Category: 10 to Track

There are just too many awesome soccer matches to pare down to the usual 10 for Tuesday through Thursday.  So it’s a throwback week, Noob’s giving you deliciously filtered previews every day!

1. Toronto FC vs. Colorado Rapids – CONCACAF Champions League

A reminder of what we have here for our greenest Noobites.  Champions Leagues tournaments for the best clubs from the previous year in each continental association.  This one is for North and Latin America and the Caribbean Zone.  16 teams qualified, and they start out by playing two-legged ties (home and away series) against one other club.

Due to a format change this year, teams actually qualified from as long as two seasons ago.  That’s how Colorado Rapids are here.  Because they sure stunk last season in MLS.  Toronto won it all, and walloped Colorado in the first leg here 0-2.

Noob will bootstomp  Gary, don’t think he won’t!

B.  Tijuana vs. Motagua – CONCACAF Champions League

Tijuana lead their tie 1-0 already, but one shouldn’t count Motagua out.   They’re every bit as good on paper, and Tijuana have been struggling mightily in league.  Motagua are in 1^st in the Honduran National League.  (10:00 PM Eastern, Univision Deportes)

RESULT:   1-1     Tijuana advance

Footyball Number B, sparkling for you.

3. Swansea City vs. Sheffield Wednesday – English FA Cup

It’s the Fifth Round, down to 16 teams.   These two drew 0-0 at Sheffield a few days back, so they Replay.  This time it’s in Wales, so advantage Swansea.  They may get Relegated to the second level where Wednesday are now, but they should be able to comfortably put this one to bed.  (3:05 PM, Fox Sports 2)

RESULT:   Swansea   2-0

4. Shrewsbury Town vs. Yeovil Town – EFL Trophy

A reminder of what we have here:  This is not the prestigious FA Cup.  Nor is it the EFL Cup.  This tournament is only for League One and Two (levels three and four) clubs, plus elite youth teams affiliated with the top two leagues’ clubs.

This is a Semifinal, and boy is Noob in a pickle!   These are two of my Adopted teams.  Yeovil could use the good fortune, as they’re not much above the Relegation line in League Two.  Shrewsbury have to be favored, as they’re a league higher and kicking tail there.

RESULT:     now slated for 3/6

Noob can almost handle the personified pickle, and even the excitement for its own kind.

But what’s with the magnet?

5. Morelia vs. Querétaro – Copa MX

The Mexican league season is divided into two halves (Apertura and Clausura).  While each is being played, there is a parallel Cup tournament.  This is the 2017-18 Clausura Cup, Group Stage.  27 clubs are divided into pods of three, playing double round robins.   All the winners and seven of the nine second place finishers will advance to the next Round.

This is the last match for these two.  The visitors are in first, though only by goal differential.  They should advance no matter what.  If dreaded Monarcas Morelia (no royalty in North America!) win, they take the group.

6. Defensor Sporting vs. Gremio – Copa Libertadores

The Group Stage now begins in South America’s Champions League.  Many games to choose from, so why not start with one involving the defending champs?  Gremio should be favored by a goal, even on the road.  Defensor Sporting is Uruguay’s second-highest entry into this field.  (5:15, Fox Deportes)

RESULT:   1-1       Maybe Defensor WAS motivated!

As a motivational poster, this is as off the mark as every country music video ever.

7. Les Herbiers vs. Lens – Coupe de France

The French FA Cup is in its Quarterfinal round.  Les Herbiers are one of the two third division teams remaining.  And they may not be even third for long, only being one spot above their league Relegation line.  Lens are having a forgettable season in Ligue 2.

RESULT:   Les Herbiers   0-0  /  4-2  pk      Alerte Minnow!

8. T.N.S. vs. Bala Town – Welsh Premier

The New Saints are twelve points up on the league now.  Still, Bala Town is in 3^rd, only two points out of the league’s Europa League berth.   But they don’t score, don’t play that good of defense, and Noob finds it a wonder they are this high in the table.

Noobstradamus calls this one 4-0 in a route for the powerhouse of Wales.

RESULT:   ppd

Yr wyf yn rhagweld poen!

9. Legia Warsaaw vs.  Jagiellonia Bialystok – Poland Ekstraklasa

Tied for first on points and even goal differential.  The title is on the line!

10. Greenock Morton vs. Livingston – Scottish Premier

These two are #3 and #B respectively in Scotland’s second division.  This bunch appears pretty settled out now.  St. Mirren will get promoted automatically, these two will be part of the four-team playoff to also move up.  B^th place will get a bye.  GM are five points behind Livingston, so this is a must-win in that regard.

RESULT:   Livingston   0-1

Honorable mention:  any of the FA Cup matches in Austria, Hungary, Israel, Russia, Switzerland or Turkey.

Make no mistake, playing to keep your club above the Relegation Line in a league can be about as important as playing for a title.  Let’s get to know some sad-sack teams before they are given the boot.

But first, a few matches that matter for less onerous reasons.

1. Atromitos vs. AEK Athens – Greek Superleague

The top two clubs go to Champions League, and that race has been pretty much settled.  What isn’t decided is which will win the league crown.  AEK Athens is only two points out of 1^st place.  Atromitos is 4^th in the table, certain in their Europa League invite-status.

Noobstradamus is calling this one for the road “Two-Headed Eagle”, 1-2.  They’re a little better on both sides of the ball and have the motivation Atromitos won’t.

RESULT:   1-1      Prognostication poopiness

I’d like to think my choice in headwear makes me look quite delphic.

B.  Guangzhou Evergrande vs. Shanghai Shenhua – Chinese Super Cup

Despite Evergrande being listed first, this match is being played at Shenhua’s home stadium.

These two won the Chinese Super League and FA Cup, respectively.  Yet Shenhua only finished 11^th in league play.  Evergrande should overpower them, though in essentially an exhibition match, anything can happen.

RESULT:   Evergrande 4-1     Congrats to the SuperCuppers!

This guy should be more excited to be sporting the Super Number B.

3. Saudi Arabia vs. Moldova – international friendly

These two are ranked #’s 64 and 166 in the world by FIFA.

Fun Fact:  The shortest Scrabble-valid word one can make from MOLDOVA* is OVERGLAMORIZED.   Like this match!

RESULT:   Saudi Arabia   3-1

4. Sporting CP vs. Moreirense – Primeira Liga

Moreirense are last place in the table, but only two points behind the safety of third-to-last place.  Unfortunately for them, not only are Sporting much more talented, but they’re in 3^rd.  Since only the top two make it to Champions League from Portugal, they will be looking to drop the hammer and net these vital three points.  (4:00 PM Eastern, GOL TV)

Fun Fact:   Moreira de Cónegos has all of maybe 5000 people.

RESULT:   Sporting   1-0

5. SonderjyskE vs. Silkeborg – Denmark Superliga

In this league the bottom 8 (of 14) clubs play in a Relegation Playout, meaning the losers will get booted down a league.

SonderjyskE actually have a positive goal differential, despite being in 9^th place.   But they have a bad habit of losing three in a row roughly every other month.  Silkeborg’s negative GD and 10^th place spot in the table is largely due to their horrific start to the season.   They’re one of the better teams in the league now.

Fun Fact:   The home club’s name translates roughly to “southern Jutland”.

RESULT:   Silkeborg   0-1

6. Newell’s Old Boys vs. Temperley – Argentina Premier

Both these teams are bad, but Temperley has been lousy longer.  So in Argentina’s multi-year table for Relegation, they are the ones in the Drop Zone.

Fun Fact:  Temperely’s athletic club also fields a basque pelota team.

RESULT:   0-0

The game looks a little sad somehow.

7. Concordia Chiajna vs. Voluntari – Romania Liga I

The Championship and Relegation Rounds now begin for this league.  The eight lowest regular season finishers now battle in their own table.  The bottom two will be automatically given the boot, while the next worst will play a Liga II team in another playoff.

These two finished in 11^th and 8^th place.   Noob sees no way they vampires of Voluntari will allow themselves to be Relegated when all is said and done.

RESULT:     now listed for tomorrow

The Management would like to apologize. – AGAIN – for Noob’s confusion about Twilight saga vampires being real.  And for mixing up Voluntari and Volturi.

Noob:  *snicker*

8. Viktoria Plzen vs. Vysocina Jihlava – Czech First League

This one should get ugly, and fast.  Plzen is #1.  VJ is second-to-last, lose by about a goal per game average.

Fun Fact:  Jihlava town’s German language name translates to “hedgehog”.

RESULT:   Jihlava   0-1     Relegation Monday mayhemm!

9. Ruzomberok vs. Nitra – Slovakia First Football League

Top six to Championship Round, bottom six to Relegation Round.  Three teams’ fates are still undetermined, and these are two.  Ruzomberok is in 6^th, Nitra are two points behind.

It’s hard to say Nitra has the best defense in the league, though they’ve allowed the fewest goals.  They don’t score their own much, either.  The hosts today don’t score or give up much either, so this is probably a one-goal game, if that.

Fun Fact:  The town of Nitra is about 80.000, though only roughly 2/3 consider themselves “Slovak”.

RESULT:   0-0

Kick-ass castle in Nitra

10. Macabbi Petach Tikva vs. Hapoel Ironi Akko – Israeli Premier

Ironi Akko (or Acre) is in last place.  MPT is in 8^th.  There’s such a gap in the table between 6^th and 7^th that all the teams above and below are already mathematically determined to be going to the league Championship and Relegation Rounds, respectively.

Points now will still matter later though.  MPT should get the three today, as Akko gives up a whopping two goals per match.

Fun Fact:  Akko have been penalized two points in the table two different times this season.  Once was for contract violations, the other for fielding too many foreigners.

RESULT:   MPT   2-1

The 10 best soccer matches for us – the newish American fans – to follow!  Today, except for a visit to Liga MX, we’re exclusively in Europe.  Loads of games with multiple Champions League and Europa League berths abound.

Normally Saturday and Sunday are together, but this weekend Noob’s gone back to the format of old.  You get two full complements of game previews.  Next weekend  things are likely to be compressed again, so enjoy the bonus coverage!

1. Chelsea vs. Manchester United – English Premier

Chelsea has slipped to 4^th place, but played better offense recently, scoring eight goals in their last three matches.   Good thing, too, as Noob-reviled Tottenham  Sir Topham Hatt Hotspur are just a point behind them for the league’s final Champions League invite.

3^rd-place Man Utd. have only found the back of the net twice in their last three matches.  Momentum does not favor them on the road today.  (9:05 AM Eastern, NBCSN)

RESULT:   Man Utd.   2-1     Chelsea drops down to 5th, out of the Champions League berths (for the moment anyway)

Face down, a** up…

Wait, that’s not relelvant…

B.  Arsenal vs. Manchester City – EFL Cup – the Final!!

A reminder of what we have with this event:  a tournament that only involves clubs from the top four leagues in England.  It is tertiary in importance to the FA Cup and Premier League title.

Also, it has lost some of its luster since Man City lost to Wigan in the FA Cup this round.  It had looked quite possible they would sweep all the major hardware.  Noob will not be surprised if they don’t save their energies and some starters, even with shiny metal on the line.  Opportunity for league #6 to get a headline.

RESULT:   Man City   0-3     Hardware for the league leaders

The esteemed Number B Trophy!

(Number B, are you wearing a bra?  No judgement here, just caught Noob off guard.)

3. Santos vs. Cruz Azul – Liga MX

Santos have found their offense, sits in 3^rd in the Clausura (second half-season) table after missing the top eight and Apertura postseason.

Cruz Azul made that postseason in 6^th place, despite having a 0 goal differential.  They’re only -1 now, but down in 15^th.   Their proper table position likely lies somewhere in the middle of those two, and probably not in the Liguilla.  (7:00 PM, Univision Deportes)

RESULT:   Santos   2-0

4. Sevilla vs. Atlético Madrid – La Liga

Atlético has only lost one match all season, so they could still be daydreaming of catching league leader Barcelona.  Today they face a feisty Sevilla team that’s 5^th in the table, one slot out of Champions League territory.   Sevilla just far enough back of 4^th that they could play a little desperately.

To that end, Noobstradamus is calling this one for the visitors, who will score early, in a high-scoring affair – Atlético 2-3.  (2:45 PM, beIN Sports En Español)

RESULT:   Atlético   2-5

Then again, I may be completely disoriented from the 2 Live Crew reference above.  That poor bird.

5. Bayer Leverkusen vs. Schalke 04 – Bundesliga

Other than a hiccup against Werder Bremen, Leverkusen has been absolutely rolling., all the way to 4^th.   That’s good for a Champions League spot if they can hold on.

Schalke’s losing half their games anymore, their hot first stretch of the season well behind them now.  They’re just as good defensively as BL, so that gives them a chance today at least.  (9:30 AM, Fox Sports 1)

RESULT:   Schalke   0-2      What a swing!   Schalke is now tied for 2nd, while Leverkusen falls into a tie for 5th.

6. AS Roma vs. AC Milan – Serie A

Roma is in 3^rd, but a world behind the league’s top two.  But they’re also only one and two points ahead of their next two rivals in the table.  Since the top four get into Champions League, they’ll be plenty motivated.

Milan is tied for 7^th, the last spot to even get into Europa League.  Noob is still learning, doesn’t feel certain every team is super-motivated by Europa-or-nothing.  I suppose the answer starts with money, how much extra do the players make for European competitions.

RESULT:   AS Milan   0-2      Milan will definitely care about holding onto 3rd!   Roma drops to 5th.

If the amount could be stored in a soccer player goal-kicking coin bank, the answer is they won’t care.

7. Paris Saint-Germain vs. Marseille – Ligue 1

PSG has nearly sown up the league title, and rightfully so.  No other French team comes close to their capability on offense, and only a couple are on their level defensively.

Marseille is in 3^rd, and France only gets three invites to C.L. this year.  They have something of a cushion over 4^th-place Lyon, but that side is good, still very much a threat.  The visitors are also only two points behind #B, AS Monaco.  Passing them would mean getting to enter C.L. in a later round.  (3:00 PM, beIN Sports)

RESULT:   PSG   3-0

8. Aberdeen vs. Celtic – Scottish Premier

Celtic completely dropkicked this league last season, going 34-4-0.  They’ve dropped off a smidge this year, but still play amazing defense and are still six points up on #B Rangers.

Aberdeen is in 3^rd, good for the next Europa League.  They’ve got small cushions between the clubs on either side of them, and climbing to #B wouldn’t get them any better a Europa entering position.  Noob suspects they’ll play for the draw.

RESULT:   Celtic   0-2

9. Feyenoord vs. Eindhoven – Dutch Eredivisie

The Netherlands’ top league only gets two clubs into Champions league.  Feyenoord are in 4^th, but they’re not going to catch anyone.  Eindhoven lead the league.  A road win would be tough – a draw more likely – but would pretty much cement their league title.

RESULT:   Eindhoven   1-3

10. Hapoel Be’er Sheva vs. Beitar Jerusalem – Israeli Premier

Maccabi Tel Aviv just passed both for 1^st place, but only by a point.  One of these two will tie or pass them today.

Be’er Sheva is #B and love low-scoring matches.  Beitar Jerusalem is a point behind them and plays wide open.  It will be interesting to see which can control the pace.  With three teams in the mix, this may be the most exciting league finish in Europe.

(And yes, Noob knows Israel is not in Europe.  It’s a geopolitical thang.)

RESULT:   1-1

Wait, it’s possible Noob has haters?

Honorable Mention:   PAOK Thessaloniki vs. Olynpiacos (Greek Super League), Besiktas vs. Fenerbahce (Turkey Super Lig), Estudiantes de Merida vs. Mineros (Venezuela Premier), any Swedish FA Cup match

TGIGF!   Remember when it was proper and cool to dress up to fly?   Let’s get dolled up for today’s soccer matches, trot the globe in style!

Since Friday’s are more lightly-scheduled around the world , we break from the ‘ten most important’ matches mission and turn our gaze far and wide for new, interesting footyball.  We start with locales more familiar, then venture onward.

1. Puebla vs. Necaxa – Liga MX

At 4^th and 6^th place at the halfway mark in the Clausura (second half-season), both these clubs are positioned to make the Liguilla (postseason playoffs).

Noob’s calling this one for the road “Thunderbolts”.  They play about the league’s best defense, while Puebla hasn’t been scoring a ton.

RESULT:   1-1

Los Rayos, not Los Gatos de Trueno

Noob blames Dan the Intern-o Inferno.

B.  Shamrock Rovers vs. Dundalk – Irish Premier

This summer professional league is just beginning its season.  Dundalk might’ve challenged Cork City for the league title last season if they could’ve won a couple close games, earned a couple more draws.  Goodness knows they scored like gangbusters (league-leading 72 goals in 22 games).

Shamrock finished just behind Rovers, in 3^rd, but this league was really just a two-horse race.

RESULT:   0-0

Top o’ the mornin’ to ya’!

from Number B

3. Flora Tallinn vs. FCI Levadia – Estonia SuperCup

This is the annual match between the winners of the Meistrliiga and FA Cup that precedes the start of the new league season.  I’m 95% sure this is a one-off match, only, oh, 67% sure it’s being played in Tallinn, as opposed to a neutral site.

Flora is the defending Meistrliiga champions, while Levadia finished #B.  Fine, whatever.  Noob’s just happy to have reason to type those sweet, sweet double I’s!

RESULT:   Levadia   2-2 / 3-4 pk

Noob adores double-i’s!

Amen.

4. Livingston vs. Dundee United – Scottish Championship

Welcome to the Track, Scotland second division!  This league is starting its final stretch.  St. Mirren will win, get the autopromotion to Premier.  The 3^rd and 4^th place teams will face off for the chance to play the #B team.  Then that match’s winner will also be promoted.

Dundee is gritty and tough, but doesn’t score enough to keep up with the #B club today probably.  They’d be fortunate just to remain in 3^rd.  Greenock Morton will pass them, INHO.

RESULT:   Livingston   2-1

Fun Fact:  Livingston was founded under this name.

5. Nijmegen vs. Fortuna Sittard – Dutch Eerste Divisie

League winner gets promoted to top flight.  Next eight get into a Promotion Playoff.  (This doesn’t include top flight clubs’ reserves teams.)

Nijmegen (or NEC) is #B, in line for the auto-promotion right now (#1 is a reserve club).  Sittard is in 3^rd, but with three teams breathing down their neck, they’re far from guaranteed one of the top four spots (and a bye) in the Promotion Playoffs.

Fun Fact:  Unlike most clubs in the Netherlands, NEC was formed in the very poorest part of its city.

RESULT:   1-1

6. Al-Wehdat vs. Rantha – Jordan Premier

Jordan’s top league is #18 in Asia.  Not bad!  But still only good for getting one club invite to the next AFC Champions League.  And right now these two are tied for the honor.  These two haven’t lost a league match since October and September respectively.

RESULT:   Wehdat   1-0

Noob tries not to go overboard on crest-critique, good or bad.

But Al-Wehdat’s is top notch in my book.

7. Emelec vs. Macará – Ecuador Serie A

They’re only a game into the 2018 season here.  In last year’s Second Stage (second half-season), Emelec won the title and today’s visitors finished 3^rd.  If their league-leading defense carries over, we could see the boys from Ambato snag a big early road win here.

Fun Fact:  Emelec was founded by an American, the head of the Electric Company of Ecuador.

RESULT:   Emelec   2-0

8. Umm Salal vs. Al-Sailiya – Qatar Stars League

This league ranks 6^th in Asia, earning three spots in the next continental Champions League.  These two are tied for 4^th, but distant fourths to Al-Rayyan.

Fun Fact:  Umm Salal are “Barzan’s Falcons”, named for a Ramadan-enforcing tower.

RESULT:   Umm Salal   1-0

9. Yangon United vs. Shan United – Myanmar National League

Of the 47 FIFA leagues in Asia, this one ranks 25^th.  It’s early in their season, but these two are #1 and #B.   Not sure how Shan is pulling it off and barely over one goal per game.

RESULT:   YU   1-0

Is that Yangon Utd. lion looking to its left or straight ahead?

What a hot mess.

10. Tigers vs. Young Africans – Namibia Premier

The important thing is not that these two are 10^th and 4^th.  What matters is that they’re playing at all.  This league didn’t even compete last year.

RESULT:   Tigers   1-0

Ten most important games for newish American soccer fans to follow for the midweek.  Fine, fine.  Amuricuhn teams are back in action, let’s waste no time dawdling!

Time for the 2018 CONCACAF Champions League!  CONCACAF is the soccer federation for North and Latin America and the Caribbean Zone.  16 clubs will compete, qualifying via their nations’ leagues or other events.

This is a Knockout (or Bracketed) tournament.  Each pair of clubs facing off will play a two-legged tie.  (Translation:  Each pair of teams will play a home and away series to determine which advances.)

Previously, more teams qualified for this event, and the Knockout Round was preceded by a Group Stage.  It also began before the turn of the calendar year.  Why is this restructuring relevant?  Because it means clubs competing this year qualified through 2016 (or 2016- first half of ‘17) leagues and such.  So don’t be a confused Noobite when you see 2016 references in this- the 2018 event.

Tuesday, February 20

1. Colorado Rapids vs. Toronto FC – CONCACAF Champions League

Uh-oh.  Colorado got in because- two seasons ago- FC Dallas won both the U.S. Open Cup and the MLS championship – two qualification routes.  So The Rapids slide in one of them for having had the second-best 2016 regular season record.

Why the uh-oh?  Because in 2017 they were not good.  At all.  10^th place out of 11^th in the weaker Western Conference.

Meanwhile, Toronto qualified by winning the 2016 Canadiaian Championships.  They also won the 2017 MLS championship.  No backsliding for them.  They will crush Colorado.

RESULT:   Toronto   0-2

B.  Chelsea vs. Barcelona – UEFA Champions League

Leg One of their two-legged tie.  If this were the chess world, Chelsea would be a very solid Master.  And Barcelona the Grandmaster.

Barcelona have dethroned Real Madrid as the Spanish power, while Chelsea have slipped a little since winning Premier League last season.  Barcelona will play for the draw on the road here, then pounce at home.

RESULT:   1-1

Number B looks angry and ready to pounce.

That bucktooth-baby must’ve said “letter B”.  Fool!!

3. León vs. Tapachula – Copa MX

The Group Stage continues.  The clubs are divided into Groups of just three, and they play double-round robins against one another.

Ascenso MX (second-tier) Tapachula has surprised so far.  They stunk in their league Apertura (first half-season), though are playing better now in the Clausura.   And they’re 2-0 in the Copa!  But now they face the top-flight “Green Bellies” on the road.  Can they keep this within a goal even?

RESULT:   Leon   4-1

4. Al-Sadd vs. Persepolis – AFC Champions League

The Group Stage continues, pods of four playing double-round robins.

Qatar’s Stars League ranks 5^th in Asia, so they earned three berths into this event.  Al-Sadd snagged the final one.  Iran’s premier league ranks a spot higher, and Persepolis is the dominant force there.  They should win, even on the road.

RESULT:   Al-Sadd   3-1

Honorable Mention:   Bayern Munich vs. Besiktas (UEFA Champions League), Herediano vs. Tigres (CONCACAF Champions League), Santa Fe vs. Santiago Wanderers (Copa Libertadores qualification), Barcelona SC vs. General Diaz (Copa Sudamericana)

Wednesday, 2/21

5. Tauro vs. FC Dallas – CONCACAF Champions League

Tauro is here by virtue of having won the 2016-17 Clausura in Panama’s top division, and then having the better aggregate record between them and the Apertura winner.  We learned about FC Dallas at post’s beginning.

Noobstradamus had a vision of himself and his flowing, luxurious beard swimming the Canal’s locks.  This is not reasonable, would not be feasible at all.  But my strokes were effortless, my way unimpeded.  What does it all mean?  That Los Toros de Pedregal (an eastern district of Panama City) will win.  2-1.

RESULT:   Tauro 1-0

Or it might mean I consumed a bad batch of lengua cuisada.

6. Sevilla vs. Manchester United – UEFA Champions League

Sevilla eked into CL by finishing 4^th in La Liga last season.  They should be overmatched by Man Utd, even at home.

But will Man U still be recovering from decadent celebrations which surely followed watching their crosstown rival Man City lose to third-tier Wigan Athletic in the FA Cup?

RESULT: 0-0

They should never have let this fan plan the pub crawl.

7. Pachuca vs. Celaya – Copa MX

Ascenso MX-Celaya lead their Group for the moment, but partly because they’ve played one more match than Pachuca.  They won their league Apertura, but have fallen off badly now in the Clausura.  They lost to Liga MX-Pachuca at their own place, so facing them on the road looks daunting.

RESULT: Pachuca 1-0

8. Gremio vs. Independiente – Recopa Sudamericana

Brazilian Gremio won the last Copa Libertadores (South American Champions League), while Argentinian Independiente won the Copa Sudamericana (South American version of Europa League).  So this is the continental “SuperCup”, where they play an exhibition tie to kick off the new league football year there.

The first leg was a 1-1 draw.  Gremio has to be a heavy favorite now to win at home and take the trophy.

RESUKT: Gremio 0-0 / 5-4  pk

Is that a Palantir from LOTR?

9. Alianza vs. Santa Tecla – El Salvador Premier

This is a weird one for Noob to include in the T2T.  Why?  It’s #1 vs. #2, a matchup I never overlook.  Because I think it’s going to be postponed, even though my usual scouting sources aren’t indicating so yet.  The reason?  #10.

RESULT:  no longer listed

Honorable Mention:   Shakhtar Donestsk vs. AS Roma (UEFA Champions League), CSKA Moscow vs. Crvena Zvezda (Europa League), Saprissa vs. CF America (Copa MX), Jorge Wilstermann vs. Vasco de Gama (Copa Libertadores qualification), Cerezo Osaka vs. Guangzhou Evergrande (AFC Champions League), Lanus vs. Sporting Cristal (Copa Sudamericana), Zacatecas vs. Veracruz (Copa MX), Mamelodi Sundowns vs. Free State Stars (South Africa Premier)

Thursday, 2/22

10. Santa Tecla vs. Seattle Sounders – CONCACAF Champions League

Noob can’t imagine their league making them play back-to-back dates.

Santa Tecla won both their Apertura and Clausura in 2016-17.  Seattle Sounders won the 2016 U.S. MLS.  Since it’s in El Salvador, I think this will be a very competitive match.

Sadly, I think the Sounders will win.  Hope I’m wrong.  Tenured Noobites know I hold no fondness for them, since the first huge soccerhead I ever knew was a college TA douchebag of mine.  Gofightwin, Tecleños!

RESULT:   Santa Tecla 2-1

Honorable Mention:  RB Leipzig vs. Napoli (Europa League), CD Olimpia vs. New York Red Bulls (CONCACAF Champions League), Guarani vs. Atletico Junior (Copa Libertadores qualification), Everton CD vs. Caracas (Copa Sudamericana)

Saturday , 2/17

1. Brighton & Hove Albion vs. Coventry City – English FA Cup

Minnow alert!   They’re down to 16 clubs for the Fifth Round Proper.  Here we have our last one from division four in Coventry.  The gulf between them and Premier League B&H is likely too big to overcome, but here’s to hoping an underdog can make the final eight.

RESULT:   BHA   3-1

Maybe it’s a Tolkien-esque Oliphant?…

B.  Necaxa vs. Monterrey – Liga MX

9^th-place Necaxa is the Burnley of Mexico.  Just keep the games as low-scoring all around as possible, see what happens.  Monterrey is in 5^th, but only has one loss.  They will do Monterrey-things and get the road win.

RESULT:   Necaxa   3-0

Number B, doing Number B-things.

3. Schalke 04 vs. TSG Hoffenheim – Bundesliga

Both of these teams had been mildly surprising for a time, but are slipping back to the middle of the pack. 6^th-place Schalke is still in line for a Europa League berth at least.  They don’t score much for a competitive team, so 8^th-place Hoffenheim as a shot on the road here.

RESULT:   Schalke   2-1

Sunday, 2/18

4. Rochdale vs. Tottenham Sir Topham Hatt Hotspur  – English FA Cup

Rochdale, how have you done it?   Fifth Round Proper even though you’re in dead last in League One?  Noob-reviled Hotspur is, unfortunately, on fire and about to put a beatdown on them in front of their own fans.

RESULT:   2-2       Rochdale got a last-minute goal to earn the chance to Replay the match, though now they have to go to Wembley, Hotspur’s place.

5. Marseille vs. Bordeaux – Ligue 1

Marseille sit in the 3^rd spot currently, good for the league’s final Champions League berth.  France’s top flight is very top-heavy, so 7^th-place Bordeuax is really light years behind them.

RESULT:   Marseille   1-0

6. AC Milan vs. Sampdoria – Serie A

7^th place hosts 6^th here in Italy.  The visitors are in line for a Europa League berth.  If they have any hope of climbing two spots in the table and claiming a Champions League, it starts with a road win now.

7. Real Betis vs. Real Madrid – La Liga

Defending champion RM continue to struggle some, though they’re still in 4^th, good for a C.L. invite.  Also, they’ve played a game or two less than all the other teams.  9^th-place RB should be happy if they can manage even a draw here at home.

RESULT:   Real  Madrid  3-5      Betis scored first.  They made the Madrid angry.

8. The Strongest vs. Bolivar – Bolivia Premier

The Clausura (second half season) is just underway.  These two were number 1 and B in the Apertura.

RESULT:   The Strongest   2-0

9. Dinamo Zagreb vs. Hadjuk Split – Croatia First Division

1^st hosts 2^nd place!

RESULT:   Hadjuk    0-1    But DZ is so far out in 1st, they’re still going to easily earn the league’s only Champions League slot.  

10. Toluca vs. Santos – Liga MX

Toluca is #11 and Santos #B currently,   Toluca would be doing well to achieve even a draw against Santos.

RESULT:   Toluca   2-0