Crazy Jens hasn't lost it - and it's great to see

Tuesday night's Champions League clash between Stuttgart and Barcelona proved several things to be true;

1) Barcelona have not been hitting top form lately.

2) Christian Gross IS a decent manager despite his best efforts to prove otherwise at Spurs.

And finally,

3) Jens Lehmann is not only still a very good goalkeeper, but he is still as crazy as ever.

Lehmann became infamous for his eccentric behaviour during his spell at Arsenal. While his talent and ability was never in question, his mentality certainly was. There were so many occasions in Premier League games that you see Jens going mental at his back four or remonstrating with referees whenever a player came anywhere near him at corners. It would seem that Arsenal could do with the German's abilities between the sticks but unfortunately for the Gunners (and the rest of the Premier League) the Bundesliga now enjoys Lehmann's wild antics.

Like a fine wine, mad Jens' antics seem to get better with age. This season's Champions League has seen two moments of pure Lehmann magic. His kung-fu kick across Barcelona captain Carles Puyol during the week was unnecessary, but isn't that we love Lehmann, he performs the unnecessary regularly and hilariously. The little half slap on the head afterwards is purely the icing on the cake. Follow this link to see Lehmann at his best.

Earlier in the competition, however, was witness to probably mad Jens' greatest ever moment. During his sides group match with Romanian side Unirea Urziceni, nature called for Jens but he just couldn't hold it in much longer and duly leapt over the advertising board behind his goal and urinated behind the advertising board, returning to the action on the pitch. Follow this link for another moment of magic from Jens.

Weekend Preview Part 2

Part two of my weekend preview takes a look at the games being played on Sunday. The standout fixture is one between 4th and 5th place Manchester City and Liverpool, the result could go a long way to decide who wins the coveted final
Champion's League place.




Blackburn Rovers vs Bolton Wanderers

This games sees Blackburn boss Sam Allardyce taking on his former club in a Lancashire derby. The match will also showcase an intriguing clash of style between Allardyce's long ball ethos and his incumbent Owen Coyle's more footballing style. Rovers are showing good form, winning three of their last five, and Bolton still finding their feet under Coyle.

Prediction: Allardyce will be eager to get one up on his former employers and Bolton's lack of a goal threat could be the difference. 1-0


Aston Villa vs Burnley

Aston Villa come into this game finding some form again after a poor run which saw them win one game in seven and with the Carling Cup final next week. One cause for concern for Martin O'Neill will be his side's lack of goals. Brian Law's side know that their survival doesn't depend on performances away from Turf Moor, because they do struggle away from home.

Prediction: Villa have too much for Burnley as the Clarets struggles on the road continue. 3-1


Fulham vs Birmingham City

Craven Cottage plays host to the dark horse for game of the weekend. Both sides play an entertaining brand of football and look to be safe at this stage of the season. Birmingham will look to bring an end to the min-blip they're going through. Fulham themselves seem to have gotten over their blip and the form of Damien Duff has been key to the Cottagers revival.

Prediction: Fulham just see off the Blues in an entertaining game. 3-2


Manchester City vs Liverpool

Potentially the game that could decide the final Champions League place. If City were to win it would give them a four point advantage over Liverpool with a game in hand. Coming off a draw away to Stoke, and reports of player-manager bust ups, Roberto Mancini will expect a performance from his side. Liverpool themselves are coming off a poor performance in the Europa Cup. If Rafa Benitez attacks City's shaky defence they could come away with something, or get torn apart on the counter-attack.

Prediction: City are frustrated for long periods by the visitors but go one step closer to Champion's League football. 2-1


Wigan Athletic vs Tottenham Hotspur

The final game of the weekend sees the inconsistent Wigan play host to a Spurs side lacking in confidence after losing away to Wolves. The reverse of this fixture saw Wigan take a 9-1 thumping at White Hart Lane, Jermain Defoe grabbing five. Spurs have missed Aaron Lennon desperately and could find the quagmire of a pitch at the DW stadium tough to adapt to. Wigan will look to play maker Charles N'Zogbia to try and inspire them to a victory.

Prediction: The state of the DW Stadium pitch sees a dull game end in a draw. 1-1

Weekend Preview Part 1

This weekend's action in the Barclays Premier League could have the potential to be very pivotal in every area of the league table. Here's a brief preview of the games along with predictions for each game.




Everton vs Man. Utd

The weekend kicks off with Everton hosting league leaders Manchester United and welcoming back old boy Wayne Rooney. The in-form striker will grab all the headlines returning to Goodison. Victory for the champions will see them go top if only for a while with Chelsea playing at 3pm. The return to match sharpness of play maker Mikel Arteta will be key to Everton's chances as they look to continue a great run of one loss in 11 games (including a home win against Chelsea) but key men Marouane Fellaini and Tim Cahill have both been ruled out..

Prediction: Rooney the difference maker again in a close, hard-fought win for United. 1-2


Arsenal vs Sunderland

Arsenal return to domestic action with what should be an easy home win against a struggling Sunderland side. However, even with the Black Cats struggles (no wins in 12 games) they can gain some confidence that no matter who is in goal for Arsenal they can exploit a lack of confidence and form. Arsenal should be able to impose themselves against a team that has looked lost recently.

Prediction: Arsenal to continue Sunderland's poor form in a comfortable win. 3-0


West Ham Utd vs Hull City

A six-pointer if ever there was one. Only goal difference keeps West Ham above Hull as 15th hosts 17th. Both sides will be desperate for a win to get some daylight above the relegation zone. Confidence is high at Upton Park and the return of key man Carlton Cole will be massive. Hull have begun to slide down the league worryingly and need a result to stop the rut.

Prediction: West Ham's main man Cole continues his return to form as the Hammers have enough to get past a dogged Hull side. 2-0


Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Chelsea

Wolves are coming off a good home win over Spurs and will field a full team against the title chasers and will be somewhat galvanised after the league imposed a ridiculous fine on the Black Country team. Chelsea are coming into the game fresh having not played midweek and have far too much for Wolves.

Prediction: Wolves are unable to deal with Chelsea, whose class shines through. 0-3


Portsmouth vs Stoke City

Another week of turmoil for the South coast team and another huge game in their fight for survival. Avram Grant's side are now in a must-win scenario every week and play host to a Stoke side short on goals away from the Britannia (one goal in six away games) but high in confidence after draw with Manchester City, which they were unlucky to win. Still, Pompey's us against the world attitude will see them determined to get a result. Don't expect it to be a game for the purists.

Prediction: A battle in the Fratton Park trenches sees both sides come away with something and Stoke continue to be unbeaten in 2010. 1-1