NAPOLI-ARSENAL PREVIEW

                                                



Recently, the warriors of Naples have fought many battles and lost the important ones. The 3-0 spanking by Juventus and the 3-1 loss at the Signal Iduna are results that have not gone down well with the sky blue army. Matchday six of the UCL is the biggest game of the season for Rafa Benitez and his men. In the lead up to the game, problems have arose between the gaffer and team captain, Paolo Cannavaro's agent, with the latter accusing the former of ignoring his client and declaring him unsuitable for his team. In fairness, the younger brother of former Azzurri skipper, Fabio, has done little to prove he merits a place in the starting eleven. In the away fixture v Roma earlier in the season, he was sent off for one of daftest challenges you'll ever see. An action which effectively ensured that the sky blues left the capital without a point. Cannavaro is set to depart the club in the January transfer window since he has found opportunities hard to come by. Miguel Britos and Federico Fernandez are doing a great job alongside Raul Albiol and only injury/suspension can deny them a place in the starting line-up

Visitors, Arsenal are the early pacesetters in the English Premier League. The gunners have lost only two games in domestic action this term and lead the chasing pack by five points. They were six minutes + stoppage time away from extending the advantage to seven, only for Barcelona loanee, Gerard Deulofeu to pop up and score a beauty for Everton in the 84th minute to level matters. Arsene Wenger is aware of the task at hand and is confident that his wards will qualify. It will be an astonishment of epic proportions if Napoli cruise past Arsenal with the much improved Per-Kos partnership present at the San Paolo.

Benitez knows what is required to qualify for the next round. Although they have made it difficult for themselves, they have one last chance to put things right in front of their fans and on their turf. Irrespective of the opposition, the Paolo is a scary place to visit and the partenopei fans will make life unbearable for Arsenal from the stands. The burden rests firmly on the shoulders of Gonzalo 'Pipita Higuain- the Argentine attacker is 26 today and will want to get one over a team he almost joined in the summer before De Laurentiis stepped in. It would certainly be one of the best birthday presents ever if he scores the goals required to enable Napoli qualify for the Round of 16. Something previous South Americans like El Diego and Cavani would have happily done. Pipita's job is togher because Marek Hamisk is injured. The Slovakian playmaker will not take part in the Club's most important game yet and that is a big blow. Another ex-Real Madrid player, Jose Callejon has been in good form this season. His goals and work rate deserve commendation. Napoli have a good chance to qualify if Jose and Pipita raise their game.

For Arsene Wenger and Arsenal, it has been a jolly good ride so far. The first tough game in the December run-in ended in a draw on Sunday and the same result will ensure that they don't only qualify, but top the group as well. Giving the excellent form they currently are, there's nothing to be afraid of. The mission si simple...don't concede at all....Even if you do, let it not be more than three and if you manage to let in three, score at least one. Olivier Giroud, Aaron Rmasey and Mesut Ozil have been scoring the goals of late and will look to continue in that fashion. Wojciech Szczesny now seems assured in goal and that has made Wenger's decision to bring in Viviano, laughable. The Pole has to remain solid and impenetrable to stop the Callejon-Pandev-Insigne-PIPITA quartet.

PREDICTED LINE-UPS-

NAPOLI

Pepe Reina, Maggio, Fernandez, Albiol, Reveillere, Szemaili, Inler, Pandev, Insigne, Callejon, HIGUAIN

Pretty much the expected team selection from Rafa. Hamsik aside, everyone walks straight into the starting 11 except that Pandev is often the strike option if/when Pipita and co fail to shine. The Macedonian captain has a lot to offer when he is called upon.  Raul Albiol and whoever partners him  in defence must be watchful of the exceptional skills set of Ozil-Ramsey-Giroud-and Santiago Cazorla. Well, Gokhan Inler must play his part too.

ARSENAL

Szczesny, Jenkinson, Kos, Per, Gibbs, Arteta, Ramsey, Ozil, Roiscky, Walcott, Giroud/Bendtner

There's this strange feeling that Wenger might like some width tomorrow, hence the inclusion of Walcott in the first eleven. Tomas Roiscky is a genius when fit and ready and we all know the numbers Aaron has posted this season. Any position you ask him to play, he does unbelievable things. In fact, due to his leading role this season, some have boldly opined that he is better than the peerless ARTURO VIDAL. Ozil has been  very impressive for the gunners with timely goals and assists since he came from Spain. The Germany playmaker extraordinaire  is probably the best attacking midfielder in the Premier League. Arsene might want to give Niklas a chance to prove himself yet again after that rare goal v Hull last week. Wilshere will be required to rest his ankle in the aftermath of what happened on Sunday and Flamini should miss out through injury.


The San Paolo will be rocking on Wednesday night and everyone is anticipating a spectacular match between two great clubs slugging it out for a place in the last 16 of the UCL. Victory for Napoli might not be enough which is bizarre because it would take them to 12 points. If Dortmund win at the Velodrome and Arsenal avoid being thrashed 3-0, then both Klopp and Wenger will be delighted to sail through what was dubbed the 'GROUP OF DEATH' when the draws came through. If Napoli achieve the impossible, De Laurentiis might just open his chequebook for reinforcements to be brought in to bolster the ever improving squad.

It is first in England v third in Italy. If the gunners were in Serie A, they would have been third behind Roma and Juventus points wise and if Napoli had been a premier league club this campaign, they would have been 2nd behind Arsenal. Tight game in prospect as both teams are doing quite well domestically. Stalwarts like Higuain and Ozil have one or two points to prove on Wednesday night. How weird it will be for both players who as early as May, were playing together for one club. We await showtime.

Ohireime P Eboreime
@ohiskaka1990

MANCHESTER UNITED-SHAKHTAR DONETSK PREVIEW

                                      


A sigh of relief will be breathed around Old Trafford on Tuesday night. The uncanny feeling of being away when you are actually in front of your home fans will be laid to rest temporarily when Mircea Lucescu's Shakhtar gang come to town. David Moyes, yet again, ensured that two of our proud records became history at the weekend. A 41 year old home run v Newcastle left the record books with speed. Also, for the first time in eleven years, the red army lost two home games on the spin. Another very disturbing news which has since been debunked by MANCHESTER UNITED is that Robin Van Persie has asked to leave the club for reasons incomprehensible to many of us.

Manchester United and Shakhtar Donetsk lurk horns in a straight shoot-out for top spot in the Group. Something that will prevent either of them from meeting the big dogs of European Football. Moyes, defiant as he may sound, knows better than to face Bayern, Real Madrid, Barcelona or PSG in this condition. It will be suicidal.

The under pressure Moyes has fared better in Europe this season. He has yet to lose a European game and was an RVP penalty away from winning at San Sebastian.. United's record under Moyes reads- 5P-3W-2D Status-Q. Q-Qualified for the Round of 16. The game against the Ukrainian club is important for confidence to be restored in the set-up ahead of a difficult away trip to Birmingham this weekend. But it won't be easy as they are coming up against a rejuvenated team who have garnered for straight wins in all competitions and know that for qualification to be a certainty,  they must match or better whatever result Bayer Leverkusen achieve at the Basque County. Beating Xabi Prieto won't be bread and butter. The red army know that only a point is required to ensure top spot is sealed going into the busy Christmas period. Bad as the situation is, changes are expected to be rang in various departments.


PREDICTED LINE-UPS-

MANCHESTER UNITED-

Lindegaard, Smalling, Rio, Evans, Buttner, Anderson, Giggs, Valencia, Young, Rooney, Welbeck

With matches coming thick and fast over the next few weeks, David will know better than to risk the fitness of Robin Van Persie who hasn't completely recovered from his groin strain. The Dutch National team captain showed glimpses of what he is capable of doing last weekend, but hasn't hit top gear yet. Danny Welbeck scored the opener in the reverse fixture two months ago and should partner Wayne Rooney in attack if everything goes as planned. Marouane Fellaini cannot get into the team at the moment and that is down to his dismal performances thus far. Tom Cleverley is in a world of his own and in there, only those who don't know the basics of football climb the ladder of success. The TC23 brand is rather dull. The evergreen Giggs consistently delivers on the big stage even at the ripe young age of 40. He is expected to be selected in midfield alongside Anderson or Jones.

SHAKHTAR DONETSK-

Pyatov, Srna, Rakitskiy, Kucher, Shevchuk, Wellington Nem, Fernando, Taison, Teixeira, Costa, Adriano

Lucescu is spoilt for choices in defence, midfield and attack. With the BRAZILIAN TRIUMVIRATE of Costa-Adriano-Teixeira, he can rest easy and be sure that whoever is picked in the United rearguard will most likely buckle. Wellington Nem has slowly worked his way into the Starting eleven in recent matches and Darijo Srna  remains one of the best right backs in the World, although he is massively underrated. He tormented Manchester United at the Dombass Arena and will have the freedom of Old Trafford to replicate the exact same thing.. It is common knowledge that United have no left back. Evra is non-existent.


Ohireime P Eboreime
@ohiskaka1990

MANCHESTER UNITED-NEWCASTLE PREVIEW

                                           


Nowadays, when clubs come to Old Trafford, they are high on confidence that most of the records held against them by Manchester United will come crumbling down like the Walls of Jericho. Afterall, Moyes has let records that took years to build, get broken with the slightest degree of effort. Tomorrow, another one is one the line. Newcastle United visit Old Trafford tomorrow knowing fully well that they have not won there since the 1971-72 season. Four decades+. Manchester United are no longer unbeatable...they are no longer impregnable at home against the so-called minnows of English Football, talk more of a club in the magnitude of Newcastle. The magpies lie in sixth position after four wins and a solitary loss in their last five outings. Swansea made them look like toddlers in Wales two days ago but that will count for little when they confront an out of sorts red army. The story of the EPL has been the defending champions making the headlines for all the wrong reasons. Four losses in fourteen games cannot be acceptable for a club whose lofty ambitions are well documented. Tomorrow brings another opportunity to either assuage the fans fears or compound their woes..

Alan Pardew can be happy with the way his team is playing at the moment. Even without the likes of Ben Arfa and Cisse, players like Remy, Sissoko, Ameobi and Gouffran have come in and done excellent jobs for the magpies. That eight year contract is still in tact one may presume. The french contingent he has brought to the club since his appointment, has been instrumental to the successes they have garnered in recent time.

David Moyes is probably the unhappiest man in the World at the moment. He not only threw away a 20-year long record on Wednesday, but he watched sheepishly as the team he managed for eleven years won there at the first time of asking under a manager he recommended to his former Chief Executive. An achievement he never managed. The sad development has raised dust and unsettled quite a few associated with the club. It is time amendments are made and changes must start tomorrow.

PREDICTED LINEUPS-

MANCHESTER UNITED
DDG, Rafael, Rio, Vidic, Evra, Jones, Cleverley, Nani, Januzaj, RVP/Welbeck, Chicharito

For Manchester United, the task has been made more difficult with the absence of Wayne Rooney through suspension. The Englishman once again showed his idiotic part when he needlessly kicked Jagielka. An action that effectively ruled him out of tomorrow's game. Robin Van Persie is still nursing that groin injury and no one knows when he will get back on the field of play. The abject footballers in the team can get a run out with the absence of key names.

NEWCASTLE
Krul, Debuchy, Coloccini, Williamson, Santon, Tiote, Cabaye, Sisokko, Remy, Ameobi, Gouffran

Pardew wouldn't like to change a winning team. As you were ALAN......No FRENCH...NO VICTORY.

Let's hope for a captivating encounter as both United(s) rarely fail to deliver when pitched against each other.

Ohireime P Eboreime

What next for the man Everton loyalists affectionately nicknamed 'DITHERING DAVE'? Can he steady the sinking RED ARMY ship?

DISTRAUGHT DAVE

Last night must have been one of the worst of my life. I am a football fan, yes. But on top of everything, I am a staunch, unrepentant supporter of Manchester United and what the club stands for. For almost two decades, I have loved and followed the red devils and long may that remain.

This Premier League season has been intriguing and exciting to say the least. Irrespective of where our allegiances lie, this campaign might be the best we have ever witnessed the way events are unfolding. However, one man is a beleaguered and confused spectator thus far. Sometimes, I think of what I can actually do to the Scot who was handpicked by SAF to take over the managerial responsibilities of MANCHESTER UNITED. Unfortunately, my hands are tied.

David Moyes has won the LMA award three times in his career and only SAF (RETIRED) and Arsene Wenger have taken the MOTM (Manager of the month) gong more times than him since he became a top flight manager. He has the credentials to coach any team in the Country but I am beginning to doubt if the present one is part of the 'pot'. The former Celtic defender has only been here for five months and all our enviable records against every team in the League are disappearing faster than anyone could ever have imagined.

When SAF was delivering his final speech at the Theatre, he said 'The fans MUST stand by their new manager', knowing fully well how rough his first few years where before he starting hitting the right notes and accumulating titles like they were going out of fashion. Those times seem to be lost now. Memories we would have liked to remain fresh if his replacement does well to keep up with the winning tradition. So far, so underwhelming.....so frustrating....so depressing. 14 games into the 13/14 Season and it is W6-D4-L4. For EVERY other team, it would seem a pretty decent record, but not for a club in the stature of Manchester United. The position is even more shameful. 9th? Holy Christ. For God's sake, we are staring at the likes of Soton, N'castle, Everton and Spurs ahead of us after more than a third of the total no of games have been played. It isn't something out of the ordinary that Arsenal, Citeh, Cfc and Liverpool lead the pack with the gooners setting the pace quite remarkably and Ozil providing the needed flair and maturity of a WINNER.

It's all doom and gloom at M62. With the departures of Gill and SAF, the club has been positioned under the leadership of Edward Woodward- a man who from all indications, knows absolutely nothing about being at the forefront of greatness. The man is bereft of ideas and has done nothing to improve the club since he was promoted. The last transfer window was probably the worst in the club's history with the failed pursuits of Fabregas, Thiago, Ander Herrera, Leighton Baines are a host of others, the major talking point(s). Toothless and tactless. More painfully, we panicked at the last minute and paid far more for Maroaune Fellaini than he was valued by the club he served for half a decade. Bad bad bad all the way. More saddening is the disgraceful statistic that the Belgian giant has failed to start a League game for us and end up on the winning side. Yesterday night was probably his best game for the club and it still ended up in disappointment.

Before Moyes came, the likes of West Brom would come to the Theatre knowing fully well that only a point could surface whatever they brought to the table. This season, everything has turned for the worse. The differences between the way Fergie took over and his woes in the early part of his reign and Moyes' are glaring for all to see. SAF left a League dominating side for Moyes, whereas the great Scot inherited a rotten team staring at relegation in the face with morale at its lowest ebb. Nothing can be worse than watching your beloved club being taken apart by teams unworthy of even getting a shot on target before the arrival of Uncle Dave the dithering one.

Lamentations and rants aside, I still believe Sir Alex has reasons why he chose Moyes ahead of more illustrious and deserving candidates for the managerial hot seat he vacated. Only time will tell if the 50 year old will eventually prove everyone wrong and resurrect the hopes of the average fan. As defending champions, even if we are going to get beat(en0, we should show some resilience and courage. Four losses have left us TWELVE POINTS behind Arsenal and just a paltry TWELVE ahead of 19th placed Crystal Palace. The mathematicians among us can do all the permutations they deem fit, but as things stand, only a miracle will enable us retain the title and realistically, 4th place is now a priority for a club used to dictating the pace and leading the pack season after season.

The likes of Arsene and Jose still maintain that we are not out of the title race yet. Nothing can be more distasteful than seeing rival managers holding hope in a seemingly hopeless situation which has metamorphosed into a big sarcastic brouhaha. I can't deal! In situations like this, we have to stand by our new MANAGER as Fergie said. Those who play the piper must dictate the tune. Circumstances may have changed but we owe SAF a lot for establishing us among the greatest teams of the last two decades. Taking his parting words hook, line and sinker for a couple of seasons might hurt, but will not kill.

My final submission is that DAVID MOYES is the right man for the job. He alone cannot make the ship sail. Everyone must contribute in his own little way, especially the executives, including SIR ALEX FERGUSON. Astonishingly, I never thought I would ever toe this path, but a scary situation calls for urgent reactions and actions. Decisions have to be taken, no matter whose ox is gored. Some players are not fit to wear the United jersey and we are all aware of that. Names like Welbeck, Cleverley, Anderson (sadly) should never be seen/found anywhere around the club. Danny Welbeck never improves. Our patience as fans, has run out. Even an imbecile would have transformed into something much better in the span he has taken to score a handful of goals in a zillion appearances. We cannot continue to eat work rate and industry. He can keep those attributes in his pocket. January represents a good chance to bring in some very good players who can at least bring back some sanity into the club. Remi Cabella very much wants to exit Montpellier and the likes of Koke and Resu have been thrown into the mix. Although the latter is a big ask and Klopp will know more than to sell one of his prized assets. We need MIDFIELDERS-About 10 (exaggerating), and good wingers. Nani and Valencia are pipes. Januzaj needs to continue developing and Uncle Ashley Young should be donated to/for a good cause.

Enough is enough.....AS ROY KEANE said in 2005 before his ill-fated RANT, 'WE ARE MANCHESTER UNITED AND THAT'S WHAT WE DO'....Nothing else matters but to remain the UNDISPUTED BEST.

One thing is for sure though-DAVID MOYES has no place to hide anymore at Manchester United. Good results are tied to a great tactician and he must start to turn things around. Enough of the 'LEARNING CURVE' sh*t. It is SQUEAKY BUM time and the earlier he realises it, the better for us all.

Ohireime P Eboreime
ohiskaka1990

MANCHESTER UNITED-EVERTON PREVIEW..Tough game for Moyes as faces the team he managed for a decade

                                          

Fresh from grinding out a 2-2 draw at White Hart Lane and falling nine points adrift of runaway Leaders, Arsenal, Manchester United have nowhere to hide as Everton come to town. It is a must win game for the red army even though it is just 13 matches into a long and predictably difficult campaign for everyone. Anything other than a convincing win will spell doom for the red army, considering that Arsenal play host to Hull City Tigers, who with all due respect, cannot dream of scoring a goal, talk more of securing any result.

Everton on the other hand, are flying high. Higher than Manchester United in the League at least. Roberto Martinez has done much better in three months than people expected him to do for the whole season. He has made the team compact, fearless and deservedly ambitious. Despite the loss of Moyes and Fellaini, the Blue half of Merseyside has done really well up till this point. The appalling record v Manchester United at Old Trafford matters little to a team high on confidence. On Saturday, the toffees ran out 4-0 winners at Goodison's much to the delight of the delight of the home fans and their Spanish manager. Wednesday's game at the Theatre is another great opportunity to show the other title contenders that they are for real.

Roberto Martinez is well aware of how daunting the task that lies ahead is. Everton have not won an away game at Old Trafford in any of its last 20 visits and that might be very difficult to end when both sides square up on Wednesday. As for Manchester United, they will be quite chuffed that Wayne Rooney is in great form and has virtually carried the club all on his own since August. The absence of strike partner, RVP has further added weight on the Englishman's shoulders. Something that he has taken with courage and determination. His 10 goals in 16 games this season best explains the simple fact that he is hungry and raring to go. Romelu Lukaku Bolingoli has torn many a defence apart since he came off age last season under the tutelage of Steve Clarke at the Hawthorns. Now wearing the blue and white of Everton, he has continued to defy belief and astound a lot of us who thought he wouldn't be as exceptional as he was last term. 8 goals in 10 games already means he might even beat the 17 he posted last time and that is staggeringly phenomenal for the young forward who is on loan from Chelsea.

When both teams come out of the tunnel tomorrow, David Moyes will be feeling very funny and uneasy, facing a team he led for 11 glorious years for the first time since he bade farewell to them at the end of last season. He remains a cult hero at the club but tomorrow, they are not willing to offer him any gifts on the pitch. Roberto Martinez has been fantastic in his first 13 League games and his team have only lost one game since the start of the season. However, they will be aware that it was not far away from OT that they fell to neighbours, Manchester City. The other twelve games have brought 6 wins and 6 draws and they have shut out their opponents in four of their last five games, thanks largely to Tim Howard and his capable rearguard.


PREDICTED LINEUPS-

MANCHESTER UNITED-

DDG, Rafa, Evans, Vidic, Evra, Fellaini, GIggs, Januzaj, Nani, ROONEY, Chicharito

With games coming in thick and fast and the need for the players to remain injury free, Moyes will know better than to start majority of the team which fought hard for 90 gruelling minutes against a Spurs who had everything to prove after being overrun by Manchester City the previous week. Ryan Giggs is expected to feature in his 1st game since turning 40 and rightly become only the 7th man in history to play a top flight domestic game in England. Luis Nani was unlucky to only be a late substitute on Sunday and will likely feature from the start. Recently nominated BBC young sports personality of the year, Adnan Januzaj will not like to repeat the lacklustre display in Wales. He must continue to improve to remain in Moyes' plans. He might also get a look in. Kagawa was lost in the shadow at the Lane and must have to make do with a place on the subs bench. Rafa may also come in for Chris Smalling who has been exerted a lot since the Brazilian got injured. He doesn't mind but for his fitness to remain intact especially as this is traditionally the busiest month in every Premier League season. Wayne Rooney is an automatic choice anytime, any day, more so now that he is getting on very well with football. He should not rest until May. Chicharito has managed only one league goal-albeit an important one, this season. He must start taking his chances as they come.

EVERTON-

Howard, Coleman, Distin, Jags, Oviedo, Barry, McCarthy, Barkley, Mirallas, Pienaar, LUKAKU

When you are on a superb run like Everton are currently, no need to start changing personnel too much. The toffees will line up almost exactly the same way it has been all season. With Kev Mirallas delivering crucial crosses and posting workmanlike performances week in, week out, everything seems to be going on well for Evertonians. It is a dream season for them are they are loving every bit of it. As explained earlier, Romelu Lukaku needs no introduction no more. Only Kun Aguero, Daniel Sturridge and Luis Suarez have scored more goals than the Belgian and he is on the same number with Remy, Ramsey and Rooney. Four Rs all on 8 EPL goals. Coincidence? James McCarthy has settled in well at GP since his 14 million pound move from the DW stadium. Ross Barkley, Leon Osman and Gareth Barry make Everton so dominant in midfield which is a big worry for Manchester United. Bryan Oviedo is set to play at left back again after a great show v the Potters at the weekend where he capped his performance with a fine goal. At this rate, Leighton Baines might regret ever getting injured.


A somewhat epic match made even fiercer and eagerly awaited because of the likes of Moyes and Fellaini who face their former club and admittedly, they must still love and cherish. Well, allegiances have switched now and there will be no mercy for Everton if the opportunities present themselves. The red army MUST WIN the battle between 8th and 5th. Whoever emerges victorious has a great chance of ending the day in 4th place if results go their way in other matches.

Ohireime P Eboreime
@ohiskaka1990