Gerrard over Liverpool woes

Posted on May 22, 2010 by SoccerCapper

Steven Gerrard has insisted he is happy with his form as England prepare for next month’s World Cup (6/1 to lift the trophy) and believes he is back to something like his best.

The midfield lynchpin has endured a disappointing season with Liverpool, who only finished seventh in the league after pushing Manchester United all the way the previous year and crashed out of the Champions League in the group stages only to get knocked out of the Europa League in the semi-finals.

The Anfield giants were also sent packing from the FA Cup after losing at home to Reading and were knocked out of the Carling Cup by Arsenal’s young guns.

Gerrard did not have the best season on a personal level as he was hampered by injury and struggled for consistency, and has been linked with a move away in the summer following claims he has fallen out with boss Rafael Benitez.

However, the 29-year-old has insisted he has put his Liverpool troubles behind him and believes he is rediscovering his best form with the summer showpiece only days away.

“It has been a difficult season – personally and for the Liverpool group as a whole – because we’ve under-achieved,” Gerrard said.

“It has been really tough dealing with those setbacks.

“But now we are here for England, it is important club issues are put to one side.
“The good thing is my form has come back closer to where I want it to be.

“At the moment I am feeling good. I finished the season quite strongly personally.”

England begin their campaign on June 12 and are 1/3 favourites to win Group C, with USA available at 4/1, Slovenia at 9/1 and Algeria the outsiders at 12/1.

Fabio Capello’s men kick off against USA on June 12 and are strongly fancied at 8/15 to take the three points, with the Americans priced at 5/1 and the draw at 11/4.

Gerrard has also emphasised how important Wayne Rooney (10/1 to finish as the tournament’s top goalscorer) is to England’s chances of going far in the competition.

“Wayne’s form this season has been up there as one of the best players in the world,” he said.

“As a team-mate, you are hoping and keeping your fingers crossed that he stays fit and carries that form on into the World Cup.

“He is our key man, he is great to have around the place, off the field as well.

“He is a big player for us, and hopefully he can stay away from injury.”

David Villa is currently the favourite at 9/1 to top the scoring charts with Spain outright favourites at 4/1 to lift the World Cup, while Brazil’s Luis Fabiano and Argentina’s Lionel Messi are both available at 10/1 to win the Golden Boot.

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Fabregas unsure over future

Posted on May 14, 2010 by SoccerCapper

Cesc Fabregas says he wants his future sorting before the World Cup (Spain 4/1 favourites to win) with Barcelona keen to take him back to Spain.

Speculation linking Fabregas with a return to Spain has refused to go away but now it seems as though the midfielder is pushing for a move, and who could blame him.

Arsenal again finished the season without any silverware to show for their efforts and with the likes of Manchester City and Tottenham emerging as major forces in the Premier League, he could now be running out of patience.

The Gunners are 6/1 to win the Premier League next season with Chelsea, Manchester United and Manchester City ahead of them in the betting and Fabregas will no doubt feel another trophy free season could be on the cards.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger has been promised transfer funds this summer but chances are it will not be enough to compete with their Premier League rivals, and the imminent arrival of Marouane Chamakh will not scare anyone.

Not many players in world football could improve Barcelona but Fabregas is certainly one of them and he would no doubt be a regular in Pep Guardiola’s starting eleven

Fabregas has insisted he is in no rush to leave the Gunners but reading between the lines it seems as though the midfielder is keen to return to the Nou Camp sooner rather than later.

The fact he wants a decision making over his future suggests he wants to leave. The player is tied down to a long-term lucrative deal at the Emirates Stadium so the only decision that Arsenal have to make is whether to sell him or not.

If he was happy to stay then why bring up the subject of a possible move to Barcelona? He would just concentrate on getting fit for the World Cup and say nothing about his club football.

“I want to make a decision about my future before the World Cup,” Fabregas revealed.

“It’s impossible to perform at a tournament such as the World Cup if you’re not fully focused on the sporting aspects of the game. It does not benefit anyone.

“If I ever leave Arsenal it will be to play for Barcelona. I would like to go, whether they want me or not is another matter.

“I am 23 years old and I have a long career in front of me. I’ve never hidden the fact that playing for Barcelona is a dream that I would like to fulfil.

“I’m very happy at Arsenal. I’m in no hurry to leave the club.

“Barcelona are still playing for the Liga title and I’m still an Arsenal player. It would be a lack of respect to discuss a transfer now.”

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Kuranyi told Germany dream is over

Posted on May 3, 2010 by SoccerCapper

Germany coach Joachim Low has made the surprise decision to announce he will not be taking Kevin Kuranyi to the World Cup this summer – over a month before the showpiece tournament starts (14/1 Germany – World Cup outright).

Low revealed he contacted the Schalke goal-getter on Monday to inform him he will not be going to South Africa.

Kuranyi has been overlooked by Low ever since stormed out of the Westfalenstadion in Dortmund before the final whistle after being omitted from the match-day squad for the qualifier against Russia in October 2008.

However, his 18 Bundesliga goals for the Royal Blues this season have led to a clamour for his recall to the national side.

Germany icon Franz Beckenbauer urged Low to make the peace with the Brazil-born forward to give ‘Die Mannschaft’ best possible chance of winning football’s biggest international prize for the fourth time.

However, Low said a clash of personalities had nothing to do with his decision to omit the free-scoring 28-year-old.

“The disciplinary incident in October 2008 was not a consideration recently,” Low said in a press release from the German Football Association (DFB).

“It would have been no problem for us to give him a new chance in the national team.

“However, after consideration among our coaching staff we came to the conclusion that we had other ideas, tactically and personnel-wise, for the composition of the World Cup squad.

“This I discussed today frankly with Kevin, who has had a strong season and whom I think is a player of sound character.”

The decision means three-time winners Germany must pin their hopes on the likes of Miroslav Klose and Mario Gomez of Bayern Munich and Stefan Kiessling of Bayer Leverkusen.

Bayern pair Klose and Gomez have scored 10 and three league goals respectively, while Kiessling has fared better than Kuranyi with 21.

Kuranyi said he was bitterly disappointed by Low’s decision but wished the national team every success this summer.

“Like every footballer, I dreamed from when I was a little boy of being able to play in a World Cup,” said the striker, who also missed out on a place in Jurgen Klinsmann’s squad for the 2006 tournament.

“This dream has now burst for a second time.

“Therefore it is clear that this decision makes me very sad.”

Germany kick off their World Cup Group D campaign against Australia in Durban on June 13 (8/15 Germany 13/5 draw 9/2 Australia – match betting).

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With Messi, Barcelona can snipe la Liga success with victory over Villareal

Posted on April 30, 2010 by SoccerCapper

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lionel messi barcelona1 203x300 With Messi, Barcelona can snipe la Liga success with victory over Villareal Jose Mourinho’s victory dance over the Nou Camp pitch on Wednesday night signalled the end of Barcelona’s hopes of Champions League glory and with that the pleasure that would have been taken from lifting aloft the trophy at the home of arch-rivals Real Madrid.

The Catalan giants now only have one title left to play for and all they have to do is win their remaining four games as they currently hold a one point advantage over Real Madrid who are just waiting for a Barcelona slip to leapfrog them to the top of La Liga.

Barcelona will attempt to put the disappointment of Wednesday night behind them when they travel to Villareal on Saturday night. Of the four games Barcelona have left this fixture is one of the trickiest and they will have to be emotionally over their Champions League exit.

Villareal themselves need to produce a sprint to the finishing line if they are to sneak into the top four in a late bid for a Champions League place next season. They are currently 6th in the league just four points behind Real Mallorca who occupy 4th place so they are in with a slim chance.

The Yellow Submarine managed to hold Barca to a 1-1 draw at the Nou Camp when the two sides met in January, but they will have to turn in the perfect performance if they are to beat Barcelona at El Madrigal this weekend.

Villareal have only suffered two defeats at home this season, but Barcelona should make it three. Barcelona will punish Villareal with the likes of Messi and Xavi on the counter so back Leo Messi to score first at 3.75 and Barcelona to win 3-1 at 14.00 with PartyBets.com.

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Roma Stay Top After Derby Win Over Rivals Lazio

Posted on April 20, 2010 by SoccerCapper

inter roma Roma Stay Top After Derby Win Over Rivals Lazio Roma made it six wins on the spin as they squeezed past Lazio in a fiercely contested local derby.

A Mirko Vucinic double was enough to seal victory for the league leaders, who remain one point ahead of Jose Mourinho’s Inter Milan.

Struggling Lazio shocked their local rivals by taking a 14th minute lead when Tommaso Rocchi neatly slotted home after latching onto the end of 40-yard through ball from teammate Cristian Ledesma.

Lazio had the better of the chances in the first half and felt that they deserved a penalty after Rocchi’s surge into the area was halted by Nicolas Burdisso’s challenge.

Roma manager Claudio Ranieri made two half time changes to help force a way back into the game, but only one minute after the break Lazio were awarded a penalty.

Lazio’s Aleksander Kolarov brought down Marco Cassetti inside the box, but Sergio Floccari couldn’t take advantage, striking his shot straight at Roma keeper Julio Sergio.

Roma were then award a 53rd minute penalty themselves following a clumsy challenge from Kolarov on Roma’s Rodrigo Taddei.

Mirko Vucinic made no mistake from the spot and Roma looked resurgent as the mounted a string of attacks on the Lazio goal.

Vucinic soon made it two as he unleashed an unstoppable 20-yard free-kick towards the Roma net, leaving Fernando Muslera stranded.

Lazio pressed for an equaliser through efforts by Mauro Zarate and Rocchi, but couldn’t beat Julio Sergio in the Roma goal.

The home side then had Cristian Ledesma sent off in the final moments of a frustrating evening for Lazio, who now sit 16th in the table – just three points above the relegation zone.

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Roma Stay Top After Derby Win Over Mourinho’s Inter Milan

Posted on April 20, 2010 by SoccerCapper

Roma made it six wins on the spin as they squeezed past Lazio in a fiercely contested local derby.