Football News

Tottenham's storming start to this league campaign, which has seen them win all four of their games, couldn't be more different to the abject opening sequence they put together in 2008/09, under the ill-fated leadership of Juande Ramos.

Most of the credit for this new-found swagger goes to manager Harry Redknapp, who has instilled a team spirit into a group of players that previously had failed to gel. Up front, Jermain Defoe – ever the confidence player – is showing the sort of sharpness that makes you wonder why he was ever less than first-choice at Spurs, while the other senior strikers – Robbie Keane, Peter Crouch and Roman Pavlyuchenko – offer a useful blend of physiques and playing styles. The sense of balance is just as obvious in midfield, where Aaron Lennon and Luka Modric flank the engine room of Wilson Palacios and Tom Huddlestone/Jermaine Jenas; the unfortunate loss of Modric, who broke a bone in his leg in the 2-1 win against Birmingham, is a huge blow to the club's momentum. Thankfully, the emergency signing of Niko Kranjcar from Portsmouth should paper over that crack nicely.

There are, however, still question marks about this Spurs side, most notably about the frailty of its central defenders – stand up Ledley King and Jonathan Woodgate, if you can – and the mental state of goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes, for whom the phrase 'a rush of blood to the head' was invented.

Still, there are many more positives than negatives. Having soundly beaten Liverpool at White Hart Lane in their first game of the season, Spurs will not fear a visit from Manchester United. But as the season goes on, and injuries take their toll, I wonder how much longer they can survive near the summit of the league.

Intimidating track record

Manchester United have stuttered in the early stages of this campaign, as they seek to win an unprecedented fourth straight title. But Alex Ferguson will be comforted by his team's exemplary record against Tottenham. They have not lost to the north-London side in their last 16 league meetings, a run that dates back to May 2001, when Spurs won this corresponding fixture 3-1. Of course, such runs don't last forever, and Ferguson is wary of a Spurs team that has improved almost beyond recognition since the opening matches of last season.

Recent history apart, also in United's favour is the fact that many of their stars were not called upon during the international break, including Rio Ferdinand, Michael Carrick, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Gary Neville, Michael Owen and Anderson. With so many players either rested or returning from injury, United won't be able to blame fatigue if they leave White Hart Lane without a point.

FORM GUIDE

Tottenham Hotspur

Aug 29 Tottenham 2-1 Birmingham
Aug 26 Doncaster 1-5 Tottenham (League Cup)
Aug 23 West Ham 1-2 Tottenham
Aug 19 Hull 1-5 Tottenham
Aug 16 Tottenham 2-1 Liverpool

Manchester United

Aug 29 Man Utd 2-1 Arsenal
Aug 22 Wigan 0-5 Man Utd
Aug 19 Burnley 1-0 Man Utd
Aug 16 Man Utd 1-0 Birmingham
Aug 9 Chelsea 2-2 Man Utd (Community Shield; Chelsea won 4-1 on penalties)


TEAM NEWS

Tottenham Hotspur

Centre-back Sebastien Bassong has recovered from a knock he picked up on international duty for Cameroon, and should start against the Premier League champions.

New signing Niko Kranjcar, who made little impact for Croatia in their 5-1 defeat by England at Wembley on Wednesday, is expected to replace compatriot Modric on the left side of midfield.

Ledley King's famously dodgy knees are not the problem this time – the fragile defender strained his groin against Birmingham – but he's tipped to start at the back alongside Bassong.

In goal, Carlo Cudicini will continue to deputise for the injured Heurelho Gomes.

Last starting XI: Cudicini, Bassong, Corluka, King (Hutton 46), Assou-Ekotto, Huddlestone, Lennon, Palacios, Modric (Crouch 49), Keane, Defoe (Pavlyuchenko 80).

Manchester United

Versatile Irishman John O'Shea is out with a calf strain and is set to be replaced at right-back by Gary Neville. United's club captain proved his fitness in a reserve game last week and will be desperate to return to the first team.

Rio Ferdinand suffered a thigh strain in the Community Shield in August and hasn't played since. But the English defender is back in training and will partner Nemanja Vidic as usual, subject to a late fitness test.

Last starting XI: Foster, Evra, Brown, Vidic, O'Shea, Giggs (Berbatov 85), Carrick, Nani, Fletcher, Valencia (Park 63), Rooney.


PLAYERS TO WATCH

Tottenham Hotspur



With his revelatory, man-of-the-match performance for England against Croatia on Wednesday, Aaron Lennon proved that he is one of the most-improved players in England. His raw pace and skill were never in question, but now there are welcome signs of maturity in the winger's overall play. Already this season, he has shown much greater intelligence in his use of the ball, especially in choosing when to cross – a glaring weakness in the old Lennon – and when to run at defenders. That said, if any full-back can keep him quiet, it's United's Patrice Evra. It should be a fascinating duel between two of the quickest performers in the league.

Manchester United



It's something of a football cliché that ex-players always return to haunt their old clubs, but that's exactly what Sir Alex Ferguson will hope Michael Carrick does at White Hart Lane tomorrow. Carrick's 'Marmite' status means he will always have his critics, but there's no doubt that the former Spurs star is now a key component in United's team. He is not a showy player but his range of passing and positional sense are both first-class – he has that rare ability to keep a team ticking over, even if many fans choose to ignore such an attribute. As Harry Redknapp searches for the best partner for Wilson Palacios in the heart of his midfield, no doubt many Tottenham supporters will spare a thought for the playmaker they once called their own.

PREDICTION

Spurs made light work of Liverpool at home on the opening weekend of the new season and their confidence will be high as they look to scalp another of the so-called 'big four'. Crucially though, there is now a Luka Modric-shaped hole in the hosts' midfield. The Croatian has been vitally important for Spurs so far this season, and although the pace of Aaron Lennon and Jermain Defoe will no doubt cause United problems at times, Modric will be sorely missed. In light of United's excellent record at Spurs, and with Rio Ferdinand back at the heart of their defence, I expect United to be good enough to take three points from what should be a very tight contest. No one would be surprised if it's Tottenham old boy Dimitar Berbatov – rather than Wayne Rooney, who ran his socks off for England on Wednesday and must still be slightly jaded – who gets the winning goal for the visitors.

Turning Point

It's been a strange old start to the season for Liverpool. They headed in with sky-high expectations after taking home the silver medal in last season's Premier League race, but the mob from Merseyside have lost two and won two in their first four games of 2009-10.

And it could have been worse - for when the half-time whistle blew in their last outing against Bolton Wanderers, it looked like the Reds would go into the international break with three defeats under their belts. However, Steven Gerrard struck late to secure what was a morale-boosting victory.

Spirits have been alarmingly low at Anfield over the early stages of the season, with questions continuing to mount as to whether Rafael Benitez's Xabi Alonso-less squad can match, let alone exceed, the standards set in the last campaign.

The manager has acknowledged the problem but believes the gritty win at the Reebok could prove a turning point for Liverpool.

"When you are not doing well you always need character - and the players showed character against Bolton," Benitez told the press on Thursday. "We controlled the game and although we conceded two goals, we scored three and came from behind to win. That is very positive and hopefully it will be a different situation for us now."

Upsetting The Odds

It is Burnley who visit Anfield this weekend, and recent events indicate that the promoted club could cause their out-of-sorts hosts any number of problems.

The 3-0 drubbing by in-form Chelsea last time out was something of an anomaly for the Clarets, who have sent out warning shots to their doubters with shock wins against Manchester United and Everton.

Thus, although situated three places back in 10th, Owen Coyle's men stand level on points with their upcoming opponents, whom they famously ousted from the FA Cup in 2005.

And while both Burnley's wins so far this season have come at Turf Moor, they head to Liverpool confident of competing. Veteran defender Graham Alexander said recently: "It's an amazing spirit we've got, the gaffer instils it and breeds it that we can beat anyone on our day."

Early trends suggest that away form could be the Lancashire outfit's undoing, as they have yet to pick up a point - or score a goal - on the road this term.

FORM GUIDE

Liverpool

Aug 29 Bolton Wanderers 2-3 Liverpool (Premier League)
Aug 24 Liverpool 1-3 Aston Villa (Premier League)
Aug 19 Liverpool 4-0 Stoke City (Premier League)
Aug 16 Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 Liverpool (Premier League)
Aug 8 Liverpool 2-1 Atletico Madrid (Friendly)

Burnley

Aug 29 Chelsea 3-0 Burnley (Premier League)
Aug 25 Hartlepool United 1-2 Burnley (League Cup)
Aug 23 Burnley 1-0 Everton (Premier League)
Aug 19 Burnley 1-0 Manchester United (Premier League)
Aug 15 Stoke City 0-2 Burnley (Premier League)

TEAM NEWS

Liverpool

Five of Benitez's first-team players featured over the international break, including England heroes Steven Gerrard and Glen Johnson, but all appear to have reported back to Melwood unscathed.

In some good news, Fabio Aurelio is available for selection after recovering from a freak knee injury sustained duting the summer. Young Emiliano Insua has impressed at left-back in the Brazilian's absence.

Alberto Aquilani (ankle) and Daniel Agger (back) remain sidelined with long-term problems.

Possible Starting XI: Reina; Johnson, Carragher, Skrtel, Insua; Mascherano, Lucas; Kuyt, Gerrard, Benayoun; Torres.

Burnley

Manchester United product Richard Eckersley is back in the frame after completing a suspension, giving Coyle an extra option in defence.

At the other end of the pitch, David Nugent could make his league debut for the Clarets. The one-time England striker - who began his career in Liverpool's youth team - recently moved from Portsmouth on loan.

Nugent has impressed his new manager in training and is an outside chance to start ahead of Martin Paterson, who played in Northern Ireland's midweek defeat by Slovakia.

Possible Starting XI: Jensen; Mears, Bikey, Carlisle, Jordan; Elliot, Alexander, McCann, Blake; Fletcher, Paterson.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Glen Johnson (Liverpool)

The dashing wing-back has made a superb start to life at Anfield since his summer move from Portsmouth, yet his defensively suspect performances for England continue to draw criticism. Thus, he will be hoping to bounce back with another dynamic display in red.

Robbie Blake (Burnley)

In a career that has been spent largely in the lower divisions, this man has often been touted as the best player outside the Premier League. The wily 33-year-old has already shown his class this term with a magnificent strike against Man United - could he undo the other giants of the North West?

PREDICTION

It's always tough to judge what will happen immediately after an international break, but Liverpool seem to have developed a 'flat-track bully' mentality that will serve them well against an impassioned Burnley outfit. Still, they'll have to fight - so a narrow win to the hosts.

English tabloid The Star claims to have inside information regarding Chelsea's January transfer plans.It has appeared as though boss Luiz Felipe Scolari would have to take his squad 'as is' into the New Year, as the board have seemed unwilling to splash out in the January transfer market.

However, the report claims that the Brazilian boss is winning his boardroom battle to have some cash injected into the Blues' glory push. Now, he could be set to be given the option of pursuing one of his two main targets: Luis Fabiano or Andrei Arshavin.

Spanish outfit Sevilla are reluctant to sell Luis Fabiano, but they crashed out of the UEFA Cup ahead of schedule and the player could now start looking elsewhere.

Arshavin is a more achievable target, as Russian side Zenit St Petersburg, the UEFA Cup holders, fully expect him to move on sooner rather than later.

Indeed, fresh gossip had already linked the 27-year-old with the Blues, with the player set on an imminent move to "Spain or England."

The Sun reported this week that Zenit general manager Maxim Mitrofanov had given Arshavin the green light to negotiate with other clubs and the new claims suggest that his people have been doing just that with the beaks of Stamford Bridge.

Whether Roman Abramovich, Peter Kenyon, Bruce Buck and the rest of the Pensioners supremos have really softened up on their winter transfer policy remains to be seen, but Scolari is sure to have given them an ear-bashing.

As a result of their Champions League success last term, Manchester United are currently contesting the FIFA Club World Cup in Japan.They smashed Gamba Osaka 5-3 in the semi-final and have now booked a date in the final with Ecuadorian team LDU Quito.

Despite the prospect of becoming world champions, talk has still refused to veer away from man-of-every-moment Cristiano Ronaldo who, according to latest reports, has made a verbal agreement to join Real Madrid.

Club captain Gary Neville though is adamant that the Portuguese recipient of the Ballon d'Or will remain at Old Trafford.

Respect

"There should be a level of respect shown between the clubs, but we can't do anything about the specualtion. All we can do is look after our own situation," the United right-back told the club's official website.

"Cristiano is our player and he will continue to be our player as long as we want to keep him. The manager has already said that.

"Manchester United don't let players go that they don't want to sell, it's as simple as that. And they want to keep Ronaldo."

The draw for the first knock-out round of the Champions League was announced today, and United have been partnered with Jose Mourinho's Internazionale.

Despite Aston Villa succumbing to a midweek loss against Martin Jol's Hamburg in the Uefa Cup, Steve Sidwell - who was red carded in the closing stages of that game - believes the Villans can return from east London with maximum points at the weekend.

Aston Villa are currently occupying a Champions League spot, and if they are to maintain their advantage over fifth-placed Arsenal, then a weekend win is a must, as this will stand them in good stead for when the Gunners visit Villa Park on Boxing Day.

Sidwell shared his thoughts about Villa's plus points with the press today: "With the pace we’ve got we are at our most dangerous on the counter.

Counter Attack

"We can catch teams on the break very easily away from home because they’re trying to come out and score against us. We know what we can do away from home.

"When you play at home the away team arrive not expecting to win.

"West Ham are at home. They need to come out and entertain their own crowd," he explained.

Since the injury to John Carew, Martin O'Neill has experimented with England hopeful Gabriel Agbonlahor in the lone role in a 4-5-1 formation.

"When we’re at home maybe the 4-5-1 doesn’t work so well.

"Sometimes we do struggle to break teams down when they come to Villa Park and put 10 men behind the ball," Sidwell said.

"But we know what we have to do and we’re working hard in training on it."

Despite the installation of charming Italian tactician Gianfranco Zola, West Ham have only managed to register one win since the victory over Fulham in September. That was at Sunderland a month ago.
Villa though have not won at Upton Park for precisely 12 years.

Earlier this week, Portsmouth's Cameroonian right back Lauren announced that there was a distinct possibility pacy striker Jermain Defoe would be reunited with former mentor Harry Redknapp at White Hart Lane.

The England international has twice played under the tutelage of Redknapp; at the forward's current club Pompey, and also at West Ham United. Rumours suggest that he may be going for the hat-trick by making a sensational return to Tottenham during the January window.

Redknapp though has been quick to pour cold water on the red hot speculation, and has announced that the club have made no official bid.Jer-Main Man

"We haven't made an offer for Jermain," Redknapp explained to the press today.

"I do like Jermain but there are a lot of players at Portsmouth I like. They have a great squad of players there.

"We are short in certain positions without a doubt," Redknapp stressed.

"We've got a good squad here, it just needs thickening up. If we find the right players, we will bring them in."

Red-top newspaper The Sun believes that Antony Annan and Dean Ashton are Spurs-bound, while The Guardian have reported that Matthew Upson and Carlo Cudicini are likely candidates on Redknapp's shortlist.

Liverpool went two goals down against Hull City on Saturday, before Steven Gerrard leaped to the rescue in typical fashion to give his side a share of the points.Nonetheless, Alvaro Arbeloa reckons the Merseysiders were unfortunate not to claim victory after lifting their game in the second half.

"I thought we played well and we were much better than the last two games at home, but we should have taken all three points," the Spain defender told Liverpoolfc.tv.
"We conceded two bad goals but we then showed character and got it back to 2-2 thanks to Stevie.

"We then had some clear chances towards the end of the first half but we couldn't get the third goal.

"I think we tried everything to win the game. We had three or four clear chances in the second half and Sami hit the post but couldn't score.

"We played really well in the wide areas and I think overall we were unlucky."

Liverpool head to the capital this weekend to take on struggling Arsenal, who have been edged out of the top four by in-form Aston Villa.

Both clubs boast a perfect record against their title rivals this season, and Arbeloa is hoping to complete what would be a prestigious hat-trick.

"We have a difficult game against Arsenal but we believe in ourselves and we can get a good result there," he added.

"We have beaten Manchester United, we have beaten Chelsea and now we want to beat Arsenal.

"We have a really good team and I don't think they are playing their best football at the moment, so we have a good opportunity to show what we can do."

It would be fair to say that many people in England view the Club World Cup as a somewhat pointless competition, an unnecessary distraction from more pressing domestic matters.Paul Scholes would seem to be one of those people. Ahead of his club's appearance on Thursday in the competition in Japan, the former England midfielder has spoken of how he'd much rather be at home helping his club retain their Premier League crown.

"It's a big competition and we want to win," admitted Scholes, before going on to express reservations about the tournament.
"But obviously, we'd probably rather be here, playing our league game and not have so many fixtures in January like we've got.

"It's one of those things. We managed to win the European Cup last year and sometimes afterwards you have to do things maybe you don't want to do."

United will face a hectic January fixture schedule as a result of competing in the FIFA tournament, and by the time they return current league leaders Liverpool could have forged a nine point lead over the Old Trafford outfit.

Saturday's 0-0 draw with Tottenham Hotpsur also did little to help United's cause, despite their rivals from Merseyside being held at home to a 2-2 draw by Hull City.

United are now six points behind Liverpool having played a game more, but Salford-born Scholes was remaining upbeat.

"We would have liked to win but coming to a place like this is tough and we will take a point," he continued.

"It is a bit frustrating not to be closer to those at the top but Liverpool were expected to beat Hull so our point is probably better than theirs."

Scholes is returning to fitness following a knee injury, and despite his reservations about the Club World Cup, is pleased with the opportunity it provides to help him with his match fitness.

"I am not far off," he explained. "Maybe I can try for 70, 80 or even 90 minutes in Japan and can come on from that."

Manchester United play Gamba Osaka on Thursday, their first appearance in this year's competition.

Arsenal have had a relatively inconsistent season thus far, and as a result they find themselves fifth in the Premier League table, nine points off the pace set by the current leaders, Liverpool.Their most recent disappointing result came at the weekend when they were held to a 1-1 draw at the Riverside Stadium against a determined Middlesbrough outfit, further putting the pressure on Arsene Wenger and his men.

The English Sunday’s The People has reported that Wenger is interested in acquiring the services of two Serie A stars to help bolster his side for the second half of the campaign and beyond.

The players that the manager is reportedly interested in signing are Roma’s central defender Philippe Mexes and Milan’s young sensation, Pato.

The Brazilian has been phenomenal for the Rossoneri this term, and given his young age, he would fit in well with the youthful Gunners.

As for Mexes, Wenger is reportedly keen to reinforce his defensive ranks, to cater for the almost certain departure of William Gallas. The Roma centreback is seen as an ideal figure to strenghten Arsenal's back-line.

Both players would undoubtedly be great additions for the Gunners; however for now, these reports are just speculation, as there are yet to be any official offers made by the club.