A Bridge too far?

Wayne Bridge’s decision to step down from the England squad is seen as a damaging development for Fabio Capello ahead of the World Cup. With Ashley Cole facing a race to be fit for the finals, England face the prospect of starting their bid for glory in South Africa with a left back who currently shares the record for the shortest England career – eight minutes.

That is sure to change, as Stephen Warnock will be given as much chance in the forthcoming friendlies against Egypt and Mexico to settle in. Nonetheless, the 2010 FIFA World cup betting suggests that the tournament will still be a deep end to be thrown into.

However, this is the least of Capello’s problems. Bridge’s withdrawal comes as a shock, as the manager recently stated his belief that Bridge would play alongside John Terry. The boss has been caught off-guard, albeit momentarily, but the fact the Manchester City man hinted at possible factions in the camp will concern him.

Many people have criticised Bridge’s decision as a hasty and excessive overreaction, whilst others applaud selfless act – if his presence in the squad was going to be a divisive one, then he has done the right thing.

It seems that the England squad is split between Terry-loyalists and those privately angered by his behaviour. Bridge might think his presence would deepen this split, but his absence might actually increase the effect.

Bridge’s supporters in the camp might become more bitter and angry on his behalf – those who believe Terry has robbed Bridge of his World Cup chance will lose even more respect for the former skipper. It is clear Capello made the right choice in replacing Terry as captain.

Those who think that Bridge has taken his animosity towards Terry too far should be comforted by the fact that the inevitable media circus over the affair will reduce and, more importantly, by the fact that England now have a more in-form, focused and fit left back, albeit an inexperienced one. This is something that may well move the FIFA World Cup betting Odds in the team’s favour.

Premier League Getting Interesting

Things are warming up in the Premier League after a bunch of mixed results over the weekend. The big news was Everton’s win against Manchester United. This gives Chelsea a four point lead at the top of the ladder.

After a slow start, Everton have done very well and have risen to eighth spot. They were unlucky only to draw against Arsenal and then defeated Chelsea so have bounced back to their best as seen previously. David Moyes has got them playing some good football.

Things are very tight for fourth place with just one point separating four teams. Tottenham is there on 46 with Manchester City also on 46. Liverpool and Aston Villa are both on 45. Both Villa and Man City have a game in hand on the other two.

Down the bottom of the ladder, Portsmouth are all but certain to be relegated. You will be hard pressed to find any bookmakers taking more bets on this. With only 16 points from 26 games, they are highly unlikely to get about 20 from their final 12 games. Then there is a huge dogfight down the bottom to see who the other two teams to go down will be.

Bolton and Burnley are currently in the hot seat with 23 and then you have Wolves and Hull just safe on 24. Wigan is on 25, Sunderland 26 and West Ham 27. It is that tight that any of these seven teams could go down to the Championship. Just one win would see one of these teams rise sending someone else to trouble.

It is that close that goal difference could prove to be the ultimate difference between the teams.

In the next round of games, Bolton take on Wolves and Portsmouth travel to Burnley. These are both massive games.

Up at the top of the ladder, Man City meet Chelsea in what should be a pretty entertaining clash.

Tottenham hosts Everton is a game which promises to be the best of the weekend’s action. Last time the two met, Spurs wasted a 2-0 lead to end up drawing 2-2. They had a chance at the end to win it but a penalty was saved. This game was marked as the turning point of Everton’s year and many also said it showed that Tottenham weren’t top four material.

At White Hart Lane, both will have a lot to prove and so should be quite entertaining fare.

Darren Albert writes for this blog. He also writes about live betting and it’s flucuation during a match.

World Cup Group D preview

If 2010 FIFA World Cup betting has Group C down as the easiest to predict, then Group D, comprising Germany, Australia, Serbia and Ghana, is perhaps the hardest one to pick the qualifiers from. Germany, who have not been knocked out in the first round since 1938, should qualify as usual, but they certainly have no easy games this time around.

The FIFA world rankings are not always a fair representation of teams’ strength, but the fact eight places cover the other Group D participants is a good sign that it is hard to pick the likely qualifier form the three. All are more than capable of taking points off Germany.

Serbia edged out France in qualifying to reach the finals as group winners, but their fans will not be complacent in South Africa – Serbia and Montenegro qualified unbeaten ahead of Spain for Germany ’06 but endured a nightmare tournament, losing all three games, conceding 10 goals in the process.

They have quality throughout, with plenty of Premier League, La Liga and Serie A representation in a strong squad. Radi Antic’s men pose perhaps the biggest threat to Germany and would not be surprise group winners.

Australia fared far better than Serbia in 2006, reaching the second round, where they were controversially beaten by Italy. They qualified from the Asian section unbeaten and a goalless draw with Netherlands in their most recent friendly shows they will be competitive in the summer.

Ghana also reached the last 16 last time around. The Black Stars have the potential to at least match that achievement, having finished as runners-up in the recent Africa Cup of Nations. Michael Essien is a key man, whose recent injury problems can ill-afford to return.

Germany are experts at qualifying for the knockout stages of major tournaments and will not be fazed by their tough group. They still have the core of the team that reached the semi finals on home soil in 2006 and have the experience to go far again. They saw off Russia to qualify as group winners and will be once again backed by the 2010 FIFA World Cup Odds to succeed in Group D.

More Important – Cup or League?

As clubs all across Europe prepare to enter the vital stretch run of the campaign, quite a few managers will have to make some tough decisions and prioritize which matches are the most important for their club. Every season we have managers, especially at the bigger clubs, who frequently will sit key players in matches they feel don’t require their best players for their team to win or simply so that their players are rested for more important matches. Sometimes, this strategy backfires though.

For instance, this season Manchester United and Arsenal have already made shock exits from the English FA Cup due to fielding far less than their best XI. This happens quite frequently in the early rounds of domestic cups as teams underestimate their opponent and look forward to league and European play.

With all of the trophies yet to be decided, it will be very interesting to see where each club’s priorities lay. Liverpool find themselves struggling to reclaim a coveted Champion’s League spot, and even with a possible nine Europa League matches ahead of them (if they make the Final) Rafa Benitez surely will focus his club’s sights on the league. On the other hand, a club like Aston Villa, who haven’t won a trophy in quite some time, may view things a little differently. Martin O’Neill has his men on the verge of a Carling Cup title and Villa also may see an opportunity to win the FA Cup this season with many of the typical favorites gone. But at the same time, Villa sit in 7th in the Premier League and are only three points out of 4th with a game in hand over Liverpool and Spurs. At a club desperate for trophies, O’Neill may find himself focusing on the cups and putting off top four hopes until next season.

In the end, it really depends on the club’s situation. Liverpool have a history of doing well in the Champion’s League and missing out on the top four could be potentially devastating for such a storied club. While in a similar position in the league, Villa make look at the chance to win trophies domestically and say ‘Let’s go for it’ especially with the knowledge that lack of depth and poor quality would probably mean an early exit in the Champion’s League anyways. Furthermore, Spurs have won cups in recent history so they are probably more likely to go for fourth…and so on, and so on…

It will surely be a fantastic finish to an already tremendous season, but don’t be too shocked if you don’t see your favorite players sitting out a match or two or six.

There is one thing I know for sure though, if I was 25 years old, extremely talented, and being paid as much money as players make today playing the greatest sport in the world, I think I’d find the energy to give 100% for 90 minutes every match to do everything I could to help my team win.

By RJ Sepich, Villa4Life11

Brum boss hails on-loan keeper

Alex McLeish has praised on-loan goalkeeper Joe Hart and wants the Englishman to help Birmingham launch an attack on the Premier League big-guns next season.

The Manchester City keeper has made a great impact at St Andrews this season after leaving Manchester City to get first-team action as he was forced to play understudy to Shay Given.

Hart has given his career a real boost with some outstanding performances, helping McLeish’s team to battle to eighth in the Premier League. This included a club record of 15 matches unbeaten before Chelsea ended that run in January.

McLeish has said he would love to get Hart on a permanent deal, but if that was not possible then another season-long loan would be welcomed. The 22-year-old’s efforts mean the Blues’ defensive record this season is only bettered by Aston Villa, Manchester United and Premier League leaders Chelsea.

“Joe loves his team-mates here, he loves the club and the ambience. When you have the feelgood factor, the players can give their best and play without fear,” said the Scot.
“If I can’t get Hart permanently, would I settle for another loan season? Yes.”

The football odds suggested that Birmingham would struggle this season, but the goalkeeper and his team-mates have managed to confound expectations.

Meanwhile, Kevin Phillips, who is at the opposite end of his career to Hart, recently said he believes he can still help Birmingham’s Premier League aspirations this season by getting some vital goals.

The 36-year-old came off the bench to score two goals to help his side beat Wolves and wants to appear more regularly for McLeish between now and the end of the season.

Birmingham face Fulham away next and although the Premier League odds suggest the Blues might struggle, a win is not out of the question.

Rams ready for FA Cup rumble

Derby look primed to give Birmingham a shock in the FA Cup on Saturday and the Rams have seen their odds shorten. They may not be backed as far as the FA Cup Final Betting odds, but they certainly have chance against the Blues.

Nigel Clough’s Championship side have been clipped into 2/1 to bundle Alex McLeish’s Birmingham out at the fifth-round stage. The Rams are bang in form after toppling high-flying Nottingham Forest and Newcastle in their last two home games.

And Clough’s charges were only denied victory at Sheffield United by a last-gasp equaliser from Lee Williamson. Those run of results have lifted the gloom at Pride Park and they will be in confident mood and with a full house behind them at the weekend they are more than capable of defeating Birmingham.

In frontman Rob Hulse and winger Kris Commons the Rams have two players who are more than capable of causing Birmingham problems and Clough will not have to build his men up after recent confidence-building results.

Birmingham meanwhile have seen their recent fine run come to and end in the Premier League. Blues had lost just one of their last 15 games in the top flight ahead of Wednesday’s 2-0 defeat at West Ham. McLeish’s men are sitting pretty in eighth spot, however odds of 11/10 on Blues triumphing in the East Midlands looks short.

And looking at the statistics from a different angle – they have won just once in their last five games. It all points to a tricky away day for the Premier League side and FA Cup Betting Odds could well back Derby to be the team with their name in the hat for the quarter-finals.

The Portsmouth Situation

Ever since Portsmouth won the 2008 FA Cup, the club has been slipping further and further into a state of disarray. They have been forced to sell numerous key players over the past few years to keep the club financially afloat, while at the same time it seems like they have a managerial or ownership change every other month.

And now, during this 2009-2010 campaign, things have reached a stage of extreme crisis. They simply just have no money. Just in the past month they’ve eliminated the club website, which really shows the dire financial situation plaguing the club. Soon, the club known by many simply as ‘Pompey’ may soon cease to exist. Tomorrow a judge will decide the fate of Portsmouth FC and it appears that the BEST CASE scenario would be administration and a nine point deduction, virtually eliminating any chance of surviving relegation this season. Worst case scenario…Portsmouth Football Club will exist no more.

Things have gotten bad at Fratton Park. Real bad. I feel bad for the fans there. Despite their small, old, rodeo-like stadium, Portsmouth support is some of the loudest and most loyal of any across the nation and it would be a tragedy if the club would just disappear. A life without football is difficult to fathom for any football fan. This cinderella club sure has provided their fans some spectacular things to cheer about over the past couple seasons…one can only hope they have the chance to do the same in coming seasons.

If the judge decides Portsmouth shall cease to exist, it will have a HUGE effect on many other teams in the Premier League. Much debate will take place over how this year’s Pompey fixtures should be viewed in the League…should they just all not count? or should every remaining Portsmouth match be considered a victory for the opposition? For example, if the Premier League would decide to just void all matches involving Pompey, teams like Liverpool, who lost at Fratton Park, would greatly benefit. Manchester United and City would lose 6 points, while Chelsea, Arsenal, Villa, Spurs would all lose 3. Liverpool would lose none. I just don’t think it would be fair to reward Liverpool for losing to Portsmouth, but there are not many possible solutions to a team just disappearing from the world’s biggest league.

All we can do is hope that Portsmouth FC don’t receive the death penalty tomorrow…

By RJ Sepich, Villa4Life11

Battle of London

It is a huge weekend in football with there some massive matches in the Premier League. The biggest game would be the tussle between Chelsea and Arsenal. Both are under pressure. Arsenal were hammered and embarrassed by Manchester United last weekend and will be looking for redemption.

Chelsea were held by Hull in a 1-1 draw and are drawing from the fallout from the John Terry scandal. Currently Arsenal are six points behind Chelsea and should they lose here you would think that is it for their title aspirations.

Everton travel to Anfield for the Merseyside derby. Last time they met, Everton were a mess and were no match for Liverpool. Since then they have got most of their injured players back and are a lot more confident and bookmakers have more faith in them. They have risen to ninth place and it seems ridiculous now that only two months ago they were just above the relegation zone. Now soccer betting has them as an outside chance for qualifying for Europe.
Speaking of the relegation zone, things are tight with Hull in 18th spot on 21 points and three other teams also on 21 points. Then you have Wigan in 14th spot on 22 points. Things are very tight at the bottom of the ladder.

Manchester United should have an easy time of it against Portsmouth at Old Trafford. Portsmouth are struggling in last spot and are just about assure of being relegated.

What should be a much tighter contest is fourth placed Tottenham against seventh placed Aston Villa. Only two point separate them and the winner of this could find themselves in the Champions League next year.

Hull now face the blue half of Manchester in a game which could be quite even. Games with relegation implications are Sunderland against Wigan, Stoke and Blackburn, Bolton and Fulham.
On Sunday, Wolves travel to Birmingham to take on the inform side.

Now two-thirds of the way through the season this is the time when you want to make your mark. The worst of winter has gone and European action is about to get back under way. A couple of wins here and you can make your season.

Darren Albert writes for this blog. He also covers live betting and how this moves during a match.

Stretch Run Predictions…

Well, the January transfer window has closed, all cup competitions are heating up, and things are sorting themselves out in the league tables of all tiers of English Football. It’s finally getting to the time of year when you learn what your team is made of and all of the trophies are dished out, as well as the promotion and relegation spots. So let’s take a look at the key battles that we have to look forward to in the closing months of the season…

Carling Cup – I’ll start with easily the least important trophy, but it is still a trophy. After two thrilling, high-scoring Semifinals, it will be Manchester United and Aston Villa meeting in the Final at the hallowed Wembley Stadium on the last day of February. United will go into the match as pretty heavy favorites, but Villa have already proved they can beat the defending league champions this season (0-1 win at Old Trafford). Prediction: I definitely see a tight match with both teams playing conservatively throughout, but in the end I got to go with my Villa boys in the PK Shootout!

FA Cup – The number one club competition in England is still in its early stages, but there has been plenty of action and upsets so far. Manchester United, Liverpool, and Arsenal are all out already, leaving Chelsea, Manchester City, Tottenham, and Villa as the favorites going into the upcoming Round of 16. Chelsea look a good bet to defend their title, but you never know what’s going to happen on any given Saturday in the FA Cup. Prediction: Repeating in any tournament is extremely hard so I’m going to stay away from the safe pick of Chelsea. I’ll go out on a limb and say Manchester City bring home the silverware over Chelsea in the Final this season. Who says money can’t buy trophies? haha

Race for Fourth – Possibly the most interesting race of them all this year doesn’t even involve a trophy. Four clubs have legitimate chances of finishing the 2010 campaign in the coveted four place in the league that means Champions League Qualification. Manchester City, Tottenham, Liverpool, and Villa will slug it out for the one available spot in Europe’s premier club competition. Prediction: I really think the Big Four’s reign will end this season. Liverpool just can’t rely on two players for an entire season, especially when both of those players are often injured. I’m not going to pick Villa either. I simply think that we are just not good enough at this point to finish in fourth. So that leaves City and Spurs. I’ll say I’m leaning towards City at the moment just based on pure talent, but this could be an exciting battle that comes down to the last day…

Premier League Title – I was hoping this would be a heavily contested three horse race that would come down to the wire, but after Manchester United’s 3-1 domination of Arsenal at the Emirates last weekend, I think it’s safe to say there are only two teams with a shot to bring home the league. United are in search of their fourth consecutive title, while Chelsea are looking to win their third title in the past six years. Chelsea have had a slight edge all season long, and were fortunate to survive January without some of their key players who were at the African Cup of Nations. Prediction: Ever since the beginning of the season I’ve thought it was Chelsea’s year, so I’m going to stick with them. I just can’t see United winning some of the key games at the end without Ronaldo and Chelsea will come away with the title, but it will be close, close, close.

Well that’s about it. Football is always full of surprises and I’ll be absolutely shocked if all of my picks pan out. I’m just gonna enjoy watching everything shake out! Finally, I’ll leave you with my promotion and relegation picks…

RELEGATION – Portsmouth, Burnley, Wigan Athletic
PROMOTION – Newcastle, West Brom, Nottingham Forest

By RJ Sepich, Villa4Life11

Martinez hails Moses potential

Wigan have moved to boost their battle to avoid relegation from the Premier League by snapping up Victor Moses on a three-and-a-half-year deal.

The Latics are struggling in 14th place in the Premier League. They are just two points ahead of the bottom three and succumbed to a home defeat to Everton at the weekend.

Wigan’s Premier League odds suggest they are in something of a relegation scrap.

However, boss Roberto Martinez has bolstered his attacking options at the DW Stadium by signing the England Under-19 forward Moses from Crystal Palace.

The Eagles were forced to sell their prize asset after falling into administration and the striker said he was “sad” to leave the club he made his debut for aged 16.

Martinez is happy to have beaten off other clubs to sign the promising player and declared Moses as a “special talent” who can now “grow in the Premier League” and hopefully help Wigan pull away from the relegation dogfight.

The Spaniard said: “Victor is a real player in the making, and he now needs to show the right character and dedication to match his undoubted talent and I think he can make a terrific impact at Wigan Athletic over the coming months and years.”

Wigan fans were also boosted last week with the news that Maynor Figueroa had signed an extended contract at the DW Stadium despite being linked with a move to Premier League rivals Sunderland during the transfer window.

The football odds suggest Sunderland could also struggle to remain in the top flight this season, and a 0-0 draw against Stoke last night did the side no favours.