Saturday, September 22, 2012

Super Sunday

On Sunday, there are two exciting sports programmes to thrill local fans. First, into its fifth edition this year, is the F1 race at Marina Bay and second is none other than one of the fiercest rivalry in English football, Liverpool vs Manchester United at Anfield.

For F1, I do not have much to comment on. Fernando Alonso has won F1's only night race twice and is currently in good form to make it a hat-trick. Other than the inaugural race in 2008 where a crash controversy allowed Alonso to finish first, the leader of the qualifying round has always been the eventual winner.

To put it simply, whoever that clinches the best timing in qualifying is highly likely to become the champion. Singapore has a narrow track so overtaking is not an easy feat. My bet is Kimi Raikonnen to stand the highest on the podium. Do note that a certain Lotus bias may have inflicted the prediction.

As for the renewed rivalry of Liverpool and Manchester United, this match is sure to be charged with emotions. Liverpool will be playing at home for the first time since news about the truth of the 1989 Hillsborough tragedy surfaced.

Patrice Evra and Luis Suarez are expected to finally shake hands in order not to cause any trouble during such a sensitive period. But do expect diving, violence and other stuff like these that makes your viewing more entertaining to occur.

The Reds are still winless after four league games. The team has yet to gel together and there aren't many options in the striking department. On the other hand, the Red Devils are on a run of four consecutive wins and look strong in every position.

I would be very glad if Liverpool can claim a goalless draw but their defenders are still adapting to the short-passing style which Brendan Rodgers favours. Robin van Persie will probably be the goalscorer if Man United grab a goal or two. Kagawa is another Red Devil to look out for.

If poor Liverpool are able to survive this Manchester United match, then the defining player might be Nuri Sahin, a former winner of the Bundesliga Player of the Season award. Sahin is the kind of midfielder that can change the game and competition for the three-man midfield is stiff.

Steven Gerrard, being the captain, is definitely bound to start while Joe Allen, Rodgers' precious pet, is also certain to be among the first eleven. Jonjo Shelvey, scorer of two goals including the decisive one in a Europa League match on Thursday, will give Rodgers more headaches about selection.

Anyway, whatever players the Reds field, they are still the underdogs in this match. 10 to Man United. I predict them to score the only goal of the game after numerous misses and saves.

No comments:

Post a Comment

My $0.02 worth on NS

So it's down to eighteen days. Eighteen more days as a full-time national serviceman, eighteen more days before I am discharged from th...