Episode 286: The gap at the top shrinks a little, Scocco shines again, and Argentina gear up

The two hundred and eighty-sixth episode of Hand Of Pod sees Sam joined by English Dan and Andrés to look back on a weekend of Superliga action which saw the gap at the top close to six points after Boca Junior could only draw following Talleres’ victory. That sets things up nicely for the resumption of hostilities after the international break, when Talleres visit Boca. Elsewhere, Racing thrashed Patronato and River Plate, fresh from their Supercopa win, deservedly beat Belgrano 3-1, with Nacho Scocco coming off the bench to score twice. Should he still be a sub? Finally, we discuss the Argentine national team, and how Jorge Sampaoli will be approaching their two upcoming friendlies.

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Episode 280: the top two draw; Scocco’s solo brilliance, and Lautaro Martínez’s hat trick

Episode 280 of Hand Of Pod sees Sam and Andrés discuss an entertaining round of Superliga action which saw the gap at the top remain at six points, thanks to second place San Lorenzo’s 1-1 draw with league leaders Boca Juniors. Talleres went third with a fortuitous win over Temperley, and we also look at headline-grabbing solo performances for River Plate and Racing – namely Ignacio Scocco’s brace, including a spectacular second, for River, and Lautaro Martínez’s first senior hat trick for Racing.

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.

This week, Mystic Lee takes on Mystic Sam.

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

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

Episode 112: Previewing the 2013 Torneo Inicial

The hundred-and-twelfth episode of Hand Of Pod sees Sam and Santiago reviewing the couple of weeks of transfer activity that have followed episode 111, and previewing the 2013 Torneo Inicial. First, we answer the question on everyone’s lips: ‘What is a Gerardo Martino, and why has it been chosen to manage FC Barcelona?’ after which we get into the important stuff. You know – the domestic stuff. Who have been the winners and losers in terms of players out and in? Which club have decided to get around restrictions on non-Argentine players by, erm, completely ignoring said restrictions? Can Boca possibly do any worse than they did in the first six months of the year? And how have the AFA managed to make twats of themselves since you last heard from us? Step this way, and we’ll fill you in.

As ever, you’ll find Mystic Sam’s predictions below. If you’re an Apple fan/tolerator, you can click here to subscribe to us on iTunes, and if you  want to find out how Mystic Sam does (almost) as the weekend unfolds, you can follow us on Twitter. Please. We’ll love you forever.

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