God I am happy that club soccer returns around the globe this weekend.
No sense knocking internationals. Due to their inherent infrequency they do create drama and plenty to write about, but the games themselves can be so ponderous.
For fans of the Premier League there are two big games this weekend. One -- Chelsea v. Manchester City -- a game that's more for the tabloids. Yes, the idea of Roman Abramovich's Russia oil dollars compared to the oil dollars of Abu Dhabi and how they translate to the fields of England is fascinating. The game itself, there are some compelling matchups, such as Shaun Wright-Phillips releasing three years worth of frustration upon Chelsea.
Overall, it's a game to watch to be sure, but pales in comparison to the other whopper -- a true BK Whopper with all the fixins -- Manchester United v. Liverpool. Ideally, this match wouldn't come straight after the international break.
Around Europe it should be a good weekend, with Serie A and La Liga getting into full swing, though neither league has a truly killer matchup.
Saturday
* Liverpool v. Manchester United -- (Live, 7:45 a.m., Setanta) Will Gerrard and Torres actually be healthy enough to play? If not can the remaining Liverpool players pull together and hold off a bolstered Manchester United? Will Born Again Berba make his debut for the Red Devils? Can Liverpool prove its for real?
Yeah, there are enough storylines for this one. Even without its two talismans, I liked Liverpool in this game until Wednesday when Redbeard Rooney did it all against Croatia for England. If Manchester United can get Rooney back into the goal-scoring flow they'll hang with Chelsea through May. Here's a scary thought for Anfield-lovers, Gerrard and Torres combined for 35 of Liverpool's 67 league goals last season. In other words, Robbie Keane better pack his lunch, have a sip of tea and show up ready to play Saturday afternoon considering the two stars might not be at full speed. Yes, you could counter United don't have Ronaldo -- but they still have Rooney, Tevez and Berbatov. United should be near full strength, so unless Rafa Benetiz sucks the air out of the game, the Red Devils walk away with full points. ... Liverpool 1, Manchester United 3
* Blackburn v. Arsenal -- (Live, 9:40 a.m., Setanta) Theo Walcott, Theo Walcott, Theo Walcott, Theo Walcott, Theo Walcott, Theo Walcott, Theo Walcott, Theo Walcott, Theo Walcott, Theo Walcott, Theo Walcott. Ok, joking aside, this could be a tricky game for Arsenal, which is never that great away from home outside of London. Perhaps Blackburn catches a slight break with most of the Gunners perhaps tired from midweek international duty, but the same goes for Roque Santa Cruz. If Arsenal walk out of Ewood Park with three points, maybe my opinion on their season changes a bit. ... Blackburn 1, Arsenal 1
* Fulham v. Bolton -- It's your 17th and 16th place finishers from last season. The BPL, it's fantastic. Actually, these two teams have looked improved. Bolton certainly has a chance to maybe do something with a strike pairing of Ebi Smolarek and Johann Ellmander, presuming neither gets the munchies on the way to Craven Cottage. In fact the Ellmander/Breda Hangeland potential matchup, could be the burliest of the Prem season, not to mention the most Nordic. ... Fulham 1, Bolton 1
* Newcastle United v. Hull City -- (Live, 10 a.m, FSC) Good grief Charlie Brown. I'm putting even odds a guy looking like this runs onto the St. James Park field. (Really, all you need to know about Newcastle is in that link's URL.) Good thing the Magpies get Hull City, as opposed to a Big Four team this weekend. ... Newcastle United 1, Hull City 0
* Portsmouth v. Middlesbrough -- If 'Boro had a slightly bigger squad, it could push for Europe like Pompey has in the last two seasons. Middlesbrough has quickly become a pretty entertaining team to watch due to the endless work rate by Tuncay brings to the table. All that said, 'Boro is still a team that's pretty flat on the road against mid-pack teams like Portsmouth. At the time I didn't think Sulley Muntari bolting for Inter was a huge deal, but Pompey really doesn't have any creativity with Niko Kranjcar on the shelve. They should be able to win games because they're physically bigger and stronger than most. If Portsmouth is really going to push for Europe, Jermaine Defore and Peter Crouch have to show up each week and provide goals. ... Portsmouth 1, Middlesbrough 1
* West Brom v. West Ham -- Considering new Hammers boss Gianfranco Zola won't be on the sidelines, this is a clear chance for the Baggies to get their first win of the season. Since I don't have much to add, here's a nice video of Zola in action. ... West Brom 2, West Ham 0
* Wigan Athletic v. Sunderland -- Who would have thought three weeks ago that Emile Heskey and Amr Zaki would be among the top strike partnerships in England? Right now Sunderland is a team that I have no read on, which probably goes for boss Roy Keane too. ... Wigan 1, Sunderland 0
* Manchester City v. Chelsea -- (Live, 12:30 p.m., FSC) Chelsea will miss Michael Essien, duh, because it means more of John Obi/Mikel Mikel/Obi, who is a red card waiting to happen. It's a shame they'll only have Frank Lampard and Deco to lineup in the center of the midfield, if Michael Ballack is unfit too. Light a candle for the Blues. Tactically City's speed with Elano, SWP and Martin Petrov oh yeah that Robinho guy is the kind of team that gives Chelsea trouble, witness last year against Aston Villa. City should have a chance in this game as long as it doesn't give away stupid fouls around the area and gets some kind of finishing on the other end. Maybe I'm a sucker, but a Robinho winner could definitely be in the cards. ... Manchester City 2, Chelsea 1
Sunday
* Stoke City v. Everton -- (Delayed, 11 a.m., FSC) Is it too early to call a game must-win? Either way, the Toffees need to get something going or face a fall from relevance by Christmas. Kind of a dog game to be the only match on Sunday. Sort of like an NFL game featuring the Detroit Lions and Kansas City Chiefs, though Everton should be better than those aforementioned teams. ... Stoke City 1, Everton 3
Monday
* Tottenham v. Aston Villa -- (Live, Setanta, 3 p.m.) This is a match I'm truly looking forward to watching, if it plays to script. Each side has young, speedy, exciting players so there acres of space to operate. After the dust has settled, I actually like Spurs team -- especially the additions of Frazier Campbell and Vedran Corluka. Roman Pavlyuchenko, we'll see. (Just a hunch, the English press tears him to shreds for his lack of refined play.) For as bad as Spurs looked in its first two matches, if it can win at the Lane on Monday they're back in the mix. As for Aston Villa, it better find its groove pretty quick or get left in the dust for its presumed quest for Top Four football. ... Spurs 2, Aston Vila 0
Last time: 3-6
Season: 15-14
__________________________
** After posting about the USMNT 3-0 win over Trinidad & Tobago, I wondered if I was just too negative. Part of me says yes, but the other part wants the team to strive for excellence. I'm an irrational fan, what can I say?
** For all you gamers, run over to your XBox and download the 'FIFA 09' demo hot fast. Thanks for loyal reader Ahsan pointing it out to me. Toronto FC is one of the six playable teams. Too bad coverboy Maurice Edu has already been offloaded to Rangers. Very solid, can't wait until the middle of October for 11 vs. 11 online. (Team T.O.P.?)
No sense knocking internationals. Due to their inherent infrequency they do create drama and plenty to write about, but the games themselves can be so ponderous.
For fans of the Premier League there are two big games this weekend. One -- Chelsea v. Manchester City -- a game that's more for the tabloids. Yes, the idea of Roman Abramovich's Russia oil dollars compared to the oil dollars of Abu Dhabi and how they translate to the fields of England is fascinating. The game itself, there are some compelling matchups, such as Shaun Wright-Phillips releasing three years worth of frustration upon Chelsea.
Overall, it's a game to watch to be sure, but pales in comparison to the other whopper -- a true BK Whopper with all the fixins -- Manchester United v. Liverpool. Ideally, this match wouldn't come straight after the international break.
Around Europe it should be a good weekend, with Serie A and La Liga getting into full swing, though neither league has a truly killer matchup.
Saturday
* Liverpool v. Manchester United -- (Live, 7:45 a.m., Setanta) Will Gerrard and Torres actually be healthy enough to play? If not can the remaining Liverpool players pull together and hold off a bolstered Manchester United? Will Born Again Berba make his debut for the Red Devils? Can Liverpool prove its for real?
Yeah, there are enough storylines for this one. Even without its two talismans, I liked Liverpool in this game until Wednesday when Redbeard Rooney did it all against Croatia for England. If Manchester United can get Rooney back into the goal-scoring flow they'll hang with Chelsea through May. Here's a scary thought for Anfield-lovers, Gerrard and Torres combined for 35 of Liverpool's 67 league goals last season. In other words, Robbie Keane better pack his lunch, have a sip of tea and show up ready to play Saturday afternoon considering the two stars might not be at full speed. Yes, you could counter United don't have Ronaldo -- but they still have Rooney, Tevez and Berbatov. United should be near full strength, so unless Rafa Benetiz sucks the air out of the game, the Red Devils walk away with full points. ... Liverpool 1, Manchester United 3
* Blackburn v. Arsenal -- (Live, 9:40 a.m., Setanta) Theo Walcott, Theo Walcott, Theo Walcott, Theo Walcott, Theo Walcott, Theo Walcott, Theo Walcott, Theo Walcott, Theo Walcott, Theo Walcott, Theo Walcott. Ok, joking aside, this could be a tricky game for Arsenal, which is never that great away from home outside of London. Perhaps Blackburn catches a slight break with most of the Gunners perhaps tired from midweek international duty, but the same goes for Roque Santa Cruz. If Arsenal walk out of Ewood Park with three points, maybe my opinion on their season changes a bit. ... Blackburn 1, Arsenal 1
* Fulham v. Bolton -- It's your 17th and 16th place finishers from last season. The BPL, it's fantastic. Actually, these two teams have looked improved. Bolton certainly has a chance to maybe do something with a strike pairing of Ebi Smolarek and Johann Ellmander, presuming neither gets the munchies on the way to Craven Cottage. In fact the Ellmander/Breda Hangeland potential matchup, could be the burliest of the Prem season, not to mention the most Nordic. ... Fulham 1, Bolton 1
* Newcastle United v. Hull City -- (Live, 10 a.m, FSC) Good grief Charlie Brown. I'm putting even odds a guy looking like this runs onto the St. James Park field. (Really, all you need to know about Newcastle is in that link's URL.) Good thing the Magpies get Hull City, as opposed to a Big Four team this weekend. ... Newcastle United 1, Hull City 0
* Portsmouth v. Middlesbrough -- If 'Boro had a slightly bigger squad, it could push for Europe like Pompey has in the last two seasons. Middlesbrough has quickly become a pretty entertaining team to watch due to the endless work rate by Tuncay brings to the table. All that said, 'Boro is still a team that's pretty flat on the road against mid-pack teams like Portsmouth. At the time I didn't think Sulley Muntari bolting for Inter was a huge deal, but Pompey really doesn't have any creativity with Niko Kranjcar on the shelve. They should be able to win games because they're physically bigger and stronger than most. If Portsmouth is really going to push for Europe, Jermaine Defore and Peter Crouch have to show up each week and provide goals. ... Portsmouth 1, Middlesbrough 1
* West Brom v. West Ham -- Considering new Hammers boss Gianfranco Zola won't be on the sidelines, this is a clear chance for the Baggies to get their first win of the season. Since I don't have much to add, here's a nice video of Zola in action. ... West Brom 2, West Ham 0
* Wigan Athletic v. Sunderland -- Who would have thought three weeks ago that Emile Heskey and Amr Zaki would be among the top strike partnerships in England? Right now Sunderland is a team that I have no read on, which probably goes for boss Roy Keane too. ... Wigan 1, Sunderland 0
* Manchester City v. Chelsea -- (Live, 12:30 p.m., FSC) Chelsea will miss Michael Essien, duh, because it means more of John Obi/Mikel Mikel/Obi, who is a red card waiting to happen. It's a shame they'll only have Frank Lampard and Deco to lineup in the center of the midfield, if Michael Ballack is unfit too. Light a candle for the Blues. Tactically City's speed with Elano, SWP and Martin Petrov oh yeah that Robinho guy is the kind of team that gives Chelsea trouble, witness last year against Aston Villa. City should have a chance in this game as long as it doesn't give away stupid fouls around the area and gets some kind of finishing on the other end. Maybe I'm a sucker, but a Robinho winner could definitely be in the cards. ... Manchester City 2, Chelsea 1
Sunday
* Stoke City v. Everton -- (Delayed, 11 a.m., FSC) Is it too early to call a game must-win? Either way, the Toffees need to get something going or face a fall from relevance by Christmas. Kind of a dog game to be the only match on Sunday. Sort of like an NFL game featuring the Detroit Lions and Kansas City Chiefs, though Everton should be better than those aforementioned teams. ... Stoke City 1, Everton 3
Monday
* Tottenham v. Aston Villa -- (Live, Setanta, 3 p.m.) This is a match I'm truly looking forward to watching, if it plays to script. Each side has young, speedy, exciting players so there acres of space to operate. After the dust has settled, I actually like Spurs team -- especially the additions of Frazier Campbell and Vedran Corluka. Roman Pavlyuchenko, we'll see. (Just a hunch, the English press tears him to shreds for his lack of refined play.) For as bad as Spurs looked in its first two matches, if it can win at the Lane on Monday they're back in the mix. As for Aston Villa, it better find its groove pretty quick or get left in the dust for its presumed quest for Top Four football. ... Spurs 2, Aston Vila 0
Last time: 3-6
Season: 15-14
** After posting about the USMNT 3-0 win over Trinidad & Tobago, I wondered if I was just too negative. Part of me says yes, but the other part wants the team to strive for excellence. I'm an irrational fan, what can I say?
** For all you gamers, run over to your XBox and download the 'FIFA 09' demo hot fast. Thanks for loyal reader Ahsan pointing it out to me. Toronto FC is one of the six playable teams. Too bad coverboy Maurice Edu has already been offloaded to Rangers. Very solid, can't wait until the middle of October for 11 vs. 11 online. (Team T.O.P.?)
Labels: Prem Picks, Premier League, Soccer
Can I ask a dumb question? How does Fox Soccer choose which games it broadcasts?
http://assets.espn.go.com/media/nba/2004/0110/photo/g_dare_vi.jpg
Newcastle are in shambles.
Can anyone else chip in with me on a plane ticket for someone to go knee-cap Shola Ameobi?
This team will be sold with the month.
Probably not the first one to make this comparison (certainly not on this page), but Mark Bruce = Jay Leno.