Tag Archives: Final

Evra targets England final

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Patrice EvraManchester United defender Patrice Evra wants to banish the memory of losing out on the Premiership title by beating England in the final of the World Cup, with France 16/1 to take the title this summer.

The 28-year-old was part of the United side who did their bit by beating Stoke 4-0 on the final day of the season, only to see Chelsea down Wigan by an incredible 8-0 scoreline.

But now the former Monaco star has turned his attention to the international scene as France look to win their second World Cup, following victory back in the 1998 tournament.

Evra has taken the loss of United’s Premiership crown badly and hopes that the upcoming showpiece in South Africa can go some way to deflecting thoughts of Chelsea claiming the trophy from his mind.

“The World Cup is the only thing that makes me keep smiling,” he told L’Equipe.

“I will be with the team of France on May 15 and I will have had six days off.

“But I will give the best of myself, as I have done for Manchester United.”

France are not many pundits’ choice as potential winners this summer, with Spain the red-hot favourites at 4-1.

Brazil trade at 5/1 with England at 6/1 and Evra would love to overturn those odds and beat the country in which he plies his trade at the business end of affairs.

“I hope to win the World Cup,” he added. “I hope we play England in the final and beat them, certainly.”

France face a tricky task to qualify from Group A in South Africa and are priced at 1/3 to make it to the knockout phase of the world’s greatest football tournament.

But they will have to work hard to get past Mexico (4/5), Uruguay (evens) and the hosts, who are on offer at 21/10 to make an unlikely appearance in the last 16.

France’s glory years appear to be behind them at present but momentum is an important factor in major tournaments and, if they get on a run, Raymond Domenech’s men may yet cause a few shocks over the next couple of months, with the likes of Thierry Henry and Frank Ribery in their ranks.

The initial 30-man squad contains a number of English-based players, with Chelsea stars Nicolas Anelka and Florent Malouda sure to remind Evra where the Premiership trophy will be displayed over the next 12 months.

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FA Cup Final- How Many Chelsea Will Score?

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John Terry Chelsea goal celebration FA Cup Final How Many Chelsea Will Score?This Saturday’s FA Cup Final has one of the heaviest favourites in post-war history as Premiership champions Chelsea seek to complete a ‘Double’ by beating bottom club Portsmouth.

Pompey can expect a lot of support from the neutrals because they are such massive underdogs but the way Chelsea have played in recent weeks doesn’t bode well for the fans travelling up from the South Coast.

The champions have been despatching sides from the mid-table areas of the Premier League with ruthless efficiency. In the league campaign they concluded their programme by hammering eight goals past Wigan- and the Blues hit seven goals on no less than three occasions.

There’s no doubting the bravery of Pompey’s run to the final and they did pull off a real shock to eliminate Tottenham in the semi-final. However, it was a game they could easily have lost and their crucial first goal owed a great deal to luck.

If Avram Grant’s team concede early or lose a man to a red card, the result could be very one-sided. High scoring in FA Cup Finals is a rarity, partly because the two sides are often well matched and also because players will give everything in the contest.

Since 2000, only Manchester United have netted three times and that was in the 2004 final against Millwall- a Championship side at the time. United were also the last team to hit four in the showpiece when they hammered Chelsea in 1994- and that was with the help of two penalties.

Four goals are rare. United did it in the replay against Brighton in 1983 but no team did it in the 1960s or 1970s and it was 30 years further back when Blackpool bagged four in the legendary 1953 final.

Big scores were rare even in the pre-World War Two era, when defences were much les efficient. There has never been a ‘five’ in a final, though two teams scored six- Bury in 1903 and Blackburn Rovers in 1890.

Six may be beyond even Chelsea’s glittering forward line this weekend but with the Londoners such hot-priced favourites, punters looking for a value bet might find it rewarding to wager on the correct score- and Chelsea might be in line to give their fans a real day to remember.

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England boss targets final

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England manager Fabio Capello has stated that he will consider the World Cup a failure if his side not make it to the final in South Africa (England 6/1 to win the World Cup outright).

Capello has already picked his 30-man squad which will be whittled down to 23 on June 1 after friendlies against Mexico and Japan and a training camp in Austria (England 1/3 to win Group C).

The England boss has stated that it will be hard to choose which unfortunate seven will not go to the World Cup, but he will be telling them personally when he has made his decision.

Capello’s final squad are aiming to go all the way in this year’s tournament and the manager has said that the English media has affected how he coaches the side.

He said: “Every day the media here comes up with something new and the media has a lot of clout, they really influence public opinion.

“But you have to recognise that, at the same time, they have the pulse of English society. It’s part of the job and that’s why I’m here. If we don’t at least reach the final, we will have failed,” he added.

Capello has also revealed his opinions on the state of the England squad before he took over from former manager Steve McClaren.

He said: “When I arrived, I saw players who were switched off, scared, without a sense of belonging. I was surprised.

“So I tightened the screws, I demanded professionalism and this cemented our team,” he added.

Capello wants his side to focus fully on their task at the World Cup and not let distractions of potential summer transfers take precedence.

Speculation on the future of some of the England players have been in the media recently with Steven Gerrard’s position at Liverpool in question after the club failed to qualify for the Champions League.

The England manager said: “I hope the players do not change their team or have negotiations,” he remarked. “It disturbs the players all the time.”

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Europa League Final: Can Fulham Win Or Athletico Win As Tight Match Is Expected

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roy hodgson 300x225 Europa League Final: Can Fulham Win Or Athletico Win As Tight Match Is ExpectedFulham against Atlético Madrid is one of the more unlikely pairings for a European Final, because Fulham are novices at this level and Atlético began the season with high hopes in the Champions League.

Fulham’s run has been a massive surprise but there is no doubting the quality of the teams they have despatched- Shahtar Donetsk, Juventus, Wolfsburg and Hamburg in the knockout roundsm plus Roma in the group stages.

  • You Can Bet On this match: Athletico Madrid v Fulham Europa League Final

Atlético are another quality outfit to get past, despite their mediocre league form. The team from the capital were fourth last season and expected to make a bold challenge in the Champions League but it all went wrong for them.

The Europa League run has saved their campaign. Although they have lived dangerously at times, there is no doubting the attacking talent they can deploy with Diego Forlan, Sergio Aguero, Jose Reyes and Simao to call on.

Tactical Fulham Pose Threat

Fulham have made their way by being tactically aware, compact as a team and highly disciplined- that isn’t going to change for the final because Atlético present a real danger on the counter-attack.

Roy Hodgson is under no pressure to make the running in the game and will be quite happy to allow Atletico to come forward. However, the ‘Rojiblancos’ coach, Quique Sanches Flores, has also been cagey in this competition. Twice his team progressed by securing a 0-0 draw at home after scoring in the away leg.

This fixture has the makings of a ‘traditional’ European Final where the two sides feel each other out and search for an opening. Fulham will be desperate to have Bobby Zamora leading the line as the Englishman has kept defences occupied almost single-handedly in Europe.

  • You Can Bet On this match: Athletico Madrid v Fulham Europa League Final

Hodgson will surely stick to his 4-5-1 formation asking Zoltan Gera and Damian Duff (if fit) to get close to Zamora. The Cottagers desperately need Zamora and Duff to be available and in good health if they are to list the trophy.

Focus on Aguero & Simao

Aguero is very much in the shop window as he’s talked about as a big money summer signing for one of Europe’s biggest clubs. Forlan has become a big game player who gets critical goals- he netted in both legs against Liverpool in the semi-final.

Simao will be leading light for Portugal in the World Cup and Fulham will want their midfielders to give protection to the back four as he and Reyes like to run at defences by cutting inside from wide.

Athlético are a better side than their La Liga position suggests and it will take iron discipline and patience from Fulham to prevail. Goals should be at a premium and the match could well go to extra time or be decided by one strike.

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Totti saves Roma to take Serie A chase down to final game

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Wins for both Roma and Inter Milan on Sunday means the Scudetto will have to be won on the last day of the season.

Inter Milan 4 – Chievo 3

Inter Milan Scudetto Totti saves Roma to take Serie A chase down to final gameThe Serie A leaders conceded a goal after just 12 minutes at home to Chievo when a right wing cross was pushed into his own net by Thiago Motta. Jose Mourinho’s side were behind for no more than a minute when an Eto’o pass into the Chievo box was turned into an own goal by Chievo player Andrea Mantovani.

Just after 30 minutes Inter took the lead, with Esteban Cambiasso scoring. Inter extended their lead in the 39th minute when Diego Milito netted his 21st goal in the league with a chip from 15-yards out. The final result seemed to be a foregone conclusion at the start of the second half after Maicon’s ball over the top was collected by Mario Balotelli who led Inter into a 4-1 lead.

But Chievo managed to put themselves back in the running soon after when Pablo Granoche was able to put one past Julio Cesar. Amazingly Chievo scored again to make the score 4-3 when Zanetti played ball across the backline and Sergio Pellisier nipped in and scored a third for the visitors.

Roma 2 – Cagliari 1

Roma, needed to win to keep alive any chances of claiming the Scudetto, and missed numerous early chances to take the lead against Cagliari, and with under 20 minutes to go the Giallorossi’s were punished when Andrea Lazzari brought home a beauty from a free-kick.

Roma’s woes looked certain after PartyPoker.it ambassador Francesco Totti lifted a chip over the bar from mere yards out, but only minutes later Totti was able to score the leveller and restore hope once again for Raneri’s men. Roma then took the lead to breathe life back into the race for the title, Riise’s cross was cut short by a stray hand and Francesco Totti converted the critical second goal.

This means if Inter Milan win their final game of the season, away to relegated Siena, they will retain the Scudetto – and complete the second part of an historic treble which is looking more and more likely.

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An All-English Europa League Final Is On The Cards

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europa league 300x214 An All English Europa League Final Is On The Cards Based purely on the history of two-leg European ties, Fulham have a far better chance of making the first Europa League Final than Liverpool- but if Bobby Zamora isn’t fit to play, the Reds might be the better bet.

Liverpool go in against Athletico Madrid trying to pull back a 1-0 deficit from the match in Spain. On probabilities, it gives Athletico around a 55% chance of going through. Fulham managed a 0-0 result in Hamburg which should give the Cottagers a big advantage.

Teams achieving a goalless draw in their away leg triumph around 70% of the time. Roy Hodgson will be aware that his side should be favourites but Bobby Zamora’s Achilles injury has disrupted their plans.

  • Bet on Livepool or Fulham in Europa League Semi-Final Matches

Not only might they be without their main striker, Fulham have to contend with Hamburg’s extraordinary decision to dispense with their manager since the first leg. Bruno Labbadia’s team took a pasting at the weekend and are slipping down the Bundesliga table- European qualification for next year isn’t certain but it still seems an amazing gamble to take.

Liverpool should be underdogs for their tie but they have a proven record in pulling back deficits at Anfield. Benfica were brushed aside in the last round and many sides have wilted in front of the Anfield roar.

Steven Gerrard has a habit of becoming inspirational in these circumstances- the epic against Olympiakos in 2004/05 is perhaps his finest hour in a red shirt. Even without the injured Fernando Torres, there is an air of confidence around the club that the tie can be won.

Athletico have lived dangerously in their run to the semis- away goals came to their aid in both the last two rounds. They are a side who like to set up on the counter-attack and will be hopeful of picking off Liverpool if they attack too much. Against that, Athletico don’t have an iron defence and a clean sheet for the La Liga side would be a surprise.

Liverpool’s huge European experience has to be weighed against the advantage that the visitors hold. The consensus of opinion is that the Madrid team wil be worn down by the pressure.

  • Bet on Livepool or Fulham in Europa League Semi-Final Matches

Fulham should be the better English hope but without Zamora the Cottagers may find it difficult to break the German side down. Expect a nail-biting night at both venues but an all-English final to be the outcome.

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Bayern Munich Bag Champions League Final Berth

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Bayern Munich champions league 300x225 Bayern Munich Bag Champions League Final BerthBayern Munich are through to the Champions League final after their 4-0 aggregate win over Lyon on Tuesday.

  • You Can Bet On This Cup Final: Champions League Final

Bayern secured a comfortable 3-0 away win against Lyon to seal their place in the final at the Bernabau in May. So what chance do Bayern Munich have against the finalists of either Inter Milan or Barcelona? If you ask their star man Arjen Robben that question his response is only one team:

“I want to play Inter, definitely,” Robben told Sky Sports.

“It’s better for us as a team. We can have difficulties against Barca, but it’s also because I want to play against Mourinho and Sneijder.”

Speaking about Bayern’s performance against Lton, Robben also told the press:

“We were much the better team. We played a great game,” he added. “We didn’t sit back and wait for them to come.

“We played aggressively, with attacking football and didn’t let them come into the game. We played well.

“I’m very proud. Very proud of the team and happy to reach the final. It’s a great season.”

The hard work mixed with flashes of brilliance from Robben and French winger Frank Ribery has paid off for them this season. The German side will take to the pitch at the Bernabau as the underdogs regardless of their opponents in May, but one thing is for sure is that they shouldn’t be written off. No side who reaches the Champions League final should ever be written off early.

You Can Bet On This Cup Final: Champions League Final

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Bayern chief eyes final prize

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Bayernlouis van gaal Munich boss Louis Van Gaal is confident his injury-hit squad (Bayern 3/10 to qualify for the final) can overcome Lyon on Tuesday in their Champions League semi-final second leg.

Bayern lead 1-0 from last week’s first leg in Germany but have made the journey to France with just 17 players, of which a couple are struggling with knocks, such is the extent of their injury woes at the minute.

However, Van Gaal is sure his threadbare squad can manage and will instruct his side to go out and improve on their slender lead – secured by Arjen Robben’s brilliant goal at the Allianz Arena (Robben 13/8 anytime goalscorer).

“We are not the kind of team whose aim is just to avoid conceding goals when we enter the field,” said Van Gaal.

“I’ve never told my players to play like that since the beginning of the season and I won’t start on Tuesday.

“We have many injuries and many problems,” he added.

“We have brought 17 players and if they cannot play, then we will still have 14 players. We will still be able to field 11 players.”

Lyon midfielder Jeremy Toulalan and Bayern winger Franck Ribery are suspended for the showdown after they were both sent off in the first-leg while Danijel Pranjic is also banned for the visitors.

Bayern are also missing midfielder Anatoliy Tymoshchuk, who came off the bench in the first leg, as he has a stomach virus.

Lyon’s main injury concern ahead of the game is over key defender Cris, who picked up a knock in the first leg, while winger Michel Bastos sustained a leg injury in training on Friday.

Former Newcastle defender Jean-Alain Boumsong, however, is on stand-by to start if required after getting over a calf problem.

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How Ribery-less Munich Can Reach Champions League Final

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champions league trophy1 How Ribery less Munich Can Reach Champions League FinalTuesday night sees Lyon and Bayern Munich clash in the Champions League semi-final second leg. Despite between them having eliminated Real Madrid, Juventus and Manchester United along the way to the last four whoever reaches the final at the Bernabeu will do so as the underdogs.

Bayern Munich were involved in a taxing league game on Saturday as they scraped to a 1-1 draw away to Borussia Monchengladbach to keep them top of the league but level on points with Schalke.

Martin Demichelis and Daniel van Buyten were both taken off during the game due to injury and this may leave the German’s extremely short defensively come Tuesday night.

To add to Bayern’s woes, Franck Ribery is suspended after getting a red card in the first leg and Croatian international Danijel Pranjic will also miss out after receiving three yellow cards throughout the competition.

With no Ribery to call upon, Arjen Robben, more than ever, will have to step up and be counted. The Dutch winger claimed the only goal in the first leg and he has a good record at scoring winning goals in second leg knockout ties already this season having dumped Fiorentina and Manchester United out the competition with screamer goals.

Overall, Lyon will start slight favourites to win on the night, and will hope to benefit from not having played at the weekend with top marksman Lisandro Lopez (6.50 to score first) nice and fresh for this contest.

The Argentinean striker has been quoted saying: “It’s clear. The team must change their attitude and their mentality for the next match on Tuesday. We didn’t play enough when we had the ball. We were waiting in our own half too much. At 11 against 11 we had chances to attack more but we didn’t hurt our opponent enough and definitely not at 10 against 11. You saw a team that played too defensively. We have to correct the tactics and show a more positive spirit to go for victory.”

Claude Puel’s side have claimed some great victories at Stade Garland this season, seeing off teams such as Real Madrid and Bordeaux. Attack has to be the obvious way to go with a supportive home crowd willing them on to a place in the final at the Bernabeu.

Expect Lyon to be the better side on the night, but just like at Old Trafford, Bayern Munich will do enough to eliminate their French opponents.

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Dindane gets Cup final go-ahead

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Aruna DindaneOn-loan striker Aruna Dindane has been given the green light to play for Portsmouth in the FA Cup final against Chelsea by his parent-club Lens (Pompey 9/2 to win the Cup).

The news is a major boost for Pompey ahead of the Wembley showdown next month (Chelsea 1/8 to retain the trophy) after it initially looked like the key forward would be denied the chance to play for Avram Grant’s side again this season.

Under the original terms of his season-long loan switch to Fratton Park, Portsmouth would have had to sign him on a permanent basis for £4million if he had made one more appearance but, after holding discussions with the French side, Pompey have now received clearance to play him without having to fork out any cash.

The administrator in charge of the south coast club, Andrew Andronikou, says the player has been told by Lens he is now free to play in any of the club’s remaining four games – including the Cup final  (HT-FT draw-Portsmouth – 18/1).

“Aruna in on his way back with a letter from Lens,” Andronikou said.

“I have been told he can play the rest of our games – including the Chelsea final – and we won’t have to pay any money.”

Dindane has scored seven goals for Portsmouth in all competitions this season but, following the 4-1 defeat at Liverpool in March, the Ivory Coast international has only featured in one more game for Grant’s side – the 2-0 Cup semi-final win over Spurs  – because they were unable to afford to pay the money to Lens another appearance would have triggered.