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Showing posts from September, 2013

Debutant Manchester Derby

Moyes and Pellegrini will have their first taste of a Manchester Derby. For them it might be new experience but their objective remains the same as it is every year. Quite simply, this is the fixture you want to win just that little bit more than the next. I wouldn't say this is the biggest match in world football but its the biggest in Manchester and possibly their toughest test too this season. Each manager hasn't quite had it all their own way in the hot seat this season so being level on points coming into this fixture gives one team the incentive of developing a lead on their bitter rivals. But the clash between the managers won’t be the only head-to-head confrontation worth looking out for. City’s skipper Vincent Kompany, is expected to start for the first time since recovering from that opening day injury. And he has the ominous job of marking a red hot inform Wayne Rooney. When Kompany was asked if he is ready for that challenge he said : "It's brillia

Mayweather vs Canelo

For 44 fights in 17 years and not one draw makes Floyd "Money" Mayweather Jr understandably the odds on favourite on Saturday but he could possibly in Saul “Canelo” Alvarez face one of his toughest challenges of his career. Canelo has a win record of 42-0-1 granted the level of opponent is not of the caliber of those Money has faced and defeated over the years. That said boxing can be funny where Canelo just needs to connect one of his powerful punches and he could dent the 36-year-old’s perfect record. I look forward to see two facets of this fight. One if Canelo can be patient against Money? He might miss more than he connects but does he have the maturity to know that when does connect he has to make it count and not get frustrated by hitting air. In his favour there have been reports that Canelo is the only boxer who connects a higher percentage of his jabs than Money. Two who will have the stamina to win late rounds? A safe bet (if ever betting would be safe

Acid test for Moyes in Merseyside

Its one of the greatest derby's in the world of football, the biggest fixture in English football, some call it the English "Classico". Manchester United manager David Moyes doesn't have a good record at Anfield 11 games now without taking three points off the home side. Its gets worse he has yet to win in the 37 away trips to Arsenal (0-3-9), Manchester United (0-3-8), Chelsea (0-6-6). Fortunately for Moyes this will be the strongest side yet he takes to Merseyside. It's a match Moyes has to win and maybe the head to head vs the two managers gives some encouragement as his win record in the four meetings vs Brendan Rodgers he has yet to lose with two draws against Liverpool and two wins against Swansea (i.e. as Everton boss). Four is the number with these two sides as a United win come this Super Sunday would make it four wins in a row. Liverpool can boast scoring first in the last four league fixtures and Steven Gerrard has scored four times in the last

North London like never before

A North London Derby has'nt been stacked in the favour of Tottemham Hotspurs as it does this Super Sunday. Andre Villas-Boas (AVB) Spurs are one of two teams that can boast a 100% record this term. And although Arsene Wenger & Theo Walcott don't share my sentiments this Arsenal squad is weaker than the Spurs one. Let's not get ahead of ourselves here this will be Wenger's 41st north London derby, and he has won 18 so far. Not forgetting Spurs last two visits to the Emirates ending in 5-2 defeats, this fixture is surely not won on paper. In fact not since February 2009 has the North London derby ended with fewer than three goals scored. The impending sale of Gareth Bale and the additions of seven new players at the cost of ± £110 million, including midfielder Christian Eriksen signing for £11.5m from Ajax, has been the most ambitious play of any Premier League team. Not to mention the home sides failure to spend a pound. AVB has every right to feel confide