Gary Andrews returns with more picks of the best of the weekend’s action, which includes clashes of title hopefuls in Germany and Holland, some FA Trophy and northern action, plus more Australian football than you can throw a boomerang at.
Bayer Leverkusen v Borussia Dortmund
German Bundesliga, 7.30pm, Friday January 14th
The first Bundesliga game after the winter break, and what a great way to start 2011 for German football with third hosting first. Dortmund were, of course, ten points clear by the time the league shut down in December and all eyes will be on BVB to see if they can clinch a first league title since 2002.
Leverkusen are likely to be the closest contenders to push Jurgen Klopp’s team all the way, but they’ll need to come out fighting, as three points from this fixture are a must for the Werkself to close the gap at the top. Dortmund will be without the outstanding Shinji Kagawa, who is on Asian cup duty, while striker Lucas Barrios is recovering from illness. If ever there’s a time to catch Dortmund, this is it.
Australia v South Korea
Asian Cup Group C, 1.15pm, Friday 14th January
The Asian Cup has already thrown up a few surprises, with both Japan and China on the end of unexpected results so far, but it’s business as usual in Group C, with both South Korea and Australia winning their opening games as both teams now go head to head in a match that will go a long way to deciding who tops the group.
Australia are a lot more humble in their second appearance at the Asian Cup after confidently predicting victory last time around, only to fall in the quarter finals, but still got off to a flying start with Tim Cahill netting a brace in the 4-0 win over India.
South Korea, meanwhile, have a strong squad and can be considered among the favourites for the competition, enhanced by victory over Bahrain in a tricky opening tie. These are two strong teams, both with realistic ambitions of the title, and this could be one of the games of the group stages.
Sydney v Melbourne Victory
Hyundai A League, 9.30am, Saturday January 15th
Make no mistake, these two teams don’t like each other one little bit and, in what is still a relatively young league, the clash between Australia’s two biggest cities is the big rivalry. A cursory look at the league table would put Victory as slight favourites but Sydney will be feeling pretty confident.
After what’s been a terrible season by FC’s standards, Sydney have finally put together their first back-to-back victories of the season. Meanwhile Victory’s hope of creeping into the top four took a dent with a two straight losses including a 4-1 home reverse to Adelaide.
Captain Kevin Muscat and first choice strikers Archie Thompson and Robbie Kruse are all out of the game for Melbourne, to compound their worries. At the start of the season, these two played out a 3-3 draw. Both sides would consider a similar result a success this week.
Crewe Alexandra v Port Vale
nPower League 2, 3pm, Saturday January 15th
It pays not to draw conclusions too early when it comes to the League Two promotion race. In the middle of autumn, Port Vale were sitting at the top of the league and looking like champions-in-waiting. Today, they have a new manager after Micky Adams left for Sheffield United, have stuttered in the league, and their front pairing of Justin and Marc Richards has struggled for goals.
Crewe, meanwhile, have been the division’s entertainers, with plenty of high-scoring games and late drama. More encouragingly for Dario Gradi’s men, they’ve finally found some consistency, although their five-match unbeaten run was ended by Torquay on Tuesday night. Vale’s players will be looking to create a positive impression for new boss Jim Gannon, but their defence will have to be sharp to keep Crewe quiet.
Alfreton Town v Cambridge United
FA Trophy, 3pm, Saturday January 15th
It’s worrying times for Cambridge United, who had the wind taken out of their sails with two successive playoff final losses two seasons ago and are yet again up for sale, with manager Martin Ling told he needs to sell before he can reinforce his squad.
All in all, it’s not a great time to be travelling to a side who could well be joining the U’s in the Conference next season. Alfreton Town have just returned to the top of the Blue Square North having seen off Stalybridge Celtic 5-3 and are yet to lose in 2011. Nicky Law’s Reds are definite title contenders and will fancy their chances of a Trophy upset.
FC Groningen v FC Twente
Dutch Eredivise, 1.30pm, Sunday January 16th
A tasty Dutch encounter from the top of the table in Holland as last season’s champions Twente travel to the season’s surprise package, Groningen, who have been pushing the top clubs all the way in 2010. Earlier in the season Twente dispatched the northerners 4-2 but Groningen are yet to lose at home this season. With both teams still in touch with leaders PSV, there’s plenty at stake for both sides.
Tags: Alfreton Town, Australia, Bayer Leverkusen, Borussia Dortmund, Cambridge United, Crewe Alexandra, FC Groningen, FC Twente, Melbourne Victory, Port Vale, South Korea, Sydney FC