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Watch Genoa v Napoli Live Online

2009-09-12T01:22:00.000-07:00

Watch Genoa v Napoli Live Online - After confirming their opening day victory over Roma with a tough win away to Atalanta, Genoa will be delighted with the manner in which they have got their Serie A campaign underway. Despite struggling in Bergamo in recent times, the Grifoni displayed their ability to grind out a result, and this will certainly give them confidence for the season ahead.

Given their new strike partnership of Sergio Floccari and Hernan Crespo are still yet to feature together in the league, it seems the Rossoblu have enough strength in depth this season to battle on three fronts. With Gian Piero Gasperini sticking to his favoured 3-4-3 formation, Genoa have proven they are a match for anyone over the last 12 months, and despite losing a number of big names over the summer, it looks likely they will remain a key player in Serie A this year.

Watch Siena vs Roma Live Online

2009-09-12T01:03:00.000-07:00

Watch Siena vs Roma Live Online - Siena’s impressive form of last season seems to have continued this time around, as they have made an impressive start to the 2009-10 Serie A campaign.

For a side that was expected to struggle this term, the Bianconeri have been simply brilliant in their opening two fixtures.

Their meeting with Milan on the opening weekend could have ended in a heavy defeat for the Tuscan based outfit, but they fought extremely hard to ensure they were on level terms with the Rossoneri at the interval. An early goal in the second half by Alexandre Pato handed the Milanese outfit a 2-1 victory.

Watch Inter vs Parma Live Online

2009-09-12T00:47:00.000-07:00

Watch Inter vs Parma Live Online - After the opening draw with Bari, Inter just knew how to make all the critics shut up. They destroyed Milan in the local derby and thus made it clearly they won’t be giving up title contention. Mourinho didn’t like the break, but he couldn’t help it.

He will not have all of his players in until Friday, South American will be arriving a little late, but considering that Parma game in due on Sunday, Mou will have them at the disposal. Inter are not allowed to make any more mistakes in this season. With Bari taking a point from Meazza, nothing but win will satisfy Inter.

The returnee to the Serie A are playing above all expectations. They won an opening point in Udine, while they also managed to beat Catania at Tardini. Four points in first two games allow Parma to go in this duel without pressure, no one expects anything from them and that can exactly be their greatest chance.

Guidolin denied he will be defending, we saw a lot of chances from Parma in the first 180 minutes of the season, and if they keep their scorings on the same level in Milan, they will have fine chance to stand up to the champions.

Watch Lazio vs Juventus Live Online

2009-09-12T00:32:00.000-07:00

Watch Lazio vs Juventus Live Online - Juventus are many people’s pick for the Serie A title, and the Turin side have started the season well, with two comfortable wins in their first two matches, the most recent of those being an impressive three-one victory over Champions League contenders, Roma, in Rome a fortnight ago.

On Saturday evening they return to Rome, to face Roma’s city neighbours, Lazio, in what will surely be the toughest match of their season so far.

Watch Livorno vs Milan Live Online

2009-09-11T23:58:00.000-07:00

Watch Livorno vs Milan Live Online - The glare of the Italian media will be on AC Milan and their coach Leonardo on Saturday as the seven-time European champions travel to minnows Livorno.

Such a match against a newly-promoted team would normally be a stroll for a team of Milan's stature and resources but things have not been going smoothly at the San Siro recently.

Milan began their season well following a troubled pre-season campaign that featured eight defeats in 11 matches and the loss of their best player, Kaka, to Real Madrid.

A win at Siena seemed to be a positive start to the new season but that proved a false dawn just a week later as champions and bitter city rivals Inter Milan handed their neighbours a footballing lesson in an embarrassingly one-sided 4-0 thumping.

That kind of blow can be fatal to already fragile confidence but while Milan's hopes of winning a first Serie A title since 2004 have received a big reality check, they will be desperate to bounce back.

Leonardo insists they will continue along their path but it could prove to be a short journey for the Brazilian World Cup winner and former Milan player unless he turns things around quickly.

The one saving grace for Milan has been the two-week international break, which will have allowed the Inter wounds to heel, and Milan defender Luca Antonini is convinced that Leonardo will come good.

Watch Serbia vs France Live Online - World Cup 2010 quallifier

2009-09-09T03:21:00.000-07:00

Watch Serbia vs France Live Online - Serbia captain Dejan Stankovic is braced for one of the biggest nights of his career as his country bids to secure a berth at next year's World Cup finals with victory against France in Belgrade.

The Group Seven leaders welcome the stuttering French to Red Star stadium knowing a victory will clinch a place in South Africa with two games to spare.

France's 1-1 draw with Romania on Saturday has left Raymond Domenech's side four points adrift of the Serbians, and a place in the play-offs will be the best Les Bleus can hope for if they turn in another below-par performance.

And for Stankovic, sealing qualification to the World Cup would take on added significance as it would be the first time Serbia had achieved the feat since since becoming an independent nation in 2006.

Watch Hungary vs Portugal Live Online - World Cup 2010 Qualifier

2009-09-09T03:09:00.000-07:00

Watch Hungary vs Portugal Live Online - A World Cup without France, Argentina or Portugal might previously have been unthinkable. Now it's a very real possibility for each of these world powers, and failure to qualify for the showpiece event in South Africa next year will have dire consequences for the employment of some of the highest profile managers in the international game.

Sven Goran Eriksson, sacked by Mexico after failing to impress, was the biggest name to fall from the qualifiers this year although El Tri are now in a decent position to get through. But a bad result or two could also see the likes of Diego Maradona, Raymond Domenech and Carlos Queiroz relieved of their duties in disgrace.

In truth, these three have been walking a tightrope for some time and many would argue that they have not proved that they have what it takes to manage an international side. Domenech, of course, is the exception having led France to the World Cup final in 2006 but that now seems a lifetime away after abject failure at Euro 2008.

Watch England vs Croatia Live Online - World Cup Qualifier 2010

2009-09-09T02:11:00.000-07:00

Watch England vs Croatia Live Online

Croatia coach Slaven Bilic has played down remarks he made last week about the England side lacking "Englishness" and "aggression".

Bilic, preparing for Wednesday night's crucial World Cup qualifier against Fabio Capello's side at Wembley Stadium, claims that he was misunderstood.

"I praised Fabio Capello and I praised the England team," he said after his side trained on the famous turf on Tuesday night. "Of course they have not lost their Englishness.

"What I said was that they are more organised, more solid, they can control the game almost completely now and are playing a different game. They have won their first seven qualifiers - that is like having three match points in tennis. There are still six months to go before the World Cup and I think they will get better and better."

Watch England vs Croatia Live Online

Capello had earlier spoken with delight about Bilic's comments, claiming that his opposite number had made his team talk for him. He will simply remind the squad of Bilic's quip.

"Thank you Mr Bilic,'' Capello said, knowing victory will secure qualification. "It is the best. I have no need to motivate my players after this. It's fantastic assistance.''

Bilic also rejected claims that Croatia would attempt to wind Wayne Rooney up and get him sent off. "We are not a dirty team," he replied witheringly. "If you have been watching us for the last 20 years you will know that."

Watch England vs Croatia Live Online

Barcelona vs Chelsea Free Bet - 20% Higher Odds

2009-04-27T17:42:00.000-07:00

Get Barcelona vs Chelsea Free Bet now with 20% higher odds. At Upton Park the vitriol dripped more than the sweat. For Chelsea this was, ahead of tomorrow’s Champions League semi-final first-leg in Barcelona, a Saturday stroll.

Save for the abuse directed at, predictably, Frank Lampard but also John Terry. It wasn’t as white-hot as in previous years down at the Boleyn but for Terry, the West Ham supporters went too far.

“Personally, I think they crossed the line,” the Chelsea captain said at the chants aimed towards him and detailing, in the bluntest terms, the caution for shoplifting recently suffered by his mother, Sue.

Barcelona vs Chelsea Free Bet

“All my family are West Ham and some of them haven’t come to the game because there were things on a website about what they were going to sing about me,” Terry, who was born in Barking, east London, said.

“There are things in life you enjoy. We came here and got three points and their fans walked away with nothing. You can’t buy that. When we scored I went running over to Lampsy (Lampard) and gave them (the West Ham supporters) a bit back, there’s nothing wrong with that. The ref had a quiet word and told me not to wind them up.”

Manchester United vs Portsmouth Odds - 20% Higher Betting Odds

2009-04-22T01:34:00.000-07:00

Manchester United vs Portsmouth Odds is out. After suffering a loss on penalties in the FA Cup semi-final last weekend, Manchester United have a lot to prove this week against Portsmouth.

Considering the circumstances- Fergie being pissed about a loss, Rooney/Ronaldo being rested and the fact that the match is at Old Trafford- and you'll realize that you're going to have some trouble betting against Man United here.

Liverpool vs Arsenal Odds - FREE £10 Bet

2009-04-20T22:47:00.000-07:00

Liverpool vs Arsenal Odds - Get £10 Bet FREE bet now.

Rafael Benitez will have to do without his talismanic skipper Steven Gerrard, who will be out for a minimum of seven days with a groin injury. His club’s only focus for the remainder of the season is the Premier League title, and thus Benitez will be naming a full-strength side for what will be one of the toughest matches of Liverpool’s run-in.

Fernando Torres (9/2 Bluesq) leads the first goalscorer betting, and without top-scorer Gerrard it is difficult to see past the Spaniard, who scored a sublime opener in his side’s 4-0 victory over Blackburn. In what will undoubtedly be a closely fought match, where the outcome may be decided by the smallest of margins, it could be worth considering dead-ball specialists Xabi Alonso (16/1 Bet365) and Fabio Aurelio (28/1 Bet365) to open the scoring.

Liverpool should have enough drive and determination to overcome a below-strength Arsenal, and big hitters will be enticed by Bluesq and Victor Chandler’s generous 5/6 for a side who have won ten out of sixteen at Anfield this season, and only concede an average of a goal every two games at home. It may, however, be a very narrow victory, and those looking for long prices could do worse than have a speculative wager on Arsenal leading at half-time and Liverpool ending up victorious (28/1 Bet365)

Watch Liverpool Vs Chelsea Live - Champions League

2009-04-07T21:17:00.000-07:00

Watch Liverpool Vs Chelsea Live

The Champions League football quarter final match between Liverpool and Chelsea kicks off on Anfield Road at 20:45 CET 8 April 2009.

Liverpool have played 4 Champions League matches on Anfield Road. On home ground Liverpool has won three, drawn one and lost 0 matches. Liverpool has scored an average of 2.25 goals and conceded 0.5 goals per game at home.

Chelsea have played 3 Champions League matches away from home. Away Chelsea have 0 wins, three draws and one losses. Chelsea has scored an average of one goal and conceded 1.5 goals per game away from home.

Liverpool information and Champions League statistics

Liverpool have achieved 1 clean sheets this season (1 out of 6)
Liverpool have conceded at least two or more goals in 0 out of 6 matches
Liverpool have conceded at least three or more goals in 0 out of 6 matches

Liverpool have gone 3 home games without a loss
Liverpool have scored two goals or more in 1 out of 3 matches at home
Liverpool have conceded two goals or more in 0 out of 3 matches at home

Chelsea information and Champions League statistics

Chelsea have scored two or more goals in 1 out of 5 matches
Chelsea have conceded at least two or more goals in 1 out of 5 matches
Chelsea have conceded at least three or more goals in 1 out of 5 matches

Chelsea have gone 3 away games without a win
Chelsea have scored two goals or more in 0 out of 3 matches away
Chelsea have conceded two goals or more in 1 out of 3 matches away

Watch Liverpool Vs Chelsea Live

Liverpool - Chelsea betting odds analysis

Liverpool odds profitability analysis
Liverpool has played 8 Champions League matches (won 6, draw 2 and lost 0). If one unit was placed on these Liverpool matches you would have earned/lost:

Liverpool win home and away: 5.57 net profit
Liverpool draw home and away: -1.44 net loss
Liverpool loss home and away: -8 net loss

Liverpool has played 4 Champions League matches at home (won 3, draw 1 and lost 0).

Liverpool win home: 0.94 net profit
Liverpool draw home: -0.5 net loss
Liverpool loosing home: -4 net loss

Chelsea odds profitability analysis
Chelsea has played 7 Champions League matches (won 3, draw 3 and lost 1). If one unit was placed on these Chelsea matches you would have earned/lost:

Chelsea win home and away: -2.7 net loss
Chelsea draw home and away: 3.23 net profit
Chelsea loss home and away: -3.46 net loss

Chelsea has played 4 Champions League matches away from home (won 0, draw 3 and lost 1).

Chelsea away win: -4 net loss
Chelsea draw: 6.23 net profit
Chelsea away loses: -0.46 net loss

Average bookmaker odds at the time of this post are:

Liverpool win: odds 2.38, making the probability of a Liverpool victory 42.02%
Draw: odds 3.15, making the probability of a draw 31.75%
Chelsea win: odds 3.41, making the probability of a Chelsea victory 29.33%

These probabilities are based on the valuation (odds) from a large amount of online bookmakers and betting exchanges, the average can therefore be viewed as the probability valuation from the bookmakers.

Watch Liverpool Vs Chelsea Live

Manchester United vs Liverpool Betting Odds

2009-03-13T23:27:00.000-07:00

Manchester United

Manchester United defeated Newcastle United 2-1 away in their last league fixture, their 11th straight league win and 16th successive league match without a loss.

In their last five matches, Man Utd have won all five, picking up all fifteen points on offer. Man U scored nine and conceded two in these matches, as they currently sit 1st in the league, seven points clear of 2nd placed Chelsea and 3rd placed Liverpool, with a match in hand.

Manchester United will be without Wes Brown (ankle/foot), Gary Neville (calf/shin), Owen Hargreaves (knee) and Rafael (ankle/foot) for this match.

Bet on Man Utd to win at 1.92 from william hill

Liverpool

Liverpool defeated Sunderland 2-0 in their last league encounter, their first league win in three matches.

In their last five, Liverpool have won three, drawn one and lost one, earning ten points from the available fifteen. The Reds scored eight and conceded five in ths matches, and currently sit 3rd in the league - equal on points with 2nd placed Chelsea and six points clear of 4th placed Aston Villa.

Liverpool will Phllipp Degen (metatarsal) and Daniel Agger (back) in this match.

Bet on Liverpool to win at 4.75 from 888 sport

Prediction

Liverpool were victorious 2-1 over Manchester United earlier this season at Anfield, but last year's Man Utd vs Liverpool fixture saw the Red Devils victorious by a convincing 3-0 margin.

Both teams had massive midweek victories in the Champions League, but Liverpool's incredible 4-0 demolition of Real Madrid will be the one that undoubtedly has the more effect of the two.

With their domestic title hopes floundering, the win on Tuesday proved that Liverpool undeniably still has what it takes to challenge any side - both at home and abroad - and the incredible duo of Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard should strike fear in the hearts of even the most formidable opposition, Manchester United included.

Manchester United's talent, form and confidence are all unquestioned at this point, with the current English, European and World Club Champions eyeing up an awe-inspiring five title wins this season. Their victory over Inter Milan on Wednesday further cemented their place at the pinnacle of world football, but their display against an unimpressive Inter side was unconvincing to say the least.

Still, Man Utd have not lost a single league match at home this season, and the fortress that is Old Trafford should prove daunting to a Liverpool side that has not beaten United here in the Premier League since April 2004. With no signs of them letting up in any of their title races this season, Manchester United will go into yet another match as favourites for victory.

But with Fernando Torres in scintillating form on Tuesday night, Liverpool will certainly not approach this fixture feeling that they have nothing to play for or no hope for victory. With the title race technically still alive, albeit barely, Liverpool will go into this match to prove a massive point that, despite their poor run of late, they still have what it takes to compete with the best of the best.

And so we are set to witness one of the matches of the season in what promises to be a glorious showdown between two of football's greatest clubs.

Watch Germany vs Spain Live Online - Euro 2008 Final

2008-06-29T01:47:00.000-07:00

Germany coach Joachim Löw and his Spain counterpart Luis Aragonés are both hoping UEFA EURO 2008™ will come to a suitably exciting conclusion as their sides prepare to meet in the final this evening.

'Intensive match'The first 30 games of the tournament have yielded 76 goals, and the coaches are optimistic that pattern will continue at the Ernst-Happel-Stadion. Germany's Joachim Löw – whose side won 3-2 in both the quarter- and semi-finals against Portugal and Turkey respectively and are looking for their fourth European title – is anticipating an open encounter. "It's going to be a very intensive match," he said. "Both Spain and Germany have good players and like to go forward so it's going to be very interesting. We tried to make certain corrections after we lost to Croatia [in the group stage], but when we're against a team who play attacking football we can reach that level and keep up. Technically speaking, both teams have strong offensive players. It will be a fast, flexible and variable match."

Watch Spain vs Russia Live Online - Euro 2008

2008-06-25T08:59:00.000-07:00

Watch Spain vs Russia Live Online - Euro 2008

Russia coach Guus Hiddink wants his young team to avoid schoolboy errors when it gets a second chance to beat undefeated Spain in the European Championship semifinals. Hiddink blasted his players for giving the ball away too easily after losing to Spain 4-1 in their group opener, and they seem to have learned the lesson.

Two weeks later, the Russians have kicked Greece, Sweden and the Netherlands out of the tournament while conceding only one goal.

"They have beaten very difficult opponents," Spain midfielder Xavi Hernandez said. "This match will be different, but were not changing our philosophy to dominate the ball for 90 minutes and play offensively."

Spain knows they're up against a different Russia this time, not least because playmaker Andrei Arshavin is back in Hiddink's team after serving a two-match suspension in the group stage.

"There's a lot of talk about Arshavin, but I think Russia is a bloc," Xavi said. "They have players that are not that well-known in Europe that are doing well, like Yuri Zhirkov on the left midfield and (striker Roman) Pavlyuchenko."

Watch Germany vs Turkey Live Online - Euro 2008

2008-06-24T09:09:00.000-07:00

Watch Germany vs Turkey Live Online - Euro 2008

Turkey are just one step away from reaching their first UEFA European Championship final but they will find a formidable obstacle blocking their path at St. Jakob-Park in Basel in the shape of Joachim Löw's Germany.

While the last four is previously uncharted territory for Turkey, the same certainly cannot be said of three-times European champions Germany who have won four of their five previous semi-finals in the competition. Yet if Turkey are underdogs, nobody will be underestimating Fatih Terim's side who have captured the imagination at UEFA EURO 2008™ with their ever more miraculous comebacks.

Watch Spain vs Italy Live Online - Euro 2008

2008-06-22T03:35:00.000-07:00

Watch Spain vs Italy Live Online - Euro 2008

Italy coach Roberto Donadoni knows his side must take care of the pace in Spain's attack when the teams meet in the last UEFA EURO 2008™ quarter-final in Vienna on Sunday – but is urging his players to "enjoy themselves" on the ultimate stage.

Friendly encounter - Having conceded four goals in the tournament so far, the Azzurri will next try to thwart the feared strike force of David Villa and Fernando Torres, who shared five goals between them as Spain won Group D with a perfect record. Although Donadoni recognises the strengths of a side that beat his own 1-0 in a March friendly, he is confident Italy can build on Tuesday's Group C victory against France by prolonging an undefeated run in competitive matches against Spain stretching back 88 years.

Watch Holland vs Russia Live Online - Euro 2008

2008-06-21T00:28:00.000-07:00

Watch Holland vs Russia Live Online - Euro 2008

"I want to be the traitor of the year in Holland," joked Guus Hiddink. For on Saturday evening in Basel, Russia's Dutch coach will attempt to beat the Netherlands in the UEFA EURO 2008™ quarter-finals.

Contrasting form
The Netherlands sailed through the group stage with three wins and nine goals in Berne, while Russia, having lost their opener 4-1 to Spain, needed a last-day 2-0 defeat of Sweden to reach the last eight. That game was only on Wednesday, while the Oranje beat Romania by the same score the night before – when they were able to rest almost all their regular starters, having already clinched Group C. Despite laughing about knocking out the land of his birth, however, the man who led the Netherlands to the 1998 FIFA World Cup semi-finals knows Marco van Basten's squad have the ability to advance themselves against opponents playing in their first major knockout phase since the end of the Soviet Union.

Watch Croatia vs Turkey Live Online - Euro 2008

2008-06-19T22:09:00.000-07:00

Watch Croatia vs Turkey Live Online - Euro 2008

"There is no 'but'," says Slaven Bilić, adamant that his Croatia team will confound doubters and maintain their excellent forward momentum in Friday's UEFA EURO 2008™ quarter-final showdown with Turkey.

Positive pressure
Consecutive wins over Austria, Germany and Poland not only gave the Croatians first place in Group B, they also sparked theories that Bilić and his charges might become victims of their own success. Traditionally more comfortable when cast as underdogs, Croatia head into the match at the Ernst-Happel-Stadion with many expecting them to prevail. "We're not complacent and we won't stop," said Bilić. "It's our intention to go as far as possible. Of course we're under pressure and the pressure's rising, but it's a positive pressure. We welcome it. It can only motivate us more and make us play better."

Watch Portugal vs Germany Live Online - Euro 2008

2008-06-19T06:44:00.000-07:00

Watch Portugal vs Germany Live Online - Euro 2008

Luiz Felipe Scolari put his hand into his pocket, pulled out a piece of paper and started reading to the packed room of journalists: "No17 Germany – 1m98, No13 – 1m88, Klose – 1m82, No21 – 195. I have to worry about that – and that my players are 115cm, 120cm." It was a moment of comedy yet it illustrated one of the Portugal's principal concerns about their UEFA EURO 2008™ quarter-final opponents Germany.

Aerial threat
For all Portugal's powers of self-expression, Scolari said he was anxious about their ability to handle Germany's aerial threat. "I have to worry about finding some way of dealing with their free-kicks," said the Brazilian, whose players – taking the probable starting XIs – concede on average seven centimetres to their opponents. Yet Scolari also recognised the Germans' ability on the floor, starting with a player he will soon be working with at Chelsea FC. "He is a great player, with a lot of technical quality. He is one of the great players in this tournament," he said of Germany captain Michael Ballack, scorer of the goal against Austria that earned a quarter-final place on Monday.

Watch Switzerland vs Portugal Live Online - Euro 2008

2008-06-13T20:57:00.000-07:00

Watch Switzerland vs Portugal Live Online - Euro 2008

Switzerland may still be digesting the bitter disappointment of their early elimination from UEFA EURO 2008™ but Köbi Kuhn's co-hosts still have one remaining commitment in the form of a final Group A fixture against a Portugal side already assured first place in the section.

If Portugal's goal is to maintain their winning momentum after two previous victories, for Switzerland the incentive is to give their supporters at least something to sing about – and a first Swiss victory in UEFA European Championship finals history would surely constitute that for a team now guaranteed the wooden spoon.

Watch Sweden vs Spain Live Online - Euro 2008

2008-06-13T20:42:00.000-07:00

Watch Sweden vs Spain Live Online - Euro 2008

If Spain perform against Sweden in their second Group D match with the same flair, colour and attitude as coach Luis Aragonés showed while previewing the contest then everyone is in for an exceptional treat.

High spirits
In theory the meeting with Lars Lagerbäck's ultra-disciplined side, thorny rivals during qualification for UEFA EURO 2008™, should have been a cause for nerves and tension. Instead Aragonés was full of wit, good humour and evident anticipation for a great evening at the Stadion Tivoli Neu. Asked by a Swedish journalist about pictures of Sergio Ramos in an Innsbruck disco during the week, the 69-year-old quipped: "It was his day off! You're just lucky you didn't catch me in the disco too. I like disco music, but prefer flamenco. I was worried you were going to show me something worse!" He brought the house down. And his high spirits extended to more questions about Fernando Torres.

Watch Germany vs Poland Live Online - Euro 2008

2008-06-08T06:03:00.000-07:00

Watch Germany vs Poland Live Online - Euro 2008

Poland coach Leo Beenhakker believes his team are ready to rewrite the record books in their first match in the European finals when they face one of the UEFA EURO 2008™ big guns, Germany, in Klagenfurt on Sunday.

Neuville winner
The Dutchman is confident ahead of the Group B encounter at Wörthersee Stadion, despite the fact that Poland have never before qualified for the UEFA European Championship, nor beaten their western neighbours in any of their previous 15 meetings. They last faced each other at the 2006 FIFA World Cup – when Beenhakker was coaching Trinidad & Tobago – and the eventual semifinalists Germany got the better of the contest in Dortmund, as substitute Oliver Neuville scored the winner in added time to give the tournament hosts a 1-0 victory.

History lesson
In an entertaining and colourful pre-match press conference, Beenhakker said: "I know that have never won against Germany, but what we can also say about history is that the two teams have never met each other in this tournament. We know that in 1996 Germany were champions, but since then they have not won any matches at all in the EURO finals. We're talking about history, and I did my homework."

Nothing changes
Beenhakker, who lost third-choice goalkeeper Tomasz Kuszczak and midfielder Jakub Błaszczykowski to injury in the build-up to the finals, said: "We will have our usual preparation, like we did for the qualifying matches. We won't be doing different things just because we are at the EUROs now, and it's not like we will walk around the park naked or something. We have our normal programme – and then we will go [singing] tra-la-la to the stadium. We will play 'tra-la-la' but I don't know if we will be still 'tra-la-la' after the game."

Watch Portugal vs Turkey Live Online - Euro 2008

2008-06-07T03:56:00.000-07:00

Watch Portugal vs Turkey Live Online - Euro 2008

Portugal coach Luiz Felipe Scolari was in bullish mood on the eve of his side's opening UEFA EURO 2008™ Group A match against Turkey at the Stade de Genève

The charismatic Brazilian, who steered hosts Portugal to the final in the 2004 edition, said: "We have an extremely talented squad with a midfield which is the envy of almost every team in Europe. To do well at a tournament like this you have to believe you will be there until the bitter end. I know we are good enough to win this tournament, but right now we have to focus on the first match. We lost our first game against Greece four years ago and put a great deal of pressure on ourselves. A victory would be the perfect start to get us in the winning mood."

Watch Switzerland vs Czech Republic Live Online - Euro 2008

2008-06-07T03:33:00.000-07:00

Watch Switzerland vs Czech Republic Live Online - Euro 2008

Finally the waiting is over. Almost two years since Switzerland last played a competitive match, the co-hosts kick off UEFA EURO 2008™ against the Czech Republic determined to hit the ground running.

High hopesKöbi Kuhn's side departed the 2006 FIFA World Cup with a whimper, failing to score a single penalty in their shoot-out defeat by Ukraine in the last 16. Now they need to begin with a bang. A positive result will galvanise a nation approaching the tournament more in hope than expectation. Kuhn said the supporters will act as a "12th man" in the tight confines of St. Jakob-Park and as he embarks on the final challenge of his coaching career, the 64-year-old is excited by the prospect of what lies ahead.

Watch Blackburn vs Manchester United Live Online

2008-04-19T01:39:00.000-07:00

Watch Blackburn vs Manchester United Live Online at 17:15 UK Saturday, April 19, 2008 Ewood Park

Watch Fulham vs Liverpool Live Online

2008-04-19T01:35:00.000-07:00

Watch Fulham vs Liverpool Live Online at 15:00 UK Saturday, April 19, 2008 Craven Cottage

Watch Arsenal vs Reading Live Online

2008-04-19T01:27:00.000-07:00

Watch Arsenal vs Reading Live Online at 12:45 UK Emirates Stadium.

Watch Fenerbahçe vs Chelsea Online Live

2008-04-02T01:29:00.000-07:00

Watch Fenerbahçe vs Chelsea Online Live - Champions League Preview

UEFA Champions League quarter-final debutants Fenerbahçe SK may be welcoming a club in Chelsea FC who have won three ties at this stage in four years, but the Turkish side have high hopes for Wednesday's first leg.

No fear
Fenerbahçe have already beaten FC Internazionale Milano, PSV Eindhoven, PFC CSKA Moskva and Sevilla FC at the Sükrü Saraçoglu Stadium in this campaign, and coach Zico argues that reputations count for nothing once you get among Europe's élite eight. "In modern football, with modern communications, everyone knows all about their opponents," the Brazilian said. "So it is not important what names or shirts you have, but what you do on the pitch."

Positive approach
Fresh from a weekend Süper Lig win against Beşiktaş JK – just as before the pivotal group stage defeat of PSV – Zico intends to maintain the positive approach which has reaped dividends this season. "Chelsea have a strong defence but we have a good attacking team and good forwards, so we believe we can get through their back line." The Turkish champions will also have the fervent backing of the Fenerbahçe faithful. "It drives on the team and the players," Zico added.

Watch Arsenal vs Liverpool Online Live

2008-04-02T01:19:00.000-07:00

Watch Arsenal vs Liverpool Online Live - Champions League Preview

Arsenal FC manager Arsène Wenger views the challenge ahead as the biggest of his career as he prepares to face Liverpool FC in the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals.

Vital period
"It's certainly the highest, because if you look at the next ten days that will define our season," he said. Arsenal play Liverpool three times in a week followed by a potentially decisive trip to Premier League leaders Manchester United FC. "I strongly believe we are in the championship race. On top of that, we play two Champions League games against Liverpool so the next ten days will be vital. The impact of the first game is always vital."

Extraordinary victory
That sequence begins in north London on Wednesday when Arsenal will attempt to build on the momentum gained from Saturday's extraordinary 3-2 victory at Bolton Wanderers FC – down to ten men, they recovered a two-goal deficit to win for the first time in seven domestic matches. It was a timely lift for the Gunners whose triumph away to AC Milan in the first knockout round was becoming overshadowed by troubles on the home front.

Watch Schalke 04 vs Barcelona Online Live

2008-04-01T01:05:00.000-07:00

Watch Schalke 04 vs Barcelona Online Live - Champions League Preview

FC Schalke 04 coach Mirko Slomka described the visit of FC Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals as "a proud moment in the club's history" and urged his players to capitalise fully on having home advantage in Tuesday's first leg.

A dramatic penalty shoot-out win over FC Porto has taken Schalke into the last eight of Europe's premier club competition for the first time in almost half a century. They were eliminated 4-1 on aggregate by Club Atlético de Madrid in 1958/59, yet Slomka is confident of avoiding more disappointment at the hands of Spanish opponents. "Getting past Porto has given us belief and now we're here, we want to go on," the 40-year-old said, having seen his team go third in the Bundesliga after drawing 0-0 at Karlsruher SC on Saturday.

Watch AS Roma vs Manchester United Online Live

2008-04-01T00:51:00.000-07:00

Watch AS Roma vs Manchester United Online Live - Champions League Preview

AS Roma coach Luciano Spalletti described Manchester United FC as "the best side in the world" on the eve of the teams' UEFA Champions League quarter-final rematch – but he is determined that the generosity ends there. Nobody connected to the Italian club needs reminding of the Giallorossi's fate 12 months ago, their 2-1 first-leg advantage swept away in a 7-1 drubbing in Manchester. Given United got the better of their rivals in this season's group stage too – winning 1-0 at home then drawing 1-1 away – it is little wonder Spalletti was so lavish in his praise.

"On paper, Manchester United are the best side in the world. They have quality everywhere, not only in attack but also in defence. They are good in choosing their players – they can pick the best ones because of their financial power, but they are also good at getting the best out of all of them." Citing the Premier League leaders' speed on the counterattack as a particular menace, Spalletti added that they "can be more dangerous away than at home" but stressed that his charges would provide tougher resistance this time. "We are not mere spectators, we want to show we deserve to be here," he said. Joking about the fine Tuscan wine he presented Sir Alex Ferguson with last term, the coach said that he would "stop making gifts on and off the pitch" – and certainly Roma's impressive elimination of Real Madrid CF in the last round lends weight to Spalletti's conviction that "we are more mature".

Chelsea vs Middlesbrough Online Live - EPL Preview

2008-03-29T09:44:00.000-07:00

Chelsea vs Middlesbrough Online Live Preview

Chelsea coach Avram Grant does not believe captain John Terry needs a rest despite a number of unforced errors in recent games.

The defender, who has come under fire after mistakes for both club and country in recent weeks, is set to start against Middlesbrough after recovering from the minor hamstring problem that forced him to leave the field at half-time against France in midweek.

But Grant insists Terry was one of his star performers in last Sunday's 2-1 Barclays Premier League victory over title rivals Arsenal at Stamford Bridge.

"Against Arsenal he was one of our best players,'' declared Grant. "Emmanuel Adebayor didn't create even one chance against him.

"Sometimes mistakes happen but I didn't see the England game. I have a problem with these friendly games. They're not for judging results, but other things. In the last match, I was very happy with John Terry.''

Grant's only other worry ahead of the visit of Middlesbrough to Stamford Bridge is the fitness of Frank Lampard.

He missed England's game with France because of a stomach bug and the Blues boss confirmed the midfielder had not trained since he returned from international duty and is rated as highly doubtful.

New England coach Fabio Capello handed the captaincy to Rio Ferdinand on Wednesday but Grant believes there is still time for Terry to prove to the Italian that he is the man who should wear the armband on a permanent basis.

Liverpool vs Everton Online Live - EPL Preview

2008-03-29T09:25:00.000-07:00

Liverpool vs Everton Online Live Preview

Rafael Benitez does not believe a Liverpool win in the 207th Merseyside derby will kill off Everton's Champions League challenge.

Liverpool go into the Anfield showdown with a two-point lead over fifth-placed Everton, and victory would stretch that margin to five points with just six games left.

But the Reds boss, who is boosted by the news that top scorer Fernando Torres will be fit for the game after a battering in the 3-0 defeat at Manchester United, expects Everton to fight to the very last.

He said: "I do not think that if we win it will finish off Everton's challenge for fourth spot.

"They have had a fine season and will keep going to the end. We expect that from David Moyes' teams.

"It means we must keep winning to make sure we are in the top four. A win and a five-point lead will be a good advantage but we have important games, especially away from home, so we know we must keep working hard.

"I enjoy derbies, big games, especially if you win. But we want to win and so do they, and these are the really important games that I enjoy being involved in.''

Liverpool turn their attention to the Champions League trip to Arsenal on Wednesday straight after the derby, and Benitez now plans to use his best side for the rest of the campaign.

Manchester United vs Aston Villa Online Live - EPL Preview

2008-03-29T03:16:00.000-07:00

Manchester United vs Aston Villa Online Live Preview

Sir Alex Ferguson has derided international friendly matches as "a waste of time'' and "futile''.

The Manchester United manager is angry at losing Darren Fletcher for six weeks, starting with the home match against Aston Villa, after he sustained a knee ligament injury in midweek in Scotland's 1-1 draw with Croatia.

It was George Burley's first match in charge, but Ferguson took issue with the former Southampton manager at the length of game time Fletcher had.

"Darren should have played only 45 minutes, 60 minutes at most. But instead he was heading for a full game before he got injured,'' said the United boss.

"He had gone up to Scotland with a bad chest cold, which caused him to miss our last game (the 3-0 victory against Liverpool on Sunday).

"It is a bad blow losing Darren and again shows the futility of playing friendly games. It is crazy.

"Supporters will stop going anyway, given the kind of money they are paying and the kind of travelling they have to do.

"Every manager knows deep down these games are a waste of time.''

Rio Ferdinand will again marshal the back line at Old Trafford as United head into an important week at home and abroad.

They follow the Villa match by facing Roma in Italy on Tuesday in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals.

Bolton vs Arsenal Online Live - EPL Preview

2008-03-29T02:16:00.000-07:00

Bolton vs Arsenal Online Live Preview

Bolton will be missing skipper Kevin Nolan through suspension for the visit of Premier League rivals Arsenal.

Nolan picking up his 10th booking of the season during last weekend's goalless home draw against Manchester City and begins a two-match ban.

Jamaica international defender Ricardo Gardner will be missing for at least a month after being carried off on a stretcher against Sven-Goran Eriksson's men with a broken rib.

He joins goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen (back) on the sidelines but midfielder Ivan Campo will feature following his apology to boss Gary Megson for storming down the tunnel after being substituted against City.

Chelsea vs Arsenal Online Live

2008-03-22T01:12:00.000-07:00

Watch Chelsea vs Arsenal Online Live - EPL Preview

Chelsea will have to cast aside this season's unwanted reputation as big-game bottlers when they tackle Arsenal on Grand Slam Sunday.

Since Avram Grant took the helm in September, the Blues have failed to beat any of the top seven in league action and have collected just two points from their four meetings with the top four all season.

They also suffered Wembley heartache against Tottenham with a disappointing display in the Carling Cup final and crashed out of the FA Cup at Barnsley, leading some pundits to question Grant's ability to get the best out of his players in key fixtures.

But victory over bitter London rivals Arsenal on Sunday would silence the critics and see Chelsea climb above the Gunners into second place in the Premier League table.

Arsene Wenger's men have stuttered badly in recent weeks, with four successive draws seeing them go from five points ahead of Manchester United at the summit to three points adrift.

A fifth game without a victory would be another hammer blow to their title hopes, but the Gunners proved they have the appetite for the big occasion after seeing off European champions Milan 2-0 in Italy to progress to the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals.

Manchester United vs Liverpool Online Live

2008-03-22T00:48:00.000-07:00

Watch Manchester United vs Liverpool Online Live - EPL Preview

With players of the calibre of Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney in your midst, you know your team will score goals and it's up to their colleagues to ensure they really count. With that in mind, Sir Alex Ferguson will hammer home the absolute importance of keeping a clean sheet to his side, despite his obvious appreciation of football's finer, attacking points.

The message will be clear: give nothing away because winning games 1-0 here and there will be the key to winning the title. That is the key to the consistency that he craves.

It might not be pretty, ladies and gentlemen, but if it yields victories in a decisive phase of the season then no one will complain. Ferguson certainly won't want his sides to have to chase games with a Champions League campaign still ongoing.

So, first and foremost, his team will be ordered to defend as a tight-knit group and when forays forward break down everyone - including Rooney and Ronaldo - will be expected to work back when they've lost the ball.

Discipline will be called for and, initially at least, there will be no gung-ho attacking.

Instead, the United players will be told to break down Liverpool in a systematic manner knowing that the likes of the wonderful Jamie Carragher will ensure they give nothing away.

The speculative, glory-hunting 30-yarders from Nani that left Ferguson exasperated against Bolton will be cut out.

Tottenham vs Chelsea Online Live - EPL

2008-03-18T21:16:00.000-07:00

Watch Tottenham vs Chelsea Online Live - EPL Preview

Tottenham goalkeeper Paul Robinson has an ankle problem and is doubtful for the Barclays Premier League clash against Chelsea tomorrow.

Ledley King has recovered from a calf complaint but Robbie Keane has a knee injury, although Spurs are hopeful of him recovering.

Ricardo Rocha (groin) has been struggling, while Gareth Bale (foot) and Benoit Assou-Ekotto (knee) are out for the season.

Spurs defender Jonathan Woodgate believes Avram Grant's men will be seeking revenge for their Carling Cup defeat when the two sides meet again on Wednesday.

Chelsea need the points for their title bid, while Spurs are looking to bridge the gap with 10th place and eventually break into the top half for the first time this season.

Woodgate, who scored the winner at Wembley against the Blues, said: "It will be a harder game than the final without a doubt and they will want to put that right.

Manchester United vs Bolton Online Live - EPL

2008-03-18T21:04:00.000-07:00

Watch Manchester United vs Bolton Online Live - EPL Preview

Goalkeeper Ben Foster is on course to keep his place in the Manchester United team when Bolton visit Old Trafford tomorrow.

Edwin van der Sar's groin problem is likely to keep him out again and although Tomasz Kuszczak is available after serving a one-match ban Foster's excellent performance on his debut against Derby should persuade Sir Alex Ferguson to keep faith with the 24-year-old.

Meanwhile, Ferguson insists the Easter Sunday clash against Liverpool will not deflect his side from their immediate task of seeing off Bolton's challenge on Wednesday.

Ferguson said: "There are big games coming up and Liverpool is one of them, especially when you consider Chelsea are playing Arsenal on the same day.

"But when you see what happened at Derby on Saturday, not taking our chances, you realise you can't take anything for granted. Sure, there are big weekends ahead, but the other matches are just as important.

"If we perform well and take our chances then we'll win the match against Bolton. But it's important we respect our opponents.

"Some of our football recently has been terrific and there's good penetration in the team. It's encouraging that we're making so many chances - perhaps the forwards just need to relax a little in front of goal. Then the goals will come.''

Rangers VS Bremen Live Online

2008-03-12T08:03:00.000-07:00

Werder Bremen will look to atone for an error-strewn first-leg performance as they welcome Rangers FC to the Weserstadion in a Round of 16 decider.

• Bremen trail 2-0 from the first leg at Ibrox with mistakes from goalkeeper Tim Wiese helping Daniel Cousin and Steven Davis to score either side of half-time in a game which saw captain Barry Ferguson make a Scottish record 77th appearance in UEFA club competition.

• The chance to make a small piece of club history may inspire Bremen's players. Their next goal would be their 150th in the UEFA Cup.

• "It's a nice thing to achieve and I don't see why I can't reach 100 with Rangers," said Ferguson. "There are a few good years left in me yet so that would be a nice number to hit."

Getafe VS Benfica Live Online

2008-03-12T07:33:00.000-07:00

Not even a long injury list can dampen Getafe CF spirits as they look to press home a 2-1 advantage against SL Benfica and reach the UEFA Cup quarter-finals.

Getafe coach Michael Laudrup may be without nine players but his side are unbeaten in nine games and enjoying their best run of the season. So, having won 3-0 at Real Murcia CF on Sunday to go tenth in Spain's top flight, they welcome Benfica to the Coliseum Alfonso Pérez in confident mood. Laudrup said: "Things are going well and we haven't noticed a dip in fitness levels. We don't want to rotate the squad too much, but obviously tiredness catches up on you."

Watch Wigan vs Arsenal Live Online - EPL Preview

2008-03-09T04:22:00.000-07:00

Wigan boss Steve Bruce has the luxury of a full-strength available for Sunday's visit of Barclays Premier League leaders Arsenal.

Ryan Taylor is fit again after a month out with a rib injury while fellow midfielder Kevin Kilbane has recovered from a bruised foot.
The pair could be competing for one spot on the left wing with Jason Koumas, who performed ably in the position in last week's draw at Manchester City.
Honduras winger Wilson Palacios is set to feature against the team with whom he had a trial last year.

Bruce believes his side have given themselves "an outstanding chance'' of avoiding relegation.
The Latics were in a parlous state when Bruce took charge last November but they have since picked up 19 points from 14 league games.

With Derby and Fulham having fallen behind at the bottom, that has seemingly lifted them into a seven-way battle to avoid the final relegation slot.
There is still much to do but Bruce is happy with progress so far and feels the outlook is much brighter.

"If we can keep being like that and being resilient enough to take our chances, and make sure we are difficult to beat, we have got an outstanding chance,'' the former Birmingham boss said.
"It has been very difficult and very hard work for the players.

Watch Sporting vs Bolton Wanderers Live Online

2008-03-06T07:40:00.000-08:00

Mired in relegation worries towards the foot of the Premier League table, Bolton Wanderers FC are hoping to continue their remarkable UEFA Cup run against Sporting Clube de Portugal but may have to do so without two key players.

Sporting respect
Gary Megson's side are teetering on the brink of the bottom three in England, with only goal difference separating them from Reading FC in 18th place, yet they have been a different team in Europe. Unbeaten in six games to date, they overcame Club Atlético de Madrid to reach the last 16 against all expectations, and the Bolton manager insists now is not the time to be daunted by the pedigree of their opposition. "[Sporting] have got a lot of good players and a very strong squad but we don't fear any team we play," said the 48-year-old. "We don't fear any of the Sporting players but we've got a lot of respect for them."

Watch Tottenham Hotspur vs PSV Eindhoven Live Online

2008-03-06T07:33:00.000-08:00

Tottenham Hotspur FC assistant coach Gustavo Poyet has called on the London club's fans to propel them towards further cup glory ahead of the visit of PSV Eindhoven in the UEFA Cup Round of 16.

Poyet considers the support Juande Ramos's side received in their 5-1 English League Cup semi-final win against Arsenal FC and subsequent 2-1 final victory against Chelsea FC as a major influence and believes it could give them the edge against the Dutch champions. "It's been fantastic in the last few games at home and the final was amazing," he said. "It's something the players love and when you feel that extra [support] from the fans, it's much easier. I'm sure the crowd will be unbelievable at White Hart Lane and that will help us."

Watch Bayer Leverkusen vs Hamburger Live Online - Uefa Cup Preview

2008-03-05T02:16:00.000-08:00

The 32nd all-German UEFA club competition tie – and the 26th in the UEFA Cup – will see Bayer 04 Leverkusen take on Hamburger SV in this season's Round of 16.

The two sides have never met in European competition, but have been regular competitors in the Bundesliga for decades.

There is a long history of German encounters in the UEFA Cup. There have been six all-German semi-finals, and in 1979/80 all four semi-finalist teams came from the former West Germany. Eintracht Frankfurt beat FC Bayern München in one semi, with VfL Borussia Mönchengladbach beating VfB Stuttgart in the other. Eintracht won the final on away goals, losing 3-2 away but winning 1-0 at home in the second leg.

• The most recent all-German encounter took place in 1998, when FC Bayern München and 1. FC Kaiserslautern met in the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals. Bayern won the tie 6-0 on aggregate.

Watch Fiorentina vs Everton Live Online - Uefa Cup Preview

2008-03-05T01:52:00.000-08:00

Everton FC will look for an eighth successive UEFA Cup victory, and a first win against Serie A opposition, as they travel to ACF Fiorentina for the first leg of their Round of 16 tie.

Everton go into the game on a run of seven straight victories – a new club record – in the competition since being held to a 1-1 home draw against FC Metalist Kharkhiv in the first leg of their UEFA Cup first-round tie back in September.

They have won their last four European away games since going down 5-1 at FC Dinamo Bucureşti in the first round of the 2005/06 UEFA Cup.

Fiorentina have won their last three UEFA Cup home games, but encouragingly for Everton, they have not kept a clean sheet at the Artemio Franchi in Europe in four games – a run stretching back until 2001.

Fiorentina and Everton have never met in UEFA club competition.

Fiorentina have played four games against English opposition, all of them in the 1999/00 UEFA Champions League. They drew 0-0 at home against Arsenal FC in the first group stage but won 1-0 at Wembley. In the second group stage they met Manchester United FC, winning 2-0 at home but losing 3-1 in Manchester.

Watch Marseille vs Zenit Live Online - Uefa Cup Preview

2008-03-05T01:44:00.000-08:00

Olympique de Marseille will hope to avoid a repeat performance as they meet FC Zenit St. Petersburg for a second time in the UEFA Cup Round of 16.

The two sides were drawn together at the same stage in the 2005/06 competition, with Zenit prevailing 2-1 on aggregate following a 1-0 win in France and a 1-1 draw on home soil.

Andrei Arshavin - who is still at Zenit – scored the winner in the first leg, while Aleksandr Kerzhakov put the 2007 Russian champions ahead in the return before Frédéric Déhu equalised.

Kerzhakov subsequently left the club for Sevilla FC, where he won the 2006/07 UEFA Cup. However, he returned to Russia join FC Dinamo Moskva for a €7m fee on 25 February.

Of the current Marseille squad, Taye Taiwo, Wilson Oruma, Mamadou Niang and Samir Nasri played in the first leg while goalkeeper Cédric Carrasso was an unused substitute.

Oruma was suspended for the second leg along with Franck Ribéry, who was sent off in the first leg in France. Deputising for the injured Fabien Barthez, Carrasso endured a grim evening. At fault for letting Kerzhakov's strike go in, he was dismissed in the dying seconds for a foul on the goalscorer.

Taiwo, Niang and Nasri also played in the second leg, as did Lorik Cana.

Marseille's then coach Jean Fernandez missed the second leg after being suspended along with his assistant Albert Emon for comments made to the referee after the game in France.

Watch Anderlecht vs Bayern Munich Live Online - Uefa Cup Preview

2008-03-05T01:22:00.000-08:00

RSC Anderlecht and FC Bayern München will play their ninth game against each other in the UEFA Cup Round of 16, having first met in the 1976 UEFA Super Cup.

Bayern and Anderlecht have encountered each other on eight previous occasions, with the German side winning four, drawing two and losing two. The aggregate score from those meetings is 14-11 to the Bavarians.

Their most recent meeting was in the 2003/04 UEFA Champions League group stage. The first meeting in Brussels ended in a 1-1 draw, with Roque Santa Cruz cancelling out Ivica Mornar's opener for Anderlecht. Bayern won their home fixture 1-0, with Roy Makaay scoring the only goal from the penalty spot.

Of the current Anderlecht side, goalkeeper Daniel Zítka and defender Olivier Deschacht played in both legs of the tie, while midfielder Mark De Man was an unused substitute in the first fixture.

Bayern were coached by Ottmar Hitzfeld in both legs of that game and Oliver Kahn started the two games, with Bastian Schweinsteiger twice coming on as a substitute.

Prior to those ties, the sides had met in two European Champion Clubs' Cup quarter-finals and the 1976 UEFA Super Cup. Of those two-legged ties, Anderlecht won two and Bayern one.

Their first meeting was in the 1976 Super Cup. Bayern had beaten AS Saint-Etienne 1-0 to win the European Cup in Glasgow, while Anderlecht beat West Ham United FC 4-2 in Brussels to take the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup.

Dettmar Cramer's Bayern won the first leg in Munich 2-1, with Gerhard Müller scoring twice following an Arie Haan opener for Anderlecht. Raymond Goethals' Anderlecht took a 3-0 lead in the second leg through goals from Rob Rensenbrink, Franky Van Der Elst and Haan, and although Müller grabbed a goal back, Rensenbrink struck again to win the match 4-1 and the tie 5-3 on aggregate.

Watch Liverpool vs West Ham Live Online - EPL Preview

2008-03-05T00:55:00.000-08:00

Liverpool vs West Ham Preview: Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez could shuffle his pack for the game against West Ham, where a win will send the Merseysiders back into fourth place.

Liverpool have Newcastle at home on Saturday and then Inter Milan away in the Champions League next Tuesday.

And although the Spaniard has intimated he will not be rotating as much now as the season draws to a climax, he could well change the side that won at Bolton on Sunday.

Steve Finnan is definitely out with a groin strain but it is unlikely he will continue with Jamie Carragher at full-back, so Alvaro Arbeloa is a likely replacement.

Defender Daniel Agger is still recovering from injury and will play for the reserves until he regains full match fitness.

Victory over West Ham at Anfield will have to be achieved with Liverpool once again distracted by another potential takeover - with Dubai International Capital keen to take control of the club.

And the Anfield chief, who has lived with this turmoil at the club for months, knows Liverpool must win their long-awaited game in hand over their closest rivals if they are to gain the confidence boost of a return to fourth place.

Although West Ham are one of only three sides to beat Liverpool in the league this season, they have not won a league game at Anfield for 44 years.

Watch Sevilla vs Fenerbahce Live Online - Champions League Preview

2008-03-03T23:37:00.000-08:00

Despite his team's reputation for instinctive attacking play, Sevilla FC coach Manuel Jiménez believes intelligence is the quality they will need most if they are to come back from 3-2 down to beat Fenerbahçe SK in Tuesday's UEFA Champions League first knockout round decider.

Their delight in getting forward earned the Spanish side two valuable away goals a fortnight ago, but it also cost them dearly when substitute Semih Şentürk struck a late winner. Now, with the tie delicately poised and both teams desperate to reach the uncharted waters of the last eight, Jiménez has asked his players to think before they act. "We'll have to be intelligent because our opponents also want to qualify," he said. "It's all very well attacking, however that can rebound on you if you don't have the intelligence to stop the opposition from counterattacking. We mustn't give in to euphoria."

That may sound like caution from the competition newcomers, but they are nothing if not knockout football specialists, having recovered 1-0 first-leg deficits en route to UEFA Cup glory in both 2005/06 and 2006/07 – against CA Osasuna and LOSC Lille Métropole respectively. "If Fenerbahçe are slight favourites because of the scoreline, we certainly don't feel inferior to them or anyone else," continued Jiménez. "We all just need to work harder because a draw won't be enough. If we can go through, it would be important not only for the club but also for the city and Spanish football."

Watch Barcelona vs Celtic Live Online - Champions League Preview

2008-03-03T23:07:00.000-08:00

FC Barcelona and Celtic FC want to provide another feast of UEFA Champions League football at the Camp Nou as this first knockout round, second-leg tie promises a repeat of the thriller at Celtic Park.

In assessing the match, home coach Frank Rijkaard unhesitatingly put spectacle and entertainment on a par with the more pragmatic task of capitalising on the 3-2 lead established two weeks ago. The coach has now faced Celtic three times in UEFA competition since arriving in Barcelona in 2003 and has learned sufficient lessons not to believe, even with a healthy advantage, that the Scottish champions will be anything other than a firm test.

"Celtic are a really good side and I don't think there is a massive difference between us. We have a history of playing each other in recent years but, to me, it is this challenge at the Camp Nou, rather than the results of the last few years, which is important to focus on. Champions League nights at the Camp Nou really are wonderful and we love playing them. Our goal is always to give our public spectacle, great football and the right result. It's an important combination for our fans.

In fact, Celtic's two previous results at Barcelona, in the 2003/04 UEFA Cup and the 2004/05 UEFA Champions League, were valiant draws. That would not be sufficient to overcome the deficit from the first match, where two terrific goals from Lionel Messi and one from Thierry Henry brought Barça back from 1-0 and 2-1 down. Yet it would allow Celtic and their large band of travelling fans to extend their notable record in Catalonia. "I am certain Celtic are preparing to put on a great performance," agreed Rijkaard. "But the Champions League is very, very important to us. We'll do our job."

Watch AC Milan vs Lazio Live Online - Italian Serie A Preview

2008-03-01T02:09:00.000-08:00

AC Milan may be without Kaka when they face Lazio on Saturday, but the club have been lifted by the news the injured Brazilian playmaker has pledged his long-term future to the club.

The 25-year-old has a knee injury which will keep him out against the Biancoceleste and could also prevent him taking to the pitch when Milan face Arsenal in the return leg of their Champions League last 16 clash next Tuesday.

But the World Player of the Year on Thursday put pen to paper on a contract extension which will tie him to the Rossoneri until the summer of 2013.

And that was enough to bring a smile to the face of club vice-president Adriano Galliani.

"Kaka has declared many times his wish to become a symbol of this team,'' Galliani said. "He is the best player in the world.

"He is a symbol of the football displayed by Silvio Berlusconi's Milan and he has decided to tie his future for a definite period to the Rossoneri colours.

"Kaka has taken this decision. I hope that in 2013 we can make him another contract in order for Kaka to remain at Milan for life and continue to delight our fans.''

Watch Roma vs Parma Live Online - Italian Serie A Preview

2008-03-01T01:46:00.000-08:00

Roma captain Francesco Totti is still fuming over the controversial midweek draw at Internazionale as his team head into their next Serie A clash against Parma.

The Giallorossi had been leading 1-0 thanks to Totti's goal when referee Roberto Rosetti sent off defender Philippe Mexes with five minutes remaining.

Inter then capitalised soon after with Javier Zanetti's equaliser to leave second-placed Roma nine points behind the unbeaten Serie A leaders with 13 games remaining.

"The referee had done well up to that point,'' said Totti. "Then he blew it by sending off Mexes and losing control of the game.

"Mexes didn't even touch Hernan Crespo when he was shown his second yellow card, in fact, in practise, Mexes was sent off in a game where he made no fouls.''

Totti nevertheless feels that his team have sent a strong signal to the Serie A leaders that the scudetto battle is not over.

"At San Siro we proved that we are at the same level as Inter,'' he said.

"I think we played better than Inter and I reiterate that the referee gave Inter a big help.

"I was right in saying prior to that game that the battle is not over and I believe that is the case right now.

Watch Deportivo La Coruña vs Sevilla Live Online - La Liga Preview

2008-03-01T01:17:00.000-08:00

Sevilla coach Manolo Jimenez admits it will be difficult not to have one eye on their Champions League showdown with Fenerbahce when they take on Deportivo La Coruna on Saturday.

Jimenez's side face the Turkish giants in the return leg of their last-16 clash on Tuesday looking to recover from a 3-2 loss in the first leg in Istanbul.

And Jimenez fears the fact that the crunch encounter comes so soon after the trip to Deportivo could have a bearing on Saturday's game.

He told the club's official website, www.sevillafc.es: "I am trying to find a way to create equilibrium between the two games, which are both very important for the team.

"Many of the players who will play against Deportivo on Saturday will have to recover and play against the Turkish side the following Tuesday.

"Our most important game at this point is the upcoming league game because it is the closest and I will field a strong team as it is not easy to play there and come away with a result.''

Sevilla are in fine goalscoring form in the Primera Liga, having hit nine goals in their last two games - a 5-0 thrashing of Real Zaragoza and a 4-2 win over Espanyol.

Watch Atlético Madrid vs Barcelona Live Online - La Liga Preview

2008-03-01T00:58:00.000-08:00

Barcelona forward Lionel Messi believes it is only a matter of time before his side relieve Real Madrid of top spot in the Primera Liga.

The league's second-placed team visit an out-of-sorts Atletico Madrid on Saturday on the back of a 15-match unbeaten run in all competitions.

A 94th-minute equaliser from Xavi kept that run going in the Copa del Rey in midweek when they drew 1-1 at home to Valencia in the opening leg of their semi-final clash.

That performance typified a new found fighting spirit at the club that was sorely lacking earlier in the campaign.

Last weekend's 5-1 thrashing of basement boys Levante, combined with Real's 1-0 defeat to Getafe, saw the gap at the top narrow to just two points with 13 matches remaining.

"We know that is all up to us now and we have proven that if we want to play, we can. We have shown that in the last few games,'' Argentina international Messi said.

"The most important thing is that we are more united than ever. The way we are playing, we can travel to any stadium and put in a good performance.

"If we don't end up as leaders this weekend, it will be the following weekend.''

Real Madrid have lost three of their last four matches and visit lowly Recreativo Huelva on Saturday.

Watch Recreativo Huelva vs Real Madrid Live Online - La Liga Preview

2008-03-01T00:44:00.000-08:00

Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos insists no one at the club is pushing the panic button as Barcelona threaten to overhaul their lead at the top of the Primera Liga.

Real have lost three of their past four games and could lose top spot on Saturday if they suffer another slip-up against struggling Recreativo Huelva.

Bernd Schuster's side's lead over Barca, which had looked virtually insurmountable before Christmas, is now down to two points - and they even lost their 100% home record last weekend when they went down 1-0 to Getafe.

That defeat followed a 2-1 defeat at Real Betis and even a 7-0 thrashing of Valladolid the game before can not disguise the fact Real are in the midst of an alarming loss of form.

Their Champions League future is also far from certain after a 2-1 second-round first-leg defeat at Roma as a season which had looked so bright threatens to implode.

Ramos though claims the team are not thinking about the possibility of being overtaken by Barcelona.

He told the club's official website, www.realmadrid.com: "That would be another mistake. We have a winning mentality and we are going to remain calm. If it happens, we will simply have to keep fighting hard in order to win in May.

Watch Everton vs Portsmouth Live Online - EPL Preview

2008-02-29T02:14:00.000-08:00

A match-up between two clubs on course to record their highest ever points returns in the Premier League.

Everton are chasing a Champions League place. They are unbeaten in six in league and cup, and have won the last four.

FA Cup quarter-finalists Portsmouth are also pursuing European football, and have won their last three in all competitions.

Portsmouth have only taken Premier League points off Everton at Goodison once from a 0-1 victory on 10 September 2005, and that with the help of an own goal.

When Portsmouth and Everton met at Fratton Park in December it ended goalless, the first time these sides had drawn in nine Premier League clashes.

Honours are even in league meetings between these clubs.

Watch Bolton vs Liverpool Live Online - EPL Preview

2008-02-29T02:01:00.000-08:00

Liverpool enter this round of matches just outside the top four, three points behind Everton; Bolton three points above the trap door.

The Merseysiders have won just two of their last eight league matches, and have drawn more times than any other club (11).

Bolton have lost their two and are in danger of tumbling to three on the bounce for the first time since the losing their opening trio of fixtures to the season.

Liverpool have won six away league games, as many as Bolton have mustered home and away.

This is Gary Megon's 25th game in charge of the Trotters; Liverpool are chasing a 75th Premier League victory under Rafa Benitez.

Wanderers have lost their last four North-West derbies; the Reds have lost one of the last nine, and that to Manchester United (0-1 at home on 16 December).

The Reebok Stadium was the scene of Benitez' first defeat as Liverpool manager on 29 August 2004.

Watch West Ham vs Chelsea Live Online - EPL Preview

2008-02-29T01:51:00.000-08:00

This is the 17th London top-flight derby of the season between the two clubs whose Premier League games have yielded the lowest numbers of goals.

West Ham are comfortably encamped in the top half, seeking their first back-to-back victories in 21 Premier League outings.

Chelsea take the field for the first time since losing the Carling Cup final to Tottenham on Sunday, eager to extend their nine-match unbeaten league run that's left them six points behind the top two and nine points off the pace.

The now triple-chasing Blues have won three more away league games this term, than West Ham have managed at home (eight to five).

Chelsea are attempting to beat West Ham for the sixth successive time in the Premier League.

Watch Fulham vs Manchester United Live Online - EPL Preview

2008-02-29T01:36:00.000-08:00

Triple chasing Manchester United now have a superior goal difference of +4 on Arsenal, therefore victory at Craven Cottage, coupled with defeat for the Gunners, home to Aston Villa, will see the Red Devils return to the summit.

Even three points will not be enough to see the relegation-haunted Cottagers out of the bottom three.

Fulham have won as many Premier League games at home as Manchester United have lost away (three), and conceded as many at home as United have scored on the road (23).

United are still looking for a first in London this season; they have drawn two and lost one of their three Premier League visits to the capital.

Fulham have won one of 27 meetings with Manchester United stretching back to 1965. The victory was at Old Trafford in 2003.

Watch Arsenal vs Aston Villa Live Online - EPL Preview

2008-02-29T01:15:00.000-08:00

Arsenal look for the victory that will not only increase the longest current unbeaten run in the Premier League to 12 games, but also maintain the three-point cushion between themselves at the top of the table and second placed Manchester United.

Villa, just three points outside the top four, are hunting a 25th Premier League victory under Martin O'Neill, who will be 56 on match day. They are also on the longest continuous scoring run in the highest league of 22 matches.

Aston Villa were the first ever visitors for a Premier League fixture to the Emirates Stadium in August 2006. The game was drawn and Arsenal have lost only one of 33 since (against West Ham), and know victory over the Midlanders here will give them a fifth double of the season.

The Villans are yet to win in London this season. Two of their three visits were 4-4 draws (at Spurs and Chelsea). Defeat would be the clubs' 200th in Premier League history.

Arsenal are unbeaten in 18 Premier League matches against Villa. They have won 13 and drawn five since Villa prevailed by the odd goal in five at Villa Park on 13 December 1998.

Watch Barcelona Vs Valencia Live Online - Spanish Cup Preview

2008-02-27T07:30:00.000-08:00

Barcelona are on fire at the moment and are unbeaten in their last 14 games since defeat to Real Madrid. Barca are only 2 points behind Madrid and are second in the league, have defeated Celtic 3-2 away from home and have virtually guaranteed their passage to the next stage of CL. So all in all they are in form now and have scored an average of 3,3 goals per game in their last 3 games in all competitions.

Rijkaard called up a mixture of young and experienced players for this game. Eto’o was superb in the weekend fixture against Levante, add Messi, Henry, Bojan, Deco & Co. and you will get a squad that a big number of leagues would fancy to have as a first team!

Proabable squad for this game is: Valdés, Pinto, Thuram, Puyol, Zambrotta, Edmílson, Abidal, Milito, Touré Yaya, Xavi, Iniesta, Deco, Messi, Henry, Bojan, Eto'o

Since Koeman took charge at Valencia they have been very average with few sparks here and there. Still a lot of work needs to be done to put together a wining team. Excluding Canizares, Albelda and Angulo didn’t help team’s morale too! Valencia have an average of 1,6 goals per game taking into account their last five, although interestingly they only scored 1 in their last 2. Carlos Marchena, (big blow to Valencia). Alexis Ruano, Fernando Morientes and Miguel Brito are all injured.

Probable squad: Hildebrand, Mora, Caneira, Lombán, Albiol, Helguera, Moretti, Sunny, Edu, Maduro, Baraja, Ever, Vicente, Joaquín, Mata, Arizmendi, Zigic, Silva, Villa.

Watch Fiorentina vs Livorno Live Online - Italian Serie A Preview

2008-02-27T04:50:00.000-08:00

Fiorentina midfielder Massimo Gobbi insists that morale is high in the Viola camp ahead of their Tuscan derby with Livorno on Wednesday.

Fiorentina lost 1-0 to Roma at the weekend, losing fourth place to AC Milan as a result, but Gobbi insists that they have what it takes to claim a Champions League spot.

He told the club's official website: "We are playing frequently so there is some fatigue but there is still the serenity and determination to win every match.

"We matched Roma, as we did against Milan. We have spent a lot of energy but morale is high and we played really well despite the result.

"We came close to goal on a number of occasions and I think a draw would have been a fairer result. Now we must leave the defeat behind and think about Livorno.

"We are entering a crucial phase of the season and we will confront it with calm. Now we need to show determination and give our all in the championship and the UEFA Cup.''

A major blow for the Florence-based club is the news that star striker Adrian Mutu has been ruled out for up to a month having damaged a ligament in his left knee against the Giallorossi.

The Romanian forward, top scorer with 14 league goals this season, could miss up to eight games including Wednesday's derby and both legs of the Gigliati's UEFA Cup last-16 clash against Everton.

Franco Semioli looks set to be drafted in by coach Cesare Prandelli to fill in for Mutu. Giampaolo Pazzini and Mario Santana will complete the trident attack, as Christian Vieri is suspended.

Marco Donadel and Fabio Liverani could return to the midfield, replacing Martin Jorgensen and Riccardo Montolivo, whilst Dario Dainelli could come in for Per Kroldrup in defence.

Livorno are desperate to claim a result from the game with just a point separating the Labronici from the relegation places in Serie A.

Watch Catania Calcio vs AC Milan Live Online - Italian Serie A Preview

2008-02-27T04:43:00.000-08:00

Carlo Ancelotti has added Kaka to his extensive injury list ahead of a potentially bruising encounter at under-pressure Catania Calcio on Wednesday night.

Kaka had an x-ray on Monday that revealed heavy bruising on his injured knee, inflamed after the 2-1 weekend win over Palermo, which keeps the Brazilian from travelling to Sicily.

Further tests will determine whether Kaka will be fit for the Champions League clash against Arsenal next week.

"Kaka's absence to us is as important as (Adrian) Mutu's is to Fiorentina,'' Ancelotti said.

"We think he can recover for Arsenal, but we will see over the next few days.''

Ancelotti does not envisage Kaka will be fit for Saturday's game against Lazio, and will also be without several other first-team regulars.

"(Kakha) Kaladze, (Andrea) Pirlo and (Marek) Jankulovski are tired and need some rest,'' the coach said.

Alessandro Nesta (thigh) also misses out but may recover for Saturday.

Ronaldo is a long-term injury in attack, however in his place Filippo Inzaghi stepped off the substitutes' bench against Palermo to strike an injury-time winner as AC Milan came from behind to win 2-1 and move up to fourth place in the table.

Watch Inter Milan vs Roma Live Online - Italian Serie A Preview

2008-02-27T04:30:00.000-08:00

Roma coach Luca Spalletti has called on his side to prove they are the match of runaway league leaders Inter Milan in their Wednesday evening meeting.

Inter Milan lead is down to nine points after they recovered for a 1-1 draw at Sampdoria, whereas second-place Roma overcame Fiorentina 1-0 at the Stadio Olimpico.

"The match against Inter Milan can be described as the `match of truth,' because if we beat them we confirm we are the team that has caused them most hassle in the last two years, and we reduce the gap at the top of the championship,'' Spalletti said.

"If Inter win, it will become a problem to talk about attempts to come back.

"We must win to create problems for the supremacy of Inter.''

Inter Milan have only dropped points once at home this season, a 1-1 draw with Udinese on the opening day.

Their last defeat came at the hands of Roma, and a repeat would close the gap to six points with 13 games to play.

"It seems to me that up to now Roma have done brilliantly,'' Spalletti told Sky Italia.

"If Inter have created this gap it means they have been impeccable. I thought we would have arrived at this point in the championship without such a huge gap.

"However, it will not be easy for them to get back to the form they need to do well again. They are very strong in the physical sense, and in dead-ball situations. We have to find our path and that is to play the ball, and to control the game.''

Watch Barcelona vs Levante Live Online - La Liga Preview

2008-02-23T00:06:00.000-08:00

Barcelona have the perfect opportunity to lump yet more pressure on Real Madrid here. The Catalan side has narrowed the gap at the top of La Liga from nine points to five and if the leaders don’t get the win against Getafe at the Bernabeu stadium Barca could go to bed on Sunday night trailing by just two points.

To get themselves warmed up for this match, Barcelona beat Celtic Glasgow by three goals to two at Celtic Park on Wednesday in the first leg of the knock out stage of the Champions league. The Scottish side was leading twice in the match but two goals from Leo Messi and a terrific effort from Thierry Henry all but sealed Celtic’s fate. They now have to travel to the Nou Camp next week and score at least two goals if they want any chance of going through.

The Champions league win was Barca’s thirteenth consecutive game in all competitions without a defeat and everything indicates that come Sunday this will be extended to fourteen. Levante really don’t have a hope in hell of getting anything from this match, and will be praying for a miracle before traveling to the Nou Camp.

Even though they have lost just once in the last five matches –eight points from a possible fifteen- they still find themselves very much at the bottom of the league and a whopping ten points from salvation. Their away form has been a disaster this season too. Of the eleven matches played away from their Ciutat de Valencia stadium, they can boast just one win and one draw. Not the kind of statistics anyone would like before visiting the Nou Camp.

Watch Real Madrid vs Getafe Live Online - La Liga Preview

2008-02-22T23:52:00.000-08:00

Modest Getafe have been a thorn in the side of Real Madrid in recent meetings and they have the chance to be a nuisance again when they visit the leaders in the Primera Liga on Sunday.

Real coach Bernd Schuster's former club were the last team to take a point at the Bernabeu, when they drew 1-1 there last March, and were unlucky to lose by a solitary goal after having dominated in the Coliseum earlier this season.

However, they are in unfamiliar territory at present as one of only two Spanish clubs still alive in three competitions, the other being Barcelona.

They host AEK Athens in a UEFA Cup last 32 second leg on Thursday and next week face Racing Santander in the King's Cup semi-final first leg. They are 13th in the league.

'I don't know which game is more important,' Getafe coach Michael Laudrup said.

'Thursday's game is a decider, Sunday's is in a place any player would love to play and next week's Cup game has a return leg but is one step from a final. Whatever happens we always go out to win.'

Getafe are fortunate to be catching the champions at a time when one or two doubts are creeping into their minds following a run of three defeats from their last four games in all competitions.

The reverses have all been on their travels, the last a 2-1 loss to AS Roma in the Champions League on Tuesday, but at home they maintain a 100 per cent league record.

Schuster's squad is likely to be boosted by the return from injury of Brazilian forward Robinho, while Dutch winger Arjen Robben is finally starting to make his mark in the side.

Last weekend's surprise 2-1 defeat at Real Betis saw their lead at the top cut to five points, and any more slip-ups will be gratefully received in Barcelona.

Frank Rijkaard's side were lucky to overcome Real Zaragoza 2-1 away last week but return to the Nou Camp to take on basement club Levante on Sunday at a stadium where they have won all but one of their league games this season.

Barca beat Celtic 3-2 away in a Champions League-thriller on Wednesday and can count on Cameroon striker Samuel Eto'o once again.

Watch Tottenham vs Chelsea Live Online - Carling Cup Final Preview

2008-02-22T00:27:00.000-08:00

Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard and defender John Terry could miss Sunday's Carling Cup final against Tottenham Hotspur, BBC Sport understands.

Both players were on the bench for Tuesday's clash with Olympiakos, with only 29-year-old Lampard taking to the field for the closing minutes.

"(Boss) Avram Grant would not confirm their participation," said BBC football correspondent Jonathan Legard.

"But I'm told the pair are set to be left out again."

Chelsea manager Grant had recently expressed his delight at the speed with which 27-year-old Terry had recovered from a broken foot sustained against Arsenal in December.

The Blues captain returned to play the full 90 minutes against Huddersfield in Saturday's 3-1 FA Cup fifth round victory.

Midfielder Lampard also played in Saturday's match, scoring twice to help his side ease into the quarter-finals.

Watch Newcastle vs Manchester United Live Online - EPL Soccer Preview

2008-02-22T00:20:00.000-08:00

Newcastle boss Kevin Keegan is hoping his returning African players can help dent Manchester United's Barclays Premier League challenge.

The 57-year-old heads into his latest clash with old foe Sir Alex Ferguson at St James' Park tomorrow night still looking for his first victory since returning to Tyneside.

Indeed, the Magpies have won none of their last nine league games and find themselves hovering only just above the relegation zone and knowing they will be dragged into the battle for survival if they do not halt that trend soon.

Newcastle lost 6-0 at Old Trafford in between Sam Allardyce's departure and Keegan's arrival back in the north-east, and having seen United demolish Arsenal in the FA Cup last weekend and fight back to claim a Champions League draw in Lyon, know they will be in for just as stern a test this time around.

However, the new manager will hope the return of Habib Beye, Abdoulaye Faye, Geremi and Obafemi Martins from the African Nations Cup will provide his squad with a much-needed boost.

Martins is still nursing the ankle injury with which he returned from Nigeria's campaign in Ghana, but his colleagues will add depth to a squad which was left threadbare by their temporary departures.

Keegan said: "If you get four international players coming back into the squad, it is bound to make a difference.

Watch Liverpool vs Middlesbrough Live Online - EPL Soccer Preview

2008-02-22T00:08:00.000-08:00

Liverpool may end a roller-coaster week back in the Barclays Premier League top four.

Having started with a humiliation at the hands of Barnsley in the FA Cup last Saturday, they responded by beating Inter Milan in a stunning Champions League triumph on Tuesday.

With current fourth-placed club Everton not playing until Monday at Manchester City, if Liverpool beat Middlesbrough at Anfield tomorrow they will go above their Merseyside rivals on goal difference.

They will have to do it without key defender Jamie Carragher, who is suspended after picking up a fifth booking of the season against Barnsley last weekend.

While manager Rafael Benitez has been under fire, so have a string of under-achieving players - one of whom is striker Dirk Kuyt - the Dutchman without a goal since mid-December before his effort in the defeat by Barnsley.

But he followed that up with a cracker against Inter Milan, with Steven Gerrard adding a second to give Liverpool a good chance of reaching the European quarter-finals.

Kuyt certainly understands the tensions of the current Liverpool situation.

"I think there is pressure on all of us, the players and the manager," he said.

"Everybody was expecting a lot from Liverpool this season, but unfortunately we have not played that well the last few months.

"But at least we have shown that we are a better team (against Inter) than last Saturday (against Barnsley)."

Kuyt knows, however, more progress is needed.

"We know we have to keep focused now - because we want to play many more good games, not only in the Champions League but also in the league," he added.

If Benitez is to continue to ease the pressure on himself he must steer a winning course through the tough and important fixtures still looming.

"If you can beat teams like Inter Milan and play well, it gives us a high level of confidence in the squad," he said.

Watch Birmingham City vs Arsenal Live Online - EPL Preview

2008-02-21T23:50:00.000-08:00

Mathieu Flamini has urged Arsenal to forget about events of the past week and focus completely on continuing their Barclays Premier League title charge by putting Birmingham to the sword.

The Gunners resume their domestic campaign five points ahead of Manchester United, who are at Newcastle for the early evening kick-off.

Arsene Wenger was confident his young side would provide a reaction to their 4-0 FA Cup demolition at Old Trafford last Saturday - and he certainly got that against Champions League holders AC Milan in midweek, a determined display just lacking a goal.

Midfielder Flamini insists everyone will now swiftly turn their attentions to getting another victory at St Andrews to stay on course for the title.

"There was a little bit of pressure on us against Milan after the Manchester United game, but we like that," Flamini said.

"We are sorry for everyone, the fans, for that result, and we are disappointed we did not beat Milan - but now we have to focus on Saturday, when we play Birmingham, and we have to win that game."

Arsenal head into tomorrow's lunchtime kick-off without defender Kolo Toure, who suffered a calf injury just minutes into Wednesday night's game against Milan.

The Ivory Coast centre-half had only just returned from the African Nations Cup, but now looks set to be sidelined for at least two weeks.

Wenger revealed: "For me on Wednesday night, it looked like he would be out for two to four weeks. The way he was walking perhaps four - but now the medical staff said to me it would be closer to two than four."

While Toure could recover in time for the return leg of Arsenal's Champions League tie in the San Siro on March 4, Wenger maintains he will not be pushing Robin van Persie into a swift return.

The 24-year-old has been plagued by fitness problems all season, having opened the campaign in fine form.

Van Persie last appeared for the Gunners in the first leg of the Carling Cup semi-final against Tottenham at the Emirates Stadium on January 9, but he was substituted at the interval.

Wenger has no intentions of rushing the Dutchman this time.

The Arsenal manager said: "Robin is not a very long away from being fit at all, but he lacks match-practice.

Watch Arsenal vs AC Milan Live Online - Champions League 2008 Preview

2008-02-19T01:16:00.000-08:00

It is arguably the most eagerly awaited tie of the UEFA Champions League first knockout round: the 2006 runners-up against the reigning champions.

It is the first occasion these two famed continental campaigners, Arsenal FC and AC Milan, have faced each other on Europe's greatest club stage but the fourth successive season that Arsenal have taken on a former champion in the last 16. The English team will hope to do better than 12 months ago when they went out to PSV Eindhoven. After losing 1-0 in the Netherlands they could do no better than draw 1-1 in the return. Two years ago they took on Real Madrid CF, winning 1-0 away and drawing 0-0 at home while the previous season they found FC Bayern München too strong.

The Gunners' only previous meeting with Milan came in the 1994 UEFA Super Cup when the Italians triumphed, drawing 0-0 in London before winning 2-0 at home. Arsenal gained their place on that stage with a 1-0 victory against Italian side Parma FC in the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup final.

This season, in their tenth successive UEFA Champions League campaign, Arsène Wenger's side recorded a 100 per cent home record in Group H, winning 3-0 against Sevilla FC and 7-0 against SK Slavia Praha before defeating FC Steaua Bucureşti 2-1 on Matchday 6. The last result took them to 13 points from their six games – the same as Milan – but was not enough to earn first place in the section.

Nevertheless it extended the Gunners' sequence of unbeaten home games in the competition to 19, a run that includes qualifying rounds and spans both the old Highbury Stadium and their new home in Ashburton Grove. They last suffered home disappointment in the competition in the 2003/04 quarter-final second leg against Chelsea FC.

Arsenal will also be buoyed by the way they have responded to the Italian challenge in recent seasons. In the last five meetings they have proved the dominant force on aggregate.

They have played six home games against Italian teams in the UEFA Champions League, five in the group stages. The other, their most recent, was a quarter-final pairing with Juventus two seasons ago that proved another stepping stone on the way to their first final. After winning 2-0 at home they defended that advantage in a scoreless return leg.

Watch Manchester United vs Lyon Live Online- Champions League 2008 Preview

2008-02-19T00:58:00.000-08:00

Manchester United FC were in France for the first leg of last season's UEFA Champions League first knockout round and 12 months later the draw for the same stage has sent them on a similar journey. For LOSC Lille Métropole, now read Olympique Lyonnais as Sir Alex Ferguson's team bid to go one better than last year's run to the semi-finals.

For the French champions this is the opportunity to make up for last year's disappointment when they bowed out of the competition at this stage, drawing 0-0 away to AS Roma then failing to build on that achievement at home as they foundered 2-0. The aggregate defeat bucked a trend: in the previous three seasons Lyon, winning the first match every time, had always managed to get through this round before meeting defeat at the quarter-final stage.

Alain Perrin's team began this season's competition by losing both their first two fixtures by 3-0 scorelines. The home defeat by Rangers FC on Matchday 2 put their qualifying hopes in grave danger but they proceeded to dig themselves out of a hole, winning their next home game against VfB Stuttgart 4-2 and drawing the other, 2-2 with FC Barcelona. With victories in both their last two away fixtures they took second place in Group E with ten points, four behind the Catalan club.

Lyon and United last met in the group stage of the 2004/05 UEFA Champions League when the English team had the better of things, drawing 2-2 at the Stade de Gerland before edging the home game 2-1. In the starting lineups for the game in France were Grégory Coupet, Cris, Juninho Pernambucano, Anthony Réveillère and Sidney Govou for Lyon and Wes Brown, Cristiano Ronaldo, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, John O'Shea and Mikaël Silvestre for United.

Watch Porto vs Schalke 04 Live Online - Champions League Preview 2008

2008-02-19T00:16:00.000-08:00

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German international Heiko Westermann insists that FC Schalke 04 "are not just here to make up the numbers" as the Bundesliga outfit prepare to make their knockout stage debut against 2004 UEFA Champions League winners FC Porto.

"I'm very happy to have reached this stage of the competition but we're not satisfied yet," said the 24-year-old, one of three Schalke players to have played every minute of the Gelsenkirchen side's UEFA Champions League campaign to date. "There is lots of pressure on the team at the moment and we want to put the disappointment of Friday's loss to [VfL] Wolfsburg behind us by playing well against Porto."

Until the weekend they had been unbeaten since losing 1-0 at FC Energie Cottbus on 2 November, a run of eleven games in all competitions, but confident right-back Westermann believes there is still plenty of room for improvement. "We know what our mistakes have been of late and it's important that we don't fall behind against Porto," he said. "We want to prove to people that we're not just here to make up the numbers – we want to win and progress to the quarter-finals."

Watch Chelsea vs Olympiakos Live Online - Champions League Preview 2008

2008-02-17T20:52:00.000-08:00

After progressing beyond the UEFA Champions League group stage for the first time in nine years, Olympiakos CFP will be looking to make home advantage count as they try to knock out Chelsea FC having never overcome English opponents over two legs.

Chelsea have had only one previous meeting with Greek opponents when in the 1970/71 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup first round they followed a 1-1 away draw with Aris Thessaloniki FC with a 5-1 home win. They have warm memories of Athens, however, beating Real Madrid CF after a replay in the 1971 final of the same competition.

Olympiakos have not faced an English team since 2004/05 when they met Liverpool FC in the UEFA Champions League group stage and then, having failed to progress, Newcastle United FC in the UEFA Cup Round of 16. In the home games they saw off Liverpool 1-0 but lost to Newcastle 3-1. In the away legs Olympiakos lost 4-0 at Newcastle having earlier gone down 3-1 at Anfield.

But, while the Greek side should acquit themselves quite well against one of Europe’s best, Chelsea should be able to progress. While they haven’t shown it on a regular basis this season (thanks to one thing or another, injuries, inconsistency, absences), their attack is pretty formidable, especially with Drogba and Kalou in form, and a healthy Lampard back in the lineup. Besides that, even without Terry, their defense has done an admirable job, and should be up to the task.

Watch AS Roma vs Real Madrid Live Online- Champions League 2008 Preview

2008-02-17T20:32:00.000-08:00

On the 19th of February, the Champions League pits against each other two of the most emblematic teams in European football, in the shape of AS Roma vs Real Madrid.

In the last six meetings between the two clubs, Real Madrid have a clear upper hand: the Spanish colossus have won four, including the last two (3-0 away and 4-2 at home in 2004), and lost just the one, at home in 2002 by a margin of one goal to nil. Real have also had great success against Rome’s other big side, Lazio Roma – indeed, Real’s “defeat” column at the Stadio Olímpico is very bare indeed.

Depending on the severity on Pepe’s injury, Real Madrid’s defensive line will be adjusted accordingly. With the presence of the Portuguese monster, expect the Whites to line up with Heinze and Ramos as full-backs, leaving Cannavaro and Pepe as the central defensive tandem. Should Pepe be ruled out, a number of permutations are possible, with both Heinze and Ramos capable of moving inside to central defence, to be replaced by Marcelo and Miguel Torres respectively. Of the two potential displacements, I would imagine the latter to be more appealing in the first-leg, since Schuster will almost definitely favour a more defensive line-up, and Marcelo retains a certain inexperience that could prove costly.

I would expect Schuster to opt for Baptista instead of Guti in the centre of midfield, sacrificing the sulky Spaniard’s silken skills for the Beast’s combative qualities, especially since much of Roma’s strength is derived from their midfield generals Simone Perrotta and Daniele De Rossi, the latter being, in my opinion, one of the most underrated players in European football. Roma’s “first-eleven” is not particularly easy to guess, although the hub of Doni, Panucci, Cicinho, Mexes (another former Real Madrid target), De Rossi, Vucinic and Totti (if fit), can be expected to take part.

Watch Liverpool vs Inter Milan Live Online - Champions League 2008 Preview

2008-02-17T20:07:00.000-08:00

Watch Liverpool vs Inter Milan Live Online: The last few seasons have seen Inter Milan take a strangehold over the rest of Italian football, as the Nerazzurri have won back to back Scudettos in the last two seasons, along with back to back Coppa Italia trophies in 2004-05 and 2005-06.

However, that same success hasn’t occurred in Europe. Inter Milan did win three UEFA Cups in the 1990s, and made a fourth final, but they haven’t reached a European Cup final since 1972 and haven’t lifted the trophy since 1965. In that time span, stadium sharers AC Milan have won six European Cups and made nine finals.

While Inter Milan are dominant domestically, it’s the complete opposite for Liverpool, who have excelled in Europe the last few years, becoming the champions of Europe in 2005 and finishing runner-up to AC Milan in last season’s competition.

At the same time though, Liverpool haven’t come close to adding to their record 18 English top-flight titles, and it doesn’t look like they will this season, as they are well behind table-toppers Manchester United and Arsenal with much of the season still to go.

If you want to go off of recent form, we should see the good Liverpool in the first leg. That means that, even if it doesn’t wind up showing on the score sheet (thanks to two quality defenses, with two quality keepers), we could and should be in for an enthralling tie at Anfield.

If it ends up being a 0-0 or 1-1 draw, I’ll be disappointed, but if Liverpool can somehow hold Inter Milan scoreless in the first leg, that will do wonders for their confidences, and their chances of progression.

But, Inter Milan consistency over the entire season, both at home and away, and conversely, Liverpool’s unpredictability, are why Roberto Mancini’s side should come out on top in this match.

However, you can never count Liverpool out of any tie. History has proved that one, multiple times (2005 Champions League final vs. AC Milan, anyone?). So, while the odds certainly don’t favor them, it won’t be an upset in the least if they’re able to dump Inter out.

Will they be able to make big things happen against another Italian giant? Or will it be Inter who move one step closer to breaking their long drought in the Champions League?

Watch Liverpool vs Barnsley Live Online - FA Cup Preview

2008-02-16T02:32:00.000-08:00

Liverpool centre-back Martin Skrtel (calf) is out and Sami Hyypia may play, while Fabio Aurelio and Alvaro Arbeloa are available after injury.

Fernando Torres (hamstring) is fit but is set to be rested ahead of the Champions League tie at Inter Milan.

Barnsley's emergency goalkeeper signing Luke Steele will go straight into the side to replace the injured Heinz Muller and ineligible Tony Warner.

Lewin Nyatanga and Jon Macken are both out as they are cup-tied.

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez, whose team play Inter Milan on Tuesday:
"I need to consider both games.

"But I know it's important to progress in the FA Cup, so I will try to use a strong team.

"For Inter Fernando Torres will be OK, we will have to check before Barnsley."

Barnsley manager Simon Davey:
"This will be the pinnacle of some of the players' careers so far and they have to make sure they take the chance.

"I will be proud to lead the team out at Anfield but we are going there to try to win the game.

"We don't want the players to freeze and this opportunity to pass us by."

Watch Chelsea vs Huddersfield Live Online - FA Cup Preview

2008-02-16T02:12:00.001-08:00

Chelsea captain and centre-back John Terry is back from the foot injury he suffered in the Premier League defeat to Arsenal on 16 December.

Striker Andriy Shevchenko (back) is a doubt and Michael Essien, Didier Drogba and Salomon Kalou are back for Africa Cup of Nations duty.

Huddersfield captain Jon Worthington (hamstring) is rated 50/50 to play and will have a late fitness test.

Striker Luke Beckett (back) is also a doubt and Andy Booth may replace him.

Chelsea boss Avram Grant said that the tradition of the FA Cup in England is the best in the world, he have never seen a Cup that is so important to the supporter and so interesting to other countries. They have made their own preparations for every game, seen many videos and think they know about Huddersfield. Chelsea will play with a strong team.

Huddersfield boss Andy Ritchie said that it will be a great day and his players will enjoy it. He feels that it's something that doesn't happen week in, week out. They are all aware of the magic of the Cup and have already beaten Premier League opponents. Andy knows what Huddersfield are capable of and anything can happen in the FA Cup.

Watch Manchester United vs Arsenal Live Online - FA Cup Preview

2008-02-15T16:23:00.000-08:00

Manchester United have Wayne Rooney and Patrice Evra back after suspension.

Striker Louis Saha is available after a knee injury after but right-back Gary Neville and left-back Mikael Silvestre remain sidelined.

Arsenal defenders Kolo Toure and Emmanuel Eboue are available after their Africa Cup of Nations stint.

But Theo Walcott (thigh), Gael Clichy (hamstring) and Bacary Sagna (personal reasons) are set to miss out, while Philippe Senderos (knee) is a doubt.

This outstanding match of the fifth round is Sir Alex Ferguson's 100th as manager of Manchester United.

The top two in the Premier League are also the most successful clubs in FA Cup history; United and Arsenal have won the world's oldest football knockout competition 21 times between them and have appeared in a combined 35 finals.

This is the 35th time Ferguson will have come up against his opposite number Arsene Wenger. Of the 34 previous encounters United have won 11, Arsenal 13. Eight of the 10 other games finished level and two were decided on penalty shoot-outs; United won the 2003 Community Shield, and Arsenal the 2005 FA Cup final.

Watch Sporting vs Basel Live Online - Uefa Cup Preview

2008-02-13T07:30:00.000-08:00

Sporting Clube de Portugal will reach another European milestone as they host FC Basel 1893 with an eye on a place in the Round of 16.

• This game will be Sporting's 200th in UEFA club competition. The 1963/64 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup winners started their European adventures with a 3-3 draw at home against Yugoslavian side JSD Partizan – now Serbia's FK Partizan – in the 1955/56 European Champion Clubs' Cup on 4 September 1955.

• Should Sporting triumph, it would be their 50th victory in 102 UEFA Cup games.

• Sporting coach Paulo Bento will be coming up against Swiss opposition for the first time since making his European debut as a player in CF Estrela da Amadora's 1990/91 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup tie against Neuchâtel Xamax FC.

• Both legs of that tie ended in 1-1 draws, and with extra time producing no further goals in Switzerland, a penalty shoot-out decided the game. Defensive midfielder Paulo Bento took his side's fourth spot kick and it proved to be the winner as two Xamax players missed either side of him to give Estrela a 4-3 shoot-out success.

• Sporting qualified for the Round of 32 after finishing third in UEFA Champions League Group F. Basel finished second in UEFA Cup Group D.

• The two sides have never met in UEFA club competition.

• Sporting have played six games against Swiss sides, winning two, drawing two and losing two. On Portuguese soil, they have won one, drawn one and lost one.

• Basel have never played a game against Portuguese opposition before.

• The Swiss team are unbeaten in four UEFA Cup away games this season, drawing two and winning two.

• Basel boast Portuguese talent in the form of winger Carlitos, who was born in Lisbon and played eleven league games for Sporting's local rivals SL Benfica between 2004 and 2007. The former GD Estoril Praia player spent time on loan with Vitória SC and Swiss side FC Sion before joining Basel in the summer.

Watch Rangers vs Panathinaikos Live Online - Uefa Cup Preview

2008-02-13T07:28:00.000-08:00

Rangers FC will need little reminding of Panathinaikos FC's last visit to Ibrox as the Greek side return to Glasgow in the UEFA Cup Round of 32.

• The two sides met in the 2003/04 UEFA Champions League group stage. A late goal from Pantelis Konstantinidis earned Panathinaikos a 1-1 draw in Athens, following Emerson's opener for Rangers and the dismissal of Ioannis Goumas.

• Itzhak Shum's Panathinaikos then denied Rangers a UEFA Cup place in the second leg, recovering from going a goal down to Michael Mols' effort to win 3-1, with Raimondas Žutautas, Angelos Basinas and Michalis Konstantinou scoring at Ibrox.

• Goalkeeper Allan McGregor was an unused substitute in both those games for Alex McLeish's Rangers, while midfielder Chris Burke played in the second leg.

• Current Panathinaikos player Nasief Morris started both legs with defender Goumas coming on as a substitute in the first leg and starting in the second. Forward Dimitris Papadopoulos also came on as a substitute in the first leg.

• Panathinaikos left-back Panagiotis Fyssas, who spent two seasons in Scotland with Heart of Midlothian FC, also played in the first leg of that tie. He moved on to SL Benfica and then Hearts returning to Athens in the summer of 2007.

• In total, Rangers have played six games against Greek opposition, winning one, drawing two and losing three. They have won one of their three games against Greek sides at Ibrox but lost the remaining two.

• Their only games against Greek opposition under Walter Smith's management ended in a 2-0 defeat away and a 1-0 defeat at home against AEK Athens FC in the qualifying rounds of the 1994/95 UEFA Champions League.

• Having beaten Aberdeen FC 3-0 at home in this season's UEFA Cup group stage, Panathinaikos have now played three games against Scottish sides, winning two and drawing one, and triumphed on their only previous trip to Scotland.

• Panathinaikos have won two of their three away games in Europe this season.

• Rangers striker Jean-Claude Darcheville and Panathinaikos defender Joseph Enakarhire were team-mates at FC Girondins de Bordeaux in the 2006/07 season.

Watch RSC Anderlecht vs Girondins de Bordeaux Live Online - Uefa Cup Preview

2008-02-13T07:26:00.000-08:00

RSC Anderlecht will be hoping history repeats itself as they host FC Girondins de Bordeaux in the first leg of their UEFA Cup Round of 32 tie.

• The two clubs met in the 2002/03 UEFA Cup third round, with Anderlecht winning 4-2 on aggregate. Nenad Jestrovic and Besnik Hasi scored as the Belgian side won 2-0 away in the first leg, and further goals from Aruna Dindane and Jestrovic put them 4-0 up on aggregate in Brussels before two late goals from Jean-Claude Darcheville restored some pride for the French side.

• Current Anderlecht players Daniel Zítka and Walter Baseggio took part in both legs of that tie while defender Olivier Deschacht was twice an unused substitute.

• Current Bordeaux goalkeeper Ulrich Ramé also played in both legs. Marc Planus played in the first leg and came on as a substitute in the second while fellow defender David Jemmali started in the second leg.

• Anderlecht have played 12 games against French opponents in total, winning five, drawing six and losing just one. They remain unbeaten at home against Ligue 1 sides, having won three and drawn three of their six ties in Brussels.

• Bordeaux's eight games against Belgian sides have produced five wins, two draws and a solitary defeat, against Anderlecht. However, they remain unbeaten on Belgian soil, with their four previous visits bringing two wins and two draws.

• Bordeaux coach Laurent Blanc played twice against Belgian opposition in his long, illustrious playing career and both were international friendly games. He was involved in France's 2-0 away victory against their neighbours in March 1996 and appeared in a 1-0 win against Belgium in 1998, in the run up to winning the FIFA World Cup on home soil.

• Bordeaux have fielded some notable Belgian stars over the years, including playmaker Enzo Scifo and Patrick Vervoort, both of whom also played for Anderlecht. More recent Belgian stars at the Stade Chaban-Delmas include Marc Wilmots and goalkeeper Gilbert Bodart.

• Anderlecht have won only one of their last ten home games in European club competition.

• Bordeaux have won all three of their UEFA Cup away games this season.

• Anderlecht qualified for the Round of 32 by finishing third in Group G. Bordeaux finished top of Group H, and along with Everton FC were one of only two sides to win all of their group stage games.

Watch PSV Eindhoven vs Helsingborg Live Online - Uefa Cup Preview

2008-02-13T07:23:00.000-08:00

Helsingborgs IF will be encouraged by results earlier in this season's UEFA Cup as they visit Dutch giants PSV Eindhoven in the Round of 32.

• The Swedish club met a Dutch side for the first time in European competition in the first round of this season's UEFA Cup, losing 5-3 at SC Heerenveen but winning 5-1 at home to progress to the group stage.

• Henrik Larsson – who previously played in the Netherlands with Feyenoord – scored two goals in the first leg and one in the second, and said afterwards: "It was a fantastic display and we finally showed what we are capable of. We were much more compact than we have been previously this season and when we scored the fourth goal it felt as though victory was at hand. I've been a pro for a long time so I know what can happen but at four goals we virtually killed them off."

• The two sides have never met in UEFA club competition.

• PSV have played two games against Swedish opponents, losing to IFK Göteborg both home and away in the 1992/93 UEFA Champions League group stage.

•Helsingborg's English coach Stuart Baxter resigned at the end of the UEFA Cup group stage, with the club saying he felt he had taken them as far as he could. "I don't want to go into detail about why I have resigned," said Baxter. "I've done my very best and now I will have a chat with the players, and after that I will take a holiday with my family for the first time in ages. After that I don't know what will happen." He was subsequently named as the new coach of the Finland national team.

• Helsingborg sporting director Bo Nilsson has taken temporary charge of the club. He coached Helsingborg between 1987 and 1994, leading them into the top division in 1992 after 34 years in the lower tiers.

• Helsingborg received great news in the winter break with veteran striker Larsson and midfielder Andreas Jakobsson both agreeing to stay on at the club despite being due to retire.

• Larsson, 36, has agreed a new one-year contract, saying: "I took the decision because I feel motivated. If you don't have the motivation it's not worth continuing. I feel I can still deliver at the top level."

• Jakobsson, now 35, was due to become the player-coach of lower league Svalövs BK but has agreed to extend his deal to 21 February, the day of the second leg against PSV. He said: "I feel that I can still perform at the highest level and therefore I've decided to continue playing for Helsingborg."

• PSV goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes will celebrate his 27th birthday on 15 February.

Watch Marseille vs Spartak Moskva Live Online - Uefa Cup Preview

2008-02-13T07:21:00.000-08:00

Olympique de Marseille will have fond memories of their last meeting with FC Spartak Moskva, unlike the Russian club's coach Stanislav Cherchesov.

• Marseille qualified for the Round of 32 after finishing third in UEFA Champions League Group A. Spartak finished second in UEFA Cup Group E.

• The two sides met in the 1990/91 European Champion Clubs' Cup semi-finals, with Marseille winning 5-2 on aggregate en route to a penalty shoot-out defeat against FK Crvena Zvezda in the final.

• Marseille won the first leg 3-1 in Moscow, with Abédi Pelé and Jean-Pierre Papin putting them 2-0 up by half-time. Igor Shalimov struck back for Spartak but Philippe Vercruysse restored the French side's advantage late on. Abédi Pelé and Basile Boli then scored for Marseille in the second leg with Aleksandr Mostovoi scoring a consolation goal for the then Soviet giants.

• Spartak coach Cherchesov will remember the tie well, having played in goal for his side in both legs.

• Cherchesov was also an unused substitute as France and Russia exchanged 3-2 wins in UEFA EURO 2000™ qualifying and was on the losing side as France beat Russia 3-1 in a 1993 friendly.

• Marseille have played seven games against Russian sides, winning four, drawing two and losing one. In France, they have won two of those games and lost one.

• Spartak have already come up against Ligue 1 opposition in this season's UEFA Cup, losing 2-1 at Toulouse FC in their final group stage game.

• The Russian club have played 17 games against French teams, winning just once, drawing four games and losing 12.

• Spartak's nine trips to France have brought one draw and eight defeats, with the 2-1 loss at Toulouse in their most recent European game representing their eighth successive defeat on French soil.

Watch Bremen vs Braga Live Online - Uefa Cup Preview

2008-02-13T07:19:00.000-08:00

Werder Bremen's meeting with SC Braga in the UEFA Cup Round of 32 will see striker Hugo Almeida putting old allegiances to the test.

• Bremen forward Hugo Almeida could potentially be up against three former team-mates in his first game against opponents from his native Portugal since leaving FC Porto in 2006.

• He played alongside Carlos Fernandes, João Pinto and Zé Manuel during a loan spell at Boavista FC in the 2004/05 season.

• Bremen qualified for the Round of 32 after finishing third in UEFA Champions League Group C. Braga finished second in UEFA Cup Group F.

• The two sides have never met in UEFA club competition.

• Bremen have played two games against Portuguese opponents, meeting FC Porto in the group stage of the 1993/94 UEFA Champions League. They lost 3-2 in Portugal and 5-0 in the return fixture at the Weserstadion.

• Then coming to the end of his playing career as a defender with the club, Bremen coach Thomas Schaaf was an unused substitute in that ill-fated second leg. Schaaf is a famous one-club man having worked for Bremen in one position or another since signing up as an eleven-year-old on 1 July 1972.

• A 1-1 draw at home against FC Bayern München in the group stage of this season's UEFA Cup was Braga's third game against German opposition. They have drawn two of those games and lost the other, with the defeat coming at FC Schalke 04 in their only previous game on German soil.

• Braga have changed coach since the start of the group stage with Manuel Machado replacing Jorge Costa due to disappointing results in the Portuguese league.

• Braga had not won in three European games prior to their 2-0 win against FK Crvena Zvezda in their final group stage game.

Watch Zenit vs Villarreal Live Online - Uefa Cup Preview

2008-02-13T04:35:00.000-08:00

Dick Advocaat will hope FC Zenit St. Petersburg's great home run will negate his poor record against Spanish sides as Villarreal CF come calling.

• Zenit's Dutch coach Advocaat has yet to lead a side to victory against Spanish opponents in seven previous attempts, starting when his Netherlands Under-18 side lost 3-2 at home against Spain back in 1993.

• In total, his record against Spanish sides reads played seven, drawn two and lost five. In the five games in which his side has been at home, he has earned one draw against Spanish opposition and four defeats.

• Zenit remain unbeaten in their last 21 home games in European competition since losing 3-0 against Bologna FC in the UEFA Cup first round in September 1999. Therefore, they have not lost a European home fixture since the turn of the century.

• Villarreal have won all three of their away games in the UEFA Cup this season, scoring twice in each game.

• Zenit, 2007 Russian champions, qualified for the Round of 32 by finishing third in Group A. Villarreal finished top of Group C.

• The two sides have never met in UEFA club competition.

• Zenit have played six games against Spanish opponents, winning one, drawing three and losing two. In their four home games against Spanish sides, they have won once and drawn three times.

• Villarreal have played four games against Russian opponents, winning two, drawing one and losing one. The draw and the defeat came in their two games on Russian soil.

• Villarreal's Uruguayan defender Diego Godín celebrates his 22nd birthday on 16 February.

• Zenit midfielder Vladislav Radimov has some experience of Spanish football having played for Real Zaragoza between 1996 and 2000 interrupted by a 22-game spell with FC Dinamo Moskva in 1999.

• Villarreal host the second leg in Spain on 21 February. The winners of this tie will meet the victors of the tie between Olympique de Marseille and FC Spartak Moskva in the Round of 16 on 6 and 12/13 March, playing the second leg at home.

Watch Galatasaray vs Leverkusen Live Online - Uefa Cup Preview

2008-02-13T04:32:00.000-08:00

Karl-Heinz Feldkamp will be up against opposition from his native Germany as Galatasaray AS welcome Bayer 04 Leverkusen to Istanbul.

• Feldkamp, the 73-year-old former Rot-Weiss Oberhausen player, was in charge of SG Wattenscheid 09, DSC Arminia Bielefeld, 1. FC Kaiserslautern, BV Borussia Dortmund, Bayer 05 Uerdingen and Eintracht Frankfurt before spending a first spell at Galatasaray in 1992/93. This will be his first European game against a side from his home country.

• Galatasaray boast a number of players with experience of German football. Rigobert Song played at 1. FC Köln, while Lincoln starred for both Kaiserslautern and FC Schalke 04. Algeria defender Ismaël Bouzid also played for Kaiserslautern.

• A number of others were born in Germany to Turkish parents and started their careers there before heading for Istanbul including goalkeeper Aykut Erçetin, Baris Özbek, Serkan Çalik and Ümit Karan.

• Michael Skibbe led Leverkusen to a 2-1 home win against Beşiktaş JK in his only previous game against Turkish opposition in last season's UEFA Cup group stage. This will be his first competitive game on Turkish soil.

• Galatasaray qualified for the Round of 32 by finishing third in Group H. Leverkusen finished top of Group E.

• The two sides have never met in UEFA club competition.

• Galatasaray have played 19 games against German sides, winning five, drawing nine and losing five. At home, they have won two, drawn six and lost one. They are unbeaten, home and away, in their last four games against Bundesliga sides.

• Leverkusen have won all three of their previous games against Turkish sides, with their only previous game on Turkish soil ending in a 2-1 win against Fenerbahçe SK in the 2001/02 UEFA Champions League group stage as they went on to reach the final.

• Leverkusen won 5-0 at FC Zürich in their most recent UEFA Cup game, matching their biggest ever winning margin in an away game in European competition – a 6-1 win at Estonian side JK Tervis Pärnu in the 1995 UEFA Intertoto Cup.

• Leverkusen host the second leg at the BayArena on 21 February. The aggregate winners will meet the victors of the tie between FC Zürich and Hamburger SV in the Round of 16 on 6 and 12/13 March, playing the first leg at home.

• There is thus the possibility of an all-German Round of 16 tie between Leverkusen and Hamburg.

Watch AEK Athens vs Getafe Live Online - Uefa Cup Preview

2008-02-13T04:30:00.000-08:00

AEK Athens FC will look to end a poor run against Spanish opposition as Michael Laudrup's Getafe CF visit in the UEFA Cup Round of 32.

• AEK have played 16 games against Spanish sides, winning two, drawing four and losing ten. At home they have won two, drawn two and lost four, although they are currently without a home win in their last six games against Spanish opposition.

• AEK have not won home or away against a Spanish side since beating Athletic Club Bilbao 1-0 at home in the first round of the 1988/89 UEFA Cup. Moreover, they have lost all five of their most recent games against Primera División sides.

• Getafe are meeting Greek opponents for the first time.

• AEK have won only one of their last five European home games.

• Getafe have won two of their three European away games to date.

• AEK qualified for the Round of 32 by finishing third in Group C. Getafe finished top of Group G.

• AEK dismissed Spanish coach Lorenzo Serra Ferrer on Tuesday following defeats against Panionios GSS and Larissa FC which saw them drop from first place to third in the Greek Super League. He had been in charge since the summer of 2006. Former AEK player Nikolaos Kostenoglou will lead AEK against Getafe, saying: "I respected, I respect, and I will always respect Lorenzo Serra Ferrer, but the important thing right now is to lift team morale ahead of a crucial match."

• Michael Laudrup returns to Greece for the first time as a coach having scored once in six games against Greek sides as a player. He was in the Denmark side that won 2-0 against Greece at AEK's OACA Spyro Louis Stadium in a 1984 UEFA European Championship qualifier, and subsequently played both legs in Juventus' second round tie with Panathinaikos FC in the 1987/88 UEFA Cup, which saw the Greek side progress on away goals.

• His only goal against a Greek side came as Denmark beat the national team 7-1 in Copenhagen in a FIFA World Cup qualifier in 1989, and he was also in the side that beat Greece 2-1 at home in another World Cup qualifier in 1996 before drawing 0-0 on his most recent trip to Athens on 11 October 1997.

• The two sides have never met in UEFA club competition.

• Getafe midfielder Mario celebrates his 33rd birthday on 16 February.

• AEK defender Rodolfo Arruabarrena and Getafe goalkeeper Roberto Abbondanzieri were team-mates at Argentinian side CA Boca Juniors between 1997 and 2000.

Watch Brann vs Everton Live Online - Uefa Cup Preview

2008-02-13T04:28:00.000-08:00

SK Brann coach Mons Ivar Mjelde will be hoping to create some happier memories as he again takes on a team from Liverpool for his side's game against Everton FC.

• The two sides have never met in UEFA club competition.

• Brann have played four games against English sides, drawing one and losing three. They lost 11-0 on aggregate against Queen's Park Rangers FC in the 1976/77 UEFA Cup first round – with Stan Bowles scoring a hat-trick in both legs – and then drew 1-1 at home and lost 3-0 away against Everton's neighbours Liverpool FC in the 1996/97 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup quarter-finals.

• Geir Hasund, who scored the equaliser in that home game in Bergen, remains the only Brann player to have scored a goal against an English side.

• Brann coach Mjelde, then a forward, played in both legs of that tie against Liverpool.

• Mjelde also played in 0-0 and 1-1 draws against Chelsea FC in the 1994/95 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup during his time at FK Austria Wien.

• Everton will be making their first competitive trip to Norway.

• Brann, 2007 Norwegian champions, have won only one of their three home games in the UEFA Cup this season, losing the other two.

• Everton have won all three of their UEFA Cup away games this season.

• Everton striker Andy Johnson celebrated his 27th birthday on 10 February.

• Two Brann players boast Premier League experience. Midfielder Eirik Bakke, 30, played for Leeds United AFC between 1999 and 2006, also spending time on loan with Aston Villa FC. Striker Azar Karadas, 26, spent the 2005/06 season on loan at Portsmouth FC.

• Brann qualified for the Round of 32 by finishing third in Group D. Everton finished top of Group A, and along with FC Girondins de Bordeaux were one of only two sides to win all their group stage games.

• Everton will host the second leg in Liverpool on 21 February. The aggregate winners will meet the victors of the tie between Rosenborg BK and ACF Fiorentina in the Round of 16 on 6 and 12/13 March, playing the second leg at home.

• There could thus potentially be an all-Norwegian Round of 16 tie, with Brann taking on Rosenborg.

Watch Arsenal vs Blackburn Live Online - EPL Preview

2008-02-09T06:37:00.001-08:00

Arsenal midfielder Mathieu Flamini hopes to shrug off a thigh injury.

Winger Tomas Rosicky (hamstring) could return but striker Robin van Persie (thigh) and defender Johan Djourou (groin) are still not match-fit.

Blackburn have Christopher Samba, David Dunn and Morten Gamst Pedersen banned, while Ryan Nelsen and Andre Ooijer (both hamstring) are doubts.

Aaron Mokoena could be available after Africa Cup of Nations duty and Steven Reid hopes to overcome a knee injury.

Arsenal returned to the top of the table after a two-week absence following victory at Manchester City last Saturday, but they could well find themselves back in second spot by the time this Monday night match kicks off.

The Gunners have won 11 league matches at the Emirates alone this season - that's more than Blackburn have mustered both home and away.

Watch Manchester United vs Manchester City Live Online - EPL Preview

2008-02-09T06:16:00.000-08:00

Manchester United have striker Wayne Rooney and left-back Patrice Evra suspended, while forward Louis Saha (knee) is still injured.

Sir Alex Ferguson is considering giving 17-year-old striker Danny Welbeck his senior debut.

Manchester City's Benjani Mwaruwari is set to make his debut up front after a protracted move from Portsmouth.

Playmaker Elano and defender Vedran Corluka are suspended but Micah Richards is fit after a back injury.

Man Utd manager Sir Alex Ferguson:
"I hope we win the game and put in a very good performance, and I think it goes hand in hand with the memory of the Munich disaster.

"I hope it is a motivation for the players, absolutely. It is a responsibility for them to do well on Sunday. It's a big day for the club.

"We have an excellent home record against City but one thing you have to remember is in a derby anything can happen."

Man City boss Sven-Goran Eriksson:
"I think Benjani will fit in very well. He's played up front by himself for Portsmouth many times, and I hope he can play on Sunday.

"He's a very good footballer. He's scored 12 goals in the league so far this season, which is a good record.

"When we had the opportunity to take him, I did not hesitate at all, my reaction was 'yes, let's take him'."

Watch Chelsea vs Liverpool Live Online - EPL Preview

2008-02-08T11:00:00.000-08:00

Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard (thigh) may return and centre-back Ricardo Carvalho is back after a ban.

Andriy Shevchenko (back) and John Terry (foot) are again out, while Mikel John Obi should be available after Africa Cup of Nations duty.

Liverpool will be without striker Fernando Torres (hamstring) along Andriy Voronin, Fabio Aurelio, Alvaro Arbeloa and Daniel Agger.

Xabi Alonso is suspended and Ryan Babel is a doubt with an ankle injury.

Chelsea (from): Cech, Cudicini, Hilario, Ferreira, Belletti, Carvalho, Ben-Haim, Alex, A Cole, Bridge, Ivanovic, Lampard, Makelele, Obi, J Cole, Wright-Phillips, Anelka, Pizarro, Malouda, Ballack, Sidwell.

Liverpool (from): Reina, Finnan, Carragher, Hyypia, Skrtel, Riise, Pennant, Mascherano, Gerrard, Babel, Benayoun, Kewell, Lucas, Crouch, Kuyt, Itandje.

Chelsea boss Avram Grant on the Blues' long unbeaten home record:
"Any record is good. Most of the time it is very positive but sometimes it affects you because you are afraid to lose.

"I think it will be a difficult game. When the two clubs play against each other you always think about something from the past.

"Of course I don't have a problem with Liverpool, my only concern is that Chelsea will succeed."

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez:
"Dirk Kuyt will probably be involved. It will not be rotation now, but something I will have to do.

"I have no problems with Kuyt. He is a fantastic professional, a worker, so he does an important job for the team.

"There maybe is a problem with confidence, but if we create better chances he will score."

Watch Ivory Coast vs Egypt Live Online - African Cup of Nations 2008 Semifinals

2008-02-07T10:03:00.000-08:00

Toure sustained the injury in the Elephants' second group game.

"It would astonish me if he played," Ivory Coast media officer Eric Kakou said.

Egypt striker Mohamed Zidan is a doubtful starter, having picked up an ankle injury before the quarter-final against Angola.

The raining champions have broke little sweat to get to the semi-final but still find themselves as underdogs against Ivory Coast.

"Ivory Coast are a strong team and we think it is going to be a tough and difficult match for both of us, because we know each other very well," coach Hassan Shehata said.

"We managed to beat them in the 2006 final and of course we would like to repeat that.

"I think now we are in good shape and we managed not to lose a game since the beginning of the tournament.

"The players are also determined to win because our target is to defend our title."

Tottenham vs Arsenal Odds - Carling Cup Semi-Finals

2008-01-22T00:56:00.000-08:00

After an enthralling first leg, attention turns to White Hart Lane for what should be a tremendous second leg. Spurs were agonisingly close to victory at The Emirates only to be pegged back by Walcott's fortuitous goal. Can Ramos steer Spurs into their first League Cup Final since 1999? Check out best odds here.

Watch Fulham vs Arsenal Live Online - EPL Preview

2008-01-18T23:34:00.000-08:00

Marlon King is hoping to make his Fulham debut against title-chasing Arsenal at Craven Cottage.

Fulham have agreed a £5million fee with Watford for the striker, who is expected to complete his move on Friday.

If the deal is finalised in time, then King is eager to start his Fulham career with an appearance against Arsene Wenger's side.

The Premier League strugglers have also signed Brede Hangeland from FC Copenhagen and the Norwegian defender could make his debut.

New Cottagers boss Roy Hodgson is awaiting his first win in charge, with the club on a run of 10 Premier League games without victory.

French defender Philippe Christanval returned to training this week, although he is not expected to make his first appearance of the season.

Jimmy Bullard played for the first time since September 2006 when he came on as a substitute against West Ham last week and the midfielder will hope for further involvement.

Watch Reading vs Manchester United Live Online - EPL Preview

2008-01-18T23:30:00.000-08:00

Reading look to check Manchester United's title charge when the champions visit the Madejski Stadium on Saturday.

Steve Coppell's side are the only team to take points off United at Old Trafford this season after a 0-0 draw on the opening weekend of the campaign.

Last term's meeting at the Madejski finished 1-1 and Coppell would likely take a repeat given his club's position two points outside the relegation zone.

Coppell must decide who will partner Ivar Ingimarsson at centre-half, with Alex Pearce having started the midweek FA Cup replay against Tottenham.

Pearce's youth could see him make way, with Brynjar Gunnarsson or Alan Bennett most likely to start against United.

Michael Duberry is out with a knee injury, while Ibrahima Sonko, Andre Bikey and Emerse Fae are all on African Cup of Nations duty.

Dave Kitson, who was sent off at Old Trafford, is likely to start up front with Kevin Doyle, meaning Leroy Lita and Shane Long will drop back to the bench.

New signing Marek Matejovsky is unlikely to make his debut as Coppell looks set to repeat the man-to-man marking system he deployed at Old Trafford.

Watch Birmingham Vs Chelsea Live Online - EPL Preview

2008-01-18T23:19:00.000-08:00

Birmingham City and Chelsea could give debuts to new players in Saturday's Premier League tussle at St Andrews.

David Murphy has joined Birmingham from Hibernian in time to play, while Chelsea have brought in Branislav Ivanovic from Lokomotiv Moscow this week.

The hosts have also captured James McFadden from Everton and he could feature at some stage.

Home manager Alex McLeish must decide whether to give full-back Murphy his Birmingham bow, with the former Middlesbrough youngster having not played in a month.

Murphy has also been struggling with a slight hamstring complaint, so McLeish is likely to make a late decision on whether to bring in the new boy in place of Franck Queudrue.

McLeish saw his side secure an excellent 1-1 draw at Arsenal last week and the former Scotland boss will be reluctant to make too many changes.

Captain Damien Johnson has been suffering from a stiff back, but the midfielder is expected to be fit to start.

Back-up goalkeeper Richard Kingson is on African Cup of Nations duty, along with defender Radhi Jaidi and midfielder Mehdi Nafti.