The Best Premier League Matches Of The Festive Season

For football fans, one of the best things about the holiday season is that matches continue without interruption in the major European leagues. This means we can all spend some of our time away from work taking in the matches and getting a nice look at how the teams look heading into 2015 and soon the second half of the league campaigns. So with that in mind, here's a glance at some of the top Premier League fixtures to keep your eye on this festive period.

Aston Villa v. Manchester United (December 20)

Much has been made of Man Utd.'s recent hot streak, which has propelled them all the way up to third place in the league tables. Following the club's recent 3-0 dismantling of Liverpool at Old Trafford, the Daily Mail even went so far as to declare the EPL a three-horse title race (with many still assuming it'll come down to Chelsea and Manchester City). But Aston Villa can be a tricky club when playing at home, so this is an interesting match to watch. If there's a game that could trip up Man Utd. before 2015, this is probably it.

Liverpool v. Arsenal (December 21)

Liverpool is having a disastrous go of it thus far, and the aforementioned 3-0 loss at Man Utd. didn't help matters. Now, a December 21 fixture in which the club hosts Arsenal is beginning to resemble a make-or-break contest. Bet Fair analyst Luke Moore wrote about Liverpool's outlook standing as one of the EPL stories to watch in the coming weeks. He even went so far as to suggest that Brendan Rodgers may be coaching for his job. Meanwhile, Arsenal is hoping to gain some momentum.

Chelsea v. West Ham (December 26)

Chelsea will likely go into this match as the strong favourite, and justifiably so. But a cross-town rivalry in London yields no sure results, and West Ham has been stronger than most anyone anticipated this season. This should be one of the most intriguing fixtures of the season.

Manchester United v. Newcastle (December 26)

As mentioned, Man Utd. has come on strong of late, but Newcastle has had a fairly impressive campaign as well. Its claim to fame is becoming the first club to beat Chelsea in a league match this season, as Newcastle won their Week 15 contest 2-1. But Newcastle then followed up that result by taking a 4-1 clobbering from Arsenal. Man Utd. will be favoured, but it shouldn't overlook a Newcastle squad that's trying to get back on track.

Southampton v. Chelsea (December 28)

There aren't many fixtures that one can point at and label as a chance that Chelsea may lose, but this is one of them. The Atlantic posted an interesting piece at the beginning of December that gives sound reasoning for Southampton's improbably hot start to likely meet an end—and they're probably right. But this has nevertheless been one of the EPL's most impressive teams thus far, and one never knows what may come up with hosting Chelsea in December.

West Ham v. Arsenal (December 28)

If Arsenal can handle Liverpool in the previously highlighted match, it will have generated some very positive momentum heading toward the second half of the season, with a top-four finish in its sights. West Ham will then become a very intriguing obstacle, and as noted when discussing the Chelsea v. West Ham fixture on December 26, cross-London rivalries make for extra intrigue. This will also be a great opportunity for Arsenal, in that West Ham will only have one day of rest between the matches.

Any EPL match holds the potential to entertain, but if you're looking for a few fixtures to highlight for holiday season viewing, these look to be the best of the bunch!
 
 

Lambert to Liverpool - Analysis and Review:

Done: Lambert was officially unveiled by Liverpool last Monday, having signed on Saturday

Hello again everyone and welcome to my latest blog post.

Today, I will be reviewing the summer signing of English striker Rickie Lambert, who has just signed with this season's EPL title runners-up Liverpool to join them on an inital two-year contract deal next season from Southampton.

Who would say no to a top 4 team and a potential start in the UEFA Champions League?

The transfer fee is thought to be in the region of £4million pounds plus add-ons, and I will be analyzing whether the move is a good one or not for both parties involved.

Just a quick notice to anyone who is interested in contacting me

Here is some background information on the deal:

• The 32-year-old, who is currently in Miami with England's World Cup squad underwent a medical last Saturday after a fee was agreed with Southampton
• He signed for the club who released him as a 15-year-old, with fond memories of his former club and the ambition for him to join their title charge encouraging him to sign once again for The Reds 

He is an experienced striker, there is not a doubt about that, and is a bargain at only £4million for a player of his ability.

Here is what Lambert had to say on his dream move back home:

"I can't believe it. I've loved this club all my life. I left here 17 years ago - and I haven't stopped loving it since.

I have always dreamt of playing for Liverpool, but I did kind of think the chance of playing for them had gone. I didn't think the chance would come," Lambert told liverpoolfc.com.

Perhaps his age is the reason why his transfer value is not as high as someone who is ten years younger than him for example, but he will still provide some much-needed back-up to the front duo of SAS (Suarez and Sturridge) who carried Liverpool's attacking charge this past season with their fast pace counter attacks and clinical finishing.

Lambert has been one of the best strikers in the EPL this past season, excluding SAS.

Lambert's qualities and weaknesses:

• He is experienced, so will be an asset to the younger players at the club who could learn from him - especially the attacking-minded squad members
• Let's just say he would not beat the likes of new team-mates Sturridge and Sterling in a race, but his clinical finishing and vision to get into the best attacking position possible makes up for his pace
• He scored 13 goals and made 10 assists this past season for Southampton, which shows that he isn't afraid to contribute to the team aswell as finish off his scoring opportunities
• His defensive contribution is lacking, meaning that he is more likely to stay up the pitch (near the centre circle) to wait for counter attacks to begin and gallop forward
• He is a set-piece specialist, meaning that he can take free-kicks from up to 40 yards out and has a swerving corner shot
• He is also a specialist at penalties; since joining Southampton he has converted his last 34 penalties and has not missed from the spot since 2009, which has not been broken across the world
• He is less confident when it comes to dribbling on the ball in comparison to the likes of Sturridge and Suarez, he is better assisting with direct passes to team-mates and quality ball control

This is what Rodgers had to say about his new signing:

"I've seen Rickie Lambert over the years and he's one of those players that probably never got the recognition for what a really good footballer he is."

Lambert's career in dates:

1982: Rickie was born on the 16th of February, in Liverpool.

1998: In August, he began his professional career by signing a deal with Blackpool - a year after being released by his boyhood club.

2000: In November of 2000, he was released from Blackpool by then manager Steve McMahon.

2001: March - After being a free agent since his release, Lambert joined League 1 club Macclesfield.

On the 17th of November, he scored his first two goals for the club in an FA Cup match.

2002: On the 26th of April, Lambert joined Stockport after Macclesfield accepted a then club-record bid of £300,000.

2005: On the 17th of February, he left Stockport for Rochdale after making nearly 100 appearances.

2006: Joined Bristol Rovers from Rochdale for £200,000 on transfer deadline day.

2007: A breakthrough year for Lambert -
On the 27th of February, he scored against local rivals Bristol City to send Rovers through to the Johnstone's Paint Trophy final (which they went on to lose)

May 5th - Rovers made it into the League Two play-off's as they beat Hartlepool 2-1 with Lambert scoring the winning goal, and then they gain promotion in the final, beating Shrewsbury.

2009: April - Lambert was selected in the PFA's League One Team Of The Year.

August 10 - He signed for Southampton, a transfer fee of £1million pounds was paid. The day after he signed, he scored on his debut in a League Cup win.

2010: Helped Southampton to win their first domestic trophy in over 30 years by scoring a penalty in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy final.

In April, he was named in the PFA League One Team Of The Year, and also won the PFA Fans' Player Of The Year Award.

2011: Finished the 2010-11 season with 31 goals, meaning that he was the top scorer in English football for back-to-back seasons.

Helped The Saints to finish second in League One, thus gaining promotion to the Championship.

2012: Won the award for Championship Player Of The Year in March, and then gets his shot at Premier League football in dramatic style with a final-day win against Coventry in late April.

2013: August - Called up to the England squad for his national team debut, on the same day that his daughter, Bella Rose is born. Comes on as a sub and scores the winner in a 3-2 win over Scotland at Wembley a few days later.

In September of the same year, he became the first England player to score in his first two internationals for 37 years after scoring against Moldova in a 4-0 win.

2014: Scored 13 goals in this past season, joint 13th highest total in the league with new club team-mate Steven Gerrard.

Was officially named in England's 23-man 2014 Brazil World Cup squad on the 12th of May.

Unveiled as Liverpool's first signing of the season on Monday, the 2nd of June.

In conclusion, I think that Lambert's move to Liverpool is an intelligent one by Rodgers.

Lambert played well for Southampton this past season and it would be ignorant to say that the side do not need a back-up striker just in-case one of SAS gets injured - Lambert probably will not expect to start every match for Liverpool but if he impresses in training for example, he could easily start behind the two strikers in CAM, who knows?

Liverpool are doing shrewd business at the minute, trying to get their transfer activity done and dusted quickly without any deadline rush of August - Lambert is a great signing and £4million is a bargain.

I just hope Southampton are able to replace him in a good way, they have no bad feelings over the transfer of a former Liverpool player but the absence of him could prove costly next season for a side who are looking to improve on an impressive season this term, the way it is looking they could lose their best players and unless they replace them well they could be in trouble.

A clear signal of intent to the rest of the league, Lambert could be one of many signings this summer for Rodgers and Liverpool.

Taken from:

http://football365mo.blogspot.co.uk/2014/06/lambert-to-liverpool-analysis-and-review.html

Please visit my blog and see my other articles.

Premier League Permutations

Has there ever been another season like this one? I stand to be corrected, but I cannot remember another season where the Premier League headed into the final round of fixtures with the title, two Champions League spots, 2 Europa League spots and one relegation place all still being fought over.

Some of the permutations are fairly simple. Others seem to conjure up so many different possibilities that it is hard to fathom, and thinking about it makes your head hurt and ears bleed.

The following is my attempt to make sense of all the different possibilities that we still find ourselves facing with only one set of fixtures to go.

Who Will Kenny Play At Norwich?

Liverpool travel to Carrow road for the first time in seven years to face Paul Lambert's Norwich team in the Premier League since 1995.
Liverpool were 2-1 winners on that day, 3rd January and the two sides have only met once since then with the Canaries gaining a point at Anfield in a 1-1 draw back in October.

In total, the meetings between the two sides have produced 29 wins for Liverpool, 14 wins for Norwich City & 14 draws, down the years.

So, history and statistics would suggest that Liverpool are favourites to win the game, however, with the season Liverpool are having, anything could happen away to Paul Lambert's side.

They are just behind us in the League table and its another 'must-win' game for Kenny Dalglish's side ahead of the FA Cup Final on Saturday week, May 5.

It maybe that Dalglish will rest some key players ahead of the Wembley Final and that more of the squad-players will get a run-out at Carrow road this Saturday evening.

Expect Jamie Carragher, Johnjo Shelvey, Maxi Rodriguez, Craig Bellamy and Jonjo Flanagan to all start as Kenny looks to give the full squad a start.


Some Norwich v Liverpool stats:

WINS	HOME	AWAY	CUP	TOTAL
NORWICH	7	4	3	14
LIVERPOOL	9	15	5	29
DRAWS	7	5	2	14
CITY GOALS	28	20	13	61
LIVERPOOL GOALS	31	54	20	105

See More

Liverpool's season so far

About a month ago I commented on an RBB post about Liverpool and asked everyone to reserve judgement until after the Arsenal game on March the 3rd. Despite losing our first game at Anfield this season against the Gunners I figured it was due a revisit to the conversation.

Liverpool have won their first piece of silverware for 6 years (this is not going to turn into a debate on quality of silver, but a trophy is a trophy), they are in the last 8 of the FA Cup and are sitting in 7th in the Premier League. Considerable progress from when Dalglish took over about 14 months ago, but all Liverpool fans, the pundits and the football world in general won't call the season a true success unless there is a top 4 finish.

Is it possible? Yes.

Is it likely? No. Although a Europa League place finish is still a possibility, thanks mostly to AVB, but that is another story.

Back to Liverpool. What has gone wrong with a team who have out played many opponents and still come away with less than the 3 points. I think Liverpools' season was summed up yesterday, played well, created chances and lost. So what is happening at Anfield? A quick glance at the table tells us the story...


Continued at www.resultsbasedbusiness.co.uk 

Should We Sign Anelka & Can Kuyt Replace Lucas?

Rumours abound that Liverpool may be looking to sign Nicolas Anelka in the January Transfer-Window, either on loan, or to buy him for around £4 million.

The former Liverpool striker, under Gerrard Houllier, is out of favour and soon out of a contract at Chelsea.
Since the arrival of Villas Boas and the purchase of fallen-Red, Fernando Torres, Anelka has found himself way down the pecking order, behind young Daniel Sturridge who is beginning to find the net quite frequently.

Red full article

Liverpool Beat Chelsea Again 2-0

Liverpool sensationally beat Chelsea at Stamford Bridge for the second time in 9 days.

They may thank Craig Bellamy for his role in setting up the two goals for Maxi and Martin Kelly in the 2nd-half.

The result stretches Liverpool's unbeaten run to 11 in all competitions and we kept another clean sheet.

Kenny Dalglish opted to rest several players after Sunday's draw with Man City. In came Coates, Kelly, Spearing, Maxi and Carroll.

Liverpool started quite well and were awarded a penalty when Alex handled in the box.
Carroll took the spot-kick but he hit a tame shot which Turnbull easily saved.
Chelsea never capitalised on the error though and Liverpool were the better side, Enrique had a shot saved on 40 mins.
Reina saved well at the feet of Malouda then Lukatu headed a Boswinga cross wide
So, nil-nil at half-time with plenty to play for.

See Full Report

Am I a Football Mongrel - are you?

You didn’t read the title wrong…I’m asking if any of you would admit to being a football mongrel. That is to say that you have, for whatever reason not just supported the team you support now or have other teams that you ‘keep your eye out’ for either domestically or internationally. We’ve all admitted to supporting Cameroon in the 1994 World Cup (yeah, cheers Turnip head!), or wanting plucky AFC Wimbledon to rise through the leagues as they have - but have you ever taken it a bit further than that?

I have. I do.

Read more...