Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Wednesday Soccer: El Clasico & More


Today's Games:

Spanish Copa Del Rey:

Barcelona @ Real Madrid (1st Leg)


For those of you that love the big names and love seeing the best teams playing against each other, it doesn't get any bigger than this game. The two best teams in the world and the two best players in the world are featured in this one.

Barcelona are currently having the much better season up to this point and Real Madrid are dealing with a lot of injuries as well as suspensions for this game. Barcelona are coming into this game with a very healthy squad that has been on a tear. Madrid is going to need which ever goalkeeper is starting today to fill the void that will be missing without captain Iker Casillas along with a very depleted back four without Pepe and Sergio Ramos.

What this game will more than likely come down to is the productivity of Cristiano Ronaldo. If Ronaldo can score a goal or two this will likely be the decider in the game. If he is held scoreless I think this game will end poorly for Los Blancos. While Messi has been on a tear as of late and will more than likely break even more goal records, he has had a lot more help this season than Ronaldo has.

Due to all of the guys out for Real Madrid in this game they might just be hoping for a draw at best. Even though they are at home they are going to need a miracle to win this one.

My prediction: 2-2 Draw

English Premier League:

Liverpool (7th - 34 Pts) @ Arsenal (6th - 37 Pts)

If it wasn't for the Madrid-Barcelona game today, this would easily be the biggest game on tap. Liverpool and Arsenal are both fighting for the possibility of making the Champions League and both are currently sitting outside of the top four. Liverpool are currently 3 points behind Arsenal, so with a win today they would be able to tie them for the sixth spot in the league table.

Both teams have played very similarly up to this point in the season and are both looking for more consistency out of their clubs. They don't have the big names that they might have had five years ago due to some teams spending a lot more money than they have in the past, but both of these teams remain very competitive within the league.

The player to watch in this game is Luis Suarez. If it wasn't for Robin van Persie this year, he would be the best forward in the Premier League. His 16 goals are leading a Liverpool team that has been without any other real striker help for the majority of the season and he will likely have to come up big for a Liverpool win today. Behind recent signings of Daniel Sturridge and Philippe Coutinho, this Liverpool team is looking to improve on it's scoring and whether or not either of these players play today could have an effect on the game.

My prediction: Liverpool win 2-1

West Bromwich Albion (8th - 34 Pts) @ Everton (5th - 38 Pts)

My prediction: Everton win 3-2

Tottenham Hotspur (4th - 41 Pts) @ Norwich City (13th - 26 Pts)

My prediction: 1-1 Draw

West Ham United (12th - 27 Pts) @ Fulham (14th - 25 Pts)

My prediction: Fulham win 1-0

Southampton (15th - 23 Pts) @ Manchester United (1st - 56 Pts)

My prediction: Manchester United win 3-0

Chelsea (3rd - 45 Pts) @ Reading (18th - 19 Pts)

My prediction: Chelsea win 2-0


Yesterday's Results:

Italian Coppa Italia Semifinal:

Juventus @ Lazio (2nd Leg) - Lazio won 2-1 (3-2 Aggregate)
(Originally predicted Juventus would win 2-1 (3:2 on aggregate)

English Premier League:

Newcastle United @ Aston Villa - Newcastle won 2-1
(Originally predicted a 2-2 Draw)

Manchester City @ Queens Park Rangers - Draw 0-0
(Originally predicted Man City would win 3-0)

Wigan Athletic @ Stoke City - Draw 2-2
(Originally predicted Stoke City would win 2-1)

Swansea City @ Sunderland - Draw 0-0
(Originally predicted a 1-1 Draw)

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