Avoiding the Drop

Harry Redknapp's worst nightmare this afternoon - D. Bent prowling

Happy Saturday, everyone.  A fantastic weekend of football is upon us and honestly, I cannot wait to throw myself into some matches.  The MLS playoffs continue on Fox Soccer Channel tonight as the New England Revolution travel to Chicago to take on the Fire, holding a 2-1 aggregate lead.  They’ve never won a playoff match in Chicago, though, so it should be a cracker.  I know Fuse will be wound up, and that’s always a good thing.

The Wales derby, Swansea City v. Cardiff City, is on Setanta at 7:45 AM this morning, and if you’ve never seen that atmosphere (and have the channel) it’s worth checking out.  The Championship has had an interesting start to the season as the typical predicted “bounceback” of the clubs just relegated that usually never unfolds is actually unfolding this season.  Newcastle currently stands first and West Bromwich Albion holds second.  Middlesbrough, who recently sacked manager Gareth Southgate and replaced him with ex-Celtic manager Gordon Strachan, are in 8th position, but are only four points behind WBA.  Much can change in that league on a weekly basis.

Round 1 of the FA Cup starts this weekend as well, and there will be an upset.  There almost always is, and the best bit about that is that side then becomes media sensations for a few weeks.  Both Staines Town and Southend United have held that distinction the past few years, so be on the lookout for those feel-good stories.

Both Barcelona and Real Madrid play this afternoon, Barca at 2 PM (Gol) against Mallorca and Madrid at 4 PM (ESPN 360/Deportes) against their neighors, Atletico Madrid.  Barca currently hold a 1 point lead over Madrid in La Liga.  4th place Schalke04 travels to 6th place Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga this morning (9:30 AM, ESPN 360).

Quite a day, I’m excited.  Oh, and a quick comment on the Court of Arbitration for Sport.  You people are a joke.  An absolute farce.  I find it incredible that you cannot just look at a decision, accept it and move on.  Whether Chelsea buy anyone in January or not is NOT the point.  The point is, a decision was handed down, appealed and now a stay of execution is granted on when the sentence is handed down?  How exactly is that the responsible thing for the good of the game?  For the life of me, from a personal standpoint, I have no idea why Chelsea was all hot and bothered to get January opened up for them as that transfer window is never as active as the Summer one.  Whatever.  I’m disgusted.  Not because I want to have a go at Chelsea, I’m just tired of the giant clubs seemingly always getting their way.  Okay, I’m off to watch the Welsh derby.

We’ll probably be on Twitter throughout the day and here in comments.  Television below courtesy of Jamie Trecker.

SATURDAY
Swansea v Cardiff                         0745    Setanta
Bayern Munich v Schalke         0925    ESPND/360
Hoffenheim v Wolfsburg        0930    GolTV
Tottenham v Sunderland        1000    ESPN2
Man City v Burnley            1000    Setanta
Blackburn v Portsmouth        1000    Setanta X
Aston Villa v Bolton            1000    FSC/FSE
Rangers v St. Mirren            1000    Setanta P
Getafe v Coruna            1200    ESPN360
Tenerife v Malaga            1200    DTV
Catania v Napoli            1200    ESPN360/RAI
Wolverhampton v Arsenal 1230    FSC/FSE
PSG v Nice 1300    Setanta
Barcelona v Mallorca            1400    GolTV
Atalanta v Juventus            1430    FSC/FSE
Sochaux v Lens            1500    Setanta
Atletico v Real Madrid 1600    ESPND/360
Recife v Cruziero            1630    GolTV
Cruz Azul v Puebla            1800    Azteca
Nacional v I Medellin            1800    GolTV
Tigres v Atlante            2000    Telemundo
Indios v Jaguares            2000    Azteca/ESPND
Fire v Revs 2000    FSC/FSE
San Luis v Santos            2000    Telefutura
Atlas v Chivas                2145    Telemundo

Enjoy your Saturday and here’s to some fantastic football.  Tomorrow I’m going to dissect Chelsea and Manchester United as the EPL takes center stage.  Cheers.