Monday, March 5, 2012

Is the EPL really any better than the Bundesliga?


















Many football fans criticize this blog for the heavy Bundesliga coverage. To be fair, that's because the other contributors don't have the guts to put their views on display for all to see like yours truly, ZooterMogul!

But this football season has seen the mighty EPL embarrass themselves, time and time again. And again.

But how does England's top flight compare to Germany's this year? Let's look at it from a team-by-team basis based on how the table stands currently.

1. Manchester City v. Borussia Dortmund.

Both teams crashed out of Champions League, but City were at least good enough to earn a coveted Europa League spot. Dortmund play a far better style of football but City have been gritty in grinding out results.

Edge: City.

2. Manchester United v. Bayern München.

Sure United are the more-fancied side with their superstars but Bayern have superstars as well. We think that the German club would win a two-legged tie against United, much like they did two years ago.

Edge: Bayern.

3. Tottenham Hotspur v. Mönchengladbach.

Tottenham showed in their last two games that they cannot defend. 'Gladbach have the best defence in Germany, yielding 15 goals. Spurs are probably more lethal in attack but we'll take Lucien Favre over Harry Redknapp in the managerial matchup.

Edge: 'Gladbach.

4. Arsenal FC v. Schalke FC.

Both teams have their domestic league's scoring leaders, with Robin Van Persie lighting it up in London and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar doing the same in Germany when he's not clashing heads with English players. This is a very tight matchup, but hard to trust Arsenal against any competent opponent.

Edge: Schalke.

5. Chelsea FC v. Bayer Leverkusen.

These sides met in Champions League play and the home team won each matchup. While Andres Villas-Boas is out with the Blues, Robin Dutt continues to hold onto his job at Leverkusen although many want him out. Another tough call.

Edge: Even.

6. Newcastle v. Werder Bremen.

Newcastle goals for, 39, goals against 39. Bremen goals for, 37, goals against 38. (Former Hoffenheim star) Demba Ba - 16 goals for Newcastle. Claudio Pizarro - 15 goals for Bremen. Since former Freiburg star Papiss Demba Cisse is now in England, we'll give the EPL this one.

Edge: Newcastle.

7. Liverpool v. Hannover 96.

Sure Liverpool have the pedigree but this current squad have drawn eight times at home with one defeat. Hannover have yet to lose at home and the 96ers are still alive in Europe unlike the Reds. Hard to favour Liverpool in this matchup after they were dropped by their German kit sponsor.

Edge: Hannover.

8. Fulham v. VfB Stuttgart.

Pavel Pogrebnyak scored one goal in 14 appearances for Stuttgart. He's scored five times in three games for the Cottagers. 'Nuff said.

Edge: Stuttgart.

We'll end the discussion there since we believe the rest of the teams are too terrible to acknowledge. But it looks like the Bundesliga has a clear edge! Sorry English fans!

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