Mark Hughes was very active on transfer deadline day, signing ex-Liverpool front man Djibril Cissé from Lazio and re-uniting himself with Bobby Zamora from Fulham. Castrol EDGE Performance analysis shows that with an impressive shooting accuracy of 57% and the ability to create a chance for his teammates every 40 mins, Zamora looks set to play an important role in QPR’s battle to avoid relegation.  But it was Cissé who made an immediate impact by scoring on debut in QPR’s 2-2 draw with Aston Villa on Wednesday night.

However, Hughes should not automatically dismiss the striking options that were available to him before his January spending spree.  In particular, 34 year old Heidar Helguson has been in form for the Hoops, scoring 8 goals in the league this season at a chance conversion rate of 26%.  This compares favourably to Zamora’s 5 goals at 22% and Cissé’s meagre 2 goals at 5%, as well as the misfiring Jay Bothroyd and Jamie Mackie.  Indeed, with the lowest conversion rate in Serie A for 2011/12, Cissé’s goal on QPR debut came as something of a surprise.

There are also interesting differences in the trio’s styles of play; whereas Cissé has attempted 34 dribbles this season, Zamora and Helguson have attempted 11 and 1 respectively, reflecting the Frenchman’s continuing reliance on speed and the ability to run at defenders. As a result, Cissé achieved 6 assists for Lazio this season, which is more than both Zamora (5) and Helguson (2).

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

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

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

This weekend, the big teams have a chance to catch up with the Premier League leaders Manchester City, and you can get great betting odds for United, Arsenal and co. to cut down on the lead and make the title race more interesting.

Manchester United v Wolves

Manchester United have endured a horrendous week, crashing out of the Champions League and then losing Vidic for the rest of the season due a knee injury. They need to bounce back, and the visit of Wolves to Old Trafford this weekend gives them a glorious opportunity of doing just that.

Bookmakers make than a best priced 1.25 to beat Mick McCarthy’s men, and they cannot be opposed. United have not lost at home to Wolves for 31 years. They have won the last five and are unbeaten in the last six on their own patch.

Wolves have also scored just one goal in those last six visits, and although some will argue that now is the best time for them to be taking on a United side not playing at their best they are forgetting about on sir Alex Ferguson.

The United boss has proved time and time again that he is capable of lifting his players when things haven’t gone right, and I think Wolves will suffer the backlash this weekend.

What the Red Devils have lost in recent weeks is their killer instinct in front of goal. Wayne Rooney hasn’t looked the same player since his England sending off and has now not found the back of the next in the league since September.

I’m convinced that he will bounce back, and a top priced 4.33 with bet365 to net the opener in this, he makes plenty of appeal.

United to win 3-0 or 4-0 is my idea of the outcome, and those scorelines can be backed at 8 with Boylesports and 12 with bet365.

Liverpool v QPR

Liverpool are a top priced 1.36 to beat QPR at Anfield this weekend and and the stats suggest that they will do just that.

The visitors have won just one of their last 20 league visits to Merseyside, and the Reds are unbeaten in their last seven home games.

Kenny Dalglish’s men once again saw red in their shock 1-0 defeat away at Fulham last weekend, but if they keep their heads in this then there should only be one outcome.

They have the joint-best defensive record this season having conceded just 13 goals so far, and I think that they should be able to win this with a bit to spare and keep a clean sheet to boot.

They are 2.1 chances with Paddy Power to win to nil, and that has to be a fair punt given their cramped odds in the outright market.

Charlie Adams celebrates his 26th birthday in this game, and at 9 with bet365 to bag the opener looks value to kick-off his big day in style.

Arsenal v Everton

Arsenal are a a top priced 1.57 to beat Everton at the Emirates this weekend, and look bankers at those odds to bag all three points.

The Gunners have won six and lost none of the last eight Premier League games against the Toffees and have taken 19 points from their last seven games.

That’s the same number of points that they took from the previous 18 games, and clearly shows what terrific form they have been in of late

Arsene Wenger took the decision to rest virtually all of his first choice XI for the midweek Champions League trip to Olympiakos, and it was a shrewd move given that they had already qualified and had everything to lose but nothing to gain by risking their key men.

It means that he will be able to field his first choice team for this, and you have to think that they will comfortably prove to strong for a struggling Everton side and land the odds of 1.57 available with Betfred and Paddy Power.

Having said that it would be no surprise to see the visitors net a goal as they have have scored 11 goals in the last 11 meetings between the two sides. They have failed to score just once, but have only netted more than one goal on one occasion.

Therefore the 1.83 on offer with bet365 and Betfred about both sides netting makes plenty of appeal from a punting perspective .

Stoke v Tottenham

Stoke take on to in-form Spurs in front of Sky cameras at the Britannia (4.30pm KO) and Harry Redknapp’s side look worth a punt at 2.1 with Paddy Power.

Three Premier League meetings between the two sides at the Britannia have ended 2-1 with Spurs winning the last two visits.

The London outfit come into the game having won their last three on the road, and although they have never won four on the bounce I strongly fancy them to do so.

They have a side full of quality who play slick attacking football and I can see the Stoke back line having real problems against the lies of Peter Crouch and the in-form Gareth Bale.

Crouch, who netted twice against his former club when they met at White Hart lane in April is a a general 8 shot to grab the opener, and that looks decent value.

However Bale, who has scored four and assisted four goals in his last five Premier League appearances, will be carrying my money in the same market at 9.5 with bet365.

For those that like to play the correct score market it has to be a 2-1 win for Spurs at 9 with Betfred.

Chelsea v Manchester City

Chelsea play host to league leaders Manchester City on Monday night, and the in-form Blues have to be worth a punt at 2.5 with Betfred and Boylesports to beat Roberto Mancini’s City slickers.

The Blues triumphed 2-0 in this fixture back in March and come into the game on back of arguably their best performance of the season.

They looked back to their clinical and organised best when trouncing Valencia 3-0 to secure their place in the last 16 of the Champions League, and had previously proved far too strong for Newcastle when registering a 3-0 victory over the Magpies at St James’ when last seen in Premiership action.

Andre Villas-Boas seems to have turned things round, and this promises to be a great game filled with goals – despite the fact that in recent years City have struggled to score at Stamford Bridge.

They have actually have failed find the back of the net in  eight of their last nine league visits to London, but they are a different proposition now and come into this unbeaten in their last eight PL away games (won six).

So given that Chelsea have only managed to keep one clean sheet in their last 8 games at the Bridge but have also not found it difficult to find the target at the other end of the pitch, backing both sides to score looks a standout bet at 1.62 with bet365 and Betfred.

*bet365 are offering a £50 free In-play bet on this game.

To qualify simply place a bet before kick-off, then once the game starts place another bet on any In-Play market. If your FIRST In-Play bet loses we will refund this stake, up to the same value as your largest pre-match bet (max £50).

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

Manchester City continued their illustrious and table topping start to the English Premier League season with a 3-2 away win at Loftus Road against newly promoted Queens Park Rangers.

In truth, the scoreline flattered the travelling Manchester club as QPR fought tooth and nail with City and nearly upset a top four side for their second consecutive home match when they defeated Chelsea.

City would keep their five point lead at the top of the table thanks to their rivals’ home victory against Sunderland earlier in the afternoon which marked Sir Alex Ferguson’s 25th year as manager of Manchester United.

It was, in fact, the London side who started off the brightest as Loftus Road and were rewarded with Jay Bothroyd’s header in the first half. QPR were soon threatening to double their lead, rather amazingly, against the league leaders as Joe Hart was forced into a miraculous double save – mirroring that of Kieren Westwood’s at Old Trafford earlier in the afternoon.

QPR could’ve been out of touching distance as another Jay Bothroyd header was inches away as his effort clipped the outside of the post. Such is the luck of the top clubs, City’s form would be repaid with a leveller close to half time with Edin Dzeko’s individual effort saw him cut in from the touchline. The Bosnian would then deliver a heartbreaking finish against a frustrated QPR support who believed they should’ve led going into the half time break.

If anything, the latter stages of the first half could’ve turned the favour of Manchester City as Sergio Aguero went close in stoppage time, clipping the post from a well struck volley from the edge of the area.

Neil Warnock must have said something major as his side needed a response and that is what they got. Their pressure in the opening embers of the second half forced a good save from Joe Hart, saving from ex-City midfielder Joey Barton. All their pressing was to be undone from a wayward Armand Traore cross which triggered a quick breakaway, resulting in the in-form Premier League player at the moment – David Silva rifling in a close range effort from Edin Dzeko’s cross, scorer turning provider.

David Silva was a surprise omission from the Ballon D’or shortlist this week despite Luis Suarez being made a candidate although their similar birth into English football. Silva’s teammate, Sergio Aguero joined Manchester United counterparts Nani and Wayne Rooney as well as eight Barcelona players on the 23-man shortlist for the prize.

Silva’s early second half goal almost threatened to bring out City’s real form on the Loftus Road pitch. This new found form in the match sparked efforts from Dzeko and Aguero, both of which narrowly missed.

This didn’t deter QPR from pulling another fightback from their sleeves.

Armand Traore provided a cross which, unfortunately for the visitors, was pinged onto Jay Bothroyd’s head and subsequently struck the back of Heidar Helguson. This deflection changed the flight of the ball, putting Joe Hart off, and in the process nestling in the back of the net.

Although most of the City defence appealed for offside, the television cameras proved otherwise – the goal was perfectly legal and with twenty minutes of the game remaining, QPR had drawn level.

This false claim brought the best of City out of their shell for the final period. Aleksandar Kolarov’s beautiful cross into a towering Yaya Toure just five minutes after the home side’s equaliser got City back into the lead.

QPR were not done yet and the thriller in Hammersmith wasn’t done yet. Heidar Helguson’s last ditch effort nearly brought about a sixth goal and a leveller for the White City club, his inventive header rattling the outside of the post, agonisingly rebounding out of play.

Neil Warnock believes that City were lucky and the points could’ve gone either way in a very even and entertaining match. Warnock discussed plans to add to their squad in January as “they looked a bit light, with only 5 or 6 fit substitutes today” with their already brilliant signings by the ex-Blades boss, QPR could find themselves more in the hunt for a top half place rather than a relegation battle.

After today’s performance they definitely deserve to be a Premier League club next season.

The 3-2 win at Loftus Road ensured City become the fifth top flight club to come out of the first eleven games with ten wins and a draw to their name. Only on two occasions have the bearer of that opening record have spurned the Premier League, City don’t look, on form, to be doing such a disastrous thing as that.

With the poor form of Chelsea and Manchester United in the top four, it will be hard to see past Man City after October has brought out a contrast from which the earlier months had promised.

Read More from Jake Doyle at his personal football blog, The Twelfth Man.

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

This season has seen the birth of a newly adapted style for the three promoted clubs that have graced the Premier League this season – Swansea City, Queens Park Rangers and Norwich City. All three clubs have enjoyed spells in the top half and have kept their cool when faced with a barrage of quality opposition of which they probably have only dreamt about or watched on Sky Sports on the weekend.

However, is this success of the promoted clubs permanent for this season? Or, is it the case that promoted clubs have always been this well adapted and it is just passing phase for the opening months of the season whilst the more experienced and seasoned Premier League clubs await their season to really get going.

In the recent years there’s always been a club that has gone down and looked well out of the battle to avoid the drop – usually a newly promoted club – with the likes of Derby, Watford (twice), Sunderland, Portsmouth and West Ham all gone down without a chance. The most recognisable is Derby and the two poor campaigns from Sunderland which brought out the three worst points tallies in a season in the Premier League.

However, Derby’s simply pathetic tally of 11 points in the 2007/08 season has already been broken ten matches into the new season by all three promoted clubs. The next lowest of 15 by Sunderland is yet to be broken but when pundits say around a point a game is the target to stay up, the promoted clubs aren’t doing that bad for themselves. They just need to reach that sacred 40-point shelf which almost guarantees them for a return to the top flight in August.

Clubs such as Wolves, Norwich and, most notably, West Brom have the ability to fight back, coming back off a relegation to ensure a long spell in the top flight. Wolves’ brief stint in the Premier League in 2003/04 was followed by a return in 2009 which still continues today in their third successive season in the top flight after staving off relegation last term.

Norwich have been the most surprised but best of the lot that have been welcomed into the top flight this year. Their fantastic performances at Anfield and Old Trafford may have only warranted a single point but it deserved a lot more – to go to world renowned football sides and play them off the pitch is some achievement.

A season which started slowly for the Canaries suddenly burst into life with wins over Bolton, Sunderland and Swansea with an impressive fightback against Blackburn at Carrow Road on Saturday. Norwich have shown the grit and determination that a Premier League should possess in recent weeks – that enough should keep them afloat this season.

All the promoted clubs face a handful of tough opposition in the lead up to Christmas having faced a kinder schedule in the opening to the season. Norwich still have to play the likes of Spurs, City and Arsenal whilst Swansea still have Liverpool and Man United back to back in November.

QPR have attracted the likes of Joey Barton and Anton Ferdinand to Loftus Road.

QPR’s new signings and wealth has lured in stars like Joey Barton who have become instrumental in creating a success in the most recent London side to grace the Premier League. Barton’s performance in the match away at Molineux was almost out of this world, he manufactured the 3-0 win against Wolves.

This win complimented brilliantly with the home match against Chelsea last week ensured a nice and lengthy stay should be granted for the R’s who overcame 4-time Premier League champions with a spot kick. A 3-1 defeat to Spurs would hurl them back into reality, however.

Neil Warnock’s big test will come closer to Christmas when more top sides who play in Europe week in, week out, come to Loftus Road as Warnock will welcome both Manchester clubs and Liverpool all before Christmas in a crucial period for the former Huddersfield and Sheffield United boss.

Swansea’s upcoming matches seem tough with a trip to Liverpool this weekend followed by a Welsh welcoming against Manchester United next Saturday. Sir Alex Ferguson and United will not be relishing a tricky away tie at the Liberty Stadium considering the Welsh clubs home form going into the game.

With just the one concession of a goal at home in the Premier League, Brendan Rogers has gifted eleven of their twelve points thus far in the season at home with three impressive wins over West Brom, Stoke and Bolton in their recent three home games. Away form isn’t to blame for the Swans really as they have travelled to the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City – Premier League’s elite.

When Swansea face more of their own level of opposition away from home, then comes the time to question Rogers’ sides approach away from the Liberty Stadium. But until then, Rogers will be able to continue to look upon the Premier League table with glee considering their 10^th place.

On the other hand, an illustrious start can be hard to live up to in the second half of the season – as proven by Hull City and Blackpool in recent seasons. Both clubs have enjoyed spells in the top five but a patch of form which plummeted both clubs down the table have left fans disappointed at the turn of the season.

Of course, Hull marginally survived and Blackpool marginally didn’t.

Could the old crop of seasoned and experienced clubs like your Blackburns and Boltons of this world be out into the Football League once more, allowing the birth of new established names in the top flight?

Since the turn of the 21^st century, there has been just the one occasion when all three promoted clubs stayed up which was in 2002 where clubs led by Manchester City managed to stay alive in the top flight for another season. In the past three seasons just the one promoted club has gone down (Blackpool, Burnley and West Brom for reference). Prior to that was a trend which saw two or more promoted clubs go down each year but has since been bucked. Could we see all three promoted clubs stay up?

If the promoted clubs do get dragged into the relegation dogfight they could survive and enhance their reputation. I mean, just look at Portsmouth. They staved off relegation and under Harry Redknapp’s guidance were gifted European football and two FA Cup finals – one package of winner medals.

Just ignore the financial trouble and relegation which followed.

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

Tottenham continued their fine start to the 2011/12 season with a 3-1 win against QPR at White Hart Lane.

Spurs took to the field with real pace in wide areas. Wingers Aaron Lennon and Gareth Bale pushed high on QPR full-backs, Traore and Young. Meanwhile Spurs’ own full-backs, Kyle Walker and Benoit Assou-Ekotto, ventured high up the field to create additional width and allow Tottenham to stretch the field of play.

Targeting the flanks as the main passage for their offensive moves, Spurs dominated the first half. The swift footwork of Luka Modric in particular, allowed them to spread the ball from one side of the field to the other with fantastic speed. This has become a feature of their play under Redknapp and allowed them to isolate QPR full-backs in one-on-one situations with Bale and Lennon, much as they did against Inter in last season’s Champions League. This brought about their first goal as Gareth Bale fired powerfully passed Paddy Kenny from the corner of the penalty area following a rapid transition, which saw Spurs spread the ball from Lennon across to Bale.

QPR adopted the frequently derided 4-4-2 formation. In recent years the set-up has become pretty unfashionable but it can be effective as a defensive tool for a struggling side. Plenty of teams have squeezed their midfield and defensive lines into close proximity in order to create a two-ply, watertight shield. By maintaining a deep defensive line-up,  and keeping both banks of four players close together, they force the opposition to try and execute attacking moves from in front of them.

QPR, however, were far too porous in midfield and failed to maintain a minimal distance between defenders and midfield players. As mentioned above, Modric used this space to orchestrate play in dangerous areas.

Emmanuel Adebayor was also involved in many of Spurs’ best moments, combining with Modric around the opposition penalty area to move the ball at speed. Most of his work was done with his back to goal. Spurs identified pace and height in QPR central defenders, Ferdinand and Gabbidon (who replaced Hall after 7 mins), and subsequently opted not to try and play through them. Instead, Adebayor pulled off the forward line, taking a central defender with him and thus exposing space for Rafael Van Der Vaart to move into.

Both Lennon and Bale also showed a willingness to drift infield and invade the space opened up by Adebayor’s movement. The aforementioned attacking instincts of Walker and Assou-Ekotto allowed Tottenham to maintain width when Bale and Lennon moved inside.

Arguably Tottenham’s key man though was Scott Parker. Operating in a relatively deep lying midfield role, Parker superbly marshalled a below-par Adel Taarabt. The Moroccan former Tottenham player should have been the nexus of QPR’s counter-attacking manoeuvres, finding space and releasing the on-rushing Shaun Wright-Phillips.

In fact, QPR did threaten briefly in the second half and the introduction of Jay Bothroyd, in place of Taarabt, was influential. Bothroyd gave the QPR attacking line more mobility, allowing them to seek on occasion to break in behind the Spurs defensive line with pace. Assou-Ekotto and Walker subsequently declined to venture forward with quite the same enthusiasm and Spurs were less able to stretch play and dominate possession. Bothroyd scored after 62 minutes to make the score 2-1 but Spurs soon regained control courtesy of a splendid second goal by Gareth Bale.

Parker was crucial to ensuring Spurs remained in control, winning numerous challenges to halt QPR midfielders looking to break forward in support of Bothroyd. His precise distribution also allowed Spurs to quickly mount their own counter-attacks and keep QPR under pressure.

The Tottenham central midfielder is putting forward a good case for inclusion in the England line-up. Inadequate ball retention has haunted England teams in recent years but between Parker and Arsenal’s Jack Wilshire, England could have a midfield with a genuine ability to rotate the ball and keep possession effectively. Neither of them boast great mobility, however, and perform best when surrounded by pace and athleticism. England have plenty of that at their disposal in the shape of Walcott, Johnson, Downing and Lennon. Don’t be surprised if Parker appears in England’s midfield at Euro 2012.

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

The top two go head to head on Sunday when Manchester United take on neighbours and arch rivals City at Old Trafford, and Sir Alex Ferguson’s side have to be the call at odds-against.
 

Manchester Derby: The title decider?

Indeed it’s not often that United can be backed at 2.1 to win at home, but Boylesports and Victor Chandler go that price about the Red Devils bagging all three points in the Derby clash and regaining top spot in the league from Mancini’s men.
 
The stats are good as Sir Alex Ferguson’s side have lost none of their last six games against the Citizens – winning five and drawing one.
 
United have also lost none of their last 25 league games at Old Trafford and have had by far the more testing fixtures of the two sides this season.
 
They have played -  and beaten – Arsenal, Chelsea and Spurs and drew with Liverpool last week when Rooney was surprisingly left out of a defensive looking starting line-up.
 
City have only faced Spurs from last season’s top six and have so far had an easy run of games against inferior opposition. This will be the acid test for them
 
Michael Owen, who has scored seven goals in eight Premier League games against the Blues, may not figure in Ferguson’s starting line-up but given his record will surely make an appearance at some point and the 3.5 on offer with Victor Chandler about him scoring anytime looks attractive.
 
Predicting the score line is a really tough call as United have scored with a higher percentage of their shots than any other team in the Premier League (24%), while City are ranked second scoring with 20%.
 
That suggests that both sides could well find the back of the net, and United to win 2-1 is my idea of the outcome and that score line at 8.5 with bet365 and Victor Chandler.
 
 
There are two other games on Sunday that throw up some potentially interesting punts.
 

Arsenal v Stoke City: van Persie for the win!

The first features Arsenal who play host to Stoke at the Emirates, and are odds-on at 1.57 to win and continue their rise up the table after a poor start to the campaign.
 
The Gunners have won all three of their home matches against the Potters in the PL, and come into the game having won six of their last seven games at the Emirates in all competitions.
 
Stoke, on the other hand, have never excelled in away games against London clubs, winning three and losing 12 of their visits to the capital.
 
That makes Arsenal look “good things” to land the odds, but better value could lie in a couple of markets featuring their red-hot striker Robin van Persie.
 
The Dutchman’s double against Sunderland last weekend means that he has now scored 23  in 25 Premier League games in 2011, and it’s not hard to see him adding to that tally.
 
The red-hot striker is a 4.5 chance with Betfred, Boylesports, Paddy Power and Stan James to net the opener and that makes plenty of appeal.
 
However even better value surely has to be the even money (2) about him scoring anytime in the 90 minutes.
 
He is generally odds-on to do so and as short as 1.73 in a place. That makes the 2 on offer with Boylesports and Stan James look an absolute steal.
 
 

QPR vs Chelsea: The London derby, so to speak

Staying in London, Chelsea travel to near neighbours QPR and cannot be opposed at 1.4.
 
QPR are still awaiting their first home win in the Premier League this season and have won just one of the last 14 matches in all competitions against the Blues.
 
Neil Warnock’s side are difficult to predict as they have put in some good performances in beating Everton and Wolves away, but were woeful when hammered 4-0 by Bolton and 6-0 by Fulham.
 
By stark contrast, Chelsea are really beginning to find their stride and the decision by  Andre Villas-Boas to introduce fresh blood into his ageing squad is really beginning to pay dividends.
 
A 3-1 win over Everton was followed by a 5-0 romp against Genk in the Champions League and it’s impossible to see the Hoops being able to halt their winning run.
 
Chelsea have so far won all their five matches against teams in the bottom half of the league, and an in-form striker in Dean Sturridge who is now beginning to realise his full potential.
 
He has so far scored four goals in the PL means and looks worth a few quid at the 5.5 on offer with bet365 to net the opener.
 
Chelsea have now gone seven Premier League games without keeping a clean sheet for the first time since 2003, but this surely represents a chance to put things right.
 
They are 1.91 with bet365 not to concede, and that looks another good bet.
 

Liverpool vs Norwich: Three points for the Reds

On Saturday, Liverpool should prove too strong for Norwich in their clash at Anfield but at a top priced at 1.33 make little appeal from a punting perspective.
 
Kenny Dalglish’s side are now unbeaten in their last four, and sit just two points behind Newcastle in fifth spot in the league.
 
They will be eager to take over that coveted Champions League spot from the Magpies, and this is the type of encounter which they will surely win comfortably.
 
The visitors come into the game on the back of a 3-1 thrashing of Swansea and also have a number of key players missing through injury.
 
They will be without former England under-21 striker James Vaughan, ex-Liverpool defender Daniel Ayala, Elliot Ward, who are all suffering with knee injuries as well as centre-back Zak Whitbread will be absent with a pulled hamstring.
 
By stark contrast Liverpool don’t have any major injury worries, and with Stevie G pulling the strings in midfield should be able to create plenty of chances for Luiz Suarez and Andy Carroll.
 
However those two are plenty short enough in the first goals scorer market and the value bet has to be Charlie Adam at a standout 10 with bet365.
 
Adam is always a threat at set pieces, and is a short as 7 with many bookmakers to net first. The Stoke firm seem to have made a rick in pricing him up at 10 and he has to be worth an interest at those odds.

From Soccerlens.com - Football News