Dmitry LONGICH
MATCH TOUR
Tottenham Hotspur - Liverpool. The match of the most “home” teams of the Premier League promises to be the most stubborn and unpredictable on the tour. For a couple of “Tottenham Hotspur” with “Liverpool” won only 3 away victories (with 16 at their own stadiums). However, the New Year is a time to break stereotypes, and therefore the chances of the Merseysiders look no worse. The price of victory for the guests is a return to the leading three, for the hosts - the maximum approximation to it. A direct clash of overwhelming ambitions and the highest skill - in the inter-holiday battle on the White Hart Lane.
UNEXPECTED INTrigue
Manchester United - Reading. As it turned out, the first half of the season did not exhaust the supply of surprises from Reading: by Christmas, Stephen Koppel and Co. had prepared new ones. Having taken away from Chelsea 2 points at Stamford Bridge, the impudent newcomer involuntarily helped the Mankunians. On Saturday, Reading has the opportunity to again intervene in the champion race in the most unceremonious way. Here are just United, which has gained a cruising move and accelerated the rotation of the flywheel to its full potential, will do everything to not repeat the mistakes of others. Nevertheless, the unobvious intrigue of the upcoming match is quite obvious.
DO NOT LOSE FROM THE VIEW
Ghanaian Michael Essien expands our understanding of universalism. The Chelsea midfielder for the season could be seen at any position in the midline, and he spent the last match with Reading at all in the center of defense. Essien is equally good in attack and defense, but the main quality is his exceptional usefulness. He is always exactly where you need it. The super-goal “Arsenal” exalted the African, the ridiculous own goal with “Reading” - only showed that there is no absolute in nature.
IMPORTANT WORDS
“We are in that part of the season when we just need to use our entire squad. I want to show players who rarely appear on the field that I really trust them. It is also very important to always have a worthy replacement for injured and disqualified leaders "- Sir Alex Ferguson about Manchester United’s simple and effective strategy for the most stressful season.
BEAUTIFUL NUMBERS
The 5th victory in a row with a champions lighthouse shines “Bolton”, and now the massive shadow of “Portsmouth” is getting in the way of the ship of Sam Allardyce. Reviving under this healing light, Nicolas Anelka threatens to score the 5th goal for all the same 5 last games.
CHARLTON - ASTON VILLA
December 30th . The Walley, 15:45.
Judge : Mark Halsey (Lancashire).
Injuries : Lisby, Young, Reed / S. Taylor, Sorensen, Laursen, L. Moore, Delaney, Sutton.
Disqualifications : no.
“Charlton” (version of “SPORT Today”): Carson - Sankofa, El-Karkuri, Hreidarsson, Traore - Rommedal, B. Hughes, Kishishev, Ambrose - Hasselbeink, D. Bent.
Aston Villa (SPORT Today version): Kirali - Melberg, G. Cahill, Ridgwell, Barry - Petrov, McKann, Gardner, S. Davis - Angel, Agbonlahor.
Last five matches : + - - - = / = = - - -
First round match : 0: 2.
Quotes William Hill : the victory of Charlton - 2.75, the draw - 3.2, the victory of Aston Villa - 2.25.
Broadcast : NTV-Plus Football, 15:40 (direct).
BLACKBURN - MIDLESBRO
December 30th . Ewood Park, 6 p.m.
Judge : Martin Atkinson (Yorkshire).
Injuries : Roberts, Reed, Nelson, Enkelman / Ehiogu, Parlor, Hoot, McMahon, Bates.
Disqualifications : no.
"Blackburn" (version of "SPORT today"): Friedel - Emerton, Oyer, Todd, Nill - Bentley, Savage, Tugay, Pedersen - Nonda, McCarthy.
Middlesbrough (SPORT today): Schwarzer - E. Davis, Woodgate, Pogatets, E. Taylor - Morrison, Boateng, Cattermole, Downing - Christie, Yakubu.
Last five matches : - - + + + / - = - + =
First round match : 1-0.
Quotes William Hill : the victory of Blackburn - 1.83, the draw - 3.2, the victory of Middlesbrough - 3.75.
Chelsea - Fulham
December 30th . Stamford Bridge, 6 p.m.
Judge : Howard Webb (Yorkshire).
Injuries : D. Cole, Cech, Terry, Robben, Cudicini / Boa Morte, Buba Diop, Pierce, Ballard, Elrich, Elliott, Pambridge, Knight, C. Jensen.
Disqualifications : Bularuz / Helgusson.
Chelsea (SPORT today): Hilario - Jeremy, Paulo Ferreira, Ricardo Carvalho, E. Cole - Wright-Phillips, Essien, Makelele, Lampard, Ballack - Drogba.
“Fulham” (version of “SPORT Today”): Niemi - Rosenor, Kristanval, Bocanegra, Kedru - Foltz, Brown, Rutledge, Radzinsky - C. John, McBride.
Last five matches : = + + + = / - - + = =
First round match : 2-0.
Quotes William Hill : the victory of Chelsea - 1.16, the draw - 5.5, the victory of Fulham - 12.0.
Broadcast : RTR-Sport, 17:55 (direct).
MANCHESTER UNITED - RADING
December 30th . Old Trafford, 18:00.
Judge : Mike Dean (Wirral).
Injuries : none / Convey, Cox, Mate, Kitson, A. Brown, Stack, Golburn.
Disqualifications : Vidic, Scholes / no.
Manchester United (SPORT Today version): van der Sar - Neville, Sylvester, Ferdinand, Heinze - Cristiano Ronaldo, Fletcher, Carrick, Giggs - Rooney, Saa.
Reading (SPORT Today version): Hahnemann - Marty, Sonko, Ingimarsson, Shori - Little, Sidwell, Harper, Hunt - Lita, Doyle.
Last five matches : + + - + + / - = - - =
First round match : 1: 1.
Quotes William Hill : victory for Manchester United - 1.16, draw - 5.5, victory for Reading - 12.0.
Broadcast : NTV-Plus Football, 17:50 (direct).
Watford - Wigan
December 30th . Wickereigh Road, 6 p.m.
Judge : Steve Tanner (Avon).
Injuries : Chambers, M. King, Carlisle, Boazza / R. Taylor, Camara, Sharner, Webster, Valencia, Macmillan.
Disqualifications : none / McCulloch.
"Watford" (version of "SPORT Today"): Foster - Maryappa, Demerit, Shittu, Stuart - Smith, Bangura, Mahon, Francis - Young, Henderson.
“Wigan” (version of “SPORT Today”): Kirkland - Boyce, de Zeuw, Hall, Baines - Teal, Landzat, Skoko, Kilbane - Todorov, Heskey.
Last five matches : = = - - - / = - - - -
First round match : 1: 1.
Quotes William Hill : the victory of Watford - 2.5, the draw - 3.1, the victory of Wigan - 2.5.
BOLTON - PORTSMOUT
December 30th . Reebok Stadium, 18:00.
Judge : Peter Walton (Northamptonshire).
Injuries : O'Brien, Fortune, Giannakopoulos / Lua-Lua, Stefanovich.
Disqualifications : no.
“Bolton” (version of “SPORT Today”): Yaaskelainen - Hunt, Meite, Dian Faye, Ben Haim - Ivan Campo, Speed, Nolan, Diouf - Anelka, C. Davis.
“Portsmouth” (version of “SPORT Today”): James - Johnson, Primus, Campbell, Pamaro - O'Neill, Pedro Mendes, S. Davis, Manuel Fernandes, M. Taylor - Mvaruwari.
Last five matches : - + + + + / = + = + +
First round match : 1-0.
Quotes William Hill : the victory of “Bolton” - 1.9, the draw - 3.2, the victory of “Portsmouth” - 3.5.
Everton - Newcastle
December 30th . Goodison Park, 18:00.
Judge : Dermot Gallagher (Oxfordshire).
Injuries : Boyle, Hibbert, Pistone, T. Cahill, Turner / N'Zogbia, Bramble, C. Moore, Bernard, Krul, Ameobi, Owen, Carr, Duff, Babayaro.
Disqualifications: no.
Everton (version of SPORT Today): Howard - Neville, Yobo, Lescott, Nuno Valente - Osman, Carsley, Arteta, van der Meide - Beatty, Johnson.
Newcastle (SPORT today): Given - Edgar, Ramage, S. Taylor, Huntington - Dyer, Parker, Butt, Milner - Sibierski, Martins.
Last five matches : + - - + = / + - + + -
First round match : 1: 1.
Quotes William Hill : the victory of Everton - 2.0, the draw - 3.2, the victory of Newcastle - 3.2.
TOTTENHAM - LIVERPOOL
December 30th . White Hart Lane, 6 p.m.
Judge : Steve Bennett (Kent).
Injuries : Lennon, Jenas, Keen, Tainio / Zenden, Sissoko, Kewell.
Disqualifications : no.
“Tottenham Hotspur” (version of “SPORT Today”): Robinson - Shimbonda, Dawson, King, Lee Yoon Pio - Gali, Huddlestone, Zokora, Malbranck - Berbatov, Defoe.
Liverpool (version of SPORT Today): Reina - Finnan, Agger, Carragher, Riise - Pennant, Gerard, Xabi Alonso, Luis Garcia - Bellamy, Kate.
Last five matches : + + + - + / + + + + -
First round match : 0: 3.
Quotes William Hill : Tottenham victory - 2.5, draw - 3.1, Liverpool victory - 2.5.
Broadcast : NTV-Plus Football, 20:05 (record).
WEST HAM - MANCHESTER CITY
December 30th . Upton Park, 18:00.
Judge : Rob Styles (Hampshire).
Injuries : Ashton, Tomkins, Collins / Sinclair, Mills, Sun Jihai, Logan, Hamann, Reina.
Disqualifications : Konchesky, Reo-Cocker / Barton.
West Ham (SPORT today): Green - Daily, Ferdinand, Gabbidon, Spector - Boyer, Benayoun, Mullins, Etherington - Zamora, Harwood.
Manchester City (SPORT Today version): Weaver - Richards, Disten, Dunne, Thatcher - Trabelsi, Dabo, Ireland, Jordan - Samaras, Corradi.
Last five matches : - - + = - / = - - - +
First round match : 0: 2.
Quotes William Hill : victory of West Ham - 2.2, draw - 3.1, victory of Manchester City - 2.87.
SHEFFIELD UNITED - ARSENAL
December 30th . The Bramell Lane, 8:15 p.m.
Judge : Alan Wiley (Staffordshire).
Injuries : Lee Tai, Bennet, Quinn / Henry, Jungberg, Diabi, Gallas, Eboue, Adebayor.
Disqualifications : no.
Sheffield United (SPORT Today version): Kenny - Kozlak, Morgan, Davis, Geary - Gillespie, Jagielka, Tonzh, Montgomery - Webber, Hals.
Arsenal (version of SPORTS Today): Lehmann - Hoyt, Kolo Toure, Senderos, Clichy - Gleb, Fabregas, Gilberto Silva, Rosicky, Walcott - van Persie.
Last five matches : + = + - - / = + = + +
First round match : 0: 3.
Quotes William Hill : Sheffield United win - 6.5, draw - 3.6, victory of Arsenal - 1.44.
Broadcast : RTR-Sport, 20:10 (direct).
NOTE : match start time is Moscow time.
TOURNAMENT TABLE
| Teams | AND | AT | N | P | Balls | Glasses |
| one | MANCHESTER UNITED | 20 | sixteen | 2 | 2 | 44-11 | 50 |
| 2 | Chelsea | 20 | 14 | four | 2 | 35-15 | 46 |
| 3 | ARSENAL | 20 | ten | 6 | four | 37-18 | 36 |
| four | BOLTON | 20 | eleven | 3 | 6 | 24-16 | 36 |
| five | PORTSMOUTH | 20 | ten | five | five | 30-18 | 35 |
| 6 | LIVERPOOL | 20 | ten | four | 6 | 28-16 | 34 |
| 7 | TOTTENHAM | 20 | 9 | four | 7 | 25-26 | 31 |
| eight | Everton | 20 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 24-20 | 28 |
| 9 | READING | 20 | eight | 3 | 9 | 22-27 | 27 |
| ten | ASTON VILLA | 20 | five | ten | five | 22-23 | 25 |
| eleven | NEWCASTLE | 20 | 7 | four | 9 | 21-23 | 25 |
| 12 | FULHAM | 20 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 20-30 | 25 |
| 13 | MANCHESTER CITY | 20 | 6 | five | 9 | 16-24 | 23 |
| 14 | Wigan | 20 | 6 | four | ten | 23-29 | 22 |
| 15 | BLACKBURN | nineteen | 6 | four | 9 | 19-28 | 22 |
| sixteen | MIDLESBRO | 20 | five | 6 | 9 | 17-24 | 21 |
| 17 | SHEFFIELD UNITED | 20 | five | five | ten | 15-26 | 20 |
| 18 | WEST HAM | 20 | five | 3 | 12 | 12-26 | 18 |
| nineteen | CHARLTON | 20 | 3 | four | 13 | 15-35 | 13 |
| 20 | Watford | nineteen | one | eight | ten | 12-26 | eleven |
SNIPERS: Drogba (Chelsea) - 12, Cristiano Ronaldo - 10, Canu (Portsmouth) - 9, Rooney, Saha, (both - Manchester United) - 8, Doyle (Reading) - 8, van Persie (Arsenal) - 8.
22nd round. 01.01. Fulham - Watford. Liverpool - Bolton. Manchester City - Everton. Middlesbrough - Sheffield. Newcastle - Manchester United. Portsmouth - Tottenham Hotspur. Reading - West Ham. Wigan - Blackburn. 02.01. Arsenal - Charlton. Aston Villa - Chelsea.
Announcement of the 21st round of the championship of England