Weekend Outlook (29 Apr 2006)

Chelsea vs Manchester United

"...as long as we win Middlesbrough, we don't really need the Charlton game..."

- JayWalk, 29 Apr 2006

What many people don't realised is that the subsequent match against Middlesbrough is more important than this one against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

I really don't understand what is with the hype against ManUtd trying to stop Chelsea from clinching the title? Like it or not, the Premiership title is already a done deal from a long time ago. The game today is merely a mathematical formality.

Focus, people! Focus!

The title race will be over as long as Chelsea keeps a clean sheet at the end of 90 minutes regardless of whether they score at the other end or not.

Looking below us and we have Liverpool snapping at our heels, 3 points behind with only 2 matches to go while we have 3 games. However, assuming the worst i.e. we lose the Chelsea match, this race for second spot will go down to the wire. On paper, ManUtd cannot afford to lose against Middlesbrough nor Charlton as Liverpool remaining fixtures are against relatively easier teams. Aston Villa (Home) today and Portsmouth at Fratton Park on the final day.

Looking ahead, ManUtd should be able to take the 3 point from Middlesbrough who should have very weak legs after coming out from their UEFA Cup miracle and subsequent game against Everton. A draw at Chelsea and a win at Middlebrough would give ManUtd 4 points to go to 83 points and hence effectively clinch 2nd Spot since Liverpool can only attain a maximum of 82 points with their remaining 2 games.

My gut feel says that we will lose the game at Chelsea, as the Blues would be very motivated to have their trophy presentation done on home soil in front of their fans. That means 82 points after winning Middlesbrough on Monday. Gut feel also says that as long as we win Middlesbrough, we don't really need the Charlton game to put us beyond 82 points.

The keyphrase is goal-difference. In the event, if Liverpool wins Aston Villa and Portsmouth, the 2 games need to combine to give a goal-difference boost of +9 or more, if they wish to beat ManUtd on goal difference.

Liverpool is expected to beat Aston Villa but bookies are predicting a 2-0 victory. If that is the case, then second spot is out of reach as soon as ManUtd beats Middlesbrough. Unless of course, Liverpool follows up by beating Portsmouth 8-0 or more in the final game. However, one must know that Portsmouth are fighting the relegation battle and has seen good results of late. A mega huge scoreline defeat is unlikely.

JayWalk The Talk: Coming back to this game. A relatively clean injury list for either side with Gudjohnsen out with injury on the home side. ManUtd only has Smith and Scholes out of action but it is unlikely to see Heinze back in the Starting XI. Fergie may rest him ahead for the Boro game instead.

Striker department wise, it will be the same tussle between van Nistelrooy and Saha for the starting spot but I think van Nistelrooy will have the slight edge today.

Again, paper-wise, ManUtd's goals have dried up a bit of late with only 7 goals in their last 5 games. While this may be good for some of the lower teams but certainly not convincing enough to take on Chelsea who has a more impressive record of 11 goals in 5 games.

JayWalk The Walk: Bookies give ManUtd a 1/4-ball handicap and a decimal odds of 2.05 to beat it. That would point towards a narrow victory for Chelsea.

However, my many sources have given me all sorts of forecast ranging from a Chelsea win, a draw and a ManUtd win. In other words, the results could be anything.

Since I bet to win, I would stay away from punting on this game given the significantly high level of uncertainty. I would rather look at Liverpool and Newcastle instead.

Disclaimer: The above views are purely my own two-cents' worth. In other words, I cannot and will not guarantee that my predictions are accurate. If you want to bet on the game, do so at your own risk. Also, please bet responsibly and within your means regardless of how "sure thing" that game may appear to be. As the old saying goes, "The Ball Is Round". Good luck.

Cheeky Swipe At Spurs

Nicked this off King Meng's blog. Damn funny!!!

Q: What’s the difference between a squirrel and Spurs?

A: The squirrel has Champions League experience.

OUCH!!!!

Weekend Round Up (19 Apr 2006)

"ManUtd ALWAYS screw up whenever it comes to the last 4 matches."

- JayWalk 19 Apr 2006

The stupid thing was that I forgot it was going to be an early kick off against Tottenham Hotspur that by the time I was seated down and ready to blog my preview, the game finished at 2-1 already? What the heow? Kan si lang blur!!

Oh well, it was a 2-1 victory and I'll gladly take it anyway.

You know, I was, in a way, glad that we screwed up against Sunderland. All these speculations about us getting a second shot at the title is just plain bullshit. The worse thing is that it is distracting the team and heaping all these unnecessary pressure on ourselves.

Perhaps, in getting caught up with all the euphoria, we didn't realised that we were headed to the Sunderland game on a 9-wins streak. We were lucky just to be there and suddenly everybody EXPECTS us to go 10-UP? Granted that Sunderland were at the bottom of the table and already relegated but they are after all still a Premiership team. That goaless draw to us is perhaps a valuable wake up call advising us against being complacent and over-confident.

Looking ahead, Chelsea has 1 point to go as far as securing the title is concerned. Given that Chelsea's only home game left is against ManUtd on 29 Apr 2006, I would expect the Blues to be fighting tooth and nail for that point. After all, what better way then to win the Premiership on home soil and be presented with the trophy in front of your home fans? Chelsea to seal the title on 29 Apr 2006.

Speaking of points, ManUtd has a target of 4 points to secure in their next 3 games in order to beat Liverpool to the runner up spot. This is assuming that Liverpool wins all remaining fixtures that include 2 tricky games away to West Ham and Portsmouth. While one may say that we shouldn't need so many points since Liverpool is expected to drop some point along the way, I am in line, at this point, with Mourihno's school of thought that rather than worry about how others are performing, why not just score the 4 points yourself and be done with it?

What few people know is that ManUtd ALWAYS screw up whenever it comes to the last 4 matches. Call it coincidence or call it jinx, either way, it is a real cause for concern. It is the very same "jinx" that lost us the title to Leeds and Blackburn years ago. ManUtd will stumble against the most unexpected team. Other seasons when we won are mostly because we already have the title in the bag before coming into the last 4 games. The jinx landed a game earlier this season with the 0-0 draw at Sunderland. We were lucky to be able to bounced back with a hard-fought victory 48 hours later.

JayWalk Looks Ahead: We need 4 points and we are playing Chelsea (Away), Middlesbrough (Home) and Charlton (Home) in that order. I think I can forget about ManUtd winning 3 points at Stamford Bridge which means that I need victories from the remaining 2 home games. Middlesbrough should be a done deal consider the fact that McLaren boys are presently undergoing a crazy flurry of fixtures due to a backlog of games as a result of their continued involvement in the FA Cup and UEFA Cup.

Middlesbrough has a minimum of 7 games to play in 3 weeks compared to ManUtd's 3. If Boro continue their success in the FA Cup and UEFA Cup tournaments, we will be looking at 2 more games. These are not your ordinary games, these are the big ones that requires the players to throw in everything they've got. In other word, Boro will be coming in to Old Trafford a very jaded team or at the very best a make shift team of reseves as they save themselves for the big games. With Boro destined to be in the middle of the table, there really isn't any thing else in the league to play for. Their best shot at a place in Europe would come from these 2 cup tournaments. So, 3 points here, hopefully 1 point from Chelsea (if we are lucky) which means that we cannot afford to lose to Charlton on the final day if Chelsea beat us at Stamford Bridge.

Of course, if Liverpool buang prematurely, we would be able to seal up second spot on 01 May 2006 when we bulldoze Middlebrough into the ground.

Weekend Outlook (14 Apr 2006)

Manchester United vs Sunderland

"...We should have the Runner-Up spot delivered by Monday."

- JayWalk, 14 Apr 2006

The Easter flurry would usually decide more or less how the league table would finish, which is why this weekend is probably one of the more important ones in the fixture calendar. The outcome from the weekend will probably decide who survives the relegation battle. It will also the weekend that will probably decide who goes to Europe and who don't.

ManUtd's game today against Sunderland has got 2 significance. A win tonight would mean ManUtd closing the gap on Chelsea to just 4 points although it is just for 24 hours before Chelsea plays away to Bolton at the Reebok Stadium. We have seen in recently weeks that the Chelsea team are not as mentally strong as the previous season's. Cracks are starting to show with Chelsea winning only 3 of their last 5 games. Fergie is certainly hoping that Chelsea falters again then we'll have a real cracker of a title-decider come 29 Apr when ManUtd travels to Stamford Bridge.

Next, we look at Liverpool, who has played an extra game, has only got one game on Saturday while the rest of the teams have a second game on Monday. Already 5 points behind, Liverpool will be left further behind when ManUtd wins tonight and go 8 points up. What better opponent in the favour of ManUtd when Liverpool has to travel to Ewood Park to play Blackburn Rovers, a team that plays attacking football which Liverpool seemed to have a problem handling all season. I am expecting Liverpool to drop more points this weekend. Thereafter, all ManUtd need is a simple win at White Hart Lane over Spurs and the race for 2nd spot would be signed, sealed and delivered.

JayWalk The Talk: We have good news and bad news from the medical centre. Bad news is that Saha will not be playing as the French striker picked up a knocked during training and should be sitting this one out. Fortunately, the knock isn't really serious and we should have Saha ready on Monday against Spurs. The real good news is that Heinze is back from injury and will be expected to earn a seat on the bench. Given that this game against Sunderland would be an easy one, expect Fergie to give the Argentine defender a run-out onto the pitch in the final minutes.

If you look closely at the league table, ManUtd is the top scoring team with 66 goals, 2 more than leaders Chelsea. Sunderland on the other hand will be looking for a slaughter having only netted 4 goals in their last 8 games. I think Sunderland would have lost this match even before walking out of the tunnel.

JayWalk The Walk: People say that a high scoring victory is worth 3.5 points with the half point refering to the goal difference advantage should two teams finish on equal points. Bookies are giving Sunderland a 2-1/4 ball handicap and a 1.90 odds for Sunderland to win it. I am thinking a comfortable 2-goal victory in favour of the Red Devils and nothing more. ManUtd is already 10 goals ahead of Liverpool in goal difference and as such won't really need a big scoreline today. The strategy for today should be bang in the 2 goals early and then rest up all the key players ahead of Monday's more difficult game away to Spurs. I think even Rossi will get a chance to get a run-out as well.

We should have the Runner-Up spot delivered by Monday.

Stay away from this game. There are more than enough games to wager on this Easter weekend and so why bother to risk on a game whose handicap as bad as this?

Happy Easter, everybody!

Disclaimer: The above views are purely my own two-cents' worth. In other words, I cannot and will not guarantee that my predictions are accurate. If you want to bet on the game, do so at your own risk. Also, please bet responsibly and within your means regardless of how "sure thing" that game may appear to be. As the old saying goes, "The Ball Is Round". Good luck.

Special Announcement

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Please update accordingly.

Thanks.

Weekend Outlook (09 Apr 2006)

Manchester United vs Arsenal

"...Another 11 points from our last 6 games would be enough to secure the 2nd placing."

- JayWalk, 09 Apr 2006

We were as far behind as 13 point away from leader Chelsea and now all of a sudden, after an 8-game winning streak, we are down to 7. Suddenly everybody is speculating that the title race is now opened again.

Frankly, I feel that the grip on the title as far as Chelsea is concerned hasn't loosen a single bit. ManUtd may have hit form of late but it is a case of too little too late.

If I were Fergie, I would rather focus on consolidating our runner-up spot and forget about the title race. We will make a strong challenge for it next season. For now, just make sure that we finish ahead of Liverpool. That in my opinion would be Task One.

Spurs won yesterday. Liverpool is expected to beat Bolton at Anfield today. Chelsea will win West Ham at Stamford Bridge. Hence ManUtd has all the more reason not to slip up.

Good thing we have a game in hand as a slip up today would still ensure that we would be comfortably ahead of Liverpool. Another 11 points from our last 6 games would be enough to secure the 2nd placing.

JayWalk The Talk: We have the Italians in Turin to thank for today's game. With Arsenal being pushed all the way through the 90 minutes by Juventus, ManUtd would have the advantage of fresh leges.

Arsenal's away form has been terrible this season and lucky for us, this game is being played at Old Trafford.

Squad-wise, Arsenal is in more of a trouble than us in the sense that heavier casulty list in the defence department. Cygan, Clichy, Cole and Lauren are all on the casualty list. Even though Campbell is back to full fitness, I don't think he would be able to attain the current level of match fitness in time. This weakness in defence cannot come at a better time for the forwards in ManUtd are trying to out-do each other as there are only 2 space for 3 strikers.

JayWalk The Walk: I think it will be a victory for ManUtd bringing their winning streak to 9 consecutive games. At -1/4 ball, ManUtd has a 1.85 decimal odds to overcome it. I would expect somewhere nearer to 2.0 or more than 1.9, the decimal indication points towards a home victory. With ManUtd unbeated in their last four head-to-heads, I don't see how the visitors can even get a draw.

ManUtd to beat the 1/4-ball handicap.

Disclaimer: The above views are purely my own two-cents' worth. In other words, I cannot and will not guarantee that my predictions are accurate. If you want to bet on the game, do so at your own risk. Also, please bet responsibly and within your means regardless of how "sure thing" that game may appear to be. As the old saying goes, "The Ball Is Round". Good luck.

Weekend Outlook (01 Apr 2006)

Bolton Wanderers vs Manchester United

"...All of a sudden, our other game-in-hand looked so much more valuable than it did a few weeks ago...."

- JayWalk, 01 Apr 2006

We successfully cashed in on our game-in-hard earlier during midweek with a 1-0 win over West Ham United. However, I didn't feel that we deserve that win. We fluked it. West Ham made a mistake and Park pounced on it for van Nistelrooy to score. Other than that, chances were few and far between. That's what is worrying me. The team lacked creatvity at times. We may have done ok with possession (53%) but that's probably because West Ham has a weaker midfield than us.

Liverpool has a relatively easy fixture against relegation-candidate West Brom and this weekend could be a good opportunity for them to close the gap on us. All of a sudden, our other game-in-hand looked so much more valuable than it did a few weeks ago.

Comparing both Liverpool's and ManUtd's run-in fixtures, Liverpool has the upper-hand with the easier opponents while ManUtd still has Arsenal and Spurs to contend with (Both Liverpool and ManUtd will be meeting Chelsea and so this kinda cancels out eachother). At this time of the season, there are 2 types of teams that worry us the most. The relegation-battle gladiators and the Euro-challengers. By merely counting who has more fixtures involving mid-table teams, you can roughly know more or less who will be having the smaller headache. Unfortunately, it's not us.

ManUtd needs to win this at the Reebok Stadium ahead of next week's clash against Arsenal. The good news for us is that Arsenal has a midweek game in Turin against a Juventus who would be going all out to try to overturn a 0-2 deficit. Expect the Biancaneri to sap quite a bit of energy away from Arsenal prior to coming to Old Trafford. Still, let's not be overly assumptious and expect everything to be rosy.

JayWalk The Talk: Liverpool has a relatively healthier squad list and their forwards have start scoring freely (11 goals in the last 3 games). The only down side is that Steven Gerrard is suspended for the red card last week. Could it be the case where there would be no goals when there is no Stevie-G? I certainly hope so.

The consolation is that we are no push-overs either, scoring no less than 2 goals per game (sans the West Ham one) for the last 7 games. To top it off, surely the 7-game winning streak must count for something?

OH WAIT!!! We are playing Bolton today and not Liverpool. Hahahaha.... silly me....

Wah... that way I write about this weekend machiam like Bolton is transparent like that. Really no respect!

Ok ok fine. Bolton too has a healthier squad list. The only notable names missing would probably be Campo and Jansen. Still I think ManUtd may still overwhelm them with a rag-tag team after sieving out all the casualties, but I won't put money on it though.

JayWalk The Walk: I already knew something was going to be wrong with ManUtd prior to the West Ham game when I said in the comments of Sheena's preview to stay away from the wager. A lot of people must have been burnt pretty badly that the bookies are offering a slightly more attractive 1/2-ball in favour of Bolton today. The way I see it, a draw is more likely on the card and the bookies know it. Hence this bookie trap on unknowing punters.

So, does that mean that we can wager on Bolton? Nah... as this is a game that could go either way. I think I will wager on Liverpool instead.

Disclaimer: The above views are purely my own two-cents' worth. In other words, I cannot and will not guarantee that my predictions are accurate. If you want to bet on the game, do so at your own risk. Also, please bet responsibly and within your means regardless of how "sure thing" that game may appear to be. As the old saying goes, "The Ball Is Round". Good luck.