEAKER_00: I think it's one of those where the camera caught them at a bad moment and they probably hash it out in the locker room afterwards.
12:00
SPEAKER_00: Arteta's upset with the red card, of course, in a situation in a game where it shouldn't be this tight, anyways.
12:07
SPEAKER_00: He probably is upset they had to be there, period.
12:10
SPEAKER_00: Every every compounding issue just on top of each other, on top of each other, and then this happens.
12:14
SPEAKER_00: And so I think, yeah, Arteta probably needs to put his arm around him and say, Hey, it's alright, and just give him a public sign of hey, I know you messed up, but we're still a team.
12:26
SPEAKER_00: And to do that to a 16-year-old can definitely wavers confidence, probably a little bit.
12:32
SPEAKER_00: And I'm sure he was not thrilled in the locker room after the game, just like the rest of the team, obviously with the loss, but him personally on top of that.
12:40
SPEAKER_00: So I think there's gonna have to be some reconciliation between the two, but I don't think it's a situation that now Max Dalman's gonna get transferred or anything like that.
12:49
SPEAKER_01: I think you're right in saying I don't think it lingers beyond what we saw.
12:53
SPEAKER_01: But I also think it's important to point out just how childish, childish, and petulant Mikel Arteta is in that moment.
13:00
SPEAKER_01: He acts like a 14-year-old.
13:03
SPEAKER_01: And you have a 16-year-old player that clearly had a moment he regrets, and he's walking off the pitch at probably the lowest moment in his career.
13:11
SPEAKER_01: I mean, he's had a young career, it's probably the lowest moment.
13:13
SPEAKER_01: They don't want to lose this game.
13:14
SPEAKER_01: I'm sure he feels like absolute shit in that moment.
13:16
SPEAKER_01: He's going off the pitch.
13:18
SPEAKER_01: The thing you have to do is put your arm around the player, like you said, and show a public display of we're behind you, I'm behind you, it's gonna be okay.
13:29
SPEAKER_01: And instead, he gives that weasley little comment, and who knows what he said, but you could tell it wasn't warm because of the way he didn't embrace him and just mugged him off after.
13:40
SPEAKER_01: I thought it was disgusting, but that's par for the course with this guy.
13:43
SPEAKER_01: He's an absolute joker.
13:44
SPEAKER_01: I I do feel a bit bad for Max Allen.
13:46
SPEAKER_01: I also thought it was a little bit surprising to me.
13:49
SPEAKER_01: None of the Arsenal players on the pitch really came to his defense either.
13:53
SPEAKER_01: Of course, they came over and they pushed the Fleetwood Town players away.
13:56
SPEAKER_01: But when they're going at the 16-year-old, you need to make a statement.
14:01
SPEAKER_01: And it it can't be one of, oh, stop doing that.
14:03
SPEAKER_01: It needs to be one of those shit doesn't fly.
14:05
SPEAKER_01: That never again.
14:07
SPEAKER_01: Go in, two-foot somebody, do something to make your presence felt.
14:11
SPEAKER_01: I didn't see that response from Arsenal either.
14:13
SPEAKER_01: I thought that was a bad sign and how they went on to lose the game as well.
14:16
SPEAKER_01: And then I also have seen some discourse online about how the Fleetwood Towns were kind of bullying the 16-year-old.
14:22
SPEAKER_01: Hey, listen, if he's on the pitch, it's fair game.
14:24
SPEAKER_01: You know what I mean?
14:25
SPEAKER_01: If you're out there and you could bait a 16-year-old into making a rash decision, that's a good job by you.
14:30
SPEAKER_01: I it's not that I don't feel bad for what happened to Max Dowman in that situation, but he made his bed he could lay in it.
14:36
SPEAKER_01: You know what I mean?
14:38
SPEAKER_00: And I think it's one of those things, Sean, where what's the what's the line then?
14:43
SPEAKER_00: If if 16's too young, is 18 also too young?
14:46
SPEAKER_00: Because Fleetwood Town had 19-year-olds out there.
14:49
SPEAKER_00: So it's not much different.
14:50
SPEAKER_00: And and look, I get it, Max Dowman is literally still a kid.
14:53
SPEAKER_00: We see it with Kevin Sullivan, and they have moments.
14:56
SPEAKER_00: They're gonna have moments that aren't their brightest, and that's what happens when you're 16.
15:00
SPEAKER_00: We have moments in our 30s where we're not great either.
15:03
SPEAKER_00: So it's nor yeah, it's completely normal, but it is a little worrisome, like you said, that the other players didn't come come around him afterwards, and then obviously the interaction with the manager.
15:15
SPEAKER_00: So again, I don't want to read too much into it.
15:18
SPEAKER_00: They're still top of the or yeah, still top of the table in the Premier League, still doing very well, but that's maybe something that we'll just keep our eye on moving forward.
15:28
SPEAKER_01: Yeah, no, for sure.
15:29
SPEAKER_01: I don't think it's a code red by any means, but I I hope it is.
15:34
SPEAKER_01: I hope it's an unraveling, of sorts.
15:36
SPEAKER_01: I will say that.
15:36
SPEAKER_01: I would love to read as much into it as possible.
15:39
SPEAKER_01: If if yeah, if there's a crack, I'll explore it.
15:42
SPEAKER_01: So I would I do hope that this loss completely derails them, and we'll get to them.
15:46
SPEAKER_01: They have a big game this weekend, so we'll talk about that when we do our previews later.
15:49
SPEAKER_00: Yeah, absolutely, Sean.
15:50
SPEAKER_00: Give me anything else you saw this weekend in Europe.
15:53
SPEAKER_00: I know we recapped El Classico pretty in depth on our weekend episode, but were there any other games or or moments, even early this week, uh, as we had some cup ties as well?
16:04
SPEAKER_01: Yeah, we had some cup ties in England, of course.
16:06
SPEAKER_01: There was supposed to be a big slate of cup ties in Spain.
16:09
SPEAKER_01: They had one day of those, but then they had a railway accident that led to a real tragedy, and they ended up postponing fixtures until Wednesday or Thursday.
16:18
SPEAKER_01: I can't remember when they're playing those now, but they are not done at the time of this recording.
16:22
SPEAKER_01: So we will maybe touch on those at the weekend.
16:25
SPEAKER_01: The big stories this week, Brandon, around Europe, come from Serie A.
16:29
SPEAKER_01: Again, they played midweek games, so we had some action, some league action during the week.
16:35
SPEAKER_01: Lazio scored six goals to maintain their blistering pace to start the season, and they had two penalties saved.
16:42
SPEAKER_01: So could have easily been eight.
16:44
SPEAKER_01: Could have easily been eight.
16:46
SPEAKER_01: They scored six, two penalties saved.
16:48
SPEAKER_01: It was an absolute nightmare.
16:50
SPEAKER_01: And their manager, I'm not sure if you're aware, it is Gennaro Gartuso, who is the famous guy who said, sometimes maybe good, sometimes maybe shit.
16:59
SPEAKER_01: Yeah.
17:00
SPEAKER_01: He is uh he's not known for his goal scoring prowess as a manager.
17:04
SPEAKER_01: His teams usually are more rugged defensive.
17:07
SPEAKER_01: He's got Lazio flying, so they continue their start of the season.
17:11
SPEAKER_01: It is a bit concerning to see Roma's crosstown rivals flying.
17:15
SPEAKER_01: Roma also played on Tuesday.
17:17
SPEAKER_01: They left it late.
17:19
SPEAKER_01: They're up 2-1.
17:20
SPEAKER_01: They could cede a late goal to Cagliari, and then they scored two in the final 10 minutes to get a 4-2 victory.
17:27
SPEAKER_01: Great stuff at the Stadio Olympico.
17:29
SPEAKER_01: The first three goal scores for Roma, combined age of 20, Brandon.
17:34
SPEAKER_01: We love to see it.
17:35
SPEAKER_01: So, or sorry, I sorry, first three goal scores, combined age of 60.
17:41
SPEAKER_01: They were 20 years old on average.
17:43
SPEAKER_01: So we had two 19-year-olds and a 21-year-old, two of which being academy graduates.
17:48
SPEAKER_01: It was it's always cool to see a Academy graduate score and make an impact on the first team, especially at home.
17:55
SPEAKER_01: They are really, really receptive as home fans to those two.
17:59
SPEAKER_01: And I think they're both players to say, Emmanuel Luli and Niccolo Puschilli are both Roman talents that have come through.
18:05
SPEAKER_01: They love Roma and they're making an impact on the first team, so that's great.
18:09
SPEAKER_01: Milan trouble is brewing for Ruben Amarim and Milan.
18:13
SPEAKER_01: They lose at home to Bologna four to two, just can't keep teams out, is what seems to be the issue.
18:20
SPEAKER_01: Pulisic did not start this match.
18:21
SPEAKER_01: He came off the bench.
18:23
SPEAKER_01: And a little bit of a concerning thing again for Christian Pulisic is that uh the young kid, the teenager Cisei, uh, continues to start in his position, and he scored a brace in the first half of this one.
18:32
SPEAKER_01: So he's certainly performing.
18:34
SPEAKER_01: I think that's that's a cause for concern.
18:37
SPEAKER_01: Also, Inter, they respond and they keep pace by beating Venecia.
18:43
SPEAKER_01: It would have been shocking if Inter did not beat Venezia.
18:45
SPEAKER_01: Venezia are not good, and Inter don't really have times where they stumble.
18:50
SPEAKER_01: So that was kind of the expected result.
18:52
SPEAKER_01: Also, today the big news is Juventus lose again to Genoa.
18:57
SPEAKER_01: Juve are not not your father's Juve.
19:01
SPEAKER_01: So real trouble in Juventus.
19:04
SPEAKER_01: I'll see what they're gonna do from a managerial standpoint, but I'd have to assume that that seat's getting a little bit warmer.
19:10
SPEAKER_01: So that's really all that's happened so far outside of England this week.
19:14
SPEAKER_01: Obviously, some cup results, which I think will kind of work into our weekend previews because a lot of those teams overlap.
19:20
SPEAKER_01: So we'll talk about it.
19:21
SPEAKER_00: Okay.
19:21
SPEAKER_00: No, sounds good.
19:22
SPEAKER_00: Thank you, Sean.
19:23
SPEAKER_00: Thanks for filling me in on that.
19:25
SPEAKER_00: Uh let's let's get into our match previews here.
19:28
SPEAKER_00: We have full slate again, no games on Friday this week.
19:32
SPEAKER_00: So you get a little rest.
19:34
SPEAKER_00: But Saturday, we start off with a bang shout, Sean.
19:38
SPEAKER_00: Chelsea, Manchester United at Stanford Bridge, 8 30 a.m.
19:43
SPEAKER_00: kickoff.
19:43
SPEAKER_00: I will say when I give the time, Sean, just be careful.
19:47
SPEAKER_00: Daylight savings time has happened in England, but not yet in the US.
19:51
SPEAKER_00: So the times are a little wonky this weekend.
19:53
SPEAKER_00: This would typically be our 7:30 a.m.
19:55
SPEAKER_00: kickoff.
19:56
SPEAKER_00: It's now kicking off at 8.30 a.m.
19:58
SPEAKER_00: this weekend.
19:59
SPEAKER_00: So just keep that in mind as well.
20:02
SPEAKER_00: But what are your thoughts around this game?
20:04
SPEAKER_00: I think this could be very, very interesting, Sean.
20:08
SPEAKER_01: I think it could be interesting too.
20:09
SPEAKER_01: I'm intrigued.
20:10
SPEAKER_01: I wish it was 7.30, Brandon.
20:11
SPEAKER_01: I'm stuck in a mental space-time continuum.
20:14
SPEAKER_01: I'll get to that later.
20:15
SPEAKER_01: But some of these games in Europe, I I don't know, listeners, when they're kicking off.
20:18
SPEAKER_01: There's a three-hour window that I'll give you.
20:20
SPEAKER_01: The match will start sometime and then.
20:21
SPEAKER_01: I think that this game, all signs to me, would point to Chelsea being in a good spot to bounce back after the performance against Tottenham.
20:31
SPEAKER_01: They're at home.
20:32
SPEAKER_01: They get the statue, who's a sitting duck, coming to town.
20:36
SPEAKER_01: And it just seems like Chelsea should take care of business.
20:40
SPEAKER_01: But wouldn't it be interesting if United rise up and fight for their gaffer and win one?
20:45
SPEAKER_01: Because then it makes things a little bit are they actually sticking with them or are they just biding time for themselves to find a new manager?
20:52
SPEAKER_01: I don't think there's a way back for Michael Carrick based on what we've seen.
20:55
SPEAKER_01: It seems like it's inevitable that he will be sacked.
20:57
SPEAKER_01: We mentioned it on the last episode.
20:59
SPEAKER_01: I thought it would have happened already.
21:01
SPEAKER_01: It hasn't, but that international break in November looms large as a time for teams to readjust.
21:07
SPEAKER_01: It would be my guess right now that they're just trying to get to till then before making the change.
21:13
SPEAKER_01: Unless something dramatic happens.
21:16
SPEAKER_01: Well, something dramatic happening would be Manchester United winning this game against Chelsea.
21:20
SPEAKER_01: So I'm gonna pick Chelsea because I think it's the safer move.
21:23
SPEAKER_01: I think they're a better team in terms of what they put on paper this year, but they're not without question marks in this one as well.
21:29
SPEAKER_01: Do you have a score before I get mine?
21:31
SPEAKER_01: I went 2-1, but Javi Alonso shifted to a back four now.
21:35
SPEAKER_01: He's abandoned that five that he was running out to start the season because they were throwing goals in their own net.
21:40
SPEAKER_01: And now I don't know, they lose midweek in the EFL Cup too to Liverpool after a penalty shootout.
21:47
SPEAKER_01: It's I'm gonna go two one, not a lot of confidence.
21:50
SPEAKER_01: What about you?
21:51
SPEAKER_00: Okay.
21:52
SPEAKER_00: I actually had the same 2 1 Chelsea.
21:54
SPEAKER_00: I put Carrick's last stand.
21:56
SPEAKER_00: I think this is it.
21:57
SPEAKER_00: And like you said, maybe it is.
22:00
SPEAKER_00: A free period until that international window hits.
22:04
SPEAKER_00: But if he doesn't win this one, this he can't be the coach after that window.
22:07
SPEAKER_00: Uh and they might not make it.
22:10
SPEAKER_00: Yeah.
22:10
SPEAKER_01: Yeah, they might not make it because the longer you wait, the scarier that table starts to look if you just keep losing matches.
22:16
SPEAKER_00: Exactly.
22:17
SPEAKER_00: So yeah, I put Chelsea to one.
22:19
SPEAKER_00: Cole Palmer will be in the squad, Sean.
22:22
SPEAKER_00: I did not know this rule.
22:23
SPEAKER_00: He actually served his suspension with the cut match that you just mentioned against Liverpool.
22:28
SPEAKER_00: So now he's back in the team, and I'd expect him to start and play a big part in this one.
22:33
SPEAKER_00: I do think it'll be close.
22:34
SPEAKER_00: Uh, but like you said, Chelsea changing to the back four.
22:36
SPEAKER_00: I think they become a little bit better in defense, but they still have that guy Penders and net, and he's known to throw one in.
22:43
SPEAKER_00: So I do think United break through, but I do think ultimately Chelsea do fit do win this one two to one.
22:49
SPEAKER_01: Brandon, I do have to point out too, my guy Rory Jennings, who I talked about, the insufferable Chelsea fan.
22:54
SPEAKER_01: Although I saw him on Talk Sport Radio, he blamed the rain for Penders tossing that one in his own net.
22:59
SPEAKER_01: He said, Here we go.
23:00
SPEAKER_01: He said it slid off his glove.
23:01
SPEAKER_01: That is unbelievable.
23:03
SPEAKER_00: It only rains for one team.
23:04
SPEAKER_01: I wish I could come up with a take that good.
23:06
SPEAKER_01: That's such a good spin.
23:08
SPEAKER_01: Honestly, God, that just craps me up.
23:09
SPEAKER_01: And anytime Chelsea fans come at you, just remember their leader over there in the UK.
23:14
SPEAKER_01: That's what they're doing.
23:14
SPEAKER_01: That's why they're spinning things.
23:16
SPEAKER_01: So oh my god.
23:17
SPEAKER_00: Brilliant.
23:18
SPEAKER_00: I on that same note, uh, going back to the Arsenal game against Fleetwood Town, I saw their fan groups, they were complaining that the Fleetwood Town pitch was too small.
23:28
SPEAKER_00: So Fleetwood, so Arsenal's pitch is 105 yards long.
23:31
SPEAKER_00: Yeah.
23:31
SPEAKER_00: Fleetwood Towns was only 102, Sean.
23:33
SPEAKER_00: So that extra three yards, that was the difference between Arsenal winning and losing that game.
23:37
SPEAKER_01: I do think it's sick that you're allowed to basically choose how big you want your pitch to be.
23:42
SPEAKER_01: They just give you parameters in England, and then you could do whatever you want within those parameters.
23:46
SPEAKER_01: So I think that's cool.
23:48
SPEAKER_01: If I was a smaller club, too, I would have a tight yard.
23:51
SPEAKER_01: I'd tack it in.
23:52
SPEAKER_01: We're making those spaces really muddy for you to play through.
23:55
SPEAKER_01: Uh no, yeah.
23:56
SPEAKER_01: Oh, I I'll drink in all the arsenal tiers.
23:58
SPEAKER_01: What a what an absolute time it's been.
24:01
SPEAKER_00: Yeah, so that just a just a funny one there.
24:04
SPEAKER_00: The next game, we have we have five five games at 11 a.m.
24:10
SPEAKER_00: Eastern on Saturday.
24:11
SPEAKER_00: Sean, I don't make the schedule.
24:13
SPEAKER_00: I don't make the schedule.
24:15
SPEAKER_00: Your uncle might in fact.
24:16
SPEAKER_00: No, no, no.
24:17
SPEAKER_00: So you have a FIFA guy.
24:18
SPEAKER_00: This is a this is a UEFA England.
24:21
SPEAKER_01: He's got some pool.
24:23
SPEAKER_01: He's got pool.
24:25
SPEAKER_00: So to start, I'll choose this one.
24:27
SPEAKER_00: We have Bournemouth and Leeds United, 11 a.m., like I said, at the Vitality Stadium, home of Bournemouth.
24:33
SPEAKER_00: For this one, Sean, I went 1-1.
24:35
SPEAKER_00: I think Bournemouth's feeling themselves a little bit.
24:37
SPEAKER_00: Back-to-back wins.
24:38
SPEAKER_00: Two great results from them recently.
24:40
SPEAKER_00: Uh, they'll be confident going into this match at home as well against Leeds.
24:44
SPEAKER_00: I think Leeds will slow the game down and try to hit on the counter, while Bournemouth will want to be more expansive.
24:49
SPEAKER_00: I do think Leeds defense keeps them in the game, and I have them squeaking out a draw one-to-one.
24:54
SPEAKER_00: Dominic Calvert Lewin has looked pretty good for Leeds.
24:57
SPEAKER_00: They've started to play a little bit better offensively.
25:00
SPEAKER_00: They really don't have a ton of goals.
25:02
SPEAKER_00: They only have nine goals in the season in eight games, but they've also only conceded six.
25:06
SPEAKER_00: So I don't expect a high scoring affair here.
25:09
SPEAKER_00: And with Bournemouth and how they've dropped points a lot, I feel like this season.
25:16
SPEAKER_00: I do think this is another situation where maybe they go up one-nil early and Leeds come back and steal a point late.
25:22
SPEAKER_01: I can definitely see what you just explained playing out.
25:25
SPEAKER_01: And I've gave this one some serious thought because Bournemouth are the trendy side.
25:29
SPEAKER_01: They batter Villa 3-0 midweek here, and they keep that positive momentum going, coming off the back of another 3-0 win against United.
25:38
SPEAKER_01: I think they do just enough at home to get a win in this one, but I do think it's going to be a tough one.
25:43
SPEAKER_01: I think I've gone 2-1 Bournemouth, but Leeds are not a picnic to play against, as you mentioned.
25:49
SPEAKER_01: It's going to be a frisky one.
25:50
SPEAKER_01: I just think they've got enough in their squad to get it over the line at home.
25:53
SPEAKER_01: If this game was at Leeds, I would be going in a different direction.
25:57
SPEAKER_01: I I like the look of Mike I Evan Nielsen at the moment, and we'll get to him later, maybe, but I just really, really like the look of him.
26:06
SPEAKER_01: And he he's made his way into my fantasy premier league side.
26:09
SPEAKER_01: So I think I'm gonna go Bournemouth, but I think it's gonna be a good game.
26:13
SPEAKER_00: I like the teaser, Sean, and I will also co-sign that because I also had have him coming up later in the episode.
26:21
SPEAKER_00: So seems like we're on the same page there.
26:24
SPEAKER_00: The next game at 11 a.m.
26:26
SPEAKER_00: This one was Brandon's game of the week.
26:28
SPEAKER_00: I don't know if you have the same for this one.
26:30
SPEAKER_00: Brentford and Nottingham Forest, Sean.
26:32
SPEAKER_00: I'll let you give me your thoughts first, and then I'll tell you why I think it's gonna go the way I think.
26:38
SPEAKER_00: So you have a best bet in this game, is what you're saying.
26:40
SPEAKER_00: Best bet, yes.
26:40
SPEAKER_00: I'm sorry.
26:41
SPEAKER_00: I'm sorry, best bet, not game of the week.
26:43
SPEAKER_00: I thought you meant maybe just to watch, and I was like, oh no, no.
26:45
SPEAKER_00: I would have gone other places.
26:46
SPEAKER_00: No, I apologize.
26:48
SPEAKER_00: Best bet.
26:48
SPEAKER_00: Brandon's best bet.
26:50
SPEAKER_01: Wow, we I I don't have a good read on this one, Brandon.
26:54
SPEAKER_01: Um I may piggyback off of what you say and actually bet your best bet.
27:00
SPEAKER_01: But in terms of my prediction on this podcast, I've gone for a 1-1 draw, and I'm still holding some forest stock.
27:07
SPEAKER_01: It is plummeting, I will say.
27:09
SPEAKER_01: It's not a time to sell, and I certainly wouldn't be buying more if it were offered to me.
27:15
SPEAKER_01: But I think Brentford have also been pretty poor.
27:18
SPEAKER_01: Sneakily, they have not won since September 18th.
27:21
SPEAKER_01: Now that big international gap is in there, but two draws in a loss in the league since.
27:28
SPEAKER_01: They also lose midweek to a very heavily rotated Sunderland side with a lot of their key players in the mix.
27:36
SPEAKER_01: So I am a little bit concerned about Brentford, and I think Forrests do just enough to get a point here.
27:42
SPEAKER_01: I'm gone one-one.
27:44
SPEAKER_01: It and I would lean if I had to pick Forrest to win.
27:48
SPEAKER_01: So I'm interested in your best bet.
27:51
SPEAKER_01: I think I know what it is.
27:52
SPEAKER_01: I think I do.
27:53
SPEAKER_00: Yeah, it's not what you went with.
27:55
SPEAKER_00: And it's funny because I'm listening to your your rationale, and I'm like, oh yeah, that's fair, fair, fair.
28:01
SPEAKER_00: But no, I I went Brentford.
28:03
SPEAKER_00: I'm picking Brentford 2-0.
28:06
SPEAKER_00: Okay.
28:06
SPEAKER_00: I think forests have really struggled, and I think having to travel as well will cause some challenges.
28:13
SPEAKER_00: I think Forests have been a little bit better actually on the road than they have been at home, but I think Brentford's strength is their organization, and I think if Brentford can stay organized and do what they need to do, create chances through Tiago, Kevin Shade.
28:28
SPEAKER_00: I think they'll win this one at home.
28:30
SPEAKER_00: I went 2-0.
28:32
SPEAKER_00: But I will say I could see I definitely see where you're coming from.
28:36
SPEAKER_00: I don't think you're coming out of left field.
28:38
SPEAKER_00: I just don't I don't have my forest stock.
28:41
SPEAKER_00: You still have some forest stock in you.
28:43
SPEAKER_00: I think I got rid of it, unfortunately.
28:47
SPEAKER_00: And and I'm a fan.
28:48
SPEAKER_00: I actually do like their team.
28:49
SPEAKER_00: I like some of their players, but they they've been really, really poor recently, and I think I've had to I had to drop their stock.
28:58
SPEAKER_01: That's fine.
28:59
SPEAKER_01: And and listen, if I had missed or if I had seen the exit opportunity of my shares, I would have probably taken it.
29:05
SPEAKER_01: I just missed that window.
29:07
SPEAKER_01: So now I'm holding diamond hands, and I can't say I'm super impressed with what I've seen, but I'm gonna go down with the ship.
29:13
SPEAKER_01: I'm gonna uh as a true rider, I will go down with the ship and we'll see how it goes.
29:18
SPEAKER_01: But I don't feel great about this game, Brandon.
29:19
SPEAKER_01: It's not one that I would have much confidence in picking either way.
29:22
SPEAKER_01: Okay.
29:23
SPEAKER_00: The next match we have at 11am, Coventry City hosting Sunderland at the Coventry Building Society Arena.
29:30
SPEAKER_00: That's the official name I looked it up because we've called it everything under the sun, but that's the Coventry Building Society Arena.
29:37
SPEAKER_00: And for this one, Sean, I went yeah, I mean, you know where I went.
29:40
SPEAKER_00: I didn't pick Sunderland.
29:42
SPEAKER_00: And I understand Well, you did pick Sunderland.
29:45
SPEAKER_00: No, no, I did not pick Sunderland.
29:46
SPEAKER_00: Oh, you did not.
29:47
SPEAKER_00: Okay.
29:47
SPEAKER_00: Did not pick Sunderland.
29:48
SPEAKER_00: I picked Coventry 1-0.
29:50
SPEAKER_00: I know Sunderland, like you said, they won it midweek and yada yada yada.
29:54
SPEAKER_00: I'm over it.
29:55
SPEAKER_00: I'm not watching this game either.
29:57
SPEAKER_00: Um, I think this might be the worst game of the weekend on paper.
30:01
SPEAKER_00: Both teams are struggling.
30:02
SPEAKER_00: I think Coventry do look slightly better at home than they do on the road, and this one's at Coventry, like I said.
30:08
SPEAKER_00: They're welcome, they welcome a struggling Sunderland side that did get a draw last week.
30:12
SPEAKER_00: Uh both teams do need points, so I do expect both teams to go for it.
30:17
SPEAKER_00: I wouldn't be surprised if the points are split, but I'll pick Coventry in a close 1-0 win.
30:22
SPEAKER_01: Brandon, I I have my best bet in this game.
30:25
SPEAKER_00: Whoa!
30:27
SPEAKER_01: And and I've been nothing but good to these people, and they've been nothing but good to me.
30:31
SPEAKER_01: I'm taking Sunderland to get a win.
30:34
SPEAKER_01: Oh my god, this guy.
30:35
SPEAKER_01: Yep, I just can't quit him.
30:37
SPEAKER_01: And and you know what?
30:38
SPEAKER_01: Another ship I would happily go down with, but I don't think we're gonna go down.
30:41
SPEAKER_01: I think we're in a good spot.
30:43
SPEAKER_01: I'm behind LeBrie.
30:45
SPEAKER_01: I I am backing him.
30:47
SPEAKER_01: I it's a it's a large sample size I have with him.
30:51
SPEAKER_01: This is a blip on the radar.
30:53
SPEAKER_01: They showed good form midweek with a heavily rotated side.
30:57
SPEAKER_01: We get some more starters back in the mix on the weekend.
31:00
SPEAKER_01: I think Coventry are starting to find their level at the bottom of the table.
31:04
SPEAKER_01: I think that's also playing a big role in this pick.
31:06
SPEAKER_01: That's fair.
31:06
SPEAKER_01: I do worry a bit about the point you made.
31:09
SPEAKER_01: Coventry are a bit better at home.
31:10
SPEAKER_01: They're naturally just more up for it.
31:12
SPEAKER_01: It's easier to get up behind your home fans.
31:14
SPEAKER_01: That's one concern I have, but I just think Sunderland are getting, they're not gonna be in that relegation scrap.
31:21
SPEAKER_01: Not seriously, anyway.
31:23
SPEAKER_01: And I think this is a statement on their way out.
31:26
SPEAKER_01: Give me Sunderland to win 2-0.
31:29
SPEAKER_01: My best bet of the week.
31:31
SPEAKER_01: I could be talked into 2-1, but I just need Sunderland to win.
31:34
SPEAKER_01: That's all that's all I'm here to do.
31:36
SPEAKER_01: I've gone Sunderland.
31:38
SPEAKER_01: You know what?
31:38
SPEAKER_01: I'll go 2-1.
31:39
SPEAKER_01: I don't want to disrespect Coventry and have them spit in my face.
31:42
SPEAKER_01: I'm gonna go 2-1, you get a goal.
31:43
SPEAKER_01: Sunderland control the match and win.
31:45
SPEAKER_01: Boy, boy, do I want to keep this best bet streak going, Brandon.
31:49
SPEAKER_00: I was gonna say, now that you said this is your best bet, obviously it's gonna happen, and I'm wrong again.
31:55
SPEAKER_00: But Sunderland, I don't know.
31:58
SPEAKER_00: There's obviously some some rose-tinted glasses with me and Sunderland.
32:01
SPEAKER_00: We don't have a great relationship.
32:03
SPEAKER_00: I but I did pick them as my best bet a couple weeks ago.
32:05
SPEAKER_00: They let me down.
32:06
SPEAKER_00: So because of that relationship, I think.
32:09
SPEAKER_00: That's what I'm leaning on.
32:10
SPEAKER_00: No, no, no, no, no.
32:11
SPEAKER_00: I that it's this is pre pre-dating this podcast.
32:14
SPEAKER_01: Oh, I'm saying they let you down because of your relationship with them.
32:17
SPEAKER_01: I believe in that putting that energy out there, yep.
32:19
SPEAKER_01: And I put nothing but good energy out there, so I think I'm gonna be rewarded.
32:23
SPEAKER_01: I will say though, we always try to give best bets that are a little bit on the edge.
32:26
SPEAKER_01: We're not trying to give you easy ones, and I think there was a couple easy ones I would have loved to have given you this week, but that's not in the interest of this.
32:33
SPEAKER_01: That's not in our best interest.
32:34
SPEAKER_01: We we play it honest here, and I I went, I stuck my chips in the center of the table and I said, give me LeBris again.
32:42
SPEAKER_00: Maybe not LeBris' last stand, Sean.
32:45
SPEAKER_01: No, he's just getting started.
32:47
SPEAKER_00: Uh another banger of a match at 11am.
32:50
SPEAKER_00: We have Hull City hosting Ipswich Town.
32:53
SPEAKER_00: The two promoted teams tied for 10th currently in the standings.
32:57
SPEAKER_00: Who would have thought that, first of all, preseason?
33:00
SPEAKER_00: Like eight games in.
33:02
SPEAKER_00: What's that?
33:02
SPEAKER_00: Almost uh a fourth or fifth of the season, basically, in, and these two teams are in the top half of the table, which is wild.
33:11
SPEAKER_00: Interested to hear what you think about this one.
33:13
SPEAKER_01: Uh, I have some notes, Brandon.
33:15
SPEAKER_01: I think this might be the game I care least about this weekend.
33:17
SPEAKER_01: It will not make the TV.
33:19
SPEAKER_01: I don't really know what to do in terms of picking it.
33:23
SPEAKER_01: So my notes say, I hope Balumi balls out, I hope Emerson balls out, and I hope we get a draw.
33:30
SPEAKER_01: I think it reeks of a draw.
33:31
SPEAKER_01: I think it's a 1-1 for me, with not much enjoyable football played throughout.
33:36
SPEAKER_01: What about you?
33:37
SPEAKER_00: Yeah, similar.
33:38
SPEAKER_00: I went 2-2, but pretty much for the same reason.
33:41
SPEAKER_00: I think Ipswitch do have some attacking pieces that will cause some danger for the Tigers, but they haven't been great on the road this season, and they have to go to Hull City for this one.
33:51
SPEAKER_00: I do think the points ultimately will be shared.
33:53
SPEAKER_00: I went 2-2, but 1-1 I could be talked into as well.
33:56
SPEAKER_00: I I just don't see one team pulling it out with three points from this one.
34:02
SPEAKER_00: Yep.
34:02
SPEAKER_00: I'm I'm right there with you.
34:04
SPEAKER_00: And now the last game at 11 o'clock, and without a doubt, I would say the best 11 o'clock game.
34:10
SPEAKER_00: Yeah.
34:10
SPEAKER_00: We have Manchester City and Brighton Sean.
34:13
SPEAKER_03: Whew.
34:14
SPEAKER_00: Fun one.
34:15
SPEAKER_00: You want to Will we see goals?
34:16
SPEAKER_00: Let's start there.
34:17
SPEAKER_00: Will we see goals in this one?
34:19
SPEAKER_01: Brighton let me down last weekend.
34:20
SPEAKER_01: I thought we'd see goals against Liverpool.
34:21
SPEAKER_01: Liverpool did their share.
34:23
SPEAKER_01: I do think we're gonna see goals.
34:24
SPEAKER_01: I'm just gonna keep saying it.
34:25
SPEAKER_01: I think we see lots of goals.
34:27
SPEAKER_01: I think we see five goals to be exact.
34:29
SPEAKER_01: But what makes this interesting, Brandon, is a rematch from the midweek fixture.
34:34
SPEAKER_01: These teams play each other on Wednesday and they're running it back on Saturday.
34:37
SPEAKER_01: It creates an interesting dynamic.
34:39
SPEAKER_01: We did not see Erling Holland feature in that midweek affair.
34:43
SPEAKER_01: We will see him feature in this one.
34:45
SPEAKER_01: And because of that, I think City find a way to get it done.
34:48
SPEAKER_01: I went 3-2 Manchester City in a thrilling, thrilling affair.
34:53
SPEAKER_01: Probably the best game of the weekend in terms of entertainment value.
34:57
SPEAKER_01: I hope that City are able to win, honestly, to keep pace at the top of the table.
35:02
SPEAKER_01: I worry that if we see a city loss here, we could see a disappointing pattern start to take shape with Arsenal.
35:09
SPEAKER_01: So I'm hoping that City get the job done, but I'm really just rooting for a good match.
35:14
SPEAKER_01: What do you have in this one?
35:15
SPEAKER_00: Yeah, this one we're aligned this week, Sean.
35:18
SPEAKER_00: I also went three to two.
35:19
SPEAKER_00: Both teams coming off of losses last weekend.
35:22
SPEAKER_00: I think they'll both want a rebound to keep up with Arsenal and Liverpool at near the top of the table.
35:26
SPEAKER_00: Uh Brighton had chances at last week against Liverpool at Liverpool.
35:30
SPEAKER_00: And I think they just kind of overpassed or underpassed in the final moment.
35:35
SPEAKER_00: There was a couple ones where Pascal Gross passed when he should have shot, shot when he should have passed.
35:40
SPEAKER_00: And I think they could sort that out.
35:42
SPEAKER_00: And we've seen Manchester City's gaps and issues in defense, and I think they will get through.
35:49
SPEAKER_00: But in my notes, same thing like you said, Holland scores every single week at this point.
35:54
SPEAKER_00: And with their other attacking options, I think they're going to be really, really tempting and motivated to get three points at home.
36:01
SPEAKER_00: It's a tough one to call, but just like you, I'm going to go 3-2 with City pulling out all three points.
36:07
SPEAKER_00: But definitely a highlighted one.
36:09
SPEAKER_00: Without a doubt, the best game at 11 a.m.
36:12
SPEAKER_00: and potentially could be one of the best of the weekend.
36:15
SPEAKER_00: Definitely a must-watch.
36:17
SPEAKER_01: Yeah, I'm with you on that part for sure.
36:19
SPEAKER_01: Now that now that we've both picked 3-2, this it's going to be 1-0 Brighton.
36:23
SPEAKER_01: For sure.
36:25
SPEAKER_01: Let's see something crazy.
36:27
SPEAKER_00: As long as Pascal balls out, I don't care.
36:29
SPEAKER_00: That's fine.
36:30
SPEAKER_00: The 1 30 p.m.
36:32
SPEAKER_00: game, which is actually not the last game on Saturday.
36:36
SPEAKER_00: We have a later one.
36:37
SPEAKER_00: Our Tottenham Hotspur, hosts Crystal Palace.
36:40
SPEAKER_00: The boys coming off the best win of the season, and probably since the Europa League final win, which is crazy to say, but they'll be confident and they'll be rested in this match.
36:51
SPEAKER_00: And I put as much as I as I hope this would be a 3-0 open and shut match, Sean.
36:56
SPEAKER_00: I don't think it will be.
36:58
SPEAKER_00: Palace, of course, have won the last two times.
37:01
SPEAKER_00: They've come to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
37:02
SPEAKER_00: So they'll have some encouragement, but they've been also really, really bad in their last two Premier League matches.
37:08
SPEAKER_00: I'll pick Spurs to win the match, but I went 2-1 with a late goal from Palace to make the score line look better.
37:15
SPEAKER_00: I think it's 2-0 and Spurs are in control, and maybe they turn off for a minute towards the end and Palace sneak one in late.
37:22
SPEAKER_01: We're thinking very much along similar lines.
37:25
SPEAKER_01: I think my notes for this game, and I try to dive a little bit deeper into Spurs just because I watch every second, sometimes twice.
37:31
SPEAKER_01: If we get a map like that game, there's a real chance for them to click into gear here.
37:35
SPEAKER_01: I think they'll find a way to get it done, but it's going to be more difficult than Chelsea in some ways because Palace are going to be very comfortable sitting back and bunkering in.
37:43
SPEAKER_01: And one of the reasons Tottenham looks so good against Chelsea and have looked good in some of the bigger opponents they've played this season is because Roberto De Zerby specializes and thrives at setting up teams to play out of pressure.
37:57
SPEAKER_01: And that's when he creates those moments of brilliance in build-up, but then also chances and serious threats on goal.
38:04
SPEAKER_01: And when a team doesn't do that, a lot of that build-up play is kind of worthless because they're not going to be pressuring the ball deep away from their own goal.
38:13
SPEAKER_01: I think that's going to create a little bit of a problem for Spurs.
38:15
SPEAKER_01: It's going to be more of trying to pick back a pick a box.
38:19
SPEAKER_01: And it requires some skill to do that.
38:21
SPEAKER_01: And Spurs haven't necessarily shown they're capable of creating tons of chances and scoring tons of goals this season in those time matches.
38:29
SPEAKER_01: So I went 2-0, but I think it's 1-0 for most of the match.
38:33
SPEAKER_01: Palace finally start to throw some numbers forward towards the end of the match, and Spurs find a way to score a second.
38:39
SPEAKER_01: But I do think there's a chance that Spurs don't necessarily look like they're flying like they did last weekend.
38:45
SPEAKER_01: It'll be a gritty affair.
38:47
SPEAKER_01: They'll find a way to get it done just because they're a better team, quite frankly.
38:51
SPEAKER_01: But it won't be easy.
38:54
SPEAKER_00: Yeah.
38:55
SPEAKER_00: I like your thoughts on that, and I do see where you're coming from.
38:59
SPEAKER_00: Do you think this could be it for Palace's manager?
39:03
SPEAKER_00: I know we I I I feel like I ask you every week, is this it for this guy?
39:06
SPEAKER_00: Is this it for that guy?
39:07
SPEAKER_00: Yeah.
39:08
SPEAKER_00: Will we see a manager fired after this weekend's game, Sean?
39:11
SPEAKER_01: It certainly could be the end again.
39:14
SPEAKER_01: I don't I don't know when's a good time to get rid of them, if they are planning on getting rid of them.
39:19
SPEAKER_01: But yeah, I think if they lose this one and look pretty uninspiring, then it certainly could be the end of the road for Pierre Sage.
39:25
SPEAKER_01: They did pick up a win away to Fulham in the Carabakh Cup midweek, which was a bit unexpected.
39:32
SPEAKER_01: They probably even rotated more than Fulham did.
39:34
SPEAKER_01: So it was a weird result.
39:36
SPEAKER_01: And maybe they get a little bit of momentum off the back of that and take it into the weekend.
39:40
SPEAKER_01: But if they lose this game 2, 3, 4-0, yeah, I don't see how you could continue moving in that direction with this manager.
39:48
SPEAKER_00: And now, Sean, we have one, two, or sorry, one game Sunday and one game Monday.
39:54
SPEAKER_00: The game Sunday.
39:56
SPEAKER_00: Well, Brandon, we have also we have also Saturday night.
39:59
SPEAKER_00: We have the I'm sorry.
40:01
SPEAKER_01: Yeah, we have one after you mentioned it.
40:04
SPEAKER_00: I'm excited.
40:05
SPEAKER_00: I was excited.
40:06
SPEAKER_00: I was skipping to the Sunday one.
40:07
SPEAKER_00: It's literally right here on my paper.
40:08
SPEAKER_00: I absolutely just skipped it.
40:10
SPEAKER_00: I apologize.
40:11
SPEAKER_00: Saturday night, uh, it's at 4 p.m.
40:13
SPEAKER_00: Eastern time.
40:14
SPEAKER_00: We have Aston Villa hosting Fulham Sean at Villa Park.
40:18
SPEAKER_00: Saturday night at Villa Park.
40:20
SPEAKER_00: Probably not the worst place to be.
40:22
SPEAKER_00: I think it'll be rockin'.
40:24
SPEAKER_00: Fulham, though, two straight wins.
40:26
SPEAKER_00: Villa comes in off the back of a huge win at City last weekend.
40:30
SPEAKER_00: Fulham have kept some clean sheets recently, and their defensive form has been solid, I think.
40:36
SPEAKER_00: But Nicholas Jackson and his boys, they'll feel confident going into this match.
40:40
SPEAKER_00: And Fulham, while again, good defensively, they've struggled a bit in the attacking areas, I believe.
40:46
SPEAKER_00: And I just think Villa's energy will carry them through and they pull out a 1-0 win.
40:50
SPEAKER_00: I don't think it'll be the most beautiful game in the world, but I think Villa will do just enough to get three points out of this one.
40:58
SPEAKER_01: Yeah, Villa got punched in the gut midweek and knocked out of the Carabao Cup, but I don't think that'll disrupt their momentum in the league.
41:05
SPEAKER_01: I think they're still the better side in this one.
41:07
SPEAKER_01: I think I expect a Villa win.
41:09
SPEAKER_01: I'd be pretty surprised at anything else.
41:11
SPEAKER_01: I went 2-1 Villa.
41:13
SPEAKER_01: Not necessarily the best game of football you'll ever watch, but a pretty controlled performance.
41:18
SPEAKER_01: And I think Villa will get back to trending in the right direction.
41:20
SPEAKER_01: I think they just scrapped that midweek fixture with a heavily rotated squad.
41:25
SPEAKER_01: Didn't really care about the result.
41:26
SPEAKER_01: I think they're prioritizing the league and the Champions League, which they'll deal with again next midweek.
41:31
SPEAKER_01: So that's probably where their focus is.
41:33
SPEAKER_01: I think they get back on track against Fulham.
41:35
SPEAKER_00: Okay.
41:35
SPEAKER_00: And yes, I I apologize, Sean.
41:37
SPEAKER_00: Now we have two games left.
41:39
SPEAKER_00: I was skipping, I skipped Aston Villa Fulham.
41:41
SPEAKER_00: I'm sorry, I have nothing against either of your clubs, but I was looking ahead to this one.
41:45
SPEAKER_00: Sunday at 11.30 a.m.
41:48
SPEAKER_00: We have Liverpool hosting Arsenal.
41:50
SPEAKER_00: Sean, what are your thoughts?
41:52
SPEAKER_00: Where are you at with this one?
41:53
SPEAKER_00: I think this is going to be a spectacle.
41:55
SPEAKER_01: I I don't necessarily know what to expect in terms of what happens on the pitch either.
42:00
SPEAKER_01: Arsenal are coming off of that dreadful, dreadful loss to Fleetwood Town.
42:04
SPEAKER_01: How do they respond?
42:06
SPEAKER_01: Is a big question going in.
42:08
SPEAKER_01: As champions, you would expect to see a big response from them.
42:12
SPEAKER_01: Liverpool conversely are finding ways to win, and they're starting to really gather some momentum under Iraola for the first time in his campaign.
42:22
SPEAKER_01: And they need a win to assert themselves into the title race after a slow start.
42:26
SPEAKER_01: If they lose this game at home, you can see that they're not going to be in that top-tier conversation this year.
42:33
SPEAKER_01: So I think it's a really important match for Liverpool.
42:36
SPEAKER_01: But I don't think I trust them to get all three points.
42:39
SPEAKER_01: So I went for 2-2.
42:40
SPEAKER_01: I think we see a strong response from Arsenal.
42:43
SPEAKER_01: I just think it's hard to play against them.
42:45
SPEAKER_01: And I hate it, but that's just the way it is.
42:48
SPEAKER_01: And Liverpool, they'll find a couple moments and capitalize just because of the pure talent they have.
42:53
SPEAKER_01: But I also think Arsenal will capitalize on a couple of moments against Liverpool because they've shown they're susceptible as well.
42:58
SPEAKER_01: Even as you mentioned last week, Brighton got chances in that match.
43:02
SPEAKER_01: They weren't able to put them away, but it's not like Liverpool are a sealed tight vault defensively.
43:08
SPEAKER_01: So I've gone to two.
43:10
SPEAKER_01: I think it's going to be an entertaining affair, and I think it has a lot of stakes for the rest of the season.
43:14
SPEAKER_01: So I'm interested in watching it.
43:16
SPEAKER_00: Yeah, definitely.
43:17
SPEAKER_00: And I'm glad you hit some of the same points that I'm going to hit, but I also went I went 1-1 instead of 2-2, but a draw.
43:26
SPEAKER_00: I think Liverpool offensively have started to click, but Arsenal's defense is super strong.
43:30
SPEAKER_00: But I think it'll be a battle of the opposite to determine how this game goes.
43:34
SPEAKER_00: Liverpool's defense against Arsenal's attack.
43:36
SPEAKER_00: Uh, I think if Liverpool can control set pieces and opportunities from dead ball areas, which is where Arsenal is thriving, uh, I think they can keep Arsenal to one goal.
43:46
SPEAKER_00: Like we said last week, with Brighton, Brighton probably should have had one, maybe two goals.
43:51
SPEAKER_00: I do think Arsenal maybe have a little bit more quality there, and they do finish off some of those chances.
43:58
SPEAKER_00: And but but with At the same time, with how they've been firing offensively, I do think Liverpool will score.
44:04
SPEAKER_00: I I back them to score a goal, even against Arsenal's great defense.
44:07
SPEAKER_00: And I think the pull points ultimately get shared one-one.
44:10
SPEAKER_01: That makes sense.
44:11
SPEAKER_01: Yeah, I could certainly see one-one as well.
44:13
SPEAKER_01: I was maybe a little ambitious with two two, but I do think a draw seems to make the most sense to me because I don't think we learn any finalities about either team this early in the season.
44:22
SPEAKER_01: I think we don't get necessarily the biggest response that we would like to see if you're an Arsenal fan, and I don't think we get the statement from Liverpool saying they're in the title race just yet either.
44:31
SPEAKER_01: So it's a it's a good time for the match.
44:33
SPEAKER_01: It creates an interesting affair.
44:34
SPEAKER_01: I just don't really have a strong lean on which way it'll go.
44:37
SPEAKER_00: Yeah, and I think we we hinted on this earlier with Arsenal just not on paper blowing teams out four and five and six-zero, that a game like this, even if they do go up one-nil, they may feel comfortable because they're they believe in their defense, they believe in Raya and goal.
44:54
SPEAKER_00: But Liverpool have Barcala, they have Isak, these guys have started to really click a little bit, and I'd worry that if I was Arsenal, that these guys will get one one chance, it could be a half chance, even.
45:07
SPEAKER_00: And with the quality of those guys on the field, they take advantage and then points are shared uh with a 1-1 or 2-2 draw.
45:15
SPEAKER_00: So should be a should be a fun one to watch for sure.
45:19
SPEAKER_00: Yeah, I'm excited.
45:20
SPEAKER_00: Yes, yeah, me too.
45:22
SPEAKER_00: The last game of the weekend, Sean, takes place on Monday, actually, afternoon, uh 3 p.m.
45:27
SPEAKER_00: Newcastle host Everton.
45:30
SPEAKER_00: This one's a little interesting as well.
45:33
SPEAKER_00: I this one could be fun.
45:34
SPEAKER_00: I don't know if it will be though.
45:36
SPEAKER_00: I think you have two mid-table sides, Rat St.
45:39
SPEAKER_00: James Park.
45:40
SPEAKER_00: Newcastle are still mysterious to me.
45:43
SPEAKER_00: I know your boy is a big Newcastle guy, and that's great.
45:47
SPEAKER_00: I'm happy for him, but this team is so confusing to me, and I feel like they're the team I have the worst read on in this league.
45:55
SPEAKER_00: So so I'm not sure what to think, but I do I do predict them getting all three points out of this one.
46:01
SPEAKER_00: I think Everton will try to frustrate them and slow the game down, but the poor form they've been on, I think it's gonna continue.
46:07
SPEAKER_00: And I can't see Everton putting one in on Newcastle.
46:11
SPEAKER_00: So ultimately I went 2-0.
46:13
SPEAKER_00: Good win for Newcastle at home to end the weekend.
46:16
SPEAKER_01: We're a bit different on this one, Brandon.
46:19
SPEAKER_01: I I don't I didn't know where to go really.
46:22
SPEAKER_01: This is another rematch for midweek.
46:23
SPEAKER_01: So these two teams play each other on Thursday in Everton, and then they travel to Newcastle to play on Monday.
46:30
SPEAKER_01: So it's a weird, weird state of affairs there.
46:33
SPEAKER_01: It reeks of a draw to me.
46:35
SPEAKER_01: And the only reason I say that is because I I had Newcastle winning in my notes, and then I thought about it.
46:41
SPEAKER_01: I'm like, wait a second, I've done this a million times with Everton, and they just find a way to draw.
46:46
SPEAKER_01: So that's why I'm now all I can think about is them being ugly to play against, them finding a way to score kind of a cheap goal, Newcastle scoring a goal, and then trying to find a winner and not being able to.
46:58
SPEAKER_01: So I went 1-1, but if I had to pick a side, I would definitely pick Newcastle at home.
47:01
SPEAKER_01: I think that would be the safer bet of the two.
47:04
SPEAKER_01: I don't see a world really where Everton get all three points, but I think they can definitely get a draw, and that seems to be David Moy's calling card.
47:11
SPEAKER_01: If they don't get a draw, I think there's some real concern around Everton as well, because their form would certainly have fallen off a cliff in recent weeks if that's the case.
47:19
SPEAKER_01: So I'm gonna go draw and just the Everton special finding a way to get a point.
47:24
SPEAKER_00: Yeah, no, that that's fair.
47:26
SPEAKER_00: And I uh just as a follow-up to you, Sean, you mentioned this, I believe you mentioned it when we were talking about Aston Villa.
47:33
SPEAKER_00: A team like Everton, they're never gonna most likely win the championship the league.
47:38
SPEAKER_00: They're not gonna really make any noise.
47:41
SPEAKER_00: Do they prioritize something like the Carabael Cup?
47:44
SPEAKER_00: And now let's say David Moyes goes into or beats Everton at home, I'm sorry, beats Newcastle at home on Thursday, and the weekend they continue to suffer and they continue to suffer, but they're making it further and further in these cups.
47:58
SPEAKER_00: What a team like Everton, what weighs more?
48:02
SPEAKER_00: I'm not saying Everton would be in relegation battle because I do think they have enough to be in that maybe 14 to 16 range finishing wise.
48:11
SPEAKER_00: So they're never probably not going to be in that relegation battle, but maybe they go and win a cup.
48:16
SPEAKER_00: Is that worth it?
48:18
SPEAKER_00: Do you keep a manager because of that?
48:19
SPEAKER_00: Or do you know what I'm saying?
48:21
SPEAKER_00: What matters more to a team like Everton?
48:24
SPEAKER_01: Yeah, there that's certainly always an interesting conversation that all these clubs probably have internally, and then all of their fans certainly have externally.
48:33
SPEAKER_01: I think for me, it's always winning something that matters more.
48:37
SPEAKER_01: Winning a trophy, I would trade that for 10 league positions any day of the week, given that relegation was off the table.
48:44
SPEAKER_01: So as long as you're not in the relegation scrap, who who really cares between finishing 15th and 12th?
48:51
SPEAKER_01: What does that matter?
48:52
SPEAKER_01: I would, if I were Everton, I would put all my chips into that cup basket, if that's what you felt like the Beth path towards achieving something was.
49:04
SPEAKER_01: You could make the argument that last year they were on the fringes of European football.
49:08
SPEAKER_01: And if they were to have a good start to the season and maybe win a couple of these matches, then you could say we're gonna try to finish as high up in the league and get European football because long term that helps revenue and all those sorts of things.
49:19
SPEAKER_01: But I think if you're just putting things in a vacuum and saying, which do you prefer?
49:23
SPEAKER_01: A few spots on the table or a real go at a cup competition.
49:26
SPEAKER_01: I think it's a real go at a cup competition every day of the week.
49:29
SPEAKER_00: Do you feel the same?
49:30
SPEAKER_00: I do feel the same.
49:32
SPEAKER_00: I guess a little bit to restructure my question a little bit.
49:35
SPEAKER_00: I guess if you're the the board of Everton, how are you evaluating David Moyes?
49:40
SPEAKER_00: Because now he's in 15th, and or right at the time of this recording, he's they're tied for 10th.
49:46
SPEAKER_00: But I'm saying if they continue to falter, they go to 15th, 16th, but they're in the semifinals or quarterfinals of these Carabelle Cups or the FA Cup.
49:55
SPEAKER_00: Like what is he gonna get sacked?
49:58
SPEAKER_00: Is he in Do you know what I mean?
49:59
SPEAKER_00: Like that's that's more of what I'm after.
50:02
SPEAKER_01: Yeah, if there's jeopardy of relegation, I think that's the one thing you need to plan around the most because you can't like first goal, do not get relegated, and then your decision tree needs to come off of that.
50:15
SPEAKER_01: So uh that's how I would prioritize it.
50:17
SPEAKER_01: And I'm also I I am not an Everton supporter, so I don't know the ins and outs, but for me, it seems like they've been playing some really uninspired football under David Moyes for a long time now, and I would be looking to move on, just in terms of what I want to see in a manager.
50:32
SPEAKER_01: I'm not getting excited to watch a David Moyes side ever.
50:35
SPEAKER_01: And maybe the Everton fans feel security with him.
50:38
SPEAKER_01: I would probably lean towards if he has a bad season this year, they would want to move on as well.
50:43
SPEAKER_01: I think they have too talented of a squad to get Drug down into the relegation spots, but like I said, his style isn't exactly enticing or leading to a lot of positivity.
50:56
SPEAKER_01: So I just think it's more of the same for Everton.
50:58
SPEAKER_01: And if that were me, I would want something different.
51:00
SPEAKER_01: So I get your point.
51:02
SPEAKER_01: If I'm if I'm the owners there, if they're seriously scared about relegation as a possibility, I think they need to act on that first.
51:10
SPEAKER_01: And then, okay, yes, we're in the semifinals of a comp competition.
51:13
SPEAKER_01: Who's to say the new manager can't come in and actually get them playing good football and win that anyway?
51:17
SPEAKER_01: It's not like you're foregoing the cup if you bring somebody else in new.
51:21
SPEAKER_01: I think all the decisions for these Premier League teams start with, we need to stay in the Premier League.
51:25
SPEAKER_01: Yeah.
51:26
SPEAKER_01: That's the most important thing.
51:27
SPEAKER_01: So it is what Spurs dealt with the last couple years, Brandon, where our form in the league was horrible, but we're making deep runs in the cup competitions, or we're playing in a different competition, and you have to assert bodies to that too, and you don't want to just tank a champions league run, but there's always equation and how you balance it is important.
51:47
SPEAKER_01: So I think it's a good question.
51:48
SPEAKER_00: Yeah, no, thank you.
51:49
SPEAKER_00: I wanted to see your thoughts on it because I feel like you're right, the last few years seeing it with Spurs, and it's incredibly frustrating at times because even under Ange, where we're losing every week in the Premier League, but we go and win the Europa League, and it's like, okay, I almost had a heart attack because we finished in 17th and almost got relegated, but we also now have a trophy.
52:13
SPEAKER_00: So was it worth it?
52:15
SPEAKER_00: Maybe, yes, probably, because now I have a trophy.
52:18
SPEAKER_00: But at the same time, but at the same time, it's like alright, we're in 17th, and we have a squad that should be competing at least in the top half of the table.
52:28
SPEAKER_00: So it's a weird one, and as a fan, I have a a viewpoint, but I'm wondering as a board how they think, especially at a club maybe like Everton that doesn't necessarily have Premier League title hopes.
52:43
SPEAKER_00: Let's just be honest, call it what it is.
52:44
SPEAKER_00: What what's what are we what are we truly valuing here?
52:47
SPEAKER_00: So just interested in your thoughts on that.
52:49
SPEAKER_00: So thank you.
52:51
SPEAKER_00: Just a quick switch.
52:52
SPEAKER_00: So we hinted at it earlier, some fantasy Premier League recommendations.
52:56
SPEAKER_00: Uh, my good friend Sydney, she wrote into the show, she said, Hey, I'm in the fantasy Premier League.
53:01
SPEAKER_00: I would love to have some recommendations on players that I can pick up to help my team move up in the table because you only get one free transfer a week.
53:12
SPEAKER_00: You can spend more money and some of your budget and do multiple transfers, but you only get one a week.
53:17
SPEAKER_00: And she said, Hey, can you just give me some names of players that you maybe you'd look at?
53:21
SPEAKER_00: So I went through just each position, each position group, and just put a player down in a quick reason why.
53:26
SPEAKER_00: So I'll start with goalkeeper.
53:27
SPEAKER_00: I actually picked our guy, Antonin Kinski.
53:30
SPEAKER_00: And reason being, he's a pretty inexpensive goalkeeper.
53:33
SPEAKER_00: Goalkeepers are all similar, but I think he has good upside.
53:37
SPEAKER_00: He's a cheaper goalkeeper who he will have saves, which will provide points, and he's not likely to mess up too badly.
53:44
SPEAKER_00: I do think he's prone to a mistake here or there, but overall, I think he's a pretty solid goalkeeper.
53:48
SPEAKER_00: And then I looked at the next few matches, Spurs have Palace this weekend, then Leeds, then Ipswich and Sunderland.
53:54
SPEAKER_00: So I'd expect to see points.
53:56
SPEAKER_00: I'd expect to see good defensive performances from Tottenham, which would give uh Kinski some value.
54:01
SPEAKER_00: He's listed at 4.4 million in FPL.
54:05
SPEAKER_00: I think that's a good point, Brandon.
54:06
SPEAKER_01: I don't have player specific for each position, but I would say number one thing I look at for defenders and goalkeepers is can we keep a clean sheet this week?
54:17
SPEAKER_01: And do I expect them to keep a clean sheet this week?
54:20
SPEAKER_01: I think that's where you see a lot of those defensive points add up if you're able to not allow a goal in.
54:25
SPEAKER_01: And then it's a bonus if you have a defender that's able to go forward and contribute to a goal.
54:28
SPEAKER_01: So I could kind of move us along to the defender I did have, and it's also a Spurs where Pedro Porro is making his way back to health.
54:36
SPEAKER_01: He featured in the second half against Chelsea.
54:38
SPEAKER_01: I would expect him to start against Crystal Palace.
54:40
SPEAKER_01: It is a bit risky because I don't know if they're gonna slow play him returning and bring him off the bench again, but he's a defender that is pretty likely to keep a clean sheet, has a favorable run of fixtures over the next few, and offers a lot going forward.
54:55
SPEAKER_01: He's going to provide goals and assists at a more frequent rate than a lot of other defenders that are available in FPL.
55:01
SPEAKER_01: So that's where I went.
55:02
SPEAKER_01: And Sydney, I would also point out you went to the wrong person on the program for fantasy advice.
55:07
SPEAKER_01: If you ever want to- No, no, no, no, she didn't.
55:10
SPEAKER_01: You come, you come to who's sitting higher up in the table.
55:12
SPEAKER_01: Brandon's looking up.
55:14
SPEAKER_01: It's always sunny, and until that changes, I think you might have barked up the wrong tree.
55:18
SPEAKER_01: But we appreciate you writing in nonetheless.
55:21
SPEAKER_00: Sydney, don't listen to this nonsense.
55:22
SPEAKER_00: I'm in third place now.
55:24
SPEAKER_00: My team is back.
55:25
SPEAKER_00: We just needed a little refresh, and now we're signs.
55:28
SPEAKER_01: Good, good side, good side.
55:30
SPEAKER_00: We're showing great signs.
55:31
SPEAKER_00: We're in good form, and you want form.
55:32
SPEAKER_00: Form is important in fantasy Premier League and in life, Sean.
55:36
SPEAKER_00: And we are back.
55:37
SPEAKER_00: The boys are coming.
55:38
SPEAKER_00: Vandeven diagram is coming off the table.
55:41
SPEAKER_00: I don't even have Mickey Vandeven on my team.
55:43
SPEAKER_00: I just really like the name.
55:44
SPEAKER_00: No, you only like Arsenal defenders, yeah.
55:47
SPEAKER_00: No, I only like winning.
55:49
SPEAKER_00: That's what I like.
55:50
SPEAKER_00: Well, you're still looking up at me, and I'm not starting those guys.
55:52
SPEAKER_00: Fair enough.
55:53
SPEAKER_01: All right.
55:54
SPEAKER_01: I think I actually am starting an Arsenal.
55:56
SPEAKER_01: I think I'm starting Cal Fiore.
55:57
SPEAKER_01: He's a Roma player.
55:58
SPEAKER_01: That counts.
55:59
SPEAKER_00: Oh, jeez.
56:00
SPEAKER_00: Anyways, my uh next player, defender.
56:02
SPEAKER_00: I went Jaden Bogle from Leeds.
56:04
SPEAKER_00: Uh he's currently priced at 4.8 million.
56:07
SPEAKER_00: Why I like him, he's an outside back for Leeds, which is a team with a solid defensive record, Sean.
56:13
SPEAKER_00: We've harped on that many times.
56:14
SPEAKER_00: Uh, he'll also give you some attacking points.
56:16
SPEAKER_00: He currently has 50 points so far this season, which ranks fourth among all defenders.
56:22
SPEAKER_00: Uh, two, he has two goals, and Leeds have kept five clean sheets, so that definitely helps that score as well.
56:27
SPEAKER_00: Could be a little bit of a cheaper option if you're looking to upgrade and get some points from the back line.
56:32
SPEAKER_00: I currently don't have the space on my team for Jaden Bogle.
56:36
SPEAKER_00: I'd have to drop somebody a little bit bigger, and I'm not ready to do that at the moment.
56:40
SPEAKER_00: So he's not on my team, but I think this is the transfer that if I could make, I definitely would make.
56:45
SPEAKER_01: Yeah, that's the other hard part is the decision each week of do you take the minus four to bring in an additional transfer?
56:54
SPEAKER_01: And you're basically factoring in, will this player that I bring in score more than four points?
56:59
SPEAKER_01: And that's the kind of the balance that you have to do.
57:02
SPEAKER_01: I always try to stack a transfer.
57:04
SPEAKER_01: So I try to skip a week of transfers and then have two for the following week if I can just get away with maneuvering my lineup, putting somebody on the bench and putting somebody else in with a more favorable matchup.
57:14
SPEAKER_01: So that's where I would lean is not spending the minus four.
57:18
SPEAKER_01: I almost never do it.
57:20
SPEAKER_01: And you also have those chip buttons if you want to really get frisky.
57:23
SPEAKER_01: You can do the free hit, which is a one week, you get to start a whole new lineup, you can or the wildcard, though those chips do different things, and you're able to change your roster entirely using those.
57:34
SPEAKER_01: So if you really need to make changes, that's what I would do.
57:37
SPEAKER_01: But yeah, on a week-to-week basis, I try not to tinker too much, and I never try to put myself in the hole by deducting points just for fun.
57:46
SPEAKER_00: That's no, that's a good strategy.
57:48
SPEAKER_00: I it all really depends for me, I'll be honest.
57:51
SPEAKER_00: I I'm if I'm feeling the vibe, I'll make the transfer, but I'm not feeling I'll save it.
57:55
SPEAKER_00: My problem though is and I and I recognize it, and I have to figure out how to fix it, is I have a lot of players that are expensive.
58:03
SPEAKER_00: So the bottom of my team is really weak, and I don't have the budget to upgrade them without giving up the more expensive players, and it's like, is it worth it?
58:12
SPEAKER_00: So you go through that that conundrum every week.
58:16
SPEAKER_00: The next player, Sean, I listed, and you you're not gonna love this, but it's fine.
58:22
SPEAKER_00: Uh, I put Pedro Neto from Chelsea.
58:25
SPEAKER_00: I think at 6.6 million, it's a good value pick again.
58:30
SPEAKER_00: It's a very crowded midfield, attacking midfielder Chelsea, so it does worry me a bit, but he's played in every match and he's been in great form as of late.
58:38
SPEAKER_00: Upcoming fixtures against Manchester United and Sunderland could also provide some opportunities for some more points.
58:43
SPEAKER_00: He's not the most popular household name among the Chelsea midfielders, but he could be an affordable piece to add if you don't want to splurge for a Cole Palmer Palmer or Morgan Rogers, but still want some Chelsea attacking options.
58:58
SPEAKER_00: And as of late, he's been good.
58:59
SPEAKER_00: So that was my reasoning for Pedro Neto at the midfield position.
59:04
SPEAKER_01: Yeah, he's one of the more informed players in the Prem, so I think that's a good shout by you.
59:09
SPEAKER_01: I also think it could go one of two ways.
59:12
SPEAKER_01: Jiao Pedro's likely out until after the international window, Jabi Alonzo said.
59:16
SPEAKER_01: So their goal output's going to have to come from somewhere.
59:19
SPEAKER_01: We've seen in recent games Pedro Neto become part of that goal scoring output.
59:25
SPEAKER_01: And I think there's a chance that he does take a step up and gets his name on the score sheet more.
59:30
SPEAKER_01: I also think there's a chance that Chelsea's attack is just a bit worse and they don't score as many goals.
59:34
SPEAKER_01: So it might be a double-edged sword.
59:36
SPEAKER_01: But I do think if you're looking at a midfielder, he's up there with the names you have to consider because recently he's been as good as they get.
59:42
SPEAKER_01: The other name who's been really good, but I I don't know how sustainable it is, is Tavernier from Bournemouth.
59:48
SPEAKER_01: I really like him as a player, but he's a little bit industrial sometimes too and does a shift getting back, and I don't necessarily love spending my attacking midfielder spots on a guy who'll do everything.
59:59
SPEAKER_01: So he's been great and he's a hot name in the streets, but I don't I'm not adding him to my team.
1:00:03
SPEAKER_01: I just think if if you have space to do it, do it.
1:00:06
SPEAKER_01: I'm not sacrificing one of the guys I do have in my lineup for him at this point.
1:00:10
SPEAKER_00: Fair.
1:00:10
SPEAKER_00: No, that's a that's a great shot.
1:00:13
SPEAKER_00: Uh my forward position, his teammate, I went Evan Nielsen, and we talked about him a little bit earlier in this episode, Sean.
1:00:20
SPEAKER_00: But I went with all value picks this week, and Evan Nielsen also a value pick.
1:00:25
SPEAKER_00: 6.2 million is his current worth.
1:00:28
SPEAKER_00: He's currently fifth among forwards in points this season.
1:00:31
SPEAKER_00: He has 43 points.
1:00:32
SPEAKER_00: He's cheaper than most other options.
1:00:34
SPEAKER_00: Uh, it's really come into form lately.
1:00:36
SPEAKER_00: With the striker again, and you hinted on this with Pedro Neto, it's tough because if they don't score or assist, they don't usually get many points.
1:00:43
SPEAKER_00: Uh, but the Cherries have looked good as of late, and I think there'll be opportunities for him to cut continue his form moving forward.
1:00:50
SPEAKER_00: So it's a little bit of a cheaper option than maybe some of the bigger stars, but could be a great striker to pair with, most likely an Erling Holland or an Alexander Isak or one of these other more mainstream guys.
1:01:04
SPEAKER_01: Yeah, I'm 100% with you.
1:01:05
SPEAKER_01: I mentioned him earlier in the episode, and it was because I set my lineup for this week, and the one move I made was unfortunately releasing Jiao Petro because of his injury and transferring in Evan Nielsen because I love him.
1:01:18
SPEAKER_01: And I think he's not only a fantastic footballer, I think he's in a good spot.
1:01:21
SPEAKER_01: Bournemouth are looking really good at the moment, as you mentioned, so a lot of positive signs in his direction.
1:01:28
SPEAKER_01: And listen, I'm not going to give you the full lineup reveal as a as a guy who is trying to try to win this thing.
1:01:33
SPEAKER_01: I'm I'm in I'm basically top of the table because nobody knows who David Befford is.
1:01:37
SPEAKER_01: I'm chasing ghosts.
1:01:38
SPEAKER_01: I don't know.
1:01:38
SPEAKER_01: This guy's an absolute wizard at the top of the league.
1:01:41
SPEAKER_01: Nobody knows him.
1:01:42
SPEAKER_01: I it's unbelievable.
1:01:44
SPEAKER_01: He's he's a wizard.
1:01:45
SPEAKER_01: But aside from him, I'm top of the table.
1:01:47
SPEAKER_01: And Brandon's second.
1:01:48
SPEAKER_01: So this this channel knows what they're doing a little bit.
1:01:52
SPEAKER_01: If I could remember that games some some weeks start on Fridays, I'd be fancy.
1:01:56
SPEAKER_01: That has gotten me a time or two.
1:01:58
SPEAKER_01: But no, I do appreciate Sydney asking the question and having a little fantasy dialogue.
1:02:03
SPEAKER_01: Uh it it gets people into the game in different ways, so it is fun.
1:02:07
SPEAKER_00: Yeah, yeah.
1:02:08
SPEAKER_00: Thank you, Sydney.
1:02:09
SPEAKER_00: And definitely one that we'll revisit.
1:02:11
SPEAKER_00: Maybe it's not an every week thing, Sean, but every few weeks we check in, we throw some fantasy numbers out, there's some players to watch, and it's a cool fun way to keep everybody that's listening and playing along uh connected as well.
1:02:24
SPEAKER_00: Sean, to close out this episode, I have some news.
1:02:28
SPEAKER_00: I will not be on the next few episodes of the Friends One Football Podcast.
1:02:32
SPEAKER_00: I'm not leaving forever.
1:02:34
SPEAKER_00: Just taking a little hiatus.
1:02:36
SPEAKER_00: Everything is well.
1:02:38
SPEAKER_00: But I will be traveling, so I will be off the podcast for the next couple episodes.
1:02:44
SPEAKER_01: I know Sean has He's burying the lead quite a bit here.
1:02:47
SPEAKER_01: He's having a laugh.
1:02:49
SPEAKER_01: He's having a laugh of a vacation, is what he's doing.
1:02:52
SPEAKER_01: He made it seem like he was taking a medical leave.
1:02:55
SPEAKER_01: Yeah.
1:02:56
SPEAKER_00: He's having a laugh at some football matches as a surprise to nobody, Brandon.
1:02:59
SPEAKER_00: Tell him what you're doing.
1:03:00
SPEAKER_00: Alright.
1:03:01
SPEAKER_00: Well, first of all, I we didn't go away this summer because of the World Cup.
1:03:05
SPEAKER_00: So we didn't take our normal vacation.
1:03:07
SPEAKER_00: Yeah, we went to the World Cup instead.
1:03:09
SPEAKER_00: I mean, not bad.
1:03:10
SPEAKER_00: So we are going to Mexico City for uh eight days.
1:03:13
SPEAKER_00: We will be seeing, we just secured our tickets actually today for the Club America match on the 31st this Saturday down in Mexico.
1:03:20
SPEAKER_00: So I'll have some I'll have some content up there.
1:03:22
SPEAKER_00: We'll put it on our socials.
1:03:24
SPEAKER_00: But yeah, it just just a little just a little break.
1:03:28
SPEAKER_00: I'm I'm not leaving forever.
1:03:29
SPEAKER_00: I'll be back.
1:03:30
SPEAKER_00: We'll have Sean will have some special episodes, and then we'll have a special episode when I do return uh with a special guest potentially joining as well.
1:03:39
SPEAKER_00: And and and and one thing I wanted to say is the the beautiful game is so great because we have major league baseball here in that in the US, we have the NBA, but football is truly, truly a worldwide sport.
1:03:51
SPEAKER_00: So being able to go to another country, and I know it's Mexico and it's not actually really that far, but to watch high-level football, I'll get to see Alexand uh Alejandro Zendejas, national team player for the USA, and get to see how things work in the in the Mexican league.
1:04:06
SPEAKER_00: Super blessed and excited to be able to do that.
1:04:10
SPEAKER_00: Well, the game's also in the Azteca, so getting to see the Azteca, one of the most famous stadiums in the whole world.
1:04:16
SPEAKER_00: Yeah, I'm I'm excited for it.
1:04:18
SPEAKER_00: So Sean, I know I know thank you.
1:04:21
SPEAKER_00: No, thank you.
1:04:22
SPEAKER_00: And and I know you have a lot planned here.
1:04:25
SPEAKER_00: It really does sound like I'm like leaving forever.
1:04:27
SPEAKER_00: I'll be back in a week.
1:04:30
SPEAKER_00: I'll miss like two episodes.
1:04:31
SPEAKER_01: Yeah, it's gonna be a week.
1:04:34
SPEAKER_01: It's a week absence.
1:04:36
SPEAKER_01: It seemed like we were closing down shop.
1:04:38
SPEAKER_00: This is unbelievable how we're gonna be.
1:04:41
SPEAKER_00: The podcast will be better probably in the next couple episodes than previously.
1:04:45
SPEAKER_01: No, we're gonna have we're gonna have the run of the roost and the inmates are gonna be running the asylum a little bit.
1:04:49
SPEAKER_01: So that'll be that'll be quite the scene.
1:04:52
SPEAKER_01: I don't know what the plan is for the podcast yet.
1:04:53
SPEAKER_01: We'll we'll have episodes out.
1:04:55
SPEAKER_01: Listen, we'll we'll take care of it.
1:04:56
SPEAKER_01: We'll we'll miss Brandon for sure, and we'll be awaiting his return and hearing about his experience.
1:05:02
SPEAKER_01: I think it's gonna be awesome.
1:05:03
SPEAKER_01: I'm very excited for you.
1:05:05
SPEAKER_01: So I'm looking forward to the recaps when they come.
1:05:08
SPEAKER_01: The only thing, Brandon, that I wanted to point out this weekend outside of the Premier League on Saturday, we have the Darby della Madonina, which is of course the Milan Darby, AC Milan, Inter Milan at the San Zero.
1:05:21
SPEAKER_01: Milan are technically the home team in this, so I don't know if they actually have more fans.
1:05:26
SPEAKER_01: I think it sometimes fluctuates, whether it's 50-50 both times, or they actually get more fans for their home game, and Inter would get more fans on the return.
1:05:34
SPEAKER_01: But it's an important one.
1:05:35
SPEAKER_01: Milan are fifth after the disappointing loss on Wednesday.
1:05:39
SPEAKER_01: Inter sit top of the table.
1:05:41
SPEAKER_01: I'm hoping for a Milan win and a couple pull-is it goals just to help Roma out as they try to chase down Inter Milan.
1:05:48
SPEAKER_01: And then on Sunday, Juventus facing Napoli, the north versus the south in Italy.
1:05:55
SPEAKER_01: It's a game where both teams desperately need three points if they really want to accomplish.
1:06:00
SPEAKER_01: Big things this season, specifically Juventus.
1:06:03
SPEAKER_01: We mentioned earlier in the show just how disappointing their start's been.
1:06:06
SPEAKER_01: This is a real put-up or shut-up moment in their season.
1:06:10
SPEAKER_01: Those are a couple of the best games.
1:06:11
SPEAKER_01: And then on Saturday in in Germany, first time I've mentioned a Bundesliga game in the last few weeks, but it's a huge one.
1:06:19
SPEAKER_01: I believe it's called Der Klassiker.
1:06:21
SPEAKER_01: It is uh Bor Bayer Munich hosting Borussio Dortmund Saturday at 1.30.
1:06:28
SPEAKER_01: I believe that's before the time space continuum starts overnight.
1:06:32
SPEAKER_01: So I think it's 1.30 Eastern.
1:06:34
SPEAKER_01: Both teams are joint top of the table.
1:06:37
SPEAKER_01: Now, no one actually believes Dortmund can mount a title challenge this season.
1:06:42
SPEAKER_01: It's kind of just seen as that Dortmund will do what Dortmund do and they'll fade off eventually.
1:06:46
SPEAKER_01: But a win away to Bayern would certainly change that outlook and get the conversation going.
1:06:51
SPEAKER_01: So I'm rooting for Dortmund.
1:06:53
SPEAKER_01: I want a title race in the Bundesliga.
1:06:56
SPEAKER_01: It's not often that we get a good one.
1:06:58
SPEAKER_01: And if you're interested in not seeing the same team win the same league year over year, you should be rooting for Dortmund as well.
1:07:04
SPEAKER_01: So those are the games I will be tuning into this weekend outside of the Premier.
1:07:07
SPEAKER_00: No, thank you.
1:07:08
SPEAKER_00: Thank you for that, Sean.
1:07:09
SPEAKER_00: I I love when we have somebody other than Bayern just crushing it in Germany, but unfortunately, the way the the rosters are built and the way that the teams are there, it's really Bayern's to lose.
1:07:26
SPEAKER_00: Uh Dortman will always put up a good fight, and these matches, of course, are a huge part of that, but usually Bayern eventually figures it out and they rise to the top and win the league.
1:07:36
SPEAKER_00: But maybe, maybe we'll see something different this year.
1:07:38
SPEAKER_00: Maybe Harry Kane will still be partying from the Balantor.
1:07:41
SPEAKER_00: He might not be in great form, and Dortmund can sneak out a win.
1:07:45
SPEAKER_01: That would be that would be exciting, I think.
1:07:47
SPEAKER_01: Just for at least making us believe a little longer that somebody else could win the league.
1:07:52
SPEAKER_01: I think we all know who will win it eventually, but you never know.
1:07:55
SPEAKER_01: You never know.
1:07:55
SPEAKER_01: There was Bayer Leverkusen under Jabi Alonso a couple years ago, so there was that.
1:08:00
SPEAKER_00: No, very, very true there, Sean.
1:08:03
SPEAKER_00: Thank you for this episode.
1:08:04
SPEAKER_00: This was a fun one.
1:08:05
SPEAKER_00: We got to celebrate our boy Harry Kane.
1:08:08
SPEAKER_00: Poo-poo on uh Arsenal some some more, and then obviously going over the the preview for the weekend and some fantasy picks.
1:08:17
SPEAKER_00: Yeah, I'm excited for the next one with you.
1:08:19
SPEAKER_01: I know it won't be for a little bit, but I'm excited to hear about your travels and certainly the games or at least game you attend, and uh, we're looking forward to your return.
1:08:29
SPEAKER_01: We'll hold down the fort in the meantime.
1:08:31
SPEAKER_01: We'll try our best.
1:08:32
SPEAKER_00: I'll be I'll be listening, I'm subscribed.
1:08:34
SPEAKER_00: I listen and subscribed.
1:08:36
SPEAKER_00: Uh that's not I'm not trying to just boost our views.
1:08:40
SPEAKER_00: I actually do like listening back to these.
1:08:42
SPEAKER_00: So oh, that's different for me.
1:08:43
SPEAKER_01: I never listen back to any episode.
1:08:45
SPEAKER_01: I never do.
1:08:47
SPEAKER_01: I can't do it.
1:08:48
SPEAKER_01: I don't like hearing myself talk prior to what you might believe.
1:08:50
SPEAKER_01: I have three podcasts, but I don't actually enjoy it.
1:08:54
SPEAKER_01: So I try not to edit myself even.
1:08:56
SPEAKER_01: Like I just kind of let it rip unless there's something grave that I need to take care of.
1:09:00
SPEAKER_01: But while you're in Mexico, Brandon, really start spreading the word.
1:09:02
SPEAKER_01: And you know, tell tell tell our hermanos and our hermanas, let's let's let's like and subscribe.
1:09:09
SPEAKER_00: Okay.
1:09:09
SPEAKER_00: Yeah, I got about 120 days of Duolingo under my belt.
1:09:14
SPEAKER_00: We haven't gone over how to say friends on football podcasts, but I will I will figure that out and uh share the word down in Mexico for us.
1:09:23
SPEAKER_00: Yeah, push all the podcasts that I'm on if you want.
1:09:26
SPEAKER_00: Yeah, I mean this guy he doesn't he hates to listen to himself, but he he has three podcasts.
1:09:30
SPEAKER_00: He's recording an episode every night.
1:09:31
SPEAKER_00: I I can't even find time to meet with him to do this podcast.
1:09:34
SPEAKER_00: He's he's doing one of his other ones.
1:09:36
SPEAKER_00: So this guy's coming from the guy who's gonna be here next week.
1:09:41
SPEAKER_00: Somebody's got all down the fort.
1:09:42
SPEAKER_00: Somebody's got all the down.
1:09:44
SPEAKER_00: You got too many episodes to record.
1:09:46
SPEAKER_00: You can't leave.
1:09:46
SPEAKER_01: I physically couldn't.
1:09:47
SPEAKER_01: I don't know.
1:09:48
SPEAKER_01: I don't know how I would take a vacation.
1:09:50
SPEAKER_01: It wouldn't work.
1:09:51
SPEAKER_00: Because you you know, I have no idea how to edit or do any of that stuff.
1:09:55
SPEAKER_00: So the episode would just get recorded and and placed exactly as is.
1:09:59
SPEAKER_00: So we need you, we need you.
1:10:02
SPEAKER_00: You can't you can't be taking vacation, Sean.
1:10:04
SPEAKER_00: But listeners, thank you as always.
1:10:06
SPEAKER_00: Uh send in your questions as well.
1:10:07
SPEAKER_00: Sydney, again, thank you for that question about Fantasy Premier League.
1:10:10
SPEAKER_00: We'd love to throw in these little segments here and there to spice up the podcast a little bit.
1:10:15
SPEAKER_00: Tell a friend to tell a friend.
1:10:17
SPEAKER_00: I'll surely be telling my friends down in Mexico.
1:10:19
SPEAKER_00: And until next time, take care.