’10 to Track’ for wknd 1/13-14 – can anyone upset the leagues’ leaders?

Ah, the weekend!  Friday spanning the globe for hinterland-soccer is grand, but the weekend is about the Big Leagues.  The European ones are starting to really shake themselves out at about the 2/3 mark of their seasons.  If any teams have dreams of making a move, the time is now.

Let’s dig into the ten most important matches of the weekend, for us – the newish American soccer fans!

Saturday, 1/13

1. Chelsea vs. Leicester City – English Premier League

Chelsea, you smell sensational!  No losses for Chelsea in their last six league matches.   They’re in 3^rd, nicely set for a 2018 Champions League berth.

Leicester, on the other hand, has a funk about them after their mid-December loss to woeful Crystal Palace.  They’re stuck in 8^th, not even a Europa League-slot.

RESULT:   0-0

 

 

Not only this is a real DVD, but it must be in demand.  It’s nearly $30 compared to only $5 for the baseball version.

B.  Leon vs. Toluca – Liga MX

The Apertura (first half-season) 7^th and 5^th place teams face off.

And NO.  Noob will NOT stall his quest to rid ourselves of “number two” in lists.  Number B forever!!

RESULT:   Leon   3-1

 

 

Admit it.   It’s subtly disturbing, even if you don’t know why.

3. RB Leipzig vs. Schalke 04 – Bundesliga

Bayern Munich has a monster lead, but the other Champions and Europa League slots in the table are up for grabs!  Schalke holds 2nd by just a two-point lead over four teams.  Leipzig is one of those.

Based on goal differential, neither of these teams is really much better than average.  Noobstradamus is calling this one a 0-0 draw.  Leipzig aren’t going to Champions OR Europa League.  You read it here first, Noobites.

RESULT:   Leipzig   3-1    Fine, crapped the bed on this match.  Still say Leipzig will be home during Euro tourney season.

 

 

A little more Red Bull and maybe my Forrest Whitaker-eye will fix itself…

4. Real Madrid vs. Villareal – La Liga

Real seems to have fallen off some this year, though they’re still in 4^th and in line for Spain’s last Champions League slot.  There’s a substantial gap between the top four and everyone else.  Villareal are in 6^th, in line for a Europa League berth.

RESULT:   Villareal   0-1      Upset city!   Villareal now trail Real by just one point.

Braga vs. Benfica – Primeira Liga

Only the top two teams from Portugal make Champions League, and these two are currently on the outside looking in (4^th and 3^rd).  The top teams are all close in the table though.

RESULT:   Benfica   1-3

 

If you think Noob needs a reason, you don’t know Noob.  And you really should!

6. T.N.S. vs. Bangor City – Welsh Premier League

The New Saints have started to run away with this league, just like last year.   Wales only receives one CL berth, so the race is on for 2^nd and the Europa League.

Bangor City is in 3^rd, just too points behind Connah’s Quay.   This won’t be the game where they make up ground.  Their defense can’t handle the hosts.

RESULT:  TNS   2-1

Honorable mention:  Chennaiyin vs. Pune City (2^nd, 2rd, Indian Super League); Free State Stars vs. Cape Town City (3^rd, 2^nd, South Africa Premier)

Sunday, 1/14

7. Liverpool vs. Manchester City – English Premier League

Liverpool just sold their megastar, so it will be interesting to see how they hold up against the league behemoth.  The sale is baffling soccerheads far and wide.  Liverpool are in 4^th, clinging to a Champions League slot.

RESULT:   Liverpool   4-3     Man City’s first loss of the league season.  Now Liverpool is in a three-way tie for 2nd!  (Man Utd. has played one less game though.)

 

 

Noob didn’t mean that literally.

8. Birmingham City vs. Bristol City – Women’s Super League

These two are only in 9^th and 7^th place, but the league season is only a few games in.  Even with just one win, Birmingham appears to be the better team.   If they can get the first goal today, they will lay waste to “The Vixens”.

Note:  Noob’s aware of some of the connotations of “vixen”.  It’s their nickname.  I didn’t make it up.

RESULT:   Birmingham   2-0

9. UNAM vs. Atlas – Liga MX

UNAM finished last for the Apertura, but it’s actually Veracruz who are in line to be Relegated.  Atlas finished 8^th, barely sneaking into the postseason Liguilla.   This is likely to be a low-scoring game based on styles.  This should give the host “Cougars” a shot at home.

Please, enjoy this low-quality video of The Waterboy decimating opponents like the Louisiana Cougars.

RESULT:   UNAM   3-1    Perhaps no last place for  Pumas this time

10. Nantes vs. Paris Saint-Germain – Ligue 1

PSG have opened up nine-point lead on the pack.  They suffered a quirky loss to Strasbourg a while back, and that’s their only league loss.  Nantes is in 5^th, and not looking like a threat to get to 4^th and the Europa League berth.  Can the Canaries get the upset and prove Noob wrong?

Honorbale mention:  Apollon Limassol vs. Anorthosis (3^rd, 1^st, Cypriot First Division); Be’er Sheva vs. Hapoel Haifa (1^st, 3^rd, Israeli Liga Haal)