It's been a bad couple of days for the Republic of Ireland squad as injuries have hit the squad, and in particular, the midfield badly.The injury prone Stephen Reid who never really looked like making the team was first to go today when his troublesome Achilles flared up and caused ...

It looks like all our defensive responsibilities are being pinned on Ledley King for the big kick off against Liverpool at the Lane in two Sundays time. Considering last week Harry was saying our hero was yet to kick a ball this pre season, I'm a little concerned.

What concerns me more is the fact Levy has authorised an £8m deal for a centre back.

Today is the all-important Champions League qualifier against Celtic at Parkhead, which is a very intimidating place to play. Matt from Celtic Offside stopped by yesterday to give us some insight into our opponent. And I gave some thoughts on the matchup in response to some of Matt's Questions over at the Celtic Offside, so I won't belabor the same points.

It appears David Beckham may well play Friday against Chicago at Home Depot Center after all.

He trained with the squad Tuesday and "upped" the pace in practice again today; no adverse effects I'm told and things are looking good for the crucial encounter that could see (depending on results Saturday) the Galaxy make the playoffs for the first time in four years.

Blackburn

Last Season: 15th, 10-11-17 (41 points, -20 goal differential)

Recent Form: LDWLW

Away Form (last season): 4-4-11

Last Meeting: Arsenal 4-Blackburn 0 (3/14/09)

Back in league action early tomorrow against Blackburn.

Thats right folks 11 long weeks are all but over, and after the highly entertaining entree of the Community Shield its time to get down to the serious nitty gritty. Stamford Bridge on a Saturday lunchtime is the venue for this years opening game and others will follow over the weekend where every single fan hopes for glory and entertainment for the coming season.

At 2200 hrs. Barcelona time, the Spanish Super Cup first leg encounter between Barcelona and Athletic Bilbao will kick off at San Mames in Bilbao.Barcelona have been Super Cup winners on 11 previous occasions, with the most recent win coming in 2006.Bilbao, in contrast, have only won the Super Cup once, in 1984.

It's all Everton, all the time around here these days.
via Eurosport/Yahoo!UK:

Everton striker Aiyegbeni Yakubu has been included in the squad to face Sigma Olomouc in the Europa League play-off second leg in the Czech Republic.
Manager David Moyes named the Nigerian in his travelling party after watching the striker mark his comeback on Tuesday night with a goal after only 31 seconds in the reserves 3-0 victory against Burnley.

Paraguay have qualified. Chile can choke. Ecuador too. Argentina are at home to Peru next. Uruguay have superior goal difference. Venezuela are lurking. Colombia cannot be ruled out just yet.
There are so many permutations, yet it is difficult to discuss without getting drawn into the Argentine drama.

Owen Coyle takes his newly promoted side to White Hart Lane.

Portsmouth Vs Tottenham Tickets Still Available!

Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp has selection headaches following his side's impressive win over Preston.
He may start Peter Crouch upfront and displace Carlo Cudicini with Heurelho Gomes in goal, while Sebastien Bassong could return in defence.

I was never much of a comic book type of guy, but I do remember hearing that Superman and Spiderman and many other iconic heroes had an archnemesis that they often battled that was basically the bizarro version of themselves. I find this idea to be interesting and while I was looking up this upcoming weeks La Liga action I discovered a match that reminded me of this bizarro theme.