Monthly Archives: December 2010

Four football shocks…

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We’ve looked ahead to this weekend’s fixtures and reckon there are at least four potential shocks to consider for your coupon.

West Ham to beat City (3/1)

West Ham at home to Manchester City appears an away banker this weekend. But in a season in which predicting the predictable has become tougher than trying to get off a motorway in Scotland this week, a victory for the Hammers may just be the result of the weekend.

Avram Grant’s side have suddenly discovered how to play again at Upton Park and followed up the win over Wigan the other week with a richly-deserved 4-0 success over Manchester United in the Carling Cup. A narrow 1-0 loss at Sunderland was another setback last time out but there appears to finally be signs of life in Grant’s side.

Every game for the basement boys appears to be tagged ‘Save our Season’ these days and a win over ambitious City would not only give them real hope relegation can be avoided but also the chance to revel in three successive home wins and an assault on the European places.

You think I’m joking? Check the table – a win for Grant’s men this weekend could potentially leave them about nine points adrift of the top eight. That’s three wins Avram, just three more wins.

Carlos Tevez is bound to be up for it against his former side but his relationship with boss Roberto Mancini is obviously strained following last week’s outburst at being subbed – despite the denials – so there is undoubtedly instability in the Eastlands camp ahead of the trip south.

Hou can save Villa’s slide?

The West Midlands derby between Aston Villa and West Brom at Villa Park is usually a keenly-contested game and a baltic Birmingham afternoon is sure to provide a perfect back-drop for this one.

The home side are slight favourites, but a win for Roberto Di Matteo’s side (3/1) appears on to leave the Claret and Blue army reflecting on what could be an unlikely relegation scrap in the new year.

Villa were abject at Liverpool on Monday to leave their fans openly questioning boss Gerard Houllier, who made possibly unforgivable mistakes in some season ticket-holders’ eyes by appearing to enjoy the win for his old side in the aftermath of his much-hyped return to Anfield.

The Frenchman, who was never first choice among the Villa faithful to take over full-time, has had to explain some of his after-match comments to the club’s website and reiterate he is as committed as ever to helping restore the club’s fortunes. Well, if getting them to the Europa League qualification places are where they want be again, that is.

The Baggies are positively revelling in the top flight once more, meanwhile, after a 4-1 win at Everton and then a 3-1 success over Newcastle. Don’t bet against another Peter Odemwingie-inspired win at the Villa.

Blackpool to sock it to Stoke (4/1)

Blackpool have, without doubt, been one of the stories of the Premier League season so far. Wins at Liverpool, Newcastle, Wigan have been supplemented by draws at Bolton and West Ham in recent weeks and they should be fresh for the trip to the Britannia as their clash with Manchester United last week was frozen off.

It definitely won’t be pretty on Saturday but don’t be too surprised to see Ian Holloway’s side come away with another shock three points as the Seasiders continue to defy the pundits – and the odds – this weekend.

A Real shock?

Real Madrid will know another win at Real Zaragoza is required as they attempt to move on from the El Clasico mauling at Barca. Jose Mourinho’s side left it until the last 15 minutes to beat 10-man Valencia at home last weekend and will not have it all their own way at Zaragoza, despite the fact the home side are bottom and have managed just one win all season.

Mourinho’s famed ego will have taken one heck of a battering following the Barca debacle but anything other than a win this weekend could be potentially even more embarrassing for the Portuguese.

However, his side have often come up short this season when the pressure is really on, so maybe Zaragoza can get something (draw 4/1) off the visitors in what would not only be a huge relegation boost for them, but also a major setback for Real’s fragile title hopes.

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Top 10 EPL buys this season

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If Blackpool stay in the Premier League this season, Luke Varney will be the man the fans will point two as the key figure – even if he doesn’t play anymore games (check out totesport football outright and match betting markets)!

The former Charlton star was recommended to Ian Holloway by Crewe boss Dario Gradi and what a capture he’s proved to be with five goals already this season.

Blackpool (21/20 to be relegated) say they have a clause in the loan deal, with first option to sign the forward – that may yet be disputed!

2) Marouane Chamakh (Arsenal – free transfer from Bordeaux)

The Morocco international has given a different dimension to the Gunners, with his hard work and ability in the air causing Premier League defences major problems.

Chamakh (12/1 to be Premier League top scorer) has got 10 goals in all competitions to date, and you can bet there will be plenty more to come, especially if he gets a regular strike partner.

3) Javier Hernandez (Manchester United – £6m from Chivas)

The Mexico striker looks like a real star of the future and United are one of those to have found a diamond from the World Cup.

Hernandez is only 22 and has taken to the Premier League like a duck to water, filling in at spells for out-of-form duo Dimitar Berbatov and Wayne Rooney.

4) Ben Foster (Birmingham City – £6m from Manchester United)

He and Blackburn’s Paul Robinson have been the most impressive keepers in the league this season and Foster now looks the closest challenger to Joe Hart for the England jersey.

His confidence was dented at Old Trafford but the 27-year-old has kept six clean sheets, in front of a solid Blues (25/1 for top six finish) back four.

5) Rafael Van der Vaart (Tottenham – £8m from Real Madrid)

The Dutchman has inspired Spurs this season after his last-gasp move to White Hart Lane before the summer window closed.

Van der Vaart looks a steal for Harry Redknapp and if he can stay fit, the 27-year-old will surely lead Spurs (8/1 to win FA Cup) to silverware or the top four this season.

6) Asamoah Gyan (Sunderland – £13.25m from Rennes)

His signing may have raised a few eyebrows, but the doubters have already changed their mind about the Ghanaian international.

Despite only four starts to date, Gyan has already shown he can torment even the best of defences and has five goals to his name.

7) Peter Odemwingie (West Brom – £2.5m from Lokomotiv Moscow)

Another surprise arrival to the English top flight, Odemwingie?s electric pace and eye for a goal doesn’t look out of place.

The 29-year-old is the Baggies’ top scorer with six goals, helping Roberto Di Matteo’s men up to ninth in the table (West Brom 13/2 to be relegated).

8) Raul Meireles (Liverpool – £11.5m from Porto)

After a shaky start to life at Anfield, the Portuguese international looks a class act and is starting to run games from midfield in the absence of Steven Gerrard.

The one thing missing so far has been goals, but with a fierce strike on him, it won?t be long until Meireles is a regular name on the scoresheet.

9) David Silva (Manchester City – £25m from Valencia)

He may not have taken the Premier League by storm, but slowly and surely the Spanish international is showing just why City paid all that money for him.

If given the chance to weave his magic, Silva will become one of the best players in the English top flight but will City (8/1 to win the 2010-11 Premier League title) be patient with the wing wizard???

10) Martin Petrov (Bolton – free transfer from Manchester City)

A bargain free transfer, Petrov has struggled to cement a regular berth in a Wanderers team that is taking huge strides forward this season.

But when the Bulgarian has been given the chance, he has excelled and the highlight so far was a stunning strike in the comeback draw with Blackpool.

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Arsenal to cruise crunch contest

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Arsenal couldn’t have asked for easier opponents to guarantee a place in the last 16 in the Champions League as they look for three vital points against Partizan Belgrade (25/1 to beat the Gunners) on Wednesday night.

Arsene Wenger’s side looked like they would be strolling into the knockout stages of the competition after winning their first three matches, scoring a record-breaking 14 goals in the process.

However, the Gunners’ European campaign has come unstuck recently and two defeats on the bounce – against Shakhtar Donestk and Braga – have drawn the north London outfit into a three-way fight for the top two spots.

The loss to Braga two weeks ago really hurt Arsenal and Shakhtar Donestk look as though they will secure top spot after victory over Partizan Belgrade, with the Gunners priced at 4/1 to be Group H winners.

Arsenal are only ahead of Braga in second because of their head-to-head record and now must win on Wednesday night to make sure they avoid the embarrassment of going out in the first round.

Fortunately, for Arsenal fans of a nervous disposition, they are facing a side who haven’t picked up a point from their previous five Champions League matches.

The Gunners cruised to victory in Serbia earlier this year and with the most fearsome thing about Partizan being their supporters, Wenger’s men should have no problems.

They look as though they will be without Thomas Vermaelen, Laurent Koscielny and Cesc Fabregas, but with Samir Nasri and Marouane Chamakh in good form they will have too much for Partizan.

Elsewhere, things are a little more relaxed for Chelsea who have already secured top spot and will view the trip to Marseille as a chance to blood some youngsters in Europe.

But having only just squeezed past MSK Zilina with a young side at Stamford Bridge last time out in Europe, Marseille might be well worth a punt to beat the Blues at 5/4.

Manager Carlo Ancelotti admitted after Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Everton that his side have a problem at the minute having won just one of the last six Premier League matches.

Wednesday’s match against the French champions has nothing riding on it, with Marseille having secured second spot last time out, and the only thing that might save Chelsea is Didier Drogba’s determination to get one over his former team.

Drogba (9/2 first goalscorer) is a slight injury concern but will be desperate to play at the Stade Veledrome, the ground where he made a name for himself before moving on to Stamford Bridge.

Looking a little further a field and with top spot in Group E having been sorted on matchday five there could be the potential for an upset when Basel travel to take on Bayern Munich.

The Swiss champions must win in Germany and hope Cluj beat Roma to have any hope of snatching second from the Italians.

With Bayern having already made it through to the knockout stages expect the German outfit to drop some of their big names as they continue their recovery from an injury crisis.

Basel are 19/5 to beat Bayern and with so much on the line for the Swiss outfit look for them to push Bayern close at the Allianz Arena, much like they did at home earlier in the competition.

Bayern just snatched victory thanks to Bastian Schweinsteiger in Switzerland but don’t be surprised if the result is a little different in Germany.

Elsewhere it looks as though the rest of the big names in action should have a comfortable night, with AC Milan and Real Madrid looking to round off the group stages with wins against Ajax and Auxerre respectively.

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Group C there for the taking

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Bet on the Champions LeagueManchester United have had plenty of time to get themselves ready for Tuesday’s Champions League clash against Valencia at Old Trafford and should be fresh following the postponement of the trip to Blackpool last weekend.

However, the clash looks far from straightforward despite the home side being 7/10 favourites in the match betting.

Both sides have already booked their progression to the knockout stages but the Group C winners still need to be decided, with United currently holding a three-point advantage having won 1-0 at the Mestalla.

Sir Alex Ferguson’s men have had longer to prepare for the clash, with Valencia (21/5 to win, 13/5 the draw in the match betting) losing 2-0 at Real Madrid at the weekend, but as anyone who has seen them play this season will tell you, they have not exactly set the world alight.

They certainly are a side that never knows when it is beaten but the fluency of previous seasons has not been present, while the jewel in Sir Alex Ferguson’s crown, Wayne Rooney, still has to find his best form.

There is also the small matter of a Premier League top-of-the-table clash against Arsenal on Monday which is more likely to be the priority for United, and therefore one or two players may be rested.

This is sure to be a worry for United fans and followers given the nature of the weakened team’s 4-0 hammering at the hands of Premier League basement boys West Ham in the Carling Cup quarter-final last week.

Valencia’s away form in general this season has been inconsistent (winning three, losing three and drawing one in La Liga) and they only managed a 1-1 draw at Ibrox against Rangers, but the players should take confidence from the fact they have won their last two Group C games to confirm qualification, scoring nine goals in the process.

I do not foresee a goal-fest on Tuesday night (4/5 Under 2.5 goals) but with United just needing a point to take the group, they might not be as adventurous as they could be, and a nothing-to-lose Valencia are worth backing at 21/20 in the handicap betting with a goal start.

Elsewhere in the group, there is nothing of note to play for, with whipping boys Bursaspor (5/4 to win in the match betting) attempting to at least finish on a high when they host Rangers (11/5 to win, 9/4 the draw).

However, the Turkish champions have been poor in Europe’s elite competition, losing all five games played so far, conceding 15 goals in the process and scoring just one – which came when they were already 5-0 down in Valencia.

Rangers have hardly been finding the net with regularity, just twice, but did win the reverse fixture 1-0 and boast a stronger defence, conceding only five in their five games (which includes a 0-0 draw at Old Trafford).

The Gers also have had the weekend off due to the adverse weather conditions sweeping Great Britain and I fancy them to edge another tight affair between the two (8/13 Under 2.5 goals).

Tottenham (5/4 favourites in the match betting) have been great value for their supporters on their debut season in the Champions League, scoring 15 goals in their five games so far to book qualification to the knockout stages.

Spurs currently top Group A by virtue of having a better goal difference than reigning champions Inter Milan but have a tougher-looking finale with a trip to FC Twente (2/1 to win, 5/2 the draw).

The Dutch champions are hard to beat in Enschede and have already held Inter to a 2-2 draw. They need just a point to ensure their third-place finish and qualification to the Europa League.

Spurs have been free-scoring in the Champions League, beating Twente 4-1 at home, but they may just have one eye on a massive Premier League clash on Sunday when they take on Chelsea at White Hart Lane.

Harry Redknapp’s men certainly have struggled to defend though and this could be another game that features a few goals (5/6 Over 2.5 goals).

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Who deserves an England chance?

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Bet on EnglandEngland may be out of the reckoning as far as hosting a World Cup is concerned, but the Three Lions have players coming through to replace the old guard when needed by Fabio Capello and whoever replaces the Italian after Euro 2012 (England 9/1 – Euro 2012 Outright).

Joe Hart seems nailed on to be England’s number one for years, but injury and form could dictate otherwise. Furthermore, there is always the threat that Manchester City could recruit someone like Spain star Iker Casillas one day. After all, money talks, so nothing can be taken for granted.

But who is waiting in the wings should the same fate befall Hart as Shay Given? Well, Scott Loach has been in and around the squad and is more likely to represent the future than the likes of Rob Green, who has won just 11 caps at the age of 30.

The Hornets’ financial restrictions are well known but in Loach they have a keeper who is more than playing his part as the Vicarage Road outfit keep pace with the chasing pack just outside the play-off places (Watford 20/1 – To Win Promotion).

Another youngster catching the eye in the Championship is QPR’s on-loan defender Kyle Walker, who has played in both full-back positions for the leaders since arriving on loan from Tottenham Hotspur.

Walker has Alan Hutton and Vedran Corluka ahead of him in the pecking order at White Hart Lane and is really benefitting from his time spent under the watchful eye of Rs chief Neil Warnock – so much so that the Loftus Road faithful are calling for the club’s minted owners to make his permanent signing a priority in January (QPR 4/5f – Championship Outright).

At the heart of defence, John Terry and Rio Ferdinand should be coming to their respective peaks but instead, injuries appear to have caught up with them. Furthermore, the Chelsea captain turns 30 tomorrow and, never the quickest, he is only going one way.

Behind them the likes of Joleon Lescott, Phil Jagielka and Michael Dawson have also had their own injury problems and good club-men as they are, surely 21-year-old Gary Cahill should get the nod as he continues to prove Martin O’Neill wrong for selling him to Bolton when he was manager of Aston Villa.

Wanderers are flying under Owen Coyle and while the former Burnley chief appears to have the Midas touch, Cahill’s form is a big reason why the Reebok Stadium outfit continue to confound their doubters by flying high in sixth place, having lost just three Premier League games this term (Bolton 7/1 – Top Six Finish).

Like Ferdinand and Terry, Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard – as experienced as they are – have also completed more pre-seasons than they have in front of them so England need to be looking to the next crop in the engine room.

Theo Walcott, Aaron Lennon, James Milner, Ashley Young and Adam Johnson can provide breath-taking pace down the flanks for years to come, but who is putting their hand up to put their foot in when the going gets tough?

Sunderland captain Lee Cattermole needs to curb his swashbuckling tendencies but he is not the first relatively inexperienced player to be too rash in the tackle and, at the age of 22, should get a chance ahead of the likes of 30-year-old Scott Parker (Black Cats 22/1 – Relegation).

Aston Villa’s Marc Albrighton is also worth a mention in dispatches although England’s strength on the flanks means he is facing an uphill battle (Villa 5/1 – To Beat Liverpool at Anfield tonight).

Finally, Wayne Rooney is sure to prove – yet again – the old adage that form is temporary, class is permanent, while Jermain Defoe and Peter Crouch have never let England down over the years.

Andy Carroll deserves another chance to impress and certainly has support over his inclusion, which will happen, but injuries could decimate England’s options so who else is in the mix?

Well, it’s easy to forget Sunderland star Darren Bent only turned 26 earlier this year and for a player with the goalscoring record he can boast, the former Ipswich youngster’s seven caps are not enough. This is something which should be rectified immediately (Bent 10/1 – Premiership Top Goalscorer).

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10 things learnt this weekend

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Bet on the Premier LeagueThe wintry weather might have played havoc with the sporting fixtures but there was still plenty of entertainment. Here are 10 things we learnt from this weekend’s football.

1. That money talks on all levels in football as all the Premier League fixtures beat the big freeze apart from the so-called minnows of the top-flight, Blackpool. Bloomfield Road does not have under-soil heating and Manchester United were not given the chance to return to the top of the table – a stark reminder of the ‘haves’ and ‘have-nots’ in the game.

2. Chelsea have been playing down a crisis at the club but there is now nowhere to hide as lowly Everton took further points from the hitherto impregnable Stamford Bridge (Chelsea 7/4 to win Premier League).

3. West Brom are determined to shake off their ‘yo-yo’ club tag after a third win in four Premier League games saw the Baggies move up to eighth in the standings.

4. Arsenal may finally have the ammunition to challenge right to the end of the season this year after running out of steam in previous campaigns. They seem to be the team who could take advantage of Chelsea’s malaise and the fact that Manchester United have not really played that well all season.

5. Samir Nasri might be the reason why they do have genuine title ambitions after his superb double saw the Gunners back on top of the pile and in an excellent position going into the hectic festive period.

6. Blackburn are not as bad as a 7-1 score line at Old Trafford the previous weekend would suggest as their 3-0 success over Wolverhampton Wanderers made it four wins from six league games for Sam Allardyce’s men.

7. Time away from the game can be as important as training as Allardyce gave his squad extra rest days in midweek following the United mauling and it paid off with the comprehensive victory at Molineux (Wolves 4/7 to be relegated).

8. Tottenham are going to have to learn how to turn draws into wins away from White Hart Lane. They are currently in great form and Harry Redknapp said he expected to take all three points from the clash with Birmingham City but they have now drawn two and lost three away from north London – is that good enough for the top four?

9. Carlos Tevez needs to learn a bit of humility after his hissy fit following boss Roberto Mancini’s decision to substitute him in the 90th minute against Bolton. He had already scored the goal that won the game and a bit of respect for his boss would not have done any harm at all – and set a better example for the kids (Tevez 11/4 to be top Premier League scorer).

10. Life at Upton Park is like a creaky roller-coaster ride at an old seaside pleasure park. It is constantly up and down and you never know if the wheels might fall off completely after West Ham’s midweek thrashing of Man United was followed up by yet another Premier League reverse, this time at Sunderland.

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Houllier makes Anfield return

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Gerard Houllier and Roy Hodgson are two managers that have not found life easy at their new clubs and on Monday Aston Villa travel to Anfield to take on Liverpool as the Frenchman returns to his old stomping ground (Liverpool 3/5, draw 11/4, Villa 5/1).

Villa are really struggling for wins in the Premier League in recent weeks and have only picked up one victory in their last nine games in the top flight.

Houllier’s job has not been made easy by an injury list as long as the former Lyon manager’s arm with nine first-team players all sidelined at one point. At the moment Marc Albrighton, Fabian Delph, Emile Heskey, Stiliyan Petrov and Nigel Reo-Coker are all out of action.

Houllier will not want to be looking at Villa’s stats against Liverpool as they have only managed one win in the last 17 meetings between the two sides but that was a 3-1 win last season. Villa have the worst record in the Premier League this season against sides in the top half of the table as they have only managed to pick up three points from a possible 24.

As for Liverpool they have started to slowly turn their season around after a poor start to the campaign under Hodgson. The Reds have won their last three games at Anfield including an impressive 2-0 win over Chelsea which has started a run of poor form for the Blues.

Pepe Reina made some crucial saves for the Merseyside club in that clash and he will pick up his 100th clean sheet for Liverpool if he can keep a clean sheet on Monday night.

Unfortunately for Liverpool fans they will be without skipper Steven Gerrard who is still out of action with a hamstring injury which he picked up whilst playing for England in a friendly against France.

The Reds will also be without key defender Jamie Carragher as he is expected to have an extended period on the sidelines after suffering a shoulder injury.

With injuries to key players on both sides this is going to be a close game between two inconsistent sides that have played some good football this season, in spells.

It gets said often but it could be that man Fernando Torres (4/1 to get the first goal of the game) that could be the difference between the two sides as he looks to get back to his best form which he has started to show but again, in spells.

Liverpool should edge this one at home in front of their home fans so it looks unlikely that Houllier will have a happy return to Merseyside.

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Carlo and Harry rue missed chances

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Both Carlo Ancelotti and Harry Redknapp have bemoaned their sides for slipping up after they threw away one-goal leads in their respective games, leaving Chelsea (7/4 Premier League outright) two points behind league-leaders Arsenal and Tottenham (40/1) three points off fourth.

Chelsea could have gone back to the top of the league on Saturday with a win, with Manchester United having seen their game with Blackpool called off due to a frozen pitch at Bloomfield Road.

However, it was another lacklustre display by the Blues and, despite taking the lead through Didier Drogba, they couldn’t maintain their slender advantage as Everton’s Jermaine Beckford rescued a point for the Toffees.

It was the least Everton deserved after a battling display but Chelsea will be left to rue yet another poor display which means they have won one of their last six league encounters.

Under-pressure Ancelotti has admitted Chelsea need to get things sorted quickly but with games against Tottenham, Manchester United and Arsenal to come Chelsea need to rediscover their form quickly.

“It’s difficult to understand. We have had a lot of injuries but now we have some of them recovering and they played today, like John Terry and Michael Essien,” said the Italian.

“I think they did well. Now we have to work on getting (Frank) Lampard back and work harder than we have done recently.”

As Chelsea struggle for a win, Tottenham’s recent run of good form hit something of a stumbling block as they were held to a 1-1 draw at Birmingham, despite having taken the lead.

St Andrew’s isn’t quite the fortress it was last season and Spurs could have put the game to bed had they taken their chances. With Manchester City (4/11 top four finish) having beaten Bolton (40/1) 1-0 at Eastlands, Spurs (15/8) find themselves with a three-point gap to make up if they want to return to the Champions League next season.

Redknapp says he wasn’t happy settling for a point as he believes Tottenham can beat anyone this season and claims three points was there for the taking against Birmingham.

“I fancy us to play anybody. I really thought we’d come here and win,” said Redknapp. “I was disappointed in the end because I thought there was three points here for us.

“While two of London’s premier clubs were struggling Arsenal enjoyed a great day at the Emirates Stadium for once as they climbed to the top of the league with victory over Fulham.

The Gunners are now top for the first time this season and are priced at 10/3 to win the league, thanks to Samir Nasri’s double against the Cottages.With Cesc Fabregas and Robin van Persie having struggled with injuries Nasri has stepped up and been Arsenal’s star man thus far, scoring 11 goals in all competitions.

Manager Arsene Wenger was quick to praise the French midfielder after he saved his side yet again.

“It’s always difficult to compare,” Wenger said when asked whether he thought Nasri had been one of the Premier League’s star players this season. “But what is important when you are a manager is you want to get the best out of a player and I always was a strong believer in him.

“Many people questioned me when I took him here but he is showing that he is an exceptional talent and I think there is more to come from him. While life is going swimmingly for Arsenal, things at the bottom for Wolves got a lot gloomier on Saturday as they were hammered 3-0 by Blackburn.

That result moved Wolves (4/7 to be relegated) to the foot of the table, courtesy of their goal difference, and manager Mick McCarthy was his usual black and white self as he took aim at his side’s poor defensive performance.

“We started the game really well as everyone knows who watched it and then defended badly,” said McCarthy. “We just had a bad day defensively that’s for sure because we had chances.

“But that doesn’t matter when you’re three goals down.”

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Champions League up for grabs

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The majority of the heavyweights have already successfully navigated the Champions League group stages with one game to spare but who will eventually be crowned European champions next May?

Spanish giants Barcelona, Real Madrid and Valencia are already thorugh to the knock-out rounds, Italian duo Inter and AC Milan have also progressed, Roma look well placed to go through, while last season’s beaten finalists Bayern Munich will compete in the knock-out stages as well (Barcelona 13/5f to win the Champions League).

The Premier League is also set to be well represented in the last 16, with Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United and Chelsea already through, while Arsenal need to beat Partizan Belgrade in their final match to guarantee progress.

So who looks the most likely to take the top title at the end of the campaign? Inter Milan (16/1) won it last time out under the guidance of Jose Mourinho but the self proclaimed ’special one’ has now jumped ship to Real Madrid and the Nerazzurri now have Rafael Benitez at the helm.

Benitez has an impressive pedigree in Europe’s top competition, having won the title with Liverpool in 2005.  The Spaniard managed to secure Champions League success with a Liverpool team that included Djimi Traoré in the starting line-up in the final, while Vladimir Smicer and Djibril Cisse made appearances as substitutes – this is certainly no mean feat and the Inter team at his disposal is considerably stronger than the Liverpool team of 2005.

However, back-to-back successes in the competition are rare, the last time a side managed to defend their title was back in 1990 when AC Milan made a successful defence and it may be just too much to ask for Inter to win the competition again.

What about Italy’s other contenders, Roma and AC Milan? Despite Roma’s (40/1) impressive form at this stage of the season, the team have relied on the now-ageing Francesco Totti for too long and, despite the considerable talents they have amongst their ranks, the squad at the Stadio Olimpico seems to lack the quality in depth to secure Champions League glory.

However, AC Milan (20/1) could well be among the contenders to take the top prize.  The Rossoneri have a wealth of attacking talent to call upon, including former world player of the year Ronaldinho and Swedish hitman Zlatan Ibrahimovic.  Milan are the current league-leaders in Serie A and, after watching bitter rivals Inter pick up an unprecedented treble last season, they will be desperate for success – making them perhaps the most likely of the Italian sides to take the title.

German giants Bayern (18/1) are a strong team in Europe but domestically they have shown indifferent form this season and are currently 14 points adrift of top spot in the Bundesliga table, after just 14 games.  Bayern’s troubles have largely come away from the Allianz Arena and for European success it is crucial to pick up results away from home – this is why Bayern could be found wanting in the Champions League this season.

Manchester United (17/2) and Chelsea (9/2) have both struggled for form at times this season and, to add to Chelsea’s problems, they seem to be suffering in terms of injuries. John Terry, Didier Drogba, Alex and Frank Lampard have had prolonged spells out and if Chelsea are to stand any chance of taking the title, they will need their key men fit.

Manchester United, although unbeaten in the Premier League, have been inconsistent over the course of the campaign so far and if they are to get the better of Europe’s other big guns they will need to hit their stride sooner rather than later. Wayne Rooney has now returned from injury and if the England international can find his form then United could be a force to be reckoned with, otherwise Champions League glory could well be out of their reach again.

Tottenham (20/1) have shown real spirit in Europe so far and have already booked their last 16 spot with a game to spare and the north Londoners could be a surprise winner with players such as Gareth Bale and Rafael van der Vaart to call upon but it would take a massive effort and a huge slice of luck for Harry Redknapp’s stars to lift the famous trophy in May.

Arsenal (12/1) are the only English side yet to qualify but they are well placed and should make the last 16.  Arsene Wenger’s youngsters have finally started to justify the faith shown in them by the French manager, who has avoided big money transfer targets in recent seasons. But like Chelsea, the Gunners could do with their injured stars returning to the fold. Key defender Thomas Vermaelen is still sidelined, as is captain Cesc Fabregas, and if Wenger is to become the first Arsenal boss to lift the trophy he will need a squad that is as close to full fitness as possible.

Finally, the Spanish sides. Valencia (40/1) lost star men David Villa and David Silva in the summer and will struggle to make an impact in the last 16. Real Madrid (10/3) have begun to show signs of improvement under Mourinho’s guidance but they were humiliated with a 5-0 defeat at Barcelona in the league last time out and that showed the gulf in class between the two sides, especially when the Catalan giants are in top form.

Barcelona won the competition in 2009 and came close again in 2010, reaching the semi-finals before being dumped out following a fantastic tactical display by eventual champions Inter. The Catalan club are the current favourites, and rightly so as judging by the performance of Barca in their demolition of Real last week – Pep Guardiola’s men will take some beating.

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Sunday’s Premier League Preview

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West Bromwich Albion’s bid to follow up last weekend’s thumping 4-1 win at Everton could be determined by the outcome of fitness tests on several key players ahead of Newcastle’s visit to the Hawthorns (Albion 5/4 To Win) at 1.30pm on Sunday lunchtime.

The Baggies will be smarting from crashing out of the Carling Cup quarter-finals at Championship side Ipswich in midweek, while the shock win at Goodison Park made it four points from a possible run in what had been a sticky patch for Roberto Di Matteo’s side.

And the Italian will hope top scorer Peter Odemwingie will be fit to feature as he looks to add to his four league goals so far this term.

Chris Brunt, James Morrison, Paul Scharner and Nicky Shorey are also battling to be fit for the game and their involvement could make all the difference given that Youssouf Mulumbu will serve the second game of a two-match ban after his sending-off at Everton.

Newcastle arrive on the back of a creditable 1-1 home draw against reigning champions Chelsea last Sunday and they have the omens on their side given that they have not lost to West Brom in 17 league games.

The Magpies (11/5 Away Win) did the double over Albion in the previous two seasons they met in the Premier League and they will be boosted by the return of Joey Barton from a three-match ban.

However, captain Kevin Nolan is still out with an ankle problem, while Fabricio Coloccini and Mike Williamson both serve the second game of their three-match bans.

The corresponding fixture last season ended in a 1-1 draw on the opening day of the Championship campaign and that looks a good bet at (11/2 Correct Score) for Sunday.

Newcastle’s north-east rivals Sunderland feature in Sunday’s later game at 4pm and they will look to get back to winning ways against struggling West Ham at the Stadium of Light (4/5 Sunderland Home Win).

The Black Cats produced a magnificent 3-0 win at Chelsea on November 14, but have since been held at home by Everton before losing out 3-2 at lowly Wolves a week ago.

However, boosted by John Mensah’s declaration of fitness, boss Steve Bruce will be hoping his side can maintain their unbeaten home run in the Premier League with a good result.

Despite currently occupying bottom spot, Avram Grant’s Hammers (10/3 Away Win) will be no pushovers as they arrive on Wearside on the back of two impressive results.

A 3-1 home league win against Wigan last Saturday was followed up by a 4-0 battering of holders Manchester United in the Carling cup quarter-finals at Upton Park on Tuesday.

With Scott Parker set to play on, despite a chest infection, the Hammers will hope to emulate their Carling Cup win at the same venue earlier in the season, while keeping up their record of scoring against Sunderland in every one of their last 15 head-to-heads (5/6 Both Teams To Score).

It is 12/1 for a repeat of last season’s 2-2 draw, but Sunderland’s strong home form should be just enough to edge them to a first win against the Hammers since March 2008.

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