22-02-2011 20:45 FC Kobenhavn - Chelsea

Finding Fitness

Copenhagen welcome Chelsea to the Parken Stadium having not played since December 7 due to the winter break, meaning they will be fresher than their glamorous opponents.

However, this can backfire as it always takes time to get up to match speed and with Chelsea having played two matches in the last eight days, match fitness could play a key role in the first leg.

The Danes have been in unstoppable form all season, they are undefeated in 19 games and have a 19 point lead at the top of the table.

Domestic domination, which has seen them take the title seven of the last nine years, has not always shown in European competition, but this year the Parken side look a different proposition.

They were undefeated at home in the group stages, which included a 1-1 draw with Barcelona on their way to finishing second behind the Spanish giants with 10 points.

Carlo's Opportunity

Chelsea have had a terrible season by their standards, with the pressure ever increasing on boss Carlo Ancelotti. Saturdays FA Cup defeat means the Champions League is the Blues' only real hope of silverware and may be the manager's only hope of keeping his job.

But Chelsea look a side on a slippery slope, with players off form and ageing, while the teams around them are constantly investing in youth.

Ancelotti can work knowing that Roman Abramovich backed him with £70 million in January. But the Italian is still waiting for Fernando Torres to find his form and the boss will have his fingers crossed that the Spaniard is not another Andrei Shevchenko.

Ancelotti’s men have shown good form in the Champions League so far with five wins from six games and if they can find that form again, the Stamford Bridge outfit may turn one of their worst seasons into one of their best.

TEAM NEWS

FC Copenhagen

Copenhagen manager Stale Solbakken has a fully fit squad to choose from, meaning his only selection headache will be who to leave out from his squad.

The Danes prefer a 4-4-2 system but may opt for five in midfield, with ex-Chelsea man Jesper Gronkjaer expected to start behind Dame N’Doye. Cesar Santin, who is joint top scorer with N’Doye in the Danish Superliga, is expected to start on the bench.

William Kvist is should play in defensive midfield, while Christian Bolanos is expected to play out wide.

Goalkeeper Johan Wiland will be a key figure in goal after conceding just 15 goals in 19 matches.

Possible starting XI: Wiland; Jorgensen, Antonsson, Wendt, Pospech; Claudemir, Bolanos, Kvist, Vingaard; Gronkjaer; N’Doye.

Chelsea

The Blues will hand striker Fernando Torres his Champions League debut with the club after being cup-tied for Saturdays FA Cup defeat to Everton.

This means Didier Drogba will again start on the bench with Nicolas Anelka replacing Salomon Kalou in another attacking change.

Fellow new man David Luiz is cup-tied after playing for Benfica in the competition, which means Branislav Ivanovic will continue at centre-back in the absence of Alex.
Jose Bosingwa is expected to replace Paulo Ferreira at right-back while Yuri Zhirkov and Yossi Benayoun miss out through injury.

Possible starting XI: Cech; Bosingwa, Ivanovic, Terry, Cole; Essien, Mikel, Lampard; Anelka, Torres, Malouda.

Prediction

Despite their poor form Chelsea are still the favourites, but you simply cannot ignore Copenhagen’s record this season. The Danes will attack a vulnerable Chelsea backline but expect the Blues to make chances on the counter-attack and to be more ruthless than their hosts.

Copenhagen 1-2 Chelsea

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22-02-2011 21:00 Blackpool - Tottenham Hotspur

Seasiders Desperate For A Win

Blackpool’s current form can be summarised in one word - awful. They have lost four of the last five and are without a league win since they beat Liverpool back on January 12, some seven games ago. They certainly have come close, losing by a single goal against West Brom, Sunderland and Manchester United.

The Seasiders sit two points above the relegation zone and do have a game in hand on the teams around them, which makes every home game a valuable commodity in the quest to stay in the top flight for another year.

The meetings between these teams are rare in recent years, with the last meeting being in the League Cup in October 2007. The last time they met in the league was in the old Second Division in 1977-78 when Spurs won at Bloomfield Road and drew in London.

The Tangerines last beat Tottenham in October 1966 when they took all three points after a 3-1 victory from their trip to the capital. The last victory at home is even further back when Blackpool won 4-1 in September 1956, with Jimmy Armfield and Sir Stanley Matthews among the players wearing the Tangerine shirt.

Spurs On The March

Tottenham’s form has been the mirror image of Blackpool’s, having won their last four and kept two clean sheets in the process. Their last defeat was a heavy one when Fulham put four past them at Craven Cottage in the FA Cup. Spurs hold the overall record between the two with 30 wins to Blackpool’s 13.

Spurs' away record in the league has been patchy with excellent wins over fierce rivals Arsenal in November, but slipped up against Bolton and Everton. With Blackpool struggling, Harry Redknapp will be aiming to heap more strife on Ian Holloway. Spurs can jump ahead of Manchester City into third with a win as the Sky Blues are not in league action this week, instead facing Aris Salonika in the Europa League on Thursday night.

TEAM NEWS

Blackpool

Seasiders boss Ian Holloway will still be without first choice ‘keeper Matthew Gilks and fellow Scot Stephen Crainey as both are still a few weeks away from returning to action. Richard Kingson will continue to deputise in goal for Gilks.

Jason Euell has been sent out on loan to Championship side Doncaster Rovers after he was omitted from the 25-man Premier League squad and his long-term future on the Fylde coast could now be in jeopardy.

Seasiders fans are still awaiting the debut of Belarus striker Sergei Kornilenko who arrived in the January transfer window but has yet to feature for the first XI. Speaking after the reserve game against Blackburn last week in which he scored one and setup another two, he told the official club website that he’s itching to get stuck into England’s top flight.

“I've been wanting to play in the Premier League for an awful long time now so I was absolutely delighted when I heard that I was going to play here.”

Possible starting XI: Kingson; Eardley, Cathcart, Evatt, Sylvestre; Taylor-Fletcher, Adam, Vaughan; Phillips, Campbell, Beattie.

Tottenham

Tottenham are back in domestic action seven days after their memorable victory in the San Siro over Milan in the Champions League last week, and the club is still on a high after such a momentous result. But it’s the Premier League on the menu on Tuesday night and Harry Redknapp will be without Vedran Corluka who has had a protective boot fitted to protect his ankle injury. The Croat was the recipient of a vicious tackle from Mathieu Flamini and will be out for at least a fortnight.

Welsh winger Gareth Bale could make a return to action after recovering from a back injury but it will be touch and go right up to kick-off. Younes Kaboul and Tom Huddlestone will definitely be out as the forecast for their respective returns is March.

Possible starting XI: Gomes; Gallas, Dawson, Bassong, Assou-Ekotto; Lennon, Palacios, Sandro, Bale; Defoe, Crouch.

Blackpool

Tottenham

16

Ranking

4

Last 8 matches

12 Feb	Blackpool - Aston Villa	1 - 1		1 - 2	Sunderland - Tottenham	12 Feb
5 Feb	Everton - Blackpool	5 - 3		2 - 1	Tottenham - Bolton	5 Feb
2 Feb	Blackpool - West Ham Utd	1 - 3		0 - 1	Blackburn - Tottenham	2 Feb
25 Jan	Blackpool - Manchester U.	2 - 3		1 - 1	Newcastle Ut. - Tottenham	22 Jan
22 Jan	Blackpool - Sunderland	1 - 2		0 - 0	Tottenham - Manchester U.	16 Jan
15 Jan	West Bromwic. - Blackpool	3 - 2		2 - 1	Everton - Tottenham	5 Jan
12 Jan	Blackpool - Liverpool	2 - 1		1 - 0	Tottenham - Fulham	1 Jan
4 Jan	Blackpool - Birmingham C.	1 - 2		2 - 0	Tottenham - Newcastle Ut.	28 Dec

Last 4 matches (Home)

Last 4 matches (Away)

12 Feb	Blackpool - Aston Villa	1 - 1		1 - 2	Sunderland - Tottenham	12 Feb
2 Feb	Blackpool - West Ham Utd	1 - 3		0 - 1	Blackburn - Tottenham	2 Feb
25 Jan	Blackpool - Manchester U.	2 - 3		1 - 1	Newcastle Ut. - Tottenham	22 Jan
22 Jan	Blackpool - Sunderland	1 - 2		2 - 1	Everton - Tottenham	5 Jan

Prediction

The form book has this down as a clear Spurs victory. The bookies agree, a price of 4/6 is being offered on Spurs whilst you can get 3/1 on Blackpool - long odds indeed. It is hard to see anything other than another Blackpool loss and this should go as forecast, although Blackpool will not give in easily.

Blackpool 1-2 Tottenham

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21-02-2011 21:00 West Ham Utd. - Burnley

Howe Confident Are Burnley?

Burnley are enjoying their football at the moment, having won four out of their last five games, and Howe is confident that his squad will be a match for the Hammers – who are currently helping to prop up the Premier League in 19th place.

Howe said: “West Ham [is] a game we are looking to do well in. There is a good team spirit and a desire there to achieve something this season. We are building momentum, we are in a good run of form and we want that to continue."

Granted, The Hammers Are In Poor Form, But...

United have been less prolific with their form of late, having won only two of their last five fixtures, and Hammers fans won’t be happy to hear that their club have failed to beat Burnley in all competitions whenever the two sides have met since 1973, or that they have failed to progress beyond the fifth round in the FA Cup since reaching the final in 2006. However, they will be buoyed by the fact that the Clarets have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last 13 FA Cup ties.

Looking back at the previous meetings between the two sides, each has won 30 games apiece – and come Monday evening when they kick off both will be looking to tip the statistical scales in favour of themselves.

TEAM NEWS

West Ham

Thomas Hitzlsperger is set to finally make his debut for the Hammers after joining on a free transfer from Lazio in June of last year. The midfielder has been out since the summer with a thigh injury he sustained in Germany’s international friendly against Denmark, mere days before the start of the Premier League season.

The midfielder recently played 70 minutes of a reserve game against Chelsea, who saw their own FA Cup campaign come to an end on Saturday. West Ham manager Avram Grant has revealed that Hitzlsperger will definitely play a part in Monday’s tie, telling The Guardian: “I don’t know how long, but he will play.”

Matthew Upson (Achilles) is a doubt for the fifth round clash, as is fellow defender James Tomkins (calf).

Robbie Keane (calf) and Peter Kurucz (knee) are long-term injuries and won’t be making an appearance for the Hammers.

Possible starting XI: Green; Jacobsen, Reid, Da Costa, Ilunga; Sears, Hitzlsperger, Noble, Barrera; Obinna, Piquionne.

Burnley

New Burnley manager Eddie Howe is in the enviable position of having almost free reign over who he picks for Monday’s FA Cup tie, with no restrictions from injury or suspension hindering his ability to pick his starting XI.

Just two players will be unavailable for the clash due to being cup-tied: striker Charlie Austin and midfielder Marvin Bartley.

Possible starting XI: Grant; Mears, Duff, Carlisle, Fox; Marney, Cork, Elliott; Rodriguez, Thompson, Eagles.

Prediction

 West Ham 1-2 Burnley 

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20-02-2011 La Liga Round 24 Preview

Osasuna - Espanyol

A new era is underway at the Estadio Reyno de Navarra; the departure of Jose Antonio Camacho will have surprised few, with their winless away record now extending to a year, and relegation a real concern.

Former Valladolid Jose Luis Mendilibar has taken the reins, and faces a tough start against an Espanyol side desperate for points at the opposite end of the table.

The Blanc I Blau will feel they squandered a significant opportunity to topple ten-man Real Madrid last weekend, and their form is beginning to waver slightly, falling off the pace of the top four positions that they looked destined to challenge for.

Striker Pablo Osvaldo’s continued absence is stunting their attacking threat, and coach Mauricio Pochettino needs his other forwards such as Luis Garcia, Sergio Garcia and Alvaro Vazquez to fire the goals to keep them into contention.

Team News in brief:

Osasuna: Javad Nekounam and Carlos Aranda were absent from training on Friday and are doubtful, but winter signing Alvaro Cejudo could make his debut.

Espanyol: Victor Alvarez is out for a fortnight after suffering a blow to the leg in training, while Jesus Datolo could miss out with a muscle problem.

Almeria - Deportivo

Almeria are one of a host of sides in the midst of one of the most closely-contested relegation scraps in recent seasons, and will be looking to recover from last week’s damaging 1-0 reverse against Levante.

That result left the Andalucians second bottom and three points from safety; coach Jose Luis Oltra knows that they must starting picking up victories, particularly at home, in order to survive. Two victories and six draws from eleven matches hasn’t been of a sufficient standard, and fixtures such as this, against a Deportivo team who themselves have only won twice on the road, become absolute must-win contests.

Indeed the Galicians are by no means clear of the bottom three, but clinched an impressive 1-0 victory over Villarreal at the Riazor last weekend to open some daylight between them and Sunday’s opponents. That result effectively kept coach Miguel Angel Lotina, who have came under increasing pressure, in the position for another week, and he will be confident that his team can build on the momentum gained from last week’s win.

Team News in brief:

Almeria: Juanma Ortiz is injured, while Michel is suspended.

Deportivo: Mexican winger Andres Guardado is still short of fitness after being out since October, but should be ready to face Real Madrid next weekend.

Villarreal - Malaga

The Yellow Submarines are currently experiencing their first crisis of what has been an almost flawless season. Two consecutive league defeats to Levante and then against Deportivo, in what was their poorest performance of the campaign, has cast doubt over their capacity to last the pace in the top four.

Teams such as Athletic Bilbao are waiting to pounce should their sub-standard displays continue, and so it is imperative that they are commanding against bottom side Malaga, who are suffering from a whole host of problems.

Bottom of the table and five points from safety, coach Manuel Pellegrini, despite all of his experience, has been unable to get it right so far, and they remain without a win in 2011. Coupled with innumerable injury concerns to key players including Julio Baptista and Duda, it is a worrying time for the Chilean.

Team News in brief:

Villarreal: Full back Angel is out for the entire season with a cruciate injury, Rossi has been struggling with a virus but should be fit enough to start.

Malaga: Manuel Pellegrini is contending with a whole host of injuries including Jesus Gamez, Helder Rosario, Kris Stadsgaards, Sergio Asenjo and Duda. Julio Baptista needs knee surgery is out for six weeks.

Getafe - Racing

The Azulones squandered the chance to stake a real claim for European football next season when they squandered a two-goal lead at Malaga last weekend, but will look to bounce back against Racing at the Coliseum Alfonso Perez.

Michel's side looked to be in control before two late strikes from the Boquerones turned the match around, and is symptomatic of the inconsistencies suffered by the capital club this season.

Racing on the other hand enjoyed a stunning win over Sevilla last weekend, marking a stunning comeback for coach Marcelino, and he will look to maintain the impetus into this match. Relegation remains a threat, however, and every point in crucial heading into the closing weeks of the season.

Team News in brief:

Getafe: Javier Arizmendi could return for the match, but definitely out are Manu del Moral (knee) and Oscar Ustari (jaw) missing for three and six weeks respectively.

Racing: Markus Rosenberg missed last weekend's win but could return for this match, while Cristian's red card agaisnt Los Nervionenses means he is suspended.

Sevilla - Hercules

Sevilla entertain Hercules at Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán on Sunday night, with the home side looking to recover from the last gasp defensive error against Porto which cost them the leg the Europa League tie on Thursday. Despite performing well, it was another blow in what has already been a below-par season. However, they will hope that this is the game to get their season back on track, given the visitors' woeful record on the road.

Indeed, Esteban Vigo's men will need to improve on their displays away from the José Rico Pérez, having not found the net in their last seven outings.

The last encounter of the two sides in La Liga was at the end of September, with Hercules 2-0 winners at the Jose Rico Perez after a brace from then new signing David Trezeguet. Los Nervionenses will be out for revenge in the return affair.

Team News in brief:

Sevilla: Sevilla have no major concerns for the match.

Hercules: Royston Drenthe is out for three weeks with a hamstring injury, while striker Nelson Valdez faces a race to make the match due to a similar injury.

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20-02-2011 17:30 Leyton Orient - Arsenal

Leyton Orient ready for 'ultimate test'

Leyton orient manager Russell Slade is under no illusions about the size of the task facing his side when Arsenal visit Brisbane Road on Saturday.

Slade watched in awe, along with everyone else on Wednesday night, as the Gunners came back from a goal down to beat Barcelona in the Champions League, but he insists his side are ready for what he describes as "the ultimate test".

He told the club's official website: "We're really looking forward to the game. It's a different challenge, against world class opposition.

"It's a great test - the ultimate test - but I don't think there's one player not looking forward to it. We've had a fantastic FA Cup journey and we don't want it to finish."

Orient have made it to the fifth round the hard way after battling wins against Championship sides Norwich and Swansea. But the east London side are already being written off in many quarters, though Slade believes they have a good chance of causing an upset.

He added: "It [the FA Cup run] might finish, and the bookies might suggest that it is finished before a ball is kicked, but we don't think so. We believe we still have that little window of opportunity to progress and we'll give it everything.

"We deserve this tie 200 per cent. To win away at Norwich and Swansea, who are flying high in the Championship, was an achievement, and this is now our seventh game in the competition."

Arsene Wenger: We will treat Leyton Orient like Barcelona

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is adamant his side will not underestimate League One Leyton Orient in Sunday's FA Cup fifth round tie.

The Gunners head to Brisbane Road on the back of their magnificent 2-1 victory over Barcelona in the Champions League but Wenger knows that will count for nothing on Sunday.

"We can gain more respect from everybody if we turn up on Sunday with absolutely full commitment. Then people will say this team is ready to have a real go and not choose the competition or the games," he said.

"When you are a top-level competitive man or team you go absolutely 100 per cent committed into every game.

"The media give more importance to some games than others but for us to win trophies we have to take a distance with that and be able to switch from one competition to another with exactly the same commitment."
The Gunners are still fighting on four fronts this season and the French manager insists his side have a good chance of success in every competition.

He added: "We are hungry for success. Every time we go out we just want to win the next game. I personally believe we go for every single competition to the end.

"We have the hunger and the talent and are committed.
"From Wednesday we can get more belief. But Sunday is the FA Cup and we will have total focus and commitment because we want to be successful. We are involved in every single competition. That is why our destiny will be determined by our mobility for every game."

TEAM NEWS

Leyton Orient

Midfielder Matthew Spring is a major doubt for the fifth round clash with Arsenal and will have a late fitness test on his calf. Adam Chambers is ruled out of the tie with a shin injury and is expected to be missing for another fortnight.

But otherwise Russell Slade has a near full-strength squad to take on the Gunners. Striker Jonathan Tehoue is pushing to be included in the starting line-up after getting the winner against MK Dons from the bench.

Two ex-Gunners - Ben Chorley and Jason Crowe - are in line to face their former club. Chorley was in the Arsenal youth team that won the FA Youth Cup in 2000 and 2001, while Crowe made three first team appearances under Arsene Wenger in the late 1999s.

Possible starting XI: Jones; Omozusi, Whing, Chorley, Crowe; Cox, Dawson, Daniels, Smith; M'Poku, Revell.

Arsenal

Manager Arsene Wenger has no new injury worries ahead of the trip League One Leyton Orient, though he may take the opportunitry to rotate his squad.

Johan Djourou was a doubt after he injured his back in the 2-1 win over Barcelona but Arsene Wenger revealed on Friday that the Swiss international's knock had improved.

He will take his place in the squad alongside Theo Walcott who has recovered from a hamstring injury and is in contention for a start. Bacary Sagna could return to the first-team squad after serving a one match European ban on Wednesday night but Abou Diaby serves the second of his three match ban after being sent off against Newcastle.

Thomas Vermaelen (achilles) and Lukas Fabianski (shoulder) are the north London clubs only long term casualties.

Possible starting XI: Almunia; Sagna, Koscielny, Djourou, Gibbs; Rosicky, Denilson, Wilshere; Walcott, Chamakh, Bendtner.

Match Trivia

Leyton Orient and Arsenal have met four times in the FA Cup with the north London club overcoming their east London rivals on every occasion.

The last time the two sides met was back in the 1977-78 season in the FA Cup, when the Gunners ran out 3-0 semi-final winners.

Prediction

Leyton Orient 1-3 Arsenal

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