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Matchweek 17 & 18

Matchweek 17 & 18

Welcome to This Week from Premier Skills English, a weekly review of all the action from the Premier League for learners of English from across the globe. In This Week, Jack and Rich talk about all of the weekend's action in the Premier League; the big headlines and the main talking points. We also ask you to get involved; do you agree with Jack and Rich's choices of best player, best team and best match of Matchweek 17 & 18? Make your prediction for next week's big match and tell us how your club or fantasy football team is doing. We welcome comments from all football fans and especially welcome comments from football fans who are learning English.

Transcript

If you think the listening is too fast or difficult, you can listen and read at the same time.
Read the transcript and listen at the same time.

Introduction

Rich: Hello my name’s Rich and welcome to our Monday round-up section on Premier Skills English.  

Jack: Hi there. I’m Jack. Every Monday we discuss last weekend’s action, the best players, the best matches, Fantasy Football, and make some predictions for next weekend.

Rich: We want you to practise your English and interact with Premier League fans from around the world in our comments section.

Jack: You can do this on the Premier Skills English website or the Premier Skills-British Council Facebook page - if that’s where you are listening to us.

Rich: If you are listening on iTunes, we’d love to hear what you think of the podcasts. You can let us know in the reviews - we really like hearing from you all.

Jack: It was a bumper week in the Premier League with two matchweeks being played.

Rich: And there were some marvellous matches in Matchweek 17 & 18  so let’s get on with this week’s round up!

Headlines

Rich: Sweet 16 for City!

Jack: Manchester City made it 16 Premier League wins in a row by putting four past Swansea in matchweek 17 and then putting another four past Tottenham in matchweek 18. City stay an amazing 11 points clear at the top.

Rich: United and Chelsea continue the chase.

Jack: Manchester Utd and Chelsea were another two teams to pick up two victories in matchweeks 17 and 18. United beat West Brom and Bournemouth and Chelsea beat Southampton and Huddersfield. Are they still in the race for the title?

Rich: Palace break out of the drop zone.

Jack: Crystal Palace was the only other team to register two wins in matchweeks 17 and 18. Palace scored two injury time goals to come from behind and beat Watford in matchweek 17. In matchweek 18 they won 3-0 away against an in-form Leicester team. Very impressive.

Rich: The battle to avoid the drop is always a scrap. Only three points separate Southampton in 12th and Newcastle in 18th and the relegation zone.

Jack: Teams will be fighting to survive in the Premier League from now till the end of the Premier League season. Exciting stuff.

Definition Alert!

Rich: The battle to avoid the drop …. It’s always a scrap … teams will be fighting to survive. We hear this type of language in football a lot.

Jack: The idea that football is like war is common in English. Players fight for the ball. There might be a midfield duel. And of course, strikers shoot at goal.  A difficult match or series of matches is often described as a battle.

Rich: A scrap is an informal word for a fight. And of course, if a team finishes in 17th place the team survives - remains alive!

Jack: I wonder if this is just in English or if this is similar in other languages. Let us know in the comments section if you have an opinion.

Rich: Let’s get back to the football.

Matchweek Awards

Rich: Right, every Monday, we give out three matchweek awards. Player of the Week, Team of the Week and Match of the Week.

Jack: In the comments section, you need to tell us if you agree with our choices …

Rich: Last week many of you agreed with our choices which is good to see.

Jack: But not all of you. Haruyuki felt that Manchester City’s goalkeeper, Ederson should have been Player of the Week rather than Nicolas Otamendi.

Rich: And Elghoul from Algeria thought the player of the week should have been Riyad Mahrez from ahem Algeria.

Jack: Good to see some differences of opinion in the comments section. Let’s start with this week’s player of the week.

Rich: David Silva was brilliant in matchweek 17 and Kevin de Bruyne was fantastic against Spurs in Matchweek 18.

Jack: But this week we’re going to choose a player from a team that are battling at the other end of the table.

Rich: Our player of the Week is Crystal Palace’s Christian Benteke.  

Jack: The Belgian striker has been playing well recently and he and Wilfried Zaha are two of the reasons that Palace are starting to climb the table.

Rich: Our next award is for Team of the Week. Manchester City are definitely our team of the season but our team of the week is Crystal Palace. Palace were one of only four teams to get maximum points in matchweek 17 and 18.

Jack: And it’s much more difficult to get points when you are at the bottom. Finally, what about Match of the Week?

Rich: Our Match of the Week this week is … Manchester City v Tottenham.

Jack: City are a joy to watch at the moment. I think I might start supporting them.

Rich: Really?

Jack: No, not really.

Fantasy Football

Rich: What’s been happening in Fantasy Football this week, Jack?

Jack: The top scoring player in Matchweek 18 was Huddersfield's Aaron Mooy with 15 points.

Rich: I don’t think many people would have had him in their team. The Premier Skills team has dropped down to sixth place so we really need your help and advice.

Jack: Just tell us who to buy and sell in the comments section.

Rich: The Premier Skills Fantasy Premier League Manager of the Week for Matchweek 17 was for the second time in two weeks Gerardo Lopez from Mexico - last year’s Premier Skills fantasy manager of the season.

Jack: His team, Los 11 impostores, scored 86 points last week and Gerardo is up to second place in the Premier Skills league.

Matchweek Prediction

Jack: Last week’s prediction was the Manchester City - Spurs match. Rich thought Spurs would get a draw but City were brilliant and won 4-1. I predicted a City win by the way.

Rich: Well done! Lots of our listeners predicted a City win too including CaroleAnneMarie from Italy,  Ahmed Adam from Sudan, Umlaut Team Gubin from Poland, Haruyuki from Japan, Elghoul and Khaldoun83 from Algeria and. Milos from Serbia.

Jack: What’s your prediction this week, Rich?

Rich: This Friday my team Liverpool makes the trip to play your team, Jack - Arsenal!

Jack: Yes, I’ll be glued to my screen.

Rich: Liverpool haven’t lost for ages but they are drawing a few games. Away from home we’re scoring lots of goals. Three against Sevilla, four against Bournemouth last weekend.

Jack: Yes, I’m a bit worried about your attacking players Salah, Firmino, Mane, and Coutinho of course.

Rich: I think you should be! Arsenal haven’t been looking that good at the back. I think we’ll score at least a couple. I think it will finish 3-1 to Liverpool.

Jack: We’ve got some good attacking players too. If Sanchez and Ozil play well we’ll win. I think it will finish 2-1 to Arsenal.

Rich: It will be a nice early Christmas present for me.

Jack: What will?

Rich: Three points for Liverpool.

Jack: We’ll see … we want you to make your prediction at the bottom of the page on the website. Are you a good predictor? 

Rich: Right, that’s all we have time for. I hope you have enjoyed this Monday round-up. Don’t forget to join the discussion at the bottom of this page.  

Jack: We’re going to take a break for a couple of weeks but will be back with the festive football roundup in the new year.

Rich: There are loads of matches over the holidays so we’ll have lots to enjoy and lots to talk about when we get back.

Jack: Don’t forget ... if you want to improve your English, take a look at our weekly podcast. There is a link on the side of this page.

Rich: Bye for now and enjoy your football.

Results

There were some great matches in Matchweek 18. Here are the full results:

Leicester City 0-3 Crystal Palace

Arsenal 1-0 Newcastle Utd

Brighton 0-0 Burnley

Chelsea 1-0 Southampton

Bornemouth 0-4 Liverpool 

Watford 1-4 Huddersfield Town

Stoke City 0-3 West Ham

Manchester City 4-1 Tottenham

West Brom 1-2 Manchester Utd

Everton 3-1 Swansea City

Crystal Palace's Christian Benteke is our Player of the Week.

Fantasy Football

Our Fantasy Premier League Team of Matchweek 18 is Gerardo Lopez a Manchester Utd fan from Mexico. He scored 86 points last week for his team Los 11 Impostores. Well done, Gerardo! Each Matchweek we will announce our weekly winner on this page. Maybe you could be our winner next week? If you want to play Fantasy Football, you can find out more here and if you want to join the Premier Skills private league, this is the code you need: 83788-212918 8-212918

Crystal Palace's Wilfried Zaha is very happy with their result against Leicester!

The Big Match

Arsenal v Liverpool

Rich's predictions this week is the match between Arsenal and Liverpool. Rich (a Liverpool fan) thinks Liverpool will win but Jack (an Arsenal fan) thinks Arsenal will win! Have a listen to what Rich and Jack say and then make your prediction at the bottom of the page.

Last week Rich thought that Tottenham would draw with Manchester City but City won 4-1. Rich's predictions have been terrible recently but at least some of our listers are better predictors! Well done to ...

  • Milos (Serbia)
  • Elghoul and Khaldoun83 (Algeria)
  • Haruyuki (Japan)
  • Umlaut Team Gubin (Poland)
  • Ahmed Adam (Sudan)
  • CaroleAnneMArie (Italy)

This Chelsea fan forgot her fancy dress outfit for the match against Southampton!

Five Questions

Jack and Rich have spoken about last weekend's Premier League football. Now it's your turn! Have a look at the questions below and tell us if you agree with Rich and Jack. Write your answers in the comments section below.

  1. Jack and Rich chose Crystal Palace's Christian Benteke as the Player of the Week. Do you agree?
  2. Jack and Rich picked Crystal Palace as the Team of the Week. Do you agree?
  3. Jack and Rich selected Manchester City v Tottenham as the best game in Matchweek 18. Do you agree?
  4. Matchweek nineteen's big match is Liverpool v Arsenal. Rich has predicted a win for Liverpool. Who do you think will win?
  5. Tell us about your club, your fantasy football team, or anything connected to Matchweek's 17 & 18 in the Premier League.

Don't forget to reply to fans of different clubs from different countries. Let's create a community!

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Comments

hsn's picture
hsn
26/12/2020
TR
5525
points

In my opinion, to describe football matches as a “battle” is a very strong approach. I prefer to say “race” , “contest” or “competition”. If we say it’s a battle then hooligan fans would start to attack and fight with other teams' fans.
Here some commentators describe this sort of difficult matches as a “fierce struggle”. Many use a French word which has been adapted to our language “corps à corps” means “melee”.
I think this kind of descriptions negatively affect young fans. In the end it’s not life or death war-:)


hsn's picture
hsn
26/12/2020 16:52
Turkey
Tottenham Hotspur
5525

In my opinion, to describe football matches as a “battle” is a very strong approach. I prefer to say “race” , “contest” or “competition”. If we say it’s a battle then hooligan fans would start to attack and fight with other teams' fans.
Here some commentators describe this sort of difficult matches as a “fierce struggle”. Many use a French word which has been adapted to our language “corps à corps” means “melee”.
I think this kind of descriptions negatively affect young fans. In the end it’s not life or death war-:)

Dave
25/12/2017
BR
3
points

Turns out I was 3-3. Who would've thought? Thanks to Mignolet and his "lettuce hands" -q


Dave
25/12/2017 12:12
Brazil
Chelsea
3

Turns out I was 3-3. Who would've thought? Thanks to Mignolet and his "lettuce hands" -q

CaroleAnnMarie1's picture
CaroleAnnMarie1
23/12/2017
IT
317
points

So for this week we are predicting a 2-1 win for Liverpool over Arsenal....sorry Jack.... Happy Holidays to you all and your families from Italy and Hungary


CaroleAnnMarie1's picture
CaroleAnnMarie1
23/12/2017 09:27
Italy
Everton
317

So for this week we are predicting a 2-1 win for Liverpool over Arsenal....sorry Jack.... Happy Holidays to you all and your families from Italy and Hungary

Ahmed Adam Mamado's picture
Ahmed Adam Mamado
21/12/2017
SD
2903
points

2-2


Ahmed Adam Mamado's picture
Ahmed Adam Mamado
21/12/2017 18:40
Sudan
Liverpool
2903

2-2

milos
21/12/2017
RS
2663
points

I think Arsenal will win against Liverpool.The final score is going to be 2-1 for Arsenal


milos
21/12/2017 06:54
Serbia
Manchester United
2663

I think Arsenal will win against Liverpool.The final score is going to be 2-1 for Arsenal

umlaut_team_gubin
20/12/2017
PL
12
points

Hi guys!

We've found a fake info in the transcript! ;-) It's where Jack is saying about Liverpool's offensive. (it's just one letter that changes everything!) ;-)

 

And as far as predictions are concerned, Liverpool is goingg to win 1-0 against Arsenal and we think Salah will score the winner!

 

Thanks


umlaut_team_gubin
20/12/2017 19:18
Poland
West Bromwich Albion
12

Hi guys!

We've found a fake info in the transcript! ;-) It's where Jack is saying about Liverpool's offensive. (it's just one letter that changes everything!) ;-)

 

And as far as predictions are concerned, Liverpool is goingg to win 1-0 against Arsenal and we think Salah will score the winner!

 

Thanks

Rich's picture
Rich
20/12/2017
ES
594
points

Ha ha! 

I'd be happy with Salah scoring the winner. It's definitely more likely than Sane scoring for Liverpool :)

Very good spot!

Rich - The Premier Skills English Team


Rich's picture
Rich
20/12/2017 22:12
Spain
Liverpool
594

Ha ha! 

I'd be happy with Salah scoring the winner. It's definitely more likely than Sane scoring for Liverpool :)

Very good spot!

Rich - The Premier Skills English Team

haruyuki's picture
haruyuki
20/12/2017
JP
38
points

'Duel' used to be not common in Japan.
Halilhodžić who is Japan national team manager has used this word many times, so it becomes popular word in our country.
But Japanese foot ball hasn't been intense enough yet.

I hope Liverpool win.
I predict the final score is Liverpool 3- Arsenal 1.


haruyuki's picture
haruyuki
20/12/2017 03:18
Japan
Liverpool
38

'Duel' used to be not common in Japan.
Halilhodžić who is Japan national team manager has used this word many times, so it becomes popular word in our country.
But Japanese foot ball hasn't been intense enough yet.

I hope Liverpool win.
I predict the final score is Liverpool 3- Arsenal 1.

Khaldoun83's picture
Khaldoun83
19/12/2017
DZ
325
points

1- we say the same term (battle) to very tough games especially between teams which want to avoid relegation zone.

2- I think that Kevin Du Bryne is doing well recently and he was brilliant against Tottenham, just like his team Manchester City. So I chose him and his team as the best player and best team of the week. I chose also the match Manchester City v Tottenham as the match of the week.

3- I Predict Arsenal lose against Liverpool, the final result will be 

Arsenal 0-1 Liverpool.

 


Khaldoun83's picture
Khaldoun83
19/12/2017 15:23
Algeria
Liverpool
325

1- we say the same term (battle) to very tough games especially between teams which want to avoid relegation zone.

2- I think that Kevin Du Bryne is doing well recently and he was brilliant against Tottenham, just like his team Manchester City. So I chose him and his team as the best player and best team of the week. I chose also the match Manchester City v Tottenham as the match of the week.

3- I Predict Arsenal lose against Liverpool, the final result will be 

Arsenal 0-1 Liverpool.

 

sabanoleg
19/12/2017
UA
2337
points

I hope Arsenal will win.My prediction Arsenal 2-1 Liverpool.


sabanoleg
19/12/2017 12:48
Ukraine
Arsenal
2337

I hope Arsenal will win.My prediction Arsenal 2-1 Liverpool.

elghoul's picture
elghoul
19/12/2017
DZ
3988
points

1. I saw Benteke in this match on tv, he was brilliant. His manager was happy either even if he didn't show it on his face.

2. I am confident with Cristal Palace manager who is changing his team fate this year.

3. Totally agree with our Podcast players for their match choice.

Prediction, a draw between Arsenal and Liverpool, 3.3 result.


elghoul's picture
elghoul
19/12/2017 11:57
Algeria
Manchester City
3988

1. I saw Benteke in this match on tv, he was brilliant. His manager was happy either even if he didn't show it on his face.

2. I am confident with Cristal Palace manager who is changing his team fate this year.

3. Totally agree with our Podcast players for their match choice.

Prediction, a draw between Arsenal and Liverpool, 3.3 result.

Leaderboard

Top Scorers
RankNameScore
1mobeckham6510
2Alex_from_Ukraine6278
3hsn5525
4wsanta5086
5kwesimanifest4768
6Liubomyr4408
7elghoul3988
8assemjuve3705
9aragorn19863557
10Gergő Nagy3396
Country ranking
RankNameScore
1Colombia71478
2Ukraine33300
3Spain28277
4Serbia27289
5Brazil23896
6Albania20578
7Vietnam19939
8Turkey19810
9Macedonia19074
10Bosnia and Herzegovina16333
Club ranking
RankNameScore
1Manchester United141846
2Liverpool110282
3Chelsea88559
4Arsenal85717
5Manchester City56951
6Tottenham Hotspur19169
7Newcastle United10457
8West Ham United7454
9AFC Bournemouth4454
10Crystal Palace4240

Level

3
Average: 3 (1 vote)

Goals

Use your football English to discuss this week's football matches.

Practise your listening skills.

Make your prediction for next week's big Premier League match.