If I hadn't deleted that ugly, cumbersome graphic from the sidebar you would have been able to see that today's Premier League make-up fixtures are of the utmost importance on the 2008 title race. It's not outlandish to think that when people look back, today's the day the title could be decided, or at the very least let's put a star next to it.
In short, Manchester United can break away from Arsenal and into first place itself on 70 points with a win against struggling Bolton.
Also, Chelsea could move into a first or second-place tie if they go to White Hart Lane and defeat Tottenham.
A possible three-way Texas Tornado deadlock is another distant possibility with eight games left on the schedule.
Fun stuff -- so let's get some bonus picks.
* Manchester United v. Bolton -- (Live FSC, 4 p.m.) Somehow, someway, Bolton defeated United earlier this season at the Reebok. Unless it was on tape, I wouldn't believe it. Bolton is absolutely miserable. How miserable you ask? How about four goal in nine league games in 2008. Does that do anything for you?
Even with a relegation scrap (is there another term, lemme know) on his hands, it's hard to see Bolton manager Gary Megson coming out and playing with United. Think a 4-6-0 or a 5-5-0.
United did struggle a little bit Saturday at Derby County, but if not for a few great saves from former teammate Roy Carroll and the bounce of ball its a total rout. The one thing, the United players themselves got very frustrated that the game wasn't over in the first 10 minutes. Like whiny, verge of tears frustrated. They even needed two quality, quality saves from Ben Foster. (Yeah, him.)
Still, the odds would have to be something like a 1,000 to 1 for a Bolton win. 10 to 1 for a draw and like 1 to 10 for a Red Devils win.
Ronaldo is just too good. And with Tal Ben Haim gone from Bolton, maybe Rooney Tunes has a big game. ... Manchester United 3, Bolton 0
* Tottenham v. Chelsea -- (Live, Setanta 4 p.m.) The question will linger until the axe finally falls, can Avram Grant win the big game? Another, more relevant for today question, do Tottenham actually care any more?
Obviously the sting of losing the Carling Cup final to Spurs only a few weekends ago will drive Chelsea today.
If you're a gambler, this is impossible to call because you simply don't know what to expect from Juande Ramos' crew. Who's going to pull them up by the scruff and lock them in for a fight? Or for that matter, should they even care to do Manchester United or, gasp, Arsenal a favor?
By contrast, we know that John Terry will have the boys ready from the boot room on forward. With that in mind it's hard to see anything other than Michael Ballack driving the Panzer tank over the boys in white. ... Spurs 1, Chelsea 2
[Live update -- Both matches are 1-0 inside of eight minutes. Didier Drogba for Chelsea; Ronaldo (of course) for United. ... Amazingly, Woodgate got Spurs level, but Essien scored shortly after so it's 2-1. ... Ronaldo just smashed a special free kick that makes it 2-0 and United are first place.]
In short, Manchester United can break away from Arsenal and into first place itself on 70 points with a win against struggling Bolton.
Also, Chelsea could move into a first or second-place tie if they go to White Hart Lane and defeat Tottenham.
A possible three-way Texas Tornado deadlock is another distant possibility with eight games left on the schedule.
Fun stuff -- so let's get some bonus picks.
* Manchester United v. Bolton -- (Live FSC, 4 p.m.) Somehow, someway, Bolton defeated United earlier this season at the Reebok. Unless it was on tape, I wouldn't believe it. Bolton is absolutely miserable. How miserable you ask? How about four goal in nine league games in 2008. Does that do anything for you?
Even with a relegation scrap (is there another term, lemme know) on his hands, it's hard to see Bolton manager Gary Megson coming out and playing with United. Think a 4-6-0 or a 5-5-0.
United did struggle a little bit Saturday at Derby County, but if not for a few great saves from former teammate Roy Carroll and the bounce of ball its a total rout. The one thing, the United players themselves got very frustrated that the game wasn't over in the first 10 minutes. Like whiny, verge of tears frustrated. They even needed two quality, quality saves from Ben Foster. (Yeah, him.)
Still, the odds would have to be something like a 1,000 to 1 for a Bolton win. 10 to 1 for a draw and like 1 to 10 for a Red Devils win.
Ronaldo is just too good. And with Tal Ben Haim gone from Bolton, maybe Rooney Tunes has a big game. ... Manchester United 3, Bolton 0
* Tottenham v. Chelsea -- (Live, Setanta 4 p.m.) The question will linger until the axe finally falls, can Avram Grant win the big game? Another, more relevant for today question, do Tottenham actually care any more?
Obviously the sting of losing the Carling Cup final to Spurs only a few weekends ago will drive Chelsea today.
If you're a gambler, this is impossible to call because you simply don't know what to expect from Juande Ramos' crew. Who's going to pull them up by the scruff and lock them in for a fight? Or for that matter, should they even care to do Manchester United or, gasp, Arsenal a favor?
By contrast, we know that John Terry will have the boys ready from the boot room on forward. With that in mind it's hard to see anything other than Michael Ballack driving the Panzer tank over the boys in white. ... Spurs 1, Chelsea 2
[Live update -- Both matches are 1-0 inside of eight minutes. Didier Drogba for Chelsea; Ronaldo (of course) for United. ... Amazingly, Woodgate got Spurs level, but Essien scored shortly after so it's 2-1. ... Ronaldo just smashed a special free kick that makes it 2-0 and United are first place.]
Labels: Chelsea, manchester United, Prem Picks, Premier League, Soccer
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