To prepare on playign against tough oponnent Real Madrid, Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini said that he gave more time for their last season’s top goal scorer Sergio Aguero to rest and stay fit.

Mancini and the rest of City deem their Champions League opening fixture against Real Madrid as their toughest in their second stint at Europe’s most prestigious club competition. To cope up with scoring, they need to pit in Aguero as their strike force. The Argentinian international sustained a knee injury in his side’s Premier League opener against Southampton.

While Aguero has returned to training with City following his international stint with Argentina during the break, Mancini is still uncertain of starting him against Real Madrid. He followed up by assuring that the striker will fly with them to Madrid.

The match between Real Madrid and City will be the first time both teams will face one another. Mancini remarked that they are still trying to build history and that they may not be as competitive against their prestigious Spanish rivals, despite an influx of investment that led to their fresh progress.

The manager believes that while he has good players, he acknowledges their constant need for improvement. Recalling their difficult group stage stint last year, he said that they must be prepared for an even more difficult year at Champions League – this time against their fellow European domestic top-league champions.

Facing Real Madrid will be the greatest trial for Mancini’s managerial career, especially with a recently progressing team in the mould of City. He noted that they have to brace themselves to withstand a team that has a highly successful history, top-class players and a nine-time European club winner, but his side will never settle for a draw or loss.

Calling Real Madrid’s Jose Mourinho as a “good manager”, Mancini said that he would be civil with him when they meet at the match, despite their reported rift. Mourinho succeeded the Italian as Internazionale Milan coach in 2008.

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Photo credits:

Roberto Mancini [Photograph]. (2012). Retrieved 18 September 2012, from <http://www.euronews.com/sport/1660596-aguero-may-feature-against-real-madrid-says-mancini/ >

Arsenal gave a taste of Premier League football to newly promoted Southampton through a 6-1 routing marked by own goals and a string of goal-scoring talent from Gervinho, Lukas Podolski and Theo Walcott.

In the realm of ball possession, Arsenal proved to be the superior side. Their spectacular first-half showing placed new signing Podolski in the limelight. The German international darted a successful 25-yard shot to claim a second one for the club shortly after Jos Hooiveld’s own goal that spelled disaster for Southampton.

Gervinho followed up four minutes later to penetrate a third for Arsenal. The former Ivory Coast Under-21 captain gave another goal on the 71st minute, which followed another careless own goal from Southampton’s Nathaniel Clyne in the first half.

Five goals against Southampton’s one towards the 90th minute, Arsenal’s hunger to play their beautiful game did not stop until the end. An 88th minute thriller from Theo Walcott further widened the club’s lead after rebounding Thomas Vermaelen’s shot saved by Saints keeper Kelvin Davis.

The match brought Arsenal straight to third in the table with just one point under surging rival Manchester United. The club’s series of attacking talent in the match further superseded fears of bleak prospects this season with the exits of prominent players Robin van Persie and Alex Song.

Manager Arsene Wenger remarked that Arsenal has a strong chance to contend for this season’s title, following the overwhelming victory over Southampton. He needs his side to maintain consistency throughout the rest of the season, particularly against the likes of United, Chelsea and titleholders Manchester City.

Crucial to Arsenal’s win is the performance of another new signing, Santi Cazorla. While he may not have scored during the match, he established an outstanding connection with Podolski. Wenger dubbed the Spaniard as having a “first-rate” attitude and technical skills.

In playign against tough oponnent Arsenal, Southampton manager Nigel Adkins said the league has a “ruthless” nature but took the heavy loss as a helpful learning experience for his side. He said that they would further prepare and look forward for their future league fixtures as they pursue for their first points on the table.

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Photo credits:

Lukas Podolski Goal Celebration [Photograph]. (2012). Retrieved 17 September 2012, from <http://soccer.indonewyork.com/arsenal-6-1-southampton-video-highlights-and-report-15-sept-2012/ >

BET FOR WIGAN ATHLETIC @ 1.600 WITH 2.0 HANDICAP!

Manchester United will face Wigan Athletic at home when the Premier League resumes on September 15. This match will be crucial for both sides, as The Red Devils plan to top rivals Chelsea and Manchester City and The Latics are on the move to secure their side away from another relegation threat.

Match Preview

 HEAD-TO-HEAD COMPARISON (Last Five Matches)      
2011-12 Premier League (April 12, 2012)      
Manchester United    0-1    Wigan Athletic      
2011-12 Premier League (December 26, 2011)      
Manchester United    5-0    Wigan Athletic      
2010-11 Premier League (February 26, 2011)      
Manchester United    4-0    Wigan Athletic      
2010-11 Premier League (November 20, 2010)      
Manchester United    2-0    Wigan Athletic      
2009-10 Premier League (December 31, 2009)      
Manchester United    5-0    Wigan Athletic   

When United play Wigan on Saturday, they might not feature key new signings Robin van Persie and Shinji Kagawa, as both suffered minor injuries while on their international duties for the 2014 World Cup qualifiers. Van Persie incurred a thigh injury while playing for the Netherlands in their 4-1 win against Hungary. Kagawa withdrew from Japan’s 1-0 against Iraq due to back pain sustained from training.

While United have played their best in their last two games with the help of van Persie and Kagawa, they face the risk of downgrading when they face Wigan in their absence. Danny Welbeck and Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez are suitable replacements, though they have yet to prove their current form as starters for the club this season. Wayne Rooney’s absence is another blow to the club as he is set to spend time on the sidelines for up to two months.

Wigan Athletic will be playign against tough oponnent United, but with a stronger force due to the satisfactory forms of ex-Chelsea striker Franco di Santo, midfielders Shaun Maloney and James McArthur. While they lost to United by 16 goals in four out of their last five matches, they caught the Red Devils by surprise 1-0 in their previous encounter in April last season. A weaker United squad will give ample goal opportunities for Wigan.

A close game is highly possible between the two sides, with Manchester United poised to win at 2-1. Handicap bets would mean a win for Wigan by one goal (see Full Time Handicap below for reference).

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Photo credits:

Wigan vs. Manchester United [Photograph]. (2012). Retrieved 14 September 2012, from < http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/wigans-stuns-english-premier-league-leaders-manchester-united-1-0/story-e6frep5o-1226324448985 >

Match Details and Timings:

Date: May 26, 2012

Time: 04:00 AM GMT+8

Venue: Estadio Vicente Calderón — Madrid

Possible Starting Lineups:

Athletic Bilbao: Iraizoz – Iraola, Javi Martinez, Amorebieta, Aurtenetxe – De Marcos, Herrera, Iturraspe,  Susaeta, Llorente, Muniain.

 

Barcelona: Valdes – Pique, Mascherano, Adriano, Busquets – Thiago Alcantara, Xavi, Iniesta – Messi, Fabregas, Sanchez

In the previous match of Athletic de Bilbao which was played with Levante UD in the LA LIGA series on 13th may,2012. This match was won by Levante by 3 goals and Bilbao lose the match and on the other hand Barcelona played their last match with Betis in the LA LIGA series on 12th may, 2012 and this match was drawn by 2-2. Both teams made same goals in full 90 minutes match.

This season Barcelona failed to win Champions League and LA LIGA series and now they will be trying to win the COPA DEL REY Final. For match results, Highlights and Goals, stay on our blog for all informations and we will upload immediately after the match is over.

Watch Barcelona vs Athletic Bilbao Live and Free streaming at 12BET , InCOPA DEL REY Final match will be played in between Barcelona and AthleticBilbao. The match will be held at Madrid’s Estadio Vicente Calderon Stadium and play off will starts at 04:00 AM GMT+8 on 26 May 2012. This match is played in COPA DEL REY Final series. Watch the play off live at 12BETand also bet for your best team. Be in touch with us to get all action of this match.

Watch Barcelona vs Athletic Bilbao Live and Free streaming at 12 BET , InCOPA DEL REY Final match will be played in between Barcelona and AthleticBilbao. The match will be held at Madrid’s Estadio Vicente Calderon Stadium and play off will starts at 04:00 AM GMT+8 on 26 May 2012. This match is played in COPA DEL REY Final series. Watch the play off live at 12 BETand also bet for your best team. Be in touch with us to get all action of this match.

 

[img]http://i45.tinypic.com/1252r95.jpg[/img]

 

In the previous match of Athletic de Bilbao which was played with Levante UD in the LA LIGA series on 13th may,2012. This match was won by Levante by 3 goals and Bilbao lose the match and on the other hand Barcelona played their last match with Betis in the LA LIGA series on 12th may, 2012 and this match was drawn by 2-2. Both teams made same goals in full 90 minutes match.

This season Barcelona failed to win Champions League and LA LIGA series and now they will be trying to win the COPA DEL REY Final. For match results, Highlights and Goals, stay on our blog for all informations and we will upload immediately after the match is over.

 

Probable Starting Lineups:

Athletic Bilbao: Iraizoz – Iraola, Javi Martinez, Amorebieta, Aurtenetxe – De Marcos, Herrera, Iturraspe,  Susaeta, Llorente, Muniain.

 

Barcelona: Valdes – Pique, Mascherano, Adriano, Busquets – Thiago Alcantara, Xavi, Iniesta – Messi, Fabregas, Sanchez

 

Match Details and Timings:

Date: May 26, 2012

Time: 04:00 AM GMT+8

Venue: Estadio Vicente Calderón — Madrid