EPL Predictions & Reviews

Poor Nani,

2009-11-13T06:30:00.003Z

Nani is on his way out of Man United after a furious row with Sir Alex Ferguson. The Portugal winger confronted his manager after being substituted during the 3-3 Champions League draw with CSKA Moscow at the start of the month.

Angry that he had already made way for Gabriel Obertan during the previous game against Blackburn, Nani angrily told Ferguson that he was unhappy at his treatment.

Ferguson responded by leaving Nani out of the squad for Sunday’s defeat to Chelsea and it appears he will be sold or loaned out in January.

Nani said: ‘Things that happen in football should stay in the dressing room. I often speak with the coach about my performance. I accept Ferguson’s decision but I want to have more minutes on the field.

football, football, football.

source: Dailymail.co.uk

Humble V. Persie

2009-11-13T06:27:00.002Z

Robin van Persie may have hit eight goals for Arsenal this season in his new centre-forward role, but the Dutch star believes he does not have the killer instinct of a natural No 9.

The 26-year-old has been used as manager Arsene Wenger’s spearhead since Emmanuel Adebayor left for Man City.

‘I don’t see myself as a true out-and-out striker,’ said Van Persie.

‘Guys likes Fernando Torres and Didier Drogba, they are real killers. I feel I play between a target striker and a supporting striker.

football, football, football

source: Dailymail.co.uk

Lampard's out

2009-11-13T06:25:00.001Z

Frank Lampard flew back to London on Thursday night with Chelsea’s medical team on alert amid fears he could be out for seven weeks with a torn thigh muscle.

England midfielder Lampard pulled up during a training session at Doha’s Al Saad ground on Thursday, underwent a scan on his left leg and was sent home by England doctors.

He was expected to land in the early hours of this morning and go straight to Chelsea’s training ground in Surrey to be assessed by the club’s medical team.

Lampard, 31, is unlikely to play again this year if the thigh muscle is as badly torn as some fear, which would be a serious blow to the Barclays Premier League leaders.

football, football, football

source: Dailymail.co.uk

Ouch!

2009-11-13T06:17:00.003Z

Tottenham keeper Carlo Cudicini is fighting to save his career after a motorbike smash left him with broken wrists and a damaged pelvis.

Cudicini suffered the injuries, which the London Ambulance Service described as 'possibly life-changing', after crashing his BMW superbike into a Ford Fiesta on Forest Road, Walthamstow, East London at 10.30am yesterday.

source: Dailymail.co.uk

Why not?

2009-11-11T18:24:00.002Z

Cristiano Ronaldo believes that no amount of spending by Man City can make up for the history of success at their neighbours Man United.

However, the former Old Trafford idol has not ruled out one day joining the Eastlands revolution.

Ronaldo left United in a world-record-obliterating £80million transfer during a summer of spending at Real Madrid that topped £220m.

football, football, football

source: Dailymail.co.uk

Come with us Fab,

2009-11-11T18:20:00.005Z

Xavi wants Arsenal skipper Fabregas to join him at Barcelona.

Fabregas is regularly linked with a return to the club where he started his career.

And Xavi believes his fellow Spaniard would make the ideal midfield partner — before eventually succeeding him as Barca's playmaker.

The 29-year-old said: "I wish Cesc was my successor and a team-mate.

"The more players that come and be associated with me, the better. Good players have to be understood in the field.

"If Cesc comes it will be good. I would like it because I would enjoy playing alongside him.

"He is very good and also has the DNA of Barca. He is able to make the final pass in attack."

Fabregas has frequently pledged his loyalty to Arsenal and is determined to lead the Gunners to silverware.

But Barcelona refuse to give up hope of luring the 22-year-old back to the Nou Camp.

source: Thesun.co.uk

What??

2009-11-10T19:20:00.004Z

DARREN FLETCHER says he is being punished by referees because of Arsene Wenger's comments about him in September.

The Manchester United ace was penalised by Martin Atkinson for the free-kick which led to Chelsea's goal on Sunday.

He rapped: "We are starting to see Mr Wenger's comments beginning to influence referees which is a shame."

Arsenal boss Wenger accused United of playing 'anti-football' after his team lost at Old Trafford earlier in the season.

And he said one player was constantly fouling but getting away with it. That was widely assumed to be Fletcher - even though Wenger did not name names.

But the Scottish midfielder, 25, reckons it has affected the way he has been judged ever since.

Fletcher was fuming after his challenge on Ashley Cole resulted in a free-kick which resulted in Chelsea's 76th-minute winner at Stamford Bridge.

He said: "Now we have to raise our game and ensure these decisions are not affecting the match.

"It was clearly not a foul. I knew at the time and I have watched it again on the replay.

"I back-heeled the ball and Cole just jumps up in the air and the ref gives a foul."

Defender Wes Brown felt he was fouled by Didier Drogba as John Terry headed the winner.

Brown blasted: "I don't think the referee played well and we've been let down by that goal.

"The decision to award the free-kick was harsh.

"Then Drogba was holding me and pulling me down, obstructing me from challenging for the ball when the free-kick came in the box.

"The ref didn't see that either - what can we do about it? We felt like we did our jobs, which makes it worse when they score a goal like that. It is disappointing."

source: Thesun.co.uk

We're AWFUL!

2009-11-10T19:16:00.002Z

GLEN JOHNSON admits Liverpool are in "awful" form as their Premier League title hopes crumble.

Johnson put in a Dream Team Star Man display as the Reds struggled to a 2-2 draw with Birmingham.

And their leveller was mired in controversy, with David Ngog accused of diving to earn the penalty converted by sub Steven Gerrard.

Liverpool have won only one of their last nine matches and now have Albert Riera and Yossi Benayoun out for at least three weeks with hamstring injuries sustained against the Blues.

Boss Rafael Benitez's problems have not been helped by Daniel Agger suffering a slight recurrence of his back problem.

And, with Fernando Torres under a three-week intensive treatment programme on his groin injury, there seems no end to Liverpool's nightmare.

The Reds trail leaders Chelsea by 11 points but Johnson thinks they can turn things around.

He said: "The record sounds awful and it is awful for a club like Liverpool. But things like this happen in football. You stick together and keep fighting.

"We have seen in the league that everyone can beat everyone. If someone had told you at the start of the season that we'd win one in nine, you'd have laughed your head off.

"We will just look to get as many points as we can as quickly as possible then have a look at the end of the season and see where we are."

football, football, football

source: Thesun.co.uk

Spurs & Vicente

2009-11-10T09:39:00.003Z

Tottenham Hotspur are weighing up a January bid to land Vicente from Valencia. Spurs believe the want-away player would solve their problems on the left side of midfield.

The former Spain international has overcome his injury problems of recent seasons but is no longer part of coach Unai Emery's plans at the Mestalla, according to Cadena Ser.

Cash-strapped Valencia would set the 28-year-old's asking price low as they seek to off-load the player who joined them in 2000 and has made over 200 appearances in their colours.

Harry Redknapp is in the market for a left-sided player after failing to land Martin Petrov from Man City in the summer, and scouts have informed him of Vicente's position.

football, football, football
source: Dailymail.co.uk

Dive, I will..

2009-11-10T09:34:00.002Z

We at welovepremierleague.blogspot.com are in support of the Anti-Diving Campaign!

Now Devils want him

2009-11-10T09:31:00.002Z

Manchester United have run the rule over Bordeaux’s Marouane Chamakh.

The Morocco forward was courted by Sunderland, West Ham and Arsenal in the summer but failed to land his dream move to the Premier League.

However, his performances in France have now alerted United, who watched the 25-year-old in action against Lille on Sunday, where he won rave reviews despite Bordeaux’s 2-0 defeat.

Chamakh, whose contract expires next summer, is also interesting Chelsea and Everton.

football, football, football

source: Dailymail.co.uk

Catch us if you can!

2009-11-09T18:37:00.003Z

John Terry has taunted Chelsea's title rivals, telling Manchester United, Arsenal and the rest: Catch us if you can.

The Blues stretched their advantage over United and the Gunners at the top of the table to five points with a 1-0 win over Sir Alex Ferguson's side at Stamford Bridge. And skipper Terry reckons history could be repeating itself as Chelsea led from the front when winning the title in 2005 and 2006.

'We’re not going to settle for a five-point gap, we want to increase that lead,' he told the Evening Standard. 'It’s encouraging that we won both our titles leading from the front. That’s in the back of our minds and it could be key for us. Fingers crossed we can do the same again.

'We have already won more games against the other teams in the Big Four than we did last season and that gives us confidence. It’s a good psychological lift for us because it’s where we lost it last year.

'Arsenal are looking good at the moment. They are free-flowing and scoring goals like they always do but when they pick up injuries they tend to miss some key players.

'Manchester United have some tough games coming up as well. It’s important before we lose the African players in January that we build a big cushion.'

football, football, football.

source: Dailymail.co.uk

Results (updated)

2009-11-08T06:22:00.006Z

Aston Villa 5 - Bolton 1

Blackburn 3 - Portsmouth 1

Man City 3 - Burnley 3

Tottenham 2 - Sunderland 0

Wolves 1 - Arsenal 4
Hull City 2 - Stoke City 1

West Ham 1 - Everton 2
Wigan 1 - Fulham 1
Chelsea 1 - Man Utd 0

Liverpool 2 - Birmingham 2

Gameweek 12 Predictions

2009-11-06T13:14:00.006Z

Aston Villa v Bolton

38% Aston Villa

Pre : 2-1

Likely to score : Agbonlahor, Young, Carew, Sidwell, Collins, Taylor, Davis, Cohen.

Injuries & Suspensions: Gardner, Davies, Bouma, Downing, Petrov, Beye, Davis, J O’Brien, Samuel.

Blackburn v Portsmouth

42% Blackburn

Pre : 2-0

Likely to score: Diouf, Pederson, Dunn, Nzonzi, Di Santo, Dindane.

Injuries: Roberts, Samba, Grella, Reid, Finnan, Primus, Diop, Hughes, Hreidarsson.

Man City v Burnley

56% Man City

Pre: 2-1

Likely to score: Bellamy, Tevez, Barry, Petrov, Blake, Nugent, Fletcher.

Injuries: Onuoha, Benjani, Robinho, McCann, Paterson, Rodriguez.

Tottenham v Sunderland

44% Draw

Pre: 2-2

Likely to score: Crouch, Keane, Jenas, Huddlestone, Lennon, Bent, Reid, Richardson, Melbranque.

Injuries & Suspensions: Defoe, Modric, Dos Santos, Jones, Zenden, Cana, Catermole, Mensah.

Wolverhampton v Arsenal

68% Arsenal

Pre : 1-3

Likely to score : Ebanks-Blake, Doyle, Van Persie, Fabregas, Asharvin, Eduardo, Nasri, Gallas.

Injuries: Murray, Iwelumo, Clichy, Bendtner, Traore, Vela, Wilshire, Walcott, Denilson, Djourou, Fabianski.

Hull City v Stoke City

42% Stoke

Pre: 0-2

Likely to score: Hunt, Etherington, Beattie, Fuller, Diao, Ghilas.

Injuries & Suspensions: Ashbee, Myhill, Geovanni, Andy Faye.

West Ham v Everton

32% West Ham

Pre: 2-1

Likely to score: Diamanti, Ilunga, Cole, Upson, Yakubu, Jo, Cahill.

Injuries & Suspensions: Parker, Davenport, Dyer, Boa Morte, Ashton, Saha, Vaughan, Neville, Jagielka, Arteta, Anichebe, Bilyaletdinov, Pienaar, Osman.

Wigan Athletic v Fulham

52% Draw

Pre: 1-1

Likely to score: Rodallega, Koumas, Nzogbia, Duff, Zamora, Etuhu.

Injuries: Figueroa, Murphy, A Johnson, Davies, Stockdale, Kallio.

Chelsea v Man Utd

37% Chelsea

Pre: 2-1

Likely to score: Drogba, Lampard, Deco, Anelka, Ballack, Rooney, Giggs, Berbatov, Valencia.

Injuries & Suspensions: Bosingwa, Neville, Wellback, Ferdinand, J S Park, Da Silva, Fletcher, Hargreaves.

Liverpool v Birmingham City

45% Liverpool

Pre: 2-1

Likely to score: Benayoun, Kuyt, Torres, Babel, Bowyer, McFadden, Doyle.

Injuries & Suspensions: Degen, Carragher, Reira, Kelly, Gerrard, Aquilani, Johnson, Espinoza, Fahey, Mutch, Martin Taylor, O’Connor.

Its just you & me!

2009-11-04T12:16:00.001Z

Man Utd manager Sir Alex Ferguson has written off Arsenal and Liverpool's Barclays Premier League chances, stating it is a two-horse race for the title this season between his reigning champions and Carlo Ancelotti's Chelsea.

Ferguson goes head-to-head with the Italian for the first time in the league this Sunday when his United side travel to Stamford Bridge to take on the current leaders.

And with United trailing the Blues by two points in second place, Ferguson believes Ancelotti's men have already laid down a marker and that his side must get the upper-hand over them this weekend.

source: Dailymail.co.uk

Clichy is out,

2009-11-03T20:33:00.002Z

Arsenal left back Gael Clichy has suffered a suspected stress fracture in his lower back.

The France international, who was linked with a move to Real Madrid this summer, has been ruled out for up to a month.

His time on the sidelines will give promising 20-year-old Kieran Gibbs a chance to stake his claim for a place in the England team ahead of next summer's World Cup.

source: Dailymail.co.uk

Kamikaze for Torres

2009-11-03T20:31:00.002Z

Fernando Torres has flown to Lyon with his team-mates and is expected to play in Liverpool's crunch Champions League clash on Wednesday night, Sportsmail can confirm.

The Spain striker is struggling with a groin injury that may yet require surgery, but will risk further damage by making himself available for the clash at the Stade Gerland.

Torres showed little sign of pain as he bordered the flight at Liverpool Airport with his team-mates this morning.

source: Dailymail.co.uk

Merida to Real?

2009-11-03T20:28:00.003Z

Fran Merida looks increasingly set to leave Arsenal at the end of the season and return to his native Spain next summer after the promising midfielder's agent indicated his client's love for Atletico Madrid.

Merida, 19, is out of contract at the end of the season and is stalling on the offer of a new five-year deal at the Emirates which has been on the table for some time.

Atletico are free to talk to Merida, who scored his first goal for Arsenal in the Carling Cup win over Liverpool last week, in January and judging by the comments of his agent, Joseba Diaz, he certainly is ready to listen to their offer.

source: Dailymail.co.uk

The takeover is closer

2009-11-03T20:26:00.001Z

Stan Kroenke has purchased another 427 shares in Arsenal's parent holding company, at a cost of some £3.6million, as the American edges closer towards the takeover threshold.

The Denver-based sports magnate is now the largest individual shareholder in Arsenal , with a stake of some 29.6 per cent after acquiring more stock from the estate of the British industrialist Ernest Harrison.

Should Kroenke, or indeed anyone else such as second-largest shareholder Alisher Usmanov, reach a figure of 29.9 per cent, they would, under the City's financial regulations, be obliged to launch a formal takeover bid.

source: Dailymail.co.uk

Rooney is a father now?

2009-11-02T18:53:00.000Z

Wayne Rooney was excused from Man Utd training this morning to be by wife Coleen's side as she delivered their first son.

The child, named Kai Wayne Rooney, was born nine days overdue at Liverpool's Women's Hospital.

The timing of the birth means that 24-year-old is likely to be involved in United's Champions League match against CSKA Moscow at Old Trafford tomorrow night.

source: Dailymail.co.uk

Results (updated)

2009-10-31T17:15:00.006Z

Arsenal 3 - Tottenham 0

Bolton 0 - Chelsea 4

Burnley 2 - Hull City 0

Everton 1 - Aston Villa 1

Fulham 3 - Liverpool 1

Portsmouth 4 - Wigan 0

Stoke City 2 - Wolverhampton 2

Sunderland 2 - West Ham 2

Man Utd 2 - Blackburn 0

Birmingham 0 - Man City 0

Gameweek 11 Predictions

2009-10-30T16:47:00.005Z

Arsenal v Tottenham

45% Arsenal

Pre: 2-1

Likely to score: Van Persie, Asharvin, Fabregas, Diaby, Bendtner, Crouch, Keane, Jenas, Lennon.

Injuries: Walcott, Rosicky, Denilson, Djourou, Fabianski, Modric, Dos Santos.

Suspensions: Defoe.

Bolton v Chelsea

56% Chelsea

Pre: 1-3

Likely to score: Taylor, Cohen, Davies, Drogba, Lampard, Anelka, Malouda, Ballack, Deco.

Injuries: Davis, J Obrien, Mikel, Zhirkov, Boswinga, Cole, Hilario.

Burnley v Hull City

50% Burnley

Pre: 2-0

Likely to score: Blake, Fletcher, Elliot, Geovanni, Hunt.

Injuries: McCann, Paterson, Rodriguez, Ashbee, Myhill.

Everton v Aston Villa

31% Aston Villa

Pre : 0-1

Likely to score : Cahill, Jo, Saha, Agbonlahor, Carew, Ashley Young, Milner.

Injuries: Neville, Jagielka, Arteta, Anichebe, Bilyaletdinov, Pienaar, Osman, Davies, Bouma, Downing.

Fulham v Liverpool

48% Liverpool

Pre: 0-2

Likely to score: Duff, Zamora, Torres, Benayoun, Kuyt, Insua, Voronin.

Injuries: Murphy, A Johnson, Davies, Stockdale, Dikgacoi, Kallio, Riera, Kelly, Gerrard, Aquilani, Johnson.

Portsmouth v Wigan Athletic

44% Draw

Pre: 1-1

Likely to score: Boateng, Yebda, Rodallega, Koumas, Sinclair.

Injuries: Primus, Diop, Hughes, Hreidarsson, Figuero.

Stoke City v Wolverhampton

52% Stoke

Pre: 2-1

Likely to score: Beattie, Fuller, Ab Faye, Ebanks-Blake, Keogh, Doyle.

Injuries: Murray.

Suspensions: Huth.

Sunderland v West Ham

56% Sunderland

Pre: 3-1

Likely to score: Jones, Bent, Reid, Malbranque, Diamanti, Cole.

Injuries: Zenden, Catermole, Mensah, Bent (doubtful), Parker, Davenport, Dyer, Boa Morte, Ashton.

Manchester United v Blackburn

68% Man Utd

Pre: 2-0

Likely to score: Rooney, Berbatov, Owen, Valencia, Nani, Carrick, Dunn, Pederson.

Injuries: Giggs, Wellbeck, Ji Sung-Park, Da Silva, Fletcher, Hargreaves, Roberts, Samba, Grella, Reid.

Suspensions: Neville.

Birmingham v Manchester City

45% Man City

Pre: 1-2

Likely to score: Bowyer, McFadden, Ferguson, Barry, Petrov, Adebayor, Bellamy, Tevez.

Injuries: Espinoza, Fahey, Mutch, Martin Taylor, Bent, Onouha, Benjani, Robinho.

Rafa to Real?

2009-10-29T17:48:00.002Z

Real Madrid are lining up Rafa Benitez as their next manager after giving Manuel Pellegrini two games to save his job. The Spanish giants have won just one of their last five games and suffered the humiliation of a 4-0 defeat by third division Alcorcon in the Cup on Tuesday night.

Madrid considered sacking Pellegrini straight after the latest debacle, but will give him a chance to turn things around against Getafe on Saturday and at AC Milan in the Champions League on Wednesday. The decision gives Madrid time to probe possible successors and Liverpool boss Benitez is said to be on the short list.

source: Dailymail.co.uk

50% increase for Reina!

2009-10-29T05:27:00.001Z

PEPE REINA will be offered a £95,000-a-week contract to pledge the next five years to Liverpool.

The Reds plan to hold talks with the Spanish keeper in January and make him the latest big name on a long-term deal.

Reina, 27, signed a five-year agreement only in the summer of 2007 in response to interest from former club Barcelona.

Now Anfield bosses want to lock him into a fresh contract, having done likewise to key men such as Fernando Torres, Steven Gerrard and Dirk Kuyt.

Tight purse strings mean any big-name signings in January are unlikely unless fresh investment is found, but the Reds are determined to splash cash to keep their prize assets.

Gerrard, Kuyt and Torres agreed deals last summer, keeping them for the next four years. Daniel Agger signed until 2014 at the start of the season, and Fabio Aurelio is also in line for new talks.

Reina will get a rise of over 50 per cent on top of his current £60,000 weekly pay.

That will see his current terms being torn up and replaced with a contract running until 2014.

Brazilian international Aurelio is also in line for fresh terms, stopping anyone from snapping him up on a free when his present deal runs out at the end of the season.

Highly-rated rookie Damien Plessis has also agreed an extension for a further 2½ years.

source: Thesun.co.uk

Benitez wants Mata

2009-10-29T05:25:00.001Z

RAFA BENITEZ is ready to sign Valencia left winger Juan Mata - which could spell curtains for Ryan Babel.

Mata, 21, has been devastating in La Liga this season and Valencia are starved of cash so look ready to take £16.5million next summer.

Benitez is confident of landing the deal because, though Mata's contract is until 2012, he is on only £10,000 a week and has already turned down an improved offer.

Mata's father Juan Snr, also his agent, said: "We want Valencia to recognise the kid's true quality, and it's not only a matter of money."

Juan Jnr added: "This matter is all down to the club and my agent. Benitez is a big coach but I just want to concentrate on my game without any distractions."

source: Thesun.co.uk