Season 32 Week 6 processing...

Welcome to week 6.

Orders have arrived safely from everybody.

Reset is underway...

Not done a preview for a bit so .......

Barca

After 3 titles in a row it feels like the team needs to be refreshed. While Ansu Fati has made the breakthrough already the manager feels it's time for Pedri, Yusuf Demir, Jules Kounde and Yeremi Pino to make the leap. In order for the new blood to come in some other heads will need to move on with Eric Garcia and Bryan Gil making their way to North London among others. Two very hard fixtures this week with the Galacticos of Real visiting the Non Camp while the mid week Cup game is away at the San Siro against Milan. Injuries and suspensions are playing havoc with the team but hopefully we have the strength in depth to battle through with Kounde and Cucurella getting first team run outs.

Nacional

A couple of interesting new additions coming into Nacional this week with Pablo Sarabia and Thiago Almada joining to strengthen the front line and add some creativity and goals. After playing Defensor and Penerol in their last two games Los Tricolores host the last member of Uruguay's traditional big four in Danubio. Danubio currently sit top and are scoring for fun with 26 in their first 5 games so this feels like a huge game. In the Libertadores Columbian giants Milonarios visit Montevideo in a week of two huge home games. There is a feeling that the squad is too bloated and the board are currently looking at options to move some players out on loan to get more playing time. It is thought that Diego Rossi, Bruno Mendez and Juan Gutierrez are the most likely options.

Hannover

The board have said it's time to step up and start acting like a top division team. And to prove these aren't just empty words some big names are on the way in to the Hannover Arena. This week sees experienced players  Brandt and Vermaelen join as well as newly capped German left back David Raum. On top of this youngsters Adeyemi, Sesko and Daramy have also received full international call ups and so could see themselves in the first team frame going forward. This weeks visitors are high flying Bremen and their potent frontline of Podolski, Petersen and Stindl. Bremen sit second and have smashed in an impressive 17 goals so far. Europe sees the team play Auxerre in a key game after defeat away at Norwich last time out. There are rumours of a massive signing in the near future with one of Germany's best players agreeing personal terms ...........

Rennais

The Breton club are working their way through the French League structure and have gotten off to a flying start in France's bottom flight. It's to be expected with a comparatively strong squad. A move is underway to trim squad numbers and really focus on a wingers based tactic. Rising African internationals Daka, Chukwueze, Diatta, Onana and Mwepu are all competing for places alongside established stars Wissam Ben Yedder and Houssem Aouar. The team visit Troyes this week and expect to continue their winning streak. Europe sees a much sterner test in Dutch powerhouse Rotterdam. Attacking talents Berghuis and Lang lead a well put together team which has both a solid defence and some sparkling attackers. Rumours are floating around the Roazhon Park that veteran centre back Adil Rami could be joining to replace the departing Vermaelen to shore up what is a youthful back line.

Schalke

With Kane out for a week, Jovic gets his chance at CF in both matches this week.

The manager continues experimenting with the SLA tactic, with the team travelling to Leverkusen for a tough match. Playing a central central defender to better deal with the opposing CF may give a better insight into the possible variations of SLA.

A home match against Benfica in the champions league gives another opportunity to tweak SLA, playing 3 AMs, giving cover against the opposition TM using FAS.

Sending a couple of players out on loan and trying to recruit a couple of promising youngsters sees the manager shuffle the playing staff a little.

WATFORD

The manager has managed to stable the ship after a creaking start to the season... With 13 goals scored in 3 games and 2 goals conceded. Has certainly put Watford back in contention. However, don't get too comfortable as there are 4 teams on 10 points with Plymouth on 8 and Gaz leading the way on 12 points. 

A outstanding team performance last week with 5 players picking up a Sublime performance after being Inspired to put there authority on the game. This week see's the team run out against Sheffield Wednesday. Who seem to have a Spanish influence on there team with the likes of Mata, Fornals, Tejera and Moreno in the side. With the Newly capped Jamacan Michail Antonio who will no doubt be a thorn in the side of the Watford defence. The hornets only have the one change this week with Cancelo in for the injured Wan Bissaka. (Thermaturf was installed last week to aid the reduction of injuries). Not a bad replacement, Maddison and Shaw are fit enough to return the bench. Evergreen Baines continues at LB after impressive display last week. 

As for the Champions league, Watford entertain Manchester United. Who has been a bit of a thorn in the side. But the side are set up for a hard game. Maddison returns to the midfield and Tyrone Mings only changes from the League side. Enough to keep things fresh... However, need to be consistent and take away all 3 points in order to progress. 

GENK

I thought maybe Paul had just missed the Genk goal last week.... Alas, There was no goal and a bore draw for the Belgian outfit.. Something that hasn't happened in a long time for the team.. Genk sit 4th in the table... joining on points with 4 others.. The Blauw-Wit need to do something serious in order to maintain the status quo in Belgium! 

This week opponents are Liege who sit 1 point above in the table, can Genk leap frog this weeks opponents to put pressure on the top 3? Firstly need to navigate past Carrasco, M'Poku and Meunier to take all 3 points! The front 3 of Genk havn't quite clicked as hoped by the manager Griezmann 8-2, Mahrez 6-3 and Dembele 7-2... Will Hlozek get his chance to shine soon... Talented youngsters Milambo and Virginius come in to the squad. However, an emotional farewell to Josko Gvardiol this week. The side currently boast Badiashile, Cuesta, Bade, Doukoure and Mbamba-Muanda at CB at the manager while likes to keep hold of his talent wanted to bring in a new face... 

In Europe, the old foe of PSV... Will be interesting to see how the teams have progressed after since the splitting of the leagues.,.. Not looking forward to Dzeko and co.... However, Giovinco is injured which could help turn the tide.. 

LEVERKUSEN

Continue to score the single goal in the league... Might be a different story this week... Schalke! A Superstar squad Vs the ragtag OAP band of merry men. If the team are to gain anything from the game Trochowski is going to have to role back the years to break up the playmakers of Schalke... and Milinkovic-Savic is going to have to put on a masterclass to defend and attack and support the front three if the German side are to break through the Schalke defence... The game is too early for Son, who gets a place on the bench in order to watch his new side.... Lewandowski and Piszcek are brought inside the side to replace Otto and Aquafresca (Should make his own toothpaste...)
As for Europe, Blackburn await! Another Spanish themed side with Juanmi, Negredo and Herrera all looking to cause some issues. Having won the competition last year, the side has minimum expectations of progressing through to the next side! 

BOTAFOGO

Another quick rise through the table, sitting 2nd behind the juggernaut that is Santos! This week's side are Cruzeiro who have been hit by a couple of injuries so hopefully best time for Botafogo to smash and grab all three points to keep the pressure on Santos. Hulk finally joined the party last week. A settled side is named with no changes to first 11, just Veron back from injury makes the bench. With the manager looking to find a solution to the RW problem... Could next week see a new name at the Brazilian outfit which might mean a mini reshuffle and RW solution! 

Copa Libertadores opponents Estudiante! The argentine clubs just keep coming, Botafogo are to show the Brazlian's dominate South America!

Thanks guys for the great reviews. Friendlies have kicked off so I expect the league games to kick off at the normal time of 1000 hours on Wednesday...

Champions Cup - Group Stages - Match Day Three results

Charlton 3 Ajax 4
InterMilan 1 Real Madrid 2

Plymouth 6 Lisbon 0
ACMilan 2 Barcelona 4

Man City 2 Paris 0
Schalke 5 Benfica 2

Watford 6 Man United 1
Bayern 4 Juventus 3

Europa Cup

Genk 4 PSV 1
Liverpool 3 Stuttgart 2

Atletico 2 Feyenoord 2
Spurs 4 Roma 3

Nantes 6 Celtic 1
Valencia 3 Etienne 1

Villa 3 Dortmund 3
Arsenal 2 Monaco 1

Copa Libertadores

Botafogo 2 Estudiantes 2
Vasco 4 Boca 4

Fluminense 5 Barselona 0
Sao Paulo 1 Argentinos 1

Nacional 4 Millonarios 1
Flamengo 0 River Plate 1

Santos 2 Corinthians 0
Palmeiras 5 ElNacional 1

Thanks Paul - any news on the other competitions?

Big week for the PIAT group, although there is some trepidation over some of today's games.

Plymouth begin the hardest run of away games in it's modern history, taking on City, Charlton and Watford in three consecutive away games – a draw would be a great result for a side looking to rebuild following a few seasons of mid table mediocracy. 

Buoyed by the news of Lukaku joining the South Coast side, and a 6-0 win in mid-week and remembering the FA Cup semi-final victory last season, the fans are hoping their side can at least show some mettle when heading the Ethiad this afternoon.

Twente's rebuild has begun to get the fans excited, although this week see's the acid test that is Ajax - with their host of stars – which will prove the team's toughest test yet. The team are not expecting much from this game - with the team at least a season away from being anywhere near the finished article.

Atletico head to Seville in what is likely to be a hard fought affair and with the two other big Spanish sides playing each other there is a real opportunity for the team to continue their good run. A 2-2 draw in mid-week isn't the best preparation though and key injuries across the team have led to their Argentine number 10 shift to ST with Isco coming in for a rare start. De Jong's injury also sees Witsel slot in at DY. The manager has full faith in both to do the business.

Independiente's nightmare fixture list sees a game against Estudiante, having already had to play Argentinos, Boca and River in the first four games of the season. De Paul's injury might have a significant impact on proceedings, although the shift to PEP seems to be paying dividends. Like Twente, the Board feel the team are perhaps one season away from really challenging, despite the efforts last season.

Confederations Cup

Sydney 1 Constantine 1
Cosmos 3 Accra 2

Melbourne 4 Tokyo 1
NewYork 2 Enugu 1

Grampus 3 Mamelodi 2
Chicago 6 Tampa 1

Setif 4 Kansas 0
Wydad 4 Chiefs 0

Cup Winners Cup

Chelsea 4 Red Star 1
Berlin 5 Partizan 1

Athens 4 Marseille 0
Lazio 3 Gornik 2

Everton 2 Atalanta 2
Hamburg 3 Sparta 2

Soton 3 Napoli 0
Cologne 4 Basel 0

European Cup

Leverkusen 5 Blackburn 0
Shaktar 0 Gladbach 1

Twente 4 Coventry 1
Lille 2 Brondby 1

Wolfsburg 2 Westham 4
Lyon 4 Vikingur 1

Brighton 1 Leicester 1
Frankfurt 5 Ararat 1

Fairs Cup

Molde 0 Dresden 2
Rangers 2 Wimbledon 1

Ruzomberok 1 Jena 1
Hibs 1 Palace 1

Hannover 1 Auxerre 0
Bratislava 4 Norwich 2

Aberdeen 1 Zenit 0
Shelbourne 2 Birmingham 3

Europa Conference Cup

Valur 0 Rapid 1
Panathinaikos 2 Dragovol 3

Derby 2 Innsbruck 1
Porto 3 Olympiakos 1

Wednesday 5 Lillestrom 0
Steaua 1 Malmo 2

Tirana 0 Betis 3
Anderlecht 5 Coleraine 3

Intertoto Cup

Consett 3 Bordeaux 2
Shamrock 0 Honved 1

Rennais 5 Rotterdam 1
Bohemians 2 Ferencvaros 1

Limerick 3 Mechelen 2
Linfield 3 Fenerbahce 0

Slovan 0 West Brom 2
Ujpest 2 Galatasaray 4

InterCity Cup

Zagreb 2 Viking 0
Reykjavik 1 Spartak 2

Leipzig 1 Vienna 1
Dujla 3 Leeds 3

Zalgiris 1 Liege 2
Kragujevac 2 Ipswich 3

Cherry 5 Gothenburg 2
Xamax 2 Burnley 3

Copa SudAmerica

Emelec 0 Danubio 2
Alianza 1 Defensor 3

Independente 4 Strongest 0
Cristal 2 Penarol 2

Medellin 1 Catolica 0
Porteno 4 Gremio 1

Amexica 1 Colo-Colo 0
Velez 2 Cruzeiro 4

Thanks for the review Ben, always nice to hear where managers are at with their clubs.

League games will kickoff at 1000 hours this morning...

Paul Hemmings wrote:

Thanks for the review Ben, always nice to hear where managers are at with their clubs.

League games will kickoff at 1000 hours this morning...

No worries Paul - excited for the games to kick-off, hopefully still be in the same mood at full time!

Ten minutes to kickoff and the fans are singing as the players complete their warmups before returning to the dressing room for final instructions, good luck to everyone this week...

Good luck to all 

The players are out and lined up, the ref checks his watch and blows for the start of the games...

First goal of the day goes to Fluminense who are at home to Internacional. It's very hot in Rio today and the pitch is perfect but the overall roof helps protect the players from the worst of the sun, which always drains stamina.

Fluminese 1 Internacional 0 Fred on 3 minutes.

The weather in Birmingham by contrast is hot but atrocious with gusting winds and heavy rain although it doesnt seem to have affect Brum early doors as they take an early lead against a struggling Newcastle side.

Birmingham 1 Newcastle 0 Kenedy on 3 minutes.