That is one happy, happy Argentinian. Grab your own Diego Maradona Slip and Slide and let's get right into our EPL Picks, and then a World Cup Qualifying Recap!
As you can see, there were more ties 2 weeks ago in the last round than there have been in the entire season thus far! The difference last week was Y2's pick of Chelsea at home beating Liverpool as he extends his lead by 3 more points over the pack. Who will win and lose this week's games as we get back from the International break? Only we tell you the winners and losers (and sometimes drawers) at RSS.
Last Week's Results:
Mr. Yoder II: 4-1-5 17 pts
Mr. Yoder I: 3-2-5 14 pts
Dr. Yoder: 3-2-5 14 pts
Total After Week 5:
Mr. Yoder II: 46-21-9 147 pts
Mr. Yoder I: 44-23-9 141 pts
Dr. Yoder: 42-25-9 135 pts
Chelsea (7-1-0) @ Aston Villa (4-2-1)
A tough spot for Chelsea to have to play at Aston Villa after the break. Villa was able to get a point against Man City 2 weeks ago and have come back after some disappointing home results earlier this season. Chelsea took it to Liverpool at the Bridge in the last round, but will the momentum be slowed after the International break? Villa will be more rested than Chelsea, I'll go with the upset.
Y1: Villa Y2: Villa Doc: Chelsea
Birmingham (2-5-1) @ Arsenal (5-2-0)
It doesn't matter how much more rest B-Ham has than Arsenal, there is no way the Gunners lose at the Emirates this weekend. Arsenal smashed Blackburn before the break, and they'll continue the beatdowns this week.
Y1: Arsenal Y2: Arsenal Doc: Arsenal
Wolves (2-5-1) @ Everton (3-3-1)
Everton is another team that has come back after a tough start as they now sit at .500 and 10th on the table. David Moyes has the faith of everyone at Everton, and their march up the table should continue against a Wolves team that has never gotten off the ground this season.
Y1: Everton Y2: Everton Doc: Everton
Bolton (2-3-2) @ Manchester United (6-1-1)
Man U needed a goal at the death last week just to get a point at home against Sunderland, but the biggest story surrounding United has been Fergie's rants against the refs. Is he trying to do his best Rafa Benitez impression? Fergie's a great manager, but like all the big names around the world of sports, he gets a pass for his antics where others pay the price. Even without Wayne Rooney, there should be no trouble with Bolton.
Y1: Man U Y2: Man U Doc: Man U
Tottenham (5-2-1) @ Portsmouth (1-7-0)
Congrats Portsmouth on your first win of the season. At least someone in the EPL universe saw that one coming (taking bows). However, playing Spurs is a completely different animal than playing Wolves. Tottenham have only lost to Man U and Chelsea this season, so expect them to get the win.
Y1: Spurs Y2: Spurs Doc: Spurs
West Ham Utd. (1-4-2) @ Stoke City (2-3-3)
The Hammers are in trouble. They sit 19th on the table and have been the biggest disappointment of the season so far. Stoke are right about where you would expect them in mid-table. The home-field advantage and the scoring woes of the Hammers should see the Potters through.
Y1: Stoke Y2: Stoke Doc: West Ham
Liverpool (5-3-0) @ Sunderland (4-3-1)
Liverpool's title hopes are losing steam. They showed very little at Chelsea 2 weeks ago where they won last year, and now they travel to the Stadium of Light without Gerrard and Torres. Of course, the injury woes to the Big 2 were Liverpool's problems last year, and they've reared their ugly head again. Sunderland must be buoyed by almost winning at Old Trafford. With the boardroom troubles, transfer troubles, and injuries, Liverpool might as well forget about the league title for this year... and it's October. Ouch. I have a feeling I'll lose another game in the standings here...
Y1: Liverpool Y2: Sunderland Doc: Liverpool
Burnley (4-4-0) @ Blackburn (2-4-1)
Burnley need to do what they have been doing, beat the teams in the bottom half of the table. They've done a good job against their peers, expect that to continue against Blackburn. Rovers were demolished at Arsenal 6-2 in the last round. Blackburn has the makeup of a team that struggles in the bottom 5 all year.
Y1: Burnley Y2: Burnley Doc: Burnley
Manchester City (5-1-1) @ Wigan Athletic (3-5-0)
City have been shook by rumors of Robinho wanting a move to Barcelona, but in truth, they may not need him. The play of Bellamy, Tevez, and Adebayor has been superb. And, don't forget that Roque Santa Cruz is still yet to make an impact for Man City. This team is good enough to make the Top 4, and they might even continue a challenge for the title. A trip to the JJB was trouble for Chelsea, but City will get the 3 points.
Y1: Man City Y2: Man City Doc: Wigan
Hull City (2-5-1) @ Fulham (2-4-1)
Hull might have saved Phil Brown with a home win last round against Wigan. Out of all the new striker signings it might be Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink (best name in world sports by the way) who has had the biggest impact. In the end, if Hull stays up it will be a surprise. Fulham have languished all season and need a kick start to their campaign. A big win against Hull in Monday's game could do that.
Y1: Fulham Y2: Fulham Doc: Fulham
World Cup Qualifying Recap
IN - Switzerland, Slovakia, Honduras, Argentina
OUT - Ecuador, Israel, Sweden, Czech Republic, Croatia
PLAYOFFS - Costa Rica v Uruguay, Bahrain v New Zealand, Russia/Greece/Portugal/France v Bosnia/Ukraine/Ireland/Slovenia
The only real surprise out of the final round of World Cup Qualifying might be Honduras surpassing Costa Rica and getting the last automatic spot in CONCACAF. Honduras' win coupled with the US's last gasp equalizer sent the troubled nation into the World Cup for the first time since 1982. Costa Rica goes into the playoffs to meet Uruguay who failed to beat Argentina and get an automatic spot. The Ticos are falling apart, and it'll be tough to go into South America and get a result. Maradona found a way to get Argentina to South Africa 2010, although the jury might still be out on how the South American giants will fair. In Europe, there were no real surprises out of the last round. Portugal snuck into the playoffs, while Switzerland and Slovakia wrapped up the last 2 automatic bids.
The controversy with UEFA seeding playoff teams is well-founded, but expected. UEFA is going to pull out all the tricks to protect the big guns like France, Portugal, and Russia so nobody can be shocked that the group runners-up were seeded suddenly to avoid one of those big teams missing out on South Africa. Yes, it's not fair to Ireland and Bosnia, but such is life. These smaller nations still have to believe in themselves for the upset. In Asia/Oceania, the Bahrain v New Zealand playoff heads to the 2nd leg at 0-0. Bahrain had the better of the 1st leg and is favored to go through.
US Perspective
RSS is wishing Charlie Davies a full recovery, our thoughts and prayers are with everyone involved in that tragic accident. Davies has been one of the rising stars of the US soccer resurgence and has been playing well in France for Sochaux. With the multitude of serious injuries he has, it'll be a tough ask for him to recover in time for the World Cup. It's just a terrible thing to have happen, and everyone hopes that he will return to full fitness, whenever that might be.
Davies' injury was on the hearts and minds of all the Americans in their 2-2 fightback against Costa Rica. Jonathan Bornstein's late goal unleashed emotion rarely seen for a fairly meaningless draw. But, that goal won the Hexagonal for the United States, and it lifted the spirits of everyone involved in US Soccer. Moving forward, places are wide open all over the US team. It's hard to predict how the US lineup will look come next June, but someone will have to step up to fill the striker positions in the next year. I could envision a scenario where either Dempsey or Donovan moves forward in South Africa to partner Jozy Altidore while one of either Holden, Rogers, or Torres fills the wide midfield slot. The Americans should be encouraged with everything that happened this World Cup Qualifying cycle, but the work is only beginning.
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