Monday, February 17, 2014
Premier League Week 27 Fixtures: Final-Score Predictions for Upcoming Schedule
The West London side lead the rest by just a solitary point, per BBC Sport.
As the midweek fixtures were decimated by the inclement weather sweeping across the UK, Chelsea's draw at West Brom was enough to see them extend their advantage.
Arsenal could only manage a draw against a staggering Manchester United team, who managed to defensively contain the Gunners at the Emirates to earn a point, and almost took all three.
So who will take the advantage in Week 27? Here is a list of all the fixtures and score predictions:
Premier League Week 27 Schedule and Predictions
Fixture Date Time (GMT) TV Info Prediction
Chelsea v Everton Feb. 22 12:45 p.m. BT Sport 2-1
Arsenal v Sunderland Feb. 22 3:00 p.m. 3-0
Cardiff City v Hull City Feb. 22 3:00 p.m. 1-0
Manchester City v Stoke City Feb. 22 3:00 p.m. 4-0
West Brom v Fulham Feb. 22 3:00 p.m. 1-1
West Ham v Southampton Feb. 22 3:00 p.m. 2-1
Crystal Palace v Manchester United Feb. 22 5:30 p.m. Sky Sports 1-1
Liverpool v Swansea City Feb. 23 1:30 p.m. 3-1
Newcastle v Aston Villa Feb. 23 1:30 p.m. Sky Sports 1-1
Norwich v Tottenham Hotspur Feb. 23 4:00 p.m. Sky Sports 1-3
premierleague.com
Chelsea v Everton
Chelsea take on a buoyant Everton side in the early kick-off on Saturday.
It has been a wonderful start for Roberto Martinez to his reign on Merseyside, with his team still very much in contention for the last Champions League position.
However, the Toffees have slipped to 11th in the Premier League form guide after winning just two of their last six matches. Their away record also reads poorly, with the club only managing six points from a possible 18 on the road.
Chelsea on the other hand are flying high and are undefeated in the league since losing away at Stoke on Dec. 11. Per Squawka, the Blues are now on an undefeated streak of 11 games, having played both Arsenal and Liverpool in that run of matches.
It is difficult to see anything but a win for Mourinho's men, as their credentials of Premier League champions begin to grow.
This is the time of the season where the Portuguese manager comes into his own, showing his ruthless ability to close in on titles and grab whichever silverware he desires.
Everton have overachieved this season and the core quality of their football has improved under their new manager.
But Stamford Bridge will be a bridge too far. Chelsea should power on through the gears and dispose of their opponents with ease. The scoreline might remain tight, but it should be a comfortable win nonetheless.
Prediction: 2-1
Liverpool v Swansea
Stu Forster/Getty Images
As a Swansea side without Michael Laudrup looks to the future and tries to maintain its Premier League status, the country's form side looks to extend its wonderful run.
Liverpool are top of the form guide with 16 points accumulated from their past six home matches.
The combination of Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge with a cast of many have propelled the Reds into not only Champions League contention, but for the English league title as well.
Swansea really do not have a chance at Anfield. Any positive result achieved by them would be a titanic shock especially as Brendan Rodgers' side has destroyed all comers on their own turf.
The Swans are up to 10th in the Premier League table but still only lie four points off the relegation zone.
If Suarez is in the mood it could well turn into a cricket score, but I think the team from South Wales will show some backbone and manage to restrict Liverpool despite losing.
Prediction: 3-1
Crystal Palace v Manchester United
Who knows what the score of a Man Utd match will be these days?
In years gone by a trip to Selhurst Park would not concern United one bit, but in these times of trouble, and with Tony Pulis' team's amazing home form, this could be yet another hard day for David Moyes.
Palace are above United in the form guide and that fact alone is a damning statistic to the reigning league champions.
Palace have won four of their last six games at home, with an unusual slip-up against Newcastle, who beat the Eagles 3-0.
Moyes' side have looked more comfortable away from Old Trafford, and a competent showing away at Chelsea will have delivered some confidence.
But you can't help but feel that some more bad days are still to come.
Palace will have enough to hold a United team yet to find its genuine scoring boots.
One day soon United will click, and the magic of Robin van Persie, Wayne Rooney and Juan Mata will destroy an opponent. However, it will not be against Palace. Pulis has the experience to deal with this United side, and his team will be looking for a counter-punch victory over the Red Devils.
Prediction: 1-1
Champions League 2013-14: Top Players Who Will Shine in Round of 16 1st Leg
Here, we take a look at some of the players likely to prove vital to their teams progressing to the quarter-finals.
Top Players
Diego Costa, Atletico Madrid
The Brazilian striker has struck 26 goals in 35 games for Los Colchoneros this term, and it's difficult to see any hope for AC Milan against Atletico.
Add to that the fact Costa will be facing a Milan side struggling in 10th position in Serie A. I Rossoneri couldn't come at a better time.
Costa is reportedly a target for Chelsea, as mentioned by the Metro.
Having been in formidable form this season, Costa sits only one behind Cristiano Ronaldo in the La Liga scoring charts on 21 goals.
It would be a brave man who bets against him adding to his tally against Milan.
Mario Mandzukic, Bayern Munich
Mandzukic has been in ruthless form for Bayern this term. As per ESPN.com, he has hit 12 goals and two assists in 19 games.
Although they will miss the creative talents of Franck Ribery, Arjen Robben will provide the creative spark needed to feed the goal threat that Mandzukic brings.
Pep Guardiola has long been an advocate of the "false nine" role, a role Mandzukic is not naturally accustomed to. Nevertheless, the former-Wolfsburg man has been in such dependable form this season that Guardiola has been willing to dispense with that philosophy for the goals he brings.
Arsenal's defence, led by Per Mertesacker will have to be on excellent form if they are to nullify the threat Mandzukic poses.
Vincent Kompany, Manchester City
Much has been made of the big-money signings Manchester City have made since the Sheikh Mansour takeover. But it is often forgotten that Vincent Kompany, arguably City's best player in that period, was there before the money rolled in.
Kompany has been at the fulcrum of a City side that has conquered the English game and now will attempt to dominate Europe. If City are to progress, Kompany will be vital to repel the pressure exerted by Barcelona's mesmeric style of play.
Alan Brazil of TalkSport tweeted that Kompany was confident heading into the clash against the Catalan giants:
Kompany has come to represent the virtues the Premier League seeks to extol. He is brave, fast and ferocious in the tackle. But it will be his reading of the game that will be most keenly tested against Barcelona.
Count on Kompany to shepherd City into the quarter-finals.
Source: Bleacherreport
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How Manchester City Will Line Up Against Barcelona in Champions League Play
Manchester City 2-0 Chelsea did nothing to pull back the six Premier League points the Londoners took from City this season. It did not draw City any closer to catching Chelsea or Arsenal in the Premier League.
It guaranteed City nothing by way of silver, as three more hurdles must be cleared before the FA Cup is won.
Still, can you imagine how the headlines would have read in the tabloids if City boss Manuel Pellegrini had his lunch stolen by Mourinho again?
A third loss to Chelsea would have left City winless in February and reeling. What hope would anyone have had for City against mighty Barcelona in Champions League play?
Just one win really can make all the difference.
This is not to suggest that City are now going to steamroll Barcelona or even win the match narrowly. Oddschecker.com has Barcelona as a very slight favorite to win at the Etihad (6/4 as against 19/10 for City).
But the relief and belief the Citizens came away with were neatly encapsulated in Alvaro Negredo's Twitter remarks after the win over Chelsea:
Which leads us nicely into the new big question for Pellegrini which XI will he pick to take on Barcelona?
Pellegrini is very likely to be without star striker Sergio Aguero and invaluable midfielder Fernandinho for this match.
Per David McDonnell of the Mirror, Pellegrini "will give Fernandinho until after training today to prove his fitness, while admitting Aguero has only an outside chance of being fit for the first leg of the last 16 tie."
Aside from the availability of those two, Pellegrini must answer the following questions for himself and his team:
Is Samir Nasri now fit enough to run for 90 minutes? If not, should Nasri start anyway?
Will Pellegrini break up the budding partnership of Edin Dzeko and Stevan Jovetic to start Alvaro Negredo?
Has Pellegrini finally fallen out of love with Martin Demichelis, or will the Argentine slot right back in next to Vincent Kompany?
If you take Pellegrini at his word, Aguero will not even make the team sheet. “It’s my opinion that for Aguero it’s very difficult for him to play,” said Pellegrini to McDonnell. Sending Fernandinho out at less than full health against a dangerous side like Barcelona would be a very bad idea.
The projected City XI below suggests what the answers to those other questions above might be.
City's predicted XI against Barcelona: Joe Hart; Gael Clichy, Vincent Kompany, Martin Demichelis, Pablo Zabaleta; Samir Nasri, David Silva, Yaya Toure, Jesus Navas; Edin Dzeko, Stevan Jovetic.
Source: Bleacherreport
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Wednesday, February 12, 2014
Arsenal vs. Manchester United: Simulating Premier League Tie Using FIFA 14
The Gunners, fresh from their 5-1 humiliation against Liverpool, need three points to continue their charge for the Premier League title. United arrive after yet another abysmal result, this time coming in the form of a 2-2 draw against Fulham, and they need a positive score to keep their hopes of fourth place burning just about.
While the away supporters' sense of dread is certainly justified, hope can be taken from United's 1-0 win over Arsenal earlier in the season.
We excitedly decided to simulate the match using FIFA 14, but boy, did we make a mistake.
Arsenal vs. Manchester United: FIFA 14 Highlights
1' Decent start from Arsenal, who control possession and slowly move forward.
22' Smart play on the edge of United's area sees Mesut Ozil flash a shot at David de Gea's goal. The Spaniard meets a powerful strike with a smart save.
40' No action to report whatsoever. United barely exit their half, while Arsenal look content to keep the ball without threatening.
HALF-TIME: Arsenal 0-0 Manchester United
55' More of the same in the second half. United make a rare journey into Arsenal's box, but Ashley Young's weak effort drifts wide.
67' This is a terrible, terrible (virtual) game of football. Jack Wilshere, Ozil and Santi Cazorla set up a tea party on the halfway line and tell the rest of their teammates they aren't allowed to play.
Jon Super/Associated Press
79' A digital pigeon has just flown into the Clock End. Probably. Elsewhere, the writer of this article can be heard screaming from afar.
85' Lukas Podolski meets a Cazorla cross, but he nods the ball softly into De Gea's hands. That was kind of the German.
FULL-TIME: Arsenal 0-0 Manchester United
Now, usually when there's a lack of action I would bring you a highlights video from the entire game. Unfortunately, Ozil's first half shot was the only moment of note throughout. Join me in weeping, please.
Instead of overrated videos (who needs them?), here's a selection of statistics to drill home the tedium.
Arsenal vs. Manchester United Match Statistics
Arsenal Manchester United
0 Goals 0
4 Shots 2
3 Shots on Target 0
59% Possession % 41%
0 Yellow Cards 0
0 Red Cards 0
0 Offsides 0
2 Corners 0
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Sunday, February 9, 2014
Liverpool vs. Arsenal: Simulating Vital Premier League Battle Using FIFA 14
A second loss to the Gunners this season would see Brendan Rodgers' team trail Arsene Wenger's division leaders by 11 points—a seemingly insurmountable total at this stage in the campaign.
The Reds have been inconsistent in recent weeks, notching up a derby day thrashing of Everton between draws with Aston Villa and West Brom, so there's work to be done.
We threw the upcoming match into FIFA 14 on Xbox One, where the computer crunched numbers and produced a result that may or may not be ultra-realistic. EA Sports' latest update was applied and injury concerns taken into account, as noted on the Premier League's official website.
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Saturday, February 8, 2014
Fantasy Premier League 2014 Week 25: Projections for Top EPL Stars
Big Games, Big Players
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Why the Premier League Is the Most Powerful League in the World
It is easy to snipe at the Premier League for its perceived lack of quality and uncultured football, the unrelenting influx of both foreign players and owners, and the constant failure of its home nation England to make any impact on the international stage.
But nearly 22 years after its launch, the Premier League is still the template for all others for generating both the most wealth and the most excitement around the world.
The Premier League derives most of its power from the simple truth that more people want to watch it than any other league.
On average each Premier League game has a global audience of 12.3 million people, Per Football-Marketing.com, which far outstrips La Liga, the Bundesliga and Serie A.
In fact if you added together the average global audience for these leagues, La Liga with 2.2 million (via EPFL-Euroleagues.com), the Bundesliga (via 2012's economic report) with two million and Serie A (via Alessandro Baroncelli and Raul Caruso) with 4.5 million, it still wouldn’t overtake the all powerful Premier League.
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Premier League Darts 2014: Liverpool Dates, Fixtures and Participants
Michael van Gerwen and Phil Taylor will ignite the tournament as this year's first gigantic battle, held at the huge Liverpool Echo Arena on Thursday, February 6.
The match is a repeat of last year's final, where van Gerwen took his first Premier League crown, defeating the six-time champion Taylor after a stunning comeback, per Sunni Upal of the Mail Online.
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Premier League Week 25 Fixtures: Full Picks and Predictions for Matchday 25
Arsenal hold two points over Manchester City and Chelsea. Liverpool are fending off Everton by two points and Tottenham by three in the race for the final Champions League spot. And the relegation battle is a huge, muddled mess.
For another perspective on just how tight things are at the top of the league, check out this tweet from Paul Carr of ESPN:
The race to the end of the season is going to be fun, folks. And this weekend, the Premier League will have several huge matches with serious implications for the table. Below, we'll take a look at those fixtures, offering predictions and a preview of the top matches to watch for.
Premier League Matchday 25 Fixtures
Date Time (ET) Home Prediction Away
Saturday, February 8 7:45 a.m. Liverpool 1-1 Arsenal
Saturday, February 8 10 a.m. Aston Villa 1-0 West Ham
Saturday, February 8 10 a.m. Chelsea 2-1 Newcastle
Saturday, February 8 10 a.m. Crystal Palace 1-1 West Brom
Saturday, February 8 10 a.m. Norwich City 0-4 Manchester City
Saturday, February 8 10 a.m. Southampton 1-0 Stoke City
Saturday, February 8 10 a.m. Sunderland 1-0 Hull City
Saturday, February 8 12:30 p.m. Swansea City 1-0 Cardiff City
Sunday, February 9 8:30 a.m. Tottenham 1-1 Everton
Sunday, February 9 11 a.m. Manchester United 3-0 Fulham
What to Watch For
Alastair Grant/Associated Press
Without question, the top matchup this weekend is Liverpool hosting Arsenal, a clash between the Reds' second-ranked offense (58 goals) and the Gunners' second-ranked defense (21 goals conceded).
Of course, Arsenal will tip their defensive superiority to win the day. If you take away the six goals they conceded to Manchester City, the Gunners have allowed just 16 goals in 23 matches while keeping a clean sheet against Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium.
And according to ESPN, the Gunners are unbeaten in their last 32 Premier League games when Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny start and finish a game together at centre-back. As Mertesacker told Mark Irwin of The Sun, he's really enjoying his football next to Koscielny:
We know each other much better now and we complement each other well. Laurent is more mobile and I have more height. It fits together perfectly because these days centre-backs are more than just tall defenders whose only job is to head away the long balls.
Laurent is one of the quickest players I've ever partnered and he anticipates things so well, and we feed off each other's strengths and that is the main key to our success this season. The statistic seems unreal to me. When someone first told me about our record, it sounded very weird. It's a good statistic but now we have to build on that.
Of course, dealing with Luis Suarez (23 goals, seven assists) and Daniel Sturridge (14 goals, three assists) is no easy task. But Arsenal should have Jack Wilshere back for the match, according to Jack De Menezes of The Independent, a huge boost the Gunners should he be fit enough to start.
Expect a tight, entertaining match.
Everton and Tottenham on Sunday should also be an excellent contest. While Romelu Lukaku remains out with an ankle injury, the Toffees have relied on a strong defense (25 goals conceded) and the bright play of 20-year-old Ross Barkley this season.
Tottenham, meanwhile, are a team still searching for an identity (and a top-four finish) this season. All season long, they've played like a squad that was hoping someone could fill the void left by Gareth Bale, but no one has quite stepped up to the challenge. New manager Tim Sherwood has breathed some life into the squad, but Spurs need to start consistently winning games to get back into the Champions League race.
Alastair Grant/Associated Press
A match against a tough, disciplined Everton side is a difficult place to start.
Chelsea against Newcastle could be an intriguing contest. Or it could be an utter blowout by Chelsea. It's hard to say with this Magpies side, who have really seemed to miss the departed Yohan Cabaye in the midfield.
They did beat Chelsea, 2-0, when last these teams met in the Premier League, however, so this one could get interesting.
Manchester United and new man Juan Mata should be able to get back to their winning ways against hapless Fulham, while all three points are ripe for the taking for Manchester City against Norwich following the Citizens' home loss to Chelsea.
And West Brom and Crystal Palace will both hope to gain some ground on the relegation zone when they face off.
All in all, expect another fun and wild weekend in the Premier League.
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Thursday, February 6, 2014
The NBA Is Not Actually a Rings-or-Bust League
The truth is that our favorite league is a business.
Some owners are successful enough at it (usually owing to geography) to spend into the luxury tax and beyond. The New York Knicks, Los Angeles Lakers and Brooklyn Nets know something about that.
Other, more rare circumstances allow for maxed-out team salaries because lightning has been caught in a bottle as a strong, proud culture has formed around developing superstars. The Oklahoma City Thunder fit that bill, as do the emerging heavyweight Indiana Pacers.
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Football League Trophy 2014 Finals: Bold Predictions for Next Round of Matches
In the southern section League One promotion hopefuls Peterborough United and Swindon Town square off against each other.
The northern section is contested by Fleetwood Town and the current dominant force in League Two, leaders Chesterfield.
Chesterfield are recent winners of the lower-league prestige tournament, defeating Swindon 2-0 in 2012, per BBC Sport.
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Jose Mourinho Claims Chelsea Are 'Little Horse' in Premier League Title Race
The victory leaves Chelsea still behind City and league leaders Arsenal, but only two points separate the top three after 24 matches.
Asked about Chelsea's title hopes after the victory, the Portuguese said in his press conference:
The next pre-season, me and my players will say openly that we are mature, solid from day one and are candidates for the league. This season is about evolution...
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Wednesday, February 5, 2014
Why Joe Allen's Return to Liverpool Midfield Can Be Key to Premier League Push
The Welsh midfielder divides opinion among supporters, but Brendan Rodgers is a huge fan and the more studious supporters realise the attributes he offers to the team.
Indeed, it's no coincidence that Liverpool's best performances this season came during Allen's best spell of form this season too—tough away games at Tottenham, Manchester City and Chelsea, plus home thrashings of Norwich, West Ham and Cardiff.
Allen picked up a groin injury late on in the defeat at Stamford Bridge and has made two sub appearances against Aston Villa and West Brom as he returns from the injury.
Midfield Control
What Liverpool have been struggling to achieve all season is control in midfield—an oddity given Rodgers' desire for such possession football.
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Tuesday, February 4, 2014
Premier League Week 25 Predictions: Projecting Top Fantasy Scorers
The season has been dominated by the outrageous point-scoring exploits of the Uruguayan wonder that is Luis Suarez.
Week 25 should see the Liverpool striker become the first player to go through the 200 points barrier if he can score additional bonus marks in the game against Arsenal.
But which players will have the biggest impact as we crash headlong into February?
Here we review the players you should have in your squads.
Strikers: Christian Benteke, Jay Rodriguez and Wayne Rooney
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Monday, February 3, 2014
Premier League Week 25 Fixtures: Live Stream, TV Info and Predictions
Liverpool face Arsenal in a huge clash at Anfield, Tottenham welcome Everton, and Newcastle travel to Chelsea. Of course, there's also the small matter of the South Wales derby.
Here's a rundown of the full schedule, television listings and live stream information. Of course, we preview the weekend's biggest games directly afterward.
Premier League Week 25 Schedule & Predictions Fixture Date Time TV Info Predictions Liverpool vs. Arsenal Feb. 8 12:45 p.m. GMT/7:45 a.m. ET BT Sport 2-2 Aston Villa vs. West Ham Feb. 8 3 p.m. GMT/10 a.m. ET 1-1 Chelsea vs. Newcastle Feb. 8 3 p.m. GMT/10 a.m. ET 2-0 Crystal Palace vs. West Brom Feb. 8 3 p.m. GMT/10 a.m. ET 1-1 Norwich vs. Manchester City Feb. 8 3 p.m. GMT/10 a.m. ET 0-3 Southampton vs. Stoke City Feb. 8 3 p.m. GMT/10 a.m. ET 2-1 Sunderland vs. Hull Feb. 8 3 p.m. GMT/10 a.m. ET 2-1 Swansea vs. Cardiff Feb. 8 5:30 p.m. GMT/12:30 p.m. ET Sky Sports 1-2 Tottenham vs. Everton Feb. 9 1:30 p.m. GMT/8:30 a.m. ET Sky Sports 1-1 Manchester United vs. Fulham Feb. 9 4 p.m. GMT/11 a.m. ET Sky Sports 2-1 premierleague.com
BT Sport subscribers can view the crucial Liverpool vs. Arsenal battle on the BT Sport app, which is compatible on both laptops and mobile devices.
U.K. viewers can watch Sky Sports’ live games on the Sky Player website or via Sky Go for laptops and mobile devices (subscription required). Live scores are also provided on Sky Sports News throughout each match.
All highlights are available without the need for subscription on Match of the Day (BBC One, Saturday) or Match of the Day 2 (BBC2, Sunday). The latter can be found on BBC iPlayer.
Best Games to Watch This Weekend
Liverpool vs. Arsenal
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