Is it over? Or isn't it?
Obviously Manchester United took a big step toward it's third-straight Premier League title, beating Portsmouth 2-0 Wednesday and leaving Liverpool three points in its wake with a game in hand.
While we can say Chelsea's longshot hopes are now dashed after drawing Everton on Wednesday, Liverpool still has some hope.
For one, United still looks like its full of tired legs across the field. To compound that, the Red Devils have their Champions League two-leg affair with the kids are Arsenal, who could run them ragged even if Andrei Arshavin is on the sideline as a spectator.
Meanwhile, Liverpool only have worry about winning league games. Yet one slip up from Rafa's men and this is over.
The big reason for Liverpool to have hope is goal difference. They're up three on United, which is huge if the Red Devils louse up.
So, long story short, even with the midweek stuff this race isn't over, despite Arshavin's four-goal blow to Liverpool on Tuesday. (Wow, I'm still speechless from that one.)
Granted this is so played out that even the most un-hip college arenas play it, but Rafa ought to dig up the famous John Belusi clip from 'Animal House' because nothing is over until we say it is. Deathmobile is optional.
One quick tangent before delving into the picks. Is anyone else using Setanta's online service? They upgraded it significantly this week, except I have trouble viewing the streams on both Tuesday and Wednesday. Hopefully this is cleared up, because it's leaps and bounds better than the old Windows Media Player based service.
Saturday
* Bolton v. Aston Villa -- Ugh...another round of Gareth Barry, will-he? won't-he? Rumours. Maybe he and Stewart Downing can meet in Thunderdome and the winner gets to leave his current club once and for all. ... Bolton 1, Aston Villa 1
* Everton v. Manchester City -- A virtual doff of the cap to David Moyes, who'd you figure is the sure-fire manager of the year. An FA Cup final and possibly fifth-place finish on a team held together by bubble gum and afro picks? Unreal. Will Jo play in this game? ... Everton 2, City 1
* Fulham v. Stoke City -- Another easy award, best American in the Premier League this year goes to Clint Dempsey, almost by default. His seven goals now tie him with Andy Johnson for the Fulham lead. Too bad this doesn't seem to translate in the USMNT kit. Stoke contiunes to be the worst road team in the league, but the Potters won't care since they're pretty much safe. ... Fulham 1, Stoke City 0
* Hull City v. Liverpool -- (Live, Setanta, 10 a.m.) As outlined above, does Liverpool itself still think it can win? Maybe another Yossi winner here. ... Hull City 0, Liverpool 1
* West Brom v. Sunderland -- Nice and straight forward, if Sunderland wants to stick around, win this game. ... West Brom 2, Sunderland 2
* West Ham v. Chelsea -- (Live, FSC, 10 a.m.) Question: Will Chelsea even care about this game, considering they have Barcelona on Tuesday? Answer: Geen manier (Dutch for No way.) ... West Ham 1, Chelsea 1
* Manchester United v. Tottenham -- (Live, FSC, 12:30 p.m.) Let's see, the last time Ferguson had to juggle a lineup, he fielded a suspect XI in the FA Cup semifinal and was bounced out. What will he do as he continues to fight wars on two fronts? You know Redknapp will have Spurs up for this one, so Sir Alex can't just toss a bunch of noobs out there and expect the best. Yet, here are two big stats to chew over -- Spurs haven't won in their last 18 against United (d'oh) and Spurs have only one goal in their last eight at Old Trafford (doubel d'oh). ... Manchester United 1, Spurs 0
Sunday
* Arsenal v. Middlesbrough -- (Live, Setanta, 8:30 a.m.) Another question of team selection. What's Wenger do here? Arsenal is pistol hot, so why take the foot off the pedal? Umm...let's see, why risk anything to Emmanuel Adebayor or Theo Walcott when Robin Van Persie is already deemed out of the Manchester United Champions League affair. Still, even the Gooner kids along with Arshavin should do the job vs. 'Boro. ... Arsenal 3, Middlesbrough 1
* Blackburn v. Wigan Athletic -- (Live, FSC, 11 a.m.) Sexy isn't a word you like to toss around describing sports, but man, if this match isn't sexy than I don't know anything. (Wait, don't answer that.) ... Blackburn 2, Wigan 1
Monday
* Newcastle United v. Portsmouth -- (Live, Setanta, 3 p.m.) Who doesn't love a good, old fashioned six-pointer? This very well might be judgment day for the Magpies. In fact, if they don't take all three points here, it's pretty much over, unless one of the teams above them in the table completely screws up. The Geordie faithful will be on pins and needles, but how does that translate to the players? Do they care? Isn't it about time Michael Owen does something, anything? ... Newcastle 2, Portsmouth 1
Last round: 4-6
Season: 150-173
Obviously Manchester United took a big step toward it's third-straight Premier League title, beating Portsmouth 2-0 Wednesday and leaving Liverpool three points in its wake with a game in hand.
While we can say Chelsea's longshot hopes are now dashed after drawing Everton on Wednesday, Liverpool still has some hope.
For one, United still looks like its full of tired legs across the field. To compound that, the Red Devils have their Champions League two-leg affair with the kids are Arsenal, who could run them ragged even if Andrei Arshavin is on the sideline as a spectator.
Meanwhile, Liverpool only have worry about winning league games. Yet one slip up from Rafa's men and this is over.
The big reason for Liverpool to have hope is goal difference. They're up three on United, which is huge if the Red Devils louse up.
So, long story short, even with the midweek stuff this race isn't over, despite Arshavin's four-goal blow to Liverpool on Tuesday. (Wow, I'm still speechless from that one.)
Granted this is so played out that even the most un-hip college arenas play it, but Rafa ought to dig up the famous John Belusi clip from 'Animal House' because nothing is over until we say it is. Deathmobile is optional.
One quick tangent before delving into the picks. Is anyone else using Setanta's online service? They upgraded it significantly this week, except I have trouble viewing the streams on both Tuesday and Wednesday. Hopefully this is cleared up, because it's leaps and bounds better than the old Windows Media Player based service.
Saturday
* Bolton v. Aston Villa -- Ugh...another round of Gareth Barry, will-he? won't-he? Rumours. Maybe he and Stewart Downing can meet in Thunderdome and the winner gets to leave his current club once and for all. ... Bolton 1, Aston Villa 1
* Everton v. Manchester City -- A virtual doff of the cap to David Moyes, who'd you figure is the sure-fire manager of the year. An FA Cup final and possibly fifth-place finish on a team held together by bubble gum and afro picks? Unreal. Will Jo play in this game? ... Everton 2, City 1
* Fulham v. Stoke City -- Another easy award, best American in the Premier League this year goes to Clint Dempsey, almost by default. His seven goals now tie him with Andy Johnson for the Fulham lead. Too bad this doesn't seem to translate in the USMNT kit. Stoke contiunes to be the worst road team in the league, but the Potters won't care since they're pretty much safe. ... Fulham 1, Stoke City 0
* Hull City v. Liverpool -- (Live, Setanta, 10 a.m.) As outlined above, does Liverpool itself still think it can win? Maybe another Yossi winner here. ... Hull City 0, Liverpool 1
* West Brom v. Sunderland -- Nice and straight forward, if Sunderland wants to stick around, win this game. ... West Brom 2, Sunderland 2
* West Ham v. Chelsea -- (Live, FSC, 10 a.m.) Question: Will Chelsea even care about this game, considering they have Barcelona on Tuesday? Answer: Geen manier (Dutch for No way.) ... West Ham 1, Chelsea 1
* Manchester United v. Tottenham -- (Live, FSC, 12:30 p.m.) Let's see, the last time Ferguson had to juggle a lineup, he fielded a suspect XI in the FA Cup semifinal and was bounced out. What will he do as he continues to fight wars on two fronts? You know Redknapp will have Spurs up for this one, so Sir Alex can't just toss a bunch of noobs out there and expect the best. Yet, here are two big stats to chew over -- Spurs haven't won in their last 18 against United (d'oh) and Spurs have only one goal in their last eight at Old Trafford (doubel d'oh). ... Manchester United 1, Spurs 0
Sunday
* Arsenal v. Middlesbrough -- (Live, Setanta, 8:30 a.m.) Another question of team selection. What's Wenger do here? Arsenal is pistol hot, so why take the foot off the pedal? Umm...let's see, why risk anything to Emmanuel Adebayor or Theo Walcott when Robin Van Persie is already deemed out of the Manchester United Champions League affair. Still, even the Gooner kids along with Arshavin should do the job vs. 'Boro. ... Arsenal 3, Middlesbrough 1
* Blackburn v. Wigan Athletic -- (Live, FSC, 11 a.m.) Sexy isn't a word you like to toss around describing sports, but man, if this match isn't sexy than I don't know anything. (Wait, don't answer that.) ... Blackburn 2, Wigan 1
Monday
* Newcastle United v. Portsmouth -- (Live, Setanta, 3 p.m.) Who doesn't love a good, old fashioned six-pointer? This very well might be judgment day for the Magpies. In fact, if they don't take all three points here, it's pretty much over, unless one of the teams above them in the table completely screws up. The Geordie faithful will be on pins and needles, but how does that translate to the players? Do they care? Isn't it about time Michael Owen does something, anything? ... Newcastle 2, Portsmouth 1
Last round: 4-6
Season: 150-173
Labels: Prem League, Prem Picks, Soccer
I had some problems with the Setanta-i service this past weekend...the stream would occasionnaly lag, so it would almost make it look like I was watching a soccer match in The Matrix. The ball would slow down on the way to the player, a player's move would sometimes look like it was in slow motion -- actually sort of cool (since it was some game I didn't care much about).
I'm actually about to dump Setanta fully and just go with the free streams on the internets. I like their service, but free vs. not free is a pretty easy call.
The free feeds are not worth it. Every time you find a good one it gets shut down. Sopcast screwed up my computer, Justin only has spam now, and most of the games you want to watch you can only catch the first half hour or so of.
When I move in a couple of months, I think I am going to switch to Direct TV and get the sports package + Setanta. I have Time Warner now, and they are amazing. I really wish I could keep them and get the other channels, but for $15 less a month I can get FSC, Gol TV, and Setanta.
If anyone has feedback on DirecTV that would be super.