Liverpool vs Manchester City - Match Preview

21:17

A much awaited match on the new year's eve - Liverpool vs Manchester City. 

 City and Liverpool, both are playing well and are on 3rd and 2nd position respectively. 

 Liverpool have won 3, lost 1 and drawn 1 out of their last 5. Liverpool have 5 injured players and some important ones like; Philippe Coutinho (malleolar injury), Joel Matip (malleolar) and Marko Grujic due to a unknown injury. Centre-back Dejan Lovren is on a risk of suspension, having picked 4 yellow cards in 15 matches. With Coutinho injured Liverpool will face a huge task, battling a top grade team like Manchester City.

 Manchester City, on the other hand, have also won 3, drawn, 1 and lost 1. City has 3 players injured and 1 player is out due to a suspension. Iikay Gundogan, their star midfielder is out due to a crucial ligament rupture and is expected to return on 29th of January 2017. Skipper Vincent Kompany is out due to a knee injury and will be available for their next match against Burnley F.C. Yaya Toure will be suspended due to the reason of no eligibility and Aleksander Kolarov can be suspended, if he picks up a yellow card in this match having picked 4 yellow cards in 17 appearances. City can lose points because they don't have their impressive midfielder Iikay Gundogan and Vincent Kompany.

 For me Liverpool are the favorites to win the tie. But City is no less. Let's see and follow the blog for more. :D 

Chelsea vs Stoke City - Match Preview

11:40

Chelsea will be looking to extend their winning streak by playing Stoke at Stamford Bridge.

 Chelsea are currently the best performing team in the Premier League and also the favorites to win the League. Arsene Wenger has also said that he is pleased with the current form of Chelsea and said that records are there to be broken. Chelsea will be without their second choice forward Pedro who is out with suspension, but they will get boosted up with Diego Costa returning against Stoke City.

 Stoke City currently stand on the 13th position and are on an awful run - winning just 1, drawing 2 and losing 2, so they will be looking to beat Chelsea or even playing a draw because Chelsea are on 12 match winning streak and it won't be news to them if they drop points against Stoke. Stoke will be without their first-choice keeper Jack Butland who is still out due to a malleolar injury which he suffered in the month of March. Stoke's left-winger Marko Arnautovic is still serving his 4-match ban. 

 Chelsea are the favorites to win this match and I see no hope for Stoke to beat Chelsea but anything can happen. Let's see.
Chelsea will square off against Stoke City at 8:30 pm on 31st December. (time according to Indian Standard Meridian.)  

EPL Fixtures - Week 19

11:31

Saturday, 31 December
Hull City
1:30 AM
Everton
Burnley FC
8:30 PM
Sunderland
Man United
8:30 PM
Middlesbrough
Swansea City
8:30 PM
Bournemouth
Chelsea
8:30 PM
Stoke City
Southampton
8:30 PM
West Brom
Leicester City
8:30 PM
West Ham
Liverpool
11:00 PM
Man. City
Sunday, 1 January
Watford
7:00 PM
Tottenham
Arsenal
9:30 PM
Crystal Palace
All times are in India Standard Time

Transfer Talk

22:41



Juventus gives United and Chelsea a blow with a swap deal.

 The Italian giants have given a big blow to both Manchester United and Chelsea's ambition to sign James Rodriguez by plotting a swap deal to take Rodriguez and give Real Paulo Dybala. Source: express.com.

Man Utd won't sign Lindelof in January.

 Manchester United will not sign Victor Lindelof in January despite being linked to the Benfica defender. The form of Phil Jones and Marcus Rojo has convinced manager Jose Mourinho. Source: BBC.
Arsenal choose Reus as Alexis successor.

 Arsenal have chosen Marco Reus to be Alexis Sanchez's successor if the Chilean decides to leave the club in 2017 for China. Source: The Daily Mail. 
Allardyce target Gibbs as first signing.

 Crystal Palace manager Sam Allardyce has targeted Arsenal full-back, Kieran Gibbs, as his first target of the January transfer window, as he looks to power-up his team for a relegation fight. Source: The Sun.
Barca exploring coaching market.

 Barcelona are keeping an eye on the coaching market as they look to find a potential replacement for Luis Enrique, with the current coach at Camp Nou yet to agree on an extension deal with the Catalans. Source: Goal.com.
Roma and Milan in for Wilshere.

 Serie A sides AS Roma and AC Milan are set to rekindle their interest in Arsenal-owned, Jack Wilshere, whose contract with the Gunners expires in 2018. Source: Calciomercato.com.
Sevilla want Martial on loan.

 Europa League winners, Sevilla want Manchester United's Anthony Martial on loan in January as their top priority. The French international who joined United in 2015 as the most expensive teenager from Monaco has scored 12 goals in 42 appearances for the Red Devils has been out of form for quite some time. Source: RMC.
Chelsea and Liverpool tracking Joe Hart.

 Chelsea will turn to Joe Hart this summer to replace Thibaut Courtois if he leaves to join Real Madrid, but the Stamford Bridge will have to compete with Liverpool, who see him as a solution for their goalkeeping crisis. Source: The Mirror.




Manchester United vs Sunderland - Match Report

18:38

Manchester United give David Moyes a forgetful gift on his return to Old Trafford.

 Zlatan Ibrahimovic helps United to level with Hotspurs as they beat Sunderland 3-1. 

 United failed to threat Sunderland with their attacks. The only interesting one was the Paul Pogba cross being saved by Pickford easily. Jordan Pickford sent his volley on a counter attack for Defoe who controlled the ball amazingly before transferring the ball on his left foot and firing it wide from goal. De Gea saved a van Aanholt freekick easily.

 Pogba and Lingard combined well before a brilliant lay-off by Lingard to Pogba who curled with his right before hitting the post.

 Defoe chipped the ball into the United box which forced De Gea to save double shots from- Victor Anichebe and Borini. Pogba shot from range but it was straight in the hand of Jordan Pickford. Pogba then tried his luck with a volley from 18-yards but shot it above the bar.

 Blind finally got United in lead by a fantastic run from the full-back. Ibrahimovic controlled the ball for some time and saw Blind making a run for it, he got the ball and finished it like a top class striker.

 Mata curled in a free kick with his left and forced Pickford for a fantastic save. Pogba saw his powerful header go above the crossbar four minutes into the break. 

 Mata played a lovely through ball to Zlatan after nutmegging a Sunderland defender but the Swedish shot it high and powerful over the bar.

 Mkhitaryan's through ball to Zlatan forced Pickford again to make a fantastic save with his leg to bring hopes for Sunderland. 

 Dong gave away the ball to Pogba who made a run before passing it to Zlatan who finished it sweetly and gave United 2 goal advantage. 

 But it was Mkhitaryan who stole the show with his lovely little scorpion kick. Mkhitaryan found Zlatan's cross and finished it with a lovely scorpion kick and it was game over for Sunderland.

 Fabio Borini bought a consolation goal for Sunderland with his thumping volley from a distance of 25-yards, amazing. 

 Match Facts- 
                                 MUN                                                                  SUN
                                 
                                62%                     Possession                               38%

                                26(9)                    Shots(on goal)                         7(4)

                                6                           Fouls                                      9 

                                1                           Yellow Cards                          2

                                0                          Red Cards                               0

                               4                           Offsides                                  2 

                               6                           Corners                                   5

                              3                           Saves                                       6


                              

                                 

Chelsea vs Bournemouth - Match Report

11:55

Chelsea beat Bournemouth to set club record for 12 straight wins.

Chelsea beat Bournemouth to set a new club record and extend their lead by 9 points at Stamford Bridge.

Two goals from Pedro Rodriguez and one from Eden Hazard sealed the points for the Blues as they showed no sign of missing striker Diego Costa who was suspended alongside midfielder N'Golo Kante.

The win moves Conte's side 7 points clear of second placed Manchester City while Liverpool host Stoke City on Tuesday. Chelsea are now just 2 victories away from matching the League record of straight victories set by Arsenal across the 2001-02 and 2002-03 seasons.

After taking time to find their shape, Hazard found Cesc Fabregas and fed Pedro who curled it with his left from the edge of the box and opened the scoring for the Blues.

Jack Wilshere was a lively presence for the visitors and took on Gary Cahill in the Chelsea box before forcing Courtois into a smart save. The on-loan midfielder had then a volley blocked.

Chelsea's second came four minutes into the second half when Simon Francis stuck out a leg and tripped Hazard in the Bournemouth box. The Belgian then sent Boruc to the wrong side to bring up his half-century in England.

Hazard shot his next wide with Pedro lurking. Willian forced Boruc to save smartly and Victor Moses shot wide. But it was not one way as Courtois saved from substitute Benik Afobe.

Conte called Courtois to kick the ball out so he could take off Hazard to give him a rousing reception and to send in Batshuayi. But he had to wait as Courtois failed to find his touch and Pedro netted a deflected goal on the break.

Match Facts-

                          CHE                                                                    BOU
                                                                                        
                                    44 %                        Possession                          56%

                                   14(4)                       Shots(on goal)                     7(3)

                                   13                           Fouls                                   14

                                   1                             Yellow Cards                        1

                                   0                             Red Cards                            0

                                  1                             Off-sides                               1

                                  5                            Corners                                 5

                                 3                             Saves                                    2


Chelsea vs Bournemouth - Match Preview

17:42

Premier League leaders will be facing Bournemouth as their opponents in the traditional Boxing Day match. Chelsea has a 11 match winning streak in the league and have won their last 3 matches by only a goal difference, but that doesn't mean that it will not give them 3 points and lead Liverpool by 6 points who face Stoke City tomorrow. Bournemouth on the other hand, have lost 3 and won 2 out of their last 5 and the victories were against Liverpool and Leicester - 4-3 and 1-0 respectively. 
Chelsea will be without their star striker, Diego Costa and N' Golo Kante who are facing one-match suspension. So Chelsea would rather play Michy Batshuayi in place of Costa or can try 3-4-3 formation. Captain John Terry still remains out due to a gluteal strain. 

 Junior Stanislas and Andrew Surman can start for Bournemouth. Stanislas who has not started since the beginning of the month due to an ankle problem and Surman due to a hamstring. Lewis Cook remains sidelined due to an ankle injury. Bournemouth's manager Eddie Howe is confident about a positive result and says that " Results like [the 4-3 win against Liverpool], just reaffirm the idea about beating anyone." 

 So my prediction for this match is that Chelsea should win easily even if Diego Costa is not available they have the potential to beat a team like Bournemouth. 

Transfer Talk

21:13


Valencia target Rojo.

 Valencia have launched a bid for Manchester United defender Marcus Rojo and are hopeful to get the Argentinian under their cover at 14 million euros. Source: Daily Mirror.
Koeman eyes Barkley for Sissoko.

 Ronald Koeman has run out of patience with Ross Barkley and is ready to swap him with Moussa Sissoko by offering Tottenham a swap deal. Source: Daily Mirror.
Rooney to be offered 700k- pounds a week.

 Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney has been offered a 700k pounds per week deal by Chinese club, Beijing Guoan and Guangzhou Evergrande both interested. Source: Daily Mirror. 
Tevez set to leave Boca to big-money Chinese Super League.

 Carlos Tevez is all set to leave his boyhood club Boca Juniors by joining Chinese club Shanghai Shenhua. The 32-year old is expected to announce his 84-million euro deal with the club who are already being coached by former Uruguay midfielder Gus Poyet. Source: Marca.
Kroos and Rakitic on Juve radar.

 Juventus have got German midfielder, Toni Kroos on their radar and are willing to pay 60-million euro for him. If the club can't sign Kroos they can go after Rakitic or Marco Verratti. Source: Tuttosports. 
West Ham plan Defoe bid.

 West Ham are set to offer 7-million euro to Sunderland striker Jermain Defoe to solve their crisis up front. Source: The Sun.
Julian Draxler set to join PSG from Wolfsburg in reported 46-million euros.

 The German attacking midfielder has reportedly signed for PSG in a 46-million euro deal from Wolfsburg. Wolfsburg say that the 23-year old has signed for a four and a half year deal with the French giants. Source: The Guardian.




Manchester United vs Sunderland - Match Preview

11:26

So it's United against Sunderland on the Boxing Day. United have been unbeaten in their last 5 league games, winning 3 and drawing 2 and they were beaten the last time by Fenerbahce 2-1 in Europa League. Sunderland on the other side, have lost 3 and won 2 out of their last 5. So clearly from this point, United have the upper hand.

And Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Eric Bailly can feature in the starting line-up for United with Luke Shaw as the only absentee who is out with a groin strain. Of course, United will get a boost if Mkhitaryan and Bailly both are fit to play. The Armenian Magician has been quiet impressive whenever he has started a game, so he can be very useful again vs Sunderland.

Adnan Januzaj will be missing the match as he is ineligible under the terms of loan agreement and will join Jan Kirchhoff who has undergone surgery for a knee cartilage injury which will, most probably keep him out for 12 weeks.

Defenders Billy Jones (hip injury) and Javier Manquillo (hamstring) and midfielder Steven Pienaar (calf injury) have returned to training, but Lee Cattermole (hip injury), Paddy McNair and Duncan Watmore both knee injury, Jack Rodwell (hamstring) and Lynden Gooch (ankle) are still out. So here also United will be getting the upper hand and for me are the favorites to win this game at Old Trafford. 


Transfer Talk

20:47


Guardiola wants Sanchez and Griezmann.

 Pep Guardiola wants both Griezmann and Sanchez and is keen to invest in the summer heavily in summer with both on his list. Sources: Manchester Evening News.
Chelsea drop James Rodriguez.

 Chelsea have drop their interest in James Rodriguez as they feel that the Colombian is over-valued. Source: The Sun.
Jese accepts Las Palmas loan.

 The PSG forward has accepted a loan offer from the Spanish club, Las Palmas despite another offer from AC Milan. Source: Cadena SER.
Valencia signs new Man Utd deal.

 Antonio Valencia has signed a new two-year deal with Jose Mourinho after impressing the Portuguese this season. Source: The Sun.
PSG confident in luring Wenger to Paris.

 The French giants are looking to replace Unai Emery, and have targeted the Arsenal boss as a successor for Emery at Parc des Princes. Source: The Sun.
Manchester United looking to beat Arsenal for Payet.

 Jose Mourinho plans to beat Arsenal to bring The Hammers' star Dimirti Payet to Old Trafford. Payet's future is in doubt, with Steven Bilic's men battling relegation this season. Source: Daily Star.


La Liga Fixtures - Week 17

20:01



Saturday, 7 January
Espanyol
1:15 AM
Deportivo
Real Madrid
5:30 PM
Granada
Eibar
8:45 PM
Atlético Madrid
Celta Vigo
11:00 PM
Málaga
Sunday, 8 January
Real Sociedad
1:15 AM
Sevilla
Ath. Bilbao
4:30 PM
Alavés
Real Betis
8:45 PM
Leganes
Las Palmas
11:00 PM
Sporting
Monday, 9 January
Villarreal
1:15 AM
Barcelona
Tuesday, 10 January
Osasuna
1:15 AM
Valencia
All times are in India Standard Time

EPL Fixtures - Week 18

19:54






Monday, 26 December
Watford
6:00 PM
Crystal Palace
Arsenal
8:30 PM
West Brom
Burnley FC
8:30 PM
Middlesbrough
Swansea City
8:30 PM
West Ham
Man United
8:30 PM
Sunderland
Chelsea
8:30 PM
Bournemouth
Leicester City
8:30 PM
Everton
Hull City
10:45 PM
Man. City
Tuesday, 27 December
Liverpool
10:45 PM
Stoke City
Thursday, 29 December
Southampton
1:15 AM
Tottenham
All times are in India Standard Time

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