Weekend Watch: Here’s looking at you

By: Bob | August 3rd, 2007

After seemingly years of weekends with very few games from which to choose, this weekend we are deluged with action. Leagues throughout Europe and South America have decided that it is better to get to work than to sit at home on the couch. That means all of us can do the opposite. For the next nine months or so. Life is beautiful. Here’s a smattering of games worth keeping an eye on while you get down on your knees and give thanks to the football gods and goddesses.

Saturday

Gretna v Falkirk – The Scottish Premier League starts its 2007/2008 campaign today and by the end of the weekend Rangers and Celtic will probably be 30 points ahead of everyone else. Before the cynicism sets in, let’s celebrate the lads from Gretna who have gone from being a non-league team in 2002 to a member of the Scottish Premier League this year.

Strasbourg v Marseille – The Ligue 1 season kicks off in France today with the same question as previous years. Can anyone knock Lyon off their throne? One club that is being tapped as a contender is Marseille. They welcome new kids on the block Strasbourg to the top flight.

St Pauli v Bayer Leverkusen – It is the first round of the Deutscher Fußball-Bund-Pokal, otherwise known as the German Cup for those of who are too lazy to learn another language. The always enlightened fans of FC St. Pauli will have the chance to cheer on their recently promoted 2. Bundesliga team as they take on Bayer Leverkusen, a club that captured the German Cup in 1993.

Sunday

Chelsea v Manchester United – It is hard to believe that the Charity Shield is already upon us and that we will see the first of 7,000 games featuring either Chelsea or Manchester United this season. Manchester United have won the Charity Shield 11 times, but not since 2003. Chelsea have lifted it 3 times.

Newell’s Old Boys v San Lorenzo – If you have been going through Argentine football withdraw your nightmare ends this weekend. The Apertura starts up with the champions from the Clasura season, San Lorenzo, having a target on their backs. Metaphorically, I hope.

Puebla v América – Argentina is not the only country that plays an Apertura season. Mexico is on board with the split season and also is cranking things up this weekend. You probably know about the famed Club America, but what do you know about their opponent, Puebla? Nothing? Well, now you can know that they were recently promoted to the First Division, their team is known as the “Camoteros” and they played in Cuauhtemoc stadium, which isn’t named about Cuauhtemoc Blanco. Consider yourself educated.