[Albion] 2 points off a possible Champions League place

[Giraffe]

Despite everything. Quite incredible.

 

[Bombardier]

Despite everything. Quite incredible.

Doh!

 

[Simster]

Despite everything. Quite incredible.

A home draw to Burnley should put pay to that sort of thinking.

 

[Sheebo]

A home draw to Burnley should put pay to that sort of thinking.

I’m thinking a 1-0 defeat more likely

 

[bWize]

Hoping we go out and hammer Burnley and get the goal difference up a bit. Can see Spurs and Newcastle dropping off a bit judging by their recent form and think it's likely to come down to the wire in the final couple of games for top 6 or 7 places.

We are definitely due to dish out a good, old fashioned hiding to someone.

 

[Kalimantan Gull]

Although as things stand 5th is the final European place which we are 2 points off.

One of these years a team outside the top 8 is going to win one or both of the cups.

Indeed in the league cup only 1 of the top 6 is still in it, Liverpool playing West Ham in the quarters, and the only other team that will trouble the European spots this season, Newcastle, have a very tricky away tie at Chelsea. I wouldn't be surprised if the Conference League place this year comes from outside the top 8.

 

[Jimmy Come Lately]

Looking at it from another angle, I wonder if we're already safe from relegation this season. Historical precedent suggests that more points will be needed and I'd assume that the bottom three will improve their run rate a bit as the season wears on... but will they?

 

[Stat Brother]

Agent Giraffe on the Bumley payroll.

 

[oldboyroy]

As said on another thread, we ain't doing too badly all things considered. If only we hadn't dropped points against Fulham and Sheffield United eh? Considering our injuries we're still picking up points and playing most teams off the park. Our 2nd half of the season could be quite something.

 

[Horses Arse]

Looking at it from another angle, I wonder if we're already safe from relegation this season. Historical precedent suggests that more points will be needed and I'd assume that the bottom three will improve their run rate a bit as the season wears on... but will they?

First season in PL where that was jot a worry to me. Weird times

 

[Taybha]

Burnley have just lost the brilliant Koleosho for some considerable time,a knee injury I believe so I'm hoping they won't just park the bus on Saturday,if they do then we're doomed and the thread starter will be forever blamed for Hexing our season with delusions of grandeur,burn the witch down with everything.

 

[Seagull58]

Burnley have just lost the brilliant Koleosho for some considerable time,a knee injury I believe so I'm hoping they won't just park the bus on Saturday,if they do then we're doomed and the thread starter will be forever blamed for Hexing our season with delusions of grandeur,burn the witch down with everything.

Has Kompany learnt how to park the bus yet?

 

[Seagull58]

Hoping we go out and hammer Burnley and get the goal difference up a bit. Can see Spurs and Newcastle dropping off a bit judging by their recent form and think it's likely to come down to the wire in the final couple of games for top 6 or 7 places.

We are definitely due to dish out a good, old fashioned hiding to someone.

I keep hearing that Newcastle have the longest injury list in the Prem. Apparently, Spurs also have a lot of injuries. Both may kick on again once their injured players start returning, or they may not?

 

[beorhthelm]

confused, we're 5 points behind Man City in 4th (and they have +19 GD). has something changed on CL qualification?

 

[Flounce]

I keep hearing that Newcastle have the longest injury list in the Prem. Apparently, Spurs also have a lot of injuries. Both may kick on again once their injured players start returning, or they may not?

Villa seem to have very few injuries, which may explain their current form. They seem to have avoided the “knackered” mantra too. City have very few considering the players available to them so their loss of form is a bit baffling to me.

EPL Injury Table - Premier Injuries

The latest player injuries, suspensions and absences in the English Premier League, from the most comprehensive source of football injury statistics.

www.premierinjuries.com

 

[Joey Jo Jo Jr. Shabadoo]

confused, we're 5 points behind Man City in 4th (and they have +19 GD). has something changed on CL qualification?

There is a possibility that the Premier League get a 5th spot in the Champions League this season. The two associations with the highest UEFA Co-Efficient for 23-24 season will get an extra CL spot. England currently sit in 4th place, behind Germany, Spain and Italy.

We need Man Utd and Newcastle to at least get third in their CL groups or the chances of getting into the top 2 becomes harder. Newcastle advancing also hurts Italy as it means Milan won't. We could also do with Sevilla and Union Berlin both finishing last in the Champions League groups as well.

In the Europa League and Conference League group stage it looks like the representatives of all 4 nations mentioned above are going to advance. However Spain have already lost Osasuna who failed to qualify for the group stage of the Conference League so they've got one club not contributing any points but still effecting their co-efficient for the season.

Country coefficients | UEFA rankings

UEFA.com is the official site of UEFA, the Union of European Football Associations, and the governing body of football in Europe. UEFA works to promote, protect and develop European football across its 55 member associations and organises some of the world’s most famous football competitions...

www.uefa.com

 

[nicko31]

confused, we're 5 points behind Man City in 4th (and they have +19 GD). has something changed on CL qualification?

I'm confused too

That aside we're in a great place. Burnley isn't going to be easy bad memories of the last time they came down and before that memories of Joey Barton!!

 

[SeagullsoverLondon]

There is a possibility that the Premier League get a 5th spot in the Champions League this season. The two associations with the highest UEFA Co-Efficient for 23-24 season will get an extra CL spot. England currently sit in 4th place, behind Germany, Spain and Italy.

We need Man Utd and Newcastle to at least get third in their CL groups or the chances of getting into the top 2 becomes harder. Newcastle advancing also hurts Italy as it means Milan won't. We could also do with Sevilla and Union Berlin both finishing last in the Champions League groups as well.

In the Europa League and Conference League group stage it looks like the representatives of all 4 nations mentioned above are going to advance. However Spain have already lost Osasuna who failed to qualify for the group stage of the Conference League so they've got one club not contributing any points but still effecting their co-efficient for the season.

Country coefficients | UEFA rankings

UEFA.com is the official site of UEFA, the Union of European Football Associations, and the governing body of football in Europe. UEFA works to promote, protect and develop European football across its 55 member associations and organises some of the world’s most famous football competitions...

www.uefa.com

I suspect by the time Man City play Arsenal in the Champions League Final, and we play Liverpool in the Europa Final (having beaten Man U in the semi), that will be enough points for the coefficient to give the 5th place to English clubs, even without Villa winning the Mickey Mouse Euro Disney Cup.

And of course, beating Liverpool in the final will give us an automatic place anyway, meaning 6 English sides in the Champions League next year.

....I will wake up from my dream soon....

 

[ConfusedGloryHunter]

I suspect by the time Man City play Arsenal in the Champions League Final, and we play Liverpool in the Europa Final (having beaten Man U in the semi), that will be enough points for the coefficient to give the 5th place to English clubs, even without Villa winning the Mickey Mouse Euro Disney Cup.

And of course, beating Liverpool in the final will give us an automatic place anyway, meaning 6 English sides in the Champions League next year.

....I will wake up from my dream soon....

Bit negative to assume we won't be at least 4th in the prem by the time of the final.

Must dream better.

 

[pb21]

Looking at it from another angle, I wonder if we're already safe from relegation this season. Historical precedent suggests that more points will be needed and I'd assume that the bottom three will improve their run rate a bit as the season wears on... but will they?

Good point.

Based on Luton's current PPG in 18th place (0.6), 23 points would be enough to finish 17, so we currently have a 2 point cushion...