Saturday, December 19, 2009

Soccer? You really watch soccer?

The title of this blog is the question that is usually asked when I tell people that I watch soccer. The World Cup is one of my all time favorite sporting events and over the past few years I have started following the British Premier League. Watching the Premier League on Fox Soccer Channel every Saturday/Sunday morning has become a favorite weekend activity. What has happened so far this year?

Two of the "Big Four" have found their usual success. Chelsea has clearly established itself as the top team in the league with Manchester United a close second. Arsenal have dealt with injuries and Liverpool have just been a disaster both in the league and in Europe. Assuming that United and Chelsea will remain 1/2 and as Liverpool's miserable season continues (as it did today with a loss to bottom dwellers Portsmouth) it is becoming more and more apparent that 3rd and 4th place in the league-and the Champions League qualification that comes with it-is wide open. A quick glance at the table shows only 6 points separate 3rd through 6th place. Who's in contention?

Manchester City now sits in 6th with 31 points (but could easily have 34 or 35 but for a Premier League Record 7 straight draws.) Arsenal sit in 5th but are coming off a win last weekend over Liverpool at Anfield. Tottenham has come down from a great start to settle in at 4th with 33 points. Aston Villa now sit at 3rd after a week that included their first win at Old Trafford in over 25 years. United lost again today (this time to Fulham) so Chelsea will have a chance to extend their lead to 6 points tomorrow.

All of the action on the field and the upcoming January transfer window should make for a good second half to the season.

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