SWISS SUPER LEAGUE
FC St. Gallen vs FC Basel (7:45 AM ET/beIN Sports 3)
Like Bayern yesterday in Germany, there is nobody catching Basel in Switzerland. They are seven points ahead of second placed Grasshoppers right now before they take on mid-table St. Gallen this morning. It provides a clash of styles, the offensive minded Basel against defensive St. Gallen. While in most instances people side with the defense (it wins championships, haven't you heard?), Basel is in another class right now in the Swiss Super League. I expect St. Gallen, Europa League participants in 2013-14, to try to park the bus against Basel, but it will be to no avail. He's not quite in Jamie Vardy territory yet, but Austrian Marc Janko is having himself one hell of a season out of nowhere in Basel. Not only was he part of the Austria side that shockingly ran Group G without a defeat, he leads the Swiss league in scoring with 10 goals in 11 games. The 32 year old was supposed to be just spare parts when he signed on a free transfer from Sydney FC, but he's been anything but. Basel cruise in this one and Janko makes it at least 11 in 12.
PREDICTION: Basel 4 St. Gallen 1
FRENCH LIGUE 1
SM Caen vs Angers SCO (8:00 AM ET/beIN Sports 4)
France is still healing from the atrocities committed last week, but I'll try to focus more on the brighter side of French football at the moment. The two teams most likely to be your pick on "One of the these things is not like the other..." upon viewing the Ligue 1 table, Caen and Angers, square off today with a Champions League place in the balance. Both teams could move up to third in the French first division with a victory. However both teams have been keeping their records intact in the most inherently boring fashion. Looking at Caen's goals versus and against is spooky. They've scored 8 and let in 8 at home, 6 and 6 on the road. They have yet to draw a single game this season. Angers has drawn four, and have similar scoring deficiencies. At least the game is at Caen, since Angers has scored three times as many goals on the road as they have at home. I really want to get into the French league to put my bias in the rear view mirror, and then a game like this comes along and just ruins it. So much for focusing on the brighter side. I need another beer.
PREDICTION: Caen 0 Angers 0
SPANISH LA LIGA
Villarreal CF vs SD Eibar (10:00 AM ET/beIN Sports ñ)
As I stated earlier, Atletico Madrid has the chance to go second in the La Liga table this afternoon. That game will not be as fun though as the one this morning between Villarreal and Eibar. I know Eibar has been on the picks a lot this year but it's fun so deal with it. With Celta Vigo's loss to Deportivo La Coruna yesterday, the winner of this game will move into the final Champions League spot in Spain. Hell, even a draw will get it done for Villarreal. But I just picked a nil-nil draw, and picked three draws yesterday, this one is getting a result. Eibar have been the steadiest of competitors in the chasing pack this year, with their only losses coming against Barcelona and Atletico Madrid. They come into this game on a two-match winning streak and look to spoil the Yellow Submarine's resurgent season. They would also be putting a damper on the recent contract extension that Villarreal manager Marcelino just received keeping him at the Madrigal until the end of the 2010's. Other than that, Villarreal come into this game on a sour note. See they too were bested by Barca before the break, but unlike Eibar the yellow clad warriors didn't even put up a fight and the scoreline could have been much worse. So of course in a way that makes me uniquely dumb, I am going against the form chart again. I'd love to see Eibar playing games during the week next year, but I just think that the task at hand will be too much for them today as they drop game number three on the campaign.
PREDICTION: Villarreal 2 Eibar 1
ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE
Tottenham Hotspur FC vs West Ham United FC (11:00 AM ET/NBC Sports)
It seems there is a London derby on the Premier League fixture list each weekend, and this week keeps up that image. For you wrestling fans (who should be listening to the Andrew and Lou Show), this is the mid-card derby among the cavalcade of London derbies. Both Tottenham and West Ham have exceeded expectations this season, but still are viewed as second rate clubs to Arsenal and even the struggling Chelsea. With the way these two clubs are doing business, and playing football, that designation won't last for much longer. A fluky Kyle Walker own goal on opening day is the only thing keeping Tottenham from being unbeaten at the moment. Sure they have more draws than wins, but results are results and that is why Spurs are sitting just beneath the top four at the moment. West Ham sit just below them, only on goal differential, and have been the more streaky side. I've listed several times already on the picks the proverbial scalps that the Hammers have claimed. However, Slaven Bilic's men come out of the international break stagnant having lost to Watford and throwing away points to Everton. Dimitri Payet's absence looms large for West Ham, but it is the play of a Frenchman wearing white that will make the difference today. Hugo Lloris has been on an understandable emotional roller coaster since the attacks on Paris. The Tottenham captain was in goal for France's friendly versus England and was adamant about doing the same today. When in form, there are few better shot stoppers in the world, never mind the Premiership. I think Lloris feeds off the pro-French energy in the crowd today and gives the home fans a performance of the season as Spurs inch closer to the top four.
PREDICTION: Spurs 2 West Ham 0
ITALIAN SERIE A
FC Internazionale Milano vs Frosinone Calcio (2:45 PM ET/beIN Sports)
Like City yesterday, Inter will know before their game with Frosinone as to what they need to do to get to the top of the Serie A table. Roberto Mancini's current men just hope that their result goes much better than his old one's. Well Frosinone is no Liverpool so Inter should have a much easier time that Manchester City did. Let's just hope that they can get their goal scoring boots on against the minnows of Italy. Inter have just managed a goal a game this year (12 goals in 12 games). Their league best defense, 7 conceded, has been their saving grace. You just wonder when the likes of Stevan Jovetic and Mauro Icardi will break out. I think today is that day. Even if Fiorentina win their game, Inter needs to show they can hang with the rest of the upper crust clubs in Serie A who have all scored over 20 goals this season. Sorry Frosinone, but it had to happen to somebody.
PREDICTION: Inter Milan 4 Frosinone 0
I hope you enjoy this bit of supplemental European football to your football of the American variety. Also, the MLS Playoffs are at the final four right now so rather than put yourself through KC/San Diego or San Francisco/Seattle, give those a watch as well. As always if you want to see a team here on the picks let me know on Twitter @TREVORutley or the site @B3WHYC3. Have a Sunday Football Funday! Ugh, that looks just as bad in type as it was to say.