betagora's blog

LIVERPOOL

Blackburn Rovers and Liverpool fought out a gruelling 0-0 draw at Ewood Park with Liverpool substitute David Ngog coming closest to a goal with a shot that rattled the bar.

The first half was a grim affair with neither side producing anything worthy of note.

After the break Liverpool were arguably the better side, but even a third successive clean sheet will not mask another display which lacked drive and belief.

ROMA
Claudio Ranieri is doing a good job with Rome, the potential of the team is to be the 3th or 4th team of the league, giving solidity to the defence and trying to adapt his schemas to the players' skills. 3 wons, 1 draw and 1 loss the last 5 games and at home the average score is 2 goals.
Francesco Totti is in great form and when he plays well usually Rome win.

Team news: only Tonetto will miss the game.

WOLVES
"I thought we started well - that sounds hollow after getting beaten 4-0. But if you give Chelsea two goals you are in for a difficult afternoon. We are in a relegation battle from now on. We might as well understand that and get on with it." - McCarthy.
It seem Wolves went in London knowing already the result and didn't risk some player against Chelsea to have them ready for Birmingham.

Home form: WWWWLDWLDL
Overall form: DLWLLDDDLL

MAN UTD
Manchester United have lost their last two on the road but have won five and drawn one of their six home matches this season. The champions aim to stretch their unbeaten run at Old Trafford against an Everton side who have lost only one of their last six fixtures in the Barclays Premier League.

WIGAN
The last game against Portsmouth was a big defeat: 0-4. Wigan Athletic were outfought and outplayed throughout and never tested England goalkeeper David James.
"We had a couple of half-chances but our standards are a lot higher than that and it just wasn't good enough from us. No complaints. Portsmouth started the game with huge intensity and that's what we were lacking. We were chasing the game far too much and the intensity in our play was not enough." Martinez said.

Wigan stand just 1 point below Fulham.

HAMBURGER

Last game against Schalke the team had a great performance and now they are on top of the Bundesliga with Berg and Petric in excellent form.
Hamburger is a team that plays offensively and in the previous ten rounds have failed to score only once - against their top rivals Bayer Leverkusen.

MANCHESTER CITY – FULHAM
Back from a draw against Aston Villa, manager Hughes says "Given the circumstances going down to 10-men it is always difficult. But we stuck at it and weren't to be denied and got something out of the game that maybe last year we wouldn't have been able to."
Today Man city is looking for an important home victory as they are just 2 points away from the 4th position: Tottenham lost the game of yesterday and Arsenal will play away from home.
Bellamy, Adebayor and Toure will be back while Robinho still out

Overall form: LWWWWWLWDD
Home form: WWWLWWWWWW

BLACKBURN

Cesc Fabregas produced a virtuoso display as Arsenal saw off the challenge of Blackburn Rovers at the Emirates Stadium, where Theo Walcott marked his return from injury with a late strike.

The Gunners captain had a hand in all but one of the six goals, getting on the scoresheet himself during the second half as the home side recovered from going behind after just four minutes when Steven Nzonzi headed Rovers into a shock lead.

ARSENAL
Robin van Persie produced a well-executed second-half winner as Arsenal beat Fulham 1-0 at Craven Cottage - where young Gunners goalkeeper Vito Mannone had an inspired match. Arsenal, though, had rookie stopper Mannone to thank for securing the points with a string of fine saves as Fulham were left frustrated.
Wenger: “Overall it was a highly committed game and we needed to be special to come away with three points. “

LIVERPOOL

Fernando Torres scored twice as Liverpool held off a brave fightback from West Ham United to claim a deserved victory in a five-goal thriller at Upton Park.

A boost of confidence as they are playing great now, unbeaten from 3 games and have kept 6 points less than Chelsea.