Great Dane Football Blog is going on vacation, but will be back in the start of August.
Meanwhile, the blog will be updated with new weekly posts, which will be presented later in the summer!
Have a great summer, everyone!
After a week of hearings and cross-examinations of John Terry and Anton Ferdinand, the Westminster Magistrates' Court in London found the defender not guilty. Even though, the Chelsea defender was cleared of racial abuse in the public court, he still has to face the football authorities. The problem here is that they can judge the player on a lower burden of proof.
The F.A. is under pressure in this case, and they might judge him for bringing the game into disrepute. This case can be ugly as both parts are fighting for their reputation. Terry is cleared by the public, but his football name can be brought to shame. On the other hand, the F.A. will lose face if they do not punish a man which they have already judged as guilty.
Last season, Liverpool striker Luis Suarez was fined £40.000 and banned for eight matches for racial abuse and Terry might face a punishment in that size. No matter what, one of the parts will lose their dignity and at this moment I hope it is going to be the football association. John Terry is no saint, but he has been cleared of all charges and has been punished enough so far. The nearer future will tell if the football authorities believes the same!
This week's Place your Bets feature Danish football. Take your chance and place your bet!
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Danish Superliga
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14-07-2012 – 15.00
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SønderjyskE
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Randers FC
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Ladbrokes
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11/10
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12/5
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12/5
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William Hill
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2.10
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3.30
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3.20
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Unibet.com
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2.10
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3.30
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3.45
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Randers is
back in the best Danish league after a year in the 1. Division. They will look
forward to their first match and try to convince everybody that they deserve to
play with the best teams in Denmark. However, SønderjyskE has developed into a
stabile Superliga club and have used the transfer window to bring in some
routine. Therefore, I believe that Sønderjyske will show Randers no mercy and
win this match.
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Danish Superliga
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14-07-2012 – 13.00
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Esbjerg
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Silkeborg
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Ladbrokes
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7/5
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12/5
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9/5
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William Hill
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2.37
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3.20
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2.75
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Unibet.com
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2.45
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3.30
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2.75
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Like
Randers, Esbjerg is back in the finest company when they meet Silkeborg at home
Saturday. They have been convincing in the 1. Divison, but Silkeborg seems as
too big a mouthful for the white and blue. Silkeborg has managed to keep their
profiles, while they have changed their manager. The former Danish U21 manager,
Keld Bordingaard has taken over. However, I don’t think it will have any
negative impact. Silkeborg wins.
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Danish Superliga
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15-07-2012 – 16.00
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Brondby
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Odense
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Ladbrokes
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7/5
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12/5
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9/5
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William Hill
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2.30
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3.25
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2.87
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Unibet.com
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2.45
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3.15
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2.90
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Both Brondby and Odense had their problems last season. This is a new season, but it doesn’t seem as anything has changed. That said, Odense has brought some new and interesting players to the squad as well as a new manager while Brondby has not bought any new players so far. The two teams match each other well, and I think this could end in a draw.
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Danish Superliga
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15-07-2012 – 18.00
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Fc Copenhagen
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Fc Midtjylland
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Ladbrokes
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4/7
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14/5
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5/1
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William Hill
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1.61
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3.60
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5.00
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Unibet.com
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1.60
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3.75
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5.50
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FC
Midtjylland has sold their biggest profile, Jakob Poulsen, and does not seem to
have the strength they had last season. On the other hand, Copenhagen manager
Jacobs has decided not to use the team’s biggest star Dame N’Doye. However,
Copenhagen has a great squad, and they will also win this match at home against
Midtjylland.
The European leagues are about to start. Some clubs have bought new players some has hired a new manager. Have you ever thought about being a football manager? Great Dane Football Blog takes a look on the five best online manager games.
1. Hattrick.org
Hattrick is one of the eldest and most simple manager games online. That is why I like it! The game is free and lets you manage your own team. Unlike many of the other games, you cannot name your own players, or see the stadium in 3D. However, the game is more realistic and is easy to play. Furthermore, there is an amazing global community around the website.
Onlinefootballmanager.co.uk is more like the PC-game Football Manager. The graphic is better than Hattrick, and you have more options. For example, you are in charge of negotiating sponsor and players contracts and have some of the options that Hattrick is missing. However, this game requires some football knowledge and the Hattrick world are a bit larger.
Virtual Manager is one of the most played online manager games in the world. The game makes you think of Football Manager before they started used 3D animations, but it is better than many of the other online games. As the manager in Virtual Manager, you can name your younger players before using them on your first team. This is a great feature, but also makes the game a bit unrealistic.
Trophy Manager is a really realistic online game. They even have a rule of how many foreign players you can use during a match. The graphic is great as well and like the other games you can make your own stadium in 3D. The menus are kept in a funny style, and you will feel as your playing a real PC-game. Worth trying.
Powerplay Manager is not one of the biggest competitors on the market. They deliver a simple game much alike Hattrick.org. However, the graphic of the players is amazing! The great thing about Power Play manager is that you can join all their other manager games as Ice Hockey, Handball, Tennis, Formula One, Basketball and much more!
Wonder why Chelsea is bidding €25m for a twenty year old Brazilian? Look no further!
Oscar dos Santos Emboaba Junior is one of the hottest names this summer.This ten minutes YouTube clip will tell you why some of Englands top clubs are slobbering over Oscar! Enjoy, and look forward to see him at the Olympics!
The trial against John Terry, charged with a racially-aggravated public order offence, started yesterday at London's Westminster Magistrates' Court. Has the Terry-case gone too far?
Racism is never okay; not even on a football pitch. But for me, the case against John Terry has gone too far. There is no doubt that the Chelsea-defender shall be punished, and The FA has already stripped the England Captaincy of him. The question is if what happens of a football pitch should be judged as a public order offence.
John Terry has always been one of Premier Leagues ‘Bad boys’ and the trial, which has been requested by the public, seems as a revenge for the defenders past. The defender suffers under, not just his own mistakes, but also his family’s as his father has been accused of dealing drugs while his mother and sister is accused of shoplifting. At this moment, it may sound as I am a fan of the Chelsea player, but please believe me, as an Arsenal fan through many years John Terry is not a favorite player at all. I would love to see him go down, but not like this.
Terry is risking a fine of £2500, which for he will be able to pay in less than a day’s work. This seems downright ridicules to me, as well. First of all, he should not be judged by the public law but by The FA. Second of all racism should be punished much harder. Luis Suarez was banned and fined hard by the Football Association, but Ferdinand has not been punished yet. It is obviously that FA is waiting for the Westminster Magistrates' Court’s decision, but it should not be necessary. If they believe he is guilty, they should punish him just as they punished Suarez.
If Terry is found guilty, my fear is that we will see a lot of situations as this in the future. What happens on the pitch should be judged by the Football Association and not a court. Even though, some will argue me wrong, situations happening on the football pitch are different from the situations happening on the streets. Football is a contact sport and sometimes a sportsman says wrong things in frustration. My hope is that the court will set things apart!
The trial is scheduled to end on Friday, until then we can only wait and see.
John Terry has always been one of Premier Leagues ‘Bad boys’ and the trial, which has been requested by the public, seems as a revenge for the defenders past. The defender suffers under, not just his own mistakes, but also his family’s as his father has been accused of dealing drugs while his mother and sister is accused of shoplifting. At this moment, it may sound as I am a fan of the Chelsea player, but please believe me, as an Arsenal fan through many years John Terry is not a favorite player at all. I would love to see him go down, but not like this.
Terry is risking a fine of £2500, which for he will be able to pay in less than a day’s work. This seems downright ridicules to me, as well. First of all, he should not be judged by the public law but by The FA. Second of all racism should be punished much harder. Luis Suarez was banned and fined hard by the Football Association, but Ferdinand has not been punished yet. It is obviously that FA is waiting for the Westminster Magistrates' Court’s decision, but it should not be necessary. If they believe he is guilty, they should punish him just as they punished Suarez.
If Terry is found guilty, my fear is that we will see a lot of situations as this in the future. What happens on the pitch should be judged by the Football Association and not a court. Even though, some will argue me wrong, situations happening on the football pitch are different from the situations happening on the streets. Football is a contact sport and sometimes a sportsman says wrong things in frustration. My hope is that the court will set things apart!
The trial is scheduled to end on Friday, until then we can only wait and see.
This week's What's Worth Watching, features four Scandinavian matches!
IFK Göteborg - Helsingborg
Swedish Allsvenskan Round 14
Nya Ullevi
09-07-2012 at 18.05 BST
Head-to-head (last 10 matches):
IFK Göteborg: 1 victory / 11 goals
Draws: 4
Helsingborg: 5 victory /15 goals
IFK Göteborg is still struggling in the lower part of the league, while Helsingborg still has the chance for qualifying for European football next season. Helsingborg is unbeaten in the last five matches, and with their top scorer, Alfred Finnbogason, upfront they will also win this one. Keep an eye on the young striker from Iceland, as he has the abilities to be decisive in this match.
Odd Grenland - Vålerenga
Norway Tippeligaen Round 12
Odd Stadion
11-07-2012 at 18.00 BST
Head-to-head (last 10 matches):
Odd Grenland: 3 victories / 15 goals
Draws: 3
Vålerenga: 4 victories / 19 goals
Odd Grenland and Vålerenga are known for their tight matches. Vålerenga is currently positioned in the middle of the league with some distance to the ‘funny’ positions. Lower in the table is Odd Grenland, and they are still close to relegation and will, therefore, fight for every point. Keep an eye on Fredrik Stoor. The back from Norway has played for Fulham and Derby and is with his routine one of the most important players for Vålerenga.
Aarhus GF - Aalborg BK
Danish Superliga Round 1
NRGi Park
13-07-2012 at 17.30 BST
Head-to-head (last 10 matches):
Aarhus GF: 2 victories / 9 goals
Draws: 3
Aalborg BK: 5 victories / 14 goals
Friday is the day for the first Derby of Jutland between Aarhus and Aalborg. Aalborg is in serious financial problems and has only brought one new face into the squad, while Aarhus has gathered a strong squad within the last couple of seasons. The Jutland Derby is always worth watching, and can display some great football. Keep an eye on Aarhus’ Casper Sloth. The young midfielder is going to be one of the best in the Danish Superliga!
FC Copenhagen - FC Midtjylland
Danish Superliga Round 1
Parken
15-07-2012 at 18.00 BST
Head-to-head (last 10 matches):
FC Copenhagen: 6 victories / 20 goals
Draws: 1
FC Midtjylland: 3 victories / 10 goals
The two teams have often played some tight matches, and thi sone could turn out the same way. Copenhagen has hired the former Anderlecht coach Ariël Jacobs, and it is going to be interesting if he will make a difference. Midtjylland is in a time of transformation and has sold some of the profiles. The first match will show if there is any difference. Keep an eye on the Copenhagen striker, Dame N’Doye. He is a target for clubs as Newcastle United.
FIFA has accepted the goal-line technology after a series of doubtful situations. The technology has been discussed earlier on this blog but is highly relevant once again.
It has been discussed for a couple of years, but now it is a reality; FIFA has approved the goal-line technology. I have earlier expressed my fear for the future of football, if it got to technical and I am still not convinced this is the right solution to the “ghost-goal” problem. However, the EURO 2012 proved to us that adding an extra pair of eyes on the goal did not help on the problem. It was almost humiliating to see how a referee, which only job was to keep an eye on the goal, did not see whether the ball crossed the line. At the moment, the goal-line technology seems to be the only solution. That said, how often do we see a “ghost-goal”? 1 out of a 100 matches?
It has been discussed for a couple of years, but now it is a reality; FIFA has approved the goal-line technology. I have earlier expressed my fear for the future of football, if it got to technical and I am still not convinced this is the right solution to the “ghost-goal” problem. However, the EURO 2012 proved to us that adding an extra pair of eyes on the goal did not help on the problem. It was almost humiliating to see how a referee, which only job was to keep an eye on the goal, did not see whether the ball crossed the line. At the moment, the goal-line technology seems to be the only solution. That said, how often do we see a “ghost-goal”? 1 out of a 100 matches?
My fear for the future of football is not whether or not a ball crossed the line. It is the fear that adding one technology to the game will be followed up by another. Michel Platini said, during a press conference that the goal-line technology could be followed up by a ‘technology for offside decisions as well’. Platini is right; this current technology frenzy does not stop with the goal-line. Sooner or later we will have the offside technology, censors telling us if the player committed a foul or even a technology telling the referee whether or not the wall is in the correct distance from the free kick. As the UEFA-president said:
'I am against technology coming into force to actually make decisions’.
FIFA has now opened a door for the technology, and thereby for a new future for football. I can only hope that, at some point, this technology adventure will end, instead of making our beloved passion into a videogame. No matter what, I am going to miss the mystique about whether or not the ball crossed the line, but as humans has done for centuries: I’ll adapt to the changes.
This weekend's betting tips is all about the American Major League Soccer! Good luck!
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American Major League Soccer
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08-07-2012 - 01.00
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Sporting Kansas City
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Houston Dynamos
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8/11
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12/5
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10/3
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1.67
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3.40
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5.00
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1.68
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3.35
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5.00
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Houston Dynamos sent Sporting Kansas City out of the conference final last season, but Sunday they might end as the loser. Kansas City is once again in the top of MLS, and they are hard to beat at home. The statistic for Kansas City at Livestrong Sporting Park tells that they have gotten eighteen points out of twenty-four possible within the last eight rounds. My bet will be a Kansas win.
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American Major League
Soccer
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08-07-2012 – 02.00
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Real Salt Lake
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Portland Timbers
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8/15
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11/4
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9/2
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1.57
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3.60
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5.50
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1.57
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3.50
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5.75
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Real Salt Lake is needs three points to keep Sporting Kansas City in a distance from the third position. Sunday’s match against Portland Timbers is not going to be easy as the two teams have been very equal in the past meetings. However, being under pressure should give the Salt Lake players that extra will to get a win against Portland.
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American Major League Soccer
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08-07-2012 – 02.00
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FC Dallas
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San Jose Earthquakes
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17.10
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11/5
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11/8
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2.75
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3.25
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2.37
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2.55
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3.10
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2.65
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San Jose Earthquakes are currently positioned as the number one in the MLS, three points ahead of DC United. FC Dallas is positioned as number seventeen and is not given any chance in this match. Especially, when the San Jose striker Chris Wondolowski is in his current form. The attacker has so far scored fourteen goals in the season and will be keen to keep the goals coming.
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American Major League Soccer
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08-07-2012 – 20.00
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Chicago Fire
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L.A. Galaxy
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6/5
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11/5
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2/1
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2.20
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3.30
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3.00
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2.45
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3.10
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2.75
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Chicago Fire is meeting the Star team L.A. Galaxy at home on Sunday. It is almost two years since Chicago has won against Galaxy, but this might be their chance. L.A. Galaxy has not won in the last two rounds and has not played their best season so far. However, they still have the team to win every match in the league. I believe this could end in a draw!