At Christmas Valencia were able to string together a run of six consecutive victories. However, since then they have been unable to win two games back to back. Last weekend saw them easily beat Recreativo de Huelva two goals to nil with an outstanding Joaquin netting twice. This week then, according to their current form, they should lose to Deportivo. The truth is that since their six game unbeaten run they haven’t won away from Mestalla, taking just two points from a possible eighteen. Very worrying indeed for a team that has to qualify for next season’s Champions league.
But what about Deportivo de Coruña? Once upon a time they were Champions league regulars, but after having sold some of their best players and losing coach Javier Irrutia, they have been struggling to rekindle their old form. New coach Caparros has plumped for young, home-grown talent rather than big names, mainly because Deportivo doesn’t have the money to spend. They go into this match having lost four of their last eight games, although they have won the last three games at home in Riazor. Another curious fact is that they have only let in seven goals at home all season, and of the four teams who have netted, only Zaragoza and Athletic Bilbao were able to score twice. Quite a fortress, then.
If Valencia are to take anything home after this match then they had better improve their away form. At this stage of the season, one slip could mean the difference between a Champions league place and a UEFA cup place, or even neither. It would be a shame not to see Valencia in Europe as they clearly have the squad deserving of the highest competition. Whether they can muster a win here is difficult to judge, though. They have some excellent players whose pace is quite a sight, but they also have this streak of complicating life unnecessarily. I am going for a draw in this match. Both teams are capable of the best and worst football, and I can see them cancelling each other out.
Prediction: Draw (0-0)
While Newcastle have little left to play for, tonight’s game will be the centre of attention in the football mad North East, with Michael Owen set to make his long awaited return after 10 months out. In what is surely a warm up for next season, Owen will be available together with striking partner Shola Ameobi who has also been sidelined with an injury.
Other team news for the Magpie’s sees the return of Scott Parker and Antoine Sibierski, although Shay Given and Damien Duff are still unavailable, as Glenn Roeder continues his battle to win over the Geordie faithful. Rumours are rife that Sam Allardyce may well be in line for the Newcastle post should it become vacant in the summer.
Steve Coppell must surely be in one of the premiership’s safest managerial seats after his impressive season at the Royal’s. Still fighting for a place in Europe, their season is still far from over, and with no new injury worries Coppell has the chance to pick a settled team. However, he is still without Graeme Murty, Glen Little, Bobby Convery and Ibrahima Sonko through injury while Leroy Lita sits out the last of his 3 match ban.
On form it surely looks like a home banker with Reading on a run of successive victories, although this is the first time the Geordie hordes have travelled down to the Berkshire club. The lift from a fit again Owen (no matter how small a part he may play) together with the return of Ameobi can not be under estimated. Newcastle have been longing for the day when they can partner Owen, Ameobi and Martins up front - a day which may not be too far away. However, current form is against Newcastle with only one win in their last eight matches.
Coppell’s team can both score and defend and are worthy of their lofty position in the premiership, however an up beat Newcastle can beat anybody on their day. The news that Reading’s outstanding midfield prospect Sidwell has agreed a “Bosman” with Newcastle was a blow to Coppell, but he has an array of youngsters coming through and eager to wear the shirt of Reading.
In what may turn out to be a very entertaining game, do not be surprised if Newcastle shade this one!
Forecast : Away Win
This is going to be a red-hot match that will almost certainly resolve the question of who will finish the league in a higher position. Both are in third and second position respectively, and both are looking to win the present competition, with in form Real Madrid quickly becoming favourites to lift the trophy. Last Sunday saw Real Madrid obliterate Althetic Bilbao in San Mames four goals to one in a very impressive display. They have been having problems all season but now is when form really counts and it is easy to see they are currently the best team in the league. Van Nistelroy bagged two and is now only one goal behind top scorer Kanute, so there is another added incentive to watch this game. The only down side to the Athletic game was the ridiculous yellow card awarded to a colossal David Beckham, who complained about the distance of the wall in a free kick and was promptly booked for it. However, Real Madrid will almost certainly try to get this discision overturned and he could well start at the Santiago Bernabeu. Right back Cicinho was back in action after a six-month lay off with a knee injury, and he certainly made a good impression, linking up with Beckham to perfection.
Sevilla for their part also won at the weekend. They gave Espanyol a three one hammering at home in what could be the prelude to the UEFA cup final in Glasgow. Both teams reserved players, but for Espanyol it was more out of necessity than anything else. Both Raul Tamudo and Ivan de la Peña are injured and needed to be rested for the UEFA game. They also had a couple of suspensions to worry about. To make matters worse, in the first half and hour of play coach Ernesto Valverde had to substitute two players because of injury and replace them. In the end Sevilla won it comfortably, but they must be aware that the game against Madrid will be a very different kettle of fish.
I am going for a home win in this game. Madrid are becoming stronger and stronger in each game now and you can see they are really hungry for the title. They also believe they can win it. Watch out for Van Nistelroy grabbing a goal or two; he’s already said he wants to top striker award this season, and he just might get it.
Prediction: Home win (3-2)
Every once in a while something happens in relation to sports that reminds all of the fans and players that baseball is just a game. Unfortunately late Saturday night and early Sunday morning saw one of those events. St. Louis Cardinals pitcher, Josh Hancock, died in a car accident early Sunday morning on Interstate 64 in St. Louis.
Hancock was on the Cardinals team that won the World Series last year. In fact, he led all relief pitchers on St. Louis in innings pitched last year. Now he is gone at the young age of 29.
Obviously this news has hit baseball hard and has hit the St. Louis Cardinals even harder. The Cardinals game on Sunday night against the Chicago Cubs has been postponed because of the tragedy. How can anyone on the Cardinals think about playing a game at a time like this?
Just the day before the Cardinals were most worried about the fact that they were 3 games under .500. Now they are concerned about a life that was part of their team one moment and then gone the next.
However, just as the show must go on, so too must baseball. Of course the Cardinals will be able to have Sunday to mourn the loss but all the other teams will be in action.
The Yankees won on Saturday night to snap their 7 game losing sneak. On Sunday they will try to win again and win the series over Boston.
The interesting thing about the Yankees is that the New York papers are reporting that Joe Torre’s job may be in jeopardy. Apparently George Steinbrenner wants better results from the team whose future he mortgaged a couple years ago.
Also on Sunday the Detroit Tigers will be playing the Minnesota Twins. The Twins have won the first 2 games of the series so far. On Saturday the Twins throttled the Tigers 11-3. Now the Twins have their ace Johann Santana on the mound on Sunday when they try to sweep the suddenly struggling Tigers.
Barry Bonds went deep again on Saturday. He is showing that he still has a lot of pop in his bat. The best thing for him would be to reach the record as soon as possible. It’s possible that he could win back some fans if he races to the finish. What would hurt him is if he limps to the record. For now he’s looking great and really hitting the ball well. Bonds will try to hit another homerun on Sunday when the Giants take on the Diamondbacks again.
Yes, baseball will go on and so too must the St. Louis Cardinals, but it’ll be without one of their own.
After much speculation over the last few days, Sam Allardyce has resigned as the manager of Bolton.
He is rumoured to be in line to be the next manager of Manchester City - more to follow in due course………….
While both clubs are suffering at the moment, Fulham are on the verge of dropping out of the premier league, unless Lawrie Sanchez can rally his troops for the last few games of the season. Hovering precariously over the relegation places, Fulham really need to find some form and pull themselves clear.
Arsenal on the other hand have lost long serving director David Dein, who was a great supporter of Arsene Wenger, and there is now concern about the long term direction of the club (with a wealthy US businessman building up a stake in the club) and future of Wenger. To make matters worse, Henry has directly linked his future to that of Wenger, thereby causing more concern in the camp.
On the pitch, Arsenal have the chance to close the gap on third placed Liverpool who lost at Portsmouth yesterday - with four points the gap, and games running out, a win is essential if Arsenal are able to sneak third place. While Wenger will be without casualties Tomas Rosicky and Freddie Ljungberg who have hamstring problems, the rest of the squad are available for selection. News that Baptista may not be looking to extend his season loan agreement is yet another blow to the Gunners.
Fulham are in a desperate situation and Lawrie Sanchez needs to find the magic formulae to pull his stars together and pull away from the relegation zone. Their case is not helped by the long list of injuries including Queudrue, Pearce, Bullard, Pembridge and Elliot, many of whom will play no part in the remainder of the season.
While Arsenal have been victorious in nine out of their eleven games against Fulham, the Cottagers are currently on the end of a nine match run without a victory and a lack of goal scoring prowess. Fulham need a victory, while Arsenal are looking to cement their place in the Champions league next season. Even though Arsenal have not really been in contention for the title for months, Fulham may well feel the frustrations within the club and Arsenal should walk away with points, plunging the future of Fulham into more uncertainty.
Expect a drab game, with Fulham ensuring they have eleven men behind the ball at all times - Arsenal will have to be patient, but they have been very good at that in the past.
Forecast : Home Win