Episode 162: Central claim victory in the Rosario clásico, River still lead the way and more

The hundred and sixty-second episode of Hand Of Pod sees Sam, Peter and Andrés joined one last time (or so he claims) by Neil Clack, author of an actual published book. We look back on Rosario Central’s 2-0 win over Newell’s Old Boys in last weekend’s clásico rosarino, and consider where Newell’s go next, before reviewing the rest of the weekend’s action – and a very satisfying seven days for River Plate. The Argentine sides in the Copa Sudamericana get a once-over (except Boca, who only secured their place in the quarter-finals a couple of hours after we finished recording this episode), and we talk a bit about the incoming league structure and other annoying related things.

As ever, Mystic Sam’s previews for this weekend’s matches are below. You can subscribe to us on iTunes or Stitcher, and follow us on Twitter.

Mystic Sam’s thirteenth round predictions
Belgrano v Central
Independiente v Tigre
Vélez v Banfield
Newell’s v Godoy Cruz
Olimpo v Racing
Estudiantes v Quilmes
Lanús v San Lorenzo
Boca v Defensa y Justicia
Atlético de Rafaela v River
Arsenal v Gimnasia

Episode 154: A glut of goals, Vélez have maximum points and crisis at Boca Juniors

The hundred and fifty-fourth episode of Hand Of Pod is one of those rare episodes which clocks in at well under an hour. Sam is joined by English Dan for a daytime recording, looking back on a goal-filled weekend of action in the Primera which saw no fewer than three 4-0 scorelines and a 3-3 – this season still hasn’t produced any goalless draws. Vélez Sarsfield and River Plate particularly impressed, whilst a 3-0 win for Atlético de Rafaela – their first ever in La Bombonera – has plunged Boca Juniors still deeper into crisis.  We wonder how much longer Carlos Bianchi can cling on as manager, and whether Boca’s problems run deeper than simply having let Juan Román Riquelme go during the winter transfer window. There’s a midweek round (or two-thirds of one, at least) on Tuesday and Wednesday, hence the early recording of this episode.

As ever, Mystic Sam’s fourth round predictions are below. You can subscribe to HOP on iTunes and on Stitcher, and follow us on Twitter.

Mystic Sam’s fourth round predictions (including the postponed games originally scheduled for Thursday)
Belgrano v Gimnasia
Olimpo v Independiente
Racing v Arsenal
Atlético v Newell’s
Central v Godoy Cruz
River v Defensa y Justicia
Estudiantes v Boca
Banfield v Tigre
Vélez v Lanús
Quilmes v San Lorenzo

Episode 153: Running the rule over Rojo and Fernández, an excellent showing from River and more

Sam, Peter and Andrés begin Hand Of Pod 153 with a look at two of the biggest Argentine moves in the European transfer window so far – World Cup star Marcos Rojo’s move from Sporting to Manchester United, and World Cup flop Federico Fernández’s transfer from Napoli to Swansea City. We ask how much the World Cup really told us about both players’ levels. We then look back on the second weekend of Primera División action, which saw a superb performance from River Plate, a comfortable 2-0 win for Racing over newly-crowned champions of South America San Lorenzo, and an undeserved but potentially morale-boosting victory for Boca Juniors away to Belgrano, as well as a rollicking five-goal thriller between Banfield and Defensa y Justicia, two of the promoted sides. Enjoy.

As ever, you can subscribe to HOP on iTunes and Stitcher, and follow us on Twitter. Mystic Sam’s predictions for the third round (at the time of uploading, Arsenal have already beaten Olimpo 1-0, and Tigre have, erm, handed out a 4-0 thrashing to Racing(!)) are below.

Mystic Sam’s third round predictions
Arsenal v Olimpo
Tigre v Racing
Gimnasia v Central
Newell’s v Belgrano
Independiente v Vélez
San Lorenzo v Banfield
Lanús v Estudiantes
Defensa y Justicia v Quilmes
Boca v Atlético
Godoy Cruz v River

Episode 152: San Lorenzo win the Libertadores, Martino is the new Argentina boss & more

On the hundred and fifty-second episode of Hand Of Pod, Sam, Peter, Andrés and Joel are joined by Neil Clack, a former resident of Buenos Aires and author of Animals! The Story of England v Argentina, who is visiting BA again after a few years away. We’ve got a lot to talk about, starting with San Lorenzo’s first ever Copa Libertadores win on Wednesday night. We also discuss Gerardo Martino’s unveiling as Argentina manager after Alejandro Sabella stood down, Juan Sebastián Verón’s announcement that he’ll stand for the Estudiantes de La Plata presidency in September, yet more potential messing around with the league structure… oh, and the first weekend of league action, because that happened as well. It’s a long one, but we hope you’ll enjoy it.

Mystic Sam’s second round predictions are below, as ever (Newell’s v Gimnasia has already been played, and ended 1-1). You can subscribe to us on iTunes or Stitcher (or both), and follow us on Twitter.

Mystic Sam’s second round predictions
Newell’s v Gimnasia
Olimpo v Tigre
Banfield v Defensa y Justicia
Vélez v Arsenal
Estudiantes v Independiente
Quilmes v Godoy Cruz
Racing v San Lorenzo
River v Central
Belgrano v Boca
Atlético v Lanús