Champions League Final: Bayern Munich v Borrusia Dortmund

German giants Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund will make history tonight when they clash at Wembley. For the first time ever, two German sides meet in the final of a European tournament, but who will go back to the fatherland with the biggest prize in club football under their arms? Both Bay...

READ MORE

Champions League: Barcelona, Bayern, Dortmund or Real - Who will win the trophy?

Wembley is set to host its second Champions League final inside three years next month and theres every chance that UEFA get their dream all-Spanish final of Barcelona against Real Madrid as the pair were kept apart in the semi-finals. However, its by far a foregone conclusion as Barca must first se...

READ MORE

Will Wayne Rooney leave Old Trafford in the summer?

Wayne Rooneys future at Manchester United has been called into question ever since he was dropped to the bench for Uniteds crunch Champions League clash with Real Madrid. United lost the game due to a horrific refereeing decision but both Sir Alex and Rooney insist that it was purely a footballing...

READ MORE

Premier League: Have Arsenal, Chelsea, Man City and Man United lost their sparkle in Europe?

Arsene Wengers Arsenal heroically bowed out of the Champions League against Bayern Munich meaning no Premier League side would feature in the last eight for the first time in 17 years. The French boss believes the English sides have suffered as the rest of Europe has finally caught up with them, but...

READ MORE

Arsenal: Do Vermaelen and Szczesny deserve the boot?

It has been reported this morning that Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has lost faith with his goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny and captain Thomas Vermaelen and that the pair could be booted out of the Emirates in the summer, but are there not more deserving players to be shown the door? Both Szczesny a...

READ MORE

Arsenal: Does Arsene Wenger deserve one more year in charge?

Arsenal are Britains sole representatives in this seasons Champions League but they are going to need a miracle if that is to remain the case this evening in Munich. The Gunners enter the Allianz Arena 3-1 down from the first leg and Bayern Munich have only lost once at home to an English side in Eu...

READ MORE

Arsenal: Could Xabi Alonso be on his way to the Emirates?

Reports in the media over the weekend suggest that the Spanish midfielder Xabi Alonso is stalling over a contract at Real Madrid and that Liverpool may be interested in bringing him back to these shores, but could Arsenal convince him that his future rests with them in the capital? Theres no doubt ...

READ MORE

If United win the Treble should Sir Alex retire?

The Premier League title is in the bag and home games against Real Madrid tonight and Chelsea on Sunday in the FA Cup put them in the driving seat to replicate their Treble-winning feat of 1999. But if United were to win an unprecedented second Treble, would that be the right time for Sir Alex Fergu...

READ MORE

Will Man United finish off Real Madrid at Old Trafford?

Manchester United scored an all-important away goal at the Bernabeu in their first leg Champions League clash with Real Madrid but can they stop Ronaldo and co from doing the same this evening at Old Trafford? Sir Alex Fergusons game plan at Madrid was excellent with Danny Welbeck, Jonny Evans and ...

READ MORE

Man Utd v Real Madrid - Free Bet Offer with bet365

bet365 has a fantastic free bet offer to add to the excitement as Man Utd welcome Real Madrid to Old Trafford this evening with their UEFA Champions League last 16 tie in the balance. Place a pre-match bet on this much anticipated fixture today and you will receive a free In-Play bet to the s...

READ MORE

Manchester United: Can United win the Treble again?

The Premier League title looks like it is in the bag for Manchester United and the Red Devils have a home tie against Chelsea or Middlesbrough in the next round of the FA Cup, but can they go the whole hog and emulate their record-breaking season of 1999 and win the Treble again? Standing in their ...

READ MORE

Man United: Is this United side as good as the class of 99?

Manchester United are on course to repeat their Treble-winning heroics of 1999 and Sir Alex Ferguson believes his current side are actually better than the class of 99. But are the likes of De Gea, Rooney and RVP really up there with Schemichel, Keane and Beckham? Weve asked a selection of football...

READ MORE

Arsenal: Can Arsenal beat Bayern Munich?

Arsenal havent had much luck in cup football against teams that start with the letter B this season. League Two Bradford City dumped them out of the Capital One Cup, Blackburn sent them packing from the FA Cup on Saturday and this evening they take on the German giants Bayern Munich in the Champions...

READ MORE

Arsenal: Why history is against victory over Bayern Munich

Arsenals preparation ahead of Tuesdays Champions League clash with Bayern Munich couldnt have been any worse. Exiting the FA Cup at home to Blackburn Rovers is pure embarrassing. The FA Cup was the one trophy that Arsenal could realistically win this season to end their eight-year drought withou...

READ MORE

Why Liverpool need to axe Pepe Reina

Liverpool have just seen any small chance they had at fourth place and a spot in the Champions League disappear with their recent loss to West Brom. The defeat certainly accentuated the disparity between the two goalkeepers on the pitch. Ben Foster was fantastic and surely the reason West ...

READ MORE

Arsenal: How can they beat Bayern Munich?

Arsenal may be preparing for this weekends FA Cup clash with Blackburn Rovers, but they will definitely have one eye firm focused on Tuesday nights Champions League match with German giants Bayern Munich. Yes Arsenal have the daunting task of taking on arguably the best team in the world at the...

READ MORE

Can Manchester United beat Real Madrid?

Premier League leaders Manchester United take on La Liga champions Real Madrid tonight in the glamour tie of the Champions Leagues last 16, but can Sir Alex Fergusons men keep flying the flag for England? The two sides havent met since the Brazilian Ronaldo scored a hat-trick for the visitors and w...

READ MORE

Man United: Fergie's game plan for Real Madrid

With such a big game this evening, the anxiety of all fans involved is rising faster and faster. So lets take a look at what Manchester United need to do to make the second leg so much easier. It may seem obvious but everything will start at the back. It sounds like a cliche b...

READ MORE

Should Sky help Man United and Arsenal in Europe?

The Champions League returns from tonight with Manchester United and Arsenal the only English sides flying the flag for the Premier League. United take on Real Madrid at the Bernabeu on Wednesday while Arsenal host German giants Bayern Munich on February 19 and theres every chance that both Premier ...

READ MORE

Arsenal: Can the Gunners finish in the top four?

With 13 games of the season left to play Arsenal find themselves four points behind fourth placed Spurs in the battle for Champions League football. The Gunners have never failed to qualify for Europes elite competition under Arsene Wenger, but there are plenty of pundits tipping them to miss o...

READ MORE

Could Arsenal be out of top four race before Valentine's Day?

Laurent Koscielnys crazy rugby tackle against Edin Dzeko on Sunday ultimately cost Arsenal the game. You can blame the referee if you want, but the Frenchmans decision to haul Dzeko to the ground was inexcusable. That moment of madness denied Arsenal the chance to pick up all three points and crushe...

READ MORE

Man United: Would you sacrifice Rooney to have Ronaldo back?

Manchester United will come face-to-face with their former hero Ronaldo in the last 16 of the Champions League in February, but could the former United number 7 be ready for a sensational return to Old Trafford in the summer? Everything coming out of Spain suggests that Ronaldo is not happy with ...

READ MORE

Celtic: Ten out of ten for Neil Lennon's Bhoys?

Coming up to the half way point of Celtic’s 125th season in football how are the club performing across the board? League Cup and SFA Cup Competitions Celtic are still alive in both cups which is as much as can be asked for at this stage of the season. The cups are important for Celtic over...

READ MORE

Arsenal: Only Arsene Wenger can get Arsenal back to the top

It has been a tough time for Arsenal fans over recent years, hopeful periods slowly being outnumbered by disaster periods. As a Manchester United reporter and fan, Id like to give my opinion on all the hate pointed towards Arsene Wenger. First of all, rival fans around the world w...

READ MORE

Arsenal: Spend big or accept fourth or worse

There are two ways of looking at Arsenals current predicament and after being dumped out of the Capital One Cup by League Two Bradford City, those two views are in even sharper contrast. View One - Sensible, morally acceptable and the long game Under Arsene Wenger Arsenal have managed to reloc...

READ MORE

Can Arsenal or Man United win the Champions League?

The Champions League draw for the knockout stages is made next Thursday (December 20) but can either Arsenal or Manchester United keep the coveted trophy on these shores? Only the two Premier League sides represent England in the final 16 following the premature of Premier League champions Man City...

READ MORE

Real Madrid: Who will replace Mourinho?

Despite ending Barcelonas dominance in La Liga it looks as though Jose Mourinho and Real Madrid will be parting company next summer. Madrid are currently 11 points behind Barca and even if Real claw that back and go on to win the Champions League all the indications are that the Special One will be ...

READ MORE

Jose Mourinho: Will the Special One end up at Arsenal, Chelsea, City or United?

Its the worst kept secret in football but it looks as though the Special One Jose Mourinho and the Spanish giants Real Madrid will be parting company in the summer, but where will the former Chelsea boss end up? Mourinho has always said he wanted to manage in England again and most English clubs wo...

READ MORE

Chelsea: Was Abramovich right to axe Roberto Di Matteo?

Chelseas Champions League hopes are hanging by a thread following last nights 3-0 defeat at Juventus. Unfortunately the man who brought the Champions League trophy to Stamford Bridge in May was this morning axed by Chelsea supremo Roman Abramovich. It was news that some of us feared and the re...

READ MORE

Chelsea: Where did it all go wrong?

Football can be edifying when the team is performing well on the pitch. It can be equally cruel when the results do not come. It is the ability to turn things around that warrants astronomical salaries for managers. Roberto Di Matteo knows a thing or two about winning trophies with Che...

READ MORE

Chelsea: Di Matteo at the crossroads

Chelsea have developed an annoying habit over the past few seasons, or shall we say, in the post-Mourinho era. It is vulnerability at the back. Managers have arrived with their visions of how Chelsea can take the next step but one thing has remained consistent in the post-Mourinho era. I...

READ MORE

Celtic: Lennon's plan to thwart Messi and co

Celtic play Barcelona in Glasgow on Wednesday in the Champions League. When Martin O’Neill and Gordon Strachan managed the club there was an incredible expectation that Celtic would win every home they played in this competition while at the same time an equally incredible expectation that Cel...

READ MORE

Manchester City: Joe Hart Tells It Like It Is And Gets a Rap

So youve just played a blinder in a Champions League match in the Bernabeu and still seen your team leak two goals in the last five minutes to lose. Now theres a bloke from ITV pushing a microphone at you - not likely to say too many positive things are you? This morning Roberto Mancini has repor...

READ MORE

Real Madrid's record against English sides

Real Madrid host English champions Manchester City tonight and Roberto Mancini will be hoping to achieve something that only two English sides have managed in European competitions . . . beat Madrid at the Bernabeu. Arsenal were the first English side to beat Real Madrid at home in 2006 thanks to a...

READ MORE

Manchester City's record against Spanish sides

Manchester City are in the Spanish capital for easily the most eagerly awaited clash in the opening games of this seasons Champions League. This is what being in the Champions League is all about . . . lining up against the very best Europe has to offer, and they dont come much better than Jose Mou...

READ MORE

Who is your money on winning the Champions League?

Chelsea start their defence of the Champions League trophy this week but with giants such as Barcelona, Real Madrid, Manchester United and AC Milan all desperate to be champions of Europe again, can the Blues hold on to the greatest prize in European trophy? A few weeks ago we ran an article on...

READ MORE

Champions League Draw: Man City face Ronaldo and Celtic take on Messi

Its become one of the big rituals of the modern football season - the draw for the Champions League group stage. Yesterday five British clubs were in the hat (glass bowls really, but it doesnt soundright). Three clubs - Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United- were seeded to the first pot. Ironical...

READ MORE

Who will win the Champions League?

The group stages for this years Champions League competition will be drawn this afternoon, but who will win the biggest prize in European football? Chelsea became the first team from the capital of England to win the trophy in May, beating the German giants Bayern Munich on penalties in their own b...

READ MORE

Celtic: Bhoys should show no fear in Europe

I have to admit to being slightly worried about Celtic’s sense of self-belief. The club has recently beaten HJK Helsinki 4-1 on aggregate to reach the play-off round of the Champions League and there is an atmosphere of celebration about the place at Parkhead. Of course winning the tie is very i...

READ MORE

Chelsea: Could Ramires, Essien or Van Aahnholt fill the gap at right-back?

In Ashley Cole, Chelsea have one of the best left-backs in the country. Alongside him are John Terry, who is a leader of men, and the impressive Gary Cahill. All three are top class performers who give it their all once they cross on to the pitch. Unfortunately, right-back has been a cause of conc...

READ MORE

Manchester United: Has the fear factor gone?

You only have to go back to the first leg of the semi-final in the Champions League against Schalke last year to understand what Manchester United can do before the kick off. The match was in Germany and Schalke should have used this opportunity to attack. Instead they sat back, afraid of what Uni...

READ MORE

Is it really so wrong to like Cristiano Ronaldo?

If there is a more opinion dividing player than Cristiano Ronaldo – the man with the five mile thighs – then I will eat my hat with some fine wine and one of those little sticks with pineapple and cheese stuck through the middle. Arriving on these shores, swiftly slipping into the illustrious nu...

READ MORE

Barcelona: Why Xavi, not Messi, is Barcelona’s most important player

The 2011-2012 season in Spain saw Real Madrid finish nine points above Barcelona and subsequently wrestle the La Liga crown from the Catalan giants grip, ending a four-year wait for los Blancos. Whilst Real themselves possess a wonderfully, star-studded squad packed full of skill and flair, sp...

READ MORE

Chelsea: Is Roberto Di Matteo Chelsea's greatest ever manager?

Chelseas Italian boss Roberto Di Matteo may not have been in the hot seat at Stamford Bridge that long but he has already won the FA Cup and landed the Holy Grail in the Champions League. Here is why I think he could be Chelseas greatest ever manager. 1. His use of resources Remember this?...

READ MORE

Chelsea: This is why cynical fans are everthing football lovers shouldn't be

As the shadow of Deja Vu sauntered onto our TV screens - with a final whistle cementing the oncoming penalty shootout which resembled Moscow 2008 - I found myself lost for words. And being lost for words is brilliant. For it is usually indicative of an event or spectacle so brilliant that one canno...

READ MORE

Ten of the biggest cup final defeats ever

Heart of Midlothian clinched their eighth Scottish Cup on Saturday with an emphatic 5-1 win over their Edinburgh rivals Hibernian. It was a terrible afternoon for the boys from Leith, but Pat Fenlons men are not alone in being humiliated on their big day. Here are the 10 of the biggest cup final de...

READ MORE

Outside the Box – Football on TV: Chelsea win, but there were plenty of losers in the final day of football

There are some days that it simply doesn’t pay to be a non-football fan. We have a tendency in this country to lurch en masse into things and render them inescapable to the more indifferent among us. We latch on to an event, a past time, even a television talent show and let it consume us until we...

READ MORE

Chelsea: Didier Drogba's seven greatest Chelsea moments

If that was Didier Drogbas last kick of a ball for Chelsea then he bows out of Stamford Bridge on top and leaving the fans wanting more. Drogbas spot-kick in Munich clinched the Champions League Final and fulfilled every Chelsea fans dreams. Steve Coulter takes a look back at the strikers gr...

READ MORE

Chelsea: Should Di Matteo get the job now?

Roberto Di Matteos place in Chelsea folklore was secure when he scored within seconds of the kick off in the 2-0 FA Cup win over Middlesbrough in 1997 but Saturday nights Champions League success has earned him legendary status. But will Roman Abramovich now appoint the former midfielder on a perman...

READ MORE

Bayern Munich v Chelsea: Betting special

Chelsea manager Roberto Di Matteo will probably not be in the dugout at Stamford Bridge regardless of what happens in Munich on Saturday night, but the former Chelsea manager can write his name in football history by helping Chelsea to lift the Champions League for the first time in their history. ...

READ MORE