Tottenham - Arsenal

Spurs are in the race for CL spot (three points less than Man City with a game in hand) and this is more than “just” a derby game. They have lost just once against Arsenal in last eight competitive games (0-3 at Emirates) and lost also once in last 26 league games at White Hart Lane. Peter Crouch will be in the team after he served the suspension, Pienaar is rated as in doubt.

For the Gunners, this is the very last chance. Just one win of last six in the league and they’re seven points below United (with this game in hand). Also we’ll see how they will react on 102th minute shocker three days ago. However, Arsenal are still the best travellers in Premier (29 points of 15 games) and are undefeated in all six away games in 2011. Tragedian, Emmanuel Eboue, will be probably replaced by recovered Bacary Sagna. Denilson, Rosicky and Almunia are also fit.

Both sides are desperate for points, but don’t have impressive defensive records lately. I think this would be an open game (play for a goal more), not a tactical battle. Odds are more than acceptable.

Bet: Over 2.5
 Odd: 1.97 188bet, Pinnacle
 Stake: 8/10
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WBA - Arsenal

West Brom look much better under Roy Hodgson, they’re undefeated in last four in league and in previous round won in derby away vs. Brum (3-1). But, the fact is they haven’t kept a clean sheet in previous 27 games. On the other hand, from the bottom-half sides only Blackpool have scored more goals (WBA 39). Key midfielder Dorrans is out, other midfielder Mulumbu is doubtful, while Vela cannot play against parent club.

Arsenal suffered two painful defeats in last 10 days (Barca and Man Utd), but they still look good in the title race. Three points less than Utd, but with a game in hand (counting on Utd’s injuries and tough game vs. Bolton today). Arsenal have good record on the road against bottom sides, but Wenger is facing a long injury list. Seven players are out, Fabregas, Djourou, Diaby, Vermaelen, Szczesny, Walcott and Song. Jens Lehmann is in the squad which makes me think they will be vulnerable more than usual. Good news for Wenger is Bendtner returns.

The Gunners are desperate for points, but absolutely the same is with WBA. I expect an open game and goals on both sides.

Bet: Over 2.5
Odd: 1.93 Pinnacle
Stake: 8/10
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Leeds - Arsenal

Leeds are really good in FA Cup recently, knocked Man Utd  at Trafford and played a draw at White Hart Lane last year, in this campaign resisted at Emirates (almost won, actually). Also, United will be confident as they’re undefeated at home in last seven and failed to score only once in last 15 games. The pressure is off (understandable) and Elland will be packed. No way I’ll be against them in these circumstances. Becchio  got some injury against Scunny and is rated as doubtful, but I’d be shocked if he doesn’t start (as I was shocked with Cattermole at Sunday, though).

Problem with Arsenal is they’re missing too many chances and if don’t score until 60th minute, become nervous. On the other hand if Gunners manage to score in first 15-20 mins, they will run the riot. Leeds kept them quiet in the first encounter, will they be able to do that again? No, I don’t believe in it. Arsenal have Wigan for the weekend and Ipswich for six days (after 0-1) and nobody could really assume the team that Wenger will name. Before the Emirates’ draw, Gunners noticed three consecutive wins over Leeds, scoring 13 goals in those. Arsenal haven’t been knocked in the third round in past 15 years.  

I won’t be involved in the final outcome, but high scoring game and away win is my expected scenario. Don’t think Leeds can keep it tight again and I’m sure they really believe in progress. On the other hand, Wenger knows here’s no reply. Goals would be my call.

Bet: Over 3
Odd: 2.06 188bet
Stake: 8/10

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Man Utd - Arsenal

United maybe haven’t been impressive, but it’s mainly because their away games as they won just once (with six draws)! However, they’re well known slow starters and I think their performances will be only better. At home, they’ve noticed 7 wins and a draw (2-2 vs. WBA) with 24-6 goal difference. Also, I wouldn’t compare CL group games with Premiership. In my opinion only real weakness is position of right-back and Rafael who lacks in experience (and quality, probably). Personally, I’d rather like to see Gary Neville. United have won four of last five competitive games against Arsenal. No injury concerns for Ferguson.

Public opinion is Arsenal are better than ever. Ok. In previous seasons, they wasted enough points to quit the challenge for the title even in this part of the season. However, they’ll face some problems at Old Trafford. They have bad record against top Premiership clubs (especially against Man Utd and Chelsea). My impression is players are too light weighted (great speed though) which makes them physically inferior in tackles and midfield battle. Than defence, that looks really shaky sometimes. Some info says Szczesny, third choice goalkeeper, will have advantage over Fabianski. At the end it’s not the same without Fabregas. Whatever Wenger has been talking, he’s not fit. In last nine visits to Trafford, the Gunners have noticed seven defeats (one draw and one win). 

I was thinking about goals tonight, but Ferguson will probably set 4-5-1 formation (with Rooney on the wing) that should keep the game tight and Gunners far from the goal. United have an obvious aerial superiority and they’ll be very dangerous from set-pieces. I’ll be simple. Home win, Vidic to score, 2-0 correct score.

Bet: Man Utd -0.5
Odd: 1.95 Digibet
Stake: 8/10

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Arsenal - Wigan

There’re plenty of questions which team Wenger will field for this game. Against Spurs and Newcastle, he named stronger squad than usual for a Cup game. Personally, I don’t have a problem with that. Any Arsenal’s eleven are pretty strong entity. Fabregas is injured. Chamakh will be rested, but there’s Bendtner (although I don’t like to base a bet on him). Arshavin, Wilshere and Rosicky, all should appear from the start. Arsenals haven’t won anything for five years (my honest opinion they’ll blow up in Premier, once again) and this could be a golden opportunity to lift the trophy.

Oppositely from Wenger, Martinez has plenty of reasons for a decent headache. Injury list consists some of his key players and space for rotation is not so big. He announces a possibility to give a chance to some youngsters. Believe him or don’t.  After great run of results they entered a crisis and defeat at West Ham was their fourth consecutive on the road and Wigan dropped into dangerous zone. Despite they knocked Arsenal at semi-final 2006, they have seven consecutive defeats on their soil. Adding on that Wigan has a label of really poor travellers and this is less important Cup, I have no reason to believe Martinez carries a serious hope for this encounter. Stoke at home should be more important concern.

I think we won’t see any surprise here. Gunners’ talent and desire for proving themselves should be too much for Wigan. Home win and handicap for me.

Bet: Arsenal -2ah
Odd: 2.26 188bet
Stake: 7/10

I'm curious about Huddersfield. Maybe a bet, but little later.

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Arsenal – West Ham

Arsenal look really great at the moment. And although this is very popular bet today, I’ll be involved in their game third time in a row. They demolished the Toon in Cup game during the midweek (4-0 away), at the same time resting some key players. Big  boost for Wenger is Fabregas, Walcott and Bendtner are fit and all 3 played at Newcastle (Walcott and Bendtner scored three times). It’s a big squad now and Wenger has no problem to name 11. They also score for fun lately. In 4 home games scored 14 goals (conceded 5) and in 2 CL games scored 11 goals! However in last two games at Emirates, they didn’t look impressive at all. First were shocked by WBA (2-3), then defeated Brum 2-1 but game was below their standards. So, I expect they’ll be very serious today. Arsenal are unbeaten in last 7 games against West Ham, while Man City is the only side that kept a clean sheet at Emirates in 2010..

After  9 rounds, West Ham are stuck to the bottom with just 6 points collected. They’re the side from whom I always expected to turn the corner and start moving away from a dangerous zone. Last season they made a decent spending on a transfer market, but unfortunately most of the signings were just money wasting (can’t not to think on Diamanti and transfer of 6 mill.). In this season nothing has changed and Hammers are living another bleak season in Premier. Also, at Tuesday they played 120 minutes against Stoke (won 3-1 after ET) with Grant naming very strong side. They’re tired and last thing they need is top side on the road that plays fast and attacking football. Next, Grant will miss his skipper Matthew Upson in the center of defense and striker Frederic Piquionne. Statistic also looks pessimistic as West Ham have managed just one clean sheet in 9 games, scored only 7 (lowest in Premier) and have failed to score in 5 of their last 6 games against Arsenal.

Arsenal look like a mean machine at the moment. They’ll face, I think it’s fair to say weak, slow and tired side without a captain and major threat in the attack. Despite it’s a London derby, anything except a high scoring home win would be sensation in my opinion. I expect a very long day for the Hammers and 3-0, 4-0 scoreline.

Bet: Arsenal -2.0
Odd: 2.00 bet365
Stake: 8/10

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Newcastle – Arsenal

After the great start in Premier, the Toon started to slowing down. In the last 3 home games, they noticed just one point against the sides from the bottom side of the table (Blackpool, Stoke and Wigan) and in all of those 3 conceded twice. In the previous round, they defeated Chelsea at Stamford (reserve squad though) in the game where Chris Hughton made 10 changes in the team. Something like that, he already announced. Newcastle tonight will be mix of fringe players and youngsters. They also have a big derby clash on the corner, home against Sunderland and that’s another reason for first teamers not to be risked. The Toon have only one win against Arsenal in last 19 competitive games and haven’t won in last 7 Cup games (since 1952)!

The Gunners are travelling to the north in a great mood. They demolished City at weekend and boosted their self confidence. Also, some important players (Fabregas, Walcott,Bendtner, Denilson) have been recovered from the injuries. In the previous round in city derby, they eliminated Spurs away, in the game where Wenger rotated players (as usual), but because the number of players in rotation (and their quality) that squad is always more than respectable. Arsenal have good tradition in this competition, but probably more important reason is Wenger’s desire to win a silverware (or better to say, pressure on him to win it). And in situation where Spurs, Chelsea and Man City already finished their appearance in Cup, Arsenal are favorites to win it (beside Man Utd, of course).

This surely won’t be a walk at the St James Park for the Wenger’s kids. Newcastle beat Chelsea away with the same team that probably will be tonight. They gained a huge amount of self confidence and will put their best in this game. But, on the other side will be much more serious eleven than at Stamford. Arsenal are in big uptrend, want a trophy and this should be just one station on the road to Wembley. Beside away win, I expect some counter attack that should finish the job before the end of 90 minutes.

Bet: Arsenal -0.75
Odd: 2.13 Canbet
Stake: 8/10

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Manchester City – Arsenal

Citizens are having a good start of the campaign, 17 points from 8 games and lie currently at the 2^nd place. I still believe they have no serious chance for a title, but as far as they believe in it they’ll be giving their best. And the best from such paid players could be really terrific. They don’t lack in confidence as Chelsea have already be beaten at home soil. Few injury worries for Mancini, but considering quality of full squad they could be characterized as minor. Kolo Toure will face a late fitness test and Kolarov is still out. Mario Balotelli is finally fit and will have a place on the bench.

The Gunners are playing another season that looks like one before. Wenger’s kids are great talents, Cesc is one of the best World’s players, Arshavin one of the most dangerous, they all have a great pace… But beside more experience, they really need more strength. Physically, they’re far below the top Premier sides which cause plenty of problems in the midfield tackles and in aerial challenges. And that again, with the lack of counter attack opportunities, brings defeats in the big games. Also, Wenger has some serious problems with injuries in the defense line. Almunia is long term absent and Fabianski is all except safe goalie that gives security to four players in front of him. Then, center backs, Koscielny and Vermaelen are injured (Sagna is back though). So, not so impressive defense will have to cope with two top shape “beasts”, Tevez and Adebayor. Beside mentioned, midfielder Jack Wilshere is suspended. Arsenal have won one of their last eight Premier League away games and have not kept a clean sheet in their last 15 league and cup away games.

I’m well surprised with the odds here. In my opinion, bookmakers have exaggerated Arsenal’s Champions League performances. This is something else, trip to Manchester is probably the hardest they’ll have this season. Chelsea made a five points margin yesterday and Mancini wouldn’t be satisfied with a point here. Home win.

Bet: Man City -0.25
Odd: 2.16 188bet
Stake: 8/10

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Premier League Top Scorer – Football Betting Odds and Tips

In terms of individual success, it’s every striker’s dream to become the Premier League’s Top Scorer. Let’s take a look at the betting odds and hopefully select some profitable football tips.

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Premier League Top Scorer

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The Barclays Golden Boot is awarded to the footballer who accumulates the most goals in any given league campaign. Previous winners include Alan Shearer, Michael Owen, Cristiano Ronaldo and four-time-winner Thierry Henry.

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Manchester United-striker Wayne Rooney heads the betting market at 9/2 along with World Cup-winner Fernando Torres. Liverpool-born Rooney notched up 26 goals in the league last season while Torres scored an impressive 18 league goals from just twenty-two appearances, but worryingly, both players failed to find the net in the World Cup Finals.

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Last year’s Premier League Top Scorer was Didier Drogba, who is available in the betting at 11/2. Now a two-time-winner of the Golden Boot, Drogba fired 29 goals from thirty-two appearances last season. Although temperamental, the 32-year-old Ivorian striker has fantastic awareness, control and chemistry with his teammates. Drogba is also an immense figure on the football field, to the point that he gives Chelsea a psychological advantage over the opposition. But, at odds of 11/2, I’m swerving the Chelsea striker. Any niggling injuries could see the ageing Drogba sidelined for sustained periods throughout the Premier League campaign.

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Arsenal forward Robin van Persie is next in the betting at 10/1. Despite being sidelined for most of the season, the Dutchman netted 9 times for The Gunners last term. He is more accustomed with assisting his teammates with scoring opportunities so for that reason alone he represents no value at the current odds. New Arsenal signing Marouane Chamakh will likely partner van Persie up front and the Morrocan, who netted 56 goals for Bordeaux, is priced at 33/1 to be leading scorer in this season’s Premier League.

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Big-spending Manchester City will likely start the league season with the strike partnership of Carlos Tevez and Emmanuel Adebayor. The Argentinian is priced at 12/1 while the former Arsenal striker is available at an eye-catching 25/1. City are likely to offload Welsh international Craig Bellamy, but if he remains at the City of Manchester Stadium, he is currently available at 50/1 to become the Premier League’s Top Scorer.

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Tottenham’s Jermaine Defoe is available at 18/1 in the betting. The England striker found the net 18 times in the league last season and should be be noted for the shortlist. Defoe’s club and international teammate Peter Crouch is priced at 40/1 while Russian frontman Roman Pavlyuchenko is 66/1. Out-of-favour striker Robbie Keane isn’t available in the betting but following extensive pre-season training, the Irishman looks in tip-top shape and could spring a surprise this season at large betting odds.

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Midfield maestro’s Frank Lampard, 25/1, Steven Gerrard 30/1, Cesc Fabregas 33/1 and Tim Cahill 80/1 will be popular with the betting public while Chelsea’s ticking time-bomb Nicolas Anelka 20/1 seems likely to be opposed following his foolish antics during this summer’s World Cup. Distressed Sunderland striker Darren Bent is available at 18/1 while the relaxed, yet sloppy Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov is priced at 40/1. Of the remaining footballers in the betting for the Premier League Top Scorer, Louis Saha 40/1, and Hugo Rodellega 66/1 both stand out as decent betting propositions.

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Betting Tip: Wayne Rooney 9/2

Frank Lampard scored 22 goals in the Premier League last season and at 25/1 he may represent a small bit of value against those at the head of the betting, but this year I expect more fireworks from Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney. Following the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo to Real Madrid, 24-year-old Rooney revelled in his more advanced role last season, notching up an impressive tally of 26 league goals. Once again he will be United’s highest goalscorer and as he continues his education higher up the pitch, I expect Wayne Rooney to be crowned Premier League Top Scorer.

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Friendlies 17.07. - 3 picks

Wolves should be a bet of the day.McCarthy said he'll name the best team for the game.Bohemians played a league game last night and in mid-week will have a European qualifications.I have no choice than to think today will be a mix of fringe players and youngsters.And I’ll be greedy,once again. Wolves -1ah @ 1.63.  0-3  WON 

Barnet have signed 11 new players.Beside they’re few levels below,they’ll definitely need some time to gel up.This should be an easy job for the Gunners.I’ll take Arsenal –2ah @ 2.02.  0-4  WON 

San Jose is an average USA team and they’re playing league currently.Spurs went there preparing for CL.“Arry” has a big number of players who will try to prove themselves and earn a place in the team.And fact is Spurs’ fringe players are very good,actually.My call is Tottenham @ 1.91.  0-0  LOST

Monday's gossip column

BREAKING GOSSIP

Inter Milan president Massimo Moratti has told Sky Italia that he hopes coach Fabio Capello can break his England contract after the World Cup to join the Champions League winners. Moratti also ruled out Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez as a possible successor to Real Madrid-bound Jose Mourinho at the San Siro. "I've always thought Rafa Benitez was good but he is tied to Liverpool," he said. (Reuters)


TRANSFER GOSSIP

Chelsea have paved the way for midfielder Joe Cole's departure from Stamford Bridge by formalising their interest in Liverpool's Yossi Benayoun. (The Guardian) 
Benayoun is confident the move will go through and claimed that Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti "wants me for next season". (The Daily Telegraph) 
Rangers are still waiting to see if Liverpool will make an improved offer for 18-year-old defender Danny Wilson after the Ibrox club rejected an initial £2m bid from the Reds.(Daily Mail) 
Blackburn are considering a swoop for Rangers striker Kris Boyd, who is set to leave the Scottish Premier League champions as a free agent.(The Sun) 
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is reportedly interested in signing £12m-rated teenage Barcelona forward Bojan Krkic.(caughtoffside.com) 
And the Red Devils have contacted Brazilian side Santos about the possibility of taking 20-year-old midfielder Paulo Henrique Ganso to Old Trafford.(Daily Mail) 
Arsenal have joined Aston Villa in the battle to sign Wigan's Colombian striker Hugo Rodallega, who the Latics value at £10m.(Daily Mirror) 
The Gunners have made an inquiry about the possibility of signing England midfielder Joe Cole from Chelsea. The Stamford Bridge outfit, meanwhile, remain interested in acquiring Shakhtar Donetsk's £15m-rated Croatian right-back Darijo Srna. (Daily Mail) 
Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill is also targeting Ajax's 22-year-old right-back Gregory van der Wiel, the young player of the year in the Netherlands, because out-of-favour Habib Beye and Luke Young, who is eyeing a move to West Ham, are set to leave Villa Park this summer.(Daily Mirror) 
Villa and Sunderland have joined Birmingham in the race to sign Fulham striker Bobby Zamora. (The Sun) 
Neil Lennon will be promoted from interim boss to permanent manager at Celtic on Tuesday and will immediately set his sights on acquiring Hull playmaker Jimmy Bullard, Cardiff's midfielder Joe Ledley and Stoke wide man Liam Lawrence.(Daily Record)
Paddy McCourt, though, may be on his way out of Parkhead, with Premier League new boys Blackpool interested in the 26-year-old Northern Ireland midfielder.(The Sun) 
Barcelona will renew their chase of Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano. However, their big-money pursuit of Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas could scupper their plans to sign the Argentine, who the Reds value at close to £30m.(Daily Mail) 
Bordeaux ace Yoann Gourcuff, France's first-choice playmaker in the World Cup, is being lined up as a £21.8m replacement for Fabregas at the Emirates. (The Sun) 
Manchester City are considering a move for 21-year-old Athletic Bilbao midfielder Javi Martinez, who made his senior debut for Spain in their 3-2 World Cup warm-up victory over Saudi Arabia in Austria on Saturday.(Daily Mail) 
Fulham could snap up versatile Hungarian international midfielder Daniel Tozser from Belgian club Racing Genk for about £2.5m.(Daily Mail) 
Southampton midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin, 19, is a £1m target for French team St Etienne. (The Sun)

OTHER GOSSIP

Former Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate and ex-Milton Keynes Dons boss Paul Ince are both in contention for the managerial vacancies at Portsmouth and Notts County.(Daily Mail) 
Russia's 2018 World Cup bid chief Alexei Sorokin has branded fans of rival bidders England "the utmost hooligans". In the wake of ex-Football Association chairman Lord Triesman's controversial claims that Russia was involved in bribing referees, Sorokin said his bid team "are in a state of information war" with England.(Daily Mirror) 
Inter Milan owner Massimo Moratti will make a formal approach to Fabio Capello's representatives on Monday, just as the FA holds emergency talks with the England manager in a bid to shore up the Italian's future. (Daily Mail) 
Republic of Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni claims he turned down the chance to become Celtic boss three months ago. (Daily Express) 

AND FINALLY

Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard is keen to retain penalty-taking duties for England, despite missing from the spot against Japan on Sunday.(Daily Mirror) 
Millwall chairman John Berylson has revealed his debt of gratitude to former Manchester City boss Sven-Goran Eriksson, who convinced Kenny Jackett, the man who guided the Bermondsey side to promotion to the Championship, to become Lions manager when the pair were working together at Eastlands.(Daily Mirror)

www.bbc.co.uk

Tuesday's gossip column

BREAKING GOSSIP

Arsenal will move for £12m-rated Lyon and France keeper Hugo Lloris, but could turn to Shakhtar Donetsk keeper Andriy Piyatov.(goal.com) 
Barcelona are in talks to sign Valencia striker David Villa, with negotiations "on track" according to Barca's vice president Rafael Yuste. (Reuters) 

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas could be Barcelona bound, with the Spanish champions officially approaching the Gunners with a bid that involves Yaya Toure moving the other way in part exchange.(The Sun) 
And Arsenal are also set to confirm the signing of Bordeaux striker Marouane Chamakh after the 26-year-old Morocco international arrived in London on Monday to finalise the terms of his deal.(Daily Mail) 
But the Gunners have had a £14m offer for Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina rejected and manager Arsene Wenger could now turn his attentions to Juventus keeper Gianluigi Buffon. (Footylatest.com) 
However, Liverpool could lose midfielders Steven Gerrard and Javier Mascherano and striker Fernando Torres in the summer, with the three considering their futures after a turbulent season.(Daily Mirror) 
Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez is keen for a return to his first club, Boca Juniors, although Real Madrid are also keen on the Argentina striker.(Daily Mirror) 
City boss Roberto Mancini could add defender Phil Jagielka and midfielder Jack Rodwell to his squad, with the Italian willing to pay £32m for the Everton pair.(caughtoffside.com) 
Benfica defender David Luiz could be another new arrival at Eastlands, with Manchester City set to bid £21.5m for the 23-year-old.(Daily Telegraph) 
Mancini will also decide against selling winger Shaun Wright-Phillips and midfielder Stephen Ireland as he needs the pair to boost the club's home-grown contingent; Premier League clubs having to name eight home-grown players in a squad of 25 next season.(Guardian) 
Manchester United are preparing a club record £50m bid to lure Franck Ribery away from Champions League finalists Bayern Munich.(Footylatest.com) 
United are also keen on Inter Milan's Argentine midfielder Esteban Cambiasso and are willing to pay £18m for the 29-year-old.(caughtoffside.com) 
West Ham will fend off competition from Birmingham and Sunderland to capture France international Sidney Govou, 30, from Lyon on a free transfer. (Daily Mail) 
Birmingham have also been foiled, at least initially, in their attempt to acquire French winger Charles N'Zogbia after Wigan turned down an £8m bid from Blues. (Daily Mail) 
Tottenham striker Roman Pavlyuchenko watched Lokomotiv Moscow at the weekend and is set to hold talks about a possible move this week.(Times) 
West Ham have dropped their interest in Ipswich striker Connor Wickham, freeing the way for Tottenham to move for the £5m-rated 17-year-old. (Daily Star) 
Southampton will take former England Under-21 midfielder Andrew Surman back to St Mary's from Wolves, a year after the 23-year-old left the club for Molineux. (Daily Mail) 

OTHER GOSSIP

Portsmouth boss Avram Grant has agreed a deal to become West Ham manager and will sign a three-year deal.(Daily Mirror) 
Inter Milan will make an official approach for Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez if, as expected, former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho quits the San Siro for Real Madrid in the summer.(Daily Mirror) 
However, Martin O'Neill will not replace Benitez at Anfield, with Aston Villa owner Randy Lerner saying that his manager is staying put.(Daily Mirror) 
England's 2018 World Cup bid team will meet governing bodies from Europe, Africa and South America in a bid to limit the fall-out following Lord Triesman's resignation as Football Association chairman.(Daily Mirror) 
However, the FA is braced for a second round of revelations, with Triesman's former aide Melissa Jacobs considering sharing more of her recorded conversations with him.(Independent) 
Manchester City midfielder Gareth Barry is sleeping in an oxygen tent in a bid to quicken his recovery from ankle ligament damage, although the chances of the 27-year-old being fit for the start of England's World Cup campaign are slim.(Daily Telegraph) 
West Ham have submitted their bid to move into the Olympic Stadium post 2012, with the possibility of Essex using the venue to host some Twenty20 cricket matches.(Independent) 
Argentine midfielder Javier Mascherano has given his strongest indication yet that he will leave Liverpool in the summer, conceding that he finds life on Merseyside far from ideal.(Liverpool Daily Post) 

AND FINALLY

Portsmouth's Kevin-Prince Boateng, whose FA Cup final tackle resulted in the ankle injury that will keep Chelsea's German midfielder Michael Ballack out of the World Cup, has suffered the wrath of the German press over the incident. Tabloid Bild branded the tackle a "revenge attack", while Germany coach Joachim Loew was forced to issue a message of support for Boateng's half-brother Jerome, a German international defender who will join Manchester City from Hamburg in the summer. (Daily Mail) 
Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard has urged England manager Fabio Capello to keep him on penalty-taking duty after missing from the spot in Saturday's FA Cup final victory against Portsmouth.(Independent) 
Manchester United defender Gary Neville has criticised Capello for only picking one specialist right-back in his initial 30-man World Cup party, while also saying the Italian's attempt to talk Paul Scholes out of international retirement was "a bit desperate".(The Sun)

www.bbc.co.uk

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Paynter started and both scored!

Charlton Athletic 2 - 1 Swindon T.

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Thursday's gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Manchester United have made Tottenham midfielder Luka Modric their number one target this summer and are preparing a £25m bid for the Croatian 24-year-old. (The Sun) 
United's Wayne Rooney has been linked with a move to Real Madrid after his representatives requested that the striker recorded two versions of a commercial in Barcelona: one wearing a red kit and the other in a white strip as worn by the Spanish side.(Daily Mirror) 
The Red Devils are said to be interested in signing Borussia Dortmund's Serbia centre-back Neven Subotic.(imscouting.com) 
Former United winger Cristiano Ronaldo has urged current club Real Madrid to sign Old Trafford left-back Patrice Evra. (imscouting.com) 
Italian side Roma are ready to offer Brazil goalkeeper Doni, 30, to Tottenham, Arsenal and Manchester United in a bid to raise funds.(Daily Mail) 
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger's head talent spotter, Steve Rowley, ran the rule over their summer targets at Blackburn - defender Phil Jones, 18, and midfielder Steven N'Zonzi, 21, while scouting Rovers ahead of Arsenal's trip to Ewood Park. (Daily Mail) 
The Gunners are leading the chase to sign Roma's £10m-rated centre-back Philippe Mexes.(caughtoffside.com) 
Tottenham are battling it out with Arsenal to sign Fulham centre-back Brede Hangeland. 
(caughtoffside.com) 
Liverpool have emerged as favourites to sign Rangers highly-rated 18-year-old defender Danny Wilson.(imscouting.com) 
The Reds are also keeping tabs on Rangers' Algeria defender Madjid Bougherra who is valued at £5m. (Daily Mail) 
Andrey Arshavin's agent says the forward is committed to Arsenal despite the Russia star recently saying that he would like to join Barcelona.(Daily Telegraph) 
Benfica's £25m-rated defender David Luiz has issued a come-and-get-me plea to Premier League suitors Manchester United, Chelsea and Manchester City. (goal.com) 
Manchester City are also tracking Lazio defender Stefan Radu, who is said to worth £8.7m.(footylatest.com) 
Birmingham, West Ham and West Brom are interested in Portsmouth keeper David James. (footylatest.com) 
Midfielder James Milner's future at Aston Villa will be decided after the World Cup and hinges on whether manager Martin O'Neill stays at the club. (Daily Mirror) 
Tottenham are keeping tabs on Bayern Munich midfielder Hamit Altintop who is out of contract this summer.(Daily Star) 
West Ham are plotting a cut-price summer move for Portsmouth midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng, while the Hammers are also on the trail of Cardiff winger Peter Whittingham and Burnley winger Chris Eagles.(Daily Mail) 
Meanwhile the Hammers, along with Blackburn, have been priced out of the market for former Liverpool striker Djibril Cisse. The Panathinaikos striker is currently valued at around £12m.(Daily Mail) 
West Ham are also hoping to sign Tottenham's Jamie O'Hara. O'Hara is currently on loan at Portsmouth and the Hammers are prepared to offer either Matthew Upson or James Tomkins to help land the midfielder. (Daily Telegraph) 
Newcastle are facing a fight to keep Slovenia youngster Haris Vuckic, with Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool ready to make bids for the 17-year-old forward.(Daily Mirror) 
Reading are ready to cash in on goalkeeper Adam Federici and midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson. Federici is linked with Tottenham and Liverpool, while Sigurdsson is a £2m target for West Brom and Wolves.(Daily Mail) 
Derby County will sell striker Rob Hulse, 30, in the summer with Coventry and West Bromwich Albion interested.(Daily Mirror) 
County are battling it out with Bristol City for Scunthorpe striker Gary Hooper, who is rated at around £1.5m. (Daily Mirror) 
Wolves are set to offer relegated Burnley £3m for defender Andre Bikey. (The Sun) 
Southampton are hoping to take advantage of rivals Portsmouth's financial problems by launching a £1m bid for midfielder Hayden Mullins. (Daily Mail) 

OTHER GOSSIP

Cristiano Ronaldo says he does not expect to be at Real Madrid for the rest of his playing career. "I spent several years wanting to play in Madrid but I don't see myself here at 40. Football is all about cycles - if you have already won everything with a team you have to change." (The Sun) 
England boss Fabio Capello has turned down the chance to take over at Juventus to concentrate on England's World Cup campaign.(Daily Mail) 
Juventus are also keen on Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez, who fears the Merseyside club are trying to force him out of Anfield.(the Sun) 
Benitez has admitted that with his future at Liverpool in doubt and claims no-one has asked him to stay at the club. (the Times) 
Former Manchester United striker Andrew Cole has urged Red Devils manager Sir Alex Ferguson to launch a summer bid for Real Madrid forward Karim Benzema.(Daily Star) 
Birmingham boss Alex McLeish has held clear-the-air talks with his employers and is poised to commit his future to the club.(Daily Mail) 
Uefa president Michel Platini believes Bordeaux boss Laurent Blanc should be the next France coach.(Daily Mirror) 
England legend Geoff Hurst says Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes should be tempted out of international retirement and go to this summer's World Cup. (the Sun) 

AND FINALLY

Newcastle midfielder Joey Barton, 27, has given up alcohol and says he lives "a monk-like existence" in an attempt to avoid trouble and reproduce his best form on the pitch.(Daily Star) 
Manchester United fans are being urged to boycott the purchase of season tickets to demonstrate their opposition to the ownership of the club by the Glazer family. The Independent Manchester United Supporters' Association has written to its members asking them not to renew their season tickets this summer. (the Guardian)
www.bbc.co.uk

Tuesday's gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson will try to persuade Old Trafford chiefs to allow him to splash out £60m this summer to sign striker Karim Benzema and winger David Silva from Real Madrid and Valencia respectively. (The Sun) 
Chelsea are also planning a raid on Valencia, with £50m-rated forward David Villa the target.(caughtoffside.com) 
However, both Manchester United are Chelsea are set to fail in their attempts to sign Ajax's Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez, who wants to remain with the Dutch side.(imscouting.com) 
Manchester United could also miss out on Schalke goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, who is also wanted by Bayern Munich.(imscouting.com) 
Liverpool are ready to make a renewed effort to snap up promising Dutch winger Eljero Elia for £9m from Hamburg this summer.(caughtoffside.com) 
Arsenal defender Bacary Sagna's agent Christophe Mongal claims he has held informal talks with Inter Milan over a possible move to Serie A for the Frenchman. (Footylatest.com) 
The Gunners may also seek to strengthen their defence this summer by making a move for Uruguay defender Martin Caceres, who is on loan at Juventus this season from Barcelona.(Daily Mail) 
Manchester City have put 26-year-old Paraguayan striker Oscar Cardozo on their list of summer targets after he caught the eye in Benfica's Europa League quarter-final clash with Liverpool. (Daily Mirror) 
Cardozo could replace fellow Paraguayan striker Roque Santa Cruz at Eastlands, with Tottenham considering a move for the out-of-favour 28-year-old. (caughtoffside.com) 
Everton will try to sign Inter Milan's former Portsmouth midfielder Sulley Muntari this summer. (caughtoffside.com) 

.

OTHER GOSSIP

The Football Association is considering spending £90,000 to relay the Wembley pitch for the 11th time in three years in time for the FA Cup final on 15 May and England's friendly match against Mexico just over a week later.(Daily Mail) 
Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney's ankle injury will be reassessed on Tuesday to determine his chances of playing in Saturday's derby game at Manchester City. Rio Ferdinand is also a doubt for the match at Eastlands after suffering a groin injury in the 0-0 draw at Blackburn on Sunday.(Daily Mail) 
Striker Carlos Tevez has been prevented from speaking out by Manchester City ahead of Saturday's derby match with rivals Manchester United. The Argentine sparked a war of words with his former club when the two teams met in the Carling Cup semi-final and he branded Red Devils defender Gary Neville a "boot licker" and a "moron".(Daily Mirror) 
Manchester United are ready to sell striker Dimitar Berbatov at the end of the season. The Bulgarian has struggled to make an impact since his £30.75m switch from Spurs in September 2008 and it appears as though manager Sir Alex Ferguson has lost faith in him.(The Sun) 
Portsmouth boss Avram Grant has received an offer from an unnamed Premier League club to be their manager next season. The Israeli guided Pompey to the FA Cup final on Sunday via a 2-0 win over Tottenham, but the south coast club are already consigned to Championship football next season.(The Sun) 
Hull fear winger Stephen Hunt may not play again this season and have sent the Irishman for an exploratory operation to get to the bottom of the foot problem that has kept him sidelined since February.  (The Sun) 
Liverpool striker Fernando Torres could miss out on a return to his old club Atletico Madrid in the Europa League semi-final on 22 April after being booked in for further treatment on his knee injury with a specialist in Barcelona. (Daily Mail) 
Victory in next month's FA Cup final against Chelsea would net Portsmouth about £3.2m, the club's administrator Andrew Andronikou estimates. (Daily Mail) 
Tottenham's hopes of an Aaron Lennon comeback in Wednesday's north London derby have been dashed. The England winger trained last week but was forced to undergo another scan on the groin problem that has kept him out since December, ruling him out of the game against Arsenal. (Daily Mail) 
However, injury-prone centre-back Ledley King is confident he has shaken off the thigh problem that has kept him out since February and may start for Spurs.(The Guardian) 
Celtic's majority shareholder Dermot Desmond has told interim manager Neil Lennon he still has a chance of being awarded the job on a permanent basis, despite Saturday's embarrassing Scottish Cup semi-final defeat by minnows Ross County.(Daily Mail) 
Birmingham boss Alex McLeish has insisted that the club are not "oppressive" when it comes to contract negotiations but they refuse to be held to ransom by players. The club are undertaking talks with a number of players over improved terms following what has been a successful first season back in the Premier League for the club.(Daily Mirror) 
Bolton manager Owen Coyle thinks 18-year-old midfielder Jack Wilshere, who is on loan at the Reebok from Arsenal, should be selected by England boss Fabio Capello for the World Cup this summer.(Daily Mirror) 
Leeds are a reported takeover target for Australian billionaire Frank Lowy, who is chairman of the sport's governing body in the country, Football Federation Australia.(Daily Mirror) 

AND FINALLY

Brazilian legend Pele, often considered the best player in football history, has offered a retort to those hailing Barcelona forward Lionel Messi as the greatest star to have played the game. The three-time World Cup winner says people should only start drawing comparisons when Messi has equalled his goal tally of over 1,000 career goals. The Argentine took his senior career tally to 133 goals, which includes 42 this season for club and country, with a goal against Real Madrid on Saturday.(Daily Mail)
www.bbc.co.uk

Champions League 31. March

Arsenal – Barcelona, Arsenal corner handicap (-0.5) @ 2.00, Expekt

If it is any other top English club, I would take offered odd with a big smile. But Arsenal… At this moment it looks Barca is everything that Gunners want to be. And I really can’t predict final result. I can imagine 1-1 or 2-1, but will leave it.
I see Arsenal as a side which will have bigger possession and good pace. Partially because Barca’s tactic on away games in Europe (6 draws and 3 wins in last 9). They’ll sit back and wait some stupitidy by Almunia or Campbell most likely, or simply a chance for good counter attack. Guardiola would be satisfied with a scoring draw. Wenger would not. And Arsenal will have the advantage after set pieces, I guess Wenger knows it.

Inter – CSKA, over 2.5 @ 2.05, Stan James

1.40 for a home win is a rubbish in my opinion. Handicap, too risky. Mourinho will have same players that knocked Chelsea. They’re big favorites no doubt and they’re surely capable of scoring few tonight. On the other hand, CSKA like to play counter attacks, sometimes look very dangerous and can score. I think their chance is tonight, not in re-match. Like the odds for goals. Over 2.5.

Nice little double for me. (Those are best current odds for both bets,bet365 offer 1.95 for both.)

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Wednesday's gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Chelsea and Tottenham are eyeing up a £13m move for Everton's Steven Pienaar following rumours that the midfielder wants to play Champions League football.(Caughtoffside.com) 
Liverpool are planning an audacious move for Real Madrid striker Raul and want the 32-year-old to partner fellow Spaniard Fernando Torres up front.(Caughtoffside.com) 
Albert Riera's proposed switch from Liverpool to Spartak Moscow has stalled after the 27-year-old winger failed to agree personal terms. (Daily Mail) 
Blackburn are ready to sign striker Aruna Dindane in a £2m deal - and let him play on for Portsmouth to save his FA Cup and World Cup dreams.(Daily Mirror) 
Ghana forward Quincy Owusu-Abeyie has left Portsmouth, where he was on loan from Spartak Moscow, and joined Qatar side Al Saad on a permanent deal.(IM Scouting) 
Chelsea midfielder Deco could be on his way to Fluminese. The Brazilian side are trying to get the 32-year-old midfielder on the cheap but Corinthians and Flamingo are also interested.(Daily Mirror) 
Arsenal are checking out Japanese striker Takayuki Morimoto and may try to prise him away from Serie A side Catania with a £9m bid.(Caughtoffside.com) 
The Gunners have also made a £9m offer for Real Zaragoza 's 20-year-old midfielder Ander Herrera, according to Spanish paper AS. (IM Scouting) 
Bolton manager Owen Coyle wants midfielder Jack Wilshere, 18, to stay for another season following a string of impressive performances since moving on loan from Arsenal in January. (Daily Star) 
Liverpool are lining up a £3m summer bid for 18-year-old Rangers defender Danny Wilson.(Scottish Sun) 
Wigan are strong favourites to land Hamilton's James McArthur after stepping up their interest in the midfielder. (Daily Mail)

OTHER GOSSIP

Chelsea's director of football Frank Arnesen would like to bring in former Dutch and Ajax coach Marco van Basten, 45, as a possible replacement for under-fire boss Carlo Ancelotti. Van Basten has been out of the game for a year since since resigning as Ajax coach in May 2009. (IM Scouting) 
Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill is not leaving Villa Park and instead has held a crunch meeting with his players in which he demanded a vast improvement after their 7-1 defeat at Chelsea on Saturday.(Daily Mirror) 
Everton midfielder Jack Rodwell is set to sign a new four-and-a-half-year deal with the Toffees, earning him £25,000 a week. The news will disappoint Manchester United and Chelsea, who have had their eyes on the 19-year-old.(Daily Mirror) 
Blackburn midfielder Martin Olsson will not be charged with improper conduct, despite admitting that he dived to win his side a penalty against Burnley on Sunday.(Daily Mail) 
West Ham's joint-chairman David Sullivan is in Dubai seeking new investment in the club. (The Sun) 
Prime Minister Gordon Brown has offered to help Cowdenbeath, with the cash-strapped Fife club's future uncertain.(Scotsman) 

.

AND FINALLY

Liverpool midfielder Alberto Aquilani has had a ticking-off - not from boss Rafael Benitez but his English teacher. The Italian, who joined the Merseyside club from Roma eight months ago, said: "I'm not having regular lessons at the moment. At first I did but it has been difficult more recently and my English teacher is angry about this."(The Sun)

www.bbc.co.uk

View on hm... negative weekend

Birmingham – Arsenal

"Brum have nothing to play for, but will try to give some importance to themselves in a title race. They won’t look tired. On the other hand, this is the highest importance for the Gunners. They definitely have potential to score few. Over 2.5 for me. bet365 offer 1.88, Pinnacle 1.83."

1-1 lost!

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Tottenham Hotspur - Portsmouth

"To make a good result at White Hart Lane, team should have very strong defensive abilities. Pompey currently don’t look even competitive. Defensive line with James on goal (made a sensational error vs. Chelsea) doesn’t promise anything more than another defeat with big margin. My bet is -2 ah. Pinnacle offer 2.11."

2-0 draw

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Bolton - Manchester United

"Utd have been doing hard all season to reach the top and I can’t imagine they lose the points against Bolton. However, they’ll try to keep some energy for Champions League game and won’t suggest any big handicap. Bet is Utd -1 ah. "

0-4 win!

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Sheffield United - Scunthorpe

"Scunny will fight, they need points but feel safe as Palace continued with their free fall. On the other hand hosts are chasing play-off. They definitely have quality for that, I expect very strong squad for this game and in such occasions, Bramall Lane become a hell place for visiting teams. I predict a win with few goals margin and choose -1 ah. 2.09 at Pinnacle."

0-1 lost!

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I'm dissapointed with Gunners, but really shocked with Sheff Utd. It was, actually my main pick of the weekend. I didn't have time to post here (posted only at SoccerVista)  a gamble Blackburn 2-2 ht/ft, but at the end a negative weekend and worst week in 2010.

With a waiting for better days, more will follow.

Good luck to all.

.

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Friday's gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Manchester City will revive an £11m move for Hamburg's German defender Jerome Boateng in the summer and are also keen on highly-rated Osasuna right-back Cesar Azpilicueta, 20.(Daily Mail) 
Everton are being linked with a move for Dinamo Zagreb's Croatian centre-forward Mario Mandzukic, 23.(Daily Mail) 
Lokomotiv Moscow have not given up on signing Roman Pavlyuchenko from Tottenham.(Daily Mail) 
Spurs could be lining up a summer move for Lazio's former Aston Villa midfielder Thomas 'The Hammer' Hitzlsperger, 27, after the German struggled to settle in Italy.(The Sun) 
Nice striker Loic Remy is keen to join Arsenal in the summer.(TribalFootball.com) 
The Gunners have been rebuffed in their attempts to sign Stuttgart's 15-year-old goalkeeper Odessas Vlachidimos for £1m.(Daily Mail) 
Newcastle defender Steven Taylor, reportedly involved in a training ground bust-up with team-mate Andy Carroll, will leave this summer with Everton and Aston Villa chasing the 24-year-old.(The Sun) 
Portsmouth have been offered £250,000 by Spartak Moscow to terminate Quincy Owusu-Abeyie's loan early and send him back to the Russian side. (Daily Mail) 
Birmingham are ready to offer Matthew Taylor an escape route from Bolton by bidding £2m for the unhappy 28-year-old this summer.(The Sun) 
Stoke City are interested in Congo-born Belgian striker Christian Benteke, 19, who is on loan at KV Kortrijk from Standard Liege.(Daily Mail) 
Birmingham boss Alex McLeish is reportedly keen on Nantes youngster Jonathan Nanizayamo.(Daily Mirror) 
Wolves manager Mick McCarthy is plotting a double raid on cash-strapped Portsmouth with a joint £1.5m bid for Tommy Smith and Aaron Mokoena.(The Sun) 
Everton want to lure Bristol City youngster Christian Ribeiro to Goodison Park.(TribalFootball.com) 
Nottingham Forest have suffered more transfer frustration after failing to land Aston Villa left-back Wilfred Bouma on loan.(Daily Mirror) 

OTHER GOSSIP

West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola banned team co-owner David Sullivan from a meeting with his players after their relationship broke down in the wake of Sullivan's highly critical open letter to fans.(Daily Mail) 
Zola says he is confident he can keep the Hammers in the Premier League, but is less confident he will still be manager next season.(Daily Express) 
Norwich boss Paul Lambert, a former Celtic player, is the favourite to succeed Tony Mowbray on a permanent basis as manager of the Bhoys - with Henrik Larsson an outside bet.(The Times) 
Craig Bellamy is being investigated by Manchester City after allegations of an incident in the players' tunnel at the end of their 2-0 defeat by Everton on Wednesday.(Daily Mail) 
Meanwhile, Everton want an apology from Manchester City chief executive Garry Cook after he had a VIP fan and his wife thrown out of Eastlands.(Daily Mirror) 
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has told his players their Premier League game against Birmingham on Saturday is the "priority" over next week's Champions League meeting with Barcelona.(Daily Mirror) 
Wenger has suspended contract talks with stars such as William Gallas and Mikael Silvestre, refusing to discuss terms until crucial matches are out of the way.(The Guardian) 
Meanwhile, the Gunners could welcome back Dutch striker Robin van Persie within three weeks as he continues to make progress after an ankle ligament injury.(The Sun) 
Chelsea defender Paulo Ferreira has revealed some of Chelsea's older players fear they will never win the Champions League after last week's last 16 defeat to Inter Milan.(Daily Star) 
No such worries at Liverpool, where midfielder Javier Mascherano has pledged his future to the club and expects to sign a new contract soon.(PremierLeague.com) 
Though Reds legend Phil Thompson has urged stars Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres to threaten to quit the club unless there is real investment in the playing squad at Anfield.(The Sun) 
Portsmouth boss Avram Grant will ask Tottenham's permission to let on-loan midfielder Jamie O'Hara play in the two sides' FA Cup semi-final meeting next month.(Daily Mirror) 
England fans are angry that the team will play three Euro 2012 qualifiers on Fridays so that players can return to their clubs a day early.(The Guardian) 
Portsmouth's Ricardo Rocha has accused Chelsea star Florent Malouda of setting out to hurt him with a swipe of the elbow during the teams' Premier League clash on Wednesday.(Daily Mail) 
Manchester United midfielder Owen Hargreaves has moved a step closer to a return after being pulled out of a reserves game to train with the first team.(Daily Mirror) 
Sven-Goran Eriksson, Mark Hughes and Bernd Schuster will find out on Friday which one of them is to coach Ivory Coast at the World Cup in South Africa this summer. (Daily Express) 
Burnley are facing a mass exodus in the summer after refusing to give in to players' wage demands, with 11 first-teamers out of contract at the end of the season. (Daily Star)
Former Peterborough manager Mark Cooper has emerged as the favourite to replace Steve Staunton as boss of Darlington.(The Sun) 

AND FINALLY

Paul Gascoigne confronted an imposter who posed as him on social networking site Twitter, taking a photo of himself in front of a TV news channel displaying the date and time to prove he was the real Gazza.(Daily Star) 
Riot police in Brazil restored order in a league match between Genus and Moto Clube by baton-charging and then pepper-spraying the players.(The Sun) 
Three-time world player of the year Ronaldo has apologised for making an obscene gesture to fans of his Corinthians team in Brazil after their defeat by Paulista.(NBC) 
Juventus goalkeeper Antonio Chimenti was so upset after conceding a 35-yarder against Sampdoria that he broke his hand punching a dressing room table. (The Sun)

www.bbc.co.uk

Tuesday's gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Birmingham are keen on signing Portsmouth striker Frederic Piquionne after failing to land the Frenchman in the January transfer window.(Daily Mirror) 
Egypt and Borussia Dortmund star Mohamed Zidan was watched by Arsenal scouts in the 3-1 defeat to England, according to the 28-year-old striker. Zidan, who scored their only goal at Wembley, said: "My agent told me about Arsenal's interest. He asked me to try to impress them and become the first Egyptian to play for the Gunners.(imscouting.com) 
Sunderland are keeping tabs on Tottenham midfielder Jamie O'Hara, who is on loan at Portsmouth, with a view to making a summer swoop for the 23-year-old.(The Times) 
Lokomotiv Moscow will resume their efforts to prise striker Roman Pavlyuchenko away from Tottenham in the close season. (Daily Mail) 
Everton are hoping to extend American Landon Donovan's loan deal, which is set to expire after Saturday's match at Birmingham but will not pursue the matter if it threatens to upset their good relationship with the forward's team Los Angeles Galaxy. (The Times) 
Chelsea midfielder Miroslav Stoch is a target for Dutch giants Ajax and PSV Eindhoven. The 20-year-old is currently on loan with Steve McClaren's side Twente Enschede and has impressed with 10 goals in 36 appearances this season.(imscouting.com) 
Fulham are eyeing Shakhtar Donetsk centre-back Yaroslav Rakytskyi as a possible summer target after the 20-year-old impressed against the London side in their recent Europe League clash.(imscouting.com) 

OTHER GOSSIP

Arsenal defender William Gallas could face another month on the sidelines after the former captain, out since mid-February, injured his calf muscle in training. (Daily Mail) 
Gallas, meanwhile, will have to accept a drop in wages if he wants to extend his Gunners contract beyond the summer.(The Times) 
Middlesbrough striker Jeremie Aliadiere is in danger of missing the remainder of the season as he recovers from a broken toe suffered in the weekend defeat by Cardiff. (Daily Mail) 
Premier League managers are preparing for action in protest at the recent decision by football's international governing body Fifa to drop experiments with goal-line technology.(Daily Mirror)

www.bbc.co.uk

success!

Arsenal 3 - 1 Burnley

Arsenal drew level on points with Premier League leaders Chelsea after making hard work of beating Burnley.
Cesc Fabregas opened the scoring when he slotted in from close range but soon afterwards he was forced off injured. 
Burnley equalised when David Nugent latched on to Leon Cort's header and looped the ball over Manuel Almunia. 
Theo Walcott curled in a sublime shot to ease the embarrassment of Nicklas Bendtner's awful finishing before Andrey Arshavin rifled in a third. 
Denmark international Bendtner, who scored for his country in midweek, is in the running for miss of the season with at least three of his fluffed efforts on goal. 
Fortunately for Arsenal, the impressive Walcott was able to supply the cutting edge to his game that has often been lacking to keep the Gunners' title ambitions on track. 
The result lifted Arsenal to second in the table, only behind Chelsea on goal difference although the Gunners have played a game more. 
Manchester United, in third place have the chance to leapfrog both their rivals when they take on Wolves in Saturday's late kick-off. 
And while Arsenal's victory keeps the title race wide open, it also served to leave Burnley deep in relegation trouble. 
Brian Laws' side have now won only one of their last 17 league games - and it is hard to see how they will turn things around after another performance lacking guile and belief. 
In contrast, there was mental toughness in evidence from the hosts, who were determined to show that the horrific broken leg suffered by Aaron Ramsey against Stoke last weekend would not derail their season.
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Peterborough 0 - 1 Coventry

Jon Stead's first-half winner saw Coventry close in on the Championship play-off places as Peterborough slipped a step closer to relegation.
Stead looked second favourite when he broke through in the first half but shrugged off defender Craig Morgan and stabbed the ball past Joe Lewis. 
Tommy Rowe saw a powerful drive blocked as the hosts pushed for an equaliser. 
Charlie Lee and Lee Frecklington both shot over as Posh surged forward but Coventry held on to clinch the points. 
Posh are now 13 points adrift of safety with just 12 games remaining and their brief flirtation with second-tier football is rapidly coming to an end. 
The Sky Blues, meanwhile, are up to eighth and only three points off the play-off places.
www.bbc.co.uk

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QPR  3 - 1  WBA

1 - 0 J. Simpson  13.min.  
2 - 0 M. Connolly  18.min.  
2 - 1 C. Brunt  36.min.
3 - 1    A. Buzsaky  67.min.