It’s all about to begin; after what has felt like an eternity, the A-League gets underway this Saturday. Never before has this level of excitement towards a new season of the round ball game been felt by football fans Down Under. Following two seasons plagued by poor crowds and financial troubles, there is a general expectation that this new edition of the competition will move the game in a positive direction, helped especially by the return of  two prodigal sons.

The game in Australia is steadily growing in popularity as the standard of play increases. Season six continued this trend, thanks largely to the Brisbane Roar.  The Side from the Queensland capital stunned the league, setting a new record for the number of games without defeat as they swept the Minor (top of the table) and Major (Grand Final winner) Premierships.  With traditional powers Sydney FC and Melbourne Victory making bold off-season moves, the seventh edition of the A-League promises to once again raise the bar.

While the Roar dominated last season, this season should be a closer competition.  Their talismanic leader, Matt McKay, is now at Rangers, earning the move to Scotland on the back of his A-League and Socceroos heroics. Frontman, Jean Carlos Solorzano has also departed, for rivals Melbourne Victory, and, while Brisbane has recruited well, they may not pack their former punch.

As far as new signings go, it’s nigh on impossible for any Aussie side to match the signings of Harry Kewell and Brett Emerton by Melbourne Victory and Sydney FC, respectively. The two Socceroos’impact on the domestic game is already showing with strong crowds at friendlies involving the clubs, not to mention a larger media presence.

A championship would be the icing on the cake for Emerton, who is happy enough just to have escape what looks to be a woeful premier League Season for Blackburn Rovers.  Meanwhile, Kewell has jumped off the sinking ship of the Turkish Super Lig, which is taking on water rapidly, thanks to a massive match-fixing scandal.  The duo will play out their careers in Australia and, in the process, bring a much needed boost to the game. Kewell and Emerton face off for the first time in the season’s opening round at Etihad Stadium in Melbourne — not Manchester! — this weekend.

While Kewell and Emerton are undoubtedly the headline signings, there are other newcomers who are expected to improve the quality of A-League play. Adelaide United have signed Socceroo Dario Vidosic from FC Nurnberg, while Tiago Calvano has also made the long trip from Germany, signing with Newcastle Jets from Fortuna Dusseldorf.  Perth Glory have brought in midfielder Liam Miller from Hibernian, former Blackburn Rovers striker Maceo Rigters will represent Gold Coast United and Tony Warner, an experienced goalie who as been at Liverpool and Fulham, has joined Wellington Phoenix.

There is one transfer, however, that has raised more eyebrows, especially amongst the Melbourne Victory community, than others, and that’s Melbourne Heart’s capture of Brazilian playmaker Fred. The midfielder, a premiership player at Victory and a former fan favourite has not only joined the Heart from MLS club DC United, but has been handed the captaincy. This move has started rumours that former captain Simon Colosimo is attempting to force a move away from the club with – surprise, surprise – Melbourne Victory actively seeking his signature.

The drama doesn’t end there, with the league rivaling popular soap Neighbours for nail-biting cliff-hangers, stunning betrayals, the writing out of key characters and last minute rescues.

The Wellington Phoenix were, for a while, looking to be in a bit of trouble. Under the ownership of Tony Serepisos, who had fallen into hundreds of millions of dollars of debt, the Phoenix were struggling to keep enough players to meet the minimum requirements set by the Football Federation of Australia (FFA.   The club was rescued in a take-over orchestrated by a group of local businessmen.   Following the coup, the club made a last minute dash in the market, signing a handful of players, but leading many to speculate that the Kiwis will struggle early, while the new line-up gels.

Yet, the Phoenix haven’t quite wrapped up the award for Most Dysfunctional Off-Season. The Newcastle Jets sacked manager Branko Culina last Tuesday in a move that shocked everyone who follows Australian football. Jets owner Nathan Tinkler is said to be furious that Branko signed his son and Socceroo midfielder Jason, on a lucrative contract, despite being aware of his injury troubles. Jason has been ruled out for this season and possibly longer, raising fears at the Jets that he may never play a game in the three years he is contracted to the club. Newcastle is also in the process of looking at ways of canceling Jason’s contract without being forced to pay it out.  Nothing like a bit of nepotism to get the blood boiling.

One has to wonder if the action on the pitch can compete with the off-the-field antics, but the opening match between the Sky Blues and Victory, starring Emerton and Kewell, has the potential to keep the fans riveted.  The pair make their marquee clubs favourites to dominate the competition.  Yet, one player doesn’t make a side, as we all know.  So don’t be surprised if another side claims the Minor Premiership.

Brisbane Roar, despite being somewhat weaker than last season, still have the league’s best manager, in Ange Postecoglou, and will be a force to be reckoned with. The Central Coast Mariners will be desperate to go one better while last years runners-up, Adelaide, have also recruited well and could launch a considerable title challenge.

Melbourne Heart are the great unknown.  Heading into their second season, it’s tough to say whether or not they will be in the finals, with one or two big moves still rumoured to be in the offing. Perth Glory and Gold Coast have enough quality to end up in the finals, although will have to play more consistent football than they have in the past in order to do so. Unfortunately, due to their dramatic build-ups to the season, Wellington and Newcastle must be considered favourites to finish bottom of the table.

Having said that, don’t be surprised if one of the favourites flop and one of the underdogs rise, such is the nature of the A-League.

Whatever happens, the 2011/12 A-League season promises to be entertaining both on and off the pitch. If you haven’t paid much attention to Australian football in the past, now would be the ideal time to change that, it’s going to be a cracker!

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Two rounds of the 2011 Copa America group stage are in the books and only one of the favourites is not sweating under the pressure of under achievement.  If you guessed that was the holders Brazil or hosts Argentina, well, you guessed wrong.  Nor is it South Africa’s surprise semi-finalist Uruguay or Larissa Riquelme’s favourite side Paraguay.  All of those countries are threatened with the embarrassment of an early exit from the South American championship.

In fact, if group play had already concluded, Argentina would be eliminated.  As have Paraguay, Uruguay and Brazil, the Albiceleste have drawn both of their matches.  Yet, the other three have managed two goals, whilst the Argentines have conjured just the one, leaving them third in Group A, behind Colombia and Costa Rica, and ninth overall.  The reason?  Coach Sergio Batista is carrying six forwards but only Maradona’s son-in-law, Sergio Kun Aguero has pulled his weight, with a late equaliser in the first match against Bolivia.

El Pibe himself has come out in defense of Lionel Messi, as the FIFA Ballon d’Or holder is shouldering the weight of the criticism for the side’s impotency.  Comparing his own early struggles in the ’86 World Cup to Messi’s current malaise, the new man at Al-Wasi in the United Arab Emirates noted that the entire team, not just the Barcelona talisman, lacked attacking zeal against Colombia.  In his remarks to the Argentine press, he kept faith with his former charges whilst also clinging to a bitter grudge against his successor.

“I want to defend Messi. The national team didn’t attack at all and we blame [only] him. We are being very unfair to Messi when I hear all those idiots slamming him.  I spoke to him during the week and I told him to remain calm. Before the 1986 World Cup, I was a disaster and I was criticised by 80% of the journalists. Later, there wasn’t one who didn’t ask me for a story, so I can understand what’s going on.  I wish the best in the world to all of the boys who were with me at the World Cup and all of the players but not to the others.”

Does Maradona have a point?  With Porto golden boy Falcao in the Cafeteros side, the coach should provide some support for his goalkeeper.  Still, there is far too much firepower at Batista’s disposal to excuse just one goal in a hundred and eighty minutes against FIFA’s 54th and 93rd ranked sides.  Maradona, if in charge, may have left his keeper exposed but you can be sure that Sergio Romero’s opposite numbers in the first two matches, Nelson Ramos and Carlos Arias, would have been kept feverishly busy at the other end of the pitch.

All is not lost, however, with only four of the twelve entrants to be eliminated in the first portion of the competition.  A win in their final match against the Ticos on Monday will see Argentina leapfrog their opponents and book a place in the quarterfinals.  A draw would be flirting with disaster, as they would have to hope that none of the clubs on one or zero points pull out a victory and that one from Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay either lose or score two goals less than Argentina in drawing.  Defeat at Costa Rica’s hands would almost certainly end their tournament and Batista’s inconsistent tenure in charge.

In fact, if he cannot elicit an immediate and significant response from his disinterested attackers, progression will not be sufficient to keep the embattled coach in place.

In Group B, Venezuela surprised Ecuador through a Cesar Gonzalez goal on the hour mark and then held on to lay claim to the top spot.

Yet, the game of the group and the tournament thus far was between Paraguay and Brazil.  Jadson had given the Selecao the lead heading into the break, finishing off a left to right break, but second-half strikes from Man City prisoner Roque Santa Cruz, who came racing in to fire a cross past Julio Cesar, and World Cup hero Nelson Valdez, capitalising on a Dani Alves give-away in his own box, turned the match on its head.  In the end, Mano Manezes fingered Fluminense star Fred to come on and score an eighty-eighth minute equaliser, turning onto a through ball and half-volleying past a stunned Justo Villar.

The two regional powers are looking up at upstart Venezuela in the table but the Paraguayans will have the opportunity to do what the five-time World Cup winners could not by beating the Vinotinto.  With the explosion of goals in this contest, after lacklustre opening matches, both sides have an edge on Argentina. But the fact remains that victories are the only sure way to advance.

While no team in the tournament is safe as yet, if Chile and Peru can come to a ‘gentleman’s agreement’, the Group C joint leaders will book places in the quarterfinals with a draw in their match on Tuesday.  Both sides have dispatched Mexico and also survived to split points with dangerous Uruguay.  If Diego Forlan, Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani can combine to follow Chile and Peru’s example against the short-handed Central Americans, they too will move on.  If they cannot, it will become a case of wait and see.

Don’t count the Mexican’s out, though.  Despite having no less than thirteen players unavailable due to disciplinary bans, a good deal more resting after their Gold Cup triumph and failing to accumulate a single point in their first two matches, they actually have a chance to survive.  The magic number is four.  Currently four sides have four points in the group stage and either Argentina or Costa Rica are certain to join the group.  Mexico can only manage three.  For El Tri to continue into the knockout rounds, they will need to defeat Uruguay, preferably in convincing fashion, and then hope that only one between the quartet of Bolivia, Ecuador, Paraguay and Brazil win to reach or surpass the four-point plateau.

Okay, you’re already laughing at the impossibility of such a scenario and who can blame you?  After all, when a team made up of second choice players hires prostitutes to celebrate before a tournament and is then robbed by them, it’s not surprising that they’re essentially f**ked halfway through the competition.  Yet the games have to be played and stranger things have happened.

See you in five days with the group wrap up and quarterfinal preview!

Newcastle v Arsenal (Saturday) – If Newcastle fans want to know what life will be like without Andy Carroll they don’t have to look very far – their last six games, in fact. Their former No 9 hasn’t played since the turn of the year and the mid-week defeat against Fulham was their first in the League in that time. They’d won two without him and only been denied two further wins through last minute goals.  It’s unlikely Magpies boss Alan Pardew would have chosen to face Arsenal at this stage of the season but the Gunners looked tired against Everton in their last match after a series of tough cup games, so don’t write off the chance for another Toon upset. – Roger Domeneghetti

Wolves v Manchester United (Saturday) – Things look ominous, not just for Wolves, but for all the teams in the Premier League. Manchester United have been playing badly, yet are unbeaten.  Wayne Rooney might have found his scoring boots and we’re now entering the title run-in, a period of the season where United tend to peak. The Red Devils have won nine of their last 11 and look like they’re getting better. Wolves on the other hand have lost their last three and are rooted to the bottom of the table, conceding seven in the process. This would seem like an away banker. — R.D.

Everton v Blackpool (Saturday) — If you want goals, the place to turn is probably Goodison Park. The visitors, Blackpool are leaking goals like an old bucket – 17 in their last eight – but Ian Holloway’s team are also finding the net with metronomic regularity. They’ve scored 17 in 11 on the road – the same as leaders Manchester United. Likewise, Everton are a Jekyll and Hyde team – far better on the road than they are at home but while they signed no one in the transfer window they should welcome back Tim Cahill from Asian Cup duty. Both teams are struggling at the wrong end of the table – and this could easily turn out to be an early relegation six-pointer. – R.D.

West Ham v Birmingham (Sunday) — The footy equivalent of a 1980 Stiff Little Fingers concert in Belfast, West Ham-Birmingham is the game to watch if skinny pale-skinned Britons flinging themselves all over the place is your thing. Both teams are on the up, after midweek success, but Birmingham have the moral upper hand after their spirited comeback in the two clubs’ Carling Cup clash late last month. In the league, however, the Hammers have lost only twice in their last eight games and Birmingham have won just once in their last nine, which leaves the two clubs tied on 24 points, near the bottom of the table ahead. Brace yourself for a battle. – Kristian Anker-Moeller

Chelsea v Liverpool (Sunday) — The Reds, the Blues, Fernando Torres taking Roman Abramovich’s money… ’nuff said.  If you need anymore hype to get you to tune in, your name is Tom Hicks.  Miss the Betrayal at the Bridge at your own peril! — Martin Palazzotto

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Swansea City v Cardiff City (Sunday) — This Sunday brings the biggest game on the Welsh football calendar:  the South Wales Derby.  Fierce, passionate and equally important for both teams, the Swans hold the bragging rights from the first derby of the season, with a 1-0 win over Cardiff in early November. Marvin Emnes got the goal then but Cardiff have the better squad on paper. Internationals such as Craig Bellamy, Jay Bothroyd, Aaron Ramsey and others, plus countless youth internationals, will be wearing the blue shirt of Cardiff on Sunday, so the Bluebirds really should have the quality to win.  Yet again, this match has been dubbed the biggest South Wales derby of all time, and it’s easy to see why. Both clubs have been very impressive and sit high in the league, as each aim to become the first Welsh club to grace the Premiership.  Cardiff manager Dave Jones has been accused by the Bluebird faithful of not taking the derby seriously. To the supporters, this isn’t just another contest. Granted, it’s as much 3 points as a win against other teams in the division, but for the fans it’s different. This is the South Wales Derby. – Scott Salter

The South Wales Derby indeed comes with added pizzazz these days. In November, Swansea got the better of the then league leaders, and come into this match hoping to complete their first double over Cardiff in the 82 years that the fixture has existed. It’s a toss-up as to who will win this time around, but if, as I expect, one of these sides gets promoted, then it will be the best chance the Swans will get for a while. Toss in the return to Cardiff of Arsenal’s fan-favourite-turned-injury-victim Aaron Ramsey, and you have a wonderful game that pits one of the league’s best passing teams, the Swans, against the Bluebirds’flock of individual talent. — Tapesh Patel

Rotherham United v Crewe Alexandra, League 2 (Saturday) — Rotherham and Crewe are two names we’re used to seeing higher up in the Football League, with both teams regulars in the old Division One back in the 1990’s and early 2000’s.  This battle at the Don Valley Stadium, though, is between two sides in the lowest level of the Football League. A bit different from the usual but this game is equally important for both sides, as they try to climb back up to more familiar altitudes.  Rotherham are sweating on the fitness of defender Nick Fenton, hoping he can recover from a back injury in time for the match. Talented Arsenal loanee Mark Randall is expected to start. Meanwhile, Crewe boss Dario Gradi will be without strikers Shaun Miller and Clayton Donaldson, who are injured and suspended, respectively.  Without them, Gradi will be hoping his men can defend better than they did in the mid-week loss, 6-2 away to Northampton. – Scott Salter

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Rangers v Celtic, Scottish Cup (Sunday) — It’s a Cup weekend in Scotland and the matches hold a reason for all Scottish football fans to rejoice. By the time the draw for the next round is made there will be only one Old Firm team left in the pot. Rangers take on Celtic at Ibrox in what is the 3rd of seven potential Old Firm clashes. Most of Glasgow will be in a furore by kick-off, but the only new reason for any excitement is the potential Old Firm debut of new loan signing, from Blackburn, El Hadji Diouf. With Diouf’s tendency to spark trouble combined with a combustible crowd, anything could happen at Ibrox. – Andrew Gibney

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Hannover v Vfl Wolfsburg (Saturday) — In a more equitable parallel universe, Wolfsburg and Hannover would have been perfectly transposed in the Bundesliga table. The  corporate-backed Wolfsburg have won the Shield very recently and boast a squad packed with talent, while Hannover are your perfect working man’s club, a team with no stars but all of whom are willing to work hard for each other. As matters stand, though, Hannover are closer to the top of the league and Wolfsburg closer to the bottom than Steve McClaren would like.  The English/Dutch hybrid with an umbrella will be looking to use this match to move to a sunnier spot than their  current standing of 12th. The capture of Patrick Helmes will ease the burden thrust upon Grafite, when Edin Dzeko departed, and Wolfsburg will hope the new arrival can develop chemistry with playmaker Diego. Just to give you an idea of what different planes both these sides are on, Wolfsburg spent a whopping 16 million Euros on transfer deadline day alone. Hannover on the other hand, spent nothing. — Quazi Zulquarnain

FC Nürnberg v Bayer Leverkusen (Saturday) — Overshadowed by the success of Dortmund and Mainz and the implosions of Werder Bremen and Schalke 04, Bayer Leverkusen have been performing steadily, climbing to second place in the Bundesliga. In the quest to keep resurgent reigning champions Bayern Munich behind them, Die Werkself have been boosted by the long-awaited return from injury of Michael Ballack, who beefs up an already potent central midfield featuring Simon Rolfes and Arturo Vidal. But FC Nürnberg are the fifth strongest home team in the league, which they underscored with a deserved 2-0 victory against Hamburger SV, last weekend. Still, a repeat of that result seems unlikely against a Bayer team that hasn’t lost away from home since April and who continue to improve as the season progresses. – Kristian Anker-Moeller

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Heerenveen v NEC (Saturday) – This weekend’s mid table clash comes from the Abe Lenstra Stadion. One of the major stories on deadline day in Holland was the ‘will he or won’t he’ saga involving Heerenveen’s top scorer Bas Dost and his protracted move to Ajax. Dost, who remained with Heerenveen, is hoping for a move in the summer.  In the meantime, manager Ron Jans will be looking to him to add to the 8 league goals he’s accumulated this season. NEC who haven’t won a game since December 11th, against bottom side Willem II, are still just four points behind their hosts and possessing the league’s leading scorer, Björn Vleminckx, with 17, they go into the game with a degree of confidence. – Mohamed Moallim

Vitesse v Feyenoord (Sunday) – Only one point separates these potential relegation candidates, but you couldn’t tell after the events of last week. Feyenoord, who are going through one of their worst seasons in a generation, were a whisker away from earning an unlikely point at the home of the champions, FC Twente. Vitesse on the other hand produced the result of the weekend, thumping Roda JC 5-2 at home. It’s difficult to say which side needs the 3 points more, so expect a very close encounter.  A victory for either side could prove crucial as the season enters its final stretch. – M.M.

FC Utrecht v FC Twente (Sunday) — With PSV entertaining ADO Den Haag at home, FC Twente haven’t much hope of a slip-up, so they’ll need to avoid coming unstuck in Utrecht. With Dries Mertens staying with Utreg and promising a strong end to the season, after his own dream move to Ajax failed to come to fruition, Michel Preud’homme’s men know they will be in for a tough time. Yet, they should be expectant, as they haven’t lost on the road since early December, at Heerenveen, and before that, just once all season. – M.M

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Stade Rennes v Paris Saint-Germain (Saturday) – “Football is a school for humility, and you can never afford to become self-satisfied,” said Frederic Antonetti, after a 5-1 thrashing at the hands of Sochaux was followed by an equally shocking 4-3 Cup loss against Ligue 2 side Reims in mid-week. To put this 9-goal week in perspective, the league’s strongest defence had conceded just 12 league goals to that point. At least new striker Razak Boukari has hit the ground running. Rennes need to bounce back quickly, because PSG won’t do them any favours. With Lille looking strong at the top, Antoine Kombouare will want a win to keep up the chase, especially with the transfer speculation surrounding Dmitri Payet’s move to the capital as Stephane Sessegnon’s replacement. They didn’t need Sessegnon, however, and they might not need Payet. — Tapesh Patel

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Barcelona v Atletico Madrid (Saturday) — The clash between the Rojiblancos and the Azulgrana is usually an eye-catching contest but as Lionel Messi and Co. walk out at the Camp Nou on Saturday evening, they will be three points away from breaking a 50-year-old La Liga record for consecutive wins, by taking their total to 16. Yes 16! Pep Guardiola’s men equalled the ancient record held by Real Madrid in the convincing win over Esteban Vigo’s Hercules, last time out, but Quique Sánchez Flores’Atletico are a different prospect entirely. Or so they should be. With Diego Forlan seemingly on a self-imposed sabbatical since his majestic feats at the World Cup and the rumour mill surrounding Sergio Aguero’s possible move across town to the big boys at the Bernabeu well and truly running, Atleti fans have turned their anger to the President and the majority shareholder, citing a rotten core that is undermining the efforts of the players. Barcelona, meanwhile come into this game touted by a few, including the Guardian’s Sid Lowe, as possibly the greatest team ever, with their fluid and exquisite brand of the football based on the preachings of Johan Cruyff. They will, however, realise that the last time they attempted to challenge Real Madrid’s record of 15 games unbeaten they were beaten by, well, you guessed it… – Eliot Rothwell

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Cagliari vs Juventus (Saturday) — All eyes will be on Juve’s Alessandro Matri, as the deadline day signing lines up against his parent club. The €21 million rated marksman will partner Alessandro Del Piero up front, as the Bianconeri bid to halt a run of three straight defeats in all competitions. In comparison, the Sardinians have won four out of the last five in the league and sit just three points behind their visitors. Two of those four victories have come on the road at Parma and Sampdoria, while Juve’s last away win came two months ago at Catania. January signing Andrea Barzagli could replace Zdenek Grygera at full-back, while Leonardo Bonucci returns from suspension. For Cagliari, Radja Nainggolan should keep his place in attack, following his wonder strike in last week’s win at Sampdoria. — Shaun Best

Lecce vs Palermo (Sunday) – Eccentric Palermo president Maurizio Zamparini has been in the headlines more than his team this week. In-between slapping a €100 million price tag on Javier Pastore, audaciously claiming Josip Ilicic is better than former goal machine Edinson Cavani and labelling Juventus as “pathetic” for disputing a rightful penalty claim, there’s been the usual public spats with coach Delio Rossi.  On the cusp of the Champions League, Rossi can do without a soap opera before every game. The Sicilians will need to be at their best to defeat Lecce. After a sticky start to the campaign, Luigi De Canio has turned the club’s fortunes around and they are unbeaten in their last five. Highlights of a fruitful January include victories at Lazio and Parma and a credible home draw against Milan. Lecce will certainly be no pushovers. An exciting game is on the cards. – S.B.

Inter vs Roma (Sunday) – A win is crucial for both teams as they bid to stay in touch with the leaders and fight for an all important Champions League place. With Roma assessing potential buyers for the club, the Giallorossi’s players will need to keep their focus on the field and not the boardroom.  Inter’s Cristian Chivu begins a four match ban for going Mike Tyson on Bari’s Marco Rossi, in Thursday’s 3-0 victory. Roma’s Philippe Mexes will be in the stands for the next two games. Insulting the fourth official being only half as bad as taking a swing at an opponent.  Mexes will have the company of inured frontman Adriano, if the Brazilian is denied permission to return home to celebrate his birthday. Loan signing Yuto Nagatomo is poised to step in and make his Inter debut after arriving on loan from Cesena, while Wesley Sneijder will be pushing for a starting place after coming off the bench against Bari. Claudio Ranieri will have to upset one or possibly two from Marco Borriello, Mirko Vucinic, Jeremy Menez and Roma institution Francesco Totti, as he decides on his formation and team selection. – S.B.

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Palmeiras v Corinthians, Campeonato Paulista (Sunday) — Nobody in Brazil could have imagined that Palmeiras would be the Sao Paolo State Championship leaders after six rounds but they are. Big Phil Scolari has found some very good no-namers and his team is winning important points. Corinthians on the other hand are on what we call Inferno Astral (literal translation would be zodiac hell). The defeat in the preliminary round of the Copa Libertadores may prompt some changes and I expect at least two or three big names out of this squad in the next few weeks. — Fab Presilli

Fluminense v Argentinos Juniors, Copa Libertadores (Wednesday) — The first real test of the year for both teams. Expect a full Engenhão rooting loudly for Conca and the boys from Rio.  Fred is playing well, however Deco and Beletti are proving injury prone and cannot be considered as impact players for Fluminense.  Argentinos Juniors come back to the continental stage after a long absence and, like Palmeiras, with no star power.  They face a tough battle with Mexico City powerhouse America for the second spot in the group. — F.P.

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San Luis Potosí v UA de G [Tecos] (Saturday) — The Mexican Primera Division, at the beginning of the Clausura, is enduring two clichéd trends.  The first, common to all leagues, is that the table is topsy-turvy in the puertas tempranas.  The second is particularly indigenous to the local brand of play; there are plenty of goals and defence is merely a nasty rumour of places far away.  So, with Round 5 of the 17 match ‘half robin’underway, this is a battle between the 3rd placed sides in Groups 1 and 2.  Little San Luis finished second in Group 2 in the Apertura and are on 8 points from 5 matches, with a positive goal differential.  Tecos, Guadalajara’s second club behind Chivas, finished dead last in Group 1 in the first half of the season and, with 6 points from their 4 games, need to shore up their porous back line, which despite 2 victories, has already conceded 8 goals.  Look for the home side’s Wilmer Aguirre, with 4 goals already in the competition, to feast on Tecos’woeful back four. – Martin Palazzotto

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This week’s Catch was brought to you by :

<<Roger Domeneghetti is a professional sports journalist who can’t get enough and blogs on his own, at Who Ate All The Goals.  His first full-length contribution to WFC is a review of the football treatise Pay As You Play.

>>Scott Salter brings a Cwmry perspective to WFC.  His weekly take on the Championship and the Football League, A Grain of Salt, appears on Mondays.

<<Tapesh Patel writes WFC’s Ligue 1 column, Channel Surfing and Small Town Dreams, on his hometown club Walsall.  A championship fan moving to Sheffield, Tapesh’s loyalties will be tested by the Owls and Blades.

>>Eliot Rothwell, 18, is an accredited Premier League journalist who contributes to Goal.com, his local newspaper, the Bury Independent and is working towards a degree in Eastern European history.  In his spare time, he … well, we’re just amazed he has any spare time.

<<Andrew Gibney covers the SPL for WFC and has his own blog, The Gib Football Show. His new mission in life is to be the Angelina Jolie of footy bloggers, adopting one club from every league on the planet.

>>Mohamed Moallim pens The Low Country, WFC’s Eredivisie column.  A huge Ajax fan, he has just reviewed Brilliant Orange and is sweating the departure of Luis Suarez and Urby Emmanuelson.

<<Shaun Best, a dyed-in-the-wool Lazio fan, is still trying to bring himself to write about something other than Serie A.  As he’s quite knowledgeable regarding Calcio, we’re happy to give him as much time as he requires.

>>Quazi Zulquarnain, from Dakha, is nonetheless mad for the Bundesliga.  He writes on football at It’s In The Game and, when football doesn’t get the juices flowing, follows his native tradition and enjoys a good 3-day wedding.

<<Fab Presilli mans the WFC Brazil desk.  Also a television writer in Sao Paolo, he secretly harbours a passion for the NFL.

>>Kristian Anker-Moeller writes for Denmark’s largest football website, Bold.dk, is the stadium announcer for second tier side Academisk Boldklub and claims to be the first cousin, once removed, of Bart Simpson’s mortal enemy, Sideshow Bob.  His column on the Bundesliga will be debuting this week.

<<Martin Palazzotto is the editor of WFC and is currently writing weekly columns on Serie A (Spaghetti Western Theatre) and Manchester United’s unbeaten run (Tales of the Almost Beatables).  He usually smiles when photographed but is beginning to take himself too seriously.

See you next week!

In Belo Horizonte, we have two major players.

Cruzeiro is going to play the Libertadores at the first semester, and they made some improvements to the squad that finished second in last year’s Campeonato, bringing in seven new players. Midfielder Leandro Guerreiro and Paraguayan forward Ortigoza are the key newcomers and should make the starting XI. The main player here is the aging Gilberto.  The former left back is now playing in the midfield and very well, I may say. However, his contract expires in mid-season and has not been renewed yet, leaving the team with a major hole to fill if they do not re-sign their elder statesman. Forward Thiago Ribeiro and goalie Fabio are the other notables. Cruzeiro are favorites to win the Minas Gerais State Championship and have a tough group at the Libertadores, with Estudiantes and possibly Corinthians.

The state’s other big club, Atlético Mineiro, is rebuilding and has signed a lot of players over the past few years without much success. This season’s most promising new player is Richarlyson (the spelling of some names in Brazil….). After many years in São Paulo, the do-it-all midfielder will try to win the hearth of the fans in Belo Horizonte. Other major players there are midfielder Ricardinho and power forward Diego Tardelli. Coach Dorival Júnior will have to work hard to improve the squad sufficiently to compete against rivals Cruzeiro. Still, Atlético has enough to reach the latter stages of the Brazilian Cup and possibly the top 8 of the Campeonato.

Going down south we reach Porto Alegre, a city divided by red and blue.

Gremio couldn't get their heads straight and native son Ronaldhino went to Flamengo.

The blue side belongs to Grêmio. The most improving team in the last semester of 2010, Gremio managed to escape from relegation to climb all the way up to the top 4 at the end. I don’t believe they will repeat such success because of a lack of new players, having concentrated their efforts and lost the Ronaldinho Gaucho sweepstakes to Flamengo, and my complete lack of faith in the coaching abilities of Renato Portaluppi, aka Renato Gaúcho. The boss’best eleven features goalkeeper Victor and midfielder Douglas. Left back Lúcio and forward Borges, if they choose to stay, are also worth mentioning. A good draw in the Libertadores could help Gremio’s chances but I don’t consider them favorites for any trophy this year.

The red of Porto Alegre is the home of Internacional.  After the shocking Club World Cup loss to African side Mazembe, in Abu Dhabi, some changes were made to the staff and the starting lineup of Inter. The team doesn’t need many new players but Bordeaux’s Fernando Cavenaghi is being shopped there and may turn this side into an even better one. Midfielders Andres d’Alessandro and Giuliano lead the way with Guiñazu, Alecsssandro and Rafael Sóbis a superb supporting cast. Inter will contend heavily for a new Libertadores title and are favorites for the State and National Championships.

São Paulo is the biggest city in the nation, but the 4 big teams that are based here didn’t made only small changes.

The  club which shares the city’s name, São Paulo, is in a bit of a hangover.  After so many titles over the past years, 2010 was a dry year and the first time in almost a decade that the team couldn’t qualify for the Libertadores. The lack of turnover in the team, albeit with the best defenders of the country, Alex Silva and Miranda, is a headline here. São Paulo will try to win the Brazilian Cup or the Sul-Americana to get back to the Libertadores in 2012. Keeper Rogério Ceni is close in his quest to reach 100 goals (scored, yes, you read that correctly) and may very well do so in the next months.

News maker Corinthians also didn’t made many changes to the lineup. Club and World Cup icon Ronaldo’s last year begins with a new quest to win the Libertadores, an obsession for the team. The side lost Elias to Atlético Madrid but still has one of the best squads in the country, with former Galactico Roberto Carlos an ageless force in the back. Ronaldo has the company of Dentinho at the front and midfielder Bruno César is the playmaker. Corinthians are favorites to the São Paulo State and Libertadores titles, and if they can keep their players, the National one also.

Conversely, Palmeiras has only one name attached, coach Luiz Felipe Scolari. The additions of last year, midfielder Valdivia and forward Kleber, might be crowds favorites but never made a big impact on the pitch. Cash poor and having lost bids they could afford due to a lack of perspective, this team seem lost, although a place in the 2012 Libertadores would be a reachable goal. The club will need to improve its recruiting with goalkeeper Marcos, having dealt with injuries for the last couple of years, deciding to abandon the game after 2011. His will be a tough loss because he is one of the best guys out there.

Santos' biggest challenge may come from within. Will they be able to keep teenaged talisman Neymar from heading off to Europe?

The main favorites here are Santos. With a stellar cast led by Neymar, the guys from Vila Belmiro can win it all, Libertadores, State Championship and National title. Midfielder Elano is back after many years of being underused in Europe and Paulo Henrique Ganso is coming back from a surgery. Santos also found, in goalie Rafael, another good addition from their youth squad. When Adilson Batista sends out his best eleven, the spectacle is a must see for all football lovers.

Finally, it was Rio de Janeiro where the biggest impact of the offseason was made.

Fluminense has to be dealt with because the National Champions haven’t changed much from 2010. A healthy Fred and the nice touches of Conca make the difference here. Coach Muricy Ramalho will have to overcome his Libertadores drought in the latter stages.

The most improving team of all has to be Flamengo. Not only Ronaldinho Gaúcho but Thiago Neves, as well, was hired to improve the midfield. Coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo has to fix a defense with a lot of holes. New goalkeeper Felipe will be hard pressed until he does. Anything less than a State and National title will be considered a failure, so Luxemburgo had better start winning good and fast. The addition of Ronaldinho may improve also the attendance at the  Engenhão in Rio, a stadium that is not easy to reach for most of the people who live there.  The club’s usual stomping ground, the Maracanã, is closed for renovations ahead of the 2014 World Cup.

Botafogo and Vasco de Gama are the underdogs here. Botafogo hired Uruguayan Arevalo Rios and Vasco’s top name still is Carlos Alberto. Both teams might make good runs in the Brazilian Cup but , unfortunately, not much more can be expected of them.

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Fab Presilli is WFC’s Brazilian correspondent.  His day job is as a television script writer but his passion is football.  he’ll keep you updated on the best matches from Brasil, all season long, in the Weekend Catch and will also pop up every now and again with a feature on big stories coming out of the land of Carnival.

Fluminense is considered the club of aristocracy in Rio, mainly because some big shots that rule the game in Brazil are supporters of the “Tricolor”, including João Havelange. The club from Rio was having a bad season, with a last place stand on the table. When October came, Fred’s game started to show up in Maracanã, and Fluminense is now two points behind rival Botafogo, in a fight against relegation, with consecutive wins, some of them against some top placers like Cruzeiro, Atlético Mineiro and Palmeiras.

As far as Palmeiras is concerned, they also are having a year to remember. During half the championship they held on to the first place, and as a consequence, looked like an easy pick to win it all at the end. However, a single win out of the last seven games, plus losses to all four teams currently at the bottom of the table, simply shattered the dream of the “palestrinos” that now have got to see São Paulo and Flamengo battle for the title, with just three rounds before a champion is crowned.

In the same manner that Fred is currently one of the main reasons for Fluminense’s surge, Vágner Love’s poor performance is always mentioned by Palmeiras fans. Midfielders Diego Souza and Cleiton Xavier are being accused by teammates of focusing exclusively upon transfers to European clubs by the end of the year. Nonetheless, Palmeiras’ bad moment can be credited mainly to the defensive players’ performance. Also, the inconsistency of the team managed by Muricy Ramalho hurt their chances beyond recovery. At the other end, Fluminense’s sub-20 star Maicon is proving he is worth all the hype and talented midfielder Dario Conca is the ‘maestro’ of this year’s cast.

In common, these teams have only one thing: ups and downs. This means that now Palmeiras has to pick up the pieces and try to stay among the top four by the end of the Championship to get a place in next years’ Copa Libertadores. Meanwhile, Fluminense is still battling relegation; they will play the finals of the Copa Sudamericana, on a vengeful match against Ecuatorians’ LDU, which beat Fluminense last year in a thrilling Libertadores’ final at Maracanã.

2009’s Campeonato Brasileiro has been an emotional roller coaster ride. Some fans are disappointed, some are relieved, some are hoping for the best: São Paulo’s fans are pretty chatty these days as they look forward to getting one more trophy added to their gallery. Or not. Adriano’s Flamengo may grab the title after all. As someone else has already said, “The game isn’t over until it’s over”.

Photo by www.fluminensefc.com.br.