United Vs. Liverpool- Preview

The tensions will be higher,the atmosphere will be turbulent and fierce battles will be fought on the Old Trafford pitch. The Red Devils will look to keep their bid for the 4th spot alive by somehow silencing the away fans,who will be gearing up to face a renaissance affected United side.

Both sides have beaten each other once this season with Liverpool beating United 1-0 in the Premier League and United beating Liverpool 1-0 in the League Cup,thanks to a Chicharito volley.Daniel Sturridge had managed to steer in a Daniel Agger header from close range,early in the game’s proceedings.

But,the game won’t be any easier for both sides considering the fact that United had beaten Liverpool at Old Trafford in the League Cup but not at Anfield.This will be an unfamiliar position for both sides of late as at the start of the season there won’t have been many supporters from either side saying that Liverpool would have an 11 point lead over Manchester United with 10 games remaining – but that’s the way it is.

United are looking ahead to a tough set of fixtures after Liverpool and would expect to pick up 3 crucial points against the Merseysiders.

Team News

We United fans hate Liverpool,don’t we?And Liverpool fans hate our team.

Although,we United fans would have loved to contemplate either of the SAS being injured but it’s not the case.

United will be back with a full squad and winger Nani ,who was sidelined for almost a month may be back in action.

Liverpool will still be missing first choice left back Jose Enrique but the Scousers have received a double injury boost ahead of the United clash. Defensive midfielder Lucas will be back in action along with former PSG centre back Mamadou Sakho .

Expected Line-ups

Here’s how the two sides may line up at Old Trafford on Sunday

United-

Liverpool-

Predictions

As expected,the game will be a tense and a high pressure one and a single mistake can cost the game for either of these sides.And it sure will be make or break for Moyes’ men ,considering they will have just 9 games to go after this one to secure a European spot.

The SAS pairing will be difficult to handle but if Phil Jonah wants to prove that he’s one of the best young centre backs in the world,he’d have to prove his mettle.The same will be the case for Chris Smalling ,if he pairs up with Jonah at the back.

The Wazza-Rvp-Mata-Adnan quadruple has now been upgraded to five men with Marouane Fellaini joining in.If these five come any way near to playing well,Liverpool sure will be in for a tough time.

I predict a 1-1 draw but it’s very tough to predict,this one!

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Devils Secure 600-million Deal With Nike

England's giants are set to secure a 600-million sponsorship deal with American sportswear company- Nike which would last for a whole decade. 

The Daily Mirror reports suggest that United are trembling under the current deal of Nike of just 23-million per season.

The Red Devils have been going through one of the worst seasons in their history and would be looking to miss the Champions League in the next season- 2014/15 for the first time since 1995/96 season. But Red Devils have demonstrated that they are still one of the biggest names in the world of football. 

United's 60-million deal per season almost doubles the current Real Madrid kit deal as they earn about 31-million per season from Adidas. 

Big companies like Puma, Adidas and Warrior were after the Premier League champions to gain sponsorship of them but United were determined to keep their prized asset. 

United's chief executive Ed Woodward recently confirmed that the club would be entering in the transfer window in a way which the team has not entered from the past so many years as the Old Trafford club would be looking forward to revamp their faltering squad. 

With the shirt sponsorship deal with Chevrolet too, these too big sponsorship names would help Moyes with large amounts of funds to challenge other teams for the very best players in the market. 

Leverkusen play dead rubber at Paris-Preview

Sami Hyypia's men look to salvage some pride

PSG host Bayer Leverkusen as they look to finish the proceedings with a comfortable win,taking home a 4-0 advantage.Leverkusen would be desperate to register even a tight victory against the mighty Parisiens after conceding losses in 5 matches out of  their last six and have drawn one. Leverkusen will be hoping against  hope at the Parc des Princes but they still will lookto give their 100% and will be eager to restore some lost pride.

While ,PSG are in sublime form ,winning their last 5 games  and would be eager to pull off a great victory at their home under the lights and the night sky.

PSG are making in roads into the quarter finals of the Champions League  due to  the likes of Ibrahimovic, Cavani & Ezequiel Lavezzi  who have been in dazzling form ,their defence which has restricted the opposition team and their midfield creativity is also quite commendable.

In the first leg Ibra bagged a brace,Matuidi opened the scoring and Cabaye finished it off with a late rebound. Leverkusen got very meagre chances in the whole game and were not able to hold on to the ball even for a few minutes.

Psg coach Laurent Blanc said in the pre match press conference-
  "We negotiated the first leg. And brilliantly so, now we must finish the job"

He added "I would like to avoid Barcelona, Real Madrid and particularly Bayern Munich in the Quarter Finals"

"For four years Bayern is always present in the last four. They lost two finals. It is a club that should be avoided, but we do not control the draw."

Team News

Edinson Cavani and Christopher Jallet  are back for men in dark blue(after missingo out the first leg) which would uplift the spirits of the team.

On the other hand for Bayer, the injury of their midfielder  Jens Hegeler(ankle),Robbie Kruse and  the suspension of Eric Spahic will heap upon the troubles for them.

Expected line-ups

Psg:Sirigu; Silva,Alex,Maxwell,Jallet;Matuidi,Motta,Verratti;Ibrahimovic,Cavani,Lavezzi.

Bayer Leverkusen:  Leno; Wollscheid, Toprak, Hilbert, Boenisch; Rolfes,  Can,Bender, Castro; Son Heung- Min , Stefan Kießling.

Prediction

Laurent Blanc's men are the favourites  against struggling Leverkusen who would certainly be hoping against hope for a miracle to happen.The visitors have the potential to comeback strongly and can coerce the Parisiens to think about their own issues heading into the business end of Champions League.

IOTW predicts a 2-1 win for Psg.

How a City fan reacted when Wigan knocked City out

Manchester City crash out of the FA Cup after Shocking loss to Wigan

Wigan Athletic were at It again yesterday and it seems they have got used to knocking Manchester City out of the FA Cup.They did it in the final last season and they have done the same this season thanks to goals from Jordi Gomez and James Perch.Fans have been left to wonder ,which curse has been inflicted upon them since the last time around but it gives them a reason to moan.Here's how a City fan reacted to their shocking loss to the Latics.

Barcelona To Bring Reinforcements

With Vector Valdes and Carles Puyol announcing their departures, the Catalans are looking for new players to add to the squad. The desire for bringing new players to the squad deepened when the Nou Camp club missed a golden opportunity to go to the top after their 0-1 loss to Valladolid. 

Manager Gerado Martino would be having a maximum of 60 million at his disposal to bring in players for the next season.

Main Aim For The Transfer Window- 

Barcelona in the 2013-14 season has unfortunately leaked to many "Unwanted" goals. They are planning a revamp of their defensive line, which has recently seen Javier Mascherano pairing up well with spanish star -Gerrad Pique.

Already Signed-

With Victor Valdes announcing his departure, the Catalonians have been after a quality Goal Keeper to replace the spaniard. Ander Ten Stegen from the Borussia Monchegladbach has been signed for 10 million. The Catalans will confirm this deal only after the LaLiga title is decided.
 The Borussia Moncheglabach goalkeeper is comparable to Manuel Neuer in term of reflexives and quick saves.

Looking for-

David Luiz- From Chelsea. 

With Carles Puyol leaving the side and Marc Bartra yet to win full confidence of Martino, the Nou Camp club see Brazilian center-back as a perfect addition to boost up the defense.

Luiz has been linked with Barcelona for the past two transfer windows and it would turn out to be difficult for the Catalonians to convince Jose Mourinho to sell the Brazilian center-back.

Juan Cuadrado- From Florentina.

Rumours sugggest, which might turn out be true in the future that Barcelona might get into a swap deal with Florentina involving Dani Alves.

 The 25-year Colombian's assets are pace and dexter dribbling abilities which make him one of the most lethal players in Europe.

Parisiens must stay focused:Preview

9th placed Bastia tackle the table toppers

Psg will face struggling Corsicans  at the Armand Cesari stadium to  extend their lead to 11 points at the top .Champions of France wold love to destroy their opponents  and get fully prepared for the Champions League match against Bayer Leverkusen. While,the Bastia side hasn't defeated the Parisiens since 2003 would expect something extraordinary to happen at their home. Bastia sitting at 9th position in the table will look to start afresh after they had only won 2 of their last 6 games.

Last time,when both these teams met Parisiens trounced their opponents 4-0 with Ibrahimovic and Cavani registering 2 goals to their name. The duo have combined and scored 36 goals together for their team and are considered among  the top most strike force in Europe. 

Bastia is a team who currently is playing Ligue 1 after seven year long stint in the Lower leagues.

Psg's manager Laurent Blanc said"Cavani will not play tomorrow for the match against Bastia" He added "I think apart from Cavani no other player will be unavailable.

"Bastia will want to exploit tomorrow, they are very motivated. We will try to be very effective in recovering the ball."

Team news

Psg will be without their star striker Edinson Cavani who made a stunning comeback in his last game by scoring a winner against their fierce French rivals Marseille . He did feature in midweek's International Friendly but will not be back for the match at Bastia.

Jeremy Menez, the person who had been linked with Atletico Madrid has been left out of the squad.

Christophe Jallet is back for the champions which will help Psg breathe a little about Netherlands right back Van der Wiel.

Corsicans don't have any injury problems or niggles and would be at their full strength.

Expected Line-ups

Psg: 

Sirigu;Silva,Alex,Jallet,Maxwell;Cabaye,Verratti,Motta;Ibrahimovic,Lavezzi,Lucas Moura

SC Bastia: 

Leca; Squillaci, Modesta, Harek, Diakite; Krasic, Romaric, Boudebouz, Sable; Keita, Cisse.

Predictons

Psg start as favourites against out of form Bastia.But,Bastia has players which can outclass the mighty Parisiens and cause a major upset at their home.Though,Laurent Blanc will not allow the team to celebrate and has said them to stick to their basics until their title win is a mathematical certainty.

IOTW predicts a 3-1 win for the champions of France.

Time for retribution at the Hawthorns-Preview

Pepe Mel's West Brom face Moyes' Manchester United

Two sides,low on momentum will face off at Birmingham in England.

How out of reach can things go for David Moyes this season?It's become a rather unanswerable question for Manchester United fans after they saw their side succumb to a 2-0 defeat at Karaiskakis Stadium at the hands of Olympiakos.They have promenaded upon a hugely rocky path this season owing to some poor showings by some lot of players,who have been laballed as "not able enough to play for United" by some former players.

And circumstances have not bettered for the Throstles since Steve Clark's sacking some months ago and new manager Pepe Mel's side have slumped to the 17th place in the Premier League table.They have barely managed to accumulate 4 points in their previous 7 games but have somehow scraped out points from some of their tough games.Not only this but West Bromwich Albion have won just a single game out of their last 18 games and have never shown any evident sings of improvement. Their highlight of this season has been their 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge and their 2-1 win over the Red Devils at Old Trafford. Saidy Berahino and Morgan Amalfitano had ensured that Moyes' men slumped to their 3rd defeat of their season.

United desperately need to finish their season on a high after hitting new lows in nearly every game and had 10 days off to train.West Bromwich Albion would never ever prefer lurking around the dreaded relegation zone and it is a spot they are accustomed to much.

Team News

The hosts will be without right back Billy Jones ,who will miss out due to a hamstring tear.Nicolas Anelka is under a ban after his quenelle gesture but both Claudio Yacob and Stephane Sessegnon will be fit to feature for the Baggies.

As far as the visitors are concerned,winger Nani will be back after suffering from a serious thigh injury which kept him out for 10-11 weeks.New signing Juan Mata will be back in action for the Reds after he missed out on the Olympiacos game on being cup tied to Chelsea.

Expected Lineups 

West Brom: Foster; McAuley, Olsson, Dawson, Ridgewell; Brunt, Yacob, Mulumbu, Morrison; Vydra, Anichebe

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

Predictions

United's games have become rather tough to predict these days and this game will be one of them.West Brom will opt to park the bus and sit at the break to catch United off guard at the counter.They will be more than happy to concede possession to Moyes' men but sacrificing the possession can leak away goals for them,considering the side United are.

United still lack the cutting edge in midfield to unlock defenses and this is what that's let them down this season.If Marouane Fellaini ,Juan Mata,Adnan Januzaj,Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie start ,United should win this game but doubts still hang over their abilities.

IOTW predicts a 2-1 win to Manchester United after a crappy performances from Moyes' men.