Sterling Charged With Assault, Transfers Done, The Joy of Six, Previews, ACN

We'll start with some sad news today. Liverpool's Raheem Sterling has been charged with assaulting a woman. Sterling denies the allegation and plans to plead not guilty. So, let's hope he's telling the truth.

On to more positive news. There is another Yank Abroad as of yesterday. Everyone's favorite enigma Brek Shea has joined Tony Pubis' Stoke City. We're not big fans of the football Stoke play, but it's great to have another American in the Premier League. Best of luck to Brek.

Awkward...

Now then. What other transfers went down yesterday? Perhaps the funniest is the one that did not. Peter Odemwingie so wanted to move to QPR from West Brom that he simply showed up at Loftus Road. He was not allowed to enter. Even without adding the Nigerian to their books, old 'Arry still managed to drop loads and loads of cash in the transfer window. The deal for Samba broke the club's transfer record for the second time in a two week period. The fee was £12.5m and the contract is worth more than £20m over the four-and-a-half-year deal. Don't people realize that Harry Redknapp has done this over and over again? If QPR are relegated, they're screwed! Pompey, anyone? Unbelievable. Paul Hayward agrees: "A few days ago they were blaming the high-rollers. Queens Park Rangers had hired too many mercenaries. There was only one thing for it. Hire some different high-rollers, on even more money, and to hell with the long-term cost."

The Telegraph has a nice interactive thingy and a listing of everything that happened yesterday. Have at it. Also, Phil McNulty gives us his verdict.

Oh, and Nicolas Anelka has joined Juventus. That's his 35th club. What, you think we're joking? OK, we are. It's not quite his 35th stop. He has only graced PSG, Arsenal, Real Madrid, PSG again, Liverpool, Manchester City, Fenerbahçe, Bolton, Chelsea, Shanghai, and now Juventus. So, just 10.

La Liga. Primera Division. Whatever you want to call it, Eduardo Alvarez has his Quiniela so you know how to bet on the weekend's action. Barcelona head to Valencia and Eduardo predicts they'll lose.

In Italy, everyone has Balotelli fever. Word is he'll play in Milan's match against Udinese on Monday. Elsewhere, Juventus go to Chievo, Inter travel to Siena, and Fiorentina host Parma. Here's your preview.

Let's hit The Joy of Six. Today's edition is Disallowed Goals. Look! Here's one now:


The matches just keep coming, don't they? We love it. In England this weekend, the biggie is Manchester City vs. Liverpool on Sunday. Newcastle vs. Chelsea could be interesting (Ba goes back), as could West Brom vs. Spurs. Here's a complete preview. The other usual suspects are below...

Ten Things To Look Out For

Premier League Spotlight

Paul Merson's Predictions

Grant Wahl interviewed Wesley Sneijder. Does he think Galatasaray can win the Champions League?

Finally, on to the African Cup of Nations. For the first time since 1992, no North African country has made the Final Eight. Stephen Fottrell takes a look.

That's it. We're out. Enjoy the weekend.

Onward!!

-SSN