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Chelsea keen to bounce back

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The traditional New Year fixtures throw up several intriguing contests in the Premier League on Monday with Chelsea, in particular, desperate to bounce back from their 3-1 home defeat to Aston Villa. Here we preview the games.

Wolves v Chelsea (3pm)

Chelsea’s inconsistent season took another unexpected twist on Saturday when they threw away a 1-0 lead to lose 3-1 at home to Villa.

The Blues’ title bid appears in tatters following the defeat that leaves them 11 points off leaders Manchester City and well adrift in fifth place.

A second successive defeat would be unthinkable for boss Andre Villas-Boas and they should bounce back at Molineux although they will not get an easy ride in the Black Country.

Wolves have claimed battling back-to-back draws at Arsenal and Bolton to boost their survival hopes and will fancy their chances of another draw in this one. However, Chelsea know another slip-up will not be tolerated so expect a narrow away win. Go for 0-1 at 6/1.

Prediction – 0-1.

Aston Villa v Swansea (3pm)

Villa (5/6) enjoyed their best day under Alex McLeish on Saturday when they came from behind to stun Chelsea and they can build on that win when they host Swansea (4/1).

The Welsh side have been impressive at home this season but have struggled on their travels and have yet to win away from the Liberty Stadium in the top flight.

Top scorer Danny Graham was rested for the 1-1 draw with Spurs on Saturday – with Luke Moore handed a surprise start – but he should be back in the side with a point to prove at Villa Park so is well worth backing to score anytime at 9/4.

Villa will be buoyant following the Stamford Bridge success and, with Darren Bent  fit again, they look to have too much firepower for the Swans.

Prediction – 2-1.

Blackburn v Stoke (3pm)

Rovers’ win at Manchester United on Saturday was probably the result of the Premier League season so far and, coming on the back of the 1-1 draw at Liverpool, it has eased the pressure considerably on Steve Kean.

The way his young side have fought in the last two games suggests the players are still firmly behind the Scot and they can enjoy another win in this one against Tony Pulis’ side (Blackburn 6/4, Stoke 15/8, draw 9/4 in the match betting).

The Potters have had a good first half to the season and are eighth in the table and through to the knock-out stage of the Europa League but have been poor on their travels in the league, losing five out of nine games and it looks like being another disappointing afternoon on Monday.

Prediction – 1-0.

QPR v Norwich (3pm)

A battle between two of the promoted sides at Loftus Road looks like a difficult one to call.

Rangers lost only narrowly at Arsenal on Saturday but their home form is poor as they have won just once in front of their own fans and sit just a place above the relegation zone.

Neil Warnock knows he needs a goalscorer to boost his ranks and is expected to splash the cash this month in order to ensure safety in the Premier League.

Norwich have exceeded expectations so far back in the top flight and sit 10th at the halfway stage. They have adapted well to life in the Premier League and will have no fear going to the capital to take on the R’s.

This one looks like it has a draw written all over it – take 0-0 in the correct score market at 15/2.

Fulham v Arsenal (5.30pm)

Arsenal go to Craven Cottage for the late game currently in the driving seat in the battle for fourth after the 1-0 win over QPR on Saturday.

The Gunners have been boosted by the imminent return to the club of legend Thierry Henry and the feel-good factor is set to continue as they can secure another three points against their London rivals.

Robin van Persie is always worth backing to score anytime (4/5) while Arsenal HT/FT is also tempting at 2/1.

Fulham were only a few minutes away from a win at Norwich last time out but face a much tougher test on Monday and look like struggling to get anything out of Arsene Wenger’s side.

Prediction – 0-2.

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Fabio keen to avoid Swiss miss

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England boss Fabio Capello is expected to name his strongest possible team for Saturday’s Euro 2012 qualifier against Switzerland at Wembley on Saturday.

The Three Lions are the current leaders of Group G but they are level on points with Montenegro, who host Bulgaria on the same day, and Capello is keen to wrap up qualification as soon as possible.

However, star striker Wayne Rooney is suspended and Andy Carroll is sidelined, meaning Aston Villa’s Darren Bent is the most likely candidate to lead the line.

Villa may have struggled throughout the 2010/2011 season but Bent has been in fine form, scoring 11 goals since his January switch to the Midlands club.

Bent is 8/11 to score at anytime, while the former Sunderland man is a much more attractive 10/3 to open the scoring or 9/2 to grab a brace.

England are the heavy 1/3 favourites, with Switzerland 8/1 and the draw 7/2, but the Swiss are a well organised side and they could make things difficult for Fabio Capello’s men.  In the Half-Time/Full-Time market a draw/England result is priced at 3/1.

Switzerland may be well organised and relatively strong at the back but their attacking options are limited and lack any real threat going forward.

Capello is also expected to name a back-four of Rio Ferdinand, Ashley Cole, Glen Johnson and John Terry for the tie at Wembley.  On paper, and according to the majority of pundits, that is England’s strongest defensive combination and they should be able to keep a clean sheet.

An England clean sheet is priced at 10/11, which is worth some consideration, but England are 11/10 to win to nil and this may be the better option of the two bets.

Rooney’s likely replacement is Theo Walcott, with James Milner or Adam Johnson the other possibilities and the Arsenal winger tends to impress on the international stage.  Walcott is also keen to impress Capello after missing out on the 2010 World Cup and the 22-year-old is 7/4 to score at anytime in the match.

Switzerland’s most likely goalscorer, if they do manage to break England’s resolve, is Bayer Leverkusen striker Eren Derdiyok. Coach Ottmar Hitzfeld has chosen uncapped duo Innocent Emeghara, 22, and Admir Mehmedi, 20, as his other forward options and it remains to be seen if they will be able to rise to the occasion.

Derdiyok does not have an outstanding pedigree in terms of international goals but he is a talented striker and can be backed at 10/3 to score at anytime, or 11/1 to score the last goal.  Derdiyok’s Leverkusen team-mate Tranquillo Barnetta could be another option as an anytime goalscorer and the 26-year-old winger is 9/2 to score at anytime.

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Ozil keen on Premier League move

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Mesut OzilGermany (5/1 to win the 2012 European Championships) playmaker Mesut Ozil has admitted that he would love a move to the Premier League this summer.

The midfielder has highlighted English giants Manchester United and Chelsea as two clubs that he would relish playing for.

Ozil has one year left on his current deal with Bundesliga side Werder Bremen, who could be keen on cashing in on the player now before he can walk out on the club on a free next year.

It’s reported that an offer of around £12m could take the Turkish born midfielder away from the German club, a valuation that both United and Chelsea (13/8 to win the Premier League) can easily afford.

Ozil believes that there are five clubs from around Europe that he would love to play for.

He said: “There are four or five clubs in Europe that you would have to say as a player would be a dream to play for.

“When you are looking at moving clubs it’s impossible not to pay attention to the Premier League and even more impossible not to pay attention to Manchester United and Chelsea.

“I am a winner and, when I am looking for a new club, I simply look at where I can be the most successful and where I can win the most trophies,” he added.

Ozil came to prominence following the World Cup in South Africa this summer where he helped Germany reach the semi-final of the tournament.

The 21-year-old put in some strong performances on the biggest stage of world football and this has attracted the eye of some of Europe’s top clubs.

Ozil also mentioned Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona as two of the clubs he would look to play for in the future if he has the opportunity.

However, the Germany international understands that he is still contracted to Werder Bremen and that he may have to wait to make a move to a bigger club.

He said: “I am under contract with Werder for another year and it is impossible for me to say if a deal will be done this summer.

“They may decide that they want to keep me for another season or they may decide to sell me this summer so they can get some money for me. That is up to the club.”

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Redknapp keen on England post

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Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp has indicated he may be interested in the England job – should current boss Fabio Capello leave the post. (Tottenham 50/1 to win Premiership)

Capello’s position has come under scrutiny following a disastrous World Cup campaign, which culminated in a last-16 exit at the hands of Germany on Sunday afternoon.

Many pundits had tipped England to go all the way this time but they showed a lack of ambition and drive and looked devoid of ideas in the final third of the pitch in Bloemfontein.

Despite the Germany defeat, Capello insists he “absolutely” wants to stay on as manager but the FA have said they will take up to two weeks to decide his fate.

Redknapp has been one of the most successful English managers of the last 15 years, enjoying spells at West Ham United, Portsmouth and Southampton, before making the switch to White Hart Lane in 2008 and would certainly be on the shortlist of candidates to replace Capello, should he leave.

The 63-year-old appears to have the Midas touch and transformed Spurs from a side fighting relegation to a Champions League outfit in under two years.

And now there have been calls for the popular tactician to be handed the England reigns, with many feeling it is high time an Englishman was in charge of the national side once again.

It is yet to be revealed whether Capello will be sent packing but Redknapp has made it clear that, if asked, he would not turn down one of the most prestigious and high-pressure jobs in the whole of sport.

“They (the FA) have got a manager and until he’s not the manager it’s difficult to talk about it,” he told Talksport. “But I’m English, who wouldn’t want to manage England.”

“There’s not an Englishman – whether it’s me, Roy Hodgson or Sam Allardyce – who would turn the job down because it’s our country and we want to manage our country. No-one is ever going to turn that job down.”

The Spurs boss is currently preparing for the new Premiership season, which kicks off for Tottenham in August with a fixture against Manchester City (Spurs 5/4 to beat City), but his thoughts are never far away from the national side and he has strong views on the type of person who should success Capello – whenever that might be.

“When he finally moves on, in four years or whatever, surely there has to be a young guy or somebody in this country,” he added. “Surely we have to find a manager from England, an English manager.”

And Redknapp took time to have a dig at the two foreigners who have failed spectacularly at the two past World Cups.

“We should be able to produce someone who can manage the England football team and let’s be honest, they can’t do any worse than what they’ve (Eriksson and Capello) done,” he concluded.

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Henry keen on US switch?

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Barcelona star Thierry Henry could be set to join MLS side New York Red Bulls after the World Cup, according to compatriot David Trezeguet. (France 16/1 to win World Cup)

Henry has been tipped to leave the Nou Camp this summer after falling down the striking pecking order and with David Villa now on board with the Catalans.

Former club Juventus have been linked with the Arsenal legend, while Premiership side West Ham United have also shown an interest in the 32-year-old, with club co-owner David Sullivan saying he has made the player an offer which would make him the highest-paid player in the club’s history.

But rumours of a switch stateside will not go away and Trezeguet, who is currently with Juve to play against the Red Bulls in an exhibition match, revealed that his former France team-mate has always been keen to play in the USA at some stage of his career.

“I actually don’t know very much about it. I know that he wanted very much to have an experience here in the United States,” he said. “I don’t know if it will be next year, but in any event, I definitely wish him all the best.”

France kick off their 2010 World Cup campaign against Uruguay on June 11 and are the even money favourites to win that clash with the South Americans on offer at 13/5 and the draw priced at 9/4.

Henry is by no means a certainty to start for the French in South Africa as he has failed to recapture his Arsenal form at Barcelona, and it may be that he is used as an impact player from the bench towards the end of matches.

Another star who has been tipped to move to America is Italian legend Alessandro Del Piero, but the 35-year-old made it clear that he has no intention of leaving Juventus just yet.

When asked if he could return to New York as a player in the near future, Del Piero made it clear that he will still play in Turin next season.

“I have no idea; perhaps I will come one more time here on holiday,” he said. “For sure I know that next year I will be wearing the Juventus jersey. But, who knows. Anything can happen.”

Italy are priced at 12/1 to defend their World Cup title this year but will be without Del Piero, whose international days are now behind him, and he can bask in the glory of scoring a penalty in the shoot-out that won the Italians the sport’s most prestigious prize four years ago.

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