Some Soccer Results and News

English Premiership Results

Manchester United 4-0 Wigan
Aston Villa 1-0 West Ham

Here are some feedback or comments from yesterday's games.

1. Man Utd has lost both O'Shea, Saha and Vidic to injuries before or during the Wigan Game which now numbers 12 players. However Sir Alex Ferguson is defiant that Man Utd has the strength in depth to handle such a crisis. Only time would tell then.

2. Next to Scotland where Glasgow Rangers lost 1-0 at home to Hibs after winning impressively away in the mid week Champions League match to Lyon; leaving Sir Walter Smith in a unforgiving mood as defeat denied Gers a chance to return to the top of the league. What a let down surely for Rangers after the mid wwek high of a 3-0 victory at Lyon only to lose to Hibs

3. Now off to Spain where Valencia completed a bad week by crushing 2-1 to Espanyol. Disappointing indeed for the spanish team after their mid week loss to Chelsea, now a defeat to Espanyol and a dent in their La Liga Aspirations. Now leaving the way open for Real Madrid, Villarreal and Barcelona to extend or the open up the title race more if they all win respectively tonite.

4. Back to England where there is more heartache for Dean Ashton of West Ham. He had damaged his knee ligament in the game vs Aston Villa, ruling him out of the England Squad. Ashton has just came back from injuries only to suffer this setback leaving Mclaren short of fire power upfront.

5. Lastly to Holland where PSV has returned to the top of the league, winning 3-0 at Willem II.

Predictions for Major Leagues

It is time for the predictions for major leagues games this weekend . Hopefully I can get out of my run of bad predictions and score some major winners....

English Premiership

Man Utd 2-0 Wigan
Aston Villa 2-1 West Ham
Arsenal 3-0 Sunderland
Reading 1-0 Derby
Blackburn 2-1 Birmingham City
Bolton 1-1 Chelsea
Liverpool 2-1 Tottenham
Man City 1-0 Middlesbrough
Newcastle 2-1 Everton
Fulham 2-1 Portsmouth

La Liga

Athletic Bilbao 2-1 Almeria
Barcelona 1-1 Atletico Madrid
Seville 2-1 Deportivo
Mallorca 1-0 Getafe
Murcia 1-1 Real Betis
Osasuna 0-2 Villarreal
Racing Santander 1-0 Valladolid
Real Madrid 3-1 Recreativo Huelva
Real Zaragoza 2-0 Levante
Valencia 1-0 Espanyol

Serie A

Atalanta 1-1 Udinese
Inter Milan 2-1 Napoli
Catania 1-1 Livorno
Fiorentina 1-2 Juventus
Genoa 1-1 Cagliari
Palermo 2-1 Reggina
Parma 0-1 Roma
Siena 2-1 Empoli
Torino 1-1 Sampdoria
Lazio 1-2 AC Milan

Bundesliga

Borussia Dortmund 2-1 VfL Bochum
Arminia Bielefeld 1-1 Hamburger SV
Hertha Berlin 3-0 Energie Cottbus
MSV Duisburg 1-2 Werder Bremen
Schalke 2-0 Karlsruher SC
VfB Stuttgart 2-1 Hannover 96
VfL Wolfsburg 2-1 Hansa Rostock
Bayern München 3-1 FC Nürnberg
Eintracht Frankfurt 1-2 Bayer Leverkusen

Just some news bits with regards to Bundesliga

1. Karlsruher is looking to consolidate their position in the Bundesliga with another good preformance in the game vs unbeaten Schalke. A host of games coming up tomorrow morning with Arminia Bielefeld looking to put their 8-1 trashing by Bremen aside while Bremen looking to bounce back from UEFA champions league mid week loss.

5 Reasons Behind the Deployment of a 4-5-1 System or Formation in A Soccer or Football Game

Another of my soccer articles published on ezinearticles. Do enjoy

In the modern game of soccer or football recently, a formation or system 4-5-1 has enjoyed a much higher played ratio especially by smaller clubs or clubs or nations playing away. Here are five reasons why such a formation or system is employed.

A defintion of the system is first needed. A 4-5-1 would refer to the deployment of one goalkeeper, four defenders, five midfielders and a striker. An example of a team making a success of the formation is the Greek National in European Football Championships 2004 where they emerge as champions with the deployment of such a system. And now for the reasons.


Flexibility - Football or soccer is a fast paced game where an attack can be turned into the counter attack by the opposition if possession is lost. Hence the deployment of a 4-5-1 system allows the flexibility in both attack and defense. In attack or possession of the ball, the left and right midfielders would operate as wingers to push up and join the lone striker. Furthermore of the three central midfielders, one or two can also push to join the attack while the remaining midfielder would drop back to assist the defense in case of a break or counter attack by the opposition.

As for defense or without possession of the ball, a five midfield in theory would be able to pressure the opposition to win back the ball. Another example, the five man midfield would add more steel into midfield portion to win or retain possession to ease off pressure at the back.


Defending a one goal Lead - In some matches, the game can be very close one where a single goal can decide the outcome. Hence some managers would like to employ 4-5-1 formation to defend the lead in the last ten to twenty minutes of the game. The flexibility of the system is already explained under point 1. The system would also enable the team to launch counter attack if needed when the opposition throws caution to wind for an equalizer. The other purpose is to pass the ball around to run down the clock and the best way to do so is to keep possession.


Playing an Away Game - In the modern league games, a point from a game drawn especially if the game is away or against a strong opposition is crucial. The reason is simple as most home teams would go out to try their best to win at home with their supporters behind them acting as the 12th man. For example, in recent games like Liverpool verses Birmingham City or Manchester United verses Reading, both City and Reading employed a 4-5-1 system to stifle the midfield of Liverpool and United. The system would usually enable a team to come away with a point or avoid a mauling at hand of strong opposition. Such a point usually meant a victory for the smaller clubs.


Playing against Stronger Opposition - As mentioned in point 3, playing against strong opposition at home, a 4-5-1 system would be employed for the same rationale of getting a point or avoiding a heavy defeat. Such a attitude towards game can be seen as a defeatist attitude, but survival in the top leagues around the world would mean huge revenue for clubs. An example is the English Premiership where millions can be lost if a team is relegated. Hence some teams would rather employ such a formation to ensure of a low scoring defeat or a draw game for a point while a more attacking one when facing opposition of similar status.


Injuries - This is the least common reason why a 4-5-1 formation would be deployed. The reason is a very simple one. There are usually more defenders and midfielders than strikers in the club. Hence if a club has a striker injury situation, it may be more inclined to employ such a system than others. Furthermore deploying players in familiar positions would be having a much better effect than playing them in an untrained position.

Hence the above reasons should help to explain the rationale behind the employment of a 4-5-1 system or formation.

PS: Article has been published at Ezinearticles too.

Round 2 UEFA Champions League Results

Let's us review the UEFA Champions League Results of round 2 of the group stages.

Lyon 0-3 Rangers
Stuttgart 0-2 Barcelona
Dynamo Kiev 1-2 Sporting Lisbon
Manchester United 1-0 Roma
CSKA Moscow 2-2 Fenerbahce
Inter Milan 2-0 PSV Eindhoven
Sevilla 4-2 Sparta Prague
Steaua Bucuresti 0-1 Arsenal
Besiktas 0-1 Porto
Liverpool 0-1 Marseille
Rosenborg 0-2 Schalke
Valencia 1-2 Chelsea
Lazio 2-2 Real Madrid
Werder Bremen 1-3 Olympiakos
Benfica 0-1 Shakhtar Donetsk
Celtic 2-1 AC Milan

Analysis of Predictions

CP: Correct predictions based on 1x2
WP: Wrong Predictions based on 1x2
CR: Correct Results predictions

Lyon 2-1 Rangers (WP)
Stuttgart 1-2 Barcelona (CP)
Dynamo Kiev 2-1 Sporting Lisbon (WP)
Manchester United 1-1 Roma (WP)
CSKA Moscow 1-1 Fenerbahce (CP)
Inter Milan 2-0 PSV Eindhoven (CP,CR)
Sevilla 2-1 Sparta Prague (CP)
Steaua Bucuresti 0-2 Arsenal (CP)
Besiktas 1-1 Porto (WP)
Liverpool 2-1 Marseille (WP)
Rosenborg 1-2 Schalke (CP)
Valencia 2-1 Chelsea (WP)
Lazio 1-3 Real Madrid (WP)
Werder Bremen 2-1 Olympiakos (WP)
Benfica 2-1 Shakhtar Donetsk (WP)
Celtic 1-2 AC Milan (WP)

Total Number of Matches Predicted: 16
Total of CP: 6 (37.5%) What a bomber
Total of WP: 12 (62.5%)
Total of CR: 1 (6.25%)

Note: What a bomber....I thought the weekend of 40% was bad, now this. This show that you cannot predict everything. Who can expect Liverpool, AC Milan, Lyon and Bremen to lose??? Chelsea and Man Utd victory should have been long in the coming; while real Madrid should have done better. Anyway would revise my predictions for the weekend. Sorry guys for the bomber of the results.

Some soccer or football news to brighten up a otherwise gloomy day at the post.

1. Bayern Munich is through to the group stages of the Euro cup while Blackburn and Ajax have respectively crashed out after the second legs were played earlier this morning.

2. Chelsea has released denials to reports that Current russia coach Gus Hiddincks is being lined up as the new coach while Ajax coach Ten Cate as his assistant. Interesting to see who is finally brought in for the chelsea manager position?

3. Other Bundesliga news is that German Striker Lukas Podolski being prepared for a move during the jan transfer window with Bremen a highly likely destination. With the additionals of Toni and Klose to the Munich ranks, playing opportunities have been limited for the talented young german. Hence his willingines to move for more football.

4. Here is more news linking Ajax coach ten cate to Chelsea

UEFA Champions League Updates

Here are the results and standings of the games played this morning

Group E

Lyon 0-3 Rangers
Stuttgart 0-2 Barcelona

Barcelona 6 pts
Rangers 6 pts
Stuttgart 0pts
Lyong 0pts

Group F

Dynamo Kiev 1-2 Sporting
Man Utd 1-0 Roma

Man Utd 6 pts
Roma 3 pts
Sporting 3 pts
Dynamo Kiev 0 pts

Group G

CSKA 2-2 Fenerbahce
Inter Milan 2-0 PSV

Fenerbahce 4 pts
Inter Milan 3 pts
PSV 3 pts
CSKA Moscow 1 pts

Group H

Sevilla 4-2 Slavia Prague
Steaua Buacharest 0-1 Arsenal

Arsenal 6 pts
Sevilla 3 pts
Slavia Prague 3 pts
Steaua Buacharest 0 pts

Now for some news update of UEFA Champions League Matches played this morning.

1. First up, Wayne Rooney scored the crucial goal that allowed Man Utd to beat Roma 1-0 at Old Trafford. Sir Ferguson had commented that he hoped that this would open up the floodgates for the English International. Another tight game where Man Utd won by 1-0; this would be 6 win of the season with the 1-0 score line. A worrying sight for Sir Ferguson's defending EPL Champions.

2. Next up, Another win in Champion League for the young gunners. Mr Wenger is hoping for another repeat of the unbeaten run by the gunners 2 to 3 seasons back. Looking at his team, he might be able to do it again.

3. Following a 2-0 win at Stuttgart, Barcelona has taken a big step towards the next round of the Champions League. Barcelona heads up the table with Rangers on 6 points.

4. In the same group with Barcelona, Rangers served up a 3-0 win away to Lyon. This would inspire the Rangers to maybe greater heights in the competition with a place in the next round highly likely if they keep up their form.

5. Already mindgames have started for today's game of Liverpool vs Marseille with Manager Erik Gerets with the first salvo. This would also marks the return of Cisse and Zenden to Anfield.

6. In another of today's game, Chelsea may field Captain John Terry in a crucial game against Spainish Side Valencia. However Terry would be wearing a protective mask if he does play especially after having a operation on his checkbone 2 days ago.

UEFA Champions League Predictions

It is mid week action again for the Champions League with some interesting fixtures especially the one of Man Utd vs Roma.

No one would forget the lop sided 7-1 victory of Man Utd over Roma last season. Would Roma leave Old trafford with a different result this time around?

Another interesting match up would be Chelsea travelling to Valencia for a rematch of last season quarter final. Would Valencia manage a win over the Blue Blues?

Here are my predictions then

Lyon 2-1 Rangers
Stuttgart 1-2 Barcelona
Dynamo Kiev 2-1 Sporting Lisbon
Manchester United 1-1 Roma
CSKA Moscow 1-1 Fenerbahce
Inter Milan 2-0 PSV Eindhoven
Sevilla 2-1 Sparta Prague
Steaua Bucuresti 0-2 Arsenal
Besiktas 1-1 Porto
Liverpool 2-1 Marseille
Rosenborg 1-2 Schalke
Valencia 2-1 Chelsea
Lazio 1-3 Real Madrid
Werder Bremen 2-1 Olympiakos
Benfica 2-1 Shakhtar Donetsk
Celtic 1-2 AC Milan

Some soccer news around the world

1. The return of Ronaldinho for the mid week match vs Stuttgart would means that Barcelona would have a edge in this game. Barcelona should go into this match confident of victory after an impressive 4-1 victory over Levante on Saturday.

2. The US women football did manage a third place in the world cup after defeating Norway 4-1. At least some good news for the scandal hit US team.

3. Here below is the top scorer list for the just concluded Women World Cup with Brazilian Marta da Silva bagging the golden boot.

4. Here is for those who miss Platini comments on money in the modern game.

Results and Analysis of games played 29/09-30/09

Here are the result of games played over the weekend (29/9-30/9)

English Premiership

Birmingham 0-1 Man Utd
Chelsea 0-0 Fulham
Derby 1-1 Bolton
Man City 3-1 Newcastle
Portsmouth 7-4 Reading
Sunderland 1-2 Blackburn
West Ham 0-1 Arsenal
Wigan 0-1 Liverpool
Everton 2-0 Middlesbrough

La Liga

Zaragoza 2-0 Seville
Levante 1-4 Barcelona
Atlético Madrid 2-0 Osasuna
Espanyol 1-0 Deportivo
Recreativo Huelva 0-1 Valencia
Betis 3-0 Mallorca
Valladolid 1-4 Murcia
Almeria 0-1 Racing Santander
Villarreal 1-0 Athletic Bilbao
Getafe 0-1 Real Madrid

Serie A

Cagliari 1-0 Siena
Empoli 3-1 Palermo
Livorno 0-3 Fiorentina
Milan 1-1 Catania
Napoli 1-2 Genoa
Reggina 1-1 Lazio
Roma 1-4 Inter
Sampdoria 3-0 Atalanta
Torino 0-1 Juventus
Udinese 2-1 Parma

Bundesliga

Werder Bremen 8-1 Arminia Bielefeld
Bayer Leverkusen 0-1 Bayern München
Hamburger SV 2-2 VfL Wolfsburg
VfL Bochum 3-3 1. FC Nürnberg
Karlsruher SC 3-1 Borussia Dortmund
Hansa Rostock 2-1 VfB Stuttgart
Hannover 96 2-1 MSV Duisburg
Energie Cottbus 2-2 Eintracht Frankfurt

Analysis of Games Predicted

CP: Correct Prediction based on 1x2 system
WP: Wrong Prediction based on 1x2 system
CR: Correct Result Prediction

English Premiership
Birmingham 0-2 Man Utd (CP)
Chelsea 2-1 Fulham (WP)
Derby 1-2 Bolton (WP)
Man City 1-1 Newcastle (WP)
Portsmouth 2-0 Reading (CP)
Sunderland 0-1 Blackburn (CP)
West Ham 1-3 Arsenal (CP)
Wigan 0-2 Liverpool (CP)
Everton 2-1 Middlesbrough (CP)

La Liga

Zaragoza 1-2 Seville (WP)
Levante 1-3 Barcelona (CP)
Atlético Madrid 3-1 Osasuna (CP)
Espanyol 1-1 Deportivo (WP)
Recreativo Huelva 0-2 Valencia (CP)
Betis 1-2 Mallorca (WP)
Valladolid 2-1 Murcia (WP)
Almeria 1-2 Racing Santander (CP)
Villarreal 2-0 Athletic Bilbao (CP)
Getafe 1-2 Real Madrid (CP)

Serie A

Cagliari 2-1 Siena (CP)
Empoli 0-2 Palermo (WP)
Livorno 1-2 Fiorentina (CP)
Milan 3-0 Catania (WP)
Napoli 1-0 Genoa (WP)
Reggina 1-2 Lazio (WP)
Roma 1-1 Inter (WP)
Sampdoria 1-2 Atalanta (WP)
Torino 1-3 Juventus (CP)
Udinese 1-1 Parma (WP)

Bundesliga

Werder Bremen 1-2 Arminia Bielefeld (WP)
Bayer Leverkusen 1-2 Bayern München (CP)
Hamburger SV 1-0 VfL Wolfsburg (WP)
VfL Bochum 2-1 1. FC Nürnberg (WP)
Karlsruher SC 1-2 Borussia Dortmund (WP)
Hansa Rostock 0-2 VfB Stuttgart (WP)
Hannover 96 2-1 MSV Duisburg (CP,CR)
Energie Cottbus 1-1 Eintracht Frankfurt (CP)

Analysis Results

Total Number of Matches Predicted: 37
Total No. of Correct Predictions: 18 (48.64%)
Total No. of Wrong Predictions: 19 (51.36%)
Total No. of Correct Results Predictions: 1 (2.07%)

What a bad run of predictions getting only 18 right predictions (48.64%). The worst run of luck ever so far. Hopefully can do better this week for the Champions League.

Now some sporting news around the globe.

1. First up is the victory for defending champions Germany in the Woman World Cup Final. They defeated Brazil with 2 second half goals. What a wonderful run of form for the Germans. After the match, the germans remain modest about their achievement.

2. Read more about the germans' victory in the world cup here.

3. After a hard won victory at Birmingham City, Manchester United would now return home to entertain Roma in the mid week Champions League Match. However Hargraves did warn his team to be wary of the Romans' revenge for losing 7-1 last season in the CL quarter finals

4. After winning 2-0 at home vs Boro, David Moyes would look forward to the second leg Uefa Cup match vs Metalist. He hope that his club could continue their form and progress to the group stage of the UEFA cup after the first leg ended in a draw