Monthly Archives: April 2010

Drogba urges Chelsea support

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Didier Drogba has admitted Chelsea (4/6 – FA Premier League outright) face a battle against Stoke City but wants the fans to give their side all the backing needed to take them to the top of the Premier League.

Manchester United’s 3-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday lunchtime meant the Red Devils leapfrogged Chelsea to the top of the Premier League, but Carlo Ancelotti’s men can give themselves a one-point cushion with two games to go if they beat Stoke at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

Chelsea (1/7 – Chelsea v Stoke City match bets) have only dropped five points on their own turf since the start of the season, and since their defeat to Manchester City at home they have won three in a row at Stamford Bridge, scoring 12 goals in the process.

The Premier League title battle looks like going right to the wire and Chelsea have a tough trip to Anfield after the Stoke encounter, before ending their season playing host to Wigan Athletic.

Ivory Coast striker Drogba (2/1 - first goalscorer) told the official Chelsea website that it is “important” for the fans to create a special atmosphere by getting “really behind” the team.

“We have done well at home. You never know what can happen, games are difficult now,” said the forward.

“Some teams are trying to save lives but some teams are playing for little and can enjoy themselves, and sometimes then you play better.”

He added: “Sunday is the kind of game that we are going to have until the end of the season so we need them to be patient and to really shout and sing and be supportive, that is the only way to win it.”

Chelsea will have to cope without John Terry against the aerial bombardment Stoke (18/1 to win, 13/2 draw – Chelsea v Stoke City match bets) are likely to bring to Stamford Bridge after the former England captain as sent off in their defeat to Spurs last weekend.

Drogba has been struggling with a groin problem but is expected to take part while Ashley Cole could come back into the side after an extended period on the sidelines.

Tony Pulis is set to welcome Ryan Shawcross and Mathew Etherington into his side for the game, and Stoke fans could take some heart from the fact their side have not lost any of their six away league matches so far in 2010.

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Jose ready to go the distance

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Jose Mourinho will tell his Internazionale players they must be prepared to go until the final whistle when they take on holders Barcelona in a mouth-watering Champions League semi-final second-leg clash at the Nou Camp on Wednesday (4/6 Inter Milan – To Qualify).

The Serie A title-chasers travel to Spain (4/9 Barcelona 11/4 draw 11/2 Inter Milan – match betting) with a 3-1 advantage secured in Milan on Tuesday.

Pedro threatened to make it a comfortable night for the Spanish champions when he gave them the lead on 19 minutes.

But goals from Wesley Sneijder, Maicon and Diego Milito inflicted only a fourth defeat of the season on a side bidding to make Champions League history by retaining the trophy.

Inter are now in the box seat to win a first major European trophy since they completed a double in 1965.

However, Mourinho, who served as an assistant to the late Sir Bobby Robson and Louis van Gaal at Barcelona from 1996 to 2000, has warned there is a long way to go.

The Portuguese coach said: “We still have a lot to do, we’re going to play in Barcelona next week don’t forget. Barcelona are the best team in the world when they play at home.”

Victory for the Nerazzurri at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza was Inter’s fifth in succession since the knockout stages and Mourinho is convinced his players have arrived on the big stage.

However, the 47-year-old also stressed they would not be getting ahead of themselves taking into account three-time winners Barca defeated Inter 2-0 in the group stages earlier this season.

Mourinho, winner of Europe’s elite club competition in 2004 with his former club FC Porto, added: “We must fight hard to make this dream come true. We have two choices for the game in Barcelona: get to the final in Madrid or leave Europe with our heads held high. Our chance of going through is 50%, just like before the first leg.”

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Hodgson delighted with draw

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Fulham manager Roy Hodgson says he was very happy to come away from the first leg of their Europa League semi-final against Hamburg (9/5 to win the 90 minute betting) with a goalless draw heading into next week’s return match.

The Cottagers had to show some stubborn resistance to come away with the draw as the German outfit dominated possession for long periods of the game and had Hodgson’s men penned in their own half for much of the match.

Goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer produced four fine saves to keep his side in it and the west London outfit could have even snatched an unlikely win with Zoltan Gera seeing his shot narrowly deflected wide in the first half.

Fulham (3/1 to win the Europa League) will now fancy their chances of making it through to the final having never lost a European match at Craven Cottage.

Despite keeping a Ruud van Nistelrooy lead Hamburg at bay Hodgson was keen to play down talk of his side having a sizeable advantage over the Bundesliga side, insisting the game could easily go either way.

“There is a lot of football to be played and Hamburg are a very good team. If they score a goal next week the advantage passes to them,” said Hodgson.

“The tie is open but I am delighted about that because it is very easy to put yourself out of contention.”

While Fulham will be able to enjoy their private jet back to England after a 600-mile coach trip to get to Hamburg they will have one worry on their mind after top scorer Bobby Zamora was forced off in the second half with an Achilles injury.

The 29-year-old has been struggling with the problem for a number of weeks now and needed treatment before the start of the game in order to get him match fit.

However, Zamora only lasted 52 minutes before he had to leave the field and he now faces a race against time to be fit to face Hamburg when they head to the United Kingdom next week.

Hodgson confirmed that it was unlikely Zamora would feature in Sunday’s match against Everton (2/5 to beat Fulham on the Premier League coupon) as Fulham prepare to rest a number of key players with one eye on next Thursday’s match.

The likes of Gera, Danny Murphy and Simon Davies could also find themselves either on the bench or left at home.

However, having picked up a point the last time they visited Merseyside to face Liverpool Hodgson’s side might fancy their chances of getting another positive result, even with a scratch side.

Everton will desperate to take all three points from the game with seventh spot in the league having been confirmed as a way into the Europa League this week and with the Toffees five points behind local rivals Liverpool in the league.

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Premiership Predications: Spurs Can Damage Manchester United’s Title Hopes

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Harry RedknappAfter a week when Tottenham ended Arsenal’s challenge for the title and put a severe dent in Chelsea’s challenge Harry Redknapp’s squad have the opportunity to spoil the party for Manchester United at Old Trafford.

The way that Spurs came back from their FA Cup semi-fnal defeat by Portsmouth says a geat eal about the character of the team. Thy ae beginning to look like a team that deserves to play Champions League football and United’s victory over Manchester City opened the door for the London club again.

Manchester City must negotiate a difficult fixture at Arsenal later on Saturday. Spurs kick off at 12.45 and would dearly love to put some more pressure on the Blues but they have to take something from the trip in Manchester.

A win would really push Spurs to the fore but even a draw could keep them in the hunt as City will find three points hard to come by at the Emirates. Redknapp’s side look capable of scoring goals against anyone at the moment- Crouch, Defoe and Pavlyuchenko are all in decent form and give the manager a variety of options.

The star of the show recently has been Welsh left sider Gareth Bale; his marauding runs from left back or left midfield have created a host of chances for the strikers and kept the opposition on the back foot.

Bale was identified as a future star at Cardiff even before he left school but as a 17 year old he endured a difficult beginning in a Spurs team that performed poorly under Juande Ramos. Now confidence is restored and he’s adding a new dimension to Spurs play.

Wayne Rooney should be available to add vigour to United’s attack but Michael Dawson is winning plaudits at centre back in the absences of Ledley King and Jonathan Woodgate. With King possibly fit to play, the home team will find scoring hard work.

The hard fought win over Manchester City thrust United back into the title picture but they haven’t fired properly in their last three or four matches.

This game is a real shootout, because a defeat would ruin the chances of both sides in their respective races. Spurs have momentum after their performances against Arsenal and Chelsea and are unlikely to cave in with Champions League football in sight.

Related posts:

  1. How Chelsea Beat Manchester United to the Title
  2. Arsenal v Man United: Premiership Title Contenders Are Too Close To Call
  3. Premiership Predictions: Title Race is Wide Open Again


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Zola calls for Cole impact

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Carlton Cole and Gianfranco ZolaWest Ham boss Gianfranco Zola reckons star striker Carlton Cole has been holding a goal back for the end-of-season run in as the Hammers (4/1 for the drop) look to avoid relegation from the Premier League.

Zola’s men have struggled over the course of the campaign which came as a shock following their top-half-of-the-table finish last time around.

The east Londoners, however, could be safe on Saturday night if they manage to beat inconsistent Wigan at Upton Park (West Ham 4/5, draw 12/5, Wigan 16/5) and Sunderland roll over Hull at the KC Stadium (Hull 6/5, draw 9/4, Sunderland 21/10).

Three points would move the Hammers six points clear of the 18th-placed Tigers with two games to play, with their vastly superior goal difference highly likely to be enough to guarantee their top-flight status.

But Zola is honest enough to admit he is relying on an out-of-form striker to get his side out of the mire in the shape of seven-cap England forward Cole, a former team-mate from his days at Chelsea.

The Italian said: “Carlton hasn’t scored for a while but he’s keeping an important one back for us, possibly a winner.

“I’m relying on that. He hasn’t scored many goals but he is an important player for us. As I said, I know he is keeping something good for us.”

In fact, Cole (6/5 Anytime Goalscorer) has not hit the back of the net for nine Premier League games and was virtually anonymous, along with most of the West Ham side, during Monday night’s limp 3-0 defeat at fellow under-achievers Liverpool.

But Zola hopes good things can come from the loss following clear-the-air talks with the players.

He added: “It’s a massive game for us and we also know the last game wasn’t very good. You say certain things in the changing room and it is important because it means the players are committed.

“They are determined to bounce back. I am confident we will see a reaction. We have had so many problems this year and we are determined to give those problems a kick and this is an incredible opportunity to do that.”

Wigan are all but safe; they go into the weekend seven points above the drop zone with three games to go following last Sunday’s 3-2 come-from-behind win over Arsenal at the DW Stadium.

But Latics manager Roberto Martinez does not want to leave any margin from error at the end of a roller-coaster first season in charge following last summer’s move from Championship side Swansea.

The Spaniard said: “I’ve heard a lot of people say we are safe, but I don’t believe that.

“Mathematically we’re not safe, so we need to make sure we achieve that first and foremost, and I feel the players are focused, more concentrated right now than ever this season.

“We can allow ourselves to treat this game as a cup final because the reality is if we beat West Ham we’ve achieved our aim for this season, which is staying in the Premier League, and it doesn’t come any bigger than that.”

Martinez added: “It’s important we don’t follow up what was a fantastic win over Arsenal with a bad result against West Ham.”

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Roma face tough Sampdoria Serie A Title Test

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Roma De Rossi 226x300 Roma face tough Sampdoria Serie A Title TestIn what is turning out to be an exciting race for this season’s Scudetto, Roma currently leads Jose Mourinho’s Inter Milan by just one point at the top of Serie A.

After coming from a goal down at half-time to defeat their fierce city rivals Lazio 2-1 in the ‘Eternal City Derby’ last Sunday Roma (1.45) once again will be playing with the pressure on them against another tough opponent. Sampdoria (7.00) are expected to provide a hard test for their title hopes this weekend as the fourth-placed Doriani are in the thick of the battle for the final Champions League place.

Sampdoria are currently in great form and looking good for a fourth place finish, they are certainly good value at 7.00 to win this match. They have a tremendous talent and former Roma player in their ranks in Antonio Cassano. The hitman has been on target in the last three matches and will pose a real threat on Sunday.

Roma skipper Francesco Totti knows the threat Cassano poses when he told press: “He is a player who can make the difference whenever he wants to. He can do incredible tricks. But let’s hope he leaves them at home on Sunday.”
Antonio Cassano is 10.00 to score the first goal which looks too good value to turn down.

Roma have a good record against Sampdoria though and are unbeaten in their last nine league meetings against the Blucerchiati (5W 4D).

At the Olimpico, Roma are unbeaten against Sampdoria in their last eight games (6W 2D), with the hosts having the better in the last three fixtures without conceding a single goal.

Last Sunday’s win in the derby against Lazio extended Roma’s unbeaten run to 24 league games (18W 6D).

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Related posts:

  1. Serie A Predictions: Roma Won’t Handle The AC Milan Onslaught
  2. Eternal City Derby Too Close To Call
  3. Serie A Predictions: Europa League Sides Face Tricky Return


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Lennon makes timely Spurs return

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Harry Redknapp and Sir Alex FergusonTottenham winger Aaron Lennon is set to hand England coach Fabio Capello a boost ahead of the World Cup after returning to the Spurs squad for the final Premier League games of the season (Three Lions 5/2 Top European Team in South Africa).

Capello has seen his options down the right side of midfield cut by former captain David Beckham’s Achilles injury which has ruled him out of the finals in South Africa in a playing capacity.

Lennon has not featured for his club since December because of a groin injury but he is back in training and White Hart Lane chief Harry Redknapp has confirmed the former Leeds United youngster will make the bench at Manchester United on Saturday (United 4/9, draw 16/5, Spurs 11/2).

He said: “He (Lennon) is a top player. He won’t start but could be available if we need him for 20 minutes.”

Spurs currently occupy the final Champions League place and know a win will pile the pressure on fifth-placed Manchester City who kick off at teatime on Saturday at Arsenal.

But Redknapp will know he is in for a tough game given the fact United (11/8 Outright) need the points to overhaul Chelsea (4/7f) in the title race.

The Blues do not play until Sunday – at home against Stoke – by which time the Red Devils could be two points clear.

Spurs did United a favour last weekend by beating Chelsea 2-1 but a week in football is a long time and that will be forgotten when the two sides clash at Old Trafford.

Famously, Sir Alex Ferguson once referred to this stage of the season as “squeaky bum time” and the Scot concedes it takes a toll on managers at both ends of the table.

He remarked: “I don’t think the next few weeks keeps you healthy.

“It is not good for you but it is there. You have to accept there is pressure in life. I can deal with it.”

Ferguson added: “We just have to concentrate on our own job. If we do that we can let Chelsea deal with their situation.

“After tomorrow there are only two games left so games become paramount in terms of where you are in the league.

“We have to win. The players are aware of that.”

Ferguson has versatile defender Wes Brown back after a broken foot but Owen Hargreaves’ long-awaited comeback from knee surgery has been put on ice because of a calf strain.

Spurs are still without the Croatian duo of Nico Kranjcar and Vedran Corluka because of ankle problems but midfielder Jermaine Jenas has shaken off illness and Ledley King is also in the running as well.

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How Valencia Can Win La Liga – Next Up: Deportivo La Coruna, Valencia, Espanyol, Xerez, Villarreal

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La Liga 300x150 How Valencia Can Win La Liga Next Up: Deportivo La Coruna, Valencia, Espanyol, Xerez, VillarrealWith the title race looking set to continue neck and neck this week with what should be wins for both Barcelona and Real Madrid in their respective matches, it looks as though the scrap for the remaining Champions League qualification places will be in the spotlight.

After sitting comfortably behind the top two for much of the season, Valencia have conceded ground on the sides just below them in the league. They currently sit in third position – four points ahead of fourth placed Mallorca and just five points better than fifth (and no Champions League qualifying) placed Sevilla.

Valencia must now be wary of Mallorca and Sevilla’s challenge, but their destiny is firmly in their own hands at the moment with third place being los Che’s to lose.

With five games remaining, Valencia (1,40) host Deportivo La Coruna (7.00) at the Mestalla on Saturday night and travel to Barcelona to face Espanyol next weekend before ending the season at home to Xerez and Tenerife on either side of a trip to Villarreal.

Three of the last four league meetings between these two sides on Saturday have ended as draws, including the 0-0 in the reverse fixture back in December at the Riazor.

However, Valencia are unbeaten in their last nine league meetings with Deportivo claiming five wins and four draws.

Valencia are currently in a rich vein of home form, they are unbeaten in their last nine fixtures (eight wins and a draw), and have not conceded a single goal in the last five.

The travelling Deportivo are without a win in the last eight match-days of this campaign, and have not scored more than one goal per game in the process.

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Related posts:

  1. Barcelona Face Tricky Fixture Away at Deportivo La Coruna
  2. Valencia Look To Get First Home Win Over Racing In Six Years
  3. La Liga Predictions: Barcelona Pedigree Will Show Against Valencia


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Mancini confirms Torres interest

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Roberto Mancini could flex his club’s considerable muscle in the transfer market at the end the season by bringing in marquee signings – including Fernando Torres of Liverpool – in his efforts to transform Manchester City into title contenders (11/8 Man City – Top 4 Finish).

The Eastlands boss went public on Thursday with his admiration for Spain striker Torres and described him as belonging to the top bracket of the world’s best footballers.

The Italian said his capture would put City firmly in a position to challenge for the game’s big honours.

However, he did admit failure to qualify for the Champions League this season could affect the club’s chances of pulling off an audacious swoop for the 26-year-old.

“We are a top team and I think all the top teams are interested in Torres but sometimes it depends on the player because they want to play in the Champions League,” he said. “If we don’t get into the fourth position I think it will be difficult.”

City remain in the hunt for the coveted fourth spot but face another big test of their credentials when they travel to take on title-outsiders Arsenal (10/11 Arsenal 12/5 draw 11/4 Man City – match betting) at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday.

Mancini believes bringing in a player of Torres’ undisputed ability would give his club the lift it needs to move up to the next level.

He added: “For me, he is with Carlos [Tevez], [Wayne] Rooney, [Lionel] Messi, [Zlatan] Ibrahimovic, [Cristiano] Ronaldo as the best in Europe. Fernando is a fantastic striker; all the teams in Europe would like him.”

City are one of the few clubs – possibly the only club – in world football who could afford a move in excess of £50m and Mancini believes a summer of possible upheaval at Anfield could work in his favour.

The Merseysiders were recently put up for sale and uncertainty surrounds the future of manager Rafael Benitez off the back of a disappointing season in which winning the Europa League is his only chance of silverware.

The Spaniard was understandably defensive when asked about the prospect of Torres leaving after his side’s 1-0 semi-final first-leg defeat by Atletico Madrid on Thursday.

“We’ve said repeatedly that Fernando is not for sale and he still has three years of his contract remaining. So how can they sign a player who does not wish to leave?” he said.

Mancini is unlikely to be put off by Benitez and is adamant in his view that City must recruit a recognised world-class signing to shake up the stranglehold enjoyed by Chelsea and Manchester United at the summit of English football.

He added: “If we want to win the Premier League ahead of Chelsea and Manchester United we must sign some important players. All the top players want to play in the Champions League. But next season I want to win the Premier League; this is my desire even ahead of the Champions League, and I want players to understand that.”

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Dowie admits crunch Hull clash

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Iain Dowie has described Saturday’s clash with Sunderland is a must-win game for Hull City, now 1/10 with totesport to be relegated, if they are to survive in the Premier League this season.

The Tigers lost their game in hand on Wednesday, going down 2-0 to Aston Villa at the KC Stadium, to leave them stuck in the drop zone.

Dowie’s side remain three points adrift of safety with three matches remaining, with Gabriel Agbonlahor and James Milner scoring the goals to claim the victory for Martin O’Neill’s men.

The Hull (6/5 in the match betting) boss admitted he was “disappointed” with the performance but refuses to give up hope and says they “must” take all three points against the Black Cats (21/10).

Hull’s final three matches are at home to Sunderland, away to Wigan and then a final day showdown with Liverpool at the KC Stadium.

Dowie feels the Tigers’ failure to find the net, having scored just 32 goals to date, is the biggest reason for their current predicament.

Only Wolves (28 goals) and Portsmouth (29) have scored fewer and Dowie feels they pose a bigger attacking threat in the last three games.

The temporary Football Consultant said: “We just need more goals. We haven’t put enough goals on the board all year. We had one or two great chances (against Villa) but we haven’t taken them and it’s a classic theme her.”

Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink, who scored three goals this season, looks like missing Saturday’s game with Sunderland after suffering a nasty head injury.

The 31-year-old spent Wednesday night in hospital and Hull officials will get the results of a CT scan on Thursday.

Iain Dowie revealed the former Celtic frontman was unconscious for five minutes after colliding with Villa defender Richard Dunne.

Speaking about the Dutchman, Dowie said: “There’s real concern about how he is, but he was certainly conscious when he left the stadium.”

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