The Champions League drawings are out and it looks like we will indeed have the much-buzzed about meeting between Chelsea and Atletico. The initial reports out of Madrid were that the Colchoneros would go into the games without Thibaut Courtois,one of the major reasons for their success this season, since their president kinda confirmed they will not pay up the fee that was inserted in his loan agreement by Chelsea (possibly because he did so well when they played each other in the Super Cup before last season). Reports are that the fee is for 3m euros per leg which if you ask me sounds like a no-brainer considering the stakes, but Atletico have had too many financial issues in the recent past to no be overly cautious. But now UEFA has said that the clause is unenforceable, which is great news for neutral fans, and even better news for journos who are likely to get at least 14.5 more articles each out of the drama. Of course the other game between Real and Bayern promises no less excitement, and storylines galore that we'll get to as the game gets near.

Speaking of big money there it is being reported that ticket prices on the secondary market for Liverpool-City are now in the thousands of pounds which is just silly but someone will still jump at that price I'm sure. The game has a definite appeal as an almost final for the title, but even if Liverpool are victorious they would still need to keep up their winning ways for another 5 games. Possible I guess but bordering on the ludicrous, not that I'm betting against Brendan Rodgers' men at this point in the race. Arsenal have a big game of their own in their semi-final game against title-holders Wigan on Saturday. On paper this looks clear-cut but this is late-season Arsenal we're talking about (at Wembley). The big relegation crunch is at Fulham, who will host Norwich City in a bid to see if the mad German scientist approach will keep working. It's certainly been fascinating to watch so far.

Spain: Ronaldo's injury is apparently worse than initially thought and it is possible that he will miss the Copa Del Rey final v Barcelona next Wednesday. All 3 top teams have relatively easy games this week, while Athletic Bilbao will try to comfort its 4th place against Malaga on Monday.

Italy: We're not quite at the point where the title race is back on, since both Roma and Juve won last weekend, but it won't take much to get there. At Milan there's an audible sigh of relief as the Rossoneri won their 3rd game on the bounce against Genoa. They're only 5pts from the last European spot, but there is a crowd of teams facing the exact same predicament.

France: PSG probably would have preferred an easier go of things for their first Ligue 1 game since their crushing loss to Chelsea, but Lyon it is. A draw or loss would really not be unexpected, but more than the result it'll be the manner that will be scrutinized. Particularly one Edinson Cavani, who has borne some of the harshest criticism following the Champ League exit.


EPL
SATURDAY, APRIL 12, 2014
10:07 ET Crystal Palace v Aston Villa
10:07 ET Fulham v Norwich City
10:07 ET Southampton v Cardiff City
10:07 ET Stoke City v Newcastle United
10:07 ET Sunderland v Everton
10:07 ET West Bromwich Albion v Tottenham Hotspur
SUNDAY, APRIL 13, 2014
8:37 ET Liverpool v Manchester City
11:07 ET Swansea City v Chelsea
TUESDAY, APRIL 15, 2014
2:45 ET Arsenal v West Ham United
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 16, 2014
2:45 ET Everton v Crystal Palace
2:45 ET Manchester City v Sunderland

LIGA
FRIDAY, APRIL 11, 2014
3:00 ET Osasuna v Real Valladolid
SATURDAY, APRIL 12, 2014
10:00 ET Celta Vigo v Real Sociedad
12:00 ET Villarreal v Levante
2:00 ET Granada v Barcelona
4:00 ET Real Madrid v Almeria
SUNDAY, APRIL 13, 2014
6:00 ET Real Betis v Sevilla FC
11:00 ET Valencia v Elche
1:00 ET Getafe v Atletico Madrid
3:00 ET Espanyol v Rayo Vallecano
MONDAY, APRIL 14, 2014
4:00 ET Athletic Bilbao v Malaga

SERIE A
SATURDAY, APRIL 12, 2014
12:00 ET Sassuolo v Cagliari
2:45 ET AS Roma v Atalanta
SUNDAY, APRIL 13, 2014
6:30 ET Bologna v Parma
9:00 ET Hellas Verona v Fiorentina
9:00 ET Livorno v Chievo Verona
9:00 ET Napoli v Lazio
9:00 ET Sampdoria v Internazionale
9:00 ET Torino v Genoa
2:45 ET AC Milan v Catania
MONDAY, APRIL 14, 2014
2:45 ET Udinese v Juventus

LIGUE 1
FRIDAY, APRIL 11, 2014
2:30 ET Montpellier v Marseille
SATURDAY, APRIL 12, 2014
11:00 ET Lille v Valenciennes
2:00 ET AC Ajaccio v Bordeaux
2:00 ET Evian Thonon Gaillard v Bastia
2:00 ET Nice v Lorient
2:00 ET Sochaux v Toulouse
2:00 ET Stade Rennes v AS Monaco
SUNDAY, APRIL 13, 2014
8:00 ET Nantes v Guingamp
11:00 ET Stade de Reims v St Etienne
3:00 ET Lyon v Paris Saint-Germain

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For the record, my teams:
MLB: Mets / Soccer: PSG
NCAA BB: Arizona / NCAA FB: Michigan
NBA: Spurs / NFL: Jets