Liverpool have already told Barcelona and Chelsea any pursuit of Torres is futile, but the Londoners are gearing up to make the Anfield club an offer they can’t refuse. New Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson remains confident he can persuade the Spain international to stay on Merseyside for at least another year as the club moves closer to finding new owners. Read more: at Mirror Football

WORLD Cup flops Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard are odds-on to quit Liverpool before the start of the new campaign, according to Ladbrokes. El Nino is 4/6 to leave Anfield, whilst Steven Gerrard is a 4/7 chance to pack his bags.

Spain and the Netherlands are joint 15/8 favourites to win the World Cup. – David Villa is 4/11 to emerge as the finals’ top scorer.

Uruguay are 11/1 to again progress via penalties ahead of their game with the Netherlands.

LATEST BETTING

To be at Liverpool for first day of the season

Gerrard
Yes 5/4
No 4/7

Torres
Yes 11/10
No 4/6

Torres Is a Chelsea Target is a post from: RacingDiary.co.uk Free Horseracing and Betting Tips from RacingDiary.co.uk

Sir Alex Ferguson blasted the match officials after Manchester United‘s 2-1 defeat by Chelsea, which gave Carlo Ancelotti’s side the advantage in the Premier League title race. Joe Cole put the visitors ahead but it was Didier Drogba’s goal 11 minutes from time that left Ferguson fuming, with replays showing the striker was clearly offside.

The United boss told Sky Sports 1: “What I can’t understand is the linesman’s directly in front of it. He has no-one near him and he gets it wrong.

AFTER their victory at Old Trafford, Chelsea‘s title odds have been cut from 11/8 to 8/13 favourites, with Manchester United out from 10/11 to 9/4, with Arsenal offered at 9/2.’Although Chelsea’s win was by no means a conclusive title winner, it certainly turned the betting on its head’ said Hill’s spokesman Graham Sharpe.
Hills offer 66/1 that there will be a triple points dead heat in the title race and 4/1 that goal difference will be needed to sort out who wins the title.

WILLIAM HILL…TITLE STRAIGHT FORECASTS…13/8 Chelsea- Man U; 9/4 Chelsea- Arsenal; 3/1 Man U- Chelsea; 8/1 Arsenal- Chelsea; 10/1 Arsenal- Man U; 12/1 Man U- Arsenal.

Saturdays Premier League results….
Man United 1 Chelsea 2
Arsenal 1 Wolves 0
Burnley 1 Manchester City 6
Sunderland 3 Tottenham 1
Bolton 0 Aston Villa 1
Stoke 2 Hull 0
Portsmouth 0 Blackburn 0

Get a £25 Free Bet from William Hill….

WILLIAM HILL have opened a book on when Man U will next win a game in the current absence of Wayne Rooney, and they make United 50/1 to fail to win ANY of their next five games. ‘There are plenty of people who believe United have almost been a one man team this season. This spell without Rooney will test that theory’ said Hill’s spokesman Graham Sharpe.

When will Man Utd next win a match without Wayne Rooney? (90m play):

Bayern Munich H….8/13
Blackburn A…..5/2
Man City A…..8/1
Champions League semi final 1st leg…16/1
Tottenham H…..20/1
To win NONE of these games: 50/1

WHEN WILL WAYNE COME BACK?
WILLIAM HILL offer 13/8 that Wayne Rooney will first return for Man U in their derby match against Manchester City, but have cut him from 50/1 to 40/1 not to play any part in their games for the remainder of the season. ‘Wayne was notably missed against Chelsea and the temptation may be to rush him back if United begin to under-achieve without him’ said Hill’s spokesman Graham Sharpe.

Bayern Munich H…7/1
Blackburn A…15/8
Man City A…13/8
Champions League Semi Final… 1st Leg 9/2
Tottenham…. H9/1
Champions League Semi Final 2nd Leg…16/1
Sunderland …A25/1
Stoke H…40/1
Champions League Final – 50/1
None of the above ….40/1

WILL JOE COLE GET ON PLANE TO WORLD CUP?

WILLIAM HILL have cut Joe Cole from 7/4 to 5/4 to make it into England’s World Cup squad – and he’s now 2/1 to start the first game. ‘Joe Cole may have timed his return to form to perfection to claw his way into the England squad’ said Hill’s spokesman Graham Sharpe,

William Hill…..Joe Cole to make the final World Cup 2010 squad:

4/7 No
5/4 Yes

Wm Hill….Joe Cole to start England’s 1st world cup 2010 game:

4/11 No
2/1 Yes

Chelsea Odds On For Premier League After Old Trafford Win is a post from: RacingDiary.co.uk Free Horseracing and Betting Tips from RacingDiary.co.uk

Chelsea captain Terry extended his hand to Bridge but the Manchester City defender refused to reciprocate, before shaking the hand of each of his former Chelsea teammates.

Stan James were counting the cost of Wayne Bridge refusing to shake the hand of John Terry at Stamford Bridge this afternoon as a gamble was landed from 6s down to 6/4 when the firm pulled the market as it became apparent that there would be no olive branch offered by the former Chelsea player ahead of the game.

Head of PR Charlie McCann:” It was the most talked about non handshake, arguably, in the history of the Premier League certainly on a par with the Wenger/Hughes spat at Eastlands earlier in the season but it has cost us well into five figures as punters latched onto the 6s available on Thursday afternoon and it was well backed at all rates into 6/4 before we cried enough.”

William Hill are paying out to punters who gambled on Wayne Bridge refusing to shake hands with John Terry after the odds about that happening were slashed from odds against to odds-on following a surge of bets.

‘We cut our odds once from 13/8 to 11/10 and then again to 5/6 as punters poured cash on the Bridge snub’ said Hill’s spokesman Graham Sharpe, ‘It will cost us a five figure sum – so we’re shaken- but not stirred enough to rule out similar bets in the future as they create a huge talking point.’

Wayne Bridge Lands Handshake Gamble Costing Bookies Dear is a post from: RacingDiary.co.uk Free Horseracing and Betting Tips from RacingDiary.co.uk

Below are Saturdays Premier League matches and betting tips.

Premier League Saturday
Chelsea (1/2) Draw (15/4) Manchester City (7) View all odds
Manchester City goalkeeper Shay Given claims team-mate Wayne Bridge is relishing coming face to face with John Terry and former club Chelsea this weekend. It is all about Wayne Bridge and John Terry and some stupid cow who can’t keep her knickers on, as far as the papers are concerned. That aside in footballing terms Chelsea should be a shoe-in here with City seemingly facing a mini crisis. Chelsea to win.

Birmingham (1) Draw (12/5) Wigan (7/2) View all odds
An interesting game, Wigan are up and down but I would say this is one for the home side, at evens I am a backer. Not a huge bet but Birmingham should get the better of Wigan.

Bolton (1) Draw (12/5) Wolverhampton (10/3) View all odds
No bet for me. Two poor teams could serve up anything from a 0-0 draw to a seven goal thriller. if pushed I would take the draw.

Burnley (6/5) Draw (12/5) Portsmouth (11/4) View all odds
Pompey could hardly have anything else go wrong but strangely it could work in their favour, on the pitch at least, but Burnley are a good side at home and again no bet but for the coupon Burnley look the team to side with.

Stoke (9/2) Draw (11/4) Arsenal (8/11) View all odds
Stoke are a good side at home, they come here after beating Manchester City in the FA Cup. Arsenal surely though will win, they are a really good side, not quite the best but certainly better than most including Stoke.

BRIDGE ON THE WAYNE OUT?

WITH WAYNE BRIDGE announcing that he intends to rule himself out of selection for England, William Hill now offer 10/1that he will play any part in the World Cup and have revised their betting market on who will start at left back for England’s opening World Cup game versus USA, making Ashley Cole 4/7 favourite:

John Terry plays for Chelsea

TERRY VERSUS BRIDGE SATURDAY

With Chelsea and Man City playing each other on Saturday, William Hill have issued some ‘specials’ for the game:
Will Terry and Bridge Shake Hands At Any Point On Sunday ? Yes 4/6 No 11/10
No City player(s) to shake hands with Terry pre-match- 7/2
All City players to show they are wearing ‘Team Bridge’ t-shirts…10/1
Will Terry Start ? Yes 1/20
Will Bridge Start ? Yes 1/14
Bridge To Get A Card On Sunday For A Tackle On Terry ? Yes 10/1
Terry To Get A Card On Sunday For A Tackle On Bridge ? Yes 10/1

Saturdays Football Tips and Best Odds Service is a post from: RacingDiary.co.uk Free Horseracing and Betting Tips from RacingDiary.co.uk

A busy night of Champions League and FA Cup replays with undoubtedly the big one being Inter Milan v Chelsea.

Inter Milan (7/4) Draw (21/10) Chelsea (19/10) View all odds

Live on ITV1 tonight, Chelsea visit Inter Milan in the Champions League and their old boss ‘the special one’ lies in wait.  Racing Diary has previewed the game in detail and we advise that Chelsea are the team to side with. At the odds, Back Chelsea.

CSKA Moscow (15/8) Draw (23/10) Sevilla (17/10) View all odds

On Sky Sports from 5:30 a Champions League match where Seville are marginal favourites but no big investment is advised. I would suggest that LAY Moscow is the way to go to give us the draw on side.

FA Cup Replays

Stoke City v Manchester City

Manchester City will be without Carlos Tevez for the fourth successive game when they travel to Stoke for Wednesday night’s FA Cup fifth-round replay. Tevez has been in Argentina on compassionate leave following the premature birth of his baby daughter, although manager Roberto Mancini has confirmed he expects the striker to return in time for Saturday’s trip to Chelsea in the Barclays Premier League. That said City should be too strong for Stoke, but they need a good result. I would Back City to win.

Tottenham v Bolton

Spurs must win here. Bolton manager Owen Coyle will hand opportunities to a number of fringe players in the FA Cup fifth-round replay at Tottenham. I suggest Spurs will be all out to win and as such will be too string.

Aston Villa v Crystal Palace

Aston Villa have a doubt over skipper Stiliyan Petrov for Wednesday night’s FA Cup replay against Crystal Palace. At home Villa surely will win and look the bet of the night.

West Brom v Reading

Reading captain Ivar Ingimarsson is set to return for the FA Cup fifth-round replay at West Brom. If League form is an indicator West Brom should prevail here and go through.

Charlie McCann looks at the midweek action and the big game in Milan

Wednesdays Football Betting Tips is a post from: RacingDiary.co.uk Free Horseracing and Betting Tips from RacingDiary.co.uk

Jose the Special One?

Chelsea have suffered in the last two years, and it’s no coincidence that their decline happened after I left,” said Mourinho. We had a unique relationship as a manager, players and fans, and when you break that, it’s not easy to fix. They’ve had a lot of coaches since and maybe some didn’t have the mentality for the club. Maybe they tried to change too much of what we put in place. I knew there was no time for a long-term plan with the owner they have at Stamford Bridge. You must win the title in your first season or say bye-bye. I gave them what they needed but I always knew it wasn’t a job that would last forever. Maybe they would have been better off sticking with me than changing manager when they did.’

So can Inter Milan  knock Chelsea out of The Champions League?

In my view Chelsea will be too strong for Inter over two legs. I suggest that the leg in Milan may be a draw with the return at Stamford Bridge being the leg in which Chelsea put the Italians to the sword.
Mourinho says such is the hatred in Italy for his Inter team that everyone but the Inter Milan fans are willing Chelsea to win. Ancelloti was manager of AC Milan for 8 years and won 10 of his 15 matches, losing only 3 against Inter. Here is a great interview with Jose Mourinho;

There is some interesting betting;

Former Blues boss Jose Mourinho is 14/1 to be sent to the stands during Inter’s clash with Chelsea at the San Siro. The Portuguese manager is 12/1 to take over from Carlo Ancelotti at the west London club, according to Ladbrokes.

Correct Score Betting;

Didier Drogba is 6/1 to grab the game’s winning goal, with Chelsea 8/5 to take a victory back to Stamford Bridge.

Half Time Score

Charlie McCann looks at the midweek football, including Chelsea at Inter Milan

Inter Milan v Chelsea – Wednesday 24 Feb is a post from: RacingDiary.co.uk Free Horseracing and Betting Tips from RacingDiary.co.uk

On Tuesday we advised a LAY of Liverpool who were odds on to beat Wolves and on Wednesday we were on the mark again with the highlight being the victory of Manchester United over Manchester City.

Bet Live….

CHELSEA ODDS ON FOR TITLE

CHELSEA HAVE been cut from 5/6 to 4/6 favourites to win the Premier League title by William Hill who also offer 11/4 Man U; 4/1 Arsenal; 25/1 Man C; 8 Liverpool; 100 Spurs; 150 Villa.

MAN CITY are Even money favourites to finish 4th with Hills who also offer 5/2 Liverpool; 7/2 Spurs; 11/2 Villa.
PORTSMOUTH are 1/4 favourites to be relegated with Hills who also offer 8/15 Hull; 4/6 Burnley; 5/4 Wolves; 7/2 Bolton; 4/1 West Ham; 9/2 Wigan.

Champions Will they Win it Again?

UNITED 33/1 FOR TREBLE

MANCHESTER UNITED ARE now 33/1 to win the treble with William Hill who make them 4/9 favourites for the Carling Cup with Villa at 13/8. United are 5/6 to win in 90mins wi Villa 11/4 and the draw 11/5.

Bet Live In Running…
You can Bet LIve with Inrunningodds.com. Get the best prices with real time updates, check it out!

Fantastic Football Betting Tips is a post from: RacingDiary.co.uk Free Horseracing and Betting Tips from RacingDiary.co.uk

Our tips on Tuesday performed very well and we can continue that this evening.

Manchester City v Manchester United

You can bet live with the best prices from Inrunningodds.com

Aston Villa (5/2) Draw (12/5) Arsenal (13/10)
A tricky game but Arsenal look the value. Their form is solid and even though they are away they can still win.

Chelsea (5/19)Draw (5) Birmingham (14)
Chelsea are the only bet here and could bag a few goals so over 2.5 goals is also a back. Chelsea are red hot and can win by two or three goals.

Back over 2.5 Goals

Blackburn (1) Draw (12/5) Wigan (10/3)
Poor game, no bet for me.

Everton (4/6) Draw (11/4) Sunderland (5) Sky Sports
I would suggest Everton are the bet here and again a high scoring game in store so over 2.5 goals.

Over 2.5 Goals…

Carling Cup
Manchester United (4/6) Draw (11/4)Manchester City (5)
This could be a great game and I think United will do it, in 90 minutes too.

To Qualify
Man City 18/19 Man Utd 21/10
To Win Cup, both 2/1

The Manchester City manager thinks it will be tough….

Who are you backing? Bet Live with Inrunningodds.com

Wednesdays Football Betting Tips, 27 January is a post from: RacingDiary.co.uk Free Horseracing and Betting Tips from RacingDiary.co.uk

Chelsea can win easily

It’s FA Cup fourth round day and we have all the best bets and the best odds for a big weekend of football action. Get the best advice and the best bets from Racing Diary.

The weather delayed many third round ties so it seems that the FA Cup has been with us all year. Saturday is the official fourth round day and there is a good mix of good bets and possible shocks on the cards. We give you the best odds, LIVE, so if you are betting in running then make sure you get the best odds with InRunningOdds.com

FA CUP TIES

Preston (12)       v (5)       Chelsea (3/10)
Preston have a tough task and Chelsea should win easy. Some may say that 3/10 is value!

Reading (13/8) v (12/5) Burnley (15/8)
Reading could overturn Burnley who do not travel well. Reading are worth a small bet.

Accrington (7)    v (7/2)   Fulham (1/2)
It would be a disaster if Fulham lost, they should win readily. 

Aston Villa (2/9) v (6)     Brighton (14)
Not many easier games will come Villa’s way this season.

Bolton (11/13) v (13/5)  Sheffield Utd (7/2)
Not easy but the Premier League side should win.

Cardiff (6/5) v (12/5) Leicester (5/2)
Very tough to call, no bet but if pushed would say Cardiff.

Derby (7/5) v (5/2) Doncaster (21/10)
Not an easy game for the home side but I would say they could edge it.

Everton (11/13) v (5/2)  Birmingham (4)
One of the ties of the round, Everton look a better side than in the early part of the season and are taken to keep the good form alive.

Notts Co (5) v (14/5) Wigan (8/11)
The Premier League team should beat the money bags of the lower leagues.

Portsmouth (13/8) v(12/5) Sunderland (9/5)
Pompey are in desperate straits at the moment and FA Cup exit beckons.

Southampton (13/8) (12/5) Ipswich (9/5)
Tough call, no bet, could be a draw.

West Brom (7/5) v (12/5) Newcastle (9/4)
A good game and Newcastle offer value at 9/4.

Wolverhampton (10/11) v (5/2) Crystal Palace (7/2)
Again one for the Premier league team.

Tottenham (1/3) v (5) Leeds (9)
Giant killers Leeds could do it again, but Spurs should win and justify the odds.

Premier League

Manchester United (1/6)v (7) Hull (20)
This should be a formality for the reds.

Sunday;

Stoke (4)v (5/2) Arsenal (13/15)
Arsenal should win easily.

Scunthorpe (9)v (19/5)Manchester City (2/5)
City should easily win this.

Charlie McCan’s Weekend Football betting Preview

FA CUP: 7/1 No Premiership Team To Fall To Lower League Oppersition But 7/4 That Two To Tumble!

William Hill have opened a book on how many Premiership teams will survive through to the fifth round of the FA Cup offering 12/1 that no Premiership side falls to lower league opposition but the favourite at 7/4 is for two to fall. Hills odds suggest that the most likely Premiership teams to fail are Burnley at 8/11 (v Reading), with Bolton (v Sheff Utd) and Wolves (v Crystal Palace) both offer ed at 4/9 to go the same way.

“The FA Cup normally produces a couple of big shocks and the odds suggest that two Premiership teams will fall to lower league opposition at 7/4,” said Hill’s spokesman Rupert Adams.



To Qualify For The Fifth Round Of The FA Cup:
1/14 Chelsea, 13/2 Preston
8/11 Burnley, Evens Reading
1/16 Aston Villa, 7/1 Brighton
4/7 Cardiff, 5/4 Leicester
4/9 Wolves, 13/8 Crystal Palace
4/6 Derby, 11/10 Doncaster
4/9 Everton, 13/8 Birmingham
1/6 Fulham, 7/2 Accrington
5/6 Ipswich, 5/6 Southampton
2/7 Wigan, 5/2 Notts County
4/9 Bolton, 13/8 Sheff Utd
5/6 Sunderland, 5/6 Portsmouth
8/11 West Brom, Evens Newcastle
1/8 Tottenham, 9/2 Leeds
3/10 Arsenal, 12/5 Stoke
1/10 Man City, 11/2 Scunthorpe

How Many Premiership Teams Will Advance To The Fifth Round: 7/1 Twelve, 11/4 Eleven, 7/4 Ten, 11/4 Nine, 11/2 Eight or less.

William Hill FA Cup: 11/4 Chelsea, 9/2 Arsenal, 5/1 Man City, 5/1 Tottenham, 8/1 Aston Villa, 12/1 Everton, 20/1 Fulham, 28/1 Sunderland, 33/1 Birmingham, 50/1 Wigan, 50/1 Newcastle, 50/1 Stoke, 50/1 Bolton, 66/1 Wolves, 80/1 Portsmouth, 80/1 Burnley, 100/1 West Brom, 100/1 Reading, 100/1 Cardiff, 150/1 Sheff Utd, 150/1 Ipswich, 150/1 Leicester, 150/1 Leeds, 200/1 Derby, 200/1 Southampton, 250/1 Preston, 250/1 Crystal Palace, 250/1 Doncaster, 750/1 Scunthorpe, 750/1 Notts County, 1000/1 Brighton, 2000/1 Accrington.

At which match will Roberto Mancini fail to wear his blue and white Man City scarf?: 11/1 Scunthorpe, 12/1 Man Utd, 14/1 Portsmouth, 14/1 Hull, 14/1 Bolton, 16/1 FA Cup (Fifth rd), 16/1 Stoke, 16/1 Liverpool, 16/1 Chelsea, 1/3 Wears Scarf For All These Matches.



Against Whom Will Alan Smith Next Get Booked?: 5/2 West Brom, 7/2 C Palace, 11/2 Leicester, 7/1 Cardiff, 6/4 Does Not Receive A Card In These Games.

How Many Points Will The Premiership Be Won By?: 13/2 Goal Difference, 4/1 One point, 4/1 Two points, 4/1 Three points, 5/1 Four, 11/4 Five or more.

Will The Premiership Title To Be Decided On The Last Day Of The Season: 4/7 Yes, 5/4 No.
William Hill Latest Premiership Betting: 4/5 Chelsea, 3/1 Man Utd, 3/1 Arsenal, 25/1 Man City, 66/1 Liverpool, 125/1 Tottenham, 125/1 Aston Villa.

HOW MANY GOALS WILL THE HIGHEST SCORING PREM GAME HAVE THIS SEASON?: 1/4 Ten, 9/2 Eleven, 10/1 Twelve, 16/1 Thirteen, 33/1 Fourteen Plus

FA Cup Betting Tips, Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 January is a post from: RacingDiary.co.uk Free Horseracing and Betting Tips from RacingDiary.co.uk

Champions Will they Win it Again?

Man United v Burnley

Sir Alex Ferguson has escaped disciplinary action following his remarks about referee Mark Clattenburg last Saturday. The Manchester United boss criticised the official after midfielder Darren Fletcher was sent off for two yellow card offences during the champions’ clash with Birmingham. Ferguson implied that Clattenburg had been more lenient with players in a previous game between Arsenal and Spurs. The 68-year-old is still under a suspended two-match touchline ban following his remarks about Alan Wiley earlier in the season but will not be facing punishment after his most recent comments. The FA ruled that Ferguson did not accuse Clattenburg of bias or challenge his integrity.

Bet Live: Inrunningodds.com

“No action will be taken in relation to Sir Alex Ferguson,” a spokesman confirmed. After Fletcher’s dismissal, Ferguson said that he had been “watching Mark Clattenburg this season. As far as I’m concerned, I’ve not seen a softer sending-off for a long time. It is ridiculous,” he added. That referee did the Arsenal-Tottenham game earlier in the season and you needed to hit someone with an axe before he booked anyone in that game. There were some wonderful and weird decisions tonight.”

Meanwhile Burnley have confirmed former player Brian Laws as their new manager to succeed Owen Coyle. The former Sheffield Wednesday boss has signed a two-and-a-half year deal at Turf Moor, where he began his playing career and spent four seasons. His trusted lieutenant Russ Wilcox, who spent ten years with Laws at Scunthorpe and Hillsborough, becomes assistant manager, while current senior first-team pro Graham Alexander has been appointed as player/coach with immediate effect. The new management team face a baptism of fire with a trip to Old Trafford to face Manchester United on Saturday. Announcing the appointment of Laws, who is set to be unveiled at a press conference at 3.30pm, the club said the former Grimsby, Iron and Owls manager was always the board of directors’ “unanimous first choice for the vacancy”. A statement on the club’s official website said:

“The Burnley board have been particularly impressed by the way Brian consistently achieved relative success in his former post at Sheffield Wednesday, while operating with one of the lowest wage and transfer budgets in the Championship. The results of a Deloitte and Touche study, delivered at the club’s request, confirm that he was top of the list of Championship managers over the period 2006-2009, in terms of delivering the best results relative to financial budgets. We believe Brian will deliver a continuity of the culture to which Burnley fans and staff have become accustomed. As a former Burnley defender, he is especially familiar with the club, the traditions we have and the passion we all share. To aid this continuity, Brian will be assisted in his managerial role by respected midfielder Graham Alexander, who takes up the post of player/coach with immediate effect, as a vibrant and strong management team takes shape. Brian’s welcome appointment will provide real stability and enable Burnley Football Club to build on the foundations we now enjoy as a Premier League club. It is imperative that this stability is maintained over the next few years and Brian has demonstrated great loyalty, having managed just three clubs in total and two in the last 13 years.”

The statement added: “Brian has shown great acumen with regard to player recruitment, having managed teams with nominal spending and wage budgets and establishing good working relationships with the very top clubs in English football.

“His appointment also dovetails with Burnley’s long established and proud policy of developing home-grown talent. During his tenure at Sheffield Wednesday, Brian was steadfast in his determination to blood young talent, giving debuts to eight Academy starlets. Finally, the Burnley board of directors are convinced that Laws, who started his playing career at Turf Moor, is a winner who is passionate about returning to manage his former club. In closing, we welcome Brian ‘home’ to Turf Moor and we look forward to a long and successful working relationship.”

Laws became the clear favourite to succeed Coyle on Wednesday morning following Doncaster’s announcement that their manager Sean O’Driscoll, the other front-runner for the job, would be staying in South Yorkshire. The 48-year-old has taken charge of more than 750 matches as a manager in spells at Grimsby (1994-1996), Scunthorpe (1997-2006) and Sheffield Wednesday (2006-2009), where he left by mutual consent in December.

Result: Home Win First Scorer: Ryan Giggs

Villa are in good form

Blackburn v Villa

Blackburn chief Sam Allardyce insists they have not yet received any offers for Benni McCarthy. The South African international wants to leave Ewood Park, with the hope of gaining regular first-team football ahead of this summer’s World Cup finals. The likes of Celtic, West Ham and Everton are amongst those linked with a swoop for the 32-year-old – who has been with Rovers for three-and-a-half years. Allardyce is happy to let McCarthy leave, but as yet nobody has made a bid.

“We have not had one bid for him,” said the Blackburn boss. Until such time as we get one, we cannot move.”

Martin O’Neill insists Nicky Shorey still has a future at Aston Villa and can challenge Stephen Warnock for the left-back spot. The 28-year-old joined Championship side Nottingham Forest on loan in November with many tipping the two-time England international to leave Villa Park either in January or at the end of the season. Despite signing Shorey from Reading in summer 2008, O’Neill is yet to be convinced that the defender is the right man for the left-back spot. The former Leyton Orient man started the first three Premier League games of the season but was immediately demoted when Warnock arrived from Blackburn. However O’Neill firmly believes Shorey has a future with the club and admits that he is not ‘actively seeking’ to sell his charge.

“Selling Nicky is not something that I am looking to do at this minute and nothing concrete has developed,” he said. If there was an offer, I would sit down with Nicky and his agent to discuss it but I am not actively seeking (to sell him). Nicky thought when Stephen Warnock arrived that his chances would be limited at the time. But he is capable of fighting back. I think he is enjoying it immensely at Forest and he’s playing which is what he wanted to do.”

O’Neill reveals that the club are keeping tabs on Shorey during his stay at the City Ground and points out that the full-back has worked hard to improve the deficiencies in his game.

“We’ve had people at every game he’s played in and I’ve also got the matches on DVD,” he added. I think going forward he has done very well and if he tightens up his game defensively, he has loads to offer – and I think he has tried to do that.”

Result: Score Draw First Scorer: Ashley Young

Chelsea need a win!

Chelsea v Sunderland

Chelsea are interested in bringing Wolfsburg striker Edin Dzeko to Stamford Bridge, according to the player’s agent. Dzeko has been tipped to leave the Bundesliga side in the summer with AC Milan believed to be leading the race for his signature.  The Bosnia international helped Wolfsburg claim the German title last season and has also been linked with Manchester United, Arsenal and Manchester City. Milan came close to securing his services last summer but could not agree terms on the deal, with a San Siro switch expected to be completed at the end of the current campaign.

But Dzeko’s Italian agent Silvano Martina has warned Leonardo’s side that they could face stiff competition from Premier League leaders Chelsea. Martina told calciomercato.it

“I can confirm that Milan really likes the player. At the time in Italy they are the club which showed most interest. But attention must be paid to Chelsea as the Blues are following Dzeko”

Nearer home Sunderland chief Steve Bruce has confirmed his interest in signing Paraguayan star Salvador Cabanas. However, his club Mexican America – have told Bruce to forget about making a move for him during the January transfer window. Bruce is well versed in the North, Central and South American markets and has a wealth of contacts and scouts in the region.

His latest target has emerged as highly-rated striker Cabanas, who has over 40 caps to his name for Paraguay and is pivotal player for his country. The 29-year-old is also a key figure as well for America, who he has played for since 2006, and Bruce admits that Cabanas would be a great signing.

“I’ve monitored Cabanas,” said the Sunderland manager. You know I’ve had a little contact in South America.  Cabanas is a fantastic player, whether it’s possible, I’m not quite sure.
“He’s somebody who would be of interest but I’m sure if he became available, there’d be lots more interest too.”

But news of Bruce’s interest in Cabanas, who has also been linked with Wigan, has reached Mexico, and America’s president Michel Bauer has been quick to rule out a sale. We don’t know anything, whether they will put a lot of money on the table or not, the priority in Latin America is not Sunderland,” stated Bauer.

“I will not talk about it (from Sunderland) because it is always the same issue and while we say nothing absolutely nothing. When you get (a proposal) we will discuss it and we will gladly tell them what they think. But Salvador is very happy with the team. He will continue with us. He is very happy with us and we are with him. We are not interested in loaning or transferring him.”

However, one of Cabanas’ agents, Jose Maria Gonzalez, says he needs to talk with America about Sunderland’s interest.

“We will speak about the interest in Salvador,” Gonzalez told Cronica Da Hoy We have spoken about Sunderland and we need to ask whether he will go to England or stay in Mexico.”

Result: Score Draw First Scorer: Darren Bent

City for fourth?

Everton v Man City

Marouane Fellaini admits that he is relishing playing in his favoured position after months of being asked to fill in wherever necessary. The 22-year-old made his name as a defensive midfielder at former club Standard Liege but since arriving at Everton at the start of last season he has often been deployed as a second striker or as an emergency frontman.
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However, with the Toffees now welcoming back the likes of Yakubu and James Vaughan from long-term injuries this term, the Belgian international has begun to play a string of games in more familiar territory. The switch back to midfield seems to be paying dividends for manager David Moyes with the club currently six games unbeaten in the league after their 2-2 draw with Arsenal at the weekend.

“Obviously I do my best wherever I play,” he told the club’s official website. If I’m put up front or just behind the striker, I’ll play wherever I’m put. But I’ve always said that this is my best position. I’m enjoying playing here again.”

Moyes has even gone as far as to say that Fellaini is among the best midfielders in the Premier League but the £15million man is not interested in personal accolades.

“I just do my job out there on the field,” he added. “I try to do my best. All I want is that the team wins, that’s the most important thing for me. It’s nice to hear things like this but it is always the results that count. We’ve got players coming back then we’ve won a few games recently, and played well doing so. Victories can give you confidence and the confidence can help you get better results. It all works together.”

Fellaini also felt Everton were unlucky not to claim all three points against the Gunners at Emirates Stadium on Saturday in one of only two games to survive the weather in the Premier League over the weekend.

“We know when you play Arsenal that every player is good,” he highlighted. But I think we proved that we can match them. We competed against them and did well. You have to play well if you want to get anything from Arsenal, but we have proved we can do that. We were disappointed. I think we deserved all three points. We put in a good performance and played well.”

Nigel de Jong claims Manchester City’s ambition does not stop at claiming a UEFA Champions League place, but rather they are gunning for the title. Monday night’s stylish rout of Blackburn at Eastlands pushed City up to fourth and continued Roberto Mancini’s immaculate start to life in England. Faltering form at the back end of Mark Hughes’ tenure has seemingly been laid to rest, as the blue side of Manchester give their neighbours at Old Trafford something to think about. In-form De Jong has played a key role in the club’s charge up the table and the Dutchman feels that should they continue in the same vein, a title tilt will not be beyond them.

“Of course the title is a possibility. Nothing is impossible,” said De Jong. Though nothing is impossible, you have to work for it. You have to be realistic as well and remember this is only season No.1 for us after the big spending and we have to take it step by step. That’s what it’s all about at City at the moment, to try and make a difference between the past and the future. Right now you can see what’s happening. Everyone is excited. It was a good performance against Blackburn and we’ve got to keep that going. Of course we can stay in the top four. You see how big the squad is. It’s not only the first 11 but the 22 players in the squad. The important thing is the Champions League place and trying to continue in that position. Then, we will see in March and April where we are standing.”

Key to City’s success could be Carlos Tevez, with the diminutive Argentine having already struck as many goals for his new club as he did for United in the whole of last season. A stunning hat-trick against Blackburn took his tally to 15 and De Jong believes Sir Alex Ferguson may well now be rueing the one that got away.

“Carlos is on fire at the moment – I hope it will continue for the rest of the season” De Jong continued. Some people have a different view of Carlos but if they look at him now then they will change their mind. He had a hat-trick against Blackburn but he’s unbelievable in every game. He makes players around him better as well. Look at the impact he’s had in the last few weeks – he’s not Player of the Month for December without good reason. At the moment he’s maybe the best striker in the Premier League.”

Result: Score Draw First Scorer: Louis Saha

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