SAINTS V CITIZENS...It is 2nd v 3rd as SOUTHAMPTON WELCOME MANCHESTER CITY in a game neither can afford to lose...GRIPPING SHOWPIECE IN STORE.

                                                      

The Saints are marching on. Wow! Who would have ever imagined Southampton occupying second position in the ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE after 12 games played with a W-D-L record that stands at 8-2-2? The protagonist definitely has to be 'FLOQUET DE NEU'. Don't get puzzled. The man behind this extremely bewildering development is RONALD KOEMAN. For those who know and love football with all their hearts, the name 'RONALD KOEMAN' is box office in our sport. He had a pretty decent playing career, featuring for the 'TRADITIONAL BIG THREE' of Dutch Football- Feyenoord, Ajax and PSV and Barcelona. He did not stop there. 'Tintin' has he was fondly called at Barcelona, scored 193 goals as a central defender...........11 more than 'EL GRAN CAPITAN' Daniel Passarella and the highest ever for a central defender in football history. Floquet de Neu is also one of the best free kick takers of all time. Furthermore, his record of 25 consecutive penalty conversions still proudly stays in his locker for the foreseeable future. Furthermore, Tintin Koeman is the first payer to score in two consecutive European finals of different outcomes/stakes and the only human to play for and manage the 'BIG THREE' of DUTCH TOP FLIGHT FOOTBALL. He is that exceptional.

He decided to toe a different path in the summer and he was chosen as the replacement for Mauricio 'THE SHERIFF' Pochettino at Southampton. The South Coast club had to start all over again after the manager and all their best players left for pastures new. Luke Shaw went to Manchester United, the vital 'Ls'-Lallana, Lambert and Lovren were all purchased by Liverpool who were looking to build on their 2nd place finish from last season. Calum Chambers was snapped by Arsenal. Their worst fears seemed to be confirmed when Liverpool beat them at the beginning of the season. They were even tipped by bookmakers and pundits to go down at the end of the season. But, Koeman had other ideas. The man has gone on to win 8 of his next 11 encounters, losing only one. Not only that, he has also eliminated the Arsenal from the Carling Cup. The next hurdle to scale is MANCHESTER CITY and no one will dare bet against them.

Manchester City are the defending champions but they find themselves in third place behind their next opponents, Sot'on and runaway leaders, Chelsea. After an indifferent start to the season in domestic and European affairs. The only bright side of the season for the citizens has to be SERGIO AGUERO. After a disappointing World Cup showing (on a personal level), EL KUN has put that in the bin and turned things around. His 12 league goals is the best return in the League this season and in midweek, he put one of the best teams in the World to the sword with a perfect chance-goal conversion rate. 3 CHANCES=3 GOALS. A jaw dropping statistic that even Sandor Kocsis would have been proud of. Yaya Toure has not lived up to the incredibly high level he reached last season. Fernandinho has found playing time  hard to come by because of the acquisition of fellow Brazilian, Fernando. Edin Dzeko has continued to score but he is out at the moment. At the back, Eliaquim Mangala is still finding his feet and Vinnie Kompany hasn't been consistent in form because of injuries and suspension, Samir Nasri too has had his fair share of injuries and disappointments. On the whole, the team hasn't clicked into gear. There will no excuses when they arrive St Mary's on Sunday. So'ton are on another level and there will be no hiding place for either team.

Southampton brought Dusan Tadic from Twente in the summer. The Serbian playmaker has influenced proceedings since he was acquired. 1 goal and 6 assists in 11 league games is not exactly world class but an impressive stat. Sadio Mane, Natty Clyne James Ward-Prawse, Morgan Schneiderlin, new signings Tony Alderweireld, Graziano Pelle and Fraser Forster have all played their parts in what has been an excellent campaign so far. Pelle has scored some stunning goals this term and that has earned him his first call up to the AZZURRI. Koeman's Saints have only conceded 6 goals in the League. A testament to their well organized defense line up. Belgian powerhouse, Toby Alderweireld has been on another level entirely since he moved (on loan) from the Calderon. His abilities will be put to a stern test on Sunday because Kun Aguero is in town.

Neither team can afford to drop points. We envisage a tantalising spectacle

Ohireime P Eboreime
@ohiskaka1990

MANCHESTER UNITED - HULL CITY PREVIEW

                                             




There's a paradigm shift in the way Manchester United are going about football business nowadays. The record English champions won its first away game of the season at the Emirates last Sunday and on Saturday, they play host to the tigers from Hull and the man that captained the red army to its first EPL title, Steve Bruce. The all action ex-centre back was one of the main guys in the 92-93 triumph. Now, he is a foe and this is not the first time.

Steve once hit 19 goals in all competitions from the back for Manchester United (in the double capturing 92-93 season) and is a club legend but all that will be put aside when hostilities resume on Saturday afternoon. The red devils who sit in fourth place, thirteen points behind leaders Chelsea, have won their last nine straight games v the tigers, including six in the league. On paper, they are heavy favourites to take all the points. However, Swansea hadn't won at the Theatre in 81 years until three months ago when that record was broken with consummate ease.

LVG will be happy to welcome Radamel Falcao back to the fold. Ander Herrera and Jonny Evans returned to the team on Tuesday evening when the reserves (U-21) hit five past Blackburn. The Northern Irishman returns after three months on the sidelines to shore up a defence that has seen at least eight different pairings since the start of the season. Those that have come in have shown a lot of courage and maturity. Tyler Blackett and Paddy McNair were colossal in North London last time and may get the nod v Hull City. Robin Vsn Persie played a peripheral role at his old stomping ground and his form, confidence and dedication have all come under scrutiny since the beginning of the season. He has become a complete opposite of the ruthless predator whose excellent finishes led the club to its 20th title two seasons ago. Nevertheless, he is still a threat and will continue to start until LVG decides that enough is enough. There is James Wilson whose pace and directness can cause havoc anytime.

For Hull, they possess some quality footballers. Hatem Ben Arfa, Gaston Ramirez, Momo Diame, Abel Hernandez, Tom Huddlestone, Livermore, etc are top players who can turn the tide with their abilities. Momo Diame has been the star of the season but their form has dipped in the last five or six weeks. To regain the spark they had at the start of the season, they have to upend the hosts. Steve Bruce has had a difficult time trying to get one over his former side. A win tomorrow will be the perfect result for the former Birmingham City and Sunderland manager.

Wayne Rooney has found form again and when he does, he is devastatingly merciless. The England and Manchester United captain scored a beauty at Arsenal and has a fantastic record v the tigers, once scoring four past them in a sensational display four years ago. His selflessness on the field of play is a plus for any team. He's the band leader of the United orchestra. The head of the corner. Another thirty strikes and he leapfrogs SIR BOBBY CHARLTON into first place in the ,club's all time highest goal scorers hierarchy.

LVG has brought a lot since he took over the reins. The Dutch tactical genius is getting better each match day and will hope to continue the good run of form v HULL CITY on Saturday. The likes of Juan Mata, Ander Herrera and Adnan Januzaj will be looking to return to the starting eleven after being left out in recent weeks. Ander and Juan especially. Belgian teenager, Adnan has been given opportunities which he has failed to take. He bossed the reserves game v Blackburn on Tuesday. Let's hope he can bring that form to Saturday's encounter.


Ohireime P Eboreime
@ohiskaka1990

PAYING TRIBUTE TO LA PULGA ATOMICA

Leo Andres Messi Cuccittini is TWENTY-SEVEN years old. The Rosario native affectionately called the atomic flea has done it again. In the space of four days, the diminutive football god broke the long standing scoring records of la liga and the European Cup held by Telmo Zarranonandia and Raul Gonzalez. It is not that both situations were unexpected, but what remained a mystery was how he was going to shatter the records and customarily, he did it the way only MESSI can. A treble on Saturday at the Nou Camp was quickly followed by another unique treble in Nicosia. No one else can use his weaker foot to score a hat-trick on a day when a record breaking feat was achieved. Only LEO MESSI can and he came to the fore.

Waking up this morning, I thought to myself 'What would have been if there was no CRISTIANO RONALDO?'. Perhaps, we would have been bored stiff by now as our beloved sport could have only boasted one ruler. Whatever be the case, this is the best era ever and I don't care what anyone else thinks. No era has ever been dominated by two men the way it is happening now and we have to continuously celebrate both of them because it is an honour watching them break and set records week in, week out.

Leo Messi, at 27 years of age, is now the highest ever goal scorer for Barcelona, greatest ever in la liga and predator in chief of the European Cup/UCL. It is astoundingly outstanding that one man holds the aforementioned accolades. Unreal stuff and there are still a lot more to decimate before he calls it a day. As a self-confessed CR7 fan, I cannot help but be in glowing admiration of what Messi has achieved in his career to date. He is insurmountable, He is the standard measurement of any awesome thing that has transpired in our beautiful game. Hate him or love him, you cannot take away the fact that he is probably now as good as Pele, Maradona, Garrincha, Cruyff, Di Stefano, Eusebio, Zizou, Ronaldo Da Lima, Beckenbauer, Puskas and Platini. He and CR7 are in this exalted company and head and shoulders above anyone else in this era.

Never has it been seen that TWO INDIVIDUALS dominated a sport such as this. We can point to great sporting rivalries like Frazier-Ali, Proist-Senna, Borg-McEnroe, Chamberlain-Russell, Rafa-Roger, Henin-Clijsters, Navratilova-Evert, Edberg-Becker, etc but MESSI-CR7 tops the bill unarguably and is going to be the greatest rivalry of all time when it finally ends. Meanwhile, let us enjoy every moment we are blessed with, seeing them slug it out time and time again.

My final submission is that MESSI is a better player than Ronaldo and I am the latter's biggest fan but the Portuguese hard worker is the most complete footballer of all time and is an all time great as well as Leo and this rivalry will have a lot of twists and turns in years to come.



Bonus......

Sergio 'Kun' Aguero was at it again, single handedly dragging Manchester City from the doldrums of defeat to the most unlikeliest of victories against Bayern Munich. The EPL top scorer had three shots on target and scored from all three. Perfection! Absolutely phenomenal achievement. He didn't feed off anyone's assist. He took it upon himself to claw his team back to reckoning. His heroics ensured that the citizens can still qualify for the knockout stages of the UCL if they earn a good result at the Italian capital v Roma in the next match day. With Aguero on a hot streak, this is very attainable.

Xabi Alonso also scored on his birthday last night but was at fault for one of EL KUN's goals. He ultimately undid his good work. Unlike the pass master but some days are like that.

Congratulations Porto and Chelsea who comprehensively routed their opponents last night to qualify for the next round. Schalke were totally outclassed at the Veltins Arena by the EPL table toppers. Didier Drogba registered his 50th goal in European Competitions, becoming the first African to reach the mark and the second non-European (after MESSI) to score 50 goals in European club football. Old but gold, the Ivorian.


Ohireime P Eboreime
Twitter @ohiskaka1990

ARSENAL-MANCHESTER UNITED...ALWAYS 'THAT' MATCH THAT THRILLS AND EXCITES.

Even without the great Sir Alex Ferguson, Arsenal v Manchester United still tops the bill in terms of great sporting duels. Saturday will be no different as Louis Van Gaal will want to test his might against one of the best managers and teams in the World. the Dutch tactical mind is no stranger to the big occasions but his entourage to tomorrow's gig has a lot of gaping holes. One of the fiercest battles in Premier League history goes down on Saturday and Arsene Wenger can be confident of securing victory this time around.

The Arsenal have not had it rosy against the red devils in recent years. Aaron Ramsey's winner three years ago (a day before Osama Bin Laden met his end). Before then, it was 2008. If the trend is to be followed, they should emerge winners on Saturday but football is not about permutations and United won't be easy pickings. Mesut Ozil is still out until the new year but the return of Olivier Giroud and Mikel Arteta is a welcome development for the Gunners.

Manchester United were dealt a heavy blow during the international break as Daley Blind did his knee in the match v Latvia. The defensive midfielder who has been one of United's stand-out players this term, will miss at least 10 weeks of the remainder of the season. So far, it has been one of the most unfortunate seasons for the 20-time Champions and the woes don't look like they are going to discontinue soon. Phil Jones, Rafa Da Silva and Jonny Evans will sit out the fixture that has lost its buzz in recent years. due to the rise of Chelsea and the strong emergence of Manchester City. Paddy McNair may likely line up alongside Chris Smalling in defence. Michael Carrick should be fit to play in Blind's place and Ander Herrera may return after sitting out recent games due to the commendable displays of Marouane Fellaini over the last month. LVG may go for a three man midfield...or not.

Looking back at events that have taken place in years gone by, Arsenal -Manchester United has always been a spicy battle, a great, entertaining contest between two of the very best teams in the Country. From the Winterburn-McClair incident the 90-91 season, to the pizzagate in October 2004 to the several Vieira-Keane scuffles, it has always been a feisty affair. We don't expect something similar on Saturday but a beguiling engagement is anticipated.

Angel Di Maria and Alexis Sanchez will face-off again in another big fixture after consistently going up against each other in EL CLASICO and ALBICELESTE-LA ROJA match ups. The big money signings from Real Madrid and Barcelona respectively, have lived up to the billing but it is the Arsenal man who has excelled more with his match saving and game winning strikes. The Chilean class act has become indispensable at the Emirates. If current form is anything to go by, he is the most potent threat for the home side. There's also the small matter of DANNY WELBECK. The ex-United man is now leading the line for the North Londoners in a summer twist that left some United fans bewildered. The England man has been on sublime form for club and Country and is joint top scorer in European qualifying with five goals. He will leave no stone unturned in his quest to prove LVG and his erstwhile club wrong. In truth, this has come too soon for those who are still reeling at the decision to let Welbeck go. His replacement, Radamel Falcao has been plagued by calf injuries since he signed the dotted lines but there is light at the end of the tunnel as his goal scoring statistics can comfortably stand side by side with the very best in the business.

Football cannot wait to witness yet another episode in this suspense filled classic. Let the game begin


OHIREIME P EBOREIME
@ohiskaka1990

ARGENTINA-PORTUGAL PREVIEW..............MORE THAN 'JUST' A FRIENDLY

                                                          

The 'two' best players of the last six years and two of the best players to grace our sport (football) lurk horns tonight at OLD TRAFFORD-home of MANCHESTER UNITED. The theatre of dreams has hosted some of the greatest matches in history. Tonight's should follow suit. It is no coincidence that the likes of Carlos Tevez and Cristiano Ronaldo return to a ground that shaped their careers in the right direction. Since then, EL APACHE AND CR7, who were remarkably born on the same day but one year apart, have gone on to become mainstays in the various clubs they have represented with the latter the more successful.

Tonight, 'EL PULGA' MESSI faces off against his greatest adversary ever in football parlance. The Argentine soccer god has not managed to keep up with his Portuguese arch-rival since 2012 and he is still reeling at the fact that CR7 ended his reign as the best footballer in the World for almost half a decade. His penalty (45th International goal) ensured that the ALBICELESTE beat Croatia 2-1. A goal which drew him closer to BATIGOL's goal scoring record of 58 for the 2014 world cup runners up. Elsewhere in Algarve, Cristiano Ronaldo was leading the SELECAO to a 2nd straight victory under Fernando Santos with a rather scrappy 52nd International goal. Not one of his finest outings but it made him the highest goal scorer in EUROPEAN COMPETITIONS (+qualifiers), thus shrugging off John-Dahl Tomasson, who he shared the record with prior to the match winning goal. The REAL MADRID hitman who has rammed in 20 league goals in just 10 appearances this term, is red hot favourite to claim yet another 'WFOTY' award. 

THE ONE

 MR UNSTOPPABLE 

CR7 has the upper hand in the duel of the two all time greats this season. Real Madrid turned on the style last month when they not only ended Barcelona's record of haven not conceded in the League but also shattered their unbeaten record in the same competition. It was one of those games that could have ended 12-1 but Javier Mascherano was not going to get disgraced. EL JEFECITO who was stripped of the armband by Sabella two years ago, is one of the most underrated footballers in the world but he keeps posting very impressive stats.

No one cares about DI MARIA, TEVEZ, QUARESMA, MASCHERANO, NANI, PEPE, etc. The match tonight is MESSI v Ronaldo on the latter's old stomping ground. Messi has enjoyed success in Britain but none in Manchester. He has spearheaded clobberings of Manchester United in the past and will want to cement his reputation as the 'widely regarded better of the two' by beating Portugal and CR7 on a turf where the Portuguese was nurtured and bred. Cristiano will want none of that though, The goal machine wore a face cap with the imprint 'BORN AND BRED' upon his return to OLD TRAFFORD. His first visit in almost two years. Indeed, it is at the Theatre that his first major career movie was shot. It is at OLD TRAFFORD he was first celebrated as the best footballer in the WORLD. He has gone on to score 275 goals for REAL MADRID in 5+ seasons at the Bernabeu. Raul's seemingly unbeatable record of 324 will be smashed come next season. The man is unstoppable. Among active players, only ROBBIE KEANE has scored more International goals than the red-hot Ronaldo. He will look to add to his tally tonight.

Nothing will be settled tonight, The significance of this match has only been heightened by the fact that LEO AND CRISTIANO are representing their countries. Beyond that, it is just another friendly. NO? We are set to find out in a few hours.

Ohireime P Eboreime

@ohiskaka1990