Tag Archives: sports

Do The Opposition Need To Stand Up To Manchester City?

on November 14, 2018 None comments

Manchester City marched back to the top of the Premier League table with an emphatic 6-1 win over Southampton, one that not only displays just how good the defending champions were at the Etihad but also the disparity between themselves and the teams in the lower reaches of the division.

That thrashing in front of their own fans was not one in isolation though. Only recently, they made light work of Burnley on the way to winning 5-0, while the second weekend of this season saw them record another 6-1 success, with Huddersfield this time feeling the full force of City’s attack.

These results certainly show that City are not only playing some of the most attractive football anywhere on the continent at the moment, but they are also on course to be the first team to win back to back Premier League titles since Manchester United 2009.

It’s a point that is easily reinforced when you look at the current football betting markets; bet365 have Pep Guardiola’s men as 4/11 odds-on favourites to be crowned Premier League champions once more come next May.

At the same time though, and impressive as the aforementioned trio of home wins have been, it does perhaps beg the question as to whether City’s opposition need to be doing a lot more when they are squaring off against the likes of Sergio Aguero and Leroy Sane.

Of course, with the talent that these two and their teammates have at their disposal, it is a statement that is rather easier said than done. However, you do get feeling recently that clubs such as Burnley and Southampton have lost their encounters with City before the opening whistle has been blown.

It’s almost a case of knowing they are going to lose and wondering just how many goals they will concede, a mentality that almost says ‘let’s just get this over and done with’. But is that the wrong approach to take? Let’s take Leicester City as a way on how it should be done.

During their phenomenal run to the 2016 title, there were so many occasions where they were viewed as the underdog, a status that arguably played right into the hands of Claudio Ranieri and his players. A perfect example would have been when the Foxes made a trip to the Etihad of their own.

An early February clash between the two sides saw Leicester win by three goals to one, a result that, arguably, with a third of that season still left to play, gave them the timely boost to go and kick on during the final few months and towards English football’s greatest ever achievement.

That game showed that belief and hunger go such a long way not just in football but in any sport, while, perhaps, if the teams that are currently travelling to the Etihad and getting handsomely beaten showed a little bit more courage and will to win, then there might be a few more upsets along the way.

Of course, no-one is suggesting that there is going to be another fairytale winning of the Premier League anytime soon, but there is no doubting that, for the competition’s own long-term health, it would be good if there weren’t so many one-sided results such as the ones we have recently witnessed.

Then again, maybe Manchester City really are that ruthless after all.

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The 2018 Championship promotion race is on!

on January 14, 2018 None comments

Having lost just three league encounters during the 2017-18 campaign so far, Wolverhampton Wanderers have already made a positive start to 2018, opening the New Year with a convincing 3-0 victory against Brentford at the Molineux Stadium. Extending their lead at the top of the Championship to an impressive 12 points, the side managed by Nuno Espirito Santo are beginning to run away with the title race.

After extending their unbeaten run to twelve games, ahead of the fixture away at Barnsley on 13th January, it’s no wonder that that Championship betting odds mark Wolves as 1/20 favourites for the title, and 1/200 certainties for promotion to the Premier League. Boasting a much greater goal difference than any other team in the English second tier with +30 already, they practically have one hand on the Championship trophy already.


Nevertheless, there remains fierce competition amongst the chasing pack, in the battle for second position and automatic promotion, with Derby County mounting a serious charge to reach the Premier League this season, having finished the 2016-17 campaign in a disappointing 9th position. Gary Rowett’s side were unbeaten throughout December 2017 and started 2018 with a 1-1 draw against Sheffield United on New Year’s Day.

One of the early season favourites for promotion, Cardiff City struggled in December 2017 and slipped to a fourth consecutive defeat in their first Championship fixture of 2018, suffering a 2-1 away defeat at QPR. Their boss Neil Warnock will need to use every ounce of his vast managerial experience to turn things around, and quickly, if his side are to avoid missing out on promotion again, because their current position in the play-off zone is by no means guaranteed.


Riding high in the Championship table and exceeding all expectations are Bristol City, who have also been exceptional in the EFL Cup this season in their march to the semi-finals, eliminating several Premier League sides along the way; including a stunning victory against Manchester United. However, cup success may have also taken their eye off the ball in the league, having ended 2017 with a home defeat against Championship leaders, Wolves, then opening 2018 with a dismal 5-0 thrashing suffered away at Aston Villa.

Indeed, that convincing win for Aston Villa was an important return to form for the side managed by Steve Bruce, pushing them back into the play-off zone and restoring much needed faith in the bid to bounce straight back to the Premier League. December 2017 was a month to forget, with just one win in six games, and if they’re to achieve their objective, improved consistency will be required in the second half of the campaign.


Holding out in 6th position and the final play-off spot at the start of 2018, are Leeds United, who started the campaign superbly with a run of seven games unbeaten, but hit a disastrous run of form through between the end of September and the start of November, with seven defeats in nine encounters. December was positive, with four wins on the spin, but once again the doubts have returned, especially after the embarrassing 2-1 FA Cup defeat against Newport County, who are struggling for survival in League Two.

Outside the play-off zone, there are plenty of teams ready to pounce. Sheffield United, Middlesbrough, Preston, and even Fulham in 10th position at the start of 2018, are all within a couple of wins of rising amongst the top-six teams in the Championship. Indeed, between Derby County in 2nd position and Fulham, there’s only a difference of 10 points. That might seem like a wide margin at first glance, but with 60 points still to play for, the race for promotion remains completely wide open.

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Conte’s Chelsea in Driving Seat for Premier League Title Triumph

on December 22, 2016 None comments

Simply put, Chelsea have been outstanding so far this season. Antonio Conte’s Italian revolution is well and truly underway at Stamford Bridge and the Blues are reaping rewards from his varied and extensive skillset in the dugout.

Since taking over at the helm, Conte has taken this Chelsea side from the brink of disaster to eleven consecutive Premier League wins. The Blues are now eyeing up Arsenal’s all-time top-flight record of successive victories and a fifth Premier League title could follow.

It is easy to forget that this is Conte’s first season in charge of a major club side outside of his native Italy – and that is testament to his ability to adapt and tweak his system and style to suit the English game.

Ultimately, Conte has managed to maintain his Italian principles of solid, consistent defending but has incorporated Premier League traditions of playing attacking, free-flowing football. This unique blend has confused their rivals and the Blues, who have now 11 on the spin, are looking unbeatable.

Chelsea’s recent run has been sensational to say the least but it is the manner of these wins that make them all the more impressive. Conte’s men have scored 25 goals during this spell whilst conceding just two – keeping nine clean sheets in the process.

If the former Italy boss can keep his players focused on the task at hand, the title race could be all but over by mid-April. The Blues have already built a six-point lead over nearest rivals Liverpool and both Manchester City and Arsenal are already feeling the heat.

As of December 22nd, Conte’s men are priced at 10/11 to win the title with Betway and plenty of neutrals will be backing Chelsea after their solid start to the campaign. The Blues have lost just once so far this season and that 3-0 defeat to Arsenal was the catalyst for Conte’s revolution to begin.

Prior to that defeat, the Italian was following English football’s tradition of playing four at the back but Chelsea have now reverted to a brand new 3-4-3 system and the rest of the Premier League just cannot figure out how to play against it.

via GIPHY

Eventually, teams will grow accustomed to Chelsea’s system but the Blues have enough quality in their ranks to adapt if needs be. Conte has managed to take Victor Moses, a player who made just one solitary performance for the club last season, and transform him into a reliable wing-back in the space of just three months.

By the same token, former Bolton Wanderers star Marcos Alonso is holding his own on a weekly basis. While he was touted as a superb prospect for the future, nobody expected Conte to get this much out of the Spaniard in his first season at Stamford Bridge.

But without beating about the bush, it would be fair to state that the biggest difference-maker has been Diego Costa. The Spain star has always played with vigour and determination and his new manager has channelled that aggression into goals – and Chelsea fans are now back on the Costa wagon after a hit-and-miss 2015/16 campaign.

Costa has already notched 13 league goals this season; more than anybody else in the top flight. The Golden Boot is well within his sights but a Premier League triumph is the main objective; Conte has got him playing for the shirt rather than for his own glory…

Chelsea still have plenty of work to do in the second half of the season but Conte will be ready for the title push. He has been there and done it all during his stints with Juventus and Italy but a Premier League crown in his first year in England would certainly send out a statement of intent. At 47 years old, Conte is here for the long run and an early title triumph could signal the start of an era of Blues dominance.

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Italy can progress in Euro 2016 despite a tough path

on June 27, 2016 None comments

The Italian national team has awoken a sense of hope in the country that has been a surprise and certainly was not expected. The nation as a rule, grows slowly into a tournament just like its team and in some sort of bizarre unity, they historically culminate in the knock out rounds as a force on both parts. Now after a smash and grab group stage, where the Italians unusually topped their group after two games, they ironically face champions Spain in the round of 16.  Despite a defeat in their final game to the Republic of Ireland, there is reason to be positive before this titanic clash.

Written off

‘The worst Italian squad in 50 years’ this was the yoke that the Italian national team had around their neck as they travelled to France. The lack of quality in the forward area was obvious and the nation’s media and fans questioned whether GrazianoPelle, Eder and Ciro Immobile could produce the magic that their predecessors had. After all a country that had given birth to Giuseppe Meazza, Paolo Rossi, Christian Vieri and ‘Pippo’ Inzaghi could perhaps feel as though they had been put on a crash diet when it came to forward quality. Italy’s midfield to had been decimated, as injuries to Claudio Marchisio and Marco Verratti had meant that the team was now reliant on its three man Juventus defence backed up by the ever young ‘Gigi’ Buffon.

Belgium, Sweden and the Republic of Ireland stood in their way and as the Azzurri went into their opening game against the Red Devils ‘Golden generation’ there was not much hope given. Despite the prediction that Antonio Conte would play a very defensive game that operated solely on counter attacks, the team instead started with pace and a direct style that shocked their opponents. Despite commentators talking about Italy being a defensive unit they were ambitious and got their rewards for this.

Pressing

The way that Conte had his team drilled was impressive and his team transformed from a 3-5-2 to a 3-3-4 when in attack and then a 5-3-2 when defending. Buffon was the antithesis of this as he played almost as a sweeper when the team was attacking, similar to Manuel Neuer. When the team defended as a five the veteran goalkeeper did not move out of his six-yard box but the understanding of when he would come for the ball was understood well by his Juventus team mates.

This was also evident against Sweden but despite Eder’s killer goal the team still do look a little bit lightweight up front. The rest of the team however, operate as a cohesive unit that arguably is the most fluid yet structured in the competition. Conte looks to operate with a ‘freedom within structure’ mentality and it has proved effective. He knows he hasn’t got the best tool in his tool box but he knows what kit he needs to do the job well.

It was the realisation of this that enthused the Italian public and media and even saw the GazzettaDello Sport say that ‘We want our Italy back’ after they lost their final group game to the Republic of Ireland. Conte made eight changes in this game and two if those were enforced as Buffon had the flu and Antonio Candreva had pulled his hamstring against Sweden. The rest simply were experimental and whilst the team came in for criticism, it did allow the coach to see what options he could call upon. Lorenzo Insigne was one of these players who, whilst given only a few minutes, showed that he could replicate his club form for Napoli on the national stage.

Italy have to face Spain and then if they progress they will face Germany but they should not be worried. The team has already impressed her apathetic fans and there is little expectation but yet there is room for optimism. Defensively the team are arguably the best in the tournament and if Lorenzo Insigne is given licence to roam then the Azzurri may be the may turn heads even if for cohesion rather than style.

 

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PokerRoom Returns to Prove Its Superiority Over Other Sites

on January 22, 2012 None comments

Currently, online poker is one of the fastest growing industries in the world. However, major problem for many online poker players is how to distinguish the various online poker sites.

One of the oldest poker site on the internet, PokerRoom, rated as the best online poker sites by many players. You may be wondering what exactly makes PokerRoom more superior than others? Let’s find out the answer.

One thing that makes PokerRoom different than its competitor sites is the amount of experience held by this site. PokerRoom is one of the first online poker sites and they specialize in creating an enjoyable experience for the players. Once the software is loaded, the player can clearly see the difference because the control has a clear label. Thus, online poker players can find a cash game or tournament with ease. Many sites that offer “do it yourself avatars”, have a low quality graphics, but PokerRoom specializes in providing high-quality graphics and more realistic appearance.

One of the most popular poker game is Texas Hold’em poker. PokerRoom is able to offer a wide selection of cash poker games to the players wanting to play poker online. PokerRoom also offers traditional poker games like Omaha, Omaha 8 or Better, Seven Card Stud, Stud 8 or Better and Five Card Draw.

The tournament in PokerRoom offers a large selection of games, available in all variants of poker. You can start playing with only paying $ 1. In addition, PokerRoom have many choice in poker games, not only multi-player table games, such as the Sit and Go tournaments. A variety of games made available for under $ 1, so it is plausible that you will be able to find the best finance rate games.

Amount of traffic at PokerRoom arguably quite remarkable with the network ranges between 2,000 to 5,000 players per day. In tournaments, the number of players could reach 40,000. This competition is fair at all over the sites, so every time you’re in the game, you do not have to worry will be surrounded by a table full of sharks. PokerRoom gives you the opportunity to make money from their traffic and friendly atmosphere.

PokerRoom offers many resources for player who just starting to play poker. On their website, the rules for online Texas Hold’em and other games have shown, coupled with numerous articles on poker strategy provided. You are also given the facility to connect with other poker players if you want to discuss game strategy.

No other online poker sites that can come close to PokerRoom. Amazing features and support provided by PokerRoom make many poker players, new or old, come back every year. You can easily sign up PokerRoom to learn more information.

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