This week's edition of the Pickakke is sponsored by the Special One:
"Be Champions"
Speaking of champions, lets do a quick review of last week's selections:
Man U 4 - 0 AC Milan (picked 2-1): HIT on O/U, HIT on Result
Madrid 1 - 1 Lyon (picked 2-1): MISSED on O/U, HIT on Result
Arsenal 5 - 0 Porto (picked 3-1): HIT on O/U, HIT on Result
Fiorentina 3 - 2 Bayern (picked 2-0): MISSED on O/U, HIT on Result
For those of you keeping score at home, that's a 75% rate of success. Very, very nice predicting.
But we can't afford to live in the past, resting upon our laurels (ahem Madrid ahem). Onward to this week's tasty treats:
Tuesday, 16 March 3:45 EDT
Chelsea FC (-1) vs. Internazionale (1-2 after 1st leg): The Special One returns to Stamford Bridge, where he amassed an impressive record as manager of Chelsea. Will his 2-1 lead be enough to see Inter through? Chelsea have had strong form at home in Europe and in the Prem, while Inter have been less than convincing away from the San Siro. Does it all add up to Chelsea victory, then? I am not so certain. Maybe its the special scarf, or just his way with words, but somehow I am believing in the Special One this time around in his former playpen. I see Chelsea getting an early goal, getting too comfortable sitting on their away goal advancement, and getting "puto cracked" by an Inter-man at the death.
Prediction: Chelsea 1 - 1 Inter [Inter advance on aggregate 2-3]
Sevilla FC (-1) vs. CSKA Moscow (1-1 after 1st leg): Sevilla have to be considered favorites to advance after their gutsy performance in cold Mother Russia to pull out the 1-1 draw. They have also been in-form at the Sanchez-Pizjuan as of late, going undefeated in their last 5 matches with a GD of +7. I really see no way for Moscow to outduel the nerviosos at home, and even if they manage an unlikely away goal, I see Sevilla countering comfortably.
Prediction: Sevilla 2 - 0 Moscow [Sevilla advance on aggregate 3-1]
Wednesday, 17 March 3:45 EDT
FC Barcelona (-1.5) vs. VfB Stuttgart (1-1 after 1st leg): Waawee whoa whoa. After Barcelona's impressive thrashing of Valencia yesterday, they are installed in this match as MEGAFAVORITES. The over/under for this match is set at 3, instead of the customary 2.5 AND Barca is pegged as a winner by more than a goal. If you needed any more proof of how no one gives Stuttgart a snowball's chance in hell at the Camp Nou, if you bet 100 dollars on them winning, you could be 1100 dollars richer at the end of the match. A more than 10x return on investment! Not too shabby. I am not advocating making that investment, though. Messi was sublime yesterday, and I fully expect he and his Barca Boys to work over Stuttgart in this match as well. I can see them getting a lucky goal somewhere in there, so I will through Stuttgart a bone with this one:
Prediction: Barca 3 - 1 Stuttgart [Barca advance on aggregate 4-2]
FC Girondins de Bordeaux (-1) vs. Olympiacos CFP (1-0 after 1st leg): Hmm, because I think so highly of the ol' Geronimos, I will keep this one short and sweet. Olympiacos have not scored an away goal in Europe this year. Bordeaux are CLASS. As such:
Prediction: Bordeaux 1 - 0 Olympiacos [Bordeaux advance on aggregate 2-0]
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Just a friendly Daylight SAVING Time reminder: because we set our clocks ahead before our friends in Europe, this week's matches are at quarter to FOUR, not three as per usual. Didn't have enough DST chatter today so I figured I would throw that one in.
And remember, Be Champions!
