Prudente vs Cruzeiro – Brazilian A 

After the hard and heavy derby defeat against Atletico Mineiro, Cruzeiro joins the pieces to return leading the Brasileirão after the good result achieved by Corinthians yesterday. With 54 points the team needs to win in order to regain the leadership in the competition.

Playing away the team coached by Cuca sums 6 wins, 5 draws and 5 losses with 25 goals scored and 19 conceeded. Cuca will arrange some modifications to this match: Gilberto will set the play alongside Montillo, Robert comes up front, Edcarlos is out replaced by Leo and Diego Renan is out Read More

Genoa vs Inter – Calcio Serie A 

The team of Genoa stands at the 9th place in the table with 11 points earned and a goalie score of 8-9.

Given the heavy investment that was made for this season, this team of Genoa is disappointing so far and miles away from what they can do so if they do not want to lose the race for next year’s eurocups, they must quickly begin to show more consistency and above all results. If the defensively the team has not been too bad offensively has already noted great difficulty in scoring goals or even in creating opportunities, even their Read More

Murcia vs Real Madrid – Spanish Cup 

Real Murcia is a modest Spanish team who is currently playing in the Second Division B, specifically in group 4, which currently leads the standings with 6 wins and 4 draws in the first ten rounds. They have been relegated to secondary level last season, which did not help at all to the club’s financial situation already somewhat uncertain. In this competition Murcia defeated Puertollano and Real Oviedo (both through a penalty shoot-out), and the team of Sant Andreu (1-0). According to the news are not expected changes in the team from last weekend match.

Concerning Real Madrid‘s team there isn’t really much to say. After an early season somewhat “shivered” by the formation of Mourinho, the truth is that the Portuguese Read More

Porto vs Leiria – Liga Sagres 

The game that closes the 8th round of the Portuguese League is Porto against União de Leiria at the Stadium of the Dragão.

FC Porto is having an outstanding performance this season that started with winning the Super Cup against Benfica, six straight wins in the league, 5 wins in the Europa League and also a win for the Portugal’s Cup. In this walk only a draw on the last round in Guimarães, always a difficult terrain where Benfica has already lost.

Until the beginning of this round Porto had the best attack with 14 goals scored and the best defense with only three conceded. In the attack there is no doubt that Hulk is in a great Read More

Braga vs Partizan – Champions League 

The Portuguese runner-up Braga faces the Serbian three-time champion in a match of strong emotions.

In fact there are several ingredients that make this game special and even dramatic, starting with the very strong desire that Braga has to affirm itself in Europe and prove they are worth much more than what they showed in the first two matches of the group. Other factors that could ignite the atmosphere around the game are the return of goalkeeper Stojkovic to Braga after a controversial gesture he made to the fans when he represented the Red Star of Belgrade and also some apprehension about the Serbian supporters after the recent Read More

Roma vs Basel – Champions League 

The champions of Switzerland, Basel will go to Rome in to play the third round of Group E of Uefa Champions League.

After the last season, where Roma finished the league in 2nd and fighting for the tittle until the last round, they had more aspirations for this season.

These expectations were made in base of the hirings the team made; Claudio Ranieri got some good players, for the defense Cicinho and Nicolas Burdiss, in the midfield Fabio Simplicio and Read More

Spartak M vs Chelsea – Champions League 

A game between the leaders of Group F. Spartak Moscow and Chelsea have already prouve that they have great quality defending.

The home team, Spartak Moscow, is in a good streak and they don’t lose in 8 games and they have been very good in defense. They are in a group where they weren’t favourites to get in the next stage; however after the victory against Marseille in France they change that. Against Zilina they won with an easy 3 – 0. Despite the 27 goals suffered in championship, they haven’t suffered any goal in this competition. Against Chelsea and playing at home hey will have a difficult game, but I believe that they can get a positve result Read More

Bayern Munchen vs Cluj – Champions League 

Game of the third round of Group E of Uefa Champions League where Bayern Munch plays at home against Cluj. If the home team wins this game they get in the next stage, while the away team gets in a very hard position if they lose. I think that Bayern is the favourite and they have all to win the three points.

Bayern Munchen is the leader of the group with 6 points after a 2 – 0 win against Rome and 2 – 1 against Basel. Despite they are not very well in the championship, the truth is that this team is dangerous (they are the vice champions) and they got two victories in two games. I Read More

Ajax vs Auxerre – Champions League 

In this game, Auxerre is moving to Holland to play against Ajax.

Ajax is currently second in Dutch league with 10 points. Their home record is 4 wins and 1 loss. In these five games scored thirteen goals and suffered four. Ajax won last championship game, against NAC and thus ended a series of two games without a win.

In the Champions League the team has already one point, tied 1-1 when they received Milanand they had one lost in Read More

Arsenal vs Shakhtar D – Champions League 

Game of the third round of Uefa Champions League where Arsenal will play at home against Shaktar Donetsk. The two leaders of the Group H will face and is expected a very good match. I am sure that both teams want to take the leadership and a victory on this game also means a place in the next stage. I believe that Arsenal show why they are favourites and get the 3 points.

Arsenal is in the first place with 6 points with two victories, a 3 – 1 away victory against Partizan and a 6 – 0 win against Braga. They are not in a good shape in the championship; however in Champions they are very well. They are a very strong team at home, particularly in this Read More

Real Madrid vs Milan – Champions League 

The big game of this Champions League Stage. Santiago Barnabéu will receive a game that can be one Champions League Final. Face to face will be, only the clubs which have in their showcases, the most trophies of this competition.

Real Madrid with nine titles (1955-56, 1956-57, 1957-58, 1958-59, 1959-60, 1965-66, 1997-98, 1999-00, 2001-02)

AC Milan with seven titles (1962/63, 1968/69, 1988/89, 1989/90, 1993/94, 2002/03, 2006/07)

A great game in perspective with really great players from both sides, and a national presence with Portuguese Read More

Blackburn vs Sunderland – Premier League 

Last game of the 8th round of the Premier League

Blackburn didn’t start well this championship and despite they have showned some attacking power, they didn’t have good results. With the same points that their opponen and playing at home they have to do something in front of their fans. It’s a difficult opponent that won’t count with their major striker, Darrent Bent. They play at home, after three games away from home where they got 4 points in 3 games, an important victory with Everton and a good game against Arsenal. They didn’t suffer any goal in the lat game and Read More

Hercules vs Villareal – Liga BBVA 

This game closes the Spanish League – Day 7, with Hercules receiving Villarreal. Two teams with clearly different ambitions and qualities in my opinion. However, I hope two teams fight for victory and i expect a competitive game. I think the visiting team has other arguments and I think they are able to win this game.

Hercules has risen this year to the 1st League and is currently in 11th position with 7 points. They hired several quality players and although they are still far from the top teams, the truth is that until now have taken important steps towards its main objective, which is maintenance. In the last game moved up to the ground and were clearly defeated by Getafe (3-0). Despite having already beaten teams like Barcelona (Camp Nou) and Sevilla, this team is somewhat limited and I think they will have some difficulties today against a team that has been pretty good so far. This team big player is the top-class striker David Trezeguet, who is the team’s top scorer with 3 goals. Fans and Hercules supporters deposit Read More

Atletico Madrid vs Getafe – Liga BBVA 

Game of the 7th round of the Spanish premier league (Liga BBVA) who will oppose Atletico Madrid to Getafe. It’s a game between two teams who are currently leveled on points (10 points each), in the 6th and 7th positions respectively. Therefore, it is expected to watch a game pretty intense, even more spicy because it is a derby two teams from the same city. I expect a balanced game, but I think the home team has some advantage and could lead the “colchoneros” team to victory.

Atletico Madrid started the season very well with victory in the European Super Cup and also in the first rounds of the league, but has lately been experiencing less positive and even negative results. They will have a match this Saturday against a difficult side, which is presented Read More

Flamengo vs Internacional – Brazilian A 

This will be the first true test to the new Flamengo trained by Wanderlei Luxemburgo. The victory over Atletico Goianiense and draw against Avai have yet to measure exactly what changes the coach can implement on the team. Despite the last two good results the danger of relegation still haunts the team that occupies the fourteenth place with 34 points.

Playing at home the team has 4 wins, 8 draws and 2 losses with a record of 17 goals scored and 14 conceded. For this match Williams and Leonardo Read More

Malaga vs Real Madrid – Liga BBVA 

Game of the 7th round of the Spanish League with Malaga receiving Real Madrid. It’s a game between two teams with vey different objectives and quality. Real Madrid wants to be champion, while Malaga wants a secure place in the table. I think that Real Madrid has all to win this game and that’s what I expect. A curiosity is the fact that both teams are managed by portuguese, Malaga by Jesualdo Ferreira and Real Madrid by José Mourinho.

Malaga is now in the 10th place of the board with 7 points. The expectations with the hiring of some great players were many, but the truth is that the team wasn’t able to play at the expected level and now they are fighting for a safe place. In the last round they got a 1 – 1 draw away from home against Almeria, with the goal scored by Owusu-Abeyie. It’s a team that likes to attack and that’s what they do well (best Read More

Barcelona vs Valencia – Liga BBVA 

Big game of the Spanish League with the champion Barcelona playing at home against Valência. In this match will face the 4th and 1st placed and is expected a big game of football.
Despite the favoritism is given to the home team, I expect a very even game and I believe that Valencia has team to get a good result.

Barcelona didn’t start the season very well and they are in the 4th place with 13 points. The team that crushed the oponents is not the same and they are not as strong as last season. In the last round they conceded a home draw against Mallorca. In this game they will face a team that has been very well and so I expect many difficulties for Barcelona to command the game. The team of Barcelona is very dependent of Messi Read More

Bayern Munich vs Hannover 96 – Bundesliga 

Bayern Munich is making a very poor start in the German League, and is only 12º with just 8 points in 7 games, and with 5 goals scored, and 8 conceded.

From now on Van Gaal’s and his players’ margin of error is very short, 13 points behind the League leader they can’t miss anymore if they still want to try to fight for the championship. So this is a must win game, but Van Gaal has some problems with the long injury list: Ribery, Robben, Klose, Van Bommel, Read More

Aston Villa vs Chelsea – Premier League 

Match of the eighth round of the Premier League between the 8th placed Aston Villa and the leader Chelsea, the game will be played in the Villa Park home of Aston Villa.

Aston Villa

Houllier’s era just started in the Villans team and soon began with a defeat at White Hart Lane against Tottenham 2-1, where Aston Villa scored the opening goal but allowed the turnaround of Redknapp’s team. It is a time of great uncertainty for the Villans fans, there is not a clear indication of the direction that this team will take, whether to climb at the table and reach a place for european cups, or whether to continue with the irregularity at the beginning of this season. According to Randy Lerner, chairman of the Aston Villa, the main goal Read More

Man United vs West Brom – Premier League 

Game of the 8th round of the Premier League where the Manchester United, 3rd placed of the League will receive in Old Trafford the 6th placed of the league the team of West Bromwich.

Manchester United

Manchester United goes for this game trying to reduce the distance to the leader Chelsea that will play two hours after United and they will also try to recover the 2nd place to Manchester City that only plays Sunday against Blackpool. A positive point in this beginning of season for United is that they didn’t lose any game, even with Rooney out of shape.

United is in third place after a 0 – 0 draw against Suderland, the team has felt lot of trouble especialy playing away from home, however in Old Trafford the team won the three games with 9 goals scored and 2 suffered against Liverpool, this means that the team has been very well at home where they have to take the lead in the game, something that the team of Read More

Huelva vs Salamanca – Segunda Division 

Opening match of eighth round of the Liga Adelante between Recreativo Huelva and Salamanca.

Recreativo Huelva had a very complicated start of the season, after playing seven games the team Recreativo sums only 4 points resulting of 4 draws the equivalent to saying that it still does not know how to win in this league. But the outlook does not seem to be as bad as it looks because the losses were against teams who fight openly for the promotion to the Spanish premier league: Elche, Valladolid and Betis, while the four draws were won in the last 4 rounds. It is true that Huelva has yet to make their fans smile this season but recent results show that there’s only a victory lacking for the team to abandon the last places. In the last two matches Recreativo draw against the unbeatable Las Palmas and in the last round draw 0-0 at Girona’s stadium.

Salamanca comes to this match after having consented the first defeat in the league last round at home against Granada 2-1. Still the team has a good record at this early time in 7 Read More

Arsenal vs Birmingham – Premier League 

Game of the 8th round of the Premier League where the Arsenal, 4th placed of the League will receive in the Emirates Stadium the 16th placed of the league the team of Birmingham.

Arsenal

Arsenal is not having the best moments in Premier League, before the pause for International Games the team lost two straight games and their chances of get the title have been reduced and they are now 7 points behind the leader Chelsea with the same points that Tottenham. Is true that these seven points aren’t impossible to recover, but if we compare both teams we can easily understand what I mean.

The team of Wenger is a team that playing at home against more weak opponents is very strong, but that didn’t avoid that West Bromwich get a huge victory of 3 – 2 in Emierates in a Read More

Koln vs Borussia Dortmund – Bundesliga 

Koln returned to the Bundesliga in 2008/2009 and since then has managed to stay. But, certainly, the fans wanted something more than avoiding relegation. After all, the club has invested heavily year after year without the desired results. Podolski, main player of the team, demonstrated this week his dissatisfaction at the club, criticizing the organization and admiting leaving at medium term. This is because the club has had a very bad start to the season, and is, at this time, in a delicate position.

7 rounds have passed, Petit’s team won just five points, being, at this time, in the relegation zone (16th position). Has failed to impose their game and, more important, has not achieved Read More

Vasco da Gama vs Corinthians – Brazilian A 

Vasco da Gama 12th place with 38 points, looks for the three points to continue dreaming with a spot in the Libertadores Cup. Vasco’s team draw against Gremio in the final round, a result much regretted by all. Coach Gusmao cannot count with good player Fagner, probably will be replace by Irrazabal.

Vasco probable XI: Fernando Prass, Irrazábal, Cesinha, Dedé e Carlinhos; Jumar, Rafael Carioca, Fellipe Bastos e Felipe; Zé Roberto e Eder Luis. Técnico: Paulo César Gusmão Read More

Santos vs Internacional – Brazilian A 

Internacional and Santos will give one of their last shots in relation to the national championship title in this round. The distance of both to the leadership is big and who fall in this game will be virtually out of contest for the title, as both have already qualified to the next Libertadores Cup, and Inter still has the Teams World Cup later this year, when both teams realize the dream is over, they must eventually leave this league to second plan.

But not tomorrow, because with 47 points and fourth place, if win, Internacional exceeds Corinthians, and is just 4 points fromthe leader. Playing away, team has 5 wins, one draw and seven defeats with a record of 14 goals scored and 17 conceded. For this game Alecssandro, Giuliano and D’Alessandro are out. Tinga should start on the bench and Read More