28.09. (Uto) 20:45 Partizan - Arsenal

Domaćin sa "dvanestim " igračem

Partizan dočekuje Arsenal u svom prvom susreru kod kuće nakon 7 godina odsustva iz Lige Šampiona .
  
Posle eliminacije Anderlecht-a u play-off-u , Srpski klub su mnogi videli kao "žrtvenog Jarca" u ovoj grupi , ali oni pružili odličnu partiju u prvom meču sa Shakhtar-om i pokazali da znaju biti itekako opasni . Ipak poraz od 0-1 je odraz realnog stanja na terenu .

Domaćini još uvek nemaju pobedu u grupnoj fazi ovog takmičenja računajući i nastup od pre 7 godina ali treba pomenuti sa su i neporaženi na svom terenu , u svom jedinom učešću do sada su zabeležili 3 remija kao domaćini . U ovogodišnjem izdanju Lige Šampiona domaćini očekuju da odu korak dalje i upišu koji bod više nego na predhodnom nastupu . Idealno bi za njih bilo da u ovom meču dočekuju Braga-u naročito nakon onog što je vidjeno u prvom kolu ipak očekuje ih gostovanje verovatno najjačeg protivnika iz ove grupe .

Iskustvo bivšeg Werder-ovog i Schalke-ovog defanzivca  Mladena Krstajića moglo bi biti od značajne važnosti za domaću odbranu koja će biti na dosada najvećem iskušenju .

Ali najvažnije od svega za Srpski tim biće fanatična podrška njihovih navijača (Grobari) koja bi mogla donekle anulirati početnu prednost Arsenal-a koja stoji na papiru . U užarenoj atmosferi domaćini se nadaju da nekako mogu doći da sva tri boda .

Hoćemo li videti "prave" "topdžije" ?

Arsenal je dosledno nedosledan u poslednje vrieme, počevši s mamutskom pobedom  6-0 nad Braga-om na Emiratesu koja je mogla nagovestiti velike stvari u nadolazećem periodu ali su oni već u narednom meču jedva izvukli bod protiv Sunderlanda u Premier ligi da bi sredinom prošle nedelje nakon blede igre tokom regulanih 90 minuta sa Tottenham-om i 1-1 ,u produžecima su ih naprosto "oduvali" i stigli do velikih 4-1.

Potom je usledio novi pad tokom ovog vikenda protiv West Bromwich Albion-a kada su tokom jednog dela meča gubili sa čak 0-3 ali su potom uspeli da se izdinu i koliko-toliko izbegnu totalnu blamažu .
 
Topdžije su sigurno daleko superiorniji u poredjenju sa Srpskim timom pa bi za njih sve osim pobede moglo da se smatra neuspehom
 
TIMSKE VESTI
Partizan


Stefan Savić je već imao prilike da se sastane sa igračima Arsenala tokom svog boravka u Londonu što bi mu moglo biti od velike koristi u ovom meču .   
Mladen Krstajic će verovatno predvoditi poslednju liniju tima i biće ključni igrač za defanzivu svog tima a vezni red bi u mnogome mogao da zavisi od reprezentativca Radosava Petrovića .

Mogućih početnih XI: Stojković, Milikovic, Savić, Krstajic, Lazevski, Tomić, Petrović, Medo, Ilić, Cleo, Iliev.

Arsenal
Važna vest je povreda standardnog golmana Manuel-a Almunia-je (lakat) na meču sa West Brom-om pa će na njegovo mesto  Lukasz Fabianski .

Thomas Vermaelen uz Cesc Fabregas-a su i dalje van terena , dok je  Kieran Gibbs još uvek neizvestan za ovaj meč .

Nicklas Bendtner (prepone) kao i Robin van Persie (gležanj) su i dalje van terena .

Mogućih početnih XI: Fabianski, Eboue, Djourou, Koscielny, Clichy, Nasri, Denilson, Wilshere, Rosicky, Chamakh, Vela.

Prognoza

Arsenal ima previše kvaliteta u timu tako da dolazi kao veliki favorit u ovom meču pa je sve sem njihove pobede za njih veliki neuspeh , ipak mogli bi imati problema ukoliko u odbrani dopuste padove koncetracije što je rezultiralo lošim rezultatima u prvenstvu .

Topdžije će pokušati bar donekle da ponove igru sa Braga-om i što pre zaborave loša izdanja iz prvenstva što bi trebalo rezultirati njihovom pobedom .

Ovaj tjedan na Goal.com - Vaša Jedan- Stop Vodič za sedam dana Nogomet akcije

Partizan 1-2 Arsenal

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26.09. (Sun) 19:00 Hercules - Sevilla

Every Point Counts
Hercules continue their battle against relegation when they host a Sevilla side seeking a top four finish on Sunday evening.

Whatever happens this season, the Alicante side will be forever remembered for one glorious result in Round 2 of the season, when Nelson Valdez scored a brace to send them to victory against Barcelona at Camp Nou. Los Herculanos’ campaign will not be defined by that fixture, however, and points must be garnered with regularity at home if their goal of survival is to be realised.

The Jose Rico Perez has not proven to be much of a fortress in the early weeks of the term as Hercules have lost to Athletic Bilbao and Valencia at the venue already, and Sevilla’s visit completes a hat-trick of difficult home fixtures for Esteban Vigo’s side.

Away from home they are as yet unbeaten, having also drawn in Zaragoza in midweek, a result that left the coach fairly optimistic. “My players have produced some good work, and it was important to get a point because the Primera Division is very complicated, and throughout the season this point will be worth a lot,” he explained to the media.

Few newly promoted teams can boast experience and quality in the form that Hercules possess in David Trezeguet, Royston Drenthe and Valdez, so they will be hoping to match any side on their own pitch, particularly as los Nervionenses are a team still trying to find their best form.

Anxiety Attack

Sevilla’s difficult run of form continued on Thursday evening as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Racing Santander at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan. Antonio Alvarez’s side have been struggling for any consistency in their performances in the early weeks of the season, crashing out of the Champions League, but they had been going along steadily in the league before the midweek setback.

A penalty goal from Alvaro Negredo seemingly had the Andalucians in pole position, but Pablo Pinillos struck early in the second half to level for los Verdiblancos. The disquiet around the club is building, and Alvarez has confessed that it is starting to have an impact upon his players.

“In the first half we had clear chances but we cannot detract from the work of Racing,” he considered. “We knew it would be a difficult game and it has been, but there is a lot of anxiety on this team and that has shown.

“It's hard to hear whistles from the fans. The team were anxious to play well and give joy to the fans. We're lacking in self confidence but we have to work more to change the dynamics and look to take three points against Hercules.”

Having won both of their previous away games this season, los Rojiblancos at least have a positive statistic to cling onto going into what looks to be a really awkward match.

TEAM NEWS

Hercules

Nelson Valdez will continue to be monitored to see if he will be able to feature after injuring a thigh during the recent defeat against Valencia. Javier Farinos continues to battle a groin problem but otherwise los Herculanos have reported no further issues.

Sevilla

Last minute headaches disrupted Antonio Alvarez’s preparations in midweek. Not only was Frederic Kanoute knocked out of the game at the last minute by a virus, Martin Caceres suffered back pain in the warm up to the game and is hence doubtful for the trip to Alicante on Sunday.

Ivica Dragutinovic is still working his way back to fitness after a serious Achilles problem. Jesus Navas is expected to miss around another week and Renato is still injured too.

Lautaro Acosta is hoping to make a big impression after overcoming his injury problems, though the best he can hope for is a spot on the bench. Diego Capel was left out in midweek and will be aiming to return to the matchday squad.

Prediction

This may well be Hercules chance to break their home duck. Sevilla are in the midst of a hectic run of fixtures and are struggling to find their peak performance. Los Herculanos may have lost their two home matches to date, but both have been tightly contested against very good sides. This could be third time lucky for the Alicante side, who have it in themselves to earn at least a draw.

Hercules 1-1 Sevilla

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26.09. (Sun) 17:10 Newcastle United - Stoke City

Inconsistent or top 10 hopefuls?

Newcastle United will be looking to continue their impressive start to the season on Sunday as they host Stoke City in the Premier League.

Among the favourites to go down before the season had even started, Newcastle have not taken long to silence their critics. Chris Hughton’s men were expected to be in for a tough time against Aston Villa at St James’ Park in their second game of the season, but ran out winners in emphatic style, seeing off the Midlands club 6-0.

Despite the win, they have since lost 2-0 at home to Blackpool and beaten Everton 1-0 at Goodison Park. A sign of their inconsistency, or was the loss to Blackpool a one-off and are we instead seeing a team capable of mounting a challenge for a top 10 place in their first season back in the top flight?

Whether it’s inconsistency or the odd poor result, they certainly showed their class in the League Cup on Wednesday night. After making 10 changes to the side that beat Everton last week, nobody expected Newcastle to knock Chelsea out of the competition. But a late Shola Ameobi header condemned the Blues to a shock 4-3 defeat at Stamford Bridge, leaving Hughton with a number of selection dilemmas for this Sunday.

Record books suggest tough task

If Stoke City supporters were worried by their early season form, their fears have been quickly banished.

After picking up no points from their first three league games, Stoke were in the relegation zone with a tough home fixture against Aston Villa up next. Tony Pulis was expected to miss the game after his mother passed away earlier in the day but entered the dressing room at half-time, reportedly blasted the team’s display and they soon turned it around, coming back from a goal down to win 2-1 thanks to a late Robert Huth goal.

That result may just have kick-started the Potters’ season. A 1-1 draw with West Ham United followed and so did an impressive 2-0 win over a full-strength Fulham side in the League Cup in midweek, a match overshadowed by Andy Wilkinson’s stoppage-time challenge on Moussa Dembele who, after initial fears he could be out for some time, will be able to return in two weeks.

Stoke were one of the busiest teams in England on transfer deadline day. Pulis brought in Marc Wilson, Jermaine Pennant, Eidur Gudjohnsen and re-signed released midfielder Salif Diao. But if the Potters faithful are expecting their new signings to lead them to a victory on Sunday, the record books suggest they may have to think again. Stoke have not beaten Newcastle for 21 years and have not won at St James’ Park for 34 years.

TEAM NEWS

Newcastle United

Steve Harper has been ruled out for three months after injuring his shoulder against Everton last week, which means Tim Krul is set for his first Premier League start.

Sol Campbell is vying for a start after making his debut against Chelsea in midweek, and could be joined in defence by James Perch, who returns from suspension.

Meanwhile, long-term absentees Dan Gosling (knee), Steven Taylor (shoulder) and Danny Simpson (ankle) remain sidelined.

Possible starting XI: Krul; Perch, Campbell, Coloccini, Enrique; Routledge, Tiote, Barton, Ben Arfa; Nolan, Carroll.

Stoke City

Jermaine Pennant faces a late fitness test after picking up a hamstring injury in last week’s draw with West Ham.

Mamady Sidibe is Stoke’s only confirmed absentee as he continues his comeback from an Achilles injury.

Pulis is set to recall a number of players who were rested for the midweek clash with Fulham, with Abdoulaye Faye and Jon Walters among the star names likely to return.

Possible starting XI: Sorensen; Huth, Shawcross, Faye, Collins; Pennant, Whitehead, Delap, Etherington; Jones, Walters.

Prediction

Both sides have picked up good results in the last couple of weeks and look in good shape heading into Sunday’s game at St James’ Park.

But with Newcastle playing at home, and buoyed by last week’s win at Everton, Hughton, Ben Arfa, Carroll & Co. will have just enough to beat the Potters.

Newcastle 2-1 Stoke

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26.09. (Sun) 15:00 Fiorentina - Parma

Controlling The Rot

Like fellow Champions League hopefuls Palermo, Fiorentina too have failed to make a bright start to the season and have yet to register a win in the league. The Viola were expected to fight for a European place but at the moment they are struggling against relegation.

Fiorentina failed to win yet again on Wednesday evening when they were held to a 1-1 draw by Genoa away from home. It was only their second draw in four league fixtures, which sees them stay third from bottom with two points from four matches.

Coach Sinisa Mihajlovic should be feeling the pressure and he needs to find a solution quickly. The comfort of the Stadio Artemio Franchi in Florence could help them secure a win against Parma on Sunday but the Viola have to step up their game to collect maximum points from this fixture.

Going Strong And Steady

For Parma 2010-11 will be about consolidating their position in the Italian top flight and the Ducali have been doing just that so far. With five points from four league matches, Pasquale Marino's side are in 10th place.

In midweek Parma drew 1-1 with Lecce away from home in what was their second successive draw. It followed 2-1 loss to Catania in Sicily that was preceded by a 2-0 win against Brescia at home in their first game of the new season.

Parma were not especially strong on their travels last season and this time around too they have not shown much improvement. Of the two games they have featured in away from the Stadio Ennio Tardini, they have won neither.



TEAM NEWS
Fiorentina

Jovetic, D'Agostino and Pasqual are unavailable because of injuries.

Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Frey, De Silvestri, Gamberini, Kroldrup, Felipe; Montolivo, Donadel, Zanetti; Cerci, Gilardino, Vargas

Parma

Galloppa, Paloschi and Giovinco are out injured.

Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Mirante, Zaccardo, Dellafiore, A. Lucarelli, Pisano; Dzemaili, Morrone, Gobbi; Bojinov, Crespo, Marques

Prediction

This could be a rather uninspiring game and one suspects that a single goal will be enough to settle the scores. It could go either way but Fiorentina do have superior quality and could just about nick it.

Fiorentina 1-0 Parma

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26.09. (Sun) 13:00 Bolton Wanderers - Manchester United

History is against the hosts

The Trotters have had a frustrating start to their campaign, as three of their five games in the league have ended with points being shared. Their only defeat in the League has come at the hands of Arsenal, while the sole victory against their name came against a struggling West Ham United.

Wanderers were dumped out of the League Cup by manager Owen Coyle’s former club Burnley during midweek, with the rivalry between the two sets of fans making defeat all the more depressing.

As the gaffer sets out to right the wrong in this fixture, he will know that the Red Devils have had the better of his side for some time now.

Sir Alex Ferguson’s men have done the double over Bolton for the past two seasons, with the Trotters’ last victory against these opponents coming in 2007. Indeed, one look at the history books paints a much gloomier picture, as United have won 10 of the last 11 meetings between the two sides.

For once the spotlight shines away from Rooney

Dimitar Berbatov is the name on everyone’s lips right now, and it couldn’t have come at a better time for the club and his partner-in-crime, Wayne Rooney.

The Bulgarian had been largely seen as Diego Forlan’s successor at the club, and the enormous transfer fee that Tottenham Hotspur pocketed for relinquishing their hold on the forward only served t provde more ammunition for his critics.

But the 29-year-old has had a fine start to the season and has taken a few steps forward in justifying his £30 million price-tag. His hat-trick against fierce rivals Liverpool saw him go into the club’s history books as the first player to score thrice for United in that fixture in 64 years – Stan Pearson having previously done so in 1946. And just like that the perception of the Bulgarian has changed, as the forward is now being compared to legends such as Eric Cantona and Denis Law.

And with Berbatov on top of the goal scoring charts following his recent exploits, he will undoubtedly be the centre of attention as the Red Devils take to the pitch at the Reebok.

This gives fellow forward Wayne Rooney much-needed breathing space in which to return to his best, as questionable form coupled with turmoil in his personal life have cast a dark cloud over the 24-year-old.

So it comes as a blessing for manager Sir Alex Ferguson that the spotlight is now away from Rooney. The forward obviously enjoys confronting the Trotters’ back line, as he has scored six goals in his last four league appearances against them.

But his away from has been dubious, as the last time the former Everton man scored on his travels was back in January.

All said and done, the Red Devils still have the upper hand in this encounter.


TEAM NEWS

Bolton Wanderers

Kevin Davies and Jussi Jaaskelainen return, having served their respective suspensions.

Young shot-stopper Adam Bogdan has proven to be an able deputy for the first-choice Finn, but it would be a real surprise if manager Owen Coyle picked him ahead of the returning Jaaskelainen.

In the meantime, defender Gary Cahill serves the final game of his three-match ban and will play no part in this game.

Joey O'Brien and Sean Davis remain on the sidelines as they are still recovering from their respective injuries.

Possible starting XI: Jaaskelainen, Steinsson, Knight, Ricketts, Robinson; Petrov, Muamba, Holden, Lee, Davies, Elmander.

Manchester United

Rio Ferdinand is expected to be back to his duties of marshalling the Red Devils’ back line, having played against Scunthorpe United in the League Cup, with Jonny Evans likely to be the man who will be benched.

Park Ji-Sung will compete with Ryan Giggs for a spot on the left, and could make the line-up as the Welshman could be spared for this one – with a Champions League game against Valencia looming large on the horizon.

Long-term absentees Owen Hargreaves, Antonio Valencia and Michael Carrick remain unavailable.

Possible starting XI: Van der Sar, O'Shea, Vidic, Ferdinand, Evra; Scholes, Fletcher, Park, Nani; Rooney, Berbatov.

Prediction

Manchester United are yet to win a Premier League game on their travels this season, but that is all likely to change when they make the short trip to Bolton.

Bolton 1-2 Man Utd.

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