Episode 258: Two runners left in the title race, and the relegation battle hots up

The two hundred and fifty-eighth episode of Hand Of Pod comes after a weekend in which the relegation battle became significantly more heated, with most of the sides in or near the drop zone winning (in some cases significantly against expectations). Sam, English Dan and Andrés consider the weekend’s key moments, and also look at a title race which is increasingly looking like a straight sprint between leaders Boca Juniors and second placed River Plate. We also have a roundup of all the Copa Libertadores groups, which come to an end this week, and in a HOP first, a head-to-head in this week’s mystical predictions!

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Last week, Mystic Sam got 6/15. This week, we have two guest predictors!

Mystic Liam’s predictions
Aldosivi v Independiente
Colón v Gimnasia
Banfield v Temperley
Newell’s v Olimpo
Huracán v Boca
San Martín v Sarmiento
Racing v San Lorenzo
Defensa y Justicia v Tigre
Arsenal v Lanús
Talleres v Atlético Tucumán
River v Central
Atlético de Rafaela v Belgrano
Patronato v Godoy Cruz
Estudiantes v Unión
Vélez v Quilmes

Mystic Chris’s predictions
Aldosivi v Independiente
Colón v Gimnasia
Banfield v Temperley
Newell’s v Olimpo
Huracán v Boca
San Martín v Sarmiento
Racing v San Lorenzo
Defensa y Justicia v Tigre
Arsenal v Lanús
Talleres v Atlético Tucumán
River v Central
Atlético de Rafaela v Belgrano
Patronato v Godoy Cruz
Estudiantes v Unión
Vélez v Quilmes

Episode 131: River & Boca being better than rubbish, San Lorenzo beginning with (two) defeats & more

The hundred-and-thirty-first episode of Hand Of Pod sees Sam, Andrés and Rob look back over the opening weekend of the 2014 Torneo Final, which featured better than expected (better than we expected, at least) performances from River Plate and Boca Juniors, champions San Lorenzo starting as they don’t mean to go on with a defeat away to Olimpo in Bahía Blanca, an impressive win for Racing – who endured a typically farcical situation surrounding their new signing Wason Rentería – and more. We ask whether Newell’s have shot themselves in the foot by not adding to their strike force and whether Argentinos Juniors are going to be more entertaining this year, and give you the back story to the 20-year-old who’ll be making his debut in goal for Belgrano away to Boca Juniors on Sunday.

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

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