Northampton Town F.C. v. Chesterfield F.C. (Saturday)
With every other League Two match for this weekend already called off I thought I’d shine a light on the one that is still going to take place- though the Cobblers website is calling for volunteers to help shovel snow off the pitch, so nothing is certain at this point! Northampton are currently 16th and in no danger of promotion or relegation, while the Spireites of Chesterfield are 9th and a win could put them into the playoff promotion mix. Fun Fact: One of Chesterfield’s back-up goalkeepers is 40 year old player/coach Mark Crossley. Crossley is a fromer Welsh international who played for eight different current or past Premier League clubs earlier in his career. Fun Fact: Northampton Town is the club of American defender Sebastian Harris- he has made one league appearance for the club.
Leeds United A.F.C. v. Wycombe Wanderers F.C. (Saturday)
Things are not much better in League One where only this match and one other (Norwich v. Exeter) are still on the schedule. If I’d have to guess why it’s because Leeds (and Norwich) were once far enough up the football pyramid that they have undersoil heating. Whatever the case, first place Leeds are currently eight points and a game in hand ahead of second place Norwich and they will be looking to build on that lead and lock up promotion to the Championship at the end of the season. Wycombe, conversely, are on the fast track to League Two. The Chairboys in the thick of the relegation fight, six points adrift of the last safe spot and have played at least match more than all of the teams they are chasing. They’ve also only picked up one point from their last five matches. Uh oh.
West Bromwich Albion F.C. v. Nottingham Forest F.C. (Friday)
The situation is better in the Championship, where only four matches have been called off so far. Happily, perhaps the best match of the weekend is not one of those threatened by the weather. The Baggies are in second place- two points ahead of Forest- and hoping to hold on to the second automatic promotion spot (Newcastle appear likely to have sewn-up the other one). Forest seem certain to hold on to at least a spot in the playoff promotion race, but taking second place from West Brom would be a preferable situation. Fun Fact: Though only 23 years of age, Nottingham Forest striker Dexter Blackstock already runs his own soccer school. Fun Fact 2: According to Wikipedia, WBA winger Chris Brunt drives a Nissan Micra. That’s a League One ride, son, League One.
Burnley F.C. v. Stoke City F.C. (Saturday)
Never mind all the chaos going on in the lower divisions, it’s business as usual in the lofty heights of the Premier League. Given the choice to deal with the “issues” at Portsmouth, Liverpool, or Burnley this past week, I’ve chosen Burnley. Partly because I’ve “written off” the first two clubs- Portsmouth will be relegated if not wound up- and Liverpool aren’t going to be playing in Europe next year- and partly because I want to talk about Owen Coyle. I like the guy. I would have been happy if he’d become Scotland’s new manager. He’s done a great job a Burnley. Hell, he played at Ross County!! But leaving at mid-season to take over Bolton- Bolton?! Yes, they are a “bigger” club, and he’ll do well there, but the kits, Owen, have you seen the kits!?
Hibernian v. Irvine Meadow (Saturday)
League and cup matches in Scotland have been postponed with regularity over the past few weeks as the country is in the grips of a severe winter in terms of low temperatures and snow accumulation. Most of the cancellations have been the result of frozen pitches or the inability to clear enough snow and ice around the stadiums to ensure the safety of supporters. Hibernian appear to have been able to solve both problems and their match against junior side Irivine Meadow should go ahead on Saturday. Irvine are one of three non-league clubs left in the Scottish Cup and, at the very least, they’ll be hoping earn a replay at Meadow Park. Fun Fact: Although they are the defending champions, Irvine are currently 7th in the Super League Premier Division of the SJFA Stagecoach West of Scotland League.
Aberdeen F.C. v. Heart of Midlothian F.C. (Saturday)
This is one of only two all SPL match-ups in this round, the other being Sunday’s match between Glasgow Rangers and Hamilton Academical. This is an important match for the simple reason that these two teams, who normally tuck in behind the Old Firm in the SPL table are currently on the outside looking in where European competition is concerned and if they can’t catch Hibernian or Dundee United, a deep cup run is probably the only thing they will have to show for the 2009-2010 season. Fun Fact: Aberdeen’s homegrown midfielder Fraser Fyvie has played seven matches for the club, been named Man of the Match in one of them, which is a pretty good start considering that he won’t turn seventeen for another two and a half months.
Rio Ave F.C. v. S.L. Benfica (Saturday)
Benfica, hereafter known at the team that believes that, when it comes to sending Freddy Adu out on loan, “the third time is a charm,” plays Rio Ave, the team in the Portuguese Liga you’d probably never heard of before reading this. You’re forgiven for that, however, as Rio Ave have never won anything except the Second Division title and unless you’re a HUGE fan of Portuguese football, you’ve probably never heard of anyone who has played for the club. Benfica have never won the Second Division title- because they’ve never been relegated to it. Fun Fact: Lest you think Freddy Adu is alone in being loaned out by the club, Benfica currently have 28 players on loan, to 19 clubs in 6 countries. Fun Fact 2: Rio Ave skipper Carlos Brito is currently leading the club for the third time since 1996.
Juventus v. AC Milan (Saturday)
I really don’t want to have to report on the Sporty Spice hype machine again, but there’s no getting around the fact that this is a big match in Serie A regardless of who is playing for what team. Internazionale are already eight points clear of the rest of the field, so it is likely that these two sides- and maybe Napoli, Roma, or Parma if they pick up the pace- will be battling it out for second place during the second half of the season. Fun Fact: Here’s how the Wikipedia article on former Juventus president (1923-1935) Edoardo Agnelli ends: “Agnelli died in a plane accident in Genoa…when the seaplane he was traveling on and was about to abandon accidentally hit a floating log and caused his head to hit the still revolving propeller of the plane.” Ouch.
Aris Thessaloniki F.C. v. Iraklis Thessaloniki F.C. (Sunday)
Since Mags was kind enough to tell us all a bit about Freddy Adu’s new home, Aris, I thought we’d take a look at their match this weekend. Aris are currently in fourth place in Super League Greece and if they can hold on to that place, they’ll be in Europe next year. So, if Freddy can force his way into the side, he may actually reappear on your television in 2010 without making a return to MLS! Aris’ opponents this weekend are Iraklis Thessaloniki F.C. (currently in 11th place)- that’s right, its a Thessaloniki Derby! Fun Fact: Iraklis’ Sharbel Touma is an ethnic Assyrian (Yes, they still exist!), who was born in Lebanon, holds Swedish citizenship, and has played in Sweden, Greece, Germany, and the Netherlands. Suddenly I don’t feel quite so cosmopolitan as I used to.
Maccabi Netanya F.C. v. Hapoel Acre F.C. (Sunday)
Why choose this match- any match!- in Israel’s Ligat Al? The answer is simple: I want to know what the “middle playoffs” are?! That’s right, the top teams in the Israeli Premier League compete for spots in Europe (I know, I know, but that’s another topic for another time), and the bottom teams compete to avoid relegation to Liga Leumit, but what are these middle playoffs that involve teams 7-10 in the 16 team league? If you know, please email me at avoidingthedrop@gmail.com! Fun Fact: Maccabi Netanya feature defender Leonard Krupnik. Krupnik was born in the U.S.S.R., grew up in the United States, and now holds dual citizenship in Israel and the U.S.. He has played in the NCAA, PDL, USL-1, MLS and Ligat Al. The word “journeyman” comes to mind, does it not?
From the always awesome Kevin, about the Israeli league “middle playoffs”
As near as I can tell…there are now enough teams in Israel to support relegation and promotion, since this is the inaugural season for that, their by-laws require official standings. As a compromise to teams who just joined the league this season, there’s a 2nd chance thru playoffs to “avoid the drop” the middle playoffs is to provide all teams the same number of games so the standings are “accurate”
Huh. So it’s temporary for this year…still seems like an odd way to fix things.
Unfortunately, the remaining League Two tie has been postponed – hopefully it warms up next week on the Home Islands; League Two is going to have some pretty severe fixture congestion as is without the past two matchdays being postponed due to frosted pitches and iced-over walkways & car parks.