Straight into our EPL picks (starring those 2 #8's), and then UEFA Champions League thoughts from midweek. As you can see, a great week for Mr. Yoder II sees him vault to the top of the standings for the first time in a few weeks. Will I be able to catch him? Away we go...
Last Week's Results:
Mr. Yoder II: 8-2-0 24 pts
Mr. Yoder I: 6-4-0 18 pts
Dr. Yoder: 5-5-0 15 pts
Total After Week 5:
Mr. Yoder II: 42-20-4 130 pts
Mr. Yoder I: 41-21-4 127 pts
Dr. Yoder: 39-23-4 121 pts
Portsmouth (0-7-0) @ Wolves (2-4-1)
Pompey played their best game of the year against Everton, but still managed to lose. The news isn't getting better with breaking reports that players are struggling to get their wages. It doesn't seem like the best atmosphere to try and play football. However, Pompey showed a lot of spirit last week which might carry over against a Wolves team that has been unimpressive, allowing 5 goals last week to Sunderland. Consider this revenge for Wolverhampton as they have never woken up as my sleeper pick of the year.
Y1: Portsmouth Y2: Wolves Doc: Wolves
Birmingham (2-4-1) @ Burnley (3-4-0)
Birmingham missed a big chance last week when they lost at home to Bolton. That's a 6 point swing that could cost B'Ham when May comes around. Burnley unsurprisingly crashed and burned at Tottenham, but playing at home has been a different story for them. If they can beat Man U and Everton, then they should handle Birmingham at Turf Moor... right?
Y1: Burnley Y2: Burnley Doc: Burnley
Wigan (3-4-0) @ Hull City (1-5-1)
Wigan pulled the rabbit out of the hat last week with an inspired performance by beating Chelsea in the upset of the season thus far. Of course, they have a boneheaded red card from Peter Cech to thank for assisting in the victory. They face a much easier task traveling to the KC Stadium to face a Hull side in shambles. They've won 2 games in the EPL in 2009. That includes the second half of last season... yikes. Someone help Phil Brown through that headset! What is he busy doing, taking drive-thru orders? Making sales calls? Earth to Phil: time's running out.
Y1: Wigan Y2: Hull Doc: Wigan
Tottenham (5-2-0) @ Bolton (2-3-1)
Every time you think Bolton is down and out, they come up with a scrappy win as they did last week at Birmingham. Spurs rebounded after a couple tough losses with a spanking of Burnley at the Lane. Liverpool fans have to wonder where Robbie Keane's goal scoring touch was in a Reds uniform? If he scores 4 goals every game, Spurs have a good chance at winning a lot. How's that for expert analysis?
Y1: Tottenham Y2: Tottenham Doc: Tottenham
Sunderland (4-3-0) @ Manchester United (6-1-0)
Sunderland threw out one of the most negative performances of the year at Old Trafford last season, but expect them to come out more aggressive this time around. United have to be concerned that OT doesn't seem like the fortress it used to be with teams coming in and winning, or coming close like Wolfsburg. Even though Michael Owen is injured (who couldn't see that coming??) they'll win this week.
Y1: United Y2: United Doc: United
Blackburn (2-3-1) @ Arsenal (4-2-0)
Rovers somehow found a way to win at Aston Villa through a late penalty kick, but the trip to the Emirates won't be as kind. Arsenal played tough defense at Fulham last week, especially backup netminder Vito Mannone who made some great saves. There won't be that much drama against Blackburn though. Arsenal going away.
Y1: Arsenal Y2: Arsenal Doc: Arsenal
Stoke City (2-3-2) @ Everton (3-3-0)
The toughest game to pick of the weekend. After a shocking start, Everton are back to .500 and sit comfortably at mid-table on their way up. Stoke has played the big boys tough, but come up empty handed. While I do like Stoke and how they play, the smart money is on Everton continuing their good run of form and climbing back up the table.
Y1: Everton Y2: Everton Doc: Everton
Fulham (2-4-0) @ West Ham (1-4-1)
These two London sides have to be among the disappointments of the season. West Ham sit in the relegation zone while Fulham is only one spot above them. Both teams have suffered from a lack of goals only scoring 6 in the season thus far. Honestly, if I could I would pick a draw for the game. But, since we are contractually bound to pick a winner I'll go with Fulham. They have an extra day of rest and more quality at the moment than the Hammers.
Y1: Fulham Y2: West Ham Doc: West Ham
Liverpool (5-2-0) @ Chelsea (6-1-0)
Our first Big 4 Battle of the season sees Liverpool travel to Stamford Bridge. This has emerged as one of the top rivalries in England with their multiple Champions League meetings. Each side is coming off a sorry Champions League outing, except only Liverpool actually lost. The worrying signs were there for Chelsea a week back as well as they lost their first EPL game of the year at Wigan. Liverpool meanwhile managed 6 goals last week against Hull. The important fact here is Liverpool's recent success at the Bridge. Who could forget Liverpool breaking Chelsea's incredible home unbeaten streak last season? A homer pick, but this could be the win that brings back Liverpool. At least I'm hoping...
Y1: Liverpool Y2: Chelsea Doc: Chelsea
Manchester City (5-1-0) @ Aston Villa (4-2-0)
Another Monday game for City takes them to Villa, who should really be 6-0 instead of 4-2. Their lone losses have been home games to Wigan and Blackburn, certainly 2 winnable games. City were firing on all cylinders against West Ham. Particularly impressive has been the play of ST Craig Bellamy. Bellamy is the barometer for City. The fiery, and sometimes unbalanced Welshman wasn't a big money signing for Mark Hughes, but he brings pace and skill to the side that compliments the big money signees. City will continue their run to break into the Big 4 with an important road win.
Y1: Manchester City Y2: Villa Doc: Manchester City
UEFA Champions League Roundup
Champion Team Of The Week -FC Zurich - 1-0 winners at AC Milan (nice headband by the way from goalscorer Hannu Tihinen!)
Champion Player Of The Week - Stevan Jotevic (Fiorentina) - 2 Goals vs Liverpool
You Have Got To Do Better - Rangers - giving up 4 second half goals to Sevilla at home doesn't speak well for the state of Scottish football on the European stage
5 Random Thoughts:
1) It's a surprise to see powers like Inter, Juve, and Liverpool outside the Top 2 in their groups after 2 games. If any of these teams is in the most trouble, it'd have to be Juventus who must deal with a powerful Bordeaux team in Group A.
2) Speaking of Liverpool, that was a horrendous effort in Italy against Fiorentina. They should still be able to advance if they take care of business against Lyon, but the road is more difficult after their 2-0 defeat.
3) The most impressive team in defeat? Easily Wolfsburg taking a 1-0 lead at Old Trafford before succumbing to two second half strikes. The German champs are out to prove that last season was no fluke and they made a good account of themselves at Man United.
4) Chelsea's poor performance at APOEL shouldn't cause the crazy amount of alarm bells that are ringing out in London. Winning on the road is always tough in European play, and it's not like Chelsea is in any danger of not advancing. Besides, their focus is really on Sunday's game against Liverpool.
5) Too early to make a judgment on how Fox's Champions League coverage compares to ESPN. I happened to be a fan of ESPN's coverage, even if it did focus on the big English teams too much. While some prefer the international feeds, it's been hit or miss. The Fox games and coverage are harder to find than ESPN, who has made the transition to EPL and La Liga coverage well. With all of the soccer on FSC in the states it's easy for the CL to get lost in the shuffle at times without ESPN's heavy duty promotion machine behind them.
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