Arsenal put in a sparkling performance against the 2004 European Champions, dominating pretty much from start to finish. Nicklas Bendtner will no doubt take most of the headlines with a face-saving hat-trick going some way towards making up for his horror show against Burnley at the weekend.

But credit also has to go to the two chief architects, Samir Nasri and Andrey Arshavin, whose probing midfield runs were instrumental in the victory and eased the pain of being without captain Fabregas.

The win caps off a satisfying few weeks for Arsene Wenger, whose side are visibly growing in confidence. Following last Saturday’s win over Burnley they will firmly believe they can take advantage of their favourable fixture list and win their first Premier league title since 2004.

After the Porto result what is stopping them going all the way in the Champions League as well?
Wenger himself has admitted he would relish the chance to avenge their heavy league defeats to Chelsea and Manchester United should they be drawn together in the next round.

Personally I feel the Champions League is a step too far. The Gunners have shown already they struggle against the top sides in the Premier league and I feel that when up against a similar side in the Europe they will fall just short. The Champions League football betting certainly suggests this will be the case.

The momentum is definitely with them in the league, however. Their win at Stoke the weekend before last was celebrated with extra vigour, not just because it was in response to Aaron Ramsey’s shocking injury but because it was seen as a rare banana skin in what is a dream of a run-in fixture list.

Local rivals Spurs and fellow fourth place chasers Man City are the only other major hiccups remaining for the Gunners and if the past few games are to go by, they shouldn’t present a problem. If this proves to be the case, then the title could be heading to Arsenal’s new Emirates Stadium for the very first time.

Meanwhile, hat-trick hero Bendtner will be hoping he can hit form in time for the World Cup.

He will be representing Denmark and while the side are unlikely to be many people’s World Cup 2010 tips they could still cause an upset.

Just a few short months after he was barracked by his own fans, the chances of Fulham striker Bobby Zamora securing a place in England’s World Cup squad seem to be improving rapidly.

Zamora was seen as a bit of a joke figure at Craven Cottage in the run-up to Christmas, with his boss Roy Hodgson at something of a loss to explain why they would be turning on one of their own players.

But the 29-year-old has proved to be something of a revelation in the three months since that low point, taking his tally to nine goals in his last 15 games when he scored the match-winning free-kick in the 2-1 victory over Birmingham City on Sunday.

Zamora has goals in each of the last four games and suddenly it is not just Hodgson clamouring for him to get a chance in Fabio Capello’s squad – and it is interesting that the Italian was at Craven Cottage to see Sunday’s match with only Zamora and Birmingham keeper Joe Hart as serious possibles for his squad on show.

Sadly for Zamora, Capello had already left his seat by the time Zamora scored, but Hodgson felt his overall performance would have done enough to impress and could be enough to earn him a call-up for the first pre-World Cup friendly against Egypt on March 3.

What of the competition? Well, if we split the striking options up, it seems almost certain that Wayne Rooney (100% certain if fit) and Jermain Defoe will go to South Africa, while Peter Crouch has often been favoured by Capello as the main target man.

Much will, then, depend on the make-up of the squad. If Capello takes only four strikers, as has been mooted, then Zamora will be contending with the likes of Emile Heskey (probably still the favourite), Carlton Cole, Darren Bent (disappointing recently) and Gabriel Agbonlahor for just one spot on the plane.

On this season’s evidence, Zamora and Agbonlahor would be the favourites with World Cup Betting, with Cole unable to find the net regularly or stay fit, Heskey having scored only five times and Bent having hit the wall since a fast start to the campaign.

Far-fetched it might still be, but you certainly can’t fault Zamora for his effort as he tries to score his way into the squad. Something World Cup Picks are far from ruling out.

]]> http://www.uksoccershopblog.co.uk/149/zamora-for-england-maybe-just-maybe/feed/ http://www.uksoccershopblog.co.uk/148/international-friendly-round-up-africa/ http://www.uksoccershopblog.co.uk/148/international-friendly-round-up-africa/#comments Mon, 08 Mar 2010 12:16:46 +0000 footballblogger http://www.uksoccershopblog.co.uk/?p=148 There is certainly no danger of the African teams peaking ahead of this summer’s finals. All six of the CAF qualifiers were in recent friendly action, but only one, Nigeria, were victorious. It now appears even more unlikely that the maiden African finals will be graced by a winner from the home continent.

Cote d’Ivoire, perhaps the likeliest African contenders with world cup 2010 betting odds, are in something approaching disarray. The managerial merry-go-round continues, Vahid Halilhodzic being sacked after a disappointing Africa Cup of Nations campaign.

Sven Goran Eriksson and Guus Hiddink are in the frame to lead the team in South Africa, but a brand new coach, regardless of his pedigree, is not an ideal scenario. A 2-0 defeat by South Korea at Loftus Road did not help preparation.

Ghana wasted a one goal advantage in Bosnia-Hercegovina to lose 2-1. Sulley Muntari scored the Black Stars’ goal. Algeria continued their poor run of form, losing comprehensively 3-0 to Serbia.

Cameroon and South Africa both secured draw, but the former’s goalless stalemate in Italy represents a far better result than the hosts’ uninspiring 1-1 draw with Namibia. A second half equaliser from Katlego Mphela did little to ease the fears that the home nation will struggle in the summer.

Nigeria were impressive 5-2 winners over Congo, a result notable for the two debut goals by Osas Idehen. The Super Eagles have made a good start under Lars Lagerback, who is on a short-term contract similar to the one Cote d’Ivoire hope to secure with Hiddink or Eriksson.

Nigeria have no more friendlies scheduled ahead of the finals, so the wily Swedish coach will need to work quickly to gel his new charges into a team capable of upsetting some World Cup bets and making a good impression.

The round of international fixtures this week gives managers the chance to assess the squad ahead of the tournament, knowing the clock is against them.

For Fabio Capello it has mainly been off-field distractions that have occupied his thoughts in recent weeks, with the John Terry, Wayne Bridge and Ashley Cole scandals threatening to fracture the squad. Though I suppose it’s a change from working out how to play Gerrard and Lampard in the same team.

But with the friendly against Egypt shifting the focus away from the tabloid tales and back onto the pitch, there is no let up in problems for the Italian. Anyone thinking about a football bet would have noticed England are strong favourites for the game, but Capello faces a bigger challenge than this might suggest.

None of the ‘keepers selected, David James, Joe Hart and Rob Green, have impressed enough to make the number one spot their own. James is perhaps the front runner, but he has endured an injury plagued season at crisis club Portsmouth. West Ham stopper Green hasn’t always convinced at International level while Joe Hart, the most in-form player of the trio, is very inexperienced at this level.

In front of goal things get worse. Full backs Glenn Johnson and Ashley Cole are out with long-term injuries - Capello has already said he doesn’t want to take unfit players to South Africa so even a late recovery is no guarantee they will make the squad - while we all know why Wayne Bridge is unavailable.

In the middle things aren’t much better. Rio Ferdinand has missed large chunks of the season through injury, while Terry’s fragile mental state following his much publicised personal troubles has led to an alarming drop in form.

The three Lions have solid deputies with the likes of Matthew Upson and Joleon Lescott, but it remains to be seen whether they are World Cup quality.

While Capello tries to plug the leaky defence he also needs to keep his fingers crossed that nothing happens striker Wayne Rooney. The United forward has been in the form of his life this season and his talismanic role for both his club and national side means his fitness is key to England’s World Cup ambitions. Any 2006 style metatarsal injuries and the nation will fall into a state of despair.

After all the tabloid tittle tattle in recent weeks Capello was probably glad to return to on-field matters. But given the headaches he finds there, it’s not going to offer him any more relief. The World Cup football odds make England third favourites to win the competition, but they will have their work cut out to live up to expectations.

An English champion in the first season – in the year of the 2010 Football world cup - of the Europa League would be appropriate. Spurs won the first ever UEFA Cup in 1972, beating Wolverhampton Wanderers in the final, and whilst it might be too much to expect both Liverpool and Fulham to go all the way, both teams have a good chance of glory.

English teams have struggled in the UEFA Cup recently due to their inexperience in Europe. The so-called big four monopolise the Champions League places to such an extent that no one else gets the chance to regularly sample continental football, because the battle for fifth and sixth places in the league is so competitive.

Liverpool’s presence in the event his term has changed that. They know how to win in Europe and their Champions League pedigree, combined with a recent upturn in domestic form, makes them worthy favourites. Steven Gerrard’s improving form should help favour England’s World Cup Betting Odds too.

Fulham do not have the same European experience, but their impressive victory over Shakhtar Donetsk in the last 32 proves they can compete at this level. No one gets an easy game at Crave Cottage, so Juventus must be on their guard in the last 16.

Everton missed out after a late collapse at Sporting Lisbon, robbing the competition of the prospect of a Merseyside derby at some stage, but the Toffees neighbours will not be bothered – Liverpool know they cannot look down on the importance of any trophy at the moment and that the Europa League is there for the taking.

The Blues defeated Cardiff 4-1 at Stamford Bridge in the fifth round and have been rewarded for their efforts with another home tie - against either Manchester City (8/1) or Stoke (25/1) who will replay at The Britannia Stadium.

Chelsea have edged out Watford and Cardiff on home soil and saw off Preston in the fourth round away from the King’s Road, but they will now have to topple Premier League opposition to reach the semi-finals. Carlo Ancelotti’s men still look primed for more cup glory and have shortened up to repeat last year’s heroics with Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United already out of the tournament.

Tottenham are the 11/2 second favourites after battling out a 1-1 draw at Bolton (50/1) and now face a replay at White Hart Lane to determine who will take on Fulham (14/1) at Craven Cottage. FA Cup Match Betting certainly expects Harry Redknapp’s men to progress though.

Financially-stricken Portsmouth (16/1) are well placed to repeat their FA Cup success of 2008 and face Birmingham (11/1) at Fratton Park for a place in the last four.

Pompey will be desperate for cup success in a bid to ease their cash problems on the south coast and they could still become the first team in history to win the prestigious tournament and be relegated in the same season.

Reading (80/1) and West Brom (33/1) face a replay at The Hawthorns to determine who will take on Aston Villa or Crystal Palace (66/1), who will also replay at Villa Park. Villa are 6/1 third favourites to get their hands on the trophy they last won in 1957.

]]> http://www.uksoccershopblog.co.uk/145/chelsea-shorten-for-fa-cup-glory/feed/ http://www.uksoccershopblog.co.uk/144/oneills-chance-to-emerge-from-the-shadows/ http://www.uksoccershopblog.co.uk/144/oneills-chance-to-emerge-from-the-shadows/#comments Wed, 24 Feb 2010 11:25:25 +0000 admin http://www.uksoccershopblog.co.uk/?p=144 Martin O’Neill has an affinity with the League Cup. He won the competition twice with Leicester in 1997 and 2000 as well finishing runners up in 1999.
Back then the victories were the pinnacle of his achievements at the Foxes, who have been unable to reach such heights since. Fast forward to today and a win for Villa at Wembley could be the launch pad for future success.

The Villains have improved steadily under O’Neill since he took over a club that were dark horses for relegation in 2006. The previous season the club had laboured under David O’Leary. With an aging squad and fans’ morale at an all time low, changes were needed at all levels.

But with able support from new owner Randy Lerner, who took over from Doug Ellis, O’Neill refreshed the squad with young dynamic players like James Milner and Ashley Young as well as solid pros like James Collins and Richard Dunne. The club has finished in the top six in the past two seasons and are well in the hunt for a top four spot.

But the one thing to elude O’Neill is a trophy, and until he achieves that he knows his achievements in turning the club around will not be recognised when we glance back at the history books in a few years time. It is often said that a trophy can open the floodgates and clear the way for more to follow. With the support of Lerner, who has consistently backed his manager with cash, O’Neill will hope victory could signal the start of a new era at the club rather than be the peak of his Villa reign.

Standing in their way is a familiar foe in Sir Alex Ferguson and Manchester United. Fergie’s trophy laden legacy at United would not be unduly affected by a defeat on Sunday, but with their current financial troubles prompting newspaper stories predicting their imminent demise, adding another piece of silverware to the bulging cabinet would serve as a reminder that the club is alive and kicking.

A lot will depend on the type of side Ferguson decides to pick. With his side in the midst of a Premier League title battle and a Champions League knock out tie with Milan, he may decide to pick his kids. However, even if Fergie does pick his first-teamers I fancy Villa to triumph anyway. The club have been starved of success for a long time - their last trophy was the league cup in 1996 - and the fans will be desperate for the players to make up for their disappointing performance in the 2000 FA Cup Final, where they limped to a 1-0 defeat to Chelsea.

I feel that extra motivation will be enough to ensure it will be a Claret and Blue day at Wembley on Sunday. Although the Carling Cup betting odds make United favourites for the tournament, Villa have already taken four points off them in the league, so an upset can’t be ruled out.

The play-off system for the final Champions League place, which would feature the
sides finishing from fourth to seventh, sounds quite exciting on paper but the
timing of the announcement fills me with cynicism. After all it comes around two years after Richard Scudamore proposed the now infamous 39th game, matches which would have been played in venues across the globe. That was unceremoniously booted out by FIFA and criticised by the fans. But it is now obvious Scudamore and co have been thinking of money making alternatives ever since.

Cue the play-off idea.

We would get between six and eight extra high stakes games, with all the TV and sponsorship money that entails. Furthermore, it wouldn’t be at all surprising if these games were played abroad in Singapore, Bangkok, Sydney and New York - thereby sneaking in the 39th game idea in after all.

This blatant money-making is what annoys me about the modern game and the people who run it. This idea isn’t about levelling up the league, it’s about exploiting the fans for more cash. It is all the evidence you need to prove the game has lost touch with the fans who kept it going for more than 100 years. If they want to level out the league, why not re-distribute the TV money? Oh no, because that would see the big four  giving up some of their cash.

Why not reduce the number of teams in the Champions League to two? The idea that a side finishing fourth in its division should compete in the ‘Champions’ League is ludicrous anyway. The competition should be a reward for real success. This in turn would strengthen the Europa League which would be open to the winners of the two cups and two extra spots in the league. With better teams in the competition, the TV
money would increase but it would be distributed more fairly. Unfortunately it all sounds a little too sensible to ever happen, and the Premier League worldwide tour could be coming to a city near you very soon.

Meanwhile, the football betting makes Manchester United 5/1 shots to win this year’s Champions League after they defeated Milan 3-2 in the first leg of their tie last night.

Our January Sale was a huge success and as we enter February we have added more items to our sale. You can find a combination of discounted 09-10 products from top teams including Arsenal, Barcelona, England, Liverpool, Inter Milan, Marseille, Real Madrid and more, as well as some older stock which has now been priced to clear.

Stocks of all products listed is extremely limited - sometimes only one item is left in stock - so act quickly to avoid missing out. You can check our full range of special offers on our website, or check out some of our hot picks below.

2010 Sale Highlights

09-10 Arsenal Lightweight Top - was £39.99 now £26.99
09-10 Ajax away (Kids) - was £34.99 now £20
09-10 Barcelona Training Shirt - was £27.99 now £15

08-09 Bayern Munich CL home - was £44.99 now £20
08-09 Borussia MGB 3rd - was £44.99 now £20
08-09 Blackburn away (Kids) - was £34.99 now £10

08-09 Celtic Lineup Jacket - was £44.99 now £22
08-09 Chelsea L/S 3rd - was £44.99 now £24.99
08-09 England Rugby away - was £39.99 now £24.99

08-09 France Tracksuit - was £79.99 now £40
09-10 Hertha Berlin away - was £44.99 now £29.99
06-07 Holland home (Kuyt 7) - was £49.99 now £15

07-08 Inter Milan away shorts (Kids) - was £19.99 now £7
08-09 Liverpool Polo Shirt (Kids) - was £24.99 now £10
08-09 Marseille 3rd - was £39.99 now £20

09-10 Man Utd Lightweight Top - was £39.99 now £24.99
09-10 Newcastle away socks - was £11.99 now £6
08-09 Porto away (Kids) - was £34.99 now £20

08-09 PSG Woven Tracksuit - was £69.99 now £35
09-10 QPR home (Kids) - was £34.99 now £20
08-09 Real Madrid Mini Kit - was £34.99 now £15

Available on our website is the away shirt, shorts and socks in a full range of adult, junior and womens sizes and is fully customisable with the name and number of all your favourite players, including Frank Lampard, Wayne Rooney, Steven Gerrard, Theo Walcott and David Beckham, or even your own name and number combination.

As a special bonus, all customers who pre-order any of the England away shirts before the release date of 3/3/2010 will be emailed an exclusive 10% discount code for use on their next order on our full range of merchandise.

2010 England World Cup Away Shirt

2010 England away shirt - £49.99
2010 England L/S away shirt - £54.99

2010 England away shirt (Kids) - £39.99
2010 England L/S away shirt (Kids) - £44.99

2010 England Womens Away Shirt - £49.99

2010 England away shorts - £19.99
2010 England away shorts (Kids) - £19.99
2010 England away socks - £11.99

2010 England World Cup Away Hero Shirts

2010 England away (Gerrard 4) - £59.99
2010 England away (Beckham 7) - £59.99
2010 England away (Lampard - £59.99
2010 England away (Terry 6) - £59.99
2010 England away (Rooney 9) - £59.99