5 Crazy Predictions for the World Football Weekend

Michael Cummings@MikeCummings37X.com LogoWorld Football Lead WriterMarch 8, 2012

5 Crazy Predictions for the World Football Weekend

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    Football doesn't always quite make sense.

    And why should it? This weekend, like every weekend, there's the potential for some serious craziness—and we're not talking about a night out on the town with Joey Barton.

    Here are five crazy predictions for the world football weekend. Don't say we didn't warn you.

    Follow Mike on Twitter: @MikeCummings37

Torres to Score

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    Criticism of Chelsea striker Fernando Torres hit a crescendo this week when it was revealed that the Spaniard turned down a chance to take a penalty in the Blues' FA Cup win over Birmingham.

    Instead, designated penalty taker Juan Mata scored from the spot, and Torres has now gone 23 matches without scoring for Chelsea. That translates to nearly five goal-less months for Chelsea's £50 million man.

    There's never been a better time than this weekend for Torres to end his drought. No one expects anything from Torres anymore—apparently neither does he—and that's why he'll score for Chelsea against Stoke City on Saturday at Stamford Bridge.

Dalglish Embarks on New Career

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    In case you missed it, here's a video of Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish giving free journalism lessons—to journalists.

    The lessons came during a recent press conference as Dalglish shot down rumorsconfirmed here—that claim French club PSG is interested in Liverpool forward Luis Suarez.

    "It comes as a surprise to myself, that yourselves [journalists] don't know how the media work.

    "It was a journalist that mentioned the list of names and it was the chairman that said 'oh they are interesting'. It was a list of names and Suarez's name was mentioned, but I don't know if it was Luis Suarez. I don't know what Suarez it is.

    "Also if the guy who sends the story in, if it is not repeated anywhere else and it has no soul and is not attractive to a newspaper, they don't get any money.

    "So I think it will be interesting to yourselves to disclose to the general public where the story comes from, how they get there, instead of asking us questions every time somebody's name appears in a paper."

    This is clearly only the start of King Kenny's new career in journalism.

    Just watch. After Liverpool drop points at Sunderland on Saturday—sorry Liverpool supporters, but you know it's going to happen—expect to see an angry Kenny Dalglish questioning his own tactics in an exclusive one-on-one interview for the BBC.

Super Mario Growing Up?

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    Speaking of new journalists, former Oasis frontman Noel Gallagher inexplicably interviewed Manchester City's Mario Balotelli for the BBC this week. In the thoroughly entertaining interview, Balotelli acknowledged his need to grow up.

    Who knows? Maybe speaking with another, much more experienced, enfant terrible will scare Balotelli straight.

    Don't be surprised if he turns in his most mature performance ever this weekend for City against Swansea.

Eredivisie Explodes

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    Over in Holland, they've got a title race on their hands. Six teams—in order, AZ Alkmaar, Twente, PSV, Ajax, Heerenveen and Feyenoord—sit within five points of each other atop the Eredivisie table.

    And amazingly, none of them are playing each other this weekend.

    Chaos reigned in Holland last weekend. Former leaders PSV tanked in a 6-2 home loss to Twente. Ajax stormed back into the race with a 4-1 demolition of Roda JC. And AZ Alkmaar took over the top spot with a 3-1 win over Heracles Almelo.

    So what in the world will happen this weekend?

    Every one of the top six could win, or they could all lose. At this point, nothing should be a shock.

Real or Barca Will Slip Up

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    Both teams can't keep up their current form. Can they?

    Real Madrid have won 10 straight league matches dating to a Dec. 10 El Clasico loss to Barcelona. Jose Mourinho's team will travel to Real Betis on Saturday.

    Lionel Messi and Barcelona did this to Bayern Leverkusen on Wednesday in the Champions League, and they're in the middle of a five-match winning run in all competitions. Pep Guardiola's squad will travel to Racing Santander on Sunday.

    One of these teams has to slip up at some point. Right? They don't even have to lose. They just have to draw.

    On second thought, maybe not…

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