I'm just thinking that " Harry " is the Specialist in the Cup match. Like he do in the Portsmouth at F.A Cup. Then he show it again with Tottenham in UEFA cup now, even they don't be the Champions yet, but their through to the Round of 32 in the smoothly way. Hope they show it again in the match with Wigan. Even though I'm not so sure, because just in case for note Wigan is also in the great form. So Good Luck for all of you and Happy New Year !!!!
Manchester United vs Middlesbrough 0 : 1 3/4 Over / Under 2 3/4
Aston Villa : Their performance now is impressive. Attractive play and so many different attacking pattern they show in the match again Arsenal is so good. Hope they show it again today and they will win again Hull with "Astonishing Performance"!
Manchester United : Hmm... I'm not too confidence with my decision. Because the handicap and the trend one nil win and a draw in the "Red Devils" recent performance, because their schedule. But I still want to bet on Manchester United. It's not just because I'm the Red Devils fan but their also have an Explosive Performance sometimes.
I'm sorry for not predict today. Because the holiday I can't predict today. But for the two upcoming match I will give my prediction. Okay that's all for now and see you...
Arsene Wenger is expected to revive his interest in Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso as soon as the January transfer window opens to compensate for the loss of club captain Cesc Fabregas.
Spain midfielder Fabregas will be sidelined until April, with partially ruptured medial ligaments and his absence will been keenly felt at Villa Park here on Friday.
Aston Villa, currently third in the table, are the club posing the biggest threat to Arsenal's perennial occupation of a top four place under Wenger.
They will now be looking to complete their first double over the Gunners since the inception of the Premier League and open up a six point gap.
Arsenal's title chances without Fabregas, who will miss 25 games if the gloomiest predictions regarding his length of absence are correct, could have to be salvaged by a move for his international colleague.
Alonso was the subject of a 14 million pound deadline day bid in August, but Arsenal manager Wenger refused to meet Liverpool's valuation of 17 million pounds and the deal collapsed.
Ironically, it was Alonso's tackle in the 1-1 draw with Liverpool last weekend that has created the void in Arsenal's midfield and Wenger is also considering Barcelona's Yaya Toure, Juventus youngster Sebastian Giovinco and Stephane Mbia of Rennes, who claims to have been the subject of a failed 11th-hour bid from Arsenal in August.
New Arsenal chief executive Ivan Gazidis will take up his post on January 1 and brings with him great experience in player contract negotiations from America. Wenger is being encouraged by the Arsenal board to spend, the Frenchman saying: "We are now more likely to buy in January."
Alonso is close friends with Spain team-mate Fabregas, who said pre-season that Alonso's possible arrival in London "would be perfect - I'd love it".
Inaki Ibanez, Alonso's agent, has left the door open to a move by stating ambiguously: "We will see what happens in January."
Arsenal will also be without the suspended Emmanuel Adebayor for their trip to the Midlands.
Villa are looking for their first home win over Arsenal since 1998, but manager Martin O'Neill believes Wenger has not yet given up on the title despite the Gunners currently being eight points adrift of leaders Liverpool.
"It is interesting that despite the fact we have got three points over them at the moment, because of their past they consider themselves not out of the Championship, whereas we don't consider that," O'Neill said.
He added: "It is an interesting mind-set which I think takes a few years to get and also needs a history of winning.
"You could say they haven't won anything for a year or two but they have a history of winning over the last decade so nothing is out of sight for them."
Spanish defender Carlos Cuellar will be fit to partner Curtis Davies at the back for Villa.
But O'Neill is awaiting the outcome of Danish defender Martin Laursen's scan on a knee injury while Norwegian striker John Carew has been ordered to rest his injured back for another month after seeing a specialist on Monday.
Stoke vs Manchester United 1 1/2 : 0 Over / Under 2 3/4
Chelsea vs West Brom 0 : 2 Over / Under 3
Portsmouth vs West Ham 0 : 1/4 Over / Under 2 1/4
Tottenham vs Fulham 0 : 1/2 Over / Under 2 1/4
Liverpool vs Bolton 0 : 1 1/4 Over / Under 2 1/2
Manchester City vs Hull 0 : 3/4 Over / Under 2 3/4
Middlesbrough vs Everton 0 : 0 Over / Under 2 1/4
Sunderland vs Blackburn 0 : 1/4 Over / Under 2 1/2
Wigan vs Newcastle 0 : 1/4 Over / Under 2 1/4
Aston Villa vs Arsenal 0 : 0 Over / Under 2 1/4
Arsenal : They must win this game if they want to keep a chance to be the Champion. Even though they mines their key player ( Cesc Fabregas ) but I think their not a one man team. They still a good team with lot of young ammunition. If they lose then they have to say good bye to the Premiership tittle. So if you want to bet, bet on Arsenal at minimal risk. At least a draw I think.
Newcastle : Even though they don't have a superb form but they have at least a balance and discipline defence. So I said they have a solid form I think. So this much for a minimal risk is a draw too.
Blackburn : It's the same for Blackburn but in different reason. Since they just got a new manager. You all know as Big Sam. They in a good morale to get out from the bottom of the table. And last week is just a good start from Big Sam. Hope his action will continue tonight.
Tottenham & Manchester City : I'm just thinking that they have to change their track from a wrong track to a new track and hope that tonight is a good track for them.
LONDON, Dec 23 (Reuters) - The most open Premier League championship race for years reaches its halfway point on Boxing Day with five teams still battling for the title.
Liverpool, despite drawing three of their last four league matches, lead the pack going into the two-match holiday programme, a point ahead of Chelsea, with surprisingly resolute Aston Villa, champions Manchester United and fifth placed Arsenal on their heels.
Liverpool, bidding for their first title since 1990, face Bolton Wanderers at home on Friday and then play at Newcastle United on Sunday with former England defender Jamie Carragher making an illuminating observation ahead of those games.
"It has been so long since Liverpool won the title, I was a 12-year-old Everton fan the last time it happened," he told reporters.
"For the last 18 months we have been as hard as any team to beat. We've had a few draws and we have to start turning those into wins -- but we are still top."
FABREGAS OUT
Liverpool gained a hard-fought point from a 1-1 draw at Arsenal on Sunday and although Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger refused to concede his side's chances of the title were over, Arsenal remain eight points behind Liverpool and outsiders to lift the crown for the first time since 2004.
Arsenal will also be without skipper and playmaker Cesc Fabregas for the next four months after he damaged his medial knee ligament against Liverpool.
Chelsea will also be without skipper and defender John Terry for the holiday matches against bottom-placed West Bromwich Albion and neighbours Fulham on Sunday while he serves a three-match suspension.
Terry was shown a straight red card for a reckless challenge on Everton's Leon Osman in Monday's 0-0 draw at Goodison Park which ended Chelsea's record run of 11 successive away wins and meant that Liverpool head into Christmas as league leaders.
Aston Villa have powered into third place, and although bookmakers Ladbrokes rate them as no better than 40-1 shots for the title, they could well take one of the Champions League places if they maintain their good form.
Villa's first game over Christmas is against Arsenal on Friday at Villa Park before they travel to sixth-placed Hull City on Tuesday.
WORLD CHAMPIONS
Champions Manchester United meanwhile, return to England to play at Stoke City on Friday after winning the Club World Championship in Japan last week and have seen their hand strengthened while they have been out of the country.
Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal all failed to win while they were away and although United are fourth, seven points behind Liverpool, they do have two matches in hand. After playing Stoke, United's second holiday fixture is at home to Middlesbrough next Monday.
While United go into Christmas with their sights fixed on their third straight title, neighbours Manchester City will be fighting to get out of the relegation zone after just two wins in their last 13 league matches.
They face Hull before making the short trip to Ewood Park to play Blackburn Rovers, who are also in the bottom three but started life under new manager Sam Allardyce last week with a 3-0 win over Stoke City.
YOKOHAMA, Japan, Dec 22 (Reuters) - Manchester United's players had already switched their body clocks back to GMT before beating Ecuador's LDU to capture the Club World Cup in Japan.
The Premier League champions became the tournament's first British winners when a Wayne Rooney goal gave them a 1-0 victory over LDU in Sunday's final in Yokohama.
Their mission in Japan complete, the newly-crowned world champions face a tough turnaround with a visit to Stoke City in the Premier League on Dec. 26.
United captain Rio Ferdinand admitted that losing to LDU after flying halfway around the world could have had a calamitous effect on their season.
"Hopefully this sets a tone for the rest of the season," he told reporters. "We've been inconsistent up to now and tonight we played like the Manchester United of the last two years."
Ferdinand credited a paint-stripping battle cry from United manager Alex Ferguson for the side's refusal to buckle following defender Nemanja Vidic's red card for elbowing an opponent.
"The manager's team talk hit the nail on the head," said Ferdinand. "I won't get into what he said but he got us into gear and that's the sign of a great manager.
"Winning could be the turning point of the season -- from being quite mediocre results-wise to challenging for all the big titles.
"Sometimes you need to be told the basics and we were reminded what got us here in the first place. Even great players need reminding and we've got a few of them in our squad."
DREAM TREBLE
After completing a dream treble of the English, European and world titles, United can ill afford a slip-up at Stoke or at home to Middlesbrough three days later as the fixtures pile up.
"We have to make sure we get as much sleep as we can before Stoke," said Rooney, who was named player of the tournament after scoring twice in the 5-3 semi-final win over Japan's Gamba Osaka.
Vidic's red card was a major blow to Ferguson, ruling the Serb out of United's next Champions League game. His ban could be as long as three games if the incident is deemed violent conduct.
"It depends how FIFA interpret it and how UEFA act on the information they get," said Ferguson. "Vida is disappointed but he gave the referee no option."
The Club World Cup has traditionally been viewed with scepticism in Britain and the $5 million United earned for winning is loose change for the Red Devils.
However, Ferguson defended the seven-team competition, insisting it had merit and would give his team an important psychological lift.
His side sit fourth in the league with 32 points from 16 games, seven points behind leaders Liverpool with two games in hand.
"To be world champions in December is a huge mid-season boost," said the Scot. "It gives us a platform to start playing with real purpose and chase the leaders."
All of you might be confused with this transfer right ? Because Beckham is always play with formation that include winger in that formation, like 4 - 4 - 2 or 4 - 5 - 1 or 4 - 4 - 1 - 1 or 4 - 2 - 4. Then why a club like Milan who don't play a winger style but prefer to use their full-back to be a winger, loan someone like Beckham ? Maybe all of you just think that is just to improve their profit right ?
If it's like that then the answer is No No No No. I think there is some false description here. Did all of you forget that Beckham can also play as Attacking Midfielder ? This is what exactly Milan aim from someone like Beckham. If all of you see he play in England or EL Real, even his position is in the side midfielder or winger, he often move to central midfield or not to far from outside of the box. For all of you that still don't know yet until now, remember that Beckham special ability is not just his crossing and free kick, but also his positioning, long shot and very accurate passing.
Right now Milan played with two attacking midfielder ( Kaka, Ronaldinho, or Seedorf ) that most of them is a dribble master. So can you imagine if Beckham played with one of them ? I just can't imagine what combination that could have been create by the two of them. But what can I predict is Beckham will give a big influnce to Milan squad. Because it's not just the skill but for mental attribute too Beckham is still a great athlete.
Hahaha.... Unexpected story in this match. I never though that Chelsea will get a Red Card in this match. And what surprise is the one who get the Red Card is John Terry. But from the way I see it, it's a pressure from the home fans and the official that make Chelsea just get 1 point from this match. But I don't doubt the decision from the official, because Leon Osman is really get injured after a harsh tackle from Terry. But in this match just Chelsea player who get a card from the official even Everton also play hard in this match. Rather look one sided right ? :D
After the match it's seem so many unique and interesting rumour has spread. And also all The Blues staff & management is walk away from the press conference after the match. And also they tell that they don't want to be in the press conference because they have so many problem with official decision and feel that they will get a problem with it if their in the press conference.
And the interesting part is about Big Phil. It's said in the news and there also a eyewitness said that he shouted at the reffere in a half time like this : Are you Scared.... ?? Are you Scared.... ?? Hahahaha..... It's not a secret anymore that anyone who became The Blues coach is always under pressure to get a win and it's all because their owner is always expecting a big target. So it's seem that Big Phil can't handle his frustation in this match. =P
Why Chelsea ? I think Chelsea will not let the opportunity to be number 1 like this to go away twice. Even right now their manager is under pressure to keep winning but maybe all of you know who is Scolari and also the combination between Drogba and Anelka is not good enough but you know the skill of their midfield right ? But me myself feel not so confidence though because Everton is a good team that full of surprise. So make your choices. Good Luck .... !!!!
Arsenal's French midfielder Samir Nasri controls the ball during their match against Chelsea on November 30. Arsene Wenger has admitted Arsenal face a make or break clash against Liverpool as the Gunners try to get back in the Premier League title rac
Arsene Wenger admits Arsenal face a make or break clash against Liverpool on Sunday as the Gunners try to get back in the Premier League title race.
Wenger's side trail leaders Liverpool by eight points ahead of this weekend's crucial match at the Emirates Stadium and a defeat would leave their title challenge in tatters.
But Arsenal have proved adept at raising their game against their main rivals, with Manchester United and Chelsea have already dispatched by the Gunners this season.
Wenger knows another win against one of the big four is essential if Arsenal are to mount a concerted bid to take the crown from United in the second half of the campaign.
"We are highly-motivated to beat another of the so-called top four and I am convinced we have the quality to do it," Wenger said. "It is an opportunity for us to catch them, which we want to take.
"With our position in the league, we know it is compulsory for us to beat the three other teams -- Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool and we want to do that on Sunday."
While Arsenal will still be some way adrift of first place even with a win over Liverpool, Wenger takes heart from the unpredictable nature of this year's race.
Arsene Wenger, seen here in Portugal earlier this month, has admitted Arsenal face a make or break clash against Liverpool as the Gunners try to get back in the Premier League title race.
Liverpool and Chelsea have already dropped several points at home, while United have struggled to win the big games away from Old Trafford.
"At the moment the race is still very tight because it looks for me for the first time in six or seven years that the number of points for the winner of this league will be much lower than usual because everybody drops points against everybody," Wenger said.
"For us, the first step is to get back into the race and to get back into the race, the important thing is for us to beat Liverpool."
While Wenger plots a way to improve Arsenal's title prospects, Liverpool have been on auto-pilot in the absence of Rafa Benitez.
The Liverpool manager has been recuperating at home after a minor operation for kidney stones last weekend, but Benitez's attention to detail ensured a smooth week at Anfield.
Benitez has been in regular contact with Lee from his sick bed and the assistant manager fully expects his boss to make it to the Emirates on Sunday.
"He has had an eventful few days, it hasn't been the best for him," Lee said. "He was in a lot of pain earlier in the week but he has got better and he will be there on Sunday.
"Obviously when you take a presence like Rafa away from the place it is not going to be easy. But I have phoned him every day to keep in touch and let him know what has been going on.
"The players have done really well, they have focused and concentrated with all the stuff which has been going on in the background."
Benitez's input will be crucial if Liverpool are to halt a poor run of results at Arsenal, with their last win coming in 2000 when the Gunners were still playing at Highbury.
Despite Arsenal's erratic form this season, Lee dismissed suggestions that they have no chance of ending their four-year wait to win the title.
"I have nothing but respect for Arsenal. They are a terrific football club and a terrific institution," he said. "You can't write anyone off in December, particularly a side with the quality and calibre of Arsenal."
Liverpool's hopes of ending that run won't be helped by the likely absence of Fernando Torres with a hamstring strain.
Arsenal winger Samir Nasri could return from an ankle injury but Kolo Toure and Nicklas Bendtner are both fitness doubts.
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