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In The Stands’ Rolly Pelovangu looks ahead to the 2011 UEFA Champions League final between Spanish champions Barcelona and English champions Manchester United at Wembley.
Manchester United will not want to see this sight again. (2009 Final)
Well, these are the champions. When the bigwigs over at UEFA HQ first conceived their idea of having an elite European club cup competition spanning a full season and incorporating the finest teams across the continent this was exactly the type of match the spectacle demanded.
They say sequels are never quite as good as the first in which case maybe Saturday’s final at Wembley will be a damp squib. Of course that is a very big ‘maybe’ given the ammunition ready to be locked and loaded into the proverbial canon.
As an Englishman in… Sydney, it’s become a frustrating experience to merely watch a game of our favourite game. Firstly, it’s a struggle to get access to a decent venue…
You not only have to contend with sub-standard appreciation of the true global game, but also the nonsensical “footy” sometimes trumping the commentary and thus you watch with a Rugby soundtrack. Why insist on calling a game that primarily deals with the use of the hands, “footy”? Why not “handies”?
Also, try watching it with an Irish Liverpool fan who clearly knows nothing of the game and then tries to “banter” you about the referee’s ‘obvious favourtism’ for United. Apparently it’s OK for a pumped-up Gerrard to jump in two-footed and forget about the rules of the game. So back to my Irish friend, the same fan who is supposedly Liverpool crazy, yet knew nothing of “King Kenny” returning until I informed him over 24 hours later. And they berate United fans.
We apologise for missing the last three or four rounds of predictions while celebrating the Christmas/ New Year’s break, but now were back to guess wrong yet again!..
Ronaldinho to Blackburn?… surely not!
TUESDAY
Blackpool v Birmingham – Blackpool continue to defy expectations, free-scoring beyond their quota - with ideas above their station. As for Birmingham their top scorer is Midfielder Craig Gardner (5) which says a lot…this is a must win for them and I have a sneaky feeling they might get one. 1-2
Fulham v West Brom – Although West Brom have played some good, attractive football they run the risk of being sucked into the bottom three is they fail to sure up the defence. Fulham know they need a win and if they aim to exploit West Brom they stand a chance of winning, it’s a shame they can’t. 1-1
Man Utd v Stoke – Do I really need to explain this.? Manchester United are pretty much unbeatable at home and they won’t lose this…but how much will they win by? 3-1
SATURDAY
Sunderland v Bolton – Both teams are in fine form at the moment, sitting in 7th and 5th in the table repetitively. Bolton showed good character against Blackburn last weekend to see the game through even with 10 men, but you feel the impetus will be with Suderland in front of their home fans. Subsequently, I feel they will cancel each other out. 1-1
Arsenal v Stoke – This fixture will be heavily dominated by talk of ‘that’ challenge. But as Pulis explained; Stoke have received less card and committed less fouls in comparison to their opponents. So I’m sure Arsenal will take the game by the scruff of the neck. I have a feeling Arsenal will concede but they will outscore their opposition. 2-1
Birmingham v Newcastle – Pardew was gifted the perfect start to his Newcastle career last weekend, but he’s far from convincing 99% of Newcastle fans that he is the man for the job. Birmingham will be organised and will be looking to improve on their lacklustre performance against Wolves. 2-1
SATURDAY
Aston Villa v West Brom – Villa need a result to avoid getting stuck in a relegation battle, today they will ease their troubles. 2-0
Everton v Wigan – A given really, Everton should quite easily beat Wigan at home. 3-1
Fulham v Sunderland – Fulham should be all right this season but they need to make Craven Cottage the fortress it once was. 1-0
Stoke v Blackpool – Blackpool have had a lot of time to prepare for this game, but this might hinder them against a well drilled side. 2-1
West Ham v Man City- West Ham needed to win last weekend to consolidate their form to build some confidence, they didn’t and the’ll loose this as well. 1-3
Newcastle v Liverpool – It’s likely that this game will be dominated by off-field antics and it will be very interesting to see how the toon fans react come kick-off. I have a feeling the game won’t be a classic. Liverpool won’t care. 1-2
John O’Shea – Man Yoo’s Finest
Arsenal v Fulham - Arsenal have a real chance of challenging for the title, with both Chelsea and Manchester United faltering as various points, but they can only do this by turning The Emirates into a fortress, today would be a good start – 3-1
Birmingham v Tottenham - Birmingham have stayed in the Premier League due to their impressive home record, since they returned last year they have only lost once there – so Spurs have a task on their hands . 2-2
Blackburn v Wolves - Although Blackburn pride themselves on their defensive qualities, their 7-1 loss last week would have hurt. I have a sneaky feeling Wolves might nick this as Blackburn try to make amends for last week – 1-2
Chelsea v Everton - Chelsea are struggling and will continue to struggle against a good Everton side. This has draw written all over it – 1-1
Okay it’s prediction time again. You know the score…not literally
SATURDAY
Aston Villa v Arsenal – Aston Villa are struggling to find a good run of form at the moment and a visit from the best team on the road wont help. 2-3
Bolton v Blackpool – Two teams playing above their expectations this season; but Bolton really are on fire and will be in this game. 3-1
Everton v West Brom – West Brom have had a torrid time in recent weeks, ruining all that work they did early in the season. Everton Win. 2-0
Fulham v Birmingham – Fulham fell apart at home to City, but I don’t see a repeat this week. A defensive match that will be cracked by one goal. 1-0
Manchester United v Blackburn – Despite a Blackburn resurgence since new owners came in, a trip to Manchester will put them in their place. 2-1
Another weekend, another round of predictions…
Saturday
Aston Villa v Man Utd - I’m going for a draw here. Manchester United have been poor away from home this season. Matches they used to scrape by one goal just dont happen anymore. - 1-1
Man City v Birmingham – I always have a feeling that Manchester City will take all the points, especially at home and you know what I’m going to do it again - 2-1
Newcastle v Fulham – Newcastle should beat a Fulham side, struggling to pick up points at the moment. But Newcastle’s home form has been dodgy…still. - 3-2
Tottenham v Blackburn – Harry was unfairly boo’d in the week which is utter madness, but they will be cheering after a win tomorrow – 2-0
West Ham v Blackpool – Even ‘never give up’ Parker has spoken out about West Ham’s woes, they seem defeated and a draw won’t help – 2-2
Karl Henry and De Jong will meet in midfield this weekend, a few crunching challenges then?Saturday
Arsenal v West Ham – I don’t know what to think of West Ham this season. After a poor performance at home to Newcastle the Hammers went on to win at stoke, here they will get back to loosing ways. 3-0
Blackburn v Chelsea – Despite Chelsea’s good form I cant imagine Blackburn rolling-over here. I still think Chelsea will get a result though. 1-2
Everton v Stoke – Everton have finally found a way to win games and they will prove this again against stoke. 2-0
Fulham v Wigan – The draw specialist Fulham are due a win, after only one this season. They will double this at come 5pm. 2-0
Wolves v Man City – I have a feeling Wolves may have a long season a dominant City result will add to these woes. 1-3
Right Guys I’m doing this at work so I’ll have to make this snappy (A joke, for those who know where I work) Scores only….
Saturday
Tottenham v Everton – 1-1
Birmingham v Blackpool – 2-1
Chelsea v Wolves – 3-0
Sunderland v Aston Villa - 1-0
West Brom v Fulham – 1-1
Wigan v Bolton – 0-2
West Ham v Newcastle – 2-0
Sunday
Stoke v Man Utd – 1-3
Liverpool v Blackburn- 2-1
Man City v Arsenal – 3-2
Last time around my predictions fell short, so this week I intend to make amends. Here it goes.
Liverpool’s new owner, giving it the ear. Will he be giving it the bigging come 3pm Sunday?
Saturday
Arsenal vs. Birmingham
A win for the Gunners looks likely but it won’t be all that easy. 2-1
Bolton vs. Stoke
A match made in ‘brutality’ heaven, according to Danny Murphy you’d guess. 1-0
Fulham vs. Tottenham
Spurs meet a side who are very decent at home, and will have one eye on the Champo. 1-1
Man United vs. West Brom
I can’t see a repeat of the Emirates heroics, butit wont be the easiest of wins. 2-0
Newcastle vs. Wigan
I can see a scrappy game but the Toon have found goals this year and this will see them through. 2-1
Wolves vs. West Ham
I’m not sure about either of these teams Premiership quality so a draw seems fair. 2-2
Wigan v Wolves – Wigan are a strange side. They posses quality with the likes of, Diame, McCarthy and Watson but It just doesn’t seem good enough. Wolves lacked goals last season but the partnership of Doyle and Scot seems to be slowly working so things are looking up.Prediction: 1-2
Birmingham v Everton –Everton can certainly play football but they can’t score for love or money. Birmingham are a decent side defensively, so I believe they will cancel each other out. Prediction: 1-1
Stoke v Blackburn – Two very similar side so expect a hard fought encounter. This has the potential to go either way, but Stoke have the home advance and should just edge it. Prediction: 2-1
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