Monday, November 28, 2011

Bundesliga Matchday 14 review

Friday night
1. FC Köln v. Mönchengladbach
Prediction: 1-2
Actual result: 0-3

'Rolls Reus' continues to shine as 'Gladbach take over second place in the table.

Saturday
Hertha BSC v. Bayer Leverkusen
Prediction: 1-2
Actual result: 3-3

A thriller of a fixture ends with the honours even as Derdiyok dominates. Hertha continue to ship too many goals to be serious European contenders.

Borussia Dortmund v. FC Schalke 04
Prediction: 1-1
Actual result: 2-0

The champions are right back where they were at the end of last season - on top of the heap with everyone chasing them.

1. FC Nürnberg v. 1. FC Kaiserslautern
Prediction: 1-1
Actual result: 1-0

FCN end a long slide after a goal by United States international Timmy Chandler.

FC Augsburg v. VfL Wolfsburg
Prediction: 2-1
Actual result: 2-0

A battling Augsburg were finally rewarded after over an hour of a stalemate against the Wolves.

1899 Hoffenheim v. SC Freiburg
Prediction: 3-2
Actual result: 1-1

Dembele steals a point for Freiburg and breaks Hoffenheim hearts in the process.

Hannover 96 v. Hamburger SV
Prediction: 3-1
Actual result: 1-1

Hamburg look like a different side now and relegation should not be a concern if they continue this pace.

Sunday
Werder Bremen v. VfB Stuttgart
Prediction: 1-2
Actual result: 2-0

Even without Pizarro, the Green-Whites took control with a solid second half.

FSV Mainz 05 v. Bayern München
Prediction: 0-3
Actual result: 3-2

Mainz's pressing style gave the Bundesliga glamour boys a shock defeat and knocked Bayern into third.

Thursday, November 24, 2011

Bundesliga Matchday 14 predictions

Friday night

1. FC Köln v. Mönchengladbach
Prediction: 1-2
No reason to believe that 'Gladbach will be stopped in this North Rhine-Westphalia derby under the RheinEnergie lights. It's dubbed 'Prinz Poldi' versus 'Rolls Reus.'

Saturday
Hertha BSC v. Bayer Leverkusen
Prediction: 1-2
Hertha will likely be without striker Adrian Ramos while Leverkusen have a quick turnaround and short trip after a shock triumph over English uber-team Chelsea.

Borussia Dortmund v. FC Schalke 04
Prediction: 1-1
With Goetze and Bender going down against English powerhouse Arsenal, the champions look set to drop points in this mouth-watering bitter Revierderby.

1. FC Nürnberg v. 1. FC Kaiserslautern
Prediction: 1-1
It's hard to know what to expect out of these struggling sides so a draw is the best assumption.

FC Augsburg v. VfL Wolfsburg
Prediction: 2-1
The Wolves seem to flounder when they seem to be on the rise and FCA have to win at home at some point.

1899 Hoffenheim v. SC Freiburg
Prediction: 3-2
This shapes up to be a high-scoring affair thanks to Freiburg's terrible defence.

Hannover 96 v. Hamburger SV
Prediction: 3-1
We will tip the 96ers to bounce back from a humbling Lower Saxony derby defeat, although it must be said that Hamburg are improving heading into this Northern derby.

Sunday
Werder Bremen v. VfB Stuttgart
Prediction: 1-2
There's a cloud of subterfuge as to Pizarro's status so this is difficult to predict without knowing the status of the Peruvian.

FSV Mainz 05 v. Bayern München
Prediction: 0-3
Bayern will move back on top of the table against the fourth-from-bottom side that pulled off a shock at the Allianz last campaign.

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

The sad saga of Freddy Adu



When last we saw the (still) young Freddy Adu, he was starring for the United States in a stirring Gold Cup final.

There were high hopes when Adu finally made his way back to the United States to play for Philadelphia. He was set to become the creative spark for a team sorely lacking one.

But a funny thing happened with the Union - Adu started only six games and went the full 90 minutes once. He scored only two goals and was non-existent in two playoff appearances for the Union, who were quickly bounced out by Houston.

So it shouldn't have been a shock that Adu was left unprotected by the Union in the expansion draft. And it should not have been surprising that Montreal didn't choose to take him, selecting washed-up Brian Ching instead.

Sure, Adu's price tag may have been a factor but hey, isn't the Canadian dollar worth more than the U.S. dollar now anyway? The sad truth is that Adu's days as a factor in U.S. soccer are over. He isn't getting callups by new coach Jurgen Klinsmann and isn't getting playing time in MLS - the 20th-best league in the world, if that.

Freddy Adu - it's truly over, folks.

Bundesliga Matchday 13 review

Friday night

1. FC Kaiserslautern v. Bayer Leverkusen
Prediction: 1-2
Actual result: 0-2

Leverkusen cruised through nicely to set themselves up for a showdown with English juggernaut Chelsea.

Saturday
SC Freiburg v. Hertha BSC
Prediction: 1-1
Actual result: 2-2

A miracle equaliser in the 95th minute denied Berlin all three points.

1. FC Köln v. FSV Mainz 05
Prediction: 3-0
Match abandoned.

FC Schalke 04 v. 1. FC Nürnberg
Prediction: 2-1
Actual result: 4-0

Schalke have a grudge match with Dortmund upcoming at the Signal Iduna.

VfL Wolfsburg v. Hannover 96
Prediction: 1-2
Actual result: 4-1

Salihamidzic comes through with a surprising brace to ease the Wolves' relegation fears.

Mönchengladbach v. Werder Bremen
Prediction: 2-1
Actual result: 5-0

Reus, Reus, Reus. Oh, did we mention Marco Reus to our followers?

Bayern München v. Borussia Dortmund
Prediction: 1-2
Actual result: 0-1

You knew that this blog saves our best picks for the biggest matches, didn't you?.

Sunday
VfB Stuttgart v. FC Augsburg
Prediction: 2-0
Actual result: 2-1
Stuttgart had to work hard to get through after Augsburg turned in another gritty effort.

Hamburger SV v. 1899 Hoffenheim
Prediction: 1-2
Actual result: 2-0

The Imtech Arena crowd finally get to celebrate a victory as Hoffenheim flop on the road again.

Monday, November 21, 2011

LA Galaxy win it all!






Full credit go to David Beckham and the LA Galaxy for their MLS Cup victory. Beckham has finally earned one of the greatest honours he can ever achieve. Let's hope there are peaceful celebrations in Los Angeles as the Galaxy reign supreme in MLS!

Saturday, November 19, 2011

This blog picked the shock upset!



Those loyal followers of our blog should not be surprised that champions Borussia Dortmund have stunned Bayern Munich in a gripping thriller at the Allianz Arena.

"We played an incredibly good game," said Dortmund coach Juergen Klopp, whose club prevailed in the battle of 'Mini Mario' Goetze over mighty Bayern and 'Super Mario' Gomez.

You should not be surprised because we correctly picked it in our Matchday predictions below, unlike other so-called 'experts.'

Remember for all your accurate Bundesliga predictions and news, follow our blog. Tweet it to your friends, like this loyal Manchester United fanatic from England. You won't regret it!

Friday, November 18, 2011

Bundesliga Matchday 13 predictions

Friday night

1. FC Kaiserslautern v. Bayer Leverkusen
Prediction: 1-2
We think Leverkusen will get the three points away ahead of a huge visit from English powerhouse Chelsea.

Saturday
SC Freiburg v. Hertha BSC
Prediction: 1-1
These sides have not been that great in recent weeks and three points should be out of the question for both.

1. FC Köln v. FSV Mainz 05
Prediction: 3-0
We will take Solbakken at his word that the Goats will win 3-nil. His club has outscored foes 8-0 in their last three at the RheinEnergie.

FC Schalke 04 v. 1. FC Nürnberg
Prediction: 2-1
The injury-hit Royal Blues are without Howedes and Farfan, but should have enough for their stuttering opponents.

VfL Wolfsburg v. Hannover 96
Prediction: 1-2
Hannover have one win in their last seven away meetings in this derby, but this is an excellent opportunity for No. 2 in that that span.

Mönchengladbach v. Werder Bremen
Prediction: 2-1
A very tough fixture to determine, but we like the home side to continue their winning (and surprising) ways.

Bayern München v. Borussia Dortmund
Prediction: 1-2
The biggest match of the season in the country is in Bavaria this weekend, and we believe that the reigning champions will tighten up the title chase against a Bayern team eager to avenge two defeats from last campaign.

Sunday
VfB Stuttgart v. FC Augsburg
Prediction: 2-0
Stuttgart are winless in three, but that streak should end against a FCA team that has shown pluck and spirit but in truth, not enough top-flight ability.

Hamburger SV v. 1899 Hoffenheim
Prediction: 1-2
Hamburg have yet to win at home this season. We see that trend continuing.

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Here he is US soccer fans!



We are proud to introduce Hertha Berlin young stud Alfredo Morales (above) to Jurgen Klinsmann's U.S. national team. Doesn't Morales look deft on the ball against mighty Bayern Munich?

Morales is having trouble breaking into a Hertha squad that has put up a solid campaign back in the top flight. But Klinsmann believes Morales can be a solid defensive midfielder for the U.S. And who are we to argue with Klinsi after the way he has revitalized football in the U.S?

You have to be impressed how he keeps his eyes upfield (below), a skill not seen in U.S. players. He's of Peruvian descent and has some skills. Can't wait to see him in Brazil in 2014!

Bundesliga Matchday 12 review

Friday night

FSV Mainz 05 v. VfB Stuttgart
Prediction: 1-2
Actual score: 3-1
Give Mainz credit for producing one of the weekend's biggest shocks despite going a goal down and finishing with 10 men.

Saturday
Hertha BSC v. Mönchengladbach
Prediction: 2-0
Actual score: 1-2
Reus' brace gave Lucien Favre a very happy return to the capital of Germany as 'Gladbach continue to look like contenders.

Werder Bremen v. 1. FC Köln
Prediction: 3-1
Actual score: 3-2

What a show by Pizarro at the Weserstadion. He just can't stop scoring.

Borussia Dortmund v. VfL Wolfsburg
Prediction: 3-1
Actual score: 5-1

While it's true that Dortmund were first-class, the Wolves are really looking like relegation material in some respects and Magath has questions to answer.

1. FC Nürnberg v. SC Freiburg
Prediction: 2-1
Actual score: 1-2

Freiburg get off bottom with a much-needed three points.

1899 Hoffenheim v. 1. FC Kaiserslautern
Prediction: 2-1
Actual score: 1-1

'Lautern are now unbeaten in four matches and looking like they are playing a lot better football.

Bayer Leverkusen v. Hamburger SV
Prediction: 2-0
Actual score: 2-2

Bayer were up two goals early but threw it away in an entertaining affair.

Sunday
Hannover 96 v. FC Schalke 04
Prediction: 2-2
Actual score: 2-2

Credit this blog for an excellent prediction of these successful Europa League squads.

FC Augsburg v. Bayern München
Prediction: 0-2
Actual score: 1-2

Augsburg maybe deserved a point in a surprisingly thrilling derby in which they had Bayern on the ropes for much of the second half.

Sunday, November 6, 2011

Hertha BSC providing top US talent!

Loyal followers of this blog know that beloved German club Hertha BSC is back in the top flight and making major noise.

U.S. football coach Jurgen Klinsmann is clearly an admirer of Hertha and has included midfielder Alfredo Morales in his side for the States' upcoming tussles with France and Slovenia. Morales has seen limited action in two matches this season.

Said Klinsmann: “We are excited to introduce Alfredo Morales to the U.S. team. I have spoken with his coach at Hertha Berlin and he is full of compliments. He is on the way to being a starter there, and he can play as either a No. 6 (defensive midfielder) or as a right back.”

Now Klisnsmann may be fibbing a bit since there is little chance that Morales will be a starter anytime soon, with Hertha harbouring serious Europa League ambitions. Morales is eligible to play for three countries, including Germany and Peru.

TBG welcomes Morales to the United States team!

Thursday, November 3, 2011

Bundesliga Matchday 12 predictions

Friday night

FSV Mainz 05 v. VfB Stuttgart
Prediction: 1-2
The Swabians will likely shade this match against a snake-bitten Mainz side.

Saturday
Hertha BSC v. Mönchengladbach
Prediction: 2-0
Lucien Favre returns to the capital of Germany with the country's most surprising side. He should leave with nothing.

Werder Bremen v. 1. FC Köln
Prediction: 3-1
It's hard to see the Goats doing anything productive at the Weserstadion.

Borussia Dortmund v. VfL Wolfsburg
Prediction: 3-1
Dortmund should revert to their German style of beautiful football against a toothless Wolves side after finally earning a Champions League win.

1. FC Nürnberg v. SC Freiburg
Prediction: 2-1

We will tip Der Klube should bounce back after a thrashing at Bayern.

1899 Hoffenheim v. 1. FC Kaiserslautern
Prediction: 2-1
Hoffenheim have been disappointing in some respects but it's hard not to believe they will be worth three points this weekend.

Bayer Leverkusen v. Hamburger SV
Prediction: 2-0
Bayer should bounce back from an unlucky Champions League loss to handle HSV with ease.

Sunday
Hannover 96 v. FC Schalke 04
Prediction: 2-2
These teams appear on course for progress in the Europe League, and should be evenly matched.

FC Augsburg v. Bayern München
Prediction: 0-2
Make it two straight Bavarian derby victories for Bayern despite the loss of Schweinsteiger.

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Bundesliga Matchday 11 review

Friday night

SC Freiburg v. Bayer Leverkusen
Prediction: 0-2
Actual result: 0-1

Truth be told, Freiburg deserved a point out of this encounter.

Saturday
Bayern München v. 1. FC Nürnberg
Prediction: 3-0
Actual result: 4-0
No surprises there for the table-toppers, who now lead by four points.

FC Schalke 04 v. 1899 Hoffenheim
Prediction: 1-1
Actual result: 3-1

Still no draws for Schalke, who looked ruthless in front of net.

VfB Stuttgart v. Borussia Dortmund
Prediction: 1-2
Actual result: 1-1

Dortmund continues to struggle to finish and gives away two valuable points.

VfL Wolfsburg v. Hertha BSC
Prediction: 1-2
Actual result: 2-3

Full credit to this blog for correctly predicting Hertha's win on the road. TBG realized the tactical set-up favored Hertha in this one, unlike most 'experts.'

Mönchengladbach v. Hannover 96
Prediction: 1-2
Actual result: 2-1

'Gladbach continue to surprise and could be true European contenders.

FSV Mainz 05 v. Werder Bremen
Prediction: 2-2
Actual result: 1-3

Mainz are playing better but this was a harsh scoreline indeed for the 05ers.

Sunday
1. FC Köln v. FC Augsburg
Prediction: 3-0
Actual result: 3-0

Chalk up an exact score right for TBG!

Hamburger SV v. 1. FC Kaiserslautern
Prediction: 2-1
Actual result: 1-1

A crazy match that no one watched, including this blog. These sides are abject.