Bayern Munich v Bayer Leverkusen
Bundesliga
Sunday, 22 November, 2009

The death of Hanover goalkeeper Robert Enke will take centre stage as the Bundesliga resumes after his tragic death.

Hanover will have little respite as they visit Schalke on Saturday. Schalke currently lie forth in the table, and are big favourites going into the game. Focus will be firmly on Hanover, but the big game of the weekend takes place on Sunday, as Bayern host leage leaders Leverkusen.

Munich are in desperate need of a win as the pressure mounts of Louis van Haal. Bayern are in eighth place, and find themselves behind new boys Mainz. Leverkusen have enjoyed a bright start to the season, and lead the way, six points ahead of Bayern.

Watch Bayern Munich v Bayer Leverkusen live in the Premier League by signing up to view the best football feeds online with Ole Ole Football.

Van Haal is finding it tricky to get any consistency out of his side, having started 22 different players already this season. Bayern’s exciting wingers have provided glimpses of hope for Munich, but Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben have had their fair share of injuries this season. Ribery is still unavailable, but Bayern’s big problems have been up-front.

Luca Toni and Miroslav Klose are yet to score in the Bundesliga this season, and top scorer Mario Gomez has only netted three goals. Their top strikers are finding it very hard to gel, but they will have to be at their best to beat the most solid defence in the league.

Bayern must also be wary of the goalscoring threat that Leverkusen pose. Stfan Kiessling is the leage’s top scorer and will be looking to add to his tally in Munich. It is a must-win game for Munich but Leverkusen are full of confidence and couldn’t be visiting the Allianz Arena at a better time. They could prove that they are serious title contenders and put Bayern’s season in big trouble.

The other big games this week see Dortmund go head to head with FC Mainz and Bremen will be looking to close the gap on Leverkusen as they take on struggling Freiburg. Werder will be without some key players as Claudio Pizzaro, Christian Vander an Tim Borowski are set to miss out.

However all eyes will be on the Vltins-Arena in Schalke. Young German keeper Florian Fromowitz is poised to take over in goal for the emotional match. Enke will be remebered at all league games this weekend, and black armbands worn in his honour.

Watch Bundesliga Matches Live Online

Liverpool v Manchester City
English Premier League
Saturday, 21 November, 2009
Anfield

The team most likely to drop out of the Big Four this season goes up against the team most likely to replace them in the Champions League next season. Saturday’s first act of Manchester v Liverpool (Manchester United host Everton later in the day) sees ’skint’ Liverpool host ‘moneybags’ Manchester City.

Just a point separates the two teams. Gerrard returns for Liverpool but the main concern for Manchester City will be their defensive frailties that have led them to concede too many goals (and lose precious points) in the race for the 4th spot.

Watch Liverpool v Manchester City live in the Premier League by signing up to view the best football feeds online with Ole Ole Football.

Liverpool v Manchester City – Preview and Prediction

Listen to Adrian Clarke and Iain Spragg discuss this weekend’s top football matches in Europe, including the Manchester United v Everton, Liverpool v Manchester City, Sunderland v Arsenal and Bayern Munich v Bayer Leverkusen games. All of this weekend’s predictions and previews can be found on this week’s episode of the Soccerlens Podcast.

Liverpool’s fans will be concerned that the Reds have only won once in nine matches, even though only one league point separates them from their opponents. In these nine matches they have kept just one clean sheet – however the win and clean sheet described was against Manchester Utd, showing that Liverpool can still raise their game when it matters the most.

Supporters can also take heart from Liverpool’s head-to-head record against City – the last time the side beat Liverpool was back in 2003 with a 2-1 win.

The last four meetings between these two at Anfield have only produced five goals, at an average of 1.25 goals per game. And in the last four matches all bar one were goalless going into the break.

See our Premier League betting tips section for the best bets on the Liverpool-Manchester City game.

Prediction: Liverpool 1-1 Manchester City

Watch Liverpool v Manchester City Live Online

Sunderland v Arsenal
English Premier League
Saturday, 21 November, 2009

Sunderland and Arsenal are enjoying good starts to the season, with Sunderland in 8th place thanks to good home form and Arsenal in an impressive 2nd place (with a game in hand to Chelsea and United) thanks to their free-flowing displays of goalscoring.

This is bound to be a tight game – Arsenal haven’t been at their best away from home, although 6 of their 10 conceded goals came in their two defeats against City and United, while Sunderland have made a habit of winning at the Stadium of Light and can be expected to at least score today.

Watch Sunderland v Arsenal live in the Premier League by signing up to view the best football feeds online with Ole Ole Football.

Sunderland v Arsenal – Preview and Prediction

Listen to Adrian Clarke and Iain Spragg discuss this weekend’s top football matches in Europe, including the Manchester United v Everton, Liverpool v Manchester City, Sunderland v Arsenal and Bayern Munich v Bayer Leverkusen games. All of this weekend’s predictions and previews can be found on this week’s episode of the Soccerlens Podcast.

The Gunners have won their previous four matches in all competitions and haven’t lost since the middle of September. Also, the North London outfit have scored 25 goals since the turn of October.

But if you’re expecting this to be a goalfest, look at Arsenal’s last season’s results against Sunderland; the Black Cats only conceded once in the two matches.

See our Premier League betting tips section for the best bets on the Sunderland-Arsenal game.

Prediction: Sunderland 1-2 Arsenal

Watch Sunderland v Arsenal Live Online

Manchester United v Everton
English Premier League
Saturday, 21 November, 2009
Old Trafford

It’s Manchester v Liverpool today as Manchester United host Everton (while City travel to Liverpool) in the 5:30pm kickoff. Manchester United are 10 points ahead of Everton, have played a game more and are favourites to take the full 3 points off this game. Neither club has started their seasons as they would have hoped to (Everton are down in 12th place) but there’s still plenty of football to be played this season.

United and Everton are 5 and 6 points off 1st and 5th places (respectively) – and if they can cope with injuries and especially have a good December period, it could be a completely different story for both sides come January 2010.

Watch Manchester United v Everton live in the Premier League by signing up to view the best football feeds online with Ole Ole Football.

Manchester United v Everton – Preview and Prediction

Listen to Adrian Clarke and Iain Spragg discuss this weekend’s top football matches in Europe, including the Manchester United v Everton, Liverpool v Manchester City, Sunderland v Arsenal and Bayern Munich v Bayer Leverkusen games. All of this weekend’s predictions and previews can be found on this week’s episode of the Soccerlens Podcast.

Manchester United hope to return to winning ways in their teatime fixture against Everton. The last time United lost to Everton, home or away, was in 2005 after a Duncan Ferguson winner.

In that period the sides have met nine times, with six wins for United. It should still be a tight game though – the last five games were decided by a goal or less.

See our Premier League betting tips section for the best bets on the United-Everton game.

Prediction: Manchester United 2-0 Everton

Watch Manchester United v Everton Live Online

In this week’s Match of the round, we travel to Etihad Stadium, where Melbourne lost both a match, and their epic pride, going down 4-0 in front of 18,000 fans. A quiet first half and start of the second was ignited by a rampant Central Coast side.

Ernie Merrick left his side unchanged for his side’s clash with Central Coast, the standout being Carlos Hernandez, who is in blistering form for the Victory. Unfortunantely for Hernandez, he was left out of Costa Rica’s side to face Uruguay. Thompson’s history tells us he has scored 9 goals in 10 matches against Central Coast, and today broke the club’s appearance record, and is joint holders of this record with Danny Allsopp.

The Mariners on the other hand making three changes, Matt Crowell is suspended with Chris Doig and Michael McGlinchey both injured. Boogard moves into Central defence, with 19 year old Matthew Lewis making his first A-League start. Brad Porter moves into right back, with Nicky Travis moving into a more playmaking role.

The first goal came for Central Coast on the 15th minute, when Travis’ shot was deflected by Moss, before being knocked in spectacular fashion by Adam Kwasnik, with his 2nd goal in 3 games. Kwasnik picked up a knock in the process however it would have been no doubt worth it, shooshing the home crowd in the 15th minute.

Simon then added to their tally long after on the 75th minute, from a corner. Nicky Travis once again had a hand in the goal, with a pin-point corner. Simon’s brilliant header took a deflection off Vargas’ shoulder, to make the game 2-0.

Just 5 minutes later, Hutchinson’s great run ended with a great inside ball to Heffernan, who slotted it between Moss’ legs. The score was slowly header to an embarassing level. The goal has to be credited to Hutchinson, whose committed tackle inside the Melbourne half sparked the counter.

On the 83rd, Nicky Mrdja converted a scramble in the box, to continue a terrible error riddled day for Glen Moss. Clark smartly prevented the ball from crossing the line, before Mrdja smashed into the back of the net.

At the end of that match, this was Melbourne’s worst ever home defeated, as well as of this match, they have conceded 16 at home, the worst record for any A-League club.

Match Details

Central Coast Mariners 20. Danny VUKOVIC (gk), 4. Pedj BOJIC, 5. Brad PORTER, 7. John HUTCHINSON, 8. Dean HEFFERNAN, 12. Matthew LEWIS (25. Ahmad ELRICH 64’), 16. Nigel BOOGAARD, 18. Alex WILKINSON (c), 19. Matt SIMON (15. Andrew CLARK 81’), 22. Nicky TRAVIS, 23. Adam KWASNIK (9. Nik MRDJA 60’).

Unused Subs 1. Andrew REDMAYNE (gk).

Yellow Cards Boogaard 46’, Travis 88′
Red Cards None
Goals Kwasnik 16’, Vargas 76′, Heffernan 80’, Mrdja 84’

Melbourne Victory 20. Glen MOSS (gk), 2. Kevin MUSCAT (c), 3. Mate DUGANDZIC (13. Nathan ELASI 63’), 6. Leigh BROXHAM (5. Surat SUKHA 46’), 7. Matthew KEMP, 8. Grant BREBNER, 10. Archie THOMPSON, 12. Rodrigo VARGAS, 16. Carlos HERNANDEZ, 23. Adrian LEIJER, 27. Sutee SUKSOMIT (11. Ney FABIANO 57’).

Unused Subs 1. Mitchell LANGERAK (gk)

Yellow Cards Brebner 45+3′
Red Cards None
Goals None

Referee Strebre DELOVSKI
Crowd 18,531

A-League Table

Adelaide United 0 – 2 Brisbane Roar

Gold Coast United 0 – 1 Sydney FC

Wellington Phoenix 1 – 1 Perth Glory

Newcastle Jets 2 – 0 North Queensland Fury

"Melbourne Lose More Pride than Points against Central Coast" was originally published at Soccerlens.com - Football News.]]> http://soccerlens.com/melbourne-lose-more-pride-than-points-against-central-coast/36910/feed/ 0 http://soccerlens.com/manchester-united-chelsea/36853/ http://soccerlens.com/manchester-united-chelsea/36853/#comments Sat, 07 Nov 2009 09:37:18 +0000 Soccerlens http://soccerlens.com/?p=36853
Chelsea v Manchester United English Premier League Sunday, 08 November, 2009 Stamford Bridge The last 5 titles in the Premier League have been shared by Manchester United and Chelsea, and as the two best sides in England go head to head on Sunday, it’s bound to be a memorable game no matter what the outcome. Watch Chelsea v Manchester United [...]]]>

Chelsea v Manchester United
English Premier League
Sunday, 08 November, 2009
Stamford Bridge

The last 5 titles in the Premier League have been shared by Manchester United and Chelsea, and as the two best sides in England go head to head on Sunday, it’s bound to be a memorable game no matter what the outcome.

Watch Chelsea v Manchester United live in the Premier League by signing up to view the best football feeds online with Ole Ole Football.

You’ve already read about five great Chelsea-United games from the past, and also read our United v Chelsea betting tips.

In this article we look at what Manchester United need to do to hold off, and maybe beat, Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, and revisit the predictions made in this week’s Soccerlens Podcast (a must-listen for all football fans).

Chelsea’s advantage

For United, the game will be all about rectifying the mistakes in tactics and approach that they made at Anfield and ensuring that their system to counter-act Chelsea’s strengths and exploit their weaknesses is implemented properly and not left on the touchline.

With Ancelotti employing a diamond formation in the center of the park and playing two strong, mobile strikers up front, Chelsea are awesome through the middle but vulnerable on the flanks.

Add to this the fact that Chelsea are so strong in the second half of the game, and United have a real battle on their hands.

Can United hold the center?

United would benefit by playing three in central midfield, starting with Carrick as the playmaker and Fletcher and Anderson alongside him alternating between ball-winners and offensive threats.

Two pacy wide players who can run at the defence and beat their man (Valencia on the right and possibly Nani on the left, although Giggs / Rooney would do too) could then take up the advanced winger positions and not only exploit Chelsea’s lack of width but also pin down the opposition fullbacks, allowing United’s own fullbacks to push up and double-team Chelsea’s players.

The threat on the wings translates into pressure on the middle for Chelsea, who would then be forced to lose a man either from midfield or central defence to counter-act the threat posed at the wings. This in turn opens up more space for the central midfield and the target man up front (Berbatov, although he might need to be slapped before the game to fire him up) to get into scoring positions through the middle.

In defence United will need to close down spaces quickly to prevent Lampard and Drogba from shooting from long range while Vidic and Evans (or Brown) will need to defend out of their skins to keep Chelsea players away from EVDS, who’s going to be tested quite a lot in this game on set pieces. Defending corners will be a worry for United as well.

United could win this game if they can manage to avoid losing the battle in midfield and keep feeding the ball to the flanks and use their pace and width to pull Chelsea apart. Considering that Chelsea won their last two home games 5-0 and 4-0, it will be a tall order.

Chelsea v Manchester United Prediction

The Manchester United-Chelsea betting odds point to a home win and there’s little evidence from this season’s results to suggest otherwise. All the big players have lost games away from home (Arsenal to United and City, Chelsea to Villa and Wigan, United to Burnley and Liverpool) and the pattern looks set to continue.

However, this is unlikely to be a goal-fest and United are known for their late comebacks so it should be a tight, close finish, and we’re predicting an upset (assuming that United play according to plan).

Prediction: Chelsea 1-2 Manchester United

Watch Chelsea v Manchester United Live Online

Watch Chelsea v Manchester United live in the Premier League by signing up to view the best football feeds online with Ole Ole Football.

Watch Chelsea v Manchester United live in the Premier League by signing up to view the best football feeds online with Ole Ole Football.

This weekend plays host to arguably the match of the Premier League season when Carlo Ancelotti’s Chelsea take on reigning champions Manchester United in what could be reasonably termed, a championship “six-pointer”.

To honour this occasion, we look back over some of the finest games between these two giants of English football:

You can catch the Soccerlens preview for the Chelsea – Manchester United game and our predictions in this week’s podcast.

1) Manchester United 1-3 Chelsea: Tuesday May 10th 2005

This was the game which not so much underlined the dominance of Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea in his first season, as highlighted it was a fluorescent marker with stars alongside.

His team was built like a machine, driven by a mixture of ego, talent and plain hard graft. Mourinho had turned promising talents such as John Terry, Frank Lampard, Arjen Robben and Damien Duff into winners with his own brand of brilliant self-regard and willingness to put the noses of the established order out of place.

This was a match that highlighted the gap which Mourinho had managed to construct in his first season in England and that of the previously unbeatable top two of Arsenal and Manchester United. At the beginning of the season this will have been viewed as a litmus test for Chelsea, but the fact that it wasn’t said it all about this team. They entered this match searching for their 29th win of the season and a Premier League record 94 points-and they duly got it.

United were forced to put up a guard of honour to the new champions, a galling feat for born winners such as Roy Keane and Gary Neville, and then proceeded to demonstrate why they had been bested by the champions. On the face of it, United were fielding a full strength line-up including the attacking totems Cristiano Ronaldo, Ruud Van Nistelrooy and Wayne Rooney whereas Chelsea were without John Terry and Petr Cech.

Yet for the next 90 minutes United were put distinctly on their proverbial backside. Despite an early typical Van Nistelrooy poached goal, Chelsea struck back through a Tiago effort from long range. Gudjohnsen then struck again, beating Roy Carroll to the ball to score, before a Joe Cole strike sealed the win. That they could win so easily away at their title rivals with a weakened team was poignant, and was a sign of things to come. For the next two years Chelsea were to be the top dogs-this win signified that Chelsea really had arrived.

2) Manchester United 4-0 Chelsea: FA Cup Final 1994 Saturday 14th 1994

Certain games deserve to go down in the annals of history, as much for the score and the match itself, but also for the players and the teams that take part. This match deserves to be remembered so simply for the sheer majesty of Manchester United’s double-winning team of the 93/94 season.

With a mind of the great teams in United history that had come before them, and the sheer brilliance which was to follow they will perhaps never be remembered as fondly as many of United’s teams, but their place in helping establish Manchester United’s hegemony of English football for the next decade and a half deserves credit. This was a team packed with stars, established pros and burgeoning young talents who would go on to light up English football.

The starting line-up held the giant, both in size and ability, Peter Schmeichel, vastly underrated fullbacks Irwin and Parker, the doughty defensive partnership of Bruce and Pallister which was nearing an end and the combative midfield duo of Roy Keane and the Guv’nor Paul Ince. In attack they held future Chelsea striker Mark Hughes, the prolific winger Andrei Kanchelskis (whose time at United remains curiously underrated) and the livewire, soon to be legendary, Ryan Giggs. Yet the real star was Eric Cantona, whose performance in this match prompted the Guardian to say: “Eric the Baton Rouge demonstrated his match-winning qualities in a different way. Chelsea were victims of a guillotine motion. There was no appeal.”

Indeed there wasn’t. Chelsea were not a bad team, in fact they had beaten United twice already that season, but on this day they could not live with them. Gavin Peacock, scorer of the two winning goals against them in their league meetings that year, was sadly anonymous. Yet the game hinged on six second half minutes.

That was all it took for Eric Cantona to take the game away from Chelsea, courtesy of two penalties, one deserved for a Newton foul on Giggs, the other a dubious call against Frank Sinclair-who at this time was reckoned as one of the brighter defensive talents in England (oh how long ago that was!) against Andrei Kanchelskis. After that, there was little hope for Chelsea, Sinclair slipped to allow Hughes through to score before a late Brian McClair goal simply added further gloss to the scoreline. In hindsight, it has merely further enhanced their legend.

3) Chelsea 5-0 Manchester United: Sunday October 3rd 1999

Despite being the dominant force throughout the English footballing epoch which was the 1990s, on certain occasions when Manchester United lost, they lost in earth-shattering inept manners. Certain occasions specifically spring to mind, the 6-3 loss away at Southampton-when Le Tissier and Ostenstad ran riot, that 5-0 defeat at St James’ Park which Newcastle fans probably still remember as well as yesterday. Then there was this day, a game where Manchester United, having been the top dogs throughout the decade, were taught a lesson, and such was the difference between the teams that the paragon of virtue and even-handedness Sir Alex Ferguson was forced to admit: “we were well-beaten.”

In fairness, there is no disgrace in losing to what should be remembered as a potentially brilliant, yet ultimately underachieving Chelsea team. This was a team who could partner Gianfranco Zola-in his illustrious pomp, with £10million signing Chris Sutton, up front. Could boast one of the best attacking midfielders in the league in Gustavo Poyet, working in tandem with a World Cup winning captain in Didier Deschamps. This was hardly a who’s who of football mediocrity.

But United’s team wasn’t bad either, they were on the back of arguably the club’s greatest season ever, and featured the deadly duo of Andy Cole and Dwight Yorke, David Beckham back when he had pace and was probably at his most effective, Paul Scholes-emerging as a star for club and country, and Jaap Stam in defence-who at that time was probably the world’s best centre half. Yet there was one vital difference between this United team, and the one which had Treble triumphed-this was between the sticks, and a name who will forever send shivers down the fans of United fans everywhere, Massimo Taibi.

It took all of 27 seconds for Taibi’s haplessness to impinge on a potentially crucial match for United, as he charged of his line, clashed with Dennis Irwin and allowed Gustavo Poyet to score. Then a Ferrer cross allowed Chris Sutton to head home his first goal for the club, and just to underline how everything was going Chelsea’s way Nicky Butt was sent off 23 minutes for kicking Dennis Wise right under the referee’s nose.

From then on in, Chelsea merely sauntered to victory. Poyet underlined his class by reacting first to grab his third from close range, then two minutes later Henning Berg’s own goal merely rubbed salt in United’s open wounds, and then ten minutes from the end Graeme Le Saux set Jody Morris away to shoot between Taibi’s legs and send the Stamford Bridge into raptures.

4) Chelsea 5-6 Manchester United: 16th October 1954

Just to prove that there was life before the Premier League, no matter how much certain sports broadcasters (naming no names) may have you believe there weren’t. Here was a game from back in the days when footballers were normal everyday people who spent most of their days in proper jobs such as plumbing and carpentry, well at least that’s what your grandparents said.

Yet this match proved that for sheer excitement, it could compete with anything which British football has since produced. This was a game between a Chelsea team who would emerge from the season as league champions and a Manchester United team who would ultimately emerge from their chrysalis as the Busby Babes, perhaps the most celebrated group of young players that British football has ever seen.

A number of that group were playing in this match, Duncan Edwards-the versatile, multiskilled player who was a boy built like a man, and was so good that Bobby Charlton once described him as “the only player that made me feel inferior.” Then there was Dennis Viollet the lightning quick striker, Bill Foulkes and David Pegg.

Yet on this day they were coming up against a Chelsea team who were in the process of embarking on a title-winning campaign. Led by Ted Drake, himself a fine striker for Arsenal and England, and spearheaded by England international, club captain and top-scorer Roy Bentley-who scored 21 goals that year. The team itself was a team devoid of stars, but was noteworthy for featuring future England manager Ron Greenwood in their ranks.

But on this day this was a pulsating match dominated by the powerful Manchester United team. They raced into the lead, leading 5-2 at half time, but were pegged back by Chelsea, who made the score 5-3 early on in the second half. United scored again to restore their three goal cushion, before late goals from O’Connell and Jim Lewis set up a grandstand finish. Alas, Chelsea were not to pull the game back to 6-6, and making one of the finest comebacks of all time. However one Chelsea man could look back on the match fondly, as the aforementioned O’Connell grabbed a hat-trick-as an amateur inside left making his debut for the club.

5) Chelsea 1-1 Manchester United (Manchester United win 6-5 on penalties): UEFA Champions League Final: Wednesday 22nd May 2008

Quite simply the mother lode of all Manchester United and Chelsea matches. The quality of this match was not the highest, it was in fact a draw with only two goals scored, and its was played on a pitch and in conditions which were hardly conducive to the greatest of football. But for drama, high stakes and sheer gut-wrenching emotion, this match had it in spades.

This was the match of the top two teams in England being played out for all of Europe to see, as they entered into a heavyweight bout against one another which no-one deserved to lose-especially not in the manner they did.

United, enjoying perhaps the finest season they had seen since the Treble winners of 98/99 were the heavily fancied favourites. They had in Cristiano Ronaldo, a player whose utter dominance over the year was reminiscent of a legendary figure such as a Cruyff or Zidane.

In Ferdinand, Vidic and Evra, three of the finest defenders in the world, in Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez a hard-working strike partnership who troubled defenders the world over, and in Owen Hargreaves, Paul Scholes and Michael Carrick, a midfield blend of energy, passing and measured control which could run any game.

But Chelsea, as they have proved time and time again, are arguably at their most dangerous when they are written off. This was the season which saw off Mourinho, left the club briefly disunited and in disarray, and then introduced an unknown Israeli of little standing and reputation called Avram Grant, who someway, somehow managed to turn their chaotic season around into a three way fight for trophies.

This remained Mourinho’s team, run by Grant, but as formidable as ever. The dominant defence of Terry and Carvalho remained, the energetic Essien was being deployed as a makeshift right-back, Frank Lampard continued to score freely-as he had done so emotionally against Liverpool in the semi-final, and Didier Drogba remained on his day a potential matchwinner.

It was United who struck early, as Michael Essien’s unease at right-back was exploited when Cristiano Ronaldo rose above him to head home a Hargreaves cross. Chelsea struck back with Frank Lampard took advantage of defensive hesitancy to score. Didier Drogba then transformed into the villain of the piece with a lamentable push on Vidic which reduced Chelsea to ten men, yet with neither team able to force a win, penalties came.

Tevez, Ballack, Carrick and Belletti scored before Ronaldo, whose brilliance through the season had saved United, saw his penalty saved by Cech. Lampard, Hargreaves, Ashley Cole and Nani all scored to leave John Terry to step up and stroke home the winning penalty.

Everyone knows what happened next.  Terry’s slip sent the ball wide, brought tears to his eyes, and suddenly let United off the hook. Anderson and Kalou both scored before Giggs put United back in front. Then up stepped Anelka, Van der Sar guessed right, and the rest, as they say, is history.

Watch Chelsea v Manchester United live in the Premier League by signing up to view the best football feeds online with Ole Ole Football.

Inter Milan v AS Roma
Serie A
Sunday, 8 November 2009
San Siro
Kick off: 20:45

As Internazionale faces AS Roma at the San Siro this Sunday, Roma manager Claudio Ranieri will be hoping that the evidence he is looking at is wrong.

Exhibit item A tells Ranieri that Roma without Francesco Totti does not offer much this season. As Totti had a flying start to this year’s Serie A season, floating upwards on the top scoring chart, so was Roma looking in OK form. Since it was decided that Totti would have surgery on his knee to fix recurring knee problems, Roma have fallen back down the table.

Currently 14^th, and performing poorly on their travels this season, Ranieri must be hoping that the task of facing a top team such as Inter will be motivation enough to for Roma’s underperforming squad. To be fair, no one beats Inter at the San Siro, but Roma can do much more than they are showing.

After taking over from Luciano Spalletti after two losses at the beginning of the season, Rome-born Ranieri must have known that he was taking over a team dominated by confusion. The Roma squad is certainly not of poor quality. Looking at the talent available to them, it seems that what is needed is an authority-figure able to make these players confident of their abilities again.

With clear instructions, and a strong figure at the helm who believes in them, Roma are good enough this year to qualify for the Europa League again. With the right guidance, players such as Daniele De Rossi, Jérémy Ménez, David Pizarro, Simone Perrotta and Mirko Vucinic are good enough to make a serious impact in the Serie A.

Even without Totti, this side should be performing better than sitting 14^th. Perrotta can score goals and set up play. The incredible technical talent Jérémy Ménez possesses is reminiscent of that of Francesco Totti himself. Pizarro has played well enough recently to be considered for a recall by World Cup ready Chile coach Marcelo Bielsa. Vucinic certainly has talent, though it does not always shine as brightly as it could.

In Totti’s absence, Daniele De Rossi, Roma’s second greatest son at the moment, is given the chance to shine with the captain’s armband. De Rossi’s ability is great, and his enthusiasm contagious. Ranieri, himself a player to come through the Roma system in his time, needs to make that count. He needs to make sure that Roma success is not so dependent on whether Totti is able to play or not.

Tactically and technically Roma have an exciting team. Ranieri needs to instil the confidence and belief in that team again to make them play to their abilities. Club talisman of the stature he is, when Totti then comes back from injury he should have the privilege of simply having to add that touch of class and ingenuity he is so able to do. Sooner rather than later i Lupi, the Wolves, will then start heading back up the table. Ranieri needs to revive a Roma rapacity for results.

In the (self-dubbed) newbie derby, Gold Coast have been defeated by a rampant North Queensland Fury side. Robbie Fowler lead the team from start to finish, getting on the scoresheet twice. The defeat has added to the horrible week that the Gold Coast have suffered, including a 6-0 whitewash by Wellington, and a huge condemnation by the public over club owner Clive Palmer’s (right) decision to cap crowds at 5,000 to save money. In the Brisbane Times today:

United supporters group “The Beach” – waving banners that read ‘Cap is Crap’, ‘Want fans not dollars’ and ‘Scrap the Cap’ – turned their backs on the game at one stage and chanted ‘Stop the Cap’.

Onto the match, played in front of an A-league all time low of 2,616 fans, Gold Coast made 2 changes to their side, with Vanstratten replaced by Higgins after injury, Christian Rees also made way due to injury. Zenon Caravella and Joel Porter were both dropped as a result of last week’s thumping. Steve Fitzsimmons, Tahj Minniecon both started as replacements, as well as a debut for Brazillian Jefferson, rated as one of the best Midfielders Miron Bleiberg has ever seen.

Moving onto the Fury, with only one change, Ufuk Talay’s injury paving the way for a midfield shuffle, with Williams moving into the central 4, with McBreen moving upfront, partnering with Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler. McBreen is apparently being looked at be Pim Verbeek for Asian Cup Qualifiers.

First chance fell to Fowler, whose free-kick from the 18-yard box sailed just wide of the right hand post. The match was quite quiet from then on, with few very few chances. On the 40th, however, Higgins was forced to make a top notch save turning over a close McBreen header. United’s Robson then fell prey to injury, having to be replaced by Zenon Caravella.

Deep into stoppage time, Gold Coast had their first chance, when Tahj Minniecon made a speedy break, before passing to Smeltz, whose shot was deflected, causing Henderson to push the ball past the right hand post.

In the second half, Gold Coast had the first real chance, with Porter getting the ball into the box, before laying it off to Culina, before the Fury’s Griffiths piled in to prevent any shot. Culina was obviously disappointed, thumping the ground.

Almost a minute later, North Queensland had half-a-chance, when Tadrosse squared the ball for Robertson, who’s shot went straight to Higgins. Grossman’s cross on the 57th minute was smartly punched clear by Higgins, however the rebound fell to Tadrosse, who shot just wide of the left post thanks to a deflection.

5 minutes later a similar situation befell the Gold Coast again , this time Williams’ cross was easily claimed by Higgins. After Higgin’s distribution however, Gold Coast’s defensive toying of the ball made them pay, after Williams’ intercepted Culina’s careless pass, nutmegging van der Brink in style, then playing it to Fowler, who shot first time into the back of the net. A classy goal by two classy players.

Dyron Daal tested Higgins with his powerful shot, however Higgins showed why he deserves the Gold Coast gloves, making sure he wasn’t embarrased almost as much as the Gold Coast’s crowd. Fury were pushing hard and were going all out for the three points.

They got the golden chance on the 74th minute, when Fowler’s corner was cleared, before Tadrosse’s cross found Pantelidis’ hand. Craig Zetter duly pointed to the spot, and Fowler stepped up to take the penalty, converting with a small stutter step to put off Higgins. 2-0 for the Fury.

A great result for the Fury, who are finally off the bottom end of the A-League table:

Sydney FC are holding onto the top only by a point, thanks to their win over Wellington. The Fury are now one spot away from the Final series spot, however need to be mindful that the Jets and Wellington have still played one less match. Gold Coast’s torrid week doesn’t really reflect in the standings, holding onto a valuable 3rd.

Results:

Brisbane Roar 1 – 1 Newcastle Jets

Central Coast 0 – 0 Adelaide United

Sydney FC 3 – 1 Wellington Phoenix

Melbourne 2 - 1 Perth Glory

Everton v Aston Villa
English Premier League
Saturday, 31 October 2009
Kick-off: 1500 GMT

Everton’s injury crisis shows no sign of abating and they are now without 10 senior players for the match against Aston Villa but defender. Leighton Baines and Louis Saha – their highest goalscorer this season – could return to the fold.

Watch Everton v Aston Villa live in the English Premier League by signing up to view the best football feeds online with the Live Sport Network.

Everton Preview

Everton will be well rid of October. A run of five games without a win in three competitions, coupled with a debilitating injury list, has left them in dire need of a Goodison spark on Saturday.

David Moyes’ side can take solace from their last meeting at home to Villa, which they won 3-1 in the FA Cup on their way to the final. Everton were shorn of several key players that day too, and Moyes admitted he had thought it would be a game too far.
That was the second of three pulsating games between these teams last season which reaped 15 goals. Villa clinched a 3-2 league win at Goodison in stoppage time 11 months ago, and then fought back from 3-1 down to earn a draw in the reverse fixture.

Everton have lost their last three games in all competitions and not won in five matches (D2, L3). Their only win in seven league matches in October over the last two seasons was 1-0 at Bolton in 2008. They are, however, unbeaten in six successive home matches in league and cup since the opening-day drubbing by Arsenal (W4, D2).

Louis Saha has scored half of the club’s 12 league goals this season – the highest percentage by any player in the division.

Aston Villa Preview

Having already beaten Liverpool at Anfield this season, Villa are vying for a Mersey feat they last achieved 95 years ago. Not since 1914 have they won at Liverpool and Everton in the same top-flight season.

Villa are unbeaten in their last six league games against Everton (W3, D3). That includes a dramatic 3-2 win at Goodison last December, when Joleon Lescott scored a stoppage-time equaliser only for Ashley Young to net 30 seconds from time. However, Everton did knock Villa out of the FA Cup at Goodison in February.

Villa are unbeaten in their last four matches in all competitions, but have only won one of their last five games (W1, D3, L1). Their tally of 17 points from nine games is the same return as last season.

Everton v Aston Villa Prediction

Everton’s injuries and Aston Villa’s recent form makes this a difficult game to predict. Villa’s good record away from home means that they will fancy their chance, but Everton will be hoping that with their backs to the wall, the team can produce a performance to kickstart their revival.

Prediction: Everton 1-2 Aston Villa

Everton v Aston Villa Betting

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Watch Everton v Aston Villa Live Online

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