Weekend Watch: Put that in your Pipe and Smoke it

By: Bob | December 15th, 2006

The weekend exists for one reason and one reason only: football matches. There is no shortage of thrillers this weekend with classic rivalries, championships, playoffs and clashes between mid-table teams you care nothing about. Yipee. Here are a few games to keep an eye on while you get your groove on during the weekend.

Saturday

Sedan vs. Lille – You’d think that Lille fans would be sad that their team is 16 points behind French Ligue 1 leaders Lyon, but consider the fate of Sedan. The league’s bottom dwellers are a full 36 points behind Lyon and if I were a gambling man I’d predict that they are not going to make up the gap this season.

Alajuelense vs. Perez Zeledon – We’re talking the Costa Rica Apertura tournament. We’re talking Alajuelense, one of the most popular teams in the country. We’re talking Perez Zeledon, which won the first leg 3-0. We’re talking about a miracle that will have to occur for Alajuelense to add to their record number of Costa Rican championships.

Sunday

Al Ahly Cairo vs. América – Forget that Club World Cup championship match, everyone knows the third place game is always the most entertaining in any tournament. Today we get to see Egypt’s finest take on a band of merry men from Mexico in a match played in the extremely neutral locale of Japan.

Rangers vs. Celtic - The Old Firm, volume 2. Sunday would be a swell time to be in Glasgow.

Cúcuta vs. Deportes Tolima – The final in Colombia features two teams with little pedigree. Cucuta has never won a domestic title. Tolima won the big enchilada back in 2003 but that is the only trophy in its case. Someone has to win and as a neutral fan I’m throwing my support Cucuta’s way.

Saprissa vs. Puntarenas – Another Costa Rica playoff matchup that was essentially decided in the first leg. Saprissa spanked Puntarenas 5-2 in the first tilt and will see if they can reach double digits in aggregate today.

CD Motagua vs. Olimpia – You don’t even have to know where Honduras is to appreciate the fact that this is a championship match. The two teams ended 1-1 after the first leg and Motagua will be counting on the home support to help them lift the trophy after the second 90.