Torino FC vs FC Internazionale ... Serie A week 3

 Torino FC vs FC Internazionale

Serie A, week #3

Sunday: 16-Sep-'12

Stadio Olimpico di Torino @ 18:45 (GMT)

History is in Inter's side... In Torino:-

Since the 2001-02 season till our day, Inter haven't lost or drawn against Torino at the Olimpico (in Serie A of course). The last time Inter played against Torino at the Olimpico, Mourinho's side won 3-1 with definite ease. History will stand by Inter's side this time, only if Andrea Stramaccioni used the correct formation with the suitable players.

New line-ups?:-

Rumours spreading in Italy that "Strama" will play with Juan Jesus and Pereira from the beginning, well this means Strama will take a huge risk in keeping his sheet clean. Also, Torino will start in an attacking formation... A 4-2-4 to be exact. This will give the Inter midfield a huge test, don't know if they're going to pass!

Milito, Cassano, and Sneijder ... Or playing Coutinho?:-

Milito, Cassano, and Sneijder are dangerous to any defence in Italy, but playing them against a team who'll enter with a 4-2-4 formation is risky. The reason is that none of these 3 does his defensive duties, while Coutinho in the other hand will do such thing in order to get himself more starting call-ups.

Torino has excellent players in every position:-

From Gillet in GK to Bianchi in attack, Torino has good names in every position. Ogbonna is a good defender who'm will prove his value during this match; also, Torino's midfield is something to fear. Stevanovic and Cerci are young and talented, they can trouble the Nerazzurri! And let's not forget Meggiorini who played the match of his career last season against Inter when he was with Novara.

Prediction:-

As I said, if Strama entered with a reasonable formation and the players showed maturity Inter will win. If otherwise, Torino will emerge victorious... Easily!

Torino FC 2-2 FC Internazionale

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EPL week 4

English Premier League

Week #4 (Sat: 15-Sep, Sun: 16-Sep, and Mon:17-Sep)

Saturday: 15-Sep-'12:-

Norwich City vs West Ham United @ 11:45 (GMT)

Prediction: West Ham United

Aston Villa vs Swansea City @ 14:00 (GMT) 

Prediction: Swansea City

Fulham vs West Bromwich Albion @ 14:00 (GMT)

Prediction: Draw

Stoke City vs Manchester City @ 14:00 (GMT)

Prediction: Stoke City

QPR vs Chelsea @ 14:00 (GMT)

Prediction: Draw

Sunderland vs Liverpool @ 16:30 (GMT)

Prediction: Sunderland

Sunday: 16-Sep-'12:-

Reading vs Tottenham Hotspur @ 15:00 (GMT)

Prediction: Tottenham

Monday: 17-Sep-'12:-

Everton vs Newcastle United @ 19:00 (GMT)

Prediction: Everton

Join me and share your predictions in the comment box below.

Man. United vs Wigan Ath. .. Week # 4 EPL

Manchester United FC vs Wigan Athletic FC

English Premier League

Saturday, September 15th 2012

Old Trafford @ 14:00 (GMT)

United have history upper hand:-

Manchester United and Wigan, a match that the Red Devils dominated since the 2005-06 season whether it was at Old Trafford or the DW; but last season Wigan were responsible of holding Man. United during the last meters in title race.

Injury scares for United... I don't think so:-

RvP is ruled fit to face Wigan, along with Kagawa. RvP's injury during international duty scared the United faithful, since Rooney isn't fit enough... But "he (Rooney) is showing good signs" as Sir Alex claims!

Ali AlHabsi: How long can you survive the United threat at Old Trafford this time?:-

AlHabsi, arguably one of the best GK's in the EPL nowadays... But is he good enough to deny Man. United an easy win? I don't think so, RvP will show everyone that Sir Alex didn't make a mistake when he brought him to the Theatre of Dreams. He will do what he does best... SCORE WHEN HE WANTS!!!

Starting line-up, and Sir Alex's choices:-

In my opinion, Sir Alex is somewhat controversial regarding the starting line-up(s). And throughout my research about this match, it is rumoured that Welbeck and Chicharito will start against Wigan. Controversial? Yes, Sir... ALEX!

United... Intimidating attack, but a vulnerable defence:-

Although United scored 6 goals in 3 matches, let's not forget that they conceded 5. Man. United's defence may improve in the upcoming weeks, hence I believe they'll concede this time; al least once!

Prediction:-

Since we're in week #4, I think Man. United will ease past Wigan. Ali AlHabsi won't stand achance against RvP and co.

Man. United FC 3-1 Wigan Athletic

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EPL week #4 .. Sat: 15-Sep, Sun: 16-Sep, and Mon: 17-Sep

Arsenal FC vs Southampton FC

English Premier League

Week #4 .. Saturday, 15-Sep-'12

Emirates Stadium @ 14:00 (GMT)

The Gunners began the first 2 weeks of the 2012-13 campaign with disappointing goal-less draws against Sunderland and Stoke City respectively, but they managed to gain their first goals and 3 points in week #3 away against Liverpool. This gives Arsene's men the momentum to go and demolish every opponent that'll face them (Arsenal), but, let's not forget that beating this Liverpool side at Anfield isn't THAT BIG OF AN ACCOMPLISHMENT because this is Liverpool's worst start since the 1962-63 season.

Okay, let's concentrate on this week's game! Southampton made life a living hell for both Manchester sides in week #1 and week #3, Southampton were on the verge of upsetting the EPL champions Man. City in week #1; but Nasri and co. didn't want to see that happen. Also, in week #3 Man. United were 3 minutes away to lose to the new comers. My point is that Wenger mustn't underestimate Southampton, this team is physical and knows how/when to score.

Giroud will try and score this week, but, in my opinion, he won't; the reason is that he'll have his mind set on Tuesday's clash against his former club (Montpellier). Cazorla and Podolski are lethal and can create a scoring chance any time during the game!

Prediction... Arsenal will face a lot of problems, but my feeling tells me Wenger won't let it slip that easy.

Arsenal FC 2-1 Southampton FC

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PSG vs Toulouse FC (week #5), Friday: 14-Sep-'12

Paris St. Germain vs Toulouse FC

Week #5 of Ligue 1 .. Friday: 14-Sep-'12

Parc des Princes @ 18:45 (GMT)

Introduction...

In the last 3 matches in the Parc des Princes, in Ligue 1, PSG beat Toulouse (TFC) somewhat comfortably. But, I don't believe TFC will make easy this time; the reason is that TFC lie 4th in Ligue 1 with 8 points (2 wins and 2 draws)... And PSG have suffered to earn their first 3 points until week #4 against Lille. PSG are in 9th place (1 win and 3 draws).

Players to watch...

First, let's talk about the star-studded PSG. With Ibra ready for this match, I believe he's the biggest threat that the TFC defence will face. And if Ancelotti played with a 4-3-2-1 formation with Verratti and Thiago Motta in midfield, while Pastore returns to his usual role (attacking midfielder)... TFC will face lots of trouble during this encounter.

TFC has a promising young talent called Wisam Ben Yedder, he scored in 3 of the 4 games... He began with the equaliser against reigning champions Montpellier, and he also scored a last minute equaliser against new-comers Reims. Mousa Sissoko, Capoue, and Tabanou and definitely going to give Pastore, Ibra, and Menez a hard time to pass by them!!!

PSG, the Champions League, and the injury issues...

Thiago Silva is still injured, and critics in France say that Milan "knew that T. Silva has a severe injury, the same they did with Kaka' and Real Madrid." But, I believe T. Silva suffered this injury recently; during the 2012 Olympics to be exact. PSG's players will have their minds set on the UCL clash against Dinamo Kiev the upcoming Tuesday. This may have a negative effect on the players... And, especially, on the result against TFC.

PSG squad...

Sirigu, Areola; Alex, Camara, Jallet, Armand, Sakho, Maxwell; Chantome, Matuidi, Menez, Pastore, Rabiot, Verratti, Nene, Thiago Motta; Ibrahimovic, Gameiro, Hoarau.

Toulouse FC squad...

Ahamada, Blondel Zebina, Abdennour, Yago, M'Bengue, Ninkov, Akpa Akpro, Capoue, Mousa Sissoko, Didot, Tabanou, Sirieix, Regattin, Y. D. Braaten, Ben Yedder, Riviere.

Prediction...

This is a tough one, but I believe Ancelotti and Le Groupe Parisien will win it. PSG 2-0 TFC

Join me and share your predictions... Just comment in the box below!!!

NFL is back, and week 1 was amazing

As most of us witnessed an amazing week 1 of the NFL, and how the Dallas Cowboys stunned the reigning SB champions (NY Giants) in Jersey; I think that "America's Team" are willing to prove something to all of us this season. I'm not saying they're gonna win it all, but a playoff spot isn't impossible. Although, I believe the SB XLVII winner belongs to the NFC East!

Also, we saw a "no-huddle" return and triumph for legendary Payton Manning with his new team the Broncos and how he dominated the game against Big Ben and the Steelers. Manning threw 2 TD passes in the game and played "mind games" with the Steelers D; the way he spotted Polomalu's movements in the back and changing the play was just vintage Manning. The Broncos have a good chance of reaching the AFC championship game if they keep the same rhythm and listening to Manning. This guy is a 4 time MVP, he has many tricks up his sleeve that makes the Broncos' faithful dream and, most importantly, BELIEVE!

It's a bit early to talk about playoff candidates and SB XLVII winners, but something tells me that this season's elite will be known during the first couple of weeks... I know that injury risks are there; but come on, having 5 teams scoring 40+ points in week 1 gives us indicators that most teams that won in week 1 mean business. RG III and the Redskins just made the NFC East more competitive, Peyton's move to the Broncos gave the AFC something to talk about (although the Colts are in the AFC, but in my opinion Peyton with the Broncos is more exciting).

Thumbs-Up:-

- Tony Romo and the Cowboys beating the reigning SB Giants in Jersey.

- Peyton Manning's explosive comeback to the NFL with a great win over the Steelers.

- Joe Flacco's "no-huddle" game against the Bengals... He nailed them!!! (Thanks to Jim Caldwell)

- The 49ers huge blow to the Packers in Green Bay.

- DeMarcus Ware breaking the 100 sack record.

- David Akers and his 63 yard FG.

- Cobb's punt return TD.

Thumbs Down:-

- Andy Dalton's 3rd down conversions against the Ravens, all of them were horrible.

- The Bengals D.

- Victor Cruz's inability to hold the ball when passed to during crunch time.

- The Steelers' D failing to Peyton's "mind games".

My top 3 games for week 2 are... Browns @ Bengals (Ohio Derby), Ravens @ Eagles (QB/SB XLVII showdown), and Broncos @ Falcons (2nd big test for Peyton).

Give me your thoughts about week 1 of the NFL, and share them in the comment box below.

I'm back!!!

Hello everyone,

I'm back for the 2012-13 season of football (Serie A, EPL, La Liga, Ligue 1, Bundesliga, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League), NFL, MLB, NHL, and every sport you can imagine; except tennis :p

This season, I'll try to cover most of the sports I mentioned in a more analytical way... The predictions are still there, and if I had time, I'll post pictures and highlights of some games.

... So, here we go!!!