By Barry Robson
Fresh from a well deserved break in Spain Barry Robson is back in Blighty to cast his eye over the weekend’s football fixture list. Get the best advice from Pro Punter Barry Robson. It promises to be another thriller, but will we see another ten goal thriller?
Everton v Liverpool
Everton boss David Moyes has rejected rumours he is considering quitting the club. The Toffees have endured a disappointing season to date and Wednesday’s defeat to Hull leaves Moyes’ men just four points above the drop zone. The Toffees now face under pressure Liverpool.
Moyes admits his side could be dragged into a relegation battle if they do not improve their form quickly. When asked in the post-match press conference if he was aware of a rumour on Merseyside that he was preparing to stand down, the Scot turned the question back on his inquisitor.
“Do you live on Merseyside?” he asked back. When asked if he was prepared to comment on the rumour, he flatly said: “No.” Another question concerned the club’s position in the table, 14th, four points above the bottom three. Moyes was asked if he was worried Everton could become embroiled in a survival battle, and he replied: “Could be, yes.”
Fabio Aurelio insists Liverpool’s players and not manager Rafa Benitez are to blame for their early UEFA Champions League exit. Liverpool crashed out of Europe’s premier competition on Tuesday after Fiorentina beat Lyon to ensure their progress alongside the French club into the knockout stages.
Benitez has come under increasing pressure following LIverpool’s Champions League elimination, but Aurelio feels the Anfield players should shoulder the blame and not the manager. Aurelio has called on the squad to bounce back this weekend in the Merseyside derby against Everton as they look to get their Premier League campaign back on track.
Gerrard Liverpool Captain
“The players still have confidence and we know that it is only us who can change our situation by working hard to improve,” said Aurelio We know we can do better, certainly than we are doing at the moment. The team are now intent on winning at Everton on Sunday and starting to get more points right to the end of the season. Then we will see what position we are in, and what we are able to fight for. It is a big game next against Everton and a big opportunity to improve and regain the strength we need for a long season ahead.”
Result: Score Draw First Scorer: David N’Gog
Villa v Spurs
Aston Villa boss Martin O’Neill will not be rushing James Collins back into his first-team plans. The 26-year-old centre-half missed the 1-1 draw at Burnley on Saturday after picking up a groin injury. The Wales international has made positive strides in his recovery since then, and could come into contention for the visit of Tottenham this weekend. O’Neill, though, will not risk his £5million summer signing from West Ham if he feels he is not 100 per cent fit.
Villa host free scoring Spurs at Villa Park
“James was really unfortunate to miss Burnley,” said the Villa manager. He trained all of the week and it was only in the last few moments of training on the Friday that he started to feel something again. I will have a look at it. At this minute, I would think he would be a doubt (for Spurs). The last thing you want to do is bring someone back too quickly and then find he’s out for a much longer period.”
Meanwhile Tottenham defender Benoit Assou-Ekotto has praised manager Harry Redknapp for bringing the best out of him. The 25-year-old left-back has played in 13 of Spurs’ Premier League games so far this season and has made himself a regular in the Cameroon national team that has qualified for next year’s World Cup. Assou-Ekotto moved to White Hart Lane from Lens three years ago, but fell out of favour under previous managers Martin Jol and Juande Ramos. He has been a part of the Tottenham team that has made an excellent start to the campaign this term, playing in the 9-1 demolition of Wigan at the weekend, and praised Redknapp for keeping faith with him.
“There are a lot of factors involved, I had a long injury and then only played six months before that,” he said. “It’s about adapting to the game and now I’m more confident. Harry obviously believes in me, the other managers maybe didn’t believe in me as much.
Watch Tottenham score 9 (with dutch commentry)
Result: Score Draw First Scorer: Robbie Keane
The Everton-Liverpool match is always one to look forward to, especially given the position both clubs find themselves in – a draw suits no one! Villa-Spurs is a good one to sort the pretenders from the real challengers for European places come the end of the season. I just hope that European betting markets are sorted out by then, at the moment a lack of competition between suppliers means monopolies choke off consumer choice and value in odds quoted. The campaign at http://www.right2bet.net is standing up for basic consumer rights for gamblers. Please sign the petition!