Happy New Year!

Wish you health, happiness, love and bunch of money!

Thanks for visiting my corner, lads.

All the best,

Dule

Thursday's gossip column

BREAKING NEWS

Bayern Munich president Uli Hoeness has rejected claims a deal has already been struck to sell Franck Ribery to Real Madrid in the summer for a fee of around £49m.
(German newspaper Suddeutsche Zeitung)

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini will move for Liverpool trio Fernando Torres, Javier Mascherano and Steven Gerrard if the Reds finish outside the top four in the Premier League this season and are forced to sell their superstars.(The Sun) 
Zenit St Petersburg, Lokomotiv Moscow, Spartak Moscow and Sporting Lisbon are interested in buying Tottenham striker Roman Pavlyuchenko but Spurs want £13m for the out-of-favour Russian and will not consider letting him leave in a loan deal.(Daily Mirror)
Hull City boss Phil Brown hopes to sign Manchester City striker Benjani on loan in January, but only if the Eastlands club agree to pay half of the Zimbabwe star's £50,000-a-week wages.(The Sun) 
Manchester City have made an enquiry about signing £6m-rated Bari defender Leonardo Bonucci. (Daily Mail) 
Leeds striker Jermaine Beckford has put a £2m move to Newcastle on hold so he can help his side try to upset Manchester United in the FA Cup on Sunday.(Daily Mirror) 
Middlesbrough boss Gordon Strachan is planning a £3m bid for Leeds striker Robert Snodgrass. (The Sun) 
Everton manager David Moyes hopes to sign 17-year-old midfielder Maxime Lestienne from Belgian side Moucron. (Daily Mail) 
Portsmouth have invited Manchester City to make an offer for their £8m-rated defender Younes Kaboul.(Daily Mirror) 
Pompey boss Avram Grant has been told to sell at least £6m-worth of players in January to stop the club being declared bankrupt. Kaboul, David James Kevin-Prince Boateng, Nadir Belhadj and David Nugent could all be up for grabs.(The Sun) 
Liverpool have held preliminary talks with Crystal Palace about signing highly-rated teenager Victor Moses. (Daily Star) 
Aston Villa have joined Liverpool and Tottenham in the chase for West Ham midfielder Scott Parker, who could be available for around £8m.(The Guardian) 
Celtic have pulled out of a deal to sign Nafto Novopolotsk defender Dmitry Verkhovtsov after inviting the Belarus international over for a trial. (Daily Record) 
Hearts owner Vladimir Romanov is refusing to fund manager Csaba Laszlo's bid to sign Plymouth striker Steven Maclean and Charlton frontman Izale McLeod. (Daily Record)
Wigan have made a shock move to sign Ivory Coast centre half Steve Gohouri from German side Borussia Monchengladbach.(Daily Mirror) 
Sheffield United striker Jamie Ward is set to sign a new deal despite interest from West Brom.(Daily Mirror) 
Derby, Nottingham Forest and Ipswich are all chasing in-form Swindon striker Charlie Austin. (Daily Mirror) 

OTHER GOSSIP

Former Bolton midfielder Peter Reid, currently assistant boss at Stoke, is being lined up as Wanderers' next manager after Gary Megson was sacked on Wednesday.(Daily Express) 
Reid could be installed on a caretaker basis until the end of the season.(The Times) 
Bolton will turn to Darren Ferguson as their next manager if they fail to persuade Burnley boss Owen Coyle to replace Megson. (Daily Telegraph)
Mark Hughes, sacked as Manchester City boss before Christmas, is not interested in the vacant Bolton job and Coyle and former Wigan boss Paul Jewell have also ruled out the possibility of taking charge at the Reebok Stadium.(Daily Mail) 
Megson is understood to be a major contender for the vacant managerial post at Sheffield Wednesday.(The Independent) 
Preston chairman Derek Shaw has admitted that Darren Ferguson is in the frame to succeed Alan Irvine, who was sacked earlier this week, as North End boss. Former Motherwell manager Jim Gannon is also believed to be on Shaw's shortlist. (The Sun) 
Doncaster boss Sean O'Driscoll is another of Shaw's targets to be the next Preston manager.(Daily Mail) 
Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti has told Jose Mourinho to forget any ideas of a shock return to Stamford Bridge, after the former Blues boss revealed he plans to take charge of an English club next season.(The Sun) 

AND FINALLY

Former Wimbledon hardman Vinnie Jones has been offered $1m to team up with his old friend Paul Gascoigne in the next Celebrity Big Brother.(The Sun)

www.bbc.co.uk

Wednesday's gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Liverpool are hoping to land Real Madrid's Dutch striker Ruud van Nistelrooy, 33, on a six-month loan deal.(Daily Mail) 
Manchester United defender Nemanja Vidic is a £20m target for Real Madrid, with the Spanish giants set to make a move for the Serbian international at the end of the season.(The Sun)
Vidic could cost Real Madrid £30m, with United interested in replacing him with Everton's Jack Rodwell, 18, and Porto's Bruno Alves. (The Times) 
United manager Sir Alex Ferguson could line up a January move for goalkeeper Hugo Lloris - but he will have to pay Lyon £20m for the France international.(Daily Mirror) 
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger revealed he is an admirer of Manchester City striker Craig Bellamy but the Frenchman doubts the Eastlands outfit would sell the Welshman as they do not need the money. (The Independent) 
However, Wenger will step up his bid to sign 15-year-old QPR striker Raheem Sterling. (Daily Mirror) 
Palermo defender Simon Kjaer has rejected a £12m move to Manchester City - although Eastlands boss Roberto Mancini has denied he is interested in signing the Dane.(Daily Mirror) 
West Ham United's sporting director Gianluca Nani insists they are not interested in signing Fiorentina's Romanian striker Adrian Mutu.(The Independent) 
Everton will face competition from Arsenal and Manchester United to sign 17-year-old Belgian winger Maxime Lestienne. The Excelsior Mouscron star has been offered a trial after being recommended by Toffees midfielder Marouane Fellaini.(The Sun) 
Birmingham City are preparing a £3.5m deal to turn goalkeeper Joe Hart's loan move from Manchester City into a permanent one.(Daily Mirror) 
Meanwhile, Birmingham manager Alex McLeish is also planning a £2m move for Blackburn striker Benni McCarthy.(The Sun) 
Burnley are close to signing Algeria captain Yazid Mansouri for £1m from French club Lorient. The 31-year-old midfielder will spend most of January at the African Cup of Nations.(Daily Mail) 
Sheffield United boss Kevin Blackwell wants to sign Greg Halford on loan after the versatile wide man fell out of favour with Wolves manager Mick McCarthy.(Daily Mirror) 
Wolves are weighing up a £1.5m bid for Derby County winger Kris Commons. (Daily Mail) 
Newcastle will offer Leeds £1.25m for striker Jermaine Beckford, who can leave on a free transfer in the summer.(The Sun) 
Middlesbrough boss Gordon Strachan is planning to offer Celtic £6m for centre-back Stephen McManus, midfielder Barry Robson and Australian striker Scott McDonald.(The Sun) 
Meanwhile striker Scott McDonald insists he would be happy to finish his career at Celtic, despite reports linking him with a move to England. (The Herald) 
Nottingham Forest manager Billy Davies is lining up a £750,000 move for Swansea's Spanish midfielder Andrea Orlandi. (Daily Star) 
Sochaux chief Alexandre Lacombe has confirmed he is planning a January swoop to bring Rangers striker Kris Boyd to the French outfit. (The Mail) 

OTHER GOSSIP

Chelsea midfielder Michael Ballack expects to agree a new two-year contract extension to take him to June 2012 - and beyond his 35th birthday.(The Telegraph) 
Chelsea have put youth talent scout Gary Worthington on gardening leave - in a bid to stop him moving to rivals Manchester City. (Daily Mirror) 
London-based financial company Intermarket will submit a bid to take control of West Ham United on Monday.(The Telegraph) 
Former Stockport and Motherwell boss Jim Gannon is in the frame to replace Alan Irvine as Preston North End boss. (The Times) 
Alternatively, Preston may opt for former Peterborough boss Darren Ferguson.(Daily Mail) 

AND FINALLY

West Ham right-back Julien Faubert has revealed Tottenham fans and players have been "taking the mickey" out of him in the street. Faubert, who was in the West Ham side beaten 2-0 by Spurs on Monday, lives in an area where many Tottenham fans and players reside. (The Sun)

www.bbc.co.uk

Tuesday's gossip column

BREAKING GOSSIP

Real Madrid have made Manchester United defender Nemanja Vidic their prime transfer target for 2010 and Sir Alex Ferguson has already identified Porto's Bruno Alves as his replacement.-Marca.com (in Spanish) 

TRANSFER GOSSIP

West Ham are planning a January bid for former Chelsea striker Adrian Mutu, who is now playing for Italian side Fiorentina.(Daily Mirror)
Meanwhile, West Ham's chances of landing Bayern Munich striker Luca Toni are over after the Italian declared he would not sign for any club other than Roma. (Daily Mirror)
The Hammers, who are without injured forward Carlton Cole, are looking to recall striker Freddie Sears from his loan spell at Crystal Palace.(The Sun) 
Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez will offload strikers Ryan Babel and Andriy Voronin as well as defender Andrea Dossena so that he can fund a move for Galatasary winger Arda Turan. (The Sun) 
Manchester United winger Nani is set to leave Old Trafford with his representatives talking to clubs in Spain and Italy.(The Independent) 
Nani could be part of a deal that brings Benfica winger Angel Di Maria to Old Trafford. (The Guardian) 
Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp may turn to former club Portsmouth in January, with goalkeeper Asmir Begovic the target. (The Sun) 
Alternatively Spurs may also move for Begovic's team-mate keeper David James, leaving Portsmouth to pursue Adelaide stopper Eugene Galekovic.(The Sun) 
Stoke boss Tony Pulis is lining up a £9m offer for West Ham midfielder Scott Parker, who is also attracting interest from Tottenham and Liverpool.(Daily Mirror) 
Bolton have moved closer to signing Real Madrid midfielder Guti after he turned down a move to Turkish side Besiktas.(Daily Mirror) 
Blackburn Rovers are lining up a loan move for Marseille midfielder Hatem Ben Arfa. (Daily Mirror) 
Rovers boss Sam Allardyce is also keen on Saint-Etienne's Algerian midfielder Amine Linganzi Koumba.(The Sun) 
Birmingham are set to make German international striker Kevin Kuranyi the best paid player in the club's history. (Daily Mirror) 
Birmingham are also targeting £4m-rated Peterborough striker Aaron McLean as they look to bolster their European charge.(The Sun) 
West Brom have bid £1.5m for Crystal Palace striker Victor Moses. (Daily Mirror) 

OTHER GOSSIP

Former Chelsea boss and current Inter Milan manager Jose Mourinho says he is eyeing up a return to the Premier League. (The Sun) 
Portsmouth's players are set to miss out on being paid on time for the third time this season as their cash crisis continues.(Daily Mirror) 

AND FINALLY

Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov believes no-one can stop the club winning the Premier League this season.(Daily Mirror)

www.bbc.co.uk

Everton 2 - 0 Burnley

Everton struck at the death to win at home for the first time since September and condemn 10-man Burnley to a ninth successive league game without a win.
Substitute James Vaughan turned home a Marouane Fellaini cross from close range with seven minutes remaining. 
Steven Pienaar then sealed the win in injury time after being fed by Yakubu. 
David Nugent hit the post for Burnley, but the turning point for the Clarets came when Stephen Jordan saw red for a second bookable offence on the hour. 
Everton's victory, their first in the league since early November, ends a winless streak at Goodison Park stretching back to mid-autumn, when Blackburn were on the receiving end of a 3-0 defeat. 
More importantly for manager David Moyes, who could only watch with mounting dismay when his side's early-season lethargy was compounded by a wholesale injury crisis, Everton now lie 11th in the league table, five points clear of the relegation zone.
Having previously picked up just a solitary point on their travels, Burnley arrived on Merseyside with the worst away record in the division, but a battling performance belied that discouraging statistic. 
Burnley gave a decent account of themselves throughout, so much so that - despite Everton's numerical advantage - the outcome remained in the balance until the dying minutes.

Everton manager David Moyes on James Vaughan:
"I am really pleased for James, who has had a terrible time with injuries for more than two years. 
"This time he has come back without even a reserve run-out. 
"He has missed much of his development, so we are just trying to nurse him through to get him back to what he was like as an outstanding teenager." 
"We played really well in the first half but didn't get the goal our play merited. 
"But overall we deserved the victory. 
Burnley manager Owen Coyle on Everton's first goal:
"Yakubu was definitely offside, he is a big lad and our keeper could not see the play. 
"Howard Webb is a good referee and he was in no position to see it, but he should expect to get assistance from his linesman, who could surely see. 
"It influenced the game. I just want fair decisions and that was not fair. 
"It's a mixture of emotions, frustration and anger, because we had opportunities to score the first goal of the game. 
"But if we continue playing and performing as well as that, we'll be fine.

www.bbc.co.uk

Everton - Burnley

For Toffees this season so far looks like endless nightmare. Instead a battle for Europe, Everton hold 14^th place with 19 points from past 18 games. Although injury crisis has been shaking the club from the start and they had to play huge number of games, this season is under all expectations and even Moyes’ job isn’t safe anymore. Everton haven’t noticed a win in seven league games (last time vs. West Ham, away 1-0) and they’re without a win in six games at Goodison. Despite bad results, they have been putting a decent display lately, dressing room atmosphere is still high – players believe in better days, just need a first win to turn the corner. But, Moyes continues to have defensive problems, with Sylvain Distin and Joseph Yobo still not fit enough to return. Skipper Phil Neville could make his return after three months out with a knee injury. 

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After excellent start of the season, newcomers from Turf Moor felt in the crisis of results. They’re in the winless run of seven league games and hold 13^th place (one point more than today’s opponent). On the road have taken just a single point from nine games (Man.City 3-3)! But, as Everton they’re performances are also above the results. In last two games on the road (two 0-2 defeats) were a little bit unlucky to get something from it. Against Pompey created plenty of real goal chances, but didn’t score, while vs. Wolves were short for a clear penalty kick and also missed few very good chances. Their main problem is attractive and offensive style of play that has brought some results at home, but on the road causes defense has been leaking too much goals. Manager Owen Coyle also has big defensive worries, as pair of central defenders, Clarke Carlisle and Steven Caldwell, missed the 1-1 draw against Bolton with groin strains and their appearance is in doubt. 

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This game looks like to be, or not to be for a home side. They desperately need a win and will host a team which has 8 defeats from 9 away games. On the other hand, Toffees still have lots of problems in back line with injuries. Neville is maybe fit but lacks in competitive games and his return could even cause additional problems behind. Burnley won’t defend, surely can score and make this game more interesting. I expect an open game, fight till the last minute and goals. Betfair offer 2.00, Pinnacle 1.94. Over.

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Monday's gossip column

BREAKING GOSSIP

Roma are close to signing out-of-favour Bayern Munich and Italy striker Luca Toni, who has been linked with both West Ham and Chelsea. (Reuters)

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Craig Bellamy has rubbished claims he wants to quit Manchester City and denies he led a player rebellion in the wake of Mark Hughes' sacking.(Daily Mirror) 
Bolton boss Gary Megson is attempting to sign veteran Real Madrid midfielder Guti.(Daily Mirror) 
Harry Redknapp has paved the way for Roman Pavlyuchenko's Tottenham exit and says he would not necessarily need a replacement if the Russian quit White Hart Lane in January.(Daily Mirror) 
Portsmouth goalkeeper David James has refused to rule out a January switch to Spurs as he attempts to ensure he is England's No 1 at the World Cup.(Sun) 
Manchester City are on the brink of signing Inter Milan defender Ivan Cordoba, 33, who has fallen out with boss Jose Mourinho.(Daily Mail) 
New Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini wants record signing Robinho to remain at Eastlands, despite the the 25-year-old Brazilian striker being linked with a move away from the club next month. Mancini said: "The important thing for me is that Robinho stays here because he can earn a place in the history of the club." (Various) 

OTHER GOSSIP

Portsmouth are being sued by French side Lens over alleged unpaid transfer fees for striker Aruna Dindane and defender Nadir Belhadj.(Daily Mail) 
Manager Carlo Ancelotti has admitted for the first time Chelsea are low on confidence, despite his side still heading the Premier League table.(Sun) 
Former Peterborough manager Darren Ferguson has set his sights on becoming the Reading new boss after Brendan Rodgers was sacked by the Royals earlier this month.(Daily Star) 

AND FINALLY

South Korean playmaker Ki Sung Yueng has told his new Celtic team-mates to just call him Dave to avoid confusion. "Communication is so important if players are to be comfortable with each other," the 20-year-old said helpfully. (Daily Record)
Inter Milan boss Jose Mourinho is planning to make his first trip back to Stamford Bridge since he was sacked to watch his former club Chelsea play Fulham on Monday.(Sun)

www.bbc.co.uk

Sunday's gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Portsmouth goalkeeper David James admits he is "flattered" by the interest of Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp and would be keen on a move to White Hart Lane to boost his England World Cup chances.(Sunday Telegraph) 
Fernando Torres is ready to quit Liverpool if they fail to qualify for the Champions League this season.(News of the World) 
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is considering splashing out on a new striker in the January transfer window, with Bordeaux's Marouane Chamakh top of his wanted list.(Mail on Sunday) 
Or Wenger could launch a £12million January bid for Toulouse's French international striker Andre Pierre Gignac.(News of the World) 
Arsenal have also emerged as shock contenders to sign Manchester City striker Craig Bellamy.(Sunday Mirror) 
Manchester United are ready to challenge Roberto Mancini's City for £12m-rated Juventus defender Giorgio Chiellini. (News of the World) 
Birmingham are ready to launch an £8 raid for Wigan's former Newcastle's winger Charles N'Zogbia.(News of the World) 
Carlo Ancelotti will make a transfer window U-turn by offering a British record £45million for Bayern Munich's France winger Franck Ribery.(People) 
Manchester United striker Frederico Macheda, 18, is being linked with a loan move to Real Zaragoza.(News of the World) 
Liverpool are poised to mount a major effort to sign former Lazio striker Goran Pandev on a free transfer next month in a bid to boost their flagging season.(People) 
Ambitious Stoke manager Tony Pulis could make a suprise three-pronged raid for Liverpool misfit Ryan Babel, Aston Villa's Emile Heskey and Sunderland striker Kenwyne Jones(News of the World) 
Inter Milan defender Ivan Cordoba has told new Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini he would love to move to Eastlands.(People) 
Sunderland have launched an attempt to hijack right-back Danny Simpson’s move from Manchester United to Newcastle.(Daily Star Sunday) 
Tottenham's Scotland fullback Alan Hutton is a January target for Stoke and Fulham.(News of the World) 
And Hutton's fellow out-of-favour Tottenham team-mate David Bentley is also attracting interest from spanish side Aletico Madrid.(News of the World) 

OTHER GOSSIP

Jose Mourinho snubbed Manchester City's offer to become their coach because his dream is to step in when Sir Alex Ferguson finally retires at Manchester United. (Mail on Sunday) 
Manchester City believe they can lure Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger in the summer as they see newly-appointed coach Roberto Mancini as just a stopgap. City have still not ruled out trying to persuade Jose Mourinho to take over either.(Sunday Express) 
Former Birmingham owners David Gold and David Sullivan will pull the plug on West Ham takeover talks on January 7.(News of the World) 

AND FINALLY

Newcastle may sit top of the Championship but the club is being forced to implement a clutch of cost-cutting measures at St James' Park - including switching off the escalator inside the new Milburn Stand during the week.(News of the World)

www.bbc.co.uk

weird results

Burnley 1 - 1 Bolton

Bolton remain in the relegation zone as Burnley fought back to earn a draw in a spirited Lancashire derby at Turf Moor.
After Steven Fletcher had missed a golden chance for the home side Matt Taylor deservedly put Wanderers ahead with a stunning 25-yard free-kick. 
Both sides hit the woodwork, before Bolton's run of failing to keep a clean sheet since May continued when David Nugent headed in Wade Elliott's cross. 
There were chances at both ends in a tense finish to an entertaining match. 
So Burnley are still without a league win over Bolton since the teams met in the old fourth division in 1987. 
More significantly for their first top flight campaign in 33 years the Clarets are now without a Premier League victory in eight matches. 
The strong home record, which had yielded 18 of their 19 points prior to this fixture and seen only Wigan triumph at Turf Moor this term, will be tested in contrasting fashion by Stoke and Chelsea during January.
On a bright, crisp afternoon with snow atop the hills beyond there were several unenviable records on show for both teams and Burnley must have feared the worst at the interval, having lost all seven games in which they had trailed at the break.
Bolton, in addition to their defensive frailties - the run of games without leaking a league goal stretching to 19 matches - are yet to win after conceding the first goal and it was Gary Megson's team who made the stronger start.
Burnley boss Owen Coyle:
"On the balance of the match I felt we were in control. 
"We should have been in front but found ourselves behind to an exquisite free-kick - if it was a free-kick, but Mr Foy thought it was. 
"I asked them to raise their game and I felt we fully deserved three points. 
"I felt when we scored we were going to go on to win but Jaaskelainen is a quality keeper and always has been and he showed it." 
Bolton manager Gary Megson:
"Before the game I would have been satisfied with a point given the home record Burnley have and some of the teams they have beaten. 
"But we were 1-0 up, way on top and had most of the chances and were disappointed not to be more than one up. 
"In the second half they were much stronger but if we'd taken the chance at 1-0 I don't know if they would have come back from that. 
"We rode our luck in the second half and a draw is a fair result for both teams."
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Cardiff 0 - 1 Plymouth
Bottom club Plymouth stunned promotion-chasing Cardiff with a smash-and-grab raid at the Cardiff City Stadium.
Gary Sawyer struck six minutes from time with a deflected effort after Paul Quinn's poor clearance. 
Cardiff had chances to take all three points but missed chances through Peter Whittingham, Michael Chopra, Jay Bothroyd and Joe Ledley late on. 
Argyle keeper Romain Larrieu also denied Mark Hudson's header as the visitors ended a run of five defeats. 
It was new boss Paul Mariner's first win in his third game in charge and his side's first goal in over 500 minutes of football. 
Cardiff keeper David Marshall had no chance with the goal though after Sawyer's shot deflected off Hudson. 
He did also keep Cardiff in it in the first half denying Alan Judge, but was the quieter of the two keepers as Cardiff blew the chance to close the gap on the Championship's top two. 
Frenchman Larrieu turned Hudson's header over the bar and then sent Whittingham's 20-yard effort to safety. 
Bothroyd then narrowly put the ball over the bar from inside the box before Chopra wasted a good chance. 
Cardiff piled on further pressure after Sawyer's goal, but Ledley drove just wide from 12 yards as Plymouth held on for a vital win as they climbed off the bottom and attempt to reach Championship safety. 
Cardiff manager Dave Jones:
"These are the type of games you have to see out and we had the chances to do that yet we never showed the creativity we are capable of and we have been caught by a sucker punch. 
"This division is a difficult one but we should still have been good enough to win and it is very disappointing to lose a game like this. 
"You could see it coming and three individual errors led to the goal. They were waiting for one opportunity and when it came they took it. 
Plymouth manager Paul Mariner:
"We worked very hard for that result but the signs have been there for a couple of weeks. 
"The players want to get this club out of the mess we are in and we knew we would get a resilient performance from them but three points is a wonderful result. 
"To keep a clean sheet against such a high powered attacking force as Cardiff have is a magnificent effort. 
"We haven't scored for a long time but you have to go back to the basics and that is what we have done today."
www.bbc.co.uk

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Btw. my Premier League prediction ended with six correct picks out of eight! Cheers to those who followed.

Cardiff City - Plymouth Argyle

After November run of four games without a win, Cardiff have noticed three consecutive league wins against top league sides (Preston, WBA and Middlesbrough). Considering team’s quality, in my opinion they’re just behind Newcastle and with injury crisis that has been ended, they should continue climbing on the table. Hosts are almost at full strength, Mcphail (cancer) is the only first team absentee, while on-loan forward Kelvin Etuhu should be fit. Cardiff are not prone to underestimating, no problem with pitch condition and full squad should guarantee good home display. In five home wins, just one (Preston 1-0) finished with one goal margin.

 

Visitors are in completely different position. Trip to Wales came after five consecutive league defeats with not a single goal scored! They’ve represented themselves in previous 21 rounds as a poor side and moving to the third tier looks like clear reality. They’ll try to defend with 10 players as usual, but if concede early goal, this game could turn into nightmare. Boss Paul Mariner has lots of worries to patch the defense line as right and left back, Shane Lowry and David Gray, have returned to their parent clubs after their loan periods have been finished. Third defender, Darcy Blake, is on loan from Cardiff and can not play against them. Also, Plymouth have more important game at Monday when they’ll host Reading.

 

This should be a clear home win. The facts that call on caution is Cardiff also have a game at Monday (visit Peterborough) and probably will try to keep some strength. This, however shouldn’t mean they’ll risk three points with possible keeping of the minimal lead. Second fact is, even if they concede a goal in early stage I don’t think Plymouth will show some intentions to attack, they’ll just try to concede not too many. Home handicap win.

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Burnley - Bolton

The Clarets are typical home team. Owen Coyle is forcing attractive style of play that is really nice to watch and it has been bringing good results at their home Turf Moor. They have just one home defeat (Wigan 1-3), while all three draws (in last three rounds) came from the games against top Premier sides Aston Villa and Arsenal and Fulham. In last round, they were defeated on the road against Wolves (0-2), but put a decent display and if they didn’t stay short for a penalty kick result probably would be different. However, this game for Burnley has the highest importance, lads had a training session instead Christmas celebration and I think they’re paying much more attention to this game, than to Monday’s trip to Goodison Park. Two central defenders, Steven Caldwell and Clarke, picked up groin problems in the defeat to Wolves (Caldwell is closer to appear), while another defender Tyrone Mears should be fit despite incurring a head injury in that game.

 

Bolton ended a run of five competitive defeats in six games with two excellent results. First stopped Man.City at home (3-3), then also at home defeated West Ham (3-1). Despite collected four points, Trotters stayed under the rellegation line and it seems Gary Megson has been pulling the maximum from the players who, I think it is fair to say, lack in quality and Bolton seem as a serious contender for moving down to Championship. Also, they have maybe more important game at Monday, when will host Hull City. On the road their defense line looks shaky, especially for crosses and set pieces which could mean Robbie Blake and Chris Eagles will run the riot. Wanderers have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last 18 league games. However, key midfielder Fabrice Muamba is suspended after picking up his fifth booking of the season in the win over West Ham, while his fellow midfielder Gavin McCann will miss out for the third successive game with an ankle injury.

 

Despite not so good results lately (seven games without a win), Burnley’s performances look decent and at home already defeated much stronger sides than Bolton are. Visitors made two excellent results at home, but I can’t imagine them making third and winning at Turf Moor. Just because the fact Burnley noticed three consecutive home draws and three of the last four meetings between these sides have ended in draws, I’ll chose dnb option instead home win that should be considered as a gamble.

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Saturday's gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Argentine striker Sergio Aguero will be offered to Chelsea and Manchester rivals United and City for £40m by his club Atletico Madrid. Chelsea were favourites to sign the 21-year-old, but discussions on his personal terms have stalled.(The Mirror) 
Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp is keen to sign Manchester City striker Craig Bellamy despite branding the player a "nuisance". Bellamy, one of City's top performers this season, was reportedly unhappy at the sacking of Blues manager Mark Hughes. (The Times)
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez is desperate to sign a target man in January, with Sunderland's Kenwyne Jones, Manchester City's Roque Santa Cruz and Liverpool old boy Emile Heskey all on his wanted list.(The Mirror) 
Manchester United will offload 22-year-old Serbian winger Zoran Tosic in January. Tosic signed last January in a £7m deal, but has yet to start a game for the club.(The Mirror) 
Meanwhile, City could bolster their attack by moving for Sampdoria striker Giampaolo Pazzini. The 25-year-old averages a goal every other game in Serie A.(The Sun) 
Striker Luca Toni could make a January move to Chelsea, with the Blues forced to cope without Didier Drogba, among others during, the African Cup of Nations. Toni, 32, was top scorer for Bayern Munich last season, but has been linked with a move since exiting the ground after being substituted in a recent match.(The Sun) 
Wolves will look to tempt Craig Gardner from Aston Villa in January. The £3m-rated midfielder could move in search of first-team football. (The Mirror) 

OTHER GOSSIP

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has told rivals City that he will outlast 20 more managers at Eastlands, having already seen 14 come and go. Ferguson, 68, has hinted he could retire within the next two years.(The Times) 
Ferguson, though, has been rocked by the news that striker Dimitar Berbatov requires knee surgery and will be out for three months.(The Sun) 
Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic, 25, will be offered a new long-term contract to stave off interest from Real Madrid.(The Times) 
Michael Dawson could have played his way into England's World Cup squad. The Spurs centre back started the season as fourth choice at club level, but injuries and a string of fine performances have seen club manager Redknapp push his case to England coach Fabio Capello.(Daily Star) 
However, Michael Owen is still unlikely to make the plane despite his recent Champions League hat-trick against Wolfsburg. Capello will only pick the striker if he gets more regular football for Manchester United.(The Sun) 
And Owen's Manchester United team-mate Rio Ferdinand could also be a doubt for South Africa, with club manager Ferguson admitting there is "no light" in terms of his recovery from a back injury.(The Independent) 

AND FINALLY

Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti could see his extremities turn blue if he goes back on a promise not to sign anyone during the January transfer window.
The Premier League leaders, who have had a transfer ban suspended, will be deprived of several first-team players during the African Cup of Nations, but Ancelotti has promised to run naked in the snow if they dip their toe into the winter market.(Daily Star)

www.bbc.co.uk

Initial thoughts - Premier League

Birmingham - Chelsea 2
West Ham - Portsmouth 1
Fulham - Tottenham X
Burnley - Bolton X
Sunderland - Everton X
Manchester City - Stoke 1
Wigan - Blackburn 1
Liverpool - Wolverhampton 1

Total goals: 15

Some analyzes will follow.

.

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Thursday's gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp is keeping tabs on striker Craig Bellamy should new Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini ditch the Wales international in January's transfer window. However, Redknapp must sell before he can buy, with Roman Pavlyuchenko the likely candidate to fund Bellamy's arrival. (The Sun) 
Redknapp is also tracking former Manchester United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy, as well as West Ham defender Mathew Upson and Liverpool winger Ryan Babel.(Daily Mirror) 
Portsmouth defender Younes Kaboul is one of Mancini's January transfer targets. The Italian is lining up a potential £8m swoop for the Frenchman. (The Sun) 
Mancini is also keeping tabs on Palermo's Danish central defender Simon Kjaer, who is also attracting interest from Manchester United. (Daily Star) 
Aston Villa are ready to outbid Liverpool to land £12m-rated Sunderland striker Kenwyn Jones.(The Sun) 
But Stoke boss Tony Pulis is also keen on the Trinidad and Tobago international. (Daily Star) 
Portsmouth may not be able to extend Jamie O'Hara's loan stay from Spurs because of the club's transfer embargo preventing them from bringing in new players.(The Sun) 
Newcastle are lining up a move for Rangers striker Kris Boyd in the new year. (Daily Mirror) 
West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola could be resigned to losing defender Matthew Upson in January. (The Times) 
Blackburn boss Sam Allardyce must sell before he can make a swoop for Stoke striker James Beattie.(The Sun) 

OTHER GOSSIP

Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti faces a crisis up front after losing all his strikers for Monday's derby against Fulham. (The Times) 
Ipswich manager Roy Keane believes former Manchester United team-mate Mark Hughes should never have joined Manchester City. "I wouldn't have got involved with City - never," he said.(The Sun) 
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has revealed he held talks with Steven Gerrard about the midfielder's struggle for form. (The Guardian) 
Manchester City chief executive Garry Cook has suggested Liverpool sounded out Roberto Mancini as a replacement for Rafael Benitez before the Italian moved to Eastlands. (Daily Telegraph) 
Manchester United look set to give striker Mame Biram Diouf his debut next month after the Senegal international was finally granted a work permit.(Daily Mail) 

AND FINALLY

Liverpool want "placenta doctor" Marijana Kovacevic to take up a permanent role with the club. The Serb, who has worked with players such as Robin van Persie as well as Liverpool midfielder Yossi Benayoun, uses fluid from the placenta of a horse to treat injuries.(Daily Mail)

www.bbc.co.uk

Wednesday's gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Under-fire Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez wants to sign two players in January, with Aston Villa's former Reds striker Emile Heskey being one of them.(Daily Mirror) 
New Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini will make strengthening his defence a priority in the new year. West Ham centre-half Matthew Upson (£10m), Inter Milan full-back Maicon (£15m), Juventus full-back Giorgio Chiellini (£10m) and Bolton's Gary Cahill (£10m) are all on the wanted list.(Daily Star) 
And City striker Craig Bellamy could be the first player to be shown the door after clashing with Mancini in his first training session. Mancini has reportedly ordered double training sessions but Bellamy was only expecting a light workout because of a recurring knee injury.(The Sun) 
Valencia striker David Villa believes the time is right for a switch to England after failing to secure moves to Barcelona and Real Madrid.(The Times) 
Sporting Gijon midfielder Michel is to become Birmingham City owner Carson Yeung's first signing.(Daily Mirror) 
Manchester United have bid £9m plus Nani for Benfica winger Angel di Maria.(Daily Mail) 
Everton are in talks with Valencia midfielder Manuel Fernandes about the possibility of the 23-year-old returning to Goodison Park for a third loan spell.(Daily Mirror) 
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is under pressure from the club's shareholders to spend big in January. Wenger wants to bring in a striker and West Ham's Carlton Cole, Andre-Pierre Gignac of Toulouse and Bordeaux's Marouane Chamakh have all been linked with the Gunners.(Daily Mirror) 
Real Madrid are keen on in-form Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic.(Daily Mail) 
Tottenham defender Michael Dawson is poised for a move to Sunderland.(Daily Mirror) 
Former Liverpool winger Jermaine Pennant is set for a return to the Premier League after being told by Spanish club Real Zaragoza that he is no longer wanted. Aston Villa are thought to be interested in the 26-year-old.(The Sun) 
Everton are considering making a loan move for former Arsenal winger Jose Antonio Reyes, who is now at Atletico Madrid. (Daily Mail) 
And Everton will battle it out with Tottenham for Watford's England Under-21 goalkeeper Scott Loach. (Daily Star)
Sunderland boss Steve Bruce wants to sign Coventry goalkeeper Keiren Westwood as his new number one.(Daily Mirror) 
Portsmouth manager Avram Grant could still be prevented from signing players in the new year, even if the club pay off all their transfer debts.(Daily Star) 
But if the ban is lifted, Grant wants to buy Wigan midfielder Olivier Kapo.(Daily Mirror) 
New Queens Park Rangers manager Paul Hart will go to his former club Portsmouth to try to sign defender Mike Williamson and striker Tommy Smith.(The Sun) 
Wolves boss Mick McCarthy is interested in Celtic winger Niall McGinn, who is valued at £1.5m.(Daily Mail) 
Glasgow giants Celtic are set to join Newcastle in the race to sign Sheffield United defender Matthew Kilgallon.(The Sun) 

OTHER GOSSIP

Former England, Tottenham and Chelsea manager Glenn Hoddle is set for a return to the English game with Championship side Reading.(Daily Mirror) 
New Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini is not convinced that his tenure at Eastlands will last beyond next summer.(Daily Mail) 
Notts County director of football Sven-Goran Eriksson is closing in on a £2m buy-out at the club, with backing from Scandinavian investors. (Daily Express)
Sunderland midfielder Jordan Henderson's impressive form has alerted England boss Fabio Capello.(The Independent) 
Saudi prince Faisal bin Fahad bin Abdullah is ready to buy the 50% stake of Liverpool co-owner George Gillett.(Daily Mail) 

AND FINALLY

As captain of England, John Terry is known to millions but that did not prevent the Chelsea defender from being snubbed when saying hello to darts player James Wade at a chemist in Surrey. "I thought it was someone trying to be a pest so I gave him the flick," explained Wade. "But a few hours later he texted my girlfriend with the message 'How rude is your other half?'. I've never been so embarrassed in my life."(Daily Star)

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DELIJE SEVER - 20th birthday 12.12.2009.

video:

part I

part II

www.delije.net

Tuesday's gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich will spend up to £55m in the January transfer window to boost his side's title challenge, with £40m-rated Atletico Madrid striker Sergio Aguero and Monaco midfielder Jerko Leko top of his wish list and Ajax forward Luis Suarez, Roma midfielder Daniele De Rossi and Everton midfielder Jack Rodwell seen as back-up options.(The Sun) 
Chelsea are worried Manchester City will gazump them with a bid for Aguero and want to push through a deal for the Argentina international in the next few days. (The Times) 
Manchester City striker Craig Bellamy and goalkeeper Shay Given are considering quitting the club in protest over the sacking of former manager Mark Hughes. (The Sun) 
New Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini will hope to beat Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool to the signing of Palermo centre-back Simon Kjaer and his other targets include Juventus defender Giorgio Chiellini, Rubin Kazan left-back Cristian Ansaldi, Osasuna right-back Cesar Azpilicueta, Sporting Lisbon centre-back Daniel Carrico, Sampdoria forward Antonio Cassano, AC Milan midfielder Gennaro Gattuso and CSKA Moscow midfielder Milos Krasic. (Daily Mail) 
Tottenham are ready to sell Robbie Keane to Celtic in January but want goalkeeper Artur Boruc as part of the deal. (Daily Mirror) 
Or, Keane will stay at White Hart Lane and remain club captain - despite angering Harry Redknapp by organising the club's Christmas party in Dublin behind the manager's back. (The Sun) 
Blackburn hope to re-sign James Beattie and will offer Jason Roberts to Stoke City in a swap deal for the striker, who began his career at Ewood Park. (Daily Mirror) 
Middlesbrough boss Gordon Strachan is planning a swoop for Leeds striker Jermaine Beckford. (Daily Mirror) 
Roma have joined Barcelona, Liverpool, Arsenal, Tottenham, Sunderland, Fulham, Wigan, Birmingham and German side Hoffenheim in the race to sign £5m-rated Crystal Palace forward Victor Moses. (Daily Mail) 
Blackburn and Everton will battle it out to sign Tottenham's Scotland full-back Alan Hutton for £4m in January. (Daily Express) 
West Ham hope to hijack Celtic's £2.5m swoop for Tours FC striker Olivier Giroud, who has also been targeted by Monaco, Toulouse, Valenciennes and Montpellier. (Daily Record) 
Former Chelsea striker Mateja Kezman has been offered to West Ham by French club Paris St Germain, who are looking to offload the Serbian frontman. (Daily Mirror) 
Matthew Upson could leave West Ham in January after admitting he is unsure whether he will still be at Upton Park at the end of the season. (Daily Express) 
Portsmouth boss Avram Grant has set up a loan deal for Benfica defender Miguel Vitor, who will move to Fratton Park in January if the club's transfer embargo is lifted. (Daily Mirror) 
Wolves boss Mick McCarthy is lining up a £1m move for Birmingham midfielder Lee Carsley, 35, who has been told he can leave the Blues and is also wanted by Ipswich. (Daily Express)
Celtic hope to beat Hull, Bolton, Burnley and Newcastle to the £1m signing of Sheffield United defender Matthew Kilgallon.(Daily Record) 
Barnsley are close to signing Ivory Coast defender Steve Gohouri on loan from German side Borussia Monchengladbach until the end of the season. (Daily Star)
Hearts will hold talks with Charlton striker Izale McLeod this week about taking the former England Under-21 star on loan in January.(Daily Record) 
Bournemouth and Notts County both want to sign Bangor City striker Chris Sharp, the son of former Everton and Scotland striker Graham Sharp. (Daily Star)

OTHER GOSSIP

Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp has drawn a line under the row over his squad's secret Christmas party after the 16 players involved each agreed to make a £20,000 donation to the club's Tottenham Hotspur Foundation charity. (Daily Mirror) 
Or, the 16 Spurs player were told to pay £5,000 each - pulling in a total of £80,000 for good causes. (The Sun) 
A furious Redknapp read the riot act to his players over the party incident and they have agreed to make a donation to charities which could amount to £1m.(Daily Star) 
The meeting between Redknapp and his players was frank but amicable, with them apologising for their conduct but pointing out they could not be fined as they had not breached the terms of their contracts and the Spurs boss agreeing for them to make donations totalling £300,000 to a charity. (The Guardian) 
Or, Redknapp chose not to fine his players and instead ordered them to pay £2,000 each - about the same amount they paid for their secret night out in Dublin - to a charity. (The Independent) 
Liverpool midfielder Alberto Aquilani, who is still to start a Premier League game for the Reds following his £20m summer move from Roma, has flown to Belgrade to receive treatment on his calf injury from controversial 'placenta doctor' Marijana Kovacevic. (Daily Mail) 
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has been told he will have to sell players before he can add to his squad in the January transfer window and plans to offload Ryan Babel, Andriy Voronin, Andrea Dossena and/or Philipp Degan to raise funds. If buyers cannot be found, Benitez will be restricted to making loan signings. (The Guardian) 
Former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho, who succeeded Roberto Mancini as Inter Milan boss 18 months ago, is tipping the Italian to be a big success at Manchester City.(The Sun) 
Mancini hit City's players with a double training-sesssion on Tuesday, just 24 hours after meeting them for the first time. (Daily Express) 
There is deep-seated anger in the Manchester City squad over Mark Hughes's sacking, especially among the the club's British and Irish players, despite chief executive Garry Cook's claims that there is no player rebellion at Eastlands. (Daily Telegraph) 
Birmingham boss Alex McLeish has won his battle with new Blues owner Carson Yeung over the club's transfer policy in January and has been told the Blues will only sign players the manager approves. (Daily Mirror) 
Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has ruled out making any signings in January to ease Manchester United's defensive injury crisis.(The Guardian) 
Dundee United boss Craig Levein will officially be named Scotland's new manager on Tuesday. (The Daily Record) 

AND FINALLY

Ipswich boss Roy Keane walks his dogs at midnight to avoid bumping into angry Town fans.(Daily Star)

Monday's gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Everton will battle it out with Arsenal to sign Bordeaux striker Marouane Chamakh for £7m in the summer.(The Sun) 
New Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini has given the club's chief executive Garry Cook a list of players he wants to sign, with Juventus left-back Giorgio Chiellini one of his targets. (Daily Mirror) 
Mancini is also keen on Inter Milan right-back Maicon. (Daily Telegraph)
Tottenham are set to move for Portsmouth full-back Nadir Belhadj in January, with Blackburn and Everton also interested in the Algeria defender. (Daily Mail) 
Blackburn have offered a four-year deal to United States midfielder Stuart Holden, who plays for Major League Soccer outfit Houston Dynamo. (The Sun)
Chelsea, Real Madrid and AC Milan are monitoring 16-year-old Anderlecht striker Romelo Lukaku. (Daily Mail) 
Birmingham City want to turn Joe Hart's loan switch from Manchester City into a permanent move and are also close to agreeing a £2.5m deal for Sporting Gijon midfielder Michel.(Daily Mirror) 
West Brom midfielder Graham Dorrans is wanted by Aston Villa, Birmingham City, Everton, Stoke City and Sunderland but the Baggies say the 22-year-old midfielder is not for sale.(Daily Mirror) 

OTHER GOSSIP

Roberto Mancini's first job as Manchester City manager will be to hold showdown talks with £32.5m Brazilian forward Robinho, who the Italian sees as the key to City's future.(The Sun) 
Mancini faces a battle to win over a number of disillusioned City players who are outraged by the sacking of former boss Mark Hughes.(Daily Mirror) 
City delayed sacking Mark Hughes for three weeks to give Mancini an easy start as manager, after the Italian verbally agreed to take charge at Eastlands on 2 December.(Daily Mail) 
Hughes had 18 months left on his contract and will receive a maximum pay-out of £3m following his departure from City, but the final figure he receives will depend on how quickly he finds a new job.(The Guardian) 
Mancini took the Eastlands job knowing he was not the club's first choice. City's chief executive Garry Cook flew to Amsterdam at the start of December to offer the post to Guus Hiddink.(Daily Telegraph) 
Former England midfielder David Platt, a close friend of Mancini, is set to join the Italian's coaching team at Eastlands.(The Independent) 
Alan Curbishley could return as West Ham boss if David Sullivan's takeover of the Upton Park club goes through.(Daily Express) 
Blackburn boss Sam Allardyce says he will have to sell players before he can strengthen his squad in the January transfer window.(Daily Mirror) 

AND FINALLY

Sunderland striker Darren Bent is terrified of spiders and will consider hypnotherapy to combat his arachnophobia, with the possibility that he may be part of England's squad for the 2010 World Cup in spider-infested South Africa. (The Sun)

www.bbc.co.uk

Profit!

Sheff Wed 0 - 2 Swansea

Darren Pratley's two goals condemned Sean McAuley to a losing start as Sheffield Wednesday caretaker boss.
The midfielder took just five minutes to put Swansea in charge, Gorka Pintado laying the ball on for Pratley to take in his stride and beat Lee Grant. 
Wednesday rallied and it took a good save from Dorus de Vries to keep out Jermaine Johnson's fierce shot. 
But the Owls then struggled and Pratley struck a second goal, meeting Nathan Dyer's low cross at the near post. 
Wednesday parted company with Brian Laws last weekend but McAuley was unable to inspire an improvement as Swansea maintained their push for promotion. 
The Owls are now winless in the last 10, having lost the last six and face the harsh reality of relegation if they do not make drastic improvements.
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QPR 1 - 1 Sheff Utd
New Queens Park Rangers manager Paul Hart saw his side draw with Sheffield United in his first game in charge.
Mikele Leigertwood opened the scoring for the home side with a right-footed strike from the edge of the area after just two minutes. 
Toni Kallio set up Richard Cresswell to fire home from close range for the equaliser six minutes later. 
Ben Watson headed against the crossbar in injury-time for the home side but both teams had to settle for a point. 
QPR manager Paul Hart:
"I thought we played extremely well. In the second half we were excellent, it was wave after wave. 
"I work with players to try to help them improve. I'm here to steady the ship. 
"I think this is a great club and it's a privilege to be working here." 
Sheffield United manager Kevin Blackwell:
"We talked about it in the week, it's not the time to be playing a team when a new manager walks through the door. 
"The players have got to show them what we are about. 
"All the talk was about QPR but my players were very resilient and did a professional job."
www.bbc.co.uk

Sheffield Wednesday - Swansea City

Owls have sacked the manager Brian Laws and appointed Sean McAuley as a caretaker. In his first statement he announced the intention to notice a win that should launch them in the middle of table security and return a part of self confidence in the dressing room. But, won’t be so easy. Currently Wednesday occupy 22^nd place, first below the line. They’re without a win in nine matches, have four consecutive defeats in a row, four consecutive at home and failed to score in last five games! No injury worries for McAuley and he’s expected to make some changes in starting eleven.

 

Swansea are tough Championship side which main characteristics are tight play and strong defense. Main problem for them is lack of scored goals lately and big boost is return of striker Stephen Dobie who’s fit again after an ankle strain. In the previous round Swansea have ended their unbeaten run of eleven home games, losing vs. Nott. Forest 0-1. On the road, in last seven games have just one defeat (against giants Newcastle 0-3). They have to bounce back to stay in play-off zone and they probably couldn’t find the better chance than today’s opponent. Boss Paulo Sousa will be again without skipper defender Garry Monk who has a calf injury, while midfielder Mark Gower is still sidelined with a knee problem. Will be stronger for mentioned Dobie and midfielder Tom Butler.

 

Home side isn’t a club that should relegate, but their recover can’t be immediate. Players are in mental crisis, new caretaker will probably make some improvements, but actually I can not imagine them winning today. My only concern about this game is the info Swansea have never won at Wednesday. So, dnb 2.

.

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QPR - Sheffield United

Paul Hart will have his debut as a manager, but also will have to cope with bad shape of his players, injury worries and strong opponent. Rangers are in run of five games without a win, three defeat and two draws. More disturbing is a fact till the previous round their performances didn’t look as top club’s at all. At Monday against WBA on the road, Rangers were defending whole hour than took a lucky lead after an own-goal. With a wind in the back score another and were keeping the lead till 94^th minute when conceded for a draw. So, their shape is far from promotion chasers and with not so good dressing room atmosphere, Hart will have a difficult job to make a harmony in the team. Also, he will hand a number of players late fitness tests (didn’t precise who, but defender Matt Connolly is one of them). Key midfielder Akos Buzsaky is expected to miss out again with a knee problem. But, good news full-back Gary Borrowdale should return after missing Monday's draw and midfielder Steven Reid is also close after two weeks out with a hamstring injury. Goalkeeper Radek Cerny will be available despite jarring his ankle attempting a goal-kick against and striker Angelo Balanta is fit after a groin injury.Midfielders Gavin Mahon, Lee Cook and Martin Rowlands (all knee) are long-term absentees.

 

Before the season started, Blades were considered as one of the clubs that should fight for a direct promotion. Thankfully to injury crisis that was shaking the club in October, United noticed eight games without a win and dropped in the bottom half of the table. But as the players started to recover, United started to collect the points, have made a run of six games without a defeat (four wins and two draws) and have kept clean sheets in four of the last five. Currently hold eighth place and with a win today would make a break into top six. However, boss Kevin Blackwell also has some injury concerns and also refused to name them. The most important is condition of key striker Darius Henderson who missed the last three matches, but it seems he’ll appear today. Midfielder Nick Montgomery is back in contention after serving a one-match ban.

 

QPR have a quality for a top challenge for sure, perhaps syndrome of new manager will make some good impact, but problem with them is they don’t look as a squad. Most of their goals came after individual efforts, while defense line looks shaky and have been leaking a lot. They deserved this odd just for stopping WBA. Blades are permanently improving the shape and results and I expect them in top six very soon if not today. They also gain a style of play that doesn’t suit to QPR who also will have some problems with their passing play on the bad pitch. Pinnacle offer 3.09. Dnb 2 look safe, away win as a gamble.

.

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Saturday's gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Tottenham hope to sign Arsenal target Marouane Chamakh on a free transfer, as the Bordeaux striker is out of contract at the end of the season. (Daily Mail)
Bolton insist that they will not cash in on defender Gary Cahill in the January transfer window. (Daily Star) 
But with defender Joleon Lescott injured and Kolo Toure departing for the African Nations Cup in January, Manchester City are the latest club rumoured to be interested in Cahill.(Daily Express) 
Arsenal want QPR wonderkid Raheem Sterling and are considering a player-plus-cash deal involving Gunners striker Jay Simpson.(Daily Mirror) 
Gunners manager Arsene Wenger says the club will not be "busy" in the January transfer window, also urging football to get its financial house in order.(Daily Telegraph) 
New QPR boss Paul Hart wants to make Gillingham's £1.5m-rated striker Simeon Jackson his first signing.(Daily Mirror) 
Birmingham are stepping up their efforts to sign Schalke's Germany striker Kevin Kuranyi. (Daily Mirror) 
And Birmingham manager Alex McLeish says he will bring in "two or three" new players in January as he looks to maintain their fine season. (The Independent) 
Stoke City say they will listen to offers for striker James Beattie in January's transfer window after his dressing-room altercation with manager Tony Pulis.(The Times) 
Wolves are interested in West Bromwich Albion's Slovenia midfielder Robert Koren. (Daily Mail) 

OTHER GOSSIP

Manchester City boss Mark Hughes is set to be axed this weekend - even if his side beat Sunderland at Eastlands on Friday.(The Sun) 
Russia boss Guus Hiddink and former Germany manager Jurgen Klinsmann are on Manchester City's wanted list to replace Hughes.(The Sun) 
And Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has refused to rule himself out of the running to replace Hughes at City.(Daily Star) 
But City striker Carlos Tevez has urged the club not to "panic" and sack Hughes with former Inter Milan boss Roberto Mancini waiting in the wings to take over. (Daily Telegraph) 
West Ham's director of football Gianluca Nani is coming under pressure within the club to justify his signings, with the club languishing in the relegation zone. (Daily Mirror) 
Former Northern Ireland and Fulham Lawrie Sanchez boss has declared an interest in the vacant manager's job at Reading. (The Times)

.

AND FINALLY

The total amount in fines that Tottenham's players will have to pay for their secret Christmas party in Dublin is £1.3m.(Daily Mirror)

www.bbc.co.uk