West Ham United: Who will be Zola’s two main strikers?

Christmas came late for Gianfranco Zola as David Gold and David Sullivan allowed the little Italian to add three more forwards to his squad on Monday before the transfer window slammed shut for the season. In came the experienced trio of Benni McCarthy, at last, from Blackburn Rovers, the Brazilia...

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Tottenham Hotspur: Will Robbie Keane’s exit cost Spurs fourth spot?

Celtic boss Tony Mowbray stunned the world of football last night by securing the sensational loan signing of Republic of Ireland star Robbie Keane. Everyone expected a striker to exit White Hart Lane on deadline day but most people assumed it would be the Russian ace Roman Pavlyuchenko, not Robbie ...

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Arsenal v Manchester United: Arsenal are Gunner be a handful for the champions

Aston Villa and the framework prevented Arsenal from taking all three points in midweek but the Panel firmly believes that nothing will stop the Gunners gain all three points against the champions this afternoon. Nobody, so far, thinks that United, who of course will be on a high following their dra...

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Manchester City v Portsmouth: City to focus on top four finish

Debt-ridden Portsmouth travel to the multi-billionaires of Manchester City this afternoon looking for a miracle. The south coast club have more problems than Jay Z but it’s their history with City that is the most worrying aspect ahead of today. They haven’t won at City for more than 55 years and th...

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West Ham United: McCarthy or McDonald? You decide!

West Ham United have been linked with more men this month than WAG surpemo Danielle Lloyd and following the arrival of Gold and Sullivan at the Boleyn it looks increasingly likely that Zola will have an extra face or two to work with come Tuesday morning. Up front is a particular area of interest fo...

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Birmingham City: Boyd or Pavlyuchenko? You decide!

Birmingham City boss Alex McLeish has made no secret of his desire to bolster his striking options this month due to injuries to Cameron Jerome and Kevin Phillips and the two main names in the frame this transfer window have been Kris Boyd of Glasgow Rangers and Tottenham Hotspur’s Roman Pavlyuchenk...

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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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Wigan Athletic v Everton: Everton aim to stretch unbeaten record

Everton go into today’s game on the back of an eight-game unbeaten run that has seen them burst into the top 10 and revive aspirations of finishing in a European place. However, standing in their way is a Wigan side that is hosting its first home league game of 2010 and has lost only once at the DW ...

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Portsmouth v West Ham United: A winning start’s on the cards for the Gold-Sullivan era

West Ham United travel to the south coast looking for their first away win since the start of the season and they won’t get a better chance of picking up three points than at debt-ridden Portsmouth. A few years ago Fratton Park was full of smiles. Now it’s full of anger as the club faces the threa...

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Tottenham Hotspur v Fulham: Who will pick up their first three points of 2010?

Spurs missed out on a glorious opportunity to boost their Champions League hopes and kill off one of their main rivals in the process when they lost to Liverpool last Wednesday. Tonight they aim to consolidate their position in fourth place with victory over a Fulham side who they have only defeated...

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Wolverhampton Wanderers v Liverpool: Will Wolves ruin Rafa’s revival?

Rafa Benitez promised Liverpool would finish in the top four this season. After beating rivals Tottenham Hotspur last Wednesday at Anfield, the Spaniard’s vow could well come true. Despite enduring the season from hell, the Reds are just one point off the Champions League places and they know exactl...

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Sunderland: Can Bruce avoid a relegation dog fight?

Every year without fail one club in the Premier League will slide down the table following a bright start to be embroiled in a relegation scrap. Last year it was Hull City, before that it was Reading, but this year there’s a real fear on Wearside that it could be Steve Bruce’s Black Cats. After bea...

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West Ham United: Carlton Cole for Robbie Keane? You’re having a laugh!

Carlton Cole used to be the Emile Heskey of the capital. He had it all - the speed, the strength, bags of skill - but he couldn’t hit a cow’s backside with a banjo. He was so frustrating to watch. Cole would produce something sublime one minute then fall over in front of goal the next. You wouldn’t ...

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West Ham United: To move or not to move?

West Ham United have been based at the Boleyn Ground for the past 106 years and the old stadium has been graced by some of the game’s greatest players and witnessed some fantastic matches over the years. However, following the arrival of lifelong West Ham fans David Gold and David Sullivan, there is...

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Aston Villa v West Ham United: Hammers to be left black and blue

Martin O’Neill already has one foot in the League Cup final but a win today will put his side level on points with Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur as the fight for fourth spot really hots up. Standing in their way though is a West Ham United side that are hungry for points and desperate to pul...

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Tottenham Hotspur v Hull City: Tigers hope to catch Spurs with their pants down

The Tigers were given a right spanking by Spurs in August at the KC Stadium but Phil Brown will be hoping his relegation threatened side will be able to catch Tottenham with their pants down, just like they did last season. Hull City completed the north London double in 2008/09 by sensationally bea...

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Portsmouth v Birmingham City: Blues look to avoid slip up at crisis club

Birmingham City extended their amazing unbeaten record in the top flight to 12 last weekend by holding the champions Manchester United at St Andrews. This afternoon they travel to crisis-hit Portsmouth. Surely their remarkable run won’t come to a crashing end at Fratton Park? On current form it’s ...

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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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Stoke City v Liverpool: No Gerrard, no Torres, is there any hope for Liverpool?

Out of the Champions League, out of the FA Cup and League Cup, and all but out of the running for the Premier League title, the burning question on everyone’s lips is just how bad does it have to get for Rafa to be out of a job? After running Manchester United so close for the title last season, Li...

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Arsenal: Time for Wenger’s youngsters to become men as big games come thick and fast

It appears to me that there is more chance of Hugh Heffner inviting the hairy angel Susan Boyle over to the Playboy mansion for a photoshoot than there is of Arsenal winning the Premier League title this season. The Gunners have been written off by every pundit in the country and the absence of Robi...

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Arsenal: Would you like to see Campbell back at the Emirates?

I know you shouldn’t believe everything you read in the tabloids but the red tops are all over the suggestion that Arsene Wenger could be about to bring Sol Campbell back to the Emirates. Now, the Frenchman has never re-signed a player in his long and illustrious career let alone one who is aged 35,...

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Manchester City: Does Vieira’s signing hit the target or is it an own goal for Mancini?

Roberto Mancini completed his first signing as Manchester City boss over the weekend by bringing former Arsenal and World Cup winner Patrick Vieira to Eastlands but many pundits are questioning the Italian’s judgement in bringing the 33-year-old back to the Premier League. Vieira has signed up for...

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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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Liverpool v Tottenham Hotspur: Who would make it into the ultimate starting XI?

Tottenham Hotspur stunned Liverpool on the opening day of the season by beating the title hopefuls at White Hart Lane. This weekend Rafa Benitez seeks revenge as the Reds aim to give their Champions League chances a massive shot in the arm. Harry Redknapp’s men are currently in the coveted Champion...

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Arsenal v Bolton Wanderers: Arsenal set to re-enter the title race

After Arsenal were ripped apart at the Emirates by leaders Chelsea in November everyone ruled out the Gunners as title challengers. However, victory tonight will see Arsene Wenger’s men climb above the champions Manchester United into second placeand tojust one point behind Chelsea at the summit. It...

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Stoke City v Fulham: Potters seek a return to winning ways

After three straight defeats in the Premier League, without finding the target once, Tony Pulis will have been pleased to see the back of 2009. They got back to winning ways in the FA Cup at the weekend against York and the Potters will be hoping for a similar outcome when Fulham come calling tonigh...

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Bolton Wanderers: Who do the fans want as manager?

Bolton Wanderers got life without Gary Megson off to a scorching start at the weekend with a 4-0 thrashing of Lincoln City in the FA Cup. But the burning question on the lips of those in Lancashire is who will replace Megson in the hot seat at the Reebok? Former Bolton hero and current Burnley mana...

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Liverpool: Heskey or Van Nistelrooy – Who would you rather sign?

According to transfer reports it looks as though Rafa Benitez is in the market for another striker and the two frontrunners for a move to Anfield are currently former Liverpool marksman Emile Heskey and ex-Manchester United ace Ruud Van Nistelrooy. But the question is, Liverpool fans, who would you ...

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Bolton Wanderers: Who will replace Megson at the Reebok?

It’s never good to see a manager lose his job, especially over the Christmas holidays, but some Bolton fans hail Gary Megson’s dismissal as the best late Christmas present ever. Megson was never a hit with the Bolton fans and he even conceded there was nothing he could do to win them over. He save...

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Bolton Wanderers v Hull City: Megson and Brown smell safety

The smell of turkey sandwiches and sprouts will be replaced with an air of salvation in Bolton tonight as the Wanderers and Hull City clash at the Reebok knowing a win will see either of them exit the bottom three and possibly climb up to lofty heights of 14th in the table. Hull City gave Mancheste...

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Stoke City v Birmingham City: Goals may be at a premium at the Britannia

Stoke City’s recent record against Birmingham City is about as embarrassing as my wife’s driving. The Potters have failed to score in their past six clashes with the Blues and includes a car crash of a result at the old Victoria Ground in 1998 when the Blues ran out 7-0 winners. Can the Staffordshir...

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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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Tottenham Hotspur v West Ham United: Can the Hammers end the decade happy?

The East End boys were happy Hammers on Boxing Day as they beat basement boys Portsmouth and jumped out of the bottom three. But if they want to make those smiles even bigger West Ham must do something that they haven’t managed in 10 years . . . win at the home of one of their most bitter rivals Spu...

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Sunderland v Everton: Black Cats seek an end to sticky period

Sunderland boss Steve Bruce must be counting down the days until January as December has been the month from hell for his boys. The Black Cats have managed to pick up just one point from four games, have lost defender Michael Turner for four games through suspension and are in danger of slipping out...

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Manchester City v Stoke City: Stoke City aim to ruin Mancini’s party

Roberto Mancini takes charge of his first game in English football this afternoon and he’s going to face a real battle when the Potters come to the City of Manchester Stadium as City prepare for life without Mark Hughes. City have been in the headlines all week as the fall out of Hughes’s dismissal...

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West Ham United v Portsmouth: Basement boys eye a Boxing Day cracker

The Premier League’s basement boys clash today at the Boleyn Ground in what should prove to be a Boxing Day cracker. The Hammers defied the critics last weekend as they held capital rivals and leaders Chelsea to avoid spending the holiday period at the foot of the table by one point. Propping up t...

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Fulham v Tottenham Hotspur: Cottagers aim to stuff Spurs

Tottenham Hotspur bowl up at the Cottage this afternoon looking to do something that they have only managed to do once in Premier League history . . . beat Fulham on their own patch. Spurs travel across the capital knowing a win would see them rise above Arsenal and Aston Villa – who face each othe...

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Birmingham City v Chelsea: Will it be a Blue Christmas for Chelsea?

After beating Arsenal at the tail end of last month everyone and his dog thought Chelsea would go on to run away with the title. However, four games on, Ancelotti’s men have picked up just five points and seen their lead at the top cut to just four points. Today they travel to St Andrews to take on ...

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Manchester City: What now for Mark Hughes?

Despite being relieved of his duties at Manchester City Mark Hughes remains one of the best British managers in the game. He is no doubt going to enjoy a well-earned Christmas break but it’s only a matter of time before we see him back on the touchlines. The big question though is where? A number o...

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West Ham United v Chelsea: Hammers must win to avoid a black Christmas

Defeat today for West Ham United will see the Hammers prop up the table at Christmas and you don’t need me to tell you what that traditionally means in the Premier League. The Irons are in desperate need for points and Gianfranco Zola could not have asked for tougher opposition to get something from...

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Everton v Birmingham City: Big Eck hopes to make it another Blue day for the Moyes

Birmingham City could enter Christmas in sixth spot with victory today over Everton but history is not on their side. The Blues have failed to beat the Toffees in the Premier League in six attempts and haven’t won at Goodison Park since 1957. However, this is a Blues’ side in a purple patch while Ev...

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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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Aston Villa v Stoke City: Villa ready to enter title race

Aston Villa’s main goal this season was to finish in the top four and clinch a Champions League spot, but after two fantastic away wins at Old Trafford and the Stadium of Light Martin O’Neill’s men could well enter Europes elite competition as league champions. The Villains surprised a lot of neut...

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Blackburn Rovers v Tottenham Hotspur: Spurs must win to prove top four credentials

Spurs gave their top four hopes a massive boost in midweek by beating Manchester City, but to be considered as real Champions League contenders they must leave Ewood Park today with all three points. However, that may not be as simple as it seems as Blackburn have lost just once at home all season...

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Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester City: The ultimate starting XI

Both Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City have designs on breaking into the top four this season but results at the weekend didn’t exactly go for them. Spurs were surprise losers at home against lowly Wolverhampton Wanderers and City drew their eighth game of the season against relegation battlers ...

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Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester City: Who will get the upper hand in the race for a top four place?

When Spurs smashed nine past Wigan everybody expected the north London giants to push on for a top four spot. However, football isn’t as predictable as that. Harry Redknapp’s men have since failed to win in their last four league and cup outings and they will be keen to erase the memory of Saturday’...

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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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Chelsea v Portsmouth: Pompey to face a Chelsea backlash

Nobody, not even David Moyes, expected Everton to share the spoils with Chelsea at the weekend but the Toffees gave the Stamford Bridge side one of their toughest games of the season and the Merseysiders fully deserved their point. Unfortunately for Portsmouth and Avram Grant though I don’t think Ch...

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Manchester United v Wolverhampton Wanderers: Will Wolves follow in Villa’s footsteps and beat the champions?

Wolves weren’t given a hope in hell of beating Spurs at the weekend but Kevin Doyle’s early strike at the lane gave the West Midlands club three huge points in their quest to avoid the drop. Tonight they head to Old Trafford to face the champions and again they enter the game as rank outsiders, but ...

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Birmingham City v Blackburn Rovers: Big Eck eyes top flight record for Blues

There are some things I never thought I would hear in my lifetime. “You’re hired” was one of them, “Yes I’ll sleep with you” was another, but the most surprising thing I’ve heard so far has to be “Birmingham City are the Premier League’s form side!” Birmingham City, tipped by many to be relegated ...

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