2012-2013 Nike Barcelona Kit

Now these have been leaked already so this may not be news to you but the new Barca shirts were officially revealed today. Probably in my opinion the most controversial design of the year so far for all the major clubs. There has been a bit of uproar over Man Utd's checkers and the Arsenal blue strips on sleeves but these are the most drastic shirts for all the big clubs this year. What Nike is thinking in taking the stripes away from Barca's kit and making an away kit that literally is hard to look at is mind boggling at this point but lets see how it looks on the field....still it is making people talk about it and not about Barca not winning much this year...

Season Finales Around Europe!

So it all comes down to this. Most if not all of the worlds attention will be in England. The title will be decided this week. Man City and Man Utd are tied at the top of the table and all City need to do is win their next game home against QPR. Man Utd who will be away to Sunderland need a City to lose or draw and a win against Sunderland to take the title. There are a ton of tiebreakers and scenarios so I'll keep it simple for you. Also there is relegation battles a plenty where Bolton will try to stay in the Premiership with QPR and Aston Villa possibly replacing them in the drop. In Spain the relegation battle is wide open with 5 teams possibly being relegated. While in Italy Genoa still could face relegation as they need to hope Lecce doesnt win their game against Chievo as Genoa faces a tricky and good Palermo squad.

Champions league places are on the line in all the 3 top leagues. England see's the final 2 spots up for grabs. Arsenal holds the edge with Tottenham in 3rd and 4th respectfully but Newcastle are within reach and 1 of those 3 will miss out. As for Italy my beloved Inter still have some sort of a chance to make it in the Champions League. It will be tough though as Udinese are in the drivers seat and needs basically just a draw to qualify for the 3rd and final spot. Lazio and Napoli still can qualify with Lazio having the best shot as they are only 2 points behind while Napoli and Inter are 3 behind. In Spain the 4th qualifying spot is up for grabs between 4 teams (Malaga, Atletico Madrid, Mallorca, and Levante). Newly rich Malaga are in the drivers seat and can basically seal it with just a draw.

Predictions

So here is how I see it playing out. I'll take Man City to win the league in England just on the tiebreakers can't see either teams losing those matches. Arsenal and Newcastle will make it into the Champions League. Going out on a limb here as Tottenham have arguably the easiest game home v Fulham but that could be tricky. Arsenal go away to West Brom who will bid goodbye to new England manager Roy Hodgson as Newcastle have to go to Everton. This is going to be very tricky for all teams so its really a crap shoot. If Arsenal don't happen to qualify they need to shoot themselves as that is some collapse! I don't think Bolton can beat Stoke at Stoke so I think we will see the Lancashire team in the Championship next year. In Italy I think Udinese takes 3rd spot and Genoa draws with Palermo keeping them up. Spain will see Malaga go to the Champions League while sadly Villareal get relegated as they have to face new Europa League champions Atletico Madrid while Zaragoza will beat Getafe away.

So that's it it should be fun and it all gets started Saturday! Something cool for Americans is that every match in the Premiership on Saturday will be televised on all the fox networks (Fox Soccer, Speed, Fuel, FX etc) and ESPN.

Football Comedy Part 2

The music that goes along with it is class

Some New Football Shirts For 09/10

So in preparation for my rant coming tomorrow about Friendlies here in the US I thought Id share some of the new shirts for the upcoming football season! Some you may have seen some you may have not....

All Info From Our Good Friends At Football Shirt Culture

Athletic Bilbao Fans Are Classy