Following an unfortunate accident at the weekend, United’s famous kit man John Kitt has died. He is renowned the world over as the longest serving kit man in modern day football, having served the club since his apprenticeship which started at the age of 14.

John was born to do his job, many have said. And for fifty four years, he did it very well. From cotton shorts and wicker shinpads to colour-co-ordinated Under Armours and anthem jackets, he has seen and washed it all. It is impossible to think how many millions worth of talent have been dressed by his fabric conditioned fingers.

His interest in football strips started at an early age; his mother used to buy him Charles Buchan’s Football Yearbook annually and he marvelled at the bright colours, how striking his heroes such as Billy Wright and John Charles looked in the simple strips. John was fortunate that his uncle worked for the local team, then developing into a major force in British football, and around the time he began secondary school, John became the envy of his friends as he began to spend time at the ground helping his uncle wash and prepare the heavy duty kits.

Not that John had much time for his friends – weekend evenings were spent at the ground laying out the gear for the weekend match or sat at home, listening to the wireless and colouring in endless drawings he would make of footballers.

Upon leaving school his uncle passed away in an unfortunate, bizarre washing machine accident, and a vacant position opened up that he seem destined to fill. He kitted out the squad through their glory years, can be seen on many a celebratory team photo being doused in champagne, and was more than once named as a catalyst for the success.

“I just give them what they want,” John famously said in 1966. “These lads like to feel comfortable, they play better when they feel looked after. And, I feel better when they’re comfortable.”

Sponsors on shirts in the late seventies heralded a new interest in what players wore as opposed to what they did, and his profession grew in stature as a  result. As sportswear manufacturers also grew in size, so did his importance to the club, and the sport in general. Indeed, more than one website attributes the naming of the car in Eighties hit Hasselhoff series Knight Rider (K.I.T.T.) to John and his ilk. The Premiership era saw his work being cut out even more, what with elaborate squad number printing and extensive training ranges to fit in the skips. High profile strip stories such as Manchester United’s grey nadir didn’t help.

Technological innovations saw a change in his job responsibilities, but John embraced them, and made the most of the new ranges being produced. He admitted in a frank interview with FourFourTwo magazine in 2003, that he longed for a return to those glory days of sour smelling detergent and starch, one to eleven and brown leather balls. But he embraced the constant changes, the fluorescent away kits and boot sponsorship deals, and carried on regardless. He always made sure the old stuff was sent to Africa or distributed to local charities, no doubt to be snapped up by coked-up businessmen to frame on empty room walls. He was also really looking forward to the new season – only last week he had printed the new Premier League badges and attended the new kit launch with pride.

John embraced modern ideas but longed for yesteryear

John died of spontaneous human combustion, a phenomenon that many observers simply cannot explain. In this instance, early indications would suggest that years of exposure to polyester and the accompanying static, caused the explosion. John’s life really did bring about his death. Unconfirmed reports said that he was actually wearing a replica shirt before he died in that changing room, though in all likelihood it was an official shirt – many of those who pay out vast sums for new strips every summer do not actually realise that their heroes wear a different version of the shirt to that tat available on sports store shelves, with superior stitching and numbers – however it doesn’t really matter. Football has lost one of its heroes.

John is survived by his wife, Kit, and their daughters Cat and Eartha. His funeral will take place at the stadium. John’s family have asked those attending the funeral to wear their favourite football shirts and to donate monies to the local fire service.

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His alarm goes off early. The time is now… by Moloko. When he was a student, that song meant a girl he fleetingly fell for. Now it means much more than she ever did.

He gets up and turns on the TV. Sweaty fingers fumble for the only buttons that matter.

Roisin Murphy - Moloko - The Time is Now

Sky. Four. Zero. Five.

Twice a year it’s the same. He’s like the Queen – The first of January and the first of July are his two unofficial birthdays. Weeks of excitement leading up to them, calendar marked, waking up like a little boy, not knowing what treats to expect this year.

Alas, waking up like a little boy lost. Alone. Nowadays, the only girl he wants to wake up with is Georgie Thompson, but she never replies to his letters, she’s even stopped reading out his e-mails and texts (you2us isn’t the case now for Steve) and frankly he’s getting a bit annoyed. Even boycotted ITV for those non-window months due to the tabloid rumours about her and that Geordie bugger.

Dec and Sky Sports' Thompson, reportedly dating. Heartbreak for Steve.

Steve sits and waits, eyes darting around the carefully composed screen. He anticipates the next item, by lunchtime he knows exactly what’s coming next in the hour. Predicts correctly what’s on the sidebar. Waits impatiently for PREM LGE to dance enticingly across the bottom of the screen.

Tea, toast, toilets during the adverts, naturally.

Back to the action though, and the yellow breaking news bar is the best. His heart starts beating even faster as he reaches for the remote once again, recording the moment that the press release or Sky sources statement is read out, for prosperity.

And now he’s attempting to do it non stop FOR THE WHOLE TRANSFER WINDOW.

Steve wasn’t always like this, oh no. He once had a job, a family, a purpose.

Alan Myers reports.

- We always bring you the best stories on Sky Sports News, but this is a corker. Let me tell you about the man who quite literally makes the news. Steve’s a good guy, that’s for sure. Before, anyway. He was normal, went the pub, looked after his family, knew when enough was enough. I went to meet one of his ex-colleagues, Geoff, who gave us a little more insight.

- Yeah well er Stevie was one of us like, but then one day he said he was going away for a while and that was it. I blame that Bosnian.
- Of course, Geoff means Jean-Marc Bosman, the footballer who changed the game forever following his court-case in the mid nineties. But what really seems to have pushed Steve over the edge should have been his proudest moment…

On Mastermind: football transfers were usually Steve's strong point.

Steve was a contestant on BBC’s Mastermind last year. His specialist subject was football transfers in the Premier League era, because he thought he had a good grip on it from reading the newspaper every day at work and talking to his mates. He even kept a notebook in which he pencilled the weekly comings and goings; even tabloid rumours.

Jean-Marc Bosman, of Bosman transfer fame, ruined things for Steve.

- But, come the big day, he froze, and only got four right. His mind just went blank, he mistook Paul Holmes for Gary Rowett and Sasa Crcic for Sasa Ilic and before he knew it the dream was over. My colleague Brian Swanson visited his house to tell us more…

- Yes here I am at Steve’s semi in Sheffield, there’s a crowd gathering outside as rumour has it Steve is attempting to break David Blaine’s record for staying awake, watching Sky Sports news for… he won’t come to the door, that’s for sure. But locals here reckon he did a ‘big shop’ last week to see him through the summer, he must have spent some of the hefty sum he got from taking a voluntary redundancy as the credit crunch hit in September 2008. Indeed, one source told me that the real seed for this adventure was planted just before that, on the day the window shut for the winter one Monday early that month. Steve couldn’t sleep, he was being plagued by nightmares of the black chair, so he switched on the TV and couldn’t believe what he was seeing… but maybe we’ll never know. Back to you, Alan.

- Thanks, Brian. Maybe Steve is watching us now, hanging on our every word… Hello if you are… Text us Steve, let us know what you’re up to… in fact, let’s hope he sees some spending today to keep him awake! Alan Myers, Sky Sports.

Sky Sports News - Things can get pretty hairy on deadline day

Now I’m no Sky Sports reporter, but I know for a fact that it was that deadline day that started all this. Anyone who has seen the channel on those days will know why, especially that one. Frantic agents getting cheeky texts and hoax phone calls, who CAN CONFIRM that so and so has had contact from such a club or somebody is going nowhere, that sort of thing. The period of time that triggered Steve’s fascination was all Man City’s fault, their bid for Robinho being accepted before gleeful fans in tea towels and all that confusion about Berbatov before SSN brought us EXCLUSIVE PICTURES of the Bulgarian meeting Alex Ferguson just the right side of midnight.

Now that Setanta has gone into administration, Steve will be even happier at this time of year, because their news channel goes with it, and Sky’ll have even more exclusives, more in-depth interviews, more standing outside training bases in the rain. Even if that also means that Georgie will be even less likely to read out his messages.

When I first heard about Steve I thought back to my childhood and Raymond Briggs’ excellent, though less well-known than the Bowie-narrated, questionable-snowman-nudity/drinking-scene filled ‘The Snowman’ cartoon, Father Christmas. If you haven ’t seen it I’ve got the VHS knocking about somewhere, it’s great, and it tells the story of how  Father Christmas fills his year: resting, sleeping, going on holiday until he gets recognised, that sort of thing.

Father Christmas: up the shit in December but gets great holidays

Steve has that same mystique about him. I imagined him ‘getting his sleep in’ for months in preparation, stocking up on food like a little hamster preparing to hibernate, meanwhile furiously writing the rumours in his notebooks like Kevin Spacey’s ‘John Doe’ does in Seven, but this time instead of  biblical killings, it’s the latest suggestion of who Spurs are interested in blowing millions on, etc. Ad nausea.

And sadly Steve is making himself ill. He’s lost his family, children, soul. Whether he makes it into the Guinness Book of Records is doubtful, though the amounts of money being bandied about so far suggest it could make interesting viewing over the next couple of months. That he can stay awake for two months is doubtful but he won’t miss a signing, that’s for sure.

He’s sky plussing whatever he misses. And watching it during the night, to prevent being haunted by the ghost of teletext or John Humphreys. Then, he can sleep once September comes… until January 1st, of course.

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By Will Webb.

How can the Confederations Cup help our FIFA World Cup Betting?

That’s right the Confederation Cup. First held in Saudi Arabia, of all places, the Confederation Cup has now been taken over by FIFA. Held every four years and one year before the most widely viewed sporting event in the world it is a dress rehearsal for the World Cup. This makes the Confederations Cup an important part of any World Cup Betting guide in 2009.

World Cup 2010 South Africa promises much for the punters

The cup comprises the winners from the six confederation championships, Africa, South America, Europe, Asia, and Oceania (New Zealand and various islands in the pacific).  Also invited are the World Cup winners and the world cup host country. So, that’s eight of the world’s best national teams slugging it out.

In the past the bigger teams may not have taken the confederation cup seriously. Previously with teams bowing out it reduced the benefit of using this as a tool in our tool box of betting aids.

The Confederation Cup: a dress rehearsal for South Africa 2010

But….in 2009 the teams are taking this tournament seriously.  Lets look at who we have playing; Spain (Euro 2008), USA (2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup), Brazil (Copa America 2007), Iraq (2007 AFC Asian Cup), Egypt (2008 African Cup of Nations) and New Zealand (2008 OFC Nations Cup).  Furthermore, these teams have virtually got full strength squads. 

The line up is quite impressive.  To mention just a few you have Kaka, Robinho, and Luca Toni; the Spanish greats Xavi, Cesc Fabregas, Fernando Torres, and others.  This presents a great opportunity for us to see how well the teams and key players are performing in competitive football.

Coupled with the information we can get from pre-tournament friendly matches we have a great resource to help mould some really good bets for the Football World Cup in 2009.

So what are the best bets for the World Cup?

Since 1990 there has been a trend in World Cup football. The 1990 World Cup isn’t one that burns brightly in the memory.  Despite Gazza’s tears and Roger Milla’s wiggle – it wasn’t a feast of attractive football. Despite the fact that all previous champions were present, very few teams played attacking football, not even Brazil.

Roger Milla's notorious wiggle lit up World Cup in 1990

The trend in question is from defensive football to a more attacking style.  This is shown by a gradual increase in the number of goals scored during the tournament, from 1990 to now. That said, World Cup goal bets and World Cup corner bets are good betting markets to start with.

From pre-tournament friendly matches, the Confederation Cup and qualification stages of the World Cup we can gather some really good data for our bets.  Look at goals for and against, corners for and against, and performance against teams of equal stature.  This last one is difficult because you rarely get pre-tournament friendly matches played between equal teams. Herein lies why we need the Confederations Cup because we can see how well Brazil and Spain are playing.  However, if the players have not changed significantly you can also use results from the Confederation Championship tournaments.

Expect Goals from Torres and Spain in South Africa

If you are talented at analysing the form of the teams entering the World Cup you may want to have a tournament bet; a long term bet on which team will win the tournament.  The long term nature of these sorts of bets should ensure you get some good odds (ensuring larger gains if your prediction is correct).  It may be more advisable to take a bet on who will reach the last four of the semi finals (reducing your risk of losing).

Group winners or runner up bets are also good. Selecting winners and other qualifiers in the first round group stages can be profitable. It’s best to take your bets as early as possible to get the best odds. If the odds are too short, as is often the case with the favourites don’t bother, you can find better value bets elsewhere.

In summary take a close look at the Confederations Cup.  Use the host of information available not only from this tournament but from all pre-tournament matches.  After the squad has been chosen for the World Cup teams you can discard information from games where the squad has changed significantly.  Armed with the information you have collected (which doesn’t take ages) you can choose from a range of Football World Cup bets available.

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Otherwise known as my obligatory season review, naturally featuring reference to reality TV ‘stars’, over-complicated narrative, and at times ridiculous bathos.

Now that the somewhat anticlimactic summer internationals have passed, it feels somewhat appropriate to take an annual look back over past few months. I have decided to begin it by paraphrasing your favourite Slaughterhouse Five quote and mine:

“Some things were beautiful, and others hurt.”

And with that, anyone who has read my offerings throughout 2008 / 9 or just knows who I support, will be able to see where this is going. A season that at times promised much, and generally delivered, before ending with wonderings of what might have been. Over the past ten months I have made heartfelt gestures on these pages in which I have dissected my own life events and attempted to link them to those played out on hallowed turfs from the north west of England, to the ‘heavy’ pitch at Wembley, and even the infected fields of Mexico, each article honestly being a cathartic release which leaves me emotionally drained after posting. But if you’re not familiar with my schtick, stick with me, as I muse on the campaign.

I will begin at the end, on Saturday 30 May, and my ultimate disappointment. I genuinely thought it was our destiny to win it, but in the end, good organisation and flashy moves beat the plucky, unattractive underdog, ‘Amanda Holden’s favourite’ who ‘made people feel good’ but who people felt sorry for especially after the kind comments about her victorious opponents that Susan Boyle made.

Some things were beautiful, and others hurt

 
No, of course I was talking about the FA Cup Final, still one of the highlights of my supporting life, despite the outcome. The day itself was wonderful and I was immensely proud of my fellow supporters and my team but ultimately saddened by my realisation that there is no place for sentiment at the big occasions and it is not always ‘written’, despite the events that had taken place on the road to Wembley (twice) which offered evidence to the contrary. What happened later that evening on Britain’s Got Talent, only underlined my new found belief that things do not necessarily happen for a reason, and the good won’t always out.

Chelsea's superstars win the cup for the departing Hiddink

We simply weren’t good enough on the day, as Moyesie himself rightly or wrongly admitted. But I had dared to dream (“I dreamed a dream?”) Perhaps I had got carried away by the justice that had been served earlier that week, when one of the two best teams I have seen this season won the Champions’ League. My review of that particular game would involve a beautiful woman belting out classics at the MEN Arena, given I was in the presence of Beyonce that evening, but the footage I saw including that awesome photo of Messi soaring to head the second, confirmed everything that I previously took as fact – that the season would ultimately be a success for all those who deserved it.

 
Barca in particular showed the world how to play football, and the game against Real Madrid was without doubt one of the greatest performances I have ever seen. I recall being excited about seeing Pep Guardiola play for the old boys at Goodison a couple of years ago (he didn’t) as I remembered him to be a classy midfielder from Johan Cruyff’s dream team. Ultimately, I was to gain even more pleasure from seeing him coach, as a potential style icon on the sidelines, and was particularly pleased that this season two of the apparent good guys of the team, Xavi and Iniesta (whom Guardiola himself had lauded several years previous) getting the plaudits, along with Messi of course.

 
Another example of this theory that this was the season that ‘good’ beat off ‘evil’ was Burnley’s arrival in the Premiership, everything that I have seen and read about them suggested their playoff victory was a fairytale and a deserved victory for a family club with tradition. You see, I had begun to believe that villains might just prosper earlier in the season though, as from about Christmas time I was filled with dread that Liverpool were going to win the league.

 
They for me were the other best team of the season. I bet you weren’t expecting that. But the victories I witnessed at Newcastle, Old Trafford, and at home to Villa and Real Madrid, did make me think that they actually deserved to win the league. Thankfully, for my own sanity and personal opposition to some of their fans – a couple of points dropped at home – perhaps Tim Cahill’s equaliser had something to do with it -  meant that once again the Premiership trophy ended up at the other end of the East Lancs.

Liverpool last won the league nineteen years ago

Bringing things back to Everton, what made the race for the title (copyright Jim Rosenthal from another end of season video I once owned from twenty years ago) so intriguing though, was that we beat both teams on the way to the final and so perhaps I was right to believe so strongly. Certainly, the night replay at Goodison when my prayers were answered, added weight to that theory (“Memories?”) and of course the semi-final penalty shoot out brought tears to my eyes for the right reasons this time.

'Jags' 'slots' home the winning 'penno'

 

Indeed, that the best game I probably saw this season was a final minute 3-2 defeat to Villa, speaks volumes. Equally so, that perhaps the best away performance I saw was by Robinho, who I believe comes close to symbolising much that is wrong with football today. And, that I have any highlights at all after our first two home games is maybe the most surprising aspect of this article. To think I went from being stood getting autographs off kids on the first day of the domestic season, to cheering them on at Wembley on the last, is incredible really.

 

Other good bits along the way though, involved my X Factor interactive participation project, the fortune cookies bringing us luck, our own ‘hairy angel’ Fellaini’s emergence as a cult hero (and the focus of some strange dreams, one involving a dead duck (I dreamed a dream indeed)), Steven Pienaar’s as a real one, Preston’s late run into the play offs, Carlisle’s late salvation, Cahill’s comments in an interview, falling back in love with the Italian game (with only a magazine every month and one televised Milanese derby to whet my calcio appetito), of course winning a classy Monterrey shirt in an EFP competition (* does hip wiggle for judges) , and most of all, those Barcelona performances I caught on Sky.

 

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Carlos Alberto, the Brazilian World Cup winner of 1970, has slammed Manchester United for apparently “raping” Brazilian football.

Following reports that Manchester United have signed up and coming Brazilian star Dodo, 17, from Corinthians for a sum of £5.7 million, Alberto gave a scathing interview in which he stated that he believes the Red Devils are taking advantage of Brazilian talent and snatching them up at a very young age.

Man Utd rumoured to have sealed a deal for Dodo from Brazil

“It is disgraceful United are allowed to rape Brazilian football. The big teams have the money and can take our best players. It is a big problem in Brazil. The clubs cannot keep hold of them if they are good young players because they can make much more money in other countries”

Dodo, who had not made one single first team appearance for the Brazilian club, follows other fellow countrymen Rodrigo Possebon, Fabio, and Rafael Da Silva and Anderson (although not actually signed direct from Brazil) at Old Trafford.

Dodo, who is rated as one of the best young central defenders in the game at the moment – comparisons have been made with Alberto himself - is part-owned by Corinthians and, part-owned by a third-party group, Traffic Football Management.

I know what United fans are thinking: here we go again. Carlos Tevez hysteria is back.

Carlos Tevez, might need to pass on the dummy

Manchester United struck up a deal with the third-party company last year to basically have first choice on over 120 young footballers being groomed in Sao Paulo academies to play European football.

All these footballers are of course owned by Traffic Football Management and to be honest with a name like Traffic—and the way they own players—slavery comes to mind.

Although we know that’s not the case, the comparison holds some water.

However this Manchester United fan is in two minds about what Carlos Alberto is stating.

Why Carlos Alberto is right

To a certain degree I have sympathy for Carlos. During his playing days, Brazil was the place to be. At his peak years he played for Fluminense, Flamengo, and Santos.

However, it seems to be very rarely now that a Brazilian player stays in his homeland and instead plies his trade in Europe with one of the elite teams such as AC Milan and Barcelona.

He went on to say “they should change the law so at least until the age of 20 or 21 the best players are playing in Brazil and get some experience before moving to Europe.”

And it’s here that he is 100 percent correct. Even if the players are to move, then maybe the least they could do is wait until they develop into more accomplished and experienced players.

Anderson of Man Utd not yet developed into true Brazilian talent

Take Manchester United’s Anderson for example. He joined Portuguese champions FC Porto at a very young age before securing a transfer to the Red Devils. During his time in Brazil he was touted as one of the world’s greatest up-and-coming talents.

An excellent attacking-midfielder, along with pace and trickery some even dubbed him the next Ronaldinho.

However, his development has been disappointing and instead has turned into a ‘piano carrier’ or defensive midfielder.

Who’s to blame for this?

Probably Porto and Manchester United for not using him to his full potential but blame could also go to Anderson not spending more time playing in Brazil to hone his talents further.

Whether Manchester United’s other Brazilian fledglings turn out the same remains to be seen.

But why target just Manchester United?

This is where I think Carlos Alberto has made a mistake. While I do not condone what Manchester United have done regarding the deal with the third party or the signing of other young players, it’s blind stupidity to target Manchester United alone.

Clubs from Spain and Italy have been mainly guilty of this over the years, taking some of Brazil’s top talent to their clubs.

Carlos Alberto never targeted Real Madrid when they ”raped” Sao Paulo and Fluminense for Robinho and Marcelo respectively.

Kaka & Pato of AC Milan, more examples of young talent moving to europe

Carlos Alberto never targeted A.C. Milan when they “raped” Internacional, Sao Paulo and Fluminense for Alexandre Pato, Kaka, and Thiago Silva.

Or when Diego was taken to Europe, or Arsenal snatched up Denilson, or when Liverpool raided Gremio for Lucas, or when Juan was taken to Bayern Levrekusan.

The list is endless.

The “raping” is not confined to Brazil either. Remember when Inter Milan snatched up five South American players (which included Recoba) for a measly £10 million?

Is Carlos Alberto’s problem more to do with third parties?

While I believe that the Brazil legend certainly has a valid case for complaint, I wonder if he is more worried that the Brazilian clubs which are losing these players are not getting the compensation deserved that is bothering him more.

The third parties which own these players are more or less receiving a large chunk of the transfer fee.

Carlos Alberto has cause for concern but is he more worried about compensation?

Although the Brazilian league is a conveyor belt of talent, surely the loss of transfer fees has a profound effect on the facilities and the ability for that club to improve.

If FIFA stepped in to stop such third parties being involved with players, then they said clubs could charge whatever price they liked for their starlets.

Imagine if instead United had to pay £20 million instead of £5.4 million?

I’m sure they would not be as interested then.

Either way, from a fans point of view I am very excited about any Brazilian players coming to the club I support or any club in Europe for that matter. It’s always a gift to watch some of the best players in the world strut their stuff in some of the world’s biggest leagues.

I just wish their wasn’t so much disgrace and politics behind the beautiful game.

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Chelsea v Everton

As much as we all want an entertaining game to finish the season off in style, I don’t think we’ll get one here. I expect this to play out in a similar fashion the two league games did, which were both goalless. Playing the under 2.5 market is probably the safest way to go, but it’s a short price. So if your looking for value the No goalscorer bet and 1-0 to either side could be the way to go.

Main Bet : Under 2.5 Goals = 4-7 @ most firms

No Goalscorer = 8-1 @ Boylesports and Totesport

1-0 Chelsea = 6-1 @ Ladbrokes

1-0 Everton = 11-1 @ Boyelsports

Tim Howard will be hoping for a 3rd Clean Sheet against Chelsea this season

 

 

 

 

Athletico Madrid v Almeria

Athletico need 1 point for a 4th place finish and a Champions League place next season and having won their last 5 games the price of 1-3 doesn’t offer the best value against Hugo Sanchez’s Almeria, who have nothing to play for.

Diego Forlan has scored 9 in his last 5 matches of all which Athletico have won,  and is 2 ahead of Samuel Eto’o in the Pichichi.  In those 5 games he has been First Goalscorer 4 times and Last goalscorer 4 times!

First & Last Goalscorer = Diego Forlan 10-3 @ Bet365 & Victor Chandler

Deportivo v Barcelona

What with Wednesday’s masterclass showing, you’d forgive Barcaputting out an understrength side here as they have done their last few games. There is however a reason for them to go full strength. They have already had the an unprecedented season, becoming the first Spanish side to win the treble, but if they score 4 goals here, they will beat Real Madrid’s record of 107 league goals in a season. They have lost their last 2 games with a second string side out, but one player with extra incentive to score is Samuel Eto’o, who has been playing in these matches in order to finish top scorer. As mentioned above, Forlan has overtook him recently but he is certainly worth backing to score here.  Make sure you keep a close eye on the team news though.

First Goalscorer (Each Way) = Samuel Eto 15-2 @ Bet365

If a full strength side

Half Time/ Full Time = Barca/Barca = 11-2 @ Bet 365

Correct score = Barca to win 4-0 or 4-1 (150 & 125-1 Boylesports)

…………………………………………………………………

Treble

Over 2.5 goals in Barca and Athletico Madrid games & Under 2.5 in Fa Cup Final = 5-2 @ bet 365

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So here it is, the much anticipated match of the season: Manchester United v Barcelona; touted by many as the dream European final.

Spanish against English, the Counts of Catalonia against the Mancs of Lancashire, effervescent exuberance versus tireless industry, free-flowing attack against resolute defence, Messi and Ronaldo; and more duels besides.

Xavi has the big match temperament to win it for Barca

For me this evening will be won or lost in the midfield, and by this I don’t mean the performances of either Messi or Ronaldo; though I’m certain both will play their part and provide a welcome distraction for the neutral.

Here are issues in the Midfield that I feel may prove decisive:

1. Xavi against Carrick- Whoever wins this battle will win the match for their respective teams. For me Xavi has the big match temperament to outwit and outplay Carrick; who will see as much of the ball as he is used to and, despite possessing the range of passing and a strong shot, he might be on the back foot for large parts of this match. At Barca – as it does for the Spanish national side – everything goes through Xavi and, as is very comfortable having plenty of possession, enjoys pulling the strings in huge matches. Carrick, on the other hand, will struggle for time and space without the endeavors of the industrious Fletcher, and there is a concern the lad from Newcastle could well choke on the biggest European stage. Tonight, nevertheless, Xavi will have to be at his mercurial best to unlock this miserly United defence. I personally feel it will once again be the little Spaniard’s night just as it was in the Euros last summer. 
2. If Busquets comes in alongside Xavi, as expected, into midfield, expect his battle against (probably) Anderson to be a vital one. How well both of these relatively inexperienced players hold their nerve on the big occasion, and how well they use possession, will be another deciding factor in this intriguing encounter.
3. The fitness of Andreas Iniesta will be a telling issue in this match. Against Chelsea, playing slightly further forward, he was nearly unplayable and deservedly held his nerve to win it for the Catalans. Of course he might see less of the ball against United in a more withdrawn role; he may also have his hands full with maruading runs from Giggs, Rooney and Ronaldo, but his partnership with Xavi is crucial to how well Barca perform and, how well he plays, will again prove decisive.

Can Carrick perform on biggest European stage? Will he miss Fletcher?

Much has been made of the strength of United’s defence but we only need to think back to how Torres exposed Vidic and co. so emphatically, only a few months ago, to see their vulnerability. Messi, Henry & Eto’o can do something similar given the service from Xavi, Busquets and Iniesta. 

Hopefully United do not succeed in nullifying this Barcelona attack the way Chelsea nearly did in the semis and they perform to the best of their capabilities. All considered, I expect a pulsating game of football; and hopefully it will prove to be an open game for us neutrals. Moreover, if both teams play the way we know they can, we may well witness one of the greatest ever finals.

Probable Team Line-ups:

Manchester United FC(possible, 4-3-3): Van der Sar; O’Shea, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra; Carrick, Giggs, Anderson; Park, Ronaldo, Rooney.
FC Barcelona(possible, 4-1-4-1): Valdes; Puyol, Pique, Toure, Sylvinho; Busquets; Henry, Xavi, Iniesta, Messi; Eto’o.

The EFP Prediction: 3-2 Barcelona (slightly idealistic I know)

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