Soccerphile Blog

The Ultimate Battle for German Supremacy Takes Center Stage at Champions League Final

noreply@blogger.com (Soccerphile) — Sat, 18 May 2013 08:48:11 PDT

Bayern Munich is far and away the most prestigious club in German soccer. With a record 23 Bundesliga championships and having consistently dominated the league while accumulating the best of Germany's talent, they are truly the pride of the nation.

But recently, a rival club has emerged to shake up the foundation. Borussia Dortmund has assembled a squad of talented youngsters that has provided a true test for Bayern Munich.

Borussia Dortmund won the Bundesliga last season, and although Bayern Munich did reclaim the title this year, the ultimate prize for both teams is the Champions League Final. These teams are now set to play in the final for the greatest of glory and bragging rights in Germany.

Bayern Munich has been a team of disappointment in recent Champions League Finals. Losing the 2010 final to Inter Milan was heartbreaking, but even worse was the final last year when Chelsea equalized at the end of regulation and ended up winning the title on penalties, in the home stadium of Bayern Munich no less.

Having been so disappointed in themselves, the club roared into action this season and claimed the Bundesliga crown in record time.

In the Champions League, Bayern Munich has been ruthless, dispatching of Arsenal, Juventus, and Barcelona often in quite decisive fashion. Their victory over Barcelona was legendary as Bayern Munich won with a 7-0 aggregate score, proving their worth with every goal.

But as impressive as Bayern Munich has been, Borussia Dortmund has been exciting. Topping the "group of death" consisting of Manchester City, Real Madrid, and Ajax, Borussia Dortmund then went on to defeat Shaktar Donetsk, Malaga, and Real Madrid, often in quite thrilling fashion. Their victory over Malaga was most exciting as two stoppage time goals pushed the side through in the tie.

Against Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund won commandingly at home 4-1 with Robert Lewandowksi the hero scoring all 4 goals. For the return leg they thwarted a late Real Madrid charge and held on to secure a place in the final.

And now the two clubs will play for the largest of stakes at Wembley Stadium in London, and will lay to rest the argument over which club is the king of Germany.

There is always an added element of excitement when a Champions League Final is between two teams of the same country, as the players, coaches, and fans truly know each other inside and out. Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund have met twice so far this season, with both matches ending in 1-1 draws.

However, the Champions League Final will require a winner, and both teams have more than enough players that are capable of sparking such a victorious moment in the match.

Bayern Munich is a team built around speed and ruthless power. Wide players like Arjen Robben and Frank Ribery often lead the attacks and send in passes to players like Mario Gomez and Thomas Muller to finish off for goals.

With so much offensive creativity, Munich is excellent at manufacturing quick goals. With other German international stars like Phillip Lahm, Manuel Neuer, and Bastian Schweinsteiger, Munich is a well-balanced and organized team. Bayern Munich has had one of their best years in history and has only lost 3 total games in all their competitions. To wrap up their fine year with a Champions League trophy is now an obsession and any failure to do so would result in a sad end to such a fine season.

Additionally, Bayern Munich will say farewell to manager Jupp Heynckes at the end of the season, who is to be replaced by former Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola. Heynckes will surely want to become a Bayern Munich legend by winning the trophy, especially having seen his team come so close a year ago.

Borussia Dortmund is also a team devoted to speed and quick breaks. They have brilliantly amassed a team of young players that are a sure bet to become world-renowned stars in the coming years.

Leading the frontline is Robert Lewandowski, a very talented Polish goal scorer with 35 goals on the season. Additionally, the team houses a great deal of Germany’s best young talent with midfielders Mario Gotze and Marco Reus.

The defense is manned by Mats Hummels who is a superstar defender in the making. Manager Jurgen Klopp must be praised for his ability to mold this young crop of players into Champions League contenders. Dortmund is experiencing a great upheaval though and will lose several key players next year.

Lewandowski has been linked away for a while and is expected to depart soon. Mario Gotze broke the hearts of fans when it was recently announced that he is already headed for Bayern Munich this summer in a big money deal.

Such a transfer is a sad affair for the player, especially considering this massive game between the two clubs. For Borussia Dortmund, one has the feeling that winning the Champions League is a now or never proposition. Bayern Munich has great talent and is widely expected to simply bring in more star players, so we should expect their dominance to continue.

The match should be an exciting, fast paced affair with two teams that will go for it. Based on their incredible season domestically, and with the dominance showed against Barcelona in both legs of their semi-final matchup, I feel that Bayern Munich are the favorites in this game. Borussia Dortmund is a great test though and will provide an enthralling match.

Additionally, one would have to be brave to put money on Munich considering their two recent Champions League Final defeats. Truth be told, this is a total toss-up of a match with two teams that play free-flowing soccer. I envision Bayern Munich winning it late, 3-2.

Nicholas Spiller

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World Soccer football

FIFA Ballon d'Or 2012 Season winners

noreply@blogger.com (Soccerphile) — Sat, 18 May 2013 06:47:04 PDT

FIFA held its annual Ballon d’Or ceremony recently to award the players and coaches who had performed the best in last year's season. For the 3rd year in a row, Argentinean Lionel Messi took first place and claimed the prestigious men's Ballon d'Or award, beating runners up Cristiano Ronaldo and Andres Iniesta to the trophy. Messi was elected by the captains and coaches of the national teams who form the 209 FIFA Member Associations and a select group of media voters.

Bets are already laid on whether Messi will hand the trophy over at the end of the season after his hat trick, or if he will once again claim the title for a fourth time. Sport bettors and mobile casino fans can keep a close eye on his progress and determine whether they think this year the odds are stacked for or against him. And for those looking to place some other bets can also do so at sites like http://www.gamingclub.com/mobile-casino

The FIFA Women's World Player of the year 2012 award went to American Abby Wambach. Wambach is often considered one of the most lethal goal scorers in the world and has racked up a phenomenal 125 goals to date, massively increasing team USA's goal rate. She beat Brazilian runner up Marta, and fellow USA team member Alex Morgan to second and third place respectively.

In the FIFA Coach of the Year for men's football, Vicente del Bosque earned himself first place, beating off Spain's Pep Guardiola and Real Madrid's Jose Mourinho to earn himself the esteemed top spot.

For the Ladies Coach of the Year award Pia Sundhage beat both runner up male coaches and proved that equality in sport was entirely feasible. Japans Norio Sasaki placed second and France's Bruno Bini came in third.

The FIFA Puskás Award 2012 was awarded to Miroslav Stoch for the most beautiful and aesthetically pleasing goal of the season. Following in Ronaldo, Neymar and Altintops footsteps, Stoch becomes only the fourth player to claim this prestigious award.

Finally, the FIFA presidential Award for 2012 was awarded to one of the all time Soccer greats, Franz Beckenbauer. Known in Germany as Lichtgestalt or "shining light" the former player, coach and senior official was recognised for his extraordinary achievements and contribution to the game.

That rounds up this years FIFA Ballon d'Or, so start placing your bets on the winners for 2013.

Wigan Athletic

noreply@blogger.com (Soccerphile) — Sat, 11 May 2013 06:44:50 PDT

Wigan Athletic face probably the most important four days in the history of the club starting today when they face Manchester City at Wembley Stadium in the final of the FA Cup.

Next Tuesday they have a crucial away game at Arsenal at the Emirates where they really need a win or at least a draw to give themselves a fighting chance of retaining their Premier league status with a home game at the DW Stadium against Aston Villa.

This is Wigan's fourth relegation dog-fight in the upper tier of English football since they were promoted to the Premiership in 2005.

Wigan, located on the western outskirts of Manchester, is primarily a rugby town (Wigan share their stadium with Wigan Warriors rugby league team).

The club has to compete for support among a plethora of clubs within 50 miles of their home turf, among them such teams as the two Manchester giants, Everton, Liverpool, Bolton, Blackburn and Burnley, all of which have a longer heritage than the Latics, who were "only" formed in 1932 and entered the old Fourth Division at the end of the 1977-1978 season.

Indeed in the dark days of 1995 Wigan's home gate was a paltry 1,845 when they were relegated from the third to fourth tier. This was to be the nadir of the club, who were then purchased by JJB Sports owner Dave Whelan, who has overseen a meteoric rise in Wigan's fortunes from the old third division to Premiership status.

Since their arrival in the Barclay's Premier League Wigan have confounded expectations and reached the Carling Cup Final (losing 4-0 to Manchester United) and holding their own in mid to lower table until the relegation scares of the last few years.

To survive Wigan have had to sell on their best talent including Winston Palacios to Spurs (now at Stoke), Antonio Valencia to Manchester United, Emile Heskey to Aston Villa (now plying his trade in the Australian A-League), Leighton Baines to Everton and more recently Victor Moses to Chelsea.

Indeed, even though Spanish manager and former Wigan player Roberto Martinez is hailed as a bright young coach, often linked with vacancies at the big clubs such as Liverpool and Everton, it is under his guidance that Wigan, who now employ a more "cultured" style than their previous "route one" stuff under Steve Bruce have begun to flirt with relegation despite improving their results against the Premier League's "big" teams.

Wigan's present season got off to a bad start at the DW Stadium when a sloppy first ten minutes cost them two goals (Ivanovic; Lampard, pen) against Chelsea and despite a spirited second half showing, Wigan got nothing from a game, which they really didn't deserve to lose. From then on Wigan have been unable to gain enough points at home to avoid a season-long fight for survival.

Wigan need to tighten up at the back and cut out individual mistakes if they are going to preserve their top flight status in the next week or two, but there is a silver lining - Wigan are guaranteed a place in next season's Europa League.

Fifa World Rankings May 2013

noreply@blogger.com (Soccerphile) — Thu, 09 May 2013 04:31:39 PDT

Fifa's World Rankings for May 2013 were published today at FIFA HQ in Zurich, Switzerland. The Fifa World Rankings are now published on Thursday and not Wednesday as before.

Euro 2012 winners Spain are once again on top of the FIFA rankings followed by Germany, Argentina, Croatia, Portugal, Colombia, England, Italy, Netherlands and Ecuador. Copa America champions Uruguay are 17th, while Brazil are still in their lowest ever position of 19th. A newly-strong Belgium are in 15th position. The Republic of Ireland are 39th, Wales stay 49th, Scotland are 79th and Northern Ireland are in 119th position.

Ranking Team
1 Spain
2 Germany
3 Argentina
4 Croatia
5 Portugal
6 Colombia
7 England
8 Italy
9 The Netherlands
10 Ecuador
11 Russia
12 Côte d'Ivoire
13 Greece
14 Switzerland
15 Belgium
16 Mexico
17 Uruguay
18 France
19 Brazil
20 Denmark

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Previous Fifa World Rankings

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Struggles of the Seoul in Korea

noreply@blogger.com (John Duerden) — Sun, 05 May 2013 20:11:23 PDT

The K League Classic season is now fully into its stride. Races for the title and to avoid the drop are now emerging. Fans can settle down and watch all the action unfold.

The story of the season is still FC Seoul. The defending champions went seven games without a win, then grabbed two successive victories, qualified for the second round of the Asian Champions League at a canter and then lost to ten-man Jeonbuk Motors.

It is more bad than good. The success in Asia came in a group that was underwhelming. The two victories came against Daegu and Gangwon at home -these are two teams that occupy the bottom spots of the league and have yet to win a game between them. Seoul have collected just one point on the road this season. The title is still not out of the question but there is now no room for error.

So what’s changed since last season? Well, nothing really and that’s the problem. The team, is pretty much the same, the coach is the same and the tactics are the same. What has changed has been the form of goalkeeper Kim Yong-dae, who has made some real clangers, and the defence which has struggled against anything mildly physical. And when you have the rest of league knowing that if you can stop the ‘Demolition Duo’, Dejan Damjanovic and Mauricio Molina, then you can get a good result.

Pohang Steelers are going well at the top despite a small squad and no foreign players to have a touch of flair to the line-up. Despite a lack of prolific strikers, the Steelers are three points clear at the top as they are well-organised and have a classy midfield with the likes of rising star Lee Myung-joo and the two Hwangs – Ji-soo and Jin-sung.

Jeju United are going solidly, not pulling up trees but slowly keeping the points total ticking over. Hamstrung by a number of injuries at the start of the season, the islanders are slowly building a decent squad. Their starting eleven does not yet have the quality of some of their rivals but nobody relishes a trip to the picturesque Jeju World Cup Stadium.

After a poor start to the season, Seongnam recovered in dramatic fashion by picking up successive wins against champions FC Seoul, Asian Champions Ulsan and 2012 runners-up Jeonbuk. Kim Dong-seob produced some mesmerising football in attack to score four goals and give fans of the Yellows hope for the season.

At The Bottom

It is common to see Daegu near the bottom although last season was an exception. That was under the stewardship of Moacir Pereria whose first season ended with a tenth place finish. Deagu may regret letting the Brazilian go, saying that he and coaching staff were too expensive. After eight games without a win, Baek Jong-chul replaced Dang Seong-jeung. Daegu have collected just a single point in the two games since but have at least stemmed the flood of goals that were leaking out of defence.

Seoul are only five points above the drop zone while Gyeongnam are only four. The Changwon team have lost just twice but have won only once. Lacking ruthlessness in front of goal, Gyeongnam need to start picking up points or a surprise relegation fight is on the cards.

Mixed bag in Asia

As mentioned above, Seoul strolled through their group to finish first and book a second round clash with Beijing Gouan. Jeonbuk Motors were not quite as smooth but collected a point at Guangzhou Evergrande to finish second behind the Chinese champions and will face Kashiwa Reysol of Japan.

Pohang missed out and were left to regret their decision to send a full reserve team to Bunyodkor in the second match though the Steelers don’t really have the squad to compete at home and abroad. But Suwon were truly poor.

The Bluewings failed to win a single game and only scored in two. The nadir was a 6-2 defeat at home to Kashiwa. Suwon were awarded no less than four penalties and proceeded to miss three of them. Interestingly, or painfully if you are a fan, within seconds of all four spot kicks being taken, the Japanese team went down the other end and scored. A master-class of attacking or defending, it was not.

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World Soccer football

Borussia Dortmund v Bayern Munich Live Streaming

noreply@blogger.com (Soccerphile) — Fri, 03 May 2013 08:51:27 PDT

Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich qualified for the Champions League Final this week; resulting in an all-German final at Wembley on 25th May.

What you may not have realised is that the very same pair lock horns in the domestic Bundesliga tomorrow afternoon at 17:30pm!

Not only this, the match is available live and direct to UK customers from the brilliant bet365 live streaming service.

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German Soccer football

Madrid v Dortmund Free Bet Offer

noreply@blogger.com (Soccerphile) — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 03:23:56 PDT

Real Madrid take on Borussia Dortmund at the Santiago Bernabéu in Spain on Tuesday 30th April in the crucial second leg of their UEFA Champions League semi-final - and we've got a fantastic free bet offer to add to the excitement.

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If your FIRST In-Play bet loses we will refund this stake, up to the same value as your largest pre-match bet (max $50*).

As always, there'll be plenty to choose from with over 70 In-Play markets available throughout the game including Next Goal, Match Goals, Total Corners, Half-Time Result, Full-Time Result and much more.

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Champions League Real Madrid

George's Premiership Predictions April 27 2013

noreply@blogger.com (Soccerphile) — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 06:53:03 PDT

George had a good week last week with his Barclay's Premier League predictions with one perfect score and five correct results.

As this EPL season winds down with Manchester United already confirmed as champions after their 3-0 win over Villa, focus turns to the race for Champions League spots and the fight to avoid the drop.

We predict Stoke, Man City and Everton will all win at home. Get on.

Saturday 27 April 2013

Man City 2 West Ham 1
Stoke City 2 v Norwich City 1
Wigan Athletic 0 v Spurs 2
Everton 3 v Fulham 0
Southampton 2 v West Brom 1
Newcastle 1 v Liverpool 2

Sunday April 28 2013

Reading 2 v Queen's Park Rangers 2
Chelsea 2 v Swansea City 1
Arsenal 2 v Man United 2

Monday 29 April 2013

Aston Villa 1 v Sunderland 1 ‎

Last time's Premier League predictions

George's Premiership Predictions April 20 2013

noreply@blogger.com (Soccerphile) — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 04:09:01 PDT

George had a half-decent week last week with his Barclay's Premier League predictions with one perfect score and three correct results.

As this EPL season winds down with Manchester United almost confirmed as champions, focus turns to the dog fight at the foot of the table where there are a number of potential "six pointers" this weekend.

We predict Stoke, Villa and FA Cup finalists Wigan will be staring down the barrel after the dust settles this weekend with all three set to lose on the road.

Saturday 20 April 2013

Norwich City 1 v Reading 1
Sunderland 2 v Everton 1
Queen's Park Rangers 2 v Stoke City 0
West Ham 2 v Wigan Athletic 1
Fulham 1 v Arsenal 2
Swansea City 2 v Southampton 2
West Brom 1 v Newcastle 0

Sunday April 21 2013

Spurs 2 v Man City 2
Liverpool 1 v Chelsea 0

Monday 22 April 2013

Man United 1 v Aston Villa 0 ‎

Last time's Premier League predictions

100% Euro Soccer Bonus

noreply@blogger.com (Soccerphile) — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 04:53:19 PDT

Get a 100% Euro Soccer Bonus on the continent's biggest matches with bet365

The top leagues across Europe continue to provide thrilling action week after week and you can make the most of the excitement on offer with bet365's fantastic 100% Euro Soccer Bonus.

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It provides a great opportunity to boost your returns when placing those winning accumulators. The more selections you have, the larger the bonus you will receive; and placing a successful 14-fold will result in a tremendous 100% bonus to add on top of your return.

This weekend features great fixtures from across the continent, with high-flying Man Utd looking to complete a league double against Arsenal when the teams meet at the Emirates Stadium. The Gunners will be looking for three points that could prove crucial in their bid to finish in the top four and achieve Champions League qualification for a 16th successive season.

Elsewhere, attention turns to the eagerly anticipated Madrid derby in the Primera Liga, as Atletico Madrid host neighbouring Real Madrid at the Vicente Calderón. Goals either side of the interval from Cristiano Ronaldo and Mesut Özil were enough for Real to claim maximum points when the two sides met at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium back in December.

With such enthralling fixtures taking place on 28th April, it’s a fantastic opportunity to put on those accumulator bets and you could see your winnings increased due to bet365's excellent 100% Euro Soccer Bonus.

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World Soccer football

George's Premiership Predictions April 13 2013

noreply@blogger.com (Soccerphile) — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 03:54:20 PDT

George had a week to forget last week on his EPL predictions with only two perfect scores, but he's raring to go with this week's Premiership punts.

Saturday 13 April 2013

Reading 0 v Liverpool 2
Arsenal 3 v Norwich City 1
Aston Villa 2 v Fulham 1
Southampton 2 West Ham Utd 0
Everton 2 v Queen's Park Rangers 1

Sunday April 14 2013

Newcastle 1 v Sunderland 1
Stoke 1 v Man Utd 2

Tuesday 15 April 2013

Arsenal 2 v Everton 1 ‎

Last time's Premier League predictions

Fifa World Rankings April 2013

noreply@blogger.com (Soccerphile) — Thu, 09 May 2013 04:30:37 PDT

Fifa's World Rankings for April 2013 were published today at FIFA HQ in Zurich, Switzerland. The Fifa World Rankings are now published on Thursday and not Wednesday as before.

Euro 2012 winners Spain are once again on top of the FIFA rankings followed by Germany, Argentina, Croatia, Portugal, Colombia, England, Italy, Netherlands and Ecuador. Copa America champions Uruguay are 17th, while Brazil are in their lowest ever position of 19th. A newly-strong Belgium are in 16th position. The Republic of Ireland are 39th, Wales are big risers to 49th, Scotland are 77th and Northern Ireland are in 119th position.

Ranking Team
1 Spain
2 Germany
3 Argentina
4 Croatia
5 Portugal
6 Colombia
7 England
8 Italy
9 Netherlands
10 Ecuador
11 Russia
12 Côte d'Ivoire
13 Greece
14 Mexico
15 Switzerland
16 Belgium
17 Uruguay
18 France
19 Brazil
20 Denmark

Full world rankings

Previous Fifa World Rankings

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Soccer betting tips

Soccer Books & DVDs

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QPR 1 v Wigan 1

noreply@blogger.com (Soccerphile) — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 03:52:44 PDT

Premier League Soccer
QPR 1 - 1 Wigan 7 April 2013
Ref: Phil Dowd

How will moneybags QPR deal with Wigan in this important relegation battle? The R's only have managed four wins in the last 15 BPL games.

8' Remy hits the post. He looks like a dangerous and capable forward - if he can get the service. But a few minutes later, he squanders a chance at the far post, making the classic error of expecting the defender in front of him not to miss the ball.

18' Wigan's outside mids are finding space to make their crosses.

20' Zamora sees red in the form of a card flashed at him by referee Dowd. High foot into the face of Gomez.

25' QPR's Townsend makes a nice escape with an inside pullback turn, advances down the right, but Remy wastes the chance. And it's Townsend again, so far the home team's best player, who breaks through the centre, but Remy spoils the move by being offside.

Moments later Gomez, now being booed by the home fans as they reckon that he has manufactured Zamora's sending off, takes a rare shot at QPR's goal. Cesar saves comfortably.

It's a reminder to the Wigan players that given they have 11 players on the field they should attempt to win this match. McManaman shoots over Cesar's bar, and a minute later shoots past the post with a laces drive when a shot with the outside of his right foot – if he possesses the ability – would have tested the keeper better.

Wigan's standout player of late, Mahoney, is seeing a lot of the ball. However, he isn't making the killer pass necessary to break down QPR's 4-4-1. Wigan are dominating possession, QPR are slow to close the ball and are marking very loosely, but we don't get the impression that Wigan are going to score. Yes, the Wigan players have been trained to switch positions, so that if a back surges forwards with the ball, another player covers for him; and yes Wigan are only one of two Premier League team that play with three at the back. Tactical awareness on the part of Wigan boss Martinez, but there's little in the way of drive, let alone aggression, on the part of his players. Perhaps that's why he always seems to spend his time shouting from the coaches' technical area.

The second half continues with QPR being mindful that they are playing with ten men. Supporting their forward player is secondary to preventing a Wigan counterattack. Wigan, for their part, continue to pass the ball across the pitch with QPR's back eight between them and the goal.

56' At last something happens. Redknapp takes off Hoilett, and puts on Taarabt. It takes the latter three minutes to send in a beautiful inswinging cross from the right with the outside of his right foot, which Remy meets with a header that drifts just wide of Wigan keeper Joel Robles.

61' In response, Martinez takes of the ineffectual Beausejour and puts on James McArthur, perhaps to clog up the centre of the pitch a little. It makes no difference though; when the Wigan midfield have the ball there is no movement at all from the front two, so there's nobody to hit with a pass. So the midfielders continue to pass the ball back and forth across the pitch.

84' Wigan free kick outside QPR's box. A worked move. But the shot is blocked, Mbia breaks forwards at speed, spots and then feeds Remy on the right, whose first time shot flies inside Robles' far post. A spectacular goal, hit with the inside of his foot and imparting no spin on the ball. It's the first moment of real quality in the game and QPR have just five minutes plus stoppage time to hold out. 1 – 0.

91' Mackie, on for Remy, breaks forwards, but instead of taking the ball into the corner or recycling the ball to a teammate goes for goal. Wigan gain possession, go down the pitch to within 23 yards of QPR's goal, Mbia fouls, Maloney gets the ball up and over the wall into QPR's postage stamp. Great technique. 1 – 1.

Wigan didn't really deserve this draw, but then QPR, given the millions they have spent on assembling this team, aren't even average themselves. If both clubs are relegated to the Championship it'll come as no surprise.

QPR v Everton, October, 2012

© Peter Rodd & Soccerphile 2013

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QPR Wigan

George's Premiership Predictions April 6

noreply@blogger.com (Soccerphile) — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 07:19:11 PDT

George had a pretty good week last week with 2 perfect scores and six results called right. He's raring to go this week and after a dinner of Chinese noodles and rice with fried veggies, he thinks he has found the dietary inspiration for this weekend's fixtures. So it's a home win for QPR against Wigan and a draw at the Madejski Stadium between Reading and Soton is the weekend's two six-pointers.

Saturday 6 April 2013

Reading 1 v Southampton 1
Stoke City 2 v Aston Villa 0
Norwich City 1 v Swansea City 1
West Brom 1 v Arsenal 2

Sunday April 7 2013

Liverpool 2 v West Ham 1
Tottenham 1 v Everton 2
Chelsea 2 v Sunderland 1
Newcastle 0 v Fulham 1
QPR 2 v Wigan 1

Monday 8 April 2013

Man Utd 2 v Man City 0 ‎

Last time's Premier League predictions

George's Premier League Predictions March 30 2013

noreply@blogger.com (Soccerphile) — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 03:55:57 PDT

George is back after a long hiatus to provide sanity to your weekend punts. He predicts an easy-peasy six points for the Manchester clubs against North East opposition and away wins for Chelsea and Liverpool. The Joe boy's hot betting tips for this weekend's matches in the Premier League are home wins for Arsenal and Wigan. Get on it's written in the stars and bars.

Saturday 30 March 2013

Sunderland 0 v Manchester United 1 ‎
Manchester City 3 v Newcastle United ‎0 ‎
Arsenal 2 v Reading 1 ‎‎
Wigan Athletic 2 v Norwich City ‎1 ‎
Southampton 1 v Chelsea 2 ‎‎
Swansea City 2 v Tottenham Hotspur ‎2
West Ham United 2 v West Bromwich Albion 2
Everton 2 v Stoke City 1

Sunday 31 March 2013

Aston Villa 1 v Liverpool 2

Monday 1 April 2013

Fulham 2 v Queens Park Rangers ‎2
‎
Last time's Premier League predictions

Reversals of fortune in Korea

noreply@blogger.com (John Duerden) — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 07:28:18 PDT

Early days

Three games down and the big story in the K League Classic is that champions FC Seoul are having problems. One point out of a possible nine was not the start that was expected. An opening day draw at home against Pohang Steelers was not a terrible start but then a first home defeat in nine years against Incheon United followed and then came a depressing 1-0 loss at Busan I’Park.

Fans are saying that the tactics and team selections are predictable and there is an over-reliance on offensive stars such as Dejan Damjanovic and Mauricio Molina and if they are not in form, which they are not, then coach Choi Yong-soo does not seem to have a plan B. If you add an out-of-form goalkeeper into the mix and have a defence looking vulnerable to counter-attacks.

The season ahead is still long as is the road back to the top and Seoul have much to work out if they are going to get there. It wasn’t necessary in 2012, the Demolition Duo was unstoppable and that may prove to be the case in 2013, but it hasn’t happened yet.

Incheon finished last season very strongly and have been the story of the new season so far with two excellent wins in Seoul and Seongnam. Coach Kim Bong-kil has the team well-organised with wide men Nam Jun-jae and Han Gyo-won looking sharp and rookie Lee Seok-hyun looking talented just behind the main striker.

Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma is another struggler but the seven-time champions went through something similar in 2012. Like a number of teams, there is a new coach and like almost every other team there are a lot of new players. Seongnam’s new signing Server Djeparov made his debut in the home defeat at the hands of Incheon United, scoring a late consolation goal. The Uzbekistan captain will need time to settle back in the life in Korea but when he does, he can help lift the team back closer to where it used to be.

K League Challenge

The new second division is already on its second name as it came to be felt that using the old K League name was confusing. K League Challenge won out against K League Basic, and rightly so.

The big game of the opening weekend was the game between Anyang and Goyang (pictured left, courtesy of the K League).

Four thousand fans turned out to watch the first professional game in the city since 2004 when Anyang Cheetahs, champions of Korea in 2000 and finalists of the Asian Club Championship a year later, were moved by conglomerate owners LG, to the capital to use the vacant Seoul World Cup Stadium.

Anyang scored inside the first minute to send the fans wild but that was the only goal of the game. It was an entertaining affair the fans went home happy and with promotion a possibility this season, there is much to play for.

Road to Brazil approaching a crossroads

Things are not going exactly smoothly in Korea’s quest to qualify for an eighth successive World Cup. One point from the last two games has people nervous. Usually, the visit of Qatar would not be cause for concern but this is a game that Korea now see as a must-win.

Three points here and three points in Beirut in June and the last two games, both at home, against Iran and Uzbekistan will be much easier to handle. The big news was the exclusion of Park Chu-young from the squad. The former Arsenal striker has been in and out of action with Celta Vigo in Spain and while he has three goals to his name, coach Choi Kang-hee feels that it is not enough.

The other European-based stars have all been called up. Son Heung-min is still in good form in Germany with Hamburg and Koo Ja-cheol has been starring for FC Augusburg. And with Ki Sung-yeung coming off a solid first season in the English Premier League with Swansea, there should be enough talent to see off the Qataris.

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George's Premier Predictions March 16 2013

noreply@blogger.com (Soccerphile) — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 05:30:55 PDT

Snoopie Myddleton does these week's Premier League's predictions lying on her back in tune with the universe and drunk on a variety of spirits.

Expect surprises and some left field Premier League predictions. Snoopie does it for you, so get on or get out.

Saturday 16 March 2013

Everton 3 v Manchester City 3 ‎
Stoke City 0 v West Bromwich Albion 2 ‎‎
Swansea City 3 v Arsenal 5 ‎
Southampton 3 v Liverpool 2 ‎
Aston Villa 2 v Queens Park Rangers 2 ‎
Manchester United 3 v Reading 0 ‎‎

Sunday 17 March 2013

Sunderland 4 v Norwich City 2 ‎
Tottenham Hotspur 1 v Fulham 1 ‎
Wigan Athletic 0 v Newcastle United 3 ‎
Chelsea 3 v West Ham United 2 ‎
‎
Last time's Premier League predictions

Fifa World Rankings March 2013

noreply@blogger.com (Soccerphile) — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 02:12:11 PDT

Fifa's World Rankings for March 2013 were published today at FIFA HQ in Zurich, Switzerland. The Fifa World Rankings are now published on Thursday and not Wednesday as before.

Euro 2012 winners Spain are still on top of the FIFA rankings followed by Germany, Argentina, England, then Italy, Colombia, Portugal and Holland. Croatia and Russia round out the top ten. Copa America champions Uruguay are 16th, while Brazil remain stuck for another month in 18th, their lowest ever ranking. A resurgent Belgium are in 19th position.

Ranking Team
1 Spain
2 Germany
3 Argentina
4 England
5 Italy
6 Colombia
7 Portugal
8 The Netherlands
9 Croatia
10 Russia
11 Ecuador
12 Greece
13 Côte d'Ivoire
14 Switzerland
15 Mexico
16 Uruguay
17 France
18 Brazil
19 Belgium
20 Ghana

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Reading 1 - 2 Aston Villa

noreply@blogger.com (Soccerphile) — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 03:41:23 PDT

Premier League Soccer
Reading v Aston Villa. Saturday March 9, 2013.

Though Reading and Villa fans may disagree, it is games like this that proves the strength of the relegation system. In leagues such as the United States' Major League Soccer (MLS), which feature no relegation, matches between teams at the lower end of the league table are meaningless.

Today's match could well decide who stays up in the Premier League and who drops to the treacle of the ridiculously named Championship. A win for either team will take it out of the bottom three.

Villa have the worst goal differential in the Premiership at minus 27.

Reading have been in the bottom four since September 2012.

Villa have dropped 18 points from winning positions this season, but Reading have dropped 20.

One of the players in the spotlight today at Reading's Madjeski Stadium will be Brad Guzan in the Villa goal, as US men's national team goalie Tim Howard may be kept out of upcoming World Cup qualifying games due to a back injury. Guzan has been playing well this season, despite his team's lowly position.

The game starts and it appears Villa are going with a 4-3-3 formation against Reading's 4-4-2 and straight away Guzan has to make a smart save from Le Fondre's header. Worryingly for Villa supporters Le Fondre was completely unmarked at the far post. The poor defending continues as Villa seem unwilling or unable to defend crosses. Yet suddenly at the other end of the field Benteke hits the bar with a header as he outjumps Reading's ex-Leeds United star Ian Harte.

Within seconds of that, there's a very good save by Guzan on the half volley in what promises to be an end-to-end encounter.

14' Guzan comes a long way off his line to make an effective punch; he is a very proactive keeper and he shows this once more as he comes out and makes a clean catch from a Reading corner.

15' Reading are caught offside for the first time in the game, indicating that the Villa defence is getting bolder. Have the players worked this out by themselves, or has the coaching staff given instructions?

Though it is Benteke who looks to be the class act here it is Robson-Kanu who shoots just wide of Guzan's left post with the keeper slightly out of position 'cheating' into the middle instead of fully protecting the near post, seemingly one of this season's fashions. See Manchester City 3 - 2 Southampton.

With a quarter of the game gone, the impression one gets is of a Championship match: passes are made in hope that the defenders won't cut them out, incorrect technique on the ball, and unintelligent runs.

In goal for Reading, Stuart Taylor (who apparently has appeared just seven times in sixteen years as a pro) punches clear as his defence retreats to cover a high diagonal. Good solid keeping.

The pressure comes back on Reading in the form of Andreas Weimann, but the Austrian disappointingly fires wide.

After Guzan gets down smartly again to make a save, suddenly it's 1 – 0. An own goal by Baker after Hope Akpan plays a clever flick in front of goal with his trailing leg.

1 - 1. Just a minute elapses before Weimann dribbles forward in the inside right channel, classically cuts the ball back to the waiting Benteke on the penalty spot. A deflection helps the ball past Taylor. Guzan makes yet another save. This time from Ian Harte's cross-shot that almost beats the Chicagoan at the top corner of the near post.

44' Suddenly, without warning, possession football breaks out. Villa string together numerous passes, Bannan clips the ball against the post, it bounces out and Agbonlahor rockets an unstoppable ball with his left foot into Taylor's top right hand corner. It's the former England player's fourth goal in 42 Premiership matches. 1 – 2.

48' Weimann is again disappointing in not taking a shot. How different he is from Christian Benteke, whose shot on the turn is deflected out for a corner; little wonder he has scored nearly 50% of Villa's goals this season. Most pundits seem to be predicting a bigger and brighter future for the big Belgian, if such a thing exists.

52' A thriller by Sylla of Villa. He hammers a shot just over Reading's bar. He was anonymous in the game before that shot, and, apart from a hugely wayward second shot, slips back into anonymity once more.

The spotlight on Brad Guzan continues and he confidently clears the ball left footed from a backpass. A US national team call-up is looking increasingly likely.

54' Reading think they're back in it as Hunt nets at the far post from McAnuff's great cross, but he's marginally offside.

68' Guzan makes yet another solid save, this time at the near post. Without this skillful goalkeeper, it's clear that Aston Villa would have lost this game already.

A strange substitution is made by Villa coach Paul Lambert. Bannan is taken off, and Charles N'Zogbia is on. With the increasing Reading pressure, one might have thought adding another defender, rather than an attacker, would have been the best thing to do. Nevertheless, N'Zogbia, so good for Newcastle United before his move to Villa Park, immediately announces his presence by shooting. Perhaps attack really is the best form of defence.

77' In perhaps his best moment of the game, Brad Guzan comes out of his goal as far as the penalty spot to make a clean catch and immediately launches a swift counterattack.

This exciting game finishes Reading 1 - 2 Aston Villa. Perhaps this is the beginning of the end of Reading's stay in the Premier League, and though we must remember they have performed incredible escape acts in the past, their next two daunting matches are away to Manchester United and Arsenal. Bookmakers are making Reading the favourites for relegation.

© Peter Rodd & Soccerphile 2013

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Tottenham Hotspur 2 v Arsenal 1

noreply@blogger.com (Soccerphile) — Sun, 10 Mar 2013 07:17:47 PDT

Premier League Soccer
Tottenham Hotspur v Arsenal. Sunday 3 March 2013.

The north London derby at White Hart Lane is an important one this year: both teams are vying for a spot in next term's Champions League, for which the top four teams in the Premier League will qualify.

Currently Tottenham lie in fourth place and Arsenal in fifth. Spurs will be confident here at home as they currently have one of Europe's best players in the form of Welshman Gareth Bale; he is competing with Barcelona's Lionel Messi in terms of the number of Euro goals he has scored this season. They have finished below Arsenal in the league for the past 17 seasons.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is under pressure because of his stated aim at the beginning of the season of finishing in the top four by the end of it. His critics say that a big club like Arsenal should be aiming to win the Premier League. However, his club have a new stadium to pay for, and Champions League qualification is paramount.

It looks like Tottenham are planning to go with a 4-4-2 formation, with Arsenal having just the one forward in a 4-5-1.

Spurs kick off and work the ball to the right to make use of the speedy Lennon.

6' An exciting length-of-the-field run by Kyle Walker with the ball has the crowd on its feet, but it comes to naught and he has to run all the way back to his defensive position. 10' Spurs French goalkeeper Lloris, who has recently replaced U.S. fan-favorite Brad Friedel, makes a fine stop by rushing off his goal line.

16' Superstar Bale is finding little space between the Arsenal defensive back line and midfield. Just as AC Milan recently snuffed out the threat posed by Barcelona's Lionel Messi, by 'collapsing' 2 or 3 defenders on him as soon as he received the ball, Arsenal are doing to Bale.

20' Sigurdsson, on the left, plays an inswinging curling ball over the top of the Arsenal defense and Bale, untracked, just fails to make contact with it: a dangerous moment for the Arsenal defense.

26' A moment of rarity when we see Kyle Walker, Spurs' right-back appear in attack on the left wing! This is reminiscent of the 'total football' style of the Dutch national team of the 1970s.

36' The midfield stalemate is suddenly broken as, again from the left, Sigurdsson again feeds Bale, whose run has beaten the offside trap. He clips the ball expertly with the outside of his left foot past Arsenal keeper Szczesny. Good pass, great finish. 1 - 0. This is the fifth consecutive game in which he has scored, and a good example why teams like Real Madrid are interested in buying him.

38' Spurs' Parker, yet again from the left side of midfield, plays a similar ball in for the speedy Lennon. He takes a couple of touches to round Szczesny and finishes with aplomb. 2 - 0.

Two-nil at half-time looks a bit flattering to Tottenham, but the Arsenal defenders have neglected to track the Tottenham runners.

50' After good work by Arsenal's Welshman Ramsey, Arsenal win a free kick on the left. It is swung in and Arsenal's German giant Per Mertesacker leaps to head the ball, which comes off Bale's head and ends up in the Tottenham net. 2 – 1.

59' Bale's mixed game continues as he misses a cross from the left and he balloons the ball over the Arsenal goal from close in.

62' Arsenal bring on Czech player Rosicky, and his quick feet and first-time passing leads to one the prettiest passing sequences seen in the Premiership this season. 69' Despite having the lead, Spurs keep pressing and Sigurdsson surely must score, but he squares the ball instead of shooting.

88' Arsenal's Walcott - desperate to become the England national team's center-forward - takes a free kick that just misses the Tottenham goal.

93' Arsenal go close in a frenetic finish, but this exciting match ends.

Tottenham Hotspur 2 – 1 Arsenal.

© Peter Rodd & Soccerphile 2013

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Fifa World Rankings February 2013

noreply@blogger.com (Soccerphile) — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 01:45:33 PDT

Fifa's World Rankings for February 2013 were published today at FIFA HQ in Zurich, Switzerland. The Fifa World Rankings are now published on Thursday and not Wednesday as before.

Euro 2012 winners Spain are on top of the FIFA rankings on Valentine's Day followed by Germany, Argentina, and yes, England, then Italy, Colombia, Portugal and Holland. Croatia and Russia round out the top ten. Copa America champions Uruguay are 16th, while Brazil remain stuck in 18th, their lowest ever ranking. A resurgent Belgium stay 20th.

Ranking Team
1 Spain
2 Germany
3 Argentina
4 England
5 Italy
6 Colombia
7 Portugal
8 The Netherlands
9 Croatia
10 Russia
11 Greece
12 Côte d'Ivoire
13 Ecuador
14 Switzerland
15 Mexico
16 Uruguay
17 France
18 Brazil
19 Ghana
20 Belgium

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Champions League Round of 16 Predictions

noreply@blogger.com (Soccerphile) — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 04:18:31 PST

George turns to the business end of this year's Champions League. Here are his predictions for the results of the first legs to be played this week.

Galatasaray v Shalke 04

With great support at home and Drogba and Sneijder as new signings expect Gala to come through 2-0 in Istanbul.

Celtic v Juventus

Celtic have great spirit at home but Juve have the class. Juve got a draw away to Chelsea in the Group Stage and we expect the same again, 1-1.

Valencia v PSG

PSG had a good group stage and we think they'll get a draw in Spain with an underwhelming Valencia side, 1-1 or 2-2.

Porto v Malaga

An all-Iberian clash between two of the "smaller" clubs left in the competition. Porto to edge it but we think there will be goals, 2-1 to the home side.

Arsenal v Bayern

Bayern are in very good form, Arsenal have problems at the back, recipe for an away win? No, 2-1 to the Arse.

Shaktar Donetsk v Dortmund

Dortmund have injury problems and were thrashed 4-1 at home by Hamburg at the weekend. Home win 2-0 in Donetsk.

AC Milan v Barcelona

This match ended all square 0-0 last season at the San Siro in the quarterfinals. A draw looks odds on again 1-1 or 0-0 again.

Real Madrid v Manchester United

Ronaldo and Benzema versus Rooney and RVP. We are going for a 2-1 home win for the Spanish champions.

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Champions League football

George's Premier Predictions 9 February 2013

noreply@blogger.com (Soccerphile) — Sat, 16 Mar 2013 04:49:35 PDT

After the international break and a rare England win over Brazil at Wembley we are back in the saddle for the bread and butter of Premier League predictions.

The two Manchester clubs are pulling away in what is now surely a two horse race for the title.

The other race at the bottom to escape relegation to the Championship is far less clear cut.

Perm any three from QPR, Reading, Wigan, Aston Villa, Southampton and maybe, just maybe, Norwich or West Ham.

Saturday 9 February 2013

Tottenham Hotspur 2 v Newcastle United ‎0
Stoke City 2 v Reading 0
Sunderland 1 v Arsenal 2 ‎
Norwich City 1 v Fulham 1 ‎
Chelsea 2 v Wigan Athletic 0
Swansea City 1 v Queens Park Rangers 1 ‎
Southampton 1 v Manchester City 1 ‎‎

Sunday 10 February 2013

Aston Villa 1 v West Ham United 0 ‎
Manchester United 3 v Everton 1

Monday 11 February 2013

Liverpool 2 v West Bromwich Albion 0 ‎
‎
Last time's Premier League predictions

Macclesfield Town

noreply@blogger.com (Soccerphile) — Sat, 02 Feb 2013 04:23:56 PST

Unfortunately Macclesfield Town are back in the Conference after surviving in the Football League from 1996-2012.

Macclesfield Town play their home games at Moss Rose stadium with a capacity of 6,355 spectators.

Macclesfield have been in existence since 1874 and are nicknamed the Silkmen due to Macclesfield's connection with the silk industry.

Previous Macclesfield managers have included Sammy McIlroy, who took the club into the Football League, Paul Ince and Brian Horton. Steve King is the current boss.

Macc reached the 4th round of the FA Cup narrowly losing 1-0 at home to Wigan after beating Cardiff 2-1 in the previous round.

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New Year New Starts in Korea

noreply@blogger.com (John Duerden) — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 18:08:58 PST

There is rarely a quiet month in South Korean football and while January is the close-season, the first month of 2013 has been a busy one.

It started with a change of name for the league which is celebrating its 30th birthday. ‘The K League’ now refers to the second tier of South Korean football. The top tier is now known as 'K League Classic'. As well as the name, there is a new logo.

"We wanted to inherit the tradition and values of professional football in this country, and at the same time, we wanted to convey our willingness to take on new challenges," said then-K League Commissioner Chung Mong-gyu sat the unveiling in January. "We thought long and hard over different ideas so that our names and logo will be beloved by many fans of our sport." Reaction has been reasonably positive and with promotion taking place for the first time in 2013, relegation was introduced last season, The new logo is a little Pepsi-esque but if it can help a little fizz return to the league, then so much the better.

Chung on the move

If that wasn’t enough change then Chung won the January 28 election to find the new chief of the Korea FA. Cho Chung-yeon had announced his decision to resign in 2012 and Cho, in charge of the K-League for two years, beat three other candidates to become the most powerful man in Korean football and will serve a four-year term.

“I want to share the joy with all those in the football circle,” said Chung. “I will try to make football a culture that everyone can enjoy.”

European rumours

Yoon Seok-young provided the biggest story of the transfer window. The young left-back, who starred in the 2012 Olympics, was linked to all manner of European clubs but it set to join QPR despite interest from Fulham and Liverpool. Yoon, who made his senior national team debut in October in Iran, will become the 11th Korean to play in the Premier League.

There were also reports that Ulsan's tall striker, Kim Shin-wook turned down a move to Loftus Road while Hamburg attacker Son Heung-min, who recently grabbed his seventh goal of the Bundesliga season, has decided to stay in Germany until the end of the season at least amid reports of interest from Spurs.

Domestic shuffling

There have been a number of transfers. Jeonbuk Motors have been perhaps the busiest, and splashed out on Kevin Oris. The Belgian striker scored 16 goals last season for Daejeon Citizen and with the addition of classy Incheon defender Jung In-hwan Jeonbuk will be looking forward to the new season.

Suwon added to the signing of North Korean striker Jong Tae-se by picking up Lee Jong Min from FC Seoul. The club was linked to 2002 World Cup star Cha Du-ri who has been playing in Europe for over a decade in Germany and Scotland and has never played in his homeland. “There is no doubt that Cha Du-ri is a star player equipped with ability as well as popularity, but have to take into account his age as he is closing in on the mid-30s,” said a Bluewings official after the club made an offer to Fortuna Dusseldorf. “It is up to the player’s side whether to accept our offer or not.”

Suwon have also signed Seongnam wingback Hong Chul while Kwak Tae-whi, Ulsan’s Asian CL title-winning captain, becomes the latest Korean star to head to the Middle East, joining Al Shabab of Saudi Arabia.

Pohang Steelers have been the quietest while Busan have seen one of their best performers, Matt McKay head to China and have replaced him with 25 year-old Montenegrin Zarko Korac.

Taeguk Warriors ready to gather

The wheels are turning ahead of a vital 2014 World Cup qualifier in March against Qatar with Choi Kang-hee announcing a squad for a friendly against Croatia in February. The game will take place at the London home of Fulham. Korea have happy memories of Craven Cottage and defeated the reigning European champions Greece there in 2007 and then downed Ivory Coast in 2010.

There were few surprises. Thirteen of the 24 are based overseas. Veteran defenders Kwak Tae-hwi and Lee Jung-soo return as does Ji Dong-won, on loan to FC Augsburg from Sunderland.

“Croatia is a strong team and will be a great opponent for us in a friendly,” said coach Choi. “It will not be an easy match for us. We will have to test our defense and fiddle with our offense by putting in players from Europe. We will try to prepare the best we can for the World Cup qualifier against Qatar in March.”

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