So, I am going to attempt predictions for the Bundesliga this season.
1.BL
1. Bayern
2. Leverkusen
3. Dortmund
4. Schalke 04
5. HSV
6. Wolfsburg
16. Hannover
17. 1.FCN
18. Freiburg
2.BL
1. Hertha
2. Dusseldorf
3. Bochum (to beat Hannover 96 in the play-off)
European Leagues Thread 2012/2013
How far in advance are the TV fixtures announced in Germany Starfish?
Liking your Fortuna Dusseldorf prediction,saw them last season and they looked impressive,great stadium
aswell.
Liking your Fortuna Dusseldorf prediction,saw them last season and they looked impressive,great stadium
aswell.
RG30, the exact times and dates of the games are normally announced 4-6 weeks in advance. I think. Is there a game in particular that you are thinking about?
More the weekend of Friday, 22nd October - Sunday, 24th October. Try and get in 3 games in 3 days, wouldn't mind doing what I did last time and take in a Bundesliga 2 match on the Friday before doing a top flight game on the Saturday/Sunday before flying back on the Monday.
Pauli start the league campaign in their horrible new disco shirts with a sloppy but ultimately convincing win at Freiburg. Ebbers could've scored about 5 with the chances he had, though his attempt at an overhead kick was... optimistic. The shock of going behind in a game they'd dominated seemed to give FCSP the necessary kick up the Arsch and they ultimately ran away with it. Nice to see Fabian Boll (surely the world's most sympathetic policeman) score Pauli's first, too.
Highlights here.
It seems the old Bayern are back, too - jammy, last-minute winners are in their DNA and Wolfsburg were unlucky to lose in that manner. No sign of Schteve's Saxony accent yet, but it's surely imminent.
Highlights here.
It seems the old Bayern are back, too - jammy, last-minute winners are in their DNA and Wolfsburg were unlucky to lose in that manner. No sign of Schteve's Saxony accent yet, but it's surely imminent.
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bobbybottler
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prostak It seems the old Bayern are back, too - jammy, last-minute winners are in their DNA and Wolfsburg were unlucky to lose in that manner. No sign of Schteve's Saxony accent yet, but it's surely imminent.
That game was shown on ESPN, BM were excellent in the first half but when Wolfsburg went to 442 in the second half they were by far the better team - the BBC are reporting that Mimisovic is already pissed off with McClaren not playing him from the start, quite justifiably IMO.
Wolfsburg's recent successes have been built on that attacking triangle, that they've kept Džeko and Misimović is an achievement they should exploit as far as possible. I'd thought McClaren may be too traditional a manager for them, but yesterday was promising enough.
More Bundesliga - HSV fans attacked a group of St Pauli supporters, as well as goalkeeper Benedikt Pliquett, as they were returning from the Freiburg game. Pliquett was uninjured but two Pauli fans were hospitalized, with another having his hearing aid beaten out of his ear. Next month the Millerntor hosts the first Hamburg derby for 8 years, and the out-of-town Naziboys will doubtless be looking for more trouble.
More Bundesliga - HSV fans attacked a group of St Pauli supporters, as well as goalkeeper Benedikt Pliquett, as they were returning from the Freiburg game. Pliquett was uninjured but two Pauli fans were hospitalized, with another having his hearing aid beaten out of his ear. Next month the Millerntor hosts the first Hamburg derby for 8 years, and the out-of-town Naziboys will doubtless be looking for more trouble.
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handbags_harris
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Week three in the Eredivisie produced results that suggest certain clubs are starting to already build a head of steam, while on the flip side of the coin other clubs appear to be in severe danger of decline. Two teams hold 100% records after three games, PSV at the top and Willem II at the bottom. PSV got a good hard fought home win against AZ, the scoreline 3-1, with two goals from Marcus Berg either side of half time sandwiched between an AZ equalizer from Erik Falkenburg. Ibrahim Afellay secured the win with a 92nd minute clincher.
Ajax are quickly on the heels of PSV after their disappointing opening match having won their last two, the weekend’s result a 3-0 win against Roda JC at the Amsterdam ArenA. The comfortable margin of victory was provided by two goals from Mounir El Hamdaoui just past the half hour and with twenty minutes remaining, with Luis Suarez getting off the mark for the season five minutes after half time.
Feyenoord’s start to the season is starting to take a comparatively disappointing look after their 1-1 draw at Heracles’ Polman Stadion. Mark Looms opened the scoring for the Almelo club, Georginio Wijnaldum equalising for Feyenoord with 20 minutes left. The Rotterdam club once again appear to be coming up short in key areas in comparison to their major rivals, but with an extremely promising crop of youngsters coming through the ranks at Varkenoord there is the distinct possibility of good times ahead.
In the same boat as Feyenoord, champions FC Twente got their first win under their new manager Michel Preud’homme to kickstart their challenge to retain the title with an ultimately comfortable win at Vitesse’s Gelredome. After five goalless halves in their first two and a half weeks, the old London Bus adage rang true in Arnhem with three in thirty minutes. Marc Janko finally got the first goal of the season on the hour mark and this was quickly followed by Luuk De Jong’s 66th minute effort. De Jong completed the scoring in injury time.
Rotterdam club Excelsior followed up their surprise victory over “parent” club Feyenoord last week with a 4-2 home win over Nijmegen club NEC. Bjorn Vleminckx opened NEC’s account on the half hour, however half time brought on a new proposition for the NEC defence, a proposition they ultimately couldn’t handle as four goals handed Excelsior the win. Jordy Clasie equalised eight minutes after the break and Daan Bovenberg quickly gave Excelsior the lead three minutes later. Bas Sibum tied the scores again on 73, however late goals from Roland Bergkamp with ten minutes to go and Guyon Fernandez in injury time ensured the three points went to Rotterdam.
Willem II remain rooted to the bottom of the table after their third heavy defeat in three, this time a 3-0 defeat at Stadion Galgenwaard, Utrecht however things could have been much different had Andreas Lasnik not fluffed his lines with a 20th minute penalty. Ricky van Wolfswinkel quickly showed Lasnik how to score from twelve yards with his own effort two minutes later, and FC Utrecht quickly put the game beyond doubt with goals from Dries Mertens on 28 and van Wolfswinkel again on 33. The second half yielded no further goals however two red cards were shown, Alje Schut for Utrecht for two bookings and Frank Demouge for Willem II.
sc Heerenveen picked up their first win of the season at home to NAC Breda, however it wasn’t all plain sailing. Matthew Amoah opened the scoring for NAC Breda as they sprang out of the traps like lightning, the goal coming in the opening minute. Heerenveen regained their composure to equalize after 25, Bas Dost with the strike. Kees Luijckx gave Heerenveen the lead on the hour, and Bas Dost made sure of the points with a 77th minute goal.
FC Groningen also picked up their first win of the season with a 2-1 win over De Graafschap at Euroborg. Former Wigan defender Andreas Granqvist opened the scoring from the penalty spot on 17, a decision which saw Jan-Paul Saeijs sent off for De Graafschap, and just past the half hour Thomas Enevoldsen doubled the lead for Groningen. De Graafschap made a good fight of it however, and got back into the game with 22 minutes left through Rydell Poepon but they couldn’t muster an equaliser.
Lastly, ADO Den Haag also pulled off their first win of the season away at VVV-Venlo. Den Haag were quickly out of the blocks and scored within two minutes through Dmitri Boelykin. Achmed Ahahaoui equalised for VVV but Boelykin’s second effort on 61 restored Den Haag’s lead. Wesley Verhoek scored what turned out to be the winner on 89, although VVV rang a few alarm bells in the final moments with a 92nd minute Ruud Boymans consolation.
Eredivisie Round 3 Results:
Excelsior 4-2 NEC
Vitesse 0-3 FC Twente
sc Heerenveen 3-1 NAC Breda
FC Groningen 2-1 De Graafschap
Ajax 3-0 Roda JC
Heracles Almelo 1-1 Feyenoord
VVV-Venlo 2-3 ADO Den Haag
FC Utrecht 3-0 Willem II
PSV 3-1 AZ
Standings (P, W, D, L, Pts, F-A):
1 PSV 3, 3, 0, 0, 9, 12 - 2
2 Ajax 3, 2, 1, 0, 7, 9 - 4
3 FC Utrecht 3, 2, 0, 1, 6, 7 - 4
4 NEC 3, 2, 0, 1, 6, 8 - 7
5 Excelsior 3, 2, 0, 1, 6, 7 - 7
6 FC Twente 3, 1,2, 0, 5, 3 - 0
7 FC Groningen 3, 1, 2, 0, 5, 5 - 4
8 Heracles Almelo 3, 1, 1, 1, 4, 4 - 2
9 Feyenoord 3, 1, 1, 1, 4, 6 - 5
10 sc Heerenveen 3, 1, 1, 1, 4, 4 - 4
11 Roda JC Kerkrade 3, 1, 1, 1, 4, 3 - 4
12 VVV-Venlo 3, 1, 0, 2, 3, 3 - 4
13 ADO Den Haag 3, 1, 0, 2, 3, 5 - 8
14 Vitesse 3, 1, 0, 2, 3, 5 - 8
15 De Graafschap 3, 1, 0, 2, 3, 4 - 8
16 AZ 3, 0, 2, 1, 2, 3 - 5
17 NAC Breda 3, 0,1, 2, 0, 3 - 7
18 Willem II 3, 0, 0, 3, 0, 3 - 11
Ajax are quickly on the heels of PSV after their disappointing opening match having won their last two, the weekend’s result a 3-0 win against Roda JC at the Amsterdam ArenA. The comfortable margin of victory was provided by two goals from Mounir El Hamdaoui just past the half hour and with twenty minutes remaining, with Luis Suarez getting off the mark for the season five minutes after half time.
Feyenoord’s start to the season is starting to take a comparatively disappointing look after their 1-1 draw at Heracles’ Polman Stadion. Mark Looms opened the scoring for the Almelo club, Georginio Wijnaldum equalising for Feyenoord with 20 minutes left. The Rotterdam club once again appear to be coming up short in key areas in comparison to their major rivals, but with an extremely promising crop of youngsters coming through the ranks at Varkenoord there is the distinct possibility of good times ahead.
In the same boat as Feyenoord, champions FC Twente got their first win under their new manager Michel Preud’homme to kickstart their challenge to retain the title with an ultimately comfortable win at Vitesse’s Gelredome. After five goalless halves in their first two and a half weeks, the old London Bus adage rang true in Arnhem with three in thirty minutes. Marc Janko finally got the first goal of the season on the hour mark and this was quickly followed by Luuk De Jong’s 66th minute effort. De Jong completed the scoring in injury time.
Rotterdam club Excelsior followed up their surprise victory over “parent” club Feyenoord last week with a 4-2 home win over Nijmegen club NEC. Bjorn Vleminckx opened NEC’s account on the half hour, however half time brought on a new proposition for the NEC defence, a proposition they ultimately couldn’t handle as four goals handed Excelsior the win. Jordy Clasie equalised eight minutes after the break and Daan Bovenberg quickly gave Excelsior the lead three minutes later. Bas Sibum tied the scores again on 73, however late goals from Roland Bergkamp with ten minutes to go and Guyon Fernandez in injury time ensured the three points went to Rotterdam.
Willem II remain rooted to the bottom of the table after their third heavy defeat in three, this time a 3-0 defeat at Stadion Galgenwaard, Utrecht however things could have been much different had Andreas Lasnik not fluffed his lines with a 20th minute penalty. Ricky van Wolfswinkel quickly showed Lasnik how to score from twelve yards with his own effort two minutes later, and FC Utrecht quickly put the game beyond doubt with goals from Dries Mertens on 28 and van Wolfswinkel again on 33. The second half yielded no further goals however two red cards were shown, Alje Schut for Utrecht for two bookings and Frank Demouge for Willem II.
sc Heerenveen picked up their first win of the season at home to NAC Breda, however it wasn’t all plain sailing. Matthew Amoah opened the scoring for NAC Breda as they sprang out of the traps like lightning, the goal coming in the opening minute. Heerenveen regained their composure to equalize after 25, Bas Dost with the strike. Kees Luijckx gave Heerenveen the lead on the hour, and Bas Dost made sure of the points with a 77th minute goal.
FC Groningen also picked up their first win of the season with a 2-1 win over De Graafschap at Euroborg. Former Wigan defender Andreas Granqvist opened the scoring from the penalty spot on 17, a decision which saw Jan-Paul Saeijs sent off for De Graafschap, and just past the half hour Thomas Enevoldsen doubled the lead for Groningen. De Graafschap made a good fight of it however, and got back into the game with 22 minutes left through Rydell Poepon but they couldn’t muster an equaliser.
Lastly, ADO Den Haag also pulled off their first win of the season away at VVV-Venlo. Den Haag were quickly out of the blocks and scored within two minutes through Dmitri Boelykin. Achmed Ahahaoui equalised for VVV but Boelykin’s second effort on 61 restored Den Haag’s lead. Wesley Verhoek scored what turned out to be the winner on 89, although VVV rang a few alarm bells in the final moments with a 92nd minute Ruud Boymans consolation.
Eredivisie Round 3 Results:
Excelsior 4-2 NEC
Vitesse 0-3 FC Twente
sc Heerenveen 3-1 NAC Breda
FC Groningen 2-1 De Graafschap
Ajax 3-0 Roda JC
Heracles Almelo 1-1 Feyenoord
VVV-Venlo 2-3 ADO Den Haag
FC Utrecht 3-0 Willem II
PSV 3-1 AZ
Standings (P, W, D, L, Pts, F-A):
1 PSV 3, 3, 0, 0, 9, 12 - 2
2 Ajax 3, 2, 1, 0, 7, 9 - 4
3 FC Utrecht 3, 2, 0, 1, 6, 7 - 4
4 NEC 3, 2, 0, 1, 6, 8 - 7
5 Excelsior 3, 2, 0, 1, 6, 7 - 7
6 FC Twente 3, 1,2, 0, 5, 3 - 0
7 FC Groningen 3, 1, 2, 0, 5, 5 - 4
8 Heracles Almelo 3, 1, 1, 1, 4, 4 - 2
9 Feyenoord 3, 1, 1, 1, 4, 6 - 5
10 sc Heerenveen 3, 1, 1, 1, 4, 4 - 4
11 Roda JC Kerkrade 3, 1, 1, 1, 4, 3 - 4
12 VVV-Venlo 3, 1, 0, 2, 3, 3 - 4
13 ADO Den Haag 3, 1, 0, 2, 3, 5 - 8
14 Vitesse 3, 1, 0, 2, 3, 5 - 8
15 De Graafschap 3, 1, 0, 2, 3, 4 - 8
16 AZ 3, 0, 2, 1, 2, 3 - 5
17 NAC Breda 3, 0,1, 2, 0, 3 - 7
18 Willem II 3, 0, 0, 3, 0, 3 - 11
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bobbybottler
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Good stuff Handbags. I watched Ajax on Saturday, they looked pretty good in fairness. Agree with your long term view about Feyenoord - with no real financial clout (at the moment), it's the only way forward for them.
Not strictly relevant. Just thought was horrific enough to warrant sharing. Bastian just suits lederhosen.
La Liga is back this weekend with the fixtures looking like so:
Saturday:
Hercules v Athletic Bilbao
Malaga v Valencia
Levante v Sevilla
Sunday:
Deportivo La Coruna v Real Zaragoza
Espanyol v Getafe
Osasuna v Almeria
Real Sociedad v Villarreal
Racing Santander v Real Madrid
Real Mallorca v Barcelona
Monday:
Atletico Madrid v Sporting Gijon
Interesting season, who will La Liga this year? Will it be the worlds best player and half a World Cup winning side or Mourinho and his "Galacticos"? I think Jose's been very astute in signing the likes of Ozil, Khadeira, Di Maria and Carvalho, all extremely talented players who will only improve a side that finished on 96 points and still didn't win the league last year. They will surely improve in the Champions League this year having not qualified for the last 8 since 2004.
As for the others, Atletico should be the ones finishing in 3rd this year. The Europa League holders were disappointing in the league last year but with world class talent like Forlan and Aguero they should improve dramatically this year. Sevilla will be up there so long as the keep Luis Fabiano, although they poor against Braga this week. Valencia will defintely miss Villa, Silva and Marchena but they've used that money coming in very wisely and should still be pushing for a top 4 spot along with Villarreal and Atheltic Bilbao.
Saturday:
Hercules v Athletic Bilbao
Malaga v Valencia
Levante v Sevilla
Sunday:
Deportivo La Coruna v Real Zaragoza
Espanyol v Getafe
Osasuna v Almeria
Real Sociedad v Villarreal
Racing Santander v Real Madrid
Real Mallorca v Barcelona
Monday:
Atletico Madrid v Sporting Gijon
Interesting season, who will La Liga this year? Will it be the worlds best player and half a World Cup winning side or Mourinho and his "Galacticos"? I think Jose's been very astute in signing the likes of Ozil, Khadeira, Di Maria and Carvalho, all extremely talented players who will only improve a side that finished on 96 points and still didn't win the league last year. They will surely improve in the Champions League this year having not qualified for the last 8 since 2004.
As for the others, Atletico should be the ones finishing in 3rd this year. The Europa League holders were disappointing in the league last year but with world class talent like Forlan and Aguero they should improve dramatically this year. Sevilla will be up there so long as the keep Luis Fabiano, although they poor against Braga this week. Valencia will defintely miss Villa, Silva and Marchena but they've used that money coming in very wisely and should still be pushing for a top 4 spot along with Villarreal and Atheltic Bilbao.
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soggy biscuit
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bassavage La Liga is back this weekend with the fixtures looking like so:
Saturday:
Hercules v Athletic Bilbao
Malaga v Valencia
Levante v Sevilla
Sunday:
Deportivo La Coruna v Real Zaragoza
Espanyol v Getafe
Osasuna v Almeria
Real Sociedad v Villarreal
Racing Santander v Real Madrid
Real Mallorca v Barcelona
Monday:
Atletico Madrid v Sporting Gijon
Interesting season, who will La Liga this year? Will it be the worlds best player and half a World Cup winning side or Mourinho and his "Galacticos"? I think Jose's been very astute in signing the likes of Ozil, Khadeira, Di Maria and Carvalho, all extremely talented players who will only improve a side that finished on 96 points and still didn't win the league last year. They will surely improve in the Champions League this year having not qualified for the last 8 since 2004.
As for the others, Atletico should be the ones finishing in 3rd this year. The Europa League holders were disappointing in the league last year but with world class talent like Forlan and Aguero they should improve dramatically this year. Sevilla will be up there so long as the keep Luis Fabiano, although they poor against Braga this week. Valencia will defintely miss Villa, Silva and Marchena but they've used that money coming in very wisely and should still be pushing for a top 4 spot along with Villarreal and Atheltic Bilbao.
Just can't see Valencia pushing for the top 4, maybe not even Europa LOLeague place. Really think they will struggle.
As for the top spot, hard one to call as Real Madrid's points haul last season would have been good enough in any other season to win. Reckon it will be very very close and if I was a betting man I would sadly say Real Madrid to pip Barca by a point or 2
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bobbybottler
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soggy biscuitbassavage La Liga is back this weekend with the fixtures looking like so:
Saturday:
Hercules v Athletic Bilbao
Malaga v Valencia
Levante v Sevilla
Sunday:
Deportivo La Coruna v Real Zaragoza
Espanyol v Getafe
Osasuna v Almeria
Real Sociedad v Villarreal
Racing Santander v Real Madrid
Real Mallorca v Barcelona
Monday:
Atletico Madrid v Sporting Gijon
Interesting season, who will La Liga this year? Will it be the worlds best player and half a World Cup winning side or Mourinho and his "Galacticos"? I think Jose's been very astute in signing the likes of Ozil, Khadeira, Di Maria and Carvalho, all extremely talented players who will only improve a side that finished on 96 points and still didn't win the league last year. They will surely improve in the Champions League this year having not qualified for the last 8 since 2004.
As for the others, Atletico should be the ones finishing in 3rd this year. The Europa League holders were disappointing in the league last year but with world class talent like Forlan and Aguero they should improve dramatically this year. Sevilla will be up there so long as the keep Luis Fabiano, although they poor against Braga this week. Valencia will defintely miss Villa, Silva and Marchena but they've used that money coming in very wisely and should still be pushing for a top 4 spot along with Villarreal and Atheltic Bilbao.
Just can't see Valencia pushing for the top 4, maybe not even Europa LOLeague place. Really think they will struggle.
As for the top spot, hard one to call as Real Madrid's points haul last season would have been good enough in any other season to win. Reckon it will be very very close and if I was a betting man I would sadly say Real Madrid to pip Barca by a point or 2
Not sure about the reasoning for Atletico - I think that they underperformed a bit in La Liga last season, but to say that they've got Forlan and Aguero so should improve would lack an understanding of who was available for them last season. And the season before that.
bobbybottlersoggy biscuitbassavage La Liga is back this weekend with the fixtures looking like so:
Saturday:
Hercules v Athletic Bilbao
Malaga v Valencia
Levante v Sevilla
Sunday:
Deportivo La Coruna v Real Zaragoza
Espanyol v Getafe
Osasuna v Almeria
Real Sociedad v Villarreal
Racing Santander v Real Madrid
Real Mallorca v Barcelona
Monday:
Atletico Madrid v Sporting Gijon
Interesting season, who will La Liga this year? Will it be the worlds best player and half a World Cup winning side or Mourinho and his "Galacticos"? I think Jose's been very astute in signing the likes of Ozil, Khadeira, Di Maria and Carvalho, all extremely talented players who will only improve a side that finished on 96 points and still didn't win the league last year. They will surely improve in the Champions League this year having not qualified for the last 8 since 2004.
As for the others, Atletico should be the ones finishing in 3rd this year. The Europa League holders were disappointing in the league last year but with world class talent like Forlan and Aguero they should improve dramatically this year. Sevilla will be up there so long as the keep Luis Fabiano, although they poor against Braga this week. Valencia will defintely miss Villa, Silva and Marchena but they've used that money coming in very wisely and should still be pushing for a top 4 spot along with Villarreal and Atheltic Bilbao.
Just can't see Valencia pushing for the top 4, maybe not even Europa LOLeague place. Really think they will struggle.
As for the top spot, hard one to call as Real Madrid's points haul last season would have been good enough in any other season to win. Reckon it will be very very close and if I was a betting man I would sadly say Real Madrid to pip Barca by a point or 2
Not sure about the reasoning for Atletico - I think that they underperformed a bit in La Liga last season, but to say that they've got Forlan and Aguero so should improve would lack an understanding of who was available for them last season. And the season before that.
Valencia have spent €26M this summer, signing the likes of Soldado and Aduriz who scored 28 goals between them in La Liga last year. Add to that Joaquin, Mata, Pablo Hernandez and new signing Dominguez they've certainly got quality going forward.
As for Atletico, well when Quique Sanchez Flores took over in October last year Atletico had had an abysmal start to the season and ended up winning the Europa League, Copa del Rey runners up and 9th in the league. They've not lost any of their squad from last year, re-signed Tiago from Juve on a season long loan and brought in Filipe Luis from Deportivo. For me I think they are better than everyone bar the top 2 and maybe Sevilla, who haven't had the greatest starts which is why I reckon they will finish 3rd.
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soggy biscuit
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bassavage Add to that Joaquin, they've certainly got quality going forward.
Joaquin? You do realise that it is not 2005 anymore?
Where did Valencia get so much money from? Have they paid off any of that mountain of debt? Why am I bothered about this SPL in the sun?
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handbags_harris
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Mixed fortunes for the Dutch teams in Europe tonight. Feyenoord lose 2-0 at AA Gent after leading 1-0 from the first leg, and on the flip side FC Utrecht hilariously beat Celtic 4-0 after losing the first leg at Celtic Park 2-0.
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handbags_harris
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Just finished watching the Eredivisie's bottom team Willem II, who had previously suffered three heavy defeats (Heracles 0-3; NEC 3-5; FC Utrecht 0-3), and they have now suffered their third 3-0 defeat in four in tonights match at home to FC Groningen. Their problems appear to stem from a complete lack of creativity in their play, and from tonight's showing being clinically punished in defence. Having four managers in two years has left them with no continuity, and being without a chairman can't help either. They escaped relegation by the skin of their teeth last season after finishing 17th and then beating FC Eindhoven and Go Ahead Eagles (for those interested, Peter van der Kwaak joined GAE after leaving Reading). For half an hour there was nothing between the teams but then a mistake in midfield left Groningen with a 6-on-3 (!), a simple through ball and simple finish, and you could see the confidence drain from the Willem II players. Second half was all FC Groningen, and two more goals were added in quick succession on 63 and 67, the third a cracking volley from 20 yards. Willem II's record now stands at P4 L4 F3 A14 - rooted to the bottom of the league already.
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sandman
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Madrid have offloaded two club legends in Raul and Guti and although Raul wasn't offering much anymore (except bench warming), Guti could still have done a job if needed and played well in his appearances last season. Ozil looks to be a good signing but may struggle at such a young age at one of the biggest clubs in the world. The dark horse for Madrid could be Sergio Canales provided they don't loan him out as looks likely.
Barca look to be even more invincible than before with the addition of Villa but they have also had the upheaval of a change of President. Messi will once again be pivotal but it will be interesting to see how he does after a disappointing WC. As for the dark horses that could come through, take your pick, Alcantara, Romeu, Gomez or Dos Santos (they have all played in pre season).
Pushing for Europe. Sevilla looked poor the other night against Braga and must defend better though they look to be the best bet for 3rd imo. Valencia could finish anywhere in the European places or out of them completely; all depends on how they cope without Villa. Villareal have to start better than last season and Mallorca need to keep up their impressive home form from last year.
Relegation.Malaga who narrowly escaped last year but have spent this summer shouldn't repeat their problems this time. In addition to the three promoted clubs (although Hercules look to be trying to Sign Dani Guiza) Getafe could struggle without Soldado, as could Racing, (without Canales who they wanted back on loan) but Zaragoza have done a Reading and lost 11 players from last year through cost cutting and look likely to go down.
It will be the normal top two obviously but the addition of Mourinho will give it an explosive plot line.
Barca look to be even more invincible than before with the addition of Villa but they have also had the upheaval of a change of President. Messi will once again be pivotal but it will be interesting to see how he does after a disappointing WC. As for the dark horses that could come through, take your pick, Alcantara, Romeu, Gomez or Dos Santos (they have all played in pre season).
Pushing for Europe. Sevilla looked poor the other night against Braga and must defend better though they look to be the best bet for 3rd imo. Valencia could finish anywhere in the European places or out of them completely; all depends on how they cope without Villa. Villareal have to start better than last season and Mallorca need to keep up their impressive home form from last year.
Relegation.Malaga who narrowly escaped last year but have spent this summer shouldn't repeat their problems this time. In addition to the three promoted clubs (although Hercules look to be trying to Sign Dani Guiza) Getafe could struggle without Soldado, as could Racing, (without Canales who they wanted back on loan) but Zaragoza have done a Reading and lost 11 players from last year through cost cutting and look likely to go down.
It will be the normal top two obviously but the addition of Mourinho will give it an explosive plot line.
Newly-promoted Kaiserslauten go top (for a day at least) after beating Bayern 2-0, scoring twice in about 60 seconds.
Got a horrible feeling about Pauli's fixture this weekend, Hoffenheim won't allow a repeat of the defensive performance at Freiburg...
Got a horrible feeling about Pauli's fixture this weekend, Hoffenheim won't allow a repeat of the defensive performance at Freiburg...
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