Fergie should fear firing Fulham

Posted on April 8, 2011 by SoccerCapper

Manchester United usually have their way with Fulham but Saturday’s Premier League clash could be an uncomfortable affair for the leaders, sandwiched between their Champions League quarter-final skirmishes with Chelsea.

Sir Alex Ferguson’s men have had an interesting week with Wayne Rooney’s ban for swearing at West Ham dampening the mood after their 1-0 first-leg victory at Stamford Bridge.

Rooney’s absence boosts Fulham’s chances of getting a result at Old Trafford, a ground where the Cottagers last won in 2003, as does the return of Bobby Zamora.

The striker grabbed a brace on his first Premier League start since August against Blackpool last week and ought to be backed to score again, anytime at 9/4.

Bet: Zamora anytime goalscorer (9/4)

Chelsea, still smarting from Wednesday’s controversial defeat, entertain Wigan Athletic at Stamford Bridge and can be backed with confidence to win with a clean sheet.

The Latics are the Premier League’s lowest scorers this season and their recent record boasts two goals from the last five matches, four of which have seen them draw a blank.

With Fernando Torres out of form, Carlo Ancelotti may turn to Nicolas Anelka or Salomon Kalou for the goals and they should run out comfortable winners by 3-0 (7/1) or 4-0 (9/1).

Bet: Chelsea 3-0 & 4-0 (7/1) & (9/1)

Wolves are in dire need of a lift too after taking a 4-1 hammering at Newcastle last week and losing their Republic of Ireland stars Kevin Doyle and Stephen Hunt to injury.

Mick McCarthy’s side host Everton in the early kick-off with the visitors having the incentive of closing the gap to rivals Liverpool to just a point if they can win at Molineux.

However, a draw (11/5) looks a more likely result – an outcome that has happened in each of the three Premier League matches since Wolves were promoted back to the top flight (1-1, 0-0 and 1-1).

Bet: Draw (11/5)

Blackburn against Birmingham could be the ugliest match of the season, let alone the weekend, with so much at stake in terms of the relegation picture and momentum.

Rovers’ form has been woeful in the last two months and Steve Kean is under pressure after eight matches without a win, but this will be no easy task against a Blues side scrapping for their lives.

A check of the result results has revealed that ‘Both Teams to Score’ could be a profitable way to bet this weekend with both teams having scored in the last six Birmingham matches and in four of the last six involving Blackburn.

Bet: Both teams to score (10/11)

West Ham must be one of the most consistently infuriating teams to bet on and that will be the only time that Avram Grant’s side have been termed consistent this season.

The manner of their capitulation from 2-0 to 4-2 down in the last quarter of their home match with Manchester United suggests that they remain mentally fragile – and they look vulnerable away to Bolton this weekend.

The Trotters will battle for a win in this match, but may have to settle for a second-half winner – as the vast majority of their goals have come in the second period.

Bet: Draw HT/Bolton FT in Double Result (7/2)

Only two points seperate Sunderland and West Brom after last week’s results and the two sides meet on Wearside this weekend in no doubt as to which club has the momentum.

The Baggies’ win over Liverpool was thoroughly deserved – as was Sunderland’s 5-0 thumping at Manchester City.

West Brom have not last since Roy Hodgson was brought in to save them from the drop, but this could be a tough test with Sunderland likely to be fired up by Steve Bruce. The value is for a Sunderland home win.

Bet: Sunderland win (6/5)

Finally, Tottenham come back to earth after their trip to the Bernabeu in midweek and need to collect three points at home to Stoke City.

Tony Pulis’ men could be forgiven for having one eye on their FA Cup semi-final at Wembley next weekend, but if they do, they are surely going to be punished.

Gareth Bale is back and, if Aaron Lennon declares himself fit to play, Stoke’s full-backs will be in for a tough time.

Bet: Spurs HT/Spurs FT in Double Result (13/8).

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Rovers should fear the worst

Posted on March 21, 2011 by SoccerCapper

The Premier League relegation battle is the closest in living memory and is unlikely to be decided until the very last kick of the season. We look at all the contenders for the drop and which three will eventually fall through the trap door….

Wigan
Saturday’s win over Birmingham was imperative for Latics survival hopes, but it still looks like a tough ask for them to stay afloat. Roberto Martinez’s men are capable of beating anyone on their day but inconsistency is likely to cost them.
April’s clash at Blackpool is crucial, but Wigan (4/11 to be relegated) also face away dates at Chelsea, Sunderland, Aston Villa and Stoke.

Birmingham
The Carling Cup winners are in real danger of dropping out of the top flight, highlighted by their last gasp defeat to Wigan. Alex McLeish’s squad have dropped into the bottom three and although they have a game in hand, Blues still have to go to the likes of Chelsea, Liverpool and Spurs.
A lack of goals is the real concern for Birmingham (6/4 for the drop), who are the lowest scorers in the division with just 28 goals. They have not managed to score more than one goal in their last six league games.

Wolves
Wanderers are the in-form team in the bottom half, currently on a four-game unbeaten run, and have shown they are capable of getting out of trouble. Mick McCarthy’s team are better than their position suggests and with four winnable home games – against Everton, Fulham, West Brom and Blackburn – look a decent bet to survive.
Wolves (4/9 to stay up) are also getting key players back from injury, with Stephen Hunt, Michael Kightly and Michael Mancienne close to returns.

West Ham
Having looked doomed a couple of months ago, the Hammers now look strong enough to complete the great escape. Avram Grant has somehow retained his job and the return to fitness of Thomas Hitzlsperger has dug him out of a hole, while the additions of Gary O’Neil and Demba Ba have proved to be shrewd signings.
West Ham (4/9 to stay up) still have to face three of the top four in their final eight games, but their renewed confidence should keep them up.

West Brom
Roy Hodgson’s experience in the battle to avoid the drop could prove crucial in Albion’s fight for survival. Already under the ex-Fulham chief, West Brom have drawn three and won one of the four matches under his stewardship.
The Baggies (13/8 to be relegated) hopes of avoiding another immediate return to the Championship could hinge on two crunch Midlands derbies – against Villa and Wolves.

Blackpool
Virtually every neutral wants the Tangerines to stay up after their entertaining football and attacking ethos this season. Goals, goals, goals has been the ploy for Ian Holloway and it may prove crucial if they prove everyone wrong and survive.
Their home form is a slight concern, with just four wins at Bloomfield Road, but if key players remain fit – Charlie Adam, Luke Varney and Gary Taylor-Fletcher – Blackpool (13/10 to be relegated) can defy the pundits.

Aston Villa
Gerard Houllier is under the most pressure of any manager in the bottom half and he has to hope that doesn’t transfer to his players in the final eight games. As much as people hate this comment….Villa are too good to go down, although it does sometimes happen when a big club suffers a huge fall from grace.
The Villans will rely heavily on the goals of Darren Bent to keep them up but imagine the back pages if Houllier needs a win against his former club Liverpool on the final day in order to stay up.

Blackburn
Rovers fans are quite really concerned by their alarming form in 2011, with the Ewood club winning just one of their last nine league games. Blackburn have still got to play Arsenal, Manchester United and Manchester City and their fate may go down to the wire and their last game at Wolves.
The one factor that could push Rovers (2/1 to be relegated) over the edge is the man at the helm, with Steve Kean the only rookie manager involved in the relegation battle.

Fulham
The Cottagers have a three-point cushion between themselves and the relegation zone and that should be enough to clinch their top-flight status. Fulham’s home record will prove the difference, with just three defeats at Craven Cottage this season to date, although their last two home games of the season are against Liverpool and Arsenal.
With key players returning in recent weeks, don’t be surprised to see Mark Hughes’ men (16/1 to be relegated) finish the season in the top half.

Newcastle
The saving grace for the Magpies is that there are so many teams between them and the bottom three, and that could see them survive. A lack of striking options is the major concern for the Toon Army and Saturday’s 4-0 thumping at Stoke proved it will be a nail-biting end to the season for the fans.
Four points might not seem a lot, but home form is the key to Newcastle (16/1 to go down) survival – with St James’ Park matches against fellow strugglers Wolves, Birmingham and West Brom to come. Four of their remaining seven matches are away from Tyneside.

Prediction: Wigan, Birmingham and Blackburn to be relegated

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No fear, Harry tells Tottenham

Posted on October 31, 2010 by SoccerCapper

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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James hits back at Fab fear claims

Posted on June 19, 2010 by SoccerCapper

David James has dismissed Fabio Capello’s claim that England played with fear against Algeria and says they will bounce back by beating Slovenia. (England 1/2 to win).

England put in an awful display during the 0-0 draw against Algeria on Friday night to leave many fans wondering what has happened to the team that qualified for the finals with ease.

Hopes and expectations were raised after the Three Lions qualified in style, but they looked a shadow of that side as they struggled to break down a resolute Algerian side.

Once again England’s top players who perform week in week out in the Premier and Champions League against the top players in Europe failed to show up.

They are supposed to be world class but they did not show that last night. It looked like they were playing with fear and with the weight of the nation on their shoulders and that would be a viable explanation.

Capello hinted as much after the game, but goalkeeper James is having none of it and says they just struggled to break down a side that set their stall out for the draw.

Well Lampard, Gerrard and Rooney come up against teams like that every week in the Premier League and do not seem to have a problem then.

“Did he?” retorted James when told Capello said they played with fear. “Arguably it is more frustration than fear. You are usually playing matches when the opposition wants to win. It is very difficult when you are up against a side who seem not to want to lose.

“You are trying to work out the way to unlock a defence. They did what they needed to do. It was very frustrating.”

It was also very frustrating to watch and the England fans who have spent their hard earned cash to travel out to South Africa will demand more against Slovenia or the boos will be ringing out again.

However James is confident there will be no repeat and says a win is on the cards.

“We are tight enough to recover and win this game,” he added. “I don’t have any doubts about that at all. The reality is if we get a good win on Wednesday we finish top of the group.

“Regardless of whether we win one and draw two or win all three, you are top, which is what our aim was. I have the utmost confidence in our squad.”

At this moment in time the fans don’t and it will take a big performance on Wednesday to get them back on side.

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Xavi admits England fear

Posted on June 1, 2010 by SoccerCapper

Spain midfielder Xavi has admitted he sees England as strong contenders to emerge victorious at the World Cup in South Africa (England 6/1 to win the World Cup).

The Barcelona star was instrumental in Spain’s Euro 2008 success, a tournament England were absent from, but he feels the Three Lions could enjoy a very successful World Cup.

Spain remain the favourites ahead of the tournament, despite a less than convincing 3-2 win over Saudi Arabia yesterday, but Xavi feels England are just as strong as his own nation.

“People say that the strongest nation is Spain – but after us I really think it is England,” explained Xavi. “Perhaps their goalkeepers aren’t world class but apart from that you struggle to see a weakness.

“The World Cup isn’t won on paper but after us I think England have the second-best team. It’s not a surprise really when you consider so much of the England set-up is made of players from Manchester United and Chelsea.”

England boss Fabio Capello is yet to whittle down his 30 man squad to 23, but the Italian claims he knows 20 players who will be going and has just three places left to fill. However, the likes of Wayne Rooney, Rio Ferdinand, John Terry, Ashley Cole and Frank Lampard will almost certainly be involved in South Africa and Xavi believes England’s strong contingent from Manchester United and Chelsea will help them progress in South Africa.

In the betting markets Spain remain favourites, with Brazil second and England third. However, Xavi believes Argentina will be a threat in South Africa due to the talents Lionel Messi, Xavi’s Barca team-mate, possesses.

The 30-year-old believes Messi is the best player in the world but he also feels there is a “group of players” who are not far behind the Argentine superstar and he classes Rooney in that bracket (Wayne Rooney 14/1 to win the Golden Ball (player of the tournament)).

Many pundits feel the United striker could be instrumental England’s World Cup campaign after his impressive exploits for the Old Trafford side last season. The former Everton man has always been a goal-threat but last season, following Cristiano Ronaldo’s move to Real Madrid, Rooney shouldered the burden of scoring the majority of United’s goals and the 24-year-old demonstrated he could also be an excellent positional player and find the net with his head as well as from range.

Xavi believes England have a strong spine, he highlights defender John Terry and midfielder Frank Lampard as the other players who he feels can lead England to glory. Spain and England cannot meet until at least the semi-final stage, with England drawn in Group C and Spain Group H, with Xavi wary of the threat Capello’s side could pose.

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Holloway insists there is nothing to fear

Posted on May 10, 2010 by SoccerCapper

Blackpool boss Ian Holloway says the Seasiders have nothing to fear when they travel to Nottingham Forest for Tuesday night’s Championship play-off semi final second leg.

Holloway’s men hold a slender 2-1 advantage following Saturday’s first-leg at Bloomfield Road but know they will face a sterner examination when travel to the City Ground.

A draw will be enough to take the Seasiders through to Wembley and punters who fancy them to hold Forest can take a price of 5/2, while the win is 4/1.

Blackpool can take heart from the fact they have already beaten Forest on their home turf this season when a goal from leading scorer Charlie Adam earned them a 1-0 win and Holloway is hoping for much of the same.

“Forest know they are brilliant at home. They just know that. You only have to look at their record this season,” Holloway revealed.

“But we’ve got nothing to fear and we’ve got to go there and try to play. A little fillip for us is that we did manage to go there and win 1-0 earlier in the season. Whether it was luck or not, we did it.

“If we can get lucky in this next one then I’ll take it. But we can’t rely on that.”

Adam is 8/1 to bag the first goal, while punters who are predicting a repeat of events at the City Ground back in September can take a price of 50/1.

Forest are usually outstanding at home and are odds on at 8/11 to pick up the victory. They need to win 2-0 (6/1) to prevent it going to extra-time as away goals do not come into play, so it is sure to be an open game.

The last three fixtures between the two sides have also been high scoring affairs with three or more goals scored and punters can take odds of 11/10 on another goal fest.

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Moniz doesn’t fear Fulham

Posted on April 29, 2010 by SoccerCapper

Hamburg coach Ricardo Moniz says his side have nothing to fear as they bid to become the first side to beat Fulham (6/5 to win in the match betting) at Craven Cottage in Europe this season.

The Dutchman, who was part of Martin Jol’s backroom staff when he was in charge of Tottenham, has been placed in charge of the Bundesliga side until the end of the season following the sacking of Bruno Labbadia.

Despite having reached the semi-final of the Europa League Sunday’s 5-1 defeat to Hoffenheim was the final straw for the Hamburg (11/4 to win the Europa League) board, who have viewed results in 2010 as unacceptable with the club sat in seventh with no chance of winning the Bundesliga title.

Thursday’s game with Fulham represents Moniz’s first as a manager with the 45-year-old having previously worked solely as a specialist skills coach.

Moniz is now hoping to make a triumphant return to Craven Cottage having been part of the Tottenham set-up which beat Fulham 4-0 in the FA Cup in February 2007.

However, the newly appointed Hamburg coach has a defensive headache to deal with following the news that Dennis Aogo will be unavailable for the clash, the 23-year-old unable to travel because of a virus.

Midfielder Piotr Trochowski and Turkish striker Tuncay Torun will also miss the game due to suspension and injury respectively.

Having failed to break down a resolute Fulham in the first leg the Cottagers look to have the advantage heading into Thursday’s game with the scoreline still goalless.

However, despite Fulham’s unbeaten home record and his sides stuttering performances this year Moniz remains confident Hamburg will progress to the Europa League final, which is scheduled to be held at their home ground.

“There is no fear. I am only happy and just look where I can help – I have to be objective, I have to be neutral,” said Moniz.

“The players know me and I’m looking forward to it.

“My only task is to give each player the confidence and be their strength.”

While Hamburg have problems on and off the field Fulham’s only concern is over the fitness of top scorer Bobby Zamora (7/4 anytime goalscorer).

Cottagers boss Roy Hodgson said on Wednesday he thought it was unlikely the 29-year-old would be fit for the match after he limped off in the first leg with an Achilles problem.

The only other concern for Hodgson will be over the suspended Chris Baird, although John Pantsil looks as though he will slot into the right back position having overcome a knee injury.

Hodgson is likely to make a whole host of changes to the Fulham side that lost at Everton on Sunday as he looks to book a place in what would be the club’s first European final.