Tag Archives: Premier

10 things we’ve learned from the Premier League this weekend

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1)      Sunderland (8/1 Top Six Finish) need to improve defensively and Steve Bruce is this week’s most unpopular person on Wearside.

2)      Feuding Manchester City are far from the finished article and don’t look title contenders (City 2/5 Top Four Finish).

3)      Manchester United are not the same team without Wayne Rooney (Rooney 16/1 Premier League Top Scorer), but is Nani the new Ronaldo?

4)      Liverpool need Fernando Torres fit and on form to qualify for Europe….as there’s nobody else!

5)      Tottenham are not good enough to mount a title challenge and will never get a refereeing decision at Old Trafford!

6)      Aston Villa are going to take a while to get to grips with what Monsieur Houllier requires!  Not sure the fans will remain patient though (Villa 14/1 Top Four Finish).

7)      Start counting your money if you’ve backed West Ham to be relegated – not even Scott Parker or Rob Green can save the Hammers from the drop (Hammers 10/11 to be relegated).

8)      Blackburn can actually play some football and Benjani could keep them in the top flight this season.

9)      Fabio Capello hopefully has a short memory, as Joey Barton looks good enough for a call-up to the England squad (1/6 to win Euro 2012 Qualifying Group G).

10)   Everton are the in-form team in the league but don’t count your chickens on a European place – a lack of goals could cost them.

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Hodgson wants Premier prize

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Liverpool take on Turkish outfit Trabzonspor tonight in a Europa League qualifier (Match Betting – Liverpool 1/4, draw 9/2, Trabzonspor 11/1) but manager Roy Hodgson admits his focus is on the Premier League.

The Anfield boss was in charge of Fulham last season as he guided them to the final of the same competition but when asked what his priority was Hodgson confirmed the league was more important, but he is still targeting European success (Liverpool 12/1 – Premier League outright).

“If you are going to prioritise you would prioritise the league always,” explained Hodgson.

“You would like to do both but if one was forced to choose one, you would prioritise the Premier League.”

Hodgson’s comments came after he was asked whether Spanish striker Fernando Torres would be fit to face Trabzonspor. Liverpool’s star man came off the bench in the Reds’ season opener against Arsenal last weekend but he may not be risked tonight as Hodgson is eager for the forward to be fit to face Manchester City on Monday.

However, Hodgson revealed Torres is eager to play some part against the Turkish side and hinted he may be handed a place on the bench.

“We don’t want to throw him in too early but he is very keen to get back in,” Hodgson said of Torres.

The Liverpool boss will be without the services of midfielder Javier Mascherano and defender Daniel Agger.  Both suffered knocks in the 1-1 draw with the Gunners and are set to miss out tonight.  Mascherano’s place looks set to be taken by new-boy Christian Poulsen, while Fabio Aurelio is in line to fill in for Agger at left-back for the Europa League tie (Liverpool 9/1 – Europa League outright).

Mascherano is still expected to depart Anfield before the transfer window closes on September 1 but Hodgson will not allow the Argentine star to leave on the cheap.  Since his switch from West Ham, Mascherano has established himself as one of the best holding midfielders in the Premier League and Hodgson is adamant the club will receive a fair price for one of their prize assets.

“He hopes that a club comes in where he could be reunited with his family – which is the major problem for him – that offers us what he is worth and we accept that,” said Hodgson when asked about the situation regarding Mascherano.

“But he has also made it clear that he doesn’t regard it as a hardship to play for Liverpool Football Club. In fact, it’s the reverse. It’s because of family matters that he wants to go.”

Denmark international Poulsen has been brought in by Hodgson to replace Mascherano if the Argentina international can find a new club.  Former Anfield boss Rafael Bentiez, now in charge of Inter Milan, has been linked with a swoop for Mascherano but so far the Italian giants have been unable to agree a fee with Liverpool.

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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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Balotelli pleased by Premier League interest

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Inter Milan striker Mario Balotelli has revealed that he is flattered by the recent speculation which has linked him with Premier League rivals Manchester United (12/5 to win the Premier League) and City.

The 19-year-old has been out of favour at the San Siro despite club president Massimo Moratti stating that they would not want to lose the player.

City (5/1 to win the Premier League) look the most likely to sign the youngster as manager Roberto Mancini worked with the player when he coached at the Italian giants.

Balotelli has stated that he would only stay at Inter if he was guaranteed regular first-team football.

He said: “I expect an important year for my career. Now I’m on vacation, I am resting and recharging for a good start to the season. If you want to know more, ask my agent Mino Raiola.

“(President Massimo) Moratti? It is nice that the president considers me an important part of the club, but I need to play. I cannot be important and not play,” he added.

Balotelli has not had the easiest of times at Inter after having a turbulent relationship with former boss Jose Mourinho the player also has had mixed reactions from the club’s fans.

The Italian had positive things to say about both Manchester clubs and admitted that he is unsure where he will be playing football in the future.

He said: “Roberto Mancini? He’s a great coach, I debuted in Serie A with him because he is a great friend.

“If he and (Sir Alex) Ferguson want me, it means I’m not as bad as I thought.

“United is a great club. They have not seen the real Balotelli, for sure I need to learn and achieve more goals. I want to win the Golden Ball in 2011. As for the future, I always say I don’t know,” he added.

New Inter boss Rafa Benitez will be looking to continue the outstanding season the club had last season after winning the a domestic double and the coveted Champions League title.

The San Siro club are keen to keep hold of their key players with the likes of Wesley Sneijder being linked with a move away from the Serie A champions.

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Premier League tempts Silva

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Valencia and Spain winger David Silva has revealed that he could be moving to the Premier League with champions Chelsea (13/8 to win the Premier League)  in the front running to sign the player.

Silva could be sold by his Spanish club who are currently strapped for cash and look likely to sell the creative midfielder.

Valencia have already cashed in on David Villa who moved to La Liga champions Barcelona and Silva could be on the move the Premier League’s top team.

The 24-year old has been linked with both Manchester City and United but has revealed that he would be keen on a move to West London.

He said: “Chelsea have established themselves as one of the best clubs in Europe over the last five years.

“They might not have the history of Real Madrid or AC Milan but they are creating their own history now. There is no reason why in the future Chelsea can’t be as decorated as Real Madrid.

“Chelsea probably have, along with Barcelona, the best squad in football and if any player joins Chelsea he knows he is going to win things,” he added.

Silva is currently with the Spain (9/2 to win the World Cup) squad ahead of their second game of the World Cup against Honduras on Monday.

The pre-tournament favourites suffered a shock defeat to Switzerland in Group H and will be looking to bounce back in their next match.

Silva featured in the defeat against the Swiss in a match the 2008 European champions dominated.

However, the player seems to have one eye on his club future after the tournament in South Africa and Chelsea seems a likely employer for the Spaniard.

He said: “In players like John Terry, Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba they have players who would get into any team in the world and it would be a pleasure to play with them.

“There is no doubt in my mind that Chelsea would be a great club to play for – and a club where I could fulfil my ambition of league titles and the European Cup.

The Blues had a successful season after they won the Premier League and FA Cup to complete their first domestic double in their 105 year history.

However they will be looking to make a few more signings as they look to push for that elusive Champions League title.

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Chelsea Take the Premier League Title In Style

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FA Cup winners 250x300 Chelsea Take the Premier League Title In Style

Next On The Agenda For Chelsea

A league title can hardly ever have been secured more emphatically than via an eight goal victory as Chelsea swept past Wigan Athletic to end Manchester United’s attempt for a historic four in a row.

United beat Stoke City 4-0 in their last game but once Wigan had a man sent off and Chelsea scored a second from the spot, the final day turned into a romp.

In the process Chelsea’s tally of goals for the Premier League campaign reached an astonishing 103-the highest by a top flight side since way back in the 1960s. As well as the eight in the last game, the Blues hammered seven no less than three times.

The goals tally is significant but the statistic that stood out is that Chelsea won all their matches against the other members of the ‘Big 4. The sevens and eights caught the eye but the victories at Old Trafford, the Emirates Stadium and Anfield were the bedrock of their third title in six seasons.

On the last day, Didier Drogba slotted in a second half hat-trick which edged him past Wayne Rooney to be top scorer for the season. The Ivorian ended with 29 but it was Frank Lampard’s amazing 22 from midfield that really made the difference.

The Double Is A Sure Bet

Chelsea now go on to try and complete the club’s first domestic ‘Double’ against Portsmouth in the FA Cup Final. Their opponents are managed by former boss Avram Grant.  And who would bet against that considering the disparity in talent between the two teams.  Chelsea head into the game at 1.20 to lift the FA Cup, there’s no value to be had in the outright market so a punt on another high scoring game offers better value.  Take over 3.5 goals in the game at 2.40 to maximise your FA Cup betting.

Arsenal disposed of a weakened Fulham side to make sure of third place- perhaps word that the Gunners were winning filtered through to Turf Moor as Spurs allowed Burnley to battle back fro two gaols adrift to end their season on a high.

Tottenham won their big result on Wednesday at Manchester City, so its not surprising they ran out of steam when the chance of pipping Arsenal to third place petered out.

Burnley ended with the mild satisfaction of passing Hull City to finish eighteenth. The Tigers held Liverpool 0-0 which probably says everything about Liverpool’s season.

The Reds did at least finish two points clear of Everton who won their final game against doomed Portsmouth. The Toffees must rue their opening in August when they lost three games out of the first four, plus defeats in both Merseyside derbies.

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Related posts:

  1. Liverpool v Chelsea- The Blues Can Wrap Up The Title
  2. How Chelsea Beat Manchester United to the Title
  3. Premier League 2009/10 – The Season So Far


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Rooney reveals Premier regrets

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Wayne RooneyWayne Rooney claims Manchester United can point to seven Premier League defeats this season if they fail to clinch a fourth straight title from under the noses of Chelsea (United 7/1, Cheslea 1/12 – Premier League Outright).

The United and England frontman is set to be fit to face Stoke on Sunday as United need to win (United 1/9, Stoke 16/1, draw 7/1 – 90 Minutes) and hope that Wigan prevent Chelsea from picking up three points in their final game of the season at Stamford Bridge (Chelsea 1/10, Wigan 20/1, draw 7/1 – 90 Minutes).

However, Rooney acknowledges that a favourable outcome for Sir Alex Ferguson’s side is a tall order, while suggesting that they have not been ruthless enough throughout the course of the league season.

“If we could have stayed more consistent and not lost so many games we would have won the league but we’ve lost too many games,” he told The Sun.

“We shouldn’t be losing seven games at this club.”

United did lift the Carling Cup at Wembley in March, but Rooney has also been left frustrated by their FA Cup exit at the hands of Leeds United and Champions League elimination on away goals to Bayern Munich.

Rooney added: “The FA Cup defeat to Leeds was not good enough. As for the Champions League, we were a bit unlucky considering the way we started against Bayern.

“I couldn’t see us losing that tie. But we went out on away goals and it was hard to take.”

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