Game:- Everton vs Manchester United
Competition :- Barclays Premier League
Venue :- Goodison Park
Date :- Saturday, 11 September 2010
KO time:- 12:45 BST
Barclays Premier League resumes this weekend with Everton hosting Manchester United in the first match at Goodison Park. Both teams have players returning from international duty for Saturday’s encounter and as a result we might see a lot of first team players missing from the starting line up.
Everton
It wasn’t too long ago that both of these sides were regularly challenging for the top six although now it appears as though expectations have lowered slightly. Sheffield United made the rash decision to sack Kevin Blackwell just two league games into the season and successor Gary Speed is now charged with lifting the Blades from the foot of the table and into the top half. Similarly, Preston haven’t enjoyed the best of starts and Darren Ferguson will be looking to improve his sides points tally of three.
This campaign was always going to be a tough one for Sheffield United considering their parachute payments have now stopped. It meant that the club had to be a lot more stringent in the transfer market and that was perhaps something that Kevin Blackwell struggled to deal with. He was given his marching orders just two games into the season and replacing him was former Wales midfielder Gary Speed. Speed’s first task was arguably the toughest he’ll face all season, with the Blades travelling to the Riverside Stadium to take on Middlesbrough. While they ended up losing that one 1-0, they still put up a good account of themselves and Speed will have been encouraged by the signs of his new team.
Darren Ferguson has attempted something of a rebuilding job with his Preston side and with that, you can forgive the Lilywhites for taking time to gel. Having lost their first two league games, one of which was a 4-0 defeat to Swansea, things have improved in recent weeks and Ferguson’s men managed to see off Portsmouth in their last outing. However, one thing that will be bothering the Deepdale supremo is the club’s dreadful record on the road. Preston have not won in ten away games in a record stretching back to last season and this is something that must change if the club are going to improve.
Sheffield United’s team news focuses on their defence where Gary Speed could hand out two debuts. Stephen Jordan joined the club a few weeks ago but has only now recovered from a calf strain and could be given a start. Elsewhere, after signing for the club at the start of the week fellow defender Jean Calve may also be given a starting place. Similarly, the visitors’ team news is based on defenders. Despite being taken off midway through their game against Bradford, Sean St Ledger should feature in this one. However, former Leicester man Wayne Brown is doubtful due to a calf problem.
In terms of a prediction, we think Sheffield United are clear favourites and will net a comfortable victory here. Preston’s away form is dismal and with a new manager watching, we think the Blades will impress. 2-0, home win.
Line: 7Game:- Aston Villa vs Everton
Competition :- Barclays Premier League
Venue :- Villa Park
Date :- Sunday, 29 August 2010
KO time:- 16:00 BST
Aston Villa host Everton at the Villa Park on Sunday with both teams hoping to get over the disappointing results of the last weekend. Read our preview and bet on the game with Paddy Power.
Aston Villa
While Portsmouth have endured a terrible start to the season, fans of the Fratton Park outfit will just be relieved they have a club to support. Then again, Cardiff could view things the same and the Bluebirds have tolerated a whole summer of winding up orders from the High Court. However, it now looks as though those worries are over for the Welsh outfit and they can finally pay full attention to their on the field antics. While it appears as though everything is coming into place for the Bluebirds, the same cannot be said for Portsmouth who are still suffering from dire financial problems and are also struggling on the pitch.
Portsmouth’s financial problems meant the club were on the edge of going bankrupt and because of that, there’s no doubting that footballing matters took a back seat. While the club did take the initiative and appoint Steve Cotterill as manager, financial constraints meant there was little activity in the transfer market and the loan signings of Carl Dickinson and Ibrahima Sonko are the only deals that have materialized. With plenty of players leaving in the summer it means Pompey are down to bare bones and this has shown in their results. So far Cotterill’s men have picked up just the one point after defeats to Coventry and Preston and a 1-1 draw against Reading. This leaves the Fratton Park outfit in the drop zone and while it is early on in the campaign, Cotterill will know the importance of dragging them away from it as quickly as possible.
Cardiff on the other hand are on the up and after a summer of misery, Bluebirds supporters cannot believe their luck at the moment. Since their transfer embargo was lifted a couple of weeks ago, Dave Jones has certainly been busy in the transfer market and the loan signing of Craig Bellamy was the icing on the cake. Bellamy certainly made an impression on his debut as well, providing assists as well as scoring a belter of his own as Cardiff romped to a 4-0 victory. Jones’ men now have seven points to their name and that tally has put them into 2nd position. With the talent at his disposal now, the Bluebirds have got to be classed as one of the favourites for promotion.
As for team news, Portsmouth will hand late fitness tests to David Nugent and John Utaka who are struggling with ankle and hamstring problems respectively. Cardiff’s team news is a little more extensive on the other hand and the Bluebirds have been hit with the news that Michael Chopra could miss the next ten weeks through injury. Other players who are doubtful for this one are Darcy Blake and Kevin McNaughton, although Dave Jones will be hopeful of handing a debut to new loan signing Andy Keogh.
Cardiff are well and truly on the up and we’re going to predict a comfortable victory for Dave Jones’ men in this one. Pompey have serious problems and with Cardiff on such a high, we expect a 2-0 victory for the visitors.
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There couldn’t be a bigger difference between these two sides, with Barnsley operating on one of the smallest budgets in the division while recently relegated Middlesbrough have splashed out millions in the transfer market this summer. Unsurprisingly, the Tykes have been tipped as relegation favourites by the bookies while Boro are clear favourites for the title. However, after three league games both clubs are on four points and Barnsley will feel as though they have an excellent chance to stifle the visitor’s charge for promotion.
A 4-0 drubbing on the opening day of the season made a few Barnsley fans a little worried, especially since that also meant the Tykes had gone eleven games without a win on run stretching back to last season. However, a 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace followed that and following a 3-3 draw at Bristol City, it would be fair to say that the Oakwell faithful are a little more optimistic now. In fact, many were disappointed only to notch a point at Ashton Gate last week after throwing away a 2-0 and a 3-2 lead. Still, four points from a tough opening schedule will have pleased Mark Robins and his aim now will be to try and maintain his sides mid-table placing.
Middlesbrough on the other hand endured a start that to the season that nobody quite predicted. Despite vast investment through the summer, Boro were soundly beaten on the opening day of the season as Ipswich left the Riverside Stadium with a 3-1 win to their name. Since then things have slowly improved following a goalless draw against Leicester and then a 1-0 victory over Sheffield United. That leaves Boro on four points and in 10th position and while only three games have passed, manager Gordon Strachan will know that his new-look side must start to gel in order to match pre-season expectations.
As for team news, Mark Robins could have a few problems in this one as he sweats on the fitness of Adam Hammill, Luke Potter and Liam Dickinson. On the plus side however, summer signing Jim O’Brien is recovering well from a thigh injury that has prevented him from making his debut. Middlesbrough on the other hand have a host of problems and Gordon Strachan will have plenty of reshuffling to do. Seb Hines, Tony McMahon, Jonathon Franks, Gary O’Neil, Willo Flood, Rhys Williams, Nick Bailey and Kevin Thomson are all set to miss out giving Boro some serious injury concerns.
Barring the opening day, Barnsley have enjoyed a reasonable start to the season and finally found some goals following last week’s 3-3 result against Bristol City. Middlesbrough on the other hand still appear to be finding their feet and with that, we’re going to predict an exciting 2-2 draw in this one.
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These are two sides who were tipped to struggle by the bookies and judging by the start both have had, those predictions seem spot on at the moment. With such a small budget, Scunthorpe are always viewed as relegation candidates while Crystal Palace’s off the field problems means that they probably won’t have the easiest season either. With that, both sides will be viewing this as a must win game.
Scunthorpe lost several key players in the summer and due to that, many saw them as certainties for relegation. However, the Iron surprised everyone with a 2-1 opening day victory over Reading and that gave everyone at the club confidence that this might not be the season of disaster that everyone else is predicting. However, since then things haven’t been quite as successful and the club have lost both of their other league games. However, on the plus side, Nigel Adkins’ men appear to have launched something of a cup run and a 4-2 victory over Sheffield Wednesday a few days ago will have done nothing but good for their confidence. What’s more, new signing Chris Dagnall managed to bag two in that game and with Dagnall seemingly being the direct replacement for the recently departed Gary Hooper, Adkins will be hoping that the former Rochdale man can follow in Hooper’s footsteps.
It’s certainly been a strange old summer for Crystal Palace and while at one point they were faced with the threat of extinction, now they have turned to signing players who have played right at the very top. Dutch legend Edgar Davids joined the club on a pay-as-you-play deal last week and while the former Juventus man hasn’t played much football in the past two years, he will still be a vital man for the Eagles this season. Strangely, while the Selhurst Park outfit appear to be in a position to sign such established players, they have let one of their seemingly better ones go after Alan Lee joined Huddersfield this week. Lee had already notched two goals this season and the decision to let him join the Terriers certainly seems bizarre. Since their opening day victory over Leicester, George Burley’s men have lost their other two league games and because of that, this fixture against Scunthorpe is even more important.
It’s mixed news on the team news front for the home side although to start with, Nigel Adkins will welcome back Rob Jones, Martyn Woolford and David Mirfin who have all been on the treatment table. However, Garry Thomson will miss out, as will Jim McNulty who is struggling with an ankle problem. The visitors on the other hand will be without forward Wilfried Zala who sits out through suspension. Darren Ambrose is expected to shake off a knock and be passed fit though, while Claude Davis could return after serving a ban.
Crystal Palace may have been boosted with Edgar Davids’ arrival, but we think Scunthorpe will get the points in this one. The Iron will have been given a huge confidence boost following their comprehensive victory over Sheffield Wednesday midweek and we think this can inspire them to victory here. 2-1 Scunthorpe.
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Both of these sides were tipped for very good campaigns through the summer, with managers Roy Keane and Steve Coppell highly respected bosses who have both managed in the top flight. Since then, Coppell has departed, but there’s no doubting that Bristol City will still be harbouring ambitions of a promotion push. Out of the two it’s Ipswich who have enjoyed the better start though, with the Tractor Boys racking up seven points out of their opening three games to put them into 5th position.
Last season could only be described as a disaster for Ipswich and it would be fair to say that Roy Keane is under immense pressure to deliver in this campaign. When he joined the club two years ago, Keane set the target as promotion by the end of his second season although judging by the little progress made last year, that looks a little ambitious at the moment. However, ignoring last season’s failures, Ipswich have made a very good start to this campaign with two wins and a draw to their name. Considering the fact that Middlesbrough and Burnley have been amongst their opponents, an accumulation of seven points is a superb statistic and gives the club an excellent footing already.
There’s no doubting that Bristol City supporters have undergone something of a rollercoaster season already following the departure of Steve Coppell just one league game into the season. His successor Keith Millen has been busy working in the transfer market and another two promising players were brought into the club this week. Brett Pitman opted to turn down Premiership side Blackpool and join City from Bournemouth, while fellow striker Jon Stead also signed for the club this week
Both of these sides are in completely different states, but nobody quite knows how either will perform this season. Since entering the division, Doncaster have improved year on year and their brand of football has brought many admirers. However, some believe that considering their little financial clout, they may have reached their peak. Hull on the other hand are a completely different issue and even though they’ve only just come down from the Premiership, several off the field problems mean that they are by no means favourites to return to the Promised Land.
A mid-table finish in the last campaign certainly pleased Doncaster’s supporters and they had more to shout about during the summer when the club smashed their record transfer and signed Billy Sharp for
Posted by Matt Bisogno on August 24, 2010 · 1 Comment
It may be more than six months away, dear reader, meaning that last year’s Champion Hurdle is closer to now than next year’s… but that doesn’t stop us betting on the Guineas ante-post, and they’re in May! So let’s get the ball rolling for the 2011 Cheltenham Festival with a first look at the Champion Hurdle.
So why would I think I can pick the winner of this ultra-competitive race before the National Hunt season has even begun?! Well, quite simply, most of the clues we need to steal a march on the market are already in situ, as the key clues were provided last season.
Let’s look more deeply into the facts and figures to see how they can help us dig out a few decent bets for the 2011 Champion Hurdle.
The most significant factor in identifying the Champion Hurdle shortlist is course form. And not just course form, but Festival course form. In the last nine years, since the foot and mouth epidemic in 2001, the winners had all either won at the previous year’s Cheltenham Festival (four Champion Hurdle winners); or, placed in the previous year’s Champion Hurdle (four); or, finished in the top four in a Festival Grade 1 race the year before (one).
In fact, this run goes back to 1998 if we include Istabraq’s mighty treble in the race (he won the Sun Alliance at the Festival in 1997, before his hat-trick in the Champion Hurdle).
The full run down is as follows:
Year Winner Best Run Season Prior
2010 Binocular 3rd Champion Hurdle (G1)
2009 Punjabi 3rd Champion Hurdle (G1)
2008 Katchit WON Triumph Hurdle (G1)
2007 Sublimity 4th Supreme Novices Hdle (G1)
2006 Brave Inca 3rd Champion Hurdle (G1)
2005 Hardy Eustace WON Champion Hurdle (G1)
2004 Hardy Eustace WON RSA Hurdle (G1)
2003 Rooster Booster WON County Hurdle (G3 Hcap)
2002 Hors La Loi III 2nd Champion Hurdle 2000 (G1)
2001 No Race Foot and mouth
2000 Istabraq WON Champion Hurdle (G1)
1999 Istabraq WON Champion Hurdle (G1)
1998 Istabraq WON Sun Alliance Hurdle (G1)
There has only been one winner who didn’t win a Graded hurdle or finish in the first three in the previous Champion Hurdle. So, we can narrow our shortlist down quite quickly into probables and possibles. Let’s do that now:
Probables
Champion Hurdle 1-2-3
Binocular
Khyber Kim
Zaynar
Cheltenham 2010 Graded Winners
Menorah
Peddlers Cross
Soldatino
Thousand Stars
Berties Dream
Possibles (placed in a Grade 1 Hurdle at Cheltenham 2010)
Get Me Out Of Here, Dunguib, Oscar Whisky, Reve De Sivola, Rite Of Passage, Summit Meeting, Barizan, Alaivan, Carlito Brigante, Najaf, Kennel Hill, Arvika Ligeonniere
The good times have been back in Leicester over the past couple of seasons following years of disappointment. All looked lost at City a few years ago when the club slumped to relegation to League One, yet the manager-chairman partnership of Nigel Pearson and Milan Mandaric turned things around completely and after bouncing straight back to the Championship, the club netted a playoff position last season. However, there’s now big changes at the Walkers Stadium after Pearson opted to take charge of divisional rivals Hull. There was plenty of speculation as to who the ambitious Mandaric would appoint, but in the end the Foxes decided to swoop for Swansea boss Paulo Sousa.. Sousa has become renowned for his fluent passing style in his short time as a manager, which should prove interesting at Leicester after Pearson’s preference for a more percentage style of play.
Having walked to the League One title during the 2008/09 campaign, there was little doubt that Leicester would be able to hold their own having arrived back in the Championship last season. However, what supporters witnessed must have even surprised them, with Nigel Pearson putting together a side that stayed in the top six for the majority of the season
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