Aston Villa is currently without Bennett, N'Zogbia and Herd who are all out with knee injuries, and have no confirmed return date. Ron Vlaar, Enda Stevens and Richard Dunne are all doubtful for Saturdays match against Queens Park Rangers. Garry Gardner and Stilian Petrov are both out for a long term and will not be available on this side of Christmas.

There is a chance that Newcastle will see both Obertan and Ameobi back in action tonight against Stoke City. There is currently no return date of Dan Gosling while Hatem Ben Arfa is set to return mid December. Both Steven and Ryan Taylor, as well as Yohan Cabaye and Harris Vuckic, is out for the rest of this year.

A few players are doubtful for tonight's match against Manchester City. Ramis and Caldwell are struggling with a hamstring injury while Miyachi has an injured ankle injury and Maloney a groin injury. Both McArthur, Crusat and Alcaraz, is set to return mid December while Watson is out with a broken leg until at least February 2013.

Swansea is taking on West Bromwich Albion tonight, and might have both De Guzman and Moore back in action. Kyle Bartley is also close to a comeback, but is very doubtful to play this week. There is no return date of Graham while Vorm is set to return around Christmas. Taylor is still out until the end of the season.

Santos is out for an unknown time with an abdominal strain while Walcott can return from his shoulder injury tonight. Both Rosicky and Diaby will return during December while Fabianski is out until January.

Valencia will be tested prior to tonight's match against West Ham, following his hip injury. There is still no news about a return date of Nani, Vidic and Keane while Kagawa will return from his knee injury around Christmas.

Reading is without five players this week. There is no confirmed return date of Guthrie, McCarthy, and Gunter. Kebe is set to return for Saturdays match against Manchester United, but is doubtful to be playing. Karacan is confirmed to return before Christmas.

George McCartney is doubtful for tonight due to his ankle injury while Benayoun is doubtful for the weekends match with a knee injury. The return date of Diarra is still to be confirmed while Collison is out with a knee injury until December the 26th. Ricardo Vaz Te will return from his shoulder injury, early January.

Simon Davies and Kieran Richardson returns from injuries in the weekend, while Ruiz and Kacaniklic will return from their hamstring injury next week. 

Brede Hangeland is serving a three match ban, and will miss the match against Chelsea.

Wisdom can play tonight, but is rather doubtful due to his knee injury Lucas will return within the next couple of weeks, while Borini and Kelly is set to return first in the new year. 

The goalkeeper Julio César is doubtful for the weekends match against Aston Villa, while there is no return date of Ephraim. Zamora will return in February and Johnson in March.

Both Fox and Lambert are in play for the Norwich match tonight, while there is no confirmed return date of Chaplow and Richardson.

Michael Owen is set for comeback tonight against Newcastle, while Andy Wilkinson can return against West Bromwich Albion in the weekend. Rory Delap is set to return on the 15th of December, while there is no confirmed return date of Marc Wilson.

Both McFadden and O'Shea can return in the weekend, while there is no return date of the two knee injured players; Cattermole and Brwon.

Spurs are close to have both Santos back from his abdominal injury, while there is no return date of Assou-Ekotto and Parker. Younes Kaboul is set to return between Christmas and New Year.

Adebayor is serving his second match of his three match ban.

Jonas Olsson Youssuf Mulumbu will be tested prior to tonight's match against Swansea, while Foster and Reid is out for at least two weeks more.

Daniel Sturridge is once again struggling with injuries, and has no confirmed date of return. The same matters for Frank Lampard, while John Terry will return for next week's match against West Ham United.

Chelsea FC has gone from instant success with Roman Abramovich to a club most known for firing managers. Last week, Di Matteo was told to pack his things and leave, and Rafa Benitez was brought in a short term. But who would be manager for Abramovich's team?

Since the Russian took over Chelsea in 2003, he has fired seven of his last eight managers - Guus Hiddink left after four months as temporary manager. The hiring of Rafa Benitez has been met with anger by the Chelsea fans, and Ambramovich seems to be more and more in a clinch with the supporters. The fact that Di Matteo was being sacked, did not come as a shock, however, it has raised eyebrows around the world given he won the Champions League last season.

However, the situation in Chelsea gives a view of an owner that is unhappy with transformation in his club. Andres Villas-Boas started a reformation of Chelsea, but was not given the chance to complete it; Di Matteo continued this, in some sent, but only got six months behind the wheel. It is obvious for everyone  that Di Matteo was not the man that Abramovich wanted, but he had to give him the chance after the Champions League title. For the Russian, there is only one man: Pep Guardiola.

Guardiola is currently taken a break from football and has refused to coach any club this year. The solution for Roman Abramovich was to bring in another Spaniard - against the fans will - Rafa Benitez. Even though the fans- and as latest reports suggests: the players -  doesn't like the new man, he might be the future for Chelsea. Why? Because the club owner has made an own goal this time.
 

Pep Guardiola is most unlikely to become the next manager of Chelsea, simply because he is the kind of manager that needs time. Chelsea, or should I say Ambramovich doesn't have time. The fact that the club has had nine managers since 2003 speaks for itself. Instead, Guardiola might be waiting for the chance in Manchester United or Manchester City, where he will have the owners time. 

The Russian curse hits Chelsea sooner or later!

Premier League Round 14

Goodison Park

28-11-2012 @ 19.45

How is the two teams form?

The Blues have surprised many this season and is currently positioned fifth in the Premier League, one point ahead of Arsenal. Everton has so far played six draws, and their matches this season has been very tight. Even so, the Belgian midfielder Marouane Fellaini, is to be found as number six on the top scorer list with six goals.

Arsenal has had yet another disappointing start of the Premier League and is as mentioned positioned six just after Everton. The Gunners have had problems with the mid-table teams so far, but has also made some great wins. The topscorer status in Arsenal is shared between Santi Carzorla, Lukas Podolski and Olivier Giroud.

How will the starting lines look?

Everton has a few players that are doubtful for the match on Wednesday. Among them is the striker Kevin Mirallas. Arsenal is also struggling with injuries, as Walcott, Rosicky and Santos is out along with two others. A probable starting line for both teams could be:

Howard

Baines - Distin - Jagielka - Heitinga

Gibson - Osman

Oviedo - Vellios - Pienaar

Jelavic

______________________________________

Giroud

Podolski - Cazorla - Oxlade-Chamberlain

Ramsey - Arteta

Vermaelen - Koscielny - Mertesacker - Jenkinson

Szczesny

What to expect from this match?

Everton has not won against Arsenal in the last ten matches, but with Arsenals current form against teams as the Blues it is hard to say what to expect. Arsenal will probably do what ever they can to close down Fellaini, but it will just open up for other players. The same matters for Everton. They will have to target Cazorla in order to keep him out of the assist role. 

Given Arsenal has problems with teams as Arsenal, and the fact that Everton is not the most scoring team, I would call this a draw.

What are the odds?

According to oddschecker.com, Everton is the most popular bet for this match. Everton as winners of the match gives an average of 2.48 back, while Arsenal gives a 2.9. A draw will give a cashback of 3.5.

He is 21-years old, first choice in Aalborg BK and last night he played his match number 50 in the Danish Superliga; this week we keep an eye on Nicolai Larsen.

The goalkeeper started his youth career in Herlev IF, before joining Lyngby BK in 2005. Here, he has a spell on the youth teams which also led to interest from a couple of English clubs:

"As a junior I was at a trial in Tottenham, [Aston] Villa and Portsmouth, and it was just an experience to try out for some of the big teams."

Larsen also had a tryout in Everton in 2009, and was invited to play a match for the reserves. A contract seemed near, but in the last minute Everton pulled out. Instead, Larsen in 2010 joined Aalborg BK as a reserve to their goalkeeper Karim Zaza.

Nicolai Larsen was brought to Aalborg as a reserve, and was supposed to learn from Karim Zaza. However, after a year Zaza did not get his contract extended, and Larsen took over as the number one. Aalborg coach Kent Nielsen says:

However, the situation changed, and Kent Nielsen gave Larsen the chance:

Nicolai Larsen took the up the challenge and yesterday played his match number 50 for Aalborg. Nicolai Larsen and his teammates has surprised everyone this season and is currently three in the Danish League, and the goal keeper is hoping for more:

However, someday Larsen himself might leave Aalborg and England is a target for the goalkeeper:

Aalborg coach Kent Nielsen is aware of the goalkeepers talent, but will not hold him back if a club should make an offer. It is a part of the game according to Nielsen.

Nicolai Larsen has so far played 37 matches on different Danish national youth teams, but is currently second choice for Frederik Rønnow on the Danish U21. However, the dream of representing Denmark on A-level is still there:

However, the Aalborg keeper knows that he have to deliver great performances for his club, in order to impress the Danish national coach. Right now the club is Aalborg where his contract expires in 2015.

 

Shaktar striker Adriano scored a rather controversial goal against Danish FC Nordsjælland. The Brazilian showed no Fair Play, scoring a goal when FCN was given the ball by the opponent after an injury. Great Dane Football Blog here gives a guide with five examples to Shaktar of how Fair Play is to be done:

And finally a legendary situation of Fair Play by Paolo Di Canio

A few former Premier League stars is ready to join the league again... Here is this weeks transfer rumours!

Brendan Rodgers is ready to take Reading defender Alex Pearce to Liverpool (The Mirror) - Probability: Medium

LA Galaxy striker Robbie Kean can return to the Premier League on a January loan in Aston Villa (The Mirror) - Probability: High

Danish Nicklas Bendtner admits that he would consider a risci move to rivals Tottenham, if he leaves Arsenal (The Mirror) - Probability: Low

Meanwhile, Schalke starlet Lewis Holtby is the top transfer target for Arsene Wenger (Daily Star) - Probability: Medium

Sir Alex Ferguson is ready to make a bid for Wilfried Zaha that will blow any other interested clubs away (Daily Mail) - Probability: Low

Liverpool is reported to be negotiating with Chelsea over a bid for Daniel Sturridge (The Mirror) - Probability: Medium

Moussa Sissoko from Toulouse admits that it would be a 'dream come true' to play in England - Newcastle can be the new employeer (Daily Express) - Probability: High

Aston Villa is also trying to upgrade the defence, bidding £1.5, for Hull City defender James Chester (Daily Telegraph) - Probability: Medium

Andre Villas-Boas will get the money he needs to bring in Roma's Miralem Pjanic, Ajax's Christian Eriksen, Joao Moutinho of Porto and Russian forward Alan Dzagoev (The Mirror) - Probability: Low

Arsenal is ready to sign Theirry Henry - once again (The Mirror) - however, New York Red Bulls look set to block a loan (Daily Star) - Probability: Medium

Ajax keeper Kenneth Vermeer can be the next goalkeeper in Arsenal (The Sun) - Probability: Low

Sam Allardyce is hoping to bring David Beckham to London and West Ham (The Sun) - Probability: Low

 

 

Both Theo Walcott and Kieran Gibbs have been struggling with injuries, but can be in action to night against Montpellier. Gervinho is out with an ankle injury, and it set to return today, but it is doubtful he will play tonight. Another player with an ankle injury is Fabianski, who is now the only goalkeeper on Arsenal's injury list - he will return mid January. There is currently no return date of Sanots, Diaby and Rosicky.

The striker Darren Bent can return in action this weekend against Arsenal after his ankle injury. The same matters for Chris Herd recovering from his knee injury, while Richard Dunne is in lack of match fitness after suffering from Gilmores groin. Bennett and N'Zogbia are both out for an unknown time with a knee injury while Gardner is set to comeback mid May 2013 after his ACL knee injury. There is still no return date of Petrov.

Bans: 0

Manchester United

Injuries: 7

The Red Devils has been without their star striker Wayne Rooney this week as he has been out with an illness. However, he can return on Saturday against QPR. The same matters for De Gea who has had problems with a wisdom teeth and Evans after his groin injury. There is no return date of Nani or the three knee injured players Kagawa, Vidic and Keane.

Only Gutierrez is close to a comeback in Newcastle as there is no return date of Cabaye, Obertan, Perch and Gosling. Harris Vuckic is out until at least May 2013 and Taylor until March 2013. Both with ACL knee injuries. 

The Croatian forward Mladen Petric and the midfielder Mahamadou Diarra can be in play for the weekends match against Stoke while Richardson is set to return next week. Like him, Ruiz and Kacaniklic is suffering from a hamstring injury, however; they will be out until mid December. Davies is set to return early January.

The Swans is still without their first choice in goal, Michael Worm, who will return around Boxing day. Kyle Bartley is now only a few weeks away from recovering from his thigh muscle injury while Chico can return already in the weekend. There is no return date of Lita and Sung-Yeung while Taylor returns May 2013.

Everton has been without Mirallas, Anichebe, Hibbert and Gibson for the last couple of weeks. However, the last three of them are close to a comeback and might, in fact, be ready for the weekend. Meanwhile, there is bad news for the veteran Phil Neville as he is out until early next year with a knee injury.

Bans: 1

The midfield warrior Fellaini is serving a three match ban.

Michael Owen has been unavailable for Tony Pulis the last two matches, but he can return to action in the weekend against Fulham. The same matters for Mamady Sidibe who is in lack of match fitness. There is currently no return date of Wilkinson, Delap, and Wilson.

Bans: 0

Tottenham Hotspur

 

Injuries: 5

There is still no news about WBA's Graig Dawson and his eye injury while Gareth McAuley, Jerome Thomas and Ben Forster are reported close to a comeback. Reid is still out with a hamstring injury for an unknown time. 

Bans: 0

West Ham United

Injuries: 5

The Wigan player James McArthur has been out with a leg injury, but is reported to be close to a comeback. Meanwhile, there is no return date of Caldwell and Watson while Crusat and Alcaraz will be out until early December.

Bans: 0

Queens Park Rangers

Injuries: 4

Mark Hughes needs all his men at the moment, but he will have to do without Park and Johnson for a while. However, both Zamora and Ephraim might be available for the weekend.

Bans: 0 

Reading FC

Injuries: 4

The Royals is close to have Kebe back in the weekend while there is no return date of McCarthy and Guthrie. Karacan is out with a MCL knee injury until late December.

Bans: 0

Liverpool FC

Injuries: 3

Liverpool is only missing three players. However, two of them is out for a long term while the last is out for an unknown time. These players are Borini, Kelly and Lucas.

Bans: 0

Chelsea FC

Injuries: 2

The two veteran Chelsea players John Terry and Frank Lampard are the only two players on the injury list.

Bans: 0

Norwich City

Injuries: 2

There is no return date of Harry Kane or Russel Martin.

Bans: 0

Southampton FC

Injuries: 2

The Saints is missing both Chaplow and Richardson. However, the latter is soon to return in action.

Bans: 0

Sunderland AFC

Injuries: 2

Wes Brown and James McFadden is out for an unknown period of time.

Bans: 0