Arsenal cannot forget their loss to Manchester United. Real Madrid cannot remember their loss to Barcelona.
Quite striking the effects that these two games have had. After remaining undefeated for 49 straight games, Arsenal are struggling like they never have before, managing just six points out of a possible 18 in the recent past. Even in the Champions League, they've drawn four consecutive games. Could they be suffering from too good a memory?
Real Madrid on the other hand seem to have brushed off that loss at the Nou Camp with nonchalance. That 5-0 drubbing of Levante saw the return to form of Ronaldo, as well as Real's flowing football. For both these reasons I heave a sigh of relief.
Everything in the head is as right as it could be for Real Madrid as they take on Roma in a crucial fixture. It is 3 points and nothing else that will save them from elimination in the Champions League. That Real comeback from 2-0 down to win 4-2 against Roma on matchday 2, with Raul leading the way, is still fresh in our minds, and should be in theirs too
but you know Real and their memory.
Arsenal is in a similar spot, although it's not that serious. They play the Norwegian champs Rosenborg at home in Highbury. The other two teams playing each other from the same group are PSV and Panathinaikos. If the Greek team registers a shock win over PSV, Arsenal will be in deep trouble. They cannot afford to repeat a draw against Rosenborg, like they did in their earlier fixture but you know Arsenal and their memory.
When Liverpool take on Olympiacos at Anfield, they know too that it's now or never.
These are the three big games of the Champions League matchday 6, and remarkably, we get to watch all three live.
Over to our English Premiership game of the week -- Chelsea vs Newcastle United. So what if Chelsea are five points in the clear at the top of the table and Newcastle is languishing in tenth place. With the talent in their side and with their cowboy attitude, Newcastle will not make it easy for the leaders at home on Saturday.
Watch out for Craig Bellamy, as manager Graeme Souness and he have been having this husband-wife relationship
always fighting but in love with each other. Finally he's been allowed to play up front and he's responded with three very good goals in three games.
As far as Manchester United are concerned, they've been having a good little trot, and will be hoping to make the most of a one-sided game against Southampton to catch up with Arsenal and Everton. Did I say one-sided? I'd like to remind myself that Southampton were 15 seconds away from defeating Arsenal a short while ago there you go again how important memories can be.
Primera Liga fans will be treated to possible player of the year Ronaldinho as Barcelona meet Malaga. And if you were disappointed with that injury to Hendrik Larson how about this piece of news to cheer you up: 35-year-old Argentinean super star Gabriel Batigol Batistuta could fill in Larson's shoes this January.
With so much of good hockey on offer let's just hope for a memorable week. Oops.
***
Fixtures:
Saturday, December 4:
Chelsea vs Newcastle United 18:10 hrs Star Sports
Manchester United vs Southampton 20:25 hrs Star Sports
Blackburn Rovers vs Tottenham Hotspur 22:40 hrs Star Sports
Sunday, December 5:
Barcelona vs Malaga 00:30 hrs ESPN
Crystal Palace vs Charlton Athletic 21:30hrs Star Sports
Wednesday (Tuesday late night), December 8:
Arsenal vs Rosenborg 01:00hrs ESPN
Valencia vs Werder Bremen 01:00hrs ESPN
Thursday (Wednesday late night), December 9:
Real Madrid vs Roma 01:00hrs ESPN
Liverpool vs Olympiakos 01:00 Star Sports.
