Match of the Week: Manchester United v Manchester City

By on

It's derby time; tonight stands the battle of Manchester and perhaps City's last chance to keep up with the Red Devils. Match of the week is Manchester United v. Manchester City!

F.A. Premier League round 32
Old Trafford
08-04-2013 @ 20.00 UK

How are the two teams form?

Manchester United is heading for another Premier League win as they are 1 in the Premier League with 77 points after 30 matches and a goalscorer of +39. Furthermore, the Red Devils are unbeaten in 18 matches, with 16 wins and 2 draws. United's Dutchman Robin van Persie is currently 2 on the Premier League top scorer table with 19 goals, 3 goals behind Liverpool's Luis Suarez.

City is currently second with 62 points after 30 matches and have scored 10 goals less than the rivals from United. Last years champions has had some unfortunate loss this season and is hoping to close the gap to United a little with this match.

The last 10 matches between the Manchester rivals have ended with 6 United victories, 1 draw and 3 victories for City.

How will the probable starting XI's look?

Manchester United is without Darren Fletcher for the match while there are doubts about a number of players, including Jonny Evans and Wayne Rooney. For City, Maicon, Jack Rodwell, and Micah Richards are unavailable.

De Gea

Rafael - Ferdinand - Vidic - Evra

Valencia - Giggs - Carrick - Young

Rooney - van Persie
________________________________________

Aguero

Silva - Tevez - Milner

Toure - Barry

Clichy - Nastasic - Kompany -Zabaleta

Hart

What to expect from this match?

United is showing good form, and if Rooney is back their attack will be the most deadly in this match. Furthermore, things just seems to go United's way at the moment, and they know that a win can almost send City out of the battle for the trophy.

That said, Manchester City has every thing to win in this match. They simply have to get 3 points today in order to keep up with United and hope that the rivals will mess up in the last couple of matches. City is missing some of the defensive profiles in Maicon and Micah Richards, and that might show to be important.

I believe we can expect a close battle between these two rivals. City will have to come forward and put pressure on United, which may open them in the back line. However, it might also be what is needed against a slow mid-defence with Ferdinand and Vidic. A guess from me would be a small victory to United or a 1-1 draw.

What are the odds?

BetVictor gives back an 11/8 on a Manchester United victory, while a draw gives 5/2 at Coral. Pinnacle presents the best bet on a City win with 31/12. A 1-1 draw gives an odds 7 at WilliamHill. 



0 kommentarer
Etiketter: , , ,

Keep an eye on: Dario Dumic

By on


  • Name: Dario Dumic
  • Age:  21 (30-01-1992)
  • Position: Central Defence
  • Club: Brøndby IF
  • International Caps:
    • Denmark U20
      • 4 matches
      • 0 goals
    • Denmark U19
      • 12 matches
      • 2 goals
    • Denmark U18
      • 9 matches
      • 0 goals
    • Denmark U17
      • 12 matches
      • 2 goals
  • Value: £300.000 (transfermarkt.co.uk)

He was only 17-years-old when he changed the safe environment in Hvidovre with an adventure in Norwich City. Today, he Danish-Bosnian back in Danish football and representing Brøndby IF.

Norwich City saw the potential in Dario Dumic when they brought him to the east of England in 2008, and provided him with a 3-year contract. The Dane - at the time a midfielder - was meant to play with the U18 and reserves. However, after just one year as a youth, Dumic was promoted to the senior squad and had his debut against Swindon Town.

“I hadn’t expected to be playing because, at the time,  we had just gotten a new manager. The manager who promoted me to the first team squad was sacked after we lost 7-1 in our first match of the season. So I hadn’t expected to be playing – I was in the squad – but didn’t expect to be playing, so it was great,” the talent says.

While, Dumic joined Norwich as a midfielder, he had his debut as a defender. After his first month in Norwich,  the Director of the academy wanted to try Dumic out in the central defence.

“There was no hocus pokus about it; I tried it in one match and I did well. I then tried one more time and did well and then suddenly I was a defender,” Dumic says.

Only a year after his debut, Dario Dumic decided it was time to head back to Denmark and joined Brøndby on a free transfer. The defender was not a part of the 1st team squad in Norwich, and Brøndby offered an escape path. Furthermore, the talent felt that his development had stalled, and Brøndby had a reputation of developing young players.

"There was no idea of staying in Norwich if I was to train with the U19's; I could do that in Denmark, as well. I had also lost the passion for football at the time, because of the play style in Norwich," Dumic says and explains  "It was much kick and rush football, and as a young player I didn’t feel it helping my development.“

In Brøndby Dario Dumic started playing with the U19, with who he won the Danish Championship, and the reserves. Furthermore, he became a regular part of the Danish U19 national team. He was quickly promoted to the Superliga squad where he was given his debut against Silkeborg in 2011. The young defender was sent on the pitch in the 89th minute of the 1-0 victory.

Despite, playing most of his career as a midfielder or defender, Dario Dumic has often been sent up front if Brøndby has been a goal behind in the dying minutes of a match. The habit of sending Dumic up front began when he played for the Brøndby reserves, and the talent is sure that Auri Skabalius [Brøndby Manager] must have seen it as it continued when he was promoted to the Superliga squad.

Dumic has so far had 37 matches and scored 4 goals for the Danish youth national teams. However, Dario Dumic is born in Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina and is not closing the door for a national career for the Balkan country.

“As I haven’t played any matches for Denmark which locks me to the nation, I am still open for representing Bosnia. I’m born in Bosnia; my parents are born in Bosnia, so I love the country," Dumic says.

However, the defender is stressing that he is not about to take the decision in the near future as he doesn't feel he is relevant for any of the teams at the moment.

Instead, Dumic is concentrating on helping Brøndby in a time where financial problems and relegation is threatening the club's existent. At the same time, the talent is hoping to make it abroad again but stress that Brøndby is the first priority at the moment.

"It is not something I think about because we are in a hard situation in Brøndby, which we have to take care of, and I don’t feel I have had my breakthrough in the Superliga yet,” Dumic says about his future.

Dario Dumic and Brøndby are currently positioned third-from-bottom in the Danish Superliga, but can bring some distance from the relegation with a win against Randers FC tomorrow.






0 kommentarer
Etiketter: , , , , ,

Friday Five: 5 Animals

By on

Great Dane Football Blog love animals as much as it loves football... so... this Friday is dedicated to animals
on the football pitch!







5. Polish football just get's better with a dog in play!


4. During the 80's Blackburn's doctor was a bit hairy...


3.  And they say the 12th player is the crowd...


2. Wise guy


1. RED CARD!



0 kommentarer
Etiketter: , ,

Thursday's Transfer Rumours

By on

Martin O'Neill is already close to a new job while Laudrup is looking to add more Spanish to his Welsh team. Here is the Thursday's Transfer Rumours.

 Newcastle are keeping an eye on Celtic centre-half Kelvin Wilson (Daily Mirror) - Probability: Medium

 Fulham manager Martin Jol will try to convince keeper Mark Schwarzer to stay at the club into his forties. (Daily Mirror) - Probability: High

 Both Cardiff City and Brighton are keen on Manchester City left-back Wayne Bridge (The Sun) - Probability: High

 Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United are all linked with a summer move for Gala striker Burak Yilmaz (Daily Express) - Probability: Medium

 Martin O'Neill was sacked in Sunderland Sunday, but might be heading for a job in Leeds (Daily Telegraph) - Probability: Medium

 Nasser Al-Khelaifi, Paris St-Germain president, admits that he is looking to sign Wayne Rooney (Daily Mirror) - Probability: Low

 Michael Laudrup is planning to add six new players to his Swansea squad this simmer. The Welsh club have been linked with moves for La Liga trio Iago Aspas, Jose Canas and Alejandro Pozuelo (Daily Mirror) - Probability: High

 Chelsea are looking to make a shock move for Manchester City's Yaya Toure (Daily Express) - Probability: Low

 Sporting Lisbon forward Jeffren Suarez can be heading toward the Premier League and Everton (Daily Express) - Probability: High

 Marseille defender Nicolas N'Koulou is on the shortlist in Newcastle, Arsenal, Manchester City and Monaca (talkSPORT) - Probability: High

 Tottenham are ready with a £15m bid for Aston Villa striker Christian Benteke while both Emmanuel Adebayor and Jermain Defoe could be leaving North London this summer (Daily Star) - Probability: Medium

 Vincent Kompany is a wanted man in Europe as Barcelona, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich are all tracking the defender (Daily Telegraph) - Probability: Medium

 Brendan Rodgers is looking to bring Southampton striker Jay Rodriguez to Anfield (Daily Star) - Probability: Low

 Manchester United are keeping an eye on former Chelsea midfielder Nemanja Matic, currently in Benfica (talkSPORT) - Probability: Low










0 kommentarer
Etiketter: , ,

The Wednesday Update - 3 April 2013

By on

The first round after the international break has been, and new injuries worry the clubs. Great Dane Football Blog gives you an update on the latest from your favorite Premier League club!

ARSENAL

Injuries: 3

Diaby's fight for a new Arsenal contract took a hard hit last week as he was ruled out for 9 months with a knee injury. Jack Wilshere is still sidelined with an ankle injury while Theo Walcott has been ruled out with a groin strain.

Bans: 0

ASTON VILLA

Injuries: 8

Marc Albrighton and Gary Gardner has returned to training following their injuries but are in serious lack of match fitness. Both Ciaran Clark and Brett Holman are doubtful due to a knock while Andreas Weimann sustained a hamstring injury last weekend. Stilian Petrov, Richard Dunne and Chris Herd have been ruled out for the rest of the season.

Bans: 0

CHELSEA FC

Injuries: 3

Chelsea is taking on Sunderland at Stamford Bridge without defenders Gary Cahill and Ashley Cole, both out for two weeks. Oriol Romeu is sidelined for the rest of the season.

Bans: 0

EVERTON FC

Injuries: 1

Tony Hibbert is the only Toffee player on the list suffering from a knee injury.

Bans: 2

Both Marouane Fellaini and Steven Pienaar are banned for the match against Tottenham.

FULHAM FC

Injuries: 3

Fulham has won their last three matches and are unlikely to change anything in their starting XI. However, Mahamadou Diarra is close to returning to training following his knee injury. Neil Etheridge is out with a leg injury while Kerim Frei is in lack of match fitness.

Bans: 1

Steve Sidwell is serving a 3 match ban and will not be back in action against Newcastle, Villa and Chelsea.

LIVERPOOL

Injuries: 4

Joe Allen is confirmed sidelined for the rest of the season with a shoulder injury while both John Flanagan and Martin Kelly are struggling with knee injuries. Fabio Borini is till sidelined with his shoulder dislocation.

Bans: 0

MANCHESTER CITY

Injuries: 4

Maicon and Micah Richards are out with knee injuries and will probably not be in action this month. Jack Rodwell is out with a hamstring injury, but is expected to be fit for the Manchester United match on the 8th April. The last player on the list is Matija Nastasic who is out with an unspecified injury.

Bans: 0

MANCHESTER UNITED

Injuries: 5

Darren Fletches is ruled out for the season due to his illness. Meanwhile, both Paul Scholes, Wayne Rooney, Rafael and Jonny Evans are rated doubtful for the match against Manchester City. 

Bans: 0

NEWCASTLE UNITED

Injuries: 6

Both Hatem Ben Arfa and Mathieu Debuchy are out with hamstring injuries while Fabricio Coloccini is out with a back injury. Ryan Taylor and Haris Vuckic are also sidelined knee injuries and are struggling to comeback this season. Meanwhile, both Tim Krul, Massadio Haidara, Davide Santon and Tioté are rated very doubtful for the match against Fulham.

Bans: 0

NORWICH CITY

Injuries: 3

Anthony Pilkington is still struggling with a hamstring injury while Andrew Surman is out with a knee injury. John Ruddy, on the other hand, is very close to be back in match fitness and can be available for the Swansea match. 

Bans: 0

QUEENS PARK RANGERS

Injuries: 4

Andy Johnson is close to comeback from his long term knee injury but is not in the squad for QPR. Diakite, Robert Green and Armand Traore are all rated doubtful for the next match.

Bans: 0

READING FC

Injuries: 3

The Royals took a blow against Arsenal last week and will have to recover against Southampton. However, the new appointed manager Nigel Adkins still have to do without Adam Federici, Jimmy Kébé and Jason Roberts.

Bans: 0

SOUTHAMPTON FC

Injuries: 2

Southampton goes into the match against Reading with two players rated doubtful. Artur Boruc is out with a knock while Adam Lallana is out with a groin injury.

Bans: 0


STOKE CITY

Injuries: 1

Matthew Etherington is rated doubtful with a knock.

Bans: 0




SUNDERLAND AFC

Injuries: 5

Wes Brown and Lee Cattermole are both out for the rest of the season with knee injuries. Carlos Cuéllar and Steven Fletcher are also out for the rest of the season, however; they are struggling with ankle injuries. The last player on the list is David Vaughan who is rated doubtful for the next match due to a groin injury.

Bans: 0

SWANSEA CITY

Injuries: 4

Kemy Agistein is out with a thigh injury while Darnel Situ is out with his injured Achilles. Neil Taylor is in lack of match fitness while Rangel Angel is rated doubtful for the next match.

Bans: 0

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR

Injuries: 2

Sandro is still knee injured while Younes Kaboul is doubtful to reach match fitness for the weekend.

Bans: 0


WEST BROMWICH ALBION

Injuries: 3

Veteran Zoltan Gera is still sidelined with a knee injury and is ruled out for the rest of season. The same matters for George Thorne while James Morrison is very doubtful due to a hamstring injury.

Bans: 1

Youssuf Mulumbu is serving a three match ban.

WEST HAM UNITED

Injuries: 3

Daniel Potts finally seems to be over his head injury, but is still not ready to take action on the pitch. Mark Noble, on the other hand, can be in action this weekend, while George McCartney is out for the rest of the season.

Bans: 0

WIGAN ATHLETIC

Injuries: 5

Albert Crusat and Iván Ramis are both out for the rest of the season with knee injuries. The same time scale goes for Ryo Miyaichi suffering from an ankle injury and Michael Politt suffering from a thigh injury. There is no news about Ben Watson suffering from a shin injury.

Bans: 0
0 kommentarer
Etiketter:

Paolo Di Canio - The "no racist" facist

By on


Sunderland finally had enough of Martin O' Neill's failure to change, and sacked him on Sunday. Instead, the controversial Paolo Di Canio has taken over the Black Cats.

Already on his first day in Sunderland, Di Canio's past was questioned by the Football Against Racism in Europe asking to clarify his belief. The former West Ham player of the season in 2000 has admitted to having fascist leanings. Di Canio told the Italian news agency ANSA in 2005 "I am a fascist, not a racist." During his two spells in Lazio, Di Canio was often seen making a Nazi salute to the fans well known for it's fascist views.

Despite having managed Swindon Town, it is only just now his fascism leanings has been a problem for FARE. However, the Italian has earlier been the subject of a FA investigation after the on-loan Leyton Orient striker Jonathan Tehoue claimed he was racially abused by the Italian. Di Canio was cleared of charge, but Swindon made an apology to the players. The question is if a club in one of the most watched leagues globally can have a manager which such strong views?

The Premier League has been and is still struggling with racism, and Paolo Di Canio is just another problem. However, Paolo Di Canio's belief should not be a problem in doing his job. He is the manager for Sunderland and is representing the club, not himself. The Black Cats fans should be smart enough take a distance from fascism and racism, and it will only become a problem the day Di Canio starts marching around the stadium singing Nazi hymns and making the roman salute.


0 kommentarer
Etiketter: , , , ,