Page 175 – The Pulse of Football

Apr

2018

Get ready for this weekend’s action

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FA Cup semis, Italian title race, Copa del Rey Final, Bundesliga top four

England | FA Cup semi-finals provide a moment of opportunity. While Tottenham can go toe-to-toe with the likes of Real Madrid and Juventus, manager Mauricio Pochettino doesn’t have a trophy to vindicate his project. But, if Spurs beat Manchester United this Saturday in the FA Cup semi-finals, they would be one step closer to their biggest trophy since they won the FA Cup in 1991. Opposite him, José Mourinho will be looking for an opportunity to put a positive spin on an up-and-down season for United fans.

In the other semi-final, Saints will take on Chelsea, who appear set for a term in the Europa League and could likewise use something to cheer about. While Southampton look to be on their way to relegation, they could find some redemption in mimicking the 2012-13 Wigan side that won the FA Cup the same season they were relegated.

Italy | Juve and Napoli go head-to-head in title race. As recently as a few weeks ago, it seemed like Napoli may break Juve’s six year stint as champions. Napoli have now fallen four points behind Juventus, but could close that gap to a single point if they can beat Juve in Turin this Sunday. The current league leaders would then have to visit Inter and Roma in the run-in, which could leave the title open until the final day of the season.

Germany | Clashes for Champions League places. With four matches to go in the Bundesliga campaign, any of the teams from third to seventh could realistically swap places as they look to secure a spot in the Champions League.

Borussia Dortmund occupy fourth, the final Champions League place. On Saturday they have an opportunity to reinforce their position as they host Bayer Leverkusen, who are in third (but level on points with Dortmund). Chasing them, RB Leipzig sit four points off the Champions League places in fifth, and face sixth place Hoffenheim, who are five points off the top four.

Spain | Copa del Rey Final. Atlético Madrid’s new Wanda Metropolitano will be the stage for the Spanish cup final. Barcelona would set themselves up for a league and cup double with a win, while their opponents Sevilla could make it their fourth major trophy in five seasons.

Apr

2018

What to Watch For This Weekend

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Football never sleeps. After a frenetic midweek in the Champions League, the weekend is already here and is packed with high-stakes fixtures.

The best drama remains in Italy. After their heartbreaking near-comeback against Real Madrid, the week could get worse for Juventus. They’re four points clear of Napoli at the top of Serie A, but host Sampdoria on Sunday, who beat them 3-2 in November. In-pursuit Napoli will need to travel to the San Siro and beat AC Milan to keep the pressure on. Then to cap the weekend off, midweek heroes Roma face Lazio in the Rome Derby with the two sides level on points, with goal difference putting Lazio in third and Roma in fourth.

Relegation worries and promotion hopes headline England. With just a handful of matches remaining, there are realistically eight teams fighting for EPL survival: Brighton, West Ham, Swansea, Huddersfield, Crystal Palace, Southampton, Stoke, and West Brom. Two of those squads go head-to-head this weekend as Crystal Palace host Brighton to begin a difficult run-in for the Seagulls. Below them in the Championship, Wolves could seal promotion to the EPL this weekend with a win over Birmingham City, should Fulham drop points against Brentford.

Back at the top, champions-elect Manchester City will look to stop a slide in which they’ve lost three massive matches in a row as they visit Spurs.

Barcelona could claim the first undefeated season in La Liga history. They’ll risk that record this weekend as third place Valencia travel to Camp Nou. A win would put Valencia level on points with second place Atletico Madrid.

Schalke are chasing a runners-up finish in the Bundesliga. At just 32 years old, manager Domenico Tedesco has them one point above Dortmund, who they’ll welcome to the Veltins-Arena on Sunday.

Portugal is home to the tightest title race in Europe. FC Porto are one point behind Benfica as they two sides face off on Sunday. Benfica have won the last four Primeira Liga titles.

Paris is the scene for first vs. second in France. But with PSG holding a 14 point lead over Monaco, it’s simply for bragging rights.

Holland also features a top of the table matchup. PSV hold a seven point lead over Ajax in the Eredivisie title race, as Mexican winger Hirving Lozano had led them with 15 goals and 8 assists.

Dec

2017

World Cup 2018 draw

World Cup Draw: First Reactions

Finally, we have the eight groups determined for next summer in Russia. Which group your nation was lucky enough (or unlucky enough) to be placed in can completely change your hopes, with six months still to wait. With that in mind, here are our first reactions to what the draw could mean. Let us know your thoughts on Twitter – which group are you most looking forward to? We’re at @FotMob.

Favorites that could be in trouble

It could be the last time we see Messi at a World Cup, and Argentina were not gifted a kind draw. They’ll have to get past the mettle of Iceland, the craft of Croatia, and Nigeria was maybe the last team they wanted to see emerge from Pot 4.

France might just bring the most talented squad to Russia next summer, but we still haven’t seen them hit the heights they’re collectively capable of. Their qualification campaign included goalless draws against minnows Belarus and Luxembourg, which are nowhere near the dangers of Denmark and Peru.

Belgium have Eden Hazard, Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku, and Dries Mertens going forward, with Thibaut Courtois and Jan Vertonghen at the back, and yet they suffer from the same condition as France. England and Panama could be frustrating opponents this summer, treating Belgium to an early exit.

Surprises to watch out for

Sweden made headlines for getting past Italy in a playoff (or rather, Italy made headlines for failing to qualify), but overall, they flew a bit under the radar. They managed to qualify despite a group containing France and the Netherlands, and the subsequent playoff. Despite their reputation as a well organized side with a stingy defense, they scored the 6th most goals out of 54 UEFA nations in qualifying. Their group features the current world champions Germany, a Mexico side that easily qualified from a chaotic CONCACAF, and South Korea, but it certainly wouldn’t be a surprise for them to come second.

Nigeria came out of Pot 4 to land in Group D alongside Argentina, Iceland, and Croatia. Looking at their roster, they boast the talent capable of causing headaches in Victor Moses, Alex Iwobe, Kelechi Iheanacho, and John Obi Mikel. And while it was only a friendly, they did manage a 4-2 win over Argentina in November.

You wouldn’t bet against any side containing Mohamed Salah at the moment, making the Pharaohs a potential spoiler. They’re unlikely to make a deep run in the tournament, but they could be capable of a result that ruins Russia or Uruguay’s plans in a relatively weak Group Aalso including Saudi Arabia.

Best group for neutrals

If you’re looking for the best soccer next summer (we’re thinking of you, US fans) Group F is the one you’ll want to be sure you adjust your schedules around. Featuring Germany, Mexico, Sweden, and South Korea, every match will be worth watching. The seemingly only certainty here is that Germany will get out of the group, but every other possibility is up for grabs. We’ll be treated to a fantastic match-up to begin the group, as Germany take on Mexico on Sunday, June 17.