Friday, March 28, 2008

Games of the week...

First, Sevilla FC:

With races for the Champion's League and UEFA Cup qualifiers on the line, every single La Liga match for Sevilla will be important from here on out. After last week's extremely disappointing loss to Atlético Madrid, Sevilla now faces a possibly tougher foe in Real Madrid.

Sevilla has already beaten Real Madrid three times this season, one more would make it a clean sweep, though it will be tough in Madrid. They really will have to play one of their best matches of the season, especially with a prime mid-fielder sittin' the next few on the bench. Then again, Real Madrid have had some problems lately, losing their last two matches to Valencia and Deportivo La Coruña. Also on Sevilla's side is the fact that Kanoute is set to play even though his heal has been giving him some troubles lately. Let's Go Sevilla!!!

With Villareal and Atlético Madrid more than 3 points ahead and playing each other ...I almost wonder if a draw between those two would help Sevilla the most ...and that's IF Sevilla could beat Real Madrid somehow. Anyway, in La Liga, the matches to watch would be:

Saturday:
Villareal v. Atlético Madrid 5 pm

Sunday:
Real Madrid v. Sevilla 3 pm

St. Pauli FC:

At the other end of the scale we have St. Pauli struggling a bit in their first year back in the second bundesliga. So each match is important for them as well. Last week they won for the first time in 2008, and of their last 13 matches 10 have been a draw. I think many of those could have been 3 points but several they were lucky to get the point. This Sunday's match would be a definite must win as they pair up against SCPaderborn 07, who is currently in last place in the 2nd Bundesliga.

Sligo Rovers:

Seems as though the Rovers are off to a very rough start and are struggling a bit as well. Tonight they face UC Dublin who currently sit 7th in the standings with Sligo Rovers behind them a few in 10th place. Got my "third" jersey on in support today at work. Let's Go Bit O' Red! (Still looking for some sort of update on this match as this is being published.) (EDIT: Ended in a 0-0 draw.)

Other matches of note:

As you probably know, i'm not a huge EPL fan, but with all the US players getting picked up, it's hard for me not to hope Fulham does well...and, lately, they haven't. Saturday's match is the true definition of a "must win" match as they face the team that sits firmly in last place.

Derby v. Fulham 11 am on Saturday, FSC

The MLS Kicks-Off later in the evening on Saturday, and while i'm probably and smidge
more interested in this than the average US soccer fan deeply into any other foreign league, I'll probably pass on these...maybe. Pretty surei'll miss the New England Revolution v. Houston Dynamo match due to other plans throughout the day. That one's at 7:30pm on FSC.

If I catch any of either one I might watch some of the Colorado Rapids v. LA Galaxy at 9:30 pm on FSC.

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