Analyzing Ligue 1's highest goal scorers

Let's analyze how Ligue 1's highest scorers  proved out to be this season

The French Ligue 1 is ,no doubt believed to be a somewhat primitive or a rather "low-class" league and is often subjected to stern domination of the English Premier League.But, the thought is still somewhat deceiving and misleading.The French Ligue is endowed with goals and their scorers who can rip apart any defense on a given day.So,let's analyze how Ligue 1's highest scorers have proved out to be this season- 

6.Wissam Ben Yedder(Toulouse FC)

A person from Tunisian decent who has been the young superstar performer in ligue 1 this season and has scored 10 times for Toulouse and has 4 assists. Toulouse have constantly relied upon the 23 year old forward and he has always delivered for them with his superb finishing ability and his magical skills. Every time he goes to play for Toulouse his quality and effectiveness always increases on the field.

5.Andre-Pierre Gignac(Olympique de Marseille)

To everyone's surprise Marseille(French giants) is currently 5th in the Ligue 1 standings, they are fighting for a champions league spot and have been knocked out of this year's champions league(6 matches 0 points). This man Gignac has been the in the team since 2010.Since past 4 years,he has serving Marseille but this season he had performed expectionally well for men in blue and white scoring 12 goals in 25 appearances.He is expected to leave the club if they don't qualify for the champions league this season.

4.Vincent Aboubakar(FC Lorient)

Here comes the Cameroonian international  who came from Valenciennes last season to Lorient in the summer transfer window.His arrival has boost up the confidence of the whole team .This 22 year old Striker is improved a lot this season  scoring 12 goals in 26 appearances compared to(last year he had scored 2 goals in 28 appearances for Valenciennes).

3.Alexandre Lacazette(Olympique Lyonnais)

Next up is Lyon's No.10 who is enjoying the best form of this season. He has scored 13 goals and has 2 assists for Lyon this season. Lyon have jumped from 10th to 6th position in past few weeks due to his goals scored at regular intervals in the white jersey. Liverpool and rivals Arsenal are said to be thoroughly interested in securing a move for this free scoring Frenchman and in case,Les Gones fail in their bid to make it to Europe,Lacazette may be on his way out.

2.Edinson Cavani(Paris-Saint Germain)

The former Napoli man has scored 14 goals for men in dark blue this season.Though,he was little sloppy before the winter break and had been missing chances regularly but he has enjoyed a memorable comeback by scoring against french rivals Marseille last week and is starting to regain his lost touch. Rumours are coming he is set to leave Parisiens and sign for either Manchester United or Chelsea in the upcoming transfer window.

1.Zlatan Ibrahimovic(Paris-Saint Germain)

Here comes the top scorer with 22 goals and 10 assists this season Zlatan Ibrahimovic, the person who makes Psg history. He always wants more from his team and is hungry for goals.His astonishing goal scoring ability,unmatchable leadership qualities and his impeccable skills makes him a major contender for 2014 Ballon d'or.

  

 

David Moyes unsure over van Persie's future

Robin van Persie is reportedly unhappy under David Moyes

Following a recent run of poor results ,David Moyes is reportedly pondering upon Robin van Persie's status quo at Manchester United.He has been privately unsure over Robin van Persie's future and is casting doubts over the same. For more ,Click Here-  David Moyes unsure over van Persie's future | FTBpro

Know The Player 3-Markel Susaeta

Markel Susaeta ,   The Stylet.... 

"El Estilete" (The Stylet) as he's known and called by the fans of Athletic club , Markel Susaeta , was a youth product of Athletic Bilbao  has over these years established himself as one of the main fixtures in the starting XI. Seen as one the leaders in the team , Susaeta has contributed a lot and has stepped up from time to time when his team needed him. He's come leaps and bounds over these past years and has arguably been the most consistent player at the club.

 A real fan favourite at the San Mames , the 26 year old attacking midfielder  is a pacey customer and is a danger for any defence. He mainly operates on the right flank and is excellent at streching the opposition by making good runs. Calm and composed on the ball , he's a quick natrual dribbler who does like to cut in from the right flank and switch positions at times. 

Some of the major standout qualities he has is his ability to run at defenders and to cross. He's very intelligent in and around the penalty area , this is another unique quality possesed by the spainard. Being a set-piece specialist his freekicks and his crosses are second to none. He's scored some great freekicks over these years. A clinical finisher , he's also good at shooting from range and does take his chances when given time and space , be it on his favoured right foot or his left.  Susaeta is equally a provider and a goalscorer. Although he's always on the lookout for a killer pass , picking out a teammate via a cutback or laying off someone for a shot. His passes in the final third are very accurate aswell.  His pace , dribbling ability and his quality crosses are one of the main assets on which the team depends upon.

Unlike many players who are often criticized are for not playing thier defensive part , Susaeta does track back from time to time and is not afraid of making  a tackle or two. The 2011-12 campaign proved out o be his best season with 13 goals and 15 assists. So far this season , he has 5 goals and 7 assists to his name in all competitions. A consistent player indeed. In the summer of 2012 , Susaeta was linked to many clubs like Arsenal ,Manchester united and Chelsea as he was out of contract the following year. The feeling in spain was that he was going to leave for pastures new , but he signed a contract extension after a few months. It would've been brilliant to see a player of his quality in the premier league but it just wasn't in the script. Though , you never know what the future holds...

At 26 years of age , he's a gem of a player entering the peak of his powers. El Estilete is rightly considered as a quality Attacking Midfielder in spain. His perfomances justify that.  

21st Century World Eleven

Selecting a "World Eleven" is not a straight-forward task particularly when we have to choose the top eleven starts from a span of great 14 years passed till now. 

Goal Keeper-    Iker Casillas- 

Although the Spanish living legend has not been in limelight in the recent times for Real Madrid, his team and individual achievements can not be ignored. His achievements between 2009 and 2013 for the club and the Spanish side give him a place in the World Eleven.

He has won five LaLiga titles, two Champions League winner's medal with Real Madrid. He also captained Spain in the World Cup 2010 and other Internation-European Cups.

Right Back- Javier Zanetti

Inter Milan and Argentina legend Zanetti gets his place in the position of Right-back in the World Eleven because he has been the most consistent player in the past few years. The 40-year-old is still strong and is capable of doing wonders on the pitch now also.

Centre Back- John Terry

Chelsea's loyal captain - Terry has been great from the starting of his career and has impressed critics with his defending on the field for his side.

The former England captain has been exceptionally good for his national team as a talismanic leader.
He best defender in the Premier League deserved a place in the World Eleven.

Centre Back- Carles Puyol
Barcelona defender Carles Puyol will be ending his career as one of the most decorated player in the history of football. He has worked very hard to be called the " Best Defender In The World ". He has shown exceptional leadership qualities as the captain of the Spanish and the Catalan club- Barcelona.

LaLiga Titles, European Cups, European Championships and the World Cup- Puyol is covered with success.

Left Back- Ashley Cole

Paolo Maldini would have been the first preference for this position of Left-Back but considering the fact that his majority success had come in the 20th century, in the late 1990's. So, Ashley Cole is the most deserving player for this position.

There hasn't been a more consistent left-back than the England star in the past 14 years. Making over 100 appearances for England in this period, he has won multiple titles with Chelsea and Arsenal like the Premier League and the Champions League also.

Right Wing- Cristiano Ronaldo

The Portugal-2013 Ballon d'Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo is the best player for this position. He used to
" Destroy " english clubs during his six year spell at Manchester United. He has also experienced the left-flank position with Real Madrid and has been devastating for the opposing clubs.

The two-time Ballon D'Or winner has been great during his career with a goal status of 235 goals in 231 matches.

Central Midfield- Xavi

One of the most finest players in the 21st Century, Xavi, the Spanish wizard has been a " Trophy Conductor" for both Barcelona and Spain.
He is the best passer of the ball and one of the best play makers in the history.

The final conclusion is that without Xavi, Spain and Barcelona would not have achieved what they have done over a past decade.

Central Midfield- Andres Iniesta

The pale-faced midfielder of Barcelona and Spain, Andres Iniesta has bagged this position in the World Eleven as he literally deserves it. He has scored breath-taking goals and has provided his sides with invaluable assists.

The 29-year-old would be remembered as of the best midfielder of this generation.

Central Midfield- Zinedine Zidane

Not positioning this graceful player in the line up of World Eleven would have been a "Crime".

Despite the fact that he played the most of his career before 21st Century, one can not simply ignore his career during 2000 and 2006.

He lit up the Santiago Bernabeu while playing for Real Madrid for five years. During the same period he scored the best goal in the Champions League history in 2002 against Bayer Leverkusen in the final. He led France to the World Cup Finals in 2006 after the Euro glory.

He was truly a " One Man Army".

Left Wing- Ronaldinho 

For several big reason the former Barcelona star has been stated as the " Unstoppable Star "

While playing, now one could even touch him at some point of his career. He is considered as one of football's all-time greats alongside the likes of  Diego Maradona and Pele.

However, he has not been the player which he was but has changed in past years. He was also moved to AC Milan by Pep Guardiola because of some serious reasons.

Striker- Lionel Messi 

" The Best of The World " is the only sentence heard when people are talking of Messi.

The Argentine is just 26 years of age and has scored a remarkable 339 goals in 408 appearances since he started playing for the Catalans in 2004.

Born with the most incredible natural ability and body structure, Messi is a football freak and is capable of beating any defender in the world, which he does.

Olympiacos v Manchester Utd-Preview,Team News and Predictions

The Greek giants pitted against the Champions of England

Some United fans would feel the need to take Olympiacos lightly in an all important Champions League fixture at Piraeus.But,for the non-believers let me tell you-Olympiacos are 26 points clear at the top of Greek Super League table and have a astounding record in their last 28 games.They have won 26 of their last 28 and this serves as a testimony to what we might expect out of them at the Karaiskakis Stadium in Greece.And Michel's men are unbeaten in the League since February last year have scored an astonishing 69 goals and have conceded just 9.They are back from hammering 4 past OFI Crete ,following a hat-trick from Serbian striker Marko Scepovic.

And the concerning state of things for the Red Devils is about salvaging some pride by advancing into the next round.They have been surprisingly unbeaten in this competition this season and this piece of stat ,sure will offer them a lift.There will still be some doubts surrounding United's abilities to unlock defenses but their last game against Palace reflected Marouane Fellaini's return to form.Robin van Persie and Wayne Rooney scored once each to hand United a much-needed 2-0 victory in London.

Another interesting stats refers to how United have fared in their previous four games against the Greek giants,saying that United have won all of their four outings against Olympiacos,with the last one in 2002.

They game will be an interesting watch for the neutrals but a nervous one for the United faithfuls,so let's take a look at it in further detail.

Team News

Olympiacos are seemingly lucky of not facing Juan Mata as the Spaniard is already cup tied with rivals Chelsea,from whom he joined this January.David Moyes will check on Jonny Evans' ,Rafael da Silva and Phil Jones' fitness,who all were excluded from United's showing at Selhurst Park.

As far as Olympiacos are concerned,their recent hat-trick hero Marko Scepovic's fate is same as Mata's and veteran Javier Pedro Saviola will also miss their crucial tie against the Man United.January recruits Hernan Perez and Ivan Marcano will be available to step onto the pitch but 29 year old Nelson Valdez is a major doubt to face the English Champions.

Expected Line-ups

Olympiacos : Roberto; Bong, Siovas, Manolas, Salino, 

Samaris; Maniatis, Fuster, Domínguez, Campbell; Valdez

Manchester United : De Gea; Smalling, Vidic, Ferdinand, Evra; Fellaini, Carrick, Valencia, Januzaj; Rooney; Van Persie

Predictions

Nobody can deny the a peculiar sort tension will be hanging around in the atmosphere ,especially for the United fans but Olympiacos will fancy their chances against the vulnerable Red Devils.If United play the way they played against Crystal Palace,then joyous celebrations may commence in the United camp even before the game ends. Michel's men would like to pull out an upset which will jeopardize David Moyes' position further.

IOTW predicts a 2-0 win for the Red Devils

Barcelona's tax Fraud Case

Spanish giants Barcelona have been charged against a tax fraud on signing Neymar from Santos by a Spanish court. 

A spokesman said last week ""Judge Pablo Ruz has charged FC Barcelona with an infringement against the tax authority relating to the purchase of the Brazilian player,"
Barcelona claimed no wrongdoing in the future as the public prosecutor asked the court to lay fraud charges on the club. 

Neymar's high profile move from Santos to Barcelona has also been a topic of investigation for possible misappropriation of funds said by a member of Barcelona. 

Barcelona Managing Committee reported said that they would be sending legal representatives to protect and defend the interests of the club.

Sandro Rossell stepped down as the President of the club. He said in an interview that he wanted to protect the image of the club and himself as he received many life threatening notes and messages anonymously. Rossell was replaced by deputy Josep Bartomeu who claimed that the Brazilian had cost them about 87.2 million and not 57.1 million which included all the payments to the family and the club. 

The club refused to show the actual details of the transfer but Neymar's father asked the club to reveal the confidential information. 

Santos asked the court to see the transfer deal with Neymar's family with a view to seeking a bigger cut in the transfer. The club lost their case and are now threatening the Spanish judge to hand over the transfer deal. 

Neymar was pretty angry on this topic as his anger was shown by him on the former Instagram page. He protested personally on his father's innocence and hit out Santos' current and former Presidents.

Crystal Palace v Manchester Utd-Preview and Predictions

Tony Pulis' Eagles host the injured Red Devils

Many would consider this fixture to be a relatively easy one for Manchester United,but the irony lies in Crystal Palace's recent home form.The Eagles have not conceded defeat in 5 of their previous home games,quite contrary to Manchester United's home form and even away form. The Selhurst Park is increasingly becoming a difficult place for visiting teams to go which serves as a testament to the job Tony Pulis has been doing .Tony Pulis' men have been handed a virtual revitalization after the loan signing of starlet Tom Ince and Joe Ledley on a permanent basis as both men scored on their respective debuts in Palace's last encounter against West Bromwich Albion.

Moving on to the team under fire ,Manchester United will look to end their recent poor form after accumulating just two points from possible 9 points recently.Their recent stalemate draw away to Arsenal reflected exactly how much creativity they lack in midfield and this prospect is provoking them to stay back more often. New signing Juan Mata has managed to give 3 assists so far,which is more than any other Manchester United midfielder.And heading into the game at Selhurst Park,agitated David Moyes will know what dangers the Eagles now pose under new manager Tony Pulis.

Team News

Crystal Palace will step onto the home turf without any injury problems,which is again contrary to Manchester United's situation.They have some key defenders on the sidelines but young Phil Jones is said to have recovered from the concussion he suffered weeks ago against Stoke.David Moyes will not be able to see Jonny Evans,Nani and Danny Welbeck who are all out following their respective injury problems.And even right back Rafael is to sit out due to a concerning concussion he suffered after his malignant fall at the Emirates.But,a good news for United will be the return to action of summer signing Marouane Fellaini who is back from a thigh injury.

Expected Line-ups

   Crystal Palace (4-2-3-1):

 Speroni; Ward, Dann, Delaney, Ledley; Dikgacoi, Jedinak; Bolasie , Ince, Puncheon ; Chamakh 

Manchester United(4-2-3-1): 

De Gea;Smalling,Vidic,Jones,Evra;Carrick,Fletcher;Young,Rooney,Mata;van Persie

Predictions

It feels awkward to say that it's going to be another tough game for the Red Devils being an away fixture.United's defense will find it tough to deal with Palace's quickness on the sides especially Tom Ince and Joe Ledley.Goals will come but chances will be few and far to capitalize upon.United full backs would have to be cautious of being caught on the counter and that's where the game will be decided.

We predict a close game and a 2-1 victory for Manchester United