We're back with our midweek picks for the EPL. Throughout the season we'll be joined by the only man who is capable of matching wits with the Yoder Bros, our pops Dr. Yoder. The good doctor knows absolutely nothing about the English Premier League, so this will be a good test to see how much (or little) skill (or luck) is involved in picking these games. As you can see below, the results weren't very good for one of us... oh wait that's me. Here now our picks for the midweek games.
Mr. Yoder I: 6-4-0 18 pts
Mr. Yoder II: 8-2-0 24 pts
Dr. Yoder: 7-3-0 21 pts
Sunderland (1-0-0) v Chelsea (1-0-0)
Both teams were winners in week 1. Sundy winning on the road at Bolton, and Didier Drogba saving Chelsea's bacon at home against Hull City. I wasn't too impressed with Chelsea in Week 1, and think Sunderland can get the best of them at the Stadium of Light, crazy I know, but hey I need to pick up some games ok?
Y1: Sundy Y2: Chelsea Doc: Chelsea
Wigan (1-0-0) v Wolves (0-1-0)
Perhaps this is stubbornness, but I don't believe Wigan is that good, or Wolves is that bad. I'll give Wolves one more week before I abandon them as my surprise pick. Doc was shockingly correct with Wigan the first week, and even remembered that he picked them. Right now he is driving Wigan's bandwagon with Hugo Rodallega (left) front and center.
Y1: Wolves Y2: Wigan Doc: Wigan
Birmingham (0-1-0) v Portsmouth (0-1-0)
This game is only for the football enthusiasts, it will be hard to watch. We all like Birmingham because they're at home, and they held Man Utd to only a 1-0 victory. Here's hoping these teams figure out that you need to score goals to actually win games.
Y1: B-ham Y2: B-ham Doc: B-ham
Hull City (0-1-0) v Tottenham (1-0-0)
This is one of the more intriguing games of the midweek slate. Hull played surprisingly well at Chelsea (here's hoping US star Jozy Altidore actually gets to play). Doc and Y2 see a surprise Hull victory, while I'm going with Spurs after their dominant performance against Liverpool.
Y1: Spurs Y2: Hull Doc: Hull
Burnley (0-1-0) v Man Utd (1-0-0)
I don't want to see Fergie complain about the schedules ever again after he gets to open up the year with the 2 weakest promotion teams. What a farce. Burnley couldn't get a goal in against Stoke (well, at least in Stoke's net), I woud be shocked if they kept this game within 3 goals.
Y1: Man U Y2: Man U Doc: Man U
Liverpool (0-1-0) v Stoke (1-0-0)
Well, it might be early for a must win game... but this is a must win game for Liverpool. Stoke will pack it in and defend like bulldogs, but Gerrard and Torres will have to step up and find a goal somewhere. They didn't play well last week at all against Spurs, and they'll need to be at their best this week to win. Y2 and I think Liverpool will pull it off, Doc is going with the upset.
Y1: Liverpool Y2: Liverpool Doc: Stoke
Bonus Pick
Celtic v Arsenal
A bonus pick for the heavily anticipated Battle of Britain UEFA CL Qualifier. Scottish giants Celtic host Arsenal in the first leg of their home and away tie. Arsenal made Everton look like a League One side on the weekend, but playing away to Celtic at Parkhead (right) in European play is a different matter. I see Celtic let by former WBA manager Tony Mowbray taking the lead going to the Emirates, the other 2 Yoders see the Gun show rolling on.
Y1: Celtic Y2: Arsenal Doc: Arsenal
CONCACAF CL Preview
To be taken seriously, MLS teams need to start performing well in the CONCACAF Champions League, which begins group play tonight. Weather permitting, we'll be at Crew Stadium to watch Schelotto return to the lineup to face the USL's Puerto Rico Islanders, who dispatched Toronto FC in a qualifier. Crew coach Robert Warzycha seems like he's going to take the competition seriously and the players are speaking of the need of the MLS teams to perform well on the international stage. Last season, Mexican teams made up 3/4 of the semifinalists as Atlante beat Cruz Azul to claim the first ever CONCACAF CL crown. Let's go through Groups A-D and see who can claim North American supremacy this year. Much like Europe, the top 2 from each group make the knockout round.
Group A - Houston (US), Metapan (ES), Arabe Unido (PAN), Pachuca (MEX)
Hard to see either the El Salvador or Panama outfits beating out Pachuca and the Dynamo to make it past the group stage. Pachuca seems to always do well on the international stage, and should look to make their mark on the CL after missing out last year, and Houston was the only MLS team to not totally embarrass themselves last season. I would be shocked if either team failed to make it out of Group A.
Group B - Toluca (MEX), Marathon (HON), DC Utd (US), San Juan Jaboleth (T&T)
Toluca has been dominant in Mexico winning the Fall 2008 tournament, and finishing tied at the top of the table in the Spring 2009 tourney before falling in the playoffs. Being one of Mexico's in form teams means they'll do well in the CL. DC United struggled mightily last season handling MLS and the CL falling out of both competitions. Their form is already slipping in MLS and I wouldn't be surprised to see Honduran giants Marathon beat them out for 2nd place and advancing to the knockout round for the 2nd year in a row.
Group C - Columbus (US), Saprissa (CRC), PR Islanders (PR), Cruz Azul (MEX)
If anyone is going to do damage in this tournament for MLS, it's Columbus. Injuries throughout the season has actually deepened their squad and given guys rest and valuable playing time. They'll have to get out of the Group of Death first though. The PR Islanders of USL made the semis last year, Cruz Azul made the final, and Costa Rican powerhouse Saprissa has done very well in this tournament, finishing runners up in 2008 and winning in 2005. I'm going out on a limb and picking Columbus and Saprissa to advance. Saprissa is one of the toughest venues in North America, and Cruz Azul will continue their struggles after finishing dead last in the Spring 2009 Mexican season.
Group D - UNAM (MEX), Comunicaciones (GUA), W Connection (T&T), Real Espana (HON)
This might be the hardest group to see a 2nd team advancing out of. UNAM, the Spring 2009 champions, is a sure bet, getting the easiest group and could go very far in this tournament. I'll pick Espana from Honduras to join them in the KO round. Sorry W Connection, beating the New York Red Bulls, who haven't won in 13 MLS games, isn't exactly a great achievement.
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