We apologize for missing out on Matchday 10. We know our loyal blog followers love these predictions and we will try and make it up to you.
Friday night
SC Freiburg v. Bayer Leverkusen
Prediction: 0-2
Although Leverkusen have a big trip to Spain upcoming, expect them to pile more misery on Marcus Sorg in Dutt's return to the Black Forest.
Saturday
Bayern München v. 1. FC Nürnberg
Prediction: 3-0
This Bavarian derby should be one-way traffic for the table-toppers ahead of their crunch Champions League encounter with Napoli.
FC Schalke 04 v. 1899 Hoffenheim
Prediction: 1-1
Schalke are the only side remaining not to play a draw so we will go for the 'upset.'
VfB Stuttgart v. Borussia Dortmund
Prediction: 1-2
A bizarre press conference last week from Jurgen Klopp should see his team respond with three more points.
VfL Wolfsburg v. Hertha BSC
Prediction: 1-2
Hertha won this fixture two seasons ago and should be poised to score a shock win on the road.
Mönchengladbach v. Hannover 96
Prediction: 1-2
Hannover are winless in their last three away fixtures but should be well worth three points in this spot.
FSV Mainz 05 v. Werder Bremen
Prediction: 2-2
The home side have begun to find their form and could steal a point from the Green-Whites.
Sunday
1. FC Köln v. FC Augsburg
Prediction: 3-0
Hard to imagine the Billy Goats faltering in this fixture after exiting the DFB-Pokal in midweek.
Hamburger SV v. 1. FC Kaiserslautern
Prediction: 2-1
K-Town could be feeling the effects of a thrilling DFB-Pokal tie that went to extra time while Hamburg boss Thorsten Fink smartly rested his big guns to protect his side for Sunday's fixture.
Friday, October 28, 2011
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
MLS playoff predictions
Loyal followers of this blog recall our MLS predictions back in March.
Now let us make our pre-playoff predictions after correctly predicting last season that Colorado would lift the MLS Cup.
So here goes ...
Wild-card round
New York 1, FC Dallas 0
The Red Bulls will take advantage of a floundering Dallas squad that crashed out of CONCACAF play and should be vulnerable.
Colorado 3, Columbus 1
The defending champions should coast at home against a Columbus team that overachieved most of the year.
Conference semifinals:
West
Los Angeles over New York 4-2 in aggregate
The marquee matchup that MLS fans want will happen. The Red Bulls should make a good account of themselves but the Galaxy have too much on the line to lose this East coast-West coast showdown.
Seattle over Real Salt Lake 5-2
Jason Kreis' side has been living on borrowed time too much this season. The Sounders should give them a football lesson.
East
Sporting KC over Colorado 3-2 (aet)
This shapes up as a classic MLS semifinal series. We'll take Kansas City to score in extra time at home.
Philadelphia over Houston 3-1
This is the matchup the Union wanted when they tanked against the Red Bulls and they should be able to get a result in Houston to go through.
Conference championships:
Seattle over Los Angeles 2-1
The Sounders have been waiting all year to prove to the Galaxy who the best team in the West really is.
Sporting KC over Philadelphia 2-0
A raucous atmosphere at Kansas City's new stadium should favor the home side here.
MLS Cup 2011
Sporting KC over Seattle 1-0
Kansas City will avenge two regular-season losses to Seattle in front of a sellout crowd in a spectacular championship game.
Now let us make our pre-playoff predictions after correctly predicting last season that Colorado would lift the MLS Cup.
So here goes ...
Wild-card round
New York 1, FC Dallas 0
The Red Bulls will take advantage of a floundering Dallas squad that crashed out of CONCACAF play and should be vulnerable.
Colorado 3, Columbus 1
The defending champions should coast at home against a Columbus team that overachieved most of the year.
Conference semifinals:
West
Los Angeles over New York 4-2 in aggregate
The marquee matchup that MLS fans want will happen. The Red Bulls should make a good account of themselves but the Galaxy have too much on the line to lose this East coast-West coast showdown.
Seattle over Real Salt Lake 5-2
Jason Kreis' side has been living on borrowed time too much this season. The Sounders should give them a football lesson.
East
Sporting KC over Colorado 3-2 (aet)
This shapes up as a classic MLS semifinal series. We'll take Kansas City to score in extra time at home.
Philadelphia over Houston 3-1
This is the matchup the Union wanted when they tanked against the Red Bulls and they should be able to get a result in Houston to go through.
Conference championships:
Seattle over Los Angeles 2-1
The Sounders have been waiting all year to prove to the Galaxy who the best team in the West really is.
Sporting KC over Philadelphia 2-0
A raucous atmosphere at Kansas City's new stadium should favor the home side here.
MLS Cup 2011
Sporting KC over Seattle 1-0
Kansas City will avenge two regular-season losses to Seattle in front of a sellout crowd in a spectacular championship game.
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Bundesliga Matchday 9 review
Friday night
Werder Bremen v. Borussia Dortmund
Prediction: 3-1
Actual result: 0-2
Bremen seemed to have the better of play before Perisic rose up and showed that the champions may yet still mount a title defence.
Saturday
Bayern München v. Hertha BSC
Prediction: 3-1
Actual result: 4-0
Bayern rolled up three goals in the first 13 minutes to consign Hertha to another loss in Munich ahead of the Bavarians' trip to southern Italy.
VfB Stuttgart v. 1899 Hoffenheim
Prediction: 2-1
Actual result: 2-0
Hoffenheim had the run of play early but the stalemate was broken on Japanese international Okazaji's smart run and finish for the opener for a VfB side looking like European contenders.
VfL Wolfsburg v. 1. FC Nürnberg
Prediction: 3-1
Actual result: 2-1
Mandzukic's brace seem to have the Wolves on course to avoid the bottom three and settle into mid-table mediocrity.
Mönchengladbach v. Bayer Leverkusen
Prediction: 0-2
Actual result: 2-2
The league's youngest goalkeepers were breached twice in an entertaining affair with a result that only helped Bayern and Dortmund.
FSV Mainz 05 v. FC Augsburg
Prediction: 2-0
Actual result: 0-1
Mainz look like relegation material after the Bavarians earn their first-ever top-flight win.
FC Schalke 04 v. 1. FC Kaiserslautern
Prediction: 4-1
Actual result: 1-2
One of the most stunning results of the season (along with Hertha's win at champions Dortmund) saw both teams finish with 10 men and 'Lautern gain a hard-earned three points.
Sunday
SC Freiburg v. Hamburger SV
Prediction: 1-1
Actual result: 1-2
Hamburg showing plenty of life as they enter a new era under Fink and likely are not relegation fodder.
1. FC Köln v. Hannover 96
Prediction: 2-1
Actual result: 2-0
Podolski with two wonder goals as Köln react favorably to a poor performance in their previous fixture.
Werder Bremen v. Borussia Dortmund
Prediction: 3-1
Actual result: 0-2
Bremen seemed to have the better of play before Perisic rose up and showed that the champions may yet still mount a title defence.
Saturday
Bayern München v. Hertha BSC
Prediction: 3-1
Actual result: 4-0
Bayern rolled up three goals in the first 13 minutes to consign Hertha to another loss in Munich ahead of the Bavarians' trip to southern Italy.
VfB Stuttgart v. 1899 Hoffenheim
Prediction: 2-1
Actual result: 2-0
Hoffenheim had the run of play early but the stalemate was broken on Japanese international Okazaji's smart run and finish for the opener for a VfB side looking like European contenders.
VfL Wolfsburg v. 1. FC Nürnberg
Prediction: 3-1
Actual result: 2-1
Mandzukic's brace seem to have the Wolves on course to avoid the bottom three and settle into mid-table mediocrity.
Mönchengladbach v. Bayer Leverkusen
Prediction: 0-2
Actual result: 2-2
The league's youngest goalkeepers were breached twice in an entertaining affair with a result that only helped Bayern and Dortmund.
FSV Mainz 05 v. FC Augsburg
Prediction: 2-0
Actual result: 0-1
Mainz look like relegation material after the Bavarians earn their first-ever top-flight win.
FC Schalke 04 v. 1. FC Kaiserslautern
Prediction: 4-1
Actual result: 1-2
One of the most stunning results of the season (along with Hertha's win at champions Dortmund) saw both teams finish with 10 men and 'Lautern gain a hard-earned three points.
Sunday
SC Freiburg v. Hamburger SV
Prediction: 1-1
Actual result: 1-2
Hamburg showing plenty of life as they enter a new era under Fink and likely are not relegation fodder.
1. FC Köln v. Hannover 96
Prediction: 2-1
Actual result: 2-0
Podolski with two wonder goals as Köln react favorably to a poor performance in their previous fixture.
Friday, October 14, 2011
Bundesliga Matchday 9 predictions
Friday night
Werder Bremen v. Borussia Dortmund
Prediction: 3-1
It looks like Dortmund have numerous injuries and Bremen will be ready under the floodlights at the sold-out Weserstadion to take all three points.
Saturday
Bayern München v. Hertha BSC
Prediction: 3-1
Hertha boss Markus Babbel brings some former FCB players to Munich as well as his wry sense of humour. "We know Bayern's weaknesses," Babbel joked. We've analyzed them and it's quite clearly the defense." TBG believes that Hertha will end Bayern's shutout streak. Hertha have not won at Bayern Munich in 34 years.
VfB Stuttgart v. 1899 Hoffenheim
Prediction: 2-1
A very tough derby fixture to predict between sides level on points. We'll play it safe with the home side.
VfL Wolfsburg v. 1. FC Nürnberg
Prediction: 3-1
FCN are no pushovers away from home, but the Wolves should be ready after the international break.
Mönchengladbach v. Bayer Leverkusen
Prediction: 0-2
Schurrle returns for Bayer, and it's hard to see them dropping points in this derby simply because they have the better side.
FSV Mainz 05 v. FC Augsburg
Prediction: 2-0
Two struggling sides meet up, but Mainz should be too good at home for the Bavarians.
FC Schalke 04 v. 1. FC Kaiserslautern
Prediction: 4-1
Schalke have vowed 'revanche' for two losses to 'Lautern last season, and they should get it easily.
Sunday
SC Freiburg v. Hamburger SV
Prediction: 1-1
Tough to separate these sides as sporting director Frank Arnesen gets a chance to show his acumen in a cameo as Hamburg manager.
1. FC Köln v. Hannover 96
Prediction: 2-1
It's always tough to figure out Köln, but we believe they will come out firing after flopping in Berlin last time out.
Werder Bremen v. Borussia Dortmund
Prediction: 3-1
It looks like Dortmund have numerous injuries and Bremen will be ready under the floodlights at the sold-out Weserstadion to take all three points.
Saturday
Bayern München v. Hertha BSC
Prediction: 3-1
Hertha boss Markus Babbel brings some former FCB players to Munich as well as his wry sense of humour. "We know Bayern's weaknesses," Babbel joked. We've analyzed them and it's quite clearly the defense." TBG believes that Hertha will end Bayern's shutout streak. Hertha have not won at Bayern Munich in 34 years.
VfB Stuttgart v. 1899 Hoffenheim
Prediction: 2-1
A very tough derby fixture to predict between sides level on points. We'll play it safe with the home side.
VfL Wolfsburg v. 1. FC Nürnberg
Prediction: 3-1
FCN are no pushovers away from home, but the Wolves should be ready after the international break.
Mönchengladbach v. Bayer Leverkusen
Prediction: 0-2
Schurrle returns for Bayer, and it's hard to see them dropping points in this derby simply because they have the better side.
FSV Mainz 05 v. FC Augsburg
Prediction: 2-0
Two struggling sides meet up, but Mainz should be too good at home for the Bavarians.
FC Schalke 04 v. 1. FC Kaiserslautern
Prediction: 4-1
Schalke have vowed 'revanche' for two losses to 'Lautern last season, and they should get it easily.
Sunday
SC Freiburg v. Hamburger SV
Prediction: 1-1
Tough to separate these sides as sporting director Frank Arnesen gets a chance to show his acumen in a cameo as Hamburg manager.
1. FC Köln v. Hannover 96
Prediction: 2-1
It's always tough to figure out Köln, but we believe they will come out firing after flopping in Berlin last time out.
Saturday, October 8, 2011
Shock result in CONCACAF
With World Cup qualifying heating up, there was a shock result in CONCACAF with Bermuda stunning Caribbean powerhouse Trinidad & Tobago.
This is great news for the Mexicans and Costa Ricans since the winner of Group B goes into their group. It was a great victory even though the home PA played the US national anthem instead of the Bermuda version.
It's a disappointing result for TNT, which is coached by German vavabond Otto Pfister. Pfister has coached numerous teams, including Zaire, Upper Volta, Bangladesh and Rwanda. Most famously, he was the coach of Togo during the players' revolt in the 2006 World Cup when he quit and then came back to coach the team. He may be leaving TNT soon after this result.
This is great news for the Mexicans and Costa Ricans since the winner of Group B goes into their group. It was a great victory even though the home PA played the US national anthem instead of the Bermuda version.
It's a disappointing result for TNT, which is coached by German vavabond Otto Pfister. Pfister has coached numerous teams, including Zaire, Upper Volta, Bangladesh and Rwanda. Most famously, he was the coach of Togo during the players' revolt in the 2006 World Cup when he quit and then came back to coach the team. He may be leaving TNT soon after this result.
Monday, October 3, 2011
Bundesliga Matchday 8 review
Friday night
1. FC Kaiserslautern v. VfB Stuttgart
Prediction: 1-2
Actual result: 0-2
No surprises here as K-Town continue their slide toward oblivion. Shame on the DFB for making this the Friday night featured match.
Saturday
Borussia Dortmund v. FC Augsburg
Prediction: 2-0
Actual result: 4-0
Credit Lewandowski for finally find the target, albeit one match too late for BVB.
SC Freiburg v. Mönchengladbach
Prediction: 0-1
Actual result: 1-0
'Gladbach come crashig back to the pack with a poor result at the Badenova.
Bayer Leverkusen v. VfL Wolfsburg
Prediction: 1-1
Actual result: 3-1
Credit Eren Derdiyok for the goal of the season in Germany.
1. FC Nürnberg v. FSV Mainz 05
Prediction: 2-1
Actual result: 3-3
An entertaining six-goal thriller between sides no one cares about.
1899 Hoffenheim v. Bayern München
Prediction: 0-2
Actual result: 0-0
We thought this fixture would be tricky and it proved to be as such. The Hoff deserved all three points.
Hertha BSC v. 1. FC Köln
Prediction: 1-1
Actual result: 3-0
A five-star performance closed out Saturday's action as Hertha were pure class.
Sunday
Hannover 96 v. Werder Bremen
Prediction: 1-2
Actual result: 3-2
Abdellaoue hits for a hat trick to keep Hannover in strong contention for Europe.
Hamburger SV v. FC Schalke 04
Prediction: 1-3
Actual result: 1-2
Huntelaar's classy brace was the difference as Hamburg remain rooted to the bottom.
HERO OF THE WEEK: Robert Lewandowski, Borussia Dortmund and Mohammed Abdellaoue, Hannover 96. Both notched hat tricks.
GOAT OF THE WEEK: Marko Arnautovic, Werder Bremen. Although he scored a goal, the Austrian was sent off and Bremen conceded an equalizer.
1. FC Kaiserslautern v. VfB Stuttgart
Prediction: 1-2
Actual result: 0-2
No surprises here as K-Town continue their slide toward oblivion. Shame on the DFB for making this the Friday night featured match.
Saturday
Borussia Dortmund v. FC Augsburg
Prediction: 2-0
Actual result: 4-0
Credit Lewandowski for finally find the target, albeit one match too late for BVB.
SC Freiburg v. Mönchengladbach
Prediction: 0-1
Actual result: 1-0
'Gladbach come crashig back to the pack with a poor result at the Badenova.
Bayer Leverkusen v. VfL Wolfsburg
Prediction: 1-1
Actual result: 3-1
Credit Eren Derdiyok for the goal of the season in Germany.
1. FC Nürnberg v. FSV Mainz 05
Prediction: 2-1
Actual result: 3-3
An entertaining six-goal thriller between sides no one cares about.
1899 Hoffenheim v. Bayern München
Prediction: 0-2
Actual result: 0-0
We thought this fixture would be tricky and it proved to be as such. The Hoff deserved all three points.
Hertha BSC v. 1. FC Köln
Prediction: 1-1
Actual result: 3-0
A five-star performance closed out Saturday's action as Hertha were pure class.
Sunday
Hannover 96 v. Werder Bremen
Prediction: 1-2
Actual result: 3-2
Abdellaoue hits for a hat trick to keep Hannover in strong contention for Europe.
Hamburger SV v. FC Schalke 04
Prediction: 1-3
Actual result: 1-2
Huntelaar's classy brace was the difference as Hamburg remain rooted to the bottom.
HERO OF THE WEEK: Robert Lewandowski, Borussia Dortmund and Mohammed Abdellaoue, Hannover 96. Both notched hat tricks.
GOAT OF THE WEEK: Marko Arnautovic, Werder Bremen. Although he scored a goal, the Austrian was sent off and Bremen conceded an equalizer.
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