It’s CL time again. Liverpool on the edge, literally and needing max points from both games and hoping Lyon can do them a favour. The other 3 English sides look to be on cruise mode into the knockout stages. As have said before CL matches are harder to call than domestic football leagues so smaller stakes are to be considered.

Rangers v Stuttgart 7.45pm

With both of these sides still in with a shout of qualifying for the knockout stages and being the draw specialists can see this having 2 or 3 goals in it. With the markets split on am going to take a position on the cs markets as follows:

Back 1-1, 2-1, 1-2.

Insurance on under 1.5 optional.

Will be in chat to discuss % of stakes on the 3 scorelines and to trade other games.

See you there.

Good luck.

Standard Liege arrive for a Champions League encounter that they believe will keep their slim hopes of reaching the knockout phase alive. Largely that depends on the Arsenal side which emerges from the tunnel; will it be the out of sorts mob who played at the weekend or have the international cobwebs been swept away in the days since Saturday’s defeat?

The squad is unchanged save for the return of Kieran Gibbs. Wenger may decide to hold off reinstating the young England international to the starting line-up to give his injury the chance to truly heal. Traore did not do anything wrong in particular at the weekend and for the most part was reasonably solid. Tonight would be a chance to add to his experience.

The dilemma that Wenger has over left back is repeated in the forward line. Eduardo needs match time to forge an understanding with those around him having had an interrupted return from various niggles. That said, is it more important to wrap him in cotton wool ahead of Sunday’s encounter with Chelsea? Certainly, I do not believe Wenger can afford to go into that clash with Vela as the only recognised central striker who is fit.

Before he lashed out regarding Theo Walcott’s availability for England next summer, Wenger had identified the Mexican as the reason for not replacing Emmanuel Adebayor, comparing Vela to Robbie Fowler. Whilst there is an element of truth in that, Wenger made no secret of his intention to try and buy Chamakh from Bordeaux. His words yesterday were an undisguised attempt to boost the confidence of his young striker.

The position in the Champions League is such that Wenger can once more make changes with half an eye on Sunday. Denilson and Walcott might be considered for starting places with Nasri in central midfield. Rosicky looked as if he could do with some more playing time to focus on his sharpness, enabling Wenger to rest Arshavin once more. The depth of the squad in midfield is coming through with injured personnel returning to the fold.

Whilst there is an element of forward planning going on, too many changes are equally disruptive, be they forced or unforced. For once Arsene barked yesterday, apparently exploding when questioned about Theo Walcott’s long term fitness. Media inquisitions about the player and his international future based on misguided beliefs about the hereditary nature of his injuries brought forth the most direct criticism of international football from the manager.

He is absolutely right to point out who Walcott’s paymaster is. Football, unlike cricket, does not have central contracts with the national associations paying scant regard to players well-being and next to nothing for use of a prize asset.

Comparisons to industry and commerce are futile since football is a sport, even though the clubs are businesses in the modern age. Even so, the protestations of Blatter and his cohorts that they are purely focussed on the health of individuals, concerned about the number of games played whilst still permitting meaningless friendlies to prevade the footballing calendar.

There are seven months to go before the World Cup Finals begin. Too much time to worry about Walcott’s fitness, especially since he has managed around 180 minutes all season thus far. If he returns to the Arsenal fold and remains fit, let the media worry about whether he will be in Capello’s squad nearer the time. It is however, indicative of the lack of depth in the English game that Walcott is almost certain to play on the right hand side of midfield. The concerns shown now would normally be reserved for a media darling, not a young player who suffered the slings and arrows of managerial indiscretion at the last World Cup Finals.

Back to this evening. Predicting a line-up is difficult with Sunday’s match ahead although the extra days to recover are helpful to the manager. Much will depend on the readiness of certain players following injury but I would start with:

Almunia; Eboue, Gallas, Vermaelen, Gibbs; Denilson, Ramsey, Nasri; Walcott, Vela, Rosicky

That would enable Song, Fabregas, Eduardo and Arshavin to be called from the bench if required. Further, if the match is comfortable by the hour mark, I would have no hesitation in bringing Silvestre and Senderos on, giving Vermaelen and Gallas a bit of a breather. Wenger may view that as too many changes.

Enjoy the match wherever you are watching it. ’til Tomorrow.

Se presenta una nueva jornada de champions apasionante, en la que puede haber más de una sorpresa. Barça, Madrid y Liverpool, entre otros grandes, están al borde del abismo, y un tropiezo podría dejarles fuera, o casi sin opciones en la competición.

JORNADA 5

UEFA

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

MARTES 24/11/09

Rubin Kazan – Dinamo Kiev 24/11/09•18:30 h.
LOS RUSOS, A ENCARRILAR SU PASE A OCTAVOS
Estadio: Estado Tsentralny (Central) de Kazán
Árbitro: Felix Brych (GER)

Barcelona – Inter de Milán
UN BARÇA MERMADO, DEBE DEMOSTRAR PORQUÉ ES EL CAMPEÓN PARA NO CAER EN EL ABISMO
Estadio: Camp Nou
Árbitro: Massimo Busacca

Fiorentina – Olympique Lyonnais 24/11/09 – 20:45
LA VICTORIA LOCAL FRENTE A UN LYON YA CLASIFICADO DEJA FUERA AL LIVERPOOL.
Estadio: Artemio Franchi
Árbitro: Olegario Benquerenca (POR)

Debrecen – Liverpool 24/11/09 – 20:45
EL LIVERPOOL, A GANAR…Y REZAR
Estadio: Ferenc Puskás.
Árbitro: Bjorn Kuipers (Holanda)

Unirea Urziceni – Sevilla 24/11/09 – 20:45
EL SEVILLA, A POR EL LIDERATO DEL GRUPO
Estadio: Ghencea
Árbitro: Tom Henning Ovrebo (NOR)

Rangers – Stuttgart – 24/11/09 – 20:45
EN BUSCA DE LA VICTORIA DE LA ESPERANZA
Estadio: Ibrox Park
Árbitro: Roberto Rosetti (Italia)

Arsenal – Standard de Lieja 24/11/09 – 20:45
LOS SUPLENTES DEL ARSENAL, A ASEGURAR EL PRIMER PUESTO
Estadio: Emirates Stadium
Árbitro: Konrad Plautz (Austria)

AZ Alkmaar – Olympiacos 24/11/09 – 20:45
EL OLYMPIACOS, A DAR LA PUNTILLA AL AZ
Estadio: AZ Stadion
Árbitro: A.Undiano Mallenco (ESP)

Zwei Giganten wackeln bedrohlich. Barcelona und Liverpool droht das Aus bereits am heutigen Champions League Dienstag. Besonders für Rafael Benitez dürfte es im Falle des Ausscheidens äußerst eng werden. Und sollte der Spanier als Trainer wieder auf dem Markt sein, gibt es in Madrid und München möglicherweise neue Trainerstühle. Spannend wird es auch in Glasgow. Mit einem Sieg bei den Rangers könnte Markus Babbel den VfB Stuttgart die Chance auf das Achtelfinale retten und sich selbst vor weiteren Trainerdiskussionen bewahren.

Gruppe F:
Rubin Kazan : Dynamo Kiew (18.30 Uhr)
Klima dürfte diesmal kein Heimvorteil für den russischen Meister sein, der unter der Woche mit Finanzproblemen von sich reden machte. Auch der Vorteil des Underdogs fällt für Kazan weg. Dennoch sind die Russen stark. Kiew kann aber dagegen halten. Ein unattraktives Spiel zur Einstimmung auf den Gruppenkracher. Denn dank der Zeitverschiebung wissen die Kontrahenten im Camp Nou über den Ausgang der Partie schon im Vorfeld bescheid.

FC Barcelona : Inter Mailand (20.45 Uhr)
Barca steht mit dem Rücken zur Wand. Die Katalanen brauchen mindestens vier Punkte aus den letzten beiden Spielen gegen Inter und in Kiew. Wichtig wäre ein Heimsieg gegen den italienischen Meister, damit im ungemütlichen Kiew ein Unentschieden reicht. In der Champions League läuft es für die Blaugrana noch nicht rund. Aber Mourinhos Inter ist keineswegs ein unschlagbarer Gegner. Doch da den Italienern ein Punkt reicht, um die Qualifikation für das Achtelfinale  im Heimspiel gegen Kazan fest zu machen, wird es eine Abwehrschlacht im Camp Nou. Das Spiel dürfte maßgeblich vom vorherigen Ergebnis aus Kazan beeinflusst werden.

Gruppe E:
Debrecen VSC : FC Liverpool
Liverpool steht schon vor dem Jahreswechsel vor den Trümmern der Saison. In der Liga glauben wohl nur die hartgesottensten Kopites an das Ende der 19-jährigen Durststrecke ohne Meisterschaft. Mit Steve Gerrard geht es zum ungarischen Meister, Fernando Torres fällt jedoch mit einer Adduktoren-Verletzung aus. Dennoch: Pflichtsieg für die Reds, die zwar in katastrophaler Form sind. Debrecen aber hat noch keinen Punkt in dieser Champions League Saison geholt.

AC Florenz : Olympique Lyon
Auf der Insel wird man auch nach Italien schauen. Gewinnt die Fiorentina ihr Heimspiel, war es das für Liverpool. Lyon ist bereits qualifiziert und muss dennoch mindestens punkten. Das ist sicherlich denkbar, doch in der Praxis könnten die Franzosen die letzten fünf Prozent Einsatz vermissen lassen. Vielleicht scheidet also mal wieder ein englisches Team in der Vorrunde aus.

Gruppe G:
Glasgow Rangers : VfB Stuttgart
Die Rangers sind noch desolater als der VfB, doch die Hoffnung für Stuttgart ist gering. Das Tief in dem die Schwaben stecken ist zu groß, als das man auf eine Leistungsexplosion hoffen könnte. Dabei wäre es so leicht weiterzukommen. Ein Sieg in Glasgow, ein Sieg gegen Urziceni und schon stünde der Meister von 2007 im Achtelfinale. Der Geist ist willig, das Fleisch jedoch schwach.

Unirea Urziceni : FC Sevilla
Sevila ist schon qualifiziert, die Reise nach Rumänien für die Südeuropäer unangenehm. Das typische Champions League Vorrundenspiel, wo der Favorit aus katastrophalem osteuropäischen Rasen müde agiert und der Außenseiter wacker kämpft.

Gruppe H:
AZ Alkmaar : Olympiakos Piräus
Ein Spiel zum Abgewöhnen. Die Griechen können mit einem Sieg bei den schwachen Holländern den Einzug in das Achtelfinale klarmachen. Ein starker Erfolg in einer schwachen Gruppe.

Arsenal London : Standard Lüttich
Die Gunners sind in starker Form, ein Punkt reicht zur Qualifikation fürs Achtelfinale. Keine Zweifel für die Wenger-Elf, die auch in der Liga in überragender Form ist.

Tipps:
Wochenende: 4-5
gesamt: 64-74

Jamie Carragher conceded that Liverpool’s chances of progressing to the last 16 are pretty slim. He also said that if Liverpool don’t make it through, they will focus their energy on the Europa league:

“If we don’t make it through, then we have to accept it and move on,” said Liverpool vice-captain Jamie Carragher. “Stevie Gerrard and myself won what was the UEFA Cup back in 2001 and it was a great moment. It is still a chance to win silverware [this season] and there are some great teams in that competition. Benfica looked really strong against Everton, and Valencia are in it too. Obviously, we are all still hoping we are in the Champions League come Tuesday night.

Liverpoll will need Lady Luck tonight when they take on Debrecen. A win alone is not enough to see them through. Lyon will need to do Liverpool a favour by beating Fiorentina. If Lyon and Fiorentina draw, Liverpool will have to beat the Italian club by 3 goals.

“The hardest thing is our destiny isn’t in our own hands. When we have been in situations like this before, we have been able to sort it out ourselves. We have to concentrate on our own game and hopefully things will go our way. We have to look after ourselves and get the three points. We just have to concentrate on what we can affect and make sure we do our job. Nobody is thinking about the other game yet because we have to make sure we win first. There would be nothing worse than Lyon doing us a favour and we haven’t managed to get the win we need,” said Carragher.
Source: FIFA.com

Mercoledì 25 Novembre alle 20:45, la partita valida per il girone di qualificazione C di Champions League, Milan – Olympique Marsiglia sarà trasmessa dalla Rai, su Rai 1 e su Rai Test HD in alta definizione.

Il match, sarà visibile sul digitale terrestre su:

• Mux 1 e Mux 6 (Rai Uno, Standard Definition), in Sardegna e a Roma (Mux 6)
• Mux A (Rai Uno, Standard Definition), nelle regioni che hanno già effettuato lo switch over (Piemonte, Trentino, Lazio)
• Mux 4 (Rai Test HD, High Definition), nelle regioni in cui è già attivo (Valle d’Aosta, Trentino, Piemonte, Sardegna, Lazio)

Ovviamente, la partita sarà trasmessa nel formato 16:9 al quale la Rai sta migrando.

Per chi di voi si trovasse in una delle fortunate zone, vi preghiamo di mandarci qualche screenshot della partita in alta definizione, in modo da far vedere a tutti i lettori i risultati della sperimentazione.

Sul sito web di RaiSport sono disponibili tutti i dettagli dei gironi della Champion’s League, i marcatori ed i risultati delle partite già giocate.

Nota per Roma: A Roma il canale Rai Test HD, diffuso sul Mux 4 Rai, è sintonizzabile sul canale 40 UHF irradiato dall’impianto di Monte Cavo.

Toda una final en el mes de Noviembre. Justamente eso es lo que significa el partido de esta noche entre el club catalán y su rival, el Inter de Milán de Samuel Etoó.

La trascendencia del partido va más allá de los tres puntos en juego. Ambos equipos los necesitan ante la texitura que ha tomado el grupo, con las dos supuestas cenicientas con opciones reales de pasar a la siguiente fase, pero sin duda es mucho más importante para el Barça. Digamos que al Inter le vale el empate mientras que el Barcelona no puede conformarse con nada que no sea la victoria.

Al equipo de Guardiola le ha dado la espalda la suerte en un momento clave. Con tanto en juego, la baja casi segura de Messi se une a las de Touré, Márquez y Abidal. Cuatro titulares en el alambre para un partido con mucha miga. La vuelta de Ibrahimovic y la probable entrada en el equipo de Henry paliarán en parte las ausencias. Un medio campo con Busquets, Iniesta y Xavi acompañando a Henry, Ibrahimovic y Pedrito es un arsenal ofensivo de garantías para tratar de derribar la muralla planteada por Mourinho.

Deberá estar atento el Barça. Tras dejar vivo al Inter en el partido de ida, debe concentrarse para no conceder un contragolpe que podría ser mortal de necesidad. Con espacios, un equipo con Sneijder como lanzador de Etoó y Milito es muy peligroso.

El partido se decidirá en el césped, pero el componente mental se antoja bastante importante. El Inter saldrá a aguantar la acometida inicial del Barça y esperará a que afloren los nervios en los locales. El equipo catalán debe pensar a largo plazo. Tiene 90 minutos para alcanzar su meta y poner un pie en los Octavos de Final.

Personalmente pienso que el Barça no tendrá problema para ganar al Inter. Es una sensación que quizá no se corresponda con el potencial de ambos equipos, no lo sé. El caso es que el Barça tiene muchos más argumento que el equipo transalpino y debe ponerlos en el campo. Si lo consigue, hablaremos de gloria y una inercia positiva para recibir al Madrid. Si no, la cosa se complicará un poco más si cabe de cara al enfrentamiento liguero…

That little outburst was not from me, but from our Gallic manager when asked if Theo would be going to South Africa, good going boss, that’s the spirit!

Onto January signings he went on to say ‘Why would Bordeaux sell Numbchucks for a million euros?’

More to the point, why would we only offer a million? If he was worth a bid in the summer, Arsene must rate him, if he is free to go in the summer, and he’s that good, then every other big team will be in for him and they will all offer him more that we would or indeed could.

So why on earth would we not go in and offer them £5m, they’d bite our hands off and we’d get a good squad player for very little, good business if you ask me, plus we get a much needed top class player that’s fit.

In other news Song has extended his contract until 2015, so any thoughts you may have had about a new DM have now gone, he is the one that Wenger wants. I wish my boss would give me a 6 year contract, he won’t though because he’s a tight bastard, If only Wenger ran my company!

Cesc has said ‘why not’ to finishing his career at the Arsenal, good for you Cesc, that’s the way to deal with the Barca crap, that should shut them up for a few weeks, yeah right!

Andre Arshavin says Wenger should spend big in the January window and if it upsets a few youngsters, then that’s fair, if we want to win the league, we need some world class players, Andre, I can’t disagree with that my friend. Ha, ha, I bet he gets dropped for saying that!

Onto tonight, the European game where we can qualify for the next stage, the game where I expect to see a few experiments in team selection for the chav game this weekend, tonight’s selection will be interesting.

Yes I know he wants to give Vela a run, and that I applaud, but we have a lot of young forwards that get injured a lot, what we need is a few options up front that don’t get injured so often. We’ve had Bendtner, Theo, Robin, Vela, Eduardo and even Arshavin injured this season, so I don’t think we would have selection issues, do you?

All we need is a point tonight, all three and we go forward as winners of the group, I think that also helps with our ranking points, so all to play for, I just hope we don’t treat this as an exhibition game, I hope we can better the spuds score and send out a message, so I’m going to break with tradition and predict a 10-1 result, I’ll give them one because it wouldn’t be the same if we didn’t concede.

I have a feeling he may give Eastmond an airing tonight, either that or we’ll see Denilson back and he’ll rest Song so he’ll be fit for the chavs on Sunday.

Talking of the spuds, I always thought we should have had a look at Defoe when he was at West Ham, bit of a gamble, but he is a gooner, but not to have had a sniff when he was leaving Portsmouth was a little careless, he does know where the goal is doesn’t he?

We also need to show we can score goals with a short forward line and given the shit the players got from Saturday’s debacle, I expect them to come out the blocks on fire.

Here’s my team for tonight.

Mannone

Eboue, Senderos, Vermaelen, Gibbs

Rosicky Denilson/Eastmond, Cesc

Walcott, Arshavin, Vela

With Eduardo, Nasri and Ramsey making up the bench.

Two great things came out of yesterday, one was Cesc told Barca very politely to fuck off, and Wenger told the World cup hopefuls to remember who pays them, good advice and further proof if you needed it that Wenger does indeed read Le Grove.

Have a great day Grovers, tonight we show the world that we really are true contenders.

If there was a 7 player German boys club playing Rangers tonight, I would be at least considering opposing the Glasgow side. Both sides of the old firm have taken a major step backwards this season, and even with home field advantage, Rangers are still liable to hit the euro self-destruct button.

Rangers need a win more, but Stuttgart are going to be a much stronger test than the kilmarnock team that was steam rolled on Saturday!

Whilst the tempting bet is to take the away side @17/10, the bet that keeps the money safest is:

LOCKitIN: Stuttgart (draw no bet) @5/6

wenn Heute kein drei Punkte gegen die Glasgow Rangers eingefahren werden, könnte das für Markus Babbel sein letztes Spiel bedeuten.

Die Voraussetzungen sind schlecht seit 3 Monate ohne einen 3er, selbst gegen den Tabellenletzten Berlin ging man ohne Sieg vom Platz und am Sonntag in Leverkusen? wer glaubt da noch an einen Erfolg.

Fazit: wenn nicht Heute wann dann? die Hoffnung stirbt zuletzt, mit erfolglosen Schönspielereien kommt man wohl nicht weiter, die Spieler müssen endlich lernen Gras zu beissen,  mit totalen Kampeinsatz zum Spiel zu finden, das man absolut vermisst.

The superstitious side of me wants to think that it’s the white shorts that cost us three points on Saturday. I don’t really know how the decision to wear white shorts came about, considering that we’ve worn blue shorts with our blue kits, but it struck me as odd about ten minutes into the match. I wondered what the point of it was. Is it because Sunderland wear dark shorts? It reminded me of that ghastly kit Liverpool wore when Robbie Keane scored a goal against us last year.

The logical side of me thinks that we never got out of first gear and it was a tremendously disappointing performance. Yes, Chelsea did what they were supposed to do. They also had Wolves at home, and they now have Gael Kukata claiming that the Premier League seems easier than the Reserves. We went to the Stadium of Light against a team ready to prove themselves, directly after the international break.

Other than the shot on goal by Rosicky, the one-two between Song and Eduardo, and the blatant penalty on Vela that was turned down, we didn’t do very much. Ramsey for all his plaudits has yet to deliver a definitive Arsenal performance. For a creative player, I don’t know how many assists or key chances he’s created for Arsenal. Eduardo’s movement was subpar and his finishing has been far from clinical lately, but he’s finding his way back into things. You know it’s bad when Alex Song was the primary playmaker during the second half, a product of Cana harassing Cesc the entire game.

We were sluggish though, and we never got out of first gear.

As my fellow colleague said, champions win games like this. With points dropped against West Ham and this result against Sunderland, our momentum has been stopped dead in the tracks.

That’s why the game against Liege is of great importance.

We need to reassert our dominant self on weaker opposition. If we win tomorrow, we’ll be guaranteed the top slot in the group and be able to field the reserves in the last Champions League group game.

But more importantly, it’ll build some real momentum heading into the weekend. Chelsea awaits. We must deliver.

The Betinternet.com Daily Sports Betting Preview for Tuesday, 24 November 2009:

Football: Tuesday is dominated by the Champions League with matches kicking off from 17:30. Next to that, there’s also some English Conference and Football League 1 & 2 to choose from.

Live Betting today for:

17:30 GMT: Champions League, Rubin Kazan v Dynamo Kiev
19:45 GMT: Champions League, Arsenal v Standard Liege
19:45 GMT: Champions League, Barcelona v Inter
19:45 GMT: Champions League, Debreceni VSC v Liverpool
19:45 GMT: Champions League, Rangers v Stuttgart

Tennis: The ATP World Tour Finals continue today and the biggest match of the day is without question Andy Murray v Roger Federer, which starts at 20:45 GMT.

Horse Racing: Meetings today at Gowran Park, Lingfield, Sedgefield and Southwell. Earliest race at 12:00 GMT.

US Sports: Six NBA and one NHL game to choose from today, none starting before 00:05 GMT.

Golf: The World Cup of Golf starts on thursday, Outright & match-ups available on site.

Handball: Two German Bundesliga games today: Düsseldorf v Kiel and Balingen v Füchse Berlin, both at 19:15 GMT.

Basketball: Plenty of EuroCup matches going on today, starting from 16:00 GMT. Next to that, there’s also some German Bundesliga and French ProA to bet on.

-> Don’t forget: Our November promotion for UK Tweeple is still running. Follow us on Twitter and win an Xbox 360 with FIFA 10 & Forza 3! Full details here: http://bit.ly/3C4w65 <-

Good Luck with all your Bets!

The Betinternet.com Team

There it is – What took us so long?

Ok, not us, but what has taken Arson so bloomin long to get thinking the way we have all been for yonks now?

‘My players cannot think about World Cup’

Arsène Wenger has insisted that for his players this season is about achieving success with Arsenal, not earning a place at the World Cup.

During a press conference at Arsenal’s Training Ground on Monday, one journalist suggested that the current campaign is a crucial one for Theo Walcott because, at its conclusion, England manager Fabio Capello will choose his squad for South Africa.

The reporter did not reach the end of his question.

“I must stop you there,” interrupted Wenger. “The big season is with Arsenal, not at the World Cup.

“We do not pay players to go to the World Cup – we pay the players to do well for Arsenal.

“The first pride of a man is to do well for the guy who pays you in life, not to go to the World Cup.”

Hoo-bloody-rah, at last, get the balloons blown up and hang the bunting out!

Club comes first, club pays players wages, club makes you successful, club teaches you how to grow with the game.

Maybe the injury to van Persie has been the final knock to the nail in our managers wooden head that will from now on STOP players going off on international duties when they are not fully fit, and even more important, stop them playing in meaningless friendlies for their country!

Well done Arson, I am with you all the way!

And yes, I did copy and paste the interview from afc.com, and I ain’t bovvered

And here is another copy and paste….

It begins :-

Dear Barcelona

Fabregas – I am happier than ever here

Cesc Fabregas says he is happier than ever at Arsenal.

Despite consistent rebuttals from the player himself, the Spaniard is still linked with a return to Barcelona and his name has even been dragged into the upcoming Presidential elections at the Nou Camp.

But, speaking ahead of Tuesday’s game with Standard Liege, the midfielder gave all that little credence and once again painted a rosy picture at Emirates Stadium.

“It does not affect me at all because it’s been going for years,” he said. “To be honest I just don’t think about it, I don’t want to and I don’t think I should because I’m at a great club and in a great team.

“I’m very happy where I am and there is very long season in front of us. The last thing I want to do is get disconnected from what I have to do which is to play football for my team and for the Club that pays me. I’m really looking forward to a great season with Arsenal.”

The skipper was then asked if he would like to stay for the rest of his career.

“Why not?” he replied. “I have never thought about it. I’m only 22. You never know what your career will bring but why not? I’m in my seventh season now and I’m really happy, better than ever.”

Fabregas also believes that his desire to win trophies can be satisfied too. Barca’s relative success compared to Arsenal is sometimes cited as a reason for moving.

“We can achieve that here,” said Fabregas in response to the question. “I have played some Finals, fought for Premier League titles.

“It’s true that at the end of the season we have sometimes had some feeling that we haven’t done it but I’m really happy with the way this club focuses on winning things and I’m sure we are more than capable of doing it this season.”

Get the hint Barca – well do you ??

On to tonight, we need just one point to secure a place in the knock out stages and we at our home against a team who threw away a 2-0 lead to let us win 3-2, so in theory; if we approach with the right attitude we will win.

Mind you I thought that before the Sunderland game!!

Anyway, tonight is very different to Saturday, we are at home and we are not up against a manager like Steve Bruce – say what you want about him but his is doing his club proud, making ‘his home’ his teams fortress, just like Arson has done with us so credit to him!

I say we should rest the French boys, rest Arshavin and bring in those who think they are good enough! That’s their words, not my view!!

How many times do we read an interview from one of those on the fringes of the team, how many times do they choose to tell the whole world they should be in our first team?

Well, tonight I think they should have their moment… Get a good mix and match and by 10pm we will be in the next round – then bring on the Carling Cup Kids for the final match

I would go with this team if I was picking it:-

Fabianski/Almunia
Eboue Senderos Vermaelen Gibbs
Ramsey Song Rosicky
Walcott Eduardo Vela

Come on you Gooners, lets score ten !!!!!

Fiorentina – Lyon en streaming#1

Fiorentina – Lyon en streaming #2

Fiorentina – Lyon en streaming #3

Champions League football returns and we get a chance to secure top spot in the group with a good result tomorrow. The visitors have a good squad and are capable of putting up a fight, but there is no real danger as long as our players can get their focus and desire right. Not an easy thing as we have seen quite often in the recent past.

Standard need a result. Hopefully, this will lead to an open game and any starting eleven we put out should be good enough to get three points. I felt the same way before the Sunderland game as well, so, fingers crossed, this one won’t be another self destruct performance.

I think this game comes at a good time. Our home record is perfect and quite imposing. We can add another good result to that before the big game at the weekend. However, the best aspect of this fixture is that it gives our players one more game to get the understanding right. It also gives Arsene a chance to give some game time to the likes of Walcott, Denilson and Vela.

I am not sure whether AW will select his team keeping an eye on the Chelsea game. This is the first time this season when I can’t predict even half the starting eleven. Will Gibbs come back into the starting line up? Will Denilson be given a start? Will Arshavin come into the team? If so, will he come in place of Rosicky or Nasri? Will Nasri move into the midfield? Will Sagna get a rest? Will Walcott get a start? There are too many questions and I haven’t a clue about the manager’s thoughts.

Personally, I would like to see Walcott get a good run out. He offers us a different dimension with his pace. Nasri in the midfield with Arshavin and Walcott on the wings looks like a balanced option. Gibbs and Eboue might come in at the back. A big half time lead can then give us the chance to give Denilson and Vela some minutes.

My best guess starting line up is,

Almunia; Eboue, Gallas, Vermaelen, Gibbs; Cesc, Song, Nasri; Walcott, Eduardo, Arshavin

Frankly, all I care for is that the players show they really want to win. If they do that, another 4-1 to the Arsenal is on the cards (funny how I hardly think of clean sheets these days!)

Galera querida do Cadê Meu Camisa 10?, nesse campeonato onde está cada vez mais difícil arriscar, palpitem pelo menos que não custa nada:

Vejam os vencedores da rodada, desta vez:
01º Stefano / Paloschi – 140 pts
02° André Tintim / Bülau – 110 pts
03° Gkeeper – 105 pts
04° Sidney / Pedro (News of SPFC) – 100 pts
05° Blogueiro – 95 pts
06° Futebol ao Cubo – 70 pts
07° Rodrigo – 65 pts
08° André Russo – 55 pts
09° Thiaguinho – 50 pts

No acumulado do Brasileirão, segue os três primeiros:
1° GKeeper – 4065 pts
2° Paloschi – 4025 pts
3° Blogueiro – 3905 pts

No mês de novembro Stefano passa a ser o líder, seguido de perto pelo André Tintim. Stefano tem 425 pontos.

Seguem os jogos a serem palpitados:
Quarta-feira, 25 de novembro de 2009
17h45 Bordeaux x Juventus – Champions League
17h45 Milan x Olympique – Champions League
21h50 LDU x Fluminense – Sulamericana (1º Jogo da Final)

Domingo, 29 de novembro de 2009
10h00 Internazionale x Fiorentina – Campeonato Italiano
12h00 Arsenal x Chelsea – Campeonato Inglês
14h00 Barcelona x Real Madrid – Campeonato Espanhol
17h00 Corinthians x Flamengo – Campeonato Brasileiro
17h00 Palmeiras x Atlético-MG – Campeonato Brasileiro
17h00 Santo André x Náutico – Campeonato Brasileiro
17h00 Atlético-PR x Botafogo – Campeonato Brasileiro
17h00 Grêmio x Grêmio Barueri – Campeonato Brasileiro
17h00 Fluminense x Vitória – Campeonato Brasileiro
17h00 Goiás x São Paulo – Campeonato Brasileiro
17h00 Sport x Internacional – Campeonato Brasileiro
17h00 Cruzeiro x Coritiba – Campeonato Brasileiro
17h00 Avaí x Santos – Campeonato Brasileiro

No Cartola FC, S. E. Bülau foi razoável enquanto CMC10 enconsta de vez, graças as boas pontuanções de Rafael Marquez, Fred e Hélio dos Anjos, e a decisão deste mês fica para a última rodada. Quem gostou e estiver afim de participar, procure no Cartola a Liga CMC10 e mostre que você é um bom técnico.

Proseguimos hoy con la cuarta entrega de la serie Narraciones de Goles Históricos™ que aunque la tenía bastante abandonada no la he olvidado

Hoy le toca el turno al Barça. Yo personalmente soy del Real Madrid pero llevo un tiempo rindiéndome a esa máquina de buen fútbol en la que se ha convertido el FC Barcelona algunos de estos últimos años…

En el caso particular del gol que hoy nos ocupa la máquina de fútbol la engrasaba y ponía a punto un tal Ronaldinho Gaúcho, cuya belleza física es inversamente proporcional a su belleza futbolística. Me costaría contar con los dedos de una mano jugadores con un nivel técnico similar.

En fin, nos trasladamos a los octavos de final de la Champions League de la temporada 2004-05 que disputaron Chelsea y Barça y que fueron narrados en Canal + como siempre por El ‘Lobo‘ Carrasco y Michael Robinson.

Con tres a uno en el marcador los azulgranas necesitaban un gol más para lograr la clasficación y de repente el balón llega a los pies del Ronnie:

Espectacular dónde se pone a bailar samba y cómo deja rotos y con caras de tonto a los pobres Ricardo Carvalho y Petr Čech… Aunque el tanto no sirvió para mucho puesto que el partido finalizó con el resultado de cuatro a dos.

Al año siguiente lograrían por fin la ansiada Champions pero eso es otra historia

GIRONE A
ATL.CLADAR – RIVER GIOSTE
SSC DAVID – FC MANU

GIRONE B
FC ALELUI – REAL PINO
BOCA CHECCO – DIN.ARMAVI

P.S SQUADRE ENTRO LE 18 E 30 E NON OLTRE CAUSA ANTICIPO RUBIN-DINAMO KIEV….