Monthly Archives: October 2012

TEAM NEWS: Cole, Henderson & Downing start for Liverpool’s Capital One Cup clash against Swansea City

Brendan Rodgers has given 18-year-old striker Samed Yesil his second start for Liverpool as the Northern Irishman rings the changes for the visit of Swansea in Wednesday night’s Capital One Cup fourth round tie.

Up against his former club, Rodgers made nine changes to the starting XI that claimed a 2-2 draw at Goodison Park for Sunday’s Merseyside derby, with only Brad Jones and Joe Allen retaining their place.

In a surprising move, Jordan Henderson is expected to start at right-back – a position the midfielder has rarely filled – while Jack Robinson comes in to take the left-back spot. Joe Cole also gets a rare start in midfield for the Reds.

As for their opponents, Michael Laudrup is forced to select Gerhard Tremmel after Michel Vorm suffered a groin injury against Manchester City that is expected to keep the Dutchman out of action for six to eight weeks.

There are three further changes for the Swans as Dwight Tiendalli, Jazz Richards and Nathan Dyer replace Angel Rangel, Ben Davies and Wayne Routledge as the Welsh outfit chase their first ever win at Anfield.

Liverpool: Jones; Henderson, Coates, Carragher, Robinson; Shelvey, Allen, Cole; Assaidi, Yesil, Downing.

Subs: Ward, Suarez, Gerrard, Suso, Sterling, Skrtel, Wisdom.

Swansea City: Tremmel; Tiendalli, s, Chico, Richards; Britton, de Guzman, Ki; Dyer, Hernandez; Michu.

Subs: Cornell, Monk, Davies, Agustien, Shechter, Routledge, Graham.

Pete Nordsted: Expecting a win for Manchester United and Everton to hold their own at Fulham

This weekend we see the return of an old rivalry that has played a big part in Premier League history when Arsene Wenger takes his Arsenal side to Old Trafford for a Saturday lunchtime kick off.

There is no doubt that there will be much talk about last season’s 8-2 thrashing and it would be no surprise to see Sir Alex Ferguson starting  the mind games early. We also have the Robin van Persie factor which is bound to add intrigue to this highly anticipated encounter.


However, as punters, we should certainly not get wrapped up in all of this and we have to take last season’s result as a complete one off.

Arsenal fielded a very inexperienced side last time out at Old Trafford and will be far better prepared here.

Manchester United have an outstanding home record against teams of the Gunner’s stature though, which reads won eight, drawn none and lost two.

Furthermore, when we look at Arsenal’s recent away record to teams of United’s grade, it reads won three, drawn one, lost six, on that basis the 8/13 (1.62) offered about Manchester United to win the game is realistically priced.

However, this price can be improved by dutching Sir Alex Ferguson’s side to win by one or two goals as this has been the winning margin in seven of United’s last eight home victories against the Premier League elite and in six of Arsenal’s last seven away defeats against the top four sides.

Dutching Manchester United to win by one or two goals pays around 11/10 (2.09), and this looks again to offer some very good value.

To achieve this price to £10 stakes you place £5.59 at 11/4 (3.75) on Manchester united to win by one goal at and £4.41 on United to win by two goals at 15/5 (4.75) in the winning margin market.

Elsewhere, I like the look of Everton’s chances when they travel to West London to take on Fulham at Craven Cottage.

Despite Fulham’s impressive home record, their record when facing teams of Everton’s grading reads won one, drawn four, lost five and when David Moyes’ side take on teams of Fulham’s stature their record reads won six, drawn two and lost two.

With these stats in mind it would be advisable to keep the draw on side and Everton can be backed at a tempting 7/8 (1.88) +0 goals on the Asian Handicap . Which offers similar terms to that of the Draw No Bet market.

Manchester United v Arsenal
Fulham v Everton


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Suarez almost broke my ankle, insists Everton defender Distin

Everton defender Sylvain Distin has accused Liverpool striker Luis Suarez of almost breaking his ankle during the Merseyside derby on October 28.

The Uruguay international was booked after a late challenge on the 34-year-old during the 2-2 at Goodison Park, with Suarez insisting he did not mean to harm the Toffees man – suggesting his own studs were caught in the turf beforehand.

Distin’s tweeted: “Thanks for the concern. My ankle is all good considering it could have been broken.”

Suarez courted controversy earlier on in the game by celebrating Liverpool’s first goal with a mock dive in front of David Moyes following pre-match comments from the Everton manager accusing him of simulation in recent weeks.

And Moyes believes the striker could have been sent off for his tackle on Distin.

“It’s over the top, down the back of the leg. [Suarez] was a very lucky man to stay on the pitch for his tackle,” he told BBC Sport.

However, Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers disagreed with Moyes’ interpretation, insisting the tackle was clumsy rather than malicious.

Rodgers added: “I didn’t think it was a red card. Sometimes you get that with a striker, when they are just a fraction late. They are trying to time it just as they pass it.”