Get set for City-Real thriller
ʂ TAB soccer pools are becoming more exciting by the day as the battles for league titles, European club competition berths and relegation escape routes intensify and there’s the added attraction of five carryover or cash-boosted TAB pools this Friday and
Manchester City host Real Madrid in Champions League tonight in a clash that has the promise of one of the greatest matches of the season - or it could turn out to be a one-side affirmation of just how strong City have become.
Three goals away in the drawn first leg of this quarterfinal at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium last week was testimony to City's skills and we should not forget what Pep Guardiola's side did to the Galaticos at the Etihad Stadium less than a year ago, when they thrashed them 4-0 in a semi-final second-leg tie.
But you discount Real Madrid at your peril and a thrill-a-minute affair is more likely.
Bayern Munich ceded the Bundesliga title to Bayer Leverkusen at the weekend, ending a run of 11 successive championship wins, but they have long looked bored with the German league.
This season that is certainly true, but they have come alive in Champions League and a 2-2 draw in London last week puts them in the driving seat as they take on Arsenal in the return leg of their quarter-final tie.
All in all it is shaping up for a Bayern Munich-Manchester City semi-final at the end of the month.
There are cracker matches in TAB soccer pools tonight including two vital clashes in the race for second place in the DStv Premiership, which brings with it an African Champions League berth next season.
That's massive for the clubs involved and Stellenbosch could move five points clear in second place with a win at Sekhukhune United, but their rivals are fourth in the table and also in the hunt. In the other game SuperSport United need to get their stuttering season back on track with a home win over Polokwane City.
At one stage SuperSport looked favourites for second place and while they are still in the running, they are five points behind Stellenbosch and need to start winning pronto. They have played seven league games in 2024 without a victory, drawing five and losing two.
The battles in the PSL and EPL continue this weekend, when five selected TAB soccer pools will be boosted by carryovers or a cash bonus. Be sure to take advantage!
HIRED/FIRED: Bayern Munich have reportedly approached former Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane to replace Thomas Tuchel as coach. Bayern announced in February that Tuchel would leave after an underwhelming season that saw the team crash out in the German cup to amateur side Saarbrucken and get left behind by Bayer Leverkusen in the race for the league title.
BACK IN ACTION: Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold made his comeback from injury as a second-half substitute against Crystal Palace last Sunday, when goalkeeper Alisson made his first appearance since the 3-1 loss to Arsenal two months ago.
WHO’S HOT: Xabi Alonso led Bayer Leverkusen to the Bundesliga title at the weekend and has said he is staying on next season, but now there's a suggestion he might take up the Liverpool offer after all.
WHO’S COLD: Kaizer Chiefs bosses confirmed there will be a new coach next season, ending any chance interim coach Cavin Johnson would get the job on a permanent basis.