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Shakhtar can halt Gunners’ charge

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Arsenal have been at their scintillating best so far in the Champions League but expect them to come unstuck when they travel to Ukraine to take on in-form Shakhtar Donetsk (19/10 match betting) on Wednesday.

The Gunners’ perfect record of three victories out of three in Group H means a win is not a must this week and, with talisman Cesc Fabregas not playing due to a minor hamstring problem, the game will present Shakhtar with a great chance of causing an upset (Shakhtar to win 2-1 – 9/1).

They too are well placed to qualify from the group along with Arsene Wenger’s men, having won two out of three games to date, and will be eager to make up for the 5-1 thumping dished out by Arsenal at the Emirates a couple of weeks ago – that loss being just their second in 30 games in all competitions.

Mircea Lucescu’s side are top of the table in Ukraine once again – five points clear of Dynamo Kiev – and look red-hot favourites to win back-to-back titles, especially if they maintain their superb early-season form.

Shakhtar have kept clean sheets in nine of their ten home games this season and Arsenal, who were soundly beaten 3-0 on their only previous trip to Donetsk in the competition back in 2000, will not have it anywhere near as easy as they did in the first game between the two sides.

Chelsea’s European campaign has been equally as smooth as Arsenal’s thus far and another win, that would secure their qualification out of Group F, is expected when Spartak Moscow visit Stamford Bridge.

The Blues are once again proving the team to match in the Premier League, having slipped up only at Manchester City so far, and it has been a similar story in Europe.

Carlo Ancelotti’s side (2/9 match betting) are again set to progress through their group with the minimum of fuss and another win against the Russian side (14/1) seems very much on the cards on Wednesday.

The three points will mean qualification is in the bag and then everyone at the club can concentrate on the tough league trip to an improving Liverpool on Sunday.

Probably the game of the night on Wednesday comes at the San Siro when Real Madrid (4/1 – Champions League outright) take on AC Milan (28/1 – outright) with the Italians out to make amends following the 2-0 reverse at the Bernabeu earlier in Group G.

Jose Mourinho took a while to win over some of the more stubborn Real fans with his brand of effective, but often negative, football, but recent high-scoring wins over Racing and Malaga prove he can win in style as well.

And Another victory this week, as he chases his third Champions League triumph, would further underline the fact that he is the best club coach on the planet.

Matchday four also sees crucial games for Auxerre and Partizan, who must win against Ajax and Zilina respectively to stand any chance of making it through, while Bayern Munich (1/10 Group E winner), who have a perfect record so far, should also book their place in the next stage with a win over Romanian outfit CFR Cluj.

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Mancini ‘facing City rebellion’

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Premier League results at the weekend have dictated that Newcastle boss Chris Hughton is off the hook – and replaced by his counterpart at Manchester City, Roberto Mancini (City now 10/1 – Premier League Outright).

The Magpies’ 5-1 mauling of fierce rivals Sunderland at St James’ Park on Sunday ended a week which had seen Newcastle hand former Republic of Ireland defender Hughton the dreaded vote of confidence.

Had his side decided his time was up and capitulated against Steve Bruce’s Black Cats then he may well have quickly discovered that the club statement was worth far less than the paper it was scribbled on.

No, Hughton gets a reprieve, at least until Sunday when he takes Newcastle to Arsenal.

Which gets us to Mancini who is, according to a tabloid report, on thin ice following Saturday’s 2-1 defeat at lowly Wolves on Saturday afternoon.

Player power, apparently, has reared its head at Eastlands and the 45-year-old is now facing the prospect of Christman on the dole – or il sussidio di disoccupazione as they might say in Milan.

At least he’ll probably get to keep his blue and white scarf to keep warm.

‘Complete mess’, ‘no one takes any notice’ and ‘team spirit is falling apart’ scream quotes from ’sources’ in The Sun on Monday morning, however Kolo Toure has now reassured long-suffering Blues fans that everything in the garden is smelling of roses and that problems will be resolved “in the dressing room and the training camp”.

So that’s ok then.

But what is certainly not ok is the fact City, for all their millions, went to Molineux at the weekend, took the lead, but then let Mick McCarthy’s men back into the game before slipping to their second Premier League defeat on the bounce.

City are now fourth after starting the weekend in second spot although their early-season performances had hardly inspired talk of global dominance, and they clearly missed the absent Carlos Tevez at Wolves.

Hardly one to keep out of an argument, Yaya Toure’s agent, Dimitri Seluk, has revealed the former Barcelona midfielder’s thinking does not coincide with that of his older brother.

Seluk is quoted: “Yaya thinks there are some players, perhaps mostly those who have been there for a long time, who think that fourth place is already a big position that it is good enough to ‘not lose’ rather than to always win.”

City have now lost three games already this season and are eight points adrift of leaders Chelsea.

Former boss Mark Hughes was dispensed with last term in similar circumstances and it would come as no surprise if player power does win out at City.

However, the fact remains that since Sir Alex Ferguson took over at Manchester United in 1986, City have got through an unlucky 13 permanent bosses and while the game has moved on, clubs seldom prosper by chopping and changing.

Whatever happens, Mancini, whose training methods were criticised last season, says he wants to get to the root of Saturday’s no-show.

“We must know where that performance came from and we must start again because the season is very long,” he admitted.

“Maybe because we played well for the first 15 minutes, we thought it was an easy game.

“Such a thing doesn’t exist in football.”

Easy games, no, the sack, yes.

City are next in action in the Europa League on Thursday night when they make the trip to Lech Poznan looking to seal a place in the knockout stage (Lech 9/2, draw 14/5, City 8/13 – 90 minutes betting).

Newcastle are now 1/9 to stay up this season.

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United labouring without Rooney

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Manchester United (9/2 to win 2010-11 Premier League) need Wayne Rooney more than Wayne Rooney needs Manchester United -  that is providing of course that he returns to the sort of form he showed last year.

Yes, they won. Yes, they remain unbeaten but they are not exactly pulling up trees at the moment and looking like they are going all the way – in any competition.

Rooney seemingly has not been back to his best, having endured a torrid World Cup campaign and mustering only one goal in five appearances this season for United, with the England man now facing another spell on the sidelines with an ankle injury.

Dimitar Berbatov’s extra fitness work over the summer appeared to work dividends, as he started the season on fire and looked set to justify the hype over his big-money move in 2008.

The Bulgarian bagged seven goals in his first six games, culminating in his hat-trick which secured the 3-2 win over Liverpool. However, he has not scored in the six games since and certainly does not provide the work-rate that Rooney also offers – normal service has resumed and Fergie needs to get him on the treadmill again.

There is a school of thought that says foreign players need time to adjust to the Premier League, so what can be expected of Javier Hernandez. Although the “Little Pea” has scored five goals in his last eight games, he gives the impression of being the “new” Ole Gunnar Solskjaer – ie: an impact substitute from the bench.

Luis Nani is trying to emulate Cristiano Ronaldo at Old Trafford and has contributed a lot this season already, but he is far too inconsistent for United to be able to depend on him in the same way – despite his own belief that he is now “one of the top players in the world” – where did that come from.

Although unbeaten, United have slipped five points behind Chelsea already in the table and need a fully fit and firing Rooney (16/1 Premier League Top Goalscorer) if they are to have any realistic chance of regaining the title.

Speaking of strikers, Liverpool (6/4 for a Top Six Finish), who have now won two on the bounce, need one! Fernando Torres has not quite recovered from injury and looks a shadow of the player that has tormented the Premier League in the past. A guaranteed starter for the club, injury-permitting, but if he is not doing it, who else can Roy Hodgson call upon?

David Ngog, Ryan Babel or Milan Jovanovic? Bring back Robbie Keane! I am expecting Hodgson to make some moves in the January transfer window – if he is still there!

Refereeing decisions are coming increasingly under the spotlight but let’s make one thing clear, referees, at one point or another, are always going to make a strange/wrong/downright stupid decisions – generally in favour of the “big teams”.

How Bolton did not get one of two penalty decisions on Sunday is anyone’s guess, but the answer is they were playing Liverpool.

Mark Clattenburg realised the error of his ways on Saturday after not giving Nani a penalty against Spurs, by allowing him to stroke home unimpeded immediately afterwards as Heurelho Gomes foolishly thought a free-kick had been given in his favour. It was at Old Trafford, Heurelho.

Tuncay’s ‘goal’ against Everton was ruled out at Goodison Park, presumably because Leighton Baines was put off by the breathing on his neck, although Andrei Arshavin must realise only Maraoune Chamakh at Arsenal is going to get penalties when there is no/little contact.

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Spurs go for Euro goals

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Tottenham take on Inter Milan at White Hart Lane in a match which should see plenty of goals (2-2 12/1 – Correct Score) if their previous encounter was anything to go by.

Boss Harry Redknapp will be hoping for big things from San Siro hat-trick scorer Gareth Bale, and there will surely be a hat-full of goals with the attacking flair on show.

Inter do not possess the best record against English sides on their travels – winning four, losing seven and drawing one match over the years and a 2-2 draw looks a good bet for the Group A clash (Spurs 13/8, Draw 12/5, Inter 8/5 – Match Betting).

Werder Bremen and FC Twente shared a 1-1 draw last time out with both sides desperate for three points. With so much at stake and goals at a premium for both sides, the Germans are fancied to claim their first win of this year’s competition by a solitary goal.

In Group B, high-flying Lyon travel to Benfica but history is not in their favour as no French side have ever beaten the Portuguese giants on their own patch – infact Lyon have only won once in European competitions in Portugal.

Records are there to be broken but Benfica have not leaked many goals and this one could be Lyon’s trickiest test so far, with a low-scoring draw looking good value.

Hapoel Tel Aviv have yet to break their duck in this season’s Champions League but they will have their work cut out against Schalke 04, who beat them 3-1 in their previous meeting.

Spanish legend Raul netted twice and is 5/1 to score the first goal in a match which will surely see defeat for an Israeli side that have scored just two goals but conceded eight in their first three matches, with Schalke, at 21/20, tipped to take the points.

Group C sees Manchester United face Bursaspor (Bursaspor 19/5, Draw 13/5, Utd 8/11 – Match Betting) and the Red Devils can concentrate on matters on the pitch with the resolution of the Wayne Rooney saga.

The England international will be absent through injury but, despite being away from home, United will not be fazed by a side who have yet to score a goal in the competition.

The Turkish outfit have offered little going forward in the group and will struggle to get past a United defence (6/5 to keep a clean sheet) that has yet to concede a European goal this term.

Rangers are the surprise team in the group and have yet to taste defeat, but Valencia will be a lot tougher at home and a Spanish win by two goals to nil looks decent value (5/1).

Walter Smith’s men have looked solid but it will be another backs-to-the wall effort for the Gers to try and get anything from this fixture and it surely only a matter of time before they finally slip up in Europe this season.

Group D looks a two-horse race and the top two meet on Tuesday in Copenhagen, with Barcelona looking to keep up their excellent record in Denmark. The Spanish giants have won all their previous matches in the country and will look to add another success against aside just one point behind them in the standings.

But the Danes are no mugs and will draw confidence from Rubin Kazan’s 1-1 result with the Catalans earlier in the campaign.

Finally, Panathinaikos travel to face Rubin Kazan with both sides in need of three points. They played out a goalless draw last time but the Russians, very strong on home soil, are favourites (8/13) and are tipped to win this one.

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10 things we’ve learned from the Premier League this weekend

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1)      Sunderland (8/1 Top Six Finish) need to improve defensively and Steve Bruce is this week’s most unpopular person on Wearside.

2)      Feuding Manchester City are far from the finished article and don’t look title contenders (City 2/5 Top Four Finish).

3)      Manchester United are not the same team without Wayne Rooney (Rooney 16/1 Premier League Top Scorer), but is Nani the new Ronaldo?

4)      Liverpool need Fernando Torres fit and on form to qualify for Europe….as there’s nobody else!

5)      Tottenham are not good enough to mount a title challenge and will never get a refereeing decision at Old Trafford!

6)      Aston Villa are going to take a while to get to grips with what Monsieur Houllier requires!  Not sure the fans will remain patient though (Villa 14/1 Top Four Finish).

7)      Start counting your money if you’ve backed West Ham to be relegated – not even Scott Parker or Rob Green can save the Hammers from the drop (Hammers 10/11 to be relegated).

8)      Blackburn can actually play some football and Benjani could keep them in the top flight this season.

9)      Fabio Capello hopefully has a short memory, as Joey Barton looks good enough for a call-up to the England squad (1/6 to win Euro 2012 Qualifying Group G).

10)   Everton are the in-form team in the league but don’t count your chickens on a European place – a lack of goals could cost them.

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Louis looks to plug Bayern leaks

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Louis van Gaal intimated Bayern Munich would have to learn to keep clean sheets to have any hope of retaining their Bundesliga title in response to his side’s 4-2 win over Freiburg on Friday (check out Bundesliga match coupon).

The injury-hit Bavarians looked to be on their way to a one-sided win once Martin Demichelis and Mario Gomez had given them a comfortable two-goal cushion either side of the interval.

However, the defensive frailties that have cost Bayern in a sluggish start to the domestic season resurfaced when Robin Dutt’s troops threatened to silence the 69,000 capacity crowd at the Allianz Arena.

Stefan Reisinger halved the deficit on 64 minutes – just 60 seconds after he was introduced as a substitute – but Bayern restored their lead when Anatoliy Tymoschuk rounded off a sweeping counter-attacking move.

The match appeared over as a contest when Toni Kroos put the German giants further ahead only for Edson Braafheid to put through his own net.

Coach van Gaal admitted Bayern, still missing the likes of flying wingers Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery, had not been at their best in an uneventful first half and hailed Germany schemer Bastian Schweinsteiger as the game-breaker.

The Dutchman said: “I’m happy with the result. We didn’t play well in the first half. We were far better after half-time, but we’ve conceded goals again. This group of players has played football the way Bayern Munich can – and that’s what really matters.”

He added: “Schweinsteiger made the difference in the second half: he took over the playmaking duties, he held up the play and distributed possession. He was terrific.”

Bayern are next in action on Wednesday when they travel to Romania looking to maingtain their 100 per cent start to Uefa Champions League Group E qualification against CFR 1907 Cluj (5/1 Cluj – Uefa Champions League Group E – To Qualify).

France winger Ribery is again expected to miss out as he continues his recovery from a long-standing anle injury.

He has not given up hope of a place in the matchday squad for Bayern’s Bundesliga  trip to Monchengladbach on November 6.

“I think there’s a good chance I’ll be involved against Gladbach,” he was quoted as saying by the Munich-based tz.

“But I’m determined to play again against Nürnberg [on 14 November]. That’s my target, and I’m certain I’ll make it.”

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Ferguson rejects transfer talk

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Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has ruled out making any new signings in the January transfer window (United 9/2 to win the Premier League).

Ferguson saw his side beat Tottenham 2-0 at Old Trafford on Saturday to sit five points behind leaders Chelsea. And he insisted he is happy with the squad he has, and is not considering adding to it this season.

“We won’t be buying in January, definitely not,” said Ferguson in the Independent. “If you want someone to play in Europe, you are limited right away. There are hundreds of players cup-tied.”

The United boss added: “You have five months left of the season, I will have Antonio Valencia back hopefully towards the end of February, which is a new player coming back.

“If Michael Owen gets back, it is another new player coming back. So with the squad I’ve got, I don’t see any reason for us to buy anyone.”

Ferguson is not panicking over the size of his squad, or the fact that Wayne Rooney may not be back in action until mid-December (United 1/14 Top Four Finish).

Rooney was on hand at Old Trafford yesterday after returning from a mid-season break to Dubai with his wife Coleen.

“I think Wayne Rooney will be out for another five weeks,” Ferguson said in the Sunday Express. “He’ll have to pick up his fitness again. I would think five weeks should be about right.”

Rooney could miss a total of 15 games for club and country, after initially having targeted the Manchester derby against City next week.

United’s match at Blackpool on December 4 is now his comeback target, though the Champions’ League visit of Valencia three days later could also be in his sights (United 9/1 to win 2010-11 Champions League).

Ferguson went on to add: “With any player who has been out a few weeks, you want them 100 per cent and not breaking down. That is what happened to Ryan Giggs – he came back and trained a full week and maybe did too much.

“He lasted only 25 minutes against West Brom and it was a loss, because we didn’t have real cover for the wide positions.”

Ferguson said that Rooney would have to battle to regain his place in the team because of the form of Javier Hernandez, who has scored seven goals in 13 games for United.

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Nani reveals Ronaldo boost

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Nani of Manchester UnitedManchester United (9/2 to win 2010-11 Premier League) winger Nani has hailed former team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo as a key factor behind the player’s good run of form this season.

Nani has been in the headlines after scoring a dubious goal in the 2-0 win over Tottenham in the Premier League on Saturday.

The Portuguese international touched the ball with his hand before tapping the ball past Heurelho Gomes who believed a free-kick had been given.

Nani has been a key player for United this season already scoring four goals in 10 appearances for the Red Devils.

The 23-year-old has revealed that his good form has been down in part to the encouragement he has received from Ronaldo.

United (9/1 to win the Champions League) sold Ronaldo for £80m last summer as he desired to leave the club for Spanish giants Real Madrid.

Nani has praised his former team-mate for his advice since his departure for the Santiago Bernabeu.

He said: “Cristiano is always there for me. We are big friends and he helps me with my game – even though he is in Madrid we speak all the time. It is great to have a friend like that, someone who can hear me out and give me encouragement.”

“Things are going well this season and now people are seeing the real Nani. My performance in the team has been very good, but I want to do more and I have to keep learning and improving,” he explained.

Nani has been tasked with filling the void left by Ronaldo and the talented winger has been putting in some good performances so far this season.

United have struggled for goals in the forward positions this season with Wayne Rooney and Michael Owen sidelined through injury, while Dimitar Berbatov failing to find the back of the net in his last six outings.

Nani has contributed to the goals this season and has praised Sir Alex Ferguson for his support this season.

The Portugal international said: “The manager has already played a big part in my form. He has a meeting with all the young players because now we are getting more opportunity.

“He is always impressing on the young players how it is important to get better. United is a big club and we need to win, so every player on the pitch needs to think he can be the best in the world.

“The manager tells us we are here because we are the best.”

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Davies has no scores to settle

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Bolton skipper Kevin Davies says he has nothing to prove to Roy Hodgson ahead of his side’s clash with Liverpool (Bolton 11/5, Draw 11/5, Liverpool 13/10 – Match Betting).

Hodgson signed Davies when he was Blackburn manager 12 years ago, but the move did not work out for the striker.

But while Davies (8/1 to score first goal) says he hopes Hodgson feels sick after today’s game, he did not criticise the manager for what happened during his time at Ewood Park.

Davies said: “Blackburn at the time was a difficult place and I wasn’t particularly happy, but the experience made me the man and player I am today.

“Roy Hodgson is a top bloke and brilliant coach. I hope he’s whingeing after the match just as other managers have when we’ve had big scalps in the past.”

Hodgson admits he remains a big fan of Davies, who recent earned his first cap for England (1/6 to win Group G) in the Euro 2012 qualifier against Montenegro.

“Kevin has done really well for himself and he is a fantastic footballer,” Hodgson told Liverpoolfc.tv.

“A lot of Bolton’s success has been largely due to the fact that he’s been such a handful up front. He has scored goals and created so many goals so he is a player I have a very special eye open for.”

Meanwhile, England international Gary Cahill says the Wanderers faithful have played a big part in making sure that the Trotters are unbeaten at the Reebok Stadium.

The defender told the club’s website: “The support this season has been superb. It’s important that we go out there and give 110 per cent and put in a performance that they deserve having paid their money to come and watch us every week.”

Bolton boss Owen Coyle has confirmed that striker Ivan Klasnic, who was suspended for the 1-1 draw at Wigan last weekend, is available for this afternoon’s clash against Liverpool.

Joey O’Brien, Ricardo Gardner, Jlloyd Samuel and Sean Davis are all still sidelined with long-term injuries, so Coyle has a settled squad to choose from.

Liverpool will give full-back Glen Johnson a fitness test prior to the match – the England international has missed the last three games with a thigh injury.

Dirk Kuyt is sidelined with a knee problem but is making good progress, while Daniel Agger is still missing with the calf injury which has kept him out for the past month.

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No fear, Harry tells Tottenham

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Harry Redknapp has told his Tottenham players to have no fear when they go to Manchester United on Saturday determined to prove they can mix it with the Premier League heavyweights (4/7 Man United 14/5 draw 5/1 Tottenham – 90 minutes betting).

Whisper it quietly to seasoned Tottenham followers, but you have to go back to 1989 to find the last time the north Londoners won at Old Trafford – just five months after Gareth Bale, who could be rested, was born.

It is an unwanted record Redknapp wants to shake off if Tottenham want to seal another place in the Premier League top four.

The White Hart Lane boss said: “Our league position is really the key because we need to finish in that top four if we want to be in the Champions League again.

“It’s important that we keep trying to pick up league points, even though we’re going to a great stadium with a special atmosphere and great tradition.”

Tottenham have failed to win any of their last 25 meetings with United in all competitions and Redknapp accepts it is a statistic which has to change.

He added: “It’s always a massive game and hopefully we will go up there and perform.”

Redknapp has admitted he is toying with the idea of wrapping Bale in cotton wool ahead of the visit of holders Internazionale FC in the Champions League on Tuesday (4/9 Tottenham – Uefa Champions League Group A – To Qualify).

He said: “Gareth Bale is fine but we’ve got two big games and I’ll look at it.

“He’s had a real hard spell of playing game after game and internationals. He had a few days off and went abroad – to Cardiff!

“He could have gone away but he wanted to spend a bit of time with his family.”

Tom Huddlestone will miss the trip north to take on Sir Alex Ferguson’s men because of an ankle injury, while Ledley King, Vedran Corluka, Jermain Defoe, Michael Dawson, Jamie O’Hara and Jonathan Woodgate are all out.

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