Burnley vs Manchester United Preview | Team News, Stats & Key Men

On August 30th, Manchester United travel to the Turf Moor to take on Burnley.  Both teams have started their 2014/2015 campaigns poorly and will look to use this game as a spring board and get their seasons on track.

Manchester United have taken only one point from their first six and crashed out of the Capital One Cup 4-0 to MK Dons in one of the shocks of the early season.  Newly-promoted Burnley are yet to claim a point on their return to the Premier League – losing 3-1 to Chelsea and 1-0 to Swansea.  While Burnley may have expected to struggle, neither team can be happy with their start to the campaign.

Team News

Manchester United have been bit hard by the injury bug early on this season.  United have seven players on the treatment table with all of them likely to miss the match against Burnley.  The seven injured United players are: Chris Smalling, Luke Shaw, Ander Herrara, Jesse Linegard, Michael Carrick, Shinji Kagawa, and the big Belgian Marouane Fellaini.  Burnley are almost injury free with the only player missing being Welsh striker Sam Vokes.

Interesting Statistics

The last time these two teams met at Turf Moor, Burnley came out with a shock 1-0 victory. Prior to that though, Burnley had not beaten Manchester United since 1968.  These two teams have met 107 times over the course of their histories, but only three times in the Premier League era.  United hold the all time edge, wining 50 drawing 16 and Burnley losing 41.  Only 15% of the all time meetings between these two have ended in draws, so you can expect one team to come out with all three points.

Key Men

Burnley’s key man is English forward Danny Ings.  The former Bournemouth man won the Player of the Season for the Championship and will need to bring his shooting boots to the match on Saturday if the Bees are to have a chance against United.  The England U-21 striker bagged 26 goals in all competitions, including 21 goals in 40 league appearances in 2013-2014.  Ings has shown he can rip apart the Championship, but the young striker must show he has the quality to play with the big boys in the top level of the game.  The 22 year old has been touted as a future England international.  Scoring against Manchester United in the Premier League would go a long way to showing that he does have that top level quality in him.

Manchester United are in desperate need of a win.  Even with new record signing Angel Di Maria arriving earlier this week, Manchester United’s key figure will be their former record signing Juan Mata.  The former Chelsea star has had an up and down start to his United career.  He has gone on some good runs of form, and did pop up with the Reds’ lone goal against Sunderland, but he has not exactly set Manchester alight with his performances.  Louis Van Gaal’s team has world class strikers, but the midfield and defence are poor.  The midfield being poor has resulted in a lack of service for Rooney and Van Persie up top.  Mata has to provide the big two up top with quality service for Manchester United to get going.

Prediction

Predictions have been quite difficult when it comes to Manchester United over the past 12 months.  So many games they are expected to win they have not won.  Now with Louis Van Gaal in charge, people expected that to change, but I would have predicted a United win in all of their first three games (Swansea, Sunderland, and MK Dons) but they have won none of them.  I am expecting Manchester United to get their first win of the season, but the way they’ve been playing no result will genuinely surprise me.

Prediction: 2-1 Manchester United

Crystal Palace vs West Ham Preview & Prediction (23/Aug 22:00)

Probable Lineups

 

Team News

 Crystal Palace

• Jason Puncheon is suspended following his costly red card in the 2-1 defeat to Arsenal. Barry Bannan should take his place on the right-wing.
• Scott Dann faces a late fitness test ahead of the welcome of West Ham.
• Jerome Thomas, Adrian Mariappa and Jonathan Williams are also doubts for Palace.

West Ham

• James Collins is suspended after his red card in the 1-0 defeat to Tottenham last weekend.
• Sam Allardyce will be without injured trio Andy Carroll, Ravel Morrison and Matthew Jarvis, while Carl Jenkinson is a doubt.
• Guy Demel should start at right-back in place of Joey O'Brien, while James Tomkins is expected to start alongside Winston Reid at centre-back.

Prediction

• Crystal Palace performed admirably at the Emirates last weekend, despite Tony Pulis' resignation just 48 hours before the meeting with Arsenal. They will aim to put a poor start behind them with an impressive display in front of their own fans.
• West Ham were unfortunate not to secure a positive result on the opening day of the season, coming unstuck late on through an Eric Dier strike against Spurs. Allardyce will have been buoyed by the performances of his players and is expected to ask for much the same when they make the short trip across the capital.
• These are unsettling times for the Eagles, who may be without a permanent manager by the time this match rolls around, which could result in a low-scoring draw.

Manchester United vs Swansea Preview and Prediction (16/Aug ~ 19:45)

Probable Lineups

Team News

Manchester United

• Louis van Gaal's first competitive match in charge of United has been hotly anticipated and kicks off the Premier League campaign on Saturday.
• The Dutchman has kept the faith with the 3-4-1-2 formation he utilised at the World Cup with Netherlands throughout pre-season, and with new signing Luke Shaw sidelined Ashley Young could get a chance to prove his worth at left wing-back.
• Robin van Persie hasn't featured at all in pre-season and is a doubt so Javier Hernandez could partner new captain Wayne Rooney up front, with Danny Welbeck carrying a knock.
• Elsewhere Ander Herrera will make his competitive debut for the club in midfield.

Swansea

• It's been a busy summer at Swansea, with many of the outgoings at the club going somewhat under the radar.
• Ben Davies and Michel Vorm left for Tottenham, while former first teamers Chico, Jonathan De Guzman and Pablo Hernandez are also no longer at the club.
• Bafetimbi Gomis has signed from Lyon but will likely to start on the bench as Wilfried Bony's deputy. There could, however, be debuts for Lukasz Fabianski and Jefferson Montero, along with a welcome return from Gylfi Sigurdsson.

 Prediction

• In a repeat of their season opener from last season, United will be hoping for a repeat result under a new manager after David Moyes made an impressive start with a 4-1 win over the Swans in 2013/14.
• It's been a summer of upheavel at Swansea and they may get off to a slightly sluggish start in turn, despite some astute acquisitions having been made.
• Van Gaal's side should continue on from an impressive pre-season campaign and register a first win of the season to get the ball rolling under the Dutchman.

Sheffield United v Mansfield Town Betting Preview | 2014-08-14

SHEFFIELD UNITED v MANSFIELD TOWN  Football - England - Capital One Cup 1st Round
Wednesday 14th August 2014 - Kickoff: 0245hrs

SHEFFIELD UNITED

It’s the first round of the Capital One Cup (or the League Cup if you prefer), and Sheffield United entertain League Two outfit Mansfield Town at Bramall Lane.
Sheffield United started their League One campaign with a disappointing 1-2 home defeat to Bristol City who finished mid-table at the end of last season but are tipped to do well this term under manager Steve Cotterill.

However, Nigel Clough’s men will be keen to bounce back here tonight in a competition that they’ll feel they can progress to at least the third round if the fixtures are kind to them. Last season, The Blades were knocked out in the first round when they lost 1-2 to Burton Albion, but with a first day defeat on Saturday, I reckon we’ll see a more determined United outfit this time around.

MANSFIELD TOWN

Visitors Mansfield Town also suffered an opening day defeat of their League Two campaign when they lost 0-1 away at Northampton Town who are one of my ‘dark horse’ tips to perhaps make a play-off place this season under manager Chris Wilder.

Back to Mansfield though, and they too crashed out of this competition at the first hurdle last season with a 0-2 defeat away at Tranmere Rovers who at the time were a League One side. In their first season back in the football league last term, The Stags finished a creditable mid-table but they may have to wait another couple of seasons to mount a serious promotion challenge.

THE BETTING VERDICT:

It’s always a bit of a risk when you dabble in the League Cup as you’re not sure how serious some of the teams take the competition now, but with a larger squad and more depth at their disposal, I’ll back Sheffield United to take this tie, particularly as they lost on Saturday. Manager Clough will be keen to get that ‘winning feeling’ back at Bramall Lane as soon as possible as they prepare for what could be a big season for them. United to edge this perhaps 1-0.

The Pick :

Sheffield United 1 Mansfield Town 0

Done Deal: Manchester United Complete Signing Of 6 ft. 7″ Giant

Manchester United have finalised a deal for an extremely tall, but extremely talented young goalkeeper…

The Red Devils have confirmed via the club’s official website that they’ve completed the transfer of Vanja Milinkovic from Serbian side FK Vojvodina.

Milinkovic stands at 6 ft. 7″ and is a goalkeeper, having already represented the national Serbian Under-19 side on numerous occasions.

“After lengthy talks that have taken place over the past month, we have finally completed negotiations on Monday and we can officially inform the public that our young and promising goalkeeper has joined Manchester United,” said Zoran Scepanovic, the president of the little known Serbian minnows.

The teenage prodigy will remain in his homeland for the 2014/15 campaign, before heading to England to begin his development at Old Trafford next summer.

“He will remain in Vojvodina for the next year, where he will be under the supervision of our experts and coaches from the English football giants, while continuing to train and perform in the jersey of his home club,” Scepanovic continued.

“This is an opportunity to thank everyone who participated in the realisation of this transfer. Can I point out Manchester United’s very correct attitude.”

Few outside of Serbia have seen much of the giant goalkeeper in action, but he’s rated highly due to his enormous stature, commanding presence, and quick reflexes.

Whether he’ll ever be able to eventually usurp David De Gea, himself only 23, from the United no.1 jersey is uncertain, but fans will be keeping an ear out for Milinkovic’s progress next with the knowledge that he’ll become a Red Devil next summer.

DONE THIS WEEK? Arsenal to complete shock £24m move for Manchester United target

According to reports emanating from Portugal, Arsenal are on the verge of completing a £24m move for Manchester United and Chelsea target William Carvalho, with newspaper O Jogo claiming the deal for the Sporting Lisbon midfielder could be pushed through by the end of the week.

 

The Gunners, who have already spent heavily this summer on the likes of Alexis Sanchez and Callum Chambers, are now said to be closing in on Carvalho, who appeared twice for Portugal during the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, continuing Arsenal and Arsene Wenger’s stunning summer spending spree.

Manchester United and Chelsea have both shown an interest in the 22-year-old over the last year, with the player indicating back in March that he would be open to a move to Old Trafford in particular. However, since the sacking of David Moyes, the rumours have lessened, and with Chelsea seemingly satisfied since bringing in former Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas, the way is clear for Wenger to complete a deal for the Portugal international.

O Jogo report that Arsenal had a bid rejected by Sporting last month on the basis of it being a installation-based payment scheme, and that the Portuguese side are looking to receive a fee in full for their midfield powerhouse.

Carvalho is said to have a £37m buyout clause in his current contract, but if reports are to be believed, Arsenal are confident of getting their man for cheaper, with a £24m bid in full expected this week.

Man United hope to confirm Arturo Vidal signing

Manchester United are hoping to push through the deal to sign Juventus star Arturo Vidal this week, according to reports.

The Chile star is at the centre of a transfer tug-of-war with the Italian champions insisting they want to keep him unless he makes it clear he wants to move.

The 27-year-old is likely to cost around £40m with new United boss Louis van Gaal ready to splash the cash to make the deal happen, according to the Daily Mail.

Juve director general Beppe Marotta said: “Vidal? We already said that he is not on the market, but the player’s will is decisive. Vidal has never said he wants to leave, and Juventus will sell him only if he were unhappy to remain.”

He added: “Nowadays, however, there’s absolutely no reason to even be discussing this now.”

Van Gaal has said that he is happy with the players he has at his disposal and has been further encouraged after his side beat Real Madrid 3-1 in the pre-season friendly in America yesterday.

AGREED – Manchester United Finally Seal Superstar Deal

Manchester United announced the departure of yet another veteran defender yesterday as Patrice Evra joined Italian giants Juventus.

The French defender’s exit confirms an end of an era for the Red Devils as also legendary names like Giggs, Ferdinand and Vidic will no longer be playing for United.

However, as far as the new revolution is concerned, Manchester United might have just agreed one of the signings of the season by sealing a deal to sign Borussia Dortmund central defender Mats Hummels.

According to reports in the media, Manchester United have finally agreed a deal with Borussia Dortmund to sign the German international who is arguably one of the best central defenders in the world at the moment.

Hummels was a pivotal member of the squad that lifted the World Cup. Not only was he solid at the back but also scored two key goals for Germany.

As per the provided link, United are paying only £16m to hire his services and that can be considered as a massive bargain buy. Adding to that, the move can be confirmed sometime within this week.

His arrival will make Man United’s central defense very strong and it is likely that Hummels will be joined by another new center half at United.

Previously reported on the website, Louis van Gaal is also looking to complete a deal for compatriot Stefan de Vrij as well who was consistent for Netherlands in the World Cup.

World Cup 2014 Final: Germany vs Argentina Tips & Prediction

Can Sabella’s defensive strategy stop Germany as well?

Germany will encounter Argentina in the final of the FIFA World Cup 2014 in Rio de Janeiro on Monday (03:00 GMT+8). After their historic 7:1 victory over the host nation the Germans will enter the legendary Maracana Stadium as favourites, but they will face a rock-solid Argentinian defence there.

 

Germany

Though it were some of the most astonishing moments in football history when Germany scored four goals within seven minutes against the five-times world champions on Tuesday, we should not overvalue them, as Brazil’s defence acted like amateurs. Still this unbelievable success will boost Germany’s confidence even more, if this is possible at all. They have already displayed an extreme confident body language when demolishing Portugal 4:0 in their first match, never left doubts that they want to lift the Cup this time. The Germans perform well structured, play quick and precisely, defend very organised and still have huge quality on their bench. With Thomas Müller (5 goals) and Miroslav Klose they are equipped with the top-scorers of the the last two World Cups and in goalkeeper Manuel Neuer and Mats Hummels they have the two probably best defensive players of the tournament available. The later got substituted in the Brazil match due to tendon problems, but should be fit for the final.

 

Argentina

While the match between Brazil and Germany was pure excitement its counterpart between Argentina and the Netherlands was probably the most boring semi-final ever. Two extremely defensively-minded teams did not even try to score goals, so nobody was surprised when they found themselves in a penalty shoot-out which was finally won by the South Americans. It was not the first time the ‘Albiceleste’ played this destructive football in this tournament, they also played very defensively when beating Belgium and Switzerland both 1:0 before. However, besides a solid defence the Argentinians have an outstanding defensive midfielder in Javier Mascherano and they know how to slow down a match, which could effect the German game seriously. They will patiently wait for their chance and hope that the four times ‘World Player of the Year’ Lionel Messi will decide this final with his ingenuity. A creative player who could support Messi is Angel di Maria. The midfielder missed the match against the Dutch due to a thigh injury and his appearance in the final is not sure as well.

 

Expected line-ups

 

Current form

 

Potential impacts

• The legendary Maracana Stadium has a capacity of 73,500.
• 23 °C and a humidity of around 70 percent are expected in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday.
• Argentina defeated Germany 3:2 in the World Cup final in Mexiko 1986.
• Germany returned the favour when beating Argentina 1:0 in the final in Italy 1990.
• The Argentinians have a positive record against Germany (9-5-6).

 

Prediction

We can expect the Argentinians to play similar defensive tactics like they did the games before. They will slow the tempo down and try to open lanes for Messi and Co. to dribble through. This time they will face their strongest opponent though and it is hard to imagine that the German ‘machine’ will not create goal scoring opportunities. While Argentina had to go through 120 minutes in the semi-finals on Wednesday, the Germans already started to rest after the first half against Brazil. They will set Argentina under massive pressure and with their huge selection of outstanding offensive players Germany should be able to crack the bastion.

Who is not that confident and thinks that this match could go to extra time should go for the outright victory. Germany to become World Champions is probably the best betting-tip for this final.

Argentina have not been down at any time in this World Cup yet. Considering they would fall behind, they would have to open their back and allow the Germans the room they need. In that case it is possible that Germany could even win the final by more than one goal difference. So if you are looking for a bigger reward you should bet on a clear German victory.

+ The Germans are full of confidence after their historic 7:1 victory.
+ Besides other strong offensive players they have the top scores of the last two World Cups.
+ Argentina played 120 minutes in the semi-finals and had one day less for regeneration.
+ Germany beat Argentina 4:0 at the World Cup 2010.
- Argentina's rock-solid defence will be hard to crack.
- No European team could ever win the World Cup in South America.

 

Our Prediction: Germany wins

Netherlands vs Argentina World Cup 2014 Highlights Penalty Shootout (2-4)

Penalty Shootout- Netherlands vs Argentina 2-4

Netherlands Argentina 0-0 Ron Vlaar misses
Holland Argentina 0-1 Lionel Messi scores
Netherlands Argentina 1-1 Arjen Robben scores
Holland Argentina 1-2 Ezequiel Garay scores
Netherlands Argentina 1-2 Wesley Sneijder misses
Holland Argentina 1-3 Sergio Aguero scores
Netherlands Argentina 2-3 Dirk Kuyt scores
Netherlands Argentina 2-4 Maxi Rodriguez scores


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Shame of all shames for Brazil

That is how the front page of Rio de Janeiro's prominent daily newspaper O Globo described Brazil's historic and "catastrophic" 7-1 semi-final defeat to Germany in Belo Horizonte.

Pictures of fans with their faces frozen in tears after Germany plundered five goals in 29 first-half minutes were labelled with tags including "suffering", "frustration" and "bewilderment", and the media autopsy has only just begun.

"Nobody suffers a 7-1 rout, especially not in a World Cup semi-final, by pure fluke," wrote Allan Caldas in O Globo.

"It is difficult to find a single explanation for Tuesday's humiliation."

Thomas Muller, Miroslav Klose and Sami Khedira all sliced through the Selecao to score with ease and, with the South Americans seemingly helpless to resist, Toni Kroos and substitute Andre Schurrle grabbed two goals each.

Over in Berlin, Hamburg and Munich, delirious fans of Die Mannschaft partied long into the night after witnessing "a victory for all eternity".

Alongside a picture of two-goal hero Schurrle and grinning Germany boss Joachim Low, daily tabloid Bild described the national team's triumph as "7-1 Madness. Lightning DFB team knock out Brazil.

"Unbelievable! Gigantic! Fantastic!"

Bild continued: "While we lay in each others' arms, images of crying and shocked Brazilians flickered in our living rooms.

"Sorry, Brazil. We did not want to hurt you.

"But without the injured Neymar and the suspended Thiago Silva the glorious Selecao was reduced to rubble."

Football magazine Kicker was the next publication to stick the boot into Brazil.

"What further superlatives can we find to boast about the historic events that took place on July 8, 2014 in Belo Horizonte?" it wrote.

"Since when did the World Cup semi-finals become training games?"

Brazilian papers which had printed cut-out masks of star striker Neymar - ruled out of the game with a fractured vertebra before the showdown at the Estadio Mineirao - refused to accept that his absence had been pivotal.

They instead blamed the complete disarray in Luiz Felipe Scolari's midfield.

Those home fans who stayed until the final whistle sarcastically cheered Germany's every touch and pass until Oscar's late consolation strike invited facetious cheers of mock celebration.

O Globo's Caldas added: "There was one obvious thing, that everyone could see at the Mineirao, but it was not the absence of Neymar.

"The problem was that the team failed to protect the middle of the pitch, where the Germans were at their strongest.

"Was Neymar sorely missed? Of course. But without their best playmaker the team needed to show collective strength.

"Throughout the World Cup, even when Neymar was on the field, Scolari's team was like a desert in the middle: no creativity, no strength, no union."

Such was the impact of the "massacre" to the Brazilian psyche, the nation is now even prepared to forget about the embarrassment of the 'Maracanazo' - the Selecao's World Cup final defeat to Uruguay in Rio back in 1950.

Folha de Sao Paolo ran the headline 'Historical Humiliation', writing: "Brazil are again humiliated when trying to win a World Cup at home" while Rio-based daily Lance described the "insignificant" Maracanazo as "a thing of the past".

Lance went so far as to demand Scolari step down as head coach immediately after Saturday's third-place game against Holland or Argentina in Brasilia.

The Germany media's greatest concern?

"Bring on the Dutch."

World Cup Group D Tips and Predictions

Group D emerged as one of several proverbial groups of death as three former Champions - ITALY, URUGUAY and ENGLAND - will fight for the top spot while COSTA RICA are outsiders. Who will advance to the knockout stage and who will get sent home early? Find here a complete World Cup Group D betting preview with tips and predictions.

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WORLD CUP 2014 GROUP D BETTING PREVIEW

ITALY arrive at the 2014 finals in better shape than they were four years ago in South Africa when they earned just two points in the group stage. Italy finished bottom. Prandelli was charged with the task of restoring the faith back into Italian football and he did just that by leading them to the final of Euro 2012, where they were defeated by defending champions Spain. In the WC qualifying group, Cesare Prandelli’s men cruised to qualification for Brazil without losing a game despite having the likes of Denmark and Czech Republic as company. Anyway, they were disappointing in their friendlies before to travel to Brazil: the Azzurri drew 0:0 and 1:1 against Ireland and Luxembourg rispectively. The Azzurri's defence is based around Juventus's mean back-line, with the majestic pass-master Andrea Pirlo pulling the strings just in front of them. In attack, they can count on Balotelli, Cassano and the Italian Serie top goalscorer Ciro Immobile.

ENGLAND went undefeated in their European qualifying group and that was a solid feat considering the good teams of Ukraine and Poland was in the group. Overall, England had six wins and four draws in the qualification process. They were defensively stout with just four goals allowed in 10 matches. With their second-youngest World Cup squad, the Three Lions may, however, cause a surprise through their pace and youthful nerve, led by one of England’s biggest assets, Roy Hodgson. They recently beat Peru with ease and drew 2:2 with Ecuador in two International Friendlies before the WC. While the defence may be suspect, the midfield may be where England can hope to win games with the youngsters Barkley, Sterling and Lallana absolutely men to watch.

URUGUAY had an abysmal stretch from Sept. 2012 through March 2013. They played six matches, earned a total of two points and were outscored 15-3. They rebounded, winning four of their last five to reach the fifth-place playoff, and beat Jordan 5-0 on aggregate to qualify through the back door. The South American team reached the 2010 World Cup semifinals and this tournament will be played in Brazil where they have won their only World Cup title. Furthermore, they have one of the best forward, Luis Suarez who just had a monster season. The Liverpool striker, anyway, might miss the first match (or two) due to a knee problem but Cavani is phenomenal when he plays as lone forward. They have continuity in the coaching ranks with Oscar Tabarez having been in charge since 2006 and South American conditions may be in their favour.

COSTA RICA are the group and tournament’s long shots. They did not qualify for the 2010 edition, and this year will mark their fourth appearance in the World Cup. Head coach Jorge Luis Pinto has constructed a solid and defensively sound unit that conceded the least goals during CONCACAF qualifying. This is a strong defensive team, but have proven they can score against big clubs, beating both Mexico and the USA in the qualification for the World Cup. They also have the benefit of playing close to home but the task was made even tougher recently when they lost injured striker Álvaro Saborío, plus the absence of Everton full-back Bryan Oviedo, is a huge blow to their chances. Bryan Ruiz and Joel Campbell will be the main attacking threats.

WORLD CUP 2014 GROUP D FIXTURES

• 14 June 2014, URUGUAY v COSTA RICA, Estadio Castelao, Fortaleza
• 14 June 2014, ENGLAND v ITALY, Arena Amazonia, Manaus
• 19 June 2014, URUGUAY v ENGLAND, Arena de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo
• 20 June 2014, ITALY v COSTA RICA, Arena Pernambuco, Recife
• 24 June 2014, ITALY v URUGUAY , Arena das Dunas, Natal
• 24 June 2014, COSTA RICA v ENGLAND, Estadio Mineirao, Belo Horizonte

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