Dein erstes Forum » n Lance Franklin is a pop

Struggling D.C. United hosts the Portland Timbers in a battle of two teams fighting for playoff spots Saturday at RFK Stadium.D.C. United (5-8-9) is winless in its last six league games and sits in eighth place on the Eastern Conference table with 24 points. The club has failed to maximize their current four-game homestand, settling for consecutive draws against Montreal and Philadelphia.D.C. United is two points behind sixth-place New England for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.No question we feel like we left some more points on the table these last two weeks, but were a win out of a playoff spot, and I told our guys theres so much good to this team, United coach Ben Olsen told the teams website. I think the upside and the quality that this team can produce is better than maybe any team that Ive coached here.The Timbers (8-8-8) have been unable to build momentum off of last years championship, but are sitting just above the red line in the Western Conference with 32 points. They werent among last years favorites when the postseason began, but were able to make a run to the title. Despite Portlands inconsistent play, Diego Valeri and company could still be a threat in the playoffs -- if they can get in.A win over the fading D.C. United would certainly help. But the Timbers have yet to post a win on the road this season.Difficult game, Portland coach Caleb Porter said of Saturdays road tilt. Theyre a lot better team than where theyre at. Its an important game for them, so we expect it to be really tight game. Obviously, we havent won on the road, but weve been very close. Weve gotten six results. So its not like weve bad on the road, weve just not found that breakthrough, that goal or been able manage that last 10 minutes to not concede.But weve played as well as we have in other years, he added. In the last two years, weve had 14 (road) wins and been one of the best teams in the league. And I think our performances have been in line with that. We just havent found that breakthrough. But Im confident we will Saturday. Daniel Sturridge Jersey . The head of USA Boxing came out swinging Tuesday with an open letter to Tyson -- a former Olympic hopeful himself -- that accuses the former heavyweight champion of trying to poach fighters who might be candidates for the U. Adam Lallana Jersey . Coach Mike Munchak says Fokou stretched ligaments in his left knee Oct. 13 against Seattle, which could keep out up to five weeks even though the linebacker didnt need surgery. http://www.liverpoolgear.us/Authentic-Connor-Randall-Liverpool-Jersey/ . The defence is doing its part, too. Drew Brees threw a pair of touchdown passes in the first half and the guys on the other side made sure that was enough, sending the Saints to a 17-13 victory over the Atlanta Falcons on Thursday night. Alisson Becker Jersey .500 on the season. The Jets are now 0-5-1 in the second game of back-to-backs. The game started the same way the Vancouver game started the night before, with the Jets taking the first two penalties of the game and killing off the first, but the Oilers getting on the board first, scoring on the second man-advantage. Custom Liverpool Jerseys . It was the kind of score that might make everyone else wonder which course he was playing. Except that Graeme McDowell saw the whole thing. Crouched behind the 10th green at Sheshan International, McDowell looked over at the powerful American and said, "Ive probably seen 18 of the best drives Ive seen all year in the last two days. Saturday, October 1Western Bulldogs ($2.40) vs Sydney Swans ($1.60), MCG at 2:30pmTeam news:The Bulldogs head into the grand final off the back of a much more ferocious and energy-sapping preliminary final than their Sydney rivals who breezed past a lacklustre Geelong on Friday night. The Dogs also have to front up with one days less rest, having defeated the Giants on Saturday evening.Lots of talk surrounds Lin Jong and whether the midfield will be selected. Three weeks ago against the Eagles, Jong suffered a broken collarbone, but miraculously recovered quicker than expected to lead the VFL side to premiership glory last Sunday -- claiming best on ground honours in the process. Luke Beveridge has a massive call to make.For the Swans, skipper Jarrad McVeigh is still a 50-50 and no certainty to play after failing to overcome a calf injury he picked up in the qualifying final loss to GWS.Exciting 13-gamer Aliir Aliir has been ruled out through injury, which is a huge blow for their defence. Hamstrung Rising Star winner Callum Mills is also expected to miss out, but Gary Rohan -- who played a key role in last weeks win -- looks a certain starter.Key head-to-head: Marcus Bontempelli vs. Luke ParkerThroughout this finals series, just about every AFL pundit has claimed that if the Bont can have a big impact, the Bulldogs might just win. Hes three out of three and the Dogs find themselves in a grand final -- another big effort and they may be premiers.It wont be easy against the star-studded Sydney midfield, particularly in his head-to-head battle with Luke Parker.Parker -- who finished second in Monday nights Brownlow Medal -- has been a match-winner for the Swans all year and will spend time throughout the day against Bontempelli.Both stars will have a huge impact on the match and are likely to feature in Norm Smith Medal calculations late in the final term.Teams:Bulldogs: B Jason Johannisen, Joel Hamling, Matthew Boyd HB Shane Biggs, Dale Morris, Easton Wood C Lachie Hunter, Marcus Bontempelli, Liam Picken HF Jack Macrae, Zaine Cordy, Jake Stringer F Tory Dickson, Tom Boyd, Clay Smith FOL Jordan Roughead, Luke Dahlhaus, Tom Liberatore I/C Toby McLean, Fletcher Roberts, Josh Dunkley, Caleb DanielSwans: B Jake Lloyd, Heath Grundy, Nick Smith HB Callum Mills, Jeremy Laidler, Dane Rampe C Kieren Jack, Josh P. Kennedy, Jarrad McVeigh HF Tom Mitchell, Lance Franklin, Luke Parker F Tom Papley, Kurt Tippett, Ben McGlynn FOL Sam Naismith, Dan Hannebery, Isaac Heeney I/C Gary Rohan, Zak Jones, George Hewett, Xavier RichardsField umpires:?Scott Jeffery, Matt Stevic, Simon MeredithBoundary umpires: Ian Burrows, Chris Bull, Rob Haala, Michael MarantelliGoal umpires: Chris Appletonn, Adam WojcikGrand Final stats:The Bulldogs have won the past two clashes against the Swans - both at the SCG and by under a goal.ddddddddddddThis is the sixth grand final since 2007 that features a Victorian-based club and an interstate team. Victorian-based clubs have a superior 4-1 record.Stuart Dew has been involved in every leap year premiership since 2004. He is the Swans assistant coach in 2016.Every leap year since 2000, the side on top of the ladder after Round 1 has won the grand final. The Bulldogs topped the table after Round 1 this year.UBET verdict:Sydney have the upper hand when it comes to grand final experience, but the Bulldogs are brimming with belief after their six-point win over GWS. So, where does the all-important money trail point? Well, predictably perhaps, the early cash has come for the feel-good team, the Bulldogs, who are into their first decider in 55-years.Footy fans everywhere are buying into the Bulldogs fairy tale, with Luke Beveridges team capturing three quarters of the bets and two thirds of the money in the initial outright betting skirmish. Line money is also running in their favour at a 2:1 ratio.Sydneys certainly flying under the radar at this stage, but we fully expect the big money punters to step in closer to game day and smash the Swans, who are into their third decider since 2012.Norm Smith Medal betting will no doubt be huge. As it stands, veteran Josh Kennedy is the favourite at $7.00, followed by a few players who polled well on Brownlow Medal night in Luke Parker at $8.00 and Marcus Bontempelli and Dan Hannebery at $9.00. $10 million man Lance Franklin is a popular pick at $11, while $21 chance Caleb Daniel has been earmarked as value. As we have done in previous years, UBET will be trading live on the Norm Smith throughout the game.Weather: Mostly cloudy day with a top of 17 degrees. Possibly early showers which will clear by the first bounce.?Prediction:?Two very contrasting sides that rightfully deserve their place on the AFLs grandest stage.The Swans have been prolific in attack this year, averaging 100 points per match, while the Bulldogs have become the leagues stingiest defence, coughing up just 73 points per game.As much as everyone would love to see the Dogs fairytale continue, its hard to look past the seasoned Swans stars, particularly their midfield brigade. Throw in the ultimate X-factor in Franklin and its no surprise Sydney start favourite.However, if anyone can, the Bulldogs can.Tip: Swans by 10 pointsNorm Smith Medal: Tom MitchellEnter your ESPNfootytips AFL selections ' ' '