Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Friday, December 17, 2010
Clash Of The Titans Part I
Current Form Running
Chelsea have won just once in their last seven league fixtures, a sequence of results that has earned the Blues a mere six points from a possible 21. Under-pressure manager Carlo Ancelotti is boosted, however, by the return of vice-captain Frank Lampard, who made his long awaited return from injury in the 1-1 draw with Tottenham last weekend. Meanwhile, United are on the crest of a wave after Monday’s 1-0 win over Arsenal propelled the Reds to a two-point lead in the title race and set a club record start of 16 league games unbeaten.
Ins and outs
Paulo Ferreira and Branislav Ivanovic look set to deputise in the continued absence of defensive pair Jose Bosingwa and Alex, while Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba should both start after coming off the bench against Spurs. With no fresh injuries or suspensions to worry about, Sir Alex Ferguson could be tempted to name an unchanged team for the first time in 151 matches, though Ryan Giggs may be in line to start after a brief second-half cameo against Arsenal.
Star man
Florent Malouda struggled at first to cope with the demands of English football and was a mere squad player at Stamford Bridge until the arrival of temporary manager Guus Hiddink during the 2008/09 season completely transformed his fortunes. The French winger blossomed under the Dutchman and has continued the good work for Carlo Ancelotti, scoring 12 league goals to help Chelsea land the 2009/10 title.
Referee
Martin Atkinson will take charge of Sunday's game. He was last seen by United fans in the 2-0 win over Wigan Athletic at Old Trafford in November, when he sent off two visiting players in Antolin Alcaraz and Hugo Rodallega.
Rivals Watch
Arsenal host Stoke at the Emirates on Saturday, Tottenham travel to Blackpool on Sunday and Manchester City take on Everton in Monday night’s match at Eastlands.
Chelsea have won just once in their last seven league fixtures, a sequence of results that has earned the Blues a mere six points from a possible 21. Under-pressure manager Carlo Ancelotti is boosted, however, by the return of vice-captain Frank Lampard, who made his long awaited return from injury in the 1-1 draw with Tottenham last weekend. Meanwhile, United are on the crest of a wave after Monday’s 1-0 win over Arsenal propelled the Reds to a two-point lead in the title race and set a club record start of 16 league games unbeaten.
Ins and outs
Paulo Ferreira and Branislav Ivanovic look set to deputise in the continued absence of defensive pair Jose Bosingwa and Alex, while Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba should both start after coming off the bench against Spurs. With no fresh injuries or suspensions to worry about, Sir Alex Ferguson could be tempted to name an unchanged team for the first time in 151 matches, though Ryan Giggs may be in line to start after a brief second-half cameo against Arsenal.
Star man
Florent Malouda struggled at first to cope with the demands of English football and was a mere squad player at Stamford Bridge until the arrival of temporary manager Guus Hiddink during the 2008/09 season completely transformed his fortunes. The French winger blossomed under the Dutchman and has continued the good work for Carlo Ancelotti, scoring 12 league goals to help Chelsea land the 2009/10 title.
Referee
Martin Atkinson will take charge of Sunday's game. He was last seen by United fans in the 2-0 win over Wigan Athletic at Old Trafford in November, when he sent off two visiting players in Antolin Alcaraz and Hugo Rodallega.
Rivals Watch
Arsenal host Stoke at the Emirates on Saturday, Tottenham travel to Blackpool on Sunday and Manchester City take on Everton in Monday night’s match at Eastlands.
EPL Saturday Action
This week's round of fixtures begins with a 12.45pm kick-off between Sunderland and in-form Bolton Wanderers at the Stadium of Light.
Arsenal could return to the top of the Barclays Premier League with a victory over Stoke City as Manchester United face off with Chelsea on Sunday and Manchester City play on Monday night.
Alan Pardew takes charge of his second match as Newcastle United manager when the Magpies go to Birmingham City. Managerless Blackburn Rovers host basement boys West Ham United, Wigan Athletic entertain Aston Villa, while Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson takes on his old club Fulham in the day's evening kick-off.
Sunderland v Bolton
Sunderland did the double over Bolton last term, for the first time since the 2001/02 season, and will be aiming for another three points.
The Black Cats are unbeaten at home and have kept eight clean sheets in 17 matches - the joint-best record this campaign along with Manchester City and Chelsea.
Bolton have lost just two matches away from home this season and will look to build on last weekend's late win over Blackburn Rovers.
The last three Barclays Premier League matches between these sides at the Stadium of Light have seen 13 goals scored.
Arsenal v Stoke
Arsenal aim to recover from defeat at title rivals Manchester United last time out when they host Stoke City at the Emirates Stadium.
The league's second-placed team have lost two of their last three matches at home, while the Potters have lost three of their last six on the road.
Stoke have won just five times in 39 trips to Arsenal and last won a league fixture at the Gunners 29 years ago.
Tony Pulis' side were defeated for the first time in six Barclays Premier League matches at the weekend with a loss at home to Blackpool.
Birmingham v Newcastle
Birmingham sit just two points above the relegation zone in 16th place but take on Newcastle with a decent home record this season.
Although their five-match unbeaten run ended at local rivals Wolverhampton Wanderers last weekend they have lost just one of their last 23 home fixtures in the Barclays Premier League.
Newcastle will be boosted by an impressive 3-1 victory over Liverpool last weekend in manager Pardew's first match at the helm.
Away from St James' Park, they have netted just eight goals and conceded 15.
Blackburn v West Ham
Blackburn first team coach Steve Kean leads Rovers out against bottom club West Ham in temporary charge after the sacking of manager Sam Allardyce.
West Ham are in desperate need of points having lost their last two matches and not won on the road all season.
The Hammers are unbeaten in their last four Premier League visits to Ewood Park, drawing twice and winning twice.
Blackburn are bidding for their 250th win in the Premier League, while the Hammers need five goals for 700 in the Premier League.
Wigan v Aston Villa
Wigan go in search of a victory over Aston Villa that could see them move out of the bottom three.
The Latics have picked up just one Barclays Premier League triumph in 10 and have scored just eight goals at home - the joint fewest in the division.
Aston Villa ended a run of three straight defeats with victory over West Bromwich Albion last weekend, but they have recorded just one away win all season.
Villa have lost six away matches and scored just five goals away from Villa Park - only West Ham have fewer.
Liverpool v Fulham
Liverpool go into this fixture against Fulham with a decent home record - they have only been defeated once this season - and manager Roy Hodgson will be aiming to keep that good form going against his old side.
Fulham are the division's draw specialists with their stalemate against Sunderland last weekend making it 10 for the season.
They have not won away in the Barclays Premier League for 16 months and 26 matches and have never been victorious in 23 visits to Anfied.
Barclays Premier League fixtures
Sunderland v Bolton (Referee: Chris Foy)
Arsenal v Stoke (Lee Mason)
Birmingham v Newcastle (Michael Jones)
Blackburn v West Ham (Mike Dean)
Wigan v Aston Villa (Jon Moss)
Liverpool v Fulham (Andre Marriner)
Arsenal could return to the top of the Barclays Premier League with a victory over Stoke City as Manchester United face off with Chelsea on Sunday and Manchester City play on Monday night.
Alan Pardew takes charge of his second match as Newcastle United manager when the Magpies go to Birmingham City. Managerless Blackburn Rovers host basement boys West Ham United, Wigan Athletic entertain Aston Villa, while Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson takes on his old club Fulham in the day's evening kick-off.
Sunderland v Bolton
Sunderland did the double over Bolton last term, for the first time since the 2001/02 season, and will be aiming for another three points.
The Black Cats are unbeaten at home and have kept eight clean sheets in 17 matches - the joint-best record this campaign along with Manchester City and Chelsea.
Bolton have lost just two matches away from home this season and will look to build on last weekend's late win over Blackburn Rovers.
The last three Barclays Premier League matches between these sides at the Stadium of Light have seen 13 goals scored.
Arsenal v Stoke
Arsenal aim to recover from defeat at title rivals Manchester United last time out when they host Stoke City at the Emirates Stadium.
The league's second-placed team have lost two of their last three matches at home, while the Potters have lost three of their last six on the road.
Stoke have won just five times in 39 trips to Arsenal and last won a league fixture at the Gunners 29 years ago.
Tony Pulis' side were defeated for the first time in six Barclays Premier League matches at the weekend with a loss at home to Blackpool.
Birmingham v Newcastle
Birmingham sit just two points above the relegation zone in 16th place but take on Newcastle with a decent home record this season.
Although their five-match unbeaten run ended at local rivals Wolverhampton Wanderers last weekend they have lost just one of their last 23 home fixtures in the Barclays Premier League.
Newcastle will be boosted by an impressive 3-1 victory over Liverpool last weekend in manager Pardew's first match at the helm.
Away from St James' Park, they have netted just eight goals and conceded 15.
Blackburn v West Ham
Blackburn first team coach Steve Kean leads Rovers out against bottom club West Ham in temporary charge after the sacking of manager Sam Allardyce.
West Ham are in desperate need of points having lost their last two matches and not won on the road all season.
The Hammers are unbeaten in their last four Premier League visits to Ewood Park, drawing twice and winning twice.
Blackburn are bidding for their 250th win in the Premier League, while the Hammers need five goals for 700 in the Premier League.
Wigan v Aston Villa
Wigan go in search of a victory over Aston Villa that could see them move out of the bottom three.
The Latics have picked up just one Barclays Premier League triumph in 10 and have scored just eight goals at home - the joint fewest in the division.
Aston Villa ended a run of three straight defeats with victory over West Bromwich Albion last weekend, but they have recorded just one away win all season.
Villa have lost six away matches and scored just five goals away from Villa Park - only West Ham have fewer.
Liverpool v Fulham
Liverpool go into this fixture against Fulham with a decent home record - they have only been defeated once this season - and manager Roy Hodgson will be aiming to keep that good form going against his old side.
Fulham are the division's draw specialists with their stalemate against Sunderland last weekend making it 10 for the season.
They have not won away in the Barclays Premier League for 16 months and 26 matches and have never been victorious in 23 visits to Anfied.
Barclays Premier League fixtures
Sunderland v Bolton (Referee: Chris Foy)
Arsenal v Stoke (Lee Mason)
Birmingham v Newcastle (Michael Jones)
Blackburn v West Ham (Mike Dean)
Wigan v Aston Villa (Jon Moss)
Liverpool v Fulham (Andre Marriner)
Champions League draw Friday 17th December 2010
The last 16 draw for the Champions League has thrown up some interesting matches.
Manchester United will play Marseille in the last 16 of this season's Champions League.
The Red Devils dodged some of the competition's bigger sides and will take on the French outfit.
Arsenal have once again been drawn against Barcelona in their last 16 fixture.
The Gunners were runners up to the Spanish giants in 2006 and were also beaten in last year's quarter-final between the sides.
Tottenham Hotspur will play AC Milan. Harry Redknapp's side, playing in the competition for the first time, have been handed the toughest of draws against the Italian giants.
Chelsea have been drawn against FC Copenhagen. The Blues were given arguably the easiest draw of the round against the Danish champions.
The first legs will be played on 15th/16th/22nd/23rd February 2011, with the returns on 8th/9th/15th/16th March 2011.
Champions League draw
Roma v Shakhtar Donetsk
AC Milan v Tottenham Hotspur
Valencia v Schalke
Inter Milan v Bayern Munich
Lyon v Real Madrid
Arsenal v Barcelona
Marseille v Manchester United
FC Copenhagen v Chelsea
Manchester United will play Marseille in the last 16 of this season's Champions League.
The Red Devils dodged some of the competition's bigger sides and will take on the French outfit.
Arsenal have once again been drawn against Barcelona in their last 16 fixture.
The Gunners were runners up to the Spanish giants in 2006 and were also beaten in last year's quarter-final between the sides.
Tottenham Hotspur will play AC Milan. Harry Redknapp's side, playing in the competition for the first time, have been handed the toughest of draws against the Italian giants.
Chelsea have been drawn against FC Copenhagen. The Blues were given arguably the easiest draw of the round against the Danish champions.
The first legs will be played on 15th/16th/22nd/23rd February 2011, with the returns on 8th/9th/15th/16th March 2011.
Champions League draw
Roma v Shakhtar Donetsk
AC Milan v Tottenham Hotspur
Valencia v Schalke
Inter Milan v Bayern Munich
Lyon v Real Madrid
Arsenal v Barcelona
Marseille v Manchester United
FC Copenhagen v Chelsea
Champions League draw - Fri 17th
The last 16 draw for the Champions League has thrown up some interesting matches.
Manchester United will play Marseille in the last 16 of this season's Champions League.
The Red Devils dodged some of the competition's bigger sides and will take on the French outfit.
Arsenal have once again been drawn against Barcelona in their last 16 fixture.
The Gunners were runners up to the Spanish giants in 2006 and were also beaten in last year's quarter-final between the sides.
Tottenham Hotspur will play AC Milan. Harry Redknapp's side, playing in the competition for the first time, have been handed the toughest of draws against the Italian giants.
Chelsea have been drawn against FC Copenhagen. The Blues were given arguably the easiest draw of the round against the Danish champions.
The first legs will be played on 15th/16th/22nd/23rd February 2011, with the returns on 8th/9th/15th/16th March 2011.
Champions League draw
Roma v Shakhtar Donetsk
AC Milan v Tottenham Hotspur
Valencia v Schalke
Inter Milan v Bayern Munich
Lyon v Real Madrid
Arsenal v Barcelona
Marseille v Manchester United
FC Copenhagen v Chelsea
Manchester United will play Marseille in the last 16 of this season's Champions League.
The Red Devils dodged some of the competition's bigger sides and will take on the French outfit.
Arsenal have once again been drawn against Barcelona in their last 16 fixture.
The Gunners were runners up to the Spanish giants in 2006 and were also beaten in last year's quarter-final between the sides.
Tottenham Hotspur will play AC Milan. Harry Redknapp's side, playing in the competition for the first time, have been handed the toughest of draws against the Italian giants.
Chelsea have been drawn against FC Copenhagen. The Blues were given arguably the easiest draw of the round against the Danish champions.
The first legs will be played on 15th/16th/22nd/23rd February 2011, with the returns on 8th/9th/15th/16th March 2011.
Champions League draw
Roma v Shakhtar Donetsk
AC Milan v Tottenham Hotspur
Valencia v Schalke
Inter Milan v Bayern Munich
Lyon v Real Madrid
Arsenal v Barcelona
Marseille v Manchester United
FC Copenhagen v Chelsea
Monday, December 6, 2010
Preview To The CL Clash On Tuesday: Man United vs Valencia
Edwin eyes top spot
Edwin van der Sar is keen to see United secure top spot in Champions League Group C on Tuesday night.
The Reds welcome Valencia to Old Trafford for the final group match knowing that anything other than a defeat will be enough to advance to the knockout stages as group winners and, consequently, avoid the other groups' winners in the last 16.
Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona, plus United’s conquerors last season, Bayern Munich, have already secured top spot in their respective groups and van der Sar is fully aware of the importance of steering clear of Europe’s elite.
“We may be through now but we want to get to first spot to avoid any of the big teams in the earlier rounds. That’s what we need to do on Tuesday,” said the Dutchman.
United have yet to concede a goal in this season’s Champions League and will become the first side to do so throughout an entire group stage if they manage to keep a clean sheet against Valencia.
Van der Sar, responsible for three of the five clean sheets this term, is naturally pleased with the record, however he's aware there are much tougher challenges to come for the Reds.
“When you start playing a higher standard of opposition it’s going to get difficult,” he said.
“So far we haven’t played against the biggest teams in the Champions League so that’s maybe got something to do with it.”
Edwin van der Sar is keen to see United secure top spot in Champions League Group C on Tuesday night.
The Reds welcome Valencia to Old Trafford for the final group match knowing that anything other than a defeat will be enough to advance to the knockout stages as group winners and, consequently, avoid the other groups' winners in the last 16.
Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona, plus United’s conquerors last season, Bayern Munich, have already secured top spot in their respective groups and van der Sar is fully aware of the importance of steering clear of Europe’s elite.
“We may be through now but we want to get to first spot to avoid any of the big teams in the earlier rounds. That’s what we need to do on Tuesday,” said the Dutchman.
United have yet to concede a goal in this season’s Champions League and will become the first side to do so throughout an entire group stage if they manage to keep a clean sheet against Valencia.
Van der Sar, responsible for three of the five clean sheets this term, is naturally pleased with the record, however he's aware there are much tougher challenges to come for the Reds.
“When you start playing a higher standard of opposition it’s going to get difficult,” he said.
“So far we haven’t played against the biggest teams in the Champions League so that’s maybe got something to do with it.”
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