Hope Still Remains for Liverpool FC

After making a return to the UEFA Champions League after a five-year absence, Liverpool's hopes have again fallen after being unable to qualify for the knockout stages of the competition.

Van Gaal Woes Continue

(telegraph.co.uk)

Following an outstanding preseason campaign in the United States, Louis van Gaal has hit a snag as the Barclays Premier League has begun.  After winning all their matches in the United States, van Gaal's side has yet to find a win in the regular season.

EPL Title Race Takes an Interesting Twist

The EPL title race has taken somewhat of an interesting change after this weekend's match results.  Former league leaders Chelsea have fallen to second place after losing 1-0 to Crystal Palace on Saturday.  The Blues lost following an own goal from veteran defender John Terry.  This somewhat hurt the London side's title chances as Liverpool and Manchester City both had positive results with the Reds winning 4-0 over Tottenham, and City getting one point in a 1-1 draw with Arsenal.

Chelsea Slowly Loses Edge

 

After this weekend's matches, several teams are now closing the gap in the table which Chelsea had gained in recent weeks.  The Blues suffered a tough loss to Aston Villa on Saturday which brings Liverpool and Arsenal within four points of the leaders, both teams also currently have a game in hand.  Manchester City is also within striking distance of the league title, only six points back, with three games in hand. 

EPL Title Race Heats Up

 

This weekend's Premier League matches could cause a serious change in the title race.  Out of form Arsenal fell 1-0 at Britannia Stadium on Saturday after Jonathan Walters converted a 76th minute penalty.  With both Liverpool and Chelsea winning this weekend, the race for first place is drastically heating up!

First Radio Episode

 

Be sure to listen to the first episode of NP Soccer Talk on Blog Talk Radio.  The archive of today's show can be found at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/npsoccertalk/2014/02/27/champions-league-first-leg-recap-march-1st-league-match-preview.   Today's show covered Champions League Round of 16, Manchester United, David Moyes, and fixtures from around the world this weekend.  Games highlighted included the Madrid Derby, Manchester Derby, Bayern Munich vs. Schalke and many more!

Manchester United: The Troubles Continue

 

Problems continued for Manchester United today as they traveled to Greece for the first leg of their Champions League Round of 16 match-up against Olympiakos.  The English side fell 2-0 to the Greek giants in what was expected to be a guaranteed win with both Robin van Persie and Wayne Rooney returning to the lineup together.  The Red Devils have seldom lost when the pair have started together, however that trend did not continue today.  Today's loss was Manchester United's first loss of the 2013-2014 Champions League campaign.

Sunday Match Previews and Predictions 2/23

Though most of the major league matches are occurring today, tomorrow's matches will also be significant for many teams.  The three matches affecting three of the four biggest leagues in the world are occurring on Sunday morning, so the following are some match previews and predictions. (Matches are in order of start time):

Liverpool vs. Swansea (Sunday 8:30 AM ET)

 

This Sunday's match at Anfield is an important one for the Reds.  They currently sit in the fourth spot in the table, only one point behind Manchester City.  This weekend's home match provides a great opportunity to move up in the table.  The Reds have had amazing home form this season having only lost one game at Anfield so far.  This will surely have an effect on tomorrow's match.  Though the two sides finished 2-2 earlier this season at Liberty Stadium, expect a home win from the Merseyside hosts.  As always Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge will cause major issues for the opposing defense.  Also watch for two young members of the Red's squad Coutinho and nineteen year old Raheem Sterling.  Swansea, however, are not without threats of their own.  Former Red Jonjo Shelvey will surely cause the Liverpool defense problems along with striker Wilfried Bony.  Swansea likely being without Michu is also going to be another problem for the Swans.  Expect to see at least one goal at the Kop end from one of the league's top strikers.

Prediction:  Liverpool win 3-1

Saturday Match Previews and Predictions 2/22

This weekend is going to play host to many important matches across the world's top leagues.  The following are some match previews and predictions. (Matches are in order of start time):

Chelsea vs. Everton (Saturday 7:45 AM ET)

With Chelsea attempting to hold its place at the top of the table, and Roberto Martinez's Everton side trying to force its way into European football for next season, expect a thriller!  Despite Martinez and Everton being within five points of the Europa League qualifying position, injuries will most likely to prove to be an issue in this fixture.  With both Romelu Lukaku and Arouna Koné still out with injury, lack of options at forward could prove to be a major problem for the Toffees.  Meanwhile a very strong lineup for José Mourinho and the Blues is likely to cause Everton a multitude of problems.  Watch for in-form Eden Hazard to be a major threat after netting a hat trick against Newcastle in the Blues last Premier League fixture.

Prediction: Chelsea win 3-2