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The Full English: Make Or Break
Liverpool's last chance at salvaging a title run comes this weekend as the club take on rivals Manchester United for the biggest game in England. Goal.com's Shane Evans is back to tell what will happen this weekend.
Mar 13, 2009 1:51:33 AM
By Shane Evans
So here we are. The final countdown has begun. D-Day nears. It all comes down to this. What this weekend offers, on more than one level, is sure to leave quite an impression on quite a few people around the globe.
Not only does this Goal.com-obsessed editor have the weekend off, which he will spending in the Pocoano mountains with 15 of his closest friends, but Manchester United play Liverpool, in a match that will surely make or break the Reds' title aspirations.
Many might think Liverpool have already been broken, and I for one agree with that sentiment, but if you happened to watch the bludgeoning they gave Real Madrid in the week, your opinion might change a bit. That win fired them up. To a great extent. They’ve been outspoken on this matter since it happened. Conceivably, it could drive them to a great finish to the season.
Having said that, Liverpool will travel to Old Trafford for a date with the team that just made three-time defending Italian Champions Inter Milan look like Stoke, on the biggest of stages, I might add. If United win, Liverpool is done and will need to focus on Europe, officially making it a two-horse race.
Except the leading filly is a furlong in front.
It’s not impossible for Chelsea to catch United, but I find it extremely unlikely. They have been playing great under Guus Hiddink, but like I’ve mentioned before, it’s a just a bit too late.
...they make the final turn and the finish line is in sight!
The Bacon (as in Bringing It Home)
Manchester United v. Liverpool (Old Trafford, March 14th, 8:40 a.m. ET, Setanta Sports)
When you looked at this match, say a month-and-a-half ago, it was way more intriguing. Liverpool were right up there with United and were a serious threat to take the title to Anfield. Following United’s unprecedented form and the numerous slip ups by the Reds, Liverpool is nothing more than a moderate threat.
With a win in this clash, however, things could change. But as I have eluded to previously, it may be a lot to ask, not because Liverpool don’t have the talent or the big-game ability, it’s just that Manchester United are simply too good.
At Old Trafford, United are undefeated, having won 12 matches and drawn one. 25 of their plus-36 goal differential is owed to the Theater of Dreams. I won’t say it’s impossible, because nothing is impossible. People actually read what I write, for example. Tell me that three years ago, I’d have laughed in your face.
Can they win? Sure, but they’ll have to play an almost flawless game. Will it realistically happen? I don’t think so.
TFE Prediction: I like ManU in this one. They are doing all the right things at the moment and the depth of their squad is stunning. 2-1 to the Red Devils.
Chelsea v. Manchester City (Stamford Bridge, March 15th, 9:30 a.m. ET, Setanta Sports)
I’ll preface this by my internal declaration that I have officially given up trying to predict Manchester City. It’s utterly hopeless. I don’t know how anyone could look at their fixture list and determine any kind of pattern or reasonable argument for how crappy or impressive their season has gone.
With that said, I won’t ever pick them to win again. Ever. Thankfully for me, in my first week of this new decree, they are playing Chelsea. The Blues of London are a team that should surely beat the Blues of Manchester, on any given day, regardless of who is playing for Mark Hughes’ side. I expect that to hold true on Sunday.
Similar to how Liverpool fare in their fixture against Manchester United, if Chelsea don’t take three points from this match, they can start turning their attention to Europe and who they’ll face in the Champions League quarterfinals.
The EPL race could be officially over by Sunday night. No ifs, ands, or buts about it. I might as well take the rest of the season off. Oh, I joke...I’d never do that to you!
Anyway, Chelsea are too strong. They had better be too strong, for their own good and mine.
TFE Prediction: Chelsea keep up the fight, even if it is a losing one, by beating the Citizens neatly, 2-0.
Aston Villa v. Tottenham (Villa Park, March 15th, 12:00 p.m. ET, Fox Soccer Channel)
If there is one team in the league that I could compare to Manchester City, it’s uber-talented, yet acrimoniously-frustrating Tottenham Hotspur. I do not get how you can have so many star players, who are worth so much money, yet you are stuck in a fight to avoid relegation.
Currently in 12th, only four points out of the drop zone, Spurs need results. A few weeks ago, Harry Redknapp said he’d need his team to win four matches and they’d be set. Well, they beat a hapless Middlesbrough team 4-0, then almost got beat by Sunderland a week ago, but scraped out a 1-1 draw.
This week is a lot different. Aston Villa are a tremendous squad. Not only that, but the Villains themselves are in a spot of bother and desperately need to take the full three in this one if they want to continue fighting off Arsenal for that coveted fourth Champions League spot.
Things have been a bit hairy for Martin O’Neil lately, as his boys haven’t won a match in their last three attempts. A home fixture against a team like Tottenham should buck that trend. Emphasis on should.
TFE Prediction: I’m taking a moral stand on this one, and picking the teams to end it all square. I know if I pick Spurs they’ll lose, and vice versa. So I’m sticking it to them both and predicting a draw...ha! It’ll end 2-2 by the way.
The Toast (as in Of The EPL): Manchester Musings Edition
Robinho, Manchester City: The mercurial forward finally did something positive off the field for his team. However, long it was since he jetted back to Brazil I can’t remember, but recently Robinho came out and spoke very highly of the English fans. He said something along the line of English fans are like Brazilian fans in that they come to the matches to cheer and make noise, whereas in Spain they wait for good things to happen. Well, I don’t need Robinho to tell me how great we are, but thanks.
David Villa, Valencia: This diminutive forward may be the next player to feel what Robinho is talking about if his prospective move to Manchester City comes to fruition. Could you imagine that link-up? Get Craig Bellamy on a bus back to any one of the teams he abandoned before and put Villa in front of Robbo...great things will happen. Lovely, super, splendiferous things will happen. €40 million will secure his signature, and the big boys at Eastlands have the cash to splash. Yeah, what credit crunch?!
Jose Mourinho, Inter Milan: Angling for a chance to manage Manchester United once Sir Alex hangs it up is one thing, saying it right before your current team meets them in the Champions League then proceeding to punch out a Red Devils fan after the match is another. Don’t get me wrong, ‘the Special One’ is one of my favorite football characters, he just seems a bit mixed up sometimes. I’m not sure if this punching nonsense is true or not, but the reports seem pretty accurate. He’s not going to win any hearts that way. Forgive and forget, I say...he’s the best candidate out there to take Ferguson’s job.
Leicester Update:
Well, it had to happen sometime, didn’t it? Leicester City’s amazing 23-match unbeaten streak officially came to an end on Wednesday when they were beaten by Tranmere Rovers 2-0. Do I care? Not in the slightest. We are still far and away the best team in League One, and not to count my chickens before they're hatched or anything, but the trophy is all but ours. Nine matches are left in the season, one against second place Peterborough. We take that one, it’s over. Consider it taken.
And Finally...the Black Pudding of the Week:
Fernando Torres, Liverpool: I have always loved Fernando Torres. Since his days with Atletico Madrid, I have been captivated by his ability with a ball at his feet. On Wednesday against Real, I think he was playing half as a Liverpool player, and half as a member of Atletico. Some of the moves he put on the likes of Cannavaro and Pepe blew my mind. His first touch on many occasions was nothing short of exquisite. He just did everything right. Whether he can replicate it against arguably the two best center halves in the world on Saturday remains to be seen, but no matter, I’d pay to see him play wherever he is.
Shane Evans is an associate editor of Goal.com. His feature, "The Full English" appears every Friday morning.
So here we are. The final countdown has begun. D-Day nears. It all comes down to this. What this weekend offers, on more than one level, is sure to leave quite an impression on quite a few people around the globe.
Not only does this Goal.com-obsessed editor have the weekend off, which he will spending in the Pocoano mountains with 15 of his closest friends, but Manchester United play Liverpool, in a match that will surely make or break the Reds' title aspirations.
Many might think Liverpool have already been broken, and I for one agree with that sentiment, but if you happened to watch the bludgeoning they gave Real Madrid in the week, your opinion might change a bit. That win fired them up. To a great extent. They’ve been outspoken on this matter since it happened. Conceivably, it could drive them to a great finish to the season.
Having said that, Liverpool will travel to Old Trafford for a date with the team that just made three-time defending Italian Champions Inter Milan look like Stoke, on the biggest of stages, I might add. If United win, Liverpool is done and will need to focus on Europe, officially making it a two-horse race.
Except the leading filly is a furlong in front.
It’s not impossible for Chelsea to catch United, but I find it extremely unlikely. They have been playing great under Guus Hiddink, but like I’ve mentioned before, it’s a just a bit too late.
...they make the final turn and the finish line is in sight!
The Bacon (as in Bringing It Home)
Manchester United v. Liverpool (Old Trafford, March 14th, 8:40 a.m. ET, Setanta Sports)
When you looked at this match, say a month-and-a-half ago, it was way more intriguing. Liverpool were right up there with United and were a serious threat to take the title to Anfield. Following United’s unprecedented form and the numerous slip ups by the Reds, Liverpool is nothing more than a moderate threat.
With a win in this clash, however, things could change. But as I have eluded to previously, it may be a lot to ask, not because Liverpool don’t have the talent or the big-game ability, it’s just that Manchester United are simply too good.
At Old Trafford, United are undefeated, having won 12 matches and drawn one. 25 of their plus-36 goal differential is owed to the Theater of Dreams. I won’t say it’s impossible, because nothing is impossible. People actually read what I write, for example. Tell me that three years ago, I’d have laughed in your face.
Can they win? Sure, but they’ll have to play an almost flawless game. Will it realistically happen? I don’t think so.
TFE Prediction: I like ManU in this one. They are doing all the right things at the moment and the depth of their squad is stunning. 2-1 to the Red Devils.
Chelsea v. Manchester City (Stamford Bridge, March 15th, 9:30 a.m. ET, Setanta Sports)
I’ll preface this by my internal declaration that I have officially given up trying to predict Manchester City. It’s utterly hopeless. I don’t know how anyone could look at their fixture list and determine any kind of pattern or reasonable argument for how crappy or impressive their season has gone.
With that said, I won’t ever pick them to win again. Ever. Thankfully for me, in my first week of this new decree, they are playing Chelsea. The Blues of London are a team that should surely beat the Blues of Manchester, on any given day, regardless of who is playing for Mark Hughes’ side. I expect that to hold true on Sunday.
Similar to how Liverpool fare in their fixture against Manchester United, if Chelsea don’t take three points from this match, they can start turning their attention to Europe and who they’ll face in the Champions League quarterfinals.
The EPL race could be officially over by Sunday night. No ifs, ands, or buts about it. I might as well take the rest of the season off. Oh, I joke...I’d never do that to you!
Anyway, Chelsea are too strong. They had better be too strong, for their own good and mine.
TFE Prediction: Chelsea keep up the fight, even if it is a losing one, by beating the Citizens neatly, 2-0.
Aston Villa v. Tottenham (Villa Park, March 15th, 12:00 p.m. ET, Fox Soccer Channel)
If there is one team in the league that I could compare to Manchester City, it’s uber-talented, yet acrimoniously-frustrating Tottenham Hotspur. I do not get how you can have so many star players, who are worth so much money, yet you are stuck in a fight to avoid relegation.
Currently in 12th, only four points out of the drop zone, Spurs need results. A few weeks ago, Harry Redknapp said he’d need his team to win four matches and they’d be set. Well, they beat a hapless Middlesbrough team 4-0, then almost got beat by Sunderland a week ago, but scraped out a 1-1 draw.
This week is a lot different. Aston Villa are a tremendous squad. Not only that, but the Villains themselves are in a spot of bother and desperately need to take the full three in this one if they want to continue fighting off Arsenal for that coveted fourth Champions League spot.
Things have been a bit hairy for Martin O’Neil lately, as his boys haven’t won a match in their last three attempts. A home fixture against a team like Tottenham should buck that trend. Emphasis on should.
TFE Prediction: I’m taking a moral stand on this one, and picking the teams to end it all square. I know if I pick Spurs they’ll lose, and vice versa. So I’m sticking it to them both and predicting a draw...ha! It’ll end 2-2 by the way.
The Toast (as in Of The EPL): Manchester Musings Edition
Robinho, Manchester City: The mercurial forward finally did something positive off the field for his team. However, long it was since he jetted back to Brazil I can’t remember, but recently Robinho came out and spoke very highly of the English fans. He said something along the line of English fans are like Brazilian fans in that they come to the matches to cheer and make noise, whereas in Spain they wait for good things to happen. Well, I don’t need Robinho to tell me how great we are, but thanks.
David Villa, Valencia: This diminutive forward may be the next player to feel what Robinho is talking about if his prospective move to Manchester City comes to fruition. Could you imagine that link-up? Get Craig Bellamy on a bus back to any one of the teams he abandoned before and put Villa in front of Robbo...great things will happen. Lovely, super, splendiferous things will happen. €40 million will secure his signature, and the big boys at Eastlands have the cash to splash. Yeah, what credit crunch?!
Jose Mourinho, Inter Milan: Angling for a chance to manage Manchester United once Sir Alex hangs it up is one thing, saying it right before your current team meets them in the Champions League then proceeding to punch out a Red Devils fan after the match is another. Don’t get me wrong, ‘the Special One’ is one of my favorite football characters, he just seems a bit mixed up sometimes. I’m not sure if this punching nonsense is true or not, but the reports seem pretty accurate. He’s not going to win any hearts that way. Forgive and forget, I say...he’s the best candidate out there to take Ferguson’s job.
Leicester Update:
Well, it had to happen sometime, didn’t it? Leicester City’s amazing 23-match unbeaten streak officially came to an end on Wednesday when they were beaten by Tranmere Rovers 2-0. Do I care? Not in the slightest. We are still far and away the best team in League One, and not to count my chickens before they're hatched or anything, but the trophy is all but ours. Nine matches are left in the season, one against second place Peterborough. We take that one, it’s over. Consider it taken.
And Finally...the Black Pudding of the Week:
Fernando Torres, Liverpool: I have always loved Fernando Torres. Since his days with Atletico Madrid, I have been captivated by his ability with a ball at his feet. On Wednesday against Real, I think he was playing half as a Liverpool player, and half as a member of Atletico. Some of the moves he put on the likes of Cannavaro and Pepe blew my mind. His first touch on many occasions was nothing short of exquisite. He just did everything right. Whether he can replicate it against arguably the two best center halves in the world on Saturday remains to be seen, but no matter, I’d pay to see him play wherever he is.
Shane Evans is an associate editor of Goal.com. His feature, "The Full English" appears every Friday morning.
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