Before we get to the EPL Picks this week, everyone is talking about Emmanuel Adebayor around the water coolers (or whatever the British equivalent is...) because of the incidents in the Arsenal/Man City game last week. First, the ban for stomping on Robin Van Persie is completely justified. There is no place in any sport for that kind of behavior (remember Albert Haynesworth's suspension in the NFL for a similar incident).
However, I didn't mind Adebayor's goal celebration sprinting down in front of the Arsenal fans. These are the same fans that booed him and basically kicked him out the door on the way out. If you were in his shoes, wouldn't you want to stick it to the Gunners supporters? Coming from an American culture which berates athletes for speaking out and celebrating it was refreshing to see how Adebayor truly felt. If anything, the Arsenal fans need to chill out. So he ran down in front of your supporters section? That doesn't mean hundreds of fans need to feel the urge to storm the field and enact some unruly mob justice. You didn't want him in the first place, so why not just let it be and get the win when City visits Arsenal next time around. One thing's for sure, all eyes will be on the Emirates come April 24.
Here's a video of both instances, leave us your thoughts in the comments below.
Now for our EPL picks, and then Champions League thoughts, both European and Stateside!
Last Week's Results:
Mr. Yoder I: 6-4-0 18 pts
Mr. Yoder II: 7-3-0 21 pts
Dr. Yoder: 7-3-0 21 pts
Total After Week 4:
Mr. Yoder I: 30-13-3 93 pts
Mr. Yoder II: 30-13-3 93 pts
Dr. Yoder: 27-16-3 84 pts
Sunderland (3-2-0) @ Burnley (2-3-0)
The early Saturday morning ESPN game features an interesting contest that could go either way. This is one of those under the radar games that could propel one team towards European contention and another towards threatening relegation. A Sunderland win at Turf Moor, which is proving to be a tough venue, could keep them around the top half of the table for a while. Burnley has come back to earth after losses to Chelsea and Liverpool, they might keep falling against a budding Sunderland club.
Y1: Sunderland Y2: Sunderland Doc: Burnley
Wigan (2-3-0) @ Arsenal (2-2-0)
An up and down week for Arsenal as they were blitzed by Man City and hurt by their old friend Emmanuel Adebayor (as predicted here last week!). Things went from bad to worse when they went down 2-0 at Belgian side Standard Liege in the CL, but they were able to turn it around and get a 3-2 victory. The task against Wigan at the Emirates should be much easier. Wigan ended a 3 match losing streak against the Hammers, but it will take a monumental effort to win at the Emirates... it's not likely.
Y1: Arsenal Y2: Arsenal Doc: Wigan
Stoke City (2-2-1) @ Bolton (1-3-0)
Bolton finally got that bagel off the points column last week against Pompey (who wouldn't?), but should they be encouraged or discouraged? The last two weeks have seen an inspired effort against Liverpool come just short and a scrappy win against the bottom club in the league. Stoke fought Chelsea valiantly and even had the lead, but finally gave in during injury time in a losing effort. Stoke have that certain bounce back quality in their side, while you have to wonder what quality Bolton have exactly?
Y1: Stoke Y2: Bolton Doc: Bolton
Birmingham (1-3-1) @ Hull City (1-3-1)
Now this is shaping up to be a relegation battle that we can get excited about! At least when B'Ham lose, it's close. They hung with Aston Villa in the 2nd City Derby before succumbing to a late Gabby Agbonlahor strike, while Hull seem to at least lose spectacularly falling 4-1 at Sunderland last week. So, the smart pick is probably Birmingham, but sooner or later Hull is going to have to find their early 2008 form to survive in the EPL. It's hard to keep picking Hull, especially with a huge hole in defense now with Michael Turner gone. One last time, Phil Brown... please start Jozy Altidore! Our patience is wearing thin...
Y1: Hull Y2: Hull Doc: B'Ham
Portsmouth (0-5-0) @ Aston Villa (3-1-0)
This Just In.... Portsmouth are awful. We might be talking about Derby County of '07-'08 awful (1 win, 29 losses). They managed to actually score 2 goals last week, but lost and were booed off their own field at Fratton Park. There is no way, I repeat, no way they come close to winning this game at Villa. I would be stupified. Meanwhile, the reports of Aston Villa's demise was greatly exaggerated. Their 4th win in a row will start to raise questions about the little 3 (Villa, City, Spurs) and their conquest of the Big 4.
Y1: Villa Y2: Villa Doc: Villa
Liverpool (3-2-0) @ West Ham (1-2-1)
Speaking of the Big 4, Liverpool faces another must-win this weekend to stay afloat in the title race. An uninspired 1-0 home win against Debrecen of Hungary yesterday will do little to ease the pressure on Rafa Benitez. West Ham and Carlton Cole have been coming up small in front of goal in recent weeks, which might have led to the signing of Mexican star Guille Franco. With all of the teams in the Top 4 playing each other this week, it's crucial for Liverpool to take all 3 at Upton Park.
Y1: Liverpool Y2: West Ham Doc: Liverpool
Manchester City (4-0-0) @ Manchester United (4-1-0)
Ah, the Manchester Derby takes center stage this week. With City above United in the table this game takes on even more significance for the EPL title race. If anyone doesn't believe City is a real threat after watching their 2nd Half demolition of Arsenal, they do now. However, this game for City will be pretty tough without Tevez and Adebayor (banned for 3 games for stomping on RVP's face). The talking points this week have been about Adebayor's behavior against Arsenal. Perhaps the bigger story though is the harm it does his team, especially with such a huge game this weekend. United wasn't too impressive at Besiktas in Turkey, but they got the job done. It's these games when Fergie's men step up to the occasion. I would be inclined to go with the upset, but with the questions up front for City, United should win a close one.
Y1: United Y2: United Doc: United
Fulham (2-2-0) @ Wolves (1-3-1)
That Wolves bandwagon is looking pretty empty these days. They've been nothing to write home about so far in their return to the EPL. They face a resurgent Fulham side off of a clutch win last week against Everton. A late Damien Duff goal provided a big three points for the Cottagers. That saw them vault almost halfway up the table to 10th. Wolves sit dangerously above the relegation zone and it looks like they'll be mired there all season long. Fulham should get a win here.
Y1: Fulham Y2: Fulham Doc: Wolves
Blackburn (1-2-1) @ Everton (1-3-0)
Everton meanwhile, continue to sink after their loss at Fulham last weekend. Could this just be one of those years for Everton where nothing goes right? They've been such a mainstay right below the Top 4 that it's hard to imagine them struggling all season long. Blackburn got into the win column last week but I think questions still remain about this side. Eventually, Everton has got to right the ship, right? Transfers and injuries has left them short-handed, but David Moyes has the ability to turn it around... I think.
Y1: Everton Y2: Blackburn Doc: Blackburn
Tottenham (4-1-0) @ Chelsea (5-0-0)
The second of the Top 4 clashes this weekend sees 4th placed Spurs at 1st place Chelsea. Tottenham disappointed last week giving up the lead to United and being unable to take advantage of Scholes' sending off. They get another chance to make a statement this week though at the Bridge. One of these days, Chelsea won't be able to recover from giving up the first goal. They've escaped deficits against Hull, Sunderland, and now Stoke. But, Spurs has more quality than any of those sides. Chelsea has to be favored, but don't be surprised to see Harry's men rise to the occasion.
Y1: Spurs Y2: Chelsea Doc: Chelsea
UEFA Champions League Roundup
Champion Team Of The Week - Real Madrid - 5 Goals at Zurich
Champion Player Of The Week - Grafite (Wolfsburg) - Hat trick v CSKA Moscow
You Have Got To Do Better - Athletico Madrid - 0-0 draw at home to APOEL?
5 Random Thoughts:
1) The new format of the UEFA CL is sapping some of the drama out of the group stages. Seeing Liverpool trying to get a goal against the Hungarian champions doesn't exactly have the magical feeling of Inter v Barcelona (which while a 0-0 draw, still proved to be compelling). I for one can't wait for the APOEL v Chelsea showdown.
2) 4 1 goal wins for the Big 4. Is it a sign that the English dominance of the Champions League is on the decline?? Not so fast my friend! If any of the Big 4 don't make it to the knockout round it would be a shock. Don't worry fans of the old country, there will be a heavy British presence throughout this competition.
3) Rangers got an important draw at Stuttgart in Group G... not exactly a group of death per se, but with Sevilla as well this group could provide a surprise deep run in the CL with 3 quality teams but not elite.
4) Juventus had the other disappointing result of the weekend at home to Bordeaux in a Group A draw. I would expect more from a team which added some great pieces like Diego and Felipe Melo in the offseason.
5) You want a surprise pick to make it out of the group stage even after a first week loss... AZ Alkmaar.
CONCACAF Roundup
Take A Bow - Columbus Crew
-The first ever win for an American team at the Estadio Saprissa is certainly an accomplishment that can brighten MLS's prospects in this competition. Eddie Gaven provided the winner once again, and the Crew defended the 1-0 successfully for 85 minutes in the most impressive performance stateside.
-Cruz Azul played to a 3-3 draw at Puerto Rico. It looks like the Mexican side will advance out of Group C as will Columbus as long as they take care of business at home.
-DC United finally picked up a win over T&T side San Juan Jaboleth... but they still won't get out of Group B ahead of Marathon or Toluca.
-The surprise team so far has been Panamanian side Arabe Unido in Group A. They might lock Houston out of advancing unless the Dynamo beat them next round. Houston lost 2-0 at Pachuca, but that was expected.
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