European Football:
The League action so far Two points separate the top seven in La Liga
After six rounds of La Liga action, defending champions Barcelona rest at the summit with 14 points, edging out surprising Levante on goal-difference, with archenemy Real Madrid third on 13 points. Malaga, Valencia, Sevilla and Betis have all had a share – or glimpse – of the lead as the top seven in Spain are separated by two points.
Struggling in the Champions’ League as well, Villareal’s woes continue on the domestic front as they languish in the bottom half. And, Granada, Racing and Sporting are already stamping their names as relegation favorites – with Sporting looking like a shoo-in already.
Messi leads the Pichichi race with eight goals and tops the assists-chart as well with five. Current Pichichi Ronaldo has seven goals and has set up three, as he has picked up from where he left off last season. Along with the “Big Two”, Cazorla has also dazzled the league with his set-piece ability, creativity and industry – from midfield and upfront – propelling Malaga forward.
Juventus, Udinese atop Serie A
Juve and Udinese top the Italian League with 11 points each after 5 rounds. Napoli, Palermo and Cagliari – impressing on different levels – are a point behind the leaders. However the two illustrious Milan sides are staring down the barrel in unison – near the relegation zone.
The Scudetto holders AC Milan were overwhelmed at the new Juventus Stadium last Sunday, with Marchisio scoring twice late in the game for the Bianconeri. However it was Pirlo who dictated play on Sunday from his typical deep-lying role, running the show for the league leaders this season and grilling Milan’s decision to let him go for free this off-season.
Following the loss of Zapata, Inler and Sanchez from their lineup Udinese were expected to struggle this season, however with last season’s top-scorer Di Natale leading the line exceptionally, Udinese have sprung a few surprises.
Inter meanwhile lie 17th with 4 points, having already lost three games this season. Ranieri has replaced Gasperini, and has his work cut out to drag his team forward in Serie A and the Champions League.
Cesena and Bologna are at the foot of the table and the International Break could not have been more opportune for them and the two Milan Sides.
Munich at the summit,
Gladbach third in Bundesliga
Munich have dominated the first eight rounds of Bundesliga – scoring the most (21), conceding the least (1) – topping the table with 19 points. However, had Bremen andMonchengladbach not lost their away games this weekend, we could have had an intriguing three-way tie at the top. Having sold Mertesacker to Arsenal, Bremen’s dodgy defense has been further exacerbated, as they’ve conceded 10 goals already this season – making the 2nd placed side, the neutrals favorites as always. Monchengladbach shocked Munich on the opening day, and have followed it up with robust performances to be third on the table, matching Bremen’s tally of 16 points. Schalke with reliable contributions from Raul lie fourth, with Defending Champions Dortmund struggling to repeat last season’s shows both domestically and in Europe.Augsburg and Hamburg are struggling as their defenses struggle for solidity.
Big-spending PSG setting
the bar in Ligue 1
Following Qatar Sports Investments’ takeover of the Parisian giants, Paris St Germain have returned to the French spotlight. Top of the table after nine rounds – with 20 points – losing only a single game, PSG’s ability to convert draws into victories is what separates them from Lille, Lorient, and Auxerre. Lyon and defending champions Lille are keeping things interesting at the top but it’s second placed Montpelier who have been regularly keeping pace with the table-toppers. Other big names like, Marseille and Bordeaux are struggling in mid-table placed 13th and 14th respectively, as their title-winning aspirations and then Champions League qualification optimism have suffered dents already.
RWC 2011: Quarterfinals
divided across the equator
As things move towards the quarterfinal stage in New Zealand – with all four encounters scheduled for this weekend – here’s a slight preview and predictions as we search for the four semifinalists.
New Zealand
vs. Argentina
Carter is out with a groin injury for the All Blacks, but Captain McCaw is set to return as New Zealand look overwhelming favorites for this one. Argentina, a shadow of the team that stormed the 2007 campaign, have talisman Contepomi doubtful with a rib injury.
New Zealand must be vary of complacency though – after 2007’s debacle – and would not rest on their laurels till their opponents are dealt with. The All Blacks should be too strong for the Pumas, and they’re still the column’s pick to lift the cup.
South Africa vs. Australia
The most mouthwatering of the four ties with the biggest of names and gargantuan pedigrees at loggerheads at Wellington – a contest between the only two teams to have won the World Cup twice.
Although Australia are yet to bring their A-game to the fore – having lost out to Ireland in their pool match – Bookies have still identified the Wallabies as the favourites.
Cooper and Beale should provide the Aussies with cutting edge, however I fancy the Springboks to win today. The Defending Champions have experience on their side and seem to be peaking at the right time.
It’s a classic match of contrasting styles and promises to be a classic!
MLB: Moving towards the
League Championship Series
Major League Baseball is veering towards the business end, as the draw in both Leagues taking conclusive shape. The American League Championship Series contenders have been decided and the National League Division Series has a small matter of series deciding game fives to confirm the two finalists.
Cliffhangers in store in NLDS
Both NLDS matchups need the deciding fifth games as Arizona take on Milwaukee and Philadelphia face St. Lewis. By the time this column gets published, both the ties would’ve had been played and the NLCS contestants sorted out. With three of the four Division Series going down to the wire, we have had a nail-biting week of high quality baseball, and whoever makes it to the NLCS we have two blockbuster championship series in store in the coming week or so.
Tigers join Rangers in ALCS
After the Rangers had binned Rays – the form team in MLB – in four games all eyes were on the events in the Yankee Stadium. The Tigers were obliterated in Game Four on their own turf 10-1 in a must-win game for the Yankees as they took the series back to their own intimidating backyard. If was a real mental test for the visitors, however facing an aging Jeter and out-of-sorts A-Rod Detroit duly obliged with a sturdy performance to down the Yankees 3-2. Nonetheless outdoing Rangers will be a gruelling task.
Both of the sides are expected to go with four man pitching rotations with Holland, Lewis and Harrison behind Wilson for Texas and similarly Scherzer, Fister, Porcello following Verlander for Detroit. However, keeping Rangers’ explosive offence in check will be a daunting task.
Rangers would want to go one better than last year’s World Series loss, and one can sense their fortitude enhancing after every step forward. However any team that outdoes Yankees in a series-decider at the Yankee Stadium has their fair share of tenacity themselves. Looks like being a robust best-of-seven contest, but Rangers do have the edge.
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