’10 to Track’ Relegation Monday soccer matches – embrace the Monday sadness!

The world schedules are starting to heat up some with the advent of all the biggest European league here.

Still, Noob augments the ten most important matches to follow for us – the newish American fans of the global game – with Relegation Matches.

We’ll start with matches of happier import, then get to know some clubs facing the Relegation axe.

To arms!

1. Crystal Palace vs. Liverpool – English Premier League

Both teams have started this season with a win, both against teams not expected to finish in the top half of the table.

For Liverpool, Mo Salah broke the league single-season scoring record last year.  And he waited only all of 19’ to get on the board this season.  They should be considered a full-goal favorite, even on the road today.

RESULT:   Liverpool   0-2

B.  Valencia vs. Atletico Madrid – La Liga

Time to start up the premier league of Spain!  These are last year’s #4 and #B clubs.  Atletico played the top defense last year, but also just won the UEFA Super Cup against Barcelona, 4-2.

Valencia finished just where they should’ve based on goal differential.   Their betters either scored a ton more or played much better defense.

RESULT:   1-1

 

 

What the fruit, Number B?!

That’s violent and random.

Watch out Number Two.  Your fate will be a bad one apparently.

3. Milsami Orhei vs. FC Sheriff – Moldova National Division

When it’s the top two in a league, Noob’s always down to Track it.  Even when it’s just UEFA’s 33^rd-ranked league.  Sheriff won the league by five points last year over Orhei and lead them by four points now – halfway through their season.

The Red Eagles play host today and that still doesn’t make them much more than an even match.  They only scored 2/3 as often as Sheriff.

RESULT:   Sheriff   0-2

4. Breidablik vs. Valur – Iceland Urvalsdeild

We move just a touch further down the UEFA domestic league rankings to find Iceland’s – #39.

Briedablik lead the league in defense and in the table.  Valur are tied for #B, and have played on less match than peers Stjarnan.  They’re nearly as stingy in their own third, so this might not be the most exciting match to watch, but it is most Track-worthy.

RESULT:   Valur   1-3      Patrick Pedersen with a pair of goals

 

 

Breidablik’s crest is an odd one — that’s the profile of a church, with a seal pup underneath.  

The team’s town name of Kopavogur means “seal pup inlet”.

 

And now, the Relegation Matches!

Horsens vs. Aalborg – Denmark Superliga

Near regular’s season’s end, this league will break into two division – Championship and Relegation.  Last year, these two were the bottom end of the better half.

In this young season, Aalborg are somehow 4-0-1 despite a 5-5 goals for/against – good for #B in the table for now.  Horsens are down in 12^th with just one win so far.

Fun Fact:   AC Horsens are nicknamed “The Yellow Danger”.  Maybe it sounds more intimidating in Danish.

RESULT:   0-0

6. Vasco de Gama vs. Ceara – Brazil Serie A

Nearly a Relegation double feature of woe and tragedy!

Ceara were just promoted to top flite this season, are in second-to-last place now.  De Gama are tied for 16^th, only above the Cutline by virtue of GD right now, and will be safer soon enough.  Ceara’s offense is a sorry sight.

RESULT:   1-1

Less sorry is the sight of carne de sol, a staple of NE Brazilian cuisine (Ceara’s region).

It’s dried outdoors and the fierce wind and sun dry the exterior in 2-4 days, leaving the steak strips interiors moist.

7. El Nacional vs. Guayaquil City – Ecuador Serie A

Ecuador’s top league uses a multiyear aggregate table to determine who gets The Boot at season’s end.  Two teams will go down, and Quayaquil have a lot of ground to make up if they want to avoid that fate.  El Nacional is a midtable team at best, so this might be one of G.C.’s rare opportunities to get a result.

Fun Fact:   Quayaquil City was originally named for River Plate, the Argentinian club which which they formerly were partnered.

RESULT:   1-1

8. Wazito vs. Chemelil – Kenya Premier

Two of the 18 clubs here will get kicked out.  Wazito is in line to be now, 17^th place. Chemelil are in 15^th.

And in-house prognosticator Noobstradamus has had a vision!

My dreams are vivid.  The sights, the sounds.  I walked in darkness towards the only distant light and the pulsating sounds of “Lookie Lookie” in the distance.  From one step to the next, I was inside, dancing hip to hip with Stella Mwangi herself at Pavement Night Club, Nairobi.  It’s a place I know well, being ancient and well-travelled. 

She moved her body like a snake all around me, leaned in, and whispered sultrily in my ear, “Wazitohhhh”.

 I whispered back, “Thanks for the tip.  Now take a hike.  It’s weird that you’re dancing to your own tune.”

RESULT:   0-0        Are we certain they didn’t miscount?

 

 

 

I’m too cool for school.  Wazito 1-0 today. 

 

And now, musical interlude!

9. Gefle vs. Brage – Sweden Superettan

Varnamo still holds down the bottom spot in Sweden’s second division league.  But they get rid of at least two annually, so let’s get to know the one just above.

*sneeze*  Whoops, Noob just scored a goal on Gefle.   It’s about that easy for everyone, and is why they are so far down the table.  Brage are 7^th.  Noob thinks Gefle will earn a draw today.  Not that one is enough to lift them to safety in the standings.

Fun Fact:   Gefle’s blue and white kits are specifically inspired by the Argentina’s men’s national football team attire.

RESULT:   Brage   0-2

10. Keila vs. Rakvere Tarvas – Estonia Esiliiga A

We finish the Monday of Relegation with a trip to Estonia’s second division.   Noob adores Estonian football.  The league names have those sweet, mesmerizing double i’s that entrance me so.

Keila are in second-to-last, ghastly on both sides of the ball.

3^rd-place Rakevere will be focused as they’re 10 points out of #B in the table.  That’s a slot that gets to play a low-rung top-division team for the right to play up there next year.  For Keila to finish within a goal of 3^rd-place Rakvere would be a minor miracle, even in front of their own fans.

RESULT:   Rakvere   1-3

 

 

 

So long from Pope John Paul II and Noob, fellow fans of the double i’s!