Association football (soccer)

I just pray to all the Gods that exist in the sports universe that Reus doesn't end up sporting a Bayern shirt. I've heard Arsenal as a possible spot, which I would be alright with (since real life is not like FIFA, and he will never sport a Hertha shirt).

A bit sad to see Southampton beginning to fall off after running in 2nd place to this point. Looks like it will be the usual top-4 again this year in EPL: Chelsea, Man City, Man U then Arsenal will probably clinch it near the end, as usual. Want some new faces in there Dx

So that this is the matchups for the start of knockout rounds.

Which is your favorite matchup? Or what do you think is going to be the best one to tune in for? Any upsets?

I think PSG vs Chelsea will be the toughest of the matchups, but Man City and Barcelona can be a close second. Upset wise I really cannot see one outside maybe Monaco over Arsenal. Otherwise the matches seem rather even well outside of maybe the bye round for Bayern.

When they announced Schalke vs Real, I was like "Next time on Suprise Buttsecks: Round 2!"

Shakhtar vs Munich should be a good match to watch. Shakhtar have been scoring for fun in the CL this season and well, we all know what Bayern are capable of.

Looking forward to Chelsea against PSG (Not biased at all lol). We beat them last season and we're a better team now so I expect us to make it through. Though I shouldn't underestimate PSG, still a quality team.

It has been a while since I came into this thread.

In December, Crystal Palace sacked Neil Warnock and appointed Alan Pardew as manager. The latter has brought about a revival in Crystal Palace and I hope the form continues, at least until the team is safe from relegation.

And to avoid being too focused on Crystal Palace, I wonder what are everyone's predictions on the teams to finish in the top 4 positions of the English Premier League this season, thus qualifying for the Champions League next season? Southampton, Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool, Tottenham, and perhaps even West Ham are in the running.

I do love Arsenal but to me them and Liverpool I just never really have faith in. They just seem like teams that consistently drop towards the end of a season. ManU I think will have one of the other 2 cause they do have depth in their squad, but their main problem I think will be if they have enough on the defensive end. Also I cannot see West Ham making a big enough run to catch up....

So that puts between Southampton and Tottenham. To me Southampton is lacking that star player that can take over games down the stretch to pull out wins, especially against top clubs. Tottenham on the other hand has a good talent pool with players like: Eriksen, Adebayor, Soldado, Kane, Lamela. Not saying Southampton cannot do it because I think so far they shown they are getting there, but I just feel like Tottenham has that depth that should pushed them ahead.

It will definitely be refreshing to see a couple of new faces (or rather, teams) in the Champions League. When was the last time Tottenham and Southampton participated in the elite European competition?

Tottenham were in the Champions League in 2011. Southampton have never actually been in the Champions League equivalent though...it would be an amazing achievement should they make it, and I think they can if they keep their squad fresh and injury free. Though that's a difficult task. I think either Arsenal or Man United will beat them to it, Tottenham have a good chance of getting in given the form they have. Here's hoping they do.

Unfortunately, things are looking like the same old same old teams in the CL next season. Except maybe this is the first season in a while Arsenal doesn't quite make it. Man U on the rebound, unfortunately, especially if they land Reus in the offseason. Just excited to see Wolfsburg come out of the Bundesliga. Hope they can make a run.

Everyone loves a good underdog, but unless players over preform what people expect out of the, a small club comes into a lot of money to get some great players, or big clubs just need to have a terrible year; it will be rare sight to see a smaller Club in the top 4.


Well surprising events today in UEFA league round of 16.

PSG hosted Chelsea and was an overall even match ending in a 1-1 draw, but Chelsea heads back to England with an away goal and the advantage, same as last year. Great goal by Ivanovic and even a goal created solely by the defense of Chelsea. Cavani scored to tie it but sort of lucky after not getting a lot of it.

Of course the reason why I said surprising day was cause of the Shakhtar hosting Bayern. Not only did this game seem feisty but ended in a 0-0 draw? 8 yellows and a Red plus a blooded head seems like I missed a crazier game.

Good day and tomorrow we have:
Basel vs Porto
Schalke vs Real Madrid

CL semi draw result are Barca-Bayern and Juve-Madrid. Curious about what will Pep do against his former team.

Meanwhile Europa League draws Dnipro-Napoli and Sevilla-Fiorentina

Well Real and Juventes game was good and really don't see Real in trouble yet cause they are going home with a away goal and only need 1-0 win to really move on.

Bayern and Barca was a great game but in the end Messi took over by putting in 2 and Neymar putting it a 3rd. Down 3 goals going home isn't completely rule Bayern out cause they can score with the best of them, but their scoring chances in first game didn't encourage me to think they can come back.

It has been a while since I last visited this thread.

Crystal Palace has lost 3 consecutive matches, but I believe they should be safe from relegation. Next up, against Manchester United, who isn't on form either.

On the topic of Champions League, I am hoping Juventus will be able to reach the finals. Hasn't it been a while since we last saw an Italian team in the final? However, they must shut out the attacking prowess of Real Madrid in the second leg.

With regards to Barcelona vs Bayern Munich, even though the former now leads by 3 goals, they should not be conceited. Wasn't Porto leading against Bayern Munich in the quarter finals too? Although I have to admit Messi was brilliant.

I honestly doubt that Guardiola can beat Barca in second leg, remembering his obsession with possession football. Last year Guardiola also got trashed by RMadrid at their own home despite having 60% possession. 2 years, 2 semifinals, 8 goals conceded, 0 goals scored.

I'm hoping for Juve-Barca finals more than El Classico final, shit is full with diving drama.

Barcelona won the Champions League.

I suppose most football fans expected such a result. I was rooting for Juventus though.

At the end of the match, the camera zoomed onto Pirlo's somewhat sad expression. He shouldn't have any regrets. Juventus did their best. Xavi, who is leaving Barcelona, was surrounded by more gifted players.

I didn't expect Juventes to even have a chance. They have some great players but Barcelona is just stacked. Starting with top 3 Neymar-Messi-Suarez ridiculous. Then it only gets more stacked from there with an amazing midfield. I just thought Barcelona was just going to takes their "bites" and finished satisfied through Champions League.

Time to revive this thread.

As usual, I will be talking about Crystal Palace. They appear to be flying high at the moment. However, most Palace fans are deemed to be cautious. We had our fair share of ups and downs over the years. I will be satisfied as long as we continue to avoid relegation and remain in the Premier League.

In other news, the usual big names such as Manchester City, Arsenal, Manchester United and notably Chelsea, have been erratic thus far. Any fans of these clubs would care to comment?

While in the Spanish League, Messi is out for quite a few weeks. It might have a deep impact of Barcelona's title challenge, be it domestically or Europe.

I'll focus on The Premier League with me being English and all lol.

Chelsea have been dismal this season and I can't really figure out why we are...we just seem to lack grit and that determination that saw us through to the title last season, yeah we didn't play well but we got results but now the players seem so lackadaisical and poor. Hopefully we don't jump the gun and fire Mourinho, if anyone can get us back in form it's him.

And onto my other team, being Bournemouth. I was so happy seeing the family team in the top flight for the first time and 8 points after 8 games isn't bad, it's pretty good. But we've lost our two most expensive signings (one of which had fitted into the squad really well) and our star striker. I hope we show that we aren't the kind of team that rely on one player but it's been really bad luck for us so far.

As far as my title picks: Man City to win the title at the end of the season, with Arsenal being beaten in a close race. I think they've been the most consistent and Man United really haven't convinced me yet.

I dunno why EPL is so entertaining on last few years.

First being Moyes on ManUtd and Liverpool almost winning the title and slipping, heh.
Second we got Van Gaal's hilarious first year on ManUtd.
And now we got Mourinho sacked from Chelsea (despite winning EPL few months back), another Van Gaal hilarious philosophy + wasted transfer, and LEICESTER on top of the league with Vardy + Mahrez wrecking everything.

I noticed this hasn't been posted in this thread yet. So, have some Lewandowski dominance.