No lengthy preamble today, aside from it's fun to watch the England national team continue to struggle. Good times. Also, gotta love ESPN2 scheduling the Galaxy/Fire match Thursday night, barely 24 hours after said England friendly, hence a certain Beckham fellow (and Landon Donovan) couldn't play. Maybe television will finally get MLS to honor FIFA dates.
On to Round 2 of the Premier League.
Saturday
* Blackburn Rovers v. Hull City -- Imagine this, if Hull City were to pull off the upset and win the Tigers would have six points, which would be more than half of Derby County's haul of 11 points from the entire season last year. Stranger things have happened, but don't count on it. It must be said, if Hull gets Frazier Campbell back from Machester United it might actually have a punchers chance to stay up. ... Blackburn 2, Hull 0
* Liverpool v. Middlesbrough -- (Live, Setanta, 10 a.m.) Reading the tea leaves, I see a dull, listless match until Gerrard sparks something in the 65th minute and Torres adds a consolation goal late to make it look better than it was. Glad to see Rafa and Rick Parry have made peace. Hopefully they both hugged a unicorn. ... Liverpool 2, 'Boro 0
* Newcastle United v. Bolton -- (Live, Setanta Broadband, 10 a.m.) Geordie spirits are soaring after holding Manchester United to a draw last week. In typical fashion, the goodwill should be gone by halftime -- unless Mike Ashley breaks out the BK cardboard crowns again. On the flip side, we haven't seen Bolton on the road yet this season and the Trotters might not bring much to the table. ... Newcastle 1, Bolton 0
* Stoke City v. Aston Villa -- (Delayed, FSC, 2:30 p.m.) Aston Villa doesn't have the biggest names in the world, but its a team that can consistently score goals. Stoke City might be the Premier League's version of 'Swing Vote'. Quick aside, Saturday night I went to see 'Tropic Thunder' with my brother and noticed that 'Swing Vote' was only playing one time per day. I asked the usher taking tickets if anyone that night had gone to see 'Swing Vote'. He said no, and nobody seemed surprised. Moral of the story, 'Waterworld' isn't Kevin Costner's worst movie. ... Stoke City 1, Aston Villa 2
* Tottenham v. Sunderland -- (Live, FSC, 10 a.m.) Well, sounds like Arshavin isn't coming to Spurs. Go figure. OConsidering how this club has spent money hand over fist, it's amazing this move broke down for roughly $5 million. Odd. Odder, the deal might still be alive as of Friday. Frankly, who cares at this point. Spurs aren't geting Jurgen Klinsmann 2.0, so it doesn't matter anyway. Wonder how Sunderland boss Roy Keane keeps Djibril Cisse and Pascal Chimbonda in line, or at least keep El Haj Diouf from corrupting them, though Cisse is noted as a 'family man.' I, for one, am psyched to see what hairstyle he unveils on his debut. Cisse is in the 'FIFA' Hall of Fame for amazing player models. ... Spurs 1, Sunderland 1
* West Brom v. Everton -- (Delayed, Setanta, 4 p.m.) Too early to call this one a must-win, but if either side loses they're in rough space for different reasons. Everton really needs to get something here, regardless of how they've struck out in the transfer window. Do the Toffees have an STD or something? ... West Brom 1, Everton 2
* Fulham v. Arsenal -- (Live, FSC, 12:30 p.m.) Even without Cesc, Arsenal ought to roll through this one. Instead of a joke on the game, how about a joke on Mikael Silvestre's move to Arsenal. Actually that doesn't even need a punchline. Could we collectively dream for a day when Silvestre and Senderos start together in a non-Carling Cup match? ... Fulham 0, Arsenal 3
Sunday
* Wigan Athletic v. Chelsea -- (Live, Setanta, 8:30 a.m.) If this game were in March, with the JJB Stadium pock-marked like a teenager's face, then maybe the Latics would have a punchers' chance to snare a draw. So unless they can park the bus in front of the net, it's going to be a typical, soulless Chelsea stroll. Too bad the PL isn't Monopoly, because Chelsea needs to pay about eight Luxury Taxes if they land Robinho. ... Wigan 1, Chelsea 3
* Manchester City v. West Ham United -- (Live, FSC, 11 a.m.) City got its spark last season by beating the Irons on opening day. Will lightning strike twice? Adding Belgium international Vicent Kompany seems like an odd move for Mark Hughes, considering defense isn't exactly City's weak point. The team owner is taking out loans to fund the team and they do this? There isn't one striker in the world that wants to come to Eastlands? West Ham? Meh. Guess we'll see Dean Aston again come Christmas 2009. ... City 1, West Ham 0
Monday
* Portsmouth v. Manchester United -- (Live, Setanta, 3 p.m.) Best game of the weekend, and almost a desperation game for both sides, though moreso for United -- who always have trouble at Fratton Park. Depending how you look at it, Portsmouth got boned by the scheduling gods, getting Chelsea and Manchester United 1-2. Then again, they're done with them until 2009, so it's a minor consolation. My biggest question with United, is why is Rooney afraid to play inside the box anymore. (No Colleen jokes, there, please.) This ought to be a cagey affair, but the beast-child Tevez could make something happen in the final 10 minutes. ... Portsmouth 1, Manchester United 2
Last week: 6-4
Season: 6-4
On to Round 2 of the Premier League.
Saturday
* Blackburn Rovers v. Hull City -- Imagine this, if Hull City were to pull off the upset and win the Tigers would have six points, which would be more than half of Derby County's haul of 11 points from the entire season last year. Stranger things have happened, but don't count on it. It must be said, if Hull gets Frazier Campbell back from Machester United it might actually have a punchers chance to stay up. ... Blackburn 2, Hull 0
* Liverpool v. Middlesbrough -- (Live, Setanta, 10 a.m.) Reading the tea leaves, I see a dull, listless match until Gerrard sparks something in the 65th minute and Torres adds a consolation goal late to make it look better than it was. Glad to see Rafa and Rick Parry have made peace. Hopefully they both hugged a unicorn. ... Liverpool 2, 'Boro 0
* Newcastle United v. Bolton -- (Live, Setanta Broadband, 10 a.m.) Geordie spirits are soaring after holding Manchester United to a draw last week. In typical fashion, the goodwill should be gone by halftime -- unless Mike Ashley breaks out the BK cardboard crowns again. On the flip side, we haven't seen Bolton on the road yet this season and the Trotters might not bring much to the table. ... Newcastle 1, Bolton 0
* Stoke City v. Aston Villa -- (Delayed, FSC, 2:30 p.m.) Aston Villa doesn't have the biggest names in the world, but its a team that can consistently score goals. Stoke City might be the Premier League's version of 'Swing Vote'. Quick aside, Saturday night I went to see 'Tropic Thunder' with my brother and noticed that 'Swing Vote' was only playing one time per day. I asked the usher taking tickets if anyone that night had gone to see 'Swing Vote'. He said no, and nobody seemed surprised. Moral of the story, 'Waterworld' isn't Kevin Costner's worst movie. ... Stoke City 1, Aston Villa 2
* Tottenham v. Sunderland -- (Live, FSC, 10 a.m.) Well, sounds like Arshavin isn't coming to Spurs. Go figure. OConsidering how this club has spent money hand over fist, it's amazing this move broke down for roughly $5 million. Odd. Odder, the deal might still be alive as of Friday. Frankly, who cares at this point. Spurs aren't geting Jurgen Klinsmann 2.0, so it doesn't matter anyway. Wonder how Sunderland boss Roy Keane keeps Djibril Cisse and Pascal Chimbonda in line, or at least keep El Haj Diouf from corrupting them, though Cisse is noted as a 'family man.' I, for one, am psyched to see what hairstyle he unveils on his debut. Cisse is in the 'FIFA' Hall of Fame for amazing player models. ... Spurs 1, Sunderland 1
* West Brom v. Everton -- (Delayed, Setanta, 4 p.m.) Too early to call this one a must-win, but if either side loses they're in rough space for different reasons. Everton really needs to get something here, regardless of how they've struck out in the transfer window. Do the Toffees have an STD or something? ... West Brom 1, Everton 2
* Fulham v. Arsenal -- (Live, FSC, 12:30 p.m.) Even without Cesc, Arsenal ought to roll through this one. Instead of a joke on the game, how about a joke on Mikael Silvestre's move to Arsenal. Actually that doesn't even need a punchline. Could we collectively dream for a day when Silvestre and Senderos start together in a non-Carling Cup match? ... Fulham 0, Arsenal 3
Sunday
* Wigan Athletic v. Chelsea -- (Live, Setanta, 8:30 a.m.) If this game were in March, with the JJB Stadium pock-marked like a teenager's face, then maybe the Latics would have a punchers' chance to snare a draw. So unless they can park the bus in front of the net, it's going to be a typical, soulless Chelsea stroll. Too bad the PL isn't Monopoly, because Chelsea needs to pay about eight Luxury Taxes if they land Robinho. ... Wigan 1, Chelsea 3
* Manchester City v. West Ham United -- (Live, FSC, 11 a.m.) City got its spark last season by beating the Irons on opening day. Will lightning strike twice? Adding Belgium international Vicent Kompany seems like an odd move for Mark Hughes, considering defense isn't exactly City's weak point. The team owner is taking out loans to fund the team and they do this? There isn't one striker in the world that wants to come to Eastlands? West Ham? Meh. Guess we'll see Dean Aston again come Christmas 2009. ... City 1, West Ham 0
Monday
* Portsmouth v. Manchester United -- (Live, Setanta, 3 p.m.) Best game of the weekend, and almost a desperation game for both sides, though moreso for United -- who always have trouble at Fratton Park. Depending how you look at it, Portsmouth got boned by the scheduling gods, getting Chelsea and Manchester United 1-2. Then again, they're done with them until 2009, so it's a minor consolation. My biggest question with United, is why is Rooney afraid to play inside the box anymore. (No Colleen jokes, there, please.) This ought to be a cagey affair, but the beast-child Tevez could make something happen in the final 10 minutes. ... Portsmouth 1, Manchester United 2
Last week: 6-4
Season: 6-4
Labels: Prem League, Prem Picks, Soccer
I'm not sure defense is a long-term weakness for City (and it may just be a manifestation of the larger uncertainties at the club) but they were awful against Villa last Sunday.
The Kompany signing suggests to me that Corluka will be sold prior to Sept. 1.
Went out on a limb with those picks, didn't you? ;)
Fun to watch the three lions struggle: Seconded.
It's kind of like rooting against the cubs. Or not.