<a href="http:\/\/view.picapp.com/default.aspx?term=tottenham arsenal&amp;iid=3896055" target="_blank"></a><div><figure class="image"><a href="http:\/\/view.picapp.com/default.aspx?term=tottenham arsenal&amp;iid=3896055" target="_blank"></a></figure></div>
With the North London derby approaching, I want nothing more than for Arsenal to destroy Tottenham and get all three points, just like I do every week no matter who they play.
Except, that is, the days that Arsenal is playing Tottenham. I do not have anything against Tottenham or wish the worst for them. As a matter a fact, I enjoy watching Tottenham and want them to win often as I enjoy their play. I like some of their players and have great respect for their team. I am a fan of the game and the league so I love watching quality Premier League football from a quality side such as Tottenham. However, as an Arsenal supporter, I feel like enjoying Tottenham is almost a sacrilege and could possibly call my fanhood into question. As an American who supports Arsenal and enjoys the Premier League, I don’t think I am subject to hate my rival, and neither are you. Here’s why:

I feel rivalries are more intense for the fans, locally. The rivalry begins with the fact that the supporters live near each other, know each other, go to school with each other, and are constantly at odds with each other about their local team. This does not apply to an American supporter of a team on another continent. The love of an overseas league trumps any rivalry as it is not normal. It takes a lot to follow a team and a league that is not in your own country. It is far too silly to hate a team I enjoy watching just because I am “supposed” to.
Also, I don’t believe Arsenal and Tottenham players hate each other. Or that Wenger and Redknapp hate each other just because they play for rival clubs. There may be other reasons, but I don’t believe the kit they are wearing has anything to do with it. It is very rare for a player to actually play for the local team he grew up supporting. Many of the players aren’t even from England. The players have loyalty to the team that pays them. Yes, they care about winning, and have love and respect for the fans, but they want to win every time they step on the pitch.
Any given player could be playing on a different club 6 months from now, they are professionals, getting paid to perform for the current shirt they are wearing. So why should I hate a club (unless they are playing my team or I want them to lose a game because of points on the table) if the very players wearing the Arsenal shirt don’t despise Tottenham for any particular reason, just because the rivalry exists amongst the fans in North London?
I love watching the game of football, I am very proud that as an American I can appreciate a sport that is not very popular here. Therefore, I am not about to hate a “rival” team every time they play, against my team or not, just because North London thinks I should. I fully respect the local fans rivalry however, because I think rivalries make sports great. I love watching the derbies because I know the atmosphere in the stadium and the build up to the match will make the stakes even higher, and the game that much more enjoyable to watch. But I still respect Tottenham and love watching them play. That being said, I want Arsenal to dominate tomorrow, just I like I do every week no matter who they play.
Do you have a hate for your team’s rival? Do feel you should hate Everton because you support Liverpool, or City because you support United?

Do I Have To Hate My Team&#039;s Rival Premier League Club? - World Soccer Talk

Do I Have To Hate My Team's Rival Premier League Club?

Another weekend of MLS action is in the books, so let’s take a look back:
Saturday, April 10 
<a title="article" href="https:\/\/articles.latimes.com/2010/apr/10/sports/la-sp-chivas-20100411" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Chivas USA 2, New York Red Bulls 0</a> 
FC Dallas 2, Columbus 2 
<a title="article" href="https:\/\/www.philly.com/inquirer/sports/90552364.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Philadelphia Union 3, D.C. United 2</a> 
<a title="article" href="https:\/\/www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/soc/6953471.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Los Angeles 2, Houston 0</a> 
New England 4, Toronto FC 1 
<a title="article" href="https:\/\/voices.kansascity.com/node/8573" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kansas City 1, Colorado 0</a> 
<a title="article" href="https:\/\/chicagoist.com/2010/04/12/fire_fall_in_home_opener.php" target="_blank" rel="noopener">San Jose 2, Chicago 1</a> 
<a title="article" href="https:\/\/www.deseretnews.com/article/700023887/Real-Salt-Lake-far-from-happy-with-draw-at-home.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Real Salt Lake 2, Seattle Sounders FC 2</a>

News and notes
Ike Opara got his first career goal for the Earthquakes, the winner in the 2-1 victory over the Fire. … Sebastien Le Toux had one goal in his first 29 career MLS appearances before his hat trick in the Union’s thrilling 3-2 home win against D.C. United. … Speaking of hat tricks, New England rookie&nbsp;Zack Schilawski had one in the 4-1 thumping of Toronto FC. … Much was made of Landon Donovan’s return to MLS in time for the start of this season, and he’s played well. But Edson Buddle has all five of the Galaxy’s goals this season in their 3-0-0 start. … There are two games in the 2010 U.S. Open Cup this week, with Colorado visiting Kansas City on Tuesday and Real Salt Lake playing at San Jose on Wednesday.
The week on TV
Thursday, April 15
Philadelphia Union at Toronto FC, ESPN2, 7 p.m.
Saturday, April 17
Chivas USA at Houston Dynamo, TeleFutura, 4 p.m.
Real Salt Lake at L.A. Galaxy, FSC, 10:30 p.m

Weekend review: April 12, 2010 - World Soccer Talk

Weekend review: April 12, 2010

<a href="/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/cups1.jpg"></a><div><figure class="image"><a href="/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/cups1.jpg"></a></figure></div><a href="/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/cups.jpg"></a>
With all of the Premier League clubs now knocked out of the Champions League – and Liverpool and Fulham’s stays in the Europa League&nbsp;are still up in the air at press time – all eyes now focus on the two remaining pieces of silverware to be won this season.
The FA Cup and the Barclays Premier League title.
Because it’s FA Cup semifinal weekend, the EPL schedule is a little different than usual.
There are actually three matches next Wednesday, including a North London Derby between Spurs and Arsenal. They’re not featured here, though, because six days is a long time in the world of football.

<a title="TV schedule" href="http:\/\/epltalk.com/premier-league-tv-schedule" target="_blank">Here’s a look at this weekend’s TV schedule</a>
And here’s the current table:
<a href="/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/table2.jpg"></a><div><figure class="image"><a href="/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/table2.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-17667" src="https:\/\/ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https:\/\/images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/WST_20100408_WST_17663_table2.webp&amp;width=520&amp;height=310" alt="" width="520"></a></figure></div>
Hull City vs. Burnley
If the Clarets are serious about playing in the top flight next season, their trip to Hull City on Saturday is the most important game of the the season.
Both would be relegated if the season ended today, but Hull has a game in hand against everyone else in the relegation scrum. A home win may not guarantee its safety, but it would put Hull City in a&nbsp;better position.
Kevin McDonald is expected to make the trip for the visitors, and <a title="McDonald fined for leaving early" href="http:\/\/www.sporthull.co.uk/headlines/Hull-City-Burnley-player-fined-leaving-half-time/article-1979855-detail/article.html" target="_blank">perhaps he’ll stick around for the whole match this time.</a>
Hull boss Iain Dowie is focused on keeping the Tigers up, telling Sky Sports that “nothing would give me greater pleasure than to keep Hull in the Premier League – that would be a fantastic achievement. Whoever else goes down, I don’t care.”
<a title="EPL Talk Predictor" href="http:\/\/predictions.epltalk.com/Bet/2625/08_04_2010/Atletico_Madrid_Vs_Valencia_CF.aspx" target="_blank">Predict the winner with the EPL Talk Predictor</a>
West Ham vs. Sunderland
With Hull and Burnley looming rather large in the rear-view mirror, West Ham&nbsp;would like a home win against Sunderland to push farther away from the trap door.
Former West Ham and current Sunderland defender Anton Ferdinand will take no pity on his former club.
“I am a professional, I’m going there to do a job. West Ham fans understand that,” Ferdinand told the BBC.
“The Sunderland fans are travelling there in vast numbers and I owe it to them to play my heart out.”
<a title="EPL Talk Predictor" href="http:\/\/predictions.epltalk.com/Bet/2625/08_04_2010/Atletico_Madrid_Vs_Valencia_CF.aspx" target="_blank">Predict the winner with the EPL Talk Predictor</a>
Wolverhampton Wanderers vs. Stoke City
Mick McCarthy’s side is in 14th place at the moment, but a home result against Stoke City would edge Wolves even closer to safety.
Wolves’ defender Joey Craddock likes the remaining stretch of games, telling the Express and Star that&nbsp;“if you’re going to pick teams to play, you would pick those in the middle of the table. I suppose if we’re playing teams with little to play for, then they will be more relaxed.
“But if they’re relaxed, they’ll be playing with confidence, so I don’t know how it might work. Hopefully they’ll be too relaxed and they have an off-day.”
<a title="EPL Talk Predictor" href="http:\/\/predictions.epltalk.com/Bet/2625/08_04_2010/Atletico_Madrid_Vs_Valencia_CF.aspx" target="_blank">Predict the winner with the EPL Talk Predictor</a>
Blackburn Rovers vs. Manchester United
Wednesday night’s Champions League ouster and last weekend’s loss to Chelsea have been a pair of bitter pills for the Red Devils in recent days – a fact they’ll look to reverse when they visit Blackburn.
United midfielder Darron Gibson is urging his teammates on in the wake of that disappointment.
“We cannot lie down and let the whole season go. It is either that or we stand up and fight and go for the championship,” Gibson told the Times.&nbsp;“I cannot describe the disappointment but we have to pick ourselves up for Blackburn Rovers on Sunday. We are still in the race for the title.
“We have the experience in the dressing room to stand up and fight back. There are lads in there who have been in this position before and done it before. We have the characters and experienced players to pick ourselves up and I think we will be all right.”
Wayne Rooney is an injury doubt with his growing-more-famous-by-the-minute ankle, and whether or not he takes part is anyone’s guess.
A win would take United back to the top of the table – at least until Chelsea plays on Tuesday.
<a title="EPL Talk Predictor" href="http:\/\/predictions.epltalk.com/Bet/2625/08_04_2010/Atletico_Madrid_Vs_Valencia_CF.aspx" target="_blank">Predict the winner with the EPL Talk Predictor</a>
Liverpool vs. Fulham
The Reds are four points off of fourth-place Manchester City, and the “nouveau riche” have a game in hand.
So to say that Liverpool needs a win against Fulham at Anfield is an understatement.
Both teams were busy with Europa League competition in mid-week, but Liverpool played their match at home while the Cottagers had to visit Germany on Thursday night.
Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard put it well when he told the team’s Web site, “it’s all right saying we will be fine if we go and win our last five games, but we have to go on the pitch and win them rather than talk about it.”
<a title="EPL Talk Predictor" href="http:\/\/predictions.epltalk.com/Bet/2625/08_04_2010/Atletico_Madrid_Vs_Valencia_CF.aspx" target="_blank">Predict the winner with the EPL Talk Predictor</a>
Manchester City vs. Birmingham
Speaking of Manchester City, Roberto Mancini’s side will try to solidify their tenuous hold on the final Champions League slot with a home result against Birmingham.
If the table positioning wasn’t enough, Birmingham keeper Joe Hart, on loan from Manchester City,&nbsp;makes for a nice subplot as well.
<a title="story" href="http:\/\/news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/b/birmingham_city/8602943.stm" target="_blank">It seems Mancini may not be keen to re-loan Hart to Birmingham next season.</a>
Hart, of course, won’t play against his parent club on Sunday.
<a title="EPL Talk Predictor" href="http:\/\/predictions.epltalk.com/Bet/2625/08_04_2010/Atletico_Madrid_Vs_Valencia_CF.aspx" target="_blank">Predict the winner with the EPL Talk Predictor</a>
Chelsea vs. Bolton Wanderers
Chelsea will be a tad busy with FA Cup action this weekend before welcoming Bolton to the Bridge on Tuesday.
Should United win on Saturday, the Blues will need a win to regain the lead atop the EPL table.
Considering that Chelsea has dropped only five points at home this season, you’d have to make them a favorite – even on short rest.
<a title="EPL Talk Predictor" href="http:\/\/predictions.epltalk.com/Bet/2625/08_04_2010/Atletico_Madrid_Vs_Valencia_CF.aspx" target="_blank">Predict the winner with the EPL Talk Predictor</a>

Weekend Preview - April 10-13 - World Soccer Talk

Weekend Preview – April 10-13

Houston Dynamo and U.S. national team striker Brian Ching will miss four to six weeks with a hamstring strain, <a title="Ching story" href="http:\/\/www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/soc/6946838.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">according to reports.</a>
The early&nbsp;end of that prognosis has him back on the field for a few days before national team coach Bob Bradley names a pool for the team’s final World Cup camp in mid-May.
The&nbsp;other end has him still hobbled when Bradley picks the 23 guys to board the plane with him for the trip to South Africa.
<a title="article" href="http:\/\/www.majorleaguesoccertalk.com/how-will-the-u-s-squad-shake-out-for-the-world-cup/8332" target="_blank" rel="noopener">I thought he was a good bet to make the squad a few weeks ago,</a> but now I’m not so sure.
Can Bradley afford to take Ching, who was never pacey to begin with, to the World Cup with him not being in top game shape? Of course, Ching’s main attributes as a national team player – intelligence and a willingness and ability to hold and then distribute the ball – are not really linked to his left leg.
With Herculez Gomez <a title="article" href="http:\/\/www.usatoday.com/sports/soccer/2010-04-04-2491142361_x.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener">setting the world on fire</a>&nbsp;with Puebla in Mexico – eight goals in 10 appearances – it will be tough to justify taking a less-than-100 percent Ching over a player in such a fine vein of form.
So, who’s the right choice here?
Is it Ching, Gomez or door number three?

Brian Ching to Miss Four to Six Weeks - World Soccer Talk

Brian Ching to Miss Four to Six Weeks

It was a reduced schedule, but here are the results from the second week of MLS action:
Thursday, April 1 
<a title="story" href="http:\/\/www.sltrib.com/ci_14806195" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Houston 2, Real Salt Lake 1</a> 
<a title="story" href="http:\/\/articles.latimes.com/2010/apr/01/sports/la-sp-galaxy-chivas-20100402" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Los Angeles 2, Chivas USA 0</a>
Saturday, April 3 
<a title="story" href="http:\/\/www.examiner.com/x-10635-Boulder-Action-Sports-Examiner~y2010m4d4-Colorado-Rapids-first-home-game-ends-in-deadlock" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Colorado 2, Chicago 2</a> 
<a title="story" href="http:\/\/dcist.com/2010/04/united_drop_home_opener_to_revs_2-0.php?gallery0Pic=2" target="_blank" rel="noopener">New England 2, D.C. United 0</a> 
<a title="story" href="http:\/\/seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/soundersfcblog/2011519169_sounders_fc_0-1_new_york_red_b_4.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">New York Red Bulls 1, Seattle Sounders FC 0</a>
And here’s what this week’s slate of games looks like:
Saturday, April 10 
Chivas USA vs. New York Red Bulls, TeleFutura, 4 p.m. 
Philadelphia Union vs. D.C. United, FSC, 6 p.m. 
New England vs. Toronto FC, 7:30 p.m. 
Chicago vs. San Jose, 8:30 p.m. 
FC Dallas vs. Columbus, 8:30 p.m. 
Houston vs. Los Angeles, 8:30 p.m. 
Kansas City vs. Colorado, 8:30 p.m. 
Real Salt Lake vs. Seattle Sounders FC, 9 p.m.

Weekend review - April 1-3 - World Soccer Talk

Weekend review – April 1-3

<div><figure class="image"></figure></div>
Wayne Rooney’s on crutches and Cesc Fabregas has a broken leg.
Without kicking a ball, Chelsea has received an Easter basket full of good news in its quest to dethrone Manchester United this week when the two most important players on its two biggest rivals went down with injuries in mid-week Champions League action.
Chelsea visits Old Trafford for a game with United on Saturday with just one point separating the sides atop the table.
See?
<a href="/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/table.jpg"></a><div><figure class="image"><a href="/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/table.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-17281" src="https:\/\/ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https:\/\/images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/WST_20100402_WST_17279_table.webp&amp;width=518&amp;height=310" alt="" width="518"></a></figure></div>
<a title="story" href="http:\/\/soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=764725&amp;sec=england&amp;cc=5901" target="_blank">Didier Drogba is expected to feature for the Blues,</a> but even a Rooney-less United will be tough to crack at the Theatre of Dreams.
United dealt Chelsea a 3-0 loss in this fixture last season, but this one figures to be a tad closer.
Still, with 12 goals in two EPL matches since its untimely exit from the Champions League,&nbsp;the Blues are&nbsp;in fine form.

“Saturday is very important because we play against a fantastic team, top of the list now,” Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti told the Guardian.&nbsp;“I think we’ll have a very good chance. Now our moment is good. We’re fit and confidence has improved after Portsmouth (who were beaten 5-0) and Aston Villa (7-1). It’ll be a very important game. We want to do our best (and) have the possibility to do this. Our moment now is good. But nothing will be decided.”
“Wayne is unbelievable, he is one of the best in the world, but we have shown we play as a team this season,”&nbsp;United defender Nemanja Vidic told the Times. “At Bolton on Saturday, Berbatov showed what he could do. He had a great game and is a great footballer. We need to believe in ourselves and each other.”
<a title="EPL Talk Predictor" href="http:\/\/predictions.epltalk.com/Bet/2617/03_04_2010/Arsenal_Vs_Wolves.aspx" target="_blank">Predict the winner with the EPL Talk Predictor</a>
Arsenal vs. Wolverhampton Wanderers
By the time the Gunners walk out on the pitch at the Emirates Saturday, they’ll know how many points they sit off the top of the Premier League table.
It’s difficult to find a stat that suggests anything but three points for Arsenal in this one.
The Gunners have won five straight in all competitions against Wolves and Arsenal has tallied at least three goals in every league encounter with Wolverhampton.
<a title="EPL Talk Predictor" href="http:\/\/predictions.epltalk.com/Bet/2617/03_04_2010/Arsenal_Vs_Wolves.aspx" target="_blank">Predict the winner with the EPL Talk Predictor</a>
Bolton Wanderers vs. Aston Villa
Aston Villa will try to pick up the pieces from a 7-1 thrashing against Chelsea when it visits the Reebok Stadium.
Villa is seven points off of fourth place with just seven games left, so picking up three points here is almost a must.
Not that Bolton is planning on making things easy.
Former Villa and current Bolton defender Zat Knight told the Lancashire Telegraph, “They battered us at their place, so hopefully we can get three points on Saturday and even things up for me a little bit. There are a few of us in there who feel the same way.”
<a title="EPL Talk Predictor" href="http:\/\/predictions.epltalk.com/Bet/2617/03_04_2010/Arsenal_Vs_Wolves.aspx" target="_blank">Predict the winner with the EPL Talk Predictor</a>
Portsmouth&nbsp;vs. Blackburn Rovers
Pompey&nbsp;will be&nbsp;playing for pride while Blackburn tries to crack the top 10 as these two sides clash at Fratton Park.
Portsmouth’s troubles are well documented, and lately&nbsp;it has looked like a side doomed to the trap door with&nbsp;one win in its last&nbsp;14 league games.
To make matters worse, the injury list is ever-growing and the club could be mathematically eliminated this weekend with a loss and a Hull victory.
Other than that, things are going really well on the south coast…
<a title="EPL Talk Predictor" href="http:\/\/predictions.epltalk.com/Bet/2617/03_04_2010/Arsenal_Vs_Wolves.aspx" target="_blank">Predict the winner with the EPL Talk Predictor</a>
Stoke City vs. Hull City
Hull City is one spot below West Ham for 17th place, but the Tigers will try to jump over the Hammers with a result at Stoke.
Stoke boss Tony Pulis <a title="story" href="http:\/\/www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_6068572,00.html" target="_blank">lashed out at the bigger clubs,</a> and Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini in particular, for failing to recognize his side’s quality. So it wouldn’t be shocking if the Potters come out and try to back up their gaffer’s words against a team struggling to avoid relegation.
<a title="EPL Talk Predictor" href="http:\/\/predictions.epltalk.com/Bet/2617/03_04_2010/Arsenal_Vs_Wolves.aspx" target="_blank">Predict the winner with the EPL Talk Predictor</a>
Sunderland&nbsp;vs. Tottenham Hotspur
Spurs are still hanging on to fourth place, but they’ll need to get a result at the Stadium of Light to stay a step ahead of the pack chasing them for that elusive final Champions League slot.
The two teams played to a 1-1 draw back in this fixture last season, with Robbie Keane salvaging a point for Spurs at White Hart Lane.
<a title="EPL Talk Predictor" href="http:\/\/predictions.epltalk.com/Bet/2617/03_04_2010/Arsenal_Vs_Wolves.aspx" target="_blank">Predict the winner with the EPL Talk Predictor</a>
Burnley&nbsp;vs. Manchester City
City, hot on Tottenham’s heels for that fourth spot, needs to put the pressure on with a win at&nbsp;relegation-threatened Burnley.
Whatever problems Burnley may be having this season, Mancini isn’t taking them lightly.
“I have known games such as this in Italy and they can be tough,” he told the Guardian. “If you go into it believing you will win because you are a big team with big players, you might be in trouble. We must concentrate properly and play 100% if we are to win this game. I think Burnley will play this game at 200% because they want to win to stay in the Premier League and to win to beat City. That’s a lot of motivation.”
<a title="EPL Talk Predictor" href="http:\/\/predictions.epltalk.com/Bet/2617/03_04_2010/Arsenal_Vs_Wolves.aspx" target="_blank">Predict the winner with the EPL Talk Predictor</a>
Birmingham&nbsp;vs. Liverpool
For all of the turmoil and the unusually high loss total for Liverpool this season, the Reds are still within shouting distance of fourth place as they visit Birmingham.
Birmingham is solid at home, though, as it has not lost in its last dozen home league games. Liverpool can take solace in the fact that six of those matches have been draws.
Liverpool had to play in Portugal on Thursday, so fatigue could also play a role in this one.
<a title="EPL Talk Predictor" href="http:\/\/predictions.epltalk.com/Bet/2617/03_04_2010/Arsenal_Vs_Wolves.aspx" target="_blank">Predict the winner with the EPL Talk Predictor</a>
Fulham&nbsp;vs. Wigan Athletic
Another team with Europa League duty, Fulham, welcomes in Wigan to Craven Cottage.
Goals might be a problem, with only nine goals resulting in the first 11 league matches between these two sides, and five of the last six meetings have ended in a deadlock.
<a title="EPL Talk Predictor" href="http:\/\/predictions.epltalk.com/Bet/2617/03_04_2010/Arsenal_Vs_Wolves.aspx" target="_blank">Predict the winner with the EPL Talk Predictor</a>
Everton&nbsp;vs. West Ham United
Gianfranco Zola is hanging on by a thread at West Ham, and so too is his team to its spot in the Premier League.
Right now, the Irons are safe on goal difference. But recent form suggests that situation is tenuous at best.
Everton, on the other&nbsp;hand, is trying to complete a remarkable in-season turnaround that has seen the Toffees&nbsp;rise from the drop zone to the fringe of the Europa&nbsp;League&nbsp;race.&nbsp;
<a title="EPL Talk Predictor" href="http:\/\/predictions.epltalk.com/Bet/2617/03_04_2010/Arsenal_Vs_Wolves.aspx" target="_blank">Predict the winner with the EPL Talk Predictor</a>

Premier League Preview - April 3-4 - World Soccer Talk

Premier League Preview – April 3-4

The #1 Source for Soccer TV Schedules, Streaming Links, Cord Cutting Reviews, Soccer News and Interviews With Broadcasters.

Laurence Mckenna

latest articles by Laurence McKenna

General

Do I Have To Hate My Team's Rival Premier League Club?

Leagues: MLS

Weekend review: April 12, 2010

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Weekend Preview – April 10-13

Leagues: MLS

Brian Ching to Miss Four to Six Weeks

Leagues: MLS

Weekend review – April 1-3

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Premier League Preview – April 3-4