Barcelona vs Malaga August 25, 2013

Malaga will try to avoid being the next victim in Barcelona's rampage through Spain when they welcome in the Catalans on Sunday.

Barcelona thrashed Levante, 7-0, in their first La Liga match of the season. They scored six before halftime. It was the kind of statement win manager Gerardo Martino needed in his first league match as manager of the club.

There have been many critics who have wondered if Martino is the man for the job and if Barcelona have done enough to improve during the summer.

FC Barcelona will be looking to become the third (or fourth, depending on the result in the evening's earlier match between Atletico Madrid and Rayo Vallecano) side to claim six points from their opening two matches, as both Athletic Bilbao and newly-promoted Villarreal secured their second wins of the campaign earlier in the weekend. Athletic Bilbao are hoping to challenge for a UEFA Champions League qualification place under the guidance of new coach Ernesto Valverde -- and they looked impressive on Friday night at the Anoeta against a wasteful Osasuna performance. Villarreal on the other hand were simply hoping for survival, even if they have invested rather heavily (by La Liga standards) in their playing squad following promotion. But after two matches, perhaps they have designs on something more -- with a second comeback victory in two games, this time against Real Valladolid, it's safe to say that confidence will be high at El Madrigal.

Thanks to their landslide win over Levante in Jornada One, Barcelona should regain their place at the top of the table with any victory tonight -- and are expected to cruise to victory against a much-changed Malaga outfit. Even in the absence of Lionel Messi, Barcelona have talent in abundance: Neymar, Cesc Fabregas, Xavi, Andres Iniesta -- the list goes on and on; just how can Bernd Schuster compete with the Blaugrana?

Chances are that he cannot -- at least not without a tactical rethink. 10 men behind the ball with an emphasis on counter-attacks; it's probably the only way that Malaga can grab something from this match.

Considering how easily the Catalans dispatched Levante, those concerns may have been blown out of proportion. The Spanish league has become an annual battle between Barcelona and Real Madrid, and this season looks to be no different.

On the other side of the pitch, Malaga is recovering from a 1-0 loss to Valencia. It wasn't a demoralizing loss. The match did drive home the new reality for the club, though.

This is a vastly different side from the one that qualified for the Champions League in 2011-12. The money has dried up, and the best players have gone elsewhere. Manuel Pellegrini has left to manage Manchester City, making way for Bernd Schuster. On the pitch, Isco, Jeremy Toulalan and Joaquin have all been sold.

Where: Estadio La Rosaleda, Malaga, Spain

Date: Sunday, August 25

Time: 3 p.m. ET; 8 p.m. BST

Atletico Madrid vs Rayo Vallecano August 25, 2013

This is the first Madrid derby of the season as Atletico Madrid get set to host Rayo Vallecano at the Vicente Calderon and it will be interesting to see how the players have recovered from their midweek exertions. Let's face it, playing Barcelona has to be an exhausting experience, although Atletico certainly gave the reigning Champions all they could handle for 65 minutes in the first leg of the Super Cup.

The 1-1 draw followed an impressive 1-3 win at Sevilla to open the season and finishing in the Champions League places has to be a minimum expectation for the club this season. Even losing Falcao won't have reduced so expectations as Diego Costa scored twice last weekend and David Villa opened his account with Atletico thanks to a special finish against Barcelona during the week.

It was Atletico's home form that propelled them to 3rd in La Liga last season as they won 14 of their 19 League games at home. The side won every all of their home games against sides that finished 6th or lower in the League table, going 14-1-0 in those games. Atletico have, however, won just 1 of their last 7 home games in all competitions.

Rayo Vallecano


It can't be easy being the third team in a city that already counts Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid as home teams, but that is the situation for Rayo Vallecano. The fans must be happy being in the same company as the two bigger teams from Madrid and they have held their own in La Liga following promotion three years and they have finished 15th and 8th in the previous two years.

Rayo Vallecano made a strong start to the new season with a 3-0 win over newly-promoted Elche at home and it is in their own stadium that Vallecano will look to build a foundation for success this year. In saying that, the side did win an impressive 7 away games in La Liga last season and only the top four clubs won more games on their travels, although Rayo did lose 10 times too.

They have begun this season as they ended last season which means Vallecano are unbeaten in their last 5 La Liga games and have won 4 of those games. Rayo Vallecano have won their last 2 away games in the 

Rayo Vallecano snapped a run of 10 games against Atletico Madrid without a win by beating them 2-1 at home in their most recent meeting.

Vallecano haven't won any of their last 5 visits to the Vicente Calderon and it is Atletico Madrid who have won the last 3 games here.

Last season, Atletico won this fixture 4-3, although were leading 4-0 with seven minutes left before almost a huge comeback from Rayo threatened to cause the upset.

This is one of the tougher away grounds to visit at the moment and it is a big ask for Rayo Vallecano to beat their local rivals after they lost all 4 games at the top four last season.

However, Vallecano did win at Valencia, Malaga and Real Betis so are no pushover, while I am not sure the fans would have forgotten how the team recovered from 4-0 down to almost pull level last season at the Vicente Calderon.

Atletico Madrid will surely be a little more prepared for the never say die attitude that Rayo will bring this time and I believe the home side will be a little too strong for them. The last three games here have all resulted in home wins and I will back Atletico Madrid to win this one by at least 2 goals.

Cardiff vs Manchester City August 25, 2013

Newly-promoted Cardiff City didn't enjoy their first taste of life in the Premier League, going down 2-0 away at West Ham last weekend. Their baptism of fire continues at home to Manchester City on Sunday, in a game that could be entirely one-sided. City romped to a 4-0 win in their opening game against Newcastle United, looking immediately comfortable under their new manager.

Malky Mackay's newly-promoted Bluebirds will be looking to bounce back after losing their first game of top-flight football in 51 years last Saturday.

The 2-0 defeat at West Ham came after goals from Joe Cole and Kevin Nolan in either half.

The Bluebirds need to pick up points quickly and, to add extra spice to the occasion, veteran Craig Bellamy comes up against his old side.

But it will be tough to get the win the home fans desire against a Manchester City side who will be full of confidence following their 4-0 demolition of Newcastle on Monday.

New boss Manuel Pellegrini was impressed with his players and called on his side to continue to play "aggressive" football against the Bluebirds.

He said: "We tried to play 90-minute football (against the Magpies). I am sure the players are enjoying this way and we will try to continue.

"It was just one match but it is very important to continue this way and at the end of the season, we will see who has won the title."

Cardiff City injuries and suspensions

Out: None. In doubt: Andreas Cornelius (ankle).

Manchester City injuries and suspensions

Out: Vincent Kompany (groin). In doubt: Matija Nastasić (ankle), Micah Richards (hamstring) and Stevan Jovetić (knock).

Projected lineups

Cardiff City: David Marshall; Declan John, Ben Turner, Steven Caulker, Matthew Connolly; Craig Bellamy, Peter Whittingham, Gary Medel, Bo-Kyung Kim, Aron Gunnarsson; Andreas Cornelius

Manchester City: Joe Hart; Gaël Clichy, Joleon Lescott, Matija Nastasić, Pablo Zabaleta; Fernandinho, Yaya Touré; David Silva, Sergio Agüero, Jesús Navas; Edin Džeko

Match Date/Time: Sunday, 4 p.m. local, 11 a.m. ET

Venue: Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff, Wales

MTV VMAs 2013 (Video Music Awards 2013) August 25, 2013

The MTV Video Music Awards—or the VMAs, as kids these days call ‘em—are tomorrow and it is going to be The Greatest VMAs Ever! Or at the very least, it's not going to be the MTV Movie Awards.
On second thought, maybe it could be what the Internet deems "The Worst." Only one way to find out! But we thought we'd run both the best case and worst case scenarios for you first.
May we present to you the 4 reasons this year's VMAs will be The Best and the 4 reasons they could actually be The Worst.

Ten years ago, something big happened at the MTV Video Music Awards.

The MTV Video Music Awards are known for being unpredictable, but there are a few things you can count on come Sunday night.
Lady Gaga will kick things off at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn by performing her new song, “Applause,” which she debuted on “Good Morning America” just a few days ago.

“I’m so excited,” she said of the VMAs. “We’ve been planning this for a year!”

Other performers include Drake, Bruno Mars, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, Miley Cyrus (whose number will likely include twerking), Robin Thicke, Katy Perry (maybe she’ll bring boyfriend John Mayer?) and Kanye West, who just revealed the first photo of his daughter, North. This year’s Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award honoree Justin Timberlake is slated to perform too, and as a special treat, he may be joined by his former ‘NSYNC bandmates.

“You never know,” Lance Bass said of the rumored reunion. “That would be an amazing, amazing time.”
Among the other nominees: Jennifer Lopez, Rihanna, Kelly Clarkson and Beyoncé. Plus, Taylor Swift will be there — maybe she’ll have a chance to make nice with Kanye West?

The great thing about the VMAs? Anything can happen.

Want some company while you’re watching the show? Or maybe you don’t have cable but want to keep up with everything that’s happening? Join our live blog! We’ll start chatting at 8 p.m. ET, just in time for the pre-show, and will keep going until the awards show ends. See you Sunday!

Madonna hit the stage at New York's Radio City Music Hall, opening up the 20th anniversary ceremony with a medley of "Like a Virgin" and "Hollywood." At her side were pop contemporaries Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera. It could have been just an ordinary star-heavy performance, but then something else happened: Madonna French-kissed Spears. We watched as the camera panned to Spears' ex-boyfriend, Justin Timberlake. And then Madge did it again -- she smooched Aguilera.

It's a decade later, and we find ourselves in a familiar place: New York. This time the VMAs will be held at the new Barclays Center in Brooklyn. Timberlake will be on hand once again, and there's even talk of an *NSYNC reunion.

Jimmy Fallon will present Timberlake with the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award. Previous recipients have included R.E.M,Madonna, Peter Gabriel, ., Beastie Boys, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Spears.

And there will be plenty of performers -- Lady Gaga is expected to kick off the VMAs with her new single, "Applause." Earlier this week, she told New York City radio station Z-100, "I am opening the show. Well, yes, I'm dancing and what you see in the video is where I am now with my body. I'm dancing 'til my feet bleed every day to make sure I give the fans a performance that they won't forget."

Other acts set to hit the stage include Timberlake, Miley Cyrus, Kanye West and Drake. Katy Perry will close the show (from an undisclosed location) with her new single, "Roar," off her upcoming album, "Prism," due Oct. 22. The VMAs are always a little bit more fun and rowdy than other awards shows, so there's bound to be some surprises in the works. Another epic kiss, perhaps? We'll likely see some twerking from Cyrus, an outrageous outfit or two from Gaga, a "surprise" performance from Daft Punk, and maybe something crazy, or the very least memorable, from West.

Presenters on hand will include Taylor Swift, Selena Gomez, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Jared Leto, Kevin Hart, Emeli Sande and A$AP Rocky. MTV will also present the movie trailer for "Divergent" during the VMAs pre-show.

And there will be plenty of moonmen to go around. Timberlake and Macklemore & Ryan Lewis top this year's nominations with six nods. Bruno Mars isn't far behind with four nods, and Robin Thicke, Cyrus and Pink are each in the running for three honors.

Other notable contenders include Swift, Drake, fun., Calvin Harris and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, as well as first-time VMA nominees Kendrick Lamar, Lana Del Rey, The Weeknd and Capital Cities.

Fans have been able to vote for general VMA categories, including video of the year. Go here for a list of nominees.

England vs Australia August 25, 2013

Australia are in the box seat to earn some valuable momentum from what has been a horror England Ashes tour as the teams prepare for day three at The Oval in London.

After four matches where their brittle batting line-up put the rest of the team under pressure, Australia’s top seven has finally got its act together.

The innings was highlighted by two centuries, the first time Australia has managed to have a duo break through the ton barrier in an away Test since playing Sri Lanka in 2011.

Shane Watson scored runs in a better late than never innings, which might have just saved his short-term career, as he bullied the England attack on his way to making 176, with 26 boundaries and a six coming from his time at the crease.

Darren Lehmann’s decision to move Watson to his third place in the batting order this Ashes series came under fire from some pundits of the game.

However, after his excellent knock the all-rounder might have played his way into the side when they play the return series in Australia starting in November.

Smith Smith was the other innings of note for the tourists as he scored his maiden Test ton, finishing on 138 not out.

It was an innings of patience and aggression where needed, as he showed coolness under pressure beyond his 24 years.

After bursting onto the scene as a blonde leg-spinner most has tipped to be “the next Shane Warne”, Smith has undergone a transformation and looks to be potential long-term number six batsman, with the ability to bowl some wrist spin where needed.

Vitally for England if they are to add to their three wins this series, captain Alastair Cook and Joe Root managed to survive until the close of play on day two.

With the conditions still helping fast bowlers who are willing to pitch the ball up and the pitch likely to turn for Nathan Lyon and Smith later, Cook and Root will need to put on close to a century stand to give the Three Lions a platform to launch towards Australia’s first innings of 492.

Tottenham Hotspur vs Swansea City August 25, 2013

White Hart Lane. Spurs were able to grab a 1-0 win away to Crystal Palace then travel to Georgia and grab a smashing victory over Dinamo Tbilisi in Europa League play. Roberto Soldado is off to a strong start at striker, while the likes of Danny Rose, Paulinho, and Etienne Capoue have impressed in their new roles.

Football comes home for Tottenham on Sunday. Swansea City visits, coming off a tough loss to Manchester United in the season opener that saw the Swans lose 4-1. It seems likely that summer signing Wilfried Bony will receive his first league start as Swansea tries to take it Spurs. However, the Swansea defense seems vulnerable ahead of the match, something that the Spurs' attack could take advantage of.

The Welsh side will head into the game on the back of a 5-1 win in the Europa League against Petrolul Ploiesti on Thursday - a result that Laudrup described as "excellent".

A late consolation goal from Gheorghe Grozav may have taken the shine off for Swansea, but despite being forced back into action with a relatively short turnaround, Laudrup believes that his side will now enter the White Hart Lane clash full of optimism.

"I’m not complaining about the fixtures," he said. "You have to play everyone and it will be difficult - but we are confident going into the game.

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"They had a very good squad last season, and they have bought some good players this summer.

"It may be a different Spurs to the one we played last year, but it will still be tough."

While Swansea fell 4-1 to Manchester United on the opening weekend, Tottenham were 1-0 winners against Crystal Palace.

That match saw Paulinho, Nacer Chadli, Roberto Soldado and Etienne Capoue all make their competitive debuts for the club, although Tottenham were without Gareth Bale as speculation continues over a potential world record move to Real Madrid.

And while he has had to cope without last season's Player and Young Player of the Year Bale so far this season, boss Andre Villas-Boas is pleased with his dealings in the window so far.

On Sunday, Tottenham Hotspur return to White Hart Lane for the first time this season and for their 115th season at the venerable venue. But the club's time at the Lane is ticking down as the NDP hums along and we creep closer to Spurs' new stadium.

For now, White Hart Lane still stands and on Sunday, 36,000 fans will pack it hoping the boys in white come away winners. That means continuing a week of Wales-hating and sending Swansea back home without anything to show for their trip to the capital.

Swansea enter the match relatively fit, with Nathan Dyer the only played injured, while Spurs are without Lewis Holtby and Emmanuel Adebayor. Benoit Assout-Ekotto is also likely to miss out and Gareth Bale is technically still part of the team so you can say he will be absent too, but that would be a pretty liberal definition of "part of the team" (and depending on who you believe, Adebayor may fall into this category as well).

The Swans were tapped as a team watch in the preseason, but they didn't look it last week against Manchester United. A bright start went for naught as the Red Devils punished Swansea's porous backline and Roberto Soldado will be foaming at the mouth.

Swansea scored five midweek in Europa League, but that was against Petrolul Ploiesti and they still did concede one at home. As promising as people may have thought Michael Laudrup's club were preseason, the first week of the season has not flattered them. Then again, it is the first week so who's to say anything about anyone.

This is Spurs' transition to Hate Wales Week 2. Do it.

Match date/time: Sunday, August 25; 11 a.m. ET, 4 p.m. GMT

Venue: White Hart Lane, London, England

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