Let’s start in Spain this week. It seems that while Barcelona confront a reasonably straightforward stretch run the other title contenders are being left to knock lumps out each other. Last week it was a case of Valencia having to beat Sevilla – which they did - and this week they have to repeat the feat, this time against Real Madrid.
If Valencia can collect another three points (they have failed to win back to back league games since mid January) then they only have to play one team presently in the top seven – Real Zaragoza – in their last seven matches.
On the other hand Real Madrid and Sevilla have to play each other as well as Real Zaragoza. Perhaps the team we should really be feeling sorry for is Real Zaragoza who is currently fifth in the league and ahead of Atletico Madrid courtesy of a better head-to-head record.
This weekend Sevilla faces an Athletic Bilbao side that has come to life in their last two matches. Athletic Bilbao has never been relegated and has finally dragged themselves clear of the bottom three positions in the league. Sevilla are going through a goal drought and this match may prove trickier than the league positions might indicate.
Barcelona have not exactly been road warriors this season and have only one win away from the Nou Camp in the last eight games. They do however have an excellent record against teams in the lower half of the division which is where a disappointing Villarreal side currently resides. Barcelona have won 11 and drawn four of 15 such games, while conversely Villarreal have only three wins in 16 games against top-class opposition.
In Germany, Bayern Munich travels to face the team currently one spot above them in the Bundesliga, third-place Stuttgart. Stuttgart currently enjoys a two-point cushion on Bayern Munich and after this weekend only four games will remain.
Bayern cannot afford to lose this weekend, because if they do there will be a very real possibility that next season their only participation in the Champions League will come from watching on television. For a side that over the last decade has won the Bundesliga title seven times, been runners up twice and finished third once it would be a crippling blow. Only four of the first choice eleven out under the age of 29, and it is clear that Bayern need to retool this summer. Without Champions League money Ottmar Hitzfeld may have to restrict his shopping to the bargain bin.
Inter should wrap up Serie A this weekend after they stumbled late in the midweek game against Roma. Lazio and Fiorentina are two sides that have recently seen excellent runs come to an end. For Lazio, two draws against as Ascoli and Chievo brought eight straight wins to a halt. Even so Lazio’s last loss was back on December 20. They face a Fiorentina side that lost to Parma in midweek after going 11 games without loss. Both sides enjoy two very effective striking partnerships. For Lazio it is Rocchi (15) and Giuly many five because he kbit okay because he is going to get very Kiel doolally gor (10), while Fiorentina can look to Luca Toni (16) and Adrian Mutu (14).
Lazio are currently sits third in the league 11 points behind rivals Roma, but only four points ahead of Milan. Fiorentina is seventh but have Empoli and Palermo in their sights even though the gap is five points.
Two teams who have spent the week moving players in and out clash in MLS. Houston Dynamo moved defender Kevin Goldthwaite to Toronto for midfielder Richard Mulrooney, while the New York Red Bulls also sent defensive help – and they desperately need it – to Toronto in the shape of speedy full-back Marvell Wynne.
However, the most interesting move was the acquisition of 31-year-old Colombian striker Juan Pablo Angel by the New York Red Bulls from Aston Villa. The frantic pace of the Premiership never suited Angel’s style but I reckon he’s got a good few goals left in him and he will turn out to be a very astute signing. The Colombian’s debut depends upon how quickly a work permit can be acquired.
In the Premiership Manchester United - unbeaten in the last 14 one games – await the visit of Middlesbrough who are winless in their last five away games. In fact, Middlesbrough have only one away win all season and only two teams have collected fewer away points. However, Boro appear to enjoy the Old Trafford stage and have a very respectable record. Since 2002 Boro only lost once in five Premiership visits to Manchester United while winning twice and drawing the other two games.
Coincidently a similar dynamic appears to be at play when Newcastle plays Chelsea at St James’ Park. Newcastle goes into this game have won only once in their last seven Premiership games. Chelsea on the other hand have won their last nine. But, Newcastle have won three and drawn the other when Chelsea have come calling in the last four seasons. The Magpies also enjoy the sixth best record in the league against top half teams, while they sit only 18th against teams occupying positions eleven through twenty. The better the opposition the better Newcastle seem to play.
Tottenham Hotspur manager Martin Jol said this week that his team needs to win four of the remaining five games in order to secure a UEFA spot for next season. Step one would appear to be beating Arsenal in the early game on Saturday. This is something that Spurs have failed to do in their last 17 league and cup matches against their North London neighbours. Six more points for Arsenal will guarantee them at least fourth place and entry into the Champions League pre-qualifying round 2. These two teams have shared the points in five of the last six premiership games that White Hart Lane. What chance of six out of seven?
At the bottom of the Premiership Charlton and Sheffield United is a game that everyone will be keeping an eye on. A classic six pointer, Charlton are undefeated in 11 league games against Sheffield United, but are currently two points behind the Yorkshire club with the same number of games played.
Sheffield United have lost more away games in the Premiership than any other team and have not even scored on the road since in early February. On the other hand Charlton are unbeaten in their last four home games and have kept clean sheets in each of then.
l think there are a lot of great match up ,but l feel the gunners team will not have their heads together, as wenger's future is now in doubt .l have to say l naturally hate take over , but l would welcome a dien backed one because he has been the achirtect of great moments, as for hill wood all his defiance speach will bite him in the ####
With the Dein resignation, I get flashbacks to the Ashley Cole saga – that stubborn pride. The Arsenal board want to keep the club 'English' and yet be a global brand. They can’t accept that
their time has passed, and if they dig their heels in, they’ll bring the whole club down.
Ultimately, we'll just have to see how all of this pans out at the end of the season.
Atleti will travel to 2nd-division-bound Real Sociedad. According to the history book, it has been eleven seasons since Atleti have won at Anoeta stadium. I think history will change this weekend.
Last edited by atleti_female on April 20th at 6:49 AM.
Hill-Wood said: "Why don't we want the American at our club? Call me old-fashioned, but we don't need his money and we don't want his sort. Our objective is keep Arsenal English."
My request is that H14 translates the above into French so that the Arsenal players will be able to understand it."
(Like yesterday, you just can't make this stuff up!!)
I had an outrageous thought about Wenger leaving Arsenal for Real Madrid...
I can't see that happening though... :-) I think he’d consider the back-stabbing, Machiavellian machinations of Real Madrid to be the seventh circle of hell.
Last edited by atleti_female on April 20th at 7:23 AM.
The winner of the Arsenal Spurs game should be awarded “The Split personality Cup.”
Both teams are obviously capable of playing like Arsenal (running around playing overly-complicated football that doesn't deliver goals and leaking poor goals at the back). However both teams are also capable of playing like Spurs (playing beautiful flowing football that leads to heart stopping goals)
I predict the result will be Sparsenal 2 Sparsenal 2.
I agree with Bobby, Barca have been gifted it this year unless they gift it back. I'm rooting for Atl to somehow get ahead of the Valencia thugs so they're not in UCL next year.
I am now in agreement with H14, I did not like Dein b/c I had read some articles which depicted him as power hungry and that some of his dealings had put Arsenal in a bad light in the estimation of other clubs. I saw his backing of Kroenke as a claim to become chairman. But if his departure will cause Wenger to leave he must have been good for the club. I am now worried about their future, no one can replace Wenger, maybe Mourinho, but they do not have the money to get him and get the players he would want.
-Wenger would probably see the Madrid job as unstable as Rafa did, but he could be lured there. They have wanted him for awhile.
-My apologies H14 you were right to worry, I am reminded of Noah and the ark, Noah built his ship before the flood.
Peter Kenyon speaking today on ChelseaTV about Jose Mourinho.
"Whatever you have read or heard,no lists of candidates have been drawn up,no one has been offered the job.
Jose has a contract to 2010 and he wants to stay.
WE ARE NOT GOING TO SACK HIM,he has the clubs support,thats the situation and we are agreed on it"
Don't be so quick to attack Dein. He was the Arsenal linchpin throughout the 1980s and 1990s; without him, they'd still be a Tottenham-sized club. He brought George Graham and Arsene Wenger to the club.
EDIT: That's about all I know of the man.
Last edited by atleti_female on April 20th at 9:37 AM.
Ringo: I do not and have never believed that JM would leave (despite my jokes re the Italian mob). Two months ago, Peter Kenyon said via Chelsea TV and Neil Barnett, that JM is staying and there would be no more statements. I think Abramovich is smart enough to realise he needed to keep out of the way of the professionals, hence much of the speculation. The one surprise is that Peter K made a statement at all. To me, it says that there were issues but now they're actually resolved. I have completed stopped reading all gossip web pages and tabloid sites, which are the only source of this - they're just garbage.
Just look at today. All wenger had to do was put out a statement saying he was staying and stories appear that he's leaving, etc., etc. I really don't understand why BBC and Setanta web sites even refer to the gossip.
BTW, I just love JM, especially when he's on Chelsea TV. Give me him or warnock over whinging Wenger or "Funeral Director" Coppell every time.
I personally don't know if Wenger will leave or stay but I do believe next season will tell alot about Arsenal's future as a club. The bottom line is we have to win something, especially the EPL title and the C.L. If not I don't even want to think of what will happen.
I still think Hill-Wood and the rest of the share holders will sell the club, but I don't care who is running the club as long as we keep winning teams on the field.
Last edited by Gunner44 on April 20th at 12:15 PM.
Real Madrid really annoy me, because it seems they care more about business side of football than the football it self. They seem to want the hottest property on the market. Last season when Cesc was marvel to watch leading Arsenal to the C.L. final they wanted him now this year it's C. Ronaldo. It's like if someone is popular lets get him. Next it will probably be Messi. Why I say this is you'd expect them to make a bid for Cesc this year seen how Arsenal has struggled but no they'd rather go for the hottest players in the world. I don't think the coaches have absolute power in Real, it's all up to the presidents and directors & they seem to pick players who will sell tickets & jerseys. This why I don't think Wenger would join Madrid. If anything I think Wenger will probably go back to France and try to start a revolution there of putting the French ligue back on the map. But I believe Wengerman is staying at Arsenal for sometime, mainly because of the players and fans.
Last edited by Gunner44 on April 20th at 12:16 PM.
Do you actually think Arsenal has even a halfway decent chance at winning the EPL or the CL next season? (I'm not being sarcastic, I want your honest opinion).
I think it will be a stretch for Arsenal to win the Champions League or Premiership next year, but I think the FA Cup is a more realistic goal, if they can get on a hot streak.
But now I am about to contradict myself, this has been a tough year for Arsenal, they are still bringing along some very young players, and they obviously have not totally jelled. Add that to the World Cup hangovers, and injuries of almost their entire frontline, William Gallas, and key suspensions, and this season could have been different. At one point they were without Toure, Adabeyor, Eboye, Henry, and Van Persie due to injuries and suspensions for a three game period. I don't care what team you are in Europe you lose that many starters during the season and you are going to struggle.
So with that being said Arsenal could pull a Man U and go after a treble, or they could be the same inconsistent Arsenal we have seen the past two years, very hard to tell.
Also two more interestings things are will Lehman return, and if not, who will replace him, and will Rosicky adapt to the premiership. I say he will, and has improving towards the tail end of the season.
Yes. I'll email them about 9pm PST tonight. I wish I could predict same result for Man U today.
Early starts? depends who's playing. Mr. Tivo watched the game for me today. I thought it was very fast paced game - but then I did watch the replay at x3 till the goal counter changed. Tomorrow, different story, and it's only a 5.30am start.
Thanks. Lucky there was only 5 mins of stoppage time otherwise it would have been 3-3!
My last post:
"I wish I could predict same result for Man U today." ... the laws of attraction are at play in the Universe. Ringo, I'm going to see if I can hold my breath for 45 minutes. I want to see lots more showboating of his new trick from CR. ... on comes Riggs and Rio can't continue. Game om.
Last edited by LosAngelesChelseaFan on April 21st at 10:26 AM.
I will never say a bad word about you again.....until you beat us again,anyway!
That was nerve-wracking stuff,completely un-enjoyable....until the final whistle went!
I hope tomorrow afternoon/morning is a lot easier,but I doubt it!
LACF-go and enjoy a cold one,I am ,I need one after that!
ulsterson
Enjoy your darkness.....you might be there for a while!
g44 you know what l do not think kroenke will stop even if the other board members jump out of their skin bcoz cooperate beast like kroenke do not leave with a tail between their legs because someone says no they force the issue and l just feel its inevitable.as for today with the way the results went l would take a draw.l think the chelsea match is a must win to have confidence for next season
Verbal. Why not? The good or bad thing about young players is you just don't know when they'll pick. Look at Man U this season with the help of Giggs & Scholes their young players have played some amazing football. Ronaldo has gone from been a flashy player to the world's best. With Wenger at helm and Henry & RVP coming back fresh and Theo too and if we can stay a little bit more out of the injury room. (Our defence i.e Kolo, Gallas, Eboue and Clichy had only played 3 games together the whole season before the recent strech they have been on).If healthy and with one or two good buys which we all no Wenger is capable of getting and of course some LUCK I don't see why this team can't win. Football is a game of unpredictability, who new Arsenal would go Unbeaten 3 seasons ago who thought those young Gunners would go all the way to the C.l final, who thought Liverpool would win the C.l in 05, who thought Man U would be so good this season, coz personally I did think they would. NEXT YEAR WILL BE A MAKE OR BREAK YEAR FOR ARSENAL JUST LIKE IT WAS FOR MAN U THIS YEAR.THE QUESTION IS WILL THE PLAYERS AND THE COACH STAND UP AND PLAY EVERY GAME TO THEIR FULL POTENTIAL? I CAN ONLY HOPE SO COZ I BELIEVE THEY CAN!
I hate to agree with Gunner44 but at this VERY early stage, both Arsenal and the Liverpool look to be very dangerous next year. Should be a very tightly contested top four.
I'm very disappointed with Atleti's performance today against Real Sociedad. Disappointing, frustrating display, lacking creativity and spark. This was a golden opportunity to maintain a top six finish. Ugh.
Last edited by atleti_female on April 21st at 7:14 PM.
Mornin all
aah,I love the smell of football in the morning!(just not THIS early,but at least it`s daylight here!),HEY,LACF wake up!,you`ve just got time for a quick bacon sarnie and a niice cup of tea before kick-off!
2-0 to the good guy`s,I think!
I don`t like the line-up,hope we are not making a mistake!
Well, for me, Newcastle was always going to be the most difficult fixture. For once I didn't understand the team selection, either. I assume Carvalho was injured, he was sorely missed with Terry looking very slow. It took Essien out of the midfield. Ferreira and Maka shouldn't be playing. Cole may be injured again. Even taking off SWP instead of a defender was odd.
I think the Man U result was a factor. Chelsea suddenly realised "Oh we can win this!" ... and they froze. How often has the leader in Masters hit the ball in the water on the 12th hole! Under that pressure, anyone not playing on top of their form, e.g. Drogba, Lampard, Cole etc., can lose timing, touch - and they did.
Well a gritty performance by the Magpies today. The blue nancy boys thought they would swagger in and pocket three easy points.
Now I see the pouty JM is preaching “truth” not only about missed penalties today but also yesterday for Middlesbrough! Since when did his or any other persons’ opinion become “truth”?
As and added bonus the FSW blog is thankfully quiet from the mind boggling, constant gushing and prancing of a few Chel$ki participants. It is like teenage girl text messaging gone wild.
On a more positive note: Congrats to all the Celtic and Inter fans on their claiming their respective league championships today. Well done.
Ringo, you are not as stupid as you look? Thanks for telling us that. Classic. Hehehe...
Too bad I didn't get to watch any game this weekend and don't ask me why... How can some of you here see so many games? At the moment, one match per weekend would make me REAL happy...
Just read that Mancini penned a new deal at Inter. Personally I don't think he'll carry Inter very far but apparently Moratti trusts him. What do you guys think? VVV?
In terms of TV-viewing, I only watched Real Sociedad v Atletico Madrid this weekend because I was a bit on the busy side.
I try to watch two or three games a weekend, unless the weather is nice or I have errands/assignments to do. I follow the scores on the BBC and AS live texts if I'm stuck typing something.
I am the soccer analyst for the Fox Soccer Report and appear twice a week - every Monday and Friday at 10:00 EST. I have also been a regular contributor to the Fox Soccer Channel website since the summer of 2004. Over the last twenty years I have contributed to various radio and television programs throughout North America as well writing about the game for newspapers, magazines and websites.
Thank you to all who take time to visit this blog and especially to those of you who post your comments and thoughts.
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