West Ham’s Piquionne battles to be fit for Manchester United clash

West Ham’s Piquionne battles to be fit for Manchester United clash
Hammers French striker is back in instruction and seeking to consider his put in opposition to the league leaders on Saturday.

Clark aims to shine for Republic
Ciaran Clark is established to seize the possibility to set up himself with the Republic of Ireland in Tuesday night’s friendly versus Uruguay.

Rotherham 1-3 Shrewsbury
Shrewsbury ease past Rotherham to climb to third in League Two.

Charity, Empathy and Chas to Tea

Report by Gerry McDonnell

I remain a slave to tradition. Every single yr, I make a comprehensive fool of myself at the office Xmas get together, and this year was no exception. Following consuming a number of also many ales, I created a misguided play for the cleaner below the mistletoe. He was absolutely livid.

My luck is unlikely to improve over the holidays. The spouse has invited her mother and her sister to Xmas dinner. Ho Ho Ho.

I refuse to wallow in self pity although, as there are kids in this world who reside in around poverty. In a entirely selfless gesture on my portion, I’ve bought myself a new pair of trainers to reward their powerful operate ethic.

In an uncharacteristic piece of very good lot of money, I’ve been spared the expense of weighing in for presents for my individual youngsters. As Blackburn fought back to two-two from Arsenal in midweek, the minor ones overheard me say that Santa was literally on fire. I’m investing the savings on a Blackburn win above Chelsea at seven/2.

The most annoying factor of the ‘festive’ time period is almost certainly the repetitive advertisements. Ian Wright looked to have won the award for the most grating industrial, right up until Jamie Redknapp and Tim Lovejoy shaped an unstoppable axis of evil.

I’ve disgracefully observed myself singing along to that awful ad that accuses Reo-Coker of getting knock-off DVDs. Such a practise is reprehensible: you can download videos for free of charge off the world wide web. 11/ten for a Villa win above Manchester City is an additional spectacular giveaway.

Michael Owen ought to be a happy guy right after Manchester Metropolis declared an curiosity in his services. The miniscule hitman has endured much more than his fair share of injuries throughout his job, and under Sam Allardyce, a strained neck is almost unavoidable. I’m hardly sticking my neck out by suggesting a Newcastle win more than Derby at 2/5.

Tottenham and Arsenal do not get along. The animosity was born in 1913 when Arsenal invaded their territory, and tensions rose further when the Gunners replaced them in the leading flight following a ballot in 1919. The relationship involving the two clubs totally deteriorated in 2007, when Alan Davies tried to eat Chas and Dave for resembling the homeless. I’m placing my residence on a draw in between the fierce rivals at three/1.

When Gary Megson arrived at Bolton, he had a 1.7% approval rate, and there was a 2% margin for error. The individuals of Bolton are warming to the ginger Mourinho he can turn the screw on Birmingham at even funds.

Alan Curbishley is concerned that Anton Ferdinand is in hazard of embracing a pop-star culture. The West Ham boss has absolutely nothing to be troubled about all pop-stars are great-lookers, with the exception of Lily Allen. I’ll be happy to get on the 23/ten for a draw in between Middlesbrough and West Ham.

I felt sorry for Steve Bennett as he had to deal with Roy Keane after ruling out a legitimate Sunderland winner previous week. I’d sooner go into a tunnel with Henri Paul than the volatile Irishman. I’ll be definitely smashed when Perusing oblige at even funds from Sunderland.

Manchester United are way as well quick at 4/nine for the visit of Everton. The Moyes Boys are on a twelve match unbeaten run, and they’ve left Previous Trafford with a point on two of their last 3 trips. The Toffeemen are obtainable at nine/four to prevent defeat, which has left me as fired up as Wayne Rooney on ‘Gran Slam Sunday’.

These cold mornings are definitely killing me. The spouse nicked my toast this morning, which was bordering on an absolute liberty. Ronaldo can empathise with my scenario, as Marcus Bent has reportedly been playing with his porridge. I’ve obtained the oats to get my dollars down on a Fulham win over Wigan at 23/twenty.

Christmas is specially tough on minor orphan youngsters. It’s perfectly understandable that the much more susceptible will struggle to adapt to a strange new property at this time of year, and some will even think about running away. I heard reviews just final weekend that a youthful Spanish lad went missing in Liverpool. Fernando will mark his return by sleighing Pompey at 4/seven.

I’m all for taking pleasure in the excesses of the festive time period, but I also get the time to ponder the true meaning of Christmas.

To people with faith, he was a saviour but he endured on the cross. I just wish he lets a few far more in for Pompey this weekend. Liverpool, Aston Villa, Bolton, Reading through and Newcastle kind a nailed-on Christmas accer at a completely pious 15/1.

About the Writer

Gerry McDonnell dabbles in football odds compilation, journalism and orphan rescue.

Thai Hard: With a Vengeance

Article by Gerry McDonnell

Tubby Brazilian Ronaldo might be one particular of the best players to at any time grace a football pitch, but he’s definitely a bad part model. The AC Milan man allow himself down when he invited three members of the late-night enjoyment industry back again to a motel. It wasn’t just the truth that they turned out to be ladyboys he shamefully offered to pay them for undertaking nothing at all. If I pay out a builder to construct a conservatory, and he brings along a few superfluous equipment, I’d anticipate him to preserve his head down and end the work.

This sorry tale was not the only circumstance of mistaken identity this week Rio Ferdinand kicked a female Chelsea steward soon after mistaking her for a wall. It sounds like a tall tale, but I when kicked the wife by accident I believed she was her mother.

This is Rio’s initial substantial profile gaffe given that that minute of madness a number of decades back, when he dated Emma Bunton. I will absolutely be dipping in to the seven/1 for a draw in between Manchester United and West Ham.

Rio wasn’t the only player involved in controversy at Stamford Bridge last week Michael Ballack and Didier Drogba nearly came to blows about a totally free kick they really should genuinely have obtained a room with Ronaldo. I can not get my head about the eleven/two for a Newcastle win above Chelsea.

The funniest second of the match came after the ultimate whistle, when the Manchester United players had a Benny Hill fashion fight with the Chelsea groundsmen. The United boys had been completely out of order Rio Ferdinand really should know by now to maintain off the grass. Middlesbrough are concerned in a genuine fight, they’ll beat Portsmouth at 11/10.

Rafa Benitez’s choice to wind up Didier Drogba prior to their Champion’s League semi will rightfully be filed alongside Ronaldo’s shemale escapades in the ‘what a massive rick’ class, but each are trumped by my determination to make a move on a waitress when I holidayed in Thailand. I won’t bore you with all the gruesome facts, but let’s just say that she wasn’t the only a single who received a big suggestion. I’m far a lot more comfy with this suggestion back again Liverpool to beat the imploding Manchester City at 8/11.

Gareth Barry is thinking about a move to Liverpool as he wishes to join a club that can match his ambition. Evidently his ambition is to complete adequately in Europe and by no means win the league. The Villa can overtake Everton for the UEFA cup spot by viewing off Wigan at 4/7.

Final week was disastrous for Birmingham Town. As the Blues threw absent a two- lead at house, Fulham had been doing miracles in Manchester and Bolton had been holding on for a point at White Hart Lane. It’s possible there is a little truth in the gypsy’s curse they should in no way have offered him to Blackburn. Fulham v Birmingham will be a cracker, I’ll explode when Fulham get the factors at 5/four.

Robbie Savage could undoubtedly forge a job in the female impersonation industry once his very best footballing days are behind him someplace in 1998. Blackburn are a far far better crew considering that they dropped the blonde deadwood they’ll beat Derby by two or more targets at five/six.

If Perusing v Tottenham produces as a lot action as the reverse fixture, it’ll be quite an entertaining game. Tottenham romped to a six-four victory at the Lane narrowly foiling my bet on ‘no goalscorer’. Studying have deteriorated considering that then they haven’t scored a goal considering that March and only Derby have a worse aim variation. If Tottenham don’t take all three points at 12/5, I’ll be far more hurt than when I woke up in Thailand with a even worse limp than Heather Mills.

All the warning signs had been there with that Thai waitress, she really warned me that she’d be bringing some nuts up to the area. I believed she meant that I’d enjoy a late night snack – regrettably, I was correct. I’m certainly proper in taking a significant slice of the 8/eleven for an Arsenal win over Everton.

I am reminded of my Thai nightmare every time I see Roy Keane’s notorious problem on Alf-Inge Haaland that was some tackle. Roy’s boys have been priced up at 11/two from Bolton, that is very, really massive.

It was very ironic that I ended up in a compromising place with a male who looked like a female, as my spouse could effortlessly pass for a builder. Aston Villa, Blackburn, Tottenham and Arsenal type a ten/one accer of which there can be completely no ambiguity.

About the Writer

Gerry McDonnell dabbles in football odds compilation, journalism and orphan rescue.

SK Rapid Wien – Aston Villa 1:0 // Nikica Jelavic (High Definition)

Nikica Jelavic erzielt im Europa League-Qualifikationshinspiel gegen Aston Villa nach Maßflanke von Christopher Drazan nach sixteen Sekunden das 1: für Rapid und stellt damit auch den Endstand her. SK Rapid Wien – Aston Villa one: (1:) Hanappi-Stadion 17.800 Zuschauer (ausverkauft) Tor: Jelavic one.

Weekend Tips / A Lazy ‘Worst Of’ Compilation

Article by Gerry McDonnell

Saying goodbye to the football season is really significantly like giving birth to a ginger little one: following 9 months of optimism, wish and anguish, you’re left with a genuine feeling of disappointment.

The last day is usually emotional. Who could forget Arsenal pipping Liverpool to the title in 1989? Effectively sadly, my old guy. In reality, if you see a modest befuddled pensioner roaming the streets, you’ll be much better off avoiding football trivia altogether senility is no picnic.

I’m completely devastated that I have to function on Sunday as the drama unfolds. The gaffer has presented me double time and a day in lieu although, which I’m fairly pleased with but it hasn’t gone down as well properly with Louise.

Lou hasn’t been this upset because Liverpool had been beaten by Chelsea in the Champions League semi-final. Liverpool supporters are like Paul McCartney on his wedding evening they’re struggling to get above a disappointing second leg.

Steven ‘more dives than Glasgow’ Gerrard will hope to inspire his staff-mates to a win more than Spurs, but I fancy the Tottenham boys at 9/5. They can be heroes, just for Juande.

Manchester United are on the verge of winning the title and I’m specially pleased for Paul Scholes. There was a feel concerned that Paul’s career was more than as a result of blurred vision, virtually confirming what my mom informed me. I’ll have my head in my hands if Manchester United fall short to defeat Wigan at 1/four.

As is usually the case in these a high profile match, there has been a great deal of early activity in the first aim scorer market place. Bookmakers have by now observed a monkey on Ronaldo, a pony on Carlos Tevez and an aged canine on Wayne Rooney.

A lately found out tribe of Congolese pygmies have admitted figuring out totally absolutely nothing of western civilisation, other than the fact that Steven Gerrard is greater at football than Frank Lampard.

Frank merely isn’t that great a player, most of his objectives arrive from his close relationship with the O’Shea family, notably Rick. Frank would will need 29 attempts to score on an eighteen-30 stone holiday.

Frank will not be pleased about Chelsea finishing second very best to Manchester United. I keep in mind how upset he was when I 1st recommended that he had a weight issue – he sent me a text that go through, ‘gbvsdfabdsb’.

Ashley Cole will also be unhappy with a runners-up spot. The overrated complete-back is desperate for good results to cement his position as a celebrity. He’s previously been presented a spot on subsequent week’s Jonathan Ross show, he just needs to find three pals and a piano. Chelsea are certainties to defeat Bolton, i’m all over the one/6 like John Terry on a referee.

I’m no stranger to disappointment I once watched all of Soccer AM. Alex McLeish can empathise, he would give his correct arm for Birmingham to prevent relegation, but a trade of that magnitude has only ever before arrive off for Heather Mills. I’m backing Blackburn to defeat the Blues at three/1, but be warned, the cost is dropping quicker than Steven Gerrard in a penalty location.

Reading are a lot like Princess Diana, they utilized to look good, but they’ve hit a wall.

The spouse is praying that the Royals remain up, as she’s supported them ever before since her English teacher wrote ‘reading difficulties’ on her school report.

I also desire that Studying defeat Derby, as I’m not a great fan of Robbie Savage – I can’t overlook how he kicked me off the waltzers when I was youthful. I can’t let my heart rule my head although, I’m heading to be like Robbie and mark the coupon with an ‘X’ at 7/two.

Portsmouth are presently wobbling like a jelly on a drunken Sumo wrestler – they haven’t won in their very last handful of video games. Actually, they haven’t won in their previous four video games, so it’s a lot more of a Jeremy Beadle handful.

I’d like to see Pompey defeat Fulham as I have an massive quantity of sympathy for Harry Redknapp he’s been the subject of a lot more enquiries than the 118-118 men.

Hollywood really should make a film of Harry’s lifestyle, they could call it ‘The acquiring, the twitch and the fraud probe.’

A situation can be manufactured for backing Portsmouth at five/2 to defeat Fulham, but it has much more holes than Pete Doherty. I’m heading to be like David Cameron in college and get caught into the draw at eleven/four.

Hopefully, my son will become a expert footballer. The last time we had a kick about in the back again garden, he nutmegged me twice nobody’s regretted opening their legs on two separate events since Mrs Neville.

Phil Neville is like the sun, you should by no means glimpse immediately at him. The lesser of two evils is remarkably very vibrant, he can quote the aged Chinese proverb: ‘Give a guy a fish, and he’ll eat for a day give him twelve cans of lager, and he’ll feel that Newcastle are really worth a bet at Goodison Park.

You don’t have to be Stephen Hawking to realise that Everton are nailed on at 10/11, even Mrs Hawking could function that 1 out if she wasn’t down the gymnasium doing work the bags.

I once stated that Benjani couldn’t hit a cow’s arse with a banjo. If we had been ever to meet, he’d most likely want to hit me i’d better change my identify to Annette.

On a relevant be aware, I when attempted to hit a cow’s arse with a banjo – at least that’s what I advised the police officer, although the lack of a banjo aroused some suspicion.

Middlesbrough are a riddle, wrapped up in an enigma, shrouded in mystery, situated in a hole. The eleven/ten for a Boro win above Manchester Town is the most enticing proposition given that Ulrika Johnson presented Sven Goran Eriksson a small slice of Swedish fish pie.

Is it wrong for me to continuously talk of my admiration for Cesc Fabregas? Apparently, it is in the course of lovemaking.

Cesc is a small magician. He’ll have a fantastic long term in the game as lengthy as he avoids Debbie McGee. Arsenal are a fantastic wager at 10/eleven to defeat Sunderland, it’s as apparent as the chin on Frank Lampard’s chin.As an Aston Villa supporter, i’m a massive fan of Randy Lerner. I’m not ashamed to say that all it took to make me happy was just 1 small Yank.

I did go through that a healthful male averages twenty minutes when expressing his love physically I’m assuming that contains the taxi journey and the queue for the cashpoint. I’ll be throwing my cash on a West Ham win over the Villa the 12/5 is positively pulchritudinous.

The Premier League continues to be my true enjoy, but I’ve sometimes strayed into the arms of the football league, the SPL, the conference and the Paralympics. I’m a minor bit uncomfortable about viewing football at this kind of a very poor level although, but Rangers have created it into the UEFA Cup last.

I’m usually asked why I appear reluctant to share my experience on the Scottish football scene. I can assure you it’s not a result of xenophobia some of my very best friends know Scottish folks. I know that a Celtic win above Hibernian at 1/four will practically wrap up the title for the Bhoys.

My computer is a whole lot like the spouse, if the information is punched in correctly, positive results are guaranteed. My spreadsheet plays a sound if the odds offered on an accer are larger than the real probability of achievement: when I positioned 16/one following to Middlesbrough, Tottenham and West Ham, it whipped out a guitar.

About the Author

Gerry McDonnell dabbles in football odds compilation, journalism and orphan rescue.

English Premier League: Results of the 22th Match Day

Report by Stephen Lars

Blackburn three – Newcastle

With a score of 3- Blackburn Rovers defeat Newcastle, which fell from the eleventh to the fourteenth spot on the other hand Rovers managed to ascend with this victory to the 17 place, leaving the relegation zone for now.

Bolton – one Manchester United

With a aim in the very last moment (ninety) accountable to the Bulgarian attacker Dimitar Berbatov, Manchester United prevailed about Bolton Wanderers plus thank you to the draw involving Liverpool and Everton, achieves for the first time in this time _and soon after ten video games in a row without having a single goal from their contraries_ to settle at the head of the English league.

Chelsea two – 1 Stoke Metropolis

In a hard-fought match complete of excitement and tons of power, Chelsea won 2-1 ahead of Stoke City that played at the identical level of The Blues and gave them a tough battle from commence to finish. Plainly was a important conquest for Chelsea simply because it stumbled with an inflexible rival. Consequently, Chelsea occupies the third seat on the table and The Potters drop to the penultimate.

Manchester Town 1 – Wigan

The fact of counting with ten adult males was not an facet that impacted Manchester Town on its chase for the success versus Wigan. The Argentinean defender Pablo Zabaleta was the accountable of the triumphal objective that sent up The City four much more spots (15).

Sunderland one – two Aston Villa

Villa is keeping up in the fourth position after striking Sunderland. The initial component was controlled by the ‘Black Cats’, but for the 2nd part the action was in cost of ‘The Lions’ that won thank you to James Milner’s 1st objective and to the efficient penalty executed by Gareth Barry.

West Brom three – Middlesbrough

The unfortunate West Bromwich stays at the bottom of the chart, even following the crushing win above Boro that fought, quite a lot the very last 30 minutes with ten gamers as Didier Digard was sent off for a poor foul.

Hull Town one – 3 Arsenal

Fifth on the standings, Arsenal, managed to pull out a excellent outcome from a game that in a starting seemed to be a tiny difficult, but that in the 2nd half changed the perspective close to the Gunners, who amend their first half errors and succeeded. This win allows Arsenal to keep aspiring for the promotion to the UEFA 2009/ten tournaments.

Tottenham 1 – one Portsmouth

As a result of their draw with Tottenham, Portsmouth rises and parks in the twelfth spot of the league board while the ‘Spurs’ are saved momentaneously in the sixteenth seat, only for the goals big difference for they very own 21 points overall, exact same as the next 4 clubs, which are in the underneath.

West Ham United 3 – one Fulham

The Hammers jump up to the eighth position therefore the victory before Fulham, who was incapable of keeping back again the sturdy attacks of the locals from the Upton Park stadium, which won thanks to the ambitions from Di Michele, Mark Noble and Carlton Cole.

Liverpool one – one Everton

With this tie the Blues pull down the Liverpool from the leading of the Barclays Premier League. In the game the strain from an enemy that knew how to confront them fearless, given that for the duration of the entire function the Blues determinedly pursued them ruled the Reds. The locals (Liverpool), though a minor out of handle, experimented with tirelessly to conserved their throne but their opponent didn’t permitted, releasing that way the beloved first seat of the English league.

About the Author

About the Writer Stephen Lars has been a prominent author on day-to-day English Premier League video games, sports activities news and the on the internet betting business for many excellent activity internet websites. You may reprint this write-up in its full material, be sure to be aware no modifications to it are accepted.