A Bit of the Sunday Best

A very good Sunday morning, LOBers! It's time for a spot of footie on a Sunday morning, as essential a ritual as having a big fry up. First up is Chelski's road trip to South Wales to meet lowly and evil Cardiff. Then there is the big one - Spurs v. Liverpool from Wembley. Don't miss it, eh?

Back to the Prem!

A very good Saturday morning, chaps! After the latest interminable international break, it's a pleasure getting back to the real action of the domestic season. We start with Citeh visiting lowly Fulham, hoping to return to the top of league ahead of Liverpool's match later in the week. Then it's the regular fixture time with Man Yoo visiting Watford and another crucial promotion match for Leeds against Millwall. Finally, we wrap things up with West Ham v. Everton. The Brits still haven't turned the clocks forward so everything is still an hour later, giving us a bit of extra kip but cutting into the weekend "Honey Do" lists. We'll manage it somehow; join me, eh?

RIP: "Ranking Roger" (1963-2019)

Sad news this morning that The Beat vocalist "Ranking Roger" Charlery has died at the tragically young age of 56 after a long bout with brain and lung cancer. This brings back fond memories of the time that I saw The Beat (or English Beat as the Yanks call them) headline a show with a very young REM at Boston University's Walter Brown Arena in 1983. At the end of the night, both Bivalve Betsy and I were a sweaty mess, having danced all night. Thanks for all the great music and memories, Roger. RIP.

You can read the Guardian's obit here: https://www.theguardian.com/music/2019/mar/26/the-beat-singer-ranking-roger-dies-aged-56

Montenegro v. England Live!

England's Euro 2020 qualifying campaign couldn't have had a more promising start on Friday, when they mullered a decent Czech side 5-0 at Wembley. This evening, it's an away affair in Montenegro on tap, and I'm hoping that that will bring more goals and another exciting performance. Come on, England!

England Start Their Euro 2020 Qualifying Campaign

A very good Friday afternoon, chaps! England start their Euro 2020 qualifying campaign this evening with what would sound like an appetizing encounter against the Czech Republic. While the Czechs aren't quite the same force that they were when they got to the final of Euro 1996, they're still a handy side. So, it'll be important that England shows the same form that they did back in the fall with a series of meaningless friendlies against the likes of Croatia and Spain when they kick off matters at Wembley tonight. Come on, you Three Lions!

Euro 2020 Qualfying Finally Begins!

It's only six months late, but after a turgid fall of useless friendlies, the proper Euro 2020 qualifying kicked off today. Predictably, some of the big sides got off to good starts (e.g., Belgium beating Russia 3-1 at home). Also predictably, Scotland lost. To Borat's crew. 3-0. Yes, it's not a happy night in Bonny Old Scotland.

Ah well, England get going tomorrow with what could be a tricky opener against the Czechs and Wemberley. There is a tasty little preview feature in the Guardian that you can access here:

https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2019/mar/21/euro-2020-qualifiers-and-international-football-10-things-to-look-out-for

Premiership Plus Predictions Game - Week 30 Update

A very good Monday morning to all of you out there in LOBland. As we head into the first interminable international break of 2019, it's time to take stock of our humble PPP Game. Well, it's all change again with our standings, largely due to Liverpool taking advantage of Citeh's involvement in the FA Cup Quarterfinals to jump ahead again, albeit with City having a Manc Derby in hand. That means that, once again, I've jumped from bottom to top of the league (I'm starting to get a touch of the bends, to be honest).

In other big news, Villa have jumped into the playoff race, which has given a number of us two points. Elsewhere, it was an up and down week for Bayern Munich. On Wednesday, they were unceremoniously dumped out of the Champions League by Man Utd. At the weekend, they jumped into top spot in the Bundesliga, albeit on superior goal difference over Dortmund. That Bundesliga lead gives a number of us two more points.

Sergio Aguero remains on top of the goalscorers' chart on 18 goals; however, several strikers, including Pierre Emerick Aubameyang, Harry Kane, and Sadio Mane are in hot pursuit on 17 goals.

So here are the current standings:

1. Blue Devil - 47 points
2. Man Utd Rules - 36 pts
3. Red Devil 1FCK - 32 pts
4. United We Stand - 31 pts
5. Swansong - 30 pts
6. The Bee's Knees - 28 pts
-  The Saint - 28 pts
8. MOT the Hoople - 27 pts
-  What's Up Wheaton Simon - 27 pts
10. Gooner71 - 25 pts
-  Red Dragon - 25 pts
12. Someone Said - 24 pts
-  West Ham Rising - 24 pts
14. Yellows - 23 pts

Sunday in the Prem

Yesterday's Premiership action was a tad underwhelming, with mid table match-ups that didn't mean a lot. This morning corrects that, with matches involving two of the big boys, Liverpool and Chelsea. We start at Craven Cottage, where Fulham are scrapping for every point. They face Liverpool, who have a chance to go top with Citeh busy with Cup duties this weekend. That's followed at 12:30pm with Chelski traveling to Goodison Park to meet Everton. If Cup action is your cuppa, we've also got the remaining Quarterfinal between Brighton and Millwall. Join me for a super Sunday.

Into the Final Stretch

A very good Saturday morning, LOBers. We've now rounded the last corner of the season and have entered the final stretch of this very long season. Evidence of that? We start with a big one, a very big one, a Yorkshire Derby that looks to be one of the key fixtures of the Championship season. Fortunately, the ESPN suits have pulled their fingers out and are broadcasting it, starting at 8:30am this morning. Exhibit 2 - at the same time, we've got FA Cup Quarterfinal matches interspersed, starting with Watford v. Palace. Finally, there are a number of critical Premiership matches throughout the weekend. Join me for all the fun this morning, won't you?

Will History Repeat Itself?

It's a trip down Memory Lane. What were you doing Wednesday April 22, 1981? Liverpool were heading to Munich after a 0-0 first leg at Anfield. They went through on the away goals rule after a 1-1 draw in Munich. Ray Kennedy scored the vital goal. Will history repeat itself? Liverpool head to Munich with a 0-0 draw in the first leg at Anfield in this Round of Sixteen clash. The other CL match today is Barca Vs Lyon . There are some Championship matches as well. Join me if you can

Saturday is Here Again!

Morning, chaps! We have another morning of the good stuff ahead of us. We start with Palace v. Brighton at Selhurst Park. That's followed at 10am EST with Spurs v. Soton on NBC Sports Network and a slate of other Premier League and Championship fixtures, including Bristol City v. Leeds, and then finally the league leaders Man City v. Watford at the end of the morning. Join me for some Saturday fun.

Premiership Plus Predictions Game - Week 29 Update

A very happy Thursday, everyone. I was holding off on posting my usual weekly update of our PPP game until after the mid-week action had culminated. And what action we had! The big news this week was out of the Champions League where both Real Madrid and PSG, two heavy favorites for the title, were shockingly knocked out at the first knock out round stage by Ajax and Man Utd respectively. The Real elimination didn't have much impact on our game, as no one had picked them for some reason, but the PSG elimination knocks out several of us, including yours truly.

In the Premier League, Man City are back on top after Liverpool's failure to break down Everton in the Scouse Derby at the weekend. That means I go from top to bottom once again (I'm starting to get a bit sea sick with all of this movement!). The bottom three are still the same, however: Cardiff, Fulham and Huddersfield are beginning to be cut adrift from the rest of the pack and lots of us have lots of points invested in that.

In the Championship, Leeds jumped from third to second, adding a point to several scores. In Europe, Barca and Juve are running away with their leagues, while Dortmund and Bayern are locked in a titanic struggle at the top of the Bundesliga. Finally, Sergio Aguero continues at the top of the GB charts, on 18 goals from 29 matches, with Mo Salah and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in hot pursuit.

So, here are the latest standings:

1. Man Utd Rules - 48 points
2. The Saint - 44 pts
3. United We Stand - 43 pts
4. Swansong - 40 pts
5. Red Dragon - 39 pts
6. Gooner71 - 38 pts
7. MOT the Hoople - 37 pts
-  West Ham Rising - 37 pts
9. What's Up Wheaton Simon - 35 pts
-  Yellows - 35 pts
11. The Bee's Knees - 33 pts
12. Red Devil 1FCK - 32 pts
-  Someone Said - 32 pts
14. Blue Devil - 28 pts

Another Holy Trinity at Old Trafford

You are my Solskjaer
My Ole Solskjaer
You make me happy
When skies are grey
You're never boring
You just keep scoring...and winning
Please don't take my Solksjaer away

WHAT A RESULT FROM PARIS THIS EVENING.... these three loved it too!

WOW!

The Far Right Threat to the MLS

As the MLS begins its 23 year, the league is facing a new threat from right-wing, white power hate groups in its stands. As the Guardian reports today, this is particularly present with the New York FC club, whose Empire State Ultras fan clubs has become infested with members of The Proud Boys, a white nationalist group. MLS clubs need to stamp this nonsense out straight away or it'll pay the cost.

I'd love to hear from those of you who regularly attend MLS matches to see what you've seen.

To read more, cut and paste this link into your browser: https://www.theguardian.com/football/2019/mar/06/proud-boys-and-skinheads-mls-faces-an-incursion-from-the-far-right

Football rules: How will new IFAB laws affect the game?

There are some rule changes coming to the sport we all love starting next season.... some are okay... some are just ridiculous!

Read the new laws here

Sky Sports Article

Your thoughts?

UWS

Oh, you Gianna Alioski We Love You!

Just in time to brighten up your Monday afternoons, here a little tribute to Leeds United's favorite Macedonian son, Gianni Alioski. Sing along to the tune of the "Theme from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" and then just try to get it out of your head for the rest of the day. #MOT!

A Late Start to a Sunday

I made the executive decision to sleep in through the mid-table early morning clash between Watford and Leicester at Vicarage Road; however, I'm looking forward to the two matches later on, starting with Fulham v. Chelski and especially the Merseyside Derby, which closes the weekend's action. Join me for the Sunday fun, won't you?

An Early North London Derby

Up early for one of the biggest matches of the season - the North London Derby. After that early clash, there is the usual 10am EST slate of matches in the Premier League and the EFL. At the end of the day, we've got a mid-table clash between Newcastle and West Ham. Join me for all the fun early doors.

A Very Big Friday Afternoon!

It's a very big Friday afternoon for my Leeds boys, so I've skived off work for the proceedings. No way around it - it's a must-win for us today, as West Brom arrive at Elland Road for a promotion six-pointer. Come on, you Whites! #MOT!