Chelsea Odds:7/1
Strengths: Desperate to avenge last year's heart wrenching defeat in the final and also with new manager Guus Hiddink- a shrewd knockout tactician-taking over the reins, Chelsea are revitalised and supremely motivated. Against Aston Villa they looked to be back to their defensive best and if the movement clicks upfront, goals will come with it.
Weaknesses: When Chelsea's full backs were stopped under Scolari they often looked clueless. Teams would park infront of their goal and force Chelsea to play through them, consequently they struggled. When Anleka and Drogba don't perform they lack goals and if they lose the first leg of a tie I think they can be stopped.
Key Player: Frank Lampard. Crucial to orchestrate Chelsea's passing and creativity. Alongside Deco and Ballack Chelsea have a truly formidable midfield which will destroy any team not at their best. Lampard is needed for his set-pieces and vital goals from midfield.
Wednesday, 25 February 2009
Champions league assessment
Bayern Munich Odds:14/1
Strengths: Great technical team and a real team spirit instilled by manager Jurgen Klinsmann. Almost all the players in the squad are capable of goals and they are a strong, experienced side- reaching their peak. Perhaps this is the year for them to make up for the disappointment of 1999.
Weaknesses: Very vulnerable on the counter attack. Despite a strong defensive midfield in van Bommel and Borowski, wide men such as Podolski, Ribery and Schweinsteiger can be unwilling to work back; thus leaving them open- especially when Lahm has pushed forward.
Key Player: Franck Ribery. Every team that wins the Champion's League needs a player of real world class quality. Franck Ribery has the potential to be that player. Injury in Euro 2008 prevented him showing his skills but this is the time Bayern need him to prove he is in the same bracket as Messi and Ronaldo.
Strengths: Great technical team and a real team spirit instilled by manager Jurgen Klinsmann. Almost all the players in the squad are capable of goals and they are a strong, experienced side- reaching their peak. Perhaps this is the year for them to make up for the disappointment of 1999.
Weaknesses: Very vulnerable on the counter attack. Despite a strong defensive midfield in van Bommel and Borowski, wide men such as Podolski, Ribery and Schweinsteiger can be unwilling to work back; thus leaving them open- especially when Lahm has pushed forward.
Key Player: Franck Ribery. Every team that wins the Champion's League needs a player of real world class quality. Franck Ribery has the potential to be that player. Injury in Euro 2008 prevented him showing his skills but this is the time Bayern need him to prove he is in the same bracket as Messi and Ronaldo.
Champions league assessment
Barcelona Odds: 11/4
Strengths: With Xavi and Iniesta pulling the strings in midfield and Henry, Eto'o and Messi upfront it is easy to see why, at times, La Blaugrana's football is irresistable. Every defense will stuggle to stop this attacking force and most bookies expect the Catalan club to triumph.
Weaknesses: With all the midfielders looking for goals and both fullbacks bombing on to provide width, teams can often hit Barca on the counter. However with their current La Liga form it is difficult to see them conceding that many goals.
Key Player: Carlos Puyol. Lionel Messi et al may gain all the attacking plaudits, but when Abidal and Alves go walk about and there are no midfielders to cover it is often only Puyol holding the defense together. He wears his heart on his sleeves and will be vital to secure a clean sheet on those tough European away days.
Strengths: With Xavi and Iniesta pulling the strings in midfield and Henry, Eto'o and Messi upfront it is easy to see why, at times, La Blaugrana's football is irresistable. Every defense will stuggle to stop this attacking force and most bookies expect the Catalan club to triumph.
Weaknesses: With all the midfielders looking for goals and both fullbacks bombing on to provide width, teams can often hit Barca on the counter. However with their current La Liga form it is difficult to see them conceding that many goals.
Key Player: Carlos Puyol. Lionel Messi et al may gain all the attacking plaudits, but when Abidal and Alves go walk about and there are no midfielders to cover it is often only Puyol holding the defense together. He wears his heart on his sleeves and will be vital to secure a clean sheet on those tough European away days.
Tuesday, 24 February 2009
Champions league assessment
Atletico Madrid Odds: 25/1
Strengths: Two world class strikers- Aguero and Forlan mean this team can always score goals. And with a packed Vicente Calderon behind them they are extremely difficult to beat in front of home support. If they can stay in touch on the away legs of games then anything could happen.
Weaknesses: Little depth behind their star stikers and wide men, and struggle against the big teams. Tend to lose concentration at the start of the game so if teams get at them early they will shy away from the big occasion.
Key Player: Sergio Aguero. At just 20 years of age this Argentinian forward is a prdigy and one of the hottest prospects in world football. Now could be the chance for him to show his stuff and prove why. With pace, skill, strength and a terrific shot every defender who faces him will have to be wary of the one they call 'Kun'.
Strengths: Two world class strikers- Aguero and Forlan mean this team can always score goals. And with a packed Vicente Calderon behind them they are extremely difficult to beat in front of home support. If they can stay in touch on the away legs of games then anything could happen.
Weaknesses: Little depth behind their star stikers and wide men, and struggle against the big teams. Tend to lose concentration at the start of the game so if teams get at them early they will shy away from the big occasion.
Key Player: Sergio Aguero. At just 20 years of age this Argentinian forward is a prdigy and one of the hottest prospects in world football. Now could be the chance for him to show his stuff and prove why. With pace, skill, strength and a terrific shot every defender who faces him will have to be wary of the one they call 'Kun'.
Champions league assessment
Arsenal Odds:14/1
Strengths: On their day nobody in the world can match Arsenal for passing and movement. Their flowing football is unstoppable when it is at its best- as was proved when they went unbeaten for the whole of the 2003-04 season. If they can perform on the big occasions then they have a chance of victory.
Weaknesses: This season sees Arsenal languishing at fifth in the premier league. Winning this competition may be their only chance of qualification again next year. Three consecutive 0-0 draws show their toothlessness up front- however with Fabregas, Adebayor and Eduardo all returning from injury soon they may be able to overturn this slump.
Key Player: Cesc Fabregas- The Spaniard may not have been able to recreate
last season's astounding form and has struggled with injury. But if Arsenal are to have a chance of winning then they will need all of his goals and perfectly sruck passes, when he returns from injury.
Strengths: On their day nobody in the world can match Arsenal for passing and movement. Their flowing football is unstoppable when it is at its best- as was proved when they went unbeaten for the whole of the 2003-04 season. If they can perform on the big occasions then they have a chance of victory.
Weaknesses: This season sees Arsenal languishing at fifth in the premier league. Winning this competition may be their only chance of qualification again next year. Three consecutive 0-0 draws show their toothlessness up front- however with Fabregas, Adebayor and Eduardo all returning from injury soon they may be able to overturn this slump.
Key Player: Cesc Fabregas- The Spaniard may not have been able to recreate
last season's astounding form and has struggled with injury. But if Arsenal are to have a chance of winning then they will need all of his goals and perfectly sruck passes, when he returns from injury.Champion's League is back!
Today sees the return of the champion's league, in its first knock-out 16 teams battle for a place in the quater finals in what many pundits are calling the strongest line up ever. The armchai analyst takes a look at each team and their chances. All odds courtesy of sky bet.
Fixtures:
Arsenal vs Roma
Atletico Madrid vs FC Porto
Inter Milan vs Manchester United.
Lyon vs Barcelona
Chelsea vs Juventus
Real Madrid vs Liverpool
Sporting vs Bayern Munich
Villareal vs Panathinaikos
Fixtures:
Arsenal vs Roma
Atletico Madrid vs FC Porto
Inter Milan vs Manchester United.
Lyon vs Barcelona
Chelsea vs Juventus
Real Madrid vs Liverpool
Sporting vs Bayern Munich
Villareal vs Panathinaikos
Sunday, 22 February 2009
Hiddink finds winning ways with homage to Mourinho
Yesterday, in his first game in charge, Guus Hiddink led Chelsea to a 1-0 victory over top four rivals Aston Villa.
In a victory that could prove crucial in the race for Champion's League qualification Chelsea dominated early possession and it payed off in the 19th minute when Nicolas Anelka chipped Brad Friedel following a great passing move and some superb skill from Frank Lampard to evade two challenges before threading it through to the Frenchman.
Despite an Ashley Young free kick striking the bar Chelsea continued to dominate the half and on another day could have been made to regret the numerous missed chances. The teams went in at the break 0-1.
After the break Aston Villa were much sharper. Their continued pressure forced good saves three excellent saves out of Petr Cech- in the end though the three games in six days seemed to take its toll as they couldn't find their cutting edge. Chelsea hung on and could have extended their lead through Drogba and Bosingwa.
The final whistle sounded to jubilant cheers from the Chelsea fans who knew the significance of this result; it was a result reminiscent of the Mourinho era, a 1-0 victory built on solid foundations with incisive movement upfront.
The similarities were uncanny, as Hiddink reverted to the trademark 4-3-3/4-5-1 which Mourinho utilised so effectively. Drogba looked back to his best deployed straight down the middle with Kalou and Anelka as wide forwards, who can drop back when necessary. Anelka's goal also looks to have put to rest the idea that he can't play with the powerful Ivoirian.
With Hiddink in place until the end of the season Abramovich looks to have found at the third attempt what he has been missing ever since the Portuguese master's departure: another 'Mourinho'. And, if results continue improving Chelsea fans can have no doubt that their billionaire owner will try to keep the Dutchman in his services, even at the cost of his beloved Russian national team.
Whether Hiddink is prepared to separate from his project before the 2010 world cup in South Africa is a different question entirely.
Managerial views:-
Hiddink: "We played good football the only thing is we forgot to finish it off with a second goal"
O'Neill: "Overall I'm delighted with the team, delighted with the effort, and I think the mid-week game obviously didn't help us"
In a victory that could prove crucial in the race for Champion's League qualification Chelsea dominated early possession and it payed off in the 19th minute when Nicolas Anelka chipped Brad Friedel following a great passing move and some superb skill from Frank Lampard to evade two challenges before threading it through to the Frenchman.
Despite an Ashley Young free kick striking the bar Chelsea continued to dominate the half and on another day could have been made to regret the numerous missed chances. The teams went in at the break 0-1.
After the break Aston Villa were much sharper. Their continued pressure forced good saves three excellent saves out of Petr Cech- in the end though the three games in six days seemed to take its toll as they couldn't find their cutting edge. Chelsea hung on and could have extended their lead through Drogba and Bosingwa.
The final whistle sounded to jubilant cheers from the Chelsea fans who knew the significance of this result; it was a result reminiscent of the Mourinho era, a 1-0 victory built on solid foundations with incisive movement upfront.
The similarities were uncanny, as Hiddink reverted to the trademark 4-3-3/4-5-1 which Mourinho utilised so effectively. Drogba looked back to his best deployed straight down the middle with Kalou and Anelka as wide forwards, who can drop back when necessary. Anelka's goal also looks to have put to rest the idea that he can't play with the powerful Ivoirian.
With Hiddink in place until the end of the season Abramovich looks to have found at the third attempt what he has been missing ever since the Portuguese master's departure: another 'Mourinho'. And, if results continue improving Chelsea fans can have no doubt that their billionaire owner will try to keep the Dutchman in his services, even at the cost of his beloved Russian national team.
Whether Hiddink is prepared to separate from his project before the 2010 world cup in South Africa is a different question entirely.
Managerial views:-
Hiddink: "We played good football the only thing is we forgot to finish it off with a second goal"
O'Neill: "Overall I'm delighted with the team, delighted with the effort, and I think the mid-week game obviously didn't help us"
Wednesday, 11 February 2009
RBS Six Nations- Week 1
The opening weekend of Six Nations 2009 saw three games full of drama and controversy with some great rugby in between. England faced Italy and Ireland played France in the biggest game of the weekend. On Sunday, Scotland would try to hold out reigning champions Wales at Murrayfield. Below is a summary of the results and scorers. For a more in depth match report click on the specific posts.
3pm Saturday 7th February, Twickenham
England 36-11 Italy
Tries: ENG; Goode, Ellis (2), Flutey, Cueto. ITA; Mi Bergamasco
Penalties: ENG; Goode. ITA; McLean (2)
Conversions: ENG; Goode (4)
Official MOM- Ellis
5pm Saturday 7th February, Croke Park
Ireland 30-21 France
Tries: IRE; Heaslip, O'Driscoll, D'Arcy. FRA; Harinordoquy, Medard.
Penalties: IRE; O'Gara (3). FRA; Beauxis
Drop Goals: FRA; Beauxis (2)
Conversions: IRE; O'Gara (3). FRA; Beauxis
3pm Sunday 8th February, Murrayfield
Scotland 13-26 Wales
Tries: SCO; Evans. WAL; Shanklin, AW Jones, Halfpenny, S Williams
Penalties: SCO; Paterson (2). WAL; S Jones (2)
Conversions: Paterson
Team Pnts
England 2
Wales 2
Ireland 2
France 0
Scotland 0
Italy 0
3pm Saturday 7th February, Twickenham
England 36-11 Italy
Tries: ENG; Goode, Ellis (2), Flutey, Cueto. ITA; Mi Bergamasco
Penalties: ENG; Goode. ITA; McLean (2)
Conversions: ENG; Goode (4)
Official MOM- Ellis
5pm Saturday 7th February, Croke Park
Ireland 30-21 France
Tries: IRE; Heaslip, O'Driscoll, D'Arcy. FRA; Harinordoquy, Medard.
Penalties: IRE; O'Gara (3). FRA; Beauxis
Drop Goals: FRA; Beauxis (2)
Conversions: IRE; O'Gara (3). FRA; Beauxis
3pm Sunday 8th February, Murrayfield
Scotland 13-26 Wales
Tries: SCO; Evans. WAL; Shanklin, AW Jones, Halfpenny, S Williams
Penalties: SCO; Paterson (2). WAL; S Jones (2)
Conversions: Paterson
Team Pnts
England 2
Wales 2
Ireland 2
France 0
Scotland 0
Italy 0
Saturday, 7 February 2009
RBS Six Nations
Today the Six nations began- Wales, last year's Grand Slam winners will be looking to defend their crown and enter this year's tournament as favourites. However it won't be easy: France will play their usual dangerous attacking rugby, Italy are improving year after year and the other British nations will be looking to make up for disappointing Autumn internationals where none of them won a single game! It's going to be close- who do you think will win?
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