You’ll find the latest Premier League Transfers (January 2012) listed here. Archives for older transfer seasons are at the end of this page. For the latest transfer rumours and confirmed transfers for other leagues, see our football transfer lists page.

If you find a transfer not listed here let us know and we’ll add it.

Last Updated: 1 February 2012

Arsenal

In: Thierry Henry (loan, New York Red Bulls); Thomas Eisfeld (£600,000, Borussia Dortmund)

Out: Luke Freeman (undisclosed, Stevenage); Vito Mannone (loan, Hull City); Daniel Boateng (loan, Swindon Town); Gavin Hoyte (loan, AFC Wimbledon); Paulo Botelho (loan, Levante); Emmanuel Frimpong (loan, Wolverhampton Wanderers); Sanchez Watt (loan, Crawley Town); Wellington (loan, CD Alcoyano); Sead Hajrovic (loan, Barnet); Rhys Murphy (loan, Preston North End); Ryo Miyachi (loan, Bolton Wanderers)

Aston Villa

In: Enda Stevens (undisclosed, Shamrock Rovers); Robbie Keane (loan, Los Angeles Galaxy)

Out: Nathan Delfouneso (loan, Leicester City); Shane Lowry (undisclosed, Millwall); Fabian Delph (loan, Leeds United); Elliot Parish (undisclosed, Cardiff City)

Blackburn Rovers

In: Anthony Modeste (Bordeaux, loan), Bruno Ribeiro (Grêmio Barueri, free); Marcus Olsson (free, Halmstads BK); Bradley Orr (undisclosed, Queens Park Rangers)

Out: Jason Roberts (undisclosed, Reading); Keith Andrews (free, West Bromwich Albion); Ryan Nelsen (free, Tottenham)

Bolton Wanderers

In: Tim Ream (£2.5m, New York Red Bulls); Ryo Miyachi (Arsenal, loan); Marvin Sordell (£3m, Watford)

Out: Gary Cahill (£7m, Chelsea); Jack Sampson (loan, Southend United)

Chelsea

In: Gary Cahill (£7m, Bolton Wanderers); Kevin de Bruyne (£6.7m, Genk), Patrick Bamford (£1.5m, Nottingham Forest)

Out: Nicolas Anelka (undisclosed, Shanghai Shenhua); Alex (£4.5m, Paris Saint-Germain); Rhys Taylor (loan, Rotherham); Sam Walker (loan, Yeovil); Ben Gordon (loan, Kilmarnock); Patrick van Aanholt (loan, Vitesse Arnhem); Josh McEachran (loan, Swansea City); Gaël Kakuta (loan, Dijon)

Everton

In: Darron Gibson (£500,000, Manchester United); Landon Donovan (loan, Los Angeles Galaxy); Nikica Jelavic (£6m, Rangers); Steven Pienaar (loan, Tottenham)

Out: Diniyar Bilyaletdinov (£5m, Spartak Moscow); Aristote Nsiala (loan, Accrington Stanley); James Wallace (loan, Tranmere Rovers); Louis Saha (free, Tottenham)

Fulham

In: Jack Grimmer (£200,000, Aberdeen); Pavel Pogrebnyak (£3m, VfB Stuttgart); Ryan Williams (undisclosed, Portsmouth)

Out: Alex Kacaniklic (loan, Watford); Bobby Zamora (£6m, Queens Park Rangers)

Liverpool

In: Jordan Ibe (£500,000, Wycombe Wanderers); Danny Ward (undisclosed, Wrexham)

Out: Danny Wilson (loan, Blackpool); Martin Hansen (undisclosed, Viborg FF)

Manchester City

In: David Pizarro (loan, AS Roma)

Out: Nedum Onuoha (£3m, Queens Park Rangers); Ben Mee (undisclosed, Burnley); Kieran Trippier (undisclosed, Burnley); Harry Bunn (loan, Preston North End); Alex Nimely (loan, Coventry City); Chris Chantler (loan, Carlisle United); Wayne Bridge (loan, Sunderland), Frederic Veseli (undisclosed, Manchester United)

Manchester United

In: Frederic Veseli (undisclosed, Manchester City)

Out: Darron Gibson (£500,000, Everton); Daniel Drinkwater (undisclosed, Leicester City); Mame Biram Diouf (£1.5m, Hannover 96); Joshua King (loan, Hull City); Féderico Macheda (loan, Queens Park Rangers); Ravel Morrison (£650,000, West Ham United); Oliver Norwood (loan, Coventry City); Scott Wootton (loan, Nottingham Forest)

Newcastle United

In: Papiss Demba Cissé (£10m, SC Freiburg)

Out: Alan Smith (loan, MK Dons); Philip Airey (loan, Gateshead); James Tavernier (loan, MK Dons)

Norwich City

In: Jonny Howson (£2m, Leeds United); Ryan Bennett (undisclosed, Peterborough United)

Out: George Francomb (loan, Hibernian); Oli Johnson (loan, Oxford); Korey Smith (loan, Barnsley); Chris Martin (loan, Crystal Palace)

Queens Park Rangers

In: Nedum Onuoha (£3m, Manchester City); Taye Taiwo (loan, AC Milan); Féderico Macheda (loan, Manchester United); Samba Diakité (loan, AS Nancy Lorraine); Djibril Cisse (£4m, Lazio); Bobby Zamora (£6m, Fulham)

Out: Matt Connolly (loan, Reading), Bradley Orr (undisclosed, Blackburn Rovers)

Stoke City

In:

Out: Danny Pugh (undisclosed, Leeds United); Florent Cuvelier (loan, Walsall); Ben Marshall (loan, Sheffield Wednesday); Tom Soares (loan, Hibernian); Ryan Brunt (loan, Tranmere Rovers); Matthew Lund (loan, Bristol Rovers); Michael Tonge (loan, Barnsley); Danny Higginbotham (loan, Nottingham Forest); Ben Marshall (undisclosed, Leicester City)

Sunderland

In: Wayne Bridge (loan, Manchester City); Sotiris Kyrgiakos (loan, VfL Wolfsburg)

Out: Trevor Carson (loan, Hull City); Louis Laing (loan, Wycombe Wanderers); Blair Adams (loan, Northampton Town); John Egan (loan, Crystal Palace); Billy Knott (loan, AFC Wimbledon); Jordan Cook (loan, Carlisle United); Ryan Noble (loan, Derby County); Nyron Nosworthy (loan, Watford)

Swansea City

In: Darnel Situ (£250,000, Lens); Josh McEachran (loan, Chelsea); Gylfi Sigurdsson (loan, Hoffenheim); Curtis Obeng (undisclosed, Wrexham)

Out: Vangelis Moras (loan, Cesena); Lee Lucas (loan, Burton Albion)

Tottenham

In: Iago Falqué (undisclosed, Juventus); Ryan Nelsen (free, Blackburn Rovers); Louis Saha (free, Everton)

Out: David Button (loan, Doncaster Rovers); Dean Parrett (loan, Yeovil Town); Andros Townsend (loan, Leeds United); Iago Falqué (loan, Southampton); Harry Kane (loan, Millwall); John Bostock (loan, Sheffield Wednesday); Tom Carroll (loan, Derby County): Sebastien Bassong (loan, Wolverhampton Wanderers); Vedran Corluka (loan, Bayer Leverkusen); Roman Pavlyuchenko (£8m, Lokomotiv Moscow); Steven Pienaar (loan, Everton); Adam Smith (loan, Leeds United)

West Bromwich Albion

In: Scott Allan (£300,000, Dundee United); Keith Andrews (free, Blackburn Rovers); Liam Ridgewell (undisclosed, Birmingham City)

Out: Roman Bednar (free, Blackpool); James Hurst (loan, Chesterfield); Romaine Sawyers (loan, Shrewsbury Town); Lateef Elford-Alliyu (loan, Tranmere Rovers); Chris Wood (loan, Bristol City); Gonzalo Jara (loan, Brighton & Hove Albion); Joe Mattock (loan, Brighton & Hove Albion)

Wigan Athletic

In: Jean Beausejour (undisclosed, Birmingham City)

Out: Daniel Redmond (loan, Hamilton Academical); Nouha Dicko (loan, Blackpool); Jordan Mustoe (loan, Barnet)

Wolverhampton Wanderers

In: Eggert Jonsson (£250,000, Hearts); Emmanuel Frimpong (loan, Arsenal); Sebastien Bassong (loan, Tottenham)

Out: David Davis (loan, Chesterfield); Sam Winnall (loan, Inverness Caledonian Thistle); Jamie Reckord (loan, Scunthorpe United); Sam Vokes (loan, Brighton & Hove Albion); Adlène Guedioura (loan, Nottingham Forest); Matt Doherty (loan, Hibernian); Andy Keogh (undisclosed, Millwall)

Premier League Transfer Archives:

Summer 2006
January 2007
Summer 2007
January 2008
Summer 2008
January 2009
Summer 2009
January 2010
Summer 2010
January 2011
Summer 2011

For the latest transfer rumours and transfer lists for other leagues, see our transfer news section.

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

Here’s a look ahead at the biggest matches in the FA Cup fourth round this weekend, along with top betting tips for each game.

Liverpool v Manchester United

No doubting the big game of this weekend’s FA Cup fourth round action as Liverpool play host to arch rivals Manchester united in what promises to be an action packed and explosive encounter.

There is always a hostile atmosphere when these two sides lock horns, but it’s going to be even more so in this lunchtime clash (12.45pm, Live on ITV1) in the wake of the fall-out from Luis Suarez’s eight-match ban for racially abusing Patrice Evra.

Both clubs have tried to ease tensions in the build-up,with Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard and United boss Sir Alex Ferguson pleading for calm in the hope that it is the football that takes centre stage.

The bookmakers make Liverpool favourites at 2.6, but it’s United who I fancy to come out on top at the 3.1 on offer with bet365 – despite the fact that they are battling with a growing list of injuries.

The Red Devils currently have 11 men on the treatment table, and Wayne Rooney is now a doubt to make the staring XI having not trained all week.

But hey have beaten their opponents on eight of the last nine occasions they have been drawn against each other in the competition, and have also only lost one of their last 16 FA Cup ties away from home.

Hernandez has scored in both of his visits to Anfield, and looks decent value at 8 with Paddy Power to net the opener.

The stats also reveal that e last seven times they have met in the FA Cup, the winning side has won by a single-goal margin so I am going to put up United to win 2-1 as the suggestion for those that like to play the correct score market.

That outcome is a massive looking 13 with Paddy Power.

QPR v Chelsea

Chelsea look a banker bet at 1.67 with Betfred to beat QPR at Loftus Road in a game which has already made the headlines ore than any other this week before a ball has even been kicked.

The Blues have only lost four of their last 35 FA Cup matches away from home, whereas the Hoops have lost 11 of their last 12 against top-flight sides.

Mark Hughes’ side win over MK Dons in the third round replay was their first in the competition since 2001, whereas Chelsea have a terrific FA Cup pedigree having won three of the past five finals.

there is certainly no love lost between the two sides, and much of the build up to this game has focussed on whether John Terry and Anton Ferdinand will shake hands before kick off.

It stems from an alleged racist comment made by Terry towards 26-year-old Ferdinand during the sides’ league clash at Loftus Road on October 23 which Chelsea lost 1-0, but he strenuously denies the charge and the case goes to court next week.

Paddy Power go 1.91 about there being no handshake, and I am pretty sure there won’t be one.

With Didier Drogba and Salomon Kalou on international duty for the Ivory Coast in Africa, bookmakers make Dean Sturridge favourite to open the scoring. He is a 5.5 shot with the likes of bet365, Boylesports and Betfred and that looks decent value given that Fernando “how do I score” Torres has been chalked up at the same price.

I fancy Chelsea to win 2-1 and that scoreline is a standout 8.5 with bet365.

Arsenal v Aston Villa

On Monday night, Arsenal look a steal at 1.57 to beat Aston Villa at the Emirates if the stats are anything to go by.

The two sides have met nine times in the FA Cup with the Gunners progressing on six occasions.

They have also won five and lost just one of eight home ties in this competition against the Villans, who haven’t won an away tie against a top flight side since 2000.

An even more impressive stat though is that Arsenal have lost only one of 33 matches on their own patch under Arsene Wenger.

On the team news front the Gunners could be boosted by the return of Spanish playmaker Mikel Arteta who missed the game against Manchester United with a groin strain.

On-loan Thierry Henry, who  was also missing against the Red Devils due to a calf problem, may also play a part if he passes a fitness test on Saturday.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is also likely to keep his place starting XI after a lively showing against United before being controversially substituted late on for Arshavin

The youngster has really impressed me in recent weeks and  appeals at the 8 on offer with bet365 to score first. He’s is also get 3 with Paddy Power about him scoring anytime and that looks a decent price given that he will be keen to prove that Wenger’s decision to take him off against United was the wrong one.

For those that like a punt on the correct score, I like the look of Arsenal to win 2-1 at a standout 8.5 with bet365.

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

We preview Arsenal v Aston Villa ahead of their FA Cup fourth round tie this Sunday. The analysis highlights Andrei Arshavin’s fall from grace, a comparison between Mikel Arteta and Stilian Petrov as well as looking at Darren Bent’s threat for Aston Villa.

ARSHAVIN’S FALL FROM GRACE SHOWS NO SIGN OF COMING TO A HALT

According to Castrol EDGE Performance analysis, Andrei Arshavin has seen his form nosedive over the past 12 months, with the Arsenal schemer dropping from 22^ndto 779^th in the Castrol Rankings.

The former Zenit St Petersburg star was at the centre of some controversy in Arsenal’s recent defeat against Manchester United, when the decision to bring him on as a sub for the impressive Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was roundly booed by an Emirates crowd frustrated by the dramatic fall from grace of their diminutive attacker. Indeed, since his first season in England, in 2008/09, he has seen his scoring rate, shooting accuracy rate and chance conversion figures all drop, season by season.

His creative influence has also dropped from last season, with the 30-year-old creating fewer chances on average. While interestingly, the stats also back up a feeling amongst many other fans that Arshavin’s work-rate could be better, with the Russian captain challenging for far less tackles this season.

But the question remains, can the playmaker revive his flagging career in north London or is he destined to leave the Premier League before the beginning of next season?

Andrey Arshavin – Premier League

CLASH OF MASTERMINDS AS ARTETA FACES PETROV

According to Castrol EDGE Performance analysis, Mikel Arteta has completed 85% of his passes into the final third of the pitch, which is the second-highest percentage in the Premier League this season, only after Manchester City’s Samir Nasri.

Arteta v Petrov – Premier League 2011/12

*Only games played for Arsenal

The former Everton player, who has never been capped for Spain, surpasses Stilian Petrov in terms of shooting accuracy, passing and dribble completion, however, the Bulgarian’s powerful shots make him one of the most dangerous players from long range, having already netted three goals from outside the box this term in the Premier League – only England and Man Utd star Wayne Rooney has been more lethal (five).

DARREN BENT A THREAT ON THE COUNTER

When these teams last met at the Emirates in the PL, Aston Villa emerged with a 2-1 victory thanks to a first-half brace from Darren Bent.

The England forward has 8 Premier League goals to his name this season and in tandem with the pacey Gabriel Agbonlahor could present Villa’s biggest threat when they attempt to counter Arsenal’s possession based game plan.

Bent’s finishing is his main attribute and he showed that at the Emirates last season.

The England forward had 45 touches during the encounter (of which only 9 in his own half) but still managed to convert 50% of his shots (2 out of 4).

Darren Bent touches v Arsenal (PL 29.05.2011)

DARREN BENT’S MOST TOUCHES PER GAME FOR VILLA AWAY FROM HOME PL 2010/11

Surprisingly his 45 touches during that game represented his second highest tally in a league game for Villa last season; demonstrating his ability to stay on the margins of a match, but still score vital goals.

Watch Aston Villa vs Arsenal Live Online:

You can watch Arsenal take on Aston Villa live online as well as all other Barclays Premier League matches, plus hundreds of football games from around the world. Read our live Premier League football page for more details.

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

The New Year weekend will most likely see Manchester United end 2011 at the top of the table (albeit having played a game more than City), although City will be away to Sunderland on Sunday and it should be business as usual at the top of the table for them come Monday morning.

Here’s a look at the top games this weekend and the best football bets on offer:

Manchester United v Blackburn

Manchester United are 1.14 shots to round of their fantastic festive period by beating Blackburn at Old Trafford, and it’s hard to envisage anything but a wide margin win for Sir Alex Ferguson’s side.

The Red Devils come into this having registered back-to-back 5-0 wins over Fulham and Wigan and the Premiership whipping boys should be easy fodder for them.

The stats are also good as United are unbeaten in their last 10 Premier League games against Blackburn (winning seven) and have won all of their last seven games against Steve Kean’s men in all competitions.

The visitors have also kept just one clean sheet in their last 28 Premier League away games and currently sit bottom of the table after some truly shocking performances.

United registered a 7-1 victory over them in this fixture last season and it really should be a case of how far they win by.

Dimitar Berbatov, who scored five goals in that emphatic victory, will surely be relishing the chance to shine again following his hat-trick against Wigan and makes plenty of appeal in the first goalscorer market at 4.5 with bet365, Betfred and Paddy Power.

He is also 1.91 chance to score anytime with Paddy Power and that also looks solid value for a striker in form.

It will also be a major surprise if they do not win both halves in this game, and at 1.44 with Paddy Power in the double result market that looks an extremely attractive punt compared to the 1.14 on offer in the outright market.

I fancy United to win 4-0 or 5-0, and those scores can be backed at 9 with Boylesports and 13 generally.

Arsenal v QPR

Arsenal are 1.29 shots to end the year with a bang and win their derby game against QPR at the Emirates and they really should prove too strong for the Hoops.

The Gunners come into the game on the back of a disappointing 1-1 draw against Wolves but they have still picked up 26 points from their last 12 games and that ratio, over the course of an entire campaign, would have been enough to win them the title last season.

By stark contrast their opponents have mustered just 10 points from a possible 39, and that’s clear relegation form given that they have also taken just two pints from their last six games.

It really should be a comfortable win for Arsenal on paper, but Arsene Wenger must decide whether to rest Robin van Persie, who is two shy of equalling the Premier League record for goals, as his fitness is the key to them keeping up their challenge for a top four place,

However it will be a surprise to me if Wenger does not give van Persie a start and a chance to equal or beat Alan Shearer’s record, and at 3.25 with bet365 and Betfred to net the opener he looks a terrific price.

I fancy Arsenal to win this 2-1, and that’s a 9 shot with Betfred. Both teams to score also looks value at 2.1 with Betfred, Boylesports and Paddy Power.

Chelsea v Aston Villa

Chelsea are a top priced 1.3 with Paddy Power to round off the year with a win over Aston villa at Stamford Bridge, and anything but three points will be utter disaster for the Blues.

AVB’s boys looked to be back to their best when beating Man City 2-1, but since then they have failed to go and have registered three 1-1 draws on the bounce.

However Villa have won none of their last nine visits to The Bridge in the Premier League and have also failed to score in five of their last 7 games.

They are a negative side who seem to find bagging three points as hard as opening a letter, and it will be a major surprise if Chelsea do not take advantage and register a comfortable success.

So that brings us to the matter of who is going  to score the first goal and fire them to the expected victory.

Step forward Frank Lampard who has scored five goals in the last two home Premier League games against the Villans, and can be backed at a very tasty looking  6 with bet365,Betfred and Paddy Power.

For those who like to play in the correct score market I am going to suggest that Chelsea will win this either 2-0 or 3-0, and those scorelines can be backed at 6.5 with Paddy Power and 8 with Betfred.

Split stakes on both should hopefully net us a nice bit of profit.

Stoke v Wigan

Stoke have rediscovered their form of late and look cracking value at 1.67 to beat Wigan at the Britannia.

Tony Pulis’s men spent most of November in the bottom half of the table but they have put together a good run of results which have seen them climb back up the table to a very respectable 8th.

They have beaten Spurs, Blackburn, Wolves and Everton in recent weeks, and a repeat performance of any of those wins would see them easily dispose of a woeful Wigan outfit.

The Latics are already odds-on for the drop, and it’s hard to see how a side that lacks any fight is going to be able to cope with a Potters side who like to get stuck in.

I can see Peter Crouch causing the Wigan defence all sorts of problems, and the frontman makes plenty of appeal at 6 with Paddy Power to score the opener.

Stoke to win 2-0 is my idea of the outcome and is an 8 shot with bet365.

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

Even after suffering their first defeat of the Premier League season, Manchester City still sit atop the Premier League table, but archrivals and reigning league champions Manchester United are only two points behind and ready to pounce, and Tottenham, Chelsea, and Arsenal can‘t be dismissed at this juncture.

Right now, it’d appear that the title is destined for Manchester, but a couple of key matches over the final few weeks of 2011 will determine which side looks like the favorite heading into the new year, and which of the London sides enters 2012 best positioned to seriously threaten Manchester‘s monopoly on the top two spots in the table.

Manchester City v Arsenal

Arsenal take on table toppers Man City in the big game of the weekend at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday, and bookmakers look to have underestimated their chances by offering a tasty 5.5 about them causing an upset.

That really does look a massive price with Betfred, Boylesports and Paddy Power for the Gunners as they have been in terrific form in recent weeks and currently sit in fifth place – just nine points behind the league leaders.

Chelsea proved on Monday when coming from one down to beat City 2-1 that Roberto Mancini’s men are far from invincible, and Arsene Wenger will have taken plenty of encouragement from that result.

The stats certainly give Arsenal a better chance than what the bookies think, as City have lost at home to the Gunners 10 times in the Premier League and 20 times in all competitions.

The home side also really struggled in last month’s Carling Cup clash between the two sides, winning 1-0 with their only shot on target.

I really do think Arsenal are capable of serving it up to City especially given the goal scoring exploits of Robin van Persie.

The Dutchman has simply proved just too hot to handle this season and has now netted 33 goals in 32 Premier League games in 2011.

He has also scored an incredible 18 goals in his last 16 PL away appearances, so at 3 with Boylesports to score anytime during the 90 minutes he look incredible value.

Aston Villa v Liverpool

Liverpool look outstanding value at even money (2) to notch an away victory over Aston Villa.

The home side have won just one of the last 13 Premier League games at home against Liverpool and quite frankly are a negative side who find goal scoring a chore.

Since Kenny Dalglish returned to take over at Anfield the progress has been there for all to see and they are seven points better off than at this stage last season having developed into a sidet hat opponents once gain fear playing.

What is frustrating though is that they could be closer to the leaders as they have been creating plenty of chances which they have failed to convert.

They have also hit the woodwork on 15 occasions and would be sitting in third place in the table if those shots had all gone in.

With the likes of Suarez, Carroll, Bellamy, Adam and Kuyt at their disposal the Reds should really be scoring with far more fluency, but it’s surely only a matter of time before things change. If they do then the charge for the top four will certainly be on as they have the the best defensive record in the league.

What is good, as far as this match is concerned, is that Liverpool have a terrific record against the Villans.

They have taken more Premier League points off Villa than any other club so why they can be backed at 2 with Betfred is totally beyond me.

It looks like an early Christmas present and should be snapped up.

Wigan v Chelsea

Chelsea are a top priced 1.4 to beat Wigan at the DW Stadium , and given their current form another three points looks a formality.

Andre Villas-Boas has turned things round in recent weeks and the Blues come into this in red-hot form having come from 1-0 down and put in a superb performance to to beat table toppers Man City 2-1 earlier in the week.

They have scored 15 goals without reply in the last three matches against the Latics, who have won just one and lost 10 of the 12 Premier League meetings between the two sides.

The home side are really struggling and have taken just one point from the last 15 on their own patch. OK they have managed to win two out of their last three games, but those wins came against Sunderland and West Brom and sandwiched in between was a 4-0 tonking at the hands of Arsenal.

It really does look a case of how many Chelsea will put past them as they have also failed to keep a clean sheet in their last 12 PL games.

I think Chelsea will triumph with east, and fancy them to win 4-0 or 5-0. The former is a standout 21 with Betfred, while the latter is a 41 shot with the same firm and Boylesports.

QPR v Manchester United

Manchester United haven’t lost at Loftus Road for 22 years and look bankers at 1.5 with Betfred and Paddy Power to beat QPR and maintain their title challenge on neighbours City.

They have won eight and lost none of the last 11 meetings with the Hoops in all competitions and come into the game on the back of thrashing Wolves 4-1 to extend their unbeaten run in the league to eight (won 5, Drawn 3).

Sir Alex Ferguson’s young guns have also won five of their last six games and conceded just two goals in the process despite having their squad stretched.

This game really should hold no fears for them, and with Rooney and Nani back among the goals a comfortable victory looks on the cards.

Rooney ended his barren spell with two against Wolves and those goals will have  have given his confidence a tremendous boost.

He is a top priced 4.33 with bet365 to open the scoring on Sunday, and that looks terrific value given that many firms go just 3.75.

Given that QPR have now lost four of their last six and are best with injuries it really is difficult to see them being able to trouble United, and the 2.37 with Paddy Power about us winning to nil looks a huge price and definitely worth a wager.

See the Soccerlens football betting page for all the latest betting odds.

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

Man United is in danger of slipping to third as Spurs step up their game as Newcastle and Chelsea face-off for the UEFA Champions League spot. The Gunners are expected to cruise to victory in their visit to 19th place Wigan.

Newcastle United v Chelsea

Premiership surprise package Newcastle United take on Chelsea in the big game of the weekend (12.45pm KO Sat, Live on Sky Sports 2) and the draw looks he most likely outcome at odds of 3.4.

Alan Pardew’s side have suffered just one defeat in their last 16 English Premier League games to give them the best start to a season since 1996-97.

They were fortunate to get a share of the spoils at Old Trafford last week after they were awarded a controversial penalty, but they are proving tough nuts to crack and it won’t be easy for Andre Villas-Boas’ side to come away with all three points in the cauldron that is St James’.

I find it surprising that the bookies make Chelsea clear favourites at around 2.1 to bag all three points, as Andre Villas-Boas’ side have been really struggling of late and didn’t have to be at their best to register a much needed 3-0 success over Wolves last weekend.

The stats do however slightly favour Chelsea and that’s probably why the bookies have come down on their side.

The Magpies have won none of the last eight Premier League meetings with Chelsea (D4, L4) and have managed to keep just one clean sheet in their last 9 PL matches.

However do have a red-hot striker in the shape of Demba Ba who has netted 16 goals so far this season and snuffing him out will not be easy given the frailties of the Chelsea defence which have been exposed so many times so far this season.

I think Newcastle are good enough to get a share of the spoils here, and at 3.4 with bet365, Boylesports and Paddy Power the draw looks a fair bet.

1-1 is my idea of the outcome of what promises to be a fiercely fought battle, and you can get 7 about that scoreline with Boylesports.

Aston Villa v Manchester United

Manchester United may not have had the best of weeks but they are still odds-on at a top price of 1.73 to bounce back and notch an away victory over Aston Villa.

Sir Alex Ferguson’s young guns were frustrated in their 1-1 draw with Newcastle last weekend, as Javier Hernandez’s opener was cancelled out by Demba Ba following a controversial penalty decision that the gaffer described as “shocking”.

They then slipped to a 2-1 defeat at home to Crystal Palace on Wednesday to bow out of the Carling Cup at the quarter-final stage, after which Ferguson apologised to supporters for the performance having rested several senior players and relied on inexperienced young blood to deliver the goods.

It will be back to the first-choice starting XI for the trip to Villa, and that should be enough for United to land odds of 1.73 with bet365, Betfred and Paddy Power and bag all three points.

The stats are certainly in United’s favour as far as this clash is concerned.

Villa have won none of their last 15 Premiership home games against United, drawing six and losing nine, and overall they have won just one of 31 meetings between the two sides.

United have also won 11 times at Villa Park in the PL, and with Wayne Rooney, Chicharito, Nani and Nemanja Vidic all expected to start it would take a brave man to back against them not notching another win over Alex McLeish’s men.

I certainly expect them to prove too strong for the Villans, who have made their worst start to the season since 2005/06 and were very poor in their 0-0 draw at Swansea last weekend.

With Villa struggling to score I fancy United to win this to nil, and the 2.8 on offer with Paddy Power about that outcome looks huge.

Wigan v Arsenal

Arsenal are a top priced 1.57 to beat Wigan at the DW Stadium, and at those odds I rate them the banker bet of the whole weekend.

Wigan have won only one of their 12 Premier League meetings with the Gunners and have the worst conversion rate in the top flight having scored with just 9% of their shots.

Prior to their 2-1 away win against struggling Sunderland last weekend they had looked in dire straits, and it will be a major surprise if Arsene Wenger’s boys do not put them to the sword.

What is a surprise however is that Arsenal are 1.57 for victory given that they were 1.5 in the same fixture last season and come into the game on a terrific unbeaten league run which has seen them climb into seventh and put themselves in contention for a top four finish.

They are going for their third successive away win on the bounce, and goal scoring exploits of Robin van Persie have been nothing short of phenomenal.

I can see the Dutchman, who has done us bags of favours in the goal scorer markets this season, wreaking havoc and at 3.75 to net the opener with bet365 he looks worth another investment.

In the last four meetings between the Latics and the Gunners where both sides have scored, so the 1.67 with Betfred and Paddy Power about both teams netting also looks worth a wager for those that like to play at odds-on.

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

With Remembrance Sunday having just occurred a few days ago, we reflect on the men who gave their lives to their countries as well as giving their all on the football pitch. Their bravery on the field of play has been superseded by their courage and character on the field of battle even though some of them had little to no military education.

Here we commemorate and honour football’s top 20 war heroes in this list:

1. Bert Trautmann

The list starts with a goalkeeper as this shot-stopper enjoyed a very interesting career in England, particularly since he was WW II German soldier and he played there immediately after the Second World War. He joined the Luftwaffe in 1941 and he quickly gained promotion, firstly as corporal and then as sergeant of his unit. He earned 5 army badges for his superb work to the Germanic cause. However he was imprisoned by the British for his role against them in the war and he most of his sentence in Cheshire.

On his release, he farmed and played football part-time before eventually turning professional with St. Helens for a season. He then transferred to Manchester City in 1949, where he got a very mixed welcome  due to his role in the war. However 15 years later after leaving the Citizens, he etched his name into their history books as one of their finest ‘keepers ever.

He won both the FA Cup and FWA for Player of the year in 1956 on his way to making more than 500 appearances for the Manchester club. He also enjoyed spells in charge of Stockport County, Liberia and Pakistan before retiring from all footballing activities in 1983.

2. Alexander “Sandy” Turnbull

This Scottish striker etched his name into the hearts of the fans of both Manchester clubs in the early 20th century with his goalscoring skill. Having netted 143 goals in 230 Football League appearances, he had a sensational goal to game ratio.

Having won the FA Cup with Manchester City, he crossed the metropolis to join arch-rivals Manchester United where he enjoyed a golden period of success winning two First Division titles, but notably scoring the winner in the 1909 FA Cup final. However his career was cut short by the First World War as his last game came against Sheffield Wednesday in 1915.

He was also later found guilty of match-fixing and received a life-long football ban before joining the armed forces. Having risen to the ranks of Lance Sergeant in the Eight Battalion of the East Surrey regiment in the British Amry, he was killed on 3rd May 1917 in a battle in Arras, France. He was 32 but as a result of his heroic effort overseas, his ban was rescinded in 1919 after the war ended.

3. Eddie Latheron

Affectionately nicknamed ”Pinkie” on the terraces due his red hair and pale complexion, Latheron is remembered as a legend to Blackburn Rovers and a martyr for his country. The inside forward scored 94 goals in 258 appearances for his hometown club and it was this, coupled with his unselfish play that made him a firm fan favourite among the Lancashire faithful. The one-club man helped the Rovers conquer England twice during the 1911-12 and 1913-14 seasons as those First Division titles are his only silverware.

However the outbreak of the war in 1914 compelled him to enlist and within a week after his final game for Blackburn, he was a gunner on the front for the Royal Field Artillery. At 29 years of age, he was killed on 14th October 1917 at the Battle of Passenchendaele. Such is his legendary status, a group of Belgian Blackburn Rovers fans commemorated the striker on the 90th anniversary of his death at his grave located nears Ypres.

4. Vivian Woodward

Woodward was the Lionel Messi of his day when organised soccer began to gain prominence in Britain. Spells with Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea proved fruitful as he yielded 93 goals in 238 appearances. Having also appeared for the English nation side, it was his participation with the Great Britain team in the 1908 and 1912 which garnered him great fame. He captained the team to the gold medal on each occasion.

Woodward enlisted in the army and missed a huge portion of Chelsea’s 1914-15 season. However he was given special leave to attend his team’s FA Cup final but unfortunately Sheffield United beat the Pensioners 3-0 on the day. Having returned to the front for a second spell, his leg was badly injured by a stray grenade in 1916 and thus had to return home for the final time, with his footballing careers also in tatters. Despite being maimed, Vivian lived on until he was 74 years of age in 1954 and he will always be remembered as one of the pioneers of the beautiful game.

5. Walter Tull

Tull was the inaugural man who broke so much new ground up until his premature death in 1918 at the age of 29. The second ever mixed-heritage football player to ply his trade professionally in the English First Division, after signing with Tottenham Hotspur. However he has a short and unhappy time there as racial abuse seriously affected him and thus he moved to Northampton Town for a ”substantial fee.” In 3 years, he accumulated 110 games with the Cobblers, scoring 9 goals in that time-span.

When war broke out in 1914, he was the first Northampton player to enlist in the armed forces. Despite even more racial problems in the British army, he was promoted to Second Lieutenant, the first mixed-race men to do so. Having heroically fought through the Battle of the Somme, he met his end on 25th March 1918. He was gunned down in the Pas-de-Calais but his body was never recovered from that gruesome scene. Tull was recognised for his outstanding efforts to his country as he was posthumously awarded the military cross for his bravery on the front.

6. Fritz Walter

For anyone who thinks football’s a waste of time, tell them it saved this man’s life. Walter was enjoying a brilliant career with Kaiserslautern in the Bundesliga before having been conscripted to join the Nazi forces in 1942, where the forward was to fight for Germany.

However near the end of the war, he ended up being a POW after being captured by Hungarian soldiers. He wowed the guards with his exceptional skill but the time then came for him to be moved to another camp in the Soviet Union, where life expectancy was just 5 years and the guards would be more brutal.

However a football-loving Hungarian guard intervened at the last second and saved his life by aiding him in getting him out of the transfer to the Union and thus being fortuitously released from prison.

On his return to football, he restarted his career with Kaiserslautern and he retired from them in 1959 having scored a mind-boggling 380 goals in 411 appearances. Walter also won the German championship twice with his hometown club.  He also captained West Germany to their first World Cup victory in 1954, ironically over Hungary, the same nation where the guards came from who let him free.

7. Harry Goslin

A folklore legend for Bolton Wanderers, Goslin was also a sensational patriot to his country when he gave his life to the Allies during the Second World War. On turning professional in 1930, he joined the northern club for just £25 and he enjoyed nine years with the club scoring 23 goals in 306 appearances despite playing as a defender all his life. Before war broke out in 1939, he announced Bolton’s entire team would be joining the army.

When it did, Goslin led his team-mates in the fight against the Germans and their allies.  Within three years, his leadership qualities on the pitch transferred onto the battle field as he became sergeant in 1942. He also played a pivotal role in the withdrawal of troops from Dunkirk in that same year. However while traversing through Italy, he was seriously wounded by a mortar explosion under a tree. He bravely battled to live on four days after suffering the injury but lost his life on 18th December 1943.

8. Fred Griffiths

This Welsh goalkeeper enjoyed a long and varied career having been on the books of 12 clubs as well as earning 2 caps for his country. Having the honour of playing for big London clubs such as Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United, he was renowned for being a reliable man to have between the sticks but unfortunately this never translated into any major trophies.

After his retirement, he spent his time training local teams near his home in Presteigne, Wales. And despite being one year above the conscription age, (41 was the conscription age at the time) he felt compelled to fight for his country’s future when he enlisted with the British army in 1915.

He became sergeant within his rank, the 15th Battalion of Sherwood Foresters, before dying at the Battle of Passchendaele in 1917 at the age of 44.

9. Lev Yashin

Widely regarded as the best goalkeeper all-time, Yashin made his name Dynamo Moscow and the old Soviet Union during a trophy-laden 20 year career with each team. At just 12 years of age, in 1941, he began helping the Soviet Union in the only way he could in the war effort. Too young to fight on the front, the teenager went to work in the factories manufacturing arms, vehicle parts and more.

Yashin was finally able to begin his professional footballing career as a 21-year-old with Dynamo Msocow in 1950. With them he won the Soviet Top League 5 times and the Soviet Cup 3 times. He also helped him national team to continental glory by winning the 1964 European Championship with them as well capturing gold at the Olympics.

He made 324 appearances at club level, 78 at international level and was known as the ”Black Spider” around the world due to his amazing ability to save virtually goal-bound shots. His death came prematurely in 1990 when during relatively simple surgery on his knee went wrong and he passed away due to complications.

10. Ferenc Puskas

The Real Madrid and Hungary legend was remembered as a goalscoring phenomenon during his footballing career. However due to Hungarian law, he was conscripted to join their army and although never participating in infantry work, he rose through the ranks to become major. It was a combination of his rank and his footballing prowess while playing in the armed forces that earned him his lifelong nickname ”The Galloping Major.”

Puskas is revered around the world for scoring an incredible 157 goals in just 182 appearances for Los Blancos, where he additionally won 4 Pichichi awards during his Spanish stay. And he also netted 84 strikes in 85 games for the Hungarian national team in a truly remarkable playing career.

Having taken various coaching positions ranging from North America, Asia, Europe and even Australia, he briefly coached his nation during a four game spell. Puskas died on 17th November 2006 at the age of 79.

11. Ted Drake

The diminutive English striker’s playing career began with Southampton but blossomed with Arsenal during his 14 years in football. Scoring a handsome sum of 47 goals in 71 games for the Saints, he captured the eye of the Londoners, who signed the forward in 1934. He scored 124 goals in 167 games while at Highbury, with his finest game coming against Aston Villa. Drake netted 7 times in that single match, which is a record that still stands today in England’s top flight.

As well as winning two First Division titles with the north London side, he added a FA Cup medal to his collection. After periods in management at the helm of Hendon and Reading, he took charge of Chelsea Football club and guided them to their first ever championship in 1956. The end of his time at Arsenal was severely disrupted due to his participation with the Royal Air Force which restricted him to a handful of games during the war years. His playing career was prematurely ended in 1945 due to a spinal injury.

12. Stan Mortenson

Although this particular striker managed to only garner one trophy in his 21 year career, he was the man who led his country during a very difficult post-war era as well as being ridiculously lucky to have been able to play the game once you learn his story. Before he became the prolific striker that he is famous for, he began his wartime efforts in 1939 as a wireless operator.

Mortenson was involved in a disastrous air crash that same year when every single passenger onboard was killed except Stan. However even despite the injuries he sustained, he managed to carve himself a career out of professional football in the post-war era. Stints at Southport, Bath City and Lancaster City followed a golden spell that he enjoyed with Blackpool.

He scored 197 goals in 317 games for the side in a 14 year period (the first four of those being slightly disrupted by war commitments.) He also netted a remarkable 23 goals in 25 appearance for England as he helped put a smile back on his nation’s face after a long, depressing war.

13. Willie Thornton

Considered to be one of the greatest Scottish players of all time, Thornton was a prolific striker for Rangers during his 18 year career at the club, which book-ended his involvement in World War II. Debuting for the Glaswegian giants in 1936 at just 16 years of age, the striker enjoyed adulation from fans for his lethal touch in front of goal.  However his fledgling career was brought to a temporary end in 1939 due to outbreak of the war.

He joined the Scottish Horse regiment and as a result of his “acts of gallantry and devotion to duty under fire,” he was awarded a Military Medal for helping to defeat Germany on the battlefield. By the time of his retirement in 1954, he was well-known throughout Britain and he finished his career with 138 goals in a mere 219 appearances. He then became a manager of Dundee United and Partick Thistle for 5 and 9 years respectively where he had modest success.

14. Wilf Mannion

”The Golden Boy” as he was known as in his native Middlesbrough due to his streak of blond hair, endured a mixed time on Teeside but nothing negative can be said about his commitment to the British cause during the Second World War.  The inside forward played more than 350 times for Boro, scoring 99 times in his long career there but went on strike and retired in a bid to finally leave the club.

Although the reasons for his discontent are unknown, his dedication while playing was second to none, as he was with England, netting 11 times in his 26 appearances for his nation. He joined the war effort in 1940 and he was a key solider in the Siege of Sicily that occurred in 1943. Shortly after that he was allowed to return home and continue his footballing career. After the war, he joined Hull City and Cambridge United and perhaps his finest moment was being a member of the English squad for the 1950 World Cup in a career particularly special due to it’s amazing 24 year longevity.

15. Frank Buckley

Buckley took a more unusual route as he created a unique career in the game. Having joined the army as a teenager, he left by the time he was 20 in order to forge a football life for himself. He played for Manchester United, Manchester City and Aston Villa before the outbreak of World War I. He was commander of the Football Battalion for a large of the war and thanks to his previous stint in the armed forces, he rose through the ranks rapidly and eventually became a major.

However he was badly injured in the Battle of the Somme and returned to restart his football career. With the war finished, he managed many football clubs including Leeds United where he introduced the legendary Jack Charlton to his first taste of professional action. Overall, he spent nearly 50 years in his long and distinguished life in football.

16. William Angus

The word hero was conjured up exactly for this incredible man. With his footballing career cut short due to the declaration of war in Europe in 1914, Angus wasted no time in signing up and he was immediately mobilised out to the action. Before his war efforts, he played once for Celtic but left them for lack of first team opportunities. He was the captain Wilshaw Thistle when war was announced and within weeks, he had joined the 8th Royal Scots regiment.

His finest hour came a year after joining when he saw a comrade lying in a trench within the range of their enemies. Angus fearlessly went to save his fellow soldier and received 40 wounds for his courageous act, losing his left eye and part of his foot being his most serious injuries. Two months later as he was recovering, he was awarded the Victoria Cross, the highest award possible for a British solider.

17. Bernard Vann

Another man who was equally brave in the face of danger, Vann was also a recipient of the prestigious Victoria Cross for his valiant accomplishments while defending his nation. His football career was all over by 1907 at the tender age of 20 but he made appearances for Burton United and Derby County in his brief time on the football field. He then ordained to become a minister from the famous-named Jesus College but his chaplaincy was cut short due to be called upon for the war effort.

Having become a Lieutenant General, he earned his Victoria Cross by leading his subordinate troops into the face of death as his leadership qualities shone through impeccably. Rushing up to the line of fire, he surprised several German soldiers and disarmed three of them as he led his regiment on a crucial advance on enemy territory. However Vann missed the end of the war by a mere 4 weeks as he was shot by a sniper rifle in France on 3rd October 1918.

18. Billy Gerrish

William ”Billy” Gerrish was yet another tragic story which began on the football field and ended when he was fighting the front. An extremely promising young striker for Aston Villa, he scored on his debut against Arsenal and added to that with an even more impressive achievement by claiming a hat-trick against Chelsea. In his first season with the club, he helped them to win the First Division.

However he failed to live up to his full potential when World War I broke out and he was to join the British army. Having enlisted in the Footballers Battaltion Middlesex regiment, he lasted less than two years abroad. He was killed on 8th August 1916. In all, there were 40 other Aston Villa players who died as a result of their participation in that war, one of the highest of all the clubs in Britain.

19. Charlie Buchan

This beanpole striker was another goalscoring phenomenon who had his magnificent career due to his country’s involvement in keeping the peace abroad. Despite missing a fair chunk of his 14 years on the books at Sunderland, he racked up an impressive 209 goals in 370 appearances with the Black Cats.

He enlisted in the war effort as soon as it began in 1914 and by the time of Britain’s victory in 1918, he had been promoted to second lieutenant in the Sherwood Foresters regiment. He was also a recipient of the Military Medal. On his return to football, he rejoined Sunderland until 1925 when he transferred to Arsenal.

With them, he was equally prolific, scoring 49 times during the 102 games that he donned the famous red shirt. He wrote one of the first football manual’s, was a distinguished journalist and commentated on matches for the BBC for the remainder of his life up until his peaceful death in 1960.

20. Nikita Simonyan

This legendary Russian football man was too young to actively take part in World War II. However when the soldiers rolled into his town, he helped ease the pressure and stress of war life by organising football matches. The military personnel thoroughly enjoyed these breaks from the endless killings and Simonyan then realised football would become a focal point for the remainder of his life.

He has become one of the most successful Russian footballers of all-time by winning the golden boot in the Soviet Top League on three occasions.  He won the Soviet Top League seven times in total as a player and manager of clubs as well as on the victorious side of the Soviet Cup six times. His career reached its pinnacle when he was part of the Soviet Union team which won the 1956 Olympic gold medal in football. And just earlier this year, his efforts of nullifying tension between Russians and Armenians were rewarded by the President of Armenia during a ceremony.

You can contribute to this list in the comments below or by emailing us. If you like this list, you will find more football lists here.

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

All eyes will be on Anfield this Saturday lunchtime when arch rivals Liverpool and Manchester United clash in what Sir Alex Ferguson has labelled the “biggest club game in the world”.

Liverpool v Manchester United Betting

The United boss believes the square off eclipses matches between Spanish giants Barcelona and Real Madrid.

There is certainly no love lost between these two sides but it’s the reigning Champions who have to be the bet at general price of 2.5 to emerge victorious in what promises to be a titanic battle.

Ferguson’s young guns may have dropped their first points of the season when drawing away Stoke when last seen in premiership action, but before that they had been banging in goals for fun with wide margin victories over Spurs, Arsenal, Bolton and Chelsea.

They have played Liverpool 14 times in the last six seasons and have won on eight occasions. The only worrying stat is that if you take out the games at Old Trafford then you are left with two wins, a draw and four losses..

However the home side are about as easy to predict as the weather, and United are the strongest side, playing the best football and most importantly have the the most desire to win. They are unbeaten in 11 league and cup games so far this season – scoring 34 goals in the process – and unlike their opponents don’t rely or one or two players to bag goals.

However one surprising stat is that their talisman Wayne Rooney has failed to score in his last six visits to Anfield. That has surely got to change, and this is the ideal stage for him make the right sort of headlines following his sending off for England.

You can get 5.5 with Victor Chandler netting the opener and his 10th of the season. That looks fair value in my book.

Given that there has been at least one red card shown in six of the last 10 meetings between the two sides the 3.2 on offer with Paddy Power about another sending off could also looks worth a punt.

Chelsea v Everton Betting

Chelsea’s record against Everton is not the best, but they are unlikely to come unstuck against the Toffees in their clash at Stamford Bridge now that they are finding top gear.

The bookies make the Blues 1.36 shots to win, but the game is likely to be tighter than the odds suggest as they have won only one of their last nine Premier League meetings with David Moyes’ side -  drawing six of the remaining eight encounters.

However Andres Villa-Boas side have won nine and lost none of their last 10 Premier League games at The Bridge and come into the game on the back of crushing wins over Swansea and Bolton.

At home the Londoners will be without Fernando Torres, who is serving the second instalment of his three-match ban, but in Didier Drogba have a striker who simply loves scoring against Everton.

He has netted in seven of his last nine PL matches against them, and that makes the standout 5 on offer with bet365 about him bagging the opener look a real bit of value. Victor Chandler go 2.05 him scoring anytime during the 90 minutes and that looks a cracking punt.

Arsenal v Sunderland Betting

Arsenal have a good record against Sunderland and with Robin van Persie on fire should have little difficulty of bagging three points and landing odds of 1.5 at the Emirates. They have won seven and drawn three of their 10 home Premier League matches against Steve Bruce’s men and the Black Cats have failed to score in their last three visit to the Emirates. However don’t expect a goal fest as there have only been 8 goals in the last seven Premiership games between the two sides.

The key to a gunner victory clearly lies with van Persie who has scored 21 goals in 24 Premier League games in 2011 and three in home appearances against Sunderland. The flying Dutchman a top priced 4.33 with bet365 and that surely has to be value given his current hot streak.

Given that Sunderland are not exactly a goal scoring outfit and Arsenal have managed to keep clean sheets in 9 of their last 13 games at the Emirates the 2.4 on offer with bet365 about the Gunners winning to nil also makes plenty of appeal in the punting department.

Manchester City v Aston Villa Betting

Manchester City are a top priced 1.36 to beat the Aston Villa s and it’s impossible to envisage anything but another victory for the Citizens as they bid to keep tabs on neighbours United.

Roberto Manicini’s men have won six and drawn once so far this season and have enough firepower up front to tear apart any defence – with or without Carlos Tevez.

They are also very solid at the back and had little difficulty in thrashing Blackburn 4-0 at Ewood Park when last seen in premiership action.

However rather than take the 1.36 about the win a better bet could be backing the second half to produce the most goals. City have scored more goals in the second half in 8 of their 11 games this season and you can get 2.1 with Stan James that the most goals come in the last 45 minutes. That has to be value.

For more betting odds, see the Soccerlens football betting page.

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

It’s been a strange summer. Given that last season saw the Premier League’s top teams treat first place like a hot potato, and given that Manchester United’s relatively turgid trudge over the finishing line ahead of a resurgent but technically limited Chelsea, a cautious-bordering-on-paranoid Manchester City and Arsenal’s theatre de l’absurd, one might have expected the world’s richest league to have buzzed with transfer activity.

Alas, the great yawn that is Barcelona’s yearly pursuit of Cesc Fabregas began in earnest way back in May and is still far from over. Like a besotted celebrity mistress, the Catalan club’s desperate overtures – to a player who would certainly count amongst their best subsitutes were he to finally nod a cheeky Hispanic acquiescience – have been systematic, repetitive and very, very public. It has made for excrutiatingly dull reading for neutrals but there simply hasn’t been much else to supplant it.

We could discuss the finer points of FIFA’s new financial fair play regulations and their effect on the spending habits of England’s richest clubs but that’d all be a bit boring for a Premier League season preview, so, in an effort to cut straight to the chase, here is my prediction for the Premier League table with a special focus on The Top Six:

1. Chelsea – No new playmaker to light up last year’s dull-as-dishwater midfield, but a return to the grinding, mechanical victories under Mourinho allied to the subtle and full integration of stars like David Luiz and Ramires.

2. Manchester United – A very close second, but David de Gea cannot be expected to replace Edwin van der Sar, nor can Tom Cleverley replace the vision of Paul Scholes. Ashley Young doesn’t seem to add much to an already strong front line.

3. Manchester City – The squad could compete for the title were Mancini to allow them just a little more freedom going forward. As it stands, they are now consistent enough to displace Arsenal, as they proved last season.

4. Liverpool – I’m basing this on the assumption that Kenny Dalglish is smart enough to know that Charlie Adam and Stewart Downing are great options for Fulham at home, less so for Chelsea away, where they’ll need their Lucases and Meireleses.

5. Arsenal – Didn’t sign any of the players they needed. Even if they keep Cesc, it’s hard to see them mounting a serious title challenge once those frosty December nights in Stoke kick in. A good bet to win one of the cups, though.

6. Tottenham - Fantastic team, not such a great squad. Little was done in the transfer window to boost the depth of the squad. Expect them either to fall away late on or have an inconsistent start.

7. Fulham - Martin Jol has a solid record of turning OK sides into decent ones. Expect the same this time around, though it’ll be a bumpy ride.

8. Stoke - Their consistency, physicality and inhospitable home ground are unchanged under Tony Pulis. They have the right ingredients to finish near the top of the mediocrity once again.

9. Everton – Expect the usual ‘David Moyes has taken them as far as he can’ comments around December, before the usual resurgence before the end of the season hoists them within touching distance of Europe before one or two other teams get their act together and they have to settle for top-half respect.

10. West Brom – Peter Odemwingie not leaving the club is already fantastic news and should ensure a full season (mostly) free of the stress which accompanied Roberto di Matteo’s reign.

11. Bolton – The usual dourness. Fabrice Muamba finally breaking into the England squad and the occasional superman performance from Kevin Davies will be about the most exciting things to happen here.

12. Sunderland – Expect the freebies from United to blend inconspicuously into an infuriatingly inconsistent side. Never a worry for relegation, but will never quite mount a challenge for Europe either.

13. QPR – The three promoted sides all play open, attractive football. QPR look the most likely to adapt to a more robust attitude when the situation requires it and should do quite well.

14. Newcastle – The usual ups and downs. The Alan Pardew era should be one of relative financial restraint, meaning less broken dreams, but perhaps less fun along the way too.

15. Blackburn – Just about strong enough to avoid a last-day battle like last season, but they will teeter.

16. Aston Villa - The loss of their star player, Young, and their star performer, Downing, has not ben offset by investment in a mediocre squad. They could really struggle, with the quality of youngsters like Marc Albrighton being enough to keep them up.

17. Wigan – They’ve lost Charles N’Zogbia and Tom Cleverly, but with Ali Al-Habsi and Hugo Rodallega remaining at either end of the field, they should have just enough to carry on in the Premiership for another year.

18. Wolves – Lucky to have stayed up last year, this time around they will probably be just edged out.

19. Swansea - It’s a fantastic achievement for them to even be here – there will be some great highs but ultimately we can expect another Blackpool here.

20. Norwich – As above, although relegation for a club which has the taste of Premier League football still relatively fresh on its lips might hurt more than for their Welsh companions from the Championship.

Analyzing The Top Six

• 1. Can Arsenal Survive In The Top Four?
• 2. Can Chelsea Topple Manchester United?
• 3. Liverpool Plot Return To Champions League
• 4. Manchester City can’t stop Manchester United or Chelsea
• 5. Are Manchester United Good Enough For The 20th League Title?
• 6. Another Disappointing Season For Tottenham?

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

Last week we analysed the first half the 2011/2012 Premier League fixtures list, looking at the key clashes through August to December.

Here we look at the second half of the season and try to pick where the best action is likely to be.

Remember, you can watch the best of the 2011/2012 Premier League season with Sky Sports HD. Click here to find out more.

January 2012

Monday, 2nd January sees the final act of the holiday season fixtures, 10 matches scheduled a mere two days after the 10 for Saturday 31st. Villa’s pain lets up with a home game to Swansea but there’s no respite for Liverpool or Manchester United, who visit Manchester City and Newcastle United respectively. Arsenal and Chelsea are away from home as well.

With a weekend break devoted to FA Cup action, Premier League football returns mid-month with the headline fixture being Aston Villa v Everton and Chelsea v Sunderland (odds on a repeat from last season are astronomical, to say the least).

The third week sees Arsenal host Manchester United – it was a similar game two years ago that more or less decided (ended) Arsenal’s title challenge, and it could be a similarly decisive match this time around as well. Manchester City and Tottenham square off at the Etihad stadium as well.

FA Cup (and rescheduled fixtures) will decidedly take precedence this month, with the final set of fixtures on the 31st, the highlight being Chelsea’s trip to Swansea and United hosting Stoke.

Six To Watch: Manchester City v Liverpool (2nd), Newcastle United v Manchester United (2nd), Aston Villa v Everton (14th), Chelsea v Sunderland (14th), Arsenal v Manchester United (21st), Manchester City v Tottenham (21st).

February 2012

1st February sees Everton and Manchester City square off but all eyes will be firmly on Saturday, 4th February, when the two teams who have shared the last seven Premier League titles square off at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea and United are joined by Liverpool hosting Tottenham in making this a entertaining weekend, which is the second is a series of crucial games for Liverpool. After playing away to Wolves on 31st January, Liverpool host Tottenham on the 4th, play away to Manchester United on the 11th before playing hosts in the Merseyside derby on the 25th. Incidentally, that match is then followed by Arsenal’s visit to Anfield on 3rd March, before Liverpool are on the road to Sunderland the week after.

But while Liverpool at Old Trafford on the 11th of February, Chelsea are away to Everton, Manchester City away to Aston Villa and Arsenal away to Sunderland, while Tottenham host Newcastle. And on the same weekend as the Merseyside derby, we also see the North London derby as Arsenal host Tottenham.

Eight To Watch: Everton v Manchester City (1st), Chelsea v Manchester United (4th), Liverpool v Tottenham (4th), Manchester United v Liverpool (11th), Everton v Chelsea (11th), Aston Villa v Manchester City (11th), Liverpool v Everton (25th), Arsenal v Tottenham (25th).

March 2012

European commitments will start to take their toll on the top sides by March and April. With Liverpool hosting Arsenal on the 3rd, we also have Tottenham hosting Manchester United on the same date. The next weekend sees Everton v Tottenham and Norwich v Wigan as standout matches, while Everton host Arsenal and Manchester City host Chelsea on the 17th. The next two weeks have no ‘massive’ games but several tricky fixtures, with Arsenal v Aston Villa, Chelsea v Tottenham and Aston Villa v Chelsea the standouts.

Eight To Watch: Liverpool v Arsenal (3rd), Tottenham v Manchester United (3rd), Everton v Tottenham (10th), Everton v Arsenal (17th), Manchester City v Chelsea (17th), Arsenal v Aston Villa (24th), Chelsea v Tottenham (24th), Aston Villa v Chelsea (31st).

April 2012

As the jostling for league positions cranks up several gears, April kicks off with a few crackers. Arsenal host Manchester City, there’s a potential relegation 6-pointer between QPR and Swansea, United have an away trip to traditional whipping boys Wigan, Fulham host Chelsea, Chelsea and Manchester United host Newcastle and Aston Villa respectively.

The second half of April sees some crucial title-deciding matches – Arsenal v Chelsea and Manchester City v Manchester United, while Liverpool enjoy a relatively easy month with matches against Aston Villa (home), Blackburn (away), Fulham (home), West Brom (home) and Norwich (away). If Liverpool are going to serious contenders this season, for the champions league or for the title, these are 15 points they should be getting.

Five To Watch: Arsenal v Manchester City (7th), Liverpool v Aston Villa (7th), Manchester United v Aston Villa (14th), Arsenal v Chelsea (21st), Manchester City v Manchester United (28th).

May 2012

The last two gameweeks of the season (plus any rescheduled games thanks to domestic and continental cup commitments) could see the title decided if the contenders keep dropping points as they did last season. Aston Villa host Tottenham on the first weekend but that’s only a precursor to the big one, Liverpool v Chelsea at Anfield. On the same weekend Manchester City are also away to Newcastle United, while Arsenal and Manchester United enjoy home games against Norwich and Swansea respectively.

The final week sees some tough games, with Norwich hosting Aston Villa, Manchester United Reserves Sunderland hosting Manchester United and Swansea hosting Liverpool, while QPR are away to Manchester City and West Brom host the Arsenal.

Five To Watch: Aston Villa v Tottenham (5th), Liverpool v Chelsea (5th), Newcastle United v Manchester City (5th), Everton v Newcastle United (12th), Sunderland v Manchester United (12th).

Disclaimer: Please note that the fixtures are subject to change and Soccerlens is not responsible for any changes that may be made.

Watch Live Premier League Matches On Sky

This season Sky Sports will show 115 live Premier League fixtures with every match available in HD and selected matches in 3D. The confirmed TV listings are till end of November, with a guaranteed 39 live games.

ALL THE CLUBS: Every Barclays Premier League team will be shown live in the first set of Sky Sports HD fixtures with all three newly-promoted clubs shown live at least three times by the end of November.

BIG HEAD-TO-HEADS: Sky Sports will show 11 matches between last year’s top six teams, including Manchester United v Arsenal on August 28 and Manchester United v Chelsea on September 18.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SPECIAL: Sky Sports will offer more than 129 live matches from the UEFA Champions League on Sky Sports HD2, Sky Sports HD4 and via the red button, including live coverage of the final qualifying round in August. Throughout the tournament Sky Sports will show up to 15 live matches per week across the Group Stage including every match on Tuesday nights.

SKY GO: Sky Sports is also available to view via Sky Go, a service that allows Sky TV customers with Sky Sports access across a range of devices at no extra cost. Sky customers will be able to watch live streaming of every Sky Sports channel on laptops, computers, tablet and mobile devices with Sky Go (watch the Sky Go ad).

Get started with Sky Sports Football and watch the best of the 2011/2012 Premier League season in HD.

From Soccerlens.com - Football News