Predictions - Barclays Premier League - 31st / 1st February

Whether it's the fierce London rivalry taking place at the Emirates or the battle for second over at Anfield, this weekend promises some all-round feistyness... let's just hope it delivers.

I predict:
Stoke City 1 v 3 Man City
Arsenal 1 v 0 West Ham
Aston Villa 1 v 1 Wigan
Bolton 1 v 2 Tottenham
Fulham 1 v 1 Portsmouth
Hull City 2 v 0 West Brom
Middlesbrough 2 v 2 Blackburn
Man Utd 2 v 0 Everton
Newcastle 2 v 1 Sunderland
Liverpool 2 v 2 Chelsea

Review - Everton 1 v 1 Arsenal

I'll take this opportunity to congratulate Timmy Cahill for scoring his 100th career goal and for inflicting more stress upon Arsene 'The Professor whose short of a title winning team' Wenger. Cahill was up to his menacing ways all night and then he went and got injured again, hopefully it's nothing more than a niggle... Robin Van Persie struck right at the death and gave Arsenal a life line but they keep falling off the pace of the top four teams and if they don't turn around drastically, they'll be risking UCL football next year... then what Professor? UEFA Cup... Oh my!

Match highlights:

Review - AC Milan 1 v 1 Genoa

So I've realised that the blog has become a bit of a Beckham watch lately... every move he makes, every goal he scores... what can I say, I'm curious to know if he's going to screw over LA Galaxy and stay with Milan, where he's obviously thriving or if he's going to succumb to the pressures of the contract he signed. Plus, I'm a sucker for PR and a good hairstyle... although that "beard" he is growing is looking a little sus! Just like your deteriorating career in the States, you should let it go man!

Match highlights:

Review - Manchester City 2 v 1 Newcastle United

Seriously I wasn't going to even touch this one, but with all the news surrounding Robinho going AWOL recently and then the Leeds nightclub sex allegations, I couldn't help but add my two cents... or help but notice that he walked out of the players tunnel at the start of the match holding the hand of a little girl, while the commentator talked about how the Brazilian had been "questioned by police for sexual assault"... um, maybe it was the mistimed comment, I don't know, I wouldn't consider myself an expert on the matter, but doesn't that just seem morally wrong?

Match highlights:

Results - Barclays Premier League - 27th / 28th January

So Liverpool and Arsenal muffed another chance to stay within reach of United, but you could say that it was almost expected, meanwhile at the other end of the table, Tottenham jumped from bottom to 8th off... not bad, but now with the teams under them breathing down their back, no-one can really afford to mess up... this comp is tight!

Gameweek score:
6 out of 10

Results:
Sunderland 1 v 0 Fulham
West Brom 0 v 5 Man Utd
Portsmouth 0 v 1 Aston Villa
Tottenham 3 v 1 Stoke City
Chelsea 2 v 0 Middlesbrough
Man City 2 v 1 Newcastle
Wigan 1 v 1 Liverpool
Blackburn 2 v 2 Bolton
Everton 1 v 1 Arsenal
West Ham 2 v 0 Hull City

Review - Indonesia 0 v 0 Australia

Yawn! Oh, someone wake me when it's over... ah, it is! So that's it, 0-0... well I guess it's better than a loss but man this match was as boring as bat-shit. And to the 90,000 fans who were expecting Kewell and got Cole, well I hope you weren't too disappointed... good effort, but maybe next time?

Match highlights:
oh... I'm sorry, I didn't think there were any!?

Review - West Brom 0 v 5 Manchester United

Uh oh, Manchester United have just hit 4th gear and now they're really starting to tear it up.
All I can really say is good luck Chelsea, Liverpool and Villa... it's going to be mighty tough to catch them now, especially with their game in hand. On another note, Ronaldo wasn't wearing the Vapor Charcoals like I'd suggested a day earlier, but he still managed to score 2 goals and even scream out something like "Puta!"? or something like that... angry much!?

Match highlights:

Prediction - Indonesia v Australia

A diet Socceroo team has been selected to play against an Indonesian team that's been in training for the last month and in front of what will be a hostile crowd of anything up to 90,000 fans. Yikes! I don't fancy our chances:

These are the best Australian players in the A-League at the moment and it's up to them to show that they can also perform in a big international environment because it will be quite hectic and hostile and that's what I'm looking at."
"I'm picking players not because of what they've done but how they're playing at the moment."

It'll be interesting to see the cohesion, or lack there of in Australia's play today, as the team has only had one full session to work together. The other thing that scares me is that Graham Arnold will be in charge while Pim is banned from the bench.
Famous last words... I hope we don't get mauled!

I predict:
Indonesia 1 v 1 Australia

Match stream:
You can stream the match live here.

Nike Mercurial Vapor IV - Charcoal/Orange/Silver

So the latest installment of the Nike Vapor cleats is this fairly modest colourway of charcoal, orange and silver... they'll go perfect with my gold plated, diamond encrusted shin-pads! I'm a modest kind'a guy you know.
So it turns out Alexandre Pato will be wearing these shortly, but I'd suspect sooner rather than later of course, that C.Ronaldo will be running around in them... and I'm even going to go as far as saying that he might wear them against West Brom tonight.

Anyone know who else might be wearing them?

Older Mercurial Vapor news:
Spotlight: Nike Mercurial Vapor IV - Lime
Update: Nike Mercurial Vapor Rosa
Coming soon: Mercurial Vapor IV Berry
Ronaldo Wins FIFPro Player of The Year

Nike Mercurial Vapor IV Lime Wallpapers:
1024x768
1280x1024
1680x1050

Predictions - Barclays Premier League - 27th / 28th January

An FA Cup weekend which displaced regular fixtures to mid week... that blows! Now, not only do teams have a couple day turn around but they also have to back it up with more matches this weekend!... don't get me wrong, I love the amount of football being played, but my predictions could go to shit! Spare some though for the pundits you FA half-wits!

I predict:
Sunderland 2 v 2 Fulham
West Brom 1 v 4 Man Utd
Portsmouth 1 v 2 Aston Villa
Tottenham 2 v 1 Stoke City
Chelsea 2 v 0 Middlesbrough
Man City 3 v 1 Newcastle
Wigan 1 v 3 Liverpool
Blackburn 1 v 1 Bolton
Everton 0 v 2 Arsenal
West Ham 2 v 2 Hull City

Review - Bologna 1 v 4 Milan

With little under a week since the dramas of the Manchester City saga unfolded, Kaka seems to have resumed his life and his football as per normal. And what better way to do so than by scoring two goals and helping your team to a much deserved win. Whether a rumoured moved to Madrid is in the cards for the future, only God knows, for the moment though one can only comment on what one can see... and so far me looky and me likey!
Oh and not to be outdone by all the press, and in true Hollywood fashion of course, David Bekham was able to get on the score sheet aswell... I know, I didn't believe it either! With what initially looked like it'd be a cross, 'Golden Balls' managed to trick the defender, the keeper and possibly even himself and land the ball in the back of the net... the expression on his face when he'd scored: Priceless!

Match highlights:

Review - FA Cup - Liverpool 1 v 1 Everton

For the second time in a week, Liverpool FC Gerrard FC took on Merseyside rivals Everton at Anfield and surprise, surprise... guess who pulled the Red's out of the shitter again!?
After another important goal for the club, I'm totally convinced that Benitez's game plan doesn't actaully include anyone but Stevie G... ok, occassionaly Torres, but that's about it! Seriously though, Rafa must sit in the changing rooms before a match with a huge number 8 drawn on his board and all passes, shots, assists and tackles pointed to it. How else do you explain it!? I mean how many times is this guy going to pop his head up at just the right time to get Liverpool out of yet another sticky situation!? On average he does it about a dozen times a season and what's surprising is that every year he just keeps getting better at it... I hope for his sake and Liverpool's, he's cleared of the alleged charges and keep's on keeping on. Kudos to him.

Match highlights:

Results - La Liga - 24th / 25th January

Getafe had a great home win ploughing 5 past Sporting Gijon, but two of the biggest shocks probably came from Mallorca's convincing win at home to Valencia and Rácing’s away win at Sevilla. Overall though, not a bad week of matches but I still think it's a little too late for teams to make a move on table toppers Barca who scored a further 4 goals against Numancia... they just don't look like slowing down.

Gameweek score:
6 out of 10

Results:
Villarreal 1 v 1 Osasuna
FC Barcelona 4 v 1 Numancia
Almeria 2 v 1 Athletic Bilbao
Getafe 5 v 1 Sporting Gijon
Malaga 1 v 1 Atletico de Madrid
Mallorca 3 v 1 Valencia
Recreativo Huelva 1 v 0 Betis
Valladolid 1 v 1 Espanyol
Sevilla 0 v 2 Rácing Santander
Real Madrid 1 v 0 Deportivo La Coruña

Match highlights - Barcelona 4 v 1 Numancia


For more reviews of this weekends La Liga action visit Head or Tails.

Review - FA Cup - Manchester United 2 v 1 Tottenham

I'm not really a fan of the FA Cup... sure it's the oldest football cup competition in one in the world, but eh, rarely does it deliver much more than dull matches played by half strength teams and occasionally we witness a brilliant final but that's about it! (c'mon you have to admire my ignorance).

So anyway, the setting the other night was Old Trafford and the Lillywhites were in town. As expected United made light work of them even though they went down a goal, to a cheeky Pavlyachenko goal... sneaky Russians! So then the stage was set for a comeback and after a fluky half assed goal by Ginger-nut Paul Scholes, everyone's favourite Bulgarian and ex-Tottenham man Dimitchka Berbatov, beat the off side trap and calmly slotted the winner. To tell you the truth, I was actually surprised that he showed emotion after scoring cause he normally walks off uninterested. Could he be in some sort of emotional transition!?... only time and goals will tell!

Match highlights:

Predictions - La Liga - 24th / 25th January

Another tough week of predictions awaits us after the mid week King's Cup matches. Our friends over at Head or Tails have told us to keep an eye on Atlectico Madrid cause given the recent dummy spit by coach Javier Aguirre their chances of Champions League football next year may be affect by another non-result away to Malaga... things are surely heating up in Spain!

Predictions:
Villarreal 2 v 0 Osasuna
FC Barcelona 3 v 0 Numancia
Almeria 2 v 1 Athletic Bilbao
Getafe 3 v 1 Sporting Gijon
Malaga 2 v 0 Atletico de Madrid
Mallorca 1 v 3 Valencia
Recreativo Huelva 2 v 0 Betis
Valladolid 1 v 1 Espanyol
Sevilla 2 v 1 Rácing Santander
Real Madrid 3 v 0 Deportivo La Coruña

For more reviews of this weekends La Liga action visit Head or Tails.

Review - Carling Cup - Burnley 3 v 2 Tottenham

Given the result of the first leg, I think everyone must have thought, myself included, that Tottenham would have held out for an easy win or even a draw to secure their second consecutive appearance in the Carling Cup final... turns out Burnley had other ideas and they made the Lillywhites look more like Pansies instead. It's like Tottenham was the older brother play fighting against his younger, more eager sibling and underestimating his strength, while simultaneously copping cheap shots till it's time to save face and knock him out so he's not embarrassed anymore... don't worry, you'll get yours in the final on March 1st.
I'm predicting a Man Utd win from now.

Match highlights:

Review - Carling Cup - Manchester United 4 v 2 Derby County

As if you didn't see this happening. I mean, go Derby, you did well to get this far, but I think you were suffering from a severe case of wishful thinking, kind of like the time I wished my shlong would grow to 12", instead I was hit in the head by a wayward Foot Long chicken strip sub with mayo!... damn this world and it's cruel way's of bringing you back to reality!
Anyway, better luck next year... or not.

Goal highlight:
I couldn't find a descent highlights package of the entire match, so Nani's opening goal will have to do... it was the pick of the bunch and very Ronaldoesque.

Football Keeps It's Soul - Kaka Stays At Milan

It would have gone down in the record books as the 'richest deal in the history of sport', instead it'll go down as 'the day football kept its soul'. Thank Christ, no thank Milan, no thank Kaka... heck I don't know, thank somebody for this deal not happening! I'm just glad the messy and highly scrutinised saga has finally come to an end and that in a sense, justice has prevailed. Seriously, Sheik's have no business in football and they should stick to what they know... arrogance, tacky over the top lifestyles and building shite developments in the Middle East! Kudos to Kaka for following his heart and not the supposed gold at the end of the rainbow!... he'll now be able to enjoy the rest of his playing days the way he wants... forza Kaka!

Older Kaka & Milan news:
Review AC Milan 1 v 0 Fiorentina
New Adidas Boots, Pure Kaka!
Review - Roma 2 v 2 AC Milan

Other sources:
Kaká: I Belong To Milan [Goal.com]
Kaká: Man money couldn’t buy wears heart on his sleeve [Times Online]
Kaká: not a slave after all [The World Game]

Review - Liverpool 1 v 1 Everton

I love watching Liverpool scoring at the Kop end of Anfield, well namely Gerrard... there is so much energy in his run to the touch line followed with a smooth slide and the mobbing of his team mates, unlike Pepe Reina who nearly did a knee trying to replicate Gerrards slide at the other of the ground. Anyway it just seems like the whole stadium erupts and the atmosphere is electrifying! Heck I even put up with foreign commentary and a shite quality highlights just to hear the noise made from the fans at the stadium.
But what I really like more than anything is the sound of silence from the home fans when an Australian player scores the equalizing goal of such a big match... but what can I do... it must be the patriot in me!
Oh and by the way... I was right about the scores of this match too, which brings my match day prediction total to 9 out of 10, so from now on I will officially be known as 'The Master of The Universe'! Got it, good!

Match highlights:

Results - Barclays Premier League - 17th / 18th January

I thought I'd go ahead and publish the results of the games played so far and oh boy what a weekend of predictions I had! I probably didn't put much thought into the outcome of Wigan's match against Middlesbrough, none the less, I picked 8 results out the 9 played so far and if tonight's Liverpool v Everton match goes as predicted, I'll officially be known as the Master of The Universe! Forget He-man... he was just a chump that wore fury orange boots, more like a "She-man" if you ask me!

Gameweek score:
8 out of 9

Results:
Blackburn 3 v 0 Newcastle
Bolton 0 v 1 Man Utd
Chelsea 2 v 1 Stoke City
Man City 1 v 0 Wigan
Sunderland 1 v 2 Aston Villa
West Brom 3 v 0 Middlesbrough
Hull City 1 v 3 Arsenal
West Ham 3 v 1 Fulham
Tottenham 1 v 1 Portsmouth

Still to come:
Liverpool v Everton

Results - La Liga - 17th / 18th January

So overall a much better round of results this week and a few picked scores as well. Even though it was against the cards, I especially liked the comeback from Athletic Bilbao who are on 9 match unbeaten streak at the moment, confidence is high and they'll soon be battling for second spot. Vamos Los Leones!

Gameweek score:
6 out of 10

Results:
FC Barcelona 5 v 0 Deportivo La Coruña
Sevilla FC 1 v 0 Numancia
Athletic Bilbao 3 v 2 Valencia CF
Málaga CF 4 v 0 Espanyol
Real Valladolid 1 v 3 Real Betis
Recreativo Huelva 2 v 0 Sporting Gijón
Almeria 1 v 1 Atletico Madrid
Villarreal CF 2 v 0 RCD Mallorca
Real Madrid 3 v 1 Osasuna
Getafe CF 0 v 1 Racing Santander

For more reviews of this weekends La Liga action visit Head or Tails.

Review - AC Milan 1 v 0 Fiorentina

Forget this as the return of Gilardino to play against Milan or as the first match for Beckham at the San Siro or even as another winning goal for youngster Pato. No this match had a more sinister plot and one that may destroy football for the near future. For those living in a cave for the past few months, I refer to the Kaka – Manchester City saga, in which copious amounts of spondoolas have been thrown at Milan for the services of former World Player of the Year, Kaka.
Ok so he may not be happy at Milan at the moment, but what exactly will he achieve at Manchester City if he goes!?
What, the opportunity to play alongside fellow Brazilians Robinho, Elano and Jô?... please! I'd take the playing roster at AC anyday. If City are lucky enough they "might" make the UEFA Cup next year.
Fame and riches? ... been there, got that!
Anxiety and depression? ... you bettcha! If Kaka leaves is forced to move to Manchester, consider him dead and buried and along with it my respect for any conglomerate calling the shots in a club's transfer matters... and yes I point my finger at you too Mr. Abramovich!

Match highlights:


Other sources:
Calcio Debate: If Kaka Moves To Manchester City, Football Is Dead
Berlusconi hints at Kaka exit

Review - Barcelona 5 v 0 Deportivo

Barcelona are in scintillating form right now and overnight added another 5 goals to the 54 they'd already deposited in different goal mouths around Spain... 59 (total) frickin goals and we're only a bees dick off the half way point of the season! And only 13 goals against!?... that's a +46 goal different! If this was a popularity contest, or even better a Casanova challenge and each goal equated a female, the whole of Spain would be left dry of good looking women and the remaining men would have to either turn on each other or on the poor souls hit by the ugly stick. Come to think of it, I don't recall even seeing an ugle Spanish señorita when I visited the country... so I guess the men would just have to turn on themselves... ay karumba!

Match highlights:

Review - Chelsea 2 v 1 Stoke

It must have been the weekend for last ditch efforts... first Berbatov to give United the win and put them top of the pops and then Frank Lampard with what was the last strike of the match. In saying that, it may appear I wrote Chelsea off a little too early... in fact with this win they've probably turned the corner of falling out of Champions League contention and may now be back on track with securing second position in the Premiership. But all this may have brought about some concern:
1. Chelsea were only minutes away from another home defeat to lowly Stoke... a big drop from their form a year ago and
2. with this last gasp win, Didier Drogba has effectively lost his spot in the team squad indefinitely! I for one, think it's time for the big man to move on... hey Didier, I hear Australia's always looking for washed up Prem. League talent... want me to tee up an interview!? Heck you might even get in before Robbie Fowler, who's rumoured to be linked with new A-League entrants North Queensland Fury as their marquee player. Not a good move by the Aussies if you ask me!

Match highlights:


Older Chelsea posts:
So What Happened To Chelsea!?
Review - Manchester United 3 v 0 Chelsea
Prediction - Manchester United v Chelsea

Review - Bolton 0 v 1 Manchester United

A late goal by Dimitar Berbatov has propelled Manchester United to the top of the Premier League table and without doubt bought a realisation to Rafa Benitez that his Liverpool mob have to work extra hard if they're to stay in contention for top spot. Admittedly, it took United 90 minutes to break down the stubborn Bolton defense and thanks to the tricky feet of the stocky unwanted Argentinian, Carlos Tevez, Ferguson can now sleep for another night knowing that his "second-rate" stars have done it for him again... ah the ironies of football!

Match highlights:

Predictions - Barclays Premier League - 17th / 18th January

With an exciting Merseyside derby on the cards, this could be the weekend that Liverpool is dethroned and Manchester United get back in the hot seat... whatever the case, this weekend promises an action and controversy packed affair, get your pop-corn ready!

I predict:
Blackburn 2 v 1 Newcastle
Bolton 0 v 2 Man Utd
Chelsea 5 v 1 Stoke City
Man City 3 v 1 Wigan
Sunderland 0 v 2 Aston Villa
West Brom 1 v 1 Middlesbrough
Hull City 0 v 1 Arsenal
West Ham 2 v 1 Fulham
Tottenham 2 v 2 Portsmouth
Liverpool 1 v 1 Everton

Predictions - La Liga - 17th / 18th January

After a difficult set of matches to predict last weekend, our resident La Liga experts over at Head or Tails have vowed that this weeks predictions will be more accurate and that if they're not, a Ramón Calderón type exit would be in order... I was thinking something a little less sinister, like a slap on the wrist, but they're adamant this is football and they take it seriously! Ole!

Predictions:
FC Barcelona 3 v 0 Deportivo La Coruña
Sevilla 2 v 0 Numancia
Athletic Bilbao 1 v 2 Valencia
Málaga CF 1 v 1 Espanyol
Real Valladolid 2 v 1 Real Betis
Recreativo Huelva 2 v 0 Sporting Gijón
Almeria 1 v 1 Atletico Madrid
Villarreal 2 v 0 Mallorca
Real Madrid 3 v 0 Osasuna
Getafe 3 v 1 Racing Santander

For more reviews of this weekends La Liga action visit Head or Tails.

What's The Deal With Arsenal And Arshavin!?

Many, many moons ago, I wrote a little article about how Ronaldinho was going to leave the Nou Camp and head straight for the Emirates [read it here]... why you ask? Why else, I was bored and I needed the attention!
In all fairness though, it's cause Arsenal had just published their annual profit and my eye's nearly popped out of my head when I read how much money they had in their kitty. I thought to myself with a stash of cash that big, why wouldn't they splash out a little and um, maybe buy some players!?
Which brings me to my next point... I know, I'm a little slow today. If The Gunners are soooooo cashed up, why haven't they already signed, sealed and delivered Andrei Arshavin!? What on earth is taking so long!? If it was up to me, not only would the little 'Russian Jewel' be running around north London right now, but there'd be Transformers and ninja's standing round the stadium too just in case we fell under attack... ninja vanish!

Older Arshavin news:
Russia's Little Jewel - Andrei Arshavin

New Adidas Boots, Pure Kaka!

So you're a marketing head over at Adidas and you want a World Class player to wear your new line of boots, aptly named Adi-Pure. You also want to pitch them as a traditional, nonsensical boot that kicks ass in any condition... who do you chose!? Well, if it was up to me I'd say Liverpool skipper Stephen Gerrard, but he's too busy fighting court cases and other randoms so it'd have to be someone else... anyway, there are a host of players you could chose but none more "Pure" than Kaka!... I just loves the way that roles off the tongue.
Love your work you "marketing" geniuses!
Seriously though, I love a boot that's plain, simple and predominantly black.
I made that clear years ago

Other players to wear these boots:
Help me by adding to this list.
Karim Benzema

Cristiano Ronaldo Transfer To Madrid Very Real!?

Seriously, I'm so over all rumours and speculation of CR's future at United!
He's obviously not going to move this transfer window, although much like his number seven predecessor at United, David Beckham, this deal will probably go down at the end of the season... no matter how things fair for United in the latter stages of all competitions. For the moment though let's just celebrate the fact that he was crowned FIFA World Player of the Year... oh and that I won another free Mars Bar on the inside of my chocolate wrapper... don't try and understand it, dudes like me and Ronaldo just have all the luck!

CR7 - Love him or Hate him campaign ad:

Review - Roma 2 v 2 AC Milan

Ok so I didn't imagine Beck's playing in this match at all, let alone for as long as he did (89 minuti), none the less it was end to end action as expected and I even managed to pick the score as well. Yay me! I particularly liked Pato's second goal, in which the execution looked so effortless that it made Roma keeper Doni and defender Mexes look like a pair of second rate boobs hanging out on some old lady's chest... while one looked a little bent out of shape, the other had dropped to the knees a lot sooner than expected. Ew!

Match highlights:

Results - La Liga - 10th / 11th January

There was a big call made in the predictions for these matches... that bein Osasuna would beat Barca 2-1 and it almost happened had it not been for a late flurry from Xabi and an impressive strike by Messi to win it for the Catalans (highlights below). Overall a pretty tough weekend of scores to predict.
Gameweek score:
2 out of 10

Results:
Deportivo La Coruña 1 v 3 Sevilla FC
Valencia CF 3 v 3 Villarreal CF
Sporting Gijón 2 v 1 Real Valladollid
Numancia 2 v 0 Getafe
Racing Santander 1 v 1 Recreativo de Huelva
Atlético Madrid 2 v 3 Athletic Bilbao
Real Mallorca 0 v 3 Real Madrid
Espanyol Barcelona 2 v 2 UD Almería
Real Betis 1 v 2 Málaga CF
Osasuna 2 v 3 FC Barcelona

Match highlights:


Read more reviews here:
Heads or Tails

Results - Barclays Premier League - 10th / 11th January

Not a bad weekend in all which climaxed with Man Utd's emphatic win over title contenders Chelsea. Overall, a good weekend of scoring for me.
Gameweek score:
5 out of 8

Results:
Arsenal 1 v 0 Bolton
Aston Villa 2 v 1 West Brom
Everton 2 v 0 Hull City
Fulham - v - Blackburn
Middlesbrough 1 v 1 Sunderland
Newcastle 2 v 2 West Ham
Portsmouth - v - Manchester City
Stoke 0 v 0 Liverpool
Wigan 1 v 0 Tottenham
Manchester United 3 v 0 Chelsea

So What Happened To Chelsea!?

As far as I can see, it's a matter of two things:

1. Didier 'Am I coming or am I going' Drogba... what the!? He looked like half the player he once was and played so badly he even made Anelka look good! Amazed at what a couple months on the sideline can do to a players fitness and confidence, not to mention his overall worth, he just couldn't do anything right. His image as a formidable striker was tainted last night, so much so, that he's probably harmed his chances of making a switch to a top European club any time soon... unlucky, cause he needs out quick smart!


2. John Terry's awful head haircut... well John Terry and the rest of the dismal Blues defence. This once unified and compact unit were at sixes and sevens, yet last night were nowhere to be seen for all three goals. I guess it's not like they had too much support, their midfield went MIA and I don't think I heard Deco or Lampard's names mentioned in the second half at all.

Also, I suggested yesterday that with Aston Villa in the mix now, the race to secure a Champions League spot would see a team exiting the top four... I'm almost thinking Chelsea might be 'that' team although the wash up from this match will determine my selection.
One thing that I am certain of though, is that for the second consecutive year, Manchester United are going to walk away with the Premier League trophy... big call? But that's how I roll!
Watch this space!

Review - Manchester United 3 v 0 Chelsea

With this win, Manchester United have proven they're intentions and put themselves in the driving seat to pinch top spot off Liverpool. Their total annihilation of Chelsea must have Benitez packing his draws again and looking over his shoulder knowing that it's just a matter of time before he's on the receiving end of a Sir Ferg / Red devils retaliation assault.
Overall, it's fair to say that Chelsea were completely outplayed and outclassed, lacking any sort of cohesion and attacking noose and I guess I could even go as far as saying that they looked school boyish and out of their league, so forget their chances of winning silverware this year. There I said it... somebody had to say it!

Match highlights:

Prediction - Roma v Milan

Both teams will go into this match without key players, most notably Roma are without talismanic captain Francesco Totti and Milan without work horse Rino Gattuso. Also both teams will be looking to close the gap on leaders Inter, who fumbled overnight to lowly Cagliari. This should be a very competitive match, although going off the enthusiasm shown last week by Milan when they took on Hamburg in Dubai, Roma should win this match 60-0!
Haha, nah if Kaka is fit again he'll reclaim the midfield with Pirlo and Ronaldinho and there will be more stability in Milan's movements going forward. I don't think 'Golden Balls' will make an appearance though, mainly cause from what I saw last week he still needs a lot of work to gel with the team. Should be a good game.

I predict:
AS Roma 2 v 2 Milan

Review - Aston Villa 2 v 1 West Brom

Martin O'Niel's men temporarily sit amongst the 'Big Boys' of the Premier League in third spot... woh, easy fella, I said temporarily. If Man U beat Chelsea tonight, they'll be back into 4th, never the less, hats off for an amazing run that they're having as they continue picking up points to keep them in contention of that elusive Champions League spots. I know it's still too early, but I'm going to take a wild stab and say that they will get it... but who will they knock out!? Well given Liverpool's unpredictability and inconsistency of late, anything could happen to them. Arsenal are looking far from good in their quest to win the league and even Chelsea's shown vulnerability not seen for many years. Tough call, but I think each of these three teams are most at danger of playing UEFA Cup next year... ew gross!

Match highlights:

Prediction - Manchester United v Chelsea

Since Liverpool did a fine 'ol job of giving both these teams a life line, all of a sudden, picking up these valuable three points takes on a new meaning for both teams and makes this match a hellofa lot more interesting if you ask me! Although the only way it would get more interesting than this would be if they allowed vicious Dobermans on to the field every time a player missed an opportunity... imagine the fun of watching Anelka getting his arse chewed every time he missed. It’s genius I tells ya!

Anyway, Chelsea will come out quick and rough, while Man U will dominate for larger periods of the match. There's more than just a couple goals in this one, there will be a clear cut winner.

I predict:
Manchester United 2 v 1 Chelsea

Review - Sroke 0 v 0 Liverpool

I hate to say I told you so but Liverpool are becoming the masters of their own demise. Just as they could have gone 6 points clear of Chelsea now they're at risk of possibly being only 1 point up. And they did such a fine job of messing this one up, that it only justified further the speculation that Rafa is already pointing the finger if things don't go as planned in the coming months. Geez, last time I saw the 'Pool gaffer under this much pressure was after he'd eaten a whole plate of prunes for dessert and couldn't find a toilet, although I hope for Liverpool fans that the result isn't the same... messy draws and a bucket load of shite!

No match highlights for this post, 0-0 draws are hardly deserving of it... no matter how close the ball got to the line.

Ronaldo Drives Car, Not Ball, Into Wall

In what is slowly becoming an out of sorts season for Ronaldo, that is, he's not scoring as consistntly as last year or even playing as well... yesterday morning he ploughed his car into a tunnel wall near Manchester airport on his way to training... douch bag! When police questioned him about the incident, sources say he blamed it on the wall not being 10 yards back! Hahaha... Let's see if he get's it right on Sunday against Chelsea when it really matters.

Predictions - Barclays Premier League - 10th / 11th January

With a host of FA and Carling Cup matches last weekend and mid week, there may be some tired legs for the teams lacking depth, although the week off from the league was good for players recovering from injury and this weekend we'll probably see a return from Liverpools Fernando Torres and a cracking match at Old Trafford between bitter rivals Man U and Chelsea... tough weekend to predict and there'll be many close games.

I predict:
Arsenal 2 v 0 Bolton
Aston Villa 3 v 1 Westbrom
Everton 2 v 1 Hull City
Fulham 1 v 1 Blackburn
Middlesbrough 2 v 1 Sunderland
Newcastle 1 v 1 West Ham
Portsmouth 1 v 2 Manchester City
Stoke 0 v 2 Liverpool
Wigan 2 v 3 Tottenham
Manchester United 2 v 1 Chelsea

Predictions - La Liga - 10th / 11th January

Hoping for better results this week, our resident La Liga expert Juan of Heads or Tails has predicted some post mid week King's Cup hangovers... most importantly, Osasuna taking points off Barcelona... big call, but that's why he's the Spanish master so go against him at your own peril!

Predictions:
Deportivo La Coruña 1 v 1 Sevilla FC
Valencia CF 3 v 1 Villarreal CF
Sporting Gijón 2 v 1 Real Valladollid
Numancia 1 v 1 Getafe
Racing Santander 2 v 0 Recreativo de Huelva
Atlético Madrid 3 v 1 Athletic Bilbao
Real Mallorca 0 v 2 Real Madrid
Espanyol Barcelona 2 v 1 UD Almería
Real Betis 1 v 0 Málaga CF
Osasuna 2 v 1 FC Barcelona

For more reviews of this weekends La Liga action visit Heads or Tails.

City Boss To Be Granted One Wish

Close your eyes and pretend you're the manager of Manchester City and I'm a god... ain't working for ya? Well how bout a genie!?
Ok, so you've rubbed my err... lantern and I'm about to grant you a wish. Forget this so called shortlist of Terry, Messi, Kaka or Villa, you can have any player in the world and no player is out of reach... except for Pippo Inzaghi, he's in charge of keeping the toilets clean in my palace.

So who do you bring to Manchester City?
Without a doubt, I'd strengthen the defense and bring a centre-back or defensive midfielder the likes of Olympique Lyonnais' Jérémy Toulalan... just so I could say his name more, it almost makes you wanna burst out into a song every time you say it! Go on, you should try it some time!

Older City transfer news:
Hot Air Everywhere!
Transfer Window - Closed!

Dubai Football Challenge... Eh, Whatever!

It was billed as a 'Clash of the Titans' and would be one of the biggest exhibition matches to ever take place in Dubai. The big boys were in town and the media were on it like a pitt-bull on a poodle, so did it live up to the billing!? Hell no!

I don't know if it's the fact that I became bitter after sitting in traffic for 2.5 hours trying to get to the stadium, eventually opting to abandon my car in some sand paddock just to try and make the first half, or if it was the lack of organisation by the municipality to even make it convenient for fans to get to there or if it was the general lack of enthusiasm shown by the players to win this 'Mickey Mouse Cup', which meant the best form of entertainment came from watching a small group of fans trying to start the Mexican wave (and succeeding) on several occasions!?... although, Ronaldinho's little dance after scoring the penalty would come in a close second.
He was also awarded the player of the tournament award, which he picked up with one hand unenthusiastically and walked off with... no photo op, no thank-you wave, just a "yeah, whatever... I'll take it and add it to the room full I already have... or just leave it behind for the suite cleaners at the hotel"... thus was the care factor of this match.

Anyway, I felt most for the paying public who was ripped off by getting to the match after half time due to the traffic congestion and missed the half that Becks played in, cause he was subbed off. Not that his performance was anything to write home about, by any means... he looked out of place and couldn't get into the rhythm of the match, often being pushed really deep cause he kept intruding on Pirlo's midfield space. No shit, at one time I thought he'd replaced Maldini and was playing a sweepers role... my point, a lot of work needs to be done to get him in sync with the team.

Overall, it was typical of a sporting event staged in Dubai. Sure it delivered the glitz and glamour and believe me, there was plenty of silver confetti shot out of cannons when Milan were announced winners... yet they failed to do the simple things right. Although this was not the first time it's happened, it won't be the last either and one has to ask would this have been better planned if it was in Abu Dhabi!?... I for one think so and somehow I don't think I'm the only one.

Tell me about your experiences if you were at the match, good or bad... as you can tell mine were bitter to say the least.

Beckhams Custom Adidas Predator Powersweve DB

If you live in the fairytale world of the Beckhams you're every wish is somebody's command, so I'm really jealous right now of the dwarf that weaved the straw into the boots that 'Golden Balls' will most likely be wearing in tonight's match against Hamburger SV. And he didn't even have to sacrifice his first born for them... instead, the dwarf inscribed Beck's sons names onto each boot plus a host of other shite too. Anyone care to have a crack at what's written?

Older David Beckham news:
AC Milan in Dubai - The Circus Continues...
Beckham Unveiled by Milan

Results - La Liga - 3rd / 4th January

In what was a difficult round of matches to predict, all I can really say is... Get a load of this!
Robben's screamer against Villarreal


Overnight results:
Almería 1 v 0 Real Betis
Real Valladolid 0 v 1 Rácing Santander
Málaga 1 v 0 Sporting Gijón
Sevilla CF 1 v 1 Osasuna
Athletic Bilbao 1 v 1 RCD Espanyol
Real Madrid 1 v 0 Villarreal CF
Getafe CF 1 v 2 Deportivo La Coruña
Recreativo Huelva 3 v 1 Numancia

FC Barcelona 3 v 1 Real Mallorca
Valencia CF 3 v 1 Atlético Madrid

Gameweek score:
5 out of 10
Read more reviews here:
Heads or Tails

Predictions - La Liga - 3rd / 4th January

A new year lends itself to new ideas and what better way than by starting with a new approach to football predictions worldwide. Thanks to our friends over at Heads or Tails, experts in all sports Spanish and abroad, Part-time Pundit will be bringing to you predictions for all La Liga matches starting from this weekend... oh and the occasional jab at the league as well. We’ll be leaving the full previews and reviews to the guys over there, so feel free to visit Heads or Tails and tell them how good they are... they love the feedback.

Predictions:
(I missed the top two matches overnight cause my ass was jet-setting around the globe)
FC Barcelona 3 (Henry-2, Xavi) v 0 Real Mallorca
Valencia CF 2 (Villa, Mata) v 2 (Agüero, Maxi Rodríguez) Atlético Madrid

Almería 2 (Álvaro Negredo) v 1 (Emana) Real Betis
Real Valladolid-Rácing Santander: 2 (Goitom, Cannobio)-1 (Jonathan)
Málaga-Sporting Gijón: 2(Adrian, Baha)- 0
Sevilla CF 3 (Luis Fabiano, Romaric, Kanoute) v 1 (Plasil) Osasuna
Athletic Bilbao 3 (Fernando Llorente-2, Yeste) v 0 Espanyol
Real Madrid 3 (Raúl, Van der Vaart, Sneijder) v 2 ( Rossi, Nihat) Villarreal
Getafe 0 v 0 Deportivo La Coruña
Recreativo Huelva 1 (Javi Guerrero) v 0 Numancia

Overnight results:
FC Barcelona 3 (Henry T, Iniesta, Touré Y) v 1 (Aduriz A) Real Mallorca
Valencia CF 3 (David Villa, David Silva-2) v 1 (Forlán D) Atlético Madrid

Calling all pundits:
Fancy yourself a predictionist and have a blog you want to promote?
Contact me and learn the benefits of linking up with the Part-time Pundit to get more exposure online... I predict: win / win

AC Milan in Dubai - The Circus Continues...

Ok... so I'm back and straight down to the first order of business. AC Milan's looming date with Hamburg SV in the Dubai Football Challenge.
There's been much coverage since the players touched down in the city, mostly about David Beckham and the 600 police officers that clear the path everywhere he walks... can you believe that!
Anyway, the match is only a few days away and Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti has said he's ready to throw Becks into the mix:

He's lacking a bit of strength but that's normal considering his long break.
"He'll play in the friendly against Hamburg.
"He's ready for the game against Roma, so why shouldn't he play? It's true that he hasn't played for a while but he's working very hard and he's really making a great impression on me."

Ancelotti would be an idiot if he didn't play Becks in this match and believe me winning has got nothing to do with it. From what i've heard tickets for this "friendly" have been sold out for a while now and I assure you everyone in town, outta town and around the UAE will be hoping to get a glimpse of 'Golden Balls' and his trademark free kick... it really is a no brainer for Ancelotti.
I've never seen Becks play before or Ronaldinho & Kaka for that matter... or any of the other 2 dozen superstars that'll be hittin the turf on Tuesday evening, so friendly match or not, this is going to be a cracker purely for the amount of world class players strutting their stuff on the same field at one time... so based on this alone, it should be a great match.

Older AC Milan news:
Beckham Unveiled by Milan
Dubai Football Challenge - AC Milan v Hamburg SV