Standard Liege defeated Club Brugge 1-0 in their Belgian First Division championship group playoff match at Jules Ottenstadion on Saturday.The win moved Liege to within three points of Genk in the race for the Belgian title, and came courtesy of a 31st-minute goal from Axel Witsel.
Elsewhere on Saturday, Gent played out a 2-2 draw with Lokeren in a matchup between the two bottom sides in the six-team championship play-off group.
Shlomi Arbeitman opened the scoring for Gent in first-half injury time, but Benjamin De Ceulaer levelled proceedings six minutes after the break.
It looked as though Gent had done enough to secure their first win since the playoffs began when Arbeitman scored his second on the 76-minute mark, but Alfred Finnbogason snatched a point for Lokeren three minutes into stoppage time.
In Europa League play-off Group A, a brace from Julien Gorius helped KV Mechelen to a 4-3 win over Lierse, while a goal from Oleg Iachtchouk five minutes before the break was enough to hand Cercle Brugge a 1-0 win over St Truiden.
In Group B, KVC Westerlo moved top with a 7-1 thrashing of Zulte-Waregem, with Filho Paulo Henrique scoring two goals, while Germinal Beerschot and KV Kortrijk played out a 0-0 draw at the Olympisch Stadion.
West Bromwich Albion midfielder Graham Dorrans has denied suggestions that a possible summer move to West Ham has caused him to start the new season below his best.
The 23-year-old Scotland international has yet to find the net this term, but insists that that is not a result of a potential summer departure.
He told the Express & Star:"West Ham was never a problem. I always set my stall out to come back here and start the season.
"I signed my new contract and I am happy here, but I know I've not been at my best.
"I've missed a few games, other players have come in and done really well and the team have got good results when they have been in.
"It has been tough to get back into the side, but I'll have to work hard in training and take my chances when they come along.
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"I can't really put my finger on the reasons for it. I just need to get back to the form I was in last season."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
QPR will be hoping they can repeat London rival’s Fulham feat and take three points away from a Liverpool side still chasing a place in the Premier League top four.
The Reds will be spoiling after their late defeat on the Thames that denied them the chance to leapfrog fifth placed Newcastle and move to within two points of Chelsea who currently occupy the final Champions League place. An unbeaten run of eight games preceded the loss against Fulham with Kenny Dalglish desperate to bring European football back to Anfield. However supporters will be unhappy that their side were unable to come away victorious from the capital in game they will have designated as being very winnable. Four points from their previous two games against Chelsea and Manchester City had seen confidence levels soar on Merseyside only for them to be brought back down to earth on Monday night. It wasn’t the ideal way for Liverpool to begin a period, which could define their season. Dalglish hasn’t been afraid to get his chequebook out when it matters and should his side struggle over the festive period he could delve into the transfer market once more come January. His spending spree back in January saw him spend over £50 million on strikers Luis Suarez and Andy Carroll. Whilst the Uruguayan has gone on to be a huge success and one of the most feared forwards in the top flight the same can’t be said for Carroll. The pony tailed Geordie has failed to live up to his £35 million price tag and another lacklustre display at Fulham on Monday night did little to inspire belief in the stands. A positive performance against QPR on Saturday would go along way to building his morale ahead of energy sapping run of fixtures.
Neil Warnock’s side have enjoyed a thoroughly pleasing start to the season and have left the pundits, who predicted them to struggle, bewildered by their comfortable mid-table position. Despite their relatively lofty position a recent slump that has seen them win one from their last five games has given supporters cause to be concerned ahead of the festive period. Whilst that solitary victory was an impressive away win at Stoke games against Manchester United, Swansea and Arsenal await them in December. It’s a tough run of fixtures by anyone’s standards and performances will need to improve drastically if the R’s are going to pick up points that could prove vital at the season’s climax. A run of negative results could prove catastrophic going into the New Year with a series of defeats something Warnock will be looking to avoid during a month that can prove to be physically and mentally draining. Travelling to Merseyside to face Liverpool isn’t the ideal way to kick things off especially with the Red’s currently unbeaten in seven at home. The experience of Joey Barton, Luke Young and Shaun Wright-Phillips will be vital and could prove to be the difference as to whether Rangers go back to Loftus Road with some points under their belt.
Liverpool – 7th
Last Five: Drew 1-1 v Manchester City, Won 2-1 v Chelsea (A), Drew 0-0 v Swansea (H), Won 2-0 v West Brom (A), Drew 1-1 v Norwich (H)
Potential Starting X11: 25. P. Reina [C] 2. G. Johnson 5. D. Agger 37. M. Skrtel 3. J. Enrique 19. S. Downing 26. C. Adam 14. J. Henderson 18. D. Kuyt 7. L. Suarez* 39. C. Bellamy
Injury News: Dalglish has no new injury concerns with Lucas out for the long term with a knee injury whilst captain Steven Gerrard is also sidelined.
Key Player: Luis Suarez
Despite seeing the goals dry up Suarez is still an integral part of the way Liverpool attack and he was unlucky to be on the losing side on Monday night. His terrier like approach is always a handful for defenders with his tenacious nature mixing well with that of strike partner Craig Bellamy. Whilst he is also capable of acts of individual brilliance it’s his unselfish running and work rate that has endeared him to the Anfield faithful and they’ll be expecting more of the same against QPR on Saturday.
Match Fact: This will be the first time Liverpool have met QPR in the Premier League since 1996. In the eight encounters prior to Saturday’s game the Reds ran out winners on six occasions.
QPR – 12th
Last Five: Drew 1-1 v West Brom (H), Lost 2-1 v Norwich (A), Won 3-2 v Stoke (A), Lost 3-2 v Man City (H), Lost 3-1 v Tottenham (A)
Potential Starting X11: 24. R. Cerny 18. L. Young 35. A. Ferdinand 6. D. Gabbidon 3. C. Hill 11. A. Faurlin 4. S. Derry 7. J. Barton[C] 10. J. Mackie 32. S. Wright-Phillips 22. H. Helguson*
Injury News: Warnock is still without key players Paddy Kenny, Matt Connolly, DJ Campbell, Kieron Dyer and Rob Hulse who will all be in the Loftus Road treatment room over Christmas.
Key Player: Heidar Helguson
Despite being fourth choice at the start of the season Helguson’s goal scoring exploits have seen him become one of the first names on Warnock’s teamsheet. Six goals in eight games has catapulted him back into the starting line up and his fearless approach up front has won him countless plaudits this season. With summer signing Jay Bothroyd struggling to find the net it’s been the Icelandic forward who has shouldered the burden of finding the net and his fearless approach up front should unsettle a Liverpool back four that has been in fine form of late.
Match Fact: Rangers have never beaten Liverpool at Anfield in the Premier League and have secured victory only once against the Reds – a 2-1 win back in October 1994.
Last Time at Anfield
Premier League 30 August 1995
Liverpool 1-0 QPR
Ruddock (29)
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Attendance: 37,548
Referee: Steve Dunn
PREDICTION
Despite being unbeaten at home this season Liverpool should throw caution to the wind as QPR descend upon Merseyside. Monday’s defeat at Fulham was a stark reminded that they aren’t quite yet the finished article under Dalglish but are making steps towards getting back to their best. Ranger’s will go to Anfield knowing they can handles themselves accordingly on the road having beaten Stoke at the Britannia Stadium two weeks ago. Both sides work hard but are having problems converting chances into goals at the moment, which means it’s going to be hard to separate the two.
AC Milan manager Massimiliano Allegri has urged his league-leading side to remain calm as the Serie A season enters its final third.
Allegri has seen his side’s lead whittled away to just three points, courtesy of four draws in their last six league games.
Napoli are just three points adrift of Milan, while city rivals Inter are five in arrears but with a game in hand.
Ahead of Saturday’s hosting of Parma, however, Allegri has pleaded for calm – particularly with his side soon to resume its Champions League campaign.
“We are going through the most important and delicate period in Serie A because from tomorrow onwards the championship is at stake,” he said.
“We have to play in the Champions League on Tuesday (against Tottenham), then Champions League second leg, a Serie A match and then a Coppa Italia game, so we’re at crucial points in all three competitions.”
“To make a mistake now would mean giving the advantage to our opponents. The situation should not make us nervous, we should remain focused.”
“We have to continue improving and remain calm, because I believe that’s the right way and continue working as we have up to now, with the same enthusiasm and dedication.”
Allegri is wary of a Parma side that has struggled for consistency and have won just once in seven games, but possess the attacking threats such as diminutive midfielder Sebastian Giovinco, veteran goalscorer Hernan Crespo and newly signed striker Amauri.
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“They will definitely pose us some problems because Parma are a fast and strong team from a technical point of view,” he said.
“They are very well organized and both their midfielders and strikers score a lot of goals, players such as Giovinco, the two strikers or (Antonio) Candreva, who has improved a lot.”
Wes Brown’s late header rescued all three points for rejuvenated Sunderland after they surrendered a two goal lead against QPR at Loftus Road.
The former Manchester United rose highest in the penalty area to meet Kieron Richardson’s corner and secure Martin O’Neill’s first away win as Black Cats boss. It will have come as a welcome relief for the Northern Irishman who saw his gain a two goal advantage through Nicklas Bendtner and Stephane Sessegnon only to throw it away in the second half. Rangers’ top scorer Heidar Helguson bundled home just after the hour before Jamie Mackie struck the leveller four minutes later with his first goal since breaking his leg in January. However manager Neil Warnock will be unhappy that his side failed to build on their comeback as the visitors stole victory to make it six points from a possible nine under O’Neill and move clear of the relegation zone. For QPR they continued their rapid descent down the Premier League and will now be nervously looking over their shoulder at the bottom three going into christmas.
Having won only one game at Loftus Road all season its likely Warnock would have settled for a point after seeing his side comeback but the win was deserved for Sunderland who were the better side for most of the game. Danish striker Bendtner, who made the headlines for all the wrong reasons last week, threatened early on glancing a header off the post before putting the Black Cats ahead. The on-loan Arsenal man darted past maker Matt Connolly to meet Richardson’s corner for his third goal of the season. Former Manchester United midfielder Richardson then tried his luck from distance only to see his 25-yard strike whistle past the post. The R’s struggled to get themselves into the game during the first half and had to wait until after the break for their first meaningful effort on goal.
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Armand Traore did well to find Helguson in the penalty only for Titus Bramble to clear the Icelandic strikers goal bound header off the line before Sunderland doulbled their lead in the 53rd minute. Danny Gabbidon’s loose header was capitalised on my Sessegnon who raced clear before cleverly rounding Paddy Kenny and tapping the ball into an empty net. That seemed to spur the home side on and they got themselves back into the game 10 minutes later through Helguson beating Brown to get on the end of Traore’s whipped delivery. The comeback was complete on 67 minutes with Mackie diving to head the ball past Kieron Westwood and put Rangers on course for a precious point. It wasn’t to be though as the visitors poured forward in search of a winner with Kenny saving superbly from Craig Gardner’s curling strike before Brown snatched victory glancing Richardon’s corner in at the near post despite Alejandro Faurlin’s attempts to keep it out on the line.
Over the past weeks I’ve read and heard a lot from the “holier-than-thou” London-centric media about how Liverpool have set a bad example supporting Suarez and for wearing “those t-shirts” during the warm-up prior to the Wigan game. How Dalglish and Liverpool should have simply (read meekly) accepted the decision of the FA ’s independent commission (they hadn’t got the guts to make a decision on their own), apologize and move on. That Liverpool should have taught Suarez, and all overseas players, about what and what is not acceptable to say to another player in the heat-of-the moment and so and and so forth.
What utter “let’s print this crap so we can sell more newspapers” journalism this truly is. Are we supposed to respect this kind of preaching from those who a few months ago were happily tapping some innocents mobile? I didn’t think so.
What the football media have totally underestimated is just how strong the Liverpool family really is and always will be. When injustice is served up cold, as Liverpool have had to endure again and again over the decades, it unites Liverpool supporters and the team even more strongly. When Liverpool came running onto the field wearing Suarez shirts I couldn’t have been prouder of my team and of Kenny for making a stand against the flawed justice they had been handed down to Suarez.
What the band-wagon media failed to recognize, or acknowledge, was that Liverpool and their fans are totally against racism. Always have been, always will be. Liverpool is a multi-cultural, multi-racial club and proud of it. Just ask the likes of John Barnes who has stated that the FA are guilty of crucifying Suarez.
To say I love Liverpool is an understatement, however, that doesn’t mean I blindly support or condone anything a player may do that is out-of-order i.e. if Downing did indeed hit his ex-girlfriend then he needs to get what’s coming to him, both personally and professionally.
So Liverpool have taken the high-road and decided to accept the decision of the FA’s independent commission. I’m disappointed but respect it but let’s be clear, Liverpool are not the London media’s, or the FA’s, favourite football team and never will be. The media never questioned the hypocrisy of the FA fighting UEFA to reduce Rooney’s violent conduct 3-match ban versus Liverpool’s right to question Suarez’s 8-match ban. And if Terry is found guilty of racism will we see the same level of justice meted out? Don’t hold your breath.
Article courtesy of Barry Ringstead from Live4Liverpool
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John Terry has rubbished talk Chelsea are a club in crisis but has admitted things are bad at Stamford Bridge at the moment.
The Blues have gone from being runaway title favourites to fighting for a place in the top three in recent weeks after just one win in their last six Premier League encounters.
Manager Carlo Ancelotti has come under pressure for the Blues' recent run of poor form, with rumours circulating he could soon get the chop after Wednesday's 1-0 defeat to Marseille.
With games against Tottenham, Manchester United and Arsenal to come December is shaping up to be a tough month for Chelsea.
However, Terry believes the Blues will prevail in the face of adversity and is relishing the trip to White Hart Lane on Sunday.
The defender said:"We won't fold. No chance.
"I certainly won't, the manager won't and we have big characters like Didier Drogba and Florent Malouda, who have been at the very top for the right reasons.
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"They are world-class players and big characters. It is time for us all to stand up.
"These are tough games coming up but we have big players here. Hopefully they are prepared to rise to the challenge and put their necks on the line."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
All eyes will be on Joey Barton who will face his former Newcastle United side on Monday, less than two weeks since joining Queens Park Rangers. Barton will be just one of the many new faces on show as Warnock spends the money provided to him by the new owner to ensure QPR remain in the Premier League.
Barton could be joined in the game by new arrivals Shaun Wright Phillips, Anton Ferdinand, Armand Traore and Luke Young although Young is a doubt due to a groin injury. Kieron Dyer remains sidelined with a foot issue and Bradley Orr and Heidar Helguson also look set to miss out.
Newcastle have made a brilliant start to the season, collecting seven points from games against Arsenal, Sunderland and Fulham and Alan Pardew will be hoping to continue this form at Premier League newcomers QPR. Two goal hero Leon Best and Peter Lovenkrands started up-front in the victory over Fulham and they look to continue on Monday with Demba Ba struggling since his move from West Ham. Newcastle new boy Davide Santon is unlikely to go straight into the starting XI for Monday’s trip to QPR after spending time on international duty since completing his move. Steve Harper, Danny Guthrie, and Shola Ameobi could all feature after they returned to training after respective injuries.
In what should be a real competitive game I think Loftus Road will be bouncing with anticipation but Warnock will need to get the new arrivals to gel which could take some time. A draw seems the most likely result for two improved teams.
Key Players
Joey Barton: It will be interesting to see what reaction he receives from the Newcastle faithful at the game and there is no doubt that he will be determined to make an impression with all the cameras firmly placed on him.
Jonas Gutierrez: The Argentinean winger performs a key function for the team, not only supporting the players upfront but also regularly helping out in defence.
Verdict: 1-1
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Wolves have confirmed that midfielder Emmanuel Frimpong will miss the remainder of the season, after suffering a knee injury.
The 20-year-old is on loan at Molineux from Arsenal, but picked up an injury against QPR on Saturday, and had to be replaced in the first half of his side’s 2-1 win.
Mick McCarthy’s men have confirmed that extent of the knock, and wished Frimpong all the best in his recovery.
“Emmanuel Frimpong has ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee in Saturday’s Barclays Premier League game at QPR,” a statement on the club’s official website reads.
“Frimpong, on loan at Molineux until the end of the season, will now see specialists in London over the next few days before having surgery and starting a programme of rehabilitation.
“The midfielder, who suffered the same injury to his left knee in 2010, had made an impressive start to his temporary spell at Wolves, catching the eye during his five appearances in gold and black.
“Frimpong is expected to be out for a number of months and will therefore miss the remainder of this season.
“Everyone at Wolves would like to thank the midfielder for his efforts whilst at the club and join Arsenal in wishing him a swift recovery,” it concluded.
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The weekly Watchlist refresh has taken place and you can now get mid-term player recommendations via your sidebar on the frontpage.
Notable movement this week includes improved prospects for the likes of Man City, Liverpool and Blackburn assets, as Chelsea’s big names continue to slide.
There’s also some big heavyweight names returning on the fringes, with Wayne Rooney, Robin Van Persie, Jermain Defoe and Darren Bent back and in contention for our Fantasy thinking in the coming weeks…
Defensively times are tough for us Fantasy Managers. With Chelsea faltering and United’s rearguard proving inconsistent, there’s value at looking at second tier defences, with Man City and Liverpool worthy of attention. Fixtures also fall in their favour so it’s no surprise to see Joe Hart and Pepe Reina climbing in the Goalkeeper rankings, while Glen Johnson is a new entry in the Defenders table – a luxury item perhaps, but potentially profitable over the next six Gameweeks if you can afford to splash out. Paul Konchesky and City’s Aleksandar Kolarov are more likely to be within reach and both look strong bets for this fishing in the mid-price Defender pool. Both enjoy Watchlist climbs this week.
Blackburn were revealed as Fixture friendly material in this week’s “Frisking” article, and that’s mirrored in the Watchlist, with Paul Robinson in goal and Chris Samba in defence both enjoying significant climbs in our rankings.
Overall our current top 5 Defenders – Vidic, Johnson, Baines, Kolarov and Bolton’s Gary Cahill – look a solid outfit to take forward for the next few Gameweeks and beyond.
Our top 5 in midfield has also proved pretty solid. Cesc Fabregas has of course dropped out of that following last night’s injury, so Samir Nasri has crashed in to replace him. Arsenal’s fixtures aren’t in his favour and form is certainly in question, but we currently prefer Nasri over the budget options provided by Matt Jarvis of Wolves and Chung-Yong Lee of Bolton who are both kept just outside the top 5.
Liverpool’s Dirk Kuyt is the dark horse; he experienced a climb having been handed spot-kick duties in the absence of Steven Gerrard and benefiting with a strike against West Ham. While Liverpool are far from their best right now, they do have opponents that should afford them a few goals to go with clean sheet prospects at the back.
Further down in the Midfield rankings we have climbs for both Morten Gamst-Pedersen and Bolton’s Matt Taylor. The latter suffers from the value offered by team-mate Lee, but Pedersen is a clear prospect, particularly once Rovers get this week’s trip to Old Trafford out of the way. Expect another climb for the Norwegian next week, with much more on him to come in a full blown Watchlist article.
Up front there’s another change at the top. Despite his points haul against Newcastle and his forthcoming fixture with Blackpool this Gameweek, the much-wanted Johan Elmander falls from grace to be replaced by Carlos Tevez. Bolton’s fixtures remain strong but Elmander will come up against City, Sunderland and Chelsea defences in the next six – opponents that will certainly test the Swede’s new goal-getting abilities. Tevez, in contrast, appears to have stronger prospects against kinder defences and is of course, on spot-kicks and tends to dominate City’s Bonus awards.
Fernando Torres is perhaps the main prospect here. Following the trip to White Hart Lane, Torres has home fixtures against Villa, Fulham and Wolves which will surely give the Spaniard the opportunity to boost his incredible home scoring record. He just has to stay fit to repay his Fantasy investors. If Torres comes through the Spurs game and looks sharp, he’s highly likely to threaten Tevez for the top spot next week.
Lower down there are notable new entries for the fit-again due of Darren Bent and Wayne Rooney. It’s hard to make a call on Rooney’s prospects right now; he certainly has the fixtures to help him make up ground and start justifying his Fantasy price tag but, prior to injury, he looked to be a shadow of last season’s player. Fantasy investors are likely to need more time before a move can be made with any degree of confidence. He’s another who could enjoy a climb next week if he impresses in Gameweek 15.
The same applies to Robin Van Persie who makes a welcome return to our thinking following a series of substitute appearances. With Fabregas out, you would imagine that Van Persie will take up the mantle of chief creator (along with Nasri) to help steer the Gunners through choppy waters. The Dutchman could be prominent in our thinking if he can prove a decent level of fitness and form at Villa this weekend.
As for Jermain Defoe – he gets little help from the fixture list over the coming weeks and, like Van Persie and Rooney, we will need to see evidence of his sharpness before investment can be considered. A goal-sniffer by trade, Defoe often lacks the potential of Bonus Points and assists offered by the other pair, and that may well count against him with plenty of temptations around amongst the Forwards. His price tag of 8.6, falling from an initial 9.0, will make him worthy of consideration once Tottenham’s fixtures pick up.
Click here to see more analysis at the Fantasy Football Scout below
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