(Not that Christian Slater NBC show.)
Liverpool and Chelsea.
Chelsea and Liverpool.
Thought it seems like this is the 4,210th time the two storied English clubs have played in the last four years, it's only the 20th time since the 2004-05 season, including in the Champions League each season.
Is it as tedious as 'Freddy v. Jason' or 'Alien v. Predator'?
Not yet, but it's getting close.
Sunday at Stamford Bridge, instead of another tiresome Blue v. Red encounter (or a Team Slayer game on the Pit), we actually get something that is truly must watch -- first place v. first place, with the added spice that Liverpool is eying its first league title in the Premier League era.
We could breakdown this down in a player v. player scenario, but these two know each other so well and are so evenly matched it might come down to one thing -- mentality. Chelsea knows how to win at home in the league, Liverpool still seems to have a shaky make-up at times.
Chelsea, as much as we might not like them, seems to thrive off that negative energy and sticks it on our faces.
Liverpool? We know Gerrard can rise to the occasion, but can they dig deep for 90 minutes and realize that getting a result here means something. That yes, if they lose they can spout on that its only October. This is a chance for Liverpool to make a statement. So for as crazy as the comebacks have been this season, can Liverpool pass a legitimate test away from Anfield?
Basically, we know Chelsea is going to be there standing at the end of May. Liverpool gaining a point here would show that it's not going away and is finally serious this time.
Usually, I'd say at this point, 'Wake me when it's over', but for whatever the reason I'm crazily looking forward to this usually hemmed-in affair.
Saturday
(Match times are weird this weekend. Bah!)
* Everton v Manchester United -- (Live, Setanta, 7 a.m.) Well, Toffees, at least you once had Rooney. ... Everton 0, United 2
* Sunderland v Newcastle -- Good little derby match right here, with Sunderland, well its fans, smelling blood in the Wear. According to footballderbies.com this rates as the highest rated 'local derby', just ahead of Manchester United/Liverpool. I'm shocked that the Joe Kinnear experience at Toon hasn't been a total calamity. The Magpies actually look like they might have a clue. Back to the rivalry. The fans might go nuts for it, but what about a guy like Pascal Chimbonda? You really think he gives two French shits about Newcastles role as a Royalist force vs. Sunderland's Parliamentarian part in the English Civil War? ... Sunderland 1, Newcastle 1
* West Brom v Hull City -- (Live, FSC, 10 a.m.) Probably, just guessing, if you polled the experts before the season which of the three promoted teams had the best chance to be in third place after eight matches they'd have picked high-flying West Brom based on Championship form. For some reason this looks like a match that might trip up the Tigers since the Baggies know them from last season. ... West Brom 2, Hull City 1
* Blackburn v Middlesbrough -- (Live, FSC, 12:30 p.m.) Look...we're in Delaware. ... Blackburn 2, Middlesbrough 0
Sunday
* Chelsea v Liverpool -- (Live, Setanta, 7:30 a.m.) Thankfully this is Big Phil Scolari on the sidelines so the standard Chelsea/Liverpool foxtrot might have a different feel to it. That said, the result, shouldn't be too surprising. ... Chelsea 1, Liverpool 0
* Manchester City v Stoke City -- City's little scamps vs. Stoke's bruisers. I like the skill in this one. ... Man City 2, Stoke City 0
* Tottenham v Bolton -- This is not hyperbole. If Spurs lose this match at home Juande Ramos might be a goner. It's also almost a must-win scenario with Arsenal at the Emirates on Wednesday, home to Liverpool and away to Man City the next three league fixtures. Maybe Spurs' only chance is that Bolton decides to not show up. Utter, pure desperation has to win out here, right? ... Spurs 2, Bolton 1
* Wigan Athletic v Aston Villa -- Answer: Liverpool, Chelsea, Real Madrid, AC Milan. Question: Where will Amr Zaki end up after this season. ... Wigan 1, Villa 1
* West Ham v Arsenal -- (Live, FSC, noon) Will the pattern repeat again? Arsenal kicks ass in Europe and then lays an egg against a middling Premier League team? Probably not since West Ham doesn't appear to have the defensive discipline to keep the Gunners off the scoresheet. ... West Ham 1, Arsenal 3
* Portsmouth v Fulham -- (Live, Setanta, noon) Best story of the week, Portsmouth setting up a class for players to learn cockney English to better understand 'Arry Redknapp. You can't make this stuff up. ... Pompey 2, Fulham 0
Remember: Midweek fixtures upcoming.
Last week: 5-5
Season: 34-45
Liverpool and Chelsea.
Chelsea and Liverpool.
Thought it seems like this is the 4,210th time the two storied English clubs have played in the last four years, it's only the 20th time since the 2004-05 season, including in the Champions League each season.
Is it as tedious as 'Freddy v. Jason' or 'Alien v. Predator'?
Not yet, but it's getting close.
Sunday at Stamford Bridge, instead of another tiresome Blue v. Red encounter (or a Team Slayer game on the Pit), we actually get something that is truly must watch -- first place v. first place, with the added spice that Liverpool is eying its first league title in the Premier League era.
We could breakdown this down in a player v. player scenario, but these two know each other so well and are so evenly matched it might come down to one thing -- mentality. Chelsea knows how to win at home in the league, Liverpool still seems to have a shaky make-up at times.
Chelsea, as much as we might not like them, seems to thrive off that negative energy and sticks it on our faces.
Liverpool? We know Gerrard can rise to the occasion, but can they dig deep for 90 minutes and realize that getting a result here means something. That yes, if they lose they can spout on that its only October. This is a chance for Liverpool to make a statement. So for as crazy as the comebacks have been this season, can Liverpool pass a legitimate test away from Anfield?
Basically, we know Chelsea is going to be there standing at the end of May. Liverpool gaining a point here would show that it's not going away and is finally serious this time.
Usually, I'd say at this point, 'Wake me when it's over', but for whatever the reason I'm crazily looking forward to this usually hemmed-in affair.
Saturday
(Match times are weird this weekend. Bah!)
* Everton v Manchester United -- (Live, Setanta, 7 a.m.) Well, Toffees, at least you once had Rooney. ... Everton 0, United 2
* Sunderland v Newcastle -- Good little derby match right here, with Sunderland, well its fans, smelling blood in the Wear. According to footballderbies.com this rates as the highest rated 'local derby', just ahead of Manchester United/Liverpool. I'm shocked that the Joe Kinnear experience at Toon hasn't been a total calamity. The Magpies actually look like they might have a clue. Back to the rivalry. The fans might go nuts for it, but what about a guy like Pascal Chimbonda? You really think he gives two French shits about Newcastles role as a Royalist force vs. Sunderland's Parliamentarian part in the English Civil War? ... Sunderland 1, Newcastle 1
* West Brom v Hull City -- (Live, FSC, 10 a.m.) Probably, just guessing, if you polled the experts before the season which of the three promoted teams had the best chance to be in third place after eight matches they'd have picked high-flying West Brom based on Championship form. For some reason this looks like a match that might trip up the Tigers since the Baggies know them from last season. ... West Brom 2, Hull City 1
* Blackburn v Middlesbrough -- (Live, FSC, 12:30 p.m.) Look...we're in Delaware. ... Blackburn 2, Middlesbrough 0
Sunday
* Chelsea v Liverpool -- (Live, Setanta, 7:30 a.m.) Thankfully this is Big Phil Scolari on the sidelines so the standard Chelsea/Liverpool foxtrot might have a different feel to it. That said, the result, shouldn't be too surprising. ... Chelsea 1, Liverpool 0
* Manchester City v Stoke City -- City's little scamps vs. Stoke's bruisers. I like the skill in this one. ... Man City 2, Stoke City 0
* Tottenham v Bolton -- This is not hyperbole. If Spurs lose this match at home Juande Ramos might be a goner. It's also almost a must-win scenario with Arsenal at the Emirates on Wednesday, home to Liverpool and away to Man City the next three league fixtures. Maybe Spurs' only chance is that Bolton decides to not show up. Utter, pure desperation has to win out here, right? ... Spurs 2, Bolton 1
* Wigan Athletic v Aston Villa -- Answer: Liverpool, Chelsea, Real Madrid, AC Milan. Question: Where will Amr Zaki end up after this season. ... Wigan 1, Villa 1
* West Ham v Arsenal -- (Live, FSC, noon) Will the pattern repeat again? Arsenal kicks ass in Europe and then lays an egg against a middling Premier League team? Probably not since West Ham doesn't appear to have the defensive discipline to keep the Gunners off the scoresheet. ... West Ham 1, Arsenal 3
* Portsmouth v Fulham -- (Live, Setanta, noon) Best story of the week, Portsmouth setting up a class for players to learn cockney English to better understand 'Arry Redknapp. You can't make this stuff up. ... Pompey 2, Fulham 0
Remember: Midweek fixtures upcoming.
Last week: 5-5
Season: 34-45
Labels: Prem League, Prem Picks, Premier League, Soccer
Based on his play this season, Chimbonda doesn't give two shits about anything.
Magpies win.
A perfect 90 minutes from Los Reds. Beautiful Sunday.