My Predictions for the 2018/19 Football Season and the Betting Odds!

Vanarama National League:

Winners: Salford City 2/1 (11/10 for promotion)

Promotion by winning the Play-offs: Chesterfield 5/1 (10/1 to win the National League title)

Dark Horses: Dover Athletic, Leyton Orient, and Hartlepool United

Relegation: Gateshead 11/10, Braintree Town 7/4 and Maidstone United 2/1, Eastleigh 15/4


# Betway odds correct at time of writing.

---------------------------------------------------------------

Sky Bet League Two:

Winners:  Notts County 13/2

Automatic Promotion: MK Dons (7/1 to win League Two and 15/8 to win promotion) and Lincoln City (8/1 to win League Two and 11/4 to win promotion)

Promotion by winning the Play-offs: Mansfield 12/1, Swindon Town 14/1, Northampton Town 14/1 or Cambridge United 18/1

League Two Promotion Straight Forecast: (1st) Notts County and (2nd) MK Dons 40/1 and Notts County (1st) and Lincoln (2nd) 40/1

Dark Horses: Stevenage and Port Vale

Relegation: Morecambe 7/2 and Oldham 11/1 (Also in the relegation mix Yeovil Town 7/2 and Forest Green Rovers 7/1)

Top Scorers: John Akinde (Lincoln) 9/1, Kristian Dennis (Notts County) 10/1, Kieran Agard (MK Dons) 14/1, Ricky Miller (Port Vale) 20/1, James Norwood 25/1 (Tranmere), Jermaine Beckford (Bury) 25/1

Players to Watch:, Filipe Morais (Crawley Town), Antoine Semeny and Tyreeq Bakinson (both Newport County), Idris Kanu (Port Vale), Tyler Walker (Mansfield), Immanuelson Duku (Cheltenham), George Williams (Forest Green), Steven Alzate (Swindon)


# Sky Bet odds correct at time of writing.
* Each Way: 1/4 for first 4 places

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sky Bet League One:

Winners: Barnsley 17/2

Runners-up: Portsmouth (14/1 to win League One, 9/2 to win promotion)

Promotion by winning the Play-offs: Sunderland 9/1, Luton 12/1, Coventry 18/1 or Southend 20/1

League One Promotion Straight Forecast: (1st) Barnsley and (2nd) Portsmouth 66/1

Dark Horses: Scunthorpe and Charlton

Relegation: Accrington Stanley 13/8, Wycombe 3/2 Gillingham 9/5, Walsall 2/1 and (Also in the relegation mix Blackpool 7/2 and Rochdale 9/2)

Top Scorers: Brett Pitman (Portsmouth) 7/1, Tom Bradshaw (Barnsley) 9/1, Danny Hylton (Luton) 10/1, Liam Boyce (Burton Albion) 22/1, Ched Evans (Fleetwood) 28/1, Jamie Mackie (Oxford) 66/1

Players to Watch: Reise Allassani (Coventry), Jon McLaughlin (Sunderland), Ronan Curtis (Portsmouth), Luke Garbutt (Oxford), Liam Lindsay (Barnsley), Sherwin Seedorf (Bradford City), Jorge Grant (Luton Town), Liam Boyce (Burton Albion), Cameron Borthwick-Jackson (Scunthorpe), Luke Hyam (Southend)


# Sky Bet odds correct at time of writing.
* Each Way: 1/4 for first 4 place

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sky Bet Championship:

Winners: Middlesbrough 17/2

Runner-up: Stoke (11/2 to win the Championship, 7/4 for promotion)

Promotion by winning the Play-offs: West Brom 11/1, Nottingham Forest 12/1, Derby County 14/1 or Brentford 14/1

Championship Promotion Straight Forecast: (1st) Middlesbrough and (2nd) Stoke City 50/1

Dark Horses: Preston North End and Leeds

Relegation: Bolton 6/5, Hull 7/2, and QPR 9/2 (Also in the relegation mix Rotherham 6/5, Reading 4/1 and Birmingham 11/2)

Top Scorers: Benik Afobe (Stoke City) 8/1, Jay Rodriguez (West Brom) 10/1, Britt Assombalonga (Middlesbrough) 12/1, Matěj Vydra (Derby) 14/1, Jonathan Kodjia (Aston Villa) 20/1, Jack Marriott (Derby) 22/1, Mo Eisa (Bristol City) 66/1

Players to Watch: Adama Traoré (Middlesbrough), Harry Wilson and Mason Mount (both Derby), Lewis Baker (Leeds), Nick Powell (Wigan), Sam Johnstone and Harvey Barnes (both West Brom), Ryan Woods (Brentford), Ben Woodburn (Sheffield United), Bradley Dack (Blackburn) and Mo Eisa (Bristol City)


# Sky Bet odds correct at time of writing.
* Each Way: 1/4 for first 4 places

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Premier League:

Winners: Manchester City 8/11

Runners-up: Liverpool (4/1 to win the Premier League)

Europe (Champions League qualification): Tottenham and Manchester United

Europe (Europa League qualification): Chelsea and Arsenal

Premier League Straight Forecast: (1st) Manchester City and (2nd) Liverpool 3/1

Combination Quadcast (To all finish in Top 4): Man City, Liverpool, Tottenham and Man Utd 7/2

Not to finish Top 4: Arsenal 4/9 and Chelsea 11/10

Premier League Winner and Top Goalscorer: Man City and Harry Kane 4/1

Player of the Year: Leroy Sane 20/1

Young Player of the Year: Jordon Pickford  N/A

Dark Horses: Fulham, Southampton and Wolves

Relegation: Cardiff 8/13, Huddersfield 6/5 and Watford 15/8

Premier League Relegation Treble: Cardiff, Huddersfield and Watford all to be relegated 20/1

Top scorers: Harry Kane 5/2, Mohamed Salah 5/1, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang 6/1 Romelu Lukaku 7/1, Sergio Aguero 8/1, Gabriel Jesus 12/1, Alexandre Lacazette 20/1, Roberto Firmino 28/1 e/w, Jamie Vardy 33/1 e/w, Cenk Tosun 50/1 e/w, Christian Benteke 66/1 e/w, Aleksandar Mitrovic 100/1 e/w, Naby Keita 100/1 e/w

Players to Watch: James Maddison (Leicester), Max Meyer and Aaron Wan-Bissaka (both Crystal Palace), Ryan Sessegnon and Andre Schurrle (both Fulham), Bernd Leno (Arsenal), Trent Alexander-Arnold, Fabinho and Naby Keita (all Liverpool), Kenedy (Newcastle), Jorginho and Callum Hudson-Odoi (both Chelsea), João Moutinho and Rúben Neves (both Wolves), Aymeric Laporte (Manchester City)

1st Manager to Leave Post: Javi Gracia (Watford) 8/1 or Marco Silva (Everton) 20/1


# Sky Bet odds correct at time of writing.
* Each Way: 1/4 for first 4 places

My Predictions for the 2017/18 Football Season and the Betting Odds!

National League:

Winners: Tranmere Rovers 11/4

Promotion by winning the Play-offs: Dagenham and Redbridge 9/2

Dark Horses: Wrexham and Aldershot


# Sky Bet odds correct at time of writing.

----------------------------------------------------------------

Sky Bet League Two:

Winners: Luton Town 6/1

Automatic Promotion: Mansfield (9/2 to win League Two and 11/10 to win promotion) and Exeter (16/1 to win League Two and 10/3 to win promotion)

Promotion by winning the Play-offs: Lincoln City 12/1, Exeter 14/1 or Swindon Town 14/1

League Two Promotion Straight Forecast: Luton (1st) and Mansfield (2nd) 40/1 and Luton (1st) and Exeter (2nd) 100/1

Dark Horses: Crewe, Accrington Stanley and Colchester

Relegation: Morecambe 15/8 and Crawley 3/1

Top Scorers: James Collins (Luton) 8/1, John Akinde (Barnet) 9/1, Danny Hylton (Luton) 10/1, Matthew Godden (Stevenage) 12/1, Marc McNulty (Coventry) 14/1, Chris Porter (Crewe) 16/1, Matt Green (Lincoln) 16/1, Reuben Reid (Exeter) 20/1 e/w, Chris O'Grady (Chesterfield) 50/1 e/w

Players to Watch: Michael Bostwick (Lincoln), Jack Grimmer (Coventry), George Cooper (Crewe), Donal McDermott (Swindon), Luke Croll (Exeter) and Liam Noble (Forest Green)


# Sky Bet odds correct at time of writing.
* Each Way: 1/4 for first 4 places

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sky Bet League One:

Winners: Wigan Athletic 7/1

Runners-up: Blackburn Rovers (4/1 to win League One, Evens to win promotion)

Promotion by winning the Play-offs: MK Dons 12/1, Bradford 14/1, Oxford United or 14/1 Southend 16/1

League One Promotion Straight Forecast: Wigan (1st) and Blackburn (2nd) 40/1

Dark Horses: Bury and Fleetwood Town

Relegation: Oldham 11/8, Gillingham 13/8, AFC Wimbledon 10/3 and Walsall 5/2

Top Scorers: Danny Graham (Blackburn) 10/1, Will Grigg (Wigan) 12/1, Omar Bogle (Wigan) 12/1, Brett Pitman (Portsmouth) 14/1, Jermaine Beckford (Bury) 20/1 e/w

Players to Watch: Conor McAleny (Fleetwood), Dominic Poleon (Bradford), Nick Powell (Wigan), Bradley Dack and Ben Gladwin (both Blackburn), Michael Kightly (Southend), Jay Dasilva (Charlton) and Ethan Ebanks-Landell (MK Dons)


# Sky Bet odds correct at time of writing.
* Each Way: 1/4 for first 4 place

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sky Bet Championship:

Winners: Middlesbrough 6/1

Runner-up: Wolvehampton Wanderers (9/1 to win the Championship, 10/3 for promotion)

Promotion by winning the Play-offs: Fulham 10/1, Sheffield Wednesday 11/1, Norwich 11/1 or Derby 12/1

Championship Promotion Straight Forecast: Middlesbrough (1st) and Wolves (2nd) 66/1

Dark Horses: Brentford and Cardiff

Relegation: Burton Albion 13/8, Ipswich Town 5/2, and Sunderland 11/1 (Also in the relegation mix Bolton 15/8)

Top Scorers: Britt Assombalonga (Middlesbrough) 8/1, Jonathan Kodjia (Aston Villa) 9/1, Chris Wood (Leeds) 9/1, Scott Hogan (Aston Villa) 16/1 e/w, Famara Diédhiou (Bristol City) 20/1 e/w, Billy Sharp (Sheffield United) 40/1 e/w, Frazier Campbell (Hull) 50/1 e/w, Neal Maupay (Brentford) 50/1 e/w, Adam Armstrong (Bolton) 66/1 e/w

Players to Watch: Ashley Fletcher (Middlesbrough), Tom Cairney and Ryan Sessegnon (both Fulham), Tom Huddlestone (Derby), Ruben Neves and Willy Boly (both Wolves), George Boyd (Sheff Wed), Michael Hector (Hull), Angus Gunn and Harrison Reed (both Norwich), Ike Ugbo (Barnsley), Lee Tomlin and Kenneth Zohore (both Cardiff), Jota and Ollie Watkins (both Brentford)(Brentford)


# Sky Bet odds correct at time of writing.
* Each Way: 1/4 for first 4 places

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Premier League:

Winners: Manchester City 7/4

Runners-up: Manchester United (7/2 to win the Premier League)

Europe (Champions League qualification): Chelsea and Liverpool

Europe (Europa League qualification: Tottenham and Everton

Premier League Top 3 Exact Order: Man City, Man Utd Chelsea 22/1

Not to finish Top 4: Arsenal 10/11

Premier League Winner and Top Goalscorer: Man City and Harry Kane 11/1

Player of the Year: Paul Pogba 10/1

Young Player of the Year: Jordon Pickford 16/1

Dark Horses: Leicester and Crystal Palace

Relegation: Huddersfield 2/3 Brighton 5/4 and Swansea 9/4

Premier League Relegation Treble: Swansea, Brighton and Huddersfield all to be relegated 28/1

Top scorers: Hary Kane 3/1, Romelu Lukak 7/2, Sergio Aguero 7/1, Gabriel Jesus 9/1, Alexandre Lacazette 10/1, Michy Batshuayi 33/1 e/w, Kelechi Iheanacho 33/1 e/w, Javier Hernandez 33/1 e/w, Jermain Defoe 50/1 e/w

Players to Watch: Ruben Loftus-Cheek (Crystal Palace), Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dominic Solanke (both Liverpool), Ben Chilwell and Harry Maguire (both Leicester), Connor Mahoney (Bournemouth), Ramadan Sobhi (Stoke), Anthony Knockaert (Brighton), Benjamin Mendy and Gabriel Jesus (both Manchester City), Tammy Abraham (Swansea), Will Hughes (Watford) Sandro Ramirez and Michael Keane (both Everton)

1st Manager to Leave Post: Marco Silva (Watford) 10/1 or Mauricio Pellegrino (Southampton) 18/1

# Sky Bet odds correct at time of writing.
* Each Way: 1/4 for first 4 places

Statistically, the EA Sports best performing players in the English Premier League so far this season!

The EA SPORTS PPI (Player Performance Index) is the only official player rating index of the Barclays Premier League which measures a player's all round contribution to the success of his team using six key indices:

The intention is to remove any opinion bias and only work with proven statistical measurements which become more accurate as the season progresses.

Season 2015/16 - Last update: 08/03/16

For those of you currently playing 'Fantasy Premier League Football' you may want to take note!


Goalkeepers:

1. Kasper Schmeichel (Leicester) 356 EA Sports PPI  
2. Petr Cech (Arsenal) 340
3. Hugo Lloris (Tottenham) 321
4. Jack Butland (Stoke City) 319 (right)
5. Adrian (West Ham) 294
6. Heurelho Gomes (Watford) 289
7. Joe Hart (Man City) 284
8. Lukasz Fabianski (Swansea) 270
9. David de Gea (Man Utd) 267
10. Simon Mignolet (Liverpool) 267


Defenders:

1. Toby Alderweireld (Tottenham) 468
2. Scott Dann (Crystal Palace) 412
3. Charlie Daniels (Bournemouth) 404
4. Eric Dier (Tottenham) 403
5. Wes Morgan (Leicester) 400 (right)
6. Ashley Williams (Swansea) 395
7. Héctor Bellerín (Arsenal) 380
8. Aaron Cresswell (West Ham) 379
9. Nacho Monreal (Arsenal) 370
10. Robert Huth (Leicester) 364


Midfielders:

1. Riyad Mahrez (Leicester) 779
2. Mesut Özil (Arsenal) 625
3. Christian Eriksen (Tottenham) 587
4. Ross Barkley (Everton) 567
5. Dimitri Payet (West Ham) 534
6. Dele Alli (Tottenham) 508
7. Aaron Ramsey (Arsenal) 484
8. Georginio Wijnaldum (Newcastle) 477
9. Yaya Toure (Man City) 454
10. Gylfi Sigurdsson (Swansea) 441


Forwards:

1. Harry Kane (Tottenham) 755
2. Jamie Vardy (Leicester) 743
3. Romelu Lukaku (Everton) 639
4. Odion Ighalo (Watford) 620
5. Sergio Agüero (Man City) 522
6. Olivier Giroud (Arsenal) 485
7. Diego Costa (Chelsea) 441
8. Roberto Firmino (Liverpool) 419 (right)
9. Troy Deeney (Watford) 415
10. Marko Arnautovic (Stoke) 408


The Six Key Indices:

1. Winning Performance

Players receive points for time on the pitch in a successful team. Players will receive more points if they play the full 90 minutes in a winning team. This index shares league points won by a team between the players according to the minutes they are on the pitch. Only time on the pitch and points scored are taken into account in this first index.

2. Player's Performance per match

Players receive points for positive influences on a winning performance (shots on target, tackles, clearances, saves etc). Players have points taken away from their score for negative actions such as shots off target and receiving yellow and/or red cards.

3. Appearances

Players receive points for minutes on the pitch. The number of points won by ALL teams in the Barclays Premier League are divided among the players according to the number of minutes they have played. This does not take into account the result of a match, it awards points purely for playing time.

4. Goals scored

Players are awarded points for scoring goals. These points are only given to the goalscorer.

5. Assists

Players are awarded points for assists. These points are only awarded to players that make the assist.
Assists are awarded to the player from the goal scoring team who makes the last touch before the goal is scored.
If after this touch, an opposing player touches the ball outside the penalty area altering the intended destination of the ball, then no assist is given, except if this intervention directly results in an own goal.
In the event of a penalty or free-kick, the player earning the penalty or free-kick gets an assist if a goal is directly scored, but not if he takes it himself, in which case no assist is given.

6. Clean sheets

Allocates points for clean sheets to the whole team. The proportionate split of the points is weighted according to the player's position. Therefore a goalkeeper will be awarded a greater proportion of the points for keeping a clean sheet than a striker. The points are also awarded proportionately to the time spent on the pitch.


N.B. The overall EA SPORTS PPI is a correlation between all of the above indices. The Index only includes actions that can be measured objectively and does not reward one action more than another (e.g. a pass by a midfielder will not gain more points than a tackle made by a defender). Subjective factors relating to individual players' skill levels or evidence of a specific flair, such as a particularly spectacular pass or goal, are not included within the index.

Statistically, the EA Sports best performing players in the English Premier League so far this season!

The EA SPORTS PPI (Player Performance Index) is the only official player rating index of the Barclays Premier League which measures a player's all round contribution to the success of his team using six key indices:

The intention is to remove any opinion bias and only work with proven statistical measurements which become more accurate as the season progresses.

Season 2015/16 - Last update: 15/01/16

For those of you currently playing 'Fantasy Premier League Football' you may want to take note!


Goalkeepers:

1. Petr Cech (Arsenal) 272 EA Sports PPI
2. Kasper Schmeichel (Leicester) 258 (right)
3. Jack Butland (Stoke City) 240
4. Hugo Lloris (Tottenham) 221
5. Joe Hart (Man City) 216
6. Tim Howard (Everton) 215
7. Heurelho Gomes (Watford) 211
8. Boaz Myhill (West Brom) 203
9. Adrian (West Ham) 198
10. Simon Mignolet (Liverpool) 197


Defenders:

1. Toby Alderweireld (Tottenham) 330 (below right)
2. Scott Dann (Crystal Palace) 316
3. Aleksandar Kolarov (Man City) 300
4. Bacary Sagna (Man City) 299
5. Eric Dier (Tottenham) 296
6. Aaron Cresswell (West Ham) 295
7. Nacho Monreal (Arsenal) 294
8. Laurent Koscielny (Arsenal) 291
9. Wes Morgan (Leicester) 280
10. Héctor Bellerín (Arsenal) 272


Midfielders:

1. Riyad Mahrez (Leicester) 612
2. Mesut Özil (Arsenal) 476
3. Ross Barkley (Everton) 452
4. Georginio Wijnaldum (Newcastle) 395
5. Yaya Toure (Man City) 388
6. Aaron Ramsey (Arsenal) 382
7. Kevin De Bruyne (Man City) 371
8. Dele Alli (Tottenham) 347
9. Dimitri Payet (West Ham) 345
10. Christian Eriksen (Tottenham) 329



Forwards:

1. Jamie Vardy (Leicester) 550
2. Odion Ighalo (Watford) 510
3. Harry Kane (Tottenham) 509
4. Romelu Lukaku (Everton) 506
5. Olivier Giroud (Arsenal) 380
6. Raheem Sterling (Man City) 344
7. Troy Deeney (Watford) 327
8. Marko Arnautovic (Stoke) 325 (right)
9. Jermain Defoe (Sunderland) 310
10. Alexis Sánchez (Arsenal) 309


The Six Key Indices:

1. Winning Performance

Players receive points for time on the pitch in a successful team. Players will receive more points if they play the full 90 minutes in a winning team. This index shares league points won by a team between the players according to the minutes they are on the pitch. Only time on the pitch and points scored are taken into account in this first index.

2. Player's Performance per match

Players receive points for positive influences on a winning performance (shots on target, tackles, clearances, saves etc). Players have points taken away from their score for negative actions such as shots off target and receiving yellow and/or red cards.

3. Appearances

Players receive points for minutes on the pitch. The number of points won by ALL teams in the Barclays Premier League are divided among the players according to the number of minutes they have played. This does not take into account the result of a match, it awards points purely for playing time.

4. Goals scored

Players are awarded points for scoring goals. These points are only given to the goalscorer.

5. Assists

Players are awarded points for assists. These points are only awarded to players that make the assist.
Assists are awarded to the player from the goal scoring team who makes the last touch before the goal is scored.
If after this touch, an opposing player touches the ball outside the penalty area altering the intended destination of the ball, then no assist is given, except if this intervention directly results in an own goal.
In the event of a penalty or free-kick, the player earning the penalty or free-kick gets an assist if a goal is directly scored, but not if he takes it himself, in which case no assist is given.

6. Clean sheets

Allocates points for clean sheets to the whole team. The proportionate split of the points is weighted according to the player's position. Therefore a goalkeeper will be awarded a greater proportion of the points for keeping a clean sheet than a striker. The points are also awarded proportionately to the time spent on the pitch.


N.B. The overall EA SPORTS PPI is a correlation between all of the above indices. The Index only includes actions that can be measured objectively and does not reward one action more than another (e.g. a pass by a midfielder will not gain more points than a tackle made by a defender). Subjective factors relating to individual players' skill levels or evidence of a specific flair, such as a particularly spectacular pass or goal, are not included within the index.

Premier League Players that are Free Agents from 1st Jan 2015

Whether clubs are primed to contest the title race, battle over European places or fight tooth and nail to avoid the drop, the winter transfer window (January 1st-31st) is their chance to shuffle the squad.

Clubs notoriously play it rather cagey in the early part of the window. But as soon as a couple of big deals happen later in the window, it often sparks a mad scramble as clubs look to bolster their squads at knockdown prices.

Of course, January is also a time out-of-favour players agitate for a move away or clubs look to ditch high earners.

Pre-contract agreements can also be penned by players who have less than six months remaining on their deals, as we saw with Robert Lewandowski's move to Bayern Munich last term.

So, keep track of all the latest transfers this month with a guide to the Premier League players that are free agents and are to talk to other sides beginning on 1st January 2015.


Mathieu Flamini
Current club: Arsenal
Age: 30
Position: Midfield
International: France

Abou Diaby
Current club: Arsenal
Age: 28
Position: Defensive Midfielder
International: France

Mikel Arteta
Current club: Arsenal
Age: 32
Position: Midfield
International: Spain

Fabian Delph
Current club: Aston Villa.
Age: 25
Position: Midfield
International: England

Ron Vlaar (right)
Current club: Aston Villa.
Age: 29
Position: Centre-back
International: Netherlands

Danny Ings
Current club: Burnley
Age: 22
Position: Striker
International: England U21

Didier Drogba
Current club: Chelsea
Age: 36
Position: Striker
International: Ivory Coast

Mark Schwarzer (right)
Current club: Chelsea
Age: 42
Position: Goalkeeper
International: Australia

Sylvain Distin
Current club: Everton
Age: 37
Position: Centre-back
International: N/A

Antolin Alcarez
Current club: Everton
Age: 32
Position: Centre-back
International: Paraguay

Hatem Ben Arfa
Current club: Hull City (on loan from Newcastle)
Age: 27
Position: Winger
International: France

Anthony Knockaert (right)
Current club: Leicester City
Age: 23
Position: Midfield
International: France U21

James Milner
Current club: Man City
Age: 28
Position: Midfield
International: England

Martin Demichelis
Current club: Man City
Age: 34
Position: Midfield
International: Argentina

Michael Carrick
Current club: Man Utd
Age: 33
Position: Midfield
International: England

Tom Cleverley (right)
Current club: Aston Villa (on loan from Man Utd)
Age: 25
Position: Midfield
International: England

Anderson
Current club: Man Utd
Age: 26
Position: Midfield
International: Brazil

Jonás Gutiérrez
Current club: Newcastle
Age: 31
Position: Midfield
International: Argentina

Rio Ferdinand
Current club: QPR
Age: 36
Position: Centre-back
International: England

Joey Barton
Current club: QPR
Age: 32
Position: Midfield
International: England

Bobby Zamora
Current club: QPR
Age: 33
Position: Striker
International: England

Jack Cork (right)
Current club: Southampton
Age: 25
Position: Midfield/Striker
International: England U21

Maya Yoshida
Current club: Southampton
Age: 26
Position: Centre-back
International: Japan

Peter Crouch
Current club: Stoke
Age: 33
Position: Striker
International: England

Glenn Whelan
Current club: Stoke
Age: 30
Position: Midfield
International: Republic of Ireland

Wes Brown
Current club: Sunderland
Age: 35
Position: Defender
International: England

Gerhard Tremmel
Current club: Swansea
Age: 36
Position: Goalkeeper
International: N/A

Younes Kaboul
Current club: Tottenham
Age: 28
Position: Centre-back
International: France

Ravel Morrison (right)
Current club: West Ham
Age: 21
Position: Cardiff (on loan from West Ham)
International: England U21

Winston Reid
Current club: West ham
Age: 26
Position: Defender
International: New Zealand


# Information sources: Thanks to The Telegraph Newspaper and The Mail Online.

Crystal Palace Football Club Squad List - 2014/15

Goalkeepers:

#1.Julian Speroni - Age 36 - Date Signed: 12 Jul, 2004.
#13.Wayne Hennessey - Age 28 - Date Signed: 31 Jan, 2014.
#26 Chris Kettings - Age 22 - Date Signed - 19 Jun, 2014.


Defenders:

#2.Joel Ward - Age 25 - Date Signed: 30 May, 2012.
#3.Adrian Mariappa - Age 28 - Date Signed: 03 Sep, 2013.
#4.Brede Hangeland - Age 33 - Date Signed: 01 Aug, 2014.
#6.Scott Dann - Age 28 - Date Signed: 31 Jan, 2014.
#27.Damien Delaney - Age 33 - Date Signed: 31 Aug, 2012.
#34.Martin Kelly - Age 24 - Date Signed: 14 Aug, 2014.
#40.Papa Souare - Age 24 - Date Signed: 30 Jan, 2015.


Midfielders:

#7.Yannick Bolasie - Age 25 - Date Signed: 24 Aug, 2012.
#11.Wilfried Zaha - Age 22 - Date Signed: 02 Feb, 2015.
#14.Jerome Thomas - Age 32 - Date Signed: 01 Jul, 2013.
#15.Mile Jedinak - Age 30 - Date Signed: 11 Jul, 2011.
#18.James McArthur - Age 27 - Date Signed: 01 Sep, 2014.
#21.Lee Chung-yong - Age 26 - Date Signed: 02 Feb, 2015.
#22.Jordon Mutch - Age 23 - Date Signed: 29 Jan, 2015.
#28.Joe Ledley - Age 28 - Date Signed: 31 Jan, 2014.
#42.Jason Puncheon - Age 28 - Date Signed: 31 Jan, 2014.


Strikers:

#9.Yaya Sanogo - Age 22 - Date Signed: 13 Jan, 2015 (On loan from Arsenal until end of 2014/15 season).
#10.Fraizer Campbell - Age 27 - Date Signed: 24 Jul, 2014.
#16.Dwight Gayle - Age 24 - Date Signed: 03 Jul, 2013.
#17.Glenn Murray - Age 31 - Date Signed: 31 May, 2011.
#23.Shola Ameobi - Age 33 - Date Signed: 29 Jan, 2015 (Free agent signed until the end of the 2014/15 season).
#29.Marouane Chamakah - Age 30 - Date Signed: 11 Jul, 2014.




Other Crystal Palace FC players not listed in the current 25 man squad for 2014/15 season or out on loan:

# Jonathan Williams - Age 21 - Date Signed: 01 Jul, 2011 (On loan to Ipswich Town until end of 2014/15 season).
# Adlène Guedioura - Age 29 - Date Signed: 04 Sep, 2013 (On loan to  Watford until end of 2014/15 season).
# Zeki Fryers - Age 22 - Date Signed: 01 Sep, 2014 (On loan to Ipswich Town until end of 2014/15 season).
# Barry Bannan - Age 25 - Date Signed: 02 Sep, 2013 (On loan to Bolton until end of 2014/15 season).
# Jack Hunt - Age 24 - Date Signed: 02 Sep, 2013 (On loan to Rotherham until 02 May 2015).
# Stephen Dobbie - Age 32 - Date Signed: 01 Jul, 2013 (On loan to Fleetwood until 30 June 2015).
# Kwesi Appiah - Age 24 - Date Signed 31 Jan, 2012 (On loan to Reading until end of 2014/15 season).
# Alex Wynter - Age 21 - Date Signed: 01 Jan, 2010 (On loan to Portsmouth until end of 2014/15 season).
# Jerome B Williams - Age 20 - Date Signed: 26 Aug, 2013 (On loan to Southend Utd until end of 2014/15 season).
# Owen Garvan - Age 27 - Date Signed: 04 Aug, 2010.
# Patrick McCarthy - Age 31 - Date Signed: 12 Jun, 2008 (On loan to Bolton until the end of the 2014/15 season).
# Ryan Innis - Age 19 - Date Signed: 1 Jan, 2012 (Loan to Port Vale cut short due to injury).
# Lewis Price - Age 30 - Date Signed: 29 Jul, 2010 (On loan to Crawley Town until the end of the 2014/15 season).
# Sullay Kaikai - Age 19 - Date Signed: 01 Jul, 2013 (On loan to Cambridge United until the end of the 2014/15 season).
# Jake Gray - Age 19 - Date Signed: 01 Jul, 2014.
# Hiram Boateng - Age 19 - Date Signed: 01 Jul, 2012.
# Jimmy Kébé - Age 31 - Date Signed: 31 Aug, 2013 (Contract cancelled by mutual consent on 23 Jan 2014).


Management Team:

First Team Manager: Alan Pardew
Assistant Manager: Keith Millen
Technical Coach: Ronnie Jepson
Coach: Kevin Blackwell
Goalkeeping Coach: George Wood
Director of football: Vacant
Club Doctor: Bill Jasper
Physiotherapist: Alex Manos
Assistant First Team Physiotherapist: Matthew Roberts
Assistant Physiotherapist/Under-21 Physiotherapist: John Stannard
Head of Sports Science & Strength & Conditioning: Scott Guyett
Strength & Conditioning Coach: Andy Page
Rehabilitation Coach: Joe Best
Masseurs: Ian Evans & Chris Swallows
Video Analyst: Liam Sweeting
Kit Manager: Danny Young


*This page will be updated accordingly in the event of any new signings/appointments.

Crystal Palace Football Club Squad List - as at February 2014

Goalkeepers:

#1.Julian Speroni - Age 34 - Date Signed: 12 Jul, 2004.
#25.Neil Alexander - Age 35 - Date Signed 15 Aug, 2013.
#26.Wayne Hennessey - Age 27 - Date Signed: 31 Jan, 2014.

Defenders:

#2.Joel Ward - Age 24 - Date Signed: 30 May, 2012.
#3.Adrian Mariappa - Age 27 - Date Signed: 03 Sept, 2013.
#4.Jonathan Parr - Age 25 - Date Signed: 16 Jul, 2011.
#5.Patrick McCarthy - Age 30 - Date Signed: 12 Jun, 2008.
#6.Scott Dann - Age 26 - Date Signed: 31 Jan 2014.
#19.Danny Gabbidon - Age 34 - Date Signed 16 Sep, 2012.
#21.Dean Moxey - Age 28 - Date Signed: 31 Jan, 2011.
#27.Damien Delaney - Age 32 - Date Signed: 31 Aug, 2012.

Midfielders:

#7.Yannick Bolasie - Age 24 - Date Signed: 24 Aug, 2012.
#8.Kagisho Dikachoi - Age 29 - Date Signed: 04 Jul, 2011.
#11.Tom Ince - Age 22 - Date Signed: 31 Jan, 2014 (Signed on loan from Blackpool for the rest of the season).
#12.Stuart O'Keefe - Age 22 - Date Signed: 18 Aug, 2010.
#13.Jason Puncheon - Age 27 - Date Signed: 31 Jan, 2014.
#14.Jerome Thomas - Age 30 - Date Signed: 01 Jul, 2013.
#15.Mile Jedinak - Age 29 - Date Signed: 11 Jul, 2011.
#20.Jonathan Williams - Age 20 - Date Signed: 01 Jul, 2011.
#28.Joe Ledley - Age 27 - Date Signed: 31 Jan 2014.
#44.Adlène Guedioura - Age 28 - Date Signed: 04 Sep, 2013.
#46.Barry Bannan - Age 24 - Date Signed: 02 Sep, 2013.

Strikers:

#16.Dwight Gayle - Age 23 - Date Signed: 03 Jul, 2013.
#17.Glenn Murray - Age 30 - Date Signed: 31 May, 2011.
#18.Aaron Wilbraham - Age 34 - Date Signed: 04 Jul, 2012.
#29.Marouane Chamakah - Age 30 - Date Signed: 12 Aug, 2013 (Signed on a 1 year deal from Arsenal).
#30.Cameron Jerome - Age 27 - Date Signed: 03 Sep, 2013 (Signed on a season long loan from Stoke City).


*This page will be updated accordingly in the event of any new loan signings.


Management Team:

Manager: Tony Pullis
Assistant Manager: Keith Millen
First Team Coach: Ben Garner
Technical Coach: David Kemp
Coach: Gerry Francis
Goalkeeping Coach: George Wood
Head of Sports Science & Strength and Conditioning: Scott Guyett
Strength & Conditioning Coach: Andy Page
Head Physiotherapist: Alex Manos
Assistant Physiotherapist/Under-21 Physiotherapist: John Stannard
Assistant First Team Physiotherapist: Matthew Roberts
Rehabilitation Coach: Joe Best
Masseurs: Ian Evans and Chris Swallows
Kit Manager: Brian Rogers
Assistant Kit Manager: Danny Young
Club Doctor: Bill Jasper

The Ten Dirtiest Teams/Players in the Premier League so far this season!

Here are the the Top 10 ranked dirtiest Premier League teams by order of ill discipline so far this season, and the major culprits.

As at 16th December 2013:


Top 10 Dirtiest Teams:

1/     Stoke City  36 Yellow cards / 0 Reds cards /13.4 = Ave  Fouls Committed Per Game / League Pos 13th

2/     Aston Villa  33 Yellows / 0 Reds / 13.3 = Ave  Fouls Committed Per Game / League Pos  11th

3/     Manchester Utd  33 Yellows / 0 Reds / 11.3  = Ave  Fouls Committed Per Game / League Pos 8th

4/     Swansea City  31 Yellows / 1 Red / 9.9  = Ave  Fouls Committed Per Game / League  Pos 10th

5/     Tottenham  30 Yellows / 1 Red, 10.4  = Ave  Fouls Committed Per Game / League  Pos  7th

6/     Everton  28 Yellows / 0 Reds / 10.2  = Ave  Fouls Committed Per Game / League  Pos 5th

7/     Hull City  26 Yellows / 1 Red / 11.2  = Ave  Fouls Committed Per Game / League  Pos 12th

8/     Sunderland  20 Yellows / 4 Reds / 11.1  = Ave  Fouls Committed Per Game / League  Pos 20th

9/     West Ham  24 Yellows / 2 Reds / 11.3  = Ave  Fouls Committed Per Game / League  Pos 17th

10/   Newcastle  24 Yellows / 2 Reds / 11.8  = Ave  Fouls Committed Per Game / League  Pos 6th

     

Top 10 Dirtiest Players:

1/ Paulinho - Tottenham: 4 Yellow cards, 1 Red card, Fouls Committed 16

2/ Lucas Leiva - Liverpool: 5 Yellows, FC 31

3/ Branislav Ivanovic - Chelsea: 5 Yellows, FC 26

4/ Youssouf Mulumbu - West Brom: 5 Yellows, FC 25

5/ Mathieu Debuchy - Newcastle United: 5 Yellows, FC 22

6/ Wayne Rooney - Manchester United: 5 Yellows, FC 21

7= Chico Flores - Swansea City: 5 Yellows, FC 20

7= Jonathan Walters - Stoke City: 5 yellows, FC 20

8= Gabriel Agbonlahor - Aston Villa: 5 Yellows, FC 19

8= Ángel Rangel - Swansea City: 5 Yellows, FC 19



* Information gathered and compiled courtesy of the following websites: http://www.whoscored.com http://www.premierleague.com/ http://msn.foxsports.com/ and http://guardian.touch-line.com/

Current English Premier League Form Guide

Current Form Guide based on last 5 Premier League results as at Midnight Monday 9th Dec 2013

Pos  #                                 Last 5 Results       Points      
                     

  1 (7)    Newcastle Utd         WWWLW            12
  2 (1)    Arsenal                    LWWWD            10               

  2 (3)    Chelsea                   DWWWL             10
  2 (19)  Crystal Palace          DWLWW            10
  2 (2)    Liverpool                WDLWW             10
  2 (4)    Manchester City      LWWWD             10
  7 (5)    Everton                   DDWWD              9
  7 (14)  Norwich                  WLWLW              9
  8 (11)  Aston Villa              WDDWL               8
  8 (13)  Stoke City               DWLDW               8
  8 (10)  Swansea City           DWLWD              8
11 (9)    Manchester Utd      WDDLL                5
11 (6)   Tottenham               DLLDW                5
13 (12)  Hull City                  LWLLD               4
13 (8)    Southampton          WLLLD                4
13 (20)  Sunderland             LWLDL                4
16 (18)  Fulham                   LLLLW                3
16 (17)  West Ham Utd        LLWLL                 3
17 (15)  West Brom              DDLLL                 2

17 (16)  Cardiff City             LDLDL                 2

# (Current League Position)

Crystal Palace Football Club Squad List - 2013/14

Goalkeepers:

#1.Julian Speroni - Age 34 - Date Signed: 12 Jul, 2004.
#25.Neil Alexander - Age 35 - Date Signed 15 Aug, 2013.
#34.Lewis Price - Age 29 - Date Signed: 29 Jul, 2010.

Defenders:

#2.Joel Ward - Age 23 - Date Signed: 30 May, 2012.
#3.Jack Hunt - Age 22 - Date Signed: 02 Sep, 2013.
#4.Jonathan Parr - Age 24 - Date Signed: 16 Jul, 2011.
#5.Patrick McCarthy - Age 30 - Date Signed: 12 Jun, 2008.
#19.Danny Gabbidon - Age 34 - Date Signed 16 Sep, 2012.
#21.Dean Moxey - Age 27 - Date Signed: 31 Jan, 2011.
#23.Florian Marange - Age 27 - Date Signed: 16 Aug, 2013. (Released by mutual consent)
#25.Darcy Blake - Age 24 - Date Signed: 24 Aug, 2012. (Not in final 25 man squad)
#26.Mathew Parsons - Age 21 - Date Signed: 01 Jul, 2010. (Not in final 25 man squad)
#27.Damien Delaney - Age 32 - Date Signed: 31 Aug, 2012.
#28.Peter Ramage - Age 29 - Date Signed: 8 Aug 2012. (Season long loan deal to Barnsley)
#28.Adrian Mariappa - Age 26 - Date Signed: 03 Sept, 2013.
#36.Alex Wynter - Age 19 - Date Signed: 01 Jan, 2010. (Not in final 25 man squad)

Midfielders:

#6.José Campaña - Age 20 - Date Signed: 13 Jul, 2013.
#7.Yannick Bolasie - Age 24 - Date Signed: 24 Aug, 2012.
#8.Kagisho Dikachoi - Age 28 - Date Signed: 04 Jul, 2011.
#10.Owen Garvan - Age 25 - Date Signed: 04 Aug, 2010. (Not in final 25 man squad)
#12.Stuart O'Keefe - Age 22 - Date Signed: 18 Aug, 2010.
#13.Jason Puncheon - Age 27 - Date Signed 21 Aug, 2013. (Signed on a 1 year loan deal from Southampton)
#14.Jerome Thomas - Age 30 - Date Signed: 01 Jul, 2013.
#15.Mile Jedinak - Age 29 - Date Signed: 11 Jul, 2011.
#20.Jonathan Williams - Age 19 - Date Signed: 01 Jul, 2011.
#22.Jimmy Kébé - Age 29 - Date Signed: 31 Aug, 3013.
#24.Elliott Grandin - Age 25 - Date Signed: 02 Aug, 2013.
#37.Hiram Boateng - Age 17 - Date Signed: 01 Jul, 2012. (Not in final 25 man squad)
#44.Adlène Guedioura - Age 27 - Date Signed: 04 Sep, 2013.
#18.Barry Bannan - Age 23 - Date Signed: 02 Sep, 2013).

Strikers:

#9. Kevin Phillips - Age 40 - Date Signed: 20 Jul, 2013.
#11.Stephen Dobbie - Age 30 - Date Signed: 01 Jul, 2013. (On loan to Blackpool until 31 Dec 2013)
#16.Dwight Gayle - Age 23 - Date Signed: 03 Jul, 2013.
#17.Glenn Murray - Age 29 - Date Signed: 31 May, 2011. (Not in final 25 man squad)
#18.Aaron Wilbraham - Age 33 - Date Signed: 04 Jul, 2012. (Not in final 25 man squad)
#29.Marouane Chamakah - Age 29 - Date Signed: 12 Aug, 2013 (Signed on a 1 year deal from Arsenal).
#30.Cameron Jerome - Age 27 - Date Signed: 03 Sep, 2013. (Signed on a season long loan from Stoke City).
#32.Kwesi Appiah - Age 23 - Date Signed 31 Jan, 2012. (On loan to Cambridge United)
#33.Ibra Sekajja - Age 20 - Date Signed: 01 Jul, 2010. (Not in final 25 man squad)
#35.Kyle De Silva - Age 19 - Date Signed: 01 Jan, 2012. (Not in final 25 man squad)


*This page will be updated accordingly in the event of any new signings.


Management Team:

Manager: Ian Holloway
Assistant Manager: Keith Millen
Strength and Conditioning Coach: Scott Guyett
Goalkeeping Coach: George Wood
Club Doctor: Bill Jasper
Head Physiotherapist: Alex Manos
Assistant Physiotherapist: John Stannard
Soft Tissue Therapist: Chris Harvey
Kit Manager: Brian Rogers

Dindane Dong – Could Aruna hold the key to the Palace!

The 2012/13 football season is reaching its climax and now it’s time for Crystal Palace Football Club to pull one final rabbit out of the hat!

Crystal Palace’s recent form has dipped with 'The Eagles' taking just 2 points from their last five Championship fixtures, conceding 10 goals and scoring just twice in the process. Palace and hitman Glenn Murray have not scored since our 2-2 draw with Leeds at Selhurst Park back on the 9th March.

A month on and this poor run of form threatens to destabilise Palace’s promotion push. It looks very much like Palace will have to settle for a play-off place at best, but I think the Club still need another seven points from their remaining five games to be sure.

So what can the boys from London SE25 do to make sure that this nine month long season ends with a bang and at least the opportunity to compete for a place in the financial promise land that is the Premier League!
A new TV deal coming into play next season will see the bottom placed top flight side still receive around £60million in TV cash.

Enter Mr Aruna Dindane.......!

Dindane is an experienced 32 year-old Ivory Coast international, who plyed his trade with RSC Anderlecht in the Belgium league between 2000 and 2005, helping the club win two league titles and winning the Belgium League Player of the Year award in 2003. He then joined French Ligue 1 club RC Lens in 2005, where he spent five years which also included a loan spell with then Premier League outfit Portsmouth during the 2009/10 season, where he scored 10 goals in 24 Premier League appearances and helped the Fratton Park club to the 2010 FA Cup Final. He left Pompey at the end of the 2010 season and spent two-and-a-half years in the Middle East, before being released by Qatari side Al-Sailiya Sport Club in December 2012.

Dindane has represented his country at the 2006 African Cup of Nations held in Egypt. He was also selected for the Ivorian squad for the 2008 African Cup of Nations hosted by Ghana.
He currently has 67 international caps to his name and has scored 11 goals for his country, where he often partners Didier Drogba (right) in attack.
He also participated in the 2006 and 2010 FIFA World Cups, in Germany and South Africa respectively.

On 23rd March 2013, Dindane signed for Crystal Palace until the end of this season, after eventually receiving international clearance from the Middle East. On joining he clearly lacked match fitness and only made his first outing in a Palace shirt as an over-age player in the Under-21 development match versus Stoke City at Tooting and Mitcham's Imperial Fields last night, but he did play 70 minutes and more importantly got on the score sheet!

Ipswich Town at Portman Road is our next league game on Tuesday 16th   April, so the Ivorian has another 10 days to improve on his fitness. The Crystal Palace gaffer Ian Holloway is a student of the game and a deep thinker, and although I do not claim for one moment to be his eyes or ears I expect Dindane to play a part in this crucial fixture. I think Holloway sees something in Dindane that is lacking in the side at the moment. Dindane boasts a wealth of experience but that is not an area where I feel the squad is lacking with the likes of Phillips, Murray, Ramage, Delaney, Jedinak, Wilbraham, Dobbie and Speroni on the books!

It may be just as a goal threat, but equally ‘Ollie’ may feel Dindane can provide us with some 'fresh guile' or possibly something different tactically.

Dindane was training with Palace before he was officially signed. Holloway has been trying hard to get his fitness levels up. He may have featured against Blackpool at Bloomfield Road on Easter Monday if it had not been for an issue with red tape. There are only five league games to go and I cannot see why the gaffer would exert the amount of time and energy into Dindane, if he did not have a game plan that involved the Ivorian striker!

Whether he starts in place of Glenn Murray who is struggling with a hip injury as I speak, plays him alongside Murray in a 4-4-2 formation or behind Murray in a 4-4-1-1 formation that we have used frequently and fruitfully this season remains to be seen. He may alternatively be used as an impact substitute, particularly if we need a goal with the clock ticking down.

So what can the Palace fans truly expect from Aruna Dindane?
Well realistically and honestly, absolutely nothing! He has only played 14 competitive games since January 2012, and none since December 2012, that was before last night.

However now and then when you least expect it you can be holding the key to the ignition! Palace need a spark from somewhere right now, and in Dindane perhaps this skillfull, powerful and experienced striker can be dusted off and a like sparkling gem and be subsequently restored to its former glory.

Dindane (right) has nothing to lose and everything to gain! At present he only has a two-month contract. Could he inject that flash of brilliance, a magical on-field moment or two that could ignite the tail end of what has so far been a wonderful season for a Club, that were one of the favourites for relegation at the start of the season.

If Dindane can prove himself and help guide the Londoner’s to the Premier League I am pretty sure he could secure himself a lucrative deal with Palace next season, and perhaps become a fans’ favourite.

'Roy of the Rovers' material it may sound, but that’s what football dreams are all about..........so let’s just wait and see!

As Oscar Hammerstein once famously said: “If you don't have a dream, how are you going to make a dream come true?”

The Physio Room - Injury Update

With the new Premier League season only four days away, spare a thought for the English Premier League clubs' physios and medical teams and their 'healing hands.'

However following three nights of rioting in London, England's friendly at Wembley tomorrow night against the Netherlands has been postponed on police advice - which in the light of the seriousness of the trouble is in my opinion the correct decision.

The FA chairman David Bernstein said the FA had consulted with the police, Government and Brent Council, and in a statement said: "We were unable to host the fixture under the terms of our safety certificate or guarantee the safety of the fans."

I am sure there is a peculiar, almost selfish sense of relief on the part of any club manager who had players involved in the England set-up, so close to the opening weekend of the English Premier League season, but no satisfaction in the reason for the postponement.

The English Premier League is littered with 'foreign players' from all over the world, and there are still plenty of international fixtures involving them on Wednesday and Thursday. On that note tonight's game between Ghana and Nigeria at Vicarage Road, Watford has also been postponed for safety reasons. As well as full internationals there are a number of UEFA Under-21 Championship Qualifying games being played tonight and tomorrow.

International teams involved in friendlies with Premier League players on their books include: Scotland, Wales, Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland, France, Spain, Norway, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Austria, Russia, Belgium, Sweden, Brazil, Argentina, Bulgaria, Australia, Croatia, Italy, Mexico, Poland, Denmark and the USA.

Those managers with players involved will be praying all of them return from international duty injury free.

Meanwhile there is a full programme of English Premier League fixtures this weekend, so here is your chance to catch up on which players are definitely out injured, who is doubtful or struggling, and who will be fit to play for their clubs. Also some players are carrying over suspensions picked up at the tail end of last season, so they will also be unavailable for selection.

There are some Premier League teams who have players that are already out before a ball has been kicked, and other clubs have players that are struggling to be fit for the opening fixtures this weekend.

Some of the more high profile players carrying injuries at the moment include: Arsenal's Thomas Vermaelen and Jack Wilshire, Aston Villa's Darren Bent, Tottenham's Rafael Van Der Vaart (right), Manchester United's Danny Welbeck , Liverpool's Glen Johnson and Chelsea's Frank Lampard.

Click on the 'link' to find out the latest on your Club's injury woes, and how soon it will be before some of your teams players will be back in action.

Those players that are definitely ruled out through suspension include: Chelsea's Daniel Sturridge (right), Manchester City's Kolo Toure, and Everton's Seamus Coleman.

Blackpool have hardest task on epic final day - Betting News with Betfred

versus

It has been a massive season for Blackpool and they now have to do things the hard way as they travel to Manchester United on the final day of the season.

Ian Holloway's side have been the entertainers of the Premier League since their promotion last year, and have received rave reviews from the football world for their adventurous, attacking style of play.
However things have been tough for the Tangerines since the turn of the year, and they are 9/2 with Betfred to record a shock victory at United on Sunday.

They now sit in the bottom three on goal difference, knowing a win is vital if they wish to retain their Premier League status, but United are unbeaten at home this season, dropping just two points out of a possible 54 at home, and will be keen to give the Old Trafford faithful a tremendous send-off as they celebrate winning their record 19th league title.

There are numerous permutations surrounding the final weekend of the season and any two teams from five could be relegated depending on results elsewhere.

A point could be enough for Blackpool (and it is 10/3 the draw at fortress Old Trafford), if Birmingham lose at Tottenham, and/or Wolves lose at home to Blackburn by two goals or more. Should Wolves beat Blackburn then only an 'unexpected' Blackpool victory would see them overtake Rovers.

The Premier League betting odds understandably favour Blackpool to be relegated as have the toughest final game against United, and Betfred go 4/11 that they will be plying their trade in The Championship next season.

What must worry fans of the Seasiders is they have a notoriously leaky defence and travel to a United side capable of scoring a hat-ful, even if Sir Alex Ferguson decides to put out a weakened side with one eye on the Champions League final next week.

Even if Ferguson leaves out some of his star names then those that take to the field will be out to impress the Scotsman, and show him why they deserve a place in the Champions League final squad - so it could be a long old afternoon for Blackpool.

Alex McLeish's Birmingham side are 5/1 to win at White Hart Lane and 8/13 to be relegated in the Premier League betting, but The Blues have been on a shocking run of form of late, recording just two wins in their last twelve league games!

The other team in the relegation mix that we have not yet mentioned are Wigan, who travel to Stoke in their final fixture of the campaign. The Latics have the same number of points as Blackpool but an inferior goal difference than all of their relegation rivals, albeit a marginal one.

It would be close to a a miracle if Blackpool survive – but Ian Holloway is without doubt the man you would most want in charge of a team in a relegation dogfight on the last day of the season.

It has been a breath of fresh air having the Seasiders in the Premier League, but they look set to be one-season wonders but their fans will have been left with some unforgettable memories.

My Tip of the Weekend:

Expect wins for United (4/7), Spurs (4/7), Wigan (17/10) and Wolves (6/5) in the vital games, which would see Birmingham and Blackpool join West Ham in dropping down to the Championship.

Sunday 22nd May:

Manchester Utd v Blackpool, kick-off 4pm, live on Sky Sports 1.
Tottenham v Birmingham City, kick-off 4pm, live on Sky Sports 2.

By Drew Swainston
(Guest writer from Betfred on behalf of Beer Footy and Birds!)

Clash of the Titans at Old Trafford - Betting News with Betfred

versus

It has been billed from all quarters as potentially the Premier League title-deciding game of the season, so let's hope Manchester United versus Chelsea is an exciting encounter that lives up to all the pre-match hype.

On countless occasions, the most-hyped Premier League matches tend to disappoint, but when these two sides met at Stamford Bridge back on the 1st March, it was a classic!

The Champions League games failed to match these heights, but the fate of this particular game is very much in Chelsea's hands, as it is they who need to come out fighting and take all three points, if they want to keep their back-to-back title ambitions alive. The Premier League betting makes the Londoner's 9/4 to win the game.

A few months ago Chelsea were on course to drop 18 points behind their Manchester rivals, when they went 1-0 down to United at Stamford Bridge, but they came back to win that game 2-1, and it immediately boosted the confidence around the club, and they have been in sparkling form ever since.

Having taken 25 points from a possible 27 available, the Blues' are snapping at the heels of United, knowing a win at Old Trafford on Sunday and they can draw level with their rivals - and that is something that looked a long shot back in February when they were still in their slump.

If Chelsea can hit top spot with two games remaining the impetus would be with them, but United always manage to step up in the important matches and that is why they cannot be discounted, especially at Old Trafford. The Red Devils are 5/4 to win the match and 2/9 to win the Premier League with Betfred.

Most tipsters in the Premier League title race make United favourites to regain the title, particularly as Ferguson's men have the luxury of knowing a draw on Sunday will be good enough to keep them three points clear, with just a couple of games to play.

Chelsea captain John Terry reckons he "always believed" they could get back into the title race, but they are still outsiders to win the title as United have looked fairly solid, if not setting the world on fire, for many months now.

Chelsea, who are 3/1 to win the title, managed to win this fixture at Old Trafford last season, and the England defender reckons there is "no reason" why they cannot go on and repeat that feat again, and put the outcome of the Premier League title race firmly in their own hands!

My Tip of the Week:

Expect Chelsea to go hell for leather for the win, but United should manage 'their usual trick' and get the goals to hold their rivals. A draw is priced at 23/10, but a 2-2 scoreline also looks appealing at 14/1.
Meanwhile United's on-fire Mexican striker Javie Hernandez is 6/4 to score at anytime in the match, and add to his 19 goals already this season.

Sunday 8th May: Manchester United v Chelsea, kick-off 4.10pm, live on Sky Sports1.

By Drew Swainston
(Guest writer from Betfred on behalf of Beer Footy and Birds!)

Tale of Two Woes at the Reebok - Betting News with Betfred

versus

It is a clash of two wounded animals on Sunday in the Premier League as Bolton look to bounce back from their FA Cup humiliation at the hands of Stoke, and Arsenal will be out to make amends for dropped points at Spurs in midweek.

Many Bolton fans, especially the thousands that travelled to Wembley, expected the Trotters to beat the Potters and make it to the FA Cup final. That 5-0 semi-final defeat must have hurt and it even led Bolton captain Kevin Davies to admit he was "ashamed and embarrassed" by the performance.

With seemingly little to play for over the remaining games, as Bolton are safe from relegation and too far away to challenge for a place in Europe, it would be understandable if they took their foot off the gas.

But Owen Coyle is an ambitious and ferocious manager who will have been bitterly upset with the Stoke result, so you can be left in no doubt his side will be fired up when Arsenal arrive at the Reebok Stadium on Sunday and the Premier League best odds make the Trotters 4/1 to win the game.

The Gunners have also had a disappointing week, after conceding a late-late penalty to draw with Liverpool last Sunday, and then surrendering a two-goal lead at White Hart Lane on Wednesday night. Arsenal got just two points from those two games when it could easily have been six, and their title hopes could have gone up in smoke as a result.

Those looking to bet on Premier League weekend games should remember this:

Arsenal have dominated this fixture in recent season and you have to go back to November 2006 for the last time Bolton managed to beat the North London side, with the travelling team 8/11 to win again.

Both managers (Wenger and Coyle) will use their recent results as motivation to go for the win, but Arsenal could enter this fixture with some trepidation, as anymore dropped points will almost certainly spell the end of any lingering title dreams they may have.

My Tip of the Week:

Arsenal look good to score a couple of goals, so 7/1 for either a 2-0 or 2-1 win to the Gunners looks a good shout.
Robin Van Persie is in a rich vein of form since his return from injury, and he is a tempting 11/10 to score at anytime.

Sunday 24th April: Bolton v Arsenal, kick-off 4pm, live on Sky Sports1.

By Drew Swainston
(Guest writer from Betfred on behalf of Beer Footy and Birds!)

Battle of the Strikers on the Cards at Anfield - Betting News with Betfred

V.

It is a clash of two teams aiming high and somewhat underachieving when Liverpool take on Manchester City on Monday night at Anfield.

Roberto Mancini's side had Premier League title aspirations, but are looking off the pace although they still look set for a respectable top four finish. They also have a Manchester derby to look forward to on the 16th April - the prize, a place in this seasons FA Cup final.

Both are something Liverpool fans would sell their souls to the devil for this season, but another season of Thursday night Channel Five action in the Europa League seems the best they can hope for.

Kenny Dalglish has been dealt a triple blow this week after defenders Daniel Agger and Glen Johnson were injured at The Hawthorns last weekend.

Centre-back Agger picked up a knee problem that has ended his season, while Johnson injured his hamstring, sidelining the right-back out for at least a month.

To add to Dalglish's woes it has been confirmed that captain Steven Gerrard has been ruled out for the rest of the season after failing to fully recover following a groin operation.

The absence of that trio comes at the worst possible time for 'The Reds' in their chase for a Europa League spot, as they take on the multi-million pound attacking talent City (15/8 to win the game, 11/5 the draw) have at their disposal.

Liverpool (6/4 to win the game with Betfred) have only lost twice at Anfield this season and need to bounce back from that 2-1 defeat at West Brom last weekend.

Their home form has been the backbone of their campaign and will remain key if they are to make up the five-point gap they have to fifth-placed Tottenham and the weekend Premier League betting suggests this will be a massive game.

Last time out in their 5-0 thrashing of Sunderland, Roberto Mancini named Adam Johnson, David Silva, Yaya Toure, Mario Balotelli and Carlos Tevez (11/2 to be first goal scorer) in his attacking line-up, and even had the luxury of Edin Dzeko and Shaun Wright-Philips on the bench.

The side now look solid Premier League tips for a top four finish, and if results go their way they could even end up the season as Premier League runners-up.

With Liverpool's new strike force of Andy Carroll (11/2 to score the first goal) and Luis Suarez, along with City's forward prowess, it has all the makings of goalscoring bonanza!

My Tip of the Week:

This should be an action-packed game between two attacking sides, so the 11/10 with Betfred for there to be over 2.5 goals in the game looks like a good option, while the 11/8 for Luis Suarez to score at anytime is also appealing.

Monday 11th April: Liverpool v Manchester City, kick-off 8pm, live on Sky Sports 1.

By Drew Swainston
(Guest writer from Betfred on behalf of Beer Footy and Birds!)

Pardew out to avoid the Blues at St. Andrew's - Betting News with Betfred

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Birmingham City boast a home record that defies their lowly position in the Premier League, and they will be out to improve their chances of avoiding the drop by defeating Newcastle United on Tuesday night.

Despite battling at the wrong end of the table for most of this season, Alex McLeish's side have achieved some notable results at 'fortress' St. Andrew's, including a victory over Chelsea and creditable draws with Manchester United, Tottenham and Manchester City.

The problem for 'The Blues' who are currently 3/1 to be relegated with Betfred, is that while they have only lost twice in front of their own fans, they have drawn far too many matches, and have only managed three wins on home soil.

If Birmingham had converted some of their seven home draws into wins, they would probably be sitting comfortably in mid-table, but as it stands they lie 16th, just a point above the relegation zone, and according to the football betting market they are most definitely in a relegation scrap.

The Blues fans will be hoping Obafemi Martins can score the goals that will help their club climb the table.
With the Nigerian's visa secured this week following his loan move from Russian Champions Rubin Kazan, the striker will be looking to score against his former employers, where he successfully plyed his trade from 2006 to 2009.

Newcastle, 8/1 to be relegated have picked up some notable wins on their travels this season, including a surprise victory over Arsenal at The Emirates, but they are struggling at present in the striking department.

After losing Andy Carroll to Liverpool in the transfer window, and now Shola Ameobi through injury, manager Alan Pardew is left with the unproven trio of Leon Best, Nile Ranger and Peter Lovenkrands together with their new signing, in the portly shape of veteran Shefki Kuqi, to score the goals to ensure they retain their own top flight status.

Although this is far from the most impressive of strike forces, the football predictions indicate Newcastle who currently lie in 10th position, look good to stay up, simply because there are many more worse teams below them!

However the Premier League is so tight this season that a couple of wins can see a side rocket up the table, and likewise a run of several defeats can leave a side desperately looking over their shoulders, as they get dragged down into the battle for survival.

Both Birmingham and Newcastle need their strikers to step up to the mark and fire their sides to safety over the remainder of the season - however that seems unlikely to happen on Tuesday evening.

My Tip of the Week:

With both sides lacking firepower expect Birmingham to be held at home once again, and back the draw at 11/5 with Betfred.
A small punt on there being less than 2.5 goals scored in the match looks a a sensible shout.

Tuesday 15th February: Birmingham v Newcastle, kick-off 7.45pm.

By Drew Swainston
(Guest writer from Betfred on behalf of Beer Footy and Birds!)