Weekend Watch: Making the Necessary Adjustments

It is that time of the week once again where we forgo all of life’s temptations and focus on the really important things, like watching football until our eyeballs pop out. This weekend sees some of those always entertaining playoffs, trophy battles, relegation fights and other action that will surely bring us all joy and sorrow, or at the very least prevent us from playing with ourselves for 48 hours straight. Here are some randomly selected tilts to keep an eye on.

Saturday

Southampton v Derby – It is English League Championship playoff time with the Saints taking on the Rams. Derby haven’t been in the Premiership since 2001-2002, but they are familiar with the play-offs. This is their third straight year in the end of the season lottery. Southampton were founding members of the Premiership but were sent down in 2005 after 27 years in the top flight. Wolverhampton and West Brom play in the other semifinal. Those two clubs don’t like one another. That should make it fun.

Airdrie United v Stirling – They have playoffs in Scotland too and this one involves a pair of Division One teams seeking Premier League glory to stay in the first division. The first leg ended in a 0-0 draw. Airdrie United have only been in existence since 2002 when its owner took over and relocated Clydebank. Stirling have been around since 1945 and are sometimes called The Yo-Yps because of their propensity for promotion followed by relegation.

VfL Bochum v VfB Stuttgart – The three-way race in the Bundesliga continues with Werder Bremen hosting Eintracht Frankfurt, Schalke 04 playing at derby rivals Borussia Dortmund and Stuttgart traveling to play VfL Bochum. All three opponents are midtable teams with Borussia and Bochum having outside shots at the UEFA Cup.

Dutch Eredivisie Relegation Semifinals – They do things a bit differently in Holland. According to Wikipedia: “The club at the bottom of the league (18th) is automatically relegated to the Eerste Divisie. The next-lowest two teams (16th and 17th) play in a promotion/relegation knock-out playoff known as the Nacompetitie, in which they will face eight teams from the Eerste Divisie (before the 2005-06 season, six Eerste Divisie teams were involved). Usually, the Eerste Divisie teams that play in the Nacompetitie are the 2nd- through 9th-place teams in that league. (The actual qualification rules are more complex; more detail is provided in the Eerste Divisie page.) Teams finishing above 16th automatically stay in the Eredivisie.” Clear on that? Good.

Sunday

Marseilles v Sochaux – It is the French Cup final. Marseilles lost in the final last year to PSG and the once proud club hasn’t won a trophy since the European Cup in 1993. Meanwhile, Sochaux have not won a Coupe de France since 1937.

Celta Vigo v Levante – It is tight at the top of Spain’s table and it is top at the bottom too. Celta Vigo are currently in the drop zone, but they are just three points behind Levante. Will their recently hired managed Hristo Stoichkov save the day?

America v Atlas – The playoffs are hot and heavy in the Mexican Clasura with the second legs being played this weekend. These two teams did not lack for action in the first lege with each side scoring three goals. Will there be more fireworks on display in the second leg at Estadio Azteca? I sure hope so.

Saprissa v Alajuelense – Trophy alert! Someone will be lifting a trophy in Costa Rica today. The first leg of the final finished in a 0-0 draw so you can expect drama galore in this one. These two teams are tied for the most national championships. They both have won it 24 times.

Marathon v Real Espana – It is final time in Honduras. Marathon have won five national championships, but finished second last year. Real Espana have won the big prize 8 times but not since 2003-04. This is the first of two legs.

Al Ahli v Al Gaish – African champions Al Ahli can make sure of their third successive Egyptian league title, and a reported 100th trophy in their centenary year, if they win at home against Al Gaish on Sunday. Al Ahli are also chasing an unprecedented third successive African Champions League title.

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Category: World Football