Predictions: Who will be 2010/11’s main winners and losers?

If everything I predicted 12 months ago came true I would be a very rich and happy man right now. Unfortunately Arsenal let me down in the league, West Ham failed me in the FA Cup and letting my heart rule my head in the SPL by putting £10 on my beloved Aberdeen to win the SPL really was a waste of ...

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Predictions: Who will be 2010/11’s main winners and losers Part 2

Well you’ve heard what our Panel members have had to say for themselves, now it’s time for the “experts” to have their say. We’ll start off with writer Hugh Larkin. He loves the underdog but he thinks Chelsea are just far too strong for anyone to cope with and thinks Arsenal and Spurs are going to...

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Fantasy football 2010/11 reminder

Do you think you can spend £100 million better than Manchester City’s Roberto Mancini? Do you think you could assemble a better squad than Spurs boss Harry Redknapp? Do you think you can guide your side to glory like Chelsea’s Carlo Ancelotti? If so then we want to hear from you. We at Squarefootba...

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Squarefootball fantasy football invitation 2010/11

I saw more action and excitement this summer down at the mortuary than I did at the World Cup in South Africa. There was also a better atmosphere between me and my ex-girlfriend than there was inside the grounds, thanks to the constant drone of those awful vuvuzelas. And as for entertainment, I th...

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Get on side and sport your colours for Shelter this World Cup

In celebration of this years FIFA World Cup, housing and homelessness charity Shelter are teaming up with Nationwide Building Society, Official England Team sponsor, to launch their fantastic footy fundraiser, Strip4Shelter. Shelter is asking people across the country to replace their regular work ...

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Burnley v Tottenham Hotspur: Redknapp has Arsenal in his sights

Tottenham Hotspur achieved their main goal on Wednesday night by beating Manchester City at Eastlands to book their place in the Champions League but now they have a new target in their sights. If Spurs beat Burnley this afternoon and Europa League finalists Fulham make history by recording their f...

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Birmingham City v Burnley: Clarets seek a Blues double

There’s not a lot riding on this game; Birmingham are safe and Burnley are down, but the visitors will want to bow out of the Premier League with a double under their belt. The Clarets beat the Blues 2-1 back in October thanks to strikes from Steven Fletcher and Andre Bikey and they could beat Cit...

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Burnley vs Liverpool: Burnley last-chance against travel-weary Reds

Burnley will have seen West Ham's win and a point for Wolves as hard results, and if this is not to be a one season return to the top flight then Burnley need three straight wins and for other teams to get, just about, nothing. Today will see Burnley down if they fail to win. Liverpool's long jo...

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Sunderland vs Burnley: Prediction panel

... preview to follow Sunderland vs Burnley; Kick Off 3:00pm 17 Apr 2010 Prediction Panel Our panel contains both Squarefootball writers and readers, the writers are marked: (sqf). Dave Blackburn : TBC Chris Cox : 2 - 1 Graham Enwright : TBC Sue Gardener : 1 - 0 Chris Goodwin : 1 - 0 Paul Grech (...

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Hull City v Burnley: Tigers to give Laws another mauling

Only three points separate Hull City and Burnley in the Premier League table but form suggests that only Iain Dowie’s Tigers have any chance of beating the drop. Burnley are used to getting a hiding on their travels but Manchester City brought their A game to Turf Moor last Saturday and were out o...

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Burnley v Manchester City: No Laws can stop Tevez

Burnley recorded their only away point of the season at Eastlands but their chances of doing something similar this evening are slim and none. The Clarets missed out on a glorious opportunity to give their survival hopes a massive lift last weekend by losing to rivals Blackburn Rovers and it looks l...

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Burnley: Should Kilby axe Laws and fight for survival?

They say football is a funny old game but I don’t see too many smiles on the faces of Burnley fans right now. After a fantastic start to the Premier League season the Clarets look like they are resigned to playing in the Championship already. Blackburn Rovers, their bitter rivals, turned up at Tur...

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Burnley v Blackburn Rovers: Just who are the top dogs in Lancashire?

Forget about the Glasgow, Milan and Manchester derbies, nothing simply comes close to the passion and rivalry of a good old fashioned east Lancashire encounter, and what a game it would be for Brian Laws to get back to winning ways. The Clarets have only won once under the guidance of the former Sh...

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Wigan Athletic vs Burnley: Can Burnley save themselves?

Burnley have the most abject away record of the 92 clubs - with only Gillingham and Hull joining the Lancashire team with a liking for claret in failing to win away. But Gillingham and Hull have picked up nine draws between them - compared to Burnley's one. But these two teams have had regular cla...

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Burnley v Wolverhampton Wanderers: Salvation is in the air

Burnley passed up a guilt-edged opportunity to climb out of the bottom three in midweek by only drawing with Stoke City. If they do the same against fellow strugglers Wolverhampton Wanderers this afternoon then they may as well kiss their survival hopes goodbye. The Claret’s impressive home form ha...

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Arsenal v Burnley: Gunners eye top spot

With Chelsea involved in FA Cup action and Manchester United not playing Wolves until 5.30pm (GMT) tonight Arsene Wenger has the perfect opportunity to return to the top of the Premier League with a win over Burnley, albeit maybe for a few hours. A convincing 4-0 win for the Gunners will send them...

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Burnley: Clarets still have a golden chance of beating drop

Burnley missed out on a glorious opportunity to climb out of the bottom three at the weekend following their surprise home defeat against basement boys Portsmouth. Some calamitous defending from the Countdown ace Clarke Carlisle cost the Clarets dear but Burnley fans always knew life in the Premier ...

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England: Who should Fabio choose as his No 1 for South Africa?

In less than 100 days the greatest show on earth kicks off in South Africa but England manager Fabio Capello still has major issues to resolve before he finalises on his squad who will be given the task of bringing the World Cup home. Who will fill the left-back role if Ashley Cole fails to recover ...

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Burnley v Portsmouth: Laws out to hammer Pompey

So Portsmouth Football Club have been saved by going into administration. Unfortunately it may mean that their Premier League adventure is about to end but they could end the week by bringing all three points back from Burnley this afternoon. Burnley have been brilliant at home this season, with th...

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Is Wayne Bridge right to turn his back on England?

Representing your country in the World Cup is supposed to be every footballer’s dream. Every one bar Wayne Bridge that is. The Manchester City left-back has kicked his international career into row Z due to the fall-out of John Terry’s alleged affair with his ex-girlfriend and mother of his children...

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Aston Villa v Burnley: The Villains are out to break the Laws

Burnley are yet to win away in the Premier League while Villa have only lost twice at home all season . . . umm I wonder what the result will be?! Martin O’Neill could not have handpicked better opposition as he aims to keep his Villains in the race for fourth spot. Brian Laws’s Clarets have colle...

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Fulham vs Burnley: Fulham hoping for improvement

Fulham's recent record has been poor but another finish in the top half of the division is very much on the cards once some key players regain match fitness. Burnley have briefly dipped their toe in the shark infested waters south of 17th place - but quickly withdrew the appendage with a win at the...

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Burnley vs West Ham United: Prediction Panel 2009/10

Two teams that are seemingly heading in opposite directions, with 19th placed Burnley having dropped into the relegation zone for the first time this season playing 15th placed West Ham who have just moved out of the bottom three. Above Portsmouth the next six teams, including these two, are separa...

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Burnley v Chelsea: Will the leaders slip up at Turf Moor?

Chelsea’s convincing win over Birmingham in midweek sent them back to the top of the table but Burnley’s defeat at Bolton, combined with Wolves’ point against Liverpool, saw the Clarets slip into the bottom three for the first time this season. Carlo Ancelotti’s men have been on fire in recent weeks...

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Bolton Wanderers vs Burnley: Heated stalemate?

A Lancashire derby between two teams scrapping to avoid relegation - and one team has just nicked the other teams manager - Bolton vs Burnley will not be a game for the faint-hearted. Bolton start the game a point from safety in 19th place, with Burnley just two points better off in 15th. Bolton l...

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Manchester United v Burnley: Fergie’s set to teach Brian the Laws of top flight football

It has been a poor start to 2010 for the champions Manchester United. They were dumped out of the FA Cup by bitter rivals Leeds United at home and are still searching for their first win of the year. However, the revelations about the Glazers possibly selling Old Trafford and Carrington training gro...

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Some Thoughts On Brian Laws At Burnley

On first viewing the appointment of Brian Laws as Burnleys new boss seems an odd one. The new man had been sacked recently by Sheffield Wednesday with the Owls lying in the Championship bottom three but there may be more to his appointment with careful assessment. Its not possible to be party to wh...

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Burnley: Who will replace Coyle at Turf Moor?

Burnley fans treated Owen Coyle as God – unfortunately the former St Johnstone boss never felt the same about his disciples at Turf Moor. Despite turning down his boyhood club Celtic in the summer, Coyle has done the unthinkable and left the Clarets in the lurch halfway through their long awaited re...

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Burnley transfer diary 20 December 2009 - 7 January 2010

Since the start of the month the speculation that Burnley will lose Owen Coyle to Bolton has intensified to the point where it now just seems like a matter of time. A last minute Martin O'Neill style change of mind seems less and less likely. Before the manager got all unsettled the likelihood was...

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Everton v Burnley: Clarets seek an end to their away day blues

Everton may have lost a number of first team regulars in 2009 through injury but there’s no sign of them losing their fighting spirit. The Toffees never know when they are beaten and showed their battling abilities again on Boxing Day by coming from behind at the Stadium of Light to draw their fourt...

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Burnley vs Bolton Wanderers: Burnley need to win to fend of relegation fears

Burnley start the day in 14th and face Bolton who are in the relegation zone but will go ahead of their Lancashire neighbours with a win. Burnley have such a good home record that you instinctively feel they should be tucked away safely in mid-table. But a raucous home support and Graham Alexander...

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Wolverhampton Wanderers v Burnley: It’s D-Day for McCarthy

This is the day when Mick McCarthy’s decision to rest 10 players against Manchester United at Old Trafford pays off or blows up in his face. The former Sunderland chief stunned football by changing his entire outfield team despite having beaten Tottenham Hotspur at the Lane just days earlier. McCa...

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Burnley v Arsenal: Gunners must win to prove title credentials

Results at the weekend went in Arsenal’s favour and from being ruled out as title contenders the Gunners are now right back in the hunt for the Premiership. Arsenal showed tremendous character and commitment to come back from a goal down at Anfield but Arsene Wenger knows that result will mean nothi...

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Burnley vs Fulham: Will Burnley catch Fulham thinking of Europe?

Two teams either side of mid-table meet, as Burnley host Fulham. Burnley's formidable home record has yielded sixteen points in just seven games - and has already got the club almost half safe. But after a couple of chastening home defeats to relegation candidates where seven goals were conceded B...

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Portsmouth v Burnley: Burnley target away day success

If Portsmouth are to have any hope of beating the drop this season then this is a game they simply must win. The Fratton Park side are currently three points adrift of fellow strugglers Wolverhampton Wanderers, who face Bolton this weekend in a huge six-pointer, but are a massive seven points from s...

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West Ham United v Burnley: Irons set to Hammer the Clarets

Burnley head to Upton Park this afternoon looking for their first away win of the season. Unfortunately for them, history is not on their side as they have only managed one win at the Boleyn Ground in their last 19 visits! However, West Ham haven’t been so prolific at home themselves, with only one ...

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Burnley's home record under severe threat from Aston Villa

Burnley have started the season in good form and start this game in tenth place but face a strong Aston Villa side that look good value to challenge strongly for a top four finish. Burnley are starting to leak goals and Villa are starting to score them - suggesting that Burnley's excellent home for...

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Manchester City v Burnley: Is another away day horror show on the cards for Burnley?

Manchester City have only lost once this season but after four draws on the trot Mark Hughes has to get City back to winning ways this afternoon against a Burnley side who are frankly hopeless on the road. City should be buoyed by the return of former Arsenal duo Toure and Adebayor who were sorely ...

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Burnley look to go halfway safe against Hull

Big game at Turf Moor between Burnley and Hull - two teams likely to be in the bottom six of the division at the end of the season. Burnley's 100% home record has now gone but it is at Turf Moor that the club will attempt to maintain its Premier League status. Interestingly Burnley has already won...

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Burnley v Wigan Athletic: Clarets out to bury ghost of derby defeat

Burnley return to the safe haven of Turf Moor this weekend following their derby day defeat by Blackburn Rovers, but those of you who think that it will be business as normal at home for the Clarets should think again as the Latics appear to have some sort of hold over their Lancashire counterparts....

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Blackburn Rovers v Burnley: Who will gain local bragging rights?

Some people claim this East Lancashire derby is the biggest in British football. Most neutrals wouldn’t know as games between the two have been few and far between in recent years. However, this afternoon at Ewood Park, the whole world will find out just what this game means to the passionate people...

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Blackburn Rovers v Burnley: Who’d make it into the ultimate starting 11?

This weekend sees the return of one of the most passionate derby games in the English game. Just 12 miles separate Burnley and Blackburn Rovers and to say there is a bit of needle between them is an understatement. This will be their first meeting in the top flight for 43 years and the atmosphere in...

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The Old Firm: Premier League? You’re having a laugh!

Martin Luther King famously had a dream of racial equality and an end to discrimination. I too have a dream but sadly it isn’t as prophetic as that. I just want to live to see Aberdeen crowned as SPL champions. Now that may sound ridiculous to many of you given the Dons’ recent lack of silverware bu...

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Burnley v Birmingham City: Will Coyle or McLeish win the battle of the Scots?

Hoots Mon! Turf Moor will be transformed into little Scotland on Saturday when Owen Coyle welcomes his fellow countryman Alex McLeish to Lancashire. But it won’t just be in the dugout where the Scots will be in charge. The Scottish feel extends to the pitch as there could be no fewer than nine Scott...

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Tottenham looks to reignite its top four ambitions against travel-sick Burnley

Tottenham Hotspur's last couple of games has dented the ambition of a top four ambition, but against Burnley today Harry Redknapp will be looking for a bounce. Chelsea and Manchester United both played well against Spurs - if Spurs had caught either on an off-day then either result could have been ...

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Bruce, Hodgson or Redknapp: Who is the best English manager in the Premier League?

There are just eight English-born managers in the Premier League and, at this moment in time (September 23, 2009), half of them fill the bottom four places in the table. But is that due to their lack of chances at managing a top club or are they lacking that something extra to be a success at the hi...

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Manchester derby: Was this the greatest Premier League game ever?

Sir Alex Ferguson has described Manchester United’s action-packed 4-3 over their rivals Manchester City as the greatest Manchester derby of all time and it’s hard to refute that claim. From start to finish it was pulsating viewing and had absolutely everything a fan could ask for – goals galore, def...

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Burnley v Sunderland: Can Bent tame the Beast?

The Clarets were given a bloody nose last weekend at Anfield, thanks to a hat-trick from Yossi Benayoun, but this Saturday they welcome Sunderland to Turf Moor hoping to keep their 100 per cent winning home record going. Manchester United and Everton have both succumbed to Owen Coyle’s men at home, ...

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Can Burnley weather an early Anfield onslaught?

Liverpool is playing catch up in the league and will regard every home game as an opportunity at least until the likes of Chelsea and Man United are caught - so Burnley can expect an early onslaught. Six points from four games is not the ideal start for a team that was the title pick of a number of...

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Burnley v Everton: Can the Toffees do what the champions couldn’t?

Burnley stunned the football world in midweek by beating the champions Manchester United in their first home game back in the top flight and this afternoon they will be keen to make it two home wins on the bounce against David Moyes’s Everton. When the fixture list was announced nobody could see Bu...

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