EL GRANDE CLASICO..IN FORM REAL MADRID LOOKING TO EXTEND LEAD AT THE TOP OF LA LIGA

                                                      


THE CLASICO takes center stage this weekend. As always when this match comes upon us, it is usually the biggest of any weekend's set of games. The most followed, most anticipated football match in all of football. Even the World Cup Final will not gather as much people. It is the Numero Uno in European Football by a country mile.

On Sunday at the Bernabeu, Barcelona come visiting the Merengues on the back of a 7-0 demolition of poor Osasuna at the Nou Camp last weekend. A match that saw Leo Messi become Barcelona's highest goal scorer of all time (including friendlies). 371 club goals for a man not yet 27 is something no one ever thought could be achieved. He has rewritten virtually all the history books and there are a few left to be turned upside down. He has set his sights on becoming EL CLASICO's greatest ever goalscorer as he is currently tied with Alfredo Di Stefano on 18 goals. He has broken his compatriot's record in La Liga and is willing to break the few remaining scoring records left. Only that PELE's 1289 might stay for eternity.

Real Madrid also boast one of the greatest footballers in History. In Cristiano Ronaldo, Los Blancos know that they possess a goal machine. Someone who has already registered 41 goals this season. His 13 Champions League goals is one short of the all time record set by Messi two years ago. That is almost certainly going to be dismantled when the Dortmund fixture comes calling. The Portuguese footballing Legend has scored 12 goals in Clasico affairs and is ready to lead Real Madrid to another victory on Sunday. Incidentally, since losing to Barcelona at the Camp Nou last November, the merengues have stayed unbeaten through all competitions till date. This is certainly a very important match for them. Win and La Liga is almost a wrap. Lose and the momentum will swing the Catalans way.


PROBABLE LINEUP-

REAL MADRID-

D.Lopez, Carvajal, Ramos, Pepe, Marcelo, Alonso, Modric, Di Maria, Bale, CR7, Benzema

BARCELONA-

VV, Alves, Pique, Mascherano, Alba, Busquets, Xavi, Iniesta, Fabregas, Messi, Neymar

Both lineups are predictable, especially when they don't change much week in, week out. Karim Benzema should be fit to face Barcelona and Jese will miss out after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament in the Schalke game. A big blow for the kid and his clubside. Xabi Alonso's midfield excellence will be very much needed as he knows how Xavi and co roll. Diego Lopez returns between the sticks as has been the case for the best part of two seasons now. Alvaro Arbeloa cannot play again this season and is a doubt for the football festival in South America later in the year. Dani Carvajal will of course fill the right back slot. Rafa Varane has been featuring of late but it is more likely that Don Carlo will pick Ramos and Pepe. Experience over youth. Gareth Bale has to do very well as he cut a forlorn figure in the reverse fixture. Although, one could argue that he wasn't fully fit then. ADM may likely return to the starting eleven as he is a hard worker and has done great this season. Carlo Ancelotti, in midweek, became the first manager in UCL history to take FIVE different teams to the last eight of the competition. The current unbeaten streak he has at Real is the longest of his managerial career to date and all Madridistas hope that it is just the start of better things to come.

Tata Martino is under a little bit of pressure. Third in La Liga is not a position the cules want to see their beloved club in. Something has to give and he doesn't want it to be his job. He has done some good things since his arrival in Catalunya and that includes defeating Real Madrid and advancing to the knockout stages of the UCL. Victory on Sunday will ease 80% of the pressure on him at the moment and that is the aim. The Argentine manager has to factor ways to send Diego Simeone's Atletico out of Europe next month, but the small matter of the Clasico is the priority at the moment. A moment of pride and honour for Barcelona.
Leo Messi is undoubtedly the best footballer of the last five years. His 31 goals this season still makes for some staggering statistic, considering how long he has been out for. The very brilliant Rosario native has something against Real and he has set sights on scoring against them yet again. Pedro Rodriguez has been left out in recent time amidst cries and yearnings by Barca fans that he should start more games. Not that he doesn't deserve to, but the likes of Neymar and Alexis have done very too. Prior to the Osasuna match, the Chilean CR7 was Barca's highest goal scorer in La Liga but Messi hasn't found that stat funny. He has leapfrogged him and that is that. The Spanish foursome of Cesc, Xavi, Iniesta and Busquets have their positions locked in. Their performances have been outstanding although Mr Iniesta has to score more goals. 48 goals in his Barcelona career that has spanned over a decade is abysmal to say the least.  In defence, the Pique-Jefecito combo is good. Carles Puyol, the trojan of Catalunya has announced his departure from the club at the end of the season. The CLUB CAPTAIN has been plagued by injuries of different types in the last five years and his decision is better for him and the team. Jordi Alba has asserted that RM should be more afraid of Messi than Barca of CR7. We will see how that goes on Sunday.


Ohireime P Eboreime
@ohiskaka1990

WEST HAM-MANCHESTER UNITED PREVIEW

                                             


Manchester United bounced back in some style from the 3-0 reverse v Liverpool. The 3-0 (3-2 agg) win over Olympiakos buried some demons of the last few months. It has been one hell of a rotten season for the red army and qualification to the quarter-final of the Champions League has eased some pressure on Moyes and company. It hasn't been plain sailing for West Ham either. After four straight wins, the hammers have lost the last two and find themselves just six points above relegation. Victory on Saturday evening will put them closer to safety.

Robin Van Persie will almost certainly sit out the encounter because of a knee injury he suffered during Wednesday's all important match v newly crowned Greek champions, Olympiakos. However, his hat-trick was enough to see the red army through to the last eight of Europe's most prestigious club competition. He should be fit for Tuesday's Manchester Derby. Portuguese off and on winger, Luis Nani has been put through the paces in recent weeks but Saturday's game may be too soon for him. Jonny Evans and Chris Smalling are doubts too. Although the former may make the match day squad. Nemanja Vidic has been accumulating red cards this term. The Serbian war horse has been banned for the next two games after getting sent off in the Liverpool mauling.

The Hammers have been very unlucky with injuries this campaign. Sam Allardyce  has rued his luck and rode it at the same time. The gum chewing tactician has warned his players that they are playing for their future and that only the very best will do if they are to have any chance of defeating United. Well, these days, you really don't have to be at your best to beat the defending English Champions to be honest.

Wayne Rooney must have read Mark Ogden's piece for the Telegraph on the eve of the vital game on Wednesday. He rose to the occasion and made his presence felt with some raking passes and all round masterful display. With SEVEN assists this season, the Englishman stands alone as the highest assist maker in the Champions League. Nevertheless, it is in the League that he must prove his mettle. Already on double figures in both goals and assists this season, a performance reminiscent of three years ago will be very much appreciated. The outburst in front of the cameras of course should not be part of it. In the expected absence of RVP, the burden of leading the team to victory firmly rests on his broad shoulders. He has done it several times. Undoubtedly, he can do it again.

PROBABLE LINEUPS-

WEST HAM-

Adrian, Demel, Tomkins, Collins, McCartney, Noble, Taylor, Downing, Nolan, Jarvis, CARROLL

The East Londoners will be happy with the fact that Carroll is back to scoring ways. The Englishman broke his duck at the Britannia last weekend in a 3-1 loss. He has caused United so much headache in the past with his giant frame and good hold up play. A repeat performance will be sweet. Mark Noble and Matt Taylor can try to dominate the much criticized MUFC midfield which only shone when 40-year old Ryan Giggs returned.  Kev Nolan has scored big goals against the red army in the past and he is in terrific form. Left wing Jesus Downing will be hoping to provide the much needed width on Saturday.

MANCHESTER UNITED

DDG, Rafael, Jones, Rio, Evra, Carrick, Fellaini, TONYV/Adnan, Mata, Welbeck, Wazza

Rafa Da Silva was very lucky to be on the pitch for the duration of the Liverpool match on Sunday. The young Brazilian's erratic display was one of the disappointing aspects of the game. But he rebounded in midweek to produce one of those showings we have come to be accustomed to.  The 'warrior extraordinarie'  Antonio Valencia played through an excruciating pain to his left eye. That eye was covered all through the period he spent on the pitch. The Ecuadorian winger put Manchester United before his health and safety and his continuous refusal to be subbed epitomized his unbridled loyalty to the club. Only if that eye injury has been made worse will he miss the party at East London. Marouane Fellaini should return to the starting eleven after such a fine cameo in midweek. Juan Mata must be reeling at his inability to play in Europe because he is cup tied. The magical Spaniard should return to the Starting eleven. Danny Welbeck has scored 9 goals in 19 League games. A good stat considering his poor run in front of goal last term. In the absence of RVP, he should make his presence felt.

It is a good time to play West Ham and even better on the back of a much needed morale boosting victory on Wednesday. The reward for hard work is more work and Bayern lie in wait for the red army in the Quarter-final of the UCL after the draws were made.

It is time to separate the cats from the pigeons

Ohireime P Eboreime
@ohiskaka1990