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Manchester United are well known and celebrated as the most famous team in all of

English Premier League football betting but what has not been so celebrated has been the other local EPL team, Manchester City, who are leading the EPL standings with a 2 point advantage over Manchester United.

Manchester City rather than Manchester United have been the most dominant team in English Premier League football action this season with a perfect record of 12-0 at home and a +44 goal differential based in large part on a defence that had allowed just 19 goals in 24 games. That goals allowed mark was the best in the EPL but Manchester City was also the highest scoring team in the league with 63 goals.

Sergio Aguero has been the scoring machine for Manchester City as he had a team best 15 goals to go along with 5 assists. Edin Dzeko has also been a valuable asset with 11 goals and 4 assists. Joe Hart has been the stingy heartless goalkeeper with a 0.83 goals against average and 9 shutouts. Aguero hails from Argentina and at age 23 had become one of the world’s deadliest and most feared strikers. This is his first season in the Premier League after playing for Atletico Madrid in La Liga.

Manchester City are coming off a strong 3-0 win over Fulham at home that followed a surprising 0-1 loss to Everton. Perhaps the loss at Everton should not have been a surprise as Manchester City had just 1 win in their previous 13 visits to Everton. Aguero got Manchester City back on track though against Fulham as he had a goal and an assist.

Manchester United have been in good form as of late with 3 wins and a draw in their last 4 games to stay within striking distance of Manchester City. Wayne Rooney, who is often in the news for the wrong reasons, was atop the team stats with 13 goals in Premier League action. Manchester United are coming off a thrilling 3-3 draw with Chelsea as Rooney had 2 goals in the effort. Chelsea outshot Manchester United 20-16 in that contest.

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Speaking of contenders, Chelsea was in 4th place behind Tottenham with a record of 12 wins, 7 draws, and 5 losses while Tottenham had 15 wins, 4 draws, and 4 losses.

The quality of play and amount of good teams has made the EPL season an excellent one with the two Manchester teams battling for the top spot.

A Europa League final between rivals Porto and Benfica beckons should they hang on to respective first-leg leads over Villarreal and Braga.The Portuguese heavyweights have already met five times this season, but could be set for yet another encounter on the continental stage.

Porto already have one foot in the final at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium on May 18, having thumped Villarreal 5-1 in the first leg of their semi-final tie at the Estadio do Dragao last Thursday.

Porto’s treble of league, domestic and continental trophies looked in danger at half-time after Cani’s strike Villarreal, but four second-half goals from in-demand striker Falcao and a headed effort from Colombia team-mate Fredy Guarin turned the tie on its head and in their side’s favour.

Guided by highly rated 33-year-old manager Andres Villas Boas, Porto’s attacking troika of Falcao, Brazilian Hulk and Portugal winger Silvestre Varela troubled Villarreal’s defense with their pace and movement.

Villarreal, however, do possess the talents to arrest the deficit. Former Manchester United forward Guiseppe Rossi rivals Falcao for interest in his signature, while Brazilian strike partner Nilmar can prove a headache for any defender on his day.

But the La Liga outfit will need to score at least four goals to win the tie, all the while keeping Porto’s front line – which troubled Villarreal so much just seven days earlier – starved of opportunities.

Porto sealed their Liga Sagres title on April 3 courtesy of a 2-1 win at last season’s winners Benfica.

Perhaps with one eye already on avenging that defeat, Benfica hold a 2-1 lead going into the second leg of their own semi-final tie with another Portuguese club in Sporting Braga.

Braga have home advantage this time around but have lost all three encounters against the Lisbon side this season, including a 2-1 loss at home on March 3.

Braga defeated some big names long their way to the Europa League semi-final, including five-time European Cup winners Liverpool and Ukraine heavyweights Dynamo Kiev.

They also defeated English Premier League outfit Arsenal before their exit at the group stage of the Champions League.

They possess a squad more effective than star-studded, with the graft of Leandro Salino and Vandinha in Braga’s engine room complemented by the vision of former Newcastle United midfielder Hugo Viana.

Up front, Braga have had to learn quickly to deal with the January transfer of striker Matheus to Ukraine Premier League outfit Dnipro.

Manager Domingos Paciencia opted to start Alan, Lima and Albert Meyong Ze his front third in the first leg, and Benfica would expect him to do the same on Thursday as Braga chase a result.

Benfica’s stars are far more glittering, from towering Paraguay forward Oscar Cardozo to creative Argentine quartet Nicolas Gaitan, Javier Saviola, Franco Jara and Pablo Aimar.

They will fancy their chances of progressing past Braga into another meeting with Porto, giving them a much-cherished chance to rain on their bitter rivals’ parade in Dublin.

Bolton Wanderers boss Owen Coyle is hoping to get the best out of Chung-Yong Lee by managing the workload of the South Korea international.

The 22-year-old forward made 44 appearances in his first season in the Premier League last term before heading off to South Africa for the World Cup finals.

He has played in all seven of the club's league games this season despite a prolonged summer rest and Coyle is keen to monitor the form of the FC Seoul winger.

"I think he has done very well for his first season and will continue to get better," Coyle told the Bolton News after picking up the north-west player of the year award on behalf of Lee, who was away on international duty.

"But we have got to be very careful with him because he has played virtually for two years without a break.

"I gave him three-and-a-half weeks/four weeks off after the World Cup but it wasn't much when you consider he played for two years solidly.

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"It's been a tough ask for him. But all credit. He is a young player who I believe is getting better and better."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email

‘Some people believe football is a matter of life and death, I am very disappointed with that attitude. I can assure you it is much, much more important than that.’

Everyone knows the above quote is from the mouth of the great Bill Shankly, one of the best managers to grace the game and someone with whom the self-styled Special One, Jose Mourinho draws a huge amount of comparisons to – and both of whom share a similar ‘win at all costs’ attitude to football.

On more than one occasion, both overstepped the line and went too far either during or after a game because of their intensity and desire to win – in fact, name me a top manager who hasn’t at one time or another lost control due to a game of football. Even players get in on the act; crying or getting overwrought on the field, or even getting a little bit emotional off it and showing exactly what winning does mean to them.

As  fans obviously we can understand this, as our hearts and emotions are tied so deeply to our teams that we get frustrated when we think they are making the wrong decision (think Arsenal fans with the Arshavin sub) and get emotional if a game goes the wrong way. More than one of you reading this will have been in tears at one point due to a failure in a massive competition and get elated and beyond words when a huge trophy is won – Liverpool fans in Istanbul for me take the plaudits here, yet just how much does football really matter and is it really ok to genuinely use the mantra of winning at all costs?

Of course this totally depends on how far you take the ‘at all costs part.’ If this means throwing everything including the kitchen sink at a game in order to get the goal and go all out to win – literally having nothing left at the end of the game, then of course this should be the case in every single game, not just cup finals or derby matches, but week in week out.

There is nothing a fan dislikes more than a player who cannot be bothered and is half hearted in his attempts to change a game. Likewise with a negative manager who would rather go for the draw or lose by a single goal than really go for it and risk conceding more.

However, should the ‘at all costs’ bit become more than that, then there is a problem. Even as an ardent supporter of Mourinho, I would struggle to defend his conduct at certain times, none more so than in El Clasico when poking Tito Vilanova in the eye – something that Mourinho may have done in the heat of the moment and in the desire to win, yet is still not acceptable.

A certain amount of mind games is a given, yet lines can be crossed and this is something that should not really be allowed to happen. Managers like Fergie who are renowned for their passion and will to win have often crossed the line, and at times fined accordingly.

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On occasion however, they can lose sight of the fact that football is at the end of the day just a game. A fantastic one don’t get me wrong, but just a game, and there are ways to win – and crossing the line is not necessarily one of them.

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%image% Celtic moved to within a point of first-placed Rangers in the Scottish Premier League after a hard-fought 2-0 win over Kilmarnock on Sunday.It took Neil Lennon’s side until the end of the first half to finally break the deadlock through Scott Brown and winger Kris Commons guaranteed the points in the 68th minute, keeping the pressure on Rangers with two games remaining.

Both sides had early chances but it was Celtic who found the net after 19 minutes when striker Gary Hooper nodded in from close range, only for his goal to be disallowed for offside.

It was one of two times the Hoops were denied by the assistant referee in the first half after the flag was again raised when Commons poked home later.

But Brown eventually gave Celtic a deserved lead on the stroke of half time when he headed home after teenage midfielder James Forrest had squared a cross from Irishman Daryl Murphy with a header of his own.

Commons doubled their advantage in brilliant fashion midway through the second half, controlling a pass from Brown before unleashing an unstoppable 25-yard drive into the top corner.

Celtic finish the league season with a home game against Hearts and a trip to Motherwell, while Rangers host Dundee United and travel to Kilmarnock.

Kilmarnock can finish as low as sixth if Motherwell can recover a three-point deficit in the last two games of the season.

Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder Adlene Guedioura faces a long spell out of action after suffering a broken leg in the 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa at the weekend.

The 24-year-old Algeria international was injured by a challenge from Steve Sidwell and taken to hospital for x-rays, which showed up serious damage.

Manager Mick McCarthy told the club's official website: "It's desperately disappointing news both for Adlene and the club. Everyone wishes him all the best in his recovery."

Steve Kemp, head of the club's medical department added:"It is going to be a lengthy absence, but on the plus side the consultant has told us it's an uncomplicated fracture.

"In these situations that's as good as it gets.

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"Adlene will be in a full leg non weight-bearing cast for four weeks before progressing to a partial weight-bearing cast after that."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email

Reports in the British press on Wednesday are linking Arsenal attacker Andrei Arshavin with a potential January move to Lazio.

The Russia international has lost confidence and form at the Emirates Stadium, and is no longer guaranteed a first-team place when everyone is fit and available.

Arshavin himself has admitted that his form over the last 12 months has not been good enough, and is eager to be at his best to represent his country at Euro 2012.

Mirror Football state that Arsene Wenger is ready to let the Eastern European leave North London for around £6 million, with the Serie A side keen to bolster their attacking options.

Arshavin’s contract is due to expire in the summer of 2013, and Arsenal have a dilemma on their hands whether to try to extend his deal or sell him before he can leave for nothing.

The Russian’s deal runs out at the same time as club captain Robin van Persie, but Wenger has admitted that Arshavin’s situation is somewhat different.

“He is a bit older than Van Persie,” the Frenchman told Mirror Football.

“Sometimes the visual impression you get from a game has been frustrating, but he is very efficient. We can all have big responsibility but we need confidence for what we do,” he concluded.

By Gareth McKnight

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(Article source – Mirror)

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The Daily Star is reporting that Manchester United will attempt to hi-jack Bayern Munich’s bid to sign Schalke 04 goalkeeper Manuel Neuer. Sir Alex Ferguson will bid £24m for Neuer – after being very impressed with the player’s performance against his own team in the Champions League semi-final in which United won 2-0.

Manchester United has been tracking the talented shot stopper for 18 months – but had believed the German international keeper had sealed a move to Bayern Munich. However, the Daily Star is suggesting that the German giants are unwilling to pay more than £20m for the player – so Ferguson will make one last attempt to get his man to replace the retiring Edwin Van Der Sar.

Sir Alex Ferguson had turned his attention to Spanish keeper David De Gea – but at just 20 years old there are concerns that De Gea may lack experience to play consistently at the highest level. Neuer is seen as a safer bet at 25 years old and top level experience playing in the World Cup and in the Champions League. Manchester United have taken heart from the fact that talks have yet to begin between the two German clubs and Bayern already fear that the price may increase.

Like this rumour? Follow me on Twitter

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Aston Villa chief executive Paul Faulkner has confirmed that his club are looking for an experienced Premier League manager to take up the Villa Park hotseat.

Kevin MacDonald is currently acting as caretaker boss following the departure of Martin O'Neill, with Villa taking their time over a long-term replacement.

A statement from Faulkner on the club's official website read:"Following the departure of our manager on August 9, the club was left with very little time to react and to prepare for our opening fixtures.

"Our first order of business, looking immediately ahead to our games against West Ham, Rapid Vienna, Newcastle and Everton, was to ask Kevin MacDonald to step in as caretaker manager.

"Kevin has been with Villa for a period stretching back over 15 years, has thorough knowledge of our first team, reserves and youth Academy players, as well as strong and well-established working relationships with other key members of our coaching staff.

"As such, we felt he would provide a critical degree of stability and continuity in a turbulent period and give the team the best opportunity to succeed in these early games.

"Kevin, Tony McAndrew and many other long-serving members of our Club have stepped up selflessly and without hesitation to the task at hand and for this we owe them a huge debt of gratitude.

"We are conscious that we have steered clear of openly communicating our thoughts on the search for a permanent manager until this time, as we felt that to do so would undermine both Kevin's and the players' efforts to focus on preparing for these games.

"To date, we have immersed ourselves in the process of appointing a new manager and clearly identifying the key criteria this person must meet.

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"Two of the traits we believe are of crucial importance are that candidates have experience of managing in the Premier League and a strategy for building on the existing strengths in our current squad.

"We have thoroughly researched potential candidates and have reached out to a variety of contacts we have within the game for advice and guidance, as well as keeping key staff at Villa Park informed and focused.

"We will now start the process of interviewing candidates we believe meet the key criteria required to manage Aston Villa with a view to making an appointment in the near future."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email

QPR have sacked manager Neil Warnock, as the newly promoted side look to stop their slide down the Premier League table.

After a combative start to the campaign, the Loftus Road outfit have found the going in the English top flight difficult, and currently hold 17th place in the standings, a point above the drop-zone.

With club owner Tony Fernandes worried about the team’s chances of staying in the division, the London club have announced that they have parted company with Warnock.

“This decision has been made in the best interests of the club and I can assure everyone that this is not a decision that was made lightly,” Fernandes told the club’s official website.

“Sadly, our recent run of poor form has seen us slip alarmingly down the table and the board felt it was the right time to make a change.

“Neil has acted with honesty, professionalism and integrity throughout his time at the club, and I would personally like to thank him for his significant contribution to QPR over the last 22 months.

“I genuinely wish him all the very best for the future and he will always be welcome back at Loftus Road,” the executive concluded.

Mark Hughes and Steve Bruce are believed to be amongst the front-runners for the vacant position.

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By Gareth McKnight

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