Dmitry LONGICH
MATCH TOUR
Tottenham Hotspur Arsenal On Saturday afternoon, English football fans will forget about the championship race and the battle for survival for a while and plunge into the special world of the North London derby, which will bring together the irreconcilable neighbors for the 155th time. This time the match is deprived of significant tournament intrigue - Tottenham’s desire for European cups and Arsenal’s fight for third place fade before the charisma of the classic confrontation. “Spurs” for 17 matches can’t win against their most important rivals and are surely ready to give the UEFA half-cup to interrupt this series. Now between clubs there are three times more points than miles between their stadiums, but in the last couple of months Tottenham has looked more interesting than opponents and has entered into a duel by no means as an outsider. A tough, uncompromising bout of lyrical and super-entertaining teams, steeped in centuries of history, guarantees an exciting start to the English football weekend.
UNEXPECTED INTrigue
Charlton - Sheffield United. A rare voltmeter is able to measure the voltage that prevails on the "Walley" on Saturday evening. The real battle for survival, face to face and without intermediaries. “Charlton” convincingly spent the last couple of months, but in the previous round lost to “Everton”. “Sheffield”, on the contrary, all this time rolled into the abyss, but caught on time for “West Ham” and played well in the middle of the week with “MJ”. One of them is likely to leave the Premier League. For “Eddix” - the native stadium, for “blades” - two points of handicap and an easier calendar of the remaining matches. The hosts only need victory, the draw will suit the guests. No lyrics - a brutal battle of characters, merciless, but by no means meaningless.
DO NOT LOSE FROM THE VIEW
The long-announced return of Michael Owen on Sunday's game with Chelsea may be delayed. A brilliant English striker suffered a knee injury ten months ago in a match for the national team and all this time remained outside of big football. In the week, the player of “Newcastle” again had some health problems and, most likely, Glenn Raeder would not take risks. In parallel, a lawsuit is developing between the club and the English Football Federation. The Magpies demand monetary compensation for the forced downtime of their leader, and through the mouth of President Freddie Shepherd they threaten to ban Owen from playing for England in a June match with Estonia.
IMPORTANT WORDS
“I can assure everyone that the members of the board of directors are Arsenal fans, and they are not going to sell their shares for at least the next 12 months. With David Dean, the club’s board has long had disagreements that are now unacceptable. Wenger had excellent relations, and, I think, Arsen will miss him. Nevertheless, Wenger’s relations with all members of the board are good and we hope that he will extend the contract after 2008. Arsenal was built on stability, and I’m sure that this stability will remain with tradition E laid down by the club in the past ", - the president of" Arsenal "Peter Hill-Wood in an interview with Arsenal TV Online talks about the reasons for leaving the influential Vice President David Dina assures fans the full support of Arsene Wenger and expectedly silent about a possible alliance Dina American businessman Stan Krenke.
BEAUTIFUL NUMBERS
3 points and 14 goals over Manchester United over Chelsea for 5 matches before the end of the championship - the numbers are not so much beautiful as important. If the Mankunians manage to synchronize the scoring schedule with a competitor, the meeting at Stamford Bridge will lose its crucial tournament significance.
TOTTENHAM - ARSENAL
April 21st . White Hart Lane, 15.45.
Judge : Mike Dean (Wirral).
Injuries: Dervit, Assu-Ekotto, E. Gardner, Lee Young Pio, Stalteri, Assu-Ekotto / Henry, van Persie, Walcott.
Disqualifications: no.
Tottenham Hotspur (Sport Today version): Robinson - Shimbonda, Dawson, L. King, Ricardo Rocha - Lennon, Zokora, Jenas, Mulbranch - Defoe, Berbatov.
Arsenal (Sport Today version): Lehmann - Ebouet, Gallas, Kolo Toure, Clichy - Gleb, Fabregas, Gilberto Silva, Rosicky - Baptista, Adebayor.
Last five matches: + + + - = / - - = + +
First round match: 0: 3.
Quotes William Hill: Tottenham victory - 2.5, draw - 3.1, victory of Arsenal - 2.5.
Broadcast : RTR-Sport, 15.40 (direct).
BOLTON - READING
The 21st of April. White Reebok Stadium, 18.00.
Judge : Howard Webb (Yorkshire).
Injuries : O'Brien, Fortune, Ben Haim / Convey, Sonko, Mate, Little, Brown, Marty.
Disqualifications: Ivan Campo / Lita.
“Bolton” (version of “Sport Today”): Yaaskelainen - Hunt, Meite, Dian-Faye, Gardner - Teymuryan, Speed, Nolan - Diouf, K. Davis, Anelka.
"Reading" (version of "Sport Today"): Hahnemann - de la Cruz, Bickey, Ingimarsson, Shori - Seoul Key Hyon, Sidwell, Harper, Hunt - Doyle, Kitson.
Last five matches : - + + = - / = - - = +
First round match : 0: 1.
Quotes William Hill: the victory of Bolton - 1.9, the draw - 3.25, the victory of Reading - 3.4.
CHARLTON - SHEFFIELD UNITED
The 21st of April. The Walley, 6 p.m.
Judge : Alan Wiley (Staffordshire).
Injuries : Gibbs, E. Reed / Hals, Davis.
Disqualifications : no.
“Charlton” (version of “Sport Today”): Carson - Young, El-Karkuri, S. Diavara, Hreidarsson - Ambrose, Cheng, Song, Thomas - D. Bent, M. Bent.
Sheffield United (Sport Today version): Kenny - Bromby, Geary, Morgan, Armstrong - Gillespie, Tonj, Jagelka, Montgomery, Kazim-Richards - Shelton.
Last five matches: + + = = - / - - - + -
First round match: 1: 2.
Quotes William Hill: the victory of Charlton - 2.0, the draw - 3.3, the victory of Sheffield United - 3.1.
FULHAM - BLACKBURN
The 21st of April. "Craven Cottage", 18.00.
Judge: Graham Pull (Hertfordshire).
Injuries: Ballard, Elliott / Reed, Savage, Oyer, Todd, Nonda.
Disqualifications: no.
“Fulham” (version of “Sport Today”): Niemi - Rosenor, Bocanegra, J. Pearce, Cedrew - Brown, Smertin, Buba Diop, S. Davis - Montella, McBride.
Blackburn (Sport Today): Friedel - Emerton, Nelson, Samba, Warnock - Bentley, Tugai, Dunne, Pedersen - McCarthy, Roberts.
Last five matches: = = - - - / + - - - +
First round match: 0: 2.
Quotes William Hill: the victory of Fulham - 2.1, the draw - 3.3, the victory of Blackburn - 2.87.
LIVERPOOL - WIGAN
April 21st . Anfield Road, 6 p.m.
Judge: Mike Riley (Yorkshire).
Injuries: Kewell, Luis Garcia, Fabio Aurelio, Bellamy / Kirkland, Hall, Unsworth.
Disqualifications: none / Valencia.
Liverpool (Sport Today version): Reina - Finnan, Carragher, Hyupya, Arbeloa - Gerrard, Mascherano, Sissoko, Gonzalez - Kate, Fowler.
“Wigan” (version of “Sport Today”): Filan - Boyce, Jackson, de Zeuw, Baines - McCulloch, Sharner, Landzat, Kilbane - Heskey, Camara.
Last five matches : = + + = + / = - - = =
First round match : 4-0.
Quotes William Hill : the victory of Liverpool - 1.44, the draw - 3.6, the victory of Wigan - 6.5.
Watford - Manchester City
The 21st of April. Wickereigh Road, 6 p.m.
Judge: Rob Styles (Hampshire).
Injuries: Williams, Ashikody / Dikov, Richards, Mpenza.
Disqualifications: no.
"Watford" (version of "Sport Today"): Foster - Maryappa, Demerit, Carlisle, Stuart - Smith, Mahon, Francis, Boise - M. King, Priskin.
Manchester City (Sport Today version): Isaksson - Onuoha, Disten, R. Dunn, Ball - Sun Jihai, Johnson, Barton, Beasley - Wassell, Samaras.
Last five matches: - - - - + - / + = + = -
First round match : 0-0.
Quotes William Hill: the victory of Watford - 2.5, the draw - 3.1, the victory of Manchester City - 2.5.
WEST HAM - EVERTON
April 21st . Upton Park, 18.00.
Judge : Mark Clattenburg (Tyne and Wyre).
Injuries : Upson, Ashton, Gabbidon / Boyle, T. Cahill, Anichebe, Vaughan, Manuel Fernandes.
Disqualifications : no.
West Ham (Sport Today version): Green - Nill, Ferdinand, Collins, McCartney - Boyer, Reo-Cocker, Noble, Boa Morte - Tevez, Harwood.
Everton (Sport Today version): Howard - Hibbert, Yobo, Lescott, Nuno Valente - Arteta, Carsley, Neville, Osman - McFadden, Johnson.
Last five matches: + + + - - / + = + = +
First round match: 0: 2.
Quotes William Hill: victory of West Ham - 2.3, draw - 3.4, victory of Everton - 2.5.
MANCHESTER UNITED - MIDLESBRO
The 21st of April. Old Trafford, 20.15.
Judge: Chris Foy (Merseyside).
Injuries: Sylvester, Neville, Vidic, Saa, Park Ji Sung, Evra / Bates.
Disqualifications: no.
Manchester United (Sport Today version): van der Sar - O'Shea, Brown, Ferdinand, Heinze - Cristiano Ronaldo, Fletcher, Carrick, Richardson - Rooney, Smith.
Middlesbrough (Sport Today version): Schwarzer - Abel Xavier, Woodgate, Hoot, Pogatets - Cattermole, Boateng, Arch, Rochemback, Downing - Yakubu.
Last five matches: + + + - + / - - + - -
First round match: 2: 1.
Quotes William Hill: victory for Manchester United - 1.16, draw - 5.5, victory for Middlesbrough - 12.0.
Broadcast: NTV-Plus Football, 20.10 (direct).
NEWcastle - Chelsea
April 22nd . Saint James Park, 16.30.
Judge: Mark Halsey (Lancashire).
Injuries: Ameobi, Given, Duff / Robben, Shevchenko.
Disqualifications : no.
Newcastle (Sport Today version): Harper - Solano, S. Taylor, Onyevu, Carr - Milner, Parker, Butt, N'Zogbia - Dyer, Martins.
Chelsea (Sport Today version): Czech - Essien, Terry, Ricardo Carvalho, E. Cole - Ballack, Makelele, Lampard - Joe Cole, Drogba, Wright-Phillips.
Last five matches: - - + = - / + + + + +
First round match : 0: 1.
Quotes William Hill: Newcastle victory - 5.5, draw - 3.6, victory of Chelsea - 1.5.
Broadcast : NTV-Plus Football, 16.25 (direct).
ASTON VILLA - PORTSMOUT
April 22nd. "Villa Park", 19.00.
Judge: Martin Atkinson (Yorkshire).
Injuries : Sutton, Delaney, Ridgewell / Pedro Mendes, Todorov.
Disqualifications: no.
Aston Villa (Sport Today version): Sorensen - Bardsley, Melberg, Laursen, Bouma - Agbonlahor, Petrov, Gardner, Barry - Maloney, Carew.
“Portsmouth” (version of “Sport Today”): James - Johnson, Campbell, Primus, Stefanovich - O'Neill, R. Hughes, S. Davis, M. Taylor - Lua-Lua, Canu.
Last five matches: = = + = + / = = + - +
First round match : 2: 2.
Quotes William Hill : the victory of “Aston Villa” - 2.15, the draw - 3.2, the victory of “Portsmouth” - 2.9.
Broadcast: RTR-Sport, 2.40 (recording).
NOTE : match start time is Moscow time.
TOURNAMENT TABLE
| Club | AND | AT | N | P | M | ABOUT |
|---|
| Manchester United | 33 | 26 | 3 | four | 77-23 | 81 |
|---|
| Chelsea | 33 | 24 | 6 | 3 | 60-20 | 78 |
|---|
| Liverpool | 34 | nineteen | 7 | eight | 52-22 | 64 |
|---|
| Arsenal | 34 | 18 | eight | eight | 57-31 | 62 |
|---|
| Everton | 34 | 14 | 12 | eight | 46-30 | 54 |
|---|
| Bolton | 34 | sixteen | 6 | 12 | 41-42 | 54 |
|---|
| Portsmouth | 34 | 13 | ten | eleven | 42-37 | 49 |
|---|
| Tottenham Hotspur | 33 | 14 | 7 | 12 | 47-48 | 49 |
|---|
| Reading | 34 | 14 | 6 | 14 | 45-41 | 48 |
|---|
| Blackburn | 33 | 13 | four | sixteen | 41-48 | 43 |
|---|
| Middlesbrough | 34 | eleven | 9 | 14 | 37-41 | 42 |
|---|
| Newcastle | 34 | eleven | eight | 15 | 36-42 | 41 |
|---|
| Manchester city | 34 | eleven | eight | 15 | 27-38 | 41 |
|---|
| Aston Villa | 34 | eight | 15 | eleven | 33-39 | 39 |
|---|
| Wigan | 34 | 9 | eight | 17 | 35-52 | 35 |
|---|
| Fulham | 34 | 7 | 14 | 13 | 34-53 | 35 |
|---|
| Sheffield United | 34 | 9 | 7 | 18 | 29-49 | 34 |
|---|
| Charlton | 34 | eight | eight | 18 | 30-51 | 32 |
|---|
| West ham | 34 | eight | five | 21 | 27-58 | 29th |
|---|
| Watford | 34 | four | eleven | nineteen | 25-56 | 23 |
|---|
SNIPERS: Drogba (Chelsea) - 19, Cristiano Ronaldo (Man. United) - 16, McCarthy (Blackburn) - 14, Rooney (Man. United) - 13, Yakubu (Middlesbrough) - 12, van Persie (Arsenal), D. Bent (Charlton) , Lampard (Chelsea), Anelka (Bolton), A. Johnson (Everton), Martins (Newcastle) - 11.
36th round. 04/28. Blackburn - Charlton. Chelsea - Bolton. Everton - Manchester United. Manchester City - Aston Villa. Middlesbrough - Tottenham Hotspur Portsmouth - Liverpool. Sheffield United - Watford. Wigan - West Ham. 04/29. Arsenal - Fulham. 04/30. Reading - Newcastle.