This week the players of the CPL, along with legions of adoring fans, will make the much shorter trek to Da Zhi and enjoy something we haven't had in what seems like an eternity...

decent pitches!!

Although I haven't gone to take a look myself, those who have taken a peek have reported that the pitch is far better than decent, with some even going as far as to say it now puts Bai Ling to shame! Should cancellations due to the duo of typhoons presently approaching the islandbe avoided, we should all be in for a cracking day of football this Sunday.

While the pitch should be pristine this weekend, the first match still promises to be a scrappy affair as the Celts clash with JFC. The league's two worst teams will both be desperate to take a step in the right direction by bagging all three points in the final match of the first half of the season. Both teams were on the wrong end of comprehensive thumpings last week as JFC fell 3-0 to Carnegies while the Celts lost 4-0 to the Eagles. The Celts will be well advised to score first in this one as the Japanese have recently shown a tendency to let their heads drop after going down a goal. After managing only one goal in their last five outings though, it is easy to see how JFC would have little faith in their own ability to come from behind.

The day's second match appears to be nothing more than a foregone conclusion as the resugent Eagles take on a shambolic TFC side.  After whipping the Celts last week, an Eagles victory could see the club move into the top half of the table for the first time this season.  TFC on the other hand appear to be broken beyond repair at the moment, as they once again started a match with less than eleven players last week, eventually losing 5-1 to Shane.  If David can not restore a sense of order to this once formidable squad before Sunday, another vicious humping seems to be the only possible outcome.

Next up is a battle of first and fourth as DaAn lock horns with the Animals.  DaAn, who enjoyed a week off last week, will be looking to rebound after losing to Carnegies last time out.  That loss ended a run of three consecutive wins and after Carnegies win last weekend, DaAn now sit two points behind the men in orange with a game in hand. If they hope to cash in on this game in hand, center half Andy will need to stay out of the pub this week. The Animals will be looking to simply continue their march toward the title and will surely be aiming to get the ball to marquee man, Tim Murphy.  Last week Murphy was superb supplying all four Animals goals in the form of a diving header, a curling free kick from 25 yards out, a thunderous volley as well as a clever finish which capped off a run in which Murphy single-handedly beat eight Celts!(It should be noted that this information was obtained from Tim himself and has not been confirmed by an independent fact checker).

Sunday's final fixture looks to be a very physical affair as the Lions line up against the Black Stars.  After stumbling through the early stages of the season, the Lions have begun to find their form of late, stringing together consecutive convincing victories for the first time this season.  After netting a brace against the Japanese last time out, Tim Brown will surely be lobbying for a starting spot up front.  One has to wonder if his aging body can stand the stress and strain of two matches in three weeks. The Black Stars certainly be looking to rip the Lions to shreds this week their title hopes were dealt a serious blow last week in the form of a 4-0 defeat at the hands of the Animals.  Should they fail to snatch all three points this week, any lingering hopes of hoisting the cup will surely be dead and buried.

Carl's Picks

Celts 2-1 JFC
Eagles 6-1 TFC
Animals 3-1 DaAn
Lions 2-2 Black Stars

Last time out Carl was 3/4