Sunday’s London derby between Chelsea and Arsenal at Stamford Bridge (TV: Fox Soccer Channel, live, 11 am ET) is a critical game for both clubs.
If Manchester United beats Manchester City on Saturday, Chelsea and Arsenal will go into Sunday’s game trailing EPL leader United by nine and 19 points, respectively, with each having a game in hand.
It will be the first Chelsea-Arsenal game since Ashley Cole left the Gunners for Chelsea in the offseason. He expects to be booed by visiting Arsenal fans.
“I have to be honest with myself,” said the English left back. “I think I am going to get booed badly. I am very well aware that some fans are very angry.”
Cole left Arsenal after an infamous “tapping up” affair in which Chelsea illegally approached him. He then blasted Arsenal in his tell-all book. For his part, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger says he has no problem with Cole.
“We want Ashley to be respected like everybody else,” said Wenger.
ARGENTINA. Boca Juniors Juniors can clinch the Torneo Apertura with a tie against Lanus on Sunday (Fox Soccer Channel, delay, 5 pm ET; Fox Sports En Espanol, live, 4 pm ET). After blowing a chance to clinch the title last week when Boca lost to Belgrano, 1-0, Coach Ricardo Lavolpe joked that he’ll be hanged if Boca finishes second.
WORLD CLUB CUP. For early risers on the East Coast, there’s the opening of the World Club Cup from Japan. The six-team tournament begins Sunday with Auckland City of New Zealand (featuring former University of Akron star Ross McKenzie) against African champion Al-Ahly of Egypt (Fox Soccer Channel, live, 5 am ET) and continues Monday with Mexico’s Club America, the CONCACAF representative, against Asian champion Jeonbuk Motors of South Korea (Fox Soccer Channel, live, 5 am ET).