Football Champions

Could it be really true? Can one really interpret that Spanish International & MANCHESTER CITY 26 year old midfielder DAVID SILVA is making signs to REAL MADRID? Apparently this is the "in-between the lines" speculation by English newspaper "Daily Mirror", which says that the refusal by Silva to renew his contract with City maybe a tactic to pressure his Club.



David Silva

It is believed, or

Can any Football Club resist a 50M€ offer for one of its players? According to the English press,  Premier League Champions MANCHESTER CITY are preparing the super offer for ATLETICO DE MADRID Colombian forward FALCAO. The rumour of a possible Falcao transfer has been hot since the end of the season, as Atletico needs money for its own purposes, apart from a contract payment on Falcao that they

MANCHESTER CITY representatives have been said to have met up with the brother of ATHLETIC CLUB BILBAO & Spanish International forward FERNANDO LLORENTE , "Chus" who is also the players rep. The meeting was to express the clear interest of the English Premier League Champions to get the player over to England. That was back 27th of Abril & since then Real Madrid , FC Barcelona & others have

The rumour comes out of England & precisely from the daily newspaper "Sunday Mirror". The source is want it is but the rumour is not new at all especially here in Spain when it comes to Argentine International forward SERGIO AGUERO.



Sergio Aguero


The interest of REAL MADRID for the MANCHESTER CITY forward comes from the past as they failed - or backed out - to sign the Argentine last season

I actually enjoy this period of the end of the Football season & summer time. Apart from the warmer weather & longer sunny days, the numerous Football transfer rumours that one wakes up to everyday. 



Toure


The latest Spanish Football transfer rumour is the apparent interest ( denied by the Club involved ) shown by MANCHESTER CITY midfielder & ex FC Barcelona player YAYA TOURE towards REAL

Apparently, anointing Manchester United as English Premier League champions was a bit premature after all. Because after today's results, the gap between first-placed Man United and second-placed Manchester City is a mere five points.

There are five games left, including an uber-crucial Manchester derby (pronounced dar-bee) on April 30. In other words, there is everything left to play for.

If you're surprised at this turn of events, you're surely not alone. Forty-eight hours ago, Man United appeared to be in cruise control to repeat as champions and capture their fifth Premiership title in the last six years (and eighth in the last 13, if you're counting that far back). City had just imploded at the Emirates after dropping points at home against Sunderland the week prior. Roberto Mancini's men didn't seem capable of anything, even beating a 13th-placed club, much less by four goals to nothing. Yet that's exactly what happened today, as Citizens dropped West Bromwich Albion by 4-0.

More surprising still was United's loss to Wigan today, less than two days after looking so superior to Queens Park Rangers, whom Latics are battling for relegation (interestingly enough, QPR won today as well and like Wigan are clear of the drop zone, at least for now). It's unlike Sir Alex Ferguson to let his team become complacent so close to the end of the season, even with an eight point lead. With City having the edge in goal difference and the April 30 derby match taking place at Eastlands, Red Devils nation has reason to be worried.

If there's a bright spot for Man U, it's that City have the tougher schedule the rest of the way. The Sky Blues visit Newcastle, who will likely playing for a spot in the Champions League, on the penultimate matchday. City also play at 10th-placed Norwich (it's pronounced Norridge), while United play only one game away from Manchester, at Sunderland, on the last day of the season. Man U's other matches are against Aston Villa, who are crap, and Swansea, who are fading fast, having lost their last four in a row.

Still, it's not out of the question that United will drop points once or even twice, in addition to losing the derby match. The next couple of matchdays will be crucial. If City drop points in either of their next two games, at Norwich and Wolverhampton, while United take the maximum from theirs, it will in all likelihood be over. If the opposite happens, the April 30 grudgematch will take on an even greater significance. Either way, it's going to be tense. So buckle up!

According to local Spanish Sports paper "Marca",  & its front cover today, Manchester City & Argentine International SERGIO AGUERO is back on the agenda of REAL MADRID for next season. The fact is that "Kun" never left the agenda of the Spanish Football Club  because there may have been an "agreement" that the player go to England & thus "disarm" the then local "ATLETICO DE MADRID" bomb to return

There are rumours coming out of England that MANCHESTER CITY has its eyes firmly on REAL MADRID forward GONZALO HIGUAIN. These rumours are persistent & now Argentine & Manchester City out of grace player CARLOS TEVEZ comes into the equation.



Gonzalo Higuain


However, some local journos believe this could be a strategy by the representatives of Higuain to force, or let Real Madrid know, that a

It's an off year for English football. Despite all the money and hype, amid all the allegations of racist abuse and "handshakegate"s and other drama, English teams have consistently come up short in international competitions.

Take Arsenal. Here is a team that sit fourth in the English Premier League, which is good enough to make the UEFA Champions League next year. Other than one embarrassing display at Old Trafford in late August, Gunners have looked fully capable of hanging with the best teams in England.

Today, against AC Milan in the first elimination round of this year's UCL tourney, Gunners looked more like a youth side taking on the senior club -- or if you prefer a U.S.-centric comparison, the JVs facing the varsity. Either way, it wasn't pretty. Arsene Wenger's men were outplayed, outhustled and overwhelmed by the rossoneri, going down 4-0 in a game that frankly didn't look that close. The teams really didn't look like they belonged on the same pitch at the same time. Milan's pace was far faster, their passing crisper, their marking tighter. They made better runs in attack. Their goalkeeping was better. This was Arsenal's worst-ever defeat in European competition and one that, barring a miracle in the return leg, will leave them with nothing but the FA Cup and fourth place in the Prem to play for.

And it's not just Arse, either. Neither Manchester club (currently 1-2 in the Premiership) made it out of the group stage of this year's Champions League. That's just embarrassing considering the payroll disparities between the Mancunians and their group stage opponents, particularly in Man U's case (Otelul Gulati and FC Basel? Really?).

Or take the Europa League. Tottenham Hotspur were drawn into a group with teams from Ireland, Russia and Greece (Greece!) and couldn't even finish second. This is a club, Spurs, that are supposed to have a realistic shot at winning the league in the first time in (what might as well be) centuries. Birmingham City and Fulham didn't make it out of their groups either. I know there's a big gap between those clubs and the ones at the top of the Premiership table, but come on. Interestingly enough, the team with the toughest Europa League draw, Stoke City, actually qualified for the elimination round.

All of which begs the question: is this just a one year anomaly we are looking at? Or is the sun finally setting on the Premiership empire? Time will tell, but the signs are ominous. Last year's Champions League finale showed us just how far the gap has widened between the best team from Spain and its English counterpart. This year's Champions League and Europa League group stages demonstrated that English clubs at the very least play down to the level of inferior opponents, if they can indeed be called that. Today we saw that the fourth-placed Premiership side were little more than target practice for the top team in Italy.

What is the cause of this? That is another topic for another day but suffice it to say that it can't be economic, given all the petro and oligarch cash that has flooded the Premiership in recent years. That would mean that the players are certainly still world class. What about the coaching? We can sing the praises of Sir Alex and Arsene Wenger and Harry Redknapp and others, and deservedly so, but maybe, just maybe their counterparts on the continent have overtaken them. Arsenal especially just seem to lack something this season that could suggest Wenger has lost his magic touch. Do English teams maybe have a handicap when it comes to fitness levels? Have they gotten sloppy with their defending? These things deserve a look. Stay tuned.

Yesterday's 2-1 loss at Napoli has left Manchester City in a very precarious position in their Champions League group. Citizens now have to defeat Bayern Munich in the final matchday and hope Napoli somehow draw or lose at Villareal. The same Villareal that have a whopping zero (0) points from five Champions League games this season and sit 12th in the Spanish liga.

So things certainly don't look good for Robert Mancini's men. And the stakes are very large indeed. How large are we talking? Put it this way: Failure to advance to the Champions League quarterfinals would render City's season a disappointment. So much so that not even a first-ever Premiership title would lessen the pain much.

The financial implications alone are massive. With UEFA Fair Play rules set to go into effect, lack of television income from the knockout stages would take a major toll on City's ability to maintain their fabulous payroll. And if Man City exit the Champions League at this early stage, we will never know how good this team might be in the grand scheme of things.

That would be a real shame because judging by some of their better performances this season, Man City look like they could have the potential to go down as one of the great teams of the century. But for that to happen they need to prove themselves in Europe. And we aren't talking the Europa League either. It's Champions League or bust for these guys.

Defeating Bayern Munich may in fact be the easiest part of this. The Germans have first place in the group locked up so theres nothing to play for. The match at Eastlands comes in the middle of a four game stretch in 13 days for Jupp Heynckes's side. Expect Bayern to commit the wholly un-German act of falling on their sword.

Unfortunately, City can hardly expect much help from Villareal. The Spanish side have no dog in this fight either. They are sure to finish dead last in the group. The Napoli match is their second of four in a 10 day stretch. Like Bayern, they can be expected to rest starters.

City's exit from the Champions League may then be a foregone conclusion. A shame, but maybe this fate tells us everything we need to know about their standing in the whole scheme of things. Drawn into a group with only one elite team, Mancini's men were simply not up to the task. So what does that say about the rest of the Premiership, a league City seemed to dominate at will? Maybe, just maybe, English teams have been passed by the competition from the continent. Man United could struggle to qualify out of one of the weakest groups in this year's draw (though unlike their crosstown rivals, Sir Alex's men still control their destiny in that manner). Chelsea are in bad shape too after today's loss. It's entirely conceivable tht Arsenal become the only English club to advance to the knockout stage of the tournament. Who could have imagined that a month or two ago?

Photo taken from London Evening Standard without permission.

Yes I called it football, which I assure you has absolutely nothing to do with my desire to attract search engine traffic from outside the U.S.

Anyway, it is clear that the era of the "big four" in the English Premiership is over almost as quickly as it started. In its wake a three-tiered structure has emerged. Only, it's not quite as clear cut as the previous one. That is largely due to the fact that the new pecking order is still shaking out, which is very much the nature of the beast. Whenever there is a change in power structure, be it political, artistic or in more important areas of life, a period of upheaval is all but inevitable. Such is the situation we find ourselves in at the start of the new decade in the English Premier League.

How has this three-tiered power structure taken hold thus far? Let's take a look:

1. The top tier: Manchester United and Chelsea
This one's pretty easy. Man U and Chelsea have dominated the Premiership the past five years, during which time they have held a stranglehold on the league trophy. During the big four era, which we're defining as 2003 to 2009 (none of the big four finished outside the top five during this stretch), Arsenal and Liverpool figured into the title chase as well. That is no longer the case this season. It actually hasn't been the case in some time where Arsenal is concerned. Since 2005, when Gunners finished second, they have finished fourth three times and third once (in 2008). So Arsenal, though a splendid team, can no longer be viewed in the same class as the "elite two". By contrast, one could make the case that Arsene Wenger's side dominated the Premiership for the period before that: Between 1998 and 2005 Arsenal finished first or second every year, capturing three trophies. They remain the only team to go undefeated over the course of a Premiership season (in 2003-2004). We don't expect anybody to match that feat anytime soon, if ever. Or at least not in our lifetimes. The last team to do it before Arsenal were Preston North End in 1889.

As for Liverpool, they only finished second two times last decade. And we all know what's been going on this season (though at the time of this writing they were somewhat miraculously back in fifth place).

The argument that Arsenal and Liverpool have lost touch because of economics holds no water in my view. Yes, Reds are saddled with debt and Gunners might not flash the cash as often or with as much gravity as Chelsea. But both clubs have spent impressive sums on acquisitions in the past year, as the names Andrey Arshavin and Alberto Aquilani attest. Besides, who did Chelsea sign in the January transfer window? What about Man United, who have been sellers (Cristiano Ronaldo, Carlos Tevez) more than buyers the past year?

The decline of Liverpool and Arsenal is not a result of economics but of mismanagement. With the North London side it appears a case of Wenger being a bit too full of himself and his methods. Sure, Arsenal's style of play is entertaining but it's also finicky. Better defense is needed and a little brawn to go with the finesse would do wonders. With the Merseysiders, it's a clear case of Rafa Benitez' incompetence. Not so much in managing a game (though there too) but more in putting the talent he acquires to proper use.

So Reds and Gunners are no longer in the top tier. But as we'll see they aren't in the second tier either.

2. The middle tier: Aston Villa, Everton, Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester City.
Under its new owner Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Man City can outspend literally anybody, but it hasn't done them much good yet. That is finally starting to change after Mark Hughes was justifiably shown the door in December. Since Roberto Mancini took over from the Welshman, Citizens have won eight of 10 games and moved up to sixth in the standings. They are equal on points with fifth-placed Liverpool but have two games in hand. So Manchester City could make a move for fourth place, the spot currently occupied by Tottenham Hotspur. Spurs have had a solid season after two traumatic campaigns that saw them fall out of the Champions League contention they previously occupied. But Spurs are not an elite team by any means. They have a terrible record against the top three teams in the league and are probably at least two big signings away from being able to contend. Then again, so are a lot of teams. Like Aston Villa, who flirted with third place for a long time last season before falling off the pace. Or Everton, who have not lost a league match this year. Villa and Everton lack the financial resources of City or even Spurs, but they make up for it with two of the best minds in the game. If either David Moyes or Martin O'Neill were English one of them would have gotten the call to manage the Three Lions a long time ago. But England's loss is the Premiership's gain. If Everton had Man United's money, David Moyes would be Alex Ferguson. Come to think of it, he's kind of the obvious heir apparent to Sir Alex at Old Trafford should the old boy step down (dude's 68 years old. It can't be that much longer now).

Together, the Man City-Villa-Spurs-Everton quartet occupy a type of purgatory in the EPL. They aren't good enough to compete with the big boys but aren't bad enough to have to worry about relegation. They may make forays in one direction or the other, and may manage a top three finish one of these years if everything goes exactly right. But mostly, this is who they are. The one possible exception is Man City, who could be seen as favorites to finish third next season now that they have proper leadership.

3. The lower tier: Everybody else (except Liverpool and Arsenal).
Speaking of purgatory, Liverpool and Arsenal aren't in this group either. They're better than that, obviously. They're probably better than the mid-tier clubs as well, though they may not always show it. For now, the fates of these two teams can simply not be determined. It may be another year before they take their spots in the pecking order.

There isn't really much that can be said about the lower tier teams. They are almost without exception wholly uninteresting. Even Fulham, who have been the best of the bunch the past season and a half or so, can be painful to watch sometimes. Each of these clubs may have one or two players who stand out. But once they are fully established, a richer club in England or Europe snatches them up. Though that too is increasingly rare. For the most part these teams trade players with each other. Unable to afford the big talent, they are forced to settle on the bargain bin. Which explains why, no matter how skilled their manager, they are doomed to the Premiership's equivalent of the third estate.

Sure, some will make forays into the top eight from time to time. Others will be relegated. They're essentially interchangeable parts, though every now and then somebody will come around and really stink it up (like Derby County a few years ago or Pompey earlier this season). But for the most part there is very little that separates these teams. On any given day any one of them could beat another one.

In fact, who's to say this pertains just to the bottom 12 Premiership clubs? Are the likes of Hull City and Pompey and Burnley really that much (or at all) better than Newcastle or West Bromwich Albion or Nottingham Forest? I'd have to watch more of the Coca Cola Championship to say for sure, but I have a feeling the difference is negligible.

So there you have it. The new power structure in English football. Get used to it, because it will probably be here for a while.

Photo taken from Independent.co.uk without permission.

You might call the week that was Separation Week in European soccer. The Champions League group stage completed play and with it the chances of certain clubs finishing in the top 10 by season's end (you know who you are, Juventus). Other teams are resurgent, having rescued their seasons from the brink (Bayern Munich). Then there are clubs that limp into the elimination round. such as Olympique Lyon. Finally there was a string of upsets in the Premiership and Serie A that needed to be taken into account. How would it all shake out? Read on and you'll see.

1. Barcelona
Last ranking: 1
Record (wins-losses-ties, in all competition; two-leg match-ups count as one): 18-1-5
Results of note: (chronological order) Beat Shakhtar Donetsk (at the time ranked 14th) in overtime in the UEFA SuperCup, Aug. 29, drew at then-No. 6 Inter Milan in Champions League group stage (0-0, Sept. 16), beat then-No. 14 Dynamo Kiev at home in Champions League group stage (2-0, Sept. 29), drew at then-No. 18 Valencia (0-0, Oct. 17), lost at home to then-No. 23 Rubin Kazan (2-1, Oct. 20), drew at then-No. 11 Rubin Kazan (0-0, Nov. 4), beat then-No. 2 Inter Milan (2-0, Nov. 24), beat then-No. 7 Real Madrid (1-0, Nov. 29), won at then-No. 15 Dynamo Kiev (2-1, Dec. 9).
Commentary/recent results: For a few minutes last Wednesday it looked as if Barca's world might come crashing down. They were tied with Dynamo Kiev 1-1 and one goal away from missing the next round of the Champions League. Then Lionel Messi converted a free kick to give Barcelona the win and Inter Milan kept up their end of the bargain, defeating Rubin Kazan to give the blaugrana first place in the group. Also benefited from a phantom penalty call to defeat Espanyol Barcelona in the derby Saturday. There should be no dispute on the question of the best club in the world.
Upcoming schedule: That's it for this year. Their next game is Jan. 3 against Villareal.

2. Girondins Bordeaux
Last ranking: 4
Record: 17-4-2
Results of note: A scoreless draw at then-No. 18 Olympique Marseille (Aug. 30), drew at then No. 5 Juventus (1-1, Sept. 15), beat then-No. 16 Bayern Munich at home (2-1, Oct. 21), won at then-No. 19 Bayern Munich (2-0, Nov. 3), beat then-No. 6 Juventus at home (2-0, Nov. 25), won at then-No. 21 Olympique Lyonnais (1-0, Dec. 13).
Commentary/recent results: These guys are the second-best team in the world? Right now, yes. Their overall record matches up against Chelsea's and Manchester United's and their schedule, while not quite Premiership tough, has not been easy by any means (their Champions League group was much harder than either English team's for example). But we'll admittedly have to wait until the next stage(s) of the Champions League to find out how good Bordeaux truly are. For now, with this much evidence at our disposal, we think second place stands up to scrutiny. Last week was another solid week for les girondins, who after winning a meaningless game over Maccabi Haifa put Ligue Un rivals Olympique Lyon to the sword. A late strike by Moroccan international Marouane Chamakh was the difference in the game. Their lead in Ligue Un is four points over second-placed Montpellier, whom they face Wednesday.
Upcoming schedule: The aformentioned game at Montpellier Wednesday. Host Lorient Saturday.

3. Chelsea
Last ranking: 2
Record: 18-4-3
Results of note: Beat then-No. 10 Porto in Champions League group stage (1-0, Sept. 15), beat then-No. 7 Liverpool at home in Premiership (2-0, Oct. 4), beat then-No. 4 Man United at home in Premiership (1-0, Nov. 8), won at then-No. 12 Porto (1-0, Nov. 25), won at then-No. 9 Arsenal (3-0, Nov. 29).
Commentary/recent results: A pair of draws for Carlo Ancelotti's men. The first, against Nicosia (it's in Cyprus, which is like some island in the Mediterranean or something) was meaningless. The second, at home to Everton, wasn't. Believe it or not Blues were able to expand their lead atop the Premiership standings (to three points) because Man U did even worse than they did last week.
Upcoming schedule: Host Pompey Wednesday. At West Ham Sunday.

4. Manchester United
Last ranking: 3
Record: 17-5-2
Results of note: Beat then No. 4 Arsenal at home (2-1, Aug. 29), beat then-No. 13 Manchester City (4-3, Sept. 20), lost at then-No. 20 Liverpool (2-0, Oct. 25), lost at then-No. 1 Chelsea (1-0, Nov. 8)
Commentary/recent results: Red Devils had no problems defeating Wolfsburg in an all-but-meaningless Champions League match, then stumbled at home to Aston Villa, losing 1-0. They remain in second place in the Prem, now three points behind Chelsea.
Upcoming schedule: Host Wolves tomorrow. Visit Fulham Saturday.

5. Real Madrid
Last ranking: 7
Record: 14-4-3
Results of note: Lost at then-No. 9 Sevilla (2-1, Oct. 4). drew at then-No. 17 AC Milan (1-1, Nov. 3), lost at then-No. 3 Barcelona (1-0, Nov. 29), won at then-No. 12 Valencia (3-2, Dec. 12).
Commentary/recent results: The merengues won both their games last week; neither in particularly convincing fashion but they'll surely take it. The first, over Olympique Marseille, gave them first place in their Champions League group. The second, at Valencia, allows them to keep pace with Barcelona atop the Liga table. Five points separate the two rivals.
Upcoming schedule: Host Real Zaragossa Saturday. That's it until next year.

6. Inter Milan
Last ranking: 5
Record: 13-3-6
Results of note: Beat then-No. 10 AC Milan (4-0, Aug. 29), drew then-No. 2 Barcelona at home in Champions League group stage (0-0, Sept. 17), lost at Sampdoria (1-0, Sept. 26), drew then-No. 13 Dynamo Kiev at home (2-2, Oct. 20), beat then-No. 13. Dynamo Kiev on the road (2-1, Nov. 4), lost at then-No. 3 Barcelona (2-0, Nov. 24), lost at then-No. 11 Juventus (2-1, Dec. 5), beat then-No. 9 Rubin Kazan (2-0, Dec. 9).
Commentary/recent results: The nerazzurri completed their turnaround in the Champions League by defeating Rubin Kazan to qualify for the Round of 16. Yesterday they went ahead of Bergamo but settled for a 1-1 draw. However much like Chelsea this was enough for them to expand their lead atop the league table, in this instance to five points, because Juventus and AC Milan both lost games.
Upcoming schedule: Host Livorno in a Coppa Italia match Wednesday and Lazio Rome in Serie A Sunday.

7. Sevilla
Last ranking: 10
Record: 14-2-3
Results of note: Beat then No. 21 Unirea Urziceni in Champions League group stage at home (2-0, Sept. 16), won at then-No. 24 Glasgow Rangers in Champions League group stage (4-1, Sept. 30), defeated then-No. 1 Real Madrid at home (2-1, Oct. 4).
Commentary/recent results: Los palanganas reenter the top 10 after winning both games they played last week, at home over Glasgow Rangers and on the road at Sporting Gijon. The latter result moves them back into third place in the Spanish Liga, two points over Valencia (who lost to Real Madrid). It's nine points to first place Barcelona; four to second-placed Real Madrid. Is it too early to count these guys out of the title chase? No, though they did defeat Real Madrid a few months ago. But for now a top 10 spot is still in the offing, though we'll have to wait and see how they do in the next stage(s) of the Champions League. Their group was a joke.
Upcoming schedule: Host Getafe Saturday.

8. Arsenal
Last ranking: 11
Record: 14-5-2
Results of note: Lost at then-No. 5 Man United (2-1, Aug. 29), lost at then-No. 16 Man City (4-2, Sept. 12), beat then-No. 15 Olympiakos at home in Champions League group play (2-0, Sept. 29), beat then-No. 20 Liverpool at home in League Cup (2-1, Oct. 28), lost to then-No. 1 Chelsea at home in Premiership (3-0, Nov. 29).
Commentary/recent results: Gunners lost their Champions League match at Olympiakos 1-0 midweek, but it was meaningless for them and played mainly by scrubs so we won't hold it against them. Did well to beat Liverpool yesterday, reversing a 1-0 halftime deficit to win 2-1 and plunge Rafa Benitez' side further into their misery.
Upcoming schedule: At Burnley Wednesday. Host Hull City, Saturday. An intriguing match with Aston Villa is up a week from Saturday. That will be played at the Emirates (not the country).

9. AC Milan
Last ranking: 6
Record: 11-4-7
Results of note: Lost at then-No. 8 Inter Milan (4-0, Aug. 27), won at then-No. 16 Olympique Marseille (2-1, Sept. 15), won at then-No. 2 Real Madrid (3-2, Oct. 21), drew then-No. 5 Real Madrid at home (1-1, Nov. 3), drew against then-No. 22 Olympique Marseille (1-1, Nov. 25).
Commentary/recent results: The rossoneri had to rally for a 1-1 draw at lowly FC Zurich to advance out of their Champions League group. That was bad, but what happened yesterday was worse: A 2-0 home loss to Palermo that drops them five points behind crosstown rivals Inter in the scudetto chase. That loss was Milan's first since an ugly home defeat to FC Zurich back on Sept. 30.
Upcoming schedule: Visit Fiorentina Saturday.

10. Bayern Munich
Last ranking: 20
Record: 14-4-7
Results of note: Beat then-No. 11 VfL Wolfsburg at home (3-0, Aug. 28), lost at then-No. 22 Hamburg SV (1-0, Sept. 26), drew then-No. 5 Juventus at home in Champions League group stage (0-0, Sept. 30), lost at then-No. 17 Girondins Bordeaux (2-1, Oct. 21), lost at home to then-No. 7 Bordeaux (2-0, Nov. 3), tied then-No. 19 Bayer Leverkusen at home (1-1, Nov. 22), won at then-No. 8 Juventus (4-1, Dec. 8).
Commentary/recent results: A massive week for Bayern, who take a well deserved double digit leap in our rankings. The biggest game was obviously the midweek encounter at Turin's Olympic Stadium, where they amazingly won 4-1 to book advancement in the UEFA Champions League. They didn't rest on their laurels though, defeating Bochum 5-1 Saturday. If you're keeping score that's a 9-2 goal difference on the week. Not bad. They are now all the way up to third in the Bundesliga, just two points behind leaders Leverkusen. We were dangerously close to dropping Bayern from our rankings altogether a few weeks ago. Now? A top 10 spot may be theirs for a little while.
Upcoming schedule: Host Hertha Berlin Saturday. That should be tough. Not.

11. Porto
Last ranking: 14
Record: 14-4-1
Results of note: Lost at then-No. 3 Chelsea in Champions League group stage (1-0, Sept. 15), lost at home to then-No. 1 Chelsea (1-0, Nov. 25).
Commentary/recent results: The Dragoes had no problem in either game last week, winning 3-0 at Atletico Madrid in a meaningless Champions League encounter at midweek and defeating Vitoria Setubal yesterday. They move to within one point of Liga Sagres leaders Benfica and Sporting Braga with the victory
Upcoming schedule: Visit Benfica Sunday with a chance to take first place in Liga Sagres depending on what happens with Braga, who play at Pacos de Ferreira.

12. PSV Eindhoven
Last ranking: 13
Record: 18-0-5
Results of note: Drew at Twente (1-1, Aug. 9).
Commentary/recent results: Defeated defending Dutch champs AZ Alkmaar Saturday by 1-0. Though they remain unbeaten in all competition, PSV are only second in the Dutch Eredivisie, two points behind Twente.
Upcoming schedule:Close out the Europa League campaign at CFR Cluj Wednesday. PSV have wrapped up first place in the group so the game is meaningless. Visit Roda Kerkrade in Eredivisie action Sunday.

13. Olympiakos
Last ranking: 16
Record: 14-3-4
Results of note: Beat then-No. 17 AZ Alkmaar at home in Champions League group stage (1-0, Sept. 16), lost at then-No. 12 Arsenal in Champions League group stage (2-0, Sept. 29).
Commentary/recent results: Olympiakos defeated Arsenal at midweek to book their spot in the Champions League Round of 16, but we aren't giving them full credit for the victory because Arsenal showed up with scrubs. They also won their league match on the weekend to hold onto first place in the Greek Super League. Their lead over Panathinaikos remains one point.
Upcoming schedule: Visit Saloniki Sunday before taking a 16 day break. I thought Orthodox holidays were a week later? Whatever.

14. Rubin Kazan
Last Ranking: 9
Record: 20-6-8*
Results of note: In Champions League group stage lost at then-No. 20 Dynamo Kiev (3-1, Sept. 16), drew then-No. 6 Inter Milan at home (1-1, Oct. 6), won at then-No. 1 Barcelona (2-1, Oct. 20), drew then-No. 3 Barcelona at home (0-0, Nov. 3), drew then-No. 13 Dynamo Kiev at home (0-0, Nov. 24), lost at then-No. 5 Inter Milan (2-0, Dec 9).
Commentary/recent results: The Russian season is over. Kazan are champions. They'll play in the next round of the Europa League due to Dynamo Kiev losing their last Champions League group stage match at home to Barcelona.
Upcoming schedule: What starts first, the Russian league or the next stage of the Europa League? Anybody know?
*Russian league starts in the spring.

15. Juventus
Last ranking: 8
Record: 11-8-5
Results of note: Drew then-No. 9 Girondins Bordeaux at home in Champions League group stage (1-1, Sept. 16), drew at then-No. 17 Bayern Munich in Champions League group stage (0-0, Sept. 30), lost at then-No. 11 Bordeaux (2-0, Nov. 25), beat then-No. 3 Inter Milan (2-1, Dec. 5), lost at home to then-No. 20 Bayern Munich (3-1, Dec. 8).
Commentary/recent results: Just when they were starting to look like a top 10 club again the bianconeri had an ugly week that throws into question whether they even belong in the top 25 at all. First came the home loss to Bayern to send them to the Europa League at the German club's expense. Then lost at Bari, 3-1. Amazingly, they are only six points out of first place in Serie A and one behind second-placed AC Milan.
Upcoming schedule: Host last-placed Catania, Sunday.

16. Valencia
Last ranking: 12
Record: 11-2-6
Results of note: Defeated then-No. 9 Sevilla at home (2-0, Aug. 30), drew then-No. 1 Barcelona at home (0-0, Oct. 17), lost at home to then-No. 7 Real Madrid (3-2, Dec. 12).
Commentary/recent results: Lost at home to Real Madrid.
Upcoming schedule: Visit Genoa in the Europa League Thursday needing a win to secure first place in the group. Then play at Deportivo La Coruna in their last match of the year Sunday.

17. Dynamo Kiev
Last ranking: 15
Record: 15-4-3
Results of note: Won home match against then-No. 22 Rubin Kazan in Champions League group stage (3-1, Sept. 16), lost at then-No. 2 Barcelona in Champions League group stage, drew at then-No. 4 Inter Milan (2-2, Oct. 20), lost at then-No. 22 Shakhtar Donetsk in domestic cup (2-0, Oct. 28), lost at home to then-No. 2 Inter Milan (2-1, Nov. 4), defeated then-No. 14 Shakhtar Donetsk (3-0, Nov. 21), drew at then-No. 8 Rubin Kazan (0-0, Nov. 24), lost at home to then-No. 1 Barcelona (2-1, Dec. 9).
Commentary/recent results: After losing a close one to Barcelona, Kiev rebounded to win their Ukrainian league match over the weekend to hold onto first place in the Premier-Liga. They are in all likelihood the best team to not have any European competition after new year's.
Upcoming schedule: Nothing until February.

18. Benfica Lisbon
Last ranking: 22
Record: 15-3-3
Results of note: Lost at then-No. 22 Sporting Braga (2-0, Oct. 31), trounced Everton 5-0 in Europa League (Oct. 22)
Commentary/recent results: Drew Olhanense 2-2 on Saturday. Luckily for them, second placed Sporting Braga managed just a scoreless draw in their game. The two sides remain even on points atop the Liga Sagres table.
Upcoming schedule: Host AEK Athens in a meaningless Europa League match Thursday. Then host Porto Sunday in a highly meaningful Liga Sagres encounter. Porto trail Benfica and Braga by just one point in the standings.

19. Manchester City
Last ranking: 17
Record: 10-1-8
Results of note: Beat then-No. 8 Arsenal at home (4-2, Sept. 12), lost to then-No. 4 Manchester United (4-3, Sept. 20), beat then-No. 10 Arsenal at home in Carling Cup (3-0, Dec. 2), beat then-No. 1 Chelsea at home in Premiership (1-0, Dec. 5).
Commentary/recent results: A week after their uber-impressive victory over Chelsea Citizens picked up with their habit of drawing inferior teams. They did so at Bolton Wanderers Saturday, 3-3.
Upcoming schedule: It's off to White Hart Lane for what will probably be another draw against Tottenham Hotspur. They trail fifth-placed Spurs by a point in the Premiership, albeit with a game in hand. Host Sunderland Saturday.

20. Bayer Leverkusen
Last ranking: 18
Record: 8-1-8
Results of note: Won at then-No. 15 VfL Wolfsburg (3-2, Sept. 12), drew at then-No. 14 Hamburg SV (0-0, Oct. 17), drew at then-No. 24 Bayern Munich (1-1, Nov. 22).
Commentary/recent results: Another draw for Leverkusen, this one against last-placed Hertha Berlin. Their Bundesliga lead is down to one point, with Schalke 04 (second) and Bayern Munich (third) charging hard.
Upcoming schedule: Host Borussia Moenchengladbach Saturday.

21. Shakhtar Donetsk
Last ranking: 19
Record: 17-3-4
Results of note: Lost UEFA Supercup to then-No. 2 Barcelona (1-0 in overtime, Aug. 28), beat then-No. 10 Dynamo Kiev at home in domestic cup match (2-0, Oct. 28), lost at then No. 16 Dynamo Kiev (3-0, Nov. 21).
Commentary/recent results: Won both Ukrainian league matches to pull within two points of league leaders Dynamo Kiev.
Upcoming schedule: Visit Partizan Belgrade in a meaningless Europa League encounter Wednesday (they've wrapped up first place in the group). Then the long, cold Ukrainian winter. Play resumes Feb. 27.

22. Aston Villa
Last ranking: -
Record: 10-3-5
Results of note: Won at then-No. 7 Liverpool (3-1, Aug. 24), beat then-No. 3 Chelsea at home (2-1, Oct. 17), drew then-No. 10 Manchester City at home (1-1, Oct. 5), won at then-No. 3 Manchester United (1-0, Dec. 12).
Commentary/recent results: So fourth place in the Premiership has got to count for something, right? Right, if you pull off quality victories. Anybody can be fourth while beating up on the Wigans and Burnleys of the world. Heck, even Spurs could pull that off! Oh wait, they did pull that off for a little while. Anyway, the catalyst for putting Villa here is their impressive 1-0 victory at Old Trafford Saturday, their third in a row. Martin O'Neill's men haven't lost since a 2-1 decision at West Ham Nov. 4. Third-placed Arsenal have just two points on Villains, though also a game in hand.
Upcoming schedule: Visit Sunderland Tuesday. Host Stoke City Saturday. A date with third-placed Arsenal is on the docket Dec. 27. Remember last year when Villa were ahead of Arsenal for a few weeks and everybody said they'd make the Champions League and stuff? Maybe that will happen again. Maybe this time Villains will stick, or at least manage a fourth placed finish. Or at least make it to Europe.

23. Fenerbahce Istanbul
Last ranking: -
Record: 14-5-1
Results of note: Beat Galatasaray (3-1, Oct. 25), beat then-No. 20 Twente (Dec. 2, 1-0).
Commentary/recent results: Fener defeated some club by the name of MKE Ankaragücü. Don't ask me how to pronounce that. They are tied for first place in the Turkcell Super League, holding the edge on Kayserispor on goal difference. Galatasaray are just a point behind, with Bursaspor and Besiktas a point behind that. Looks like it's going to be a tight race in Turkey.
Upcoming schedule: Host Sheriff Tiraspol in a meaningless Europa League match Thursday (Fener have the group wrapped up). Also host Trabzonspor Sunday.

24. RSC Anderlecht
Last ranking: 25
Record: 16-5-4
Results of note: Lost Champions League qualifier against Olympique Lyon, drew Ajax Amsterdam at home in Europa League group stage (1-1, Oct. 1)
Commentary/recent results: Won at Westerlo Friday to increase their lead in the Belgian Jupiler league to seven points over FC Bruges.
Upcoming schedule: Host Ajax Amsterdam a Thursday in a match that is unfortunately meaningless in their Europa League group. Also host Bruges Sunday.

25.OSC Lille
Last ranking: -
Record: 10-7-5
Results of note: Beat then-No. 7 Girondins Bordeaux at home (2-0, Nov. 8), lost at then-No. 14 Valencia (3-1, Dec. 2), beat then-No. 18 Olympique Lyon (4-3, Dec. 6).
Commentary/recent results: Go ahead and laugh. L'OSC are third in France with several quality victories to their name. They stand to qualify for the next stage of the Europa League from a tough group. What's even more impressive is they started the season with just one point from their first four games (that lessens the load of seven losses on the year). Last week they won both Ligue Un matches by a combined 8-0 score (a pair of 4-0 decisions over St. Etienne and Monaco).
Upcoming schedule: Host Slavia Prague in a vital Europa League match (win and they're through to the next round) and Le Mans Sunday.

Dropping Out:
Olympique Lyonnais (21) after losing to Bordeaux, Werder Bremen (22) after losing at home to Schalke 04, LDU Quito (24) because I'm sick of having to defend them every week and because, seriously, they aren't the 25th best club in the world.

Also receiving consideration (in rough order of consideration received):
CSKA Moscow, Fiorentina, AS Roma, FK Copenhagen, Schalke 04.

Photo taken from inthestands.co.uk without permission.

With Chelsea losing we knew we'd have a new number one team. And with Barcelona winning both games they played last week, we had a pretty good idea who that team would be. Fine, but what about the rest of the top 25? Specifically, where would Manchester City end up? They would be included, right? Only one way to find out folks. Here you go:

1. Barcelona
Last ranking: 2
Record (wins-losses-ties, in all competition; two-leg match-ups count as one): 16-1-5
Results of note: (chronological order) Beat Shakhtar Donetsk (at the time ranked 14th) in overtime in the UEFA SuperCup, Aug. 29, drew at then-No. 6 Inter Milan in Champions League group stage (0-0, Sept. 16), beat then-No. 14 Dynamo Kiev at home in Champions League group stage (2-0, Sept. 29), drew at then-No. 18 Valencia (0-0, Oct. 17), lost at home to then-No. 23 Rubin Kazan (2-1, Oct. 20), drew at then-No. 11 Rubin Kazan (0-0, Nov. 4), beat then-No. 2 Inter Milan (2-0, Nov. 24), beat then-No. 7 Real Madrid (1-0, Nov. 29).
Commentary/recent results: Deportivo La Coruna hung with Barca for a half on Saturday. At the end of 45 minutes the score was 1-1. Then the floodgates opened and the Blaugrana walked off with a 3-1 victory. Lionel Messi had a brace. Earlier in the week they beat Xerez 2-0.
Upcoming schedule: Visit Dynamo Kiev for the Champions Group stage finale on Wednesday needing just a draw to assure advancement. The Barcelona derby is up after that, on Saturday.

2. Chelsea
Last ranking: 1
Record: 18-4-1
Results of note: Beat then-No. 10 Porto in Champions League group stage (1-0, Sept. 15), beat then-No. 7 Liverpool at home in Premiership (2-0, Oct. 4), beat then-No. 4 Man United at home in Premiership (1-0, Nov. 8), won at then-No. 12 Porto (1-0, Nov. 25), won at then-No. 9 Arsenal (3-0, Nov. 29).
Commentary/recent results: Chelsea lost as many games last week as they had the entire season before that. Not a good week. The Blackburn loss can be at least partly written off to Carlo Ancelotti fielding a "B" side for the match. Saturday's loss at Man City is a different matter. Blues were outplayed and deserved to lose. They deserve to surrender the top spot in our rankings as well. Oh well, it's not like Ancelotti made any cocky predictions about his team making the Premiership or anything. That would be really embarrassing.
Upcoming schedule: Host Nicosia in a meaningless Champions League encounter tomorrow and Everton in the Premiership on Saturday.

3. Manchester United
Last ranking: 4
Record: 16-4-2
Results of note: Beat then No. 4 Arsenal at home (2-1, Aug. 29), beat then-No. 13 Manchester City (4-3, Sept. 20), lost at then-No. 20 Liverpool (2-0, Oct. 25), lost at then-No. 1 Chelsea (1-0, Nov. 8)
Commentary/recent results: Red Devils had no problems rebounding from the loss to Chelsea, winning both games last week by a combined 6-0 score. They advance to the Carling Cup semis and move within two points of Chelsea with the results. A productive week.
Upcoming schedule: Visit Wolfsburg in a largely meaningless Champions League match tomorrow. Aston Villa is up Saturday at Old Trafford.

4. Girondins Bordeaux
Last ranking: 5
Record: 15-4-2
Results of note: A scoreless draw at then-No. 18 Olympique Marseille (Aug. 30), drew at then No. 5 Juventus (1-1, Sept. 15), beat then-No. 16 Bayern Munich at home (2-1, Oct. 21), won at then-No. 19 Bayern Munich (2-0, Nov. 3), beat then-No. 6 Juventus at home (2-0, Nov. 25).
Commentary/recent results: Les girondins defeated Paris Saint-Germain at home 1-0 to maintain their hold on first place in Ligue Un.
Upcoming schedule: Visit Maccabi Haifa at midweek in a completely meaningless Champions League encounter. Bordeaux are through as group winners and nothing that happens in the match or the other in the group (between Bayern Munich and Juventus) will change that. They'll want to rest the troops because a visit to Lyon is on tap for Sunday.

5. Inter Milan
Last ranking: 3
Record: 12-3-5
Results of note: Beat then-No. 10 AC Milan (4-0, Aug. 29), drew then-No. 2 Barcelona at home in Champions League group stage (0-0, Sept. 17), lost at Sampdoria (1-0, Sept. 26), drew then-No. 13 Dynamo Kiev at home (2-2, Oct. 20), beat then-No. 13. Dynamo Kiev on the road (2-1, Nov. 4), lost at then-No. 3 Barcelona (2-0, Nov. 24), lost at then-No. 11 Juventus (2-1, Dec. 5).
Commentary/recent results: The nerazzurri were defeated by Juventus Turin Saturday. The result breathes life back into the Serie A race, which looked to be all but decided in Inter's favor. Their lead is down to four points over AC Milan; five over Juve.
Upcoming schedule: Host Rubin Kazan on the final Champions League matchday Wednesday. A draw will likely see them through to the elimination round--unless, that is, Barca lose at Dynamo Kiev. Also play at Atalanta di Bergamo on Sunday.

6. AC Milan
Last ranking: 6
Record: 11-3-6
Results of note: Lost at then-No. 8 Inter Milan (4-0, Aug. 27), won at then-No. 16 Olympique Marseille (2-1, Sept. 15), won at then-No. 2 Real Madrid (3-2, Oct. 21), drew then-No. 5 Real Madrid at home (1-1, Nov. 3), drew against then-No. 22 Olympique Marseille (1-1, Nov. 25).
Commentary/recent results: The rossoneri trounced Sampdoria 3-0 on Saturday to move within four points of leaders Inter. Don't look now, but Leonardo's side haven't lost since that ugly home decision to FC Zurich back on Sept. 30.
Upcoming schedule: Speaking of Zurich, a visit to the Letzigrund is up next. Win and they're though to the elimination round for sure, though Milan can also advance with a loss depending on what happens in the Real Madrid v. Olympique Marseille match. Not that it should come to that. Also host Palermo Sunday.

7. Real Madrid
Last ranking: 7
Record: 12-4-3
Results of note: Lost at then-No. 9 Sevilla (2-1, Oct. 4). drew at then-No. 17 AC Milan (1-1, Nov. 3), lost at then-No. 3 Barcelona (1-0, Nov. 29).
Commentary/recent results: The merengues rebounded from the loss in the clasico to defeat Almeira 4-2.
Upcoming schedule: A crucial week. Play at Marseille tomorrow. They'll likely need to win that because FC Zurich can't be expected to give them much help against Milan. Then it's off to Valencia on Saturday.

8. Juventus
Last ranking: 11
Record: 11-6-5
Results of note: Drew then-No. 9 Girondins Bordeaux at home in Champions League group stage (1-1, Sept. 16), drew at then-No. 17 Bayern Munich in Champions League group stage (0-0, Sept. 30), lost at then-No. 11 Bordeaux (2-0, Nov. 25), beat then-No. 3 Inter Milan (2-1, Dec. 5).
Commentary/recent results: The bianconeri defeated league leaders Inter Milan on Saturday to perhaps salvage their season. It's certainly their most impressive result on the season to day (see above) and moves them back into the Top 10 after just one week's absence.
Upcoming schedule: Host Bayern Munich tomorrow in a crucial Champions League match. Win or drawand they're through. Lose, and it's Europa League time. Also play at Bari on Saturday.

9. Rubin Kazan
Last Ranking: 9
Record: 20-5-8*
Results of note: In Champions League group stage lost at then-No. 20 Dynamo Kiev (3-1, Sept. 16), drew then-No. 6 Inter Milan at home (1-1, Oct. 6), won at then-No. 1 Barcelona (2-1, Oct. 20), drew then-No. 3 Barcelona at home (0-0, Nov. 3), drew then-No. 13 Dynamo Kiev at home (0-0, Nov. 24).
Commentary/recent results: Idle. The Russian season is over. Kazan are champions. On to Europe.
Upcoming schedule: Kazan needs a win at San Siro Wednesday to get past Inter and wrap up a spot in the Champions League elimination round. Lose and they could still survive to see Europa League action depending on what happens in Kiev between Dynamo and Barcelona. The Ukranian side are one point behind Kazan in the group.
*Russian league starts in the spring.

10. Sevilla
Last ranking: 8
Record: 12-2-3
Results of note: Beat then No. 21 Unirea Urziceni in Champions League group stage at home (2-0, Sept. 16), won at then-No. 24 Glasgow Rangers in Champions League group stage (4-1, Sept. 30), defeated then-No. 1 Real Madrid at home (2-1, Oct. 4).
Commentary/recent results: Los palanganas managed just a 1-1 draw at home to lowly Valladolid (14th place in La Liga at time of this writing). They fall nine points off the pace off Barcelona with the result. Whatever feint title chances Sevilla might have been holding on to are likely shot at this point. No major surprise there.
Upcoming schedule: Host Glasgow Rangers Wednesday in the Champions League finale. They may need to win the match to win the group. Not that that should be much of a challenge. Also play at Sporting Gijon Sunday.

11. Arsenal
Last ranking: 10
Record: 13-4-2
Results of note: Lost at then-No. 5 Man United (2-1, Aug. 29), lost at then-No. 16 Man City (4-2, Sept. 12), beat then-No. 15 Olympiakos at home in Champions League group play (2-0, Sept. 29), beat then-No. 20 Liverpool at home in League Cup (2-1, Oct. 28), lost to then-No. 1 Chelsea at home in Premiership (3-0, Nov. 29).
Commentary/recent results: Gunners were blown out 3-0 at Manchester City in the midweek Carling Cup quarterfinal. They rebounded to defeat Stoke City 2-0 at the Emirates (not the country) Saturday.
Upcoming schedule: Visit Olympiakos in a meaningless Champions League encounter Wednesday. Then it's off to Anfield Sunday.

12. Valencia
Last ranking: 15
Record: 11-1-6
Results of note: Defeated then-No. 9 Sevilla at home (2-0, Aug. 30), drew then-No. 1 Barcelona at home (0-0, Oct. 17).
Commentary/recent results: It was a very good week for los xotos, who first put Lille to the sword 3-1 in their Europa League match Wednesday. The win puts Valencia in first place in the group and qualifies them for the next round. Then booked an impressive victory at Athletic Bilbao yesterday to move into third place in La Liga.
Upcoming schedule: Host Real Madrid Saturday with a chance to move level on points with the second-placed club. A top 10 spot in our rankings is in the offing.

13. PSV Eindhoven
Last ranking: 12
Record: 17-0-5
Results of note: Drew at Twente (1-1, Aug. 9).
Commentary/recent results: Beat Sparta Prague in a meaningless Europa League game Thursday, before winning their weekend Eredivisie game against Waalwijk, whoever that is. Even though they're unbeaten in all competition, PSV are just second in the Dutch league, two points behind Twente.
Upcoming schedule:A date with defending Dutch champions AZ Alkmaar is on for Saturday. Close out the Europa League campaign at CFR Cluj a week from Wednesday.

14. Porto
Last ranking: 13
Record: 12-4-1
Results of note: Lost at then-No. 3 Chelsea in Champions League group stage (1-0, Sept. 15), lost at home to then-No. 1 Chelsea (1-0, Nov. 25).
Commentary/recent results: The Dragoes won at Vitoria Guimaraes Friday..
Upcoming schedule: The Champions League group stage finale at Atletico Madrid tomorrow. Vitoria Setubal at home Sunday. A trip to first-place Benfica Lisbon is on tap a week from Sunday.

15. Dynamo Kiev
Last ranking: 14
Record: 14-3-3
Results of note: Won home match against then-No. 22 Rubin Kazan in Champions League group stage (3-1, Sept. 16), lost at then-No. 2 Barcelona in Champions League group stage, drew at then-No. 4 Inter Milan (2-2, Oct. 20), lost at then-No. 22 Shakhtar Donetsk in domestic cup (2-0, Oct. 28), lost at home to then-No. 2 Inter Milan (2-1, Nov. 4), defeated then-No. 14 Shakhtar Donetsk (3-0, Nov. 21), drew at then-No. 8 Rubin Kazan (0-0, Nov. 24).
Commentary/recent results: Won their Ukrainian league match Saturday. They still maintain a five point lead in the Ukrainian league despite the result.
Upcoming schedule: Host Barca in the final Champions League matchday Wednesday. Win and they're in.

16. Olympiakos
Last ranking: 19
Record: 14-3-4
Results of note: Beat then-No. 17 AZ Alkmaar at home in Champions League group stage (1-0, Sept. 16), lost at then-No. 12 Arsenal in Champions League group stage (2-0, Sept. 29).
Commentary/recent results: Won at AO Xanthi Saturday to maintina their one point lead in the Greek Superleague.
Upcoming schedule: Host Arsenal Wednesday possibly needing a point (depending on what happens in the other game between Alkmaar and Standard Liege) to advance to the Champions League elimination round. Also host Panthrakikos Sunday.

17. Manchester City
Last ranking: -
Record: 10-1-7
Results of note: Beat then-No. 8 Arsenal at home (4-2, Sept. 12), lost to then-No. 4 Manchester United (4-3, Sept. 20), beat then-No. 10 Arsenal at home in Carling Cup (3-0, Dec. 2), beat then-No. 1 Chelsea at home in Premiership (1-0, Dec. 5).
Commentary/recent results: A massive week for Citizens, who knocked off two top 10 teams to get back to the top 25 for the first time since Nov. 2. Obviously the victory over Chelsea was the more impressive of the two. Let's keep in mind this is a team with only one loss on the season (at Man. United back in September) that really should have been a draw.
Upcoming schedule: Visit Bolton Wanderers Saturday. Then it's off to White Hart Lane for an intriguing matchup with Tottenham Hotspur

18. Bayer Leverkusen
Last ranking: 16
Record: 8-1-7
Results of note: Won at then-No. 15 VfL Wolfsburg (3-2, Sept. 12), drew at then-No. 14 Hamburg SV (0-0, Oct. 17), drew at then-No. 24 Bayern Munich (1-1, Nov. 22).
Commentary/recent results: Bayer played a scoreless draw at Hannover 96 on Saturday. Fortunately for them, second-placed Werder Bremen didn't manage any better in their game, so Leverkusen's lead atop the Bundesliga table remains three points.
Upcoming schedule: Lowly Hertha Berlin on Friday.

19. Shakhtar Donetsk
Last ranking: 17
Record: 15-3-4
Results of note: Lost UEFA Supercup to then-No. 2 Barcelona (1-0 in overtime, Aug. 28), beat then-No. 10 Dynamo Kiev at home in domestic cup match (2-0, Oct. 28), lost at then No. 16 Dynamo Kiev (3-0, Nov. 21).
Commentary/recent results: Played Bruges to a scoreless draw at home in a meaningless Europa League match. Won their weekend Ukrainian league game to keep pace with Dynamo Kiev. They trail by five points in the standings.
Upcoming schedule: Two Ukrainian league matches, neither against teams I can pretend to have heard of.

20. Bayern Munich
Last ranking: 22
Record: 12-4-7
Results of note: Beat then-No. 11 VfL Wolfsburg at home (3-0, Aug. 28), lost at then-No. 22 Hamburg SV (1-0, Sept. 26), drew then-No. 5 Juventus at home in Champions League group stage (0-0, Sept. 30), lost at then-No. 17 Girondins Bordeaux (2-1, Oct. 21), lost at home to then-No. 7 Bordeaux (2-0, Nov. 3), tied then-No. 19 Bayer Leverkusen at home (1-1, Nov. 22).
Commentary/recent results: Bayern defeated Borussia Moenchengladbach 2-1 on Friday night, to stretch their unbeaten streak to five games. Little victories.
Upcoming schedule: The Champions League clash with Juventus is on for tomorrow. Bayern need to win at Turin to advance. Also visit Bochum Saturday.

21. Olympique Lyonnais
Last ranking: 18
Record: 12-4-5
Results of note: Beat then-No. 18 Fiorentina at home in Champions League group stage (1-0, Sept. 16), won at then-No. 20 Liverpool (2-1, Oct. 20).
Commentary/recent results: L'OL continue to flounder, losing 4-3 at Lille yesterday despite holding a 3-1 halftime lead. They're now fourth in Ligue Un.
Upcoming schedule: Host Debreceni in an all-but-meaningless Champions League match Wednesday. Girondins Bordeaux pay a visit Sunday.

22. Benfica Lisbon
Last ranking: -
Record: 15-3-2
Results of note: Lost at then-No. 22 Sporting Braga (2-0, Oct. 31), trounced Everton 5-0 in Europa League (Oct. 22)
Commentary/recent results: A week after a scoreless draw with Sporting in the Lisbon derby, Benfica won both games. The first, over BATE Borisov, assures them victory in their Europa League group. The second, over Academica de Coimba, allows them to take first place in Portugal's Liga Sagres (Braga, which previously held the position, drew 1-1 at Leixoes). Benfica's last appearance in the top 25 was Sept. 28, when they were 20th.
Upcoming schedule: Visit Olhanense Saturday.

23. Werder Bremen
Last ranking: 21
Record: 14-1-8
Results of note: Drew at Bayern Munich (1-1, Aug. 18), drew at Leverkusen (0-0, Sept. 20)
Commentary/recent results: Beat Nacional Funchal 4-1 to win their Europa League group. Also played a scoreless draw at Cologne. Bremen sit second in the German Bundesliga, equal on points with Schalke 04 and three points behind leaders Leverkusen.
Upcoming schedule: Host the aforementioned Schalke on Saturday.

24. LDU Quito
Last ranking: 25
Record: 12-2-4
Results of note: Defeated Velez Sarsfield in the Copa Sudamericana quarterfinals.
Commentary/recent results: The defending Copa Libertadores champions pulled off the improbable "double", with a victory in the Copa Sudamericana over Brazil's Fluminense. That would normally move them well into the top 20, but with the massive home field advantage afforded by Quito's altitude and these South American tournaments played over two legs, it's hard to say exactly how good they are.
Upcoming schedule: The return leg at the Maracana in Rio de Janeiro Wednesday.

25. RSC Anderlecht
Last ranking: 24
Record: 16-5-4
Results of note: Lost Champions League qualifier against Olympique Lyon, drew Ajax Amsterdam at home in Europa League group stage (1-1, Oct. 1)
Commentary/recent results: Lost a meaningless Europa League match to Dynamo Zagreb at midweek but won the weekend Jupiler League match to maintain their five point lead in the Belgian first division.
Upcoming schedule: At Westerlo Friday. Host Ajax Amsterdam a week from Thursday.

Dropping Out:
Twente (20) after losing at home to Fenerbahce, Ajax Amsterdam (23) after losing at Utrecht,

Also receiving consideration (in rough order of consideration received):
Schalke 04, Besiktas Istanbul.

Photo taken from PeacefmOnline.com without permission.