Premier League Week 29

[Trim]

hazards f*cked

[Guest Portuguese]

Is David Luiz destined to be a pillar of the defence and a leader of men for club and country? With their latest Brazilian acquisition, have Chelsea signed the new Lucio?There are clear similarities, not all of them complementary.Luiz, already in Portugal with Benfica, first appeared on the radar screen of the average Brazilian fan during a disastrous World Youth Cup campaign in Canada in 2007, mixing up some slipshod defending with disciplinary problems.It was all slightly reminiscent of Lucio's introduction to the great Brazilian public at the 2000 Olympics. With time running out and the team needing a goal to force extra time against Cameroon, Lucio led the charge out of defence. He was in a good position on the edge of the area and expected to receive a return pass from midfielder Roger. It did not come. Instead, Roger dwelt on the ball and was fouled. Before the free-kick could be taken, Lucio charged furiously over to his team-mate and headbutted him.Luiz has made a big impact for Chelsea. Photo: PARonaldinho scored from the free-kick and Brazil forced extra-time but it was only a temporary reprieve. Despite being down to nine men, Cameroon scored a golden goal and took another step on the way to winning the gold medal. In the long run, though, Brazil had not so much lost a title as gained a top-class centre-back.A couple of months later, Lucio was given his senior debut, thrown into the deep end in a World Cup qualifier at home to Colombia. I was in the stadium in Sao Paulo that day and vividly recall being especially curious about the performance of this new centre-back. Brazil were struggling and short of confidence, while visiting striker Juan Pablo Angel was in good form. How would this explosive youngster cope?There was no need to worry. Lucio was quick across the ground, while firm but controlled in the tackle. He also came close to scoring from a corner. The home crowd spent most of the match booing their own team but Lucio did not let the atmosphere affect him, keeping his concentration to the end. His senior career began with a win, too, as defensive partner Roque Junior headed home the only goal deep into stoppage time.Before long, Lucio was Brazil's number one centre-back. There were slips - such as the one that let Michael Owen in for the opening goal of the 2002 World Cup quarter-final against England. But even Bobby Moore made the occasional error. Game in, game out, Lucio was the rock of his country's defence. Comfortable bringing the ball out, he was also excellent at linking the team together. Indeed, his passing was often more positive than that of the midfielders in front of him. Crucially, with his aggression under control, he seemed to spread certainty through the ranks that Brazil would prevail in the end.Might Luiz mature into a figure of comparable importance?He would seem to have similar leadership potential. He comes across in interviews as bright, serious and a team player, the type of person who seeks to set an example on and off the field. He would also seem to possess more natural talent on the ball than Lucio. Luiz's goal against Manchester United was a moment of pure class.Where Luiz loses out, perhaps, is in terms of defensive ability. Lucio's early impetuosity can be put down to an excess of youthful enthusiasm. In the case of Luiz, it is possible that his tendency to commit reckless tackles has a more fundamental cause. As a teenager, Luiz was released by Sao Paulo because they considered him too small for the position. Lack of height is clearly no longer a problem but sometimes players who experience a spurt of growth suffer a loss of balance.Certainly, Luiz was thrown off balance last month by Karim Benzema when Brazil lost 1-0 to France. The Real Madrid striker was able to get behind his opponent, beat him for pace and in the air, and even slipped the ball through his legs inside the penalty area. The young Lucio looked instantly at home at senior level. The same has not always been true of Luiz. In the five friendlies he has played, he has had reason to be grateful for the covering work of his centre-back partner, the outstanding Thiago Silva.Can Luiz become a regular for Brazil? Photo: GettyThat partnership might be broken now because Lucio has been recalled to the squad for this month's friendly against Scotland at the Emirates Stadium. Back in July, when he was first appointed coach, Mano Menezes made it clear that this was likely to happen. The old guard would be rested while new players were tested. Now, after a phase of experimentation, the priority is on building towards July's Copa America, the most important competitive matches in Brazil's calendar in the run-up to the next World Cup. That means, Maicon and Elano, as well as Lucio, are back in the squad.Menezes is also aware that he is coming off two defeats. Before the France game, Brazil went down 1-0 to Argentina, when the defensive work of Luiz could again be faulted as Lionel Messi scored a late winner. For football coaches, the long term is always dependent on the short. Menezes will strengthen his own position - and have more opportunities for future experiments - if his side can brush Scotland aside and give a good account of themselves in the Copa America.The safe choice, then, would be to pair Lucio with Silva, leaving Luiz on the bench. But come the 2014 World Cup, which Brazil will host, Lucio will be 36.The future belongs to Luiz. But will 'the new Lucio' be able to defend as well as the old?

[Mame Biram Diouf]

Blackpool v Chelsea – 90 MinutesTottenham v AC Milan – 90 MinutesPAOK Salonika v Ergotelis – 90 MinutesHajduk Kula v Partizan Belgrade – 90 MinutesRed Star Belgrade v FK Indija – 90 MinutesReal Madrid v Hercules – 90 MinutesRangers v Kilmarnock – 90 MinutesInverness v Celtic – 90 MinutesSevilla v Barcelona – 90 MinutesAC Milan v Bari – 90 MinutesParis Saint-Germain v Montpellier – 90 MinutesVillarreal v Sporting Gijon – 90 MinutesQPR v Crystal Palace – 90 MinutesSouthampton v Yeovil – 90 MinutesTelford v Gainsborough – 90 Minutes Chelsea @ 3/10Tottenham @ 13/10PAOK Salonika @ 9/20Partizan Belgrade @ 1/4Red Star Belgrade @ 3/25Real Madrid @ 1/7Rangers @ 2/9Celtic @ 4/11Barcelona @ 4/9AC Milan @ 2/9Paris Saint-Germain @ 4/5Villarreal @ 4/7QPR @ 4/9Southampton @ 4/11Telford @ 4/11

10pound will return 1500**prays**

[Mame Biram Diouf]

Racing Santander v Real Madrid – 90 MinutesSt Mirren v Rangers – 90 MinutesUdinese v Bari – 90 MinutesLyon v Arles – 90 MinutesMaccabi Haifa v Hapoel Ramat Gan – 90 MinutesOlympiacos v Ergotelis – 90 MinutesSparta Prague v Marila Pribram – 90 MinutesTeplice v Usti nad Labem – 90 Minutes Real Madrid @ 1/2Rangers @ 4/11Udinese @ 2/7Lyon @ 2/11Maccabi Haifa @ 1/6Olympiacos @ 1/4Sparta Prague @ 1/5Teplice @ 2/7

Hope other people jumped on this aswell....

Did you win?WHat was the pay out etc?

Yep just a 2bill pay out

[Guest M12 Part 2]

How much did you put on 2bill isn't that much for calling that many games?

[Mame Biram Diouf]

How much did you put on 2bill isn't that much for calling that many games?

Only 7 teams and all were strong faves put on like 15 irrc was gonna put on Ajax and couple others who did win but i pussied out>>>>> hindseight

[Guest M12 Part 2]

How much did you put on 2bill isn't that much for calling that many games?

Only 7 teams and all were strong faves put on like 15 irrc was gonna put on Ajax and couple others who did win but i pussied out>>>>> hindseight

Lol it's true. Can't complain when you're up though! Good call.

[HangTheDJ]

JJ most likely going mad after hearing that

He baffles me at times. But, after I've calmed down he's gotta have the Summer atleast.But f*ck helping Leeds. f*ck them coming back up.

[Guest Portuguese]

Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola has welcomed the late addition of Robin van Persie to Arsenal's squad for Tuesday's Champions League tie.Guardiola insists he would have no problem were Theo Walcott to be jetted out to Spain as well. Van Persie was substituted during the Gunners' Carling Cup final defeat against Birmingham after suffering a knee injury while scoring the equaliser at Wembley. Tuesday night's last-16 second leg, into which Arsenal take a slender 2-1 lead, was expected to come too soon for the Holland striker. However, Van Persie trained with his team-mates at London Colney on Monday morning and was part of the 19-man squad which left Luton Airport on Tuesday afternoon, including fit-again skipper Cesc Fabregas. It remains to be seen whether the 14-goal striker will lead the Arsenal attack at the Nou Camp on Tuesday night, as he will be assessed in the morning. Guardiola, though, would welcome all of the Gunners' star names in the starting XI, with the likes of midfielder Alex Song and England winger Walcott left behind because of injury. "I would like Song to play; maybe there could be a private flight for Walcott to come in at the last minute - you never know," said Guardiola. "I want all the great players to play, everyone against everyone and see a great show tomorrow. "I hope they are all in the team - Van Persie, [samir] Nasri, Cesc, because I would like to play the best possible Arsenal." The Barcelona boss, who himself has been plagued by a back complaint which needed hospital treatment, continued: "If Van Persie plays, then no problem. It is good for the team and good for everyone. If he cannot, then Arsenal have a squad with players at a great level. "Arsenal have many alternatives, are very dynamic and can play in different positions, their counter-attack is great. We will try to prevent that. "This is always a special game in the Champions League and it is a magnificent challenge." Guardiola - who won the European Cup in his first season in charge two years ago - rejected suggestions Arsenal did not have the spirit of true champions. "I keep hearing about the fragility in the minds of the Arsenal players, but I do not agree," the Barcelona boss maintained. "They are competing with Manchester United for the Premier League, reached the final of the Carling Cup and a few seasons ago were in the final of the Champions League. "Arsenal are always in the top, when you compete every season at the top, it is because they are quality. "Sometimes they sell players, but Arsenal always keep the same level. "Many teams arrive at the top for one year, but then are finished. Arsenal are there every season. "For many years they have kept up there, and that is the real merit. "Yes, they lack something, but they are a young team. "When they win the first time, they will change the mentality, they will realise they are good." One Arsenal youngster tipped for a big future is midfielder Jack Wilshere. The 19-year-old has impressed Guardiola. "Wilshere is a top player. He has been a big surprise. I did not know him at the beginning of the season," the Barcelona manager said. "He is an excellent player, not just Arsenal, but also for the national team. "We have many players like him in our second team. "It is very good news for football to have players like him." Barcelona will be unable to field either of their first-choice central defenders on Tuesday as captain Carles Puyol has failed to recover from a knee injury while Gerard Pique is suspended. Midfielder Sergio Busquets has no qualms about dropping back to help out in defence. "Wherever I play, I feel comfortable with all of my team-mates," the World Cup winner said. "I am always prepared, and last week I played in defence against Valencia." Busquets expects the Nou Camp atmosphere to intimidate Arsenal. "This will be different from the first leg - we will have the crowd support here from the first minute," he said, "We must not be nervous, because the game is 90 minutes and even 1-0 would be good for us. "It would be great to have a result like last year, but we will have to earn it if we want to be in the quarter-finals."

[anelka]

The donkey Torres starts with the Drog..Nano will deffo score 2nite

[YFSD]

Bit of a sloppy match so far

[Guest THEREALTULSE]

Jame Beattie is a TANKImagine having his pyhsique...You'd bang any man out in the club.

[Guest Klitschko]

Lmao^Poor Blackpool defending, if Terry didn't get to that header, the next closest man was Essien

[YFSD]

Nice Boswinga effort!

[Francis Coquelin]

aliadiere is trainig with the club

[Guest Klitschko]

f*ckling hell does Torres ever want to score? Gonna have to take his girlish self out of my fantasy league team. At which point he will bang a hattrick.

[YFSD]

f*ckling hell does Torres ever want to score? Gonna have to take his girlish self out of my fantasy league team. At which point he will bang a hattrick.

Look how deep he's playing it's madness

[Younger]

Where can i find good odds on Torres picking up an injury before he scores his first goal for Chavski?

[Black.]

Anelka lmaowho comming on me or him

[Younger]

Anelka lmaowho comming on me or him

Was jokes, Me, Him or Him?

[Black Ant]

Torres didnt want Kalou to scoresuch a snake

[Younger]

Torres didnt want Kalou to scoresuch a snake

All the players that play for Chelsea are greedy snakes tbh.

[Guest M12 Part 2]

You man ain't watched Darren bent for 90 minutes. Top snake. Will NEVER try set anyone else up.

[Guest Klitschko]

Torres is actually looking like a sh*t player atm, he's slow mentally aswell as physically...looks like he's absolutely knackered when running, and has been very slow to react, and he was like that from minute 1.System doesn't really suit him either.+Lol at Omerod taking a touch there, f*ck*ng idiot.

[Younger]

Feel sorry for Blackpool. First half they played better than Chelsea. Needed that goal earlier in the game.