One thing that I like about these episodes is how Goku's attitude towards fighting has changed from the 21st TB. In the 21st, Goku is more into the fun of fighting in the first place and what fun move he and his opponent will try next. At the 22nd TB meanwhile, there's a gulf between how he and Krillin mentally approach each match, even those they're not a part of. Krillin is still in the 21st mentality where his favourites will win "because he likes them", while Goku is smart enough to know that both Jackie and Tien have an equal chance at winning the match. As shown in the Krillin/Goku match itself, Goku is just on another level, not just physically but mentally as well.
It's also here that Goku shows what I call his battle tactics, where he's thinking what will happen two, three bouts/big moves ahead from the current point in time, and how he'll manage himself in getting to the point where he could beat his opponent. His fight with Vegeta and taking a risk on Kaio Ken x5 is a good future example of this.