Fittingly, let's start with the Indian Super League. Chennaiyin FC hosts Delhi Dynamos in the final game of the regular season. Chennaiyin sits at the top of the table, although Delhi has everything to play for in this one. With a win, the Dynamos solidify their place in the playoffs. A loss has Delhi await the outcome of the afternoon match before the ISL hands out post season berths. Delhi toppled Chennaiyin 4-1 early in the season.
The home side has stumbled into December, dropping 2 out of their last 3, including a 1-3 defeat at the hands of Goa last time out. Meanwhile, Delhi has climbed back into the playoff hunt by earning 10 out of a possible 12 points since November 24th. Despite scoring 2.33 goals per home match, Chennaiyin will be without Elano, the league's top goal scorer. Fellow countryman Gustavo Marmentini plays opposite and has netted attempts in the Delhi's previous two away wins.
The Chennaiyin attack may be too much for Delhi to hold scoreless, even with the absence of Elano, but desperation gives the Dynamos a chance to get one themselves and perhaps pull off the upset. 1-1.
It's the first leg of the Liga MX final with América traveling to Tigres. They went 1-2 on points in the regular season, took care of business in the first two rounds, and square off for the second time this season. América stole 3 points at the Estadio Universitario de Nuevo León in August.
Tigres haven't won a playoff game, yet still find themselves fighting for a championship. They arrived in the final on the back of 4 draws, part of a 14-match Liga MX unbeaten streak. Meanwhile, América are 1-1-3 in their last 5 away from the Azteca.
América will have a slight advantage going forward with Tigres captain Juninho out of the team due to injury. The Monterrey side lose a defender and key set piece target. Can Tigres absorb without their captain and get to the second leg unscathed? I think so, but they'll have to get one of their own against a balanced América attack featuring Oribe Peralta and Miguel Layún. 1-1, but América has the personnel edge and could play spoiler.
A-League Round 10 gets underway in Auckland today. Wellington Phoenix take on a struggling Central Coast Mariners side, which they beat 2-1 away earlier this year.
Wellington have won their last 2 games by a combined score of 8-2 against lower half of the table competition. They'll face a similar situation in New Zealand. Central Coast are on 6 points, having tasted victory only once this season. Mariners have played 4 on the road, securing 3 points on 3 draws.
Wellington matches are known for goals. They average 2 per game and have failed to score just once; however, their defense gets exposed with the team going forward. Wellington have kept 1 clean sheet. Meanwhile, Central Coast struggle to find the back of the net. Over 50% of their matches have ended with a 0 next to their name.
Wellington is a cut above the teams that Mariners have drawn with. Besides, Central Coast would need their best goal scoring form of the season to keep pace. Mariners' woes continue. Wellington 3-0.
PEC Zwolle travels to Koning Willem II Stadion for an important Eredivisie matchup. Zwolle are on 26 points, 4 places ahead of Willem II at 20. Jurgen Streppel's side will want all 3 points at home to have a chance at European qualification.
They come into today's match off of a 5-0 drubbing at the hands of perennial contender Ajax. Willem II are home for the first time since November 22, a 1-1 draw with Excelsior. They are 3-2-2 overall in Tilburg. Zwolle have won back-to-back matches by a combined score of 8-1. They'll have a few players out due to injury. PEC Zwolle's away record is nothing to write home about. They have 4 points from a possible 18 in their last 6 games.
These teams come in off of games from opposite ends of the spectrum. Over the course of the season, matchups with teams of this caliber have seen goals. Rebound game for Willem II, 2-1.
SBR Top-Rated Sportsbooks
Degenerate Soccer Selections
Reply With Quote