18 November Preview

I didn't put money on any matches this week because I didn't have time. I've been playing too much. But anyway, here are the previews and predictions of the matches later.

Man City vs Fulham

Man City have Trevor Sinclair, DaMarcus Beasley and Sun Jihai doubtful. But are otherwise at full strength and look strong at home.

Fulham have key man Papa Bourba Diop back in the side. Fulham have not lost away since the first day drubbing at Man United, so this promises an interesting match which is hard to call.

Verdict: Man City.. probably by not more than a goal.

Arsenal vs Newcastle

Arsenal do not have Gilberto, Diaby and Lauren while Rosicky is doubtful. They do have Freddy Ljungberg and Julio Baptista back though. After a comfortable win over Liverpool, it looks like Newcastle should be no problem for the gunners.

Newcastle are without Michael Owen, Celestine Babayaro and Oliver Bernard through injury and Emre through suspension. Shola Ameobi, Stephen Carr, Titus Bramble and James Milner, Shay Given and Obafemi Martins might be back.

Verdict: Arsenal... comfortably.

Chelsea vs West Ham

Chelsea has no fresh injuries. While according to soccernet, Cudicini looks to keep his place in goal.

Are West Ham the team that beats Chelsea in Stamford Bridge? It would be interesting if they do that given that they beat Arsenal and Blackburn after a run of bad form. Beating Chelsea would be a great scalp. West Ham look to have a full squad if Anton Ferdinand returns.

Verdict: Chelsea win.. but hope West Ham wins.

Everton vs Bolton

Tim Cahill is injured as are long-term absentees Hibbert, Pistone, Naysmith and Bolye. James McFadden is suspended. Everton would be hoping to bounce back after a defeat to Aston Vill at home last week.

Bolton have been strong at home, but can they repeat that form at Everton? They might have to do so without Ricardo Gardner and Joey O'Brien.

Verdict: Everton.. possibly 2-0

Portsmouth vs Watford

Gary O'Neil, Benjamin Mwaruwari and Glen Johson are out, while Kanu might return.

Watford have Clarke Carlisle out, along with Marlon King who will be out for the rest of the season.

Verdict: Pompey should be too strong at home.

Reading vs Charlton

Reading have a long injury list: Convey, Mate, Brown, Cox all out injured with Graeme Murty a slight doubt.

Charlton would hope to turn things round under their new 'gamble' of a manager. But have to do so with a number of injuries - Kishishev, Diawarra, Traore, Sorondo, Gibbs are all doubtful while Lisbie is definately out. Amdy Faye is suspended.

Verdict: Charlton with an away surprise.

Sheff Utd vs Man United

Verdict: Why both preview? Man United win.

Boro vs Liverpool

The Riverside has not been a happy hunting ground for Liverpool in recent seasons as they look to recover their loss of away form. Boro have Stewart Downing, Lee Cattermole, Andrew Taylor Chris Riggott and Ugo Ehiogu doubtful while Julio Arca makes his return. Mark Viduka is definately out.

Liverpool have no fresh injury concerns, but the loss of Momo Sissoko could mean Gerrard returns to the center of midfield with Jermaine Pennant filling the right wing spot. The left is open for Bolo Zenden, Riise, Warnock or Mark Gonzalez since Luis Garcia is out injured.

Verdict: Home win.. to add misery on Liverpool's poor away form

Wigan vs Aston Villa

Wigan have every chance of walking away with something from this match. They have to do so without Arjan De Zeeuw, Emile Heskey and Gary Teale while Legton Baines and David Cotteril are doubtful.

Gareth Barry is expected to return, while Gavin McCann is suspended. Villa do look strong away from home though.

Verdict: Draw. Villa are the kings of draws ain't they?

Blackburn vs Tottenham

Khizanishvili (that's a long name) is out along with Lucas Neil, Morst Gamst Pedersen, Jason Roberts, Steven Reid and Ryan Nelson.

Tottenham do not have wonderkid Aaron Lennon. They are also missing Jermaine Jenas, Pascal Chimbonda, Calum Davenport, Anthony Garnder and Paul Stalteri.

Verdict: Draw.

Hope you get lucky with your soccer bets this week!

Reference: soccernet.com - http://soccernet.espn.go.com/feature?id=280562&cc=3436

Pool Aftermath

Though it hurts to speak about my favourite team after they get shot down 3-0 by the Gunners, it is nice to know that they are not throwing in the towel yet.

The Reds have been misquoted. The new reports come out that Carra and Reina said that 4th place is the target. While I went on to read the full quotes, Carra actually said "We had big ambitions at the start of the season, which is only right at a club like Liverpool, but we also know it's important to make sure we're in the top four as soon as possible, and then we can start thinking about what's above us."

He is not conceding that fourth is the target, it is just the target for now before they can go even higher. Makes perfect sense if you ask me.

I also read Arsene Wenger and Theirry Henry's comments about backing Liverpool. It seems that 14 points from Chelsea and Manchester United are not too far away. They have mentioned that Liverpool have played poorly away, losing five out of six. That was only because Liverpool have played Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal away. They are arguably the other of the big 4 teams in the EPL. Not that that is an excuse to falter, but it's more undersandable. The other two games which they lost were at Bolton, who we know are very commited, physical and strong especially at home; and Everton, when (Merseyside) derbies can go either way.

I personally think that they got the 5 most difficult away games of the season out of the way already. It is now when you see an upturn in form. Of course there are other difficult away games such as Tottenham, Portsmouth, Aston Villa and maybe even Man City, but they would be arguably much easier games than Chelsea or Manchester United.

I am only addressing the away games because the Reds seem fine at home. They beat a previously unbeaten Aston Villa rather convincingly. They can thrash teams at home, be it in the EPL or Champions League, 2-0, 3-0 and so on. Some might not consider it a thrashing when you restrict your opponents to so few chances they can't score and score two or three past them. Well then, stop saying Liverpool got thrashed by Arsenal then.

I believe Liverpool have the right players to turn their season around, especially after most of the tough fixtures are already out of the way. Finishing first does not look a likly outcome having lost to the big teams already, but Riise quoted some interested statistics. At one point last season, Liverpool were 27 points behind Chelsea, in May, they were only 9 points.

If they can make up the 18-point gap then, why not the 14 point gap now?

11-12 November 2006 Matches

It’s back online to review the weekend EPL matches and put in a few thoughts and predictions.

Man City vs Newcastle

Probably Dietmar Hamann might return, if not only to the bench, while punters are expecting Man City to recall Bernado Corradi. There are not fresh injuries to worry about, but I think no matter how you reshuffle your squad, you shouldn’t have trouble beating a Newcastle team at home.

Newcastle could have Kieron Dyer back, unless he gets injured on the way to Manchester, and Shola Ameobi might play his last game before going in for hip surgery. Shay Given might make his return in goal tonight, while Obafemi Martins remains a slight doubt.

Verdict: Man City win… 2-0

Chelsea vs Watford

Chelsea should face a relatively easy game at home to Watford. I put a few Chelsea players in my yahoo fantasy squad this week. I’m expecting them to have a romp. Ashley Cole and Arjen Robben look set to start after being rested in the midweek Carling Cup. Captain Terry returns from suspension. He’s lucky he only missed a Carling Cup round. I still don’t know if Sheva would return yet though.

Watford only have Marlon King and Clarke Carlisle out, while captain Gavin Mahon looks set to return. But they would have a tough time against Champions Chelsea in any case.

Verdict: Chelsea win… I hope for a 3-0 or 4-0, but it might end up a 1-0 if Watford do nothing but defend with 10 man in the box.

Everton vs Aston Villa

For Everton, James McFadden is suspended for 3 games after his red-card involving under-fire Graham Poll. James Beattie looks set to start along side AJ.

Astong Villa would hope to bounce back from recent defeats to Liverpool and Chelsea, with Gary Cahill set to return to first-team action. Martin Laursen and Aaron Hughes are out, together with Garet Barry who is a slight doubt.

Verdict: Draw… Hopefully 1-1 or 2-2 for a good game to view, but might end up 0-0.

Boro vs West Ham

Middlesborough have their defensive stars returning, so look to strengthen their back line. Chris Riggot, Ugo Ehoigu and Stuart Parnaby are returning to match fitness, but might not feature in this game. While Mark Viduka is definitely out with fractured toes. “Good news” is that Abel Xavier is set to return.

West Ham have since bounced back from their slump, winning two games in a row – against Blackburn and Arsenal. Their Argentine stars might make it back to the starting line-up, as they slowly adapt to English football. There are doubts over Anton Ferdinand and Bobby Zamora though.

Verdict: Draw, or West Ham might just nick it. 1-1 or 1-2.

Portsmouth vs Fulham

Pompey are looking to bounce back after Manchester United and Chelsea ruined their encouraging start to the season. Portsmouth are boasted by the return of Campbell and Linvoy Primus this week. Kanu looks set to return to the starting line-up while Gary O’Neil and Noe Paramot might feature. Glen Johnson is making his loan totally not worth it as he sits out a long injury. Andy Cole joins him on the sidelines.

Fulham have a number of injury problems of their own. Michael Brown, Simon Elliot and Jimmy Bullard are definitely out, whilst Philippe Christanval and Mark Pembridge are doubts. Better news is that Papa Bourba Diop is expected to return.

Verdict: Portsmouth. Convincingly.

Sheff United vs Bolton

Sheffield are without Chris Armstrong, Michael Tonge, Leigh Bromby and Steve Kabba.

Bolton are only without Joey O’brien and Ricardo Gardner. Kevin Nolan might miss this game due to his fiancée due to give birth. Still, Bolton should win this easy.

Verdict: Bolton… 1-0, hopefully more.

Wigan vs Charlton

Lee McCulloch and David Cotterill might come in, while Emile Heskey is out. Not that that would make much of an attacking difference.

Charlton are without Kevin Lisbie, while Djimi Traore, Gonzalo Sorondo, Cory Gibbs and Talal El-Karkouri might return. JFH might keep his place in the Charlton strike-force. I expect Charlton to have a difficult game against a resurgent Wigan though.

Verdict: 1-0, 2-0 or 2-1 Wigan, but I don’t think it would be a high-scoring game.

Blackburn vs Man Utd

This is one game which I wasted money on. I put my money on Blackburn to win. It was a tempting 4.55 odds, but it looks as slim a chance as Watford beating Chelsea,(maybe not as bad). Blackburn are without Savage, Steven Reid and Jason Roberts. Brett Emerton could return, though I hope he doesn’t because he is rubbish, and I’m in Australia!

Manchester United would field the same team as last week. I just hope for the sake of my money that the midweek lost to Southend might derail their momentum.

Verdict: Man Utd win, though I’m hoping for a long-shot upset.

Reading vs Tottenham

Another match in which I put my money on the home side causing an upset. The home side are without Bobby Convey, David Kitson, Peter Mate, Aaron Brown and Simon Cox though.

Tottenham look on a high after beating Chelsea in a sensational match last week and hope to continue that good form against Reading, though I hope not.

Verdict: Home win… for my money’s sake.

Arsenal vs Liverpool

Undoubtedly the big match of the weekend. This one is too close to call, but I might have to go for an Arsenal win despite my truest feelings a Liverpool fan. Arsenal have been playing exceptional good football recently, only that they have failed to find the net. What stops them though is ‘anti-football’ like Fabregas calls it. But Liverpool doesn’t really play anti-football. Just like Man Utd doesn’t, it looks as though Arsenal might beat yet another big name. Freddy Ljungberg and Julio Baptista are not expected to feature in the match today though.

For Liverpool, their only ‘anti-football’ star is Momo Sissoko, so his 3-month injury comes at the worst time. Gerrard looks set to move back to the centre of mid-field while Jermaine Pennant might come in on the right.

Verdict: Home win.

Suspension

Sorry for the lack of posts in the past few months. I've been busy with exams and all. The last paper is today though, so I hope to continue posting my thoughts and predictions starting with the Carling Cup midweek really soon.

I'll also update the tagboard as it's probably the last tagboard.com tag-board left on the internet! Haha.

Joga bonito..