Premier League Saturday

It starts with a London Derby at Upton Park as the Hammers host Palace followed by UNited vs the Black Cats. There won't be a late match because that was originally supposed to be Chelsea vs the Foxes, but that match is not on since Chelsea play in the Capital One Cup Final. Join me for the action.

Europa League Thursday

I'm back in the office on Thursday afternoon to follow the second legs of the Europa League Round of 32. There's a lot on the line, including implications for our humble PPP game. I'll be watching Spurs' return fixture in Florence against Fiorentina today, as Everton seem well out of it with a 4-0 deficit to turn around. Join me for all the fun from 2:45 onward.

Champions League Wednesday

I'm back on Wednesday afternoon from the Fred office looking forward to this evening's Champions League action. I'll be following Arsenal's tie with Moneybags Monaco. Come along for the ride here on the LOB, eh?

Premiership Plus Predictions - Week 26 Update

Hi chaps - We're two third of the way through the domestic season now, with only 12 Premiership matches left to play. Chelski are still top, there is still a furious jockeying for Champions League positions between Citeh, Arsenal, United and Southampton and a real relegation dogfight at the bottom. Sergio Aguero has leveled the Golden Boot stakes at 17 alongside Diego Costa.

Here are the current standings:

1. Blue Devil - 42 points
2. STRose - 41 pts
3. Chelskilad - 40 pts
4. Swansong - 32 pts
5. The Red Dragon - 30 pts
6. Gooner71 - 26 pts
7. The Red Devil 1FCK - 28 pts
8. What's Up Wheaton Simon - 27 pts
- Yellows - 27 pts
10. Someone Said - 22 pts
11. United We Stand - 19 pts
- Man Utd Rules - 19 pts
13. West Ham Rising - 9 pts

Another Big Evening in the CL

It's another big day in the Champions League, chaps. I'll be racing back from a meeting this afternoon in order to enjoy as much of Manchester City's huge match-up with Messi, Suarez and co. In the other match, Juve host Dortmund. There is also a full slate of Championship fixtures including an away day on the southern coast for the Leeds boys at Brighton. Join me for all the action from around 3pm EST onward.

A Not So Early Start to Sunday's Action

After yesterday's early start and a late night out, I opted for a lie-in with the missus rather than Spurs v. West Ham. So, I'm just getting into position at The Cottage for Everton v. Leicester followed by the late one and the marquee match up of the day Southampton v. Liverpool. Join me for some Sunday brunch action, won't you?

An Early Saturday Start

I'm up early on a frighteningly cold morning to watch my Leeds boys play away at Boro. As Boro are top of the pops currently, it's likely to be a hiding to nothing. But it's a rare chance to see my beloved live on BEin. Join me for the early one and stick around for Arsenal v. Palace or Chelski v. Burnley at 10am EST and then Citeh v. Newcastle at 12:30pm on NBC.

Harry Shearer on WTF!

Calling all Spinal Tap fans! Harry Shearer (legendary bassist "Derek Smalls" in "This is Spinal Tap") is the featured guest on this week's "WTF" podcast with Marc Maron. It's nearly two hours of Harry and Marc - check it out!

The Europa League Heats Up!

It's rare that we cover the Europa League on the LOB, but since I've got a quiet afternoon ahead of me in the office, I thought I'd take a look. First up is Everton's trip to Young Boys starting at 1pm EST. That's followed at 3pm by Spurs v. Fiorentina, Liverpool v. Besiktas, Celtic v. Inter and a gaggle of other Round of 32 first leg fixtures. Join me for all the Europa League nonsense this afternoon, won't you?

More Champions League Knock-out Action

I'm back in the office this afternoon to follow the Wednesday evening Champions League action. We've got two matches on offer today - Basel host Porto in one match while the marquee match-up is Schalke up against La Liga table-toppers Real Madrid. It'll be Klass van Huntelaar v. Karim Benzema and Kevin Prince Boateng v. Cristiano Ronaldo. Join me for all the LOB banter this afternoon!

Champions League Knock Out Rounds Begin!

The heat is on as the knock-out rounds begin in the Champions League this evening. We've got two matches on offer - Bayern visiting Shakhtar Donetsk and the one I'll be watching Zlatan's PSG against Chelski. Join me for all the CL action from 2:45 pm onward.

United Visit the Land of Evil

Like Dante before him, Louis van Gaal and his side must enter the nine circles of hell today as they travel to Preston North End, led by evil overlord Peter Ridsdale, to play their 5th Round FA Cup fixture. It should be a frightening encounter - join me for all the thrills and chills, won't you?

Sunday FA Cup Fifth Round Action

 It's  A Sunday triple header starting with A Midlands Derby between two teams in the drop zone as Villa host the Foxes in Tim Sherwood's first match in charge of Villa. This is followed by giant killers Bradford City vs Fred's Black Cats and concludes with Gooner's  Gunner's vs another giant killer in Middlesbrough.

The FA Cup Fifth Round

 Well, we're down to sixteen teams . The top three are out. We start with the Wests as the Baggies host the Hammers. Next, it's a return to Ewood Park for Mark Hughes while the high flying Rams host the Reading Railroad at the same time. The late one is Palace vs Liverpool. The remaining matches are tomorrow and Monday

Footie Trivia of the Week!

Before we get into the serious business of a Premiership weekend, how about a spot of trivia?

"There are seven clubs that have been ever-present in the Premiership (that is, have never been relegated from the Premiership during the Premiership era) - Arsenal, Aston Villa, Chelsea, Everton, Liverpool, Manchester United and Tottenham. Of the clubs that have not been ever-present in the Premiership, which club has amassed the largest number of points in the Premiership?"

Good luck, chaps!

Premiership Plus Predictions Game - Week 25 Update

We've had another hurly burly week in the Premiership with weekend and mid-week fixtures aplenty. Yet, not so much has shifted in our standings. Villa and Burnley have dropped into the relegation, rewarding those of us who have an aversion to the claret and blue. Boro are back on top in the Championship. Sergio Aguero has inched closer to Diego Costa who is still top of the pops in goalscoring. Here are the current standings, then:

1. Blue Devil - 42 points
2. STRose- 40 pts
3. Chelskilad - 39 pts
4. Swansong - 31 pts
- The Red Dragon - 31 pts
6. Gooner71 - 29 pts
7. What's Up Wheaton Simon - 26 pts
- The Red Devil 1FCK - 26 pts
9. Yellows - 23 pts
10. Someone Said - 21 pts
11. United We Stand - 20 pts
12. Man Utd Rules - 18 pts
13. West Ham Rising - 8 pts

Midweek Footie Madness!

Just when you thought it was safe to go back to work, along comes another full slate of Premiership and Championship fixtures. Yesterday saw a bounce back for Arsenal and Leeds and a tumble for Spurs. Today's marquee fixture is probably Chelski's visit with Everton. Join me from 2:45pm if you're skiving.

United Visit Upton Park

Manchester United's treks to Upton Park are always spirited affairs and today's should be no exception. I've had a lie in at the Cottage after a late flight in last night, so I'm fired up and ready to go. Join me for all of the action from 11 am EST onward.

Derby Day in the Premiership!

Morning, chaps! I'm holed up in the Omni Barton Creek Resort and Spa in Austin, TX experiencing the early morning schedule that MUR is accustomed to this morning. I'll be around for the North London Derby this morning before jumping on a shuttle at 10am CST to head back to WNY. Later today, it's Steven Gerrard's last derby day for Liverpool. Join me for all the derby action, won't you?

New Hornby!

Hurrah! As luck would have it, when I ducked into the bookstore at the Buffalo Airport this morning to pick up a quick read for my trip to Austin this week, what did I find but a brand spanking new novel from the LOB's favorite writer Nick Hornby. As a Hornby completist, I'm ashamed to say that this one snuck up on me - I hadn't heard a a Dickie Bird about it before I saw it on the shelves this morning. It's his first full work since "Juliet, Naked," which we read together here on the LOB.

After ploughing through the first 100 pages, I can report that it is a must-read for anyone - and this is all of us, naturally - who grew up watching 60s and 70s telly in the UK. It's the story of one Barbara Parker, a Miss Blackpool winner in 1964 (a good year) whose main goal is to be the UK's answer to Lucille Ball. Her story of life at the BBC is chock-full of references to the likes of the Hancock Half Hour, The Goons, Arthur Askey, and 'Til Death Us Do Part." Pick it up immediately!

Redknapp Walks

Happy Harry Redknapp ain't so happy today, as he's announced his resignation from the leadership of troubled Queen's Park Rangers. The Loftus Road club will go into Saturday's home match against 4th place Southampton managerless as a result.

So, who will replace Harry? Tim Sherwood's name has been bandied about in the press. Neil Warnock, who was in charge at QPR before, is available? Who's your favorite?

More about Harry here: http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11711/9698163/premier-league-harry-redknapp-has-resigned-his-position-as-manager-of-qpr

Transfer Deadline Day!

It's Transfer Deadline Day, chaps. Follow all the big transfer news here on the LOB. In the biggest news of the day so far, Colombian international Juan Cuadrado has joined Chelski for something around £27 million and Andre Schurlle has left the club for Wolfsburg. What players do you want your club to sign today - let's be hearing from you!

Sunday in the Premiership

Morning, chaps - I'm settling to enjoy the Sunday Premiership action this morning, starting with Arsenal visit to struggling Aston Villa. Join me for all the LOB chatter this morning, won' you?