The latest Football news from multiligual European online sportsbook, Globet
Man Utd concerns for Scholes
Manchester United fear they could be missing Paul Scholes for their crunch clash with Premiership leaders Arsenal in ten day’s time.
Sources say Scholes was forced to pull out of United’s Champions League clash with Dynamo Kiev on Tuesday after suffering a knee injury in training. Although Scholes had a hospital scan yesterday, Sir Alex Ferguson and his medical staff will meet this morning at United’s training ground to decide on the best course of action.
It is feared Scholes, who underwent exploratory knee surgery after returning early from United’s pre-season tour of the Far East, may need a cartilage operation to cure the latest problem.
Juventus: Chelsea, Arsenal and Rangers player-exchanges
Juventus are locked in player-exchange talks with Arsenal, Chelsea and Scottish giants, Rangers.
Juve sporting director Alessio Secco met Rangers chief scout Ewan Chester in London yesterday. Secco has also had talks with Arsenal and Chelsea to discuss fringe players being farmed out to gain top-team experience in either the SPL or the Premiership.
Any movement would be subject to Walter Smith’s side qualifying for the last 16 of the Champions League with a recognised left-back top of the Ibrox manager’s shopping list. As part of the arrangement Juve would like first refusal on any players the British teams are willing to sell.
Right now the Turin club are not involved in Europe following their demotion to Serie B two seasons ago. Coach Claudio Ranieri, left, wants his fringe players to gain experience of playing abroad ahead of Juventus’s expected return to the Champions League next season.
Liverpool owner Hicks: We back Benitez
Liverpool co-owner Tom Hicks has handed manager Rafa Benetez a vote of confidence after last night’s Champions League defeat at Besiktas.
Benitez has been criticised for his selective use of summer signing Fernando Torres so far this season and Tuesday’s 2-1 defeat by Besiktas left them bottom of their Champions League group.
But Hicks, who owns the club with fellow American George Gillett, told Sky Sports News: “We back Rafa. He’s the right manager.Rafa’s rotation has been his policy for three years. Rafa’s ability to coach and manage in the Champions League should be unquestioned. We had a disappointing loss because we got outplayed by the Turks.”
“I think we have our work cut out, but yes we can qualify. We have to win the next three games.”
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October 25th, 2007
Premiership Betting – Matchday 11 Preview
Reigning Premiership champions, Manchester United, have an opportunity this weekend to go top of the Premier League table for the first time this season. After a poor start, the Red Devils have hauled themselves up to second in the table, and have a very winnable game at home to Middlesbrough on Saturday, while the team at the top of the pile, Arsenal, have a tough trip to Anfield.
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Rampant Red Devils Ready to Cut Down Boro
Man Utd’s season has taken off in recent weeks scoring 12 goals in three consecutive victories. The goal-rush is a welcome departure from the string of a 1-0 wins that characterised their early season form, and suggests that Tevez and Rooney are forging an understanding up front, while Ronaldo – with four goals in three games – looks back to his best. The only downer for coach, Alex Ferguson, is the addition of Paul Scholes to the midfield injury list, alongside Owen Hargreaves and Michael Carrick.
Fergie will however, be confident that his side has the strength in depth to see off struggling Boro at the Theatre of Dreams. His side have been rampant in recent Premier League fixtures and coped with those absentees in Moscow on Tuesday night, winning 4-2. In stark contrast, Boro are in freefall, having taken just one point from their last five league games. Goal-scoring has been a real problem, with the Teessiders failing to score in three of their four away defeats. The one key point in Boro’s favour is the fact that they are unbeaten in four league visits to Old Trafford. Nevertheless, PinnacleSports.com price Man Utd strong favourites at 1.901 (-1.5 & -2), with Middlesbrough 2.03 (+1.5 & +2).
Unbeaten Gunners Face First True Challenge at Anfield
Sunday’s fixture at Anfield, between Liverpool and Arsenal, the Premier League’s two remaining unbeaten sides, is the first big clash of the season, and should provide an indication of their title-credential. The Gunners are top of the Premiership table, and come into the game on the back of 12 consecutive wins in all competitions for the concession of just four goals. The most recent 7-0 Champions League win at home to Slavia Prague, equalled the record win in the competition.
Liverpool’s fortunes have been going in the opposite direction. The Reds have a mountain to climb in Europe after Wednesday night’s defeat in Turkey, and have drawn their last two home league fixtures. Last Saturday’s Derby win at Goodison Park was a welcome fillip, but, Steven Gerrard, put in another muted performance. Rafa Benitez pulled off his captain off after 71 minutes with the scores tied, a surprising move given that Gerrard is Liverpool’s proven match-winner. Fernando Torres sat out that game with a thigh injury, but should be fit by the weekend, while Arsenal will definitely be without top league scorer, Robin Van Persie.
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October 25th, 2007