Manchester United Season Preview 2008/09
Last season manchester united could say they arguably had their best season for a long, long time. They produced wonder seasons for the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney, helping them to win the two big titles of the season; the Premier League and the Uefa Champions League.
Along with two titles came a Premier League top scorer and World Player of the Year within manchester united’s player of the year Cristiano Ronaldo.
Once again it was chelsea applying the pressure on manchester united, coming close second in the league and the opponents in the final of the Champions League.
manchester united overcame there big rivals to finish two points ahead of the London team. In the final of the Champions League, chelsea looked like winners as the game went to a penalty shootout where only a fatal mistake by John Terry opened the Door for Manchester United to take the cup! All in all a great season for Manchester United.
Pre-season saw Manchester United play Aberdeen in their first friendly. United made a winning start to the new pre-season campaign, as goals from Michael Carrick and Wayne Rooney sealed a hard-fought victory over Aberdeen at Pittodrie. Playing many first team players such as Carrick, Rooney and Giggs.
A promising start by Aberdeen the talent and strength of Manchester United paid dividends to the English team as they comfortably won 2-0. Manchester United have three more Pre-season games scheduled, against the Kaizer Chiefs, Orlando Pirates and the finally games is to be confirmed.
In the gap between seasons, Manchester United had the biggest transfer talk of the league concerning their star man, Cristiano Ronaldo! Media headlines involving millions of pounds for the Portuguese midfielder. The fate of the player is still undecided, whatever happens one thing’s for sure it will not happen quietly the media and press will be all over it so you can’t miss a thing.
Manchester United have not been the busiest in the market this year with only three players moving, two out from expired loans and one in on a short-term loan. This could possibly be down to the reason that Manchester United had so much success last season that they feel there is no need for improvement just yet!
Rumors say that Manchester United are looking into the possible signing of Robinho form Real Madrid.
But this is just a rumor who knows anything could happen! As well as interest in Robinho rumors have it that Manchester United are looking into a deal will Tottenham Hotspur, Dimitar Berbatov. Berbatov’s future at White Hart Lane has been the subject of conjecture for some time, with the 27-year-old linked with a move away from North London for much of last season. So I can understand why there is interest in the top quality striker.
One downside to the pre-season start is that Manchester United lost their main coach Scolari. So first things first a new coach needed before the start of the season.
To find out more about Man United and more Live Premiership previews visit the Live Football website.
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Euro 2008 Group A Betting Preview
The European Championships kick off in Basel on Saturday 7th June where co-host nation Switzerland takes on the Czech Republic. This Group A fixture kick starts a three week long festival of football which will see 31 games being played between 16 teams across eight venues in Switzerland and Austria.
Group A looks a fairly competitive group with Portugal and the Czech Republic spearheading the bookmakers betting odds for the two teams to progress through to the knockout stages of the tournament. Portugal are the favorites to win the group having reached the final of Euro 2004, only to be beaten by Greece and two years ago they made it to the Semi Finals of the World Cup. Head Coach Felipe Scolari has a talented squad of players at his disposal and the Semi Finals should be a minimum target, whilst many pundits are tipping them to go on to win the championship. If Portugal are to have a successful tournament, much will depend on the form of Cristiano Ronaldo, undoubtedly the best player in the world at present. The Manchester United winger heads to Austria and Switzerland on the back of an English Premier League and Champions League double and if continuing his good form, he could well hold the key to help his country win their first major title.
Like Portugal, the Czech Republic will be optimistic of making it to the knockout stages of Euro 2008. They are a team with a great history of qualifying and performing well in European Championships. They booked their place at this year’s Championships in impressive style, losing just once during in qualification. They have a good blend of experienced and young players in the squad and should be threat to any team they play during the Tournament.
Turkey and Switzerland make up Group A and neither team have a great deal of experience in European finals, with just two previous appearances each. Switzerland will be hopeful of upsetting the two group favorites with home advantage; however, they may find that both Portugal and the Czech Republic are too good whilst it would be a surprise to see Turkey make anything of an impact.
Overall, Group A looks like a battle between Portugal and the Czech Republic as to which team will finish top. It may well come down to the result of the game between the two sides to determine which will have the advantage in the Quarter Final, playing the runner-up of Group B. Portugal have the better squad on paper and for that reason, look the best bet to win Group A.
Euro 2008 Group A Betting Odds [http://euro2008.betting-directory.com/groups.php]
James Smith has worked in the sports industry for several years and has a wide range of experience in the field, ranging from sports marketing through to sports journalism. He is currently a regular sports writer at http://www.betting-directory.com
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Watch Schalke vs Chelsea Live Online – UEFA Champions League Preview
Schalke might be trailing the other three teams in Group B, but they still have everything to play for as they welcome chelsea to the Arena AufSchalke with a single point separating them from second position. For chelsea, a victory would guaranteed a place in the knockout rounds if the result in the night’s other group fixture goes their way.
With chelsea rediscovering their winning form under new coach Avram Grant, the challenge for Schalke two weeks ago was already fraught with difficulties. Another blow came when Kevin Kuranyi was ruled out just before the start with a knee injury, and with only four minutes to go, goalkeeper Manuel Neuer committed a grave mistake that allowed Florent Malouda to score the opener.
Schalke second defeat in three games was confirmed when Didier Drogba blast a diving header into the net, though there were positives and Soren Larsen was unfortunate with a header that came back off an upright. Now Schalke must rediscover the form that enabled them to win away to Rosenborg BK on Matchday 2 as they look to improve on their previous two UEFA Champions League group campaigns in which they finished in fourth and third place.
There was a gap of 32 years before Schalke crossed swords with the English foes. It came in the first group stage of the 2001/02 UEFA Champions League when they beat arsenal 3-1 at the Arena AufSchalke. It was the final group fixture and it could not prevent Schalke finishing in fourth place while the Gunners went into the contest knowing they had already qualified.
chelsea approach this coming match knowing that a third successive group win would assure them of a place for the fifth successive season if Rosenborg secured a second victory away at Valencia.
Stuttgart were Chelsea’s opponents in the 1997/98 UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup final when Gianfranco Zola’s goal in Stockholm was enough to give Chelsea the trophy for a second time.
Jesaiah is a die-hard football fan and have watch Live Football Matches Online using a special software with high quality streaming video. You can click here to download the software.
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Watch Liverpool Vs Blackburn Live Online – EPL Match Preview
liverpool had a lot of tough games in recent weeks, away from home and with quite a few injuries. This Saturday sees the away trip to Blackburn, a game liverpool lost 2-1 last year, with Blackburn currently flying high and a defeat to them would see Liverpool slip back down the table and seriously undermine their title challenge. However, a win against Blackburn will put it within three points of arsenal and United, with both playing each other at the weekend.
Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez reckons Harry Kewell can be like a new signing after the Australia winger put six months of injury misery behind him to help his side reach the League Cup quarter-finals. The 29-year-old seemingly perennially injured star received a standing ovation from the Anfield fans when he came on as a 70th minute substitute during Wednesday’s 2-1 fourth round win over Cardiff after recovering from a thigh problem.
Kewell’s Liverpool career has been hunted by injuries, but Benitez hopes that he can use his appearance against Cardiff to put his problems behind him. Benitez said that it was important for Kewell and the team that he went on and he could be like a new signing for Liverpool. Benitez is unlikely to rush Kewell into his starting line up for fear of aggravating another injury, but Kewell is likely to be on the bench again when Liverpool travel to Blackburn in the premier league match on Saturday.
On the other hand, Blackburn coach Hughes was delighted for McCarthy who shot the team to League Cup victory at Portsmouth. However, the gloss was taken off Blackburn’s seventh consecutive victory when South African team-mate Aaron Mokoena, 26, was forced off with what looked a serious injury. Hughes said that It looks like something gave way in his leg and they are worried that it could be a bad injury.
Jesaiah is a die-hard football fan and have watch Live Football Matches Online using a special software with high quality streaming video. You can click here to download the software.
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Watch Chelsea Vs Leicester City Live Online – Carling Cup Preview
Many predicted the fall of Abramovich empire as the charismatic Portuguese coach was sacked in controversial fashion last month, leaving some unrest in the dressing room. Yet Kalou, who joined chelsea from Dutch side Feyenoord in 2006, says that while it was initially tough to see the popular manager leave, life at chelsea has moved on.
Contrary to expectations, chelsea appear back to their best under new Grant. Since the 2-0 defeat to Manchester United in the Israeli’s first game at the helm, the Blues have performed an impressive undefeated run, including a priceless away win at Valencia in the Champions League.
This is even more evident when Chelsea destroyed Manchester City by 6 goals and this would be dangerous to most premier league clubs. On the other hand, Leicester coming from a lower league position to face the rampant Blues at the Bridge will certainly be facing an uphill task.
If the blues manage to score an early goal in the tie then there is every chance that Leicester could be thrashed. Leicester will hope that several key players will sit on the bench and no doubt Avram and the back room staff will be tempted to shuffle the pack for the tie, but there are plenty of ace players still left to be played. Maybe they shouldn’t have watched on Saturday because there were moments that could only be described as sublime, none more so than Frank Lampard’s outstanding pass for the second goal.
Meanwhile, Leicester caretaker manager Frank Burrows has called on his players to do the club proud ahead of the Carling Cup fourth-round tie at Chelsea. Leicester are in turmoil again this season after Gary Megson’s departure to Bolton. Burrows said that they will not let things off the pitch affect what happens on it and that Chelsea are a fabulous club with a fabulous team and it will already be a very difficult match for them.
Jesaiah is a die-hard football fan and have watch Live Football Matches Online using a special software with high quality streaming video. You can click here to download the software.
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