Man City book spot in Capital One Cup final at Everton’s expense

<h2 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 0.375em; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Manchester City 3-1 Everton (4-3 aggregate)</span></h2> <div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24.5455px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;"></span></span></div> <ul style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24.5455px; list-style-type: none; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <li style="box-sizing: border-box;">Barkley hit the opener to put Everton ahead</li> <li style="box-sizing: border-box;">Fernandino scored a first-half equaliser for City</li> <li style="box-sizing: border-box;">Substitute De Bruyne put City ahead on the night</li> <li style="box-sizing: border-box;">Aguero nabbed the winner from De Bruyne delivery</li> <li style="box-sizing: border-box;">De Bruyne injured late on</li> </span></span></ul> <div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24.5455px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;"></span></span></div> <h2 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 0.375em; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Man City to meet Liverpool in Capital One Cup final</span></h2> <div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24.5455px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">Manchester City are <span style="color: #004191;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.298039); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; box-sizing: border-box;">through to the Capital One Cup final</span></span>, where they will contest Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool at Wembley Stadium, after second-half goals from Kevin De Bruyne and Sergio Aguero saw them beat Everton 4-3 on aggregate.</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />The Toffees arrived in Manchester with a semi-final first leg lead and went ahead through Ross Barkley, but Fernandinho found the equaliser, before City (<span style="color: #004191;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.298039); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">4/9 to next beat Aston Villa in the FA Cup</span></span>) sealed this riveting Northwest derby, and their final place, with two strikes.</span></div> <h2 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 0.375em; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Barkley brilliance breaks deadlock</span></h2> <div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24.5455px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Proceedings at the Etihad began as fans may have expected, with City stroking the ball around comfortably, while Everton attacked on the counter through delightful Gerard Deulofeu, who skinned defender Martin Demichelis only for his delayed decision to cross see the ball deflected out for a corner.</span></div> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700; line-height: 24.5455px;"></span></span><br /> <div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24.5455px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Still, it was a sign the Toffees were not going to sit back on their slender first leg lead, and it took just 17 minutes for Roberto Martinez’s men in navy to find a way through the Sky Blue rearguard.</span></div> <div> <div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24.5455px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It just had to be Barkley who, after shouts for a foul on Sergio Aguero at the other end, burst from deep midfield yet again to put his boyhood club ahead 1-0 on the night, and 3-1 on aggregate, slotting home a vital away goal. The England international surged at Man City’s sloppy and exposed defence, dodging several attempts at tackles before dispatching low and left past Willy Caballero.</span></div> <h2 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 0.375em; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Citizens strike back</span></h2> <div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24.5455px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Around six minutes later, Manuel Pellegrini’s side found a fortunate equaliser through Brazilian midfield shield Fernandinho, whose sucker punch strike took a generous deflection off Leighton Baines on its way into the net.</span></div> </div> <div> <div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24.5455px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Visiting Everton then received a few slices of luck themselves as Pablo Zabaleta’s sweeping ball almost unleashed Aguero through on goal, with Joel Robles forced to jostle with the alert striker to save.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24.5455px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">While, Robles was also forced into a crucial stop moments after as first a sudden burst of acceleration by Aguero saw the Argentine rattle the post, within inches of pulling his team level on aggregate. David Silva popped up to follow up on the rebound, but the Toffees stopper clung to the ball and spared Gareth Barry’s blushes after a poor clearance had allowed the Spaniard to sneak in.</span></div> <h2 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 0.375em; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Navas a nifty addition, Silva almost finds gold</span></h2> <div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24.5455px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Barkley began the second-half where he left off, with another determined dash from deep putting the Mancunian’s on the backfoot, though Deulofeu shot straight at Caballero.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24.5455px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">While, Everton were similarly let off at the other end, as Spanish substitute Jesus Navas sought out Aguero in the box only for the South American to wildly scuff his shot.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24.5455px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cute combination play between Navas and Zabaleta pinned back the Toffees on the right, before the Argentine’s delivery picked out Silva, whose headed effort pinged back of the post with Yaya Toure unable to connect with the rebound, once again handing Everton a reprieve.</span></div> </div> <div> <div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24.5455px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">City’s renewed determination and added threat down the wing were warning signs for their guests, however, with suddenly alive Sterling also forcing some diligent defending.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24.5455px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Martinez shuffled his pack accordingly, bringing on both Arouna Kone and a returning James McCarthy on for wide pair Leon Osman and Deulofeu. Though, Pellegrini was able to call on a dangerous response himself in the form of Belgian playmaker Kevin De Bruyne for Toure, in an attacking switch with clear intent.</span></div> <h2 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 0.375em; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Sterling supplies decisive De Bruyne</span></h2> <div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24.5455px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The switch proved inspired after just seconds, as an up until then quiet Sterling sped away from John Stones to pick out De Bruyne in the box, with the Belgium international bagging with a fine finish to level on aggregate. Though, replays showed supplier Sterling’s run appeared to carry the ball over the line before his cross.</span></div> </div> <div> <div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24.5455px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">However, there was nothing lucky about Man City’s next strike to cement their lead, as De Bruyne was once again pivotal, helping Pellegrini put one foot in the Wembley final. The Belgian pumped a ball into incisive Aguero, and the centre forward showed no mercy, his bullet header rippling Everton’s net and leaving Robles no chance.</span></div> </div> <div> <div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24.5455px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">City’s celebrations were soon cut short, however, as difference-maker De Bruyne was brought down by Funes Mori late in the match, and forced to leave the pitch through injury, leaving the Mancunians to see their win out with 10 men.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24.5455px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Sky Blues will await news on their brilliant Belgian with bated breath, while Everton will head the short distance home aggrieved about the goal which changed the game.</span></div> </div> <div> <br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXNiheHBoMny2qhK9xF3tme0QSI8M94YH8EScxrmnPDsxPj4IG5z7MHx-6OhVuzmtmIctdvDhjEVVFZg34AiCHsvJIKUMuRk_FZ8C9ABmzDGazJzwFVQ9IhSA0rbwHqUsPPGrfBiHglw/s1600/149.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXNiheHBoMny2qhK9xF3tme0QSI8M94YH8EScxrmnPDsxPj4IG5z7MHx-6OhVuzmtmIctdvDhjEVVFZg34AiCHsvJIKUMuRk_FZ8C9ABmzDGazJzwFVQ9IhSA0rbwHqUsPPGrfBiHglw/s400/149.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <div> <br /></div>

Man City book spot in Capital One Cup final at Everton’s expense

Manchester City 3-1 Everton (4-3 aggregate) Barkley hit the opener to put Everton ahead Fernandino scored a first-half equaliser for C...

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FA Cup Tactical Preview: Derby v Man Utd and other key battles

<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Derby v Man Utd</span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"></span></span></span></div> <h2 style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-weight: 400; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Ince v Borthwick-Jackson</span></span></span></h2> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> </div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Friday, 19:55, Live on BBC One</span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is an FA Cup fixture that neither side will be looking forward to. Whilst <span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Louis van Gaal</span> is fighting for his job once again after tepid performances against Liverpool and Southampton, Derby are on a poor run of form that peaked with a 3-0 defeat to Birmingham City in their last home game. <span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Tom Ince</span> has been the most consistent attacking threat for the Rams this season, and he may fancy his chances against youngster Cameron Borthwick-Jackson.</span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ince has benefited greatly from the stability of playing in a possession dominant team this season (53.8% average) that looks to release the ball to him as quickly as possible on the right flank. Ince has amassed eight goals and three assists so far this season, averaging <span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">2.3 key passes</span> per game (fifth most in the Championship). There is no doubt that his pace and trickery cutting inside from that flank will be the biggest threat to the United goal.</span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Since Ashley Young's injury <span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Borthwick-Jackson</span> has filled in at left-back for United. If playing as a wing-back in a 3-5-2 he should have sufficient cover behind him but if Van Gaal resorts back to a 4-2-3-1 - which seems likely - then his inexperience could lead to danger on this side; Borthwick-Jackson averages a lowly 0.3 tackles and 1.7 interceptions per ninety minutes.What's more, Anthony Martial always stays very high up the pitch when the opposition counter, which exposes his left-back because <span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Marouane Fellaini</span> is so poor positionally. He does not come across to cover effectively, which could leave the 18-year-old isolated one-on-one with Ince.</span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Recommended Bet<br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s;">Back double chance home or draw at 17/20</span></span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s;">Liverpool v West Ham</span></span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"></span></span></span></div> <h2 style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-weight: 400; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Firmino v Noble</span></span></span></h2> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> </div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Saturday, 17:30, Live on BT Sport 2</span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">West Ham have taken <span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">17 points</span> from eight games against last season's top six thanks to the aggressive pressing and narrow formation employed by <span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Slaven Bilic</span>. These results include two league wins against Liverpool to an aggregate score of 5-0; as in West Ham's 2-0 win earlier this month, the key battle will be between West Ham's ferocious central midfield battlers and Liverpool's main pivot Roberto Firmino.</span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bilic transitions from 4-4-2 to 4-3-3 when possession is recovered, swinging their formation in an arc that creates quick, direct counter-attacks down the wing. Their <span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">pressing</span> system is both patient and dogged; they hold off in a tight, narrow cage before suddenly pouncing on the man in possession when the ball enters the final third. Mark Noble and Cheikhou Kouyate are the chief orchestrators of this high energy system as they shuttle across the width of the pitch to crowd out the attackers (they made nine tackles and nine interceptions between them in their recent meeting with Liverpool).</span></span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <div id="yui_3_1_1_1_145396709132855" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Liverpool's main creator - whilst Philippe Coutinho and Daniel Sturridge are absent - is Roberto Firmino, who flits around in attacking midfield to link up Liverpool's attacks. Occupying the same space as Noble, he will be <span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">crowded out</span> if he does not receive close support from the likes of Adam Lallana and James Milner. Liverpool were too far apart from one another for much of the game against Norwich, but will need to be more compact and narrow here to get past the pincer press.</span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em;"> <span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Recommended Bet<br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s;">Back West Ham to win at 15/4</span></span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s;">MK Dons v Chelsea</span></span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"></span></span></span></div> <h2 style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-weight: 400; margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0px;"> <span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Murphy v Ivanovic</span></span></span></h2> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em;"> </div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em;"> <span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sunday, 16:00, Live on BBC One</span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">MK Dons are 20th in the Championship and showing little sign of long term improvement, whilst Chelsea, undefeated in eight matches, are clearly on an upswing. However, on the <span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">bobbly pitch</span> at Stadium MK there is something about this game that feels like an upset is on the cards; if they are to topple the champions, Josh Murphy will most likely be the hero.</span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">MK Dons play a possession game in the Championship (54.6% average) that is rarely effective, and it will surely suit them to be forced into a more defensive, deep-lying structure on Sunday. Chelsea are renowned for struggling this season when facing opponents looking to <span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">frustrate</span>from deep and there is no guarantee they will make the breakthrough here.</span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At the other end, 20-year-old Murphy will be a big threat up against <span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Branislav Ivanovic</span>. Murphy is statistically the most creative player in the squad (1.4 key passes, 1.7 dribbles per game) and it is easy to imagine him getting the better of the Serbian international, still defending haphazardly under <span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Guus Hiddink</span>. This threat seems particularly intriguing given that Chelsea will dominate possession, leading to Ivanovic hovering (as he so often does) in an extremely advanced position.</span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em;"> <span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Recommended Bet<br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s;">Back double chance home or draw at 21/10</span></span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s;">Aston Villa v Man City</span></span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"></span></span></span></div> <h2 style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-weight: 400; margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0px;"> <span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Kozak v Demichelis</span></span></span></h2> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em;"> </div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em;"> <span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Saturday, 15:00</span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Though almost certainly getting relegated this season, Aston Villa are on a five match unbeaten run and have conceded just two goals in that time; they will be fighting tooth and nail to sustain another cup run this season. And whilst Man City are firm favourites for this one, Villa's <span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Libor Kozak</span> could provide an aerial threat in Vincent Kompany's absence.</span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The last four goals Man City have conceded have all been from crosses, and Villa hurl 22.1 crosses into the box per game (the fourth most in the Premier League). Kozac, so threatening in the six yard box, could be just the player to further unsettle Martin Demichelis. The Czech international wins a remarkable <span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">14 aerial duels</span> per 90 minutes, and though yet to score since his recovery (he has spent the last two years out with a broken leg) Kozak is improving with each game.</span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Remi Garde's first game in charge was a 0-0 draw with Man City in a game that saw Villa hold just 39% possession. Expect a very similar tactical set-up here, but with the added impetus of an in-form Carles Gil <span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">crossing</span> from out wide and Kozak lurking dangerously in-between City's slightly disorganised centre-back pairing.</span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em;"> <span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Recommended Bet<br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s;">Back Kozak to score any time at 14/5</span></span></span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3HLPrfvAOh36LXFKPyq9dKCj1KAkzNGjlegFpqZSKJTyXjcU5wkoXbGsfkOyzKiUDrcqzzvlaq_k1-xUiMYcslkXgRalC36QAOw8-tUIJAg_lA6ZUT7EH-BIHFOHJFTpF_CgoUI1JlQ/s1600/109.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3HLPrfvAOh36LXFKPyq9dKCj1KAkzNGjlegFpqZSKJTyXjcU5wkoXbGsfkOyzKiUDrcqzzvlaq_k1-xUiMYcslkXgRalC36QAOw8-tUIJAg_lA6ZUT7EH-BIHFOHJFTpF_CgoUI1JlQ/s400/109.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <div> <span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s;"><br /></span></span></div> </div>

FA Cup Tactical Preview: Derby v Man Utd and other key battles

Derby v Man Utd Ince v Borthwick-Jackson Friday, 19:55, Live on BBC One This is an FA Cup fixture that neither side will be looki...

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El Shaarawy completes loan move to Roma

<div class="mc_content" id="NewsContent" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #333333; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px;"> <div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding: 0px;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Roma have announced the signing of AC Milan forward Stephan El Shaarawy on a six-month loan deal that could see the Italy international make the move permanent, the Serie A club announced Tuesday.</span></div> <div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding: 0px;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">El Shaarawy quit the San Siro for Monaco last summer but a clause in his contract meant the French league club had to make the 23-year-old’s move permanent if he made 25 appearances. After El Shaarawy played 24 times for the Principality side, Monaco opted not to buy, much to the delight of many Roma fans who welcomed him to Rome on Tuesday in the belief he can inject new life into their embattled campaign.</span></div> <div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding: 0px;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A statement by Roma said: “AS Roma are delighted to announce the signing of Stephan El Shaarawy from AC Milan. “The Italian forward joins on a loan deal until 30 June 2016, for a fee of €1.4million. The agreement includes an option to make the deal permanent, for a fee of €13million, before the beginning of the 2016-17 season.”</span></div> <div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding: 0px;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">El Shaarawy will be expected to slot straight into Luciano Spalletti’s starting lineup after the club sold Ivorian striker Gervinho to Chinese side Hebei Fortune earlier Tuesday.</span></div> <div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding: 0px;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">El Shaarawy told Roma TV: “I’ve joined Roma to show what I can do – to myself, the coach and the Italian game as a whole. “I hope to repay the faith the club is showing in me and therefore I want to give 100% when I play to try and achieve great things here.”</span></div> <div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding: 0px;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Roma sit fifth in Serie A, at 12 points behind leaders Napoli ahead of Saturday’s home game against regional rivals Frosinone. El Shaarawy has made 17 appearances for Italy, making his senior international debut on 15 August 2012 away to England. His first goal for Italy came on 14 November 2012 against France.</span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbKKnIXcO-puojza3_d4mNoB-1YIrPNIWaokJBi8-EY2acSRyvE31VaGsoa8qmF3-MCV8xfedSMLKrppYVuV0LC0JUJfF5Y3JU3RFiBp4CPdecHkXXPeIeHBecRUYfn4bwE0ZaZq_zOw/s1600/38.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbKKnIXcO-puojza3_d4mNoB-1YIrPNIWaokJBi8-EY2acSRyvE31VaGsoa8qmF3-MCV8xfedSMLKrppYVuV0LC0JUJfF5Y3JU3RFiBp4CPdecHkXXPeIeHBecRUYfn4bwE0ZaZq_zOw/s400/38.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding: 0px;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div> </div> <div class="mc_tag" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 10px 0px;"> <dl class="mc_tag_list" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"></dl> </div>

El Shaarawy completes loan move to Roma

Roma have announced the signing of AC Milan forward Stephan El Shaarawy on a six-month loan deal that could see the Italy international ma...

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RUMOURS: Barcelona give up on striker signing

<div class="mc_content" id="NewsContent" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #333333; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px;"> <div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding: 0px;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Barcelona have given up in their attempt to sign Celta Vigo forward Nolito this month, according to Marca.</span></div> <div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding: 0px;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The 29-year-old was the only signing Luis Enrique had asked for in the January transfer window as he wants to bolster his attacking options, but negotiations between the Spanish champions and Celta have broken down.</span></div> <div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding: 0px;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Barcelona wanted to sign Nolito on a loan deal until the end of the season, and were willing to pay a penalty fee if they did not make the move permanent this summer.</span></div> <div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding: 0px;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But instead of giving Celta compensation by payment, Barcelona were reportedly willing to give them players.</span></div> </div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmjt_tOiYM2X569y8t2A51f0Ix3GImaByzmw9uCVeQEa-DeObpi65WaJBYXFKh-FwfLQvOze1wcgdezFDCQyQ_ByvrDIo5XbESYsiPbYMXpC7zSu2Q-FJZRXmlJtOxt9Knj1-qEP4AaQ/s1600/47.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmjt_tOiYM2X569y8t2A51f0Ix3GImaByzmw9uCVeQEa-DeObpi65WaJBYXFKh-FwfLQvOze1wcgdezFDCQyQ_ByvrDIo5XbESYsiPbYMXpC7zSu2Q-FJZRXmlJtOxt9Knj1-qEP4AaQ/s400/47.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <div class="mc_tag" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 10px 0px;"> <dl class="mc_tag_list" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"></dl> </div>

RUMOURS: Barcelona give up on striker signing

Barcelona have given up in their attempt to sign Celta Vigo forward Nolito this month, according to Marca. The 29-year-old was the only ...

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The Big Wednesday Multiple: Atletico to cruise into Copa del Rey final four

<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; color: #1e1e1e; line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span id="yui_3_1_1_1_145388249401952" style="font-weight: 600;">Bet 1</span>: <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-weight: 600;">Atletico Madrid (HOME) @ 1.44 (4/9)</span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; color: #1e1e1e; line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The first leg between these two finished 0-0 at <span style="font-weight: 600;">Balaídos</span> last week and with the hard part now out of the way, I fully expect Atletico Madrid to book their place in the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; color: #1e1e1e; line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-weight: 600;">Diego Simeone's</span> side were actually held here on Sunday by Sevilla but prior to that it was nine straight wins in all competitions in front of their own fans.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; color: #1e1e1e; line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-weight: 600;">Celta Vigo</span> have been impressive this year but they were truly dire in Saturday's 3-0 loss at strugglers, Rayo Vallecona, and while it can be argued that they had one eye on this game, the fact is that they aren't on Atletico's level.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; color: #1e1e1e; line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /><span style="font-weight: 600;">Bet 2</span>: <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-weight: 600; transition: color 0.2s;">PSV (AWAY) @ 1.4 (2/5)</span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; color: #1e1e1e; line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Over in Holland, PSV look nailed on to close the gap on leaders Ajax to just a single point as they travel to an <span style="font-weight: 600;">Excelsior</span> side who are in dire form.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; color: #1e1e1e; line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The hosts have lost their last four matches in a row in the <span style="font-weight: 600;">Eredevisie</span> and they haven't won in seven. That appalling run has seen them drop to 15th - just one place and one point above the relegation zone.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; color: #1e1e1e; line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Even at home it's one point from a possible 15 of late and they conceded 13 goals during that period. The visit of PSV - arguably the best team in the country - will fill them with trepidation and <span style="font-weight: 600;">Phillip Cocu's </span>side warmed up for this by putting four past FC Twente on Sunday.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; color: #1e1e1e; line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Their record on the road this term is <span style="font-weight: 600;">fantastic</span> - five wins and a draw from their last six - and they won here 3-2 last year.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; color: #1e1e1e; line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /><span style="font-weight: 600;">Bet 3</span>: <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-weight: 600; transition: color 0.2s;">Man City v Everton (Over 2.5 goals) @ 1.5 (1/2)</span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; color: #1e1e1e; line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If it's goals you're after - and we are - then look no further than <span style="font-weight: 600;">The Etihad</span> as Man City and Everton meet for what should be a high-scoring second leg of their Capital One Cup semi.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; color: #1e1e1e; line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The strengths of both these teams lies in the attacking third as <span style="font-weight: 600;">Sergio Aguero</span> and David Silva are City's two best players and Romelu Lukaku and Ross Barkley are Everton's.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; color: #1e1e1e; line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The first leg at <span style="font-weight: 600;">Goodison</span> finished 2-1 to The Toffees so they go into the match with the slight advantage and although they did pick up a 0-0 draw on this ground in the league a fortnight ago, I don't think lightening is going to strike twice.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; color: #1e1e1e; line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-weight: 600;">Roberto Martinez</span> will know that his side aren't going to earn the right to face Liverpool at Wembley without scoring a goal so I don't expect too much caution from the Spaniard with regard to his tactics.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; color: #1e1e1e; line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Once the first goal goes in the game will <span style="font-weight: 600;">open up</span> even more and this should end up being a really good, end to end, entertaining affair.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; color: #1e1e1e; line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /><span style="font-weight: 600;">Bet 4</span>: <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-weight: 600; transition: color 0.2s;">Juventus v Inter (Under 2.5 goals) @ 1.6 (6/10)</span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; color: #1e1e1e; line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The same can't be said about the <span style="font-weight: 600;">Coppa Italia</span> semi-final between Juventus and Inter as this is the first leg and I don't expect either team to show their hand too early on in the proceedings.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; color: #1e1e1e; line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Juventus have now had two 1-0 wins in a row and it's now four clean sheets from their five most recent outings. After a slow start to the campaign, <span style="font-weight: 600;">Massimiliano Allegri</span> has got his men purring again and they could well end up doing the domestic double again.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; color: #1e1e1e; line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Inter had been looking like strong <span style="font-weight: 600;">Serie A</span> title contenders in the first few months of the season but they have dropped out of the picture somewhat lately and that's largely because the goals have dried up.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; color: #1e1e1e; line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-weight: 600;">Roberto Mancini's</span> men have only netted more than once on one occasion in any of their last six matches and even then, they only scored twice. Their last five have all gone under 2.5 and that figure should become six by the end of the night.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; color: #1e1e1e; line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /><span style="font-weight: 600;">Recommended Multiple</span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; color: #1e1e1e; line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: 600; outline: none; transition: color 0.2s;">Back Atletico Madrid @ 1.44 (4/9)</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; color: #1e1e1e; line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: 600; outline: none; transition: color 0.2s;">Back PSV @ 1.4 (2/5)</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; color: #1e1e1e; line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: 600; outline: none; transition: color 0.2s;">Back Over 2.5 Goals in Man City v Everton @ 1.5 (1/2)</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; color: #1e1e1e; line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: 600; outline: none; transition: color 0.2s;">Back Under 2.5 Goals in Juventus v Inter @ 1.6 (6/10)</span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDTPWUIT1ju7TOMfKSLvIsRycGLTayhGfhTq23JaKIjl-Y_iZWzckreAH7QTLGKA-pbKWQxkuxUlkvUhyphenhyphenaXUw-RiEaXiUzAYIQk9MdZ6-42bCC4-KH_f1GZl38Z_NLW5pS14jIivp_Cw/s1600/46.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDTPWUIT1ju7TOMfKSLvIsRycGLTayhGfhTq23JaKIjl-Y_iZWzckreAH7QTLGKA-pbKWQxkuxUlkvUhyphenhyphenaXUw-RiEaXiUzAYIQk9MdZ6-42bCC4-KH_f1GZl38Z_NLW5pS14jIivp_Cw/s400/46.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <div> <br /></div>

The Big Wednesday Multiple: Atletico to cruise into Copa del Rey final four

Bet 1 :  Atletico Madrid (HOME) @ 1.44 (4/9) The first leg between these two finished 0-0 at  Balaídos  last week and with the hard part ...

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Everton out to protect Capital One Cup lead in Man City clash

<h2 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 0.375em; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Manchester City v Everton</span></h2> <div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24.5455px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;"></span></span></div> <ul style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24.5455px; list-style-type: none; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <li style="box-sizing: border-box;">Capital One Cup semi-final, second leg</li> <li style="box-sizing: border-box;">Wednesday, January 27th</li> <li style="box-sizing: border-box;">Kick-off: 19:45 GMT</li> <li style="box-sizing: border-box;">The Etihad Stadium, Manchester</li> <li style="box-sizing: border-box;">Live on Sky Sports 1</li> </span></span></ul> <div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24.5455px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;"></span></span></div> <h2 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 0.375em; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Toffees target Wembley with man City coup</span></h2> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700; line-height: 24.5455px;"></span></span><br /> <div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24.5455px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> <span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Roberto Martinez’s Everton enter <span style="color: #004191;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.298039); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; box-sizing: border-box;">their Capital One Cup second leg encounter</span></span>with Manchester City aiming to capitalise on their 2-1 advantage from the first meeting, but arrive at a ground they have not won at since December 2010.</span></span></div> <div> <span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;"><div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: normal; line-height: 24.5455px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Since that last victory at the Etihad, the Toffees have suffered five unsuccessful trips to the blue half of Manchester, but the visitors managed to hold their cup opponents to a scoreless Premier League draw recently <span style="color: #004191;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.298039); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">following their first leg triumph</span></span>.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: normal; line-height: 24.5455px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That previous League Cup defeat was the Sky Blues’ only loss in eight outings across all competitions, though that includes three draws with Leicester City, Everton and West Bromwich Albion, <span style="color: #004191;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.298039); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">making the Toffees 5/1 with Coral for another win in 90 minutes</span></span>.</span></div> <h2 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 0.375em; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Baines backs teammates to deliver</span></h2> <div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: normal; line-height: 24.5455px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Martinez’s men have suffered a decline in form in recent weeks ahead of this crucial cup clash, having won on just two occasions in their previous seven games on all fronts, dropping down to 12th in the top-flight table.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: normal; line-height: 24.5455px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Although, despite their hapless streak, England international left back Leighton Baines is confident his teammates can deliver a trip to Wembley for the Goodison Park faithful by maintaining their first leg lead (5/4 to reach final).</span></div> <div> <div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: normal; line-height: 24.5455px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">“Getting to the final is massive for all of us,”</em> he stated. <em style="box-sizing: border-box;">“It’s a tough semi to come through and you don’t always want to talk too much about what it might mean, because there is still a lot of work to do before then.</em></span></div> <div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: normal; line-height: 24.5455px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> <em style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“But the truth of it is, we know we can beat Manchester City. We have just beaten them in the first leg and drawn against them in the league and another result like that would see us through.</span></em></div> <div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: normal; line-height: 24.5455px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> <em style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“So we have just got to match what we have done in our last couple of games against them and we will be in the final.”</span></em></div> <h2 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 0.375em; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Silverware up for grabs</span></h2> <div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: normal; line-height: 24.5455px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Everton midfielder Gareth Barry recently banished any hopes his side had of reaching a top four position this season, but silverware is there for the taking if they can overcome City, who are 19/10 to prevail without conceding.</span></div> </div> <div> <div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: normal; line-height: 24.5455px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The visitors arrive in Manchester having won just one of their last 10 league matches, but they should not lack confidence on the road, with just a single defeat from their previous 14 games away from Merseyside.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: normal; line-height: 24.5455px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Belgian target man Romelu Lukaku has been key to any success and struck the first leg winner, <span style="color: #004191;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.298039); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">making him 6/1 to net the game’s last goal again</span></span> in 90 minutes, while in-form former Barcelona wideman Gerard Deulofeu is 11/2 to dispatch anytime.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: normal; line-height: 24.5455px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For the hosts, Sergio Aguero will be the main threat as usual, and <span style="color: #004191;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.298039); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">the clinical Argentine is 3/1 to bag a brace or more this time out (£20 max stake)</span></span>, with his fellow forwards Kevin De Bruyne and Raheem Sterling both 5/4 to get their name on the scoresheet in normal time.</span></div> </div> <div> <br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzaEMDtrwUEkGJe7dxq0UpLbhBJYWO-xRRfz7gfAh6N88CyiZszjg7U8NnNUBQuU47xzeguFqA1pyu0_-1brGAA4lELDnXnthNfCXxDJcRNBBwwgoaek6JiEdJVUL-6l7-9zrg3ZL1lA/s1600/147.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzaEMDtrwUEkGJe7dxq0UpLbhBJYWO-xRRfz7gfAh6N88CyiZszjg7U8NnNUBQuU47xzeguFqA1pyu0_-1brGAA4lELDnXnthNfCXxDJcRNBBwwgoaek6JiEdJVUL-6l7-9zrg3ZL1lA/s400/147.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <div> <br /></div> </span></div>

Everton out to protect Capital One Cup lead in Man City clash

Manchester City v Everton Capital One Cup semi-final, second leg Wednesday, January 27th Kick-off: 19:45 GMT The Etihad Stadium, Man...

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