2016-17 English Football Season Thread

[Psychotic]

The Fifa rankings have always been broadly accurate but have the potential to throw up a few anomalies. Most people who watch football don't really give any sort of a smurf about them.

Anyway, I've already put my skills as a psychic on the line, let's put my skills as a pundit too. Liverpool to dominate the game, De Gea to make a string of saves, Man United fans will be having a meltdown on Twitter at the utter destruction that is going on. Which is a bit silly, really, they should just enjoy watching the skill of De Gea at work.

Around the 65th minute mark Liverpool look slightly confused and out of ideas. This is the time. United will score either by lumping the ball into the box for a big lump (and they have a lot of them) to head it in or someone like Rashford, Martial or - just to smurfing spite me - Lingard will drive in a low shot into one of the corners. 0-1. Our Year will be cancelled until 2018.

Paul Scholes, conversely, thinks Liverpool will win. Well, of course he does.

[Loony BoB]

It's a Liverpool vs. United game, so I'm predicting that something will happen and form will count for nothing. I'm not sure if that's good or bad.

Lingard getting a goal would be awesome. Apparently he was the best player in the recent England game? No idea if true, didn't watch it.

[Psychotic]

Nah, you can easily predict Liverpool v United in the league. It's the same bloody thing every year. I saw a cheerful stat that the last 10 league match ups had 7 United wins, 2 Liverpool wins (in that one season we were good and had Suarez) and 1 draw. The Europa League tie was the wildcard, this is pure bread and butter. If Liverpool win you can give me a Jesse Lingard avatar.

Also, second best. The True Captain of England, Sir Jordan of Henderson won the MotM!

[Bubba]

It's a strange one tonight. I'm normally dreading these games but I'm actually quite excited. I think it's because I'm certain Liverpool will win tonight. I will match you Psy and will agree to (once again) sport a Jordan Henderson avatar for a week if Utd win.

If it's a draw then BoB has to have a Nick Jonas avatar for a week for absolutely no reason.

[Crop]

I'll keep the unwavering faith over here on my own then. 2-1 United.

Always get pumped for this game, gives me a feeling no other game in the calendar does.

[Bubba]

gives me a feeling no other game in the calendar does.

Yup. Usually absolute terror.

[Psychotic]

You normally smack us, what are you so scared of! I do know the feeling all too well though. There's no rivalry in English football quite like it.

[Cell]

I'm struggling to see past Man City, their recent blip aside.

[Bubba]

I'm struggling to see past Man City, their recent blip aside.

Yeah, with you on that, my man. They're gonna walk it.

I'm not scared tonight. Well, I wasn't but now we've stared really well it's gonna make defeat even worse. You'll nick a goal when you've not deserved it and I'll be all depressed then turn up for work tomorrow hungover and unhappy.

[Psychotic]

I was totally wrong about the game. United playing at Anfield like Liverpool normally do with ridiculous pressing and Liverpool just forced to hopefully hoof it. First glimpse of what a Mourinho United might be capable of and it's ominous.

[Bubba]

Well, it was a half of two-thirds. So... a third.

But yeah, opening half hour from us was great but there weren't many chances created. We needed to score during that time.

This is could be a 0-0

[Psychotic]

One thing I'll say from experience of watching Liverpool is that playing at 100mph from the first whistle you can often gas early. Liverpool and Spurs both do it and both Klopp and Poch make them do double training sessions to boost the stamina. I don't know if Mourinho does the same and whether it's a good idea to do it right after the international break. Still, smurfing respect to him for having the balls to do that, that was impressive. I'm even impressed by the cynical gamebreaking fouls - this is not a dig - shades of Inter Milan Mourinho right there.

[Bubba]

Liverpool look strong now. This'll be 2-0. Goal with about ten mins to go then another in stoppage time.

[Bubba]

What

[Bubba]

A