Tuesday's column

BREAKING GOSSIP

The United States are keen on England's proposed training base for next year's World Cup. England boss Fabio Capello has been impressed with the Royal Bafokeng sports campus near Rustenburg but has delayed a final decision as he was unhappy with the grass on the training pitches. (Daily Mirror)

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Manchester City could make a £12m bid for Bayern Munich defender Philipp Lahm in January.(The Sun)
Aston Villa striker John Carew is a £5m target for Turkish giants Fenerbahce.(Daily Mirror)
West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola is planning to make a move for former Inter Milan striker Adriano, who is available on a free transfer from Brazilian side Flamengo.(The Sun)
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has played down rumours of a move for Wolfsburg striker Edin Dzeko next summer. (Daily Mail)
Tottenham's out-of-favour striker Robbie Keane is a loan target for Celtic.(Daily Mirror)
Portsmouth's Algerian midfielder Nadir Belhadj is frustrated at being on the bench and is willing to quit the club in January in order to make sure of a place at the World Cup.(The Sun)
Wigan manager Roberto Martinez has arranged a behind-closed-doors match in order to take a look at Angola defender Francisco Zuela, who plays for Russian side FC Kuban.(Daily Mirror)
Liverpool will complete the signing of highly-rated 16-year-old Kristján Gauti Emilsson later this week. The central defender, who plays for Icelandic champions FH, has also had trials with Manchester United and Rangers.(Daily Mail)
Barcelona winger Jeffren Suarez, who was once a target for Arsenal, has been offered to Wigan, Blackburn and Everton. (Daily Mirror)
Nottingham Forest are to make a £2m offer for Plymouth striker Jamie Mackie. (The Sun)

OTHER GOSSIP

England manager Fabio Capello will not allow David Beckham to act as an ambassador for the country's 2018 World Cup bid during next year's tournament in South Africa.(The Sun)
Stoke manager Tony Pulis has apologised to his squad following reports of a bust-up with striker James Beattie after the 2-0 defeat by Arsenal.(Daily Mail)
Football's governing body Fifa has stopped Aston Villa's signing of Australian midfielder Reece Caira. Fifa rules state that the 16-year-old cannot play until he is 18, in January 2011.(Daily Mirror)
Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti says it is his midfield, and not goalkeeper Petr Cech, that is to blame for the defeat at Manchester City.(The Guardian)


AND FINALLY

Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas admits his side are facing an uphill battle this season, because they are too small. The side that took to the field against Stoke on Saturday had the shortest average height of any of the Premier League clubs.(The Sun)
www.bbc.co.uk

Ecuador - Brazil

This game will be played in capital Quito on the big height which is a big problem for the most away teams. And that is perhaps the biggest home side strength. Ecuador shows big improvement in the last ten years, two times they qualified for World Championship. In this campaign, situation isn't so bright. They lie on 7th place, four points less than 5th Chile (5th position guarantee play-off games with best Oceania's team) and four less than 4th Urugay(and a game less from them). In Quito, Ecuador already lost four points at home (Colombia 0-0 and Venecuela 0-1) and they expect two very tough games, against Brazil and Paraguay. Tonight they'll have to go for a win. That may be a problem considering their opponent. But, in their three last games in Quito, Ecuador has already won twice by 1-0 and one game ended 0-0.  Felix Borja, Carlos Tenorio and Pedro Quinonez are sidelined 'cause the injuries, but two key defenders have recovered: Antonio Valencia and Edison Mendez. Excellent Man City striker Felipe Caicedo will start in offence line, with Christian Benitez. There is no doubt Ecuador will attack! That guarantee good game.

Brazil continue with torturing under the charge of Carlos Dunga. 17 points from 10 games are not something that five times world champions can be proud with. They have three straight 0-0 home draws (which says they have problems with defensive teams) and two convincing away wins, Chile 3-0 and Venezuela 4-0 (which says they like to be attacked, as Ecuador intend to do). Dunga continues to annoy the audience. This time he failed under the pressure and called Ronaldinho who usually warms the bench in Milan. Kaka has some foot problems, Adriano is in doubt too. But their attack even without these two looks masterful and scary. Robinho will start, there are Luis Fabiano and Pato. Brazil will pass the group stage, of course, but tonight is all about the pride and revenge for previous defeats.

I've been thinking a lot about the bet. We'll watch open game from the first whistle. Think Caicedo and Benitez in clash with central def. Maicon and Marcelo can score. Who knows, maybe we'll see the end of Dunga's era, tonight. So, over before the away win. Betfair offers unreal 2.14. the rest about 2.00, including Expekt.I burnt my fingers yesterday, my stake will be small. Seat back and enjoy in footie, lads!