The Week in Soccer

What a HUGE week in soccer!?!?

Champions League Action:

Since the Champions League matches from last week are so far in the rearview mirror, I won't bother with looking back beyond explaining that Inter and Bayern Munich have a real edge over the competition: favorite-to-repeat Barcelona and 'just happy to be here' Lyon.

It will take Messi and Ibrahimivic - much like Twins DeVito and Schwarzenegger in stature - executing flawless football against formidable defense at Barca Wednesday @ 2:30pm ET (Follow my in-game tweets @WWWJT). It can happen. Even if "the special one" is leading the pack of Milan's finest. Keeping the away goals at bay and scoring like this modern-day Pele (Messi) can, we can only hope for Barca to peel off the not-so-pretty-in-pink jerseys and get down to business in the second leg of the Champions League semi-finals.

Prediction: Reverse score of last week's 3-1 home win for Inter providing a stellar PK shootout scenario which will find Messi and Barca heading to their rival's home in Madrid for the final at the end of May.

On Tuesday, the competition for first loser is clearly in the bag for Bayern Munich. They beat ManU by the skin of their teeth in the quarter-finals, but the test in Lyon will be more like a quiz. Not even a pop quiz. A quiz which they've had a week to prepare for. So I, for one of many, will be shocked if the final tally provides many roadblocks impeding Bayern's battle for a final match in Madrid.

Prediction: Bayern silences Lyon 2-1 in front of max capacity of Lyonnaise forlorn faithful.


Premiere League Action:

Saturday @ 7:45am ET, Manchester United faced its most stiff competition of the final three matches of this year's campaign in Tottenham. The Hotspurs have been true to their name winning seven of their last eight battling with Manchester City for the fourth spot in the Premiere League standings and a ticket to Champions League competition next year. Despite a strong showing by the Hotspurs, ManU rode Nani to a 3-1 victory snatching the Premiere League lead back from Chelsea by 2 points on 3 points earned.

Sunday @ 11:00am ET, Chelsea toyed with Stoke City for the first 20 minutes before launching an onslaught of goals tying their season high of 7, exceeding their best goal differential against an opponent pulling off a shutout and breaking the opposing goalie's elbow in the process. It was a statement to say the least.

Looking ahead. Goal differential won't decide who gets the Premiere League trophy as Chelsea already has the tie-breaker category locked up. The deciding factor lies in the hands of Chelsea facing Liverpool at Anfield this Sunday @ 8:30am ET.

Prediction: With a win, Chelsea seals at least a 1-point victory over the Red Devils. With a draw or loss, ManU takes their fourth straight crown. Chelsea will tie Liverpool 2-2. ManU will finish out the season to perfection with a recovered Rooney at attack and take home their fourth straight.

Follow my in-game tweets (@WWWJT) for the two Champions League contests Tuesday & Wednesday as well as both ManU's match at the Stadium of Light against Sunderland (Sat @ 11am ET) and Chelsea's match of the year at Anfield.

JT