Tottenham Hotspur vs Arsenal FC

Date: Sunday, 8 February 2009

Venue: White Hart Lane
Kick Off: 13.30

This is the big North London derby; the two sides meet at a juicy time of the year. Robbie Keane is back at the lane to prove a point, and Andrey Arshavin is set for his debut for the Gunners.

Arsenal are unbeaten in eight Premier League visits to the Lane; two wins, six draws. Tottenham have managed victory in only one of the last 12 home league matches against their North London rivals.

While it’s all smiles following Harry Redknapp’s activity in the winter transfer window, Spurs lie dangerously close to the bottom of the Premier League table and will be desperate to pick up points against their bitter rivals at the Lane on Sunday.

Battles on the Field
Robbie Keane vs William Gallas – Keano is back at the Lane to prove a point, he would love to score against Spurs’s huge rivals, on his return

Ledley King vs Robin Van Persie – The bold centre half has a lot too handle in the on-form Dutchman, the Gunners leading goalscorer has played a part in every Gunners goal so far in 2009.

Mikael Silvestre and Theo Walcott still remain a few weeks away from fitness while Tomas Rosicky and Cesc Fabregas face even longer lay-offs with their injuries. Abou Diaby is set to miss out for Arsene Wenger’s side through suspension.

Predicted Line-Ups:

Tottenham (from): Cudicini, Gomes, Alnwick, Corluka, Dawson, Woodgate, Assou-Ekotto, Chimbonda, Lennon, Huddlestone, Jenas, Zokora, Modric, Keane, Pavlyuchenko, Campbell, Bent, Bale, Taarabt, Rocha, Giovani,

Arsenal (from): Almunia, Sagna, Gallas, Toure, Clichy, Nasri, Denilson, Song, Eboue, Adebayor, Van Persie, Fabianski, Djourou, Gibbs, Wilshere, Vela, Bendtner, Ramsey, Arshavin.

themostbeautifulgame.com’s Prediction: Tottenham 2-2 Arsenal
Best Bet: Robbie Keane (to score on his debut)

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Match Preview: Sunderland v Stoke City 
Date: 6^th February
Kick-off: 1500
Venue: Stadium of Light
By, AT

This Premier League fixture between Sunderland (13^th) and Stoke (17^th) is another 6-pointer, and both sides will be eagerly looking to get the three points. Sunderland’s new boys Tal Ben Haim and Callum Davenport are set to get their debuts, and Stephen Kelly is set to start for Stoke. Liam Lawrence returns to one of his former clubs.
HOME SIDE
Sunderland’s new boys Tal Ben Haim and Callum Davenport are set to get their debuts. Gordon will fight for his place in the first team; Cisse, Jones and Tainio are hoping to return. Ferdinand is struggling with a hip injury and Nosworthy and Mcshane are out.
Battles on the Field 
Steed Malbranque v Glen Whelan
One of the Premier League’s top assist maker, Steed Malbranque has been extremely influential in Sunderland’s season so far. Glen Whelan praised Stoke’s togetherness against Man City, and will be hoping for this to continue against Sunderland.

Kenwyne Jones v Ryan Shawcross
This will be an extremely physical match, and the talismayic striker Jones has looked the part after signing his new contract. Shawcross has had a strong season so far, and will be key in keeping Stoke in the Premier League. 
AWAY SIDE 
Rory Delap starts his 3 match ban for this fixture, Stephen Kelly hopes for his debut, as does Henri Camera. Higginbotham is a doubt.
Predicted Line Ups 
–HOME TEAM – Fulop, Ben Haim, Collins, Bardsley, Davenport, Whitehead, Richardson, Malbranque, Tainio, Cisse, Jones.

AWAY TEAM - Sorensen, Wilkinson, Pugh, Shawcross, Abdoulaye Faye, Olofinjana, Amdy Faye, Whelan, Etherington, Beattie, Camara.
 
Best Bet – Kenwyne Jones to score first.
The Most Beautiful Game’s Prediction – Sunderland 2-0 Stoke

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Match Preview: West Brom vs. Newcastle 
Date: 7/2/09
Kick-off: 15.00
Venue: The Hawthorns
By: James Amey

Newcastle travel to the Hawthorns just two points ahead of bottom side West Brom, with both teams looking for a win to ease their relegation worries. Newcastle are without a win in their last six games and West Brom’s home form has picked up of late, which has seen them win 3 of their last 4 at the Hawthorns. They will be looking to fare much better than their last home game though, a 5-0 drubbing by Man United.
West Brom 
Gianni Zuiverloon is suspended for the visit of Newcastle, while Jay Simpson and midfield duo James Morrison and Robert Koren picked up injuries in the F.A Cup replay loss to Burnley and will all face late fitness tests. 
The only good news for West Brom is that loan signing Juan Carlos Menseguez is available and should start.
Battles on the Field – Scott Carson vs. Shola Ameobi
With Newcastle’s lack of goals and West Brom’s tendency to ship goals at the back, this should be an interesting battle. I cant see a clean sheet for either team in this game, so both goalkeepers should be busy, especially Carson so Ameobi will get chances.
Battles on the Field – Robert Koren vs. Kevin Nolan
It should be a very competitive game, and these two players should be heavily involved. When Robert Koren plays well West Brom play well so it will be up to Kevin Nolan to play him out of the game. While Kevin Nolan will be eager to impress his new manager and always gives 100%.
Newcastle United
Newcastle’s injury problems were given a boost when Alan Smith declared himself fit for the trip to the Hawthorns, Smith has been out for 6 months with an ankle injury. Obafemi Martins and Mark Viduka are also pushing to get back into the squad after both overcoming injuries.
Ryan Taylor will be pushing for a debut and Steve Harper will be given another chance to impress in goal after Shay Givens departure. 
Newcastle are without Michael Owen, Danny Guthrie, Cacapa and Joey Barton.
Predicted Line Ups
West Brom
Carson, Carson, Hoefkens, Donk, Meite, Robinson, Menseguez, Koren, Valero, Brunt, Bednar, Fortune.
Newcastle
Harper, Enrique, Bassong, Coloccini, S Taylor, R Taylor, Duff, Nolan, Geremi, Martins, Ameobi.
 
 
Best Bet – Shola Ameobi
The Most Beautiful Game’s Prediction – West Brom 1-1 Newcastle

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Match Preview:  PORTSMOUTH v LIVERPOOL
Date: 7^th of February 2009
Kick-off: 17:30

Venue: Fratton Park

By, Paulie C (Paul Cronin)

This is a fixture in which neither side will feel very confident going into.  The extra time defeat at Goodison midweek will have been a bitter blow for not only the confidence but also for the fatigue of Rafa Benitez’s men.  Pompey on the other hand did not need such a sucker punch as they are low on confidence already.  

HOME SIDE

Tony Adams will welcome back Sol Cambell with open arms given the recent performances in defense.  The new Greek international signings may be in line for a start with Angelos Basinas to provide some much needed guile to the Portsmouth midfield after the departure of Lassana Diarra.  

Battles on the Field –

BASINAS v ALONSO The game may depend on the passing of the two playmakers.  The new man Basinas will have a tougher task as he is still getting to know the players around him.  The Reds playmaker however may find space difficult to come by with the strong running of Pompey’s midfield.  

CROUCH v KUYT The tall striker shall certainly have a point to prove when facing his old team and may see a lot of the ball especially in the second half when the fatigue sets in for Liverpool.  Possibly Liverpool’s only senior striker may struggle to make an impact.  Kuyt may always be full of running but he is not a man you can rely on for goals.  

AWAY SIDE

It seems that karma has struck Steven Gerrard.  He should perhaps have walked for a number of incidents, including diving, in the Chelsea game last weekend and would have been suspended for the game at Goodison. The Liverpool captain is instead injured for a number of weeks and misses this game.  It is also likely that Benitez shall have to do without Fernando Torres.  

Predicted Line Ups –

HOME TEAM – James, Johnson, Kaboul, Cambell, Hreidarsson, Pennant, Davis, Mullins, Utaka, Traore, Crouch

AWAY TEAM – Reina, Arbeloa, Carragher, Skrtel, Aurelio, Benayoun, Alonso, Mascherano, Lucas, Riera, Kuyt 

Best Bet – Crouch

The Most Beautiful Game’s Prediction – Portsmouth 1 – Liverpool 0

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Match Preview: West Ham vs Man United

A common busy Saturday will host a game between the champions fighting to defend their title and a team very much improving under the management of Italian Gianfranco Zola.

West Ham have what could be said as the hardest home match of their season so far but with the home advantage and a West Ham side which hasn’t looked stronger for a while could they get something out of this people could ask. Well looking at the present team Carlton Cole seems to be West Ham’s danger man this season bagging 8 goals for the hammers this season and will be expected to grab a goal or two on Sunday. As for the tactical approach to this game if Zola plays his cards right then he could end up with a delightful result come the end of the match. Berbatov will be his main threat and to contain the ‘Bulgarian beast’ he might have to have two men watching over him. Another person who West Ham don’t want to let in is Ronaldo because his sublime skill and rapid pace could cause huge problems in the West Ham area. Up the other end of the field West Ham have got a wall to dodge with Ferdinand and Vidic potentially being the best centre-backs in the premiership, but if Cole links with his wingers and midfield he could weave into the United box and create some brilliant chances to score.

This is also a tricky game for West Ham’s opposition Man United because as we know last year West Ham caused an upset for Ferguson’s team beating them 2-1. It is fair and unbiased to say Man United are in superb form at the recent time with or without a daunting injury list but they still have to field their best team week in week out. For this commonly known grudge match there’s a 9/10 chance that Ferguson fields his strongest team which contains of Berbatov, Ronaldo, Vidic, Ferdinand, Van der sar and the rest of the red devil heroes. How he should use these players is another question because their ability is to a wide spread. The obvious tactics would be to target the ‘weaker’ man but West Ham have players backing up these weaker men (Scott Parker) so United have got to attack hard down the centre and flick it wide for the cross into Berbatov. If they can pull this of f 8 time out of 10 then the game is there’s but they cannot underestimate West Ham’s strike force so their defence will have to be as clever and simple as the forwards. To win this game would be a great win but to loose it would be a great loss, Ferguson wouldn’t be happy with any less than 3 points.

Last Years Corresponding Result

West Ham 2-1 Man United

Reverse Fixture this Season

Man United 2-0 West Ham

West Ham

Available: Green, Neill, Collins, Upson, Ilunga, Behrami, Parker, Noble, Savio, Collison, Cole, Di Michele, Boa Morte, Lastuvka, Lopez, Spector, Tomkins, Tristan, Sears, Kovac.

Unavailable: Kieron Dyer, Danny Gabbidon. Dean Ashton.

Man United

Available: Van der Sar, Foster, Kuszczak, Brown, Eckersley, Ferdinand, Vidic, O’Shea, Evra, Ronaldo, Carrick, Scholes, Fletcher, Gibson, Giggs, Park, Tosic, Berbatov, Rooney, Tevez, Possebon.

Unavailable: Neville.

The Most Beautiful Game’s Prediction: 0-1

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