This weekend our opponents are local rivals Arsenal and the fixture is probably the most important game we have played against Arsenal since a 1-1 draw in 2007 that ended our slim title hopes.

Arsenal like in 2008 have had an amazing start to the season, with the young players groomed by Arsene Wenger playing attractive attacking football and surging up the table.

In 2008 Arsenal buckled under the pressure and we narrowly missed out to Manchester United in the title race, it has now been 6 years without a title and patience at the Emirates can only buy so much time and the question is how this crop of players will react when the pressure mounts?

Despite defeat to Sunderland last week the match on Sunday brings the league’s two form teams together and gives us a chance to record 3 straight wins against last season’s top four sides.

Hopefully Carlo Ancelotti will have an almost full strength squad to pick from for this game with Lampard, Drogba, Ashley Cole all expected to be fit in time for kick off after recent injury problems.

The game itself should be quite open with plenty of chances with the leagues top scoring teams pitted against each other, the key however will be the midfield battle and Chelsea must ensure that Arsenal’s flair players are not given the time on the ball they crave.

On balance I think that Chelsea are stronger across all over the pitch and have a much more settled and balanced line up than Arsenal with or without the injuries, defensively we have the best defence in the league so far this season and the capabilities of our forward and midfield units are the stuff of dreams.

Ideally for me the Chelsea team to face Arsenal would be.

Cech  A. Cole, Terry, Carvalho, Ivanovic, Lampard, Essien, J. Cole, Mikel, Anelka and Drogba 

This is a fairly standard team for the players available however due to Arsenal’s attacking prowess I would give Mikel the nod ahead of Michael Ballack to provide the back four a more defensively minded midfield option.

Prediction: well I will let you do this bit, what do you predict?

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After what’s seemed like an age since the last Premier League matches, we return to domestic action after the international break. Plenty to consider this gameweek as four teams play twice and a host of stars are injured. More on that later.

Last time round saw an above average score of 52 for myself but this was still quite far off the high score of 107. I was not helped by Drogba and Rooney predictably doing nothing in the big clash between Chelsea and Man Utd; while I also had 13 points marooned on the bench via Joe Hart and Scott Dann, who I hadn’t thought would do much vs Liverpool.

Our captain choices did well, with Fabregas having another big week while RVP and Adebayor also had fair contributions. If you had gone with the suggested transfer of Clint Dempsey, he would have scored you seven points too.

Gameweek 12 Top Gun (aka Tom Cruise Approves):

Maverick thinks John Terry is a fool, but his fantasy score last week was good.

Yep, John Terry was Gameweek 12’s Top Gun with the now ubiquitous defender’s score of 15 points for winning goal, clean sheet and three bonus points. The number of times this has happened is ridiculous but fair play if you’ve reaped the benefit.

But wait I hear you cry, there was someone else who also scored 15 points last week. Yes dear readers, for the first time this season we had a tie for highest score of the week. John Carew almost double his season’s score with a goal, two assists and three bonus points in Aston Villa’s 5-1 destruction of Bolton. This means Maverick needs some help in approving so what better person to have than his co-pilot Goose:

Goose approves of being involved in such silliness.

It was a struggle bringing him back from the dead, but through the powers of Google search and Photoshop I managed to do it. Maybe next time Iceman will muscle his way in on the show… Elsewhere Gomes saved a penalty to score 14 for Spurs while Wright-Phillips and Fabregas both got 13, the latter getting his fifth straight man of the match award.

On to this week.

Three Captain Choices:

With Torres and Drogba very doubtful and Van Persie and Lampard definitely out, the usual field of captain choices is substantially narrowed. In addition to that Hull, Blackburn, Fulham and Everton all play twice so it might be time for some leftfield thinking in terms of captain this week.

1. Bullard/Hull – Feeling brave? Quite the gamble this one but it could well pay off. Bullard is a good player but has been injured pretty much the whole time he’s been at Hull. He made a belated home debut last week and was the key figure in a win over Stoke scoring an assist and three bonus. Now one whole game isn’t much to go on but with Hull having two games at the KC Stadium, one against lowly West Ham you’d assume he would play a part in anything good Hull may do.

2. Anelka/Chelsea - With Drogba doubtful after Jonny Evans’ kung-fu kick to his ribs, and Fat Frank injured after attempting to sprint in England training, it leaves Nicolas Anelka as the most likely source of points for Chelsea this weekend. They face a home tie against Wolves which is as near to a gimme as you can get. I fully expect a comfortable home win with a goal or two from the Frenchman.

3. Fabregas/Arsenal - Fabregas is fast becoming the new Ronaldo of fantasy football. If in doubt for a captain choice, go with him. Sunderland away is the not the easiest place to go this season, but Arsenal have a good record there in recent years and should have enough to win, even without Robin van Persie.

Gets a Captain's tick.

Three Suggested Transfers In:

1. Eduardo/Arsenal - Now that Van Persie is out for several weeks, joining the already injured Bendtner, the onus falls on Eduardo to lead the line for the leading scorers in the team. He has had a very stop start season so far but has still got two goals and two assists in just over 300 minutes of action, which isn’t bad at all. With full fitness and a new contract in the back of his pocket, he should do well over the next couple of months.

2. Etherington/Stoke – He’s kind of slipped beneath my radar but is one of the form players of the last few weeks. In his last five games he has three assists and two goals as well as a few bonus points. Over the next four weeks, only Arsenal is a game which you would class as tough for Stoke.

3. Alexander/Burnley – His price has gone right up now but as long as Burnley keep getting penalties, he’s still worth it I’d say.

Might be worth a pick.

Three To Avoid:

1. Van Persie/Arsenal - Out for a couple of months in case it wasn’t already clear. Let’s hope he doesn’t rush back from injury like he has done in the past.

2. Benayoun/Liverpool - Has been in great from this season but has tweaked his hamstring. Also, knowing Rafa he’ll probably find a way to drop the Israeli now that Aquilani is approaching full fitness.

3. Bolton players – Bottom of the team stats with just 345 points between them.

Are you taking the mick?!

T.

Je sais, beaucoup n’ont retenu que ce hold-up. Ce coup foireux d’un grand joueur, Thierry Henry, victime du syndrome gouvernemental de la triche. D’ailleurs, il n’y a que les commentateurs sportifs et politiques aussi, c’est vrai, qui reviennent sur cette main de Dieu façon Henry.

N’est pas Maradona qui veut. Lors de sa main, il avait répondu par la suite, avec une action d’anthologie, en marquant un sublime but. Il était parti du rond point central, en mystifiant sur son chemin, près de 6 joueurs anglais, avant de battre le portier britannique. Bon, Henry centre sur la tête de Gallas qui marque. La France va en Afrique du Sud. C’est bien pour la génération de ces joueurs, nombreux, qui sont d’origine africaine et qui ne connaissent pas ce continent.

Ce que je retiens en revanche, c’est la prestation de Nicolas Anelka, sans oublier celle de Hugo Lloris, le dernier rempart lyonnais. Je ne sais pas si ce dernier est moins bon que le gardien de but marseillais, Steve Mandanda mais, il est bon. Très bon même, malgré certaines bourdes qu’on a pu constater lors de la campagne de la ligue des champions.

Nicolas Anelka est aujourd’hui pour moi, le meilleur joueur français. Technique, collectif, son emprise sur le jeu des bleus et des blues de Chelsea (championnat anglais), est de plus en plus conséquente. Chaque jour davantage, il prouve bien qu’il est vraiment au top de sa forme, mentalement et sportivement. Quel match il livre encore hier ! C’est époustouflant. La France n’a pas convaincu hier mais, lui, il a prouvé qu’on pouvait compter sur son punch.

By Joe, www.Bettingexpert.com

French forward Nicolas Anelka was the difference between the two teams last time they met.

The first leg Croke Park ended with a  French victory with an Anelka deflected 72-minute goal which put France in a commanding position before the return leg in Paris. It will be hard to see how the Irish will manage to come back from their disappointing performance in Dublin. The scene is set for another epic battle in Paris between France and Ireland to battle it out for one of the four spots left in the European zone to qualify for the World Cup.

France are favorites to qualify ahead of the second leg and Coach Raymond Domenech could earn himself another chance to prove himself. Domenech does not need to change much of his tactic nor his starting lineup on Wednesday as they did well against Ireland. The only incident that the French came into tussle was the bust up between Ireland midfielder Keith Andrews and France’s Lassana Diarra after the final whistle. A few words were exchange and it seem like Diarra had made some disrespectful comment over the Irish squad. French full-back Eric Abidal and Jeremy Toulalan will miss Wednesday’s game.

Coach Giovanni Trapattoni gave the thumps up for Liam Lawrence on the right side of the midfield in the first leg against France and looks likely to keep it the same for the second leg. Ireland played well but missed a few chances to take the lead in the first leg, they now travel to Paris in search for, at least, a goal to take it to extra time or penalties. A clean sheet and two goal win will put Ireland through to the World Cup. Trapattoni could well in for the same line up that started against France last Saturday. Robbie Keane is rallying the troop and motivating them for the tough task ahead of the second leg.

From Croke Park to Stade de France, this is the Irish’s last chance to qualify for the World Cup. France are sitting comfortably with the 1-0 lead and could settle the tie with another goal in Paris. Ireland will have all to play for and they will attack without thinking the consequences which will make this one of the exciting ties of the night. If anything is to go by from the last match’s bust up in Croke Park, then Stade de France will provide the fireworks.

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A fost o sambata cu ploaie de 1-0. A fost o sambata nedorita de fotbalul de club, o pauza deranjanta pentru multi. Intrebati-l doar pe Sir Alex Ferguson de exemplu, si v-ar spune parerea sa despre oportunitatea unui meci amical in miez de noiembrie al Albionului in caldura din Qatar. Ca nuca-n perete.

A fost 1-0 pe teren neutru. La Doha, Brazilia a trecut de Anglia lui Capello, aliniind un conjunctural “11″ cu Foster – Brown, Lescott, Upson, Bridge – Wright Phillips, Jenas, Barry, Milner – Rooney si Bent. Inafara de capitanul Wayne Rooney si probabil inchizatorul Gareth Barry, intrebarea e cati dintre titularii de incercare din Golf vor face macar deplasarea in Africa de Sud. Sunt sanse ca nu toti dintre ei. Si-atunci la ce bun acest amical la mii de kilometri distanta? Bun doar pentru politica si culisele comerciale ale fotbalului…  

A fost 1-0 pe teren propriu. Portugalia a reconfirmat ca scartaie, doar barele salvand-o in fata Bosniei, care a fost ciuruita cu 3 cartonase galbene ce au generat suspendarea unor titulari pentru returul de miercuri. Chiar si schiopi, lusitanii sunt o afacere profitabila pentru lumea fotbalistica a turneului final, aducand cu ei cel mai valoros jucator al planetei, Ronaldo, cu toate megacontractele sale, asa incat intransigenta “fluierasului” rezoneaza cu calculele unora, ce se intreaba ce beneficii ar putea oferi insolita prezenta a ambitioasei Bosnia si Hertegovina, ce ar putea lasa arenele la 3 meciuri din grupa pe jumatate goale…

Jos palaria in fata bosniecilor dar sunt prea inocenti pentru un razboi atat de mare. Asa incat inca un 1-0 si prelungiri ar parea greu de crezut in mansa a doua desi, fotbalistic vorbind, Portugalia e de batut iar gazdele n-au nimic de pierdut.

Si a fost 1-0 si in deplasare. Sarbii au dovedit ca-si respecta blazonul, luandu-si rolul de calificata la turneul final in serios si aruncandu-l in lupta si pe Milos Krasic, explozivul mijlocas, in tentativa de a obtine victoria la Belfast. 1-0 in Irlanda de Nord e un “scor mic”, vorba lui Lucescu Junior, mai ales in lumina calibrului gazdei, insa sarbii ar putea castiga la capitolul consistenta ceea ce par a lasa deoparte in privinta exuberantei risipitoare, ce, s-a vazut treaba, nu i-a dus nicaieri in formula Serbia & Montenegru la ora Mondialului din 2006. Multe surle, trambite si sperante, ce s-au dovedit a fi desarte. Acum, mai cu picioarele pe pamant si trudind inclusiv cu Vidic pe Windsor Park, Plavii strang grauntele unei potentiale recolte surpriza in Africa.

Franta lui Domenech a castigat batalia de pe verdele lui Croke Park dar nu inca si razboiul. Un sah etern pe Saint Denis ar fi suficient...

Unii se pregatesc de Mondial cu 1-0 in deplasare, altii transpira pentru a ajunge acolo cu 1-0 in deplasare. Franta a avut nevoie de devierea lui St Ledger si din bara, pentru a se intoarce la Paris in avantaj. Dar a aratat pe alocuri fata Frantei ce-si croia drum pana in finala din 2006. Suficient de sigura pe ea, cu Anelka in forma si cu destule nume sonore, ce doar cresc prestigiul Serbiei de invingatoare a grupei. De n-ar fi fost le pas faux din Austria, imediat dupa Euro, poate ca Franta n-ar fi trebuit sa tremure in Irlanda. Dar asa…

O alta echipa din grupa Serbiei si a Frantei a castigat cu 1-0 in deplasare. Romania! Intr-un duel al orgoliilor ranite, la Varsovia. Cine pune prea mult pret si da greutate acestui succes, ar trebui sa ia in considerare derapajul tomnatic al lesilor. O victorie e o victorie, mai ales in deplasare, dar Polonia a tot luat-o recent pe coaja, asa incat debutul lui Zmuda la nationala poate fi considerat mai degraba un experiment de adaptare decat o noua pagina, de o mai buna calitate, a “tricolorilor”.

Dupa ce am asistat in septembrie la un crampei de fotbal intern polonez, Slask – Legia 0-0, venit la trei zile dupa umilitorul Slovenia – Polonia 3-0, am amintit ca nivelul valoric e mai mult decat modest. Un fotbal incalcit, fara orizont, modest in plan tehnico-tactic si al atractivitatii, dar mai ales lipsit de incisivitate, ritm si aplomb. Ca lesii n-au punctat in dauna unei defensive ce in aproximativ aceeasi formula era ingenuncheata la Beograd, imi reaminteste de acel 0-0 de campionat de la Wroclaw.   

Slask - Legia 0-0 a fost o antireclama facuta fotbalului asa incat victoria din Polonia trebuie cantarita in lumina valorii modeste a adversarei

Un 1-0 la fel de neconcludent pentru Romania pe cat a fost pentru brazilienii jucand impotriva unei garnituri secunde engleze. Si-atunci, vorba lui Fergie, la ce bune toate aceste meciuri amicale in miez de sezon competitional?

Wie soll man einer unbeteiligten Person erklären, dass man einem Fussballverein verfallen ist, mit allen Stimmungsschwankungen die in eine echte Beziehung hineingehören? Wut, Liebe, Freude, Leidenschaft, Eifersucht und Beleidigtsein…kann man das, indem man die Anzahl der Titel aufzählt? Auf ein dickes Bankkonto verweist? Wie kann man einer nur mäßig interessierten und rational veranlagten Person vermitteln, dass Herzrasen und schweißnasse Hände nicht nur in leidenschaftliche Beziehungen zu anderen Menschen gehören? Dass zwischenmenschliche Bindungen vielleicht sogar anfälliger sind, als die Hingabe zu einem…Fussballverein?

Den Hauch einer Ahnung kann man einer nicht-infizierten Person nur vermitteln, indem man auf subjektive, eigene Erfahrungen verweist. Galatasaray als erster türkischer Club, der international aufhorchen lässt und den ewigen Komplex der Unterlegenheit gegenüber dem „echten Euopa“ lässig abzuschütteln scheint. Ein volles Müngersdorfer Stadion mit 99% gelb-rot gekleideten Türken. Ein durchgeknallter schottischer Trainer, der eine überdimensionale Galatasaray Fahne in den Mittelkreis des Stadions von Erzrivale Fenerbahçe spießt. Galatasaray, das als völliger Underdog gegen den seit Jahren zu Hause ungeschlagenen Giganten Manchester United um Eric Cantona nach einer Viertelstunde 0-2 zurücklieg, dann noch 3 Tore im Old Trafford einschenkt und die Engländer letztendlich auch sensationell aus der Champions League wirft.

Das UEFA-Cup Finale gegen Arsenal in Kopenhagen, wo Thierry Henry in der Verlängerung und mit Golden Goal Regelung aus geschätzten 20 Zentimetern Entfernung einen Kopfball auf das Tor zimmert und das bisschen Leben, das man bis zu diesem Zeitpunkt geführt hat als Kurzfilm vor dem inneren Auge abläuft, weil man zum ersten Mal ahnt, wie sich ein drohender Herzinfarkt anfühlt.

Um also einer unbeteiligten Person ein wenig verständlich machen zu können, warum Galatasaray der beste Club der Welt ist, bedarf es auch an dieser Stelle zumindest einer Anekdote. Hier die Rahmenhandlung:

In der Saison 2005/2006 ist der Belgier Eric Gerets Trainer von Galatasaray. Dieser findet als Voraussetzung  einen finanziell maroden Verein und ein dünn besetztes Team vor. Keine Stars, einige wenige junge Talente wie Arda oder Aydın und mit Farid Ali Mondragon, Stjepan Tomas, Rigobert Song, Alioum Saidou, Marek Heinz und Saša Ilić Legionäre aus der B- oder C- Kategorie, weit entfernt von dem Glanz eines Hagi, Popescu oder Mario Jardel. Dazu einige Altgediente aus verblassenden UEFA-Cup-Zeiten wie Hakan Şükür oder Ergün. Härtester Konkurrent – wie häufig -  Fenerbahçe unter Trainer Daum und mit Spielern zum Zungeschnalzen: Anelka, Tuncay, Appiah, Aurelio oder Alex.

In der ersten Runde des UEFA-Cups scheidet Galatasaray gegen den norwegischen Verein Tromsø aus. Viel tiefer kann man kaum noch sinken, die Saison scheint zu diesem Zeitpunkt bereits gelaufen.

Tiefe Zerwürfnisse innerhalb des Präsidiums, Frust bei den Anhängern und Frust bei Spielern und Trainern, die ihre Gehälter nur schwer oder gar nicht mehr ausgezahlt bekommen. Zwischenzeitlich erscheinen die Profis aus Protest nicht mehr zum Training und Altstar Hakan Şükür hilft den jungen Spielern aus eigener Tasche mit Spenden aus, damit diese ihre Mieten und Rechnungen bezahlen können – wo zudem zum selben Zeitpunkt der neidische Blick über den Zaun Beklemmungen auslöst, wo Fenerbahçe gerade sein Stadion ausbaut und in Luxus und Dekadenz zu schwimmen scheint.

Mit sturer Verbissenheit lässt das Team in der Liga dennoch nicht locker und man liefert sich bis zur Endphase ein Kopf-an-Kopf-Rennen mit Fenerbahçe, Beşiktaş ist zu diesem Zeitpunkt bereits weit abgeschlagen auf Platz 3. Genau 3 Spieltage vor Ende der Saison liegen beide Mannschaften punktgleich an der Tabellenspitze, Fenerbahçe mit nahezu uneinholbarer Tordifferenz.

“20 Uhr 45″.

Es ist genau dieser Zeitpunkt, 3 Spieltage vor Schluss und mit einer satten 0-4 Niederlage gegen den Erzrivalen Fener im Rücken, an dem Vizepräsident Adnan Polat mit fast schon Hoeneßscher Logik in jede Fernsehkamera und in jedes Mikrofon davon spricht, dass „am letzten Spieltag um 20.45 Uhr dennoch “niemand anderes als Galatasaray den Meisterpokal in Händen halten wird”.

Weiter demnächst in Teil 2…

Alguien se acuerda del Arsenal de la temporada 95/96?

Pues bien, ese equipo tenía como valuartes a David Seaman, Tony Adams, Dennis Bercamp y Ian wright. Tenía dos diferencias notables con respecto al Arsenal de hoy en día. La primera: contaba en sus filas con 21 jugadores británicos,17 de ellos ingleses. Para que os hagaís una idea este año son 6 británicos, 5 ingleses y un escocés….

La segunda, y para mi la más importante, al finalizar la temporada 95/96 se contrato a Arsene Wenger como Manager del club.

Creo, bueno, creo no. Estoy seguro que a partir de la llegada de el señor Arsene Wenger, el arsenal cambió para siempre. Modificó las costumbres alimenticias del club, la manera de entrenar,  empezó a encargarse de los sueldos…Estabamos ante los primeros pasos del Baby Arsenal…

El trajo una mentalidad innovadora muy importante y relevó casi todos sus exitos a el trabajo con la cantera. En su primera temporada fichó a tres franceses, dos de ellos llegaron a triunfar. Hablamos de Anelka y de Vieira. Esa temporada sirvió para crear un estilo propio, muy ofensivo y con gente muy joven. En sus primeras dos temporadas hizo un cambio de ciclo notable.

Pero sin duda alguna, el Arsenal de Arsene no había hecho nada más que empezar. Así, hablando por encima, fichó al  jovencísimo nigeriano Nwankwo Kanu, al sueco Ljungberg (sustituto de Beckam en los anuncios de calzoncillos de la premier). También trajo a Enmanuel Pettit, a Silvinho e hizo debutar a Ashley Cole entre otros. Tubo algún fichaje de relumbrón en ese momento, como por ejemplo Davor Suker o Marc Overmans. Pero su mayor acierto sin duda alguna fue Thierry Henry. Él juntó a Vieira, Petit y un año más tarde Robert Pires, formaron a un Arsenal sin igual. Ellos y su técnico francés,  moldearon un equipo hecho para el futuro, lleno de chicos con talento. Una fábrica de futbolistas únicos, con sello extranjero pero fidelidad inglesa.

A esas alturas las nacionalidades en las plantillas del arsenal iban cambiando bruscamente temporada trás temporada. En la 99/00 tenía once ingleses y jugadores de trece nacionalidades distintas.

El Arsenal siempre a sido un club muy importante en Inglaterra. Pero desde que llego Arsene Wenger y sus discípulos franceses no ha dejado de crecer. En 10 años han ganado tres veces la Premier Leage, han conseguido llegar a la final de las Champions League por primera vez en su historia, y han tenido a  ”TiTi” Henry al jugador más importante de los ultimos tiempos en Inglaterra.

Hoy el Arsenal no se parece en nada al de Ian Wright o Tonny Adams. Esta temporada son cinco los jugadores ingleses en la plantilla, e incluso en toda la cantera del Arsenal predominan más los jugadores extranjeros que los nacionales.

Creo que seguiremos disfrutando muchos años de Arsene Wenger y a su Arsenal, ya que parecen condenados a entenderse. Él se ha convertido en el padre del club. Yo, personalmente, espero verle mucho tiempo, por que al final esto lo juegan los futbolistas, y este señor a parte de encontralos (que es lo difícil), los convierte en cracks. Desde sus inicios con Vieira y Anelka y hasta el día de hoy con Fabregas, Van Persey y compañía…

Apunten que estos son los proximos: Aron Ramshey, Fran Merida y Vermaelen…por citar algunos…

Siempre Arsenal, siempre Arsene Wenger.

It’s that time of the year when the years two best teams face head to head at Stamford Bridge,home of Chelsea FC to prove that only one of them is “THE” BEST. I would be tricky for Man Utd considering the fact that they are away from home and Chelsea are on a roll. Stamford Bridge is no walk in the park for Man Utd since they haven’t won a game there for atleat 10 years staight. But everyone could be in for a surprise today. Anything could happen. Sparks will fly, Words exchanges at the heat of the moment, Flashes of brilliance and that is what will help either team win the match. All we fans hope for is that we get a great game of football that we can relish for the rest of our lives. It should be “The” Best Game.

Rajster’s Prediction:

Hmmn. This is a tough one. Being a Man Utd Fan i hate to see my team lose but at the same time it would be a fierce contest and i go for a 2-2 draw with Rooney & Valencia on the scoresheet for the Red Devils & a brace from Drogba for the Blues.

By Joe, www.Bettingexpert.com

A titanic battle between the two leading teams in the Premiership and it will certainly be a hot affair this coming Sunday at Stamford Bridge. Both teams are successive through to the next round in their Champions League campaign which leaves the Premier League more of a priority this coming weekend. If all goes according to plan then this could be the first encounter between the coming Premier League champions.

Chelsea is currently leading the Premiership with 27 points with 11 matches played. Their home form is impeccable as they are unbeaten winning five matches out of five. Chelsea traveled to Spain and drew 2-2- against A. Madrid in the midweek. Manager Carlo Ancelotti will have a health squad going into this important tie with Alex, Ballack and Joe Cole returning back to full fitness. Salamon Kalou,  Bosingwa, Mikel and  Zhirkov are all ruled doubtful to face Manchester United.

Manchester United came from behind at Old Trafford to draw 3-3 against CSKA Moscow in the Champions League midweek tie. If you look closely into the lineup against Moscow then there were many fringe players that started and even newly father, Wayne Rooney, had to take a place on the bench. Sir Alex Ferguson will put his strongest team out and hopes to capture the number one spot in the Premier League by betting Chelsea. Ferguson will be without Ferdinand, Hargreaves, Park, Wellbeck through injuries while Gary Neville will serve his suspension.

Last time these two teams, they drew 1-1 at Stamford Bridge and a repeat of this result will be on many people’s mind. We have to go back all the way to 2002 to find a victory for Manchester United as Stamford Bridge while Chelsea last win over Manchester United was in 2009 with a 2-1 result. A safe bet on a draw is a must and both teams can’t afford to spoil their records of unbeaten runs home and away.

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It’s Diwali today and everyone in India is celebrating. This wonderful ‘festival of lights’ signifies a lot of things to a lot of people. It is a festival of joy,happiness, opulence, prosperity, stability and wealth. I don’t know of any other festival which celebrates wealth and where the common people spend money extravagantly and even gamble with abandon as a part of their religious duties. For the spiritually enlightened it may be the celebration of ‘the awareness of the inner light’  through contemplation, deep meditation and connecting with oneself in pursuit of a deeper understanding of your true self with the ultimate aim of achieving  ‘Ananda’ and ‘Nirvana’. For me, Diwali is justification for maxing out my credit card and partying till the break of dawn.

I thought the perfect start to the Diwali celebrations would be watching the Aston Villa-Chelsea match and was praying for Chelsea to get the Diwali fireworks started. Too bad, I always underestimate their capacity to surprise (read appall, shock and frustrate!) I mean seriously, what were we doing? Lampard had a pretty bad game and I am amazed at how bad some of our defending was. Also, why didn’t Carlos Ancelotti make a substitution sooner? The ‘Jose Mourinho School of substitution’ could have probably come to our rescue. What was Ancelotti, the Chelsea Manager thinking? If Lampard just didn’t come to office why wasn’t he substituted?

I can’t help but feel for John Terry, who was so mad with his team that he had to vent his frustration out on the goal post! Aston Villa are never an easy club to play and they definitely deserved the win today. They were clearly the better team and also looked like they wanted it way more than our carefree ‘Blues’. Aston Villa played like they were the ones in risk of getting knocked off the top spot on the League Table.

A lot of people around me were lyrical about the match, saying how entertaining it was and how good Dunne’s goal was, how agile Agbonlahor was and how Drogba’s goal was just a case of bad defending. Jeez! Gimme a break…I was surrounded by people who didn’t realize how their innocent chatter was slowly killing my festival spirit. I’d take a mind numbing, boring match that ends with a Chelsea win any day over this one. I despise matches that Chelsea lose and am not very fond of people who go gaga over such a match either!  It was starting to look very bleak for my team and I was pretty miserable. The promised happy Diwali was turning out to be a crappy Diwali till Anelka in his enthusiasm to keep the ball in play, knocked the hyperactive, yet adorable Aston Villa Manager, Martin O’Neill off his feet.

I chuckled despite myself and realized it doesn’t matter who you are or who you know, what you know, football can always knock you off your feet. And all you have to do is get up, dust yourself off and after all it’s just a game. Happy Diwali. Cheers.

By Joe, www.Bettingexpert.com

Villa will battle it out at Villa Park for the precious three points against Chelsea.

The International fixtures saw both teams saw many of their key members scattered around the World to comply with their International duties.  Now that all the players are back, they have to prepare for the early Saturday kickoff at Villa Park. Aston Villa will need to put on their fight spirits in order to dispose a well all round Chelsea team.

Coach Martin O’Neill do need to assemble his men and grind out a win here if he wants to even contemplate on challenging for a Champions League spot next year. There have been rumors that England international, Emilie Heskey, might be leaving Aston Villa. Heskey has turn around and put the record straight in that he will be honoring his contract.  He will be fighting for a spot in the starting lineup with Gabriel Agbonlahor and John Carew. Davis and Stewart Downing are still injured.

Chelsea travels to Villa Park in search to extend their lead in the top of the Premiership. Chelsea will be without goal keeper, Petr Cech, as he is still serving his suspension. Coach Carlo Ancelotti will have to call on Hilario once again to guard the goal. During the international break, the Italian coach also secured both Brazilian Alex and Salomon Kalou for another 3 more years of their service with the West London club. Michael Ballack and Mikel are out injuried while Boswinga is doubtful to travel to Villa.

Aston Villa and Chelsea have in the past 3 years drawn more at Villa Park than finding a winner. Last season, Chelsea prevailed with a Nicolas Anelka 19^th minute winner and surely the Villains would not want this to happen. Chelsea Ancelotti will certainly play a passive game and get Villa to concede the mistakes during their build up. Physically Villa will match Chelsea so a draw could be on the menu, check out Betsson as they are offering odds at 3.30 for a draw.

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Há algumas semanas a Globo - querendo pagar pouco, jejejejeej – lançou a campanha O Melhor Emprego do Mundo que selecionará um jornalista formando ou recém formado para o cargo de correspondente internacional dos seus canais à cabo.

Ser correspondente deve ser legal mesmo, mas o melhor emprego do mundo – da perspectiva de um viciado em futebol – é sem sombra de dúvidas o do senhor Fabio Capello.

Neste fim de semana o técnico da seleção inglesa esteve em 4 estádios diferentes acompanhando partidas da Premier League. E não foram joguinhos quaisquer.

No sábado Capello visitou o noroeste inglês. Foi a Bolton assistir a partida do time local contra o Tottenham. Jogo pra lá de emocionante que terminou empatado em 2 X 2.

Logo depois o técnico do English Team estava no Old Trafford vendo Manchester United X Sunderland. Com um golaço do búlgaro Berbatov e outro golzinho chorado do lateral Evra aos 47 do segundo tempo, os Red Devils garantiram o empate em 2 X 2 e mantiveram um tabu que já dura 41 anos. A última vitória do Sunderland contra o United em Manchester foi em 1968.

Mas se o sábado já havia sido bom, o que falar do domingo?

Primeiramente Capello teve a oportunidade de acompanhar a melhor partida do fim de semana, Arsenal 6 X 2 Blacburn Rovers no Emirates Stadium, com direito a show dos comandados de Arsène Wenger. O passeio dos Gunners foi 6 X 2, mas não é nenhum exagero dizer que poderia ter sido 10 x 4 ou 11 X 5. Detalhe, 8 gols marcados por 8 jogadores diferentes, eu nunca havia visto algo assim. Jogo histórico, inesquecível! E tenho quase certeza que o treinador da seleção inglesa se lamentou demais por Cesc Fabregas ser espanhol, que maturidade aos 22 anos, que grande craque!

Fabio Capello saiu do Emirates e se dirigiu ao Stamford Bridge para assistir o clássico Chelsea X Liverpool. Mais uma grande partida que terminou com a vitória da equipe londrina por 2 X 0 com gols dos franceses Anelka e Malouda. E excepcional apresentação do ebúrneo Didier Drogba.

Pra muita gente o fim de semana de Fabio Capello pode parecer um martírio, sábado e domingo trabalhando, viagens e tal. Mas pra mim, um viciado em futebol, este fim de semana mais parece um sonho. Não bastasse, hoje à tarde provavelmente ele estará em Birmingham pra mais uma partida que promete, Aston Villa X Manchester City que fecha a rodada da Premier League.

Da onipresença do Capello fica um ensinamento; técnico de seleção tem que viver em estádio. É só no campo que se vê um jogo em sua perfeição. O treinador anão da nossa seleção por exemplo, raramente é visto nos estádios do Brasil e da Europa. É por esta e por outras que o English Team é meu favorito pra levar a Copa de 2010.

Imagem: Estadão

Chelsea go on first place in the Premier League after a crazy game with Liverpool won 2-0. Goals for Abramovich’s team were submitted by Anelka and Malouda.

By Joe, www.Bettingexpert.com

One of the best strikers and defender in the Premiership will go haed to head this weekend. Who will come out on top?

Two contenders for the Premier League title and both sides are also gunning for the Champions League trophy too. Liverpool in the past have dominated the ties in the Champions League match up while Chelsea have the upper hand in the Premier League. However, last season, things changed, Liverpool beat Chelsea twice both home and away in the Premiership, while Chelsea knockout Liverpool in the Champions League quarterfinals.

Chelsea ended their six consecutive victories in the Premiership at Wigan last week with a 3-1 defeat. That match revealed that Chelsea have vulnerable moments in the defense and that was fixed against Apoel Nicosia with a 1-0 away in the Champions League. Both matches showed that Chelsea did not play their best and Italian Coach Carlo Ancelotti will make sure they put out their best against Liverpool. Chelsea will be without goal keeper, Petr Cech, as he will start serving his three match suspension.

Rafa Benitez needs a reaction from his squad after losing 2-0 in their Champions League match against Fiorentina away from home in the midweek. It was Liverpool’s worse outing for some time and it was something that Benitez angered ahead of the titanic clash on Sunday. The reds made one change in the midweek where Albert Riera replaced by Brazilian Fabio Aurelio in the starting lineup. Javier Mascherano pulled his hamstring in the midweek and is ruled doubtful traveling to Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea and Liverpool faces each other more than just the two scheduled matches in the Premiership, they are usually paired up in the latter stages in the Champions League or one of the English domestic cups. So both teams know each other inside out and this will certainly be a tight affair. Rafa Benitez have never beaten Ancoletti in the 90 minutes and that could prove a bit of a disadvantage for the away team.  Check out Betsson as they are offering odds at 3.20 for a draw.

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E a 2ª rodada da UEFA Champions League teve fim hoje, com mais oito jogos e apenas quinze gols. Confira!

Bayern 0×0 Juventus: um jogo que tinha tudo para ser o que foi. Truncado e com o time alemão tentando sair mais para o ataque, não chegou a empolgar. Os Bávaros seguem líderes do Grupo A.

Bordeaux 1×0 Maccabi Haifa: os israelenses bem que tentaram se fechar, mas não deu. O time da casa chegou à vitória na base da pressão e também lidera o grupo com 4 pontos.

CSKA 2×1 Besiktas: na casa dos russos, que haviam perdido na estréia, vitória gelada e 3 pontos somados na competição. Os turcos seguem na lanterna do Grupo B.

Manchester 2×1 Wolfsburg: de virada. Foi assim que os Red Devils venceram a equipe de Grafite em Old Trafford. Com todos os gols no segundo tempo, Dzeko abriu o placar para os alviverdes, mas em apenas 7 minutos o líder Manchester virou com gols de Giggs e Carrick.

Milan 0×1 Zurich: apesar da má fase do time de Leonardo, foi a zebrassa da rodada. Um a zero em Milão, com direito a um golaço de letra. Agora, ambos têm 3 pontos no Grupo C.

Real Madrid 3×0 Olympique: após um 1º tempo de muita dificuldade, as contratações milionárias do Real mostraram suas caras. Cristiano Ronaldo marcou dois e Kaká fez o dele de pênalti. Liderança do Grupo C!

Apoel 0×1 Chelsea: um golaço de Anelka foi o necessário para vencer fora de casa e manter os Blues na ponta do Grupo D. Belo resultado a lá Ancelotti.

Porto 2×0 Atlético de Madri: bela vitória em casa. E dessa maneira o time de Madri, que era apontado como segunda força do Grupo, vai ficando para trás.

POSTADO POR ROJAS.

derby al Chelsea

Prima della partita, Carlo Ancelotti aveva parlato del suo desiderio di far contenti i tifosi del Chelsea con una vittoria nel derby. Dopo la distruzione delle speranze degli Spurs con un 3-0, ha riferito anche di uno spogliatoio euforico.

“Siamo contentissimi perché abbiamo vinto una difficile sfida,” ha dichiarato il manager dopo aver visto segnare gl’implacabili Ashley Cole, Michael Ballack e Didier Droga.

“E’ stata un’affermazione importante (la quinta su cinque partite giocate in campionato, record assoluto per un manager dei Blues all’esordio, NdT) perché era un derby e perché il Tottenham è un grande avversario. Hanno giocato molto bene nel primo tempo e avendo cambiato qualcosa a centrocampo ci hanno reso un po’ difficile mantenere il controllo in fase difensiva,” ha ammesso.

“Nella ripresa abbiamo giocato meglio noi perché ci siamo organizzati molto bene indietro e abbiamo tenuto palla a centrocampo. Abbiamo fatto degli ottimi contropiedi in occasione del secondo e del terzo gol.”
“Contro il Tottenham, se non ti muovi bene sul campo non puoi vincere 3-0.”

Il manager del Tottenham, Harry Redknapp, ha sorpreso tutti tatticamente schierando la squadra in modo simile al Chelsea – con Aaron Lennon e Robbie Keane dietro Jermain Defoe.

Il Chelsea è passato in vantaggio ma nei primi 45 minuti Redknapp ha mantenuto lo stesso schema utilizzato da Ancelotti.

“Nella prima mezz’ora ho pensato che fossimo davvero la squadra migliore,” ha affermato l’allenatore degli Spurs.

“Siamo stai più lucidi, ci siamo passati bene la palla causandogli molti problemi – ma loro sono un gruppo fortissimo e quando abbiamo perso Ledley King per infortunio non siamo riusciti a contenere Drogba, che è troppo forte e potente.”

King si è stirato poco dopo l’intervallo e Redknapp ha anche recriminato per un rigore di lì a poco, quando Robbie Keane è stato accusato da Howrad Webb (arbitro internazionale, NdT) di essersi tuffato, individuando in questo episodio la svolta della sfida.

“Non faccio l’arbitro, preferisco astenermi da commenti a questo riguardo,” è stato il commento di Ancelotti sull’accaduto. “Ma credo che l’arbitro abbia tenuto bene la partita, c’era molto rispetto fra i giocatori.”

L’italiano ha poi dovuto fare i conti con un infortunio nella squadra, quello che ha costretto Drogba ad abbandonare il campo 20 minuti dopo aver segnato il suo 99esimo gol per il Chelsea.

“Non sappiamo esattamente cos’abbia, è troppo presto, ma speriamo che sia stato soltanto un crampo al polpaccio. Nei prossimi giorni avremo la diagnosi precisa.” Ha anche spiegato di aver sostituito Ballack per precauzione, dato che si sentiva le gambe pesanti.

“Non possiamo perdere fiducia se ci viene a mancare Drogba,” ha continuato Ancelotti guardando avanti. “E’ un giocatore fortissimo ma possiamo giocare bene anche senza di lui. Abbiamo vinto il nostro ultimo incontro, quello col Porto, senza di lui. Ha segnato Nicolas Anelka, e poi abbiamo anche Salomon Kalou e Daniel Sturridge, e Fabio Borini.

Il diciottenne attaccante italiano ha debuttato nel finale dell’incontro con gli Spurs.

“Siamo contenti perché ha giocato la sua prima partita. Abbiamo un’ottima Scuola Calcio e puntiamo a portare ogni giocatore da lì alla prima squadra.”

articolo del sito ufficiale del Chelsea

http://www.chelseafc.com/page/LatestNews/0,,10268~1802992,00.html