Episode 299: Reviewing Argentina v Iceland and previewing Argentina v Croatia

The two hundred and ninety-ninth episode of Hand Of Pod sees Sam joined by English Dan and Andrés to look back on a faltering start to the World Cup group stage for Argentina, who drew 1-1 with Iceland on Saturday. What changes is Jorge Sampaoli making? What changes should he make? And how much scope for improvement is there, really? Perhaps foolishly, we’re remaining optimistic about the Croatia game, which we’ll review in HOP300 on Friday.

A reminder that HOP is now on Patreon, where you’ll find two extra mini-episodes each week if you support us to the tune of US$5 per month or more. The latest HOP Extra, recorded right after we finished up episode 299, is already online. You can join the ranks of our supporters here.

You can follow HOP in various ways. We have a Facebook page, for example, and we’re on Twitter as well. You can subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher or TuneIn.

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Episode 294: the end-of-season special

The two hundred and ninety-fourth episode of Hand Of Pod sees Sam joined by English Dan and Andrés to discuss the final weekend of Superliga 2017–18 action, in which there were a few high-scoring games, a few surprising results (including Independiente, Talleres and Racing falling over one another in their rush to not qualify for the Copa Libertadores)and a tight finish all round for the Copa places. We also have a look at a bad week for gender relations at the AFA and for TyCSports’ publicity department.

A reminder that HOP is now on Patreon, where you’ll find two extra mini-episodes each week if you support us to the tune of US$5 per month or more. The latest HOP Extra, recorded right after we finished up episode 292, is already online. You can join the ranks of our supporters here.

You can follow HOP in various ways. We have a Facebook page, for example, and we’re on Twitter as well. You can subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher or TuneIn.

In a ding-dong battle last week, Mystic Sam triumphed 7-6 over Mystic Chris. This week of course there are no predictions, so instead here’s what the Listeners’ XI of the Season, as voted for by our Twitter followers, looks like:

M. Campaña (IND)

F. Bustos (IND) —- G. Conti (COL) —- L. Magallán (BOC) —- F. Fabra (BOC)

W. Barrios (BOC)

M. Meza (IND) ————————— G. Fernández (GCR)

C. Pavón (BOC) —————————————————————————————- G. Martínez (RIV)

L. Martínez (RAC)

Because Sam is an idiot, Franco Armani and Ricardo Centurión were both listed among the nominations accidentally even though both were one game short of the stated 15-appearance minimum. Both won their votes (Armani as goalkeeper, Centurión in the LMC position Pol Fernández has taken), but have been disqualified following a steward’s enquiry.

Episode 293: Boca win a second straight title

It was fitting, given the way the season has gone, that Boca Juniors sealed their second consecutive league title with a draw in which they almost seemed to be trying to let the point slip away from them at times. In the two hundred and ninety-third episode of Hand Of Pod, Sam is joined by Andrés and Mariano to discuss Boca’s title, why none of the chasing pack (not least San Lorenzo) had the wherewithal to make it into a proper title race, and all the ups and downs of the penultimate weekend of Superliga action, as well as looking forward to the final round of games.

A reminder that HOP is now on Patreon, where you’ll find two extra mini-episodes each week if you support us to the tune of US$5 per month or more. The latest HOP Extra, recorded right after we finished up episode 292, is already online. You can join the ranks of our supporters here.

You can follow HOP in various ways. We have a Facebook page, for example, and we’re on Twitter as well. You can subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher or TuneIn.

Last week, Mystic Sam beat Mystic Nate 7-3. This week, Mystic Chris is the challenger.

Mystic Chris
Chacarita v San Martín
Lanús v Atl. Tucumán
Patronato v Banfield
Defensa y Justicia v Arsenal
Olimpo v Talleres
Unión v Independiente
Belgrano v Temperley
Godoy Cruz v Tigre
Huracán v Boca
Vélez v Argentinos
Central v Estudiantes
Racing v Colón
River v San Lorenzo
Gimnasia v Newell’s Old Boys

Mystic Sam
Chacarita v San Martín
Lanús v Atl. Tucumán
Patronato v Banfield
Defensa y Justicia v Arsenal
Olimpo v Talleres
Unión v Independiente
Belgrano v Temperley
Godoy Cruz v Tigre
Huracán v Boca
Vélez v Argentinos
Central v Estudiantes
Racing v Colón
River v San Lorenzo
Gimnasia v Newell’s Old Boys

Episode 290: the relegation race is settled, but is the title race back on … again?

The two hundred and ninetieth episode of Hand Of Pod sees Sam joined by Peter and Andrés to look back on a weekend of Superliga action in which the remaining three relegation spots were all decided, and the title race one last breath of life given to it thanks to Godoy Cruz’s sixth consecutive win and Boca Juniors’ second consecutive defeat. River Plate’s efficient form continues, and we look at why Vélez Sarsfield have become so much harder to beat under Gabriel Heinze, even though they’re still winning barely any matches.

You can follow HOP in various ways. We have a Facebook page, for example, and we’re on Twitter as well. You can subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher or TuneIn.

Mystic Sam was beaten 8-5 by Mystic WaywardfromHayward last week. This week, he takes on Mystic Liam.

Mystic Liam
Argentinos v Olimpo
Estudiantes v Belgrano
San Martín v Lanús
Temperley v Vélez
Talleres v Gimnasia
Banfield v Godoy Cruz
San Lorenzo v Chacarita
Tigre v Huracán
Central v Racing
Atl. Tucumán v Unión
Arsenal v River
Boca v Newell’s
Colón v Patronato
Independiente v Defensa y Justicia

Mystic Sam
Argentinos v Olimpo
Estudiantes v Belgrano
San Martín v Lanús
Temperley v Vélez
Talleres v Gimnasia
Banfield v Godoy Cruz
San Lorenzo v Chacarita
Tigre v Huracán
Central v Racing
Atl. Tucumán v Unión
Arsenal v River
Boca v Newell’s
Colón v Patronato
Independiente v Defensa y Justicia

Episode 289: Defensa shock Boca, but no one can take advantage

The two hundred and eighty-ninth episode of Hand Of Pod sees Sam, English Dan and Andrés meet to discuss a weekend of action in the Superliga which saw Boca Juniors’ defeat to Defensa y Justicia on Saturday throw the door wide open for Talleres and San Lorenzo … and Talleres and San Lorenzo both fail completely to take advantage. There’s a new second place team thanks to Godoy Cruz tonking San Lorenzo 5-0 on Sunday, but they’re still seven points behind the leaders and there are now just five games remaining. Elsewhere, River Plate kept up their great run of domestic form with a 2-0 away win over Racing that was clinical if not spectacular, and Chacarita Juniors aren’t dead yet – have a listen to find out why Sam reckons there’s an AFA conspiracy to keep them in the Superliga (well, not really. But if they win again this weekend with some iffy refereeing, then maybe).

You can follow HOP in various ways. We have a Facebook page, for example, and we’re on Twitter as well. You can subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher or TuneIn.

Last week, Mystic Sam beat Mystic Jimmy 8-5. This week, Mystic WaywardfromHayward steps up to the plate.

Mystic Wayward
Gimnasia v Atl. Tucumán
Huracán v Argentinos
Godoy Cruz v Temperley
Olimpo v San Martín
Lanús v Banfield
Belgrano v Arsenal
Defensa y Justicia v Racing
Unión v Tigre
Patronato v Estudiantes
Chacarita v Colón
River v Central
Independiente v Boca
Newell’s v Talleres
Vélez v San Lorenzo

Mystic Sam
Gimnasia v Atl. Tucumán
Huracán v Argentinos
Godoy Cruz v Temperley
Olimpo v San Martín
Lanús v Banfield
Belgrano v Arsenal
Defensa y Justicia v Racing
Unión v Tigre
Patronato v Estudiantes
Chacarita v Colón
River v Central
Independiente v Boca
Newell’s v Talleres
Vélez v San Lorenzo

Episode 288: Boca are almost champions; Arsenal are already relegated

The two hundred and eighty-eighth episode of Hand Of Pod sees Sam and Andrés meet to discuss a weekend of Superliga action which saw the title race all but ended by Pablo Pérez’s 92nd minute winner for Boca Juniors against second placed Talleres. Why did he argue with Boca’s fans immediately afterwards? Why didn’t Carlos Tevez play that game? These are among the questions we answer. Elsewhere, River Plate’s resurgence continues – the giants are now just two points off the Copa Sudamericana places, a situation that would have seemed unthinkable a few weeks ago. And we bid farewell, for the moment at least, to Arsenal de Sarandí’s participation in the top flight of Argentine football; they were relegated after Patronato’s 3-0 win against Rosario Central on Sunday.

You can follow HOP in various ways. We have a Facebook page, for example, and we’re on Twitter as well. You can subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher or TuneIn.

Last week, Mystic Sam beat Mystic Ahmed 8-5. Next up for some prediction punishment is Mystic Jimmy.

Mystic Jimmy
Independiente v San Lorenzo
Tigre v Gimnasia
Argentinos v Unión
Central v Belgrano
Temperley v Lanús
Colón v Vélez
Banfield v Olimpo
Boca v Defensa y Justicia
San Lorenzo v Godoy Cruz
San Martín v Huracán
Atlético Tucumán v Newell’s
Talleres v Independiente
Racing v River
Arsenal v Patronato
Estudiantes v Chacarita

Mystic Sam
Independiente v San Lorenzo
Tigre v Gimnasia
Argentinos v Unión
Central v Belgrano
Temperley v Lanús
Colón v Vélez
Banfield v Olimpo
Boca v Defensa y Justicia
San Lorenzo v Godoy Cruz
San Martín v Huracán
Atlético Tucumán v Newell’s
Talleres v Independiente
Racing v River
Arsenal v Patronato
Estudiantes v Chacarita

Hand Of Pod Extra – preview episode

Welcome to a special free preview of Hand Of Pod Extra. HOP Extra will be a weekly mini podcast available to supporters who put in enough to reach the appropriate reward tier on our upcoming Patreon page (which is not yet live). Sam will record a short bit each Sunday evening summarising the main talking points of the weekend. We wanted to give you an idea before launching the Patreon of what this extra episode would sound like, so enjoy!