It's 4th Round Time!

Morning, chaps! It's 4th Round Cup time. I'm up early to watch Ipswich taking on plucky Maidstone on the Plus. At 10am, my eyes will be laser focused on Elland Road as my beloved Leeds United host Plymouth Argyle. Then the late one is Fulham v. Newcastle. Join me for all the Cup romance today. 

Premiership Plus Predictions Game - Week 21 Update

 

Happy Monday, everyone! I'm here at the end of another big weekend in domestic footer to take stock of our standings. This weekend was week two of the odd little "Winter Break" that the Premier League bosses have instituted with the five remaining matches from Matchday 21. At the end of the action, Liverpool are still on top, having romped it against Bournemouth, with Man City and Arsenal in hot pursuit. The same three sides are rooted to the bottom but Everton is in perilous shape given that Luton have a match in hand. 

In the Championship, Ipswich last ditch equalizer against Leicester today kept them in that vital second automatic promotion spot for now but Southampton are breathing down their necks now. Not a lot of changes in Europe; only Juventus pipping Inter at the top of Serie A. Haaland and Salah are still top of the scoring chart and Salah and Ollie Watkins top of the assists chart. Alisson has joined Pickers on seven clean sheets, so a few of us gained two points there. 

So, all that means is that UWS has extended his lead this week to nine points. Here are the standings in full: 

1. United We Stand - 40 points 

2. MOT the Hoople - 32 pts

3. Bee's Knees - 31 pts

-  Blue Devil - 31 pts

-  Red Dragon - 31 pts

6. Teddy Goalesevelt - 29 pts

7. oticoN - 28 pts

8. Red Devil 1FCK - 24 pts

9. Gooner71 - 23 pts

-  Man Utd Rules - 23 pts

-  Someone Said - 23 pts

12. West Ham Rising - 18 pts

Another Must-Win Championship Match-up

 

Morning, lads! I'm up with the chickens to watch my beloved Leeds United as they take on Preston North End in a Championship grudge match. We'll be hoping to exact a bit of revenge for the bad loss that spoiled our festive spirits back on Boxing Day. Only three points will do as we attempt to close the gap on the high-flying trio on Leicester, Ipswich and Southampton. Come on, you Whites! #MOT! 

Harry Kane Takes on Spicy Wings!

Hiya, boys! Gooner clued me into a recent appearance by England's #9 Captain Kane himself on one of my favorite YouTube shows "Hot Ones." The premise is that guests attempt to answer traditional interview questions all while consuming ten increasingly spicy chicken wings. It's a bit of a laugh, especially when English guests are on (the one with Gordon Ramsey is a standout) because they're relatively bland diet leaves them unprepared for the extreme heat. 

See how 'Arry does here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fy59Fq-GkJg

Premiership Plus Predictions Game - Week 20 Update

 

Happy MLK, Jr. Day, everyone! I'm here as usual at the beginning of the week to take account of our humble PPP game. It was an odd weekend, with the Premier League instituting a sort of quasi winter break in which half of the teams played five matches with the other half having the weekend off until next weekend. So, half of the sides have played 21 while the others have a match in hand at this point. That said, Liverpool (who play next weekend) are still on top, with Man City, who came from behind at Newcastle to win in extra time, following in close pursuit.

At the bottom, it's as you were with Luton, Burnley, and Sheffield United propping up the division as they have more most of the season. Luton have a chance but Burnley and the Blades seem doomed at this point, with only 17 or 18 matches left to play. In the Championship, it's nearly as you were with Coventry now sneaking into the last play off spot. 

As Erling Haaland has stalled in his goalscoring exploits, Mo Salah has now caught him on 14 goals. Mo is also on top of the assists chart alongside Ollie Watkins. And Jordan Pickford now has the most clean sheets. 

I've also noted the semi-final stage of the EFL (League) Cup and have marked off those who have guessed teams other than Chelsea, Fulham, Liverpool or Boro. 

As things stand, United We Stand still leads the pack, although now with only a six point lead. Here are the standings in full: 

1. United We Stand - 39 points 

2. Blue Devil - 33 pts

3. Bee's Knees - 30 pts

-  Red Dragon - 30 pts

5. MOT the Hoople - 29 pts

-  Teddy Goalesevelt - 29 pts

7. oticoN - 27 pts

8. Man Utd Rules - 25 pts

-  Red Devil 1FCK - 25 pts

10. Someone Said - 24 pts

11. Gooner71 - 23 pts

12. West Ham Rising - 20 pts

Footie as a Refuge for the Snowbound

 

Morning, all! The East Coast is set to get pounded with several feet of snow this weekend, so what better refuge than to dive deeply into the weekend's footer. It all starts with Chelsea hosting their London neighbors Fulham. At 10 am, the Premier League elites have a rest, so you can all tune into the Championship stuff on ESPN+, including my beloved Leeds United's clash at Cardiff City. The big boys are back for a late one between Citeh and Toon. 

Join me for a cuppa if you're about, eh? 

A Rather Posh Away Day

 

The FA Cup 3rd Round is my favorite weekend of the season. Yet, I'm waking up with a feeling of dread this morning. It's no secret that my beloved Leeds United have a checkered history in knockout tournaments and losing in the 3rd Round to lower league opposition is certainly part of our DNA as a club. So, it would not surprise me at all to get knocked out of the Cup by Peterboro this morning. That wouldn't be catastrophic as Championship promotion is our major remit this season. Still, come on your Leeds boys! #MOT!!

The Best Day of the Year!

 

FA Cup 3rd Round Saturday - it's still my favorite day of the season. Everyone starts fresh with the promise of a Saturday in May at Wembley at stake. I'm starting this morning with AFC Wimbledon v. Ipswich and then I'll shortly be switching over to the Northeast Derby between Sunderland and Newcastle. Should be a grand day - join me for all the action.

New Year's Footie!

 

Happy New Year, LOB crew! A new year always brings fresh promise. My beloved Leeds United host Birmingham City today, hoping to bounce back from two disappointing away losses over the holiday period. The Bluenoses are in 20th and have only won two matches in 14 since Wayne Rooney took over. So, we need to smack them in order to restore our confidence and morale. Come on, you Whites! #MOT!