Wow, another smashing of a quality opponent. Stevie G with the hat-trick, add in Riera's blast and Kuyt's typical johnny-on-the-spot heroics and you have a 5-0 thrashing of Villa at Anfield. Villa put on some pressure early and I have to give credit where credit is due. Pepe Reina is not my favorite keeper by any means but he made some quality stops when the game was still in doubt and his assist on Riera's goal was something to behold. He's actually a very effective distributor of the ball which I feel is an underrated quality in a goalie. Great game all around but especially by the man between the posts.
Milan, well, that was a different story. Very frustrating game against Napoli who were very spirited at home. The Rossoneri were actually lucky to escape with a point.
In more good news though my picks continue to improve. I was 5 out of 10 for the EPL and 4 out of 5 for Serie A. I got a couple exactly and even my upset pick of Tottenham over Chelsea was spot on. Maybe someday soon I'll match myself up against a real journalist and see who does better.
International games coming up very soon, can't wait!
Showing posts with label Serie A. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Serie A. Show all posts
Monday, March 23, 2009
Saturday, March 21, 2009
My Favorite Time of the Week
Weekends mean that soccer will be on. Real soccer, not like the kind displayed by the Energy Drinks on Thursday. Good win for the Sounders, bad defense and goalkeeping for NY. Also a rough day Friday for my BC Eagles whose men's basketball and hockey teams both had their seasons ended today.
Let's hope my soccer teams fare better.
Here are my picks:
English Premier League
Playing on Sunday, game I hope I get to see, are Liverpool and Aston Villa. 2 top five clubs so you think it should be a close match but Liverpool are healthy and red hot while Martin O'neill's men are free-falling. Aston Villa will be the more desperate but Liverpool more confident. I'll call it 3-1 for the Reds at home at Anfield.
Portsmouth v. Everton: I know that Pompey will be desperate for points at home but I can't overlook Everton's advantage on paper, even though they were soundly beaten in the corresponding fixture. 2-1 Everton.
Blackburn Rovers v. West Ham: 1-1
Fulham v. Manchester United: 1-2
Stoke City v. Middlesbrough: 1-0
Tottenham v. Chelsea: My upset special of the week. 2-1 Spurs.
West Bromwich Albion v. Bolton Wanderers: 2-3
Newcastle v. Arsenal: I really hope Newcastle avoids the drop and they have drawn so many times this seson that I think their desperate need for points earns them another. 1-1.
Wigan Athletic v. Hull City: 2-0
Sunderland v. Manchester City: 2-1
Italian Serie A
Milan play away to Napoli this weekend. I don't know a ton about Napoli and can't recall seeing them this year. They are mid-table but they just changed coaches, hiring former Rossoneri midfielder Roberto Donadoni, and drew lowly Reggina last week. I just like the form Milan are in and will take them 0-2 over Napoli.
AS Roma v. Juventus: A big game for Roma but they will not be able to overcome the amount of injuries and suspensions they face. 1-3 Juve.
Internazionale v. Reggina: No contest 3-0.
I'll pick Genoa and Fiorentina to both pick up wins also as they continue to fight for the 4th spot.
I might be able to finally watch some games now that my cable is fixed!
Let's hope my soccer teams fare better.
Here are my picks:
English Premier League
Playing on Sunday, game I hope I get to see, are Liverpool and Aston Villa. 2 top five clubs so you think it should be a close match but Liverpool are healthy and red hot while Martin O'neill's men are free-falling. Aston Villa will be the more desperate but Liverpool more confident. I'll call it 3-1 for the Reds at home at Anfield.
Portsmouth v. Everton: I know that Pompey will be desperate for points at home but I can't overlook Everton's advantage on paper, even though they were soundly beaten in the corresponding fixture. 2-1 Everton.
Blackburn Rovers v. West Ham: 1-1
Fulham v. Manchester United: 1-2
Stoke City v. Middlesbrough: 1-0
Tottenham v. Chelsea: My upset special of the week. 2-1 Spurs.
West Bromwich Albion v. Bolton Wanderers: 2-3
Newcastle v. Arsenal: I really hope Newcastle avoids the drop and they have drawn so many times this seson that I think their desperate need for points earns them another. 1-1.
Wigan Athletic v. Hull City: 2-0
Sunderland v. Manchester City: 2-1
Italian Serie A
Milan play away to Napoli this weekend. I don't know a ton about Napoli and can't recall seeing them this year. They are mid-table but they just changed coaches, hiring former Rossoneri midfielder Roberto Donadoni, and drew lowly Reggina last week. I just like the form Milan are in and will take them 0-2 over Napoli.
AS Roma v. Juventus: A big game for Roma but they will not be able to overcome the amount of injuries and suspensions they face. 1-3 Juve.
Internazionale v. Reggina: No contest 3-0.
I'll pick Genoa and Fiorentina to both pick up wins also as they continue to fight for the 4th spot.
I might be able to finally watch some games now that my cable is fixed!
Friday, March 13, 2009
Weekend Picks
Going down to visit my lady friend in NYC this weekend so I'll throw my picks up here now and we'll see how I did and have a recap on Monday.
English Premier League
Arsenal v. Blackburn Rovers: Despite a nice win over Fulham during the week I don't see how Rovers can contend with a resurgent and increasingly healthy Arsenal side. 3-1 to the Gunners.
Bolton Wanderers v. Fulham: A tough one to pick. I like what Fulham has done this season but every time I doubt Bolton they surprise me and I like them at the Reebok. 2-1 Bolton with Kevin Davies on target.
Everton v. Stoke City: Everton sit in sixth while their opponents here are in a relegation scrap. The Potters haven't won away all season and while they do seem to have more to play for I don't see that changing. A valiant effort might see them snatch a point and I'll back them to do so, 2-2 at Goodison Park.
Hull City v. Newcastle: Picking against Hull never seems to be wise this season but they've cooled considerably and the returns of Owen, Butt, and Duff will tip the scales in Newcastle's favor on this occasion. A 1-2 scoreline snatches 3 vital away points for the visitors.
Middlesbrough v. Portsmouth: Portsmouth have an atrocious away record and Middlesbrough have proven tough at home after defeating Liverpool at the Riverside Stadium a few matches ago but my gut says that Portsmouth is simply the stronger side. Both clubs need the points desperately but I think Middlesbrough lack of scoring hurts them in this one. 0-2 to Pompey.
Sunderland v. Wigan Athletic: Sunderland want to distance themselves from the drop zone but Wigan have their eyes on a still attainable spot in Europe. A hard fought match ends all square, 1-1 at the Stadium of Light.
Manchester United v. Liverpool: With both teams coming off European victories and the usual war of words swelling beforehand I expect nothing less than title match atmosphere at Old Trafford on Saturday. Liverpool were more convincing than United and have an extra days rest. I could go on and on, but of course I'm going to pick my boys. 2-1 Liverpool. C'mon you Scousers!
Chelsea v. Manchester City: Both of these squads are also coming off of solid European performances but I have to take Chelsea at home. 3-2 to the home side in a fast and furious affair at Stamford Bridge.
Aston Villa v. Tottenham Hotspur: Tottenham look resurgent with a revamped strike force led by the returning Robbie Keane. One of the biggest questions in the EPL these days is whether or not Villa can deal with a pressure they've never faced and hold onto the final Champions League spot. I'm not sure of the answer, but I don't think this is the game in which they falter. Villa wins 3-1.
West Ham v. West Bromwich Albion: West Brom only have pride left to play for but I don't think that will be enough. Zola's men win Monday's match 2-0.
Italian Serie A
I'll be picking a select few games this week for Serie A, and that will probably be the norm.
Siena v. AC Milan: Milan have been, much to my dismay, very inconsistent this season. I think the club has settled down a but though after a rough week or so with a UEFA Cup exit and all the Beckham hub-bub. There are still some injury concerns but I think they'll take this one comfortably. 0-2 to the Rossoneri.
Juventus v. Bologna: Juventus could field a fine squad with just their injury list and Bologna have Serie A's top goalscorer in Marco Di Vaio. A surprise 1-1 draw in Turin.
Sampdoria v. AS Roma: Roma's injury woes continue and a little hangover from their valiant but ultimately unsuccessful effort against Arsenal during the midweek will see them fall to an enigmatic Sampdoria side, 1-0.
Inter Milan v. Fiorentina: Mourinho knows that the Scudetto is the biggest honor his club can now win after crashing out to Manchester United in the CL. This might be the best match in Italy this weekend. I expect Inter to win but I think it will be tight. 2-0 to the Nerazzurri.
Lots of action this weekend and I'll miss it all for the Ms. Good thing Comcast threw in that DVR.
English Premier League
Arsenal v. Blackburn Rovers: Despite a nice win over Fulham during the week I don't see how Rovers can contend with a resurgent and increasingly healthy Arsenal side. 3-1 to the Gunners.
Bolton Wanderers v. Fulham: A tough one to pick. I like what Fulham has done this season but every time I doubt Bolton they surprise me and I like them at the Reebok. 2-1 Bolton with Kevin Davies on target.
Everton v. Stoke City: Everton sit in sixth while their opponents here are in a relegation scrap. The Potters haven't won away all season and while they do seem to have more to play for I don't see that changing. A valiant effort might see them snatch a point and I'll back them to do so, 2-2 at Goodison Park.
Hull City v. Newcastle: Picking against Hull never seems to be wise this season but they've cooled considerably and the returns of Owen, Butt, and Duff will tip the scales in Newcastle's favor on this occasion. A 1-2 scoreline snatches 3 vital away points for the visitors.
Middlesbrough v. Portsmouth: Portsmouth have an atrocious away record and Middlesbrough have proven tough at home after defeating Liverpool at the Riverside Stadium a few matches ago but my gut says that Portsmouth is simply the stronger side. Both clubs need the points desperately but I think Middlesbrough lack of scoring hurts them in this one. 0-2 to Pompey.
Sunderland v. Wigan Athletic: Sunderland want to distance themselves from the drop zone but Wigan have their eyes on a still attainable spot in Europe. A hard fought match ends all square, 1-1 at the Stadium of Light.
Manchester United v. Liverpool: With both teams coming off European victories and the usual war of words swelling beforehand I expect nothing less than title match atmosphere at Old Trafford on Saturday. Liverpool were more convincing than United and have an extra days rest. I could go on and on, but of course I'm going to pick my boys. 2-1 Liverpool. C'mon you Scousers!
Chelsea v. Manchester City: Both of these squads are also coming off of solid European performances but I have to take Chelsea at home. 3-2 to the home side in a fast and furious affair at Stamford Bridge.
Aston Villa v. Tottenham Hotspur: Tottenham look resurgent with a revamped strike force led by the returning Robbie Keane. One of the biggest questions in the EPL these days is whether or not Villa can deal with a pressure they've never faced and hold onto the final Champions League spot. I'm not sure of the answer, but I don't think this is the game in which they falter. Villa wins 3-1.
West Ham v. West Bromwich Albion: West Brom only have pride left to play for but I don't think that will be enough. Zola's men win Monday's match 2-0.
Italian Serie A
I'll be picking a select few games this week for Serie A, and that will probably be the norm.
Siena v. AC Milan: Milan have been, much to my dismay, very inconsistent this season. I think the club has settled down a but though after a rough week or so with a UEFA Cup exit and all the Beckham hub-bub. There are still some injury concerns but I think they'll take this one comfortably. 0-2 to the Rossoneri.
Juventus v. Bologna: Juventus could field a fine squad with just their injury list and Bologna have Serie A's top goalscorer in Marco Di Vaio. A surprise 1-1 draw in Turin.
Sampdoria v. AS Roma: Roma's injury woes continue and a little hangover from their valiant but ultimately unsuccessful effort against Arsenal during the midweek will see them fall to an enigmatic Sampdoria side, 1-0.
Inter Milan v. Fiorentina: Mourinho knows that the Scudetto is the biggest honor his club can now win after crashing out to Manchester United in the CL. This might be the best match in Italy this weekend. I expect Inter to win but I think it will be tight. 2-0 to the Nerazzurri.
Lots of action this weekend and I'll miss it all for the Ms. Good thing Comcast threw in that DVR.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Super Pippo
Hey I called something correctly! As usual, the player to pop up with a spectacular effort when Milan needed it the most was none other than Filippo Inzaghi. A hat-trick featuring his usual poaching style sunk Atalanta and with Fiorentina going down to Palermo, Milan has tightened its grip on 3rd place in Serie A. A good performance by David Beckham as well.
Let me just take a minute to declare my admiration for Pippo Inzaghi. If you were to see the man on the street and someone asked you to guess his profession, you would never guess a professional athlete of any kind. He's under 6 ft. tall and stringy as hell and looks much older than he actually is (35). But I love the passion that he plays with. Inzaghi celebrates every goal as if it were his first. The best part is that they are often what you might call "garbage goals". The ultimate poacher has poked balls in after they hit both posts, claimed wild deflections, and even nudge one in with his nose like a seal and celebrated them all as if he'd gone upper-90 from 30 yards away. You might forget about him all game as he gets caught offside time and again. But in the biggest games and at the biggest moments he always seems to pop up.
Sir Alex Ferguson has been quoted as saying that Pippo "was born in an offside position," and I've read at least one other editorial saying his face looks "like a smacked arse." Most people I know can't stand him. But I bet even they would admit that they would rather have him on their side.
Let me just take a minute to declare my admiration for Pippo Inzaghi. If you were to see the man on the street and someone asked you to guess his profession, you would never guess a professional athlete of any kind. He's under 6 ft. tall and stringy as hell and looks much older than he actually is (35). But I love the passion that he plays with. Inzaghi celebrates every goal as if it were his first. The best part is that they are often what you might call "garbage goals". The ultimate poacher has poked balls in after they hit both posts, claimed wild deflections, and even nudge one in with his nose like a seal and celebrated them all as if he'd gone upper-90 from 30 yards away. You might forget about him all game as he gets caught offside time and again. But in the biggest games and at the biggest moments he always seems to pop up.
Sir Alex Ferguson has been quoted as saying that Pippo "was born in an offside position," and I've read at least one other editorial saying his face looks "like a smacked arse." Most people I know can't stand him. But I bet even they would admit that they would rather have him on their side.
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Milan and Ancelotti
Milan play Atalanta tomorrow. Atalanta is still clawing for a UEFA Cup spot and I have seen them play a few games this year. Milan need to be on their toes. They should be able to win comfortably even with their lingering injury woes but they need to play all 90 minutes. Fiorentina are breathing down their necks to get into 3rd place and while they have a tricky match against Palermo I think they will putt it out. Milan needs all 3 points and head coach Carlo Ancelotti will still be under pressure.
It is basically confirmed that if Milan do slip out of 3rd Ancelotti's time at Milan is over. He is the longest tenured coach in Serie A and has led Milan to Champions League glory 2 times and 1 Scudetto. But like Benitez the league really has been his weakness and I think that even if Milan stay in third it might be time for a change. I personally like him and often agree with his tactics. I love the 4-3-2-1 Christmas tree formation and many of the players he has brought in have been immense for the Rossoneri. However it has been a long time and many of the players too are getting fairly old. I think, like Rafa Benitez, that he should be given (if he wants it) one more year to bring home some more serious hardware but I at the same time I would be a lot more worried if Liverpool lost Benitez.
So we'll see how the rest of the year pans out. As for tomorrow I predict Milan wins it 2-0 at the San Siro with at least one goal from my man Pippo Inzaghi.
It is basically confirmed that if Milan do slip out of 3rd Ancelotti's time at Milan is over. He is the longest tenured coach in Serie A and has led Milan to Champions League glory 2 times and 1 Scudetto. But like Benitez the league really has been his weakness and I think that even if Milan stay in third it might be time for a change. I personally like him and often agree with his tactics. I love the 4-3-2-1 Christmas tree formation and many of the players he has brought in have been immense for the Rossoneri. However it has been a long time and many of the players too are getting fairly old. I think, like Rafa Benitez, that he should be given (if he wants it) one more year to bring home some more serious hardware but I at the same time I would be a lot more worried if Liverpool lost Benitez.
So we'll see how the rest of the year pans out. As for tomorrow I predict Milan wins it 2-0 at the San Siro with at least one goal from my man Pippo Inzaghi.
A Few Saturday Picks
I'm not even going to bother predicting any FA Cup results as it might be the most unpredictable competition in soccer. It's like the NCAA Basketball Tournament in a way except even bigger odds are overcome sometimes.
There is one EPL game on today. Sunderland v. Tottenham is an interesting match up because they have the exact same record. There's really not much to choose between them. Sunderland have been in spotty form but Tottenham are coming off a 4-0 dismantling of Boro. Still, I'm cautiously going to go with Sunderland 2-1 at the Stadium of Light
In Serie A action I'll take Roma 2-0 over Udinese at home and Juventus 1-0 in the Turin derby over Torino. I also predict (and sort of hope) that Inter will continue their little slump and, with one eye surely on the Champions League coming up against Manchester United, Genoa will hold them on their home turf. 1-1 draw.
I also hope to watch some of the Madrid derby today. I don't see too many Spanish games but I've seen these two sides in European action enough to think it could be an exciting game. I'm going to choose Real over Atletico, 3-1.
There is one EPL game on today. Sunderland v. Tottenham is an interesting match up because they have the exact same record. There's really not much to choose between them. Sunderland have been in spotty form but Tottenham are coming off a 4-0 dismantling of Boro. Still, I'm cautiously going to go with Sunderland 2-1 at the Stadium of Light
In Serie A action I'll take Roma 2-0 over Udinese at home and Juventus 1-0 in the Turin derby over Torino. I also predict (and sort of hope) that Inter will continue their little slump and, with one eye surely on the Champions League coming up against Manchester United, Genoa will hold them on their home turf. 1-1 draw.
I also hope to watch some of the Madrid derby today. I don't see too many Spanish games but I've seen these two sides in European action enough to think it could be an exciting game. I'm going to choose Real over Atletico, 3-1.
Monday, March 2, 2009
Tough Times
The start of this blog finds my two favorite clubs each hitting a bit of a rough spot. Liverpool had their best ever start to a Premier League season but now look to have squandered the chance at another title race. Milan, after a derby setback to Inter, have simply continued to slide.
Liverpool has frustrated me the most since they topped the table for a large part of the season but Manchester United has simply overcome them. That game in hand they seemed to have forever loomed and loomed and once Sir Alex's squad took over they haven't looked back. Liverpool has wasted key points including their shock 2-0 defeat at Middlesbrough this weekend. It was a typical Liverpool late season performance as they dominated long stretches but simply didn't take the most of their chances. I fear it looks like that will also be a microcosm of their campaign. They need to get their act together to stay in at least 3rd place in the EPL for a crucial automatic Champions League place. Aston Villa is nipping at their heels and it took a scrappy 2-2 effort from Stoke City this weekend to keep them 3 points below Liverpool.
Milan enjoyed a brief spell a bit surprisingly (at least to me) coinciding with the addition of David Beckham and (not surprisingly) the return of Kaka, but since their derby loss against Inter, which put them 11 points back, hopes are slim. Losing at a game but still, 14th in the table, Sampdoria squad this weekend certainly didn't help. They were also knocked out of the UEFA Cup, a competition they really could have, and in my mind should have won, losing on the away goals rule in the first knockout stage to Werder Bremen.
So things look dire for my favorite teams. Liverpool still has the Champions League where they hold the advantage after a good win at Real Madrid. They have had a great deal of success in this competition under Rafa Benitez (whom I will express my opinion on tomorrow) so there's still some hardware to play for. Neither team is mathematically eliminated from either of their domestic leagues but it'll take quite a bit of good fortune.
Fingers crossed.
Liverpool has frustrated me the most since they topped the table for a large part of the season but Manchester United has simply overcome them. That game in hand they seemed to have forever loomed and loomed and once Sir Alex's squad took over they haven't looked back. Liverpool has wasted key points including their shock 2-0 defeat at Middlesbrough this weekend. It was a typical Liverpool late season performance as they dominated long stretches but simply didn't take the most of their chances. I fear it looks like that will also be a microcosm of their campaign. They need to get their act together to stay in at least 3rd place in the EPL for a crucial automatic Champions League place. Aston Villa is nipping at their heels and it took a scrappy 2-2 effort from Stoke City this weekend to keep them 3 points below Liverpool.
Milan enjoyed a brief spell a bit surprisingly (at least to me) coinciding with the addition of David Beckham and (not surprisingly) the return of Kaka, but since their derby loss against Inter, which put them 11 points back, hopes are slim. Losing at a game but still, 14th in the table, Sampdoria squad this weekend certainly didn't help. They were also knocked out of the UEFA Cup, a competition they really could have, and in my mind should have won, losing on the away goals rule in the first knockout stage to Werder Bremen.
So things look dire for my favorite teams. Liverpool still has the Champions League where they hold the advantage after a good win at Real Madrid. They have had a great deal of success in this competition under Rafa Benitez (whom I will express my opinion on tomorrow) so there's still some hardware to play for. Neither team is mathematically eliminated from either of their domestic leagues but it'll take quite a bit of good fortune.
Fingers crossed.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
