Carling Cup Final
Chelsea evs (2.00) v Arsenal 9/4 (3.25), the draw 9/4 (3.25)
Chelsea are without the talismanic John Terry once more as he suffered ankle ligament damage in Porto. Chelsea must be low on confidence of late as they are not playing to their full potential and their squad has been crippled with injuries. Arsenal however are a team that never appear to lack confidence. Certainly Arsene Wenger has confidence in his young guns and is tipped to stick with most of them on Sunday. Denilson and the like have shown skill and technique beyond their years and are sure to push Chelsea all the way. If we see the same Arsenal that thrashed Liverpool this game will be won by Wenger’s men. A 2-1 Arsenal victory is 11/1 with Jeremie Aliadiere 8/1 for the 1st goal. I got 6/5 about over 2.5 goals which has a huge chance at a decent price.
Other games Sunday 25th Feb
Blackburn 11/10 v Portsmouth 2/1, the draw 9/4. This game could go either way and I wouldn’t like to wage too much on either. I go for the draw here in a very tight encounter. 0-0 is 7/1 and 1-1 is 11/2.
Tottenham 11/10 v Bolton 2/1, the draw 9/4. A combination of Tottenham’s good home form with Bolton’s indifferent away form leads me to a home win in this one. Martin Jol’s team often play attractive football at White Hart Lane so I expect them to knock a few goals in here. 3-1 is 16/1 with Dimitar Berbatov 5/1 to score 1st/last.
Wigan 11/8 v Newcastle 13/8, the draw 11/5. Wigan are hovering perilously close to the bottom of the table and a win would help them no end. However this one has draw written all over it. 1-1 is 11/2
All my markets and prices are available via betfred.com
Good Luck,
Fred.
February 24th, 2007
Inter Milan to offer night-owl Adriano to Man Utd
Corriere dello Sport says Inter management have lost their patience indulging the Brazilian after he spent the early hours of Wednesday morning partying ahead of a crucial Champions League tie with Valencia. It’s reported that Adriano was at one local nightclub until 4am in the morning – and then moved onto another! The Brazilian was left on the bench by coach Roberto Mancini for the draw. It was the last straw for Inter management, which are now ready to use Adriano as a carrot to tempt United into parting with Ronaldo. Should the Premiership leaders refuse, Inter will turn to Barcelona and a potential swap deal for Leo Messi.
Juventus ask Liverpool for Crouch in Trezeguet talks
The France international is a confirmed target for Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez, who admitted his interest in the want-away forward earlier this week. Juve have already been shutdown over demands for Steven Gerrard to be included in the talks, but an alternative has been put forward by the Bianconeri management – Peter Crouch. A swap which will see the England international move to Turin in exchange for Trezeguet has already tentatively begun, says Corriere dello Sport.
Bellamy dismisses Liverpool exit talk
“I am a player who has always been linked with other clubs each season,” Bellamy told the Daily Star. “At Blackburn last year it was ‘he’s moving on’ all that sort of stuff. At Newcastle I was joining a different club in every transfer window. I live with speculation. When you are at a club like Liverpool and are my sort of player there are always going to be stories about getting rid or bringing someone else in. It doesn’t bother me at all, it’s part of football and life. I am going to enjoy the moment, which I repeat is the best of my career. This result after all that had been said about me is right up there.”
Nedved: I chose Juventus ahead of Chelsea money
The Czech Republic star admitted: “For Juve, I chose to turn down the money of (Chelsea owner) Roman Abramovich. “I don’t regret anything. I have achieved everything I want to with Juventus”.
LA Galaxy chasing Celtic outcast Gravesen
John Sivebaek admitted: “It was a surprise he did not start against AC Milan. “I have no explanation for it. As a player you have to accept the manager’s decision and that is what Thomas is doing. We all know, though, a player at his level cannot accept the situation as it is for a long time. Thomas is still happy at Celtic, and he has two and a half years remaining, but things can change quickly.”
US Major League outfit LA Galaxy, who will welcome David Beckham this summer, today expressed their interest in Gravesen, who played at Real Madrid with the world’s most famous footballer. Galaxy head coach Frank Yallop said: “Thomas Gravesen would be welcome here. He is a very good player with great experience at the highest level of club and international football. I think he could be a superstar in the MLS.”
Kiwi Killen ready to pen Hibs contract
The New Zealander, who is recovering from an Achilles operation, told the Edinburgh Evening News: “I still have the contract offer on the table and, although I have not got round to it as I’ve been concentrating on the injury, I’m sure I’ll be sorting something out in the near future.
“I am really happy at Hibs. I almost feel as if I have a bit of unfinished business, a lot more to show the fans. I’ve been offered another year but I leave these sort of things to my agent while I get on with the football. It’s brilliant that Hibs are doing the right thing and have said the offer is still there for me and I am looking forward to being back the way I was before the injury. But I also think it also shows they know they have a player who is, hopefully, going to be a great asset for them.”
Thanks to UK bookie, Globet for this football news update.
February 24th, 2007