Tuesday 22 December 2015

Premier League: Who has the toughest Christmas schedule?

With three Premier League games played in a week over the Christmas period, it can be a pivotal time of the season for many clubs.

With Leicester and Watford proving to be just two of the surprise packages in the Premier League so far this season, and with Chelsea and Manchester United under-performing, it's been an unpredictable first half of the season.
With the games coming thick and fast over the next few weeks, who has the trickiest Christmas? We've taken the average current league position of each team's three opponents to work it all out…

Chelsea

December 26, Watford (h): 7th
December 28, Man Utd (a): 5th
January 3, Crystal Palace (a): 6th
Average opponent position: 6

Guus Hiddink will take charge of Chelsea for the first time since 2009 when they face Watford at home on Boxing Day. The Dutchman's first priority will be to get fans back onside after the Jose Mourinho fallout was more than evident in Chelsea's 3-1 win against Sunderland on Saturday. Supporters will want maximum points from the next three matches to start climbing away from the relegation zone.

Leicester
Jamie Vardy will be key to Leicester's Christmas campaign

Jamie Vardy will be key to Leicester's Christmas campaign

December 26, Liverpool (a): 9th
December 29, Man City (h): 3rd
January 2, Bournemouth (h): 14th
Average opponent position: 8.7
Leicester are flying at the moment as they sit top of Premier League, but will the run last? Their fine form will be put to the test on the road at Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool, followed by home ties against Manchester City and Bournemouth. Liverpool are winless in their last four matches so a response will be expected from Klopp. The Foxes then take on two possession-oriented sides in Man City and Bournemouth so they may look to keep their explosive counter-attacking approach going.

Manchester City

December 26, Sunderland (h): 19th
December 29, Leicester (a): 1st
January 2, Watford (a): 7th
Average opponent position: 9
City face two of the league's biggest surprise packages in their next three fixtures as they travel to leaders Leicester and then go to Watford, who are just one point off the Champions League places. They will be hoping to bounce back from their defeat to Arsenal with a home win over struggling Sunderland on Boxing Day.

Liverpool

Philippe Coutinho and Liverpool must travel to Sunderland and West Ham

December 26, Leicester (h): 1st
December 30, Sunderland (a): 19th
January 2, West Ham (a): 8th
Average opponent position: 9.3
Jurgen Klopp described Liverpool's 3-0 loss to Watford as "the most disappointing moment of my Liverpool life". He will be looking for a response against league leaders Leicester, struggling Sunderland and West Ham, who are making a bid for Europe. Liverpool have not won in their last four matches, and Klopp will want to ensure the "revolution" gets back on track quickly.

Tottenham

Harry Kane and Tottenham travel to Watford and Everton

December 26, Norwich (h): 16th
December 28, Watford (a): 7th
January 3, Everton (a): 10th
Average opponent position: 11
Tottenham currently sit in fourth place but Manchester United and Crystal Palace are breathing down their necks with just goal difference separating the three clubs. Spurs' second game of the Christmas period is against Watford, who are just one point behind. It will make for interesting viewing to see if Tottenham's young side can thrive under the pressure.

Arsenal

Olivier Giroud will be hoping to fire Arsenal to a successful Christmas campaign

December 26, Southampton (a): 12th
December 28, Bournemouth (h): 14th
January 2, Newcastle (h): 17th
Average opponent position: 14.3
Arsene Wenger will be pleased to see his Christmas schedule consists of three teams in the bottom half of the table, and with just one away game against a Southampton side who have not won since November 7. Bournemouth and Newcastle have both experienced an upturn in form recently but Arsenal underlined their title credentials with a win over Manchester City on Monday Night

Manchester United

Louis van Gaal faces tough games at Stoke and home to Chelsea

December 26, Stoke (a): 11th
December 28, Chelsea (h): 15th
January 2, Swansea (h): 18th
Average opponent position: 14.7
Van Gaal is under immense pressure after his side's home loss against Norwich extended Manchester United's winless streak to six games in all competitions. United's first chance to put the record right is away at Stoke, who have only beaten United once in Premier League history. Neither Chelsea nor Swansea were expected to be in their current league positions at the start of the season, and United will look to profit on their struggles as Van Gaal looks to ease the evident tension surrounding his position.

Alexis Sanchez to miss next FOUR GAMES

Arsene Wenger has confirmed that Alexis Sanchez could miss four matches over the holiday period after the striker suffered 'a setback' on his comeback from injury.

The Arsenal manager had said Sanchez had a 'slight chance' of facing Manchester City in the Monday Night Football match after missing the Gunners' last three games with a hamstring injury.

But Sanchez did not make the bench for the 2-1 win at the Emirates stadium and Wenger said: "Sanchez will be back for around the 10th January. He had a little setback. He was planned to be on the bench tonight [Monday]. We didn't take a gamble at all."

Arsenal: Is it now or never for Arsene Wenger to win title?

The celebrations around the Emirates Stadium as Arsenal's players took the acclaim of their fans at the final whistle after their win against Manchester City illustrated the result's significance.

It was not simply relief at surviving a late City rally to secure a deserved 2-1 win or delight at closing the gap on surprise Premier League leaders Leicester City to two points.

Add caption

This was the sort of victory that had Arsenal fans believing they can end a title drought that stretches back to 2004.

Their best chance of a title in a decade?

Arsenal have endured years of pain since 'The Invincibles' claimed the Premier League title after 38 unbeaten games - but the evidence is stacking up that they can finally end the wait.
It is 10 years since they finished in the top two and only twice in the intervening period have they occupied one of those two slots after 17 games, as they do now.
Only once since 2003-04 have they had more points than the 36 they have now, when they had 40 in 2007-2008 and finished third.

A season of two halves?
Season	Position after 17 games	Points after 17 games	Final position
2004-05	3rd	35	2nd
2005-06	7th	29	4th
2006-07	3rd	29	4th
2007-08	1st	40	3rd
2008-09	5th	30	4th
2009-10	3rd	35	3rd
2010-11	3rd	32	4th
2011-12	5th	32	3rd
2012-13	5th	27	4th
2013-14	2nd	36	4th
2014-15	6th	27	3rd
2015-16	2nd	36	TBC

And for all Leicester's brilliance at the top of the table, the win against City came against a team many believe will ultimately emerge as Arsenal's closest rivals. It was a victory that delivered a psychological blow.
This was Manchester City's fifth loss this season and no team has won the Premier League when they have lost five games before Christmas.
It was a result and performance that will only add to Arsenal's confidence and self-belief as they search for that inner X-factor that has eluded them when they have been in the hunt for the big prize in the barren title years.
"Our belief is strong," said Wenger. "We have a bit more maturity in the side now, which you could see in the game when we were under pressure and we could deal with it.
"Every win strengthens the belief when it's a big game like that."
The Gunners have nine more points than they did at this stage last season - they were 15 points adrift of leaders Chelsea 12 months ago - but a glance at the fixture list shows that tough tests await, with visits to Manchester City, Manchester United, Spurs, Everton and Liverpool to come.
Arsenal currently have the edge on those other traditional rivals, Chelsea and Manchester United, adding a layer to the growing belief that it is now or never for Wenger and his team this season.

Head-to-head record this season
	P	W	D	L	F	A	GD	Pts
Arsenal	3	2	0	1	5	3	+2	6
Man City	3	1	1	1	4	2	+2	4
Chelsea	2	1	0	1	2	3	-1	3
Man Utd	2	0	1	1	0	3	-3	1

Manchester City, as the game at the Emirates proved, are inconsistent this season, producing performances that are often below par.

Manchester United are fading fast, without a win in six games and currently out of the top four and out of this year's Champions League to leave manager Louis van Gaal fighting for his job.

Chelsea are an irrelevance in the title race, stranded in 15th place with only half of Arsenal's points and with a temporary manager taking charge in Guus Hiddink.

The Gunners now have a four-point advantage over City and seven over United - and it is reasonable to suggest this is an opportunity that might not present itself to Arsenal as readily again.

Are Manchester City, Manchester United and Chelsea likely to be as vulnerable next season?
City may well have Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola in charge by then and have limitless funds to back him.
Serial winner Jose Mourinho could be in the dugout at Old Trafford with a burning desire to prove a point after his sacking, while Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich will be ready to back the next high-profile manager through the door at Chelsea with a serious transfer kitty.

Join the dots and this is Arsenal's best opportunity in recent memory - and one they would never forgive themselves for squandering.

Tuesday 15 December 2015

Champions League draw as it happened

Arsenal vs Barcelona; Europa League draw - Man Utd get Midtjylland in the Europe League

Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City find out their Champions League round of 16 opponents in Monday's draw in Nyon

Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain to meet in knockout stage for third season running
Bayern München pitted against 2014/15 runners-up Juventus
Final set for San Siro in Milan on Saturday 28 May
ROUND OF 16 DRAW
16 February & 9 March
Paris Saint-Germain (FRA) v Chelsea (ENG)
Benfica (POR) v Zenit (RUS)
17 February & 8 March
Gent (BEL) v Wolfsburg (GER)
Roma (ITA) v Real Madrid (ESP)
23 February & 16 March
Arsenal (ENG) v Barcelona (ESP)
Juventus (ITA) v Bayern München (GER)
24 February & 15 March
PSV Eindhoven (NED) v Atlético Madrid (ESP)
Dynamo Kyiv (UKR) v Manchester City (ENG)
Arsenal drawing Barcelona in Champions League adds pressure on Arsene Wenger to deliver Premier League

Arsenal drawing Barcelona in Champions League adds pressure on Arsene Wenger to deliver Premier League

Barcelona beat Arsenal in the 2009/10 quarter-finals – when Lionel Messi scored four in the second leg – the 2010/11 round of 16 and of course the 2006 final.

Chelsea and Paris have played in each of the last two seasons, with both ties decided on away goals. The Blues won their 2013/14 quarter-final, while Paris gained revenge in dramatic fashion in last term's round of 16.

Bayern overcame Juventus 2-0 home and away in the 2012/13 quarter-finals en route to lifting the trophy.

Roma and Real Madrid have played eight times, all in the UEFA Champions League and all since 2001/02. Roma knocked Madrid out in the 2007/08 round of 16.

Atlético recorded two victories against PSV in the 2008/09 group stage, 3-0 in Eindhoven and 2-1 in Madrid.

Benfica defeated Zenit 4-3 on aggregate in the 2011/12 round of 16, although the Russian club won both their fixtures in last season's group stage.

Dynamo ousted Manchester City 2-1 on aggregate in the 2010/11 UEFA Europa League round of 16, prevailing 2-0 at home before a 1-0 away loss.

Gent and Wolfsburg are the only two teams never to have met before.

Friday 11 December 2015

INJURY UPDATE BEFORE BOURNEMOUTH TEST

Louis van Gaal has told MUTV that no fewer than nine players are unavailable for selection ahead of Manchester United’s Barclays Premier League match at Bournemouth on Saturday.

Bastian Schweinsteiger is suspended for three games now the FA has charged him with violent conduct after the German was involved in an incident with Winston Reid during last weekend’s West Ham game.

Matteo Darmian suffered a hamstring injury during the first half of Tuesday’s Champions League defeat at Wolfsburg and the Italian defender was substituted before half-time. Chris Smalling also picked up a groin injury in Germany but the defender gallantly played on until the final whistle.

Marcos Rojo and Antonio Valencia remain sidelined after undergoing recent surgeries on shoulder and foot injuries. Phil Jones, Ander Herrera, Wayne Rooney and Luke Shaw are also unavailable – although the positive news is that Morgan Schneiderlin is returning to fitness following his hip problem.

During his MUTV interview at the Aon Training Complex, van Gaal provided a full update on United's injuries: "It is not so good. We have eight injured players because Darmian and also Smalling we can add to this list, and Schweinsteiger is also suspended, so it's nine players who are not able to play.

"Schneiderlin is coming back, that’s not a problem, but we have a list of eight players injured and Rojo has been operated on this week and it takes a long time. These injuries are very heavy – Shaw and Valencia have also been operated on and that’s our problem."

On the busy festive schedule, the manager continued: "It is not beneficial for us because we have a heavy programme but I believe that Smalling, Herrera and Darmian are coming back before Christmas."

Following the 3-2 defeat at Wolfsburg and United's subsequent exit from the Champions League, van Gaal admitted his job this week has been to lift the players' spirits. "I try to but, of course, the players have to do that also by themselves, they are also the professionals," he told MUTV.

"They need to use their tools to lift them up and we have a lot to fight for, I think. So we are very close in the Premier League to the top. We can fight for the FA Cup and fight also for the Europa League, so I think we have enough to fight for."

Louis van Gaal: Manchester United boss has 'no doubts' over position

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal says he has "no doubts" about his position and that his side must now try to win the Europa League.

'Just the Europa League?'

United's 3-2 defeat by Wolfsburg on Tuesday saw them drop out of the Champions League.

They are fourth in the Premier League, three points behind leaders Leicester, but have been criticised for their lack of flair and goals this season.

"I am working very hard to do what we can do," said the 64-year-old.

When asked by if he felt any uncertainty about his role, he responded: "No doubts. I don't have any. You can lose and win in sport, you have to accept it.

"The problem is that we have to meet with the expectation. At a club like Manchester United they are very high."

United's defeat in Germany meant Wolfsburg finished top of Group B, while PSV Eindhoven, who beat CSKA Moscow, reached the last 16 as runners-up.

Rio Ferdinand described the club's drop into the Europa League as "embarrassing", while other former United players Michael Owen and Paul Scholes were also critical of Van Gaal.

Speaking before Saturday's Premier League game with Bournemouth, the Dutchman was asked if he would be happy if he just won the Europa League this season.

He replied: "Just? You think it's just? I'm not thinking like that.

"I have already won the Europa League with Ajax in my first season, and I was very proud of that. For me, it is a big competition."

Thursday 10 December 2015

Benzema banned from France squad

Benzema, 27, is being investigated over a blackmail plot involving team-mate Mathieu Valbuena but denies wrongdoing.

The former Lyon striker, who has scored 27 international goals, faces charges of conspiracy to blackmail relating to an extortion scam over a sex tape.

France are hosting this summer's European Championship, which gets under way in June.

Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema is banned from playing for the France national team because of his alleged involvement in a sex-tape blackmail plot, report AFP.

Chelsea Recovery and Resurgence or a just Luck

Wednesday night was Chelsea’s ninth win of their season, but it felt like their first. It was not a narrow scrape, as most of them were. The 2-0 score-line understated their dominance.

Willan Celebrates after scoring

It was not against modest opposition, either, Porto clearly being in a different league from Norwich City, Maccabi Tel Aviv or Aston Villa. Nor was it a gift, as when Arsenal self-destructed at Stamford Bridge in September.This was an emphatic, unambiguous, important win that meant far more than merely deciding which European competition Chelsea will play in for the rest of the season.

This was the best performance of Chelsea’s season in what was predicted to be JoseMourinho’s last game. This was not just stabilisation but improvement and progress for the first time all year. This was the first sign all season that Mourinho can get these players back to their best and, therefore, that he is worth keeping in the job. What could be more important than that?

The story of this season, of the most dramatic collapse by any big side in modern English football history, has been the story of the players’ reactions to Mourinho’s methods. For all Mourinho’s obsession with external enemies, the main issue has always been internal.

When the season began, Mourinho tried to spark an improvement out of his players, hoping that they would not rest on their laurels. As he told them very bluntly, he was a “serial champion”. Were they?

Can they continue with this form and stop high flying league leaders Leicester City on Monday Night??? we wait and see

Next Match: Leicester City Vs Chelsea Fc