Episode 119: Home teams still dominate, Maxi’s wonder goal & an Independiente update

Hand Of Pod episode 119 sees Sam and Andrés discuss the very low number of away wins so far this season, as home sides continue to get by far the better results. Maxi Rodríguez scored a fantastic winner to get Newell’s one of the few away wins last weekend, and Newell’s are one of only three sides to have managed more than one away win in the league this season. We also discuss River Plate’s ongoing struggles to find form and the other highlights of a low-scoring weekend, before turning our eye on Independiente’s campaign in the B so far – El Rojo are now five matches unbeaten, having endured an awful start to the season. Questions include ‘why fernet?’ and ‘is Caruso Lombardi really the Argentine Mourinho?’ Since we recorded, Lanús and River have both progressed from their Copa Sudamericana ties – they’ll play each other in the quarter-finals.

As ever, Mystic Sam’s predicitons are below. And don’t forget you can subscribe to us on iTunes.

Mystic Sam’s ninth round predictions
Arsenal v Godoy Cruz
All Boys v Central
Estudiantes v Vélez
Rafaela v Olimpo
San Lorenzo v Gimnasia
Tigre v Colón
Belgrano v Racing
Newell’s v Argentinos
Boca v Quilmes
Lanús v River

Episode 118: No away wins, Racing are awful and Central are almost as bad

The hundred-and-eighteenth episode of Hand Of Pod is recorded unusually early in the day, and features only two voices: those of Sam and English Dan. We discuss River Plate getting upset by refereeing (and why they’ve only themselves to blame for not winning the match anyway), Boca Juniors being perhaps a tad better than we’ve given them credit for – at least at home to crap opponents – and the crap opponents in question: Racing, who continue to be awful following the introduction of Carlos Ischia as manager. All this and much more – and it’s only 47 minutes long this week! How we spoil you sometimes.

As usual, Mystic Sam’s predictions are right below, and you can click here to subscribe to us on iTunes.

Mystic Sam’s eighth round predictions
Godoy Cruz v Tigre
Racing v Newell’s
Olimpo v Belgrano
Central v Arsenal
Quilmes v Lanús
Estudiantes v Gimnasia
Colón v San Lorenzo
Argentinos v Boca
River v All Boys
Vélez v Rafaela

Episode 117: Argentina secure World Cup place, Argentinos lead league & River finally click

The hundred-and-seventeenth episode of Hand Of Pod sees Sam, Joel and Andrés discussing Argentina’s confirmation of their place in the Brazil 2014 World Cup, courtesy of an historic 5-2 away win over Paraguay on Tuesday night. After that, we move on to review a surprise-filled weekend of Torneo Inicial action which saw Mystic Sam get only one prediction correct. River Plate’s attack finally clicked (as did Olimpo’s), Racing avoided defeat, Newell’s were tonked by Vélez Sarsfield and more. Independiente also managed their first win in the B on Monday evening, a fact we completely forgot to mention even in passing. There’s always next week…

As usual, you’ll find Mystic Sam’s recommendations of what to absolutely, definitely not bet on this weekend below. And you can click here if you still haven’t subscribed to us on iTunes, and want to.

Mystic Sam’s predictions
Lanús v Argentinos
Belgrano v Vélez
All Boys v Quilmes
Newell’s v Olimpo
San Lorenzo v Godoy Cruz
Rafaela v Estudiantes
Tigre v Central
Boca v Racing
Arsenal v River
Gimnasia v Colón

Episode 116: Racing & Independiente’s new management, Argentinos’ fine start and much more

The hundred-and-sixteenth episode of Hand Of Pod sees Sam welcome German/Swiss/Chinese Dan (who is actually English) to his living room, as well as Andrés Bruckner, who makes his HOP debut. Also appearing is Sam’s brother William, who’s in town for a couple of months. Topics up for discussion are Racing and Independiente’s new managers – both have been announced since we last recorded – Argentinos Juniors’ fine start to the season, River Plate’s continuing awfulness, Estudiantes’ renaissance, and the various Copa Sudamericana ties (as this episode is uploaded, River and San Lorenzo are approaching half time in the second leg of theirs). The uploading of this episode was delayed by Jewish new year festivities – Sam’s girlfriend is Jewish – so a belated Shana Tová to all our Jewish listeners!

Mystic Sam’s predictions, as ever, are below. You can click here to subscribe to us on iTunes.

Mystic Sam’s predictions
Vélez v Newell’s
Estudiantes v Belgrano
Godoy Cruz v Colón
Argentinos v All Boys
Rafaela v Gimnasia
Racing v Lanús
Quilmes v Arsenal
Central v San Lorenzo
River v Tigre
Olimpo v Boca