FOOTBALL WEEK 11

We are over half way through week 11. Yet more surprises. Well done Lola for correctly forecasting the Brentford v Norwich result, and Lola and Di for the correct prediction of the Brighton v NewC score. No one predicted the Chelsea result and it was maybe surprising that the 2 results predicted were the ManC derby and CPalace vs Wolves. Of the rest of the games, hate and the gashed have gone for a draw, whilst everyone else has gone for Arsenal; half of us have predicted Everton v Spurs as a draw and most favouring Liverpool to beat WHU. This weeks latest table

We will see what the rest of the results bring. Bristol City managed to throw another result away against 10 men and in the 90th minute with a penalty. I suspects heads will roll there soon. Swansea’s recent run was ended with a thumping at Bournemouth, who with Fulham are looking good for return to the Prem. Sunderland are another set of losers where they may need to be a change of manager? I was optimistic with a new owner but some things never change!

Footie on mainstream tele with Oxford vs Bristol Rovers at lunchtime flicking between that and Sheffield Wednesday vs Plymouth. And then St.Albans vs Forest Green for a vegetarian feast at tea time. There are also a couple of other games being shown.

PREMIERSHIP WEEK 11

Join the fun here, no prizes, just satisfaction – although my abysmal performance so far has given me little of that! https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1aCaqoJJAJwSTkD4zo6_gePntyZAcb4_TFmVn8yaNO2E/edit#gid=0

FOOTBALL

The recent strange results continue across Europe. Roma thrashed 5-0 by Bodo-Gent, Bayern Munich thrashed 5-0 by Borussia Mönchengladbach, ManU humiliated at home by Liverpool, Everton losing 2-5 to Watford whilst Chelsea put 7 past hapless Norwich. Rangers held 2-2 at home to Aberdeen.

FOOTBALL

A Monday take on the weekend. A nice win for Plymouth takes them top of the table, and a nice gate of nearly 12000.In fact gates in Div 1 were high with Sheff weds getting over 23 thousand and Ipswich over 19 thousand. Forest Green lost at Home to Swindon but remain top and the gas moved away from relegation zone (just) with win at home with an impressive gate of oner 6 thousand.

The internationals were remarkable for the lack of huge scores. 5-0 is not humiliation and achieved by San Marino, Andorra and Liechtenstein. Otherwise no real surprises, Hungary losing at home to Albania and other results being closer than expected. Wales need a win tonight in Estonia.

FOOTBALL

So the barcodes have been sold to the Saudi’s. Will they sign players like confetti – Haaland, Mbappe, for starters? I would be looking at my CV if I was Bruce – I suspect we will see big names mentioned over the next few days/weeks.

UEFA NATIONS LEAGUE

I like this tournament! Four teams per group meaning 6 games in total rather than the 10 or twelve in Fifa World Cup and Uefa Europa Cup. International games no longer mean much when so many are rather pointless. I accept that England vs Andorra or ~Gibraltar might help the game a bit, but surely it should be more like the FA Cup. The UEFA Nations League does this – cuts down the number of International Games and make the fixtures more relevant. So Italy vs Spain tonight, not on telly though, Italy favourites, but I wonder if the present demise of Barcelona might lead to more local talent coming through? I would guess one goal will settle it? Then tomorrow Belgium vs France – will Belgiums talented generation win something at last?

BRAGGING RIGHTS

Internationals, but I thought I would keep it to 10 matches.Playing Friday: Czech Rep vs Wales:  Latvia vs NetherlandsSaturday: Switz vs N.Ireland:  Faroe Is vs Austria: Scotland vs Israel:  Andorra vs England:  Hungary vs Albania: Poland vs San Marino.Sunday UEFA Nations League Final: Belgium orFrance vs Italy or Spain: 3rd Place as before (Semi Finals on Weds and Thurs. Total number of goals could be interesting.

MESSI

Lionel Messi again showed what a great player he is. His goal was made to look simple, a 30m run, a one-two with Kylian Mbappe, and a passs into the top corner. Genius. The only other sports person to show such composure in my opinion was Michael Jordan who seemed to have air hooks when playing basketball.

FOOTBALL WEEK 6

Well the afternoon gets off to a stunning start with Chelsea losing at home to ManC and then ManU losing at home to Villa and missing a late penalty to boot.  Is this the season to be remembered for missed penalties?  Rashford, Sancho, Saka, Antonio (WHU – Newcastle), Nobel (WHU – ManU), Fernandez (ManU – AV).  10 have been scored in the Premiership this season with Calvert-Lewis having scored 2.Will it be Liverpool top at the end of today?  And will Brighton be second on Tuesday morning or even top! if Liverpool lose at Brentford?