Differences 16/17 ep.12
Differences 16/17 ep.12
How much did you understand?
Vocabulary
In the podcast, Rich and Jack used some words and phrases that might be new for you. You can see two examples here:
Shaqiri is a fantastic player and is the first player this season to score twice from outside the box.
If he played like that every week, he would be the best. Consistency is the key word here!
There were a few more tricky words in the podcast. Can you remember all of them? Try the activity below, then, listen to the podcast again to hear how we used the words in context. This can really help with understanding.
Language - Small Differences
In this week's podcast, Jack and Rich spoke about words and phrases that we use to describe differences. Let's start by looking at phrases we can use when the difference between things is small. Look at this sentence from the podcast:
It's very tight at the top of the table.
We are using the word 'tight' to say there is very little difference between the teams at the top of the table. We could use some different words and expressions to show the same meaning:
It's very close at the top of the table.
There is hardly anything between the teams at the top of the table.
There is nothing to choose between them.
When we use these expressions we are talking in a general way and we could be talking about two teams or more. If we want to talk about small differences between two teams, take a look at these examples:
Arsenal are just behind Manchester City.
Liverpool are slightly behind Arsenal.
Spurs are a little bit further back on 19 points.
In this activity, try to use some of the expressions above in some different sentences.
Language - Big Differences
We also looked at some phrases that describe bigger differences between things. Take a look at these examples from the podcast:
The top five are miles ahead at the moment.
I wouldn't say they're galloping off into the distance.
There is a huge gap between the top five and the rest.
Two of these expressions are idioms, which are expressions that used together have a different meaning from the individual words. All of the phrases are used to describe a big difference. We also used an idiom to describe a very small difference between the top five teams in the Premier League. Did you hear it? Which one of these three sentences did we use?
It's head to head at the the top of the Premier League table.
It's neck and neck at the top of the Premier League table.
It's hand in hand at the top of the Premier League table.
Transcript
Welcome
Rich: Hello my name’s Rich
Jack: and I’m Jack
Rich: and welcome to this week’s Premier Skills English podcast
Jack: Where we talk about football and help you with your English.
Latest news headlines
Jack: Let’s start with the Premier League headlines this week.
Rich: An unhappy return to Chelsea for Mourinho.
Jack: Jose Mourinho had a disastrous day back at his old club - Chelsea. The Blues beat Mourinho’s Manchester Utd 4-0. Pedro scored for Chelsea after just 30 seconds - the fastest goal of the season so far; further goals from Gary Cahill, Eden Hazard and N’Golo Kante gave Chelsea their best win of the season.
Rich: Burnley and West Ham leave it late.
Jack: Burnley and West Ham both scored injury time winners to send their fans home happy. Burnley scored in the 91st minute to give them a 2-1 win against Everton and West Ham left it even later. The Hammers got their winner in the 94th minute to beat Sunderland 1-0.
Rich: Just one point separates 5 teams at the top of the Premier League table.
Jack: The Premier League title race looks like it is going to be as close as ever. Manchester City are top but only goal difference separates them from Arsenal and Liverpool with Chelsea and Spurs just one point behind.
Player of the Week
Rich: So who was our player of the week? Lots to choose from; Middlesbrough’s Victor Valdes kept a clean sheet at the Emirates, Philippe Coutinho had a great game for Liverpool, and N’Golo Kante was superb for Chelsea against Manchester Utd.
Jack: They all had great weekends but our player of the week is…………... Xherdan Shaqiri. The Swiss-Albanian scored two fantastic long-range goals to give Stoke City a 2-0 away win at Hull City. Shaqiri is a fantastic player and is the first player to score two goals from outside the box this season and the first Stoke player to ever do it in the Premier League.
Rich: Good choice for our Player of the Week! If he could play like that every week, he would be one of the best players in the Premier League. Consistency is the key word here.
Jack: Do you agree with our choice? Let us know in the comments section.
Language
Rich: In this section we’re going to analyse some stats from the premier League and then take a look at the language we used. This week we’re looking at expressions we can use to describe the Premier League table.
Jack: So, it’s neck and neck at the top of the Premier League. We have Manchester City leading the way on 20 points..
Rich: But, our teams Liverpool and Arsenal also have 20 points! It’s very tight at the top.
Jack: Yes, it’s only goal difference that separates the three teams. City have a goal difference of plus eleven, Arsenal are just behind with plus ten and Liverpool are slightly behind Arsenal with plus nine.
Rich: That is close. There is hardly anything between them. And, we have Chelsea and Spurs just a little bit further back on 19 points.
Jack: Maybe it’s still too early to say the Premier League winners will come from these five but they are miles ahead at the moment.
Rich: I wouldn’t say that they’re galloping off into the distance but there’s definitely a gap between the top five and Everton, Manchester Utd and the rest.
Jack: You’re right, it’s not a huge gap and a couple of wins for Man Utd could see them close the gap very quickly.
Rich: There’s still a long way to go but it’s going to be very exciting that’s for sure………..
Jack: We’ve just been speaking about the Premier League table and we used lots of different words and expressions to describe differences between teams in the table. We used words and expressions that describe small differences and big differences.
Rich: When there is only a small difference between two or more things we can use words and phrases like close, tight and hardly anything between them.
Jack: We use these words to describe a group of things with little difference between them.
Rich: So, we can say it’s tight at the top of the Premier League table or close at the top of the table and it means there is little difference between the teams near the top.
Jack: We could also describe a match as close or tight. If there is little difference between two teams and they are often drawing we can say it’s a close or a tight match - the latter is often used when describing close matches that are also defensive.
Rich: We also use words phrases to describe small differences in a more specific way. The phrases; a little bit, slightly and just are used to describe a small difference between two things.
Jack: We said Manchester City are just ahead of Arsenal, Arsenal are slightly ahead of Liverpool and Spurs and Chelsea are a little bit further back.
Rich: The word gap is very useful when describing differences in the football table. A gap is a space between two things. If you ever go on the underground in London you might hear the phrase ‘Mind the Gap’ which means be careful of the space between the train and the platform.
Jack: And we can use the word gap to describe differences. We said there is a huge gap between the top five teams and the rest but we said Man Utd could close the gap with a win or two.
Rich: Finally, we used a few idioms as well. We said that the top five are neck and neck. It’s an idiom that means teams or competitors are very close together in a competition. I think the phrase comes from horse racing.
Jack: We also used the phrase miles ahead which means a long way in front of another competitor.
Rich: And we also said galloping off into the distance which means extending a lead by a long way and also comes from horses because horse don’t run they gallop!
Football Phrase
Rich: Have you got a football phrase for us this week?
Jack: Yes, I have, but first last week’s football phrase. The phrase was a bad day at the office. It’s a phrase or a cliche that managers use after their team plays badly and it means a bad day at work or a bad performance by the team. He didn’t but Jose Mourinho could have said his Manchester Utd team had a bad day at the office last weekend.
Rich: I thought it was pretty difficult but quite a few of you got it right. Well done to Pavlo, Liubomyr and Alex from Ukraine, and Kwesimanifest from Ghana. You all got the right answer.
Jack: Right, OK, this week’s phrase is, I think, a little bit easier. The phrase is to **** *****. The phrase is a phrasal verb with a non-literal meaning like ‘carry on’ or ‘give up’ which mean to continue and stop trying. **** ***** means to beat an opponent easily. So, Chelsea **** Manchester Utd ***** last weekend. This phrasal verb can also mean to separate a machine or piece of equipment.
Rich: You said it was easier. I’m not sure about that.
Prediction
Jack: Last week’s prediction was on the Chelsea - Manchester Utd match. You went for a United win! You couldn’t have been more wrong! I went for Chelsea so that’s a point for me and the majority of our podcast listeners also went for Chelsea so that’s a pint for them, too!
Rich: Yeah, I know. I’m not sure anybody predicted a 4-0 win to Chelsea, though. So, in our prediction league, our listeners are top with me on four points and you are just a point behind, Jack.
Jack: Yes, it’s very close - just like the Premier League! What match are you going to talk about this week.
Rich: This weekend the Champions, Leicester City go to White Hart Lane to play last season’s main challengers - Tottenham Hotspur. Spurs have had a good start to the season and are only one point from the leaders. Leicester, however, have found it difficult to play in both the Premier League and the Champions League and haven’t won a point away from home this season. Leicester are improving slowly but I think Spurs will win this one. Tottenham 1-0 Leicester City.
Jack: Leicester aren’t playing in the Champions League this week so I think they might get a surprise point. I think it’ll finish 1-1.
Social
Jack: Let’s finish with what’s been happening on the website this week.
Rich: We’ve got a new article all about Everton’s goalkeeper - Maarten Stekelenburg. He saved two penalties in the same match last week and not many keepers have done that in the Premier League.
Jack: We ask you who you think is the best goalkeeper at saving penalties. Elghoul from Algeria chose Simon Mignolet at Liverpool and Kwesimanifest from Ghana chose Claudio Bravo at Manchester City.
Rich: Some of you went outside of the Premier League. Liubomyr from Ukraine said the Ukrainian goalkeeper Oleksandr Shovkovskiy and Aragorn1986 from Montenegro went for the Italian Gianluigi Buffon.
Jack: Tell us who you think is the best in the article. We’ve put a link on the side of this page.
Rich: In last week’s podcast, we asked you what makes you angry. Alex from Ukraine said that he can’t stand cheating and foul play.
Jack: Kwesimanifest said that he dislikes dishonesty in the game and Elghoul from Algeria mentioned that he hates it when fans misbehave in the stadium.
Rich: Vishenka from Russia said that she can’t stand swearing and Aragorn1986 from Montenegro said that he’s angry when managers waste time by making substitutes in injury time. And he also agreed with me about half and half scarves.
Jack: Let’s not start talking about that again! Right, that’s all we have time for this week. Don’t forget to write your answers to our questions and make a guess at our football phrase in the comments below. And remember to take a look at our Fantasy Football page and join in the discussions!
Rich: Bye for now and enjoy your football!
Quiz
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Form
Premier League Prediction - Gameweek 10 - Spurs v Leicester
In Gameweek 9, Chelsea beat Manchester Utd 4-0, Rich went for a Manchester Utd win but Jack and our listeners thought that Chelsea would win. Well done, Jack and our listeners! Rich now shares the lead with our podcast listeners with 4 points and Jack is just a point behind, too. Remember, it's one point for the correct result and two additional points for the correct score. The big match in Gameweek 10 is Tottenham v Leicester City! Can you predict the right score?
GW 1 | GW 2 | GW 3 | GW 4 | GW 5 | GW 6 | GW 7 | GW 8 | GW 9 | GW10 | |
Rich | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1-0 |
Jack | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1-1 |
Podcast Listeners | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | ? |
Make your prediction now!
What do you think?
In this week’s podcast, Jack and Rich spoke about the Premier League table. It's very, very close at the top!
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Do you think that it will be tight at the top all season? How many teams can win the Premier League?
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What's the closest Premier League title race you can remember? Do you prefer it if your team wins easily or if a match is very close?
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Does the title race in your country usually involve lots of teams? Is it usually close?
Leave a comment
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Komentar
03/08/2021
points
What do you think?
1-All seasons the Premier League table is tight at the top.
2-I prefer end to end matches.I don’t like it when my team win with a badly playing.
3-In my country title race generally happens among three teams.It’s usually close.
Player of the week
• Best choice.Generally the strikers who aren't tall have disadvantage of gaining or tackling aired balls. However dribbling among tall defenders is an advantage of them.
Phrases
• Only three seconds separate winner from second competitor in women's 400m freestyle swimming race in olympic game.
• Playing time of a player during the season, I mean without injury or being sent-off is an objective criteria about performance and consistency of her/him.
• Two candidates have the same qualifications.There is nothing to choose between them. In other words There is hardly anything between them. Mr.Eager is a little bit further back on five percent which stand for five points. It's very tight election.
03/08/2021 13:13
Tottenham Hotspur
5560
What do you think?
1-All seasons the Premier League table is tight at the top.
2-I prefer end to end matches.I don’t like it when my team win with a badly playing.
3-In my country title race generally happens among three teams.It’s usually close.
Player of the week
• Best choice.Generally the strikers who aren't tall have disadvantage of gaining or tackling aired balls. However dribbling among tall defenders is an advantage of them.
Phrases
• Only three seconds separate winner from second competitor in women's 400m freestyle swimming race in olympic game.
• Playing time of a player during the season, I mean without injury or being sent-off is an objective criteria about performance and consistency of her/him.
• Two candidates have the same qualifications.There is nothing to choose between them. In other words There is hardly anything between them. Mr.Eager is a little bit further back on five percent which stand for five points. It's very tight election.
15/05/2020
points
I think the football phrase for this week is ( beat out )
15/05/2020 13:26
Manchester United
6539
I think the football phrase for this week is ( beat out )
15/05/2020
points
It's always tight between the top teams here Galatasaray , Fenerbahçe and Beşiktaş and even more neck to neck nowadays with Başakşehir coming on the top form
15/05/2020 13:23
Manchester United
6539
It's always tight between the top teams here Galatasaray , Fenerbahçe and Beşiktaş and even more neck to neck nowadays with Başakşehir coming on the top form
15/05/2020
points
The more competitive the league is , the more exciting :)
15/05/2020 13:20
Manchester United
6539
The more competitive the league is , the more exciting :)
15/05/2020
points
The closest PL title was back in 2011-2012 season when we were about to win it and suddenly in the last 5 minutes Balotelli and Aguero scored in QPR to settle the first PL title for Manchester City even after we won on the other side in Sunderland
15/05/2020 13:19
Manchester United
6539
The closest PL title was back in 2011-2012 season when we were about to win it and suddenly in the last 5 minutes Balotelli and Aguero scored in QPR to settle the first PL title for Manchester City even after we won on the other side in Sunderland
15/05/2020
points
I think the gap will be bigger between the top teams step by step
The top 6 can compete for the Premier League till the end
15/05/2020 13:17
Manchester United
6539
I think the gap will be bigger between the top teams step by step
The top 6 can compete for the Premier League till the end
26/12/2016
points
The phrase is to carry on.
26/12/2016 12:30
Liverpool
3705
The phrase is to carry on.
26/12/2016
points
No it is not.
26/12/2016 12:30
Liverpool
3705
No it is not.
26/12/2016
points
I remember the 2011-2012 premier league season when City won the league just by goal difference at the last day,i prefer if my team can win in a very close match.
26/12/2016 12:29
Liverpool
3705
I remember the 2011-2012 premier league season when City won the league just by goal difference at the last day,i prefer if my team can win in a very close match.
26/12/2016
points
I think this season is difficult to predict the champion of the league,but i think it will be between Liverpool and Chelsea this season.
26/12/2016 12:28
Liverpool
3705
I think this season is difficult to predict the champion of the league,but i think it will be between Liverpool and Chelsea this season.
01/11/2016
points
I am not sure maybe the phrase is '**** *****'
01/11/2016 15:08
Arsenal
209
I am not sure maybe the phrase is '**** *****'
01/11/2016
points
Well done, Pavlo!
01/11/2016 18:07
Liverpool
594
Well done, Pavlo!
31/10/2016
points
Grateful Jack for the corrections
31/10/2016 06:36
Manchester United
4779
Grateful Jack for the corrections
31/10/2016
points
You're very welcome!
31/10/2016 09:48
Arsenal
560
You're very welcome!
31/10/2016
points
I got this week's match prediction correct
A score draw
31/10/2016 06:33
Manchester United
4779
I got this week's match prediction correct
A score draw
31/10/2016
points
31/10/2016 08:23
Liverpool
594
31/10/2016
points
correct me
I think it will not be tight anymore. From the 10th Premier League City will go ahead a the top. The winner must be City, the only one.
31/10/2016 04:37
Manchester City
7
correct me
I think it will not be tight anymore. From the 10th Premier League City will go ahead a the top. The winner must be City, the only one.
31/10/2016
points
Hi Uncle Jack
Thanks for your message. I understand all of your message and it's good to see that you are using vocabulary from the podcast (tight). I've made a few corrections below.
I think it will not (1) be tight anymore (2). From the 10th Premier League (3) City will go ahead at the top. The winner must be City they are the only one.
Hope that helps!
Rich - The Premier Skills English Team
31/10/2016 08:21
Liverpool
594
Hi Uncle Jack
Thanks for your message. I understand all of your message and it's good to see that you are using vocabulary from the podcast (tight). I've made a few corrections below.
I think it will not (1) be tight anymore (2). From the 10th Premier League (3) City will go ahead at the top. The winner must be City they are the only one.
Hope that helps!
Rich - The Premier Skills English Team
28/10/2016
points
Correct me: The closest Premier League title race i remember was in the 2011/12 where Manchester City wan the league on same points as Manchester United on 89 points with goal difference being the decider.
It was a dramatic moment as United seemed to be ahead winning by a goal to nil against Sunderland with City loosing to QPR around the 48th minute with city having a numerical disadvantage due to the players loosing their cool. A last minute equaliser from Džeko and and a winner from Arguero, both in added time made City win the league on goal difference between City and United.
I must confess i was hurt but its football. Its better to take chances when they present themselves.
28/10/2016 09:50
Manchester United
4779
Correct me: The closest Premier League title race i remember was in the 2011/12 where Manchester City wan the league on same points as Manchester United on 89 points with goal difference being the decider.
It was a dramatic moment as United seemed to be ahead winning by a goal to nil against Sunderland with City loosing to QPR around the 48th minute with city having a numerical disadvantage due to the players loosing their cool. A last minute equaliser from Džeko and and a winner from Arguero, both in added time made City win the league on goal difference between City and United.
I must confess i was hurt but its football. Its better to take chances when they present themselves.
28/10/2016
points
The closest Premier League title race i remember was in the 2011/12 where Manchester City wan the league on same points as Manchester United on 89 points with goal difference being the decider.
It was a dramatic moment as United seemed to be ahead winning by a goal to nil against Sunderland with City loosing to QPR around the 48th minute with city having a numerical disadvantage due to the players loosing their cool. A last minute equaliser from Džeko and and a winner from Arguero, both in added time made City win the league on goal difference between City and United.
I must confess i was hurt but its football. Its better to take chances when they present themselves.
Very good writing! You're right; that was an amazing end to the season - so dramatic.
Thanks
Jack
28/10/2016 10:47
Arsenal
560
The closest Premier League title race i remember was in the 2011/12 where Manchester City wan the league on same points as Manchester United on 89 points with goal difference being the decider.
It was a dramatic moment as United seemed to be ahead winning by a goal to nil against Sunderland with City loosing to QPR around the 48th minute with city having a numerical disadvantage due to the players loosing their cool. A last minute equaliser from Džeko and and a winner from Arguero, both in added time made City win the league on goal difference between City and United.
I must confess i was hurt but its football. Its better to take chances when they present themselves.
Very good writing! You're right; that was an amazing end to the season - so dramatic.
Thanks
Jack
28/10/2016
points
Most often title race in my country involves 2 teams who give the other teams quite a gap to catch up with.
28/10/2016 09:08
Manchester United
4779
Most often title race in my country involves 2 teams who give the other teams quite a gap to catch up with.
27/10/2016
points
correct me
1. In my point of view there won't be as tight as now all the season. Close to the end not more than 3 teams will have chances to win the Premier League. According to my prediction, Liverpool, Chelsea and Man City will struggle for the 1st place.
2. 2012/2013, when the title was won without any point separation between Man City and Man Utd. What an amazing injury time there was in the match between QPR and Citizens!
3. It usually involves 2-3 teams, including CSKA, Zenit St.Petersburg and the other team, which differs from one season to another.
And the phrase is "**** *****"
27/10/2016 21:58
Manchester City
989
correct me
1. In my point of view there won't be as tight as now all the season. Close to the end not more than 3 teams will have chances to win the Premier League. According to my prediction, Liverpool, Chelsea and Man City will struggle for the 1st place.
2. 2012/2013, when the title was won without any point separation between Man City and Man Utd. What an amazing injury time there was in the match between QPR and Citizens!
3. It usually involves 2-3 teams, including CSKA, Zenit St.Petersburg and the other team, which differs from one season to another.
And the phrase is "**** *****"
28/10/2016
points
1. In my point of view there won't be as tight as now all the season. Close to the end not more than 3 teams will have chances to win the Premier League. According to my prediction, Liverpool, Chelsea and Man City will struggle for
the1st place.2. 2012/2013, when the title was won without any point separation between Man City and Man Utd. What an amazing injury time there was in the match between QPR and Citizens!
3. It usually involves 2-3 teams, including CSKA, Zenit St.Petersburg and the other team, which differs from one season to another.
I've made quite a lot of corrections, but I don't want you to feel discouraged. This is a good bit of writing - you have tried to express some complex ideas and I understand what you mean.
Thanks
Jack
28/10/2016 10:24
Arsenal
560
1. In my point of view there won't be as tight as now all the season. Close to the end not more than 3 teams will have chances to win the Premier League. According to my prediction, Liverpool, Chelsea and Man City will struggle for
the1st place.2. 2012/2013, when the title was won without any point separation between Man City and Man Utd. What an amazing injury time there was in the match between QPR and Citizens!
3. It usually involves 2-3 teams, including CSKA, Zenit St.Petersburg and the other team, which differs from one season to another.
I've made quite a lot of corrections, but I don't want you to feel discouraged. This is a good bit of writing - you have tried to express some complex ideas and I understand what you mean.
Thanks
Jack
27/10/2016
points
1. Definetely not I would say. Two or three teams will compete in the ten last matches.
2. It was between Bordj menail, JSKabylie and Us Chaouia. The later won the Champion title with goal difference.
3. The title race in Algeria these last seasons involves two Algiers teams, Setif and Bejaia.
phrase : to broke apart
27/10/2016 19:12
Manchester City
3988
1. Definetely not I would say. Two or three teams will compete in the ten last matches.
2. It was between Bordj menail, JSKabylie and Us Chaouia. The later won the Champion title with goal difference.
3. The title race in Algeria these last seasons involves two Algiers teams, Setif and Bejaia.
phrase : to broke apart
28/10/2016
points
You're almost there with the phrase - you're half right!
28/10/2016 10:24
Arsenal
560
You're almost there with the phrase - you're half right!
27/10/2016
points
I believe it will be tight at the top all season as most of the teams wouldn't want to loose siht of the title. I see 6 teams been potential winners of the league.
27/10/2016 14:51
Manchester United
4779
I believe it will be tight at the top all season as most of the teams wouldn't want to loose siht of the title. I see 6 teams been potential winners of the league.
26/10/2016
points
This week's phrase is **** *****
26/10/2016 22:07
Manchester United
4779
This week's phrase is **** *****
26/10/2016
points
The title race in Ukraine usually involves few teams. These are Shakhtior DONETSK, Dynamo KIEV and two or three others (DNIEPR, ZARYA or METALLIST in the last years), and the Championship is, as a rule, very close.
26/10/2016 19:13
Liverpool
6578
The title race in Ukraine usually involves few teams. These are Shakhtior DONETSK, Dynamo KIEV and two or three others (DNIEPR, ZARYA or METALLIST in the last years), and the Championship is, as a rule, very close.
26/10/2016
points
Yes, it will be constantly tight at the top of PL.
26/10/2016 19:07
Liverpool
6578
Yes, it will be constantly tight at the top of PL.
26/10/2016
points
The week's phrase has not been covereded by asterisks in the script !
26/10/2016 19:05
Liverpool
6578
The week's phrase has not been covereded by asterisks in the script !
26/10/2016
points
Disaster! I hope that not too many people have seen it! Thanks for letting us know :)
26/10/2016 22:44
Liverpool
594
Disaster! I hope that not too many people have seen it! Thanks for letting us know :)
26/10/2016
points
The title race in Mne usually involves two or three teams, but it changes every year, so we don't have a team that can equally compete for longer period. It's close until winter break, after that it's easy to guess the winner:-)
26/10/2016 16:31
Arsenal
3557
The title race in Mne usually involves two or three teams, but it changes every year, so we don't have a team that can equally compete for longer period. It's close until winter break, after that it's easy to guess the winner:-)
26/10/2016
points
I believe it will be tight at the top for so long. 5 teams will be chasing the title probably. The closest PL race was few years ago when L'pool failed to win PL and City made big winning streak. I prefer when my team wins easily but it's more attractive when the match is unpredictable.
26/10/2016 16:27
Arsenal
3557
I believe it will be tight at the top for so long. 5 teams will be chasing the title probably. The closest PL race was few years ago when L'pool failed to win PL and City made big winning streak. I prefer when my team wins easily but it's more attractive when the match is unpredictable.
26/10/2016
points
I think that the phrase is '**** ****'
26/10/2016 10:44
Watford
4417
I think that the phrase is '**** ****'