Tag Archives: Tevez

All eyes on Tevez

Posted on by
Reply

Manchester City can go top of the Premier League table for Christmas if they can see off Everton at Eastlands (City 8/11, Everton 4/1, Draw 5/2 – Match Betting), but many observers will be watching to see if Carlos Tevez plays and how well he does should he feature.

Tevez (7/2 Premiership Top Scorer) has scored 10 of City’s 24 league goals this season and the side have never lost a Premier League match in which he has scored.

However, he is now at odds with his employers after handing in a transfer request last weekend, citing an irreparable breakdown in his relationship with “certain executives” as the reason.

City have insisted that Tevez will not be sold in January’s transfer window, while boss Roberto Mancini insists that he will do all he can to ensure Tevez stays put to see out his contract which expires in 2014.

Tevez’s representative Kia Joorabchian claims the Argentine will continue to give 100 per cent when ever he pulls on a City shirt, but reports that he could lose the captaincy to Kolo Toure for the Toffees game will place a question mark over how committed he will be.

City have not lost in their last seven league outings, but they do struggle for goals on home turf with only eight so far this term – the joint lowest in the Premier League – so Tevez’s involvement could prove crucial in this clash (EVS – Anytime Goalscorer).

Mancini has a strong squad to choose from with only Nigel De Jong definitely missing due to suspension.

Meanwhile, Everton arrive at Eastlands without a win in their last eight games and are minus the suspended Mikel Arteta, while Steven Pienaar, Tony Hibbert and John Heitinga are injury doubts.

The omens are in favour of the Toffees, who have won on their last three visits to face the Citizens and they have not conceded a goal in any of those encounters.

Anything less than a victory will be the longest boss David Moyes has gone without a win since taking over at Goodison Park, and will equal the record of nine matches without a win recorded back in 1999.

City are expected to win this comfortably, but the potential unsettling effect of the Tevez saga could give Everton a chance to sneak a share of the spoils on a happy hunting ground for the Merseysiders.

Value Bet: Correct Score 0-0 Draw @ 9/1

Bet on the World Cup and get £200. Click here to visit Bet365 and claim your free money.

Tevez could miss Old Lady date

Posted on by
Reply

It’s never boring at Eastlands these days and it’s been another turbulent week for Manchester City ahead of their trip to Italy to take on Juventus (Juve 6/4, draw 23/10, 9/5 – match betting) in the Europa League.

Thursday’s clash at the Stadio Olimipco looks like it could be a welcome distraction from the troubles off the field concerning their captain and top goalscorer Carlos Tevez.

The Argentina striker handed in a written transfer to the club stating that he wants to leave City because he misses his family back in his homeland.

City have stated that they will not be selling the former Manchester United forward, who has also revealed that his relationship with some of the chief executives at the club have “broken down beyond repair”.

It’s extremely doubtful that City will play their disillusioned striker in a match that will have no real impact on the club’s season as they have already qualified for the knockout stages of the competition.

Juve were one of the favourites to lift the Europa League trophy this season but have crashed out of the competition in the group stages as Lech Poznan have proved to be a surprise package in the tournament so far.

The Italian side have proven difficult to beat and have not lost a game in their last 16 outings in all competitions.

It should be an exciting game with both sides having nothing to lose.

However, with the distractions off the field and the Blues likely to field a weakened side as they challenge at the top of the Premier League, it should be a win for the Old Lady.

It’s a similar situation for Liverpool as they take on Dutch side Utrecht at Anfield on Wednesday, although their star striker has not asked for a move away from the club (Liverpool 2/5, draw 7/2, Utrecht 7/1 – match betting).

The Reds have been very inconsistent in recent weeks having looked comfortable in their 3-0 win over Aston Villa at Anfield, they failed to show up in the 3-1 defeat to Newcastle United at St James’ Park.

With the unpredictable performances in league it’s not surprising that it’s hard to predict how Liverpool will play against Utrecht.

The Merseyside club secured a goalless draw with a young side when these two sides met in Holland back in September.

Utrecht have been disappointing in Europe and in the Dutch league and the Reds should come out top in this one in front of their home fans despite the likelihood of fielding a weakened side ahead of Roy Hodgson’s game against former club Fulham this weekend.

Bet on the World Cup and get £200. Click here to visit Bet365 and claim your free money.

Tevez can fire City to revenge

Posted on by
Reply

Carlos Tevez can prove the decisive factor in helping Manchester City end Manchester United’s unbeaten run (City 8/5, Draw 9/4, Utd 17/10 – Match Betting), with the Argentinian making a timely return to action.

The former United favourite was sorely missed during City’s three-game losing streak, but his comeback at West Brom saw Roberto Mancini’s men return to winning ways.

It was the red half of Manchester that enjoyed the bragging rights last season, with two wins over their local rivals in the league and success also in the Carling Cup.

The determination to turn the tables on Fergie’s men is clear and no one will be more desperate for a victory than Tevez (6/5 to score at anytime) – who already has seven league goals to his name this season.

United, who were fortunate to claim a late winner against Wolves, have a string of injury absentees and have been battling against a virus in the camp in the last week.

Sir Alex Ferguson has already expressed his concern at a lack of numbers, with Nani doubtful and Ryan Giggs and Owen Hargreaves sidelined.

Meanwhile, Arsenal’s title credentials face a big test when they visit a resurgent Wolves outfit (5/1 to win the game), who are capable of inflicting another defeat on the Gunners.

Arsene Wenger’s men slipped to their third defeat of the season against Newcastle on Sunday and the Frenchman needs his key men to respond at Molineux.

League leaders Chelsea have just the game they need to get them back on track after defeat to Liverpool when they face west London rivals Fulham.

Carlo Ancelotti’s men are a different team at Stamford Bridge and they will prove too strong for a Fulham squad struggling for goals at present without the injury Bobby Zamora.

Fresh from their success over the champions, Liverpool will be handed another test to see if they really have turned the corner – with an away date at Wigan.

The Latics clash is the type of game the Reds have struggled with in the past, with Liverpool scoring just two goals in their last three visits to the DW Stadium.

With Fernando Torres (7/2 to score first goal) close to top form though, the Wigan defence don’t look strong enough to cope with the Reds’ attacking threat.

Newcastle will face former boss Sam Allardyce when Blackburn visit St James’ Park, and the Magpies look set for a third league win on the bounce.

Rovers may be hard to beat at home but their away form is poor and an in-form Toon will fancy their chances of cementing a top-six place.

There could well be more pressure heaped on Gerard Houllier when Blackpool visit Villa Park looking for their fourth away win of the season.

Villa have a striking injury crisis at present and it’s hard to see where their goals will come from, while the Tangerines are scoring plenty.

Despite another impressive win for Bolton at the weekend, history suggests they will be on the end of a defeat at Everton on Wednesday.

The Blues are unbeaten in their last six matches and look a decent bet to defeat Owen Coyle’s men, who have lost on their last four visits to Goodison Park.

West Ham look in real trouble at the bottom but they could pick up their second win of the season again struggling West Brom (West Ham 11/8, Draw 9/4, West Brom 2/1 – Match Betting).

After a fine start to the season, the Baggies have lost back-to-back games and confidence and discipline looks to be draining from the squad.

Bet on the World Cup and get £200. Click here to visit Bet365 and claim your free money.

Tevez admits he could quit football

Posted on by
Reply

Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez has admitted he is disillusioned with football and could quit the game (City 15/2 to win Premier League).

The Argentine forward has reiterated the comments he made over the summer, when he said he could quit professional football because he struggles to motivate himself.

He admits that he currently feels drained and that the stress of being one of the most high profile players in the Premier League is affecting his body and mind.

Despite this, he has been instrumental in the improvement of City’s form so far this season, which has seen the Eastlands outfit overcome a shaky start to the season to sit in second place in the Premier League.

The striker has also lead by example as City’s captain after being handed the armband by boss Roberto Mancini. However, this has done little to reinvigorate him and he has now told The News of the World that he is thinking of quitting, citing the number of games he has played this season as being contributory to his tiredness.

The 26-year-old said: “I’m an old guy now, and I started to think about some stuff. For example, I am less tolerant as a person today than I was a few years ago.

“Then I think – what happens if I quit football as long as I am okay in my life?

“When I talk about quitting, I mean quitting football, not just the national team. But at the moment I still don’t know if this is going to be in one month, one year, three or five years.

“I have the idea of quitting in my mind. Maybe one of these days, I will just wake up and say no more football.”

As well as professional issues, Tevez has admitted that his workload is affecting his family life. He says that since playing in England he has not shared a single Christmas or New Year with his nearest and dearest and this is contributing to his lack of enjoyment with life as a footballer.

City fans will be hoping that Tevez does not decide to hang up his boots just yet, particularly as he is in such influential form, having scored five League goals this season. They currently sit four points behind League leaders Chelsea but they are the team in form having beaten the Blues 1-0 at Eastlands before backing this up with a 2-1 success against Newcastle.

Roberto Mancini will be hoping that this form continues in City’s next game against Blackpool next Sunday.

Bet on the World Cup and get £200. Click here to visit Bet365 and claim your free money.

Mancini eyes Tevez improvement

Posted on by
Reply

Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini says he expects captain Carlos Tevez to get better this season after handing the Argentina star the armband in the summer (City 12/1 – Premier League Outright).

Tevez was on target at Wigan on Sunday in a 2-0 win as the Blues surged into the top four of the Premier League which is widely thought to be the minimum requirement for Mancini this season.

City’s ambitious owners – the Abu Dhabi United Group – are desperate to secure Champions League football for next season and, as Mark Hughes discovered, perceived failure is not an option.

Mancini settled on handing Tevez the captaincy after talks with the forward during the summer and he has since weighed in with three league goals for the Eastlands outfit.

However, the Italian does not feel the former Manchester United and West Ham United is anywhere near the peak of his powers yet following his exertions with Argentina at the World Cup finals in South Africa (Tevez – 7/1 Premiership Top Scorer).

On the captaincy, Mancini said: “I thought about it during the summer and I spoke to Carlos about it.

“He is an important player and he can improve as captain and we can have more of him.

“I’m very happy for him because at this moment he probably isn’t at 100% of his form.

“Maybe his goal (at Wigan) can help him and it is fantastic he got it today.”

City’s other goal came from Yaya Toure as the Blues eased past the Latics at the DW Stadium at a canter to leave the home side third from bottom on goal difference.

Meanwhile, Mancini has admitted he will reluctantly allow out-of-favour goalkeeper Shay Given to move on during the forthcoming transfer window.

The 34-year-old Republic of Ireland international has fallen behind England number one Joe Hart in the pecking order and appears resigned to the fact his first-team chances at Eastlands have come to an end.

Given will also be aware of the need to stay sharp for his country’s Euro 2012 qualification campaign as the Irish look to make their first major tournament since the 2002 World Cup in Japan and South Korea.

For now the former Newcastle favourite is kicking his heels in the reserves although talk of a return to St James’ Park might surface after Magpies keeper Steve Harper suffered a shoulder problem against Everton.

Mancini said: “I have a lot of respect for Shay and I told him the situation before the finish of the [transfer] market.

“I told him: ‘Shay, you can choose. I hope that you stay here but I respect your decision and if you want to leave you can.’

“He decided to stay here and until January he must stay here.

“I understand his frustration but I need that Shay stays here and puts in 100%. In January if he decides to leave I respect his decision.”

Harper is set to miss weeks if not months with ligament damage which is a cruel blow for a player who has been forced to wait until his 35th year for a crack at the Premier League on a weekly basis.

The Easington-born keeper has made just 138 appearances for Newcastle since 1993 having acted as back-up to Pavel Srnicek, Shaka Hislop and Given over the years (Magpies 11/2 – Relegation).

Bet on the World Cup and get £200. Click here to visit Bet365 and claim your free money.