Tag Futebol

There is one match in the Premier League this weekend that will be grabbing the most attention: The North London Derby on Saturday as Arsenal host Tottenham at The Emirates. However, there is also a full Premiership fixture programme for you to enjoy, which will see Chelsea trying to stop the rot at St Andrew’s against Birmingham and Robert Pires return to the Premier League as he makes his Aston Villa debut against Blackburn at Ewood Park. Fantasy Football players – will Pires be a player you’re looking to sign? Maybe you should wait until the Premier League’s weekend fixtures have been played out to make your decision. You can see this week’s Premiership predictions in full here.

Shaun Custis:

[youtube Ud2BKw3x_jA]

Martin Lipton:

[youtube luQ0L9uRJuU&feature=related]

Do you agree with the Premier League predictions made this week?

Football Writers’ Association Predictions – Week 15

Overall standings

1. Steve Bates – 61 (4)

2. Martin Lipton – 61 (5)

3. Shaun Custis – 60 (6)

4. Andy Dunn – 60 (6)

5. Danny Fullbrook – 59 (5)

6. Des Kelly – 59 (1)

7. Glenn Moore – 55 (3)

8. Patrick Barclay -50 (3)

–

November standings:

1. Shaun Custis – 6

2. Andy Dunn – 6

3. Danny Fullbrook – 5

4. Martin Lipton – 5

5. Steve Bates – 4

6. Patrick Barclay – 3

7. Glenn Moore – 3

8. Des Kelly – 1

–

Patrick Barclay (The Times)

Home Team

Away Team

Birmingham

V

Chelsea

D

Blackburn

V

Aston Villa

H

Blackpool

V

Wolves

H

Bolton

V

Newcastle

H

Man United

V

Wigan

H

West Brom

V

Stoke

D

Liverpool

V

West Ham

H

Fulham

V

Man City

H

Sunderland

V

Everton

H

Hull

V

Ipswich

H

Birmingham vs Chelsea: London Blues to stop the rot – just.

Des Kelly (Daily Mail)

Home Team

Away Team

Birmingham

V

Chelsea

D

Blackburn

V

Aston Villa

D

Blackpool

V

Wolves

H

Bolton

V

Newcastle

H

Man United

V

Wigan

H

West Brom

V

Stoke

D

Liverpool

V

West Ham

H

Fulham

V

Man City

D

Sunderland

V

Everton

A

Hull

V

Ipswich

A

Blackburn v Villa: This is possibly the most unpredictable game of the day. Blackburn have no discernible form at home, having won two, lost two and drawn two so far this season. Villa are weak away, which is strange for a counter attacking team. They will both be happy with a point.

Shaun Custis (The Sun)

Home Team

Away Team

Birmingham

V

Chelsea

A

Blackburn

V

Aston Villa

D

Blackpool

V

Wolves

A

Bolton

V

Newcastle

D

Man United

V

Wigan

H

West Brom

V

Stoke

H

Liverpool

V

West Ham

H

Fulham

V

Man City

D

Sunderland

V

Everton

D

Hull

V

Ipswich

H

Blackpool v Wolves: Wolves have been playing a lot better than their League position suggests and its time they were rewarded with an away win by the seaside.

Head to the next page for more football predictions…

Andy Dunn (News of the World)

Home Team

Away Team

Birmingham

V

Chelsea

H

Blackburn

V

Aston Villa

H

Blackpool

V

Wolves

A

Bolton

V

Newcastle

H

Man United

V

Wigan

H

West Brom

V

Stoke

A

Liverpool

V

West Ham

D

Fulham

V

Man City

D

Sunderland

V

Everton

D

Hull

V

Ipswich

A

Bolton v Newcastle: Owen Coyle’s team have been operating under the radar this season but have to be one of the most improved teams in the Barclays Premer League. Too strong at home for an inconsistent Newcastle

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

Martin Lipton (The Mirror)

Home Team

Away Team

Birmingham

V

Chelsea

D

Blackburn

V

Aston Villa

D

Blackpool

V

Wolves

A

Bolton

V

Newcastle

H

Man United

V

Wigan

H

West Brom

V

Stoke

H

Liverpool

V

West Ham

H

Fulham

V

Man City

D

Sunderland

V

Everton

H

Hull

V

Ipswich

A

Man United v Wigan: Even in the season of shocks there can’t be one at Old Trafford, surely? United to win it, by three.

Steve Bates (The People)

Home Team

Away Team

Birmingham

V

Chelsea

A

Blackburn

V

Aston Villa

H

Blackpool

V

Wolves

H

Bolton

V

Newcastle

D

Man United

V

Wigan

H

West Brom

V

Stoke

H

Liverpool

V

West Ham

H

Fulham

V

Man City

D

Sunderland

V

Everton

D

Hull

V

Ipswich

A

West Brom v Stoke: Stoke have only won once away in the Barclay’s Premier League this season and I don’t see that record changing for the better at The Hawthorns against Roberto Di Matteo’s stars.

Danny Fulbrook (Daily Star)

Home Team

Away Team

Birmingham

V

Chelsea

A

Blackburn

V

Aston Villa

A

Blackpool

V

Wolves

D

Bolton

V

Newcastle

A

Man United

V

Wigan

H

West Brom

V

Stoke

H

Liverpool

V

West Ham

D

Fulham

V

Man City

D

Sunderland

V

Everton

A

Hull

V

Ipswich

D

Liverpool v West Ham: this is such an important game for both sides on recent results but likely to be a draw

Glenn Moore (The Independent)

Home Team

Away Team

Birmingham

V

Chelsea

D

Blackburn

V

Aston Villa

D

Blackpool

V

Wolves

H

Bolton

V

Newcastle

H

Man United

V

Wigan

H

West Brom

V

Stoke

H

Liverpool

V

West Ham

D

Fulham

V

Man City

H

Sunderland

V

Everton

H

Hull

V

Ipswich

H

Fulham v Man City: Mark Hughes will relish the opportunity to put one over his old club but with both teams struggling to score a goalless draw is on the offing.

[divider]

[divider]

So we have finally guaranteed our league status for next season and I honestly thought that this one point we needed was going to the wire.

We had the chance to do the safety thing at Crawley on our last outing but a totally inept first half performance cost us dear, conceding three goals with no reply thanks to a poor defensive display which was summed up by Crawley’s third goal, an own goal scored by unlucky keeper Neil Kitson.

So Northampton fans headed to Edgar Street, Hereford to play a team who were bottom of the football league scrapping for their lives. It was rather in hope than expectation of getting that solitary point we needed for survival as being a Northampton fan you always know that we don’t like to do things easy and this game proved to be another nail biting 90 minutes.

So the game started and as expected Hereford were throwing everything at us with Kitson making up for Tuesday night by tipping over a shot from Barkhuizen. Thoughts of the game at Sixfields earlier in the season began to cross my mind as Hereford were beginning to become one of these teams we always seem to struggle against, they beat us easily at Sixfields 3-1 and dare I even mention the season before at Sixfields we were cruising against them 3-0 up at half time we stood off in the second half and ended up losing 4-3, these were definitely a side I was going to be concerned about.

As the game went on we tried to get a foothold on the game and we managed to create a few chances of our own. Big Bayo hit the post with a neat shot just inside the area, Guttridge then fired over and Tozer headed wide but it was definitely beginning to have the feel of one of those games that we were not going to score no matter what we tried.

Then in the closing 10 minutes of the first half Hereford had the ball in the back of the net  but fortunately the ref had his arm in the air and the goal had been disallowed for an apparent push by the goalscorer, I thought maybe our luck was on the turn.

The 2nd half began and Hereford dominated long periods of it, Clarke Carlisle clearing off the line like the great captain he has been at the club since he signed on loan from Burnley. Hereford had another chance but Kitson foiled them again with a save from close range I started to feel any minute they were going to score as they were definitely fighting for their lives.

Stoppage time arrived before we knew it and the Bulls were throwing it all at us, they really should have scored again with a header but lucky for us it was headed straight at Kitson. Then came the point in the game I knew lady luck was shining upon us as Featherstone hit a shot from 25 yards, it beat Kitson but the ball hit the inside of the post and bounced away to safety, that was it full time and our league status was secure for another season.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

I have never felt such relief in my life as I really thought we were going to end up taking it to the last day of the season. I know a lot of people will say yeah but you were 8 points ahead of the relegation zone but as a Northampton fan you never take anything like that for granted.

So we go into the final two games of the season with the pressure off our backs and now any pressure is shifted onto the players whose contracts run out during the summer as they try to save their Cobblers future. I now trust Aidy Boothroyd to make the right decisions on the future of the club. Roll on next season when we will be full of optimism once more.

Up The Cobblers.

The top four over the last few seasons has come under intense pressure from the ‘lesser’ teams; firstly there was Aston Villa attempting to ruin the party, then eventually Tottenham Hotspur ousted Liverpool and got a taste of Champions League football and this season the Lilywhites missed out to Manchester City. Already, speculation has begun on who will be next season’s top four, especially as Arsenal appear to be getting weaker with each season that passes. This season, I think the Gunners became the first team ever to finish fourth in a two horse race! Liverpool’s new found resurgence saw them very nearly break back into the top four, after a horrendous beginning to this season under Roy Hodgson. Everything is in place at Anfield for a very successful 2011/12 season, starting with reclaiming their Champions League berth from Arsenal, and this is why (in this humble writer’s opinion).

Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri want to leave, and both players are exceptional talents, with Nasri taking the Spaniard’s mantle as Arsenal’s main star whilst the Spaniard sent flirty text messages to Pique from the treatment room. Both players’ decisions to openly state that they would happily leave Arsenal shows how little faith they have in the Gunners ability to challenge for the major honours; losing two influential players will rock Arsenal and no wonder kid signing from France can help fill the void or maintain their Champions League status. Phil Jones, Jordan Henderson and, erm, Carl Jenkinson: not hard to work out who Arsenal signed is it? As Liverpool continue splashing the cash despite spending nearly £60 million on two signings in January, Arsene Wenger maintains his usual transfer policy despite all his promises that Arsenal will spend big in the transfer market. With very little happening at the Emirates and everything happening on Merseyside, Liverpool are very much a team preparing for Champions League qualification next season. Belief is a huge part of achieving success in football and no matter what Liverpool and their fans have always believed, their club can achieve greatness and reclaim the glory days of the ’80s. Nothing has changed this season, and next season the belief will no doubt get stronger. It’s a different story over in North London; with players clearly displaying lack of belief on the pitch, the fans are quite rightly loathing their team’s performances and now many are questioning Arsene Wenger, Le Professeur, himself. Arsenal are a team heading for turmoil if they aren’t careful; missing out on Champions League football could be the least of their worries. Arsenal shareholder Stan Kroenke has recently improved his stake in the club and has announced he intends to invest in the club, yet the Gunners’ board over the past few seasons has yet to show any signs of following this kind of ethos, and the fans will of course be reluctant to naïvely swallow this up. Liverpool’s owners Fenway Sports Group, on the other hand, have already invested heavily in the squad and the club set-up. But this is not all about financial investment, the American group has had great success with their innovation in sports management and was recently named one of the top 10 most innovative companies in sports by Fast Company, a renowned American journalism group.

[divider]

Let me know if you think I’m a Spurs fan, a Liverpool sycophant or just an honest Arsenal fan at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Daniel-T-Blazer/185495024836102

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

[ad_pod id=’unruly-2′ align=’right’]

Arsene Wenger has admitted he is under pressure to end Arsenal's long wait for a trophy.

Speaking ahead of Wednesday's Carling Cup last 16 trip to Newcastle United, Wenger has conceded that the near five-year wait for silverware is too long for a club of their stature.

Arsenal's last success was the 2005 FA Cup Final which they won on penalties against Manchester United.

Asked whether the lack of recent success was leading to pressure, Wenger replied:"Yes. There is as well a lot of demands from people who know you are at the top and they try always to find your weakness.

"You can see what we have done is quite remarkable but we want more. I can understand that people want more and we want to give them more.

"You can only show attitude, commitment and we have talent so let's go step by step and try and win the game and keep that urgency and that attitude until the end of the season.

"That's what we want to do and we want to achieve. We want to respond with the maximum commitment to the demands of people. We want to go as high as we can.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

"People forget that we have been at the top every year but we want to add what people want from us and we want as well.

"It is very difficult to respond to that, the only thing I can promise is that we will try to give our best in every competition."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email

As soon as we learned that Fabio Capello would be standing down as England manager after the European Championship in Poland and Ukraine, it was decided by some that Harry Redknapp was the ideal choice to take over. He’d broken into the top four with Spurs and perhaps more importantly, he was English.

It’s with that criteria in which the people in the press are looking, after two ‘disasters’ with foreign managers (one even dared to break Sir Alf Ramsey’s win ratio record) it was time to look English, even if that means there is only one choice left.

There’s no doubting Harry Redknapp’s ability as a man manager, the way his squads react to him tell you everything you need to know about the type of man Harry Redknapp is, but if that’s all you need to become the outstanding candidate for England manager, then we are in deep trouble.

So far this season, Redknapp has taken Spurs to being potential Champions, to a team looking over their shoulders at Arsenal and Chelsea who are quickly catching up with them. Spurs are on a run of three straight defeats, the same form that saw Redknapp’s predecessor Juande Ramos sacked.

If you go onto google and type in next England manager odds it makes for grim reading, with Redknapp currently leading Stuart Pearce and Roy Hodgson in the betting, shortly followed by Pep Guardiola and Jose Mourinho, both of whom who I have a better chance of becoming England manager than.

[ad_pod id=’dfp-mpu’ align=’right’]

The point I am trying to make here, is that there is nobody else other than Redknapp, the only way somebody else will get the role is if;

a) Redknapp doesn’t take the job. Or

b) Sir Alex announces his retirement at Manchester United and takes over.

The press love Redknapp because he gives them time, gives them stories, how many times have we seen Redknapp in his Range Rover on transfer deadline day? I think he takes training sessions sitting in there just in case he has to shoot off and do a deal.

Redknapp has been branded the saviour of English football, a man who despite his lack of success in terms of silverware, has been declared the outstanding candidate to take over this bunch of failing superstars and turn them in European and then World Cup winners.

A load of tosh.

The press don’t want Stuart Pearce because he isn’t very good in front of them and is very defensive, meaning it’s very difficult to get stories, and as a writer I can tell you that’s your worst nightmare. The press have chosen their man and the FA, being the spineless bunch they are, will bow down and hand King Harry Redknapp his crown and the greatest English England manager that has ever lived.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

Until we get beat in the quarter-finals that is.

Tell me your views on the next England manager by tweeting me @deanmears.

[divider]

[ffcvideo file=”tfcb6″ type=”mp4″ image_type=”jpg”]

Leonardo wants Inter Milan to carry momentum into the Coppa Italia final with a win against Catania in the last match of the Serie A season.Inter have already surrendered their championship title to cross-city rivals Milan, but did at least manage European Cup qualification by claiming second place.

While they have nothing to play for in the league, Inter can retain the Coppa Italia trophy if they beat Palermo on May 29.

And Leonardo wants his players to go into the final at the Stadio Olimpico on the back of a last-day home victory over visitors Catania.

“Tomorrow’s game must be faced with the right concentration, as we want to keep improving ahead of the Coppa Italia Final against Palermo,” Leonardo said ahead of Sunday’s match.

“Good performances lead to others, so we want to win.”

Inter will be without Esteban Cambiasso after the defensive midfielder suffered a thigh injury on Saturday.

Depending on the severity of the problem, he could be in doubt for Argentina’s Copa America campaign starting in July.

“Cambiasso had a problem in training today and we need to evaluate how serious it is,” Leonardo said.

“Julio Cesar has a back injury and cannot play.”

“(Wesley) Sneijder hasn’t recovered totally yet, while Maicon is suspended for the Coppa Italia and so we need to see players who can take part next week.”

Leonardo’s future at Inter remains uncertain after they failed to win the Scudetto for the first time since 2006.

The team also suffered an embarrassing 7-3 aggregate defeat at the hands of Schalke that ended their defence of the Champions League.

“I am just a coach,” Leonardo said.

“I feel in sync with the club, but President Massimo Moratti and his directors make the decisions. If I can contribute, then I am here.”

Leonardo also hailed the influence of his Cameroonian striker Samuel Eto’o who has scored 21 goals this season.

“Well, Eto’o has been extraordinary if we consider what he’s done over the recent years and not only the league wins, the Champions League wins and the goal he scored in the final, but also considering what he’s done this season,” he said.

“The numbers are clear – they confirm him as undoubtedly one of the best players in the world.”

“At the moment he is in better shape and he has been greatly rewarded this season.”

“Consider the number of goals he scored, but also the different ways he played, because that’s another important quality he has: he plays in any role and works hard and sometimes that isn’t so easy.”

Birmingham City have told former co-owner David Gold that he will not be welcome at St Andrew's when West Ham United face the Blues on Saturday.

City have made the decision after a newspaper on Friday quoted Gold as saying that the Blues withdrew an offer for him to stay as chairman after he sold them.

A statement from the club read:"Blues acting chairman Peter Pannu, while refusing to be drawn into a war of words with the previous owners, wishes to clarify that Carson Yeung and Co never offered David Gold to remain behind as chairman, which would have made absolutely no sense.

"He was offered an opportunity to remain as vice president (non-executive) upon his request, which he refused. All the current allegations are false and untrue and the club will keep all options open."

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

Gold and David Sullivan sold Birmingham to a team led by Hong Kong businessman Carson Yeung for £81.5million last year before buying the Hammers ten months ago.Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email

The FA have confirmed that Fabio Capello has resigned from his role as England manager with immediate effect.

The Italian coach was displeased by the governing body’s actions in regards to John Terry’s captaincy stripping, and previously told media in his homeland that he disagreed with the Chelsea defender losing the skippers armband.

A statement on the FA official website has confirmed the news.

“The Football Association can confirm that Fabio Capello has today resigned as England manager.

“This follows a meeting involving FA chairman David Bernstein, FA general secretary Alex Horne and Fabio Capello at Wembley Stadium.

The discussions focused on the FA board’s decision to remove the England team captaincy from John Terry, and Fabio Capello’s response through an Italian broadcast interview.

“In a meeting for over an hour, Fabio’s resignation was accepted and he will leave the post of England manager with immediate effect.

“I would like to stress that during today’s meeting and throughout his time as England manager, Fabio has conducted himself in an extremely professional manner.

“We have accepted Fabio’s resignation, agreeing this is the right decision. We would like to thank Fabio for his work with the England team and wish him every success in the future,” the statement concluded.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

Bookmakers have installed Harry Redknapp as favourite to take up the national position, especially since he was cleared of tax evasion charges, however Sky Sports have stated that Guus Hiddink may also be in the offing.

By Gareth McKnight

[ad_pod id=’unruly-2′ align=’left’]

Lovech took another step towards clinching the Bulgarian A-League after a 4-1 win over Montana on Wednesday.Lyuboslav Penev’s team maintained their five point lead at the top and were untroubled by their 11th-placed opponents.

A brace from Brazilian attacker Doka Madureira had Lovech 2-0 up after half an hour and when defender Alexandre Barthe made it three early in the second half, the points were sealed.

Forward Georgi Ivanov pulled a goal back for Montana, but full-back Petar Zanev responded five minutes later to make it 4-1.

Lovech would have wrapped up the title if not for Levski Sofia’s 3-0 derby win over Slavia Sofia.

A brace from midfielder Hristo Yovov, either side of a Vladimir Gadzhev strike, kept Levski’s hopes of winning the title alive with two games to go.

In the relegation battle, none of the bottom three were able to record a win.

Rakovski, who sit in the relegation play-off spot, managed a 2-2 draw at home to Minyor Pernik.

Aleksandar Branekov and Atanas Ivanov had given them a 2-0 lead after an hour, before conceding twice to settle for a point.

Fares Brahimi struck first on 67 minutes and Tomislav Pavlov hit a 92nd-minute equaliser for Pernik.

Akademik Sofia lost their sixth-straight game after a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Lokomotiv Plovdiv.

Zdravko Lazarov opened the scoring for Plovdiv from the penalty spot, before Asparuh Vasilev equalised for Akademik.

But Sergio Organista scored an own goal to hand Lokomotiv three points and leave his team in second-last.

Bottom-placed Sliven’s struggles continued as they suffered a 2-0 loss against Lokomotiv Sofia, following goals from Marco Dafchev and Vladislav Romanov.

In other games, Georgi Iliev and Rumen Nikolov struck in the first quarter of an hour as Cherno More beat Kaliakra 2-0.

Beroe struck twice in the first half through Simeon Mechev and Vladislav Zlatinov in their 2-0 win at Chernomorets Burgas.

CSKA Sofia ensured their Europa League place after playing out an entertaining 2-2 draw with Pirin Blagoevgrad.

Rumen Trifonov and Apostol Popov struck for CSKA, but Dimitar Iliev and Ivan Tsvetkov were also on the scoresheet as the teams shared the spoils.

Newcastle United manager Chris Hughton would have no problem selecting veteran defender Sol Campbell again should he require his services.

The former England, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur man could figure in this weekend's Premier League clash with strugglers Wigan Athletic at St James' Park, but he must replace either Mike Williamson or Fabricio Coloccini at the heart of the back line.

But Hughton insists there would be no concerns about throwing in him in after his recent performances for the Magpies.

"Sol has shown in the games he has played, Chelsea away and coming on at Manchester City, that he is a very solid character and a very solid player," he said said.

"There are not too many frills about Sol, he just does the job efficiently and in the manner in which he is used to doing it, so I have never had any fears about him.

"He's an experienced player and he is vocal enough.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

"You can gain respect by what you say and by your presence, and the players are aware what a fabulous player he has been and is, so he has been a good influence."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email