Rival watch

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Really surprised they didn't rest players tbh. They ain't getting top four and have a great chance of at lest getting to the final.
A decent win, small loss and a win gets them a trophy and CL football. Wouldn't have been happy running players into the ground if we were in that position tbh

It's still risky for them to put all their eggs in one basket for the Europa. In theory, they can still finish outside a European spot and get knocked out of the Europa League. However, given the stuttering form of us and United (and to a lesser extent, Spurs), they probably fancy their chances of a top-6 finish.

Whilst they've done incredibly well to reach the semi-finals, there are no guarantees and it'd be hard for West Ham to accept the prospect of no European football at all for next season. So they still need to take the league seriously.
 
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No they don’t because they still have to play each other.
That's why they both have a mathematical chance: as things stand Southampton can mathematically finish on 58 points and Palace 59, meaning that at this moment in time both are capable of finishing above us, and it will remain that way until either
a.) We pick up enough points to make that an impossibility
b.) Full time in Schroedinger's derby
 
That's why they both have a mathematical chance: as things stand Southampton can mathematically finish on 58 points and Palace 59, meaning that at this moment in time both are capable of finishing above us, and it will remain that way until either
a.) We pick up enough points to make that an impossibility
b.) Full time in Schroedinger's derby

what I’m saying is that both can finish above us, but because they still have to play each other, then both won’t. Also, Saints can only get 57 points and Palace only 58.
 
what I’m saying is that both can finish above us, but because they still have to play each other, then both won’t. Also, Saints can only get 57 points and Palace only 58.
They each can, they both can't.
It would take Southampton overhauling 32 points of goal difference to do it, too.
 
I think that he shares PowerSpurs view on subs.
If you've picked the best team at the start, then replacing any of them will only make you worse.
Apologies to PS if I'm misstating his position.

The other thing is that he can't bring on a striker, as he doesn't have any.
He can try to solidify the side, as he did against Atletico, but he can't make attacking tactical changes.
He can swap wingers and possibly sacrifice defenders for midfielders, but that's about it.
You pick the starting eleven for many reasons but you are quite unlikely to learn anything during the game that you didn't know before it. You should NEVER take players off because they are playing badly because their form over the previous games is a much better guide to what they might do in the second half than how they played in the first half.
However if you are 2-0 down with 20 minutes to go you need to play a much riskier game than you started with so it is quite plausible that you need different players on the field.
 
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what I’m saying is that both can finish above us, but because they still have to play each other, then both won’t. Also, Saints can only get 57 points and Palace only 58.

They don't have the quality. GD is still - IMO - the best measurable statistic to tell you about the quality of a team over a large period of a season.

4th is done - Arsenal had to capitalise on Tottenham losing and didn't. United have 3/4 games left they can't and won't win.