Weekend Watch: Chelsea vs Liverpool, The Turin Derby, O’M vs PSG

By: Daryl | October 24th, 2008

GAME OF THE WEEK:

Chelsea vs Liverpool
When: Sunday, October 26th, 16:00 GMT
Where: Fortress Stamford Bridge

Why: Because this decides who sits on top of the Premiership. Definitely in the short term and maybe in the long term. Both teams currently have 20 points, but Chelsea have the better goal difference. A win for either team is massive, but Liverpool are going to have to do it without Fernando Torres.

From Rob and Wayne’s Prem Offside preview:

Wayne – This won’t be a 4-4 thriller but I do see some goals. Chelsea are playing some very nice football and as you said, Liverpool are getting results from anywhere. I’m not going to stick my neck out and predict this, but I do think we’ll see a more entertaining game than in recent seasons.
Rob – I think I’d make Chelsea favourites, they look unbeatable at the minute, in the league at least. And Chelsea at home is always a big advantage. Mind you Liverpool would love to be the team that broke that Stamford Bridge run I’m sure, and they are getting results. Massive game, and hopefully a great one.

And despite the miles between these two, there’s a bit of a rivalry been brewing ever since Luis Garcia’s 2005 Champions League semi-final goal that either definitely did or definitely didn’t cross the line:

Even better, if you’re not already bored of the Lampard vs Gerrard debate you can watch the two go head to head. Maybe literally (though probably not).

Betting: Odds on Bet Offside (not recommended viewing for Liverpool fans)
Streaming: Here.

Colorado Rapids vs Real Salt Lake
When: Saturday, 19:30 US Mountain Time
Where: The excellently names Dick’s Sporting Goods Park

Why: Final week of the regular season in MLS, with both these tams needing results to make the play-offs. Here’s what Travis of MLS Offside fame has to say:

This is the most exciting match of the weekend. Both sides with all to play for, leave nothing behind. RSL has the slight advantage with needing a draw or a win to advance, while the Rapids must win in order to make the playoffs.

Real needs a result on the road, something that hasn’t come easy to them all season. Stakes are high for both sides, and it’s a hard road on either side. If you’re Real, do you play for a draw, maybe a little less aggressive than normal?

The Rapids will come out guns blazing, and have nothing to lose. Everything will be thrown at Nick Rimando’s net, and I could see the mile high advantage in their favor.

For Travis’ full final weekend MLS preview click here.

Juventus vs Torino
When: Saturday, October 25th, 20:30 CET
Where: Stadio Olimpico, Torino

Why: The esteem of this derby has dissipated somewhat over recent times due to Torino not being very good and Juventus being, Calciopoli aside, Juventus. But it’s still a heated city derby with two great considerations:

i. Juventus is the big, bad wolf and thus should almost always win, so losing, or even a draw, is a massive, massive blow to their pride.
ii. Recently, Torino has had nothing to play for but staving off relegation. It’s no exagerration to say if they win, it makes their season.

Plus, both coaches are on the hot seat, so even outside of the “city derby” scope, this one’s molto importante.

Streaming: Here

Olympique de Marseille vs. PSG
When: Sunday, October 26th, 21:00 CET
Where: Stade Velodrome in Marseille

Why: The rivalry between Marseille and PSG is intense.

Odds would seem to favor Marseille on this one. They’re currently second in Ligue 1, one point behind leaders Lyon. PSG are having a much better season than last year (meaning they’re not bouncing in and out of the relegation zone from week to week), but they’re sitting ninth, and they’ll be missing players like Ludovic Giuly and Loris Arnaud. On the other hand, Paul le Guen is trying to avoid a reapeat of last year, not wanting to let his team’s energies get too scattered. He’s focusing more on the domestic league than on the UEFA cup, to the point that a couple of key players like Claude Makelele didn’t even make the trip to Schalke this week.

Marseille are doing well domestically, but they’re coming off their third consecutive Champions League loss, and coach Eric Gerets is worried that his players won’t go in with a winning attitude. On the other hand, OM is the only undefeated club in Ligue 1 this season, and they have not lost to PSG at the Stade Velodrome in five years. The big question: Will their failure in the CL fire them up or demotivate them?

Streaming: Here

Any other big games this weekend? Let us know in the comments…