Tag Archives: double

Can England do the double?

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It could be a double European celebration for English teams this season, with five teams still battling for Champions League and Europa League glory. Could there be a double Premier League celebration come May?

Champions League

Although the English dominance may have waned slightly in recent years, with no winner since 2008, the strength of the Premier League is there for all to see. Manchester United, Chelsea, Tottenham and Arsenal have all shown in patches that they are capable of mounting a challenge for Europe’s top prize.

United (15/2 to win 2010-11 Champions League) look the most likely of the quartet to reach the Wembley showpiece and should progress to the quarter finals after a goalless draw in Marseille in their last-16 first-leg encounter.

Chelsea (9/2 Outright Market) seem almost certain to progress as well after an impressive 2-0 away win in Copenhagen, with this competition now their only target. This is the trophy Roman Abramovich craves and a victory at Wembley on May 28 seems the only thing that can save Carlo Ancelotti’s job.

Spurs (1/4 to qualify for quarter finals) look a decent outside bet to win the trophy in their debut Champions League campaign, having shown they are more than capable of posing a threat to anyone over two legs. The lack of European experience in the Spurs backline may cause problems later in the tournament though.

Arsenal (8/1 to win in Nou Camp) have every chance of lifting the trophy for the first time… if they can hold off Barcelona. It looks unlikely though, despite Arsenal holding a 2-1 advantage from the first leg. Expect the blow of an early European exit putting pay to the Gunners’ hopes of silverware this season.

Europa League

Manchester City look to have all the credentials to be a success in Europe this season, but the dwindling confidence in the camp is a concern. Roberto Mancini’s squad have made light work of reaching the last 16 of the Europa League, but face a tricky test against Dynamo Kiev.

Having struggled to come to terms with the Premier League, Edin Dzeko will be a key player if City (4/11 to get past Kiev) are to reach the final in Dublin on May 18 as he has plenty of European experience behind him.

Liverpool (11/2 Europa League Outright) could make it an all-England final, draw permitting, with solid defensive performances the cornerstone of their progression to the last 16. A lack of goals is the only concern for the Reds, who will face Portuguese side Braga in the next round.

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Benitez boosted by double deal

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Inter Milan manager Rafael BenitezNew Inter Milan boss Rafael Benitez has received a boost ahead of the Serie A season after Argentine duo Javier Zanetti and Diego Milito agreed to extend their stay at the Giuseppe Meazza (Inter favourites and priced at evens to win the Serie A).

There were fears that Inter’s treble winning team may be broken up following Jose Mourinho’s decision to move on and become Real Madrid manager, but so far this has proved not to be the case.

Veteran defender Zanetti has now agreed a two year extension, keeping him at the club until June 2013, while Milito has agreed a 12 month extension and will stick with the Nerazzurri until June 2014.

Zanetti has been with Inter since 1995 and the 36-year-old could end his career with the Serie A giants after agreeing new terms.

Milito joined Inter last summer from Genoa and scored 30 goals in his first season.  The Argentina international had been linked with a move to Real Madrid but has ended speculation surrounding his future by agreeing new terms with the Milan side.

He said: “I will always be grateful to a great club like Inter for choosing me, and to president (Massimo) Moratti for his faith in me.”

However, former Liverpool boss Benitez has largely struggled to secure his top targets this summer.  The Spaniard is eager to be reunited with Liverpool star Javier Mascherano but the Anfield side have refused to budge on their asking price for the tough tackling midfielder and the two parties seem to have reached a stalemate as far as the deal is concerned.

Inter secured the Champions League, Serie A and Coppa Italia titles last season under the guidance of the Portuguese special one and there are high expectations ahead of the new season despite a change in manager.

Inter are the favourites to secure the Serie A title for a sixth successive time, although their 2005/06 title was awarded in the wake of the 2006 Calciopoli Scandal. Meanwhile, AC Milan, Juventus and Roma are all priced at 4/1 with totesport. The Italian league could be a four-horse race this season with the likes of Fiorentina (33/1), Napoli and Sampdoria (both 66/1) given little chance by pundits ahead of the start of the season.

Benitez could be on course for success in the Serie A but the Champions League will be a difficult title to defend.  Spanish giants Barcelona (10/3f) and Real Madrid (4/1) are expected to dominate Europe’s top tournament this season, while Manchester United (15/2) and Chelsea (6/1) could also be in contention to take the top prize (Inter 12/1 to win the Champions League).

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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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