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Mancini makes double swoop claim

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Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini is confident that Mario Balotelli and James Milner will have signed for the club on Thursday ahead of their Premier League opener at Tottenham (City 7/4, Spurs 5/4, draw 23/10 – 90 Minutes Betting) next Saturday.

Aston Villa boss Martin O’Neill revealed on Friday evening that Milner had virtually sealed a big-money switch to Eastlands.

However, as the versatile midfielder is part of Fabio Capello’s England squad for the friendly against Hungary at Wembley on Wednesday, Mancini expects to tie up the loose ends on his move the following day.

Balotelli is also due to feature for Italy in midweek, so City will wait until the back end of the week to get him officially on board in what could be the final pieces of the jigsaw in their bid to muscle their way into the title race (City 5/1 Premier League Outright).

“We are close with both players but now they are going with their national teams,” said Mancini. “We hope that we can have these players by next Thursday.”

“For now we have two days off and we are not going to talk about the market. Next week we will see. These deals could happen but we need to wait.”

City continued their preparations for the new campaign with a 2-0 friendly win against Valencia on Saturday, with Gareth Barry and Jo scoring the goals.

Craig Bellamy (7/1 Top Man City Goalscorer) did not even feature in the game sparking more speculation that he could be on his way out of the club, while there were no clues who would start in goal as Shay Given and Joe Hart were both handed 45 minutes.

Mancini added: “I am fortunate that I have two strong goalkeepers. This is important when you have a long season with three matches every week.

“I have an idea who I will play but I still have a week to decide. I know whoever I pick, the other one will help that person. It is not a problem for us.”

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Sagna makes title claim

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Bacary Sagna believes Arsenal can challenge for the Premier League title this season, but only if they can maintain a level of consistency which has deserted the Gunners (6/1 Outright Premier League Winners) in recent seasons.

The north London club have yet to win any silverware since their FA Cup success over Manchester United in 2005, failing to capitalise on a number of golden opportunities since that time.

Last year Arsenal finished 11 points off eventually winners Chelsea but at times looked as though they would challenge for the title, even topping the league in February.

However, once again the Gunners form dipped coming into the run-in and back-to-back defeats to Manchester United and Chelsea eventually cost them.

While Arsenal fans having been calling on manager Arsene Wenger to improve his side’s strength in depth in a bid to compete on the domestic and European fronts, so far the Frenchman has only brought in two new players.

With the Gunners (4/7 to finish in the top four) having lost three centre-halfs during the summer, with just one coming in, there might a number of Arsenal fans worried that problems at the back could cost them dear again.

Those doubters wouldn’t have been impressed in the club’s 6-5 friendly win over Legia Warsaw, a game which saw a near full strength side concede a number of goals from set pieces.

However, despite signs that Arsenal’s defensive frailties have yet to be dealt with Sagna is confident he and his team mates will be serious title contenders this season.

“Yes we can win it. I’m 100 per cent confident,” declared the Frenchman.

“It will be down to us now. We have a good team and some new players. We have an amazing team and play good football. We just need to be more consistent and to be a bit more focused on the pitch.”

The full-back went on to say that while he expected Manchester City (5/1 Outright Winners) to join the likes of Chelsea (13/8), Manchester United (12/5) and Liverpool (12/1) in challenging for the title, he feels that they cannot count on their spending power equalling success.

“They have bought a lot of good players and they will be hard to beat but we are still Arsenal, we play good football and just want to continue to play as we are now,” he added.

“Real Madrid [also spent money on] lots of good players but they couldn?t win anything last year so it’s down to the game we play on the pitch.”

Arsenal will be hopeful their youthful looking squad can finally do the business this season, especially after Cesc Fabregas’ decision to stay on for at least another season.

However, the Gunners could be without their captain, along with striker Robin van Persie, for the first game of the season as they head to Anfield looking to record a fourth straight victory over Liverpool (5/4 to beat the Gunners) in all competitions.

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Milner set for City switch

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Aston Villa boss Martin O’Neill appears to have conceded defeat over the future of James Milner and the England winger looks set to bolster Manchester City’s top-four hopes by completing a move to Eastlands in the next few days (City 13/10 – Premier League w/o Man United and Chelsea).

Villa were held to a goalless draw by Spanish side Valencia on Friday in their latest pre-season friendly and Milner was left out of the squad with question marks over his future.

The former Newcastle and Leeds star has expressed his desire to join mega-rich City, who are 13/8 to be top north west club this season, ahead of the new campaign and O’Neill is ready to reluctantly accept that outcome.

“We didn’t play him primarily because there could be something happening in terms of the transfer,” O’Neill said after the Valencia game.

“I thought it would be the best thing to do not to play him in case something develops over the weekend or Monday or Tuesday.”

Milner is set to move to Eastlands in a deal that could see City midfielder Stephen Ireland go the other way with the Eastlands club also paying up to £25million for his services.

O’Neill was frank when asked about the situation and admitted it was probably best for all parties for the transfer to now go through as soon as possible.

“I think there’s been fresh contact,” he added. “I couldn’t tell you whether there’s been a renewed offer.

“I think there is something in that there now, yes (getting it concluded quickly). I agree.

“I think that’s for everyone’s benefit really, it’s probably time to get something done if it’s at all possible.”

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Chelsea lay down challenge

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Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti has laid down the challenge to fellow Premier League rivals by declaring his team are good enough to win the treble this season (6/4 Chelsea 11/5 draw 15/8 Man United – 90 minutes).

The Blues did the double last season, picking up the Premier League title and FA Cup, but Ancelotti believes they can go one better this time around and pick up the Champions League as well (6/1 Chelsea – Champions League outright).

Speaking ahead of the Sunday’s Community Shield fixture with rivals Manchester United, Ancelotti said:  “Last year every player did their best and we want to do the same again.  We plan to be competitive and do better in the Champions League.”

Ancelotti has also denied rumours that the left-back Ashley Cole was heading to Real Madrid to join up with old boss Jose Mourinho, and added: “I don’t need to speak with Ashley Cole. I read that Ashley Cole wants to leave.

“My answer was I want Ashley Cole to stay at Chelsea because he’s a fantastic player and there is no price for which (I would) sell him.”

Cole will start at left-back against United in a back four which will include England team-mate, John Terry, Branislav Ivanovic and Paulo Ferreira.

United look set to give England internationals, Wayne Rooney and Michael Owen, at least 45 minutes in tomorrow’s game at Wembley.

New Mexico striker, Javier Hernandez, is likely to partner Rooney up front in his first competitive fixture having impressed in pre-season.

United boss, Sir Alex Ferguson, has already said that Chelsea are the team to beat this season having pipped his side to the title by just one point last season.

“I think with the experience they have you always have to look at it that way.  I feel that the team that won the title last season is the one you have to look at,” said the Scot.

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Ferguson will keep his cash

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Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson says he is happy with his squad and has no plans to make any more signings in the transfer window (12/5 Manchester United – Premier League outright).

United have made only two signings this summer, bringing in young Fulham defender Chris Smalling and Mexico World Cup star Javier Hernandez.

But though Ferguson has money available, he insists he will not make signings just to please supporters.

United have been strongly linked with Germany ace Mesut Ozil and Denmark goalkeeper Anders Lindegaard. But as Ferguson prepared his squad for the Community Shield against Chelsea at Wembley on Sunday, he insisted his squad was strong enough as it stands (Chelsea 6/4 draw 11/5 Manchester United 15/8 – Community Shield).

“I don’t see the value in adding to our squad,” Ferguson said.

“I am happy with what we already have and I don’t see any reason to add to that just because people want me to buy someone.

“Supporters want you to buy players. They like to see a big signing every year. Sometimes the players like to see a big signing.

“But we have to be sensible about it. We look at our own squad and ask what do we need?

“I look at the players everyone says are available and they don’t excite me.”

United have only five strikers on their books, having allowed Danny Wellbeck to join Sunderland on loan and yesterday agreed to farm out Mame Biram Diouf to Blackburn.

But Ferguson is not concerned at the situation. “We are pleased with the young strikers we have,” he said.

“Welbeck and Diouf will go on loan, which leaves us with five; Berbatov, Rooney and Owen along with Macheda and Hernandez. That is sufficient.”

Federico Macheda has shown glimpses of talent, while Javier Hernandez has scored three times in three matches since linking up with his new team-mates at the end of their recent tour of North America.

Hernandez could be used as Wayne Rooney’s strike partner, with United moving away from the policy of playing the England international as a lone forward.

“We have not tried anything like it yet but we have played two strikers in the past,” Ferguson said. “It doesn’t mean it will happen every week but it will happen on some occasions.

“Hernandez has had a good start. He is an intelligent player with tremendous pace and penetration. The Mexican league is tough, so bringing players to England from there is not going to be a problem.”

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Zamora hungry for England

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Bobby Zamora and Jack Wilshere are being tipped to make Fabio Capello’s first post-World Cup England squad for Wednesday’s friendly against Hungary (9/1 – Euro 2012 outright).

Fulham striker Zamora (80/1 – Premier League top scorer) was unlucky to miss out on the trip to South Africa, while 18-year-old Wilshere is crossing his fingers as he contemplates a first call-up for the England (2/7  – Group G winner) senior side.

Capello’s squad is certain to feature several changes from the one that flopped at the World Cup, with Emile Heskey having retired from international football.

Zamora is understood to have an excellent chance of featuring at Wembley, having missed out on the plane to South Africa because he required surgery on his Achilles injury.

Wilshere may not be the only Arsenal presence in the squad, with Theo Walcott and Kieran Gibbs coming under the spotlight.

Wilshere was left out of Stuart Pearce’s Under-21 squad to face Uzbekistan, so the midfielder may be elevated to senior ranks following an excellent half-season on loan at Bolton.

There may also be a place for Manchester City’s Adam Johnson, who was left out of the World Cup party but whose standing was boosted by the comparative failure of his club colleague Shaun Wright-Phillips and the other wide-man in South Africa, Aaron Lennon.

Everton’s Phil Jagielka, who might well have been in South Africa but for the serious knee injury that kept him out for 10 months, could fill a spot along with Michael Dawson of Tottenham.

The 27-year-old Everton defender won his first cap against Trinidad & Tobago, two years ago, but has not played since appearing as a substitute in April 2009 in the World Cup qualifier against Ukraine.

The other area where England are down on manpower is goalkeeper.

James’ move to the Championship and Bristol City effectively ended his international career and there must be serious question marks over Robert Green following his howler against the USA in the World Cup.

It means that a battle is now expected between Joe Hart and Ben Foster, who was preferred to the Manchester City keeper for matches against Belarus and Brazil last term, to become Capello’s first-choice.

Jermain Defoe has a slight groin strain and Capello will not call up any players struggling with injury, especially those who were at the World Cup.

John Terry will be included despite leading the dissent against Capello’s regime in South Africa, before backing down when there was little support from his team-mates.

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Rooney tipped for golden season

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Punters looking for value in the Premier League 2010-11 Top Goalscorer market should not dismiss Wayne Rooney’s chances of claiming the golden boot (Rooney 5/1 jf – golden boot).

The Manchester United striker made his return to pre-season in the first half of his side’s 7-1 victory over an Airtricity League of Ireland selection on Wednesday and will be determined to bury the disappointment of an abysmal tournament for England at the 2010 World Cup.

The 24-year-old failed to find the net in a summer to forget in South Africa and showed his petulance when confronted with boos at the end of the drab and uninspiring goalless draw against Algeria.

However, seasoned match-going United supporters have history with followers of In-Ger-Lund – dating back to the treatment dished out to the likes of former favourite David Beckham – so Rooney will be guaranteed all the love he needs from the Stretford End.

He may also benefit from a head start if his principal market rival and top marksman from last season, Didier Drogba of Chelsea, misses the start of the new season because of recent groin surgery.

A good indicator will be if manager Carlo Ancelotti decides to wrap the Stamford Bridge star up in cotton wool in the Community Shield.

The Ivory Coast international also failed to sparkle at the World Cup, scoring just one goal, but remains unplayable on his day and will run Rooney close even though he is now the wrong side of 30.

Rooney relished in the role of solo striker for United last season, scoring 24 Premier League goals, and only a spate of minor injury lay-offs at the back end of the domestic campaign prevented him from adding to his impressive tally and United (15/8 Community Shield winners) from possibly breaking bitter rivals Liverpool’s record of 18 domestic titles.

Punters considering Rooney should also note he is likely to retain spot-kick duties for his club.

Fernando Torres is next best at 6/1 but he looked a shadow of himself in South Africa because of injury concerns and while he has made all the right noises about staying at Liverpool, questions have been raised about whether his head may have been turned by his World Cup-winning Spain team-mates.

Robin van Persie will be dangerous if Arsenal (7/1 Premier League outright) can finally deliver on their promise but the fact that he has never managed more than 28 games in a single campaign is reflected in his price of 9/1.

Of the rest, Carlos Tevez is more of a team player and Nicolas Anelka can blow hot and cold.

It could pay to side with Rooney in the search for Premier League goals next season.

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Fabregas commits and ends speculation

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Arsenal captain Cesc FabregasArsenal captain Cesc Fabregas has put months of speculation regarding his future to bed by confirming he will remain at Arsenal for the new season (Arsenal 7/1 to win the Premier League).

Spanish champions Barcelona have been desperate to bring Fabregas back to Camp Nou, with the 23-year-old starting his career at youth level with the Catalan giants, but have failed in two bids to bring Fabregas to La Liga.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger had been adamant that the gifted playmaker was going nowhere, but the Frenchman was eager to stress it was down to Fabregas to end the speculation and commit himself to the Gunners.

The World Cup winner had previously failed to release any definitive statement regarding his future, often stating he was an Arsenal player but failing to rule out the possibility he would make the switch to Barca.  However, Fabregas has now confirmed he will stay at Arsenal for the coming campaign and apologised to the club’s fans, although he didn’t rule out a move to Spain in the future.

“Firstly I would like to apologise to all the Arsenal fans for not speaking sooner about my future but I have not known what I was going to do until this moment,” said Fabregas.”I cannot deny that joining a club like Barcelona was not an attractive move for me.

“This was the club where I learnt my football, it is my home town where my friends and family are and a club where I have always dreamed of playing. There are not many players in the world who would not want to play for Barcelona.”

Arsenal are gunning for their first piece of silverware since the 2005 FA Cup and Fabregas will be vital if the Gunners are to end their trophy drought.  Some have suggested he may struggle to replicate his previous form following the constant rumours surrounding his future but the Spain star insists his displays for Arsenal will not be affected by the lengthy transfer saga.

He added: “I can assure all the fans that now the negotiations have ended I will be 100% focused on playing for Arsenal. I am an Arsenal player and as soon as I step out on to the pitch, that is the only club I will be thinking about. I am looking forward to the start of the season and putting this speculation behind me.”

Arsenal face Liverpool at Anfield in their Premier League opener on Sunday August 15 in the pick of the opening round fixtures (Match Betting – Liverpool 5/4, draw 23/10, Arsenal 7/4).

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Davies ready for promotion push

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Nottingham Forest are amongst the favourites to secure promotion to the Premier League ahead of the new season and boss Billy Davies insists he is up for the challenge (Forest 13/5 to secure promotion to the Premier League).

Forest were beaten in the play-off semi-finals by Blackpool last season, with the Seasiders eventually getting the better of Cardiff in the final to secure a place in England’s top flight, and Davies is eager to ensure Forest go one better this season.

“I’m looking forward to the challenge and I know the players and my staff feel exactly the same way,” Davies told the club’s official website.

“I always relish the start of a new season. There’s great optimism but as ever there’s also great passion and commitment as well.

“It’s a fantastic challenge again for us – there are exciting times to look forward to, so bring it on.”

Davies has plenty of Championship experience to draw on as he bids to bring success to the City Ground.  The Scottish manager led Preston to the play-off final in 2005, only to see North End miss out to Watford, before leading Derby County to promotion in the 2006/2007 season with a play-off final victory over West Brom.

Davies was axed early the following season by the Rams after a dreadful start to their Premier League campaign but he has since rebuilt his reputation at Forest and many are tipping Davies to lead the Reds to promotion.

However, the Forest boss has largely struggled to secure his transfer targets during the close season and he has basically the same squad at his disposal as he did during the previous campaign.  The considerable talents of goalkeeper Lee Camp, midfielder trio Paul McKenna (captain), Chris Cohen and Polish star Radosaw Majewski will surely help Forest push for promotion, while forwards Nathan Tyson and Rob Earnshaw are always capable of finding the back of the net given the chance and there is still plenty of time left ahead of the close of the transfer window on September 1 for Davies to add to his side.

Middlesbrough, under the guidance of Gordon Strachan, are the current 19/10 favourites to secure promotion to the Premier League with Totesport.  Neil Warnock is also being tipped to take QPR (7/2) back into the top flight after doing his deals early in the summer, while Burnley, who have managed to keep the majority of their squad together, are priced at 18/5 to secure an immediate return to the Premier League.

The likes of Leciester City (9/2), last season’s beaten play-off finalists Cardiff City (5/1) and Bristol City (11/2), who signed England goalkeeper David James earlier this month, will also be gunning for promotion and the Championship promises very competitive ahead of the big kick off.

Forest travel to Burnley for their season opener tomorrow, with Davies eager to lead the City Ground side into the Premier League (Match Betting – Burnley 6/5, draw 9/4, Forest 21/10).

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Walcott reveals World Cup woe

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Arsenal (7/1 to win the Premier League) winger Theo Walcott has revealed that he cried after Fabio Capello gave him the shock news that he would not go to the World Cup in South Africa.

The former Southampton youngster looked like he was set to make the 23-man squad that went to the biggest tournament in the world after featuring in all England’s pre-tournament friendly games.

However Walcott was the surprise omission from the side as seven players were cut from the initial 30-man squad picked by Capello.

The Italian manager decided to take midfielders Shaun Wright-Phillips, Joe Cole and James Milner who all featured in the Three Lions tournament which ultimately ended in disappointment.

After drawing their opening two games of the competition against the USA and Algeria they scrapped past Slovenia, only to be thrashed 4-1 in the knockout stage against old rivals Germany.

Walcott will have watched on as England under-achieved in South Africa and has recently explained how he received the news that he would not play in the tournament.

He said: “He (Capello) just said, ‘I’m sorry. I’m not going to bring you to South Africa, but I’ll see you in 2012 for the Euros.

“I didn’t know what to say at all. He said, ‘have a good break and good luck. I’ll see you soon’. I wished him all the best.

“There are always disappointments in football, this was my biggest one yet.

“Actually, I did have a tear to be fair with my cousin and my mate,? he added.

The 21-year-old only started 12 Premier League games for the Gunners (7/1 to win the FA Cup) last season as he struggled to hit top form after recovering from injury.

Walcott was just finding a regular place in the side before the end of the regular season when Capello was deciding who to take to the World Cup.

However it seemed to be too soon for Walcott who believes he stands in a better position now after fully recovering from injury.

He said: “The full pre-season will definitely help. It was an on-off season last season and it’s difficult to come back from that. I would just get back and I’d get another injury.

“This year I’m just going to get out there and show people what I can do. It’s all I can do really.”

Walcott has been left out of the England under-21 squad which suggests Capello already has the paceman in his plans for the qualification matches for the 2012 European Championships.

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