Premiership: Chelsea V Manchester United – Sunday, 19th December (LIVE on Sky Sports HD1)

Chelsea V Manchester United

Kick-off: Sunday, 19th December – 16:00 (GMT)
Venue: Stamford Bridge

Recent Form (Last 5):

Chelsea

Premier League: Tottenham Hotspur 1-1 Chelsea
Champions League: Marseille 1-0 Chelsea
Premier League: Chelsea 1-1 Everton
Premier League: Newcastle United 1-1 Chelsea
Premier League: Birmingham City 1-0 Chelsea

                      

 &

Manchester United

Premier League: Manchester United 1-0 Arsenal
Champions League: Manchester United 1-1 Valencia
Premier League: Blackpool P-P Manchester United
Premier League: Manchester United 7-1 Blackburn Rovers
Premier League: Manchester United 2-0 Wigan Athletic

Head-to-Head (Premier League):

2009/2010: Manchester United 1-2 Chelsea
2009/2010: Chelsea 1-0 Manchester United
2008/2009: Manchester United 3-0 Chelsea
2008/2009: Chelsea 1-1 Manchester United
2007/2008: Chelsea 2-1 Manchester United
2007/2008: Manchester United 2-0
2006/2007: Chelsea 0-0 Manchester United
2006/2007: Manchester United 1-1 Chelsea
2005/2006: Chelsea 3-0 Manchester United
2005/2006: Manchester United 1-0 Chelsea

     

     www.soccers-league.blogspot.com

Roy Hodgson hopeful over reinforcements......

Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson has expressed his hope that he will be able to strengthen his squad next month

The Reds boss had discussions with principal owner John Henry and Tom Werner about the squad and what transfer activity is required when the Americans were on Merseyside earlier this week. However, the 63-year-old suggested he was still not sure what the January window would bring."I can only hope we get one or two of the injured players back in certain areas," said Hodgson. "I can only hope if there is any possibility of transfers in the January window that will help us and make us a better team I will be given the opportunity to take those players."He added: "With injuries to Jamie Carragher (shoulder), Daniel Agger (calf), Jay Spearing (ankle) and Gerrard (hamstring) we have been hit hard in certain areas."My ambition to improve the squad is shared by the owners but we will have to wait and see what possibilities are there - if any - and what they would like to do."The positive signs emerging from Melwood on Friday suggested Gerrard would be fit to return from a month-long absence from a hamstring injury against Fulham - the club Hodgson left in the summer - at home on Saturday evening.Liverpool have won the last four Barclays Premier League matches at Anfield and the return of their captain would be a huge boost heading into the busy festive period."Four home games out of six (in the next month) is important because Anfield has been good to us in recent weeks," added the Reds boss."We are playing a lot of those teams who are around or below us in the table so there is a lot of responsibility [on the players]."The problem these days is that there is not a great deal of difference in point between the sixth team and ones at the bottom.

www.soccers-league.blogspot.com

Agent Refuses To Rule Out January Move For Milan Playmaker Ronaldinho

    Milan could lose Ronaldinho next month

Milan playmaker Ronaldinho could still leave the Rossoneri in January, according to his agent and brother Roberto de Assis.
The Brazilian has failed to hold down a regular place in coach Massimiliano Allegri's starting line-up and has also struggled with injuries so far this campaign. 
His brother has added fuel to speculation that the 30-year-old, whose current contract with the club expires at the end of the current season, could head for the exit door next month.
“Football evolves in such a rapid fashion,” De Assis toldJogo Aberto. “Today a transfer away from Milan seems difficult, but I don’t know what will happen in the next few days. Everything can change suddenly.
“Returning to Brazil would allow him to win the two titles he is missing, the Copa Libertadores and the Brasileirao," he added. "It would be very important to add these to his trophy cabinet.

“Where could he go? A great deal depends on the club, the coach and the project that is proposed to him.

www.soccers-league.blogspot.com

Valencia blow two-goal lead in draw with Osasuna....

MADRID, Dec 13 (Reuters) - Valencia were whistled off after squandering a 3-1 lead to draw 3-3 at home to Osasuna on Monday, missing out on the chance to close on the Champions League places in La Liga

The visitors, who had started the day without an away win in the league, almost snatched victory when Masoud struck the crossbar in the last minute.

Valencia stay fifth with 25 points from 15 games, three short of fourth-placed Espanyol who lost 2-1 at Athletic Bilbao at the weekend. Barcelona top the standings with 40 points, two ahead of Real Madrid.

Roberto Soldado had volleyed Valencia in front after 24 minutes and Marius Stankevicius doubled the lead from a corner soon after.Juanfran pulled one back for the Navarrans in the 41st, but Valencia immediately restored their two-goal cushion when Aritz Aduriz headed in from a near post corner.

Valencia goalkeeper Cesar, who had just returned from injury for the hosts, committed an error to allow Miguel Flano to pull one back for the visitors with half an hour to go.

Osasuna piled forward looking for the equaliser, striking the woodwork twice before striker Juan Aranda scrambled the ball home three minute from time.

www.soccers-league.blogspot.com

Europa League - Kuyt relishing facing old team-mates

Liverpool striker Dirk Kuyt is hoping Roy Hodgson will not decide to rest him for Wednesday's Europa League clash with his old club Utrecht

The Reds have already qualified for the knockout stages and boss Hodgson has hinted he will make changes for the Anfield match, meaning Kuyt could miss out on a reunion with the club he represented from 1998 to 2003.

The 30-year-old told Liverpool`s website: "I have missed a few games through injury this season and I hope I can feature against my former club.

"We play a lot of games in a season and obviously you can't play in every game but it would be nice to play against Utrecht at Anfield.

"We have done really well in the Europa League and it would be nice to finish the group stages with a good performance at home.

"I had some good times at Utrecht and a lot of people are still there at the club who I am good friends with."

PA Sport.www.soccers-league.blogspot.com

Valencia 3-3 Osasuna: Second-Half Los Rojillos Comeback Ensures Points Are Shared

Valencia held a 3-1 lead at half-time before a second-half comeback from Osasuna ensured the points were shared.

Valencia and Osasuna have played out an entertaining 3-3 draw at the Mestalla this evening. Los Che had a stranglehold of the match, taking a 3-1 lead into half-time before two second-half goals from the visitors ensured the points were shared.
The home side started the brighter, as Juan Mata fired a shot on goal with the game only two minutes old, but Ricardo saved, diving to his right. Two minutes later, he was required to block a Roberto Soldado strike from inside the six-yard box.
Juanfran took on two defenders, sprinting towards goal on 10 minutes, but his attempted shot was spoilt by a diving Ricardo Costa, and no one was able to get onto the rolling ball.
Los Che's hard work paid off on 24 minutes, as Mata broke free inside the box to cross a low ball into the middle for the awaiting Roberto Soldado, who volleyed home on his left to make it 1-0

Aritz Adruiz looked to add a second goal five minutes later as he twisted and turned his way in the penalty area to fire directly at Ricardo, but the 'keeper could only parry it, almost falling into Joaquin's path.
The margin was then extended on 32 minutes when Soldado's first touch from a corner was squared for Mata, who was tackled from behind and brought down, but the ball fell toMarius Stankevicius, who smashed his shot into the roof of the net.
Juanfran brought the visitors back into the match with only five minutes left in the first-half, as he rose to header home a drifting Masoud cross from the left.
But the two-goal lead was restored only moments later asAdruiz was unmarked in the six-yard box and he headed home from a swinging corner.
The second-half started at a slower pace compared to the first, as both sides struggled to find and create any space.
Despite the scoreline, the visitors weren't giving up, and pulled another goal back just on the hour as Aranda's early ball caused Cesar to come off his line and try to punch clear, but he failed to connect, allowing the ball to spill into the path of Miguel Flano, and he slotted home to make it 3-2.
Monreal almost levelled proceedings six minutes later, but slipped at the crucial time and was only able to hit the side-netting.
The home side came close to regaining their two-goal lead when Mata found Soldado pushing forward in the box, but he could not direct his shot past Ricardo.
Dejan Lekic was only inches away from levelling the score, as he timed his run in the box well, but his header hit the right-post before travelling across goal to hit the left and then bouncing out into play.
Aranda turned from provider to scorer, as he was the first to capitalise on the loose ball in the box, and struck his shot past Cesar to make it 3-3 with three minutes to go.
Osasuna kept pressing, looking for all three points, but could not find the elusive fourth goal, ensuring the points were shared.

Park The Punisher................

Old Trafford was set alight tonight as we saw Manchester United playe hosts to fellow Premier League title challengers Arsenal. It was the Red Devils who looked the part though, as they went on top of the EPL table with a 1-0 win thanks to a clever Ji Sung Park header, despite Rooney missing a penalty.