Neil

David, you must know you're setting yourself up for a fall when you say stuff like "A Sunderland win will 100% not happen" when it's pretty much just as likely an outcome as a Newcastle win. Fwiw think it's got draw written all over it. I'm so sure, I'll go into Ladbrokes tomorrow and write "DRAW" in permanent marker over the fixture on every sheet I can find.

It's odd you ask because I associate about half of the Brazilian league - top league anyway - with being a "big team". In no particular order, nternacional, Santos, Sao Paulo, Flamengo, Gremio, Cruziero, Botafogo, Palmeiras and Atletico Miniero just to name a few I, for whatever reason, think are massive teams. In answer to your question, they're pretty good anyway.

This, this, this. Equally tempted by a wee flutter. In betting on the Brazilian league though I've found watching the games very enjoyable. Yes, the theatrics can be absolutely ridiculous but the pace of the play from one end to the other can be exceptional.

It's the man himself!

http://cdn2.holytaco.com/wp-content/uploads/images/2009/12/1274465753023.gif

Actually, upon further research....

Slowly making his way back from injury. One hell of a layoff to have so young, it must be said.

Is he overrated? I haven't heard of any hype about him myself. In many ways, given he's young, English and plays for Man Utd, there is perhaps a lack of hype about him. Mind his team-mate Cleverly is getting the media hype already and he's nothing but an above average player at the moment, nice and tidy and a decent prospect but nowt special. Suppose you can look at it either way; a) they play for Man Utd thus there's not much hype, they play for Man Utd, they must be good, or b) OMG THEY PLAY FOR MAN UTD THEY'RE MINT! Either way the point remains - they're decent players who are automatically thought of as very good, the next generation, because they play for a top club. While it can only help playing with the better players, that opinion (of them being the "next generation") says a lot more about where England are at, than the actual abilities of those 2 players, and players like them.

Decent player who is overrated because he's at Man Utd.

1-1 @ 5/1 (poor value but still). Offset by the fact I was positive Slovakia were going to win last night (forgot that Greece for some reason are great in qualifiers) and thus let me down on what looked like a very good 5 fold.

A tremendous leader who I will never have an ounce of respect for.

GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!!!!!! Edit: Uh oh.

Fluminese pel. Atrocious but 1-1.

Ponte Preta's violence comes back to haunt them as they have a player escorted from the pitch, just to keep things interesting.

Fluminese miss a one on one from about 5 yards. Gremio however score.

That said, I applaud them on their attempted violence in the first half. 4 yellow cards within a 20 minute period represents commendable aggression.

I wouldn't, because Ponte Preta are a really bad team. I saw them in training and I was thinking, wow, what a really bad team. Their star player is shit and their goalie is suspect to say the least. They'll concede 3 times and be swiftly relegated. Ponte Preta, what a stupid name.

It's alright, there'll be some tactical reshuffling, a few harsh words said at half-time and before you know it Fluminese will tickle a couple in and Gremio will overpower Botafogo to the tune of 4-0. Just give it until the 70 minute mark and before you know it, we'll be laughing going "hahahaha! We're rich!"

giolan pls

:yao: :yao:

Unlucky mate 'cos guess what?

Atletico Miniero you utter fucking fuckwits. Miss a host of clear chances including countless 1 v 1s, then decide in the last 15 minutes to get into gear, turn it around to 2-1 but miss another 1 on 1 with the last kick of the game. Fuck off. Trixie so it slightly saves things but really annoyed about that, could've turned into a class day's betting.

Quite sad watching Ronaldinho nowadays.

Not good. 50/50 on Sao Paulo and Atletico Miniero, obviously picked the wrong one. My good friend Jo is coming back to haunt me, missed chance after chance.

Right, in the nick of time, it's on. I'd be surprised if this actually wins now. Atletico Miniero -1 Nautico Sisley +1 (that very famous Uruguayan team)