Season 33 Week 7 processing...

Welcome to week 7 just about a third of the way through the season already.

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WATFORD

Watford have struggled this season for consistency, something the manager tried to avoid a repeat of last season but unfortunately couldn't settle on a formation to get the best out of his players, so has since reverted back to PEB and seems a little more comfortable for the players. This weeks opponents, none other than Hands Hemmings Barnstead who are equal on points to Watford! Watford manager makes zero changes to lineup, hoping that now Grealish is back in the side and up to speed helps fluidity of the side. Abrahams has been quiet this season compared to last season, so will need to get his firing boots on. Maguire and Rudiger got a hard game ahead trying to contain the mercurial Charlie Austin. Hopefully Thomas Partey can disrupt the flow of the game enough to allow Barnes to get in on the action. 

GENK

Genk have started the season in sensational form, recent additions to the side have struggled to break into the first XI. But why change a winning formula? Gravenberch returns from injury to take his place in the heart of midfield. This weeks opponents are unmanaged Gent. The defence has shored up with Kouliably settled and linking up with Mukiele and Badiashile. 1 Goal conceded in the league. Going for the team have been clinical. De Ketelaere is enjoying his regular playing time in the side. Hopefully rewards the fans with good performances. 

LEVERKUSEN

Defeat for Schalke last week means that Leverkusen leapfrog, this could be a long season. However, a couple of enforced changes this week. Milinkovic-Savic comes back from injury to reclaim his spot at DY, Alvarez comes in at LW to replace the departed Heung-Min, while Hazard familiarises himself with his new surroundings. Onana comes in at AM to deputise for Robert Andrich who picked up a knock last week, but should return to the side shortly. This weeks opponents are Dortmund, who are captained by Muller! Will have to watch out for him!

BOTAFOGO

Another defence reshuffled ahead of this season with Hermoso and Verissimo forming the heart of defence. Only conceding 3 goals so far in the league. However, Vasco and Santos have been rampant this season! So the brazilian side will have to keep the pressure is kept on. Corinthians are this weeks opponents and are in great form themselves! with Vitinho top scorer, so the defence will surely be tested this week. Last weeks trio of Saul, Cabral and Neymar were on form putting Branco to the sword. We march on!

Good luck to all

Thanks Phil a great read as usual. 

Data Entry is underway...

Love the write up Phil. Will try to do one this morning.

Barcelona 
Back to back away games sees Barca travel to rapidly improving Sevilla. Jonny has been doing a great job pulling the squad together and has built a strong attack with Sarabia, En-Nesyri and Diego Costa among others. While Barca have started the season in decent form this will provide a very difficult test. Ansu Fati is sidelined after picking up an injury so Dani Olmo will step in on the right wing. 

Nacional
After being mauled at home by Danubio last week, and frankly lucky to only concede 4, Nacional host mid-table Miramar in what should be a straightforward game. The whites are still getting used to their new SEX tactic and integrating new players into the team. This week the experienced Jordi Alba returns from injury and Facundo Pellistri makes his debut on the right of midfield. 

Hannover 
……… would bite your hand off to avoid relegation. The away trip to Gelsenkirchen to face Schalke is going to be tough but they are the team that everyone aspires to emulate so it’ll be a good lesson if nothing else. Injuries to key midfield Xaver Schlager and veteran right back Wass will only make the job harder. Grujic and Danso step up to fill the gaps.
Firepower has been the main concern for the Hannover faithful and the search is ongoing for a fresh face to come in and lead the line.

Rennes
With Griezmann, Thuram and Ben Yedder forming a formidable frontline the ‘rouges et noirs’ are on track for promotion and travel to 3rd place Nimes hoping to put some distance between themselves and the chasing pack. A clean bill of health means an unchanged side and hopefully some consistency. Youngsters Zaire-Emery and Tel are both vying for a place on the bench but the manager isn’t convinced either is ready to follow Castillo Lukeba into the team just yet.

Thanks Rob for another great read.

Andy …. if there’s no Paul, I’m happy to call our game a draw if you are?

Friendly games have just kicked off.

The league games are scheduled to kickoff at 1600 hours today ( Wednesday )...

Rob@Barcelona wrote:

Andy …. if there’s no Paul, I’m happy to call our game a draw if you are?

tempting!

Andy@Schalke wrote:

Rob@Barcelona wrote:

Andy …. if there’s no Paul, I’m happy to call our game a draw if you are?

tempting!

If you score less than 6 I'll be celebrating.

Kickoff has been delayed until Thursday morning at 1000 hours...

Gold Cup Match Day 2 results

Japan 3 Sweden 2
Ghana 5 Egypt 1

Norway 0 Denmark 0
Peru 1 Eire 0

Korea 1 Greece 5
Morocco 1 Nigeria 1

Columbia 2 Mexico 2
Australia 3 Ivory Coast 4

World Cup Match Day 2 results

Poland 1 Brazil 1
France 8 Russia 1

Belgium 4 Argentina 3
Germany 6 USA 0

Holland 4 Italy 1
Spain 4 Croatia 2

Uruguay 2 England 4
Portugal 4 NIreland 0

World Youth Cup Match Day 2 results

Portugal 2 Spain 1
Holland 0 Scotland 0

Denmark 0 Germany 3
Argentina 5 Eire 0

England 4 Italy 1
Belgium 2 Wales 0

Brazil 2 France 0
Russia 3 Nireland 2

Just to confirm the league games 1000 hours Thursday morning...

Kickoff is almost upon us and everything is set for another exciting game. Good luck to everybody this week...

The ref blows his whistle and the games can start...

Monaco 1 Nantes 0 Markovic on 2 minutes.
Juventus 0 Napoli 1 Benassi.

Genk 1 Gent 0 Camavinga on 3 minutes.
Flamengo 0 Vasco 1 Kardec header.
Real 1 Malaga 0 Modric.

Tranmere 0 Coventry 1 Trotta on 4 minutes.
Woking 0 Stoke 1 Machado penalty.

Flamengo 1 Vasco 1 Victor Ruiz header on 5 minutes.
PSV 1 Feyenoord 0 Jacqueson freekick.

Fluminense 1 Portuguesa 0 Fred on 6 minutes.
Bohemians 0 Limerick 1 Drennan.
Banstead 1 Watford 0 Evans freekick.

Paul Hemmings wrote:

Genk 1 Gent 0 Camavinga on 3 minutes.
Flamengo 0 Vasco 1 Kardec header.
Real 1 Malaga 0 Modric.

Starting to become a real leader of the Genk side Camavinga. Needs to keep himself grounded and humble and will no doubt become all time top goalscorer and club legend.