All 4 English clubs might have managed to qualify for the knockout stage of the Champions League, but if you want to infer anything from their midweek performance going into this weekend's games then you haven't been following. One thing they do have in common is entering a crucial slate of domestic action that should clear up where we stand after a herky-jerky start to the season. People have been reluctant to call Arsenal title-contenders, and now they get to prove whether they deserve that label or not by going to City. A tall order by the looks of City's home form so far, but the Gunners have traveled well themselves. Tottenham take on a Gerrard- and Sturridge-less Liverpool who are still hanging on to their 2d place so far. United have some easier games coming up than all their rivals, but RVP being out for 4 weeks is not gonna help. Their games this weekend's game against Villa only looks easier by historical measure, which doesn't mean much considering what Everton and Newcastle both did recently. Press-shy Newcastle who host Southampton this week, in a game Pardew would love nothing more to win, if only for selfish reasons since apparently he is still not over his sacking 3 years ago. Perhaps Alan should consider finally unfriending them on facebook and stop refreshing their twitter page constantly. Last and least if you hate life you won't find a better viewing option than West Ham-Sunderland.


Spain: Barca have inked a $24mil deal with Intel to carry their logo on the inside of their shirts, with no obligation to display it. Modern football really is the greatest sometimes. Speaking of Barcelona, unfortunately for them they're not playing Celtic this weekend but they'll want to do similarly well against Villareal to keep the hounds of Madrid at bay.

Italy: Milan and Roma square off in the big splashy game of the week, but there's a Napoli v Inter that could prove equally important for the race to the Scudetto

Germany: Bayer Leverkussen have a fairly easy follow-up to their big win over Dortmund. Don't get too excited but they're only 4pts back from the ogres of Munich

France: Lyon-OM on Sunday is on paper the marquee matchup, but it doesn't really feel that way. In other news I recently tried to cop some tickets for the PSG-Lille game next week since I'll be in town, and the cheapest I found was 55 euros ($70 or so). What do they think this is, a regular-season NBA game? The money will be better spent on booze methinks.

EPL
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2013
7:45 ET Manchester City v Arsenal
10:00 ET Cardiff City v West Bromwich Albion
10:00 ET Chelsea v Crystal Palace
10:00 ET Everton v Fulham
10:00 ET Newcastle United v Southampton
10:00 ET West Ham United v Sunderland
12:30 ET Hull City v Stoke City
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2013
8:30 ET Aston Villa v Manchester United
8:30 ET Norwich City v Swansea City
11:00 ET Tottenham Hotspur v Liverpool

LA LIGA
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2013
3:00 ET Levante v Elche
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2013
10:00 ET Osasuna v Real Madrid
12:00 ET Rayo Vallecano v Granada
2:00 ET Barcelona v Villarreal
4:00 ET Malaga v Getafe
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2013
6:00 ET Almeria v Espanyol
11:00 ET Real Sociedad v Real Betis
1:00 ET Sevilla FC v Athletic Bilbao
3:00 ET Atletico Madrid v Valencia
MONDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2013
4:00 ET Real Valladolid v Celta Vigo

SERIE A
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2013
2:45 ET Catania v Hellas Verona
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2013
9:00 ET Chievo Verona v Sampdoria
9:00 ET Fiorentina v Bologna
9:00 ET Genoa v Atalanta
9:00 ET Lazio v Livorno
9:00 ET Parma v Cagliari
9:00 ET Udinese v Torino
12:30 ET Juventus v Sassuolo
2:45 ET Napoli v Internazionale
MONDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2013
2:45 ET AC Milan v AS Roma

BUNDESLIGA
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2013
2:30 ET Hertha Berlin v Werder Bremen
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2013
9:30 ET Bayern Munich v Hamburg SV
9:30 ET FC Augsburg v TSV Eintracht Braunschweig
9:30 ET Hannover 96 v Nurnberg
9:30 ET Mainz v Borussia Monchengladbach
9:30 ET TSG Hoffenheim v Borussia Dortmund
12:30 ET VfL Wolfsburg v VfB Stuttgart
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2013
9:30 ET Schalke 04 v SC Freiburg
11:30 ET Bayer Leverkusen v Eintracht Frankfurt

LIGUE 1
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2013
2:30 ET Montpellier v St Etienne
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2013
11:00 ET Stade Rennes v Paris Saint-Germain
2:00 ET AC Ajaccio v Lorient
2:00 ET Evian Thonon Gaillard v Stade de Reims
2:00 ET Guingamp v AS Monaco
2:00 ET Nantes v Toulouse
2:00 ET Nice v Sochaux
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2013
8:00 ET Bordeaux v Valenciennes
11:00 ET Lille v Bastia
3:00 ET Lyon v Marseille

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

Maybe I'll catch the second half. Maybe. More likely they final 15.

--

"You can't beat white people. You can only knock them out."

this is what roja directa was invented for n/m

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

like does that appeal to the asian time zones or something?

<--- Big Baller World Order

---

But hell, what do I know?

I have to be in bed by 10 smh

---------------------------------
<--The drought is over

"have fun reveling in your pettiness tho" (C) Dula summing up 98% of OKS

"I didnt finish a damn thing...matter of fact I jerked off after she left."
-Kobe speaking to investigators

L D E A

Aaaaand Madrid drew with Osasuna!

Ha!

--

"You can't beat white people. You can only knock them out."

>Aaaaand Madrid drew with Osasuna!
>
>Ha!

http://sportz-world-live.blogspot.com/

---

But hell, what do I know?

---

But hell, what do I know?

It's a recipe for disaster

---------------------------------
<--The drought is over

"have fun reveling in your pettiness tho" (C) Dula summing up 98% of OKS

"I didnt finish a damn thing...matter of fact I jerked off after she left."
-Kobe speaking to investigators

L D E A

I know it sound pathetic to say it, but I just want @ minimum one point from next two @ city and Chelski. That would still guarantee a share of top spot going into Christmas

I think it possible to do better but I can also see a sweep easily.

Sagna back for Chelsea I hope, that's not till next Monday

Of course, Villa will miss Vlaar (calf) and Delph (5th yellow). But still, those three out make a significant difference to United's spine (although Fellaini's not as big a miss as Carrick, but I digress).

---------------------------------
Photo zine(some images NSFW): http://bit.ly/USaSPhoto

"This (and every, actually) conversation needs more Chesterton and less Mike Francesa." - Walleye

<--- Big Baller World Order

can just imagine that Liverpool are a lowly Russian side, he may just score this weekend. COYS

Or at least be enough to shut the #StartDefoe contingent up for a bit.

Also if AVB continues to pick Townsend, I hope he stays on the left. Watching that Anzhi game, the first half when he was on the left he was great, second half he played like a bastard minus that beautiful pass to Holtby (he was probably meaning to shoot)

----

THFC
F1
MotoGP

yeah I didn't understand the switch. He wasn't nearly as effective in the 2nd half. Maybe needed to confirm some things in his mind. Hopefully he'll keep him on the left moving forward.

I always worry with hamstrings though...most naggy, unpredictable injury possible

---------------------------------
<--The drought is over

"have fun reveling in your pettiness tho" (C) Dula summing up 98% of OKS

"I didnt finish a damn thing...matter of fact I jerked off after she left."
-Kobe speaking to investigators

L D E A

---

But hell, what do I know?

3rd game in 6 days against a cotdamn machine at home. Once you have to chase the game, it's pretty much over bc these guys slam you repeatedly on the break.

Nice to see Walcott in some form though.

---------------------------------
<--The drought is over

"have fun reveling in your pettiness tho" (C) Dula summing up 98% of OKS

"I didnt finish a damn thing...matter of fact I jerked off after she left."
-Kobe speaking to investigators

L D E A

sucks that it came at our expense, but yeah

We're going to have a real hard time overtaking them in the Premier League, not much else I can say

On to chelsea.

If he's out for any length of time were in trouble.

Giroud- one of the best in the world at doing all the other shit, but he's still bottom quartile of all strikers in the world in doing the #1 job, put the ball in the hole. Definition of unclinical

The side judge- we were not winning, no way. But Holyshit they got three offsides badly wrong. One of them was a goal, the other two were great chances. How does that happen, they weren't close.

Nacho- yeah, let's go with Gibbs in all the big games, he's not a world beater, but he's significantly better.

With 7 days off, hopefully he is ok for the Chelsea game. The side-judge was horrid.

A major issue for the team, and I've been saying it since the jump, is that the depth defensively and up front is pretty much zero. Vermaelen is fine but the drop from Sagna/Gibbs to Jenkinson/Nacho and Giroud to Bendtner is huge. We have to get reinforcements in the January window in order to survive busy weeks and the wear and tear that comes along as you play deeper into the season. Giroud essentially said he feels dead right now.

---------------------------------
<--The drought is over

"have fun reveling in your pettiness tho" (C) Dula summing up 98% of OKS

"I didnt finish a damn thing...matter of fact I jerked off after she left."
-Kobe speaking to investigators

L D E A

they got blapped.

<--- Big Baller World Order

http://giant.gfycat.com/ImaginaryCreamyAntipodesgreenparakeet.gif

CAN'T WAIT til god's son comes back. neymar comfortable, no longer worrying about deferring. st. leo MAD he's been injured and they reopened the voting. oh god.

---

But hell, what do I know?

Should've had a hat trick but Montoya always takes a touch too many.

--

"You can't beat white people. You can only knock them out."

Alves is getting old (although apparently Zubi is trying to extend his contract) and Montoya isn't convincing me. Definitely took one-too-many touches more than a handful of times. Neymar screamed on him towards the end about it lol.

---

But hell, what do I know?

should not be starting on a team with Top 4 ambitions. Terrible defending.

This will be a game that gets him fired at the end of the season though. Tactically this is an awful performance by Spurs. There's no reason Spurs should be playing w/a highline against a striker like Suarez....esp w/a slow CB like Dawson. Suarez thrives off of running in between the channels.

We're in December and AVB still doesn't know his preferred 11. This loss officially puts him on borrowed time now. Kinda sucks b/c he's more than capable of taking Spurs into the top 4.

----------------------------------------------------------------
respect the gift.

And Dawson's been beaten all season. A high line is absolutely the wrong strategy with the personnel that they have. Why is BAE playing for QPR right now?

Every move (besides Fryers) was wrong.

now I'm hearing that Dembele may have already been banged up which would explain how sluggish he looked today.

AVB's gotta go.

but it's not like the rest of the defenders can pat themselves on the back. they were getting caught by liverpool's counters the whole game and leaving lloris out to dry. he made some damn good saves too.

great game by liverpool. loved seeing them press tottenham so tightly and create some fantastic opportunities.

------
"I can't promise I'll try. But I'll try to try."

This wouldn't be an issue if Jan hadn't gotten hurt (and burned out) playing LB.

I'm wondering why AVB chooses to play such a high line when Dawson is playing.

----

THFC
F1
MotoGP

instagram: http://instagram.com/micspecial
photoblog:http://alannakkash.wordpress.com/
photography:http://www.flickr.com/photos/micspecial/
music:http://www.last.fm/user/MicSpecial/
XBOX live: micspecial

instagram: http://instagram.com/micspecial
photoblog:http://alannakkash.wordpress.com/
photography:http://www.flickr.com/photos/micspecial/
music:http://www.last.fm/user/MicSpecial/
XBOX live: micspecial

Spaletti?

Hell, I'd say Avram Grant.

---

But hell, what do I know?

----------------------------------------------------------------
respect the gift.

---

But hell, what do I know?

The optics of hiring Di Matteo to clean up AVB's mess again doesn't faze Levy.

http://cartilagefreecaptain.sbnation.com/2013/12/15/5213152/daniel-levy-is-pissed

----

THFC
F1
MotoGP

*fingers crossed*

lol Costa is really trying to get red-carded, as always. He needs to get on that Sergio Ramos plan.

---

But hell, what do I know?

---

But hell, what do I know?

He's watching, believe that.

---

But hell, what do I know?

http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/club-agrees-departure-of-andre-villas-boas-161213/


CLUB AGREES DEPARTURE OF ANDRE VILLAS-BOAS

Posted by Tottenham Hotspur on 16 December 2013 - 10:55

The Club can announce that agreement has been reached with Head Coach, Andre Villas-Boas, for the termination of his services. The decision was by mutual consent and in the interests of all parties.


What the blood claaat ???

> The decision was by mutual consent and in the
>interests of all parties.
>

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

Didier back...United likely continue their low-key CL campaign to alleviate some domestic woes..Arsenal have nothing to lose...PSG get semi-lucky...City v Barcelona best matchup

To be played February 18, 19, 25, 26 and March 11, 12, 18, 19
Manchester City v Barcelona
Olympiakos v Manchester United
AC Milan v Atletico Madrid
Bayer Leverkusen v Paris St Germain
Galatasaray v Chelsea
Schalke v Real Madrid
Zenit v Dortmund
Arsenal v Bayern

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

I'm kinda curious to see how that will play out.

You're such pests...now, what is it you want? In your depths of your ignorance, what is it you want? Well, whatever it is you want, I can't deliver because I just don't see it. - Orson Welles


Never Tired, Always Sleepy

---------------------------------
<--The drought is over

"have fun reveling in your pettiness tho" (C) Dula summing up 98% of OKS

"I didnt finish a damn thing...matter of fact I jerked off after she left."
-Kobe speaking to investigators

L D E A

if the football governing bodies want us to stop believing in conspiracy theories, they're going to need their ping pong balls to stop bouncing in such a fateful way (Klinsi vs Germany, now this?)

Mou may end up getting more than he wished for, though...I could definitely see this Gala team taking down Chelsea. Most intriguing match up of this round to me, in any case (besides Paris, obviously), but Arse/Bayern, Citeh/Barca and Milan/Atletico should be fun as well.

did gareth bale do anything?

-----------
Y'all stupid...should've tanked for Lebron/Wiggins in 2014 -Rex LongFellow

It's only funny till someone gets mad. Then it's hilarious.

http://oi39.tinypic.com/2ih01ky.gif

aka mentally fragile.

---

But hell, what do I know?

<--- Big Baller World Order

no homo?

---

But hell, what do I know?