Avoiding the Drop

Lekhwiya Sports Club v. Al-Gharafa Sports Club (Friday)

Whether we like it or not the World Cup is going to be played in Qatar, so we might as well get used to it. First off, the top flight in Qatar is called the “Stars League,” and at present first place Lekhwiya hold a one point lead over second place Al Gharafa. The season is at the halfway point and third place Al Arabi are only one point behind Al Gharafa, so there’s still everything to play for in the second half of the season. Al Gharafa are led by former Brazilian international Juninho Pernambucano (the one who was at Lyon) who led the club to a domestic treble last year. The only player on Lekhwiya’s roster that you will know is Ivorian international striker Aruna Dindane, who very nearly saved Portsmouth from relegation while he was on loan there from Lens last season.

Ross County F.C. v. Stirling Albion F.C. (Saturday)

It’s time to draw a line in the sand. If County cannot win this match against last place (and woefully bad) Stirling Albion they deserve to be relegated. Beyond that, Albion have been passed in the table by Dundee despite the 25 point penalty that was imposed upon the club for going into administration and they are likely to pass County at some point as well. This means that not only must County keep the Binos behind them if they want to avoid being in the relegation playoffs, they will have to catch another club as well (probably Cowdenbeath). The good news this week is that the Staggies may have Paul Lawson- out injured for the last six weeks- available for selection. Fun Fact: If you ever need any Ross County gear shipped to the States, Grant Wallace is the man you want to contact.

Manchester United F.C. v. Manchester City F.C. (Saturday)

Listen up, Citeh! If you lose this derby match your title hopes are over. Do you hear me? Finished. A loss puts you eight points behind your rivals- who hold a game in hand over you- and you’ll still have to get by Arsenal (although Newcastle almost did just that a week ago!) before you can think of making a run at the red side of Manchester. As for SAF’s side, they finally lost their first match of the season last weekend, so I suspect that they will be looking to come back strong when the ball is kicked off at Old Trafford on Saturday. Fun Fact: Isn’t it about time that somebody pulled Owen Hargreaves aside and very gently told him, “Son, it’s just not going to happen. Maybe you should look into coaching or something…” And yet, he’s been linked with the Whitecaps as recently as three weeks ago…

A.S. Saint-Étienne Loire v. Olympique Lyonnais (Saturday)

I’m going to guess that the third factor for breaking ties in Ligue 1 is “goals for,” and that that is the difference between Saint-Étienne being in 5^th place and Lyon being in 6^th place (with both clubs only two points behind second place PSG). The clubs have identical records and identical goal differentials, but Saint-Étienne have scored one more goal and Lyon have given up one less. Either way, the big issue this week is which of these teams can grab all three points and put themselves in position to take Olympique Marseille’s Europa League spot should they falter in their match against the Charlie Davis-less Sochaux. For what it’s worth, Saint-Étienne’s form has been the better of the two over the last month. Fun Fact: 10 of Carlos Bocanegra’s 12 international goals have been the first goal of the match.

Orlando Pirates v. Mamelodi Sundowns (Saturday)

I began this week’s previews by looking ahead to the next World Cup, so I thought it would be nice to take a look back at the home of last summer’s tournament. The ABSA Premiership season has just passed the halfway mark with first place Orlando holding a three point lead over Mamelodi, after the Pirates reeled off five consecutive victories. Both clubs will, of course, hope that they can finish no worse than second, thus allowing them to play in next year’s CAF Champions League. Fun Fact: Remember, when the Sundowns giant, bald, center back touches the ball they’re not booing, they’re yelling “BOOOOOTH!!” Fun Fact 2: One of the founders of Mamelodi Sundowns was “Joey Lawrence,” but probably not the one you are thinking of…

Rochdale A.F.C. v. Sheffield Wednesday F.C. (Saturday)

One of our commenters has a thing for Rochdale, so I thought I’d throw him a bone and preview their match against the team that I only remember exists because John Harkes used to play there. Believe it or not, of the two clubs it is Rochdale that actually have something to play for in this match, being that they are only three points out of the promotion playoffs at the moment- nPower Championship here they come! Wednesday are probably not going to be able to get into the promotion picture, but they will have their hands full making sure they don’t slip any closer to the relegation zone- they’re five points above it at present. Fun Fact: Wednesday midfielder and occasional Scottish international Gary Teale played for Wigan Athletic in all four leagues (Two, One, Championship, and Premier).

Queen’s Park Rangers F.C. v. Nottingham Forest F.C. (Sunday)

Pay attention to this preview as you will likely be watching both of these former Premiership clubs in the Premiership next year. First place Q.P.R. Hold a seven point lead over second place Forest at the moment, but Forest have two matches in hand so the gap could be as little as a single point if they take advantage of the situation. Forest also have momentum on their side- they have only lost once in the league since Halloween. Q.P.R., conversely, are in the unfortunate position of having to replace top scorer (and Scottish international) Jamie Mackie who suffered a broken leg courtesy of El Hadji Diouf in the club’s recent F.A. Cup match against Blackburn. Fun Fact: U.S. international Robbie Findley was recently injured during training and likely will not play for Forest until next season.

Juventus F.C. v. F.C. Internazionale Milano SpA (Sunday)

At the moment third place Inter are the hottest club in Serie A and their run of good form has brought them within two points of second place Napoli, over whom they have a match in hand. Should they continue their winning ways they could find themselves challenging their crosstown rivals for the title before too long. Juventus are currently in eighth place, but given how tightly the top of the Serie A table is bunched this puts them only one point out of a Europa League place and only three points out of the Champions League playoff spot. Fun Fact: For those of you who thought Samuel Eto’o was let go by Barcelona because he was somehow “washed up,” he has 27 goals in his first 51 matches for Inter- not too shabby. Fun Fact: Juventus strikers Luca Toni, Fabio Quagliarella, Alessandro del Piero, and Vincenzo Iaquinta have over 200 caps and 55 international goals between themselves.