Great Dane Football Blog - UK Edition is going on Christmas holiday from Saturday the 15th December to the 7th of January.

Happy holidays and a happy New Year to all my readers and enjoy the Christmas matches! Great Dane Football Blog is looking forward to provide you with latest from the Premier League and more talent profiles from Denmark!

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The January window is closing in, and more and more rumours sees the world! Great Dane Football Blog gives you a overview from the British papers!

Manchester United to win the chase for Wilfried Zaha, as they will allow him to go back to Crystal Palace on a loan (The Mirror) - Probability: High

Reports tell that Xabi Alonso wants to end his career at Liverpool (Daily Star) - Probability: Medium

Manchester City and Tottenham will have to battle with Real Madrid and Juventus for the signature of Fernando Llorente (Daily Mail) - Probability: High

Newcastle wants to see Demba ba in the first week of the January window, in order to have time to bring in his replacement (The Mirror) - Probability: Low

Arsenal is ready to make a move for Manchester Uniteds winger Nani (Daily Mail) - Probability: Medium

At the same time, Manchester United is plotting a move for Theo Walcott (The Mirror) - Probability: Medium

But Juventus are also preparing a £90.000-a-week-contract offer to the winger (TalkSPORT) - Probability: Medium

Another Russian might join Pavel Pogrebnyak in Reasing, as they are preparing a bid for Roman Pavluychenko (The Mirror) - Probability: High

A replacement for Demba Ba in Newcastle can be the Dynamo Kiev striker Artem Milevskiy (The Sun) - Probability: Medium

Pep Guardiaola is reported to have Arsenal as first choice of clubs in the Premier League  (The Mirror) - Probability: Low

Inter's problem child Wesley Sneijder has been linked with Tottenham (The Mirror) - Probability: High


Liverpool is hoping to make Nuri Sahin's loan deal permanent, but is facing competition from Broussia Dortmund (TalkSPORT) - Probability: High



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Only a few bans for the weekend's round of Premier League. However, the teams are struggling with injuries! Here is the latest injury update...

Manchester United

Injuries: 8


Manchester United is not only 1 in the Premier League, but also on the injury list. Both Wayne Rooney and Nick Powell has been suffering from illness but should be ready for the weekend. Kagawa and Vidic have been out with knee injuries for a while, but there is light at the end of the tunnel as both are set to return to training in the weekend. There is currently no confirmed return date of Evans and Keane while Anderson and Nani is out with hamstring injuries until the end of the month.

Bans: 0

Arsenal

Injuries: 7

The two offensive players Olivier Giroud and Theo Walcott can be in play for the weekends match against Reading. The same matters for Santos, who has been out with an abdominal strain and Ignasi Miquel suffering from a thigh muscle injury. The return dates of Laurent Koscielny and Diaby is still to be confirmed while Fabianski will return mid Januar.

Bans: 0

Aston Villa

Injuries: 7
Aston Villa is still without Bent, Stevens and Dunne for an unknown time while Garry Gardner is out with his ACL knee injury until May 2013. However, Ron Vlaar will return from his calf injury in the weekend, along with Joe Bennett returning from a knee injury. Stilian Petrov is still fighting leukemia.

Bans: 0

Wigan Athletic

Injuries: 7
Wigan is taking on Norwich in the weekend, and will have to do without Gary Caldwell, and Ben Watson, both out for an unknown time. Meanwhile, Maloney, Ramis, Crusat and Alcaraz can be in play for the match. Ryo Myachi is also back from injury, but he is blocked from playing against Arsenal.

Bans: 0

Manchester City

Injuries: 6
The Citizens is trying to keep up with their rivals from United. However, at the moment they are missing a couple of profiles in the squad. Especially the defends are hit hard as Vincent Kompany, and Micah Richards are out for an unknown time. On the midfield, Toure and Milner are out with a knee injuries while Rodwell is out with a hamstring injury. However, the latter can return on Saturday against Newcastle. The last player on Manchester City's injury list is Kolarov suffering from a groin injury.

Bans: 0

Norwich City

Injuries: 6


Both Hoolahan and Whittaker can return for the Canaries in the weekend, after their injuries. Harry Kane is out with a matatarsal fracture, and his return date is still to be confirmed. The same matters for Bennett suffering from a knock, and Tettey who has a groin injury. John Ruddy is out until February 2012 with a thigh injury.

Bans: 0

Newcastle United

Injuries: 6
Newcastle will have to do without Steven Taylor and Dan Gosling in the weekend while Gabriel Obertan is close to a comeback. Cabaye is out until February 2013 while Vuckic and Taylor is out for the rest of the season.

Bans: 0

Reading FC

Injuries: 6
Reading is struggling in the lower part of the Premier League, and will have to do without six players in the nearest future. Pavel Pogrebnyak and Jem Karacan are the players closest to a comeback while there is no confirmed return date of Robson-Kanu, Morrison and Kebe. McCarthy is out with a shoulder injury until May 2013.

Bans: 0

West Ham United

Injuries: 6


West Ham's two strikers Andy Carroll and Ricardo Vaz Te is out until late January or at least early February. Collison and Benayoun are both out with knee injuries while Diame is out with a hamstring injury and Diarra with a thigh muscle injury. There  is no confirmed return date of the four players.

Bans: 0

Southampton FC

Injuries: 5

Southampton will have to do without five players. There is currently no return date of Callana and Gazzaning while Fox, Chaplow and Richardson are set to return for next week.

Bans: 0

Swansea City
 
Injuries: 5


Michael Laudrup's troops are missing five men at the moment. However, Hernandez is close to returning from his hip injury while Vorm will return next week. There is currently no confirmed return date of Britton and Situ. Taylor is out for the rest of the season.

Bans: 0

Tottenham Hotspurs

Injuries: 5


Assou-Ekotto is finally back from his knee injury, but is doubtful for the weekends match against Swansea. The same matters for Gareth Bale and Michael Dawson. Scott Parker is also on his way back from his Achilles injury, but will need some match fitness, before playing in the Premier League again. The last player on the list is Younes Kaboul struggling with his knee.

Bans: 0

Liverpool FC

Injuries: 4


José Enrique is the only player who can be ready for the weekend, after his hamstring injury. Borini is set to return in January and Kelly in March there is no return date of Sahin suffering from a facial injury.

Bans: 0

Queens Park Rangers

Injuries: 4
Zamora and Johnson are out until February and March 2013, while there is no return date of Cesar and Ephraim.

Bans: 0

Sunderland AFC

Injuries: 4
There is no return date of Johnson, suffering from a dead leg, and Bardsley who is out with a knee injury. Meanwhile, Cattermole and Brown will return in February 2013.

Bans: 0

West Bromwich Albion

Injuries: 4
WBA is without four players for an unknown time. Those are Yacob (Hamstring), Ridgewell (Ankle), Foster (Groin) and Dawson (Eye).

Bans: 0

Chelsea FC

Injuries: 3
Romelu is out with an ACL knee injury, which will keep him sidelined for the rest of the season. John Terry is set to return next week, while there is no return date of Daniel Sturridge.

Bans: 1

John Obi Mikel is serving a three match ban.

Everton FC

Injuries: 3

Kevin Mirallas and Victor Anichebe are both out with a hamstring injury for an unknown time. The veteran, Phil Neville is suffering from a knee injury and will be out until January.

Bans: 0

Stoke City

Injuries: 3

Michael Owen and Rory Delap is in play for this weekends match against  Everton, while Marc Wilson is out with a broken leg for an unknown time.

Bans: 1

Ryan Shotton is serving a one match ban.

Fulham FC

Injuries: 2

Both Ruiz and Davies are out until January.

Bans: 0 

 

 




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UEFA, Saturday confirmed that the EURO 2020 will be held in different cities across the continent. Which effect will the new structure have? Great Dane Football Blog takes a look.

The President of the European Football Association, Michel Platini opened for the idea of a European championship across the continent in the summer. This weekend he confirmed that the EURO 2020 will be as he asked for. The plan is that the matches will be played in 12-13 cities, but this is yet to be confirmed.

The decision has been welcomed by many of the European nations, which can apply to be a host nation from March 2013. One of the main ideas behind the new structure is to help a Europe in financial crisis. Earlier, host nations has been left in dept after the tournament, and this should solve situations alike in the future. This is being backed up by the German sports writer Jens Weinreich in Der Spiegel:

Spreading out a tournament like in the EURO 2020, leaves hope that host countries will come out of the event on a positive note and that less stadia will stand scarcely used after the event, writes Weinreich.

However, the decision has also been met by critic from the fans, looking to spend a large amount of money travelling between the cities to see their country play. Platini has earlier been quoted:

“As you know, there are budget airlines"

However, the President has changed his mind and hopes that a solution will be found before the EURO.

The final exam will be held in 2020 and only then we can know how this will work.
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Can Newcastle put distance to the lower part of the Premier League, or will City grab three important points?

Premier League Round 17
St. James Park
15-12-2012 @ 12.45 GMT

How is the two teams form?

Newcastle has so far not managed to live up to last years great season. They are currently 14 in the Premier League with seventeen points before tonight's match against Fulham. Last weekend, the Toons took a 3-0 victory against Wigan, and Demba Ba is getting in form.

Manchester City lost important points in the battle for the trophy against Manchester United last night. However, the blue from Manchester is only six points after their rivals and a victory Saturday can be crucial for their top position.

What is the probable starting XI?
  
Both Newcastle and Manchester City is struggling with injuries at the moment. Given NUFC is playing tonight, and I, unfortunately, can't foresee the future the probable starting line will look as:

Krul

Simpson - Williamson - Coloccini - Santon

Obertan - Tiote - Birigimana

Ba - Cissé - Gutiérrez
 ______________________________________

Agüero - Tevez

Silva - Toure - Barry - Nasri

Clichy - Kompany - Natastic - Zabaleta

Hart

What to expect from this match?

Much depends on how Newcastle plays tonight. If the Toons can keep up their Premier League form, they can be a problem for City's defense. The Manchester back four has not been too convincing this season, and everyone knows that Demba Ba can make problems if he gets the space.

On the other hand, Manchester City has, on paper, a terrifying attack. The squad contains some of the best strikers in the world. However, this is not always enough for a victory.

No matter what, this will not be a draw or a boring match. We will probably see a lot of attacking football and at least two goals.

What are the odds?

According to oddschecker.com, Manchester City are the favorites with 1.67 as the best odds. A draw gives back 3.9, while a Newcastle victory gives staggering 5.5!
 

 
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  • Name: Oliver Kirk Larsen
  • Age: 21 (12.11.1991)
  • Position: Centre Back
  • Club: Hobro IK
  • International Caps: None
  • Value: £100.000

After being a part of the youth department in Odense BK, this young player is now finding his place in the Danish Betsafe Liga club Hobro IK. This week, we keep an eye on Oliver Kirk Larsen.

Oliver Larsen joined Odense BK from Dalum IF as a first year Junior and went trough a trial along with other players. After each training, some of the hopeful players was sent home while others went trough to the next selection. Larsen said:

"I was really uncertain about myself, and just waited to be sent home. However, it never happened and out of nothing I was a part of the youth squad."

Since then, Oliver Larsen became a regular player on the youth teams he represented in Odense, and finally became a part of the Superliga squad. Here, he made a number of matches for the reserves, as well as Superliga debut as 19-year old against FC Nordsjælland. The defender said:

"It was amazing! I was'nt even a part of the squad at the time and did'nt expect to be given any match time. I thought I was only there as a backup in case something crazy should happen. Then, Rasmus Falk picked up an injury, and they decided to bring me on in front of 12.000 people. "

After spending much of his youth career in Odense, as well as playing five senior matches for the club, his contract was not extended. However, Oliver Larsen decided to look forward and hoped that some club would be interested in him. In fact, the defender had to chose between two Betsafe Liga clubs; FC Fyn and Hobro IK.

The young defender thought of his options, and decided to join Hobro instead of the local club FC Fyn:

"It was simply because of the way they play in Hobro. Here in Hobro, I had the impression that they really wants to play football and I my head I believe that you learn more from playing the ball rather than just kick and rush."

In Hobro IK, the coach Klavs Rasmussen was happy with what he saw from Oliver Larsen, during his trial, but he also had a word with his contacts in Odense before signing the player. The coach also believes that the defenders past in a Superliga squad has had it's impact:

"He has a feeling of what it is all about, understanding, he wants to become better, and even though he is not playing, he is still keeping focus on becoming a better player. He has'nt played regularly, but has still challenged his talent and kept on going during training. That is possibly why he has played well when he has got the chance."

Even though, signing with Hobro IK can be seen as a step down for Oliver Larsen, he is happy being a part of the club.

He said: "When I joined the club I saw it as a stepping stone to a new Superliga club. However, I have learned a lot from playing here and have gotten many new friends."

Even though, he is happy at the club Larsen admits that a Superliga club has high priority. However, he is determined to stay in the club till the end of his contract.

A dream scenario for the young player is to play in England at some point of his career and represent one of the major clubs.






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We all talk about players Robin Van Persie, Luis Suarez and other profiles from the Premier League. Today, Great Dane Football Blog, takes a look on five players, which I believe is the most underrated players in the Premier League.

5. Anthony Pilkington, Norwich City

The 24-year old winger is considered as one of the most underrated players in the Premier League. First of all he managed to jump two leagues, transferring from the League One team Huddersfield Town to Norwich. Secondly, he scored 8 goals and made one assist in his first season in the Premier League. Well done, for a guy who haven't gotten any international experience except for one U21 Ireland match. If he keeps up his play, Roy Hodgson and Giovanni Trapattoni will battle to have him on their national team.

4. Shane Long, West Bromwich Albion

Shane Long has played a few years in the Premier League, first for Reading where he scored 46 goals and now in West Bromwich Albion. In WBA,  he has become one of this season's profiles and has kept Lukaku on the bench. What makes Shane Long one of the most underrated players, is his work rate and unselfishness. The Irish national team saw this years ago and now it seems as Liverpool seeing the same.


3. Jobi McAnuff, Reading

The 31-year old midfielder is having his longest spell at a club, in Reading. Here, he has become the captain and is perhaps one of the most creative players on the team. His ability to make the right crosses and passings is underrated, but the numbers speaks for themselves. Last season, McAnuff was behind 11 assists in the Championship while he has made 4 so far in this season. This player really knows how to set his team mates up!

2. Sebastian Larsson, Sunderland

Sebastian Larsson spend his younger years at Arsenal, and the Sunderland midfielder is exactly what Arsene Wenger is looking for in Arsenal at the moment. The Swede has had a major impact on the Birmingham team, before joining Sunderland as is perhaps one of the most dangerous players on free kicks. The selfishness that Larsson shows during matches and his ability to set his team mates up is what makes him a great player, but also one of the most underrated.

1. Matthew Etherington, Stoke City


The 31-year old winger is fundamental for Stoke City. His ability to rush down the line and deliver a precise cross to his team mates is crucial for the way Stoke likes to play. During his four seasons at Britannia Stadium, he has delivered not less than 29 assists. This guy knows how to pass the ball! That Ethrington is underrated is shown by his lack of international matches for England - none!
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Liverpool's Brendan Rodgers is looking to add players to his squad, while Arsenal is hunting a 16-year old. Here is the latest transfer rumours!
 
Sir Alex Ferguson has drawn his attention to the Athletic Bilbao midfield Oscar de Marcos - yet again (The Mirror) - Probability: Medium

Bolton's midfielder Mark Davies can be Michael Laudrup's first January signing at Swansea (The Mirror) - Probability: High

Liverpool is planning a £12m January bid for West Brom striker Shane Long, in order to strengthen their weak attack (Daily Star) - Probability: Medium

Tottenham have made a first enquiry for Christian Eriksen, but the Danish Ajax star will stay at the club until the end of the season (Goal.com) - Probability: High

Sir Ferguson believes that Jose Mourinho could be the man to take over for him at Manchester United (Daily Mail) - Probability: Medium

Arsene Wenger is hoping to sign Newcastle striker Demba Ba in January (The Sun) - Probability: Medium

Chelsea are once again preparing a bid for Marek Hamsik of Napoli (Daily Express) - Probability: Medium

Newcastle is trying to land PSV Eindhoven forward Jeremain lens in the January window (Daily Express) - Probability: High

16-year-old Norwegian Vajebah Sakor, playing for Asker in Norway's second division, is a target for Arsenal (Daily Express) - Probability: Medium

Sunderland boss Martin O'Neill is hoping to bring John Guidetti on a loan from Manchester City (The Mirror) - Probability: Medium

Bacara Sagna and Arsenal might separate after hitting deadlock over a new contract (The Mirror) - Probability: High

Liverpool is being linked with a move for CSKA Moscow star Keisuke Honda (Daily Star) - Probability: High

The two Liverpool clubs are battling for the signing of England keeper Jack Butland (Daily Star) - Probability: Medium

Aston Villa, Newcastle and Norwich are battling each other to sign Cluj winger Modou Sougou (talkSPORT) - Probability: Medium













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A victory can be crucial for both teams, when Tottenham welcomes Panathinaikos at White Hart Lane.

Europa League Group J Round 6
White Hart Lane
06-12-2012 @ 20.05 GMT

How is the two teams form?

Tottenham Hotspur took a step towards the European spots in the Premier League, with a 3-0 victory agaoínst Fulham this weekend. The Londoners has not lost in four matches, including the 0-0 draw against Lazio and is two in group J.
Panathinaikos is currently six in the Greek 1. Division after their 2-1 win against Panionios this weekend. The Greek's has won 3 out of their last 5 matches, including the 1-0 win against Maribor. They are currently three in group J, two points after Tottenham.

What is the probable starting XI?

The importance of this match is not to be underestimated, and both teams will be playing with their top players. 

Lloris
Naughton - Walker - Caulkner - Vertonghen

 Sandro - Lennon

Dempsey                                  Bale

Defoe - Adebayor
_____________________________________________

Sissoko

Quincy

Zeca - Katsouranis - Vitolo - Christodoulopoulos

Spyropoulos - Velázquez - Boumsong - Vyntra

Karnezis

What to expect from this match?

We might see a rather defensive Tottenham team as they can settle with a draw in this match. Both teams will be careful from the start, but at some point Panathinaikos will have to come forward and chase the lead. This will undoubtful  create space in their back, and bring Totteham in play.

An early goal will really help this match on its way, and we can hope that it will not just be a boring draw.

What are the odds? 

According to oddschecker.com, Tottenham is favorite in most of the bookmaker's eyes. The best odds on a Spurs victory is 1.33 from Sportingbet, while the best draw is 5.25 from StanJames. The same bookmaker gives 12 back on a Panathinaikos victory.
 


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Do you have a special knowledge about a football league? Would you like to write about it? Great Dane Football is looking for more bloggers to contribute to the sites development.

You may need to have some sort of experience with writing; however, it is not crucial. Furthermore, you need to be unbiased as the blog is not just for one certain team.

If you are  interested, send me a mail at greatdane-fb@gmail.com, with your contact details and which league you are interested in.



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