http://betting.gamingsupermarket.com/news/ http://betting.gamingsupermarket.com/news/2685/1-point-between-them-birmingham-square-off-against-everton-at-home Tue, 09 Mar 2010 14:57:17 GMT Their last 10 fixtures represent the nature of the game between these two teams with Everton dominating the score sheet, defeating the West Midlands side on a total of 4 separate occasions.

The last meeting however ended in McLeish’s side walking away with a 2-1 victory over the Everton squad.

Alex McLeish will not be sitting comfortably at this stage with a mixed performance from his side over recent fixtures. The side have only managed a total of 2 successes; Derby (2-1) and Wigan (1-0) and 3 defeats, at the hands of Fulham, West Ham and Portsmouth in their last 5 games.

Carsley, McFadden and Tainio will all miss the game due to injury but Alex McLeish’s attitude seems stern and unshaken as he comments, “What is there left to play for, the motivation, the target? You have still got to show the pride and the commitment”.

David Moyes will be attempting to fend off the Birmingham squad’s siege in an effort to prevent them replacing his squad’s 8th position in the tables.

However, the substantial Everton injury list could prove a problem with Senderos, Saha, Hibbert and Fellaini all missing the game due to injury. Cahill is still enduring an increasing amount of time off of the pitch and faces an uncertain status for the coming fixtures.
Moyes exerts a positive and ambitious attitude however as he shares his comments on the future of the Everton side, “We got to the final and we need to get to the final again, because that will give us a chance of winning it. You can only do that one step at a time. We've got past Carlisle and now we want to beat Birmingham."

Everton’s recent crushing of Hull City (5-1) will almost definitely give the squad much needed confidence for this Saturday’s game. The side’s recent performance has been satisfactory, achieving a total of 3 victories in the past 5 games, one of these successes including a 3-1 defeat of Man Utd.

The odds stand, in favour of Birmingham, at 15/8 with Bet365.

All odds correct at time of writing and are subject to change

]]> http://betting.gamingsupermarket.com/news/2684/tottenham-vs-blackburn-match-preview Tue, 09 Mar 2010 14:55:31 GMT Sam Allardyce’s side will attempt to drive themselves further up the tables from their current 12th position, just below Stoke City, with 34 points.

Their most recent fixtures have seen a satisfactory performance from the squad; succeeding against Bolton wanderers (3-0) and Hull City (1-0), a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Liverpool and only 5 goals conceded in the past 5 games.

Allardyce made this comment on the team’s recent form, “It is not so much about cracking the away form as cracking the results. I think the form has been good on occasions,”

The 3-0 crushing at the hands of Pulis’ Stoke City won’t be fresh on the player’s minds but it could definitely play a part in how they conduct their game.

Over the past 10 meetings between these two teams both have managed 2 successes over the other side but the score sheet is dominated by the 6 draws that have occurred in these fixtures.
The most recent of these meetings took place in late December of last year with Spurs walking away with a 2-0 victory over Allardyce’s side.

Harry Redknapp will not be assuming that this fixture will be easy, despite this recent result and despite the fact that his team will be operating at home. At 4th place in the tables, Spurs are shooting for the title but with a mammoth 22 points between them and the top three he has a sincerely ambitious task at hand.

The Spur’s injury list is cause for concern, as Jenas, Lennon, Cudicini, Bentley, Huddlestone, King and Woodgate will all miss the game due to their various physical afflictions.

Redknapp mentioned this on the future of Aaron Lennon, "So long as he gets back and gets enough match action for Tottenham to take us where we want to go, then the World Cup will follow…..But, first and foremost, we have to get him back playing for Tottenham."
 
Due to Tottenham’s fierce and ambitious attitude, coupled with their impressive operation on the pitch this season the odds stand, in favour of Spurs, at 4/9 with Bet365.

All odds correct at time of writing and are subject to change
]]> http://betting.gamingsupermarket.com/news/2678/can-cheryls-family-forgive-ashley Tue, 09 Mar 2010 11:21:26 GMT
Her brother Andrew Tweedy is said to have told the Mirror that her family are furious with the Chelsea star.

He said: "My heart bleeds for Cheryl, I know what she's going through. This has really hurt her. She has a heart of gold and does not deserve it.

"Ashley Cole is arrogant and I will never forgive him for what he has done to my little sister."

Mr Tweedy has also claimed that the Girl's Aloud singer was on the brink of quitting her career to become a mum to Ashley's children when the allegations of her husband's infidelities surfaced.

Last month she made a statement on her agent's Twitter page saying she was separating from her husband of three and half year marriage was over. It came after allegations that Cole had cheated on her with at least four other women and sent lewd text messages to another woman.

Since then it has been reported that Cheryl has agreed to attend counselling sessions with her husband in a bid to see if there marriage could be saved. However, her brother told the Mirror that he didn’t thinks she'd give Ashley a second chance and that the divorce will be going through.

"They are going to divorce and there is no two ways about it. I believe the house is going up for sale and she is going to get it sold as soon as possible and move on with her life," he said.

Ladbrokes are currently offering odds that Cheryl will be remarry before her husband of 4/6 and 11/10 that it will be Ashley to walk back up the aisle first. Meanwhile, Paddy Power are running a book on who the singer will date first. There favourite option is dancer Derek Hough with odds of 6/1. They have priced Ryan Seacroft at 12/1, Orlando Bloom at 14/1 and George Clooney at 16/1. Perhaps most bizarrely they reckon there is a 100/1 chance that she will date Lindsey Lohan next.


All odds correct at time of writing and are subject to change.

]]> http://betting.gamingsupermarket.com/news/2677/bentitez-refuses-to-back-down-over-aquilani Tue, 09 Mar 2010 11:19:42 GMT
Certain sections of the fans and media have been calling for Aquilani to be included more in first team action as Liverpool have seemingly been in search of some of the Italian’s trademark creativity at times this season.

Despite this, Aquilani has played fewer than 10 games this season since his £20 million move from Roma in the summer.

Benitez though, is unapologetic and has stressed that there are reasons for Aquilani’s lack of involvement.

"When you have been injured for a while, it's not easy for a player," said Benitez.

"Then when you are available and the team isn't doing well, it makes it even more difficult.

"You have to decide if you can afford to give him two or three games when you know he's maybe not at the level he could be, so you could end up losing some of them.

"Alberto isn't stupid. He knows the priority now has to be the team and what's best for that. All he can do is keep training and making sure he is ready when we need him."

Aquilani was heralded upon arrival as the replacement for Xabi Alonso, who headed to Real Madrid in the summer in a big money deal.

The fact that this scenario is yet to materialise is of little bother to Benitez, however, and he is adamant that fans will see the best of Aquilani if they- and the midfielder- are patient.

Benitez added: “…we have had a conversation about things and he knows the situation. Alberto is a very good professional, who was a big name in Italy, and he wants to show his quality here.”

Liverpool’s season is entering a vital stage as they chase both Europa League glory as well as the all important fourth place in the Premier League.

Liverpool are 11/4 with Coral to take 4th place and qualify for next seasons Champions League whilst also standing at 5/1 favourites to win the Europa League and rescue something from what has been a trying season.

All odds correct at time of writing and are subject to change

]]> http://betting.gamingsupermarket.com/news/2676/ronaldo-confident-of-euro-progress Tue, 09 Mar 2010 11:18:18 GMT
Real Madrid have had an awful record in Europe's flagship competition having been knocked out at the Round of 16 stage in each of the previous five seasons.

Despite this record, Madrid's massive spending spree last summer, which included the signings of Ronaldo himself, Kaka, and Karim Benzema, has seen a revival in the sides fortunes and they went to the top of La Liga for the first time in three months at the weekend.
"The team is in great form, we are playing at home and we can do better than in Lyon, therefore I'm confident we can give a good response and that we will get through to the next round," said the Portuguese winger.

"We have to go out with a winning mentality and look to score goals. We didn't score in the first game, but I hope it will be different on Wednesday.”

Ronaldo added: “We already know about Lyon, they are a physically strong team but now we are playing at home."
 
"With everyone together we have to show Lyon that in the Bernabeu we are in charge.

"We know that it's difficult but it's possible. We are going to do everything from the first minute to the last to get through the tie."
 
This years final will be held Madrid's home ground, the Santiago Bernabeu, and they will be hoping this will spur them on to the final.
We all know that the Champions League is a dream for this club, who have nine European Cups and want the 10th, as well as playing the final here," he said.
 
"I'm confident that we can turn the tie around. We are playing in our stadium and in front of our fans. It would be a disappointment if we don't, but I'm sure that we are going to get through."

Madrid are currently 2/7 with Ladbrokes to win this second leg , with Lyon at 7/1 and a draw at 7/2. All odds correct at time of writing and are subject to change

]]> http://betting.gamingsupermarket.com/news/2675/idowu-pulls-out-of-doha Tue, 09 Mar 2010 11:16:56 GMT
The 31-year old Brit has not pulled out of this weekends event due to illness or injury though, Idou's  second child was born last week and the athlete feels that his head is therefore not in the right place to complete.

I am gutted not to be representing GB in Doha and passing up the opportunity to defend my indoor title," said Idowu.

"However the late arrival of my baby boy has meant that my training has been severely disrupted."

Idowu will be delighted at the healthy arrival of his new baby boy but that happiness may contain an ever so slight regret that he wont be able to compete this weekend.

Idowu has not yet been able to match the heights of last season this year and was disappointed with his showing at the UK Indoor Grand Prix in Birmingham last month and will now have to wait to attempt to prove his doubters wrong.

Idowu added: "I decided after talking to my coach that I had not had the preparation we agreed was needed to do the British team proud.
"I was hoping to avoid this by competing in a larger than usual number of events early in the season, but it hasn't worked out that way.

"Instead I will increase the training with a focus on the European Championships in Barcelona. I wish the team the best of luck in Doha."

The rest of the 37-man Great Britain team will be hoping for as successful championship this week as the outdoor championships last year in Berlin.

Disgraced sprinter Dwain Chambers is one of the more high profile competitors and will be racing in the men's 60m, an event in which he has had success in the past.

Pentathlon star and Outdoor World Championship Heptathlon winner Jessica Ennis will also be attempting to continue her ascent to super stardom with a win in Doha.

]]> http://betting.gamingsupermarket.com/news/2674/champions-league-preview-manchester-united-v-ac-milan Tue, 09 Mar 2010 11:12:47 GMT
Last time the two met, the Red Devils came out on top with the match ending 3-2, with United snatching three precious away goals to give them an advantage as they entertain Milan at Old Trafford.

AC Milan were left with a slither of hope when a late Seedorf strike hit home, though they still have a mountain to climb as they're now the visiting team.

The Italians have little choice but to go on the offensive, finding themselves in a do-or-die situation, United can expect to defend for the entirety of the game, as they can afford to lose 1-0 and still advance to the next round on aggregate.

Manchester United are not a traditionally predictable team, and Alex Ferguson is not a predictable manager, he may well instruct his side to come out fighting in an effort to get an early goal against AC Milan, with hopes that their 'comeback' spirit will be killed dead.

If the Red Devils do decide to go on the attack, they certainly have the man for the job in the shape of Wayne Rooney. The England man was impressive in the second half of the first leg at the San Siro, and would cause any defence a problem given his current form.

However, United's attack hinges on Rooney being fit for the game, he joins Arsenal's Cesc Fabregas in a race to be fit in time for their respective Champion's League matches.

Rooney or not, the match may be over-shadowed by David Beckham's return to the ground of the club that launched his career, his spiritual home of Old Trafford.

Paddy Power, bet365 and Stan James all offer 7/10 odds of United continuing their winning ways over AC Milan.

All odds correct at time of writing and are subject to change
]]> http://betting.gamingsupermarket.com/news/2673/john-terry-dedicates-goal-to-chelsea-fans Tue, 09 Mar 2010 11:11:45 GMT
Terry has come under heavy fire from the media during the past couple of months, following allegations that he had been involved in an affair with Vanessa Peroncell, the ex-girlfriend of Wayne Bride, a former Chelsea team mate.

During Sunday's encounter against Stoke, Terry headed in Chelsea's second goal, ultimately giving Chelsea a 2-0 win against the Potters. He celebrated the goal by pointing to his captain's armband.

Fabio Capello stripped Terry of the England captaincy last month after details of the affair came to public attention.

"The armband means a lot. Chelsea have been supportive. We wanted to show the fans what it meant to us," said Terry.

Stoke's visiting supporters at Stamford Bridge booed Terry throughout the fixture, the Chelsea captain looked to relish the opportunity to deliver the final nail in the coffin of the Potter's FA cup dreams.

Chelsea assistant coach Ray Wilkins had this to say about the barrage of verbal abuse from fans: "John's dealing with the situation in the only way he can - committing himself to the cause.

"He's an exceptional captain and we're delighted to have him on board. He leads these players on the pitch in fantastic fashion.

"He was taking a bit too much stick from the Stoke fans and wanted to demonstrate that."

Though Potters boss Tony Pullis was quick to defend Stoke's fans.

"Our fans are brilliant, different class," stated Pulis. "John will have to accept he'll take stick.

"He took stick from England supporters the other night but if he does well in the World Cup and wins it, he'll come back a hero."

Sky Bet offer 11/10 odds that Chelsea will go on to win the FA Cup.

All odds correct at time of writing and are subject to change

]]> http://betting.gamingsupermarket.com/news/2672/mercedes-gp-a-team-with-a-lot-of-history Tue, 09 Mar 2010 11:09:20 GMT
Mercedes claim they in fact took part in the very first car race, all the way back in 1894 between Paris and Rouen in France, and their relationship with Grand Prix racing is as old as the sport itself.

Motor racing became increasingly popular after the First World War as cars became progressively more powerful and track were created, normally on closed public roads. Daimler (of Daimler-Benz, makers of Mercedes) was among the first companies to develop such things as supercharged engines for racing.

After a long absence from the sport because of The War and withdrawing from the sport Mercedes rejoined the Formula 1 grid as engine suppliers for Sauber in 1994, before joining forces with McLaren the following year.

After several years of success with McLaren and numerous world championships from the likes of Mika Hakkinen twice and Lewis Hamilton most recently Mercedes have once again decided to take a forward step and take a majority share of the Brawn GP team, where they will compete with McLaren and Sauber and main rivals Ferrari.

With an all German line up for the season the team are expected to take a decline from last years success as Brawn GP with faster and more successful developments from the rival teams.

Looking at the Odds on Mercedes GP their success lies with 7 time world champion Michael Schumacher with odds of 5/1 to win the drivers championship and his team mate Nico Rosberg is quite a distance back, 9th favourite at 20/1. As a constructor they are anticipated to finish 4th behind Mercedes powered team McLaren, 4/1 to win the constructors, with McLaren on 9/4. Odds from 888sport, correct at time of writing and are subject to change 

]]> http://betting.gamingsupermarket.com/news/2671/could-stokes-growing-injury-list-be-end-of-premiership-performance Mon, 08 Mar 2010 17:29:59 GMT
This league game has been postponed since January and marks a vital opportunity for Burnley to acquire points and improve on their 19th place in the league.

Brian Laws side have managed just 1 success in their past 5 games, a 2-1 defeat of West Ham, and have had a mammoth 14 goals conceded against them.

Hopefully operating at home will motivate the side to improve on this, as their away performance seems to be set in stone with a total of 14 losses at other grounds so far this season.

Fletcher, Caldwell and McCann will all miss the game due to injury. McCann’s knee injury is reportedly severe as Laws mentioned, 'Chris is still feeling his knee slightly….. We have to think more long term than short term I am afraid”.

Caldwell’s injury status is a little more hopeful as he has returned to training but due to the persistent nature of his groin strain he is still doubtful for Wednesday.

Despite Stoke’s intense activity in the premiership this year, Tony Pulis will not be letting his guard down this Wednesday. The team’s away performance is subject to scrutiny as they have only achieved 2 wins at other club’s grounds so far this season.

The Stoke City manager will definitely be aiming for an improvement on the club’s 11th place in the league as he declared, “We’ve got to make sure we get back on track in the league and really drive on in the last 11 games to try to make the most of the back end of the season”.

The injury status of the squad is still pretty severe with Higginbotham now joining the ever growing roster. Also missing the match will be Glenn Whelan (Hamstring injury), Salif Diao (calf muscle) and James Beattie (knee injury), the latest additions to Stoke’s worrying number of absentees.

Pulis commented, “We mustn’t take our foot off the pedal. I’m just hoping we’ve got enough players fit to go to Burnley on Wednesday.”
The odds stand, in favor of Stoke, at 15/8 with Bet365.

All odds correct at time of writing and are subject to change

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