For some time, there has been talks about a salary cap in the English Premier League. Something, most of the clubs are arguing against. For the next couple of weeks,  Great Dane Football Blog will put focus on the wages in the Premier League and find out if they have any impact on the club's chances of winning trophies.

This week we take a look on the top five clubs in the Premier League and how their wages has developed since the 2002/03 season and until the 2010/11 season.


As the chart clearly shows the amount of money spent on wages has gone through a massive development since 2002. The money spent on wages has gone up with £491.4m between 2002 and 2011. It can be argued that Manchester City and Chelsea play the leading roles in this as they are the two clubs with most increase in wages during this time. When Manchester City was promoted   to the Premier League in 2002 they spent £35.3m on wages while, in 2011, the amount had gone up to £174m. Chelsea spent £54.4m in 2002 and just the year after the wages exploded when the Roman Abramovich took over the club. In 2003, Chelsea spent not less than £114.8m in 2003 and has since 2002 till 2011 increased their wages by £138.7m.

Meanwhile, the rest of the clubs have doubled their amount of money spent on wages, but none of them in such a way as Chelsea and Manchester City.

What do you think about the chart? Are Chelsea and Manchester City guilty in the increase in wages in the Premier League? Or does all of the clubs play a role?

Champions League Semi Finals 1st Leg

Allianz Arena

23-04-2013 @ 19.45 UK

How are the two teams form?

The home side, Bayern Munich, won the Deutsche 1. Bundesliga weeks ago and is currently finishing the season in style. Saturday, the German champions, won a convincing victory of 6-1 against Hannover 96 and are currently unbeaten in 21 matches.

The away side, the Spanish giants Barcelona, are currently 1st in the La Liga 13 points ahead of rivals Real Madrid. Barcelona is unbeaten in their last 6 matches, and will soon be able to lift the La Liga trophy once again. 

The last meeting between Bayern Munich and Barcelona was a friendly match in 2011, in which Munich pulled out as winners. The two teams have met before in the Champions League quarterfinal where Barcelona won 5-1 over two matches.

What is the probable starting XI's?

While Barcelona has announced Messi ready for the match, Bayern has ensured that Schweinsteiger is fit enough to play.

Bayern Munich have only lost one home match in this years Champions League; the 0-2 against Arsenal. The statistic speaks for itself - Bayern Munich is favorites at Allianz Arena - also against Barcelona. That said, Barcelona is a brilliant team and comparing the two squads, which both contains super stars the Catalans can cause heavily damage against Munich.

Both are great when it comes to ball possession, and it will be decisive which of the teams that get control of the match from the start. We can probably expect two attacking teams and a lot of chances. However, the real battle will be on the midfield!

What are the odds?

Most of the bookmakers have Bayern Munich as favorites for Tuesday evening. Paddy Power and Ladbrokes presents the best odds on a Munich victory with a 13/10, while Bet365 gives back a 5/2 if Barcelona wins. Youwin gives a 51/20 for a draw.

EA Sport announced FIFA 14, and Great Dane Football Blog is running around the table in pure happiness! Today, we take a look on five updates I am looking forward to!

5. PURE SHOT

We have all tried it; getting the ball just in front of goal - taking our aim - and sending the ball well wide of the goal. FIFA's shoot technique has left many players in despair the recent years, but now EA games have improved that part of the game. Now, you won't simply score goals; you will score amazing goals. According to EA 'Players now adjust their approach angle when the shot is started looking for a more suitable angle for hitting the ball. They also understand the phases of shooting and will adjust their stride and pace to hit the ball.' I know we are a couple of guys looking forward to this new feature!

4. PROTECT THE BALL

What has left me screaming at the screen during a fine game of FIFA has been my players ability to lose the ball in the softest tackle. Just as you think you dribbled past a defender he sticks his foot out and grabs the ball. Other times you send a pass towards your striker, but even before the ball has left your foot a defender snaps it just in front your striker. However, according to EA Protect The Ball will 'enable players to fend off and block opponents from the ball while running at any speed. Now, when a ball carrier is being pulled while advancing, they will be able to counter this by stepping in front of the defender and using their body to shield the ball.´ Furthermore, 'Protect the Ball also gives players the ability to fight for position prior to receiving the ball'.

3. MORE SKILL GAMES

Once you could score on any set piece in FIFA. Then the creators decided to make it a bit harder; so hard you often hit a guy in the stand rather than the goal. However, in FIFA 13 EA Sports introduced Skill Games; mini challenges helping you to use in-game moves and systems. Suddenly, you would at times hit the goal and rarely scorer a goal. For the new FIFA 14, a set of new mini challenges will be introduced helping you to prove as a true FIFA gamer. Give us more of that EA!

2. TEAMMATE INTELLIGENCE

How many times have you - in your mind - seen the perfect pass just to see your striker not making the right run? Way to many times! But now, EA Sports have improved your teammates intelligence so your strikers will create more space for themselves, and find new ways to outsmart the defenders. Furthermore, the defenders will provide more support and win back possession.

1. GLOBAL SCOUTING NETWORK

What I am looking most forward to is the global scouting network for the career mode. The new feature will allow managers to search for talents based on their traits and tendencies ranther than stats. Now you can search for a pacy winger or a targetman for the attack, and then scout for those players. The new scouting will also allow you to find players with a potential rather than buying one of the expensive stars. Really looking forward to this new feature!

Frank Lampard's wife will have to wait to get married while Rooney is ready for PSG. Here is the latest transfer rumours!

Frank Lampard has postponed his wedding as LA Galaxy fighting to bring him to the MLS (Daily Star) - Probability: High

Jamie Carragher will hold talks with Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers about delaying his retirement at the end of the season (The Sun) - Probability: Low

Arsenal target Mario Goetze has revealed he would prefer a move to Barcelona or Manchester United (The Daily Mirror) - Probability: Medium

According to a former Paris St-Germain official, Wayne Rooney has signed for PSG (The Daily Mirror) - Probability: Medium

Manchester City target Edinson Cavani is ready to leave Napoli to play in the Premier League (Daily Mail) - Probability: High

Fulham is leading the race, in front of Arsenal and Liverpool, to sign the Athletic Bilbao defender Fernando Amoerbieta (talkSPORT) - Probability: High

Arsenal is battling with Tottenham and Manchester City over 16-year-old Barcelona defender Julio Pleguezuelo (The Daily Mirror) - Probability: Medium

Southampton is keen on signing QPR's not wanted midfielder Esteban Granero (The Daily Mirror) - Probability: Medium

Arsenal is ready with a £10m move for Sunderland goalkeeper Simon Mignolet this summer (Independent) - Probability: High

Southampton are plotting on a double swoop on Serie A side Cagliari defender Davide Astori and winger Radja Nainggolan (Daily Mail) - Probability: Medium

Tim Krul is a target for AC Milan this summer lining up a £12m bid (The Daily Mirror) - Probability: Medium

Liverpool  is reported to be close on a deal for Barcelona talent Sergi Canos (Daily Express) - Probability: High

Manchester City is preparing a bid for former Arsenal midfielder Alex Song, who is reportedly unhappy at Barcelona (AS) - Probability: Low

ARSENAL

Injuries: 1

Diaby is ruled out for eight to nine months after sustaining anterior cruciate ligament injury in training.

Doubts: 1

Arsenal's Polish goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski is rated doubtful for matches this week due to a rib injury.

ASTON VILLA

Injuries: 5

Both Marc Albrighton and Gary Gardner are in lack of match fitness, following long term injuries. Meanwhile, both Richard Dunne and Chris Herd are sidelined for the rest of the season, along with Stilian Petrov who is critically ill. 

Doubts: 1

Gabriel Agbonlahor is rated doubtful due to a thigh injury sustained on the 6th April.

CHELSEA FC

Injuries: 3

Gary Cahill sustained a knock while Ashley Cole picked up a hamstring injury earlier in April. Both of them is expected to return to training this week while Oriol Romeu is out for the rest of the season with a knee injury.

Doubts: 1

Marko Marin returned to training this week, and is doubtful for the tonights match against Fulham FC.

EVERTON FC

Doubts: 1

Tony Hibbert has stepped up recovery, but is still rated doubtful for the match against Sunderland.

FULHAM FC

Injuries: 4

Ashkan Dejagah has been ruled out with an ankle injury keeping him out for the rest of the season. Meanwhile, Mahamadou Diarra is still struggling with knee injuries while Damien Duff can return for the Everton match in a couple of weeks. The last player on Fulham's injury list is Neil Etheridge who is sidelined with a leg injury.

LIVERPOOL FC

Injuries: 5

Liverpool's Joe Allen and Fabio Borini are both sidelined with shoulder injuries while Raheem Sterling is struggling with a thigh injury. The two defenders, John Flanagan and Martin Kelly are both out with knee injuries and will probably miss the rest of the season.

MANCHESTER CITY

Doubts: 2

Maicon missed the FA Cup Semi-final due to an illness problem and is doubtful for the Chelsea match. David Silva was subbed off with a hamstring injury against Manchester United and is also doubtful.

MANCHESTER UNITED

Injuries: 3

Darren Fletcher is out for the rest of the season due to an illness while Paul Scholes returns to training this week. Meanwhile, Ashley Young is sidelined with an ankle injury for two weeks.

NEWCASTLE UNITED

Injuries: 5

Newcastle goalkeeper Tim Krul has been ruled out for the rest of the season after suffering from a shoulder dislocation. Ryan Taylor and Haris Vuckic are also sidelined for the rest of the season, due to knee problems  while Fabricio Coloccini is suffering from a back injury. Davide Santon is suffering from a hamstring injury and will not be available this week.

NORWICH CITY

Injuries: 2

The Canaries' John Ruddy is in lack of match fitness and has just returned to training last week. Meanwhile, Andrew Surman is out with a knee injury and will probably not come in play for the rest of this season.

QUEENS PARK RANGERS

Injuries: 3

DJ Campbell returned from his loan spell at Blackburn with a foot injury while Andy Johnson is still out with a knee injury. Shaun Wright-Phillips will not be in play for QPR for the rest of this season due to an ankle injury.

Bans: 1

Bobby Zamora is serving his second match of his three match ban.

READING FC

Injuries: 2

Jimmy Kebe is out for the match against Norwich due to a groin injury while Jason Roberts is out with a bad hip.

Doubts: 2

Hope Akhan and Adam Federici are both doubtful due to ankle injuries.

SOUTHAMPTON FC

Doubts: 1

Luke Shaw was rated doubtful for last week's match, and might still be out with an illness.

STOKE CITY

Doubts: 2

Matthew Etherington and Marc Wilson are both doubtful for Stoke's match against Queens Park Rangers.

SUNDERLAND AFC

Injuries: 3

Wes Brown and Lee Cattermole are both out for the rest of the season due to knee injuries, along with Steven Fletcher suffering from an ankle injury. 

Doubts: 2

Phillip Bardsley was subbed off against Newcastle due to a problem, and there is currently no news about him. Connor Wickham sustained a knock a couple of weeks back, and is still doubtful.

Bans: 1

Craig Gardner is serving a 2 match ban and will return on the 29th April to face Aston Villa.

SWANSEA CITY

Injuries: 1 

Situ Darnell is ruled out for the season due to an achilles injury.

Doubts: 1

Michael Laudrup revealed earlier this month that Neil Taylor was close to a return to action.

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR

Injuries: 5

Gareth Bale is expected to return to training this week, along with Jermain Defoe and William Gallas. Meanwhile, Sandro is out for the rest of the season while Aaron Lennon is a week away from a return.

Doubts: 1

Younes Kaboul is in lack of match fitness after returning from a knee injury and can be in play for Tottenham this week. 

WEST BROMWICH ALBION

Injuries: 2

Both Zoltán Gera and George Thorne are sidelined for the rest of the season with knee injuries. 

Doubts: 2

Peter Odemwingie is rated doubtful due to a knee injury, along with Liam Ridgewell suffering from a groin injury.

Bans: 1

Youssuf Mulumbu is serving his second match of a three match ban.

WEST HAM UNITED

Injuries: 4

Joe Cole is ruled out for the Manchester United match due to a hamstring injury along with Daniel Potts and Winston Reid. George McCartney is out for the rest of the season with a knee injury. 

Doubts: 2

Mark Noble could be ready for the Manchester United match while there is no news about James Tomkins.

WIGAN ATHLETIC

Injuries: 4

Albert Crusat and Iván Ramis are both sidelined for the season with knee injuries, along with Ryo Miyachi struggling with an ankle injury and Michael Pollitt with a thigh injury.

Doubts: 2

Fyvie Fraser picked up a knock earlier this month and is still doubtful. The same matters for Ben Watson who is in lack of match fitness.