Friday night
Bayer Leverkusen v. Hannover 96
Prediction: 2-1
Actual result: 2-0
Ballack plays 90 in a routine win for the second-placed side.
Saturday
Werder Bremen v. Bayern Munich
Prediction: 0-3
Actual result: 1-3
Controversy reigns as Weise is sent off late as Bayern rallies.
Schalke 04 v. Hoffenheim
Prediction: 2-1
Actual result: 0-1
Hoffenheim a winner as Babel is booked in his debut in Germany.
VfL Wolfsburg v. Borussia Dortmund
Prediction: 1-3
Actual result: 0-3
No Kagawa, no problem again for the table-toppers. A squad is not bad when Lewandowski and Zidan are substitutes.
Nurnburg v. Hamburg
Prediction: 1-2
Actual result: 2-0
TBG can't figure out Hamburg, which sees former Hertha BSC star Gojko Kacar sent off in a dismal performance.
St. Pauli v. Koln
Prediction: 1-1
Actual result: 3-0
Ghanaian Charles Takyi's brace lights up the Millentor.
Kaiserslautern v. Mainz
Prediction: 2-1
Actual result: 0-1
So much for picking an upset here.
Sunday
VfB Stuttgart v. Freiburg
Prediction: 2-1
Actual result: 0-1
It's time to envision Stuttgart in the zweite liga. It's also time to envision Freiburg in the Europa League.
Frankfurt v. Monchengladbach
Prediction: 2-0
Actual result: 0-1
Gladbach makes it two wins in three since the re-start, celebrating the selling off of American Michael Bradley to the EPL.
Monday, January 31, 2011
Friday, January 28, 2011
Bundesliga Matchday 20 predictions
We at TBG apologize for missing out on the first two matchdays after the restart. We are still trying to digest the difficult campaign for India at the Asian Cup.
Friday night
Bayer Leverkusen v. Hannover 96
Prediction: 2-1
Ballack expected to start for Bayer, but don't expect anything from the 96ers under the lights.
Saturday
Werder Bremen v. Bayern Munich
Prediction: 0-3
Could be an ugly atmosphere for a lynch mob at the Weserstadion.
Schalke 04 v. Hoffenheim
Prediction: 2-1
Hoffenheim have been leaking goals since the re-start and this contest should prove no exception.
VfL Wolfsburg v. Borussia Dortmund
Prediction: 1-3
Injury blow news for Dortmund surrounding Kagawa. Is this the adversity Borussia must finally face as they try to cruise to the crown?
Nurnburg v. Hamburg
Prediction: 1-2
Hamburg with two straight wins upon resumption of play.
St. Pauli v. Koln
Prediction: 1-1
The honours will be even for this relegation battle.
Kaiserslautern v. Mainz
Prediction: 2-1
Upset special - the goals have dried up for 05.
Sunday
VfB Stuttgart v. Freiburg
Prediction: 2-1
Stuttgart is playing better football and got two tough fixtures out the way while Freiburg is unbeaten in their last five. This one should be fun.
Frankfurt v. Monchengladbach
Prediction: 2-0
The first fixture between these teams was 0-4 at Borussia Park and Frankfurt should be in an imperious mood after two straight losses.
Friday night
Bayer Leverkusen v. Hannover 96
Prediction: 2-1
Ballack expected to start for Bayer, but don't expect anything from the 96ers under the lights.
Saturday
Werder Bremen v. Bayern Munich
Prediction: 0-3
Could be an ugly atmosphere for a lynch mob at the Weserstadion.
Schalke 04 v. Hoffenheim
Prediction: 2-1
Hoffenheim have been leaking goals since the re-start and this contest should prove no exception.
VfL Wolfsburg v. Borussia Dortmund
Prediction: 1-3
Injury blow news for Dortmund surrounding Kagawa. Is this the adversity Borussia must finally face as they try to cruise to the crown?
Nurnburg v. Hamburg
Prediction: 1-2
Hamburg with two straight wins upon resumption of play.
St. Pauli v. Koln
Prediction: 1-1
The honours will be even for this relegation battle.
Kaiserslautern v. Mainz
Prediction: 2-1
Upset special - the goals have dried up for 05.
Sunday
VfB Stuttgart v. Freiburg
Prediction: 2-1
Stuttgart is playing better football and got two tough fixtures out the way while Freiburg is unbeaten in their last five. This one should be fun.
Frankfurt v. Monchengladbach
Prediction: 2-0
The first fixture between these teams was 0-4 at Borussia Park and Frankfurt should be in an imperious mood after two straight losses.
Monday, January 10, 2011
Final Score - Australia 4, India 0
Congratulations to India for a creditable second-half fightback against Australia in a thrilling 4-0 loss in the Asian Cup opener for both teams. Tim Cahill added his second goal, but that was all the Socceroos mustered as India tightened up. Cahill, Harry Kewell and Brett Holman were on target in the first half.
Credit India 'keeper Subrata Paul for a brave display. Paul had most of the Socceroo's chances covered well, and put up excellent resistance time and time again against Cahill, who went the full 90 minutes.
India's best chance came when Sunil Chettri was sent through on a longball, but defender Sasa Ognenovski and 'keeper Mark Schwarzer easily snuffed out the threat. Chettri was bullied off the ball over and over as India never had any quality possession in offensive territory.
"We are playing against the best side in Asia, playing against four boys with 200 Premiership games each," India coach Bob Houghton said. "Let's hope that qualifying for this competition is incentive for the people back home to push the game on."
The Aussies were visibly disappointed with their second-half tally of one goal. Credit also to a proud Indian crowd, which cheered any advance up the field. Indian players seemed thrilled with keeping the score respectable and the Socceroos' stars paid India a great compliment afterward.
"We knew beforehand that India were going to be dangerous," Cahill said.
"Congratulations to India, who put up a good fight," said a sporting Emerton.
All in all, it was a great moment for nations accustomed to big battles on the cricket pitch. In football, it is Australia with the superior side - for now.
Credit India 'keeper Subrata Paul for a brave display. Paul had most of the Socceroo's chances covered well, and put up excellent resistance time and time again against Cahill, who went the full 90 minutes.
India's best chance came when Sunil Chettri was sent through on a longball, but defender Sasa Ognenovski and 'keeper Mark Schwarzer easily snuffed out the threat. Chettri was bullied off the ball over and over as India never had any quality possession in offensive territory.
"We are playing against the best side in Asia, playing against four boys with 200 Premiership games each," India coach Bob Houghton said. "Let's hope that qualifying for this competition is incentive for the people back home to push the game on."
The Aussies were visibly disappointed with their second-half tally of one goal. Credit also to a proud Indian crowd, which cheered any advance up the field. Indian players seemed thrilled with keeping the score respectable and the Socceroos' stars paid India a great compliment afterward.
"We knew beforehand that India were going to be dangerous," Cahill said.
"Congratulations to India, who put up a good fight," said a sporting Emerton.
All in all, it was a great moment for nations accustomed to big battles on the cricket pitch. In football, it is Australia with the superior side - for now.
Halftime Analysis - Australia 3, India 0
Goals from superstars Tim Cahill, Harry Kewell and Brett Holman have put Australia up by 3-0 at halftime. The Socceroos have been all over the Bhangra Boys, perhaps taking exception to the South Asians' vast superiority as the current top-ranked team in the world in test cricket.
Cahill scored in the 11th off a cross from Brett Emerton, who got behind the defense on the right side. Kewell made it 2-0 in the 25th with a patented left-footed blast perfectly placed in the lower corner of the net.
India has not gotten much going offensively. Climax Lawrence has been bottled up, Sunil Chettri has been forced to take on numerous defenders and Steven Dias - known as the Indian David Beckham - sent a freekick high and wide. 'Steven' later had two more freekicks that accomplished little.
Cahill later was denied at the post by 'keeper Subratra Paul, and Paul later sent another Cahill blast over the goal.
Emerton had no defender in sight around him in first-half stoppage time and sent in a cross that Holman powered home right before the whistle.
Let's hope the second half gets better, although TBG suspects that it will get worse.
Cahill scored in the 11th off a cross from Brett Emerton, who got behind the defense on the right side. Kewell made it 2-0 in the 25th with a patented left-footed blast perfectly placed in the lower corner of the net.
India has not gotten much going offensively. Climax Lawrence has been bottled up, Sunil Chettri has been forced to take on numerous defenders and Steven Dias - known as the Indian David Beckham - sent a freekick high and wide. 'Steven' later had two more freekicks that accomplished little.
Cahill later was denied at the post by 'keeper Subratra Paul, and Paul later sent another Cahill blast over the goal.
Emerton had no defender in sight around him in first-half stoppage time and sent in a cross that Holman powered home right before the whistle.
Let's hope the second half gets better, although TBG suspects that it will get worse.
Sunday, January 9, 2011
India, Socceroos get ready to do battle as favoured nations wilt in Qatar
The early results in the Asian Cup have shown that you can throw out the records when it comes to one of football's most prestigious prizes.
Syria has stunned Saudi Arabia 2-1 and Japan were fortunate to draw Jordan 1-1. In addition, less fancied sides China and Uzbekistan have posted surprising victories. What do those sides have in common? They were once coached by India coach Bob Houghton.
Houghton is definitely excited ahead of Monday's much-hyped matchup with fellow cricket powerhouse Australia.
"Before I took charge of India, my last two national team appointments were in China and Uzbekistan and I was certainly pleased to see both of them win their first games of the tournament," Houghton said.
Houghton is without striker Sushil Kumar Singh, suspended two matches for elbowing a North Korean player (who no doubt deserved it).
Australia is well below No. 1 India in the test cricket rankings after their humbling defeat to England in the Ashes, although football is a much different sport. Still, Socceroos coach Holger Osieck is not worried about his team's exalted status compared to India, which reportedly has 100 registered professional footballers.
"My point is that I never pay attention to statistics and rankings," he said. "We have a saying in German what counts is on the field. We are far from being arrogant."
What Osieck is trying to say is 'Was zählt, ist auf dem Feld.'
Truer words have likely never been spoken ahead of what could be the most-watched Asian Cup match in history.
Syria has stunned Saudi Arabia 2-1 and Japan were fortunate to draw Jordan 1-1. In addition, less fancied sides China and Uzbekistan have posted surprising victories. What do those sides have in common? They were once coached by India coach Bob Houghton.
Houghton is definitely excited ahead of Monday's much-hyped matchup with fellow cricket powerhouse Australia.
"Before I took charge of India, my last two national team appointments were in China and Uzbekistan and I was certainly pleased to see both of them win their first games of the tournament," Houghton said.
Houghton is without striker Sushil Kumar Singh, suspended two matches for elbowing a North Korean player (who no doubt deserved it).
Australia is well below No. 1 India in the test cricket rankings after their humbling defeat to England in the Ashes, although football is a much different sport. Still, Socceroos coach Holger Osieck is not worried about his team's exalted status compared to India, which reportedly has 100 registered professional footballers.
"My point is that I never pay attention to statistics and rankings," he said. "We have a saying in German what counts is on the field. We are far from being arrogant."
What Osieck is trying to say is 'Was zählt, ist auf dem Feld.'
Truer words have likely never been spoken ahead of what could be the most-watched Asian Cup match in history.
Friday, January 7, 2011
MLS Combine starts this weekend
So all you MLS fans, the combine is cranking up and there is plenty of talent on hand to make the official first-division league of the US even better. Some of our top collegiate talent will be on display as they climb the first rung to become a professional.
Are you excited about the MLS combine? If so, what excites you the most, tell us in your comments and we will be sure to get back to you.
< href="http://bit.ly/dT9SKk" /a>
Are you excited about the MLS combine? If so, what excites you the most, tell us in your comments and we will be sure to get back to you.
< href="http://bit.ly/dT9SKk" /a>
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Can India live the dream at the AFC Asian Cup?
India is a great country with the world's second-highest population. However, the country's history in soccer is far from stellar. India is ranked 160th in the world and 33rd in Asia currently. India qualified for the World Cup once in 1950 but withdrew partially because FIFA would not allow the players to play barefoot.
But now after a 27-year absence, India is in the Asian Cup that starts later this week. And India is in a heavyweight group featuring powerhouses Australia, South Korea and Bahrain. Those opponents are ranked first, third and sixth in Asia.
Keep in mind that India only qualified by winning the 2008 AFC Challenge Cup by beating Tajikistan in the title game after the Tajiks upset North Korea in the semifinals. And that event was on home soil for India. But Tajikistan is ranked 27th in Asia so I guess that was a good accomplishment.
India's preparations have not gone smoothly for the 2011 Asian Cup. Star player Bhaichung Bhutia has a calf injury while former MLS player Sunil Chhetri is also reportedly not healthy. Goalkeeper Arindam Bhattacharya has apparently also missed training with an injury.
In addition, the friendly results have not gone well with losses by 9-1 to Kuwait, 6-3 to Yemen and 5-0 to the UAE. Those teams are good but are nowhere near the talent level India will see from Australia, South Korea and Bahrain.
Meanwhile, coach Bob Houghton is a former Fulham striker who has come under fire for the poor performances. Team manager Pradip Choudhury has reportedly quit and left Dubai. The mood in camp can't be good.
Still, this has the makings of a great underdog sports story. Remember that Iraq came from a war-torn nation and won the last Asian Cup. Can India shock the world and take down Australia, Bahrain and South Korea? Will a great nation rise during its toughest moment?
One thing is for sure - the whole world is watching to find out the answer.
But now after a 27-year absence, India is in the Asian Cup that starts later this week. And India is in a heavyweight group featuring powerhouses Australia, South Korea and Bahrain. Those opponents are ranked first, third and sixth in Asia.
Keep in mind that India only qualified by winning the 2008 AFC Challenge Cup by beating Tajikistan in the title game after the Tajiks upset North Korea in the semifinals. And that event was on home soil for India. But Tajikistan is ranked 27th in Asia so I guess that was a good accomplishment.
India's preparations have not gone smoothly for the 2011 Asian Cup. Star player Bhaichung Bhutia has a calf injury while former MLS player Sunil Chhetri is also reportedly not healthy. Goalkeeper Arindam Bhattacharya has apparently also missed training with an injury.
In addition, the friendly results have not gone well with losses by 9-1 to Kuwait, 6-3 to Yemen and 5-0 to the UAE. Those teams are good but are nowhere near the talent level India will see from Australia, South Korea and Bahrain.
Meanwhile, coach Bob Houghton is a former Fulham striker who has come under fire for the poor performances. Team manager Pradip Choudhury has reportedly quit and left Dubai. The mood in camp can't be good.
Still, this has the makings of a great underdog sports story. Remember that Iraq came from a war-torn nation and won the last Asian Cup. Can India shock the world and take down Australia, Bahrain and South Korea? Will a great nation rise during its toughest moment?
One thing is for sure - the whole world is watching to find out the answer.
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Trouble with the Hoff!!!!
Hoffenheim coach Ralf Rangnick has resigned!!!! He was reportedly upset that the Hoff sold midfielder Luiz Gustavo to Bayern Munich.
It's well known that Rangnick and zillionaire owner Dietmar Hopp hate each other, but who knew it would come to this? Can't we all just get along?
It's well known that Rangnick and zillionaire owner Dietmar Hopp hate each other, but who knew it would come to this? Can't we all just get along?
Saturday, January 1, 2011
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