A share of the spoils in Madrid - Real Madrid 1 v 1 Atletico Madrid

Real came out of the starting blocks blazing in this match and had it not been for the short sightedness of ball-hog Arjen Robben, they may have scored a lot sooner than they did... so it's funny that Atletico absorbed the early pressure and caught Los Blancos on the counter (on several occasions mind you) to turn a swift counter into a well worked goal... and it could have been more. But I guess the biggest concern to come of this match, other than Real's defending, was their inability to muster clear cut opportunities on goal and given that they travel to Anfield in a couple days, this is something they're going to have to address! Well it's either that or they may need to hire a few Watchmen to lead the ranks and change the balance of power in Europe back to Spain... other wise their "Doomsday Clock" has been set and I don't see them overcoming 'Pool in England... tick tock, tick tock...

Match highlights:


Older Madrid news:
La Liga - 28th / 1st March
Barca cracking under pressure? Atletico Madrid 4 v 3 Barcelona
'Pool take vital lead to Anfield - Real Madrid 0 v 1 Liverpool
Lisandro keeps Atlético at bay - Atlético 2 v 2 Porto

Should have been 10! Barcelona 2 v 0 Atletico Bilbao

As expected this match was one way traffic for Barcelona and I guess more importantly, they managed to get back to winning ways, whilst creating a bucket load of chances! Man Inanimate objects of the match: I couldn't decide which object saw more action, whether it was Athletic Bilbao's post or their crossbar... but I think E'to's miss / post toward the end of the match was enough to get the post over the line as Bilbao's most valuable player for this game... Nice!

Match highlights:

Spotlight: Ronaldo wearing Nike Mercurial Vapor Superfly's

Cristiano Ronaldo spotted at training on the 6th March wearing the Mercurial Superfly's. There's no doubt he'll be wearing them this week in the UEFA Champions League second leg against Inter... and they'll most likely be the Orange/Abyss/Silver ones [as pictured above].
My sources also tell me that C-Ron might not be only one who is wearing them and that the likes of Ibrahimovic, Drogba, Alves, Bentdner and Ribery could be showing them off around Europe via the UCL second leg.
This week promises to be massive!

Cristiano Ronaldo - Ignites Legends campaign:
Ignitions starts February... ?
I'll assume it's all the hype about the new boots


Older Nike Mercurial news:
Spotlight: Drogba wearing Nike Mercurial Vapor Superfly's
Coming soon: Nike Mercurial Superfly
Nike Mercurial Vapor IV - Charcoal/Orange/Silver
Spotlight: Nike Mercurial Vapor IV - Lime

Predictions - La Liga - 7th / 8th March

This weekend promises some interesting matches but the one to really look out for is the Madrid derby taking place at the Santiago Bernabeu. According to our friends over at Heads or Tails, this match should be riddled with calamitous defending. Real are short of the services of Pepe and will call up old boy Michel Salgado to replace him, while Atlético will rely on the unworkable and slow central defender Pablo Ibañez to hold up Real attacks. The only thing certain about this match is the high amount of goals expected to be scored by both teams... so who will come away the victor this weekend?

Predictions:
FC Barcelona 3 v 1 Athletic Bilbao
Real Madrid 3 v 2 Atlético Madrid
Villarreal 1 v 2 Espanyol
Osasuna 3 v 1 Sporting Gijón
Getafe 2 v 1 Malaga
Sevilla 2 v 1 Almería
Numancia 1 v 2 Valencia
Recreativo Huelva 2 v 0 Valladolid
Deportivo La Coruña 1 v 1 Racing Santander
Mallorca 1 v 1 Real Betis

For more reviews of this weekends La Liga action visit Heads or Tails.

What's going on!? Australia 0 v 1 Kuwait!

I've had so much on the past few days, I didn't know if I was coming or going today... and by the looks of things neither did the 'A-leaguearoos'. In my hectic state, I didn't get to watch the match and completely forgot to predict the scores too, so if anyone is interested in describing how painstakingly terrible it was to endure, please forward your comments to:
'Pim, I hope you know what you're doing!?'
PO Box: So much for playing in Canberra, 2600

Please understand if you don't receive a reply, Pim will be very busy over the next few days getting his ass chewed by the media and other various pundits... you know, those of a lesser kind :)

Older Socceroos news:
WCQ 2010 - Japan 0 v 0 Australia
Indonesia 0 v 0 Australia
Bahrain 0 v 1 Australia
Australia 4 v 0 Qatar

Results - Barclays Premier League - 3rd / 4th March

In this mid-week's episode, Middlesbrough went from the joys of beating Liverpool to the lows of being pounded by Tottenham as Robbie Keane announced his arrival back to scoring ways with a goal and 2 assists. Hull picked up points away to Fulham but perhaps the biggest shock came from the Britannia Stadium where Stoke beat a much fancied Bolton 2 - 0!... can you believe that shit!

Gameweek score:
6 out of 10

Results:
Portsmouth 0 v 1 Chelsea
West Brom 1 v 3 Arsenal
Liverpool 2 v 0 Sunderland
Man City 2 v 0 Aston Villa
Newcastle 1 v 2 Man Utd
Stoke City 2 v 0 Bolton
Wigan 0 v 1 West Ham
Blackburn 0 v 0 Everton
Fulham 0 v 1 Hull City
Tottenham 4 v 0 Middlesbrough

Match highlights - Tottenham 4 v 0 Middlesbrough

Older Tottenham Hotspurs news:
Carling Cup Final - Manchester United 0(4) v 0(1) Tottenham Hotspur
Barclays Premier League - 21st / 23rd February
Tottenham 0 v 0 Arsenal
Keano, A Yid Once Again...

Uh oh! Manchester City 2 v 0 Aston Villa

You know you're in trouble when...

• You haven't won a match since early Feb,


• Last week you were eliminated from European competition,


• You have the smallest squad in the league and there is still a good chunk of the season to go,


• You conceed two goals to Stoke in the dying minutes on the weekend and follow it up with a loss to a depleted Manchester City and,


• Your next few games include Tottenham (H), Liverpool (A), Man Utd (A), Everton (H).

Maybe Arsenal shouldn't write off their chances of hitting fourth spot cause Villa are in for some tough times... eep!

Match highlights:


Older Aston Villa news:
Hate to say I told you so - Aston Villa 0 v 1 Chelsea
UEFA CUP - Aston Villa 1 v 1 CSKA Moskow
Balckburn 0 v 2 Aston Villa

Magpies slip, United roll on - Newcastle 1 v 2 Manchester United

An "unlucky" slip by Newcastle defender Ryan Taylor cost his side a much deserved point against champions Manchester United and a chance to stay out of the relegation shit fight... on a brighter note though, he did get a call up to be one of the clowns in Britney Spears new 'Circus' tour around America. Apparently, even if you tried, you wouldn't be able to choreograph a better timed slip than his one, which allowed 'Dead-beat Dimitar' to score the winner. After a shit day, I say good luck to Ryan cause he deserves it and he shouldn't feel too out of place either... a young single mum in skimpy outfits running around onstage with a mob of freaks... that sounds alot like Newcastle doesn't it?

Match highlights:


Older Dimitar Berbatov news:
West Brom 0 v 5 Manchester United
Bolton 0 v 1 Manchester United
Champions League - Matchday 2 Review

Bendtner scores!... a brace!? West Brom 1 v 3 Arsenal

In what was news of the month, hold your breath... Arsenal scored a goal in the Premier League! And not just one... three! But wait there's more... Kolo Toure scored his first of the season and Nicklas Bendtner (of all people) scored two! The first coming within 4 minutes! Either I've just stepped into an alternate universe or someone's ass was severely kicked at Arsenal... either way, I feel like my head's about to explode! Excuse me while I take a page out of Arshavin's book and go throw up a lung.

Match highlights:


Older Arshavin news:
Official - Andrei Arshavin Is A Gunner
Arshavin Coming, No Going, No Coming... To Arsenal?
What's The Deal With Arsenal And Arshavin!?

Drogba to the rescue again! Portsmouth 0 v 1 Chelsea

4 games, 4 wins... better than a punch in the undies, that's what I say! Oh and it hasn't been a bad way for 'Aussie Guus' to start his tenure as interim coach at Chelsea either.
Anyway, in conditions that not even Alaskan king crab fishermen would have to endure, both teams found it hard to break down defenses until our "friend" Didier Drogba found himself unmarked in the box to slot home the winner... say what you want but I'm still not convinced of Chelsea's abilities to win any silverware this year and luckily for Guus, it doesn't matter either cause win or lose, he's outta there come May, just in time for some other chop to step in and pick up the pieces... clever man!

I predict
Frank Rijkaard as Guus' replacement at Stamford Bridge next season.
Who do you think it'll be?

Match highlights:


Older Didier Drogba news:
Spotlight: Drogba wearing Nike Mercurial Vapor Superfly's
Drogba downs Juve - Chelsea 1 v 0 Juventus
Review - Chelsea 2 v 1 Stoke
So What Happened To Chelsea!?

Spotlight: Drogba wearing Nike Mercurial Vapor Superfly's

With less than a month to go before these puppies go on sale to the public, Nike are without doubt getting their final preparations ready for release. With the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Didier Drogba, Franck Ribery, and Dani Alves set to wear them in next week’s Uefa Champions League matches, it’s only common sense that the players get accustomed to their newest acquisitions. Pictured above is Drogba at training yesterday wearing an unmarked pair.


This newest line of super featherweight, ultra-tough, uber-resistant, perhaps bulletproof(?) boots use a revolutionary technology which reduces the amount of material required for the upper, without compromising on durability, traction or support; and all this while still boasting the lightest and fastest boot ever!... again!?

Older Nike Mercurial news:
Coming soon: Nike Mercurial Superfly
Nike Mercurial Vapor IV - Charcoal/Orange/Silver
Spotlight: Nike Mercurial Vapor IV - Lime
Update: Nike Mercurial Vapor Rosa

Predictions - Barclays Premier League - 3rd / 4th March

There's nothing like a bit of mid-week BPL action to put the league in a bit of a spin and with an FA Cup round scheduled this weekend and some crucial European matches next week, managers (other than Sir Ferg) are having to field depleted or injury ravished squads in order to get results. Some managers *cough* Benitez *cough* are even blaming their dip in form to injuries:

We have had some problems [following the 1–0 Champions League win at Real Madrid], several players have been injured, among other things. The worst thing has been the injuries to Torres. He has been our main striker and scored a lot of goals for us last season. And this season could have been totally different with him."

So is he blaming Torres for the teams poor form or is he surrendering already? I don't get it... oh, maybe Rafa is really French and surrendering runs in his veins, yeah that seems more like it!

Hiddink on the other hand hasn't thrown the towel in just yet but realises his team have a mammoth task ahead if they're to catch United:

I am not naive. They have a very good squad, but as long as there is a possibility, you never know. However, realistically, it will be difficult."

Just give the title to United already! In the words of John Legend... It's Over.

I predict:
Portsmouth 0 v 2 Chelsea
West Brom 0 v 2 Arsenal
Liverpool 2 v 1 Sunderland
Man City 1 v 1 Aston Villa
Newcastle 0 v 2 Man Utd
Stoke City 0 v 1 Bolton
Wigan 1 v 2 West Ham
Blackburn 2 v 2 Everton
Fulham 2 v 1 Hull City
Tottenham 1 v 1 Middlesbrough

Results - La Liga - 28th / 1st March

Despite the fact that I missed the prediction for the Málaga v Recreativo Huelva, it wasn't such a bad week (results wise)... although I will admit it whatever I did get right, was a sheer fluke! Rest assured next week the guys over at Heads or Tails will be taking over this duty.

Gameweek score:
4 out of 10

Results:
Espanyol 0 v 2 Real Madrid
Athletic Bilbao 1 v 2 Sevilla
Valencia 1 v 2 Real Valladolid
Sporting Gijón 0 v 1 Mallorca
Málaga 0 v 2 Recreativo Huelva
Almería 2 v 1 Getafe
Racing Santander 1 v 1 Osasuna
Real Betis 2 v 2 Villarreal
Atlético Madrid 4 v 3 FC Barcelona
Numancia 0 v 1 Deportivo La Coruña

Goal highlights: Espanyol 0 v 2 Real Madrid
There must be something in the water over at Madrid cause Raul just can't stop scoring at the moment... oh and some strike from Guti by the way!
Where did he learn to do that!?


For more reviews of this weekends La Liga action visit Heads or Tails.

Results - Barclays Premier League - 28th / 1st March

A mixed bag of results this week saw Arsenal held at home with another goalless draw.. their fourth of the season; Liverpool beaten by a Middlesbrough a team who hadn't won since November 9th last year; Man City brought back to earth after a mid-week European win and the shock of Villa dropping points two minutes from time at home to Stoke... as if anyone had a chance of predicting all these! Here's how I went:

Gameweek score:
3 out of 8

Results:
Everton 2 v 0 West Brom
Arsenal 0 v 0 Fulham
Chelsea 2 v 1 Wigan
Middlesbrough 2 v 0 Liverpool
Hull City 1 v 2 Blackburn
West Ham 1 v 0 Man City
Bolton 1 v 0 Newcastle
Aston Villa 2 v 2 Stoke City

Match highlights: West Ham 1 v 0 Man City

Two down three to go - Carling Cup Final - Manchester United 0 v 0 Tottenham Hotspur

Look out! United have just grabbed their second trophy of the season and now there's three to go... can they do it? CRon thinks so:

It is quite difficult to achieve but we are going from game to game," he told English tabloid The Sun, after the game.
"We always have the opportunity to win everything. We've won this cup and now we don't have much time to celebrate."

Eh... someone wake me when this season's over! I've stated many times already that United will win the Premiere League and probably the FA Cup although I'm not sure if they'll dominate Europe again this year... I'll make that call in a few weeks.
Anyway, they will dominate England again and then Ronaldo will make his long awaited switch to Real Madrid... What!? You know it's bound to happen! Especially if they take out the UCL as well.

Match highlights:


Penalty kicks here

Older Carling Cup news:
Burnley 3 v 2 Tottenham
Manchester United 4 v 2 Derby County
Manchester United 5 v 3 Blackburn Rovers
Tottenham 4 v 2 Liverpool

Barca cracking under pressure? Atletico Madrid 4 v 3 Barcelona

Atletico put their own internal turmoil behind them and managed a win while at the same time punishing some sloppy Barcelona defending and this got me thinking.
Are the ghosts of Barca's 2007/08 campaign coming back to haunt them and are the wheels starting to fall off their cruisy ride to an otherwise unchallenged league title? Well the results of the last few weeks seem to speak for themselves, starting with a draw to Betis, a loss to Espanyol, a come-from-behind draw against Lyon and now this?
Pep Guardiola may be the best dressed coach in the world, but his problems are starting to extend beyond his wardrobe and they’re now at a critical point of getting the better of his team. They’re still scoring goals, but they’re conceding them very softly as well... whatever the case, Real Madrid now sit only 4 points off them and heads will probably start rolling if things are fixed... ¡Ándale! ¡Ándale! ¡Arriba!

Match highlights:

Title race over! Middlesbrough 2 v 0 Liverpool

Top of the world one day, slumping to new lows the next. Oh Liverpool, this is just getting embarrassing.
Sitting in third place on goal difference to Chelsea and 7 points off pace setters United, who also have a game in hand... It's fair to say, your title race is over!
There is however a quite simple solution, kick Benitez to the curb and hire an elite mob of cyborg ninjas to get through the rest of the season... forget Gerrard and Torres and their half baked injuries, they'll at least get you Champions League action next year.

Match highlights:

Melbourne Victory - 2008-09 A-League Champions - Melbourne 1 v 0 Adelaide

I know it's a little delayed and by now everybody knows that Melbourne Victory beat Adelaide United 1 – 0 in front of a near capacity 53, 273 fans at the Telstra Dome Etihad Stadium... but I thought I'd post it anyway. It was a little disappointing to see that the red-cards dished out in the match grabbed more headlines than the actual win itself, but never the less it was a win and Melbourne successfully completed the Pre-season Cup, Premiership and Grand Final treble.
I wasn't lucky enough to see the match as I was away on "dirty hoe business", so while I throw myself into more coffee and catch up on all the weekends action, I'd like to thank your sister for the pancakes she made me yesterday morning... just like Melbourne's win, they were awesome!

2nd half highlights:


Pics from the game: