Sven Confident Over City Stay

Manchester City’s victory over Portsmouth has taken some of the heat off Sven to certain extent, and he claims he is unconcerned about the future.  Read more

Champions Leage analysis

This week see the first legs of the Champions League Semi Final with Liverpool playing Chelsea at Anfield first. This is a very close game to call with normally 1 goal separating the two teams. This is because both teams play conservative football and are very difficult to break down.

Many people believe that having the return leg at Stamford Bridge next week will give Chelsea a slight advantage. However the thing that could give Chelsea the advantage is that Steven Gerrard is a doubt for Liverpool. This could be a ploy by Rafael Benetiz to keep Avram Grant guessing as to whether he will adopt the 4-2-3-1 formation he has been deploying or a more conventional 4-4-2 with either Kuyt or Crouch partnering Torres. If Gerrard plays this could be a deciding factor, given that Lampard is very doubtful due to a family emergency and Essien is suspended. Also the inclusion of Javier Mascherano will be a big plus for Liverpool. He played on Saturday against Fulham and for me was Man of the Match, but he has missed the 3 previous league games due to suspension. He gives Liverpool the stability which enables Steven Gerrard the license to go forward.

The crowd at Anfield has proved to be a 12th man for Liverpool and it is possible this could inspire Liverpool to another famous victory after already beating Chelsea twice in the Semi-Final Stage and Liverpool have a very good record in Europe, this is their 3rd Semi Final in 4 years (won a final, and beaten in last years final previously).

Another deciding factor will be that Chelsea have to beat Man United at Stamford Bridge on Saturday to have any chance of winning the Premier League. Liverpool however only need 1 point from their remaining 3 games to guarantee 4th Position in the league. They fielded a much weakened team against Fulham and still won comfortably. I think over the two legs Liverpool will just have enough to beat Chelsea, but football is a funny old game.

To the other match Barcelona entertain Man United. There is always added pressure on Barcelona whether they win the league and or win the Champions League, there is always immense pressure and expectation. Barcelona are a team full of world class players but that does not necessarily make a good team. Henry has not fitted in will, he’s sometimes deployed as a winger, there is unrest with Eto’o. However what they do have is great attacking flare with these players, as well as the very promising Bojan Krkic and Lionel Messi who has returned from an injury and will be crucial to Barcelona. The key players however could be Lilian Thuram and Gianluca Zambrotta, both these players have a wealth of experience and if Barcelona are to proceed they will have to be at their very best to repel Ronaldo, Rooney and Tevez.

Also Barcelona are out of the title race they are 11 points behind Real Madrid and are in 3rd place in the league, so their players should be fresh for both legs of this encounter.

Manchester United on the other hand are in exceptional form and are playing really good attacking football, whilst being very strong defensively. Having Vidic back is a huge bonus and his partnership with Ferdinand is reminiscent of the Bruce and Pallister partnership. However Wayne Rooney is a doubt for Man United and there is a great deal to read into this because Man United have a great record when Rooney plays, and have lost when he has not played. This added to the fact that United play Chelsea on Saturday and will have to field their strongest team to get a result there will test even the strongest of squads to which United most certainly are. The one factor I have not mentioned yet is Cristiano Ronaldo he is an unbelievable talent, the number of goals he scores is phenomenal considering he is a winger. If Ronaldo is at his best United will triumph and the longer the scores remain level the more it will suit United because of the mentality United have and the ability to score at any time and win without playing well.

As a betting proposition I would recommend 5 points on United and Liverpool to get through at 12/5 with Coral. If you open an account with Coral today you will receive a free £10 bet.

Rafa’s rotation to pay dividends!!!!!

This Saturday sees Fulham host Liverpool. Fulham are presently in 19th place and fighting for their very survival. Liverpool are in 4th and in the Semi Finals of the Champions League where they play Chelsea on Tuesday.

Although Rafa is likely to rest key players such as Gerrard and Torres there should be enough firepower to steer Liverpool to victory. Fulham have won only 2 out of their last 9 games, one of which came in their last game at Reading. Liverpool on the other hand have won 10 out of the last 13 games in all competitions, the only blemish’s being 2 draws against Arsenal (one away in the Champions League) and a 3-0 thrashing at Old Trafford.

Rafa will have one eye firmly on Tuesday nights Champions League match. However Liverpool still need to win this game because they are only 5 points a head of Everton and they could catch Arsenal for 3rd place. With Torres and Gerrard likely to be rested Crouch, Benayoun, Lucas and Damien Plessis are likely to feature. Plessis has played only one game for Liverpool but impressed on his debut and he could be a player for the future. If Fulham are to win Bullard and McBride will have to be at their inspirational best.

I predict a comfortable win for the Reds who always play better in the second half of the season. They look a Steel at Even money with Coral and I recommend 20 points on them to win. Open an account with Coral today and receive a free £10 bet.

We’re Not Selling Ronaldo

Carlos Queiroz Manchester Uniteds assistant manager has warned his former club Real Madrid that even £96million would not be enough to buy Cristiano Ronaldo.

 ”We would not sell him for 120million euros, You can offer all the money in the world,but there is no amount that can buy him.” Spanish News Paper.

Madrid have long been admiring the Portugal international, with the Spanish media regularly dropping hints of a big-money swoop for the 23-year-old. Carlos Queiroz, who spent a year in charge at the Bernabeu before returning to his former position as Sir Alex Ferguson’s right-hand man at United in 2004, insists even a world-record transfer fee would not even tempt the club into selling Ronaldo.  

Manchester United 2 - Arsenal 1

Manchester United took a leap towards retaining the title after beating Arsenal. With Emmanuel Adebayor scoring with the help of his hand in the 48th minute. United levelled through a penalty taken twice by  Cristiano Ronaldo after William Gallas had handled in the Arsenal box.A stunning free-kick from Owen Hargreaves, which had Lehman rooted to the spot wrapped up the points for the home team in the 72nd minute. 

The result shattered Arsenal’s hopes of winning the title and after their Champions League exit at the hands of Liverpool in midweek, means that they are out of the title race and likely to finish 3rd.

Where as Man United are 6 points clear in the Premier League (Chelsea have a game in hand against Wigan) and are in the Semi Final of the Champions League.

Man United March On!!!

Sunday sees Man United entertain Arsenal at Old Trafford. These two teams played earlier in the season and it was 2-2, Gallas’s late equalizer snatched a point for the then highflying Arsenal. I think this game will be a different story with Arsenal only winning 2 games out of the last 12 and one of those was against the struggling Bolton. (although the other win was away to AC Milan) Also on the back of the defeat to Liverpool in the Champions League semi final confidence will be at a all time low. Man United on the other hand are in excellent form they beat Roma home and away and recently accounted for Liverpool 3-0 and they have won 6 out of their last 7 games and are top of the league by 3 points (draw at Middlesboro being the only low point). They also had Ronaldo and Rooney on the bench in last nights Quarter Final 2nd leg so they will be fresh for Sunday.

United have a few injury doubts at the back with Vidic definitely out and Ferdinand requiring 3 stitches in his foot last night, but they have enough strength in depth with Neville, SIlvestre, O’Shea or Pique able to deputize along side Wes Brown. Arsenal will be without Sagna and Flamini who picked up an injury at Anfield, and that will be a big blow for Arsenal because he gives them great balance which allows Fabregas a free role.

Also United have the best player in the World at Present Cristiano Ronaldo who has 37 goals in 40 games in all competitions this year. That is an amazing feat especially for a winger. United should have far too much firepower for Arsenal with the likes of Carlos Tevez, Wayne Rooney, Nani likely to feature. They could put out two teams and it would be still full of world class players. Therefore in the light of this, but taking into account united might have some problems defensley. I would reccommend 20 points on United to win at 4/5 with Betfred and if you open an account with Betfred today you will get £100 in freebets.

Man United v Roma

Manchester United are a best-priced 8/11 to beat Roma in the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final at betfair with Roma on Wednesday night. A win is to be expected tonight if you consider the 18/20 games they have won at home.

Remembering that Nemanja Vidic won’t be playing, and Rio Ferdinand is a doubt as well. Without those two United’s defence is a rather weak and I would expect their central midfield to be a little more conservative than usual to compensate. Vidic has a knee injury and is a definite absentee and while Ferdinand is expected to train on Wednesday morning, Ferguson is unlikely to risk him as the season reaches its most delicate juncture.

The current odds for Roma to win are a big 17.5/1 with betfair.

Banker Bet for Wednesday

The beginning of this week concentrates solely on the Champions Leage Quarter Finals and the best bet would appear to be both Barcelona and Man United to win at enhanced odds of 5/4 with Coral. Although United have a few problems at the back with Ferdinand and Vidic out they should have more than enough firepower to deal with Roma who will be without Totti. In the other game, I am sure Barcelona with home advantage will beat a very average Schalke 4.

Therefore 10 points on both teams to win looks a very good bet. In addition to this if you join Coral.co.uk today you will get a free £10.

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