German Bundesliga Overview: Nov 25, 2011
The German Bundesliga is stacked at the top with some solid teams looking to finish strong. The Reds, Bayern München leads the top teams with the highest point total but there are several teams capable of unseating them in short order.
The Black Yellows, Borussia Dortmund and The Foals, Borussia VfL Mönchengladbach are in second just a game away from overtaking the leaders. The league has a top-heavy look with the top seven teams capable of rocketing to the top spot at any time but the rest of the teams in the league appear along for the ride.
Bayer Leverkusen, aptly named the Factory Squad and The Swabians from Stuttgart are two teams within striking distance of the top spot and although the seven points may seem like a lot to overcome it is just one bad week that could flip these standings on end.
In the middle of these teams are two other teams with potential to upset Bayern München’s apple cart. The River Islanders, Werder Bremen and The Royal Blues, Schalke 04 are two other teams with an edge that can take over the top spot under the right circumstances.
So what team is the best in the German Bundesliga? It is tough to pass judgement as of yet. Any of these seven could end up in the top spot but the league is Bayern München’s to lose but anything can happen as the season moves forward. Looking for a long shot to make everything cloudy? Take a look at the interlopers known as The Blue Whites, Hertha BSC. They are within striking distance and can get into the mix with a good run.
Women’s FA Cup final 2011 – Arsenal 2-0 Bristol Academy
Arsenal reclaim the FA Women’s Cup with a comfortable triumph over Bristol Academy at the Ricoh Arena, with goals from Kim Little and Julie Fleeting. In last year’s final, Arsenal had lost out to Everton in extra-time, but they put that despair behind them to secure an 11th success in the competition.
For Bristol Academy, a 2-0 FA Cup final overwhelmed by Arsenal carried a huge consolation prize. Through reaching the final, they have qualified for next season’s Champions League, along with the Gunners.
Academy are set to follow their first appearance in a domestic cup final with a first campaign in Europe, twelve months after finishing bottom of the Premier League and avoiding demotion only because their attempt to become founder members of the Super League had been successful.
In 10 years, it will be Arsenal’s ninth European campaign. Thanks to first-half goals by two Scotland internationals, Kim Little and Julie Fleeting, on Saturday at Coventry’s Ricoh Arena restored the Gunners to what they feel is their default position as FA Cup winners. This was their fifth win in 6 seasons and their 11th in all, after having suffered their only defeat in a final last year, going down 3-2 after extra time against Everton.
Arsenal remained in control of the contest, although Bristol sought a response after the break and they came within inches of getting a goal back as Helen Bleazard’s free kick came back off the bar.
Siobhan Chamberlain saved well from close range, although Little had a late opportunity to grab her second goal.
FA Cup final – Manchester City vs. Stoke City
For the first time in The FA Cup a hundred years ago, Stoke City, then known simply as ‘Stoke’, met Manchester City. This year on May 14, 2011, Stoke City will be locking horns against Manchester City at Wembley Stadium for the FA Cup Finals. The sportsbook odds look exciting. The odds for Manchester City are 6/7 and for Stoke 15/4.
Defender Robert Huth is probable to miss the FA Cup final and this has made worries for Stoke to grow. In the triumph over Arsenal on Sunday, the German injured his leg in a collision with Alex Song, and the club is anxious on the outcome of scans. Stoke club and fans fear the injury may keep him out of the Wembley face-off against Manchester city.
Boss Tony Pulis had pinpointed Huth’s goal-scoring talent as a prospective match-winning tactic and the injury could be a major blow to Stoke City. This season, the ex-Chelsea man has scored nine times from set pieces and sits third in the club’s table of leading scorers.
For Saturday’s FA Cup final face-off with Stoke, Carlos Tevez is winning his scuffle to be fit. Manchester City striker Tevez will be on the subs’ bench tonight as Tottenham visit Eastlands. He has been out for the past three weeks with a hamstring injury. Tevez is optimistic of playing in the FA Cup final.
The Manchester City manager, Roberto Mancini has made it clear that he would only risk him at Wembley this Saturday against Stoke City if he confirmed his fitness against Spurs. He had declared it during Tevez’s recovery from a hamstring injury suffered against Liverpool in April.
Arsenal faces Manchester United in key EPL match
Manchester United are on a roll. They have essentially wrapped up the English Premier League title as well as took one a major step toward advancing to the Champions League Final. On Sunday, they will face one of their biggest rivals when they visit Arsenal. Arsenal is currently in a battle with Chelsea for second place in the EPL standings. This should be a fierce contest.
Arsenal is a +150 favorite, Manchester United is at +188, and a Draw is +225 in Premier League Betting US Odds.
Edwin van der Sar has been strong in goal for Manchester, yielding just 28 goals in his 30 starts. He has been a major reason why the team is threatening to claim another EPL title. On offense, the club relies on Dimitar Berbatov, who has a remarkable 21 goals. Wayne Rooney and Javier Hernandez are also double digit scorers for the most prolific offense in the league.
For Arsenal, the goaltending has not been a strong. Four different goalies have started EPL games for them this season, allowing a total of 36 goals. On offense, Robin Van Persie has emerged as the top goal scorer. He has 15 to lead the club. Samir Nasri and Theo Walcott are also potent scorers. The offense isn’t as strong as that of Manchester United, but Arsenal can score goals.
Arsenal is winless in their last three EPL matches. They have a recent loss to Manchester United in the FA Cup, and also lost their EPL match to Manchester this season. Playing at home, Arsenal will be hungry. A win would ease the pain of their recent slide. Expect whichever side scores first to take the win here.
Wayne Rooney May Face a Two-Match Ban
Just hours before going on to the ground to face Chelsea in the first leg of the Champions League quarterfinal, Wayne Rooney will find out if he is banned from Manchester United’s FA Cup semi-final against Manchester City. Against the strictness of the two-match ban, the striker has launched an appeal.
United has proposed a written report clarifying why they feel the punishment is difficult to deal with. A three-man commission will be heard at Wembley and the judgment may not be made public on Wednesday. The club hopes that the prohibition will be lessened so that only the game against Fulham on Saturday gets affected.
In a statement released by United, the striker made an apology for his goal celebration, if it had caused any offence, particularly to any parents or children that were watching. He added that his heat-of-the-moment response was improper, as his emotions were running high. He clarified that his behavior was not aimed at anyone in particular.
In a bid to have Rooney available for the Wembley clash with City a week on Saturday, Manchester United coach Alex Ferguson and his board are ready to challenge the FA. The coach and the board are very annoyed at the punishment.
At the notion of missing the FA Cup semifinal against Manchester City, Rooney is ravaged and crushed. The soccer betting lines has seen a lot of action lately. The best odds for the FA Cup semifinal for Manchester City are 21/10 and Manchester United 11/8. The match is scheduled to be held on 16 April 2011.