Manchester City 1-1 Leicester City
Werner (Silva), Benzema (Bruno)
A tightly contested game with two on form teams competing. Werner gave City the lead with a breakaway goal and Leicester worked hard to get back in it and scored a deserved equaliser through Benzema. A lot of cancelling out across the pitch, Lautaro dropping in helped Leicester in MF battle, City struggled with Bruno/Theo combo on that side. City’s midfield trio and two strikers gave them a brilliant spine – really nice blend of attributes. A draw probably a fair outcome as slots were close.
Chelsea 3-1 Brentford
Chelsea too strong for Brentford in this one. Really nice balance to the team. Brentford have some good players but ultimately Chelsea stronger across the pitch and home advantage, three H’s in the slots. I would reflect that both of Brentford’s full backs would be better in a 5, or if going for a 4, a 442 may have caused Chelsea more problems but this was always going to be a tough one.
Haaland (Grealish), Bellingham, Mbappe (Robertson)
Suarez (Kovacic)
GW7
posted on 4/10/21
Liverpool 2 Spurs 2
Neto (Tonali) 14
Leao 53
Trippier 70
-----------------------------De Bruyne FK 31
-----------------------------Aguero (De Bruyne) 77
MOTM - De Bruyne
A very entertaining tactical battle here. Tino pulling out the glock with some innovative tactics and they worked to stifle the attacking threat of tab's henchmen. I like the instructions given to Varane about doubling up and helping the FB'S defend on the FB's so the CB'S can stay central and just focus on the Spurs strikers. Tab's side is full of world class talent and they get the majority of the team slots but think tino edges it out a bit tactically. Fruity gives out the draw.
Slots
Pool 9
Spurs 10
Draw 5
Fruity
A, D, D
posted on 4/10/21
Watford Wolves
A depressing pre-match intro from Tino, and older legs saw the young Brazilian hot shots start well, blessed with pace and trickery they ran circles round the Wolves defence at times as the attacking trio weren’t the best at helping the defence leaving plenty of space. That said, on the ball Wolves have world class quality and with Busquets and Verratti are in with a chance of dominating any midfield battle - that they did with the front 3 pushing back Watford defence and a good ball playing cb in Roma key.
I liked the home sides gameplan, and the mix of the Watford Cm trio. Did think the tactics are brave and would make for an exciting game, thought up against press resistant players like Verratti and Busquets would see the defence landing in trouble at times when they get past this.
For Wolves, wasn’t sure if Hoever is the swashbuckling rb to overlap Griezz, and kind of like PSG think the cms will be busy defensively - though it’s the best trio you could want for that. Roma maybe still has mistakes in him could cost in big games.
I thought LC left the subs a bit late, but liked the changes that were made.
Both sides in with a good chance on fruity but span to the away team.
Watford 2 - 3 Wolves
Evanilson (I.Gomes), I.Gomes (Paulinho) ; Ronaldo (Spina), Neymar, Vlahovic (Neymar)
Motm: Igor Gomes
posted on 5/10/21
Newcastle vs United
nice battle this with two very different systems in place,
Newcastle wanting to control the midfield is admirable but it feels too congested in the engine room with two banks of four, and not much attacking width, well written tactics though Ludy and I can see what you're trying to create. I just feel that maybe with all the talent you have you could drop a CB and put an extra body higher up the pitch and create more width with the pace of Salah/Son
Nadz I like the implementation of the 4-2-3-1, a nice mix in that side, gives you a really solid spine, I like the look of your CM's and think they'd be a good combo and obvs the front-four are very good too,
United would certainly keep the Barcodes honest, Home advantage and form giving Newcastle an edge was the big mover in the slots
Newcastle 3-2 Man United
Lewa x2 (casemiro,Trent) Son (Salah)
Greenwood (Rashford) Wirtz (Raphinha)
MOTM - Ndidi
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Leeds vs Arsenal
A game I was looking forward to, with 2 much improved sides, They say styles make fights, with both sides set up in a 3-5-2, They stifled each other with neither side really getting a sustained stronghold on the game. Both sides have tactically apt managers and both sets read very well, but I don't see enough in them to really scream out a victory,, slots were very even but the fruity has the final say.
Leeds 0-1 Arsenal
Dybala (no assist)
Motm - Dybala, one moment of magic was all it took