WHAM VS LIV
This promises to be an exciting matchup between 2 teams with contrasting fortunes. West Ham has not taken many points since the victory over ManU in Curb's first game in charge and continue to leak goals as their feeble backline is decimated by injuries.
By the time of this post, it is certain that Collins, Ferdinand and Gabiddon are all ruled out. However there is hope in the form of new signing Davenport. Yet it seems the only postive so far has been their attack. It seems that their attacking style has been renewed - they have scored 5 in their last two matches - although leaking in the same number of goals.
With the visit of Liverpool, it brings back memories of the FA Cup Final of last year. It will come as no suprise that West Ham will burst off the blocks to seek goals but it must be said that Liverpool themselves are in lethal form at the moment.
Have won the last 9 out of 10 matches, Benitez and Co seeks to extend that run. They have openly proclaim the importance of continuing this fine form and with encouraging news of Zenden and Sissoko are recovering from injuries, expect Liverpool to put up a tough fight tonight!
TG Over 2.5 with 188bet.com
READ VS WIG
Another match with teams of opposing forms. Reading have not lose in their last 5 while Wigan have equal a club record of 7 successful league defeats. All does not bode will for Wigan and Paul Jewell knows that defeat again will make it 8, a run that he intends to stop.
However, he has the unfortunate task of struggling with the mounting injuries that include Camara, Cotterill, Hall, de Zeeuw and Scharner. He has even been reduced to throwing Caleb Folan, a new signing from Chesterfield, into the deep end of the pool immediately. What effects does these have on the team performance though, remains to be seen.
On the other hand, even though Reading is on a fine run since the start of 2007, they are being only truly tested with injuries now. Doyle and Kitson are both out, leaving Lita and Long, two inexperienced strikers upfront. Thankfully, they have the midfield might of Sidwell, Hunt and Harper, which all can contribute to goals here and there.
With Wigan being midfield lightweights - namely only Landzart, Skoko, Kilbane and Valencia - the fight is really in the centre fo the park. If Wigan can control it, Reading may get overrun. Otherwise, a Reading without star striker Doyle and solid defender Sonko can still be a handful for Wigan.
READ -0.5 with 188bet.com
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Thursday, January 18, 2007
fa cup replay
NEW VS BIR
Tonight see a battle of two astute managers, Roeder in Newcastle and Bruce in Birmingham. Frankly speaking, both have done not too badly as bosses considering how Bruce had to cope with injury nightmares last season when Birmingham was still in the top flight, and now it is Roeder's turn.
Newcastle are having a torrid time with injuries and have no less than 15 senior players out while having to draft in 5 youth players. It is no mean feat to cope with such a headache while still competing in the FA Cup, Uefa Cup and Epl.Thankfully they have live up to expectations(of some) so far and the team has to work doubly hard for their results.
With Owen, Parker, Emre, Babayaro, N'zogbia, Carr, just to name a few, still in the treatment room, it has expectedly been goals galore for Newcastle, both scoring while conceding. As expected, the inexperienced backline has not been able to cope much and let in quite a number of goals and as I can see, Roeder must have instructed them to throw everything forward while attacking in a bid to outscore their opponents.
This arises to nearly all of the last 8 matches ending in TG Over and as things stand, Roeder declared that he will start with the same lineup as the last winning 3-2 at Tottenham should give punters an idea of what's coming.
On the other hand, Birmingham are leading the pack in the Championship and looks to be going back to the top tier immidiately. Their strength is in scoring and winning the rest by a comfortable margin, thus their feat in topping the table. Going into this, they have Brendter, who is on loan from Arsenal, out injured and Jaidi suspended from his read card the last time round. However, they have an extra rest period due to the call off of the previous game against Leeds. Bruce has labelled his interest in winning any possible domestic competition and it is unlikely he will take priority over the Championship compared to this. Also, except for their last away game, the last few have registered TG Over and it is possible this is the result we are looking for tonight.
Verdict: TG Over
Tonight see a battle of two astute managers, Roeder in Newcastle and Bruce in Birmingham. Frankly speaking, both have done not too badly as bosses considering how Bruce had to cope with injury nightmares last season when Birmingham was still in the top flight, and now it is Roeder's turn.
Newcastle are having a torrid time with injuries and have no less than 15 senior players out while having to draft in 5 youth players. It is no mean feat to cope with such a headache while still competing in the FA Cup, Uefa Cup and Epl.Thankfully they have live up to expectations(of some) so far and the team has to work doubly hard for their results.
With Owen, Parker, Emre, Babayaro, N'zogbia, Carr, just to name a few, still in the treatment room, it has expectedly been goals galore for Newcastle, both scoring while conceding. As expected, the inexperienced backline has not been able to cope much and let in quite a number of goals and as I can see, Roeder must have instructed them to throw everything forward while attacking in a bid to outscore their opponents.
This arises to nearly all of the last 8 matches ending in TG Over and as things stand, Roeder declared that he will start with the same lineup as the last winning 3-2 at Tottenham should give punters an idea of what's coming.
On the other hand, Birmingham are leading the pack in the Championship and looks to be going back to the top tier immidiately. Their strength is in scoring and winning the rest by a comfortable margin, thus their feat in topping the table. Going into this, they have Brendter, who is on loan from Arsenal, out injured and Jaidi suspended from his read card the last time round. However, they have an extra rest period due to the call off of the previous game against Leeds. Bruce has labelled his interest in winning any possible domestic competition and it is unlikely he will take priority over the Championship compared to this. Also, except for their last away game, the last few have registered TG Over and it is possible this is the result we are looking for tonight.
Verdict: TG Over
Monday, January 1, 2007
Round of 22! Happy New Year 2007!
Happy new year 2007 to one and all. The first day of the year promises to bring rewards to those who dare venture forth. A few sneak peeks today. First up,
READ VS WHAM
The battle of two astute managers will see Coppell racking his brains against veteren Curbishley. Reading won the reverse by a solitary goal back in October, but the gaffer then was Pardew. A change in management brought an encourging start to the relegation threatened club but the first win against Manu was short lived. The dull draw with Fulham followed by defeats against Portsmouth and ManCity.
Reading has survived the two most difficult battles in the EPL against both ManU and Chelsea, picking up a surprising point in the encounter with the latter. The loss against Manu was tough given that they are one of the rare teams to put 2 past van der Sar in a match. The upcoming game sees defender Sodje suspended following his red card and captain Murty picking up a knock.
On the other hand, West Ham welcomes back Konchesky, Zamora and captain Reo-Coker for the matchup while the injured includes Gabbidon, McCartney and Mascherano. Curbishley has yet to do magic but it is hardly surprising given that the squad he inherited is unchanged. This same team has not won on the road this season. while drawing two and losing 8. All the while they only scored 2 but conceded a whooping 16!
It is imperative for West Ham to start picking up points, as Curbs suggests 'performing a Man City'. Yet it remains to be seen whether they can improve their away form and indicators point to a Reading victory.
NEW VS MANU
An interesting match through the history of EPL as this game tends to produce a few goals. Fond memories of the 4-3 Newcastle victory when Shearer was still playing are thrown up but there is slim chance that any such repeat will be seen today. Roeder can count his walking wounded to form up a whole team but itself, but has commendably held the team together, stringing the odd victories here and there.
To date, Manu has won away games as though they were at home, adding in the fact that 9 out of the last 10 meetings between the two sides and it can be said that St James is akin to ManU's playground. Furthermore, driven by the recent run of wins and a realistic chance of capturing the championship after missing out for the last three years, you can bet your life that they won't be slipshod about this. Timely rotation has ensured that fatigue is reduced to a minimum, but this does not help in any way of our prediction of the lineup. However news is that Scholes and Vidic, who are suspended the last match, returns for this. Also, a injury doubt for Ferdinand will give Neville a start, hence squashing rumours of his leg operation.
Team news for the other camp is that injuries to Bramble, Moore, Carr, Bernard, Babayaro has seen the Newcastle defence in shreds and the limping off of Ramage against Everton leaves Steven Taylor as the only fit senior centre back. Nicky Butt is most probably going to fill the other empty slot as an emergency centre back, as he has done in the previous match. After the last two away defeats by Everton and Bolton, this home game is a headache for manager Roeder and he will be in no doubt to take an extremely defensive play for the visit of Manu. Solano, Duff, Ameobi, Owen, N'zogbia and Harper are the remaining injured players.
Once again, the longest serving manger of the Premiership has proved his unpredictability with his rotation and it is wise to wait for the lineup before deciding. Perhaps the 65th birthday of Fergie can give a boost to the troops for another consective win on the trot and I will be cheering them on too.
READ VS WHAM
The battle of two astute managers will see Coppell racking his brains against veteren Curbishley. Reading won the reverse by a solitary goal back in October, but the gaffer then was Pardew. A change in management brought an encourging start to the relegation threatened club but the first win against Manu was short lived. The dull draw with Fulham followed by defeats against Portsmouth and ManCity.
Reading has survived the two most difficult battles in the EPL against both ManU and Chelsea, picking up a surprising point in the encounter with the latter. The loss against Manu was tough given that they are one of the rare teams to put 2 past van der Sar in a match. The upcoming game sees defender Sodje suspended following his red card and captain Murty picking up a knock.
On the other hand, West Ham welcomes back Konchesky, Zamora and captain Reo-Coker for the matchup while the injured includes Gabbidon, McCartney and Mascherano. Curbishley has yet to do magic but it is hardly surprising given that the squad he inherited is unchanged. This same team has not won on the road this season. while drawing two and losing 8. All the while they only scored 2 but conceded a whooping 16!
It is imperative for West Ham to start picking up points, as Curbs suggests 'performing a Man City'. Yet it remains to be seen whether they can improve their away form and indicators point to a Reading victory.
NEW VS MANU
An interesting match through the history of EPL as this game tends to produce a few goals. Fond memories of the 4-3 Newcastle victory when Shearer was still playing are thrown up but there is slim chance that any such repeat will be seen today. Roeder can count his walking wounded to form up a whole team but itself, but has commendably held the team together, stringing the odd victories here and there.
To date, Manu has won away games as though they were at home, adding in the fact that 9 out of the last 10 meetings between the two sides and it can be said that St James is akin to ManU's playground. Furthermore, driven by the recent run of wins and a realistic chance of capturing the championship after missing out for the last three years, you can bet your life that they won't be slipshod about this. Timely rotation has ensured that fatigue is reduced to a minimum, but this does not help in any way of our prediction of the lineup. However news is that Scholes and Vidic, who are suspended the last match, returns for this. Also, a injury doubt for Ferdinand will give Neville a start, hence squashing rumours of his leg operation.
Team news for the other camp is that injuries to Bramble, Moore, Carr, Bernard, Babayaro has seen the Newcastle defence in shreds and the limping off of Ramage against Everton leaves Steven Taylor as the only fit senior centre back. Nicky Butt is most probably going to fill the other empty slot as an emergency centre back, as he has done in the previous match. After the last two away defeats by Everton and Bolton, this home game is a headache for manager Roeder and he will be in no doubt to take an extremely defensive play for the visit of Manu. Solano, Duff, Ameobi, Owen, N'zogbia and Harper are the remaining injured players.
Once again, the longest serving manger of the Premiership has proved his unpredictability with his rotation and it is wise to wait for the lineup before deciding. Perhaps the 65th birthday of Fergie can give a boost to the troops for another consective win on the trot and I will be cheering them on too.
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