Premier League Team of the Decade (2000-2009)

This is a difficult team to compile because it would be so easy to let bias drift in and allow players that are dominant in the latter part of the decade more credit than players that were just as important a few years ago. So I decided to use the teams produced by the PFA as the teams of the year ...

READ MORE

Obertan and Valencia can replace Cristiano Ronaldo as United go back to the 1990s

As any number of pundits pointed out last summer, you can't replace Cristiano Ronaldo - he offers goals, pace, dead ball threat and those direct tricky runs that defenders absolutely loathe. But what United have done is look to minimise the impact by adapting their game and by combining the attribu...

READ MORE

The end of my Liverpool grieving process

Im beginning to get over it now. The midweek thing. Im always being told to get over it, so I am. Its ok. Really. We can concentrate on winning the league now were out of the European Cup. Theres a stat somewhere that suggests winning the league is more do-able if youre out of the European cup ear...

READ MORE

Is a shock Besiktas win at Manchester United possible?

Anyone who saw the lacklustre Manchester United display for an hour against CSKA Moscow must be wondering whether a United side that has already qualified will somehow show more commitment? Although Sir Alex Ferguson is unlikely to accept another below par performance he is also likely to rest some...

READ MORE

Will the summer swapsies of Eto'o for Ibrahimovic bite Barcelona tonight?

There is always a group of death. Pick a series of at least 4 mini-leagues using the fairest system you can dream up (that simultaneously helps all the richest clubs from the richest footballing leagues) and one will always look nasty. But enough of Group A, where Bayern Munich look likely to be e...

READ MORE

Has Rafa Benitez been saving Aquilani for tonight?

Rafa Benitez has been easing Alberto Aquilani into action since signing him in the summer. But the £20m signing will surely get a start soon. His season in the first team has consisted of 15 minutes at the end of the League Cup defeat to Arsenal at the end of October and the final 7 minutes in the...

READ MORE

Arsenal should score at least three tonight

Arsenal should complete their qualification for the Champions' League knockout stages with a routine win over Standard Liege tonight, and in winning Arsenal will also simplify the next stage of the tournament by winning the group. Back in September it looked somewhat different when the Belgian team...

READ MORE

CL Preview: Do or die for Rangers

By Danny Law Rangers can resurrect their hopes of qualifying for the knockout stages of the Champions League with a win over Bundesliga strugglers Stuttgart tonight. The Gers have endured a woeful campaign so far with only two points from four matches, including two 4-1 home defeats to Sevilla and...

READ MORE

Drogba and Anelka look good each way value for Champions' league top scorer

With Didier Drogba having completed his European ban he looks fired up for another tilt at The Champions' League. After being sent off in the final two years ago and then banned for his outburst following semi-final defeat last season Drogba needs to show a little more coolness under fire if he wan...

READ MORE

The Liverpool revival starts on Monday

Everything runs in cycles and Liverpool have recently had the equivalent of a solar eclipse in the third week of December - black patches in an otherwise grey sky; but cycles, like winters and eclipses end. And Liverpool really should be seeing the light any day now. Firstly since thrashing Hull 6...

READ MORE

Liverpool have focus - its the players that are a worry

Liverpool play Lyon in a game where defeat could take qualification out of their hands; on the back of six losses in the last seven games. If Lyon avoid defeat then the French team will have qualified and that could be disastrous for Liverpool as Lyon's next game is against Fiorentina - in a match ...

READ MORE

Michael Owen could dream a dream against CSKA

Michael Owen's dreams do not concern scoring the winning goal for England in the World Cup final - and that's official. In fact Owen barely thinks about England at all, as his quotes about England that he made yesterday make clear. "I don't go to bed thinking about if I will play for England again...

READ MORE

Rafa Benitez has reached the point that Sir Alex Ferguson did just four years ago

Football is full of coincidences and this season being Rafa Benitez's sixth full season there were inevitable comparisons with Sir Alex Ferguson who took Manchester United to the title in his sixth full season (if you don't count the half season of 1986/7 when Ferguson arrived at Old Trafford a few ...

READ MORE

Arsenal set to qualify tonight against an inconsistent AZ

Arsenal has so many injuries for the short trip to Holland that the first team kind of picks itself and a couple of days short of Arsene Wenger's 60th birthday (when he plans to watch the 5 referee experiment in the Europa League) the team will be youthful. Missing Rosicky, Walcott, Nasri, Fabiansk...

READ MORE

Liverpool capable of facing home truths with Lyon

Liverpool (5/6) starts as odds on favourites to beat Lyon (15/4) tonight and avoid a fourth straight defeat - which last happened in April 1987 under Kenny Dalglish. If you want an omen then Dalglish is hardly a bad man to follow. Liverpool's home record is a great comfort after three straight awa...

READ MORE

Enough Arsenal, enough already

The Arsenal press officers must be the busiest in the division this season. Every day for the last month, it seems that something with an Arsenal angle has dominating the news agenda. Firstly Arsene Wenger's bold assertion that 'Arsenal will challenge for the title' (the implicit jibe being the ...

READ MORE

A Combined Manchester United/Barcelona Eleven

Pick a team from the squads at Manchester United and Barcelona. Sounds like a reasonable exercise until you begin and then realise that you could pick two teams from these clubs and still have star-sudded line ups. Here is an eleven for what its worth but I dont expect anyone to agree with it (whic...

READ MORE

Prediction Panel: Chelsea vs Barcelona - First goal wins?

After Manchester United dominated both legs of the first semi-final we can savour the second game in what is proving to be an altogether tighter tie. Chelsea probably has a marginal advantage, but a Barcelona team that scored six away to Real Madrid four days ago will not expect another goal-less n...

READ MORE

Arsenal vs Manchester United - Game of the season?

Both Manchester United and Arsenal go into this game in a rich vein of form; Arsenal's on an unbeaten Premier League run of 21 games and United has responded to a pair of defeats in March with seven wins and two draws subsequently. Two footballing teams that both want to score goals could well offe...

READ MORE

An Arsenal vs Chelsea final would entend English dominance and resolve an oddity

It is something of an historical oddity that there has never been a London based winner of European football's big prize. It's partly to do with the historical make-up of English football which has always been strong in the initial heartlands of the north-west and west Midlands - whereas London clu...

READ MORE

Barcelona vs Chelsea: Messi or Drogba

Much of the pre-match comment has centred on the mercurial Lionel Messi, who seems something of a shoo-in to replace Cristiano as World and European Player of the Year this season - but Barcelona has a defence that can be exploited by the power of Didier Drogba and I would not rule out a goal for th...

READ MORE

Barcelona v Chelsea - The History

Barcelona- Chelsea is a tie that has become a familiar one in these days when the same teams return to the Champions League each season. When the clubs meet in this years semi-final it will be the fourth time in five seasons that they have met-usuallyin the knockout rounds. It will be the sixth me...

READ MORE

Arsenal's kingmakers can expect the crown soon

Arsenal is in the somewhat unexpected position of remaining in contention to win the treble of Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup. Especially unexpected, considering that only a few weeks ago Arsenal was struggling to stay in contention with Aston Villa for fourth place. The Premier Leagu...

READ MORE

Arsenal (1) vs Villarreal (1): Arsenal probably need to win

Arsenal goes into the second leg already ahead via the away goals rule, but Villarreal showed enough in Spain to suggest that it is more than capable of scoring at The Emirates. Arsenal has some desperate defensive worries tonight, missing Bacary Sagna, William Gallas, Gael Clichy, Johan Djourou an...

READ MORE

Porto vs Manchester United: United look to Liverpool for inspiration

There must be a feeling of 'after the lord mayors show' about tonight's fixtures; after the pomp and ceremony of that ding-dong 4-4 at Stamford Bridge come two kinfe-edge games. But therein also lies Manchester United's main hope; if it can attack Porto like Liverpool did last night then there is n...

READ MORE

Bayern Munich vs Barcelona: Bayern must show pride - even in defeat

Barcelona all but sealed progression to the semi-final by winning the first leg 4-0; but pride insists that Bayern Munich produce something at home especially with some domestic difficulties as well. Not sure that Jurgen Klinsmann has much future at FC Hollywood, if he is giving the tie - if not th...

READ MORE

Chelsea vs Liverpool: Liverpool need a once-in-a-generation win

As I wrote earlier today, The type of win that Liverpool needs tonight at Chelsea has only been achieved four times in history; and two of those results are the kind of 3-1 win that would guarantee nothing. Chelsea is long odds-on to qualify, even if the result tonight is more debateable. Chelsea ...

READ MORE

Chelsea vs Liverpool - last 10 years

Looking at the last ten years of games between Chelsea and Liverpool doesn't given much encouragement to the idea that Liverpool will progress to the semi-finals of the Champions' League. Liverpool has won at Stamford Bridge just twice in the league or Champions' League over the past decade. A 1-0...

READ MORE

Liverpool's season now rests on the Blackburn game

Momentum is everything at this stage of the season, and its near neighbour 'form' is just what Liverpool had in abundance before Wednesday night. I reckon that the Liverpool that won so convincingly against Real Madrid, Manchster United and Aston Villa in recent weeks has it in them to win at Stamf...

READ MORE

Liverpool vs Chelsea: Too close to call

If there is ever a time to feel foolish in predicting a game, it is in this one. Liverpool vs Chelsea is too close to call on too many levels; and personally I'm reckoning on a pair of 0-0s and a penalty shoot-out! I reckon that both teams will fundamentally play with one striker and that ten play...

READ MORE

Barcelona vs Bayern Munich: Glamour tie of the round promises goals

In many ways the glamour tie of the round with Bayern Munich who thumped Sporting 5-0 and 7-1 in two completely one-sided games in the last round against tournament favourites Barcelona. The winner could well come from this tie (obviously fans of four English clubs will have a different opinion). ...

READ MORE

Manchester United Can Come Back From Their 2-2 Result

Its doom and gloom suddenly about Manchester Uniteds Champions League prospects. Admittedly a 2-2 home draw isnt ideal but there are precedents that Sir Alex Ferguson can take positives from. Generally a 2-2 home draw means that the home side will only win the two leg tie about 20% of the time, whi...

READ MORE

Villarreal vs Arsenal: Arsenal surge makes them favourites

The winners of the Manchester United / Porto clash will meet the winners of this tie between Villarreal and Arsenal. And both of these teams will be confident of progression in a close tie. Villarreal is in many ways an old fashioned European team, happy to compete at this level without lavishing ...

READ MORE

Manchester United vs Porto: United keen to emphasise Sunday as a catalyst

Manchester United fans were happy to be drawn with Porto last month and tonight we may see what reaction, if any, United manage to achieve after Sunday's close call and glorious finale. United is on an unprecendented unbeaten run in this competition; unbeaten for 21 games in total and unbeaten at h...

READ MORE

A fair way to avoid the English domination of the Champions' League

Although right now the English domination of the Champions' league is reasonably amusing we seem to be forgetting that the cyclical nature of these things mean that in three or four years time we could be sat with three German or Italian or Spanish teams in the semi-finals of the Champions' League. ...

READ MORE

Manchester United v Porto - The History

As two of the most regular participants in the Champions League its really a surprise that these two clubs havent crossed swords more often. Porto are one of the few teams with the edge over United in European meetings. In the Champions League the pair have never met in the group stages butthere ha...

READ MORE

Champions League Draw Reaction - Man United vs Liverpool final?

The Champions' League draw for the remaining games in the competition was again dominated by thoughts of how to avoid the English steamroller - even for the English clubs. And unfortunately the draw has thrown up yet another bout of deja vu. The tie of the round for me is Barcelona vs Bayern Munic...

READ MORE

Bayern's Bonanza And Luxembourg Defences

European football felt just like old times this week. When Bayern Munich thrashed Sporting Lisbon 12-1 on aggregate they revived the days when epic mismatches were a staple diet of the competitions. The way the Champions League and UEFA Cup are organised now, the minnows are kept well apart from th...

READ MORE

Liverpool look best Champions' League value

After the last sixteen round whittled down the competition to four English teams and four others who now offers the best value? For me Liverpool is set up so well for European games that a run to the final (where anything could happen) seems very possible. Of the eight contenders; Villarreal and P...

READ MORE

Panathinaikos vs Villarreal: Pana shutout will sink yellow submarine

The Panathinaikos vs Villarreal features another ex-Chelsea coach, with the 19-times Greek champions being lead by Henk Ten Cate who left the club at the end of last season when Avram Grant was sacked. Along with Claudio Ranieri at Juve and Jose Mourinho at Inter there are four Chelsea managers/coa...

READ MORE

Juventus vs Chelsea: Drogba the key to an away goal and qualification

The first leg in London saw an early Didier Drogba goal separate the two teams; and Chelsea has the defensive ability to close out the game with just one away goal. This could be a very pragmatic game and don't rule out Juve sitting on 0-0 for the first hour. Former Chelsea boss Claudio Ranieri ma...

READ MORE

Champions' League Preview: Last 16, Sporting Lisbon vs Bayern Munich

Sporting is the 66/1 outsider of the torunament - and with Porto considered the next least likely to win the tournament its clear the bookies don't fancy the Portuguese. Sporting had a tough match at the weekend eventually prevailing 3-2 against title rivals Benfica, in a niggly game punctuated by ...

READ MORE

Champions League Preview; Real Madrid v Liverpool

With their Premier League title challenge on life support Liverpool switch their attentions to Europe, and a competition which has been rather kinder to them in recent years. Rafa Benitez’s side visit Real Madrid in the first leg of the Champions League second round tie on Wednesday night (Februa...

READ MORE

Champions League Preview: 2008/9 Last 16 - Chelsea vs Juventus

Chelsea and Juventus will have noted the exceptionally tight nature of the first legs played on Tuesday, and doubtless there will not be more than a goal separating these two tonight. Both Guus Hiddink and Claudio Ranieri will want to prove something here - and it may not make for a free flowing ga...

READ MORE

Champions League Preview: Villarreal v Panathinaikos

This tie brings together two sides who will be glad to have missed the heavyweights in the draw. Both will feel they have adecent chance of progress to the last eight. Villarreal should have been finalists in 2006. A missed penalty cost them dearly against Arsenal in a campaign where they could eas...

READ MORE

Champions League Preview: Last 16, Atletico Madrid vs Porto

Atletico Madrid and Porto are two of the outsiders for the competition now that we have reached the business end of things - and both will be grateful for having been offered a match that they will feel confident of qualifying from. Atletico is the 28/1 twelfth favourite for competition and warmed ...

READ MORE

Champions League Preview: Lyon v Barcelona

Lyon drew the short straw in the last 16 when they were paired with Pep Guardiolas free scoring Barcelona team. The French side are perennial qualifiers from the group stage but are yet to reach the semi-finals. Seven French titles in a row have provided Lyon with plenty of experience in the Champi...

READ MORE

Champions League Preview; Arsenal v Roma

Some say this is where the Champions League really starts, as the 16 surviving teams get ready for two-legged knockout action beginning this week. One of those 16 is Arsenal, who will be looking to put their Premier League troubles behind them when they meet AS Roma at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesd...

READ MORE

Can the big four swamp the Champions' League semi-finals?

An indifferent week for Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United in the Champions' League with three draws and a defeat - but all are a win away from qualification and only Chelsea has a third placed group team within three points. The safe assumption is that all four will reach the last 1...

READ MORE

Roma howler leaves Chelsea free and clear

The pre-match talk that Laurent Blanc had moulded a good Bordeaux side (on the way to becoming manager of the French national side) was rudely shown up tonight. It could be that the English teams are now so dominant that Chelsea were really playing a good side - but at times it was hard to see that....

READ MORE