Amidst the reloading by most EPL title contenders, Arsenal joined the party by making their most expensive transfer yet, signing the talented but unproven Lacazette to shore up a position that fans have complained about (somewhat unfairly IMO) since Giroud moved to the club. Whether this addresses the club's needs is another matter entirely. Leicester made a similar move by signing Iheanacho, a good move on paper except that it reinforces a position for which they had plenty of options already, especially with Mahrez still at the club for now.

The rest of the Premier League's opening gameday schedule has few high-level confrontations, but still plenty to look out for, from Chelsea's reception of an always-tough Burnley to presumed title front-runners City's trip to the coast to take on Brighton.

Sunday has another Clasico as Real and Barca meet in the Spanish Supercup, while in France Neymar should be making his first appearance to the glitz and glamour of Ligue 1 when PSG travel to Guingamp.

Season starts early this year, let's get some predictions going! And if you haven't signed up for fantasy PL yet, don't wait too long!

EPL
Fri 11 Aug 2017
2:45p Arsenal FC - Leicester City
Sat 12 Aug 2017
07:30a Watford FC - Liverpool FC
10:00a Chelsea FC - Burnley FC
10:00a Crystal Palace - Huddersfield
10:00a Everton FC - Stoke City
10:00a Southampton - Swansea
10:00a West Bromwich - Bournemouth
12:30p Brighton - Manchester City

Sun 13 Aug 2017
08:30a Newcastle Utd - Tottenham
11:00a Manchester United - West Ham

------------------------------
For the record, my teams:
MLB: Mets / Soccer: PSG
NCAA BB: Arizona / NCAA FB: Michigan
NBA: Spurs / NFL: Jets

I think a few of us had Chelsea last year, now let's see if we believe in City as much as the pundits seem to. I'll try to save these predictions somewhere for maximum clownage potential (like the time last year when I had Batshuayi as best new signing):

Top 4
Bottom 3
Best coach
Golden Boot
Player of the year
Best new signing
Best comeback

------------------------------
For the record, my teams:
MLB: Mets / Soccer: PSG
NCAA BB: Arizona / NCAA FB: Michigan
NBA: Spurs / NFL: Jets

>Top 4
city, arsenal, utd, chelsea

>Bottom 3
burnley, brighton, huddersfield

>Best coach
josep

>Golden Boot
lacazette

>Player of the year
KDB

>Best new signing
kolasinac, mo salah, mendy

>Best comeback
mahrez

___

it is a capital mistake to theorize before one has data. insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit theories, instead of theories to suit facts. - sherlock holmes

>Top 4
City, Arsenal, United, Spurs

>Bottom 3
Watford, Brighton, Huddersfield

>Best coach
Guardiola

>Golden Boot
Lukaku

>Player of the year
De Bruyne

>Best new signing
Lukaku

>Best comeback
Sissoko

------------------------------
For the record, my teams:
MLB: Mets / Soccer: PSG
NCAA BB: Arizona / NCAA FB: Michigan
NBA: Spurs / NFL: Jets

>I think a few of us had Chelsea last year, now let's see if
>we believe in City as much as the pundits seem to. I'll try to
>save these predictions somewhere for maximum clownage
>potential (like the time last year when I had Batshuayi as
>best new signing):
>
>Top 4

United
Chelsea
Citeh
L'Arse

>Bottom 3

West Brom
Huddersfield
Watford

>Best coach

Mou

>Golden Boot

Lukaku

>Player of the year

Lukaku

>Best new signing

Lukaku

>Best comeback

Matic

---------------------------------
Photo zine(some images NSFW): http://bit.ly/USaSPhoto

"This (and every, actually) conversation needs more Chesterton and less Mike Francesa." - Walleye

>I think a few of us had Chelsea last year, now let's see if
>we believe in City as much as the pundits seem to. I'll try to
>save these predictions somewhere for maximum clownage
>potential (like the time last year when I had Batshuayi as
>best new signing):
>
>Top 4

City, United, Spurs, Chelsea

>Bottom 3

Watford, Brighton, Huddersfield


>Best coach

Special One


>Golden Boot

Lukaku


>Player of the year

Pogba


>Best new signing

Lacazette


>Best comeback

Not sure on this one...Rooney on one last ride?

>Top 4
United, City, Arsenal, Chelsea

>Bottom 3
West Brom, Huddersfield, Burnley

>Best coach
Mou

>Golden Boot
Lukaku

>Player of the year
Pogba

>Best new signing
Sead, Laca, Chicharito

>Best comeback
Mkhitaryan, Zlatan

----

>I think a few of us had Chelsea last year, now let's see if
>we believe in City as much as the pundits seem to. I'll try to
>save these predictions somewhere for maximum clownage
>potential (like the time last year when I had Batshuayi as
>best new signing):
>


>Top 4
Chelsea
Tottenham
Manchester United
Everton

>Bottom 3

Stoke
Brighton & Hove
Swansea

>Best coach

Jose C.

>Golden Boot

H. Kane

>Player of the year

D. De Gea or Dele Alli

>Best new signing

Lacazette

>Best comeback

This has GOT to be Rooney, right. Or Zlatan if he re-signs.

You're such pests...now, what is it you want? In your depths of your ignorance, what is it you want? Well, whatever it is you want, I can't deliver because I just don't see it. - Orson Welles


Never Tired, Always Sleepy

This season is going to be interesting. Rafa didn't get the transfers he wanted and Mike Ashley (England's version of Dan Snyder) still owns the team. I do not expect them to be world beaters this year but I do not think they are in danger of relegation. Slow and steady!

*America's Favorite*

because barca claims PSG/neymar still hasn't paid the full 222.

meanwhile, dembele skipps training, gets suspended, is supposedly in barcelona but dortmund just rejected latest offer.

shit. show.

-----------
you think we playing chess, but i'm playing mad-making. Basaglia

Liverpool rejected Barca's latest offer ($120mil or so), with rumors they would agree to $150m. But rumors being what they are, who knows where reality lies. PSG is also allegedly in the running for him, and MBappe because why the f not. Nevermind we need a keeper more than anything, and went nowhere with Dollarumma.

------------------------------
For the record, my teams:
MLB: Mets / Soccer: PSG
NCAA BB: Arizona / NCAA FB: Michigan
NBA: Spurs / NFL: Jets

but it would be a catastrophic mistake for LFC to sell.

They'd become long shots to even threaten for the Top 4.

is more about the message it sends regarding what kind of club liverpool is, as opposed to how hard it would be to replace him. with our current midfield options (barring lallana's injury) and the ability to slide salah and mane around, he shouldn't be that difficult to replace. especially with klopp's reputation as a tinkerer who takes a team approach and not a superstar approach.

but that fact that we flamed out on keita and van dijk, and our historical struggles in the transfer (balotelli, anyone?) pretty much make it impossible to that that barca money even if we wanted to.

that being said, i don't want to sign him and really see him going the suarez route, giving 'pool one more year. then we can trigger keita's release clause next year.

------
"I can't promise I'll try. But I'll try to try."

I've also read that while nearly any player would covet a move to Barca, this year Coutinho was finally slotted to play behind the front 3 in a playmaking role, his ideal spot. I think Klopp promised him that, whereas on Barca who knows where he would play (not centrally that's for sure).

I think the team desperately needs him this year. He's simply one of the two best attacking players on the squad (maybe 3 if Salah is as advertised).

Then next year if Barca comes again, he'll probably be gone but LFC will be better situated to handle it, especially with Keita, as you said.

The vvd situation truly sucks and is a bunch of bullshit.

Sucks with Keita and vvd, but if they don't lose Coutinho I'm ok with where they are.

If they do lose Coutinho though, and don't get Keita or vvd, then I'd be real sour on their chances this year.

I read that "Liverpool is a selling club now" article on the Guardian. There's some truth to that, but also every club in the world is a seller to Barca except for like PSG and Real. It is what it is.

He certainly could. Especially if we're able to get Dembele to fill the left striker spot.

--

"You can't beat white people. You can only knock them out."

But not what I would expect, and obviously miles from the guarantee that he's reportedly gotten from Klopp. To say nothing of guaranteed playing time.

Basically I think it's enough to keep him at LFC for this season, and after that who knows.

smh at this summer

------
"I can't promise I'll try. But I'll try to try."

<--- Big Baller World Order

Did you predict a ManU title yet?

Last year you did it after the first match. It was wonderful.

http://sinceliverpoollastwonatrophy.co.uk/

<--- Big Baller World Order

your team not knowing where you are while raising prices by 50% on you when your dream team comes calling is much more bizarro. and dembele said last year he was willing to go to dortmund in part cuz they said they'd let him move for a reasonable fee to barca if barca wanted him.

-----------
you think we playing chess, but i'm playing mad-making. Basaglia

Alexis has been ruled out for 2 weeks, Ozil and Ramsey are questionable, while Per is doubtful

---------------------------------
<--The drought is over

"have fun reveling in your pettiness tho" (C) Dula summing up 98% of OKS

"I didnt finish a damn thing...matter of fact I jerked off after she left."
-Kobe speaking to investigators

L D E A

The community shield showed what I had hoped for - good recognition and smart movement, efficient one touch passing, decisive in the box, and (a very pleasant surprise) excellent positioning up top and technique trapping/controlling the ball off his chest. The latter can be a significant boon because it allows us to vary our style of play with him being a post-player and fulcrum in addition to our usual passing build-up style.

---------------------------------
<--The drought is over

"have fun reveling in your pettiness tho" (C) Dula summing up 98% of OKS

"I didnt finish a damn thing...matter of fact I jerked off after she left."
-Kobe speaking to investigators

L D E A

the Arsenal of own goals

https://twitter.com/FootballCliches/status/895348633784266752

------------------------------
For the record, my teams:
MLB: Mets / Soccer: PSG
NCAA BB: Arizona / NCAA FB: Michigan
NBA: Spurs / NFL: Jets

Blind almost did DDG like that in a friendly the other day

<--- Big Baller World Order

That sucks

---------------------------------
<--The drought is over

"have fun reveling in your pettiness tho" (C) Dula summing up 98% of OKS

"I didnt finish a damn thing...matter of fact I jerked off after she left."
-Kobe speaking to investigators

L D E A

watching these first season with hands over my eyes. do we even have a RB for week one?

The guy who could stand the most to benefit from being around those two. The guy who has excellent pace still. The guy that could take the lessons from playing alongside a multiple-time PL medal owner and be a fucking colossus for us for years. Great job Brucie.

---------------------------------
Photo zine(some images NSFW): http://bit.ly/USaSPhoto

"This (and every, actually) conversation needs more Chesterton and less Mike Francesa." - Walleye

very much a fan of the Friday night kick-off today

------------------------------
For the record, my teams:
MLB: Mets / Soccer: PSG
NCAA BB: Arizona / NCAA FB: Michigan
NBA: Spurs / NFL: Jets

------------------------------
For the record, my teams:
MLB: Mets / Soccer: PSG
NCAA BB: Arizona / NCAA FB: Michigan
NBA: Spurs / NFL: Jets

------------------------------
For the record, my teams:
MLB: Mets / Soccer: PSG
NCAA BB: Arizona / NCAA FB: Michigan
NBA: Spurs / NFL: Jets

Counter. Beautiful cross

Because Albrighton should have been Villa for life =( =( =(

---------------------------------
Photo zine(some images NSFW): http://bit.ly/USaSPhoto

"This (and every, actually) conversation needs more Chesterton and less Mike Francesa." - Walleye

Because otherwise, he has been damn near impeccable.

If we just cut out these damn preventable giveaways, we can win this game. Holding looks quite nervous out there and he's thinking the game to paralysis which is leading to him getting caught or bumbling on the ball.

Lagachette has been tremendous...his movement is so good and it's his instant touch across his body that opens up a shooting window and the resulting scuff ends up falling to Kolasinac for the pass to the always clumsy Welbz lol

---------------------------------
<--The drought is over

"have fun reveling in your pettiness tho" (C) Dula summing up 98% of OKS

"I didnt finish a damn thing...matter of fact I jerked off after she left."
-Kobe speaking to investigators

L D E A

edit: forgot to finish lol

in b4 giroud comes on at 75 and scores the winner.

<--- Big Baller World Order

<--- Big Baller World Order

Outside of these silly giveaways, our balance has looked quite good and been very dangerous in the final 1/3. Giving away cheap shit with really poor risk/reward assessment.

---------------------------------
<--The drought is over

"have fun reveling in your pettiness tho" (C) Dula summing up 98% of OKS

"I didnt finish a damn thing...matter of fact I jerked off after she left."
-Kobe speaking to investigators

L D E A

not a ton of crisp play from him so far

------------------------------
For the record, my teams:
MLB: Mets / Soccer: PSG
NCAA BB: Arizona / NCAA FB: Michigan
NBA: Spurs / NFL: Jets

However, I never worry about him...he always takes the brunt of blame for being "invisible" but the way he facilitates the game in our triangles is a role no one else can do.

---------------------------------
<--The drought is over

"have fun reveling in your pettiness tho" (C) Dula summing up 98% of OKS

"I didnt finish a damn thing...matter of fact I jerked off after she left."
-Kobe speaking to investigators

L D E A

It's a whole other thing to try and improvise a back 3 lol. Lets hope we don't have to see both Holding and Monreal playing the back 3 again together this season.

---------------------------------
<--The drought is over

"have fun reveling in your pettiness tho" (C) Dula summing up 98% of OKS

"I didnt finish a damn thing...matter of fact I jerked off after she left."
-Kobe speaking to investigators

L D E A

granted they won a title that way, but Arsenal can definitely blame themselves so far

------------------------------
For the record, my teams:
MLB: Mets / Soccer: PSG
NCAA BB: Arizona / NCAA FB: Michigan
NBA: Spurs / NFL: Jets

Sloppy passing in the back 1/3 which directly leads to the 2nd goal and then Ox doesn't clear the ball which leads to the Mahrez shot leading to the corner...on which both Welbeck and Elneny aren't playing anyone on the near post and Vardy gets the free header.

---------------------------------
<--The drought is over

"have fun reveling in your pettiness tho" (C) Dula summing up 98% of OKS

"I didnt finish a damn thing...matter of fact I jerked off after she left."
-Kobe speaking to investigators

L D E A

------------------------------
For the record, my teams:
MLB: Mets / Soccer: PSG
NCAA BB: Arizona / NCAA FB: Michigan
NBA: Spurs / NFL: Jets

We sorely needed either of Mustafi, Kosc, or Per because we needed a composed leader on the backline today to settle them down...Monreal does a great job in terms of his play but Holding needs a composed veteran to settle him.

I've said for what seems like infinity now that Giroud off the bench is an incredible weapon because he completely changes the style of our attack...the opposition always has an adjustment period where they are still sagging deep and he is able to become establish a post-player and fulcrum in those positions in addition to giving us an aerial threat in the box. Complete change of pace and it works more often than not.

Like Giroud, Ramsey provided another change in style...he is a weapon when the team requires a burst of offensive attack or energy.

Elneny cannot be the starter at the other CM spot along-side Xhaka. He's a more than serviceable cover at the position but he doesn't have the technique or movement understanding to be elite there.

Bellerin has to be better with his technique than he was tonight...so poor on the ball all game long.

I'll take the 3 points and hopefully some of these mistakes are cleaned up by having our veteran backline back in play.

---------------------------------
<--The drought is over

"have fun reveling in your pettiness tho" (C) Dula summing up 98% of OKS

"I didnt finish a damn thing...matter of fact I jerked off after she left."
-Kobe speaking to investigators

L D E A

That's how

---------------------------------
<--The drought is over

"have fun reveling in your pettiness tho" (C) Dula summing up 98% of OKS

"I didnt finish a damn thing...matter of fact I jerked off after she left."
-Kobe speaking to investigators

L D E A

Man I've fallen head over heels in love with giroud over the last two years. My dogg! What a man. The white Sagna - don't ask me to explain, he just is.

Ozil and Xacka were shit , no plea copping

Why are we sitting per and/or mustafi?? We really couldn't give one a go?

Whatever 3 pts, but quite a shit show

He made one poor pass but that doesn't negate the rest of his game especially his link-up distribution

---------------------------------
<--The drought is over

"have fun reveling in your pettiness tho" (C) Dula summing up 98% of OKS

"I didnt finish a damn thing...matter of fact I jerked off after she left."
-Kobe speaking to investigators

L D E A

----
bshelly

"You (Fisher) could get fired, Les Snead could get fired, Kevin Demoff could get fired, but I will always be Eric Dickerson.” (c) The God

------------------------------
For the record, my teams:
MLB: Mets / Soccer: PSG
NCAA BB: Arizona / NCAA FB: Michigan
NBA: Spurs / NFL: Jets

<--- Big Baller World Order

------------------------------
For the record, my teams:
MLB: Mets / Soccer: PSG
NCAA BB: Arizona / NCAA FB: Michigan
NBA: Spurs / NFL: Jets

I'm still mystified by how thin that Chelsea bench is. Willian and Kante are still top class, but how is this squad supposed to deal with any kind of adversity?

But mostly I'm mad that I had Courtois and Heaton as keepers in my fantasy squad and of course I went with Courtois

------------------------------
For the record, my teams:
MLB: Mets / Soccer: PSG
NCAA BB: Arizona / NCAA FB: Michigan
NBA: Spurs / NFL: Jets

no real injuries last year. this year they will know pain.

>but how is this squad
>supposed to deal with any kind of adversity?
>

<--- Big Baller World Order

Two goals allowed from corner kicks

------------------------------
For the record, my teams:
MLB: Mets / Soccer: PSG
NCAA BB: Arizona / NCAA FB: Michigan
NBA: Spurs / NFL: Jets

---------------------------------
<--The drought is over

"have fun reveling in your pettiness tho" (C) Dula summing up 98% of OKS

"I didnt finish a damn thing...matter of fact I jerked off after she left."
-Kobe speaking to investigators

L D E A

___

it is a capital mistake to theorize before one has data. insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit theories, instead of theories to suit facts. - sherlock holmes

------------------------------
For the record, my teams:
MLB: Mets / Soccer: PSG
NCAA BB: Arizona / NCAA FB: Michigan
NBA: Spurs / NFL: Jets

---------------------------------
Photo zine(some images NSFW): http://bit.ly/USaSPhoto

"This (and every, actually) conversation needs more Chesterton and less Mike Francesa." - Walleye

His blend of balance power and speed is quite something

------------------------------
For the record, my teams:
MLB: Mets / Soccer: PSG
NCAA BB: Arizona / NCAA FB: Michigan
NBA: Spurs / NFL: Jets

That was beautiful soccer.

<--- Big Baller World Order

.

<--- Big Baller World Order

as expected, he was lettin Pogba, Micki and Mata put on a clinic just by his presence

long season but the outlook is strong.

<--- Big Baller World Order