Saturday's EPL games

An early Xmas miracle: Wigan score five goals to Rovers three:
Five-star Wigan wonderland as Bent hat-trick slays Santa Cruz
No miracle at Pride Park as Derby lose again:
Tuncay Sanli's energy powers Middlesbrough
Sven's men turn things round and move into the top four:
Sven-Goran Eriksson’s changes lift City
Everton march on with the Yak at the fore:
Yakubu and Johnson swoop to turn Green's bright day black
Barton's late penalty see Toon continue to improve:
Joey Barton steals victory for Newcastle United
Ramos gets Spurs in the groove:
Deserving Spurs now on hot streak
No surprizes in Brum as Reading earn draw:
Hunt picks his spot to haul back Birmingham

Even more on Sunday's big games

Finishing touch gives Ronaldo the edge
Clichy relishing chance to put one over his former master
Sir Alex Ferguson gives his backing to Rafael Benitez
Grant turns on charm

Thomas 'Der Hammer' Hitzlsperger

The Stuttgart midfielder talks interest rates, Croatia and lions over a nice glass of wine...
Servus, Thomas!

Lawro's Premiership Predictions

Liverpool v Man Utd (1330)

Liverpool will win this one - they know they have to if they are going to make any challenge for the title. They lost to United twice last year but Liverpool created a whole host of chances in the matches and were a little bit unfortunate, I feel.

Why people get excited about these games, though, I will never know. They are never good games to watch - they are absolutely awful!

Match preview

Prediction: 1-0

ALL THE PREDICTIONS

Arsenal Vs Chelsea

With Chelsea tallisman Drogba missing, you have to think the game's outcome will depend upon Arsenal's sicklist. Van Persie looked sharp midweek, and obviously Wenger would love to see the return of Hleb and Flamini, but if Fabregas makes it Arsenal would be best able to take advantage. The past few games have really highlighted how important he is. He scores goals, isn't afraid to put his foot it, but above passes the ball early. This helps retain possession, opens up defenses and gives his team mates more time on the ball.
Arsenal will not 'fall' from top, says Van Persie
‘Puppet’ Avram Grant happy to pull own strings
William Gallas prepares to lead from the front

Liverpool Vs Manchester United

Things are slowly hotting up for the big match ups on Sunday. Both teams are on good form, so you have to think much will depend on Rafa's team selection. Everybody and his dog, after seeing Tuesday's performance, would just go with the same 11, but you never know will Benitez.
Queiroz fears Reds menace intensified by 'eagle' Torres
Rafael Benitez revels in position of strength
Gary McAllister's take
Ray Wilkins' take

Fabio to be crowned

Most people seem happy about the appointment of Capello except Paul Ince, France's Domenech [but he's never happy about anything], and it turns out Mamma Capello:
Evelina Tortul worries about Fabio Capello
Italians applaud selection and say ‘you won’t find dirt here’
Cascarino view: Hands should not be tied over choice of lieutenants

Spain: La Liga Weekend Previews

Barcelona's trip to Valencia is the highlight the weekend...PREVIEWS

Saturday 15 December
20:00 Espanyol - Levante
22:00 Valencia - Barcelona
Sunday 16 December
17:00 Valladolid - Sevilla
17:00 Real Betis - Almeria
17:00 Getafe - Villarreal
17:00 Deportivo - Zaragoza
17:00 Mallorca - Athletic
17:00 Murcia - Racing
19:00 Recreativo - Atletico Madrid
21:00 Real Madrid - Osasuna

EPL: FastEddy and Previews of all the Matches

There are some other solid matches other than the those on Super Sunday this weekend. Tottenham travel to Pompey to face Harry's powerful squad and Manchester City host a resurgent Bolton. Everton's trip to Upton Park also merits a look... PREVIEWS

And in case you're the betting sort: FastEddy's Lines

Khan punished for one rant too many

There are plenty of people in Germany who think Oliver Khan is great because every so often he'll rant and rave about the failings of other. In truth he's just a self-centred hypocritical dickhead. As is too often the case with Bayern, only their trainer, Ottmar Hitzfeld, comes out with any credit.
Kahn fined for pooping Bayern's party and criticising team-mates

Grant the entertainer yet to convince

Avram Grant maintains that Chelsea are playing more attractive football than under his predecessor, Jose Mourinho, but the rest of the world needs some convincing.
Grant sets sights on Arsenal with an aesthetic point to prove

Big week for Rafa

The Liverpool manager can look forward to Manchester United visiting Anfield and crisis talks with the club's owners.
Benitez faces showdowns on two fronts

Green error gifts victory to Everton

West Ham 1 Everton 2: David Moyes's side book a Carling Cup semi-final place after a blunder from the West Ham keeper
Robert Green slips up to continue run of errors from England pretenders

Capello set to sign

So, the FA have gone for the Italian junkie Fabio Capello. It has to be said, this looks like a pretty good choice. The job is arguably impossible, what with the media, the unhelpful clubs and a general lack of real talent, but Capello has the authority and proven record to bring about improvement. Steve McClaren he ain't. There are tons of articles, so I've tried to pick out the better ones. According to the Telegraph he reads philosophy, watches Fellini, listens to Bach and admires the paintings of Giorgio De Chirico, so there'll be plenty of things to talk about on the team bus to games.

‘Deal me in’ says Fabio Capello as FA gets its No 1 man
Fabio Capello: I took drugs
Marina Hyde on the language barrier
Gabriele Marcotti:From Spain to Lake Lugano and London
Don Howe:England's midfield confusion will end

Possible Champions League match ups

Following the conclusion of the Champions League group stages, Goal.com offers a sneak preview into next Friday's draw for the first knock-out round.
Champions League Draw: Who Could Play Whom!

Champions League Review

Barca's Michael Flatley

The Scots blow it, again.
Poor Rangers fail to tame Lyons
Darcheville blames himself for Rangers' exit
ManU's youth team makes good showing, but fan trouble is repeated.
Ferguson draws fringe benefits from youngsters' outing
Five Manchester United fans stabbed in Rome
Wenger maybe regreting the weaker team he put out against Slavia Prague
Giants lurk as Arsenal settle for second
Fenerbahce survive scare to make it through, but PSV fall short
Fenerbahce Through After CSKA Win
Inter Cruz Past Disappointing PSV
Meanwhile, the big fella is back for Barca.
Eto'o On The Mark As Barça Ease Past Stuttgart

Phil Ball in Spain

Atlético are the side for entertainment

Gerrard becomes latest player to be burgled

OK, so that's Pepe Reina, Jerzy Dudek, Daniel Agger, Peter Crouch, Florent Sinama-Pongolle, Andy van der Meyde, Dirk Kuyt and now Stevie G. that have been hit in Liverpool over the past year. My question: who's buying the rights to the movie?

Gerrard's house hit while he's winning at Olympique Marseille

Sissoko wants to leave Anfield

More good news for Reds fans?
Mohamed Sissoko set for Liverpool talks

Bully needed

According to Martin Samuel Capello needs to show England’s elite players how to win football matches again. No shit Martin...
Bully for England ... and an end to being beaten up in the playground