El Clasico 1 preview 2014

Spanish powerhouses Real Madrid and Barcelona remain two of the finest clubs in football today and “El Clasico” is thee fixture between the two. Saturday will be the first instalment and you would be a fool to think that this rivalry is just a show for the trophies at stake or points that are up for grabs.

This year as in every year we will be spoilt for choice in this fixture with the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo (CR7), Pedro, Toni Kroos, Andrés Iniesta, Lionel Messi, James Rodriguez, Neymar, Karim Benzema and Luis Suarez (though the latter might make his debut from the bench) all set to play. A notable omission will be the lightning fast Welshman Gareth Bale. In fact, you would be hard pressed to find as many star players sharing the pitch as we have seen during the Real Madrid v Barcelona showdowns, and without doubt, in the modern game, this is as good as it gets.

La Liga leaders Barcelona travel to Carlo Ancelotti’s free-scoring Real Madrid and a home win for Los Blancos would bring them to within a point of their unbeaten rivals, who top the table having won seven and drawn one of their eight matches so far.

Messi and Neymar this term have scored 15 La Liga goals between them and unbelievably CR7 has bagged 15 on his own – and the reigning Ballon D’or holder will be keen to reclaim that title for another term back-to-back.

As the clock ticks towards the billion-dollar grudge fixture , and the world waits with abated breath, it is hard predict a winner, but I can assure you that it will almost certainly be a game worth watching.

Prediction
My money is on the home side and though the 3-0 drubbing of Liverpool in midweek might have no barring, it does put Madrid in a good space if not then it just underlines the gulf in class between the English team and the current European champions.

Jade Christopher Bentley Adams signing off (@jcba)

Comments

What happens if Manchester United win the Europa League & finish in the top four?

Due to Champions League qualification clubs are now looking more favourably at the Europa League competition. So Manchester United will naturally be gunning for glory as they take on Celta Vigo in their semi final. If however, they win the tournament and finish the English Premier League in the top four, England will have just the four teams in Europe’s elite competition. What I find more interesting is if Manchester United win the Europa League and finish outside the top four! Should this scenario occur, England will have FIVE entrants to the Champions League, rather than four – with United joining the top four Premier League clubs. There are a host of different scenarios as to who will be in Europe's second tier next season. For starters, the Premier League's fifth-placed club - should United not win the Europa League AND finish outside the top four - will go into the pot. Then there's the EFL Cup - or League Cup - winners... however that ...

The Premier League changes its logo.

The most lucrative football league in the world, The English Premier League (EPL), yesterday unveiled its new official logo, which will be used from the 2016-17 season onwards. The division's lion icon has been the face of England's top flight since its launch in 1992 but has undergone a makeover to give it a fresh, modern look. It means, EPL is ending its 12-year association with Barclays bank and will from now on be known simply as ‘the Premier League’. The new logo – has a crowned lion’s head gazing to the right, accompanied by either the words ‘Premier League’ or ‘PL’ -- will replace the current logo of a lion with its left paw on a football. All 20 clubs in the top flight have also agreed a new centralised sponsorship strategy, meaning the league will no longer have a named sponsor. “From next season we will move away from title sponsorship and the competition will be known as the Premier League, a decision which provided the opportunity to consider how we wanted ...

Picture Perfect 25 Years

Welcome 6 November 1986 Alex Ferguson leaves Aberdeen after a hugely successful spell, to replace Ron Atkinson at Manchester United. 'Ta-ra' December 1989 It is widely reported that Ferguson is close to being sacked after a dismal start to his fourth season. A banner is unveiled at Old Trafford saying: "Three years of excuses and it's still crap ... ta-ra Fergie". "Forest were on a high - they were up for it, we were going to the City ground and the game was on TV. The knives were being sharpened" Robins 7 January 1990 United beat Nottingham Forest 1-0 at the City Ground in the FA Cup third round, with a goal from Mark Robins. The win is believed to have saved Ferguson's job. In May, United win the Cup. Giggs 2 March 1991 Ryan Giggs makes his league debut in a 2-0 defeat by Everton. The Welshman will break Sir Bobby Charlton's record of 756 appearances for the club. Cantona 26 November 1992 In a conversation instigated by the ...

Search This Blog