The Dread Pirate Avram
Today feels like the calm before tomorrow’s maelstrom. With Arsenal-Chelsea and Barcelona-Real Madrid back to back tomorrow starting at 11AM EST, today feels like the appetizer. Still, though, there are some interesting contests on the docket. Portsmouth and their new gaffer, Avram Grant, take on Manchester United. United certainly will be wanting all three points with the prospect of Chelsea potentially dropping points at the Emirates on Sunday, and Pompey will want to show out for the new manager. Fergie begins his touchline ban in one of the noisiest barns in the Prem, so we’ll see how it all goes. The 12:30 PM EST contest on FSC has all sorts of potential for a high-scoring thrillride as Spurs travel north to take on Aston Villa.
In case you needed a Ross County update, they are hosting Berwick Rangers in the third round of the Scottish Cup at 10:00 AM EST.
All in all though, it’s sort of a middling day for games. Only two contests in Serie A and three in La Liga, while the entire Scottish Premier League is in action. Bundesliga and Ligue 1 are both busy with six matches in each league, while the Eredivisie only has four. I gather that most of the world is waiting for some of the matches being held tomorrow. Ah well, we’ll just have to find a way to make the best of it, I guess.
Stories we’re following:
- The “Kun Aguero to Chelsea” stories are picking up steam.
- Robin van Persie may need surgery on his ankle and if so, faces a five-month layoff.
- Everton’s need for a new stadium is intensifying.
- Chile has been cleared by FIFA to continue it’s plans for South Africa.
- Dennis Hamlet has been sacked by the Chicago Fire.
- Landon Donovan to Club America? Don’t laugh, it might happen.
- Stu Holden probably won’t be going to Scotland but will still be a free agent.
Some notes. I’ll be around in comments today and on Twitter. Our twitters are @2yellows, @avoidingthedrop and @MHaaskivi. Use this as your open game thread or come find me on Twitter and we’ll talk about things.
Have a great Saturday. Television courtesy of Jamie Trecker. All times EST.
Aberdeen v Rangers 0730 Setanta P
Werder v Wolfsburg 0925 ESPND/360
Portsmouth v Man U 1000 ESPN2
West Ham v Burnley 1000 FSC
Fulham v Bolton 1000 Setanta X
Man City v Hull 1000 Setanta
Celtic v St. Mirren 1000 Setanta P
Modena v Triestina 1000 RAI
Udinese v Livorno 1200 RAI
Carlisle v Norwich 1200 Setanta
Villa v Spurs 1200 FSC
M’gladbach v Schalke 1230 GolTV
AZ v VVV 1230 ESPND
PSG v Auxerre 1300 TV5
Valencia v Mallorca 1400 ESPND/360
Genoa v Sampdoria 1445 FSC/RAI
Lens v OM 1500 Setanta
Sevilla v Malaga 1600 GolTV
Sporting v Benfica 1615 ESPN360
Cruz Azul v Puebla 1800 Azteca
Junior v Pereira 1830 GolTV
Tolima v Huila 2015 GolTV
America v Monterrey 2200 Telefutura
Well, as long as we’re keeping up with Ross County today…
…they’re up 3-0 on Berwick Rangers at halftime thanks to three goals in four minutes, including a brace from Paul Di Giacomo.
Also, two of today’s “Active Nation” Scottish Cup matches were abandoned halfway through due to heavy fog.
Heavy fog? In Scotland? Well, I never…
meh, just give them glo-stix and light the ball somehow. turn it into a rave.