Community Shield between Liverpool and Chelsea at 6:45 am Sunday, Texas time, on FSC. I don't know if I'll be awake for it, but I'll try.

I rate Liverpool to win. Gerrard will crank it up in his first match after learning he fell short of England's captaincy.

FF

I recently saw most of last season's Man U - Arsenal 0-0 draw at Highbury. Quite an exciting match, the score notwithstanding. Fabregas will be supplying football fans with some beautiful play over the next decade, no doubt about that. All-around, Arsenal again proved fun to watch. Now that I've learned FSC will be showing very little Liverpool this year, the fanship sweepstakes are much tighter between Arsenal and Stevie G's squad.

I'm a little mystified at the brouhaha over Rooney. He's a fine player, and for a forward, he has excellent playmaking abilities and vision -- but he's certainly not the best striker in the world, which the English press made him out to be pre WC 06. However, my eschewal of the superlative aside, I do genuinely enjoy Rooney's play, and I like his range on the pitch. He really does affect the game more than most forwards do.

FF

Chelsea's 1-1 draw with Charlton in January 06 is further evidence that Lampard is overrated. Frankie did little of value, offering passing which either led to nothing or interception. In contrast, Joe Cole was lively on the ball and with his passes, creating legitimate opportunities for the Blues. Terry was sharp, as always, and Crespo's movement off the ball is world-class.

FF

I've been surfing for a statistical analysis that reveals the relationship between possession and goals scored in European club soccer. An ideal study would divide the field into thirds or quarters, and supply a league wide likelihood for goal scoring (and goal allowing) based on possession in each section. It would also be nice to know in which section possession is most frequently acquired.

I haven't found anything yet, and am surprised and disappointed. In fact, I haven't even found anything on the likelihood of scoring on a corner, which is shocking. Such a metric is readily calcuable, but apparently not available.

FF