Fixtures 2017/18
- Thread starter Jeff
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big_mac4824
Well-Known Member
according to the Times newspaper the top 6 teams have had preferential treatment meaning they can not meet on the opening and last day of the season.
not too good if you are in a relegation battle!
not too good if you are in a relegation battle!
Blue Maniac
Alzheimers sufferer
If by “according to the Times” you mean it’s part of an established method that’s never been a secret, then yes. Why is it “preferential treatment” though?
big_mac4824
Well-Known Member
because if you are a team like Huddersfield then you guaranteed to be playing a top six side at the end of the season, after reading the article it was on Talk sport according to them all chairman are aware that the fixtures are deliberately fixed to prevent the top six playing each other on the final day of the season. obviously some fixtures are manually entered such local derby matches as the Police would not be able to cope, the difference here is that there is actually an algorithm that ensures that there is a top six match played each week through the majority of the season to maximise revenue when selling the Premier league brand.
The top six are seeking a bigger slice of the revenue stating they bring in more revenue and they also have the fixture list skewed in their favour, bit naughty imo.
The top six are seeking a bigger slice of the revenue stating they bring in more revenue and they also have the fixture list skewed in their favour, bit naughty imo.
Only six teams will be playing against a top six side in the last match.
And every team plays every other team twice during the season.
So how does this give the top six teams an advantage?
Blue Maniac
Alzheimers sufferer
Again, this has never been a secret. The league try to avoid matches between likely title rivals on the final day. They’ve always done this, openly. Same as local derbies. It’s about maximising revenue for the clubs and minimising the potential for crowd trouble. Manchester derby is going to sell out any time of the season, why would either club want to waste that fixture on a date that draws a larger than usual crowd regardless of opposition?
For-profit business in revenue-maximising strategy shocker. Wow.
No, they don’t. Every team plays every other twice, and any club can ask for considerations in the creation of the fixture list. Top six teams have no advantage beyond those they’ve created for themselves.
Brown Nose
Well-Known Member
Of course it makes a difference and is unfair.
It means that 6 out of the 10 fixtures each time involve a top six team which means that 43% of non-top 6 six teams have to start and end the season against the strongest opposition.
If a non-top 6 team needs something on the last day, they are more likely than any other time of having to get that from a top 6 team which is unfair.
It also benefits the bigger clubs in starting the season with 'easier' fixtures and is more likely to lead to lesser teams starting the season with a defeat, knocking their chances of a strong start.
No manager would choose to start/end the season against one of the toughest opponents possible but only the managers of the top 6 clubs get that benefit written into the rules.
It means that 6 out of the 10 fixtures each time involve a top six team which means that 43% of non-top 6 six teams have to start and end the season against the strongest opposition.
If a non-top 6 team needs something on the last day, they are more likely than any other time of having to get that from a top 6 team which is unfair.
It also benefits the bigger clubs in starting the season with 'easier' fixtures and is more likely to lead to lesser teams starting the season with a defeat, knocking their chances of a strong start.
No manager would choose to start/end the season against one of the toughest opponents possible but only the managers of the top 6 clubs get that benefit written into the rules.
Blue Maniac
Alzheimers sufferer
Why are the first and last games more important than the other 36? Are they worth more points or something?
But they've had an easier time of it up until then, so it's their own fault if they still need something.
Brown Nose
Well-Known Member
You've been debating with Skitzo for too long today.
Of course they're worth the same number of points, but the first and last game of the season can have a disproportionate impact. After the final game, that's it so it is potentially the most important game of the season.
And the first game sets the tone for the season so a win is more valuable than one in November - same points, but more valuable.
Brown Nose
Well-Known Member
That's true. But that doesn't mean it's fair to structure the fixtures towards this happening either.
Blue Maniac
Alzheimers sufferer
camberwell fox
Well-Known Member
Teams in the Italian Crappola league, I guess?
And often their season is over, so they won't play with the intensity they would have done earlier in the season.
Two years ago we went to Chelsea on the last day. They were the previous year's champions and we were the crappola team. Neither team needed a result.
On the same day already relegated Newcastle beat Tottenham 5-1. West Brom drew with Liverpool. Swansea drew with Manchester City.
On Sunday in the Championship relegated Sunderland beat champions Wolves 3-0. Relegation threatened Birmingham beat Fulham (unbeaten in 2018), 3-1.
bocadillo
Water Gypsy
Which all goes to prove that Tommy English is not the answer.
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Championship
| P | Pld | Pts | |
| 1 | Ipswich | 43 | 89 |
| 2 | Leicester | 42 | 88 |
| 3 | Leeds Utd | 43 | 87 |
| 4 | Southampton | 41 | 81 |
| 5 | West Brom | 43 | 72 |
| 6 | Norwich City | 43 | 71 |
| 7 | Hull City | 42 | 65 |
| 8 | Coventry City | 42 | 63 |
| 9 | Middlesbro | 43 | 63 |
| 10 | Preston | 42 | 63 |
| 11 | Cardiff City | 43 | 59 |
| 12 | Bristol City | 43 | 58 |
| 13 | Sunderland | 43 | 56 |
| 14 | Swansea City | 43 | 53 |
| 15 | Watford | 43 | 52 |
| 16 | Millwall | 43 | 50 |
| 17 | Blackburn | 43 | 49 |
| 18 | Plymouth | 43 | 48 |
| 19 | QPR | 43 | 47 |
| 20 | Stoke City | 43 | 47 |
| 21 | Birmingham | 43 | 45 |
| 22 | Huddersfield | 43 | 44 |
| 23 | Sheffield W | 43 | 44 |
| 24 | Rotherham Utd | 43 | 23 |
