Deadline Day, Weekend Previews, Ronay on Del Piero, The Joy of Six, More Sexism From Gray & Keys

Zaha to Cardiff! Berbatov to Monaco! Holtby to Fulham! Taarabt to Milan?!

And so goes another week. It was a good one, with plenty of excellent mid-week action to sustain us until the weekend. And it's a good thing, because the European Match of the Weekend is actually on Monday. That would be Manchester City vs. Chelsea. But, more on that...next week.

Right. So, the transfer window finally slams shut today and we can move on from this silly, silly season. As such, today we're offering a slew of options to get your fix. Pick your poison: The Mill. Plus One. Deadline Day Deals. Deadline Day Live. Deadline Day Live II. Deadline Day Live III.

Ouch.

So other than that match on Monday, there aren't really any other massive fixtures this weekend. Real Madrid's trip to Bilbao, the Derby d'Italia (Juventus vs. Inter Milan), and the Tyneside Derby between Newcastle and Sunderland are the only other matches that stick out on paper. Let's get down to business, beginning with the Premier League:

Premier League Preview

10 Things To Look Out For

Paul Merson's Predictions

Lawro's Predictions

And now to Serie A. And now to La Liga. Bundesliga? Sure. Why not?

Alessandro Del Piero. Il Pinturicchio. He's still playing down under for Sydney FC. Barney Ronay had the opportunity to see him play and decided to write about it. And that makes us very, very happy.

It is Friday and that means The Joy of Six. Today's edition is Transfer-Deadline Buys (and other late-season follies). Enjoy The Joy.

Whoa! Check this out: 10 U.S. stars to watch for in 2018 by U.S. Men's National Team expert Jeff Carlisle. Thanks, Jeff! Sticking with the U.S., did you know this summer Landon Donovan will participate in his fourth World Cup? Wow. That drinking fountain photo is old.

Good Grief. These guys, again? Assholes. BT Sport, the ball is in your court. Fire Andy Gray and make him go away. For good.

OK. That'll have to do. Have yourselves a fine weekend.

Onward!!

-SSN

City Crush Spurs To Go Top, West Ham Draw With 19th Century Football, Bayern Munich Win, Ribery & Benzema Sex Charges Dropped

Hello! Manchester City now sit at the top of the BPL Table after annihilating Tottenham at White Hart Lane last night. David Hytner reports on the Blues' 5 - 1 victory. Phil McNulty wonders if and how they can be stopped. Amy Lawrence agrees that City's confidence is sky high. Jan Molby thinks they can win the quadruple. Yikes!

Insert your favorite caption here.

Meanwhile, down at Stamford Bridge, West Ham headed back to East London with a point after keeping Chelsea from finding the net. As expected, The Special One was none too pleased. His opposite number, Big Sam, loved it: "He can't take it, can he?" he said. "He can't take it because we've out-tactic-ed him, out-witted him. He just can't cope. He can tell me all he wants. I don't give a shite, to be honest. I love to see Chelsea players moaning at the referee, trying to intimidate the officials, and José jumping up and down in his technical area. It's great to see."

Elsewhere, Villa won a thriller over West Brom at Villa Park, and Sunderland edged Stoke. Here, then, is your current table.

Brad is glad...

There was one match in the Bundesliga yesterday. It involved Bayern Munich. They went down 1-0 to Stuttgart but came back to win 2-1. They've yet to lose this season. Check out the sick winning goal from Thiago Alcantara that clinched it at the death.

You may remember that Franck Ribery and Karim Benzema were charged with having sex with an underage prostitute. Those charges have been dropped.

It's almost closed! It's almost closed! Get 'er done, people! The Mill. Plus One.

West Ham prepare to face Chelsea...

It's the age old question that simply won't go away: Why aren't American players taken seriously in Europe? Roger Bennett attempts to find the answer.

Oh, dear. Chelsea Fans Claim To Know About Players That Don't Exist. Enjoy.

Let's terminate today's post with a European Leagues Review: Best XIs from the Premier League, La Liga, Bundesliga, Serie A and Ligue 1, plus analysis of Everton's defeat to Liverpool.

Onward!!

-SSN

The Zlatan Sells Volvos, Liverpool Crush Everton, Southampton & Arsenal Draw, United Beat Cardiff, Today is Tottenham vs. Man City, Meet Serie A's Golden Boy

No comment.

And a very pleasant Hump Day to you. 

The Merseyside Derby certainly did not turn out as expected. Everton went to Anfield really thinking they could get something. They got nothing. The Reds trumped The Blues 4-0. Sturridge should have had a hat-trick but put his penalty into the second tier. Andy Hunter was at Anfield. Elsewhere, RVP returned with a goal, Juan Mata wore red instead of blue, and United staggered to a 2-0 home win against Cardiff. Down on the South Coast, Flamini saw red as a fluid and attractive Southampton side drew 2-2 with a languid and lethargic Arsenal team.

Here's your lot:

Tuesday Roundup

Three Things: Liverpool vs. Everton

Three Things: Southampton vs. Arsenal

Phil McNulty: Lethal Liverpool Looking the Real Deal

Are you man enough? Are you? Man enough to match The Zlatan and buy a Volvo?

The U.S. Men's National Team is currently training in SoCal. Stuart Holden is there! Check these notes.

We've got a few matches today. Four, in fact. Villa vs. West Brom, Chelsea vs. West Ham, Sunderland vs. Stoke, and Tottenham vs. Manchester City. Yes, City travel to White Hart Lane to face Spurs and a rejuvenated Adebayor, the player they still pay £40,000 per week. Ouch. Here's some Team News for youz.

Oh, great. Looks like we'll be seeing this asshole at the World Cup. What are Mexico thinking?

Only a few more days to get that big transfer done, guys. Here's The Mill and your Plus One.

Guillem Balague is Sky's Spanish Expert. He's talking about how Neymar's contract ended Sandro Rosell's reign and how Barcelona are in for big summer spend.

And finally today, would you care to meet Domenico Berardi, Serie A's Golden Boy? How convenient.

Onward!!

-SSN

Midweek Action, Scribes, Mata, Liverpool Derby, U.S. Hotlist, World Cup Protests, Reyna on NYCFC

Oh, boy. Goodness us. We had a solid scouting trip on the west coast and have returned with some potential young talent for SSN Headquarters. All in all, very successful. And, to top it off, we get some delicious midweek Premier League fare to enjoy today and tomorrow.

Exciting.

Right. So Juan Mata is now employed by Manchester United. Can he be their new Cantona? Not in terms of flying kung-fu kicks, but rather inspired play on the pitch. Only time will tell.

The United States Men's National Team will be competing in Brazil this summer. Who is Hot? Who is Not? Check it.

Well, guess what woke finally woke up from a Black Forest winter slumber? The Bundesliga. Raphael Honigstein is on the scene where Klaas-Jan Hunterlaar returned with a bang. Here's the rest of your Tuesday scribe action:

Where? South America. Who? Tim Vickery. What? Falcao injury puts Colombia on alert.

Where? Spain. Who? Sid Lowe. What? How Neymar's arrival turned from triumph to disaster for Sandro Rosell.

Where? Italy. Who? Paolo Bandini. What? Even Miroslav Klose's pessimism cannot halt Lazio's Serie A revival.

Where? Germany. Who? Uli Hesse. What? Bayern Munich can try to finish the Bundesliga season unbeaten, but history is against them.

Not exciting.

Back to the Premier League. Today's biggie is the Merseyside Derby. It's the biggest Liverpool/Everton clash in quite some time since both clubs are part of the pack at the top of the table. Elsewhere, Arsenal go south to Southampton, Manchester United host Cardiff and 'Ye Ole Gunner, Norwich welcome Newcastle, Swansea host Fulham, and Hull go to Palace. Here's all your preparatory information:

Midweek Preview

Picks & Predictions

Liverpool vs. Everton: Preview

Michael Cox: Barry vs. Gerrard

Lawro's Predictions

Paul Merson's Predictions

More protests in Brazil over the weekend. It's such a shit show. As you know, Tim Vickery is there and he filed this report.

The Transfer Window is still open. Essien went to Milan and Cabaye went to PSG, by the way. Here's The Mill and your Plus One.

Former Yank Abroad Claudio Reyna is running the show for New York City FC. They kick off their life next year. Richard Jolly has a word with the former Rangers & Man City star.

Whew! It's good to be back.

Onward!!

-SSN