[FOOTBALL] Midweek Fixtures (inc. Champions & Europa League) - 5-7 April

[Reg]

19:45 kick offs unless stated.

Tuesday

Barcelona v Atl Madrid - BTS2
Bayern Mun v Benfica - BTS Showcase, Europe

Birmingham v Brighton
Brentford v Bolton
Bristol City v Rotherham
Burnley v Cardiff
Derby v Hull
Ipswich v Charlton
Leeds v QPR
Middlesbrough v Huddersfield
MK Dons v Wolves
Preston v Fulham
Sheff Wed v Blackburn
Reading v Nottm Forest - 20:00

Dundee v Celtic
Partick Thistle v Dundee Utd

Wednesday

Paris St G v Man City - BTS Europe
VfL Wolfsburg v Real Madrid - BTS2

Thursday

Ath Bilbao v Sevilla - 20:05 BTS Showcase
Bor Dortmd v Liverpool - 20:05 BTS Europe
Sporting Braga v Shakt Donetsk - 20:05 BTS Extra 3
Villarreal v Sparta Prague - 20:05 BTS Extra 2

[Reg]

There are no easy games in England, not one. I'd like to see Paris play a Monday night at Stoke

Heehee.

[Jimmy Floyd]

This just weeks after facing Aston Villa. Come on, Samir.

I was about to say I won't watch any more Champions League, but then I realised I haven't actually seen a single minute of it live all season, just followed the results. RIP.

[SincereTheRebel]

I dont understand why players and pundits say things like that. They give off the impression that the likes of barcrlona wouldnt enter into the league and dominate. Even this years PSG would come into the premier league and finish top two.

[Smiffy]

.....

[SincereTheRebel]

The gap between them and the rest isnt relevant. Its the finishing position that counts. Stoke finish mid table because they are an average team. People come across like, losing to stoke is somehow some type of 'told you so' situation. As if stoke are the measuring stick for the premier league.

[Smiffy]

.....

[Waffdon]

Biggest league game in years tonight. Nervous wreck and have a disgusting hangover.

[SincereTheRebel]

So assuming we just throw PSG into England we're to assume that they'll automatically finish within the top two despite facing stronger competition in stronger division with two domestic cups, European commitments, no winter break and crucially, no home grown English players.

100%.

[Angelsaint]

If bayern doesn't score 2 goals in the first 25 I am jumping on benfica train to win the game and even more. This is the anomaly year.

[Angelsaint]

I dont understand why players and pundits say things like that. They give off the impression that the likes of barcrlona wouldnt enter into the league and dominate. Even this years PSG would come into the premier league and finish top two.

If you were right citi would have a zillion points gap to the second every year and they don't.

[SincereTheRebel]

We are talking about this years PSG and this years premier league. No way, PSG finish behind arsenal or man city this season based on what we have seen this season from everyone involved.

[Angelsaint]

" No way, Chelsea /ManU finish behind arsenal or man city this season based on what we have seen this season from everyone involved."

[Kikó]

What?

[Baz]

What's even your argument there?

Chelsea (under Mourinho) and United have been absolute garb this season.

[Angelsaint]

Chelsea because the gap is minimal as showed in the clash between both. And Manchester United because of the investment.

[Giggles]

Only hope tonight is a Benfica upset. No interest in the Liga game.

[Giggles]

And back to the Simpsons.

[Magic]

Two pretty boring games tonight. Not even bothering with the leeds game.

[Boydy]

The Champions League seems proper fucking dull compared to the Premiership this season.

[John Arne]

Any reason Barcelona are wearing their away gear?

[The Merse]

This just weeks after facing Aston Villa. Come on, Samir.

I was about to say I won't watch any more Champions League, but then I realised I haven't actually seen a single minute of it live all season, just followed the results. RIP.

Almost the same as me this year. Just the first leg v Barca for me.

So eternally bored of the Champions League. A deeper Arsenal run would spark an interest, but otherwise, just.... Ugh...

[Giggles]

It really is zzzzzzzzz these days. I'm not sure why, as I'd say the football is as good if not better. Probably just familiarity, as it's the latter stages I've become most bored with.

[The Merse]

I dont understand why players and pundits say things like that. They give off the impression that the likes of barcrlona wouldnt enter into the league and dominate. Even this years PSG would come into the premier league and finish top two.

Because the point is that the lower end of the table is far higher in quality, aided of course by the greater equality in TV rights and awards money and that those sources of funding are so massively inflated in England. Bournemouth were able to spunk a net spend of about £35m this year where a newly promoted team of similar stature in Spain or France would often be expected to make a longer term profit in the transfer market and limit their net spend per season to a couple of million.

The middle order is similarly constrained in most leagues, actually.

[The Merse]

It really is zzzzzzzzz these days. I'm not sure why, as I'd say the football is as good if not better. Probably just familiarity, as it's the latter stages I've become most bored with.

Same teams every year and a degree of inevitability to everything. Plus, it's pompously presented.

[Max Power]

Well I'm enjoying this Atletico Madrid performance immensely

[John Arne]

Suarez got away from a lash out then.

Oh, and Torres has been sent off.

[Serj]

Torres. What an idiotic challenge.

[John Arne]

Stupid by Torres, that. Two shit tackles.

[John Arne]

These directors are shit. Show us a replay of Suarez.

[Serj]

Indeed, that's two Suárez incidents already where they didn't show the replay.

[Reg]

I think there's a decent chance Simeone told his players to have a kick at them, and Torres has just taken his with a complete lack of subtlety.

Hope Barca go through, don't really fancy seeing more of Atletico. It was good when they were plucky underdogs, but the novelty has faded.

[CJay]

Atletico are so good at defending, but Barca are also really playing into their hands here. They need to get the ball forward so much quicker.

I foresee some real Barca rage tonight. Saw a bit of it already in the first half.

[Boydy]

Is that Steve McManaman on the BT commentary team tonight?

He's almost as annoying as Michael Owen.

[Yevrah]

Atletico Madrid are such a bastard of a team to play against.

[Browning]

That's why we're going down!

[Bernanke]

woosh

[John Arne]

Class.

[Magic]

We're winning and I simply couldn't give a fuck.

[Serj]

Some absolutely imbecilic tackles now in the Barcelona match. The one by Lucas (I think) was properly cynical and should probably have been a red.

[John Arne]

Never really appreciated just how much of a whining little cunt Jordi Alba is. Enjoy the football, for fucks sake.

[John Arne]

Why are the UEFA 'No To Racism' adverts in the Barcelona game in English? Maybe that's what the problem is... the racists just can't read the signs.

[Baz]

What're the scores?

Oh and the knockout stages of the Champions League are ace. Aside from the premier league, they're my favourite football to watch. Least favourite is the England national team. I'd rather go to a Hinckley game with Lee than watch England.

[Kikó]

Great result for Benfica. Could have nicked one themselves. Keeps it alive although no Jonas in the return will be a big miss.

[Magic]

Oh look we drew thanks to defensive idiocy.

Also can't stand Alves after banana gate. Horrible cunt.

[niko_cee]

Massive win for Brighton. Hope it doesn't come down to the last game.

[John]

Dumbarton tonight put on the most defensive performance I've ever seen from any side at Ibrox, and I attended every game in our UEFA cup run. Nine men behind the ball for the entire game, with a fat Christian Nade running into people up front.

Still, the journey is over.

[Waffdon]

What a four years its been. Won't even have to bother with you lads next year either

[Giggles]

Not bad going for a four year old club.

[Lewis]

'It is young but it is beautiful, and its players they are fine...'