Champions League Semi Finals!

A very good Tuesday afternoon to all of you! We've reached the semi final stage of this year's Champions League. When we started in August, you'd have never thought that we'd see Ajax and Spurs in this one today. What happened to Bayern? And Juve? And PSG? Well, they've all been knocked out, some of them by this lot. Spurs have been on fire in their new digs at High Road, so tonight will be a real test of that mojo.

At the same time, Bristol City have a vital match in the Championship away to Evil Millwall. It's a must win for them. Lose and they'll be out of the playoff running, leaving Derby and Boro to fight it out for the final spot.

Join me if you're around this afternoon.

A Tale of Two Uniteds

Morning, chaps! We've got some super football on tap for this Sunday morning. It's bookended by our two favorite Uniteds, both of whom had fairly disastrous Easter period, trying to reclaim our seasons. My beloved Leeds are up first. We've just about been eliminated from consideration for automatic promotion at this point, so the priority this morning is to try to rebuild our confidence as we head into the playoff campaign. A win against a presumptive playoff rival Aston Villa would do us a power of good.

At the end of the day, it's Man Utd trying to take advantage of some slip-ups by their Top Four rivals to reclaim a spot for the Champions League next season. A win against one of those rivals Chelsea would be a tonic.

Between those two are Citeh and Arsenal. It's a big, big day. Join me, eh?

It's All on the Line!

With only three matches left in the Premier League (and two in the Championship) everything is on the line this weekend. Liverpool have already laid down a marker with a crushing 5-0 win over hapless Huddersfield. We start this morning with a London derby between Spurs and West Ham at their new patch. That's followed with a full slate of fixtures at 10am EST, including Fulham v. Cardiff on NBC Sports. We end with Brighton v. Newcastle at the end of the day.

Join me for all the fun today.

Premiership Plus Predictions Game - Week 35 Update

Happy Thursday, LOBers! As of yesterday's titanic Manc Derby, we completed the 35th week of the season and it's time to update you all on the goings-on with our humble PPP Game. Citeh's big win at Old Trafford did real harm to United's Champions League prospects but it means that three of our loyal United fans in the pool - MUR, The Saint and UWS - have vaulted to the top of the field, dumping me back down into Huddersfield territory. It now seems that Citeh have a lock on the title, so unless I pick up some Cup wins later on, I'll be bottom of the pile at the end of the season.

Elsewhere, Chelsea and Arsenal have flipped again and same three teams rest at the bottom of the table - Cardiff, Fulham and Huddersfield. That also looks like a lock. After our disastrous Easter campaign, my beloved Leeds have dropped into third place and seem unlikely to pip Sheffield United for the automatic slot. We'll need to gear ourselves up for a playoff campaign against the likes of Derby and Villa.

Arsenal's Pierre-Emetick Aubameyang has joined Aguero and Mo Salah at the top of the goalscorers' charts on 19 goals. In Europe, Barca and Juve have run away with their respective leagues, while Bayern hang on to a slim lead over Dortmund.

The PFA awards nominees were also announced this week, so I've also taken note of that on the attached worksheet. You'll notice that none of us would-be Nostradamuses were prescient enough to predict any of the nominees for either the Player of the Year or Young Player of the Year awards. The ones that we tipped either suffered bad injuries (Harry Kane, Kevin De Bruyne), never quite got off the bench enough (Phil Foden) or just didn't impress very much (Paul Pogba, Ryan Sessegnon) this year.

So here are the latest standings, with three matches to go:

1. Man Utd Rules - 50 points
-   The Saint - 50 pts
3. United We Stand - 49 pts
4. Red Devil 1FCK - 46 pts
-   What's Up Wheaton Simon - 46 pts
6. MOT the Hoople - 45 pts
7. West Ham Rising - 44 pts
8. The Bee's Knees - 42 pts
-   Gooner71 - 42 pts
-   Swansong - 42 pts
11. Yellows - 40 pts
12. Red Dragon - 38 pts
13. Someone Said - 37 pts
14. Blue Devil - 33 pts

The Title Decider!

A very good Wednesday afternoon, chaps! I hope you're situated in a comfortable chair and are preparing to watch what appears to be the key match in deciding this year's Premier League title. It's as simple as this - if Man City win at Old Trafford today, they're just about assured of winning another title. However, their Manc cousins can be the spoilers today (and I hope that they will be, as I've got a nice spot at the Cottage just ready for another trophy).

Join me for what should be an absorbing affair. Come on, you Reds!

Down to the Wire

With three matches to play, everything is on the line in today's Championship matches. Norwich are top on 87 points, five points behind both Sheffield United and Leeds, both on 82 points in second and third respectively. All of the sides are away today, with the Blades away to Hull (10th) and  Norwich away to Stoke (16th) at 10am EST and then later at 12:15pm my beloved Leeds kick off against Brentford (15th). We'll need a win today and for Hull and Stoke to do the business. Come on, you Leeds boys! MOT!

Top Six Sunday Morning

One reason that the 3pm Saturday matches are so rubbish is that all of the Top Six matches are shunted off to Sunday morning. So we've got United, Arsenal and Liverpool all playing this morning. First up is United's visit to Goodison. That's followed at 11am with Liverpool's visit to relegation threatened Cardiff and Arsenal v. Palace. Settle in, boys.

Up Early for a Biggie

We've all barely recovered from the Man City v. Spurs Champions League quarterfinal in mid-week and here they are again, popping up like a squirrel in the backyard looking to steal some more nuts. This feels like a truly big one, a season decider but there will be others to come, as well. Settle in with a cuppa and join me for this one.

Good Friday Footie!

A very good Friday to all of you in LOBland. As it's a religious holiday, I'll attempt to keep the crucifixion jokes (and Python references) to a minimum. The main order of operation today is a full slate of critical matches in the Championship. This all starts with some traditional 10am EST (3pm GMT) kickoffs, including my beloved Leeds kicking off against Wigan. Here's how simple our task is from here on in: we need 10 points from the remaining four matches, starting today. So, let's have three points at home, lads. Come on, you Whites! #MOT!

The Lancer Cup Comes Home!

Thanks to UWS for mailing on The Lancer Cup, it is now shined up and has pride of place at The Cottage for the next year or so until Euro 2020 rolls around.

Another Big Midweek Evening

Afternoon, LOBers; we've got another big midweek evening ahead of us. We've got two second leg Champions League Quarterfinals to begin with, with Citeh taking on Spurs who have a slim 1-0 lead from the first leg at High Road. In the other fixture, Liverpool take a 2-0 lead into their second leg in Porto. If you're watching this afternoon, drop by for a chat, eh?

Premiership Plus Predictions Game - Week 34 Update

A very good Tuesday afternoon, chaps! It's time to update you on our wee PPP game. Arsenal's 0-1 win at Watford yesterday rounded off Week 34 in the domestic game. As of today, Liverpool (and consequently the Blue Devil!) are back on top of the pops. Of course, City still have that Manc Derby in hand, which more and more looks like the key to the season. Underneath them, Spurs, Arsenal and Chelski are just about pushing United out of the CL slots. Huddersfield and Fulham are already down, with Cardiff and Brighton kicking off in an hour or so in a titanic relegation battle.

In the Championship, my beloved Leeds are back in second, three points above Sheffield United and three points behind Norwich. Barca, Bayern and Juve are on the top of La Liga, Bundesliga and Serie A respectively. And Mo Salah has now joined Sergio Aguero at the top of the Golden Boot charts, on 19 goals each, benefiting MUR and UWS to the tune of 6 additional points.

So here are the current standings:

1. Blue Devil - 46 points
2. Man Utd Rules - 34 pts
3. MOT the Hoople - 33 pts
-  Red Devil 1FCK - 33 pts
-  United We Stand - 33 pts
6. The Bee's Knees - 30 pts
7. West Ham Rising - 28 pts
8. What's Up Wheaton Simon - 27 pts
9. Gooner71 - 26 pts
10. The Saint - 25 pts
11. Red Dragon - 24 pts
-  Yellows - 24 pts
13. Swansong - 23 pts
14. Someone Said - 20 pts

The Ghost of Stevie G.

We all remember that moment five years ago at Anfield. Stevie G. slips, allowing Salomon Kalou to race through and score, thus allowing Chelski to ruin Liverpool's title hopes. We're at Anfield again today, with Liverpool chasing the title once again. It's set up beautifully.

Before then, we've got Citeh's visit to Palace where they've struggled before. It should be an absorbing morning. So, pour yourself a cuppa and join me right here.

A Late Saturday Start

I dragged myself home after a long, hard week at work dog tired yesterday evening, so I decided to have a lie in instead of waking up at the crack for Spurs v. Huddersfield. So, I'm just settling in to watch, with Spurs already 2-0 up in the first half through goals from Wanyama and Moura.

After this one, we've got the usual rubbish 3pm Saturday kickoffs in the Premiership, leading up to the two big United matches: Man Utd v. West Ham and my beloved Leeds in a Yorkshire Derby against Not a Big Club. Join me whenever you have a chance, lads.

In Bielsa We Trust!

Just in time for a big weekend of footie and Game of Thrones watching, check out this impromptu tribute to Leeds United's intrepid gaffer (at 5:23) from GOT star Nikolaj Coster-Waldau on Kimmel this week. Thanks to the Gooner for spotting this gem.

A Very Big Tuesday Evening

Over the weekend, my beloved Leeds boys suffered a defeat at the hands of Birmingham City, which dropped us to third in the Championship table, behind Norwich and Sheffield Utd. It's Preston North End this evening. Three points are a must, and Birmingham could help us out with the Blades.

Oh...and there is some Champions League nonsense going on as well. ;-)

Come you, Leeds! #MOT!

More of the Sunday Best

Morning, chaps! I'm settling in with a cuppa to enjoy Everton v. Arsenal, a key Top Six clash, and an FA Cup semi between Watford and Wolves. Join me for all the fun, won't you?

It's All Happening This Weekend

Step right up, LOBers, for the greatest show on earth. As each weekend ticks by, the domestic leagues get more exciting. This morning, we got the fight for the Premier League title, the Championship title and the FA Cup on tap. It all starts in a moment, with a key match between current table toppers Norwich City and QPR, who have just sacked The Wally with the Brolly. It continues with the usual 10am fixtures, including my beloved Leeds United visiting Birmingham City. And finally, we wrap up at the end of the day with Citeh's FA Cup semi-final against Brighton. Join me for a cuppa this morning, won't you?

Southampton vs :Liverpool on Friday Night Footie

It may not be the battle of the Titans, but it's definitely The Battle of the Teutons as Haagen Daaz's improving Saints host Klopp's title choosing Pool  as there will be Friday Night Football every Friday in April with the exception of Good Friday. Join me for this intriguing match up if you can.

Premiership Plus Predictions Game - Week 32 Update

Happy Thursday, LOBers! With the big wins for the three big boys playing yesterday, we officially finished Round 32 of the domestic season. Now we've got six matches left in the Premier League and there is plenty to be sorted out. City hold a one point lead at the top over Liverpool. Four sides below them - Spurs, Arsenal, Chelsea and United jockey over those positions with a few points between them. At the bottom, the picture is fairly clear. Huddersfield were relegated last weekend, only the fifth side ever to be relegated in March, and Fulham followed them on Tuesday. Cardiff are now five points adrift and look all but doomed to the drop.

In the Championship, there are seven matches left for most and Norwich look set to claim the title, with my beloved Leeds and Sheffield United doing battle to the death for that second slot. West Brom seem safe in the playoff spots on 70 points, while Bristol City, Villa, Derby and Boro will fight it out for the playoffs.

As Citeh keep plugging along, so too does Sergio Aguero, who is now on 19 goals, two better than Mo Salah. Dortmund are back on top in the Bundesliga, knocking a couple of points off all of our totals.

So, here are the current standings with about six weeks left of the season:

1. Red Devil 1FCK - 45 points
2. MOT the Hoople - 44 pts
3. Man Utd Rules - 41 pts
4. Gooner71 - 40 pts
-  United We Stand - 40 pts
6. What's Up Wheaton Simon - 39 pts
7. The Saint - 38 pts
8. Red Dragon - 37 pts
-  West Ham Rising - 37 pts
10. Swansong - 36 pts
11. Yellows - 33 pts
12. The Bee's Knees - 32 pts
-  Someone Said - 32 pts
14. Blue Devil - 31 pts

Keeping Up with the Prem Action

Phew! What a week it's been both here in Fred-town and in the domestic leagues. This evening, we've got a few more "matches in hand" for the top sides to take care of before we can close the door on Week 32 of the season. Chelski meet up with relegation threatened Brighton with the chance of leaping all the way to fourth with a win. Similarly, Spurs have the chance of leapfrogging their North London neighbors Arsenal into third place again. Finally, Citeh will need a win today against relegation threatened Cardiff in order to keep up the pace with Liverpool who are currently on top. It should be a fascinating evening. Join me if you've got a chance.

Monday Night Football Fever!

A very good Monday afternoon, chaps! We've got some Premier League footie on tap this afternoon. I'll likely be in and out of affairs, as it's Advisement Week here in Fred-town, so I've got students popping in and out of the office all day long.

This one means a lot more to the home side than it does for Newcastle. Arsenal can leapfrog both United and their dreaded North London rivals Spurs into third place with a win today. Newcastle on the other hand only have Premier League survival to play for, as their five points from mathematical safety this season.

Join me if you're about this afternoon.