Tag Archives: issues

Three big issues for Prem finale

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The Premier League reaches its conclusion on Sunday and, with plenty still at stake, here we pick out three big issues still to be resolved this weekend.

1 – The destination of the title

Manchester City (1/10 to win Premier League) are very much in the driving seat to win their first top-flight title since 1968 and know a win over QPR at home will finally see them over the line ahead of local rivals Manchester United (11/2).

In what has been one of the most unpredictable races of the last few years, Roberto Mancini’s side appeared to have thrown away their chance when losing at Arsenal in April, but United’s slip-ups at Wigan, at home to Everton and then in the derby has given the Blues the edge again.

Relegation-threatened QPR have plenty to play for themselves but City should keep up their proud unbeaten home record and get the win required to render United’s result at Sunderland meaningless.

The smart money is on both United and City to win to hand the latter the trophy on goal difference but, after one of the most unpredictable seasons in years, it would be safe to say neither of the top two will be taking anything for granted this weekend.

2 – One more side to be relegated

Wolves and Blackburn are already down and either QPR or Bolton will be joining them in the Championship next season.

Mathematically, Aston Villa can also still be demoted, but that would take a 17-goal swing so it’s a straight fight between the R’s and the Trotters to see who finishes 18th.

Bolton (1/3 to be relegated) currently sit in the final relegation place, two points behind Rangers (9/4), and face a tough trip to Stoke City on Sunday, knowing they need a win to move above Mark Hughes’ side.

Hughes goes to the Etihad to face his former club and will do well to get anything out of that but Bolton winning at the Britannia also looks a long shot so it could be curtains for Owen Coyle’s side.

3 – Third place up for grabs

Arsenal, Spurs (1/10 – top four finish) and Newcastle can all still secure third and, with it, definitely a place in the Champions League next season.

Chelsea’s Champions League final against Bayern Munich a week on Saturday means that only third is guaranteed a place in next season’s competition because if Roberto Di Matteo’s men win in Munich they will take the fourth place available to Premier League sides.

Alan Pardew’s Magpies (9/2 – top four finish) have had a season beyond their wildest dreams and have stayed in contention for the top four right up to the end when many thought their season would tail off.

They visit Everton, themselves wanting a win to ensure they finish above Liverpool, knowing this is a tough last-day assignment. A win and poor results for the north London duo could hand them third but it looks very unlikely.

Spurs, meanwhile, have picked up again since Harry Redknapp was overlooked for the England job and host London rivals Fulham. They should come out on top in this one and hope arch-rivals Arsenal slip up at West Brom.

The Gunners are favourites to claim third, though, and go to the Black Country on Sunday hoping to spoil Roy Hodgson’s farewell at the Hawthorns.

It will not be easy for Arsene Wenger’s side as the Baggies are sure to do all they can to finish on a high in front of the departing England boss but, with Robin van Persie aiming to equal the league top-scorer record with 31 goals, expect Arsenal to do it.

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Lennon issues Celtic warning

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Celtic may well be on an impressive run of form in the Scottish Premier League this season but manager Neil Lennon has urged his players to avoid complacency when they make the trip to Hearts on Wednesday (Hearts 4/1, draw 5/2, Celtic 8/11 – Match Betting).

The Hoops have worked wonders in recent months as they managed to overturn Rangers’ (10/3 – SPL Outright) 15-point lead at the top of the table to go top of the pile, with four points being the difference if they can win at Tynecastle.

It’s the level of consistency that has been so impressive for Celtic after a slow start to the campaign, as they have dominated most sides from start to finish in recent weeks.

Gary Hooper (10/3 – First Goalscorer) has been the star striker for Celtic since his move from Scunthorpe United, however he has been backed up by decent performances from Georgios Samaras and Anthony Stokes.

Goals have not been hard to come by for Hooper and Stokes, who have 33 goals between them in all competitions this term, and Hearts will be fully aware of the duo.

It has not only been in the attacking areas of the field where Celtic (1/5 – SPL Outright) have looked strong, as the Old Firm side have only conceded two goals in their last five outings, which will be a worrying sign for a Hearts side who have been making headline for the wrong reasons this week.

The Edinburgh outfit continue to struggle with financial restraints off the field, with players reportedly not being paid on time and now a fresh court case against them from the Inland Revenue for alleged unpaid tax.

Considering their monetary woes, the Hearts players should take great credit for their performances on the field, as they currently sit in fourth place in the SPL table.

The Jambos find themselves six points off Motherwell and will be keen to close down the gap on the Steelmen before their trip to St Mirren on Saturday.

Hearts head into this match following a 1-1 draw with St Johnstone, in what was a frustrating afternoon for manager Paulo Sergio, who saw his side have a man advantage for the final 15 minutes of the game.

One bright spark for Hearts was the 23-year-old David Templeton scoring the opening goal of the game against the Perth club. The attacking midfielder is highly rated and Celtic will have to be aware of the threat he will pose on Wednesday night.

Czech midfielder Rudi Skacel (15/2 – First Goalscorer) is currently the club’s leading goalscorer this term with nine and he will also be looking to find a way through that sturdy Celtic defence.

Considering their form the Hoops are firm favourites to win Wednesday’s encounter at Tyncastle and it’s hard to see them not coming away with the three points.

Hearts have struggled for goals so a clean sheet for Celtic would not be surprising, as they look to extend their lead at the top of the table and go a step close to claiming the SPL title.

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Casillas issues Mourinho warning

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Spain captain Iker Casillas has told Portugal that his Real Madrid boss, Jose Mourinho, is too busy to resurrect their Euro 2012 qualifying campaign (Real Madrid 11/10 – La Liga Outright).

Reports this week have claimed the Portuguese Football Federation want the former Chelsea and Inter Milan manager to take over on a temporary basis after the sacking of Carlos Queiroz.

Queiroz was dismissed last week after being handed a six-month suspension for insulting anti-doping officials ahead of the World Cup.

Prior to that, he had presided over a home draw with Cyprus and a defeat in Norway in Group H to dent Portugal’s hopes of making it to Ukraine and Poland.

Portugal face Denmark at home and Iceland away next month and speculation had suggested the FPF would turn to the self-proclaimed ?Special One? on a two-game basis.

However, Casillas, who led all-conquering Spain at the World Cup in the summer, says Mourinho does not have the time to devote to his country?s cause.

He said: “I think it would give him too much. I am sure he would like to coach Portugal but his head only thinks of Madrid.

“I don’t think he will go. I have talked to him and his mind is set on Madrid.”

Mourinho himself admits the idea could be a non-starter although he has not completely ruled the proposition out completely.

Speaking ahead of Real Madrid’s trip to Real Sociedad this weekend (Sociedad 6/1, draw  16/5, Madrid 4/11), he told a press conference:  “If it were not for Real Madrid I would do it for free.

“But if you ask me right now if I can go, I think not. I have a contract with Real Madrid. I do not say no, but in the natural way of things, I do not think this is the time.”

Mourinho added: “Real Madrid have every right in the world to put an obstacle in the way.

“And if you put the slightest obstacle there, I can’t go.

“To say no to Portugal is impossible because of my personal pride and my passion for Portugal, but at the moment I cannot say yes.”

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Mancini issues taunt to rivals

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Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini has taunted the Blues’ Premier League title rivals by claiming the established ‘Big Four’ are “running scared” (City 4/1 – 2010/11 Premier League Outright).

The Eastlands outfit will be the biggest spenders this summer by some distance, with the likes of Yaya Toure, Jerome Boateng, David Silva and Aleksandar Kolarov all arriving for mega-money.

City are also trying to tempt Spain ace Fernando Torres away from Liverpool amid continuing speculation over the 26-year-old’s long-term future at Anfield following their failure to secure Champions League football.

Accusations of making the Premier League an unfair competition have been levelled City’s way, but Mancini claims the Blues are only playing catch-up with his comments sure to raise eyebrows at Old Trafford, Stamford Bridge and the Emirates, as well as Anfield.

He said: “Are they scared? I think so. At the moment only Manchester City are buying players.

“But that is normal because Manchester City want to improve and the other teams are just big teams who would like a lot of people.

“All the other teams are trying to put pressure on us because for 10 years there were only four teams challenging for the title.

“This year, there are five. I think all these teams over the years have spent a lot of money – Manchester United, Tottenham, Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool but now City do.

“There isn’t a difference.”

Mancini has made no secret of the fact he is looking to win the Premier League in his first full season in charge of Eastlands.

After succeeding Mark Hughes in the Eastlands hot-seat last December Mancini guided the club to fifth place in the Premier League, losing out to Spurs for the coveted fourth place and with it the chance of Champions League football.

But he has no intention of languishing off the pace this time around (City 13/10 – Premiership Without Man Utd & Chelsea 2010/2011).

“If you remember a few years ago Manchester City were in the Championship, then it is clear every year we must improve,” he said.

“Last year, we fought for fourth place until the penultimate game against Tottenham – the aim this year is to try to win the Premier League.

“That must be our target.”

As well as Torres, Mancini says he has his eye on other strikers including Inter Milan starlet  Mario Balotelli.

In a twist of fate, City kick off their season with a trip to Tottenham on August 14 (13/2 – Opening Day Fixtures – Game With Most Goals).

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Dunne issues Milner warning

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The long-running saga over James Milner’s future could be concluded within the next week but Aston Villa defender Richard Dunne has issued a stark warning to the winger (Aston Villa 15/2 to finish in the Top Four).

On Thursday, Villa boss Martin O’Neill admitted he would be willing to sell Milner if the club’s valuation of the player was met. In a statement on the club’s official website, he revealed that Milner and his agent came to see him before the World Cup to ask for a transfer away from Villa Park. Eastlands appears to be Milner’s most likely destination.

O’Neill’s announcement means that the ball is back in Manchester City’s court and it is believed that an offer of approximately £30million will be needed in order for them to land the winger. City had an offer of around £20million rejected in May.

Dunne made the opposite move last summer and accepts that Milner’s spell at Villa Park is most likely over. However, he has issued a stark warning to the player, urging him to think wisely before he leaves the Midlands club bound for City.

The issue is particularly personal to Dunne as he left Eastlands because City could not guarantee him the regular football he craved. Since moving to Villa, he has upped his game and has become an impressive stalwart in the side’s back line, making 35 league appearances for Martin O’Neill’s outfit last season.

Dunne told Sky Sports News that he fears the same situation could greet Milner as the one which forced him out of Eastlands. He also expressed a fear that City’s chances of winning the league could be blinding the player (City 4/1 to win Premier League).

He said; “Obviously we’ll miss James because he’s been brilliant, but we have to move on and the manager will build again.

“James will know that because he’s joining a big club, a club that wants to win the league, that he’ll be part of a squad.

“At Aston Villa he will play every week and at Manchester City he may not, but it’s an opportunity he probably thinks to go and win the league.”

It is believed that City will make their move soon but boss Roberto Mancini has given no indication over whether he will step up his attempts to sign Milner after O’Neill’s announcement.

Speaking during City’s pre-season tour of America, Mancini said; “Milner is a good player but today he is an Aston Villa player.

“If we have a chance we could take him, but we must wait for now.”

With City set to sign a raft of other stars between now and transfer deadline day, Dunne’s fears could be substantiated.

Milner was one of England’s few shining lights during the World Cup and the fear for fans of the national side is that a lack of first team football could be detrimental to his England form.

However, the meteoric rise of Adam Johnson at City proves that these fears may perhaps be unfounded. Only time will tell should Milner make the move he so desperately craves.

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