We are going to Europe!

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Six Premier League sides have qualified for the European competitions this season; four in the Champions League and two in the Europa League. But, what are their chances in Europe??

This year's Champions League will have Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City representing England while Everton and Tottenham will play in the Europa League. Great Dane Football Blog takes a look on the teams chances in their respective groups. 

Champions League

Group B

FC Basel 1893, Liverpool FC, PFC Ludogorets Razgrad, Real Madrid CF

FC Basel was one of the big surprises in European football last season, beating Chelsea twice in the Champions League, and are underdogs in this group. There is no doubt that Liverpool and Real Madrid are favorites as group winners. On paper, Real Madrid is a better side than Liverpool, and they should  win both matches. Ludogorets are, without a doubt, the weakest team in the group, but can cause problems from Liverpool with their typical East European work rage. Liverpool should advance from group B. 

Liverpool fixtures: September 16th - Liverpool v Ludogorets, October 1st - FC Basel v Liverpool, October 22nd - Liverpool v Real Madrid, November 4th - Real Madrid v Liverpool, November 26th - Ludogorets v Liverpool, December 9th - Liverpool v FC Basel.

Group D

Arsenal, Borrussia Dortmund, Galatasaray AS, RSC Anderlecht

Once again Arsenal and Dortmund are facing each other in the Champions League, and they will be the favorites for the win. Galatasaray can come from the back and surprise, especially as Dortmund doesn't look as strong as they have done the last couple of seasons. Furthermore, Arsenal has a history of failing in the Champions League, but the side seems stronger this season. Belgian football is not what is was many years ago, that said, Anderlecht have a lot of European experience, and can cause trouble for all the sides in this group. Arsenal will end as runners up or third in this group.

Arsenal fixtures: September 16th - Dortmund v Arsenal, October 1st - Arsenal v Galatasaray, October 22nd - Anderlecht v Arsenal, November 4th - Arsenal v Anderlecht, November 26th - Arsenal v Dortmund, December 9th - Galatasary v Arsenal.

Group E

AS Roma, FC Bayern München, Manchester City FC, PFC CSKA Moskva

Two giants meet Bayern München and Manchester City clash in Group E, and there is no doubt they will battle for the win in this group. No doubt Roma are a great side, but Italian teams and the Italian Serie A is not what it used to be. CSKA Moskva shouldn't be a hurdle for City at all, but time and time again we see the Russian sides surprise. Manchester City will end as winners of Group E.

Manchester City fixtures: September 17th - Bayern München v Manchester City, September 30th - Manchester City v AS Roma, October 21st - CSKA Moskva v Manchester City, November 5th - Manchester City v CSKA Moskva, November 25th - Manchester City v Bayern München, December 10th - AS Roma v Manchester City.

Group G

Chelsea FC, FC Schalke 04, NK Maribor, Sporting Clube de Portugal

Of all the Premier League sides competing in the Champions League, Chelsea are in the easiest group. No doubt Schalke 04 is a good side, but Chelsea should not fear the Germans nor Maribor and Sporting. Chelsea should win this group without any problems.

Chelsea FC fixtures: September 17th - Chelsea v Schalke 04, September 30th - Sporting v Chelsea, October 21st - Chelsea v Maribor, November 5th - Maribor v Chelsea, November 25th - Schalke 04 v Chelsea, December 10th - Chelsea v Sporting.

Europa League
E
Group C

Asteras Tripolis FC, Besiktas JK, FK Partizan, Tottenham Hotspur

Spurs did well in the Europa League last season, and are one of the favorites this season as well. Asteras Tripolis and Partizan should not be a problem for Tottenham, while Besiktas is the hardest opponent in the group. That said, Tottenham will be the winners of this group.

Tottenham Hotspur fixtures: September 18th - FK Partizan v Tottenham Hotspur, October 2nd - Tottenham Hotspur v Besiktas, October 23rd - Tottenham Hotspur v Asteras, November 6th - Asteras v Tottenham Hotspur, November 27th - Tottenham Hotspur v FK Partizan, December 11th - Besiktas v Tottenham Hotspur.

Group H

Everton, Krasnodar, Lille LOSC, Wolfsburg

Everton are in a much harder group than Tottenham, facing Lille and Wolfsburg. While Krasnodar should be a walkover, Lille and Wolfsburg are both sides able to cause problems for Everton. However, the Toffees have gone through a major development the last couple of seasons, and they can go far in this years Europa League. 

Everton fixtures: September 18th - Everton v Wolfsburg, October 2nd - Krasnodar v Everton, October 23nd - Lille v Everton, November 6th - Everton v Lille, November 27th - Wolfsburg v Everton, December 11th - Everton v Krasnodar. 






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Match of the Week: Everton v Chelsea

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Everton were unlucky against Arsenal last week; now another London side is waiting. Can Romelu Lukaku show Mourinho was wrong not giving him a chance?


Everton v Chelsea

Barclays Premier League
Goodison Park
30-08-2014 @ 5.30pm









How are the two sides form?

Everton have started the season with two draws against Leicester and Arsenal, looking to take the first victory of the season against Chelsea.

Chelsea, on the other hand, have started the season with two convincing wins against the newly promoted Burnley and Leicester.

Chelsea have won five of the last ten matches between the two sides.

How are the probable line-ups?

 Ross Barkley and Arouna Koné are both sidelined with a knee injury. The same matters for Bryan Oviedo who is out broken leg, while Steven Pienaar is doubtful with a groin injury.

Chelseas André Schürrle is rated doubtful with a leg injury.

Howard

Coleman - Jagielka - Distin - Baines

McCarthy - Barry

Mirallas - Naismith - Pienaar

Lukaku

________________________________________________

Diego Costa

Hazard - Schürrle - Oscar

Matic - Fabregas

Filipe Luis - Cahill - Terry - Ivanovic 

Courtois

Worth keeping an eye on

Everton: Lukaku is the star of the Everton side, and the Belgian striker should be on fire against Chelsea, showing Mourinho he was wrong not giving him a chance.



Chelsea: Diego Costa is the new striker in Chelsea, and he has already scored his first goals for the Blues. Can he bag a few more against Everton?



What to expect from this match?

Everton had a good take on the top teams last season, and the will be a hurdle again this season. Not much has changed in the Everton squad, but that might just be their strength. However, Chelsea won the last meeting between the two sides, and Mourinho's troops are better on paper. But, as we all know, football isn't played on paper. 

We can expect much from Chelsea and Diego Costa this season, and they should take a win against Everton. 

What are the odds?

Everton: 3 (Matchbook)
Draw: 13/5 (bet365)
Chelsea: 11/10 (Sky Bet)


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What can Balotelli bring to Liverpool?

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A wonder boy, bad boy or Superstar? There are many views on Mario Balotelli, and now the Italian is on his way to Liverpool as a replacement for Luis Suarez. 

According Skysports, Balotelli will arrive in Liverpool today for a medical, but the transfer is not set to go through in time for Liverpools clash with the Italians former club Manchester City. But what can the striker actually bring to Liverpool? 

After Luis Suarez left for Barcelona, this summer Liverpool have been left with only two strikers; Daniel Sturridge and Fabio Borini. During the summer, they brought in Nickie Lambert, but despite a great last season for Southampton he is unlikely to be a regular starter. Even Adam Lallana followed with him to the Merseyside club. 

Sturridge and Suarez was an amazing duo last season, but without the biting Uruguay next to him, Sturridge does not seem to keep his form. That said, the England international has scored 36 goals in 50 matches for Liverpool and is the main striker, but he needs a partner to take off some of the pressure. Nickie Lambert is a good striker, but he is not on the same level as Suarez was. When it comes to Fabio Borini, is seems as the Italien is going to move on. In other words, Balotelli is a welcome signing to the Liverpool attack.

The center forward scored 18 goals in 41 matches; nothing compared to Suarez 31 goals in 35 matches. However, the Italian striker is capable of the unforeseen and can play an important part of Liverpools battle for the Premier League title. That if Balotelli can stay out of trouble.



With Balotelli comes, a huge ego and scandals outside the pitch and that is why Liverpool have demanded a good behaviour clause in his contract, reports suggest. 

Can the striker keep out of trouble, and Brendan Rodgers might be the man who can keep the ego down, Liverpool have their hands on the best Italian striker. He is not Louis Suarez, but he can bring Liverpool more power in the attack; that is for sure.  




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The Battle of Stamford Bridge

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One of the most talked about football topics this summer was the battle between Petr Cech and Thibaut Courtois. Yesterday, Courtois was the first choice against Burnley.

Jose Mourinho kept it a secret until the very first match of the season; who would be his first choice? The answer seems to be Thibaut Courtois. The Belgian international returned from Atletico Madrid prior to this season and had proclaimed that he would only return if it were to become the first choice in the Chelsea goal. However, Chelsea already had one of the greatest goalkeepers in the Premier League; Petr Cech. Now, the Czech is on the bench, but is he better than Courtois? 

Great Dane Football Blog have made a quick comparison between the two goalkeepers last season, and here is what we found out:
2013/2014 Season

(Petr Cech in Chelsea)
Thibaut Courtois in Atletico Madrid)

32
Age
22
£14.96
Value
£22
46
Appearances
56
35 (0,76 goals per match)
Goals conceded
40 (0,71 goals per match)
22
Clean Sheets
28
Premier League, Champions League, UEFA Super Cup, FA-Cup
Tournaments
La Liga, Copa del Rey, Champions League and Supercopa
Based on last season Courtois is the best of the two goalkeepers; despite playing ten matches more than Cech he only conceded five goals more, and had a better clean sheet record.

Frank Lampard and Ashley Cole have both left Chelsea, and 32-year old Cech might be the next. This might be the right time for Chelsea to let a new and younger goalkeeper make his impact on the team, but Cech still has an awful lot of experience that might come in handy later in the season; especially if Courtois fails to perform against the better half of the Premier League. 

One thing is for sure: Cech is in a part of his career where he can not afford to be placed among the substitutes. The Czech needs to play to keep his position on the Czech national team, and a transfer could be on the way, despite Mourinho wishing to keep his now former No. 1. Both Barcelona and Nuremberg has been mentioned as new clubs for the goalkeeper. 

The battle of Stamford Bridge in ongoing and it will be interesting to see if Mourinho can keep Cech in the club. Some will say he has a luxury problem. 

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Match of the Week: Aston Villa v Newcastle United

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After an interesting first round, the Premier League is rolling, and this weekend can be just as thrilling. Two very even sides are meeting in the second round; match of the week is between Aston Villa and Newcastle United. 

Aston Villa v Newcastle United
Premier League Round 2
Villa Park
23-08-2014 @ 12.45 BST









How are the two teams current form?

Aston Villa won 1-0 in the premiere against Stoke, on a goal by Andreas Weimann early in the second half. The match was rather even when it comes to chances, two shots on goal by each side, and could well have ended in a draw.

Newcastle only had one shot on target when they lost 0-2 to Manchester City last weekend. Manchester City were the controlling side in the match and Newcastle will hope to play a greater part against Aston Villa.

NUFC have won 6 of the last ten meetings with Aston Villa.

What are the probable line-ups?

Aston Villa are without Christian Benteke and Libor Kozak while Joe Cole is doubtful for the match against Newcastle. The guests are without Papiss Cisse, Ryan Taylor, Davide Santon and Tioté while Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa is dubtful.

Guzan

Hutton - Senderos - Vlaar - Cissokho

Delph - Westwood

N'Zogbia - Richardson - Weimann

Agbonlahor
___________________________________

Riviere

Cabella

Gouffran - Anita - Colback - Sissoko

Dummett - Williamson - Coloccini - Janmaat

Krul

Worth keeping an eye on

Aston Villa: With Benteke and Kozak injured alot of the pressure is on Gabby Agbonlahor. The 27-year old striker scored four goals last season and with less than a year left of his contract he has to perform.



Newcastle United: Rémy Cabella looks to be a very interesting signing for Newcastle. The French attacking midfield scored 14 goals in 37 matches for Montpellier last season and develop to become the next great French player in the Premier League. 




What to expect from this match?

Last season was a rollercoaster for Newcastle with good periods and many bad periods. However, this season they are hoping for more continuity and have brought in some interesting signings. Many faces have left Aston Villa, and new have come in, and some of them will play against Newcastle. Despite the new faces in both squads, it is unlikely that things will change; this will be as tight as always. Given Newcastle's history against Aston Villa, they are my favorites, and their attack looks better on paper. However, football is not played on paper.

What are the odds?

Aston Villa to win: 8/5 (BetVictor)
Draw: 2 (Tokesport)
Newcastle: 12/5 (Ladbrokes)

Agbonlahor to score first: 7 (Bet365)





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Captain Rooney

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He has been on his way out, and the fans have a love/hate relationship to him; he is the new captain of Manchester United.

Both Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic, two former captains of the Red Devils, have left Manchester this summer leaving Louis van Gaal with a choice to make. 

In 2010, he was ready to leave Manchester United and join the rivals from City according to British media. Wayne Rooney stayed in United, but in 2012, Sir Alex Ferguson revealed that once again Rooney wanted to leave, but again the striker stayed. Yesterday he was announced to be the new United captain. 

"For me it's always very important the choice of captain. Wayne has shown a great attitude towards everything he does. I have been very impressed by his professionalism and his attitude to training and to my philosophy. He is a great inspiration to the younger members of the team, and I believe he will put his heart and soul into his captaincy role," van Gaal said to Manutd.com.

However, van Gaals choice is not greeted by all United fans. On the Manchester United community forum 'Talking Reds' a user named Captain Marvel No. 7 writes:
"Won't ever be a club legend in my eyes. He's been a great player for United, carried us at times but if I'm brutally honest if he could have got out of United he would have done.
Tried worming his way to City, didn't happen. Then he flirted with Chelsea & Mourinho last summer despite the fact he never asked to leave (Mourinho got encouragement from somewhere) and now he has been rewarded with the captaincy.
If Wayne gets his head down and plays to his potential then, it will benefits United but I'm far from ecstatic about the appointment. The last few years have left a sour taste and for that reason he will never be a legend IMO."

Other members of the community forum speculate in Rooney being the only candidate for the captaincy. And maybe he is. Looking at the current squad, he is the player with most years in the club and in a time where van Gaal is determined to create a new squad Rooney might be one of the most important players. 

Even though he Rooney have been on his way out of the club, twice the last couple of years, the captaincy signals that he will finish his career with the Red Devils as other United legends have done. The question is then if the fans can live with him as their new captain?


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Match of the Week: Liverpool v Southampton

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Southampton fans can look forward to seeing two of the most-vital players from last season; but for the opponent. The Match of the Week is between Liverpool and Southampton. 

Liverpool v Southampton
Premier League 1. Round
Anfield Road
17-08-2014 @ 13.40 BST








How are the two teams current form?

Liverpool humiliated Dortmund yesterday with a 4-0 win and have won four of their last five pre-season matches. The Merseyside club looks in great form and is more than ready for Southampton on Sunday.

The Saints have also won four of their last five pre-season matches, but against less prestigious sides. That said, it seems as Southampton will survive without the quartet now playing for Liverpool.

The last ten matches between the two sides have ended in five wins for each club, with Liverpool winning the latest in March 3-0.

What are the probable line-ups?

Adam Lallana will not play against his former club as he is out with a knee injury and is reportedly out for around six weeks. Furthermore, Daniel Agger, Fabian Borini, John Flanagan, Tiago Ilori and Lazar Markovic are all rated doubtful.

Southampton are without Jay Rodriguez who is out with a knee injury. 

Mignolet

Johnson - Skrtel - Lovren - Manquillo

Gerrard

Henderson - Can

Coutinho

Sturridge - Sterling
___________________________________________

Tadic - Pellé - Ramirez

Davis - Wanyama - Taïder

Bertrand - Yoshida - Fonte - Clyne

Boruc

Worth keeping an eye on

Liverpool: Dejan Lovren faced his former club in his first official match for Liverpool. The Croatian central defender will have to prove that he can take a step up playing for one of the biggest teams in England, and he has already scored a few goals in the new shirt. Can he punish his former club?



Southampton: Jose Fonte is the new general in Southampton and the Portugues will have his first real test without his former teammate Lovren next to him. Can he control the Saints?



What to expect from this match?

Liverpool played a fine last season but missed the Premier League trophy in the end. This year they will hope to take it, but now they are missing Suarez. Sterling and Sturridge will have to fill the gap, and it will be interesting to see if the two strikers can break the strong Southampton defense. The Saints was the big surprise last season but like Liverpool they have lost some of the greatest profiles. Tadic, Pellé and Ramirez will carry the attack forward instead of Lallana and Davies, but will get their hands full against Liverpool. I expect Liverpool to win this match.

What are the odds?

Matchbook offers odds 4/11 for a Liverpool victory and 21/5 for a draw. A Southampton win gives a stunning 10 at BETVICTOR. 



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Vermaelen out - Agger in?

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Thomas Vermaelen is set to leave Arsenal and leave Manchester United hanging.

UK media today reports that Arsene Wenger has accepted a £15m bid for Thomas Vermaelen. An offer the French can't refuse. 

The Belgian defender has only one year left of his contract and with only 14 appearances in the Premier League last season, he doesn't seem to have a future for the Gunners with Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny performing solid in the defense. 

Manchester United have been linked with the Belgian for some time, but Vermaelen seems lost for the Red Devils as Barcelona snatch him in front of Vermaelen. 

The Catalonians have been looking to strengthen their central defends this summer, and several players have been trough the transfer rumour mill including Liverpool's Daniel Agger. While Wenger should be happy with the £15m deal, this is bad news for Agger as his exit from Liverpool is on hold; at least for a while.

According to the Mirror, Arsenal are interested in signing the Dane as a back up for Mertesacker and Koscielny, but it is very unlikely Wenger will make an offer for the 29-year-old defender. However, the manager has brought in experienced defenders from rival clubs in the past, and Agger can hope that Arsenal will offer him the exit from Liverpool he so badly wants. 

Other defenders Wenger has brought in from rival clubs:

William Gallas, Sol Campbell, Mikael Silvestre
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New U21 league to save hopeless England?

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Premier League yesterday announced the plans for a European U21-league - But only eight Premier League
teams participate. Can the new league save the future for the English national team?

As it is now, the Premier League clubs have a U21-league for their talents, but the clubs wish to change the system and create both a European U21-league and a reserves-league ranging under League 2.

THE TEAMS

BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE U21 TEAMS:
CHELSEA, FULHAM, LEICESTER CITY, MANCHESTER CITY, MANCHESTER UNITED, SOUTHAMPTON, SUNDERLAND and WEST HAM.

CONTINENTAL TEAMS:
ATHLETIC BILBAO, BENFICA, CHELSEA, MÖNCHENGLADBACH, PORTO, PSV EINDHOVES, SCHALKE and VILLAREAL.

The plans for a new youth league sound rather interesting with English teams taking on continental teams. However, according to the plans only eight current Premier League U21 teams will participate in the competition; Chelsea, Leicester City, Manchester City, Manchester City, Southampton and West HAm as well as the Championship sides Fulham and Sunderland. The continental teams will, as it looks now, be Celtic, Athletic Bilbao, Benfica, Mönchengladbach, Schalke, Porto, PSV Eindhoven and Villarreal.

Premier League communications director Dan Johnson told Press Association Sport: "We do believe it would be good for the development of young players, but it is not an answer to the B league proposal at all."

Again, the plans look very interesting but with only 8 Premier League sides represented in the competition, and with UEFA already having a Champions League it is hard to see how the new league will benefit England in the future. No doubt that the players will learn from playing against the continental teams, but it will not benefit the national league and is unlikely to help the teams outside the competition.



The World Cup revealed that England have serious problems - not only now - but also for the future. The Premier League simply do not breed enough talents, and it will certainly help that the young players will face continental teams. That said, clubs as Chelsea and Manchester City are not known for letting young players getting a chance, why it would be better to have more midtable teams in the competition.

However, before the competition can even begin UEFA have to accept it. More to come on this later. At the moment, Great Dane Football Blog is looking forward to another chance of seeing the next generation of British football stars.



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Match of the Week: Arsenal v Manchester City

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The Premier League winners from Manchester City takes on the FA Cup winners from Arsenal in this years FA Community Shield.


Arsenal v Manchester City
FA Community Shield
Wembley Stadium
10-08-2014 @ 15.00 UK








How are the two teams current form?

Arsenal won against Boreham Wood and lost against New York Redbull before playing their friendly tournament Emirates Cup last weekend. Here, The Gunners won 5-1 against Benfica before losing 0-1 to Monaco. 

Manchester Citys first friendly this season ended with a loss to Dundee FC, followed up two consecutive wins against Hearts and Sporting Kansas. Last week they played the Guinness International Champions Cup facing AC Milan, Liverpool and Olympiacos. Here, City only won against AC Milan.

The last ten meetings between Arsenal and Manchester City have ended in five City wins. 

What are the probable line up?

Arsenal are definately without Theo Walcott for the Community Shield, as the winger is out with a knee injury. Furthermore, Ryo Miyaichi, Thomas Vermaelen and the new goalkeeper David Ospina are all rated doubtful. 

Manchester City are without Alvaro Negredo, struggling with a foot injury.

Szczesny

Debuchy - Koscielny - Chambers - Monreal

Arteta - Ramsey

Sanchez - Cazorla - Wilshere

Giroud
_________________________________

Dzeko - Jovetic

Nasri - Touré - Fernando - Navas

Clichy - Demichelis - Kompany - Sagna

Hart

Worth keeping an eye on:

Arsenal: Alexis Sanchez is set to make his official debut for Arsenal, and will probably start as a winger. The Chile international should be eager to prove he is worth the money.


Manchester City: Stevan Jovetic has shown great form in the pre-season matches for Manchester City, and could play a decisive part in the match. 



What to expect from this match?

It's been a while since Arsenal last played in the FA Community Shield, and the Gunners are going into it to win. Manchester City won the trophy last in 2012 and are favorite to take it once again. Especially as Arsene Wenger has decided not to bring Mesut Ozil, Per Mertesacker and Lukas Podolski into play before the season opener against Crystal Palace. Manchester City has not been convincing in the pre-season, but they should be the best team on Sunday.

What are the odds?

Coral offers a 5/4 bet on a Manchester City victory while PaddyPower offers 12/5 on an Arsenal victory. Should the 90 minutes end in a draw, Bet365 offers a 5/2 bet. 


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