Match Previews - Top Content

Bayern Munich v Chelsea

Wed, 16 May 2012 23:03:15 +0000

Chelsea and Bayern Munich head into this game having caused major upsets. Chelsea battled their way into the final with two fantastic defensive performances against Spanish giants, Barcelona. The club from Spain had more than enough chances to score, but were rather wasteful in-front of goal. The other Spanish giants, Real Madrid, struggled to contain the midfield trio of Luis Gustavo, Bastian Schweinsteiger, and the star of the show, without doubt, in both legs, Toni Kroos. Despite scoring two early goals in the second leg, with the momentum in Real Madrid's direction, they headed out on penalties.

Both teams are missing integral players. For Chelsea: John Terry, Branislav Ivanovic, Raul Meireles, and Ramires. Chelsea will miss the solidity they had in both legs against Barcelona, without Terry, Ivanovic, and Ramires. The industriousness of Ramires will be severely missed, and that is the downfall of his suspension, there is no adequate cover. For Bayern Munich: Holger Badstuber, David Alaba, and Gustavo. Daniel van Buyten is rumoured to be starting at centre-back, with Philipp Lahm shifted to left back, and the introduction of Rafinha at right back. However, the Bavarians will, ironically, miss the industriousness of Gustavo, who has played a pivotal role throughout this season.

If Chelsea are to win the Champions League, then they need to display the same resolute defending against Barcelona. David Luiz will be welcomed back with open arms, the Blues need the Brazilian to continue with the great performances he has put in, in the second half of the season. Alongside him, there is still an element of uncertainty, as Gary Cahill is still struggling to make it in time. Some of the "fringe" players, such as Michael Essien, a player who has completely lost himself after the injuries he has received in the past couple of seasons, need to put in their best games. Chelsea doesn't have mobile midfielders, and that's why Ramires is a big loss for the team. The "fringe" players didn't exactly make a great impression against Liverpool, too.

Arjen Robben, once a Chelsea player, Franck Ribery, and Mario Gomez all have the ability to kill the game off. Since the Schalke game this year, Robben has regained some consistency. Ribery has been a threat for the majority of the season, and regardless of his diving abilities, which are second to none, he is, at the moment, more dangerous than his partner in crime. Robbery it may well be. Gomez's overall ability may not be on the level of your van Persies, Benzemas, or even Drogbas, but his persistence separates him from the rest in his category. Give him one sniff of goal, and he could make you pay. This has been highlighted on numerous occasions this season, but more prominently this was evident against Real Madrid, in the first leg of the semi-final encounter.

There is so much on stake for both clubs. For Chelsea, this trophy is important for two reasons, one of them being that they need to win to gain entry into the Champions League next season, and the other being Roman Abramovich's apparent dream to win this prestiges competition. Regarding Bayern Munich, this trophy is to make up for what has been a season to forget, after failing to secure the Bundesliga. What a better way to do so. What lessons have we been taught about Chelsea? First and foremost, you can't write the team off, no matter what. We seen the poor defensive performances against Napoli and Benfica, but the team has progressed to the final, unexpectedly. You would, however, be forgiven for opting for Bayern Munich, primarily because the motivation is higher considering that they're playing at home.

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Atletico Madrid v Athletic Bilbao

Tue, 08 May 2012 21:56:05 +0000

An all La Liga final for this year's edition of the UEFA Europa League Final in Bucharest.  The new Europa League format seems to like matching up teams from the same league, as last year's edition saw Porto besting Braga.

Athletic (that's the one from Bilbao) have knocked out big clubs with big names like Manchester United, Schalke 04 and Sporting Lisbon on their way to the final, and will not be intimidated by their La Liga cousins.  This will in fact only be the first of two tournament finals that Bielsa's men have qualified for, with the Copa del Rey final against FC Barcelona still to come.  With Llorente and Muniain leading the way, Bilbao will look to attack and press from the front line.  A solid midfield that includes the Spanish international Javi Martinez will attempt to boss the game both with and without the ball.  Don't be surprised if a bald and rather old looking gentlemen comes on as a substitute to score the winning goal int his one... his name: Toquero.  His experience and work rate may prove to be the difference maker in this tie.

Atletico (that's the one from Madrid) won this competition just two seasons ago (09/10 season) by beating Fulham.  The team has changed significantly in those two seasons.  De Gea is now at Manchester United, Aguero is at Manchester City, Forlan is at Inter, Sabrosa is in Turkey.  In fact, of the 11 starters for Atletico that season, only 4 are still technically with the club.  If Atletico life the cup again, it will be with new players, very good players, doing the heavy lifting.  Top of the list will be Falcao.  He cost a lot of money, but he's proven to be worth every penny as he continues to score goals in his debut campaign with the club.  Adrian has proven to be a star in the making, captivating audiences that tune in to watch the best team in Madrid play football.  Diego, Koke and Juanfran have proven very useful during the season and will surely make their mark on the final.  The defensive unit, decent enough, is backed up by an amazing young keeper by the name of Thibaut Courtois.

These two teams have played twice in the league play already, each with a victory.  Both teams are comfortable attacking, and so this should be an open and exciting match for the neutrals who tune in.  My personal prediction?  I suspect that Bielsa's men will get the job done in an open high scoring affair:  2-3 for Athletic (that's the one from Bilbao).

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Liverpool v Chelsea

Sat, 05 May 2012 23:27:34 +0000

Previous FA Cup meetings:
1931-32 - Quarter-final - Liverpool 0 Chelsea 2
1961-62 - Round 3 - Liverpool 4 Chelsea 3
1964-65 - Semi-final - Liverpool 2 Chelsea 0
1965-66 - Round 3 - Liverpool 1 Chelsea 2
1977-78 - Round 3 - Chelsea 4 Liverpool 2
1981-82 - Round 5 - Chelsea 2 Liverpool 0
1985-86 - Round 4 - Chelsea 1 Liverpool 2
1996-97 - Round 4 - Chelsea 4 Liverpool 2
2005-06 - Semi-final - Liverpool 2 Chelsea 1
FA Cup head to head: Pld 9, Liverpool 4 wins, Chelsea 5 wins.
This is the first time the two teams have met in a FA Cup final though Chelsea did beat Liverpool 3-2 to lift the League Cup at the Millennium Stadium in 2005.
Phil Dowd refereed the League Cup meeting earlier in the season which Liverpool won.

Scorers this season (FA Cup in brackets):
Liverpool: Suarez 17 (3), Bellamy 9 (1), Gerrard 9 (2), Carroll 8 (3), Maxi 6 (0), Kuyt 5 (1), Skrtel 4 (1), Adam 2 (0), Downing 2 (2), Agger 1 (1), Coates 1 (0), Henderson 1 (0), Johnson 1 (0), Kelly 1 (0), Shelvey 1 (1), own goals 6 (2).
Chelsea: Lampard 16 (2), Sturridge 13 (1), Mata 12 (4), Drogba 11 (1), Torres 11 (2), Ramires 10 (3), Terry 6 (0), Ivanovic 5 (0), Kalou 5 (1), Meireles 5 (2), Luiz 3 (0), Cahill 2 (1), Malouda 3 (1), Anelka 1 (0), Bosingwa 1 (0), own goals 2 (0).

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Athletic v Real Madrid

Wed, 02 May 2012 15:09:42 +0000

Match starts in 5 hours, no match thread was up so I thought I'd make one.

Athletic host Real Madrid at the Cathedral to hopefully teach them a lesson. However, it might be a tall order, with Ander Herrera and Ander Iturraspe suspended due to yellow card accumulation. Either way, the 4-1 loss in Madrid must be avenged. Bielsa brought a weakened line-up to Zaragoza and lost, so things are not looking to go very well against the team that has crushed most, if not all, opposition this year. But we all remain hopeful, they're not unbeatable.

Possible line-up:

Iraizoz

Iraola - San José - Amorebieta - Aurtenetxe

Martínez

De Marcos - Muniain

Susaeta - Llorente - Ibai

The trick to this match will be to not waste the ball needlessly while Athletic are in possession. Real Madrid are dangerous on counter-attacks, Athletic are equally weak against counter-attacks. This will be a wholly different match to the Barcelona one. I believe Athletic to be physically stronger than the Madrid players, so set pieces will be another key factor if we are to succeed here.

Aupa Athletic, unleash the Amorebieta!

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Manchester City v Manchester United

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 17:19:48 +0000

One of the biggest games in the history of the Premier League a the title will most likely be decided tonight at the Etihad Stadium as the two Manchester clubs will duke it out for domestic supremacy.

Manchester City will be the favorites after the title looked all but gone only a few weeks ago. They've been in scintillating form recently outscoring their opponents 12 to 1 in their last 3 matches. The spotlight will no doubt be on outspoken forward Carlos Tevez, a former Manchester United player, whose recent return to the City team has sparked City's revival in the title hunt.

Manchester United looked all but certain to win the Premier League until slip ups away to Wigan and at home to Everton allowed City back into the title chase. United will probably welcome Luis Nani back into a strong attack that will also feature Wayne Rooney and Antonio Valencia. A surprise start could be given to Ji Sung Park, his work rate could be key in disrupting City's talented midfielders and he does have a knack of scoring against the bigger sides and generally performing in big games.

Predicted XI's.

City: Hart, Richards, Kompany, Lescott, Clichy, Barry, Toure, Nasri, Silva, Tevez, Aguero.

United: De Gea, Rafael, Evans, Ferdinand, Evra, Nani, Carrick ,Scholes, Park, Valencia, Rooney.

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Real Madrid v Bayern München

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 11:15:15 +0000

After the shocking Barcelona vs. Chelsea it is time to focus on the other semi-final, between Real Madrid and Bayern München. Chelsea is eagerly waiting for its opponent in the final, and whether it's a Real Madrid with a phenomenal win at Camp Nou behind them, or a tie-leading, rifted Bayern München, we're going to find out tonight.

Bayern were able to save their tie with scoring seconds before the final whistle in the first game, thus giving them the lead in the two-legged match-up. Although the result with an away goal is good for Real Madrid, the performance itself was pitiful. The team will need a goal (most likely at least two) to go through, and so a more offensive approach is needed. An away goal, on the other hand, would help Bayern's game a lot. This is also the last meaningful game for both teams this season (although, for different reasons), so no gas will be saved in the tank, and it's time to go all out.

Interesting points:

Esteban Granero will start, most likely, because he gave the match-preview press conference with Mourinho. (It's a possibility he's bluffing too, though. Who knows?)
Cristiano Ronaldo scored against Barcelona at Camp Nou. Watch him score tomorrow.
Robben and Ribéry fought for a free-kick. Watch either one of them sink a free-kick tomorrow.
Özil, apparently exhausted after the Bayern game last week, wasn't meant to play in the Clásico, at all. He, though, played full ninety minutes, running as much as it is humanly possible for a trequartista. He'll play tonight, definitely, but his fitness will be a question mark.
It'll be beautiful at the Bernabéu tonight.

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FC Barcelona vs Chelsea FC

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 11:14:23 +0000

Till the start of last week, FC Barcelona had only lost 2 official matches in the entire season. Last week we lost both the games we played; 2 crucial games, which if won, could've been monumental in our pursuit of another treble. But the story now is so so different. Real have all but sealed the league, while Chelsea lead 1-0 going into the semi-final 2nd leg to be played today. The one thing we lacked in both those games was our finishing touch. Crossbars were hit, goal posts thudded, keepers came up with some blinding saves, but the ball just wouldn't go in.

We actually played quite well in the 1st leg in London and a repeat of that performance (coupled of course with some goddamn goals!!) would see us through to Munich. Chelsea executed their game plan perfectly, keeping a tight defense and counter-attacking whenever the chance arose. Drogba, for all his shenanigans, actually had a brilliant game and scored what could turn out to be a very decisive goal in this tie.

But that was then. Today, we are at home. A home where the last loss prior to the recently concluded clasico was way back in September 2010. A home with a wide, slick pitch and 98000 cules baying (more like murmurring actually ) for blood. Chelsea will try to repeat what they successfully achieved in the 1st leg. We on the other hand have to make our chances count. An away goal for them and I feel the tie will be over. An early goal for us and it could get very interesting as Chelsea will then have to come out of their defensive shell a bit.

Enough rambling. I'm on the fence about tonight's game. But Pep and the boys have this uncanny knack of rising up to the occasion and pulling it off on the biggest stage. They didn't quite do it in the clasico on Saturday. Let's hope that was a blip and normal service resumes today. Visca el Barca!

P.S. Roger, don't ban me if we lose today

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Juventus v Roma

Sun, 22 Apr 2012 11:20:27 +0000

Juventus Vs Roma

Another big match is approaching. On Sunday evening, Antonio Conte’s men will play Roma at the Juventus Stadium. The facility will be fully packed again, especially because the scheduled fixture is fundamental for both rivals’ path.
A decisive clash will take place, and the Bianconeri are preparing themselves to address it. Following a special Wednesday dedicated to the affection showed by the Bianconeri fans who had the chance to attend the training session at the Juventus Center, the group returned to work with the maximum focus. Today’s session was devoted to tactical aspects.
Tomorrow, Friday 20 April, another afternoon training session will take place in Vinovo.

Previous Encounters
Juventus have historically enjoyed positive results against Roma in Turin. The Bianconeri have won 48, drawn 21 and lost 8 championship encounters on home soil.
A 2-0 win is the most common result from fixtures contested in Piedmont, occurring on ten seperate occasions.

1942 – Colaneri and Sentimenti III handed the hosts a win, in the season in which Roma would go on to celebrate their first Scudetto success.
1959 – Defending champions Juventus broke Giallorossi resistance courtesy of strikes from Charles and Nicolè midway through the second-half.
1963 – Del Sol put the Bianconeri in the driving seat after the break, with Miranda securing the points shortly afterwards.
1967 – Zigoni broke the deadlock early on before Rome-born Menichelli sealed victory.
1970 – German striker Haller saw off the Giallorossi with a double. The game was also remembered for both Roma forwards, Amarildo and Cappellini, receiving their marching orders.
1978 – Trapattoni’s men strengthened their grip on top spot through second-half goals from Fanna and Bettega.
1979 – Bettega opened the scoring before Marocchino weighed in with a second ahead of the interval.
1987 – Serena and Briaschi were on target in a comfortable success.
2004 – Capello’s side ran out 2-0 winners thanks to goals from Del Piero and Zalayeta.
2008 – Juventus celebrated the club’s 111-year anniversary with a win. Del Piero’s sensational free-kick put the Bianconeri in the driving seat before Marchionni’s neat finish rounded off a solid performance.

@: Juventus.com

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Aston Villa v Sunderland

Sun, 22 Apr 2012 00:55:53 +0000

The spotlight is likely to be on one man this evening, as Martin O'Neill makes his first steps into Villa Park since his sour departure a week before the start of last season. He was lauded as the messiah by many a fans during his time here, but may recieve a hostile reception for the manner in which he left the club in crisis with no manager, crippling debts and a wage bill of over £82,000,000-a-year.

The club is now under a management team that is probably hated just as much as O'Neill for how he left us in the lurch. Prior to that however, the club seemed to be in great hands with the Norther Irishman leading the club to three successive sixth place finishes as well as a runners up medal in 2010's League Cup final. A repeat of that anytime soon seems unlikely, particularly when we are currently fighting in a relegation battle.

At least three points in our next two fixtures at home to Sunderland and Bolton are required to give us breathing space from the trailing pack behind. Our current prediciment isn't helped by the fact we are without arguably our three most important players in Richard Dunne, Stillian Petrov and Darren Bent, who are remain sidelined till the end of the season. On the plus side however, we have returning players such Charles N'Zogbia and Carlos Cuellar, who should surely be starting this game today to give the side a bit of much needed experience.

The youth players have fought well for the club up to now, but as we enter the business end of the season, we need all the experience we can get.

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Manchester United v Everton

Sun, 22 Apr 2012 00:39:10 +0000

A massive game for Manchester United they need a win to continue their push for the title as Manchester City are sitting just behind them waiting for United to slip up. Everton will also be seeing this as a big game since last weekends defeat in the FA Cup semi-final was disappointing and they will be looking to bounce back and continue their push to see out an impressive end to the season.

Both clubs put on quite a show for the neutrals, be it the 3-3 in 2010 where Everton came back from 2 goals behind or a simple 1-0 victory to Manchester United which we saw earlier this season. Most the games between these sides are a great display of talent, managers and fans we are sure to be witnessing a great game when these two meet this Sunday.

This will be the 40th meeting between the sides in the Premier League. Also if Everton manage to get the victory it will be the clubs 100th away Premier League win, however that will prove to be a tough task since Everton haven't won at Old Trafford since 1992 and United have won nine out of their last 10 league games in the running up to this fixture.

Upset on the cards?

Team News
Manchester United come into the game with no fresh injuries they have a great squad to pick from with only the likes of Vidic, Fletcher, Pogba, Anderson and Lindegaard still out with long injuries. News is that Owen could be available for United's game against Manchester City.

Everton come into the game with the fresh injury to Baines who picked up a hamstring injury during their defeat to Liverpool. Rodwell is still out of action and Drenthe is a question mark with reports of another compassionate leave or receiving a discipline after a rumored falling out with Moyes. However good news is that Pienaar is available again after being cup tied last weekend.

Team Predictions

Manchester United

De Gea

Rafael - Ferdinand - Evans - Evra

Scholes - Carrick

Valencia-------------------------Young

Welbeck - Rooney

Everton

Howard

Hibbert - Heitnga - Distin - Neville

Gibson - Fellani

Osman--------------------------Gueye

Cahill

Jelavic

My Prediction: Manchester United 1-2 Everton

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