Big news in the world of football off and on the pitch during the week as Lionel Messi won his fifth Ballon d’Or while both his rivals in Madrid were handed a harsh transfer decision by FIFA. The governing body held that both Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid broke rules regarding registration of players under the age of 18.
The ban does not affect the current transfer window but after February 1st, neither Real nor Atletico will be able to bring in new players until the summer of 2017. On the pitch, it was a crazy midweek in the Prem where a pair of 3-3 draws between Man United-Newcastle and Arsenal-Liverpool kept all entertained.
We can only hope that Liverpool-Man United on Sunday carries that kind of electricity. If that match doesn't, the rest of the ones featured in this weekend TV preview will. Finally, I had a better than average week with my predictions, as I nailed three of the five games. On to the games!
1. Liverpool v. Manchester United, Sunday 9:05 a.m. EST, NBCSN
The most storied rivalry in English football continues on Sunday as Manchester United travel west to face Liverpool at Anfield. The 194th meeting of the clubs finds both teams struggling with injuries and identities. Liverpool’s manager, Jurgen Klopp, is dealing with an injury crisis that finds 13 first team players suffering from some sort of malady.
Klopp will look to Christian Benteke and Roberto Firmino to test the visitors. Louis van Gaal, a winner in all three of his previous games against Liverpool as the manager of the Red Devils, will look to Captain Wayne Rooney to continue his good play along with youngster Anthony Martial. Van Gaal and Klopp have quite a history against each other, hopefully Sunday will be another classic match!
Prediction: Klopp is unable to overcome the injuries and falls 2-1 to van Gaal and United.
2. Barcelona v. Athletic Club de Bilbao, Sunday 2:30 p.m. EST, beIN Sports USA
The Blaugrana and Messi had a very good week off the pitch as mentioned above. Barca also extended its unbeaten streak in all competitions to 21 with a victory against cross-town rivals Espanyol in the Copa del Rey. Manager Luis Enriquez will look to increase that run to 22 against an Athletic Club that has struggled to live up to the preseason hype after they manhandled Barcelona 5-1 on aggregate in the Super Cup.
Bilbao and manager Ernesto Valverde will face Barca without Raul Garcia who was injured in last weekend’s loss to Sevilla. Valverde needs striker Aritz Aduriz to add to his team-leading 11 goals to have a chance at Nou Camp.
Prediction: Messi and crew cruise, 3-0.
3. Atlas v. America, Saturday 9:30 p.m. EST, Azteca
The second week of Mexican football finds craziness all around as both of last season’s finalists (Tigres and PUMAS) lost their first games. Atlas and Rafa Marquez impressed in a 3-1 victory over Queretaro while Club America stumbled out of the gate with a 0-0 tie against Puebla. America’s manager, Ignacio Ambriz, could have his job on the line when Las Aguilas travel to Guadalajara in this early season tussle.
Prediction: More troubles for America as Marquez and Atlas squeak out a 1-0 win.
4. Napoli v. Sassuolo, Saturday 2:45 p.m. EST, beIN Sports USA
Italia!! Napoli is top of the table in their quest for their first league title since 1990 but Juventus is two points behind them and on a nine match-winning streak in the league. The Azzuri and leading scorer Gonzalo Higuain host Sassuolo in a critical game for both clubs on Saturday.
Napoli cannot afford to drop any points as they attempt to hold off Juve while Sassuolo, who defeated Inter Milan at the San Siro last weekend, are only three points out of a European qualification spot, which is huge for a club that only first appeared in the top tier of Italian football in the 2013-2014 season. The Black and Green of Sassuolo are lead by a balanced attack and rely on goalkeeper Andrea Consigli.
Prediction: Napoli restores order to Serie A and keeps Juventus at bay with a 2-0 win.
5. Chelsea v. Everton, Saturday 10:00 a.m. EST, USA Network
The unbeaten streak since the departure of the Special One continues as the Blues collected a win in the FA Cup but gave away a win to West Brom on Wednesday as James McClean scored an 86th minute goal to ensure a 2-2 draw between the clubs. Positive results are good but if Guus Hiddink wants to remain at Stamford Bridge after this season, he needs to see wins.
The Dutch manager has another opportunity this weekend as Everton and American Tim Howard visit West London. The Toffees are led by former Blue Romelu Lukaku who has 15 goals in the league along with a midfield that features pace (Ross Barkley), skill (Gerard Deulofeu) and grit (Gareth Barry). Chelsea will lean on Willian, who has been the standout player on the squad all year, and hope that the good Diego Costa shows up instead of the other version.
Prediction: More dropped points for Chelsea as the sides thrill us with a 2-2 slugfest.
