Post by Mr.Necom on Apr 14, 2021 4:32:35 GMT
The team selections are in and the final turn of the season is being processed - it's time for another live game 64 turn! Join us here on the noticeboards from 6:30pm for live turn action starting with the cup finals. In the meantime, here's Gerard's week 22 preview.
BRITISH LEAGUE
Leeds United’s Premier League title push seems to have fallen flat, Ted Ansell’s Millwall only needing to win at home to rudderless West Ham to clinch the crown. The match of the day is certainly at the bottom of the league, with Arsenal hosting Sunderland. Duncan Martin’s side need to beat their visitors or will be relegated in their place.
In Division 2 Tottenham and Rangers are vying for the ultra-valuable second automatic promotion spot, Derby County having secured the title some while ago. Both sides are tied on 47 points, with the North London side having the edge on goal difference. Tottenham, however, travel to the champions, whereas Rangers travel to managerless Norwich City, so it is still all to play for.
EUROPEAN LEAGUE
The Serie A title has long been Lazio’s – since Season 40, in fact – so again the last-day action is at the foot of the table. Juventus’ heavy home defeat to Monaco on Week 21, coupled with Marseilles fortuitous win in Bilbao, plunged Mark Wheat’s side into the relegation zone. The Turin ‘giant’ need to better Marseilles’ result in the final turn; travelling to already doomed Barcelona, while the French outfit play at Internazionale.
Both automatically promoted sides have been decided in Serie B, Sociedad and Ajax guaranteed to finish as the top two. Despite being level on points the Spanish team have a better goal difference and playing unmanaged Leipzig at home on the final day should see them crowned as champions.
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL
Lazio vs. Leeds United
Newly heralded Serie A Champions, Lazio, face Patrick Lyons’ Leeds United in the Champions League Final. Both sides won their respective groups well and saw through their semi-finals against Udinese and Millwall; strong home wins saw off narrow away defeats in the second-legs. Richard Coupland’s Rome based titans are looking to retain the Champions League, having beaten Udinese in last year’s edition. Leeds United are playing their first ever showpiece match, and are Britain’s only representative since Season 39, whereas Lazio have reached ten finals previously, winning eight times.
EUROPA LEAGUE FINAL
Bayern Munich vs. Ath. Bilbao
Last season’s beaten finalists, Bayern Munich, play departing manager Duncan Martin’s Ath. Bilbao in the Europa League Final, renewing their Group 1 rivalry from earlier in the competition. The German side won the group comfortably, their only defeat coming in Week 13 having already guaranteed progress. Bilbao, however, relied on an 86 th minute Roberto Firmino winner in a narrow 1-0 win at home to Arsenal. Munich are seeking to win the competition for the second time, having previously lifted the trophy in Season 33. Conversely, Bilbao are playing in their first ever cup final, hoping to see Martin out on
a high, his resignation taking effect at the final whistle. Bilbao hammered Munich 5-2 at the Allianz on the opening day of the Serie A season, so must be viewed as firm favourites to lift their first piece of silverware, particularly since Bayern are on an eight-final losing streak.
BRITISH FA CUP FINAL
Scarborough vs. Leeds United
Route To The Final
The opening round of this season’s FA Cup saw Scarborough quickly past Blackburn Rovers, winning 4-2 away at Ewood Park. Leeds United, however, had a nervy 1-0 win at home to Man. United, ensuring an early exit for Anthony Brockway’s side. Reward for their impressive win against United was hosting newly crowned Super Cup champions Millwall, but Leeds United made short work of the tie; routing Ted Ansell’s side 3-1. Craig Rathey’s Scarborough had as easy a time, netting three without reply against Aston Villa. Both finalists had very simple Quarter-Finals also, Leeds and Scarborough each winning 3-1 at Exeter and Plymouth respectively. The Semi-Finals posed far greater challenges, Leeds travelling to Sheffield while Scarborough went to last year’s Premier League Champions Liverpool. Both games finished as stalemates – an extremely enjoyable 2-2 at Anfield – with both sides edging the replays with a 1-0 scoreline; Mason Mount and Maxi Gomez clinching the Final berths.
Preview
Bar injuries to scarcely-fringe players Jonathan Tah and Ferran Torres Scarborough have a full quota to choose from, whereas Spanish international left-bac Jordi Alba is Leeds United’s only notable absentee from the match day squad.
EUROPEAN FA CUP FINAL
Real Madrid vs. Bayern Munich
Route To The Final
Round 2 of this season’s FA Cup saw Real Madrid take on Jamie Maycroft’s Udinese, in arguably the tie of the round. A scoreless draw in Madrid was followed by a nervy one all draw in Turin, only settled on spot-kicks; Real winning 5-3. Bayern Munich travelled to former Serie A regular FC Basle, easing to the 3rd Round with a comfortable 4-1 victory.
Week 14 saw an simple win for James Teager’s side, Madrid netting three without reply at Roma. Bayern, on the other hand, made hard work of visiting non-league side Bordeaux, needing a late Kylian Mbappe strike to progress to the quarter-finals. Unlike the previous round Bayern strolled on Week 17, knocking three past Serie B’s Benfica, young Erling Haaland scoring the final goal of the game. Real faced a far sterner test, travelling to Atl. for a Madrid Classico; Atl., back to back defending champions, losing their crown by the odd goal in three. Week 20’s semi-finals pitted perennial Serie A Champions Lazio against Bayern Munich, in a long-standing rivalry. A one all draw in the first match was followed by a nervy replay, Kylian Mbappe netting the only goal in a tightly contested match. In the other last four game Real Madrid brushed aside fellow Serie A side Monaco, Harry Kane netting twice in a comfortable 4-0 victory.
Preview
Madrid head into the Final, smarting from losing their talismanic striker Harry Kane to recent injury. Kane joins Hakan Calhanoglu and Tobias Alderwirel in the treatment room, but still leaving Real with an abundance of talent at their disposal. Bayern Munich are without Marco Verratti and Paulo Dybala for the short trip to Paris and had the luxury of resting their final eleven in Week 21, but still go into the showpiece as firm underdogs.
BRITISH LEAGUE
Leeds United’s Premier League title push seems to have fallen flat, Ted Ansell’s Millwall only needing to win at home to rudderless West Ham to clinch the crown. The match of the day is certainly at the bottom of the league, with Arsenal hosting Sunderland. Duncan Martin’s side need to beat their visitors or will be relegated in their place.
In Division 2 Tottenham and Rangers are vying for the ultra-valuable second automatic promotion spot, Derby County having secured the title some while ago. Both sides are tied on 47 points, with the North London side having the edge on goal difference. Tottenham, however, travel to the champions, whereas Rangers travel to managerless Norwich City, so it is still all to play for.
EUROPEAN LEAGUE
The Serie A title has long been Lazio’s – since Season 40, in fact – so again the last-day action is at the foot of the table. Juventus’ heavy home defeat to Monaco on Week 21, coupled with Marseilles fortuitous win in Bilbao, plunged Mark Wheat’s side into the relegation zone. The Turin ‘giant’ need to better Marseilles’ result in the final turn; travelling to already doomed Barcelona, while the French outfit play at Internazionale.
Both automatically promoted sides have been decided in Serie B, Sociedad and Ajax guaranteed to finish as the top two. Despite being level on points the Spanish team have a better goal difference and playing unmanaged Leipzig at home on the final day should see them crowned as champions.
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL
Lazio vs. Leeds United
Newly heralded Serie A Champions, Lazio, face Patrick Lyons’ Leeds United in the Champions League Final. Both sides won their respective groups well and saw through their semi-finals against Udinese and Millwall; strong home wins saw off narrow away defeats in the second-legs. Richard Coupland’s Rome based titans are looking to retain the Champions League, having beaten Udinese in last year’s edition. Leeds United are playing their first ever showpiece match, and are Britain’s only representative since Season 39, whereas Lazio have reached ten finals previously, winning eight times.
EUROPA LEAGUE FINAL
Bayern Munich vs. Ath. Bilbao
Last season’s beaten finalists, Bayern Munich, play departing manager Duncan Martin’s Ath. Bilbao in the Europa League Final, renewing their Group 1 rivalry from earlier in the competition. The German side won the group comfortably, their only defeat coming in Week 13 having already guaranteed progress. Bilbao, however, relied on an 86 th minute Roberto Firmino winner in a narrow 1-0 win at home to Arsenal. Munich are seeking to win the competition for the second time, having previously lifted the trophy in Season 33. Conversely, Bilbao are playing in their first ever cup final, hoping to see Martin out on
a high, his resignation taking effect at the final whistle. Bilbao hammered Munich 5-2 at the Allianz on the opening day of the Serie A season, so must be viewed as firm favourites to lift their first piece of silverware, particularly since Bayern are on an eight-final losing streak.
BRITISH FA CUP FINAL
Scarborough vs. Leeds United
Route To The Final
The opening round of this season’s FA Cup saw Scarborough quickly past Blackburn Rovers, winning 4-2 away at Ewood Park. Leeds United, however, had a nervy 1-0 win at home to Man. United, ensuring an early exit for Anthony Brockway’s side. Reward for their impressive win against United was hosting newly crowned Super Cup champions Millwall, but Leeds United made short work of the tie; routing Ted Ansell’s side 3-1. Craig Rathey’s Scarborough had as easy a time, netting three without reply against Aston Villa. Both finalists had very simple Quarter-Finals also, Leeds and Scarborough each winning 3-1 at Exeter and Plymouth respectively. The Semi-Finals posed far greater challenges, Leeds travelling to Sheffield while Scarborough went to last year’s Premier League Champions Liverpool. Both games finished as stalemates – an extremely enjoyable 2-2 at Anfield – with both sides edging the replays with a 1-0 scoreline; Mason Mount and Maxi Gomez clinching the Final berths.
Preview
Bar injuries to scarcely-fringe players Jonathan Tah and Ferran Torres Scarborough have a full quota to choose from, whereas Spanish international left-bac Jordi Alba is Leeds United’s only notable absentee from the match day squad.
EUROPEAN FA CUP FINAL
Real Madrid vs. Bayern Munich
Route To The Final
Round 2 of this season’s FA Cup saw Real Madrid take on Jamie Maycroft’s Udinese, in arguably the tie of the round. A scoreless draw in Madrid was followed by a nervy one all draw in Turin, only settled on spot-kicks; Real winning 5-3. Bayern Munich travelled to former Serie A regular FC Basle, easing to the 3rd Round with a comfortable 4-1 victory.
Week 14 saw an simple win for James Teager’s side, Madrid netting three without reply at Roma. Bayern, on the other hand, made hard work of visiting non-league side Bordeaux, needing a late Kylian Mbappe strike to progress to the quarter-finals. Unlike the previous round Bayern strolled on Week 17, knocking three past Serie B’s Benfica, young Erling Haaland scoring the final goal of the game. Real faced a far sterner test, travelling to Atl. for a Madrid Classico; Atl., back to back defending champions, losing their crown by the odd goal in three. Week 20’s semi-finals pitted perennial Serie A Champions Lazio against Bayern Munich, in a long-standing rivalry. A one all draw in the first match was followed by a nervy replay, Kylian Mbappe netting the only goal in a tightly contested match. In the other last four game Real Madrid brushed aside fellow Serie A side Monaco, Harry Kane netting twice in a comfortable 4-0 victory.
Preview
Madrid head into the Final, smarting from losing their talismanic striker Harry Kane to recent injury. Kane joins Hakan Calhanoglu and Tobias Alderwirel in the treatment room, but still leaving Real with an abundance of talent at their disposal. Bayern Munich are without Marco Verratti and Paulo Dybala for the short trip to Paris and had the luxury of resting their final eleven in Week 21, but still go into the showpiece as firm underdogs.