...and a Happy New Year 2009 !

(return on Saturday)

! I WISH YOU MERRY MERRY MERRY CHRISTMAS !

English Premier
2008-12-20 - Blackburn Rovers v Stoke City

Blackburn Rovers
It's all been about the manager this week with the inexperienced Paul Ince sacked and Sam Allardyce installed at Ewood Park getting back into work after a less than stellar display at St James's Park in charge of Newcastle United. Blackburn were woeful last week against Wigan, losing 0-3 and really not showing any of the basic at the back - there was little doubt that the Blackburn board had to act. They had two choices, fire the manager and make him the scapegoat, or wait for the transfer window and completely replace the squad which obviously was never going to happen, so Ince gets the boot. Blackburn have lost seven on the trot. It's the same playing staff, and he's only had four days in charge. Can Sam Allardyce pull things around in such a short time? I'd have answered NO - but then we've seen the "new manager" syndrome already work it's magic at Spurs - so who can tell?

Stoke City
Stoke City have been great at home, but pretty ineffective when travelling - scoring just five goals and right now they're one of just two sides in the Premier League without an away win. The Potters would have been targetting this game as a great place to finally break that duck, but now will be well aware that the managerial shakeup will at least be giving hope to the Blackburn fans and that this game will be a real test. Stoke City Team News :
Stoke captain Andy Griffin (knee) and Ryan Shawcross (back) are both fit after injury while striker Dave Kitson (knee) faces a late fitness test. Striker Mama Sidibe (knee) and defender Leon Cort (groin) are both out while Liam Lawrence (knee) is not match fit.

THE VERDICT
Very close to call, although I'd certainly give Blackburn almost a 50% win chance with home advantage and a big shakeup.
Both clubs have scored 17 goals in 17 games, and without the arrival of Sam Allardyce thne a 1-1 draw probably would have been the call.
The price on a Rovers home win has been dropping all week as punters get on board the new manager syndrome, and while they might be right it's no sure thing.

My Pick = Blackburn Win!

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NEC Nijmegen - Udinese

Udinese have already passed from group play in the UEFA Cup. They had a very good start in Serie A, where, after the first ten matches had [6 3 1], went to a halt with a paltry [0 1 5] in the last six.
It could be cute likely to Udinese not put the best team in action in Holland on Thursday evening and instead of saving wheel for Sunday evening when they guests Milan at San Siro .
Nijmegen lost their first match of group play in Zagreb, allthough they had come in front in 2nd half.
Against Tottenham at home, managed Nijmegen not to cross Gomes, after the early delivery Harry Rednapps selected had created.
In the frozen Moscow v Spartak, it was on track to exit from the UEFA Cup for Nijmegen, until missing a short time, but at the to beautiful goal by Lasse Schoenen in 88 ", the Dutch team still live.
They can even do it with the victory, if not equal Spartak win even more at White Hart Lane. In Dutch League is Nijmegen among the best teams, with a nice home state [4 2 1 (16]. Their first loss at home came in last match at home vs Utrecht, but Nijmegen had "the revenge" on Saturday by winning away vs Willem II.
I think you should bet fairly soon at Nijmegen, if you already believe in them.
The odds are already falling path and will probably fall even more...

My Pick = Home Win!

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Portsmouth - Heerenveen

Both are out of the race. Depressing facts for both parties, although Heerenveen should not be too surprised. The Heerenveen coach says about this match - " Good training game against tough opponents". They have travelled without the injured Pranjic. Portsmouth have every reason to be disappointed, a team like Braga should not advance instead of Portsmouth, or maybe they should. Writing and reading so much about the Premiership, maybe we overrate the strength of some of the Premiership sides, like Portsmouth.

Pompey, coached by the ever competitive Tony Adams, cannot be trusted in meaningless matches like this one. Pompey do not have a very big squad and I guess that most of their starters will be the familiar names, but I take it for granted that their key players will be rested.

The outcome? Both sides will be mindful of their forthcoming league games and I expect a low key affair at Fratton Park this time. Maybe home advantage will decide the outcome...

My Pick = Home Win!

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STEAUA vs FIORENTINA

Steaua has a rare chance of playing in the UEFA Cup despite a dismal performance in this Champions League edition, but in order to do that they are bound to defeat Fiorentina at home. It is a situation this team is not accustomed with, and they never fare well when are forced to put caution aside and push forward.
To make things even worse, Kapetanos is injured and will miss this fixture, while Arthuro and Abel Moreno were forced to leave after the owner Becali treated them in the worst way possible. The constant interference of the owner brought Steaua on its knees and the future doesn't look bright at all.
Traditionally a team with strong defenses Steaua is awful this year, only Basel and PSV conceded more goals, but at least the Dutch side scored 5. Now Steaua will have to face Fiorentina without Ghionea (injured) and Goian (suspended) the latter being a prolific goal scorer for Steaua.
On the other side we've got a team who's surging through Serie A tables and comes after a convincing 4-1 win away at Torino, a team who draws a lot at home. Mutu is regarded as the main danger for the hosts and the Romanian should expect a very hostile atmosphere in Ghencea and I expect him to be heavily defended.
Nonetheless he's able to penetrate Steaua's defense with ease and could be the one to seal their fate tonight; Gilardino is equally deadly and I would keep an eye on Montolivo as well, after seeing his last performances.
I've got no doubts that Steaua is heading to disaster tonight, the visitors are better both in the offense and defense and can afford to wait for mistakes, but they can easily put pressure on the hosts if they mean to. Even the fans will be split tonight, some willing to stand beside their beloved club while others will focus on attacking the owner who's responsible for Steaua's misery.

My Pick = X in Half Time!

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Chelsea - Cluj

Theoretically there's still a chance for Chelsea to lose their way and don't go next, but the chances are they will beat Cluj. While I prefer to skip the AH line, there's great value to be had on under. The main reason comes from the fact there's much pressure on Scolari, and his men will probably start attentively, and while it's hard to believe the Romanians will score at Stamford Bridge, it's almost sure for me that Blues will get some pain until they find the net against this organized Romanian team. I don't care what happens in their local championship, but when you play at Stamford Bridge it's the match of your life for many players, therefore I really expect them to play hard and try at least to hold out. Had you seen their previous encounter you will agree it's been a very closed game with few chances, although we can't say for sure it's going to be the same, it's a trend we should pay attention to. Furthermore I will mention that Malouda and Lampard are out, both imporant pieces in their attack. The line's exaggerated whatsoever, mainly because it's Chelsea playing and they get a very large spread, maybe a bit off the mark, but have my reasons to skip it. 1-0 or 2-0 is what I expect.

My Pick = Under 3 goal (2.00)!

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Blackburn - Liverpool

With F Torres sidelined and Robbie Keane out of form, maybe we should not be surprised to see Liverpool play out 0-0 draws with Fulham and W Ham. Tough week for Blackburn. They visited Old Trafford for a cup quarter final vs. M United in midweek (3-5 loss) and then this most difficult game with Liverpool tomorrow. Their league form is dreadful, without a win in their last nine matches. I am inclined to say that they have been unlucky from time to time, but no win in nine has really nothing to do with bad luck. Maybe coach Ince is not the shrewdest tactician around, or maybe their squad is not strong enough. I am leaning towards the first alternative. Santa Cruz and B Emerton are considered injury doubts, but K Andrews will return...

My Pick = Liverpool Win!

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Watford - Tottenham

Tottenham have played a lot of games lately. Twice a week for some time now and maybe their players are beginning to tire and scoring goals has become increasingly difficult for Redknapp's boys lately. Tomorrow Spurs will be without J Jenas, Modric and L King.

The new Watford boss Rodgers could be without the two defenders Harley and Mariappa, with Bromby and Sadler on stand bye. To get to this quarter final Watford defeated another Premiership side, W Ham. I get the impression that coach Redknapp cares more about this cup than the UEFA Cup, but can he be that stupid? OK, Tottenham ought to win this quarter final...

My Pick = Tottenham Win!

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English Premier
2008-11-30 - Manchester City v Manchester United

Analysis:
Last season Manchester United suffered the agony of losing twice to city rivals Manchester City and this time around the Red Devils will not want to get beaten for a third consecutive time. The home side will be aiming to continue their good run after beating Arsenal and also a good run against Schalke in the UEFA Cup in midweek.
However Manchester City still remains in the bottom half of the table due to a poor start to the season but they will be banking on their good home form while United's away form has been doubtful this season.
To date this season United have only managed wins at Portsmouth and Blackburn so they must improve on that record and the fact that many of their games have come straight after their European games, Sir Alex Ferguson feels that they have been handicapped by that as a result.
But with eight points being the difference between them and join leaders Liverpool and Chelsea, Ferguson believes they can get a win here and make up ground. As it is now they already have a game behind their rivals and will go another game behind when they travel to Japan next month for the FIFA Club World Cup next month.
With regards to the team news, Robinho who missed the UEFA Cup clash with Schalke is expected back in the side and will start in attack. Pablo Zabaleta, Gelson Fernandes and Elano all returns after recovery from injuries as well as personal matters respectively. However, Javier Garrido is doubtful after picking up a knock against Schalke and could be replaced by Michael Ball.
As for United, they are likely to bring back Dimitar Berbatov after he missed their last two matches with injuries. United are still without Gary Neville and Paul Scholes who are out with injuries while Owen Hargreaves is set to miss the rest of the season with a knee injury.
Edwin van der Sar returns to goal after being rested in midweek as well as Nemanja Vidic. The likes of Park Ji-sung, Rafael da Silva and Ryan Giggs will be hoping to start at some point as they did not feature in the goalless draw against Villarreal.

My Pick = Manchester United to win this match!

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