Tag Archives: Hart

Posted on by

PlayUp’s Top 5 Photos of the Week

We posted them, you liked them. Here are our favourite snaps from the last 7 days

Reply

Not quite sure whether there was a bad case of alopecia or a rogue set of clippers sweeping around the Boca Juniors camp, but the pictures snapped at one of their training sessions would have you thinking otherwise!

On the subject of ‘shlids’ (that’s ‘a sh*t lid’ to those of you who don’t know), Mario Balotelli also turned up for training sporting what looked like the head of Looney Tunes character Tweety Pie. Stick to the football Mario, it might keep you at a club for longer.

We are almost certain that Joe Hart’s recent wardrobe malfunction must have been down to a lost bet. Seen on our screens in an equally awful shampoo ad, you’d think the Man City stopper would be keeping a low profile.

This is what you get for building a fence without a tape measure.

Recently announcing his comeback to football after a year’s sabbatical, ex-Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola was lured in by Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich. Here he is at his first press conference. Cheers.

Share


Posted on by

Preview: Tottenham vs Manchester Utd, Sun 16:00

Sir Alex Ferguson will be out for revenge at White Hart Lane on Sunday afternoon, trying to rectify the result from earlier in the season whereby AVB’s Spurs took United apart at Old Trafford.

Reply

Spurs players celebrate opening the scoring at Old Trafford back in September.

Team News:

Tottenham:

  • Spurs were hit with the news that their Brazilian midfielder Sandro will miss the rest of the season with a knee injury that he picked up against QPR last weekend.
  • Sandro joins Younes Kaboul (knee) on the long term injury list.
  • Striker Emmanuel Adebayor will also be missing after joining Togo at the African Cup of Nations. Adebayor’s departure leaves Andre Villas Boas with just once recognised striker, Jermain Defoe, who will start up front alone this week.
  • Clint Dempsey will come in to replace Adebayor this week, with Scott Parker coming in for Sandro, as Spurs will look to deploy a 4-5-1 formation.

 

Manchester United:

  • Darren Fletcher (illness) is the only definite absentee for United after undergoing on operation recently. The Scottish midfielder will be out for the rest of the season.
  • The big news for United fans will be the Premier League return of Wayne Rooney, who has been out for a month with a knee problem.
  • Elsewhere, Jonny Evans (hamstring) and Ashley Young (knee) are likely to shake off their knocks to come into contention this week.
  • Sir Alex Ferguson is likely to start with the same side that beat Liverpool last weekend, with the only exception being the return of Rooney, who scored in United’s midweek FA Cup win over West Ham.

 

Think you can predict the line-ups? Play our Facebook game ‘The Insider’ and win great prizes: PLAY NOW

 

Premier League Form Guide (Last 5 Matches)

Tottenham: D-W-W-W-D                                    Manchester Utd:  W-W-W-W-D

 

Head to Head (Last 10 Matches)

 

TOTTENHAM

MAN UNITED

WINS

1

7

DRAWS

2

 

When these sides met in the Premier League back in September, Spurs recorded their first victory against United for over 12 years. Goals from Jan Vertonghen, Gareth Bale, and Clint Dempsey handed them a shock 3-2 win at Old Trafford.

 

The Stats:

  • Manchester United have won eight and lost none of their last 11 Premier League matches at White Hart Lane.
  • United striker Robin van Persie has scored five goals and has five assists in his last 10 Premier League games against Tottenham. He has also scored nine goals in his last nine Premier League games.
  • Victory at Old Trafford earlier this season ended a run of 22 Premier League games without a win for Spurs against Manchester United (W0 D5 L17).
  • Ryan Giggs has scored more Premier League goals against Tottenham than versus any other opponent (10).
  • Spurs have lost just one of their last 10 Premier League matches (W7 D2 L1), however they’ve lost their last four games against other teams in the top six of the table.
  • Spurs have scored the highest proportion of second half goals in the top division this season (72%, 17/28).
  • The Red Devils have the best chance conversion (21% and shooting accuracy (49%) of any team in this season’s top flight.

 

Follow Sunday’s Premier League clash via the PlayUp app – view live commentary, stats, photos, games and interact with other fans on your PC: CLICK HERE

You can also follow all Premier League games on your smart phone, download PlayUp to your iPhone and make sport social - DOWNLOAD NOW

 

Share


Posted on by

Preview: Spurs vs Stoke City, Sat 15:00

Spurs have won their last 5 home games on the bounce in all competitions, and will move above Chelsea in the Premier League if they manage number 6 against Stoke

Reply

Tottenham players celebrate defender Jan Vertonghen's goal against Swansea last weekend, sending them up to fourth in the table.

Team News:

Tottenham:

  • Younes Kaboul (knee) and Benoit Assou-Ekotto (fitness) are Spurs’ only two absentees, though Assou-Ekotto is back in training.
  • Scott Parker made his return to first team action from the bench following an achilles injury in the 1-0 win over Swansea last weekend. The Englishman came on in the 90th minute, but will hope to play a longer part this week.
  • Spurs will be boosted by the return of mercurial winger Gareth Bale, who had previously been out with a hamstring injury. However, Bale is unlikely to start the match against Stoke, and will have to settle for a place on the bench.
  • Michael Dawson (also hamstring) has been missing since the start of the month, but he has a 75% chance of returning this week.
  • AVB has a more or less full strength squad to choose from, and is likely to name the same side that beat Swansea last weekend.

 

Stoke:

  • Marc Wilson (ankle) and Rory Delap (hernia) remain Stoke’s only two definite absentees for the trip to White Hart Lane.
  • Potters’ manager Tony Pulis is likely to name the same side that drew 1-1 with Everton last weekend.
  • English forward Peter Crouch returned to fitness last week, but couldn’t displace Kenwyn Jones in the Stoke team.
  • Jones scored in the match with Everton, and is likely to keep his place up front with Jonathan Walters.

 

Think you can predict the line-ups? Play our Facebook game ‘The Insider’ and win great prizes, including a copy of Football Manager 2013: PLAY NOW

 

Premier League Form Guide (Last 5 Matches)

 

Tottenham: W-L-W-W-W                               Stoke City:  D-D-W-W-W

 

Head to Head (Last 8 Matches)

 

TOTTENHAM

STOKE CITY

WINS

5

3

DRAWS

2

GOALS SCORED

14

11

 

In this fixture last season, a late Rafael van der Vaart goal saved Spurs’ blushes in a 1-1 draw against the Potters at White Hart Lane. Spurs had 71% possession in the match, and 24 shots on goal but they failed to find the breakthrough until the very last minute.

 

The Stats:

  • Spurs haven’t beaten Stoke in their last 3 matches against them, drawing 2 and losing 1.
  • Spurs had previously won 3 on the bounce before the start of their winless record.
  • Tottenham have failed to keep a clean sheet in eight previous Premier League meetings with Stoke City.
  • They have scored the first goal of the game on more occasions than any other side in the Premier League this season (13 matches).
  • Stoke have scored a higher proportion of their goals from set pieces this season than any other side (53%).
  • The Potters have averaged a shot on target every 29 minutes in the Premier League this term; less frequently than any other side.
  • No side have drawn 0-0 more often in the top five European Leagues this season than Stoke City (4).
  • Just three of Stoke’s 17 Premier League games this season have gone over 2.5 goals.
  • Tottenham have suffered only two defeats in their last 17 Premier League games in the month of December (W10 D5 L2).

 

Follow Saturday’s Premier League clash via the PlayUp app – view live commentary, stats, photos, games and interact with other fans on your PC: CLICK HERE

You can also follow all Premier League games on your smart phone, download PlayUp to your iPhone and make sport social - DOWNLOAD NOW

 

Share


Posted on by

Preview: Man City vs Man United, Sun 13:30

The biggest game of the season so far pits the top two teams against each other. Premier League top spot, and the title of Manchester’s ‘big brother’ up for grabs at the Etihad.

1

City captain Vincent Kompany's header effectively settles the destination of the Premier League trophy at the Etihad Stadium last season.

Team News:

Manchester City:

  • Gael Clichy (foot), James Milner (hamstring) and Micah Richards (knee) make up the long term injury list for City. Clichy and Milner were scheduled to return for the clash with United, though their inclusion is growing increasingly unlikely.
  • David Silva (hamstring) and Aleksander Kolarov (groin) are major doubts for Sunday’s game, but will both hope to find fitness.
  • Kolarov was withdrawn after just 7 minutes in City’s 1-1 draw with Everton. He was replaced by Pablo Zabaleta and will be replaced by the Argentinian once again if deemed unfit, with Maicon filling in at right back.
  • David Silva will be a big loss for the champions if he can’t shake off his injury, and will be replaced by Scott Sinclair.

 

Manchester United:

  • Shinji Kagawa (knee), Nani (hamstring), Anderson (hamstring) and Antonio Valencia (hip) make up the long term injury list for United.
  • Valencia is scheduled to return against City, but the chances are extremely bleak and he will be lucky to get a spot on the bench. The other three are unlikely to feature until 2013.
  • United will be boosted by the possible return of Nemanja Vidic to the heart of their defence, after he stepped up his recovery from a knee injury.
  • The Serbian has been out since the start of the season.
  • Sir Alex Ferguson will dramatically change the side that lost 1-0 to CFR Cluj in the Champions League in midweek. Robin van Persie, Rafael, Darren Fletcher, Jonny Evans and Rio Ferdinand will all return to the first team fold.

 

Think you can predict the line-ups? Play our Facebook game ‘The Insider’ and win great prizes, including a copy of Football Manager 2013: PLAY NOW

 

Premier League Form Guide (Last 5 Matches)

 

Man City: D-W-D-W-W                                  Man Utd:  W-W-W-L-W

 

Head to Head (Last 10 Matches)

 

MAN CITY

MAN UTD

WINS

4

5

DRAWS

1

GOALS SCORED

16

14

 

In this fixture last season, a Vincent Kompany header was the difference between the sides in a title deciding match at the Etihad in April. The win completed City’s first ever double over United in the Premier League, after they stormed to a 6-1 victory at Old Trafford months before.

 

The Stats:

  • There have been just five goals scored in the last six league meetings between City and United at the Etihad Stadium and no more than one in any of those games.
  • City (15) and United (21) have come from behind to win a combined 36 points from losing positions in the Premier League this season.
  • United are just three games short of equalling Bolton’s Premier League record of no draws in their opening 18 games (set last season).
  • Wayne Rooney has created more goals than any other player in the Premier League this season – making seven.
  • Man City and Man Utd (21) have been awarded more penalties than any other side in the Premier League since the start of 2010-11.
  • The Reds have been awarded the most penalties in the Premier League this season (5 but have scored only two of them).
  • The only two players to score at a rate of less than 100 mins per goal this season are Utd’s Javier Hernandez (78.2) and City’s Edin Dzeko (92.8).
  • Edin Dzeko has scored five goals from the bench this season, only one short of the record for a single Premier League season (held by Tore Andre Flo and Jermain Defoe).
  • Only in one previous Premier League season (2000-01) have United scored more after 15 games (39) than they have this season (37).

 

Follow Sunday’s Premier League clash via the PlayUp app – view live commentary, stats, photos, games and interact with other fans on your PC: CLICK HERE

You can also follow all Premier League games on your smart phone, download PlayUp to your iPhone and make sport social - DOWNLOAD NOW

Share


Posted on by

Preview: Tottenham vs Panathinaikos, Thurs 20:05

AVB’s Tottenham need just a point from their match with Panathinaikos on Thursday to qualify for the knockout stage of the Europa League. The Greeks are yet to win away from home in Europe so far, while Spurs remain unbeaten in the competition.

Reply

Michael Dawson salutes the Spurs fans after putting the North Londoners ahead against Panathinaikos in the Europa League earlier in the season.

Team News:

Tottenham:

  • Scott Parker (achilles), Younes Kaboul and Benoit Assou-Ekotto (both knee) are the long term absentees for Spurs, none of whom will be available before 2013.
  • Gareth Bale and Michael Dawson were both subbed off with hamstring injuries in Tottenham’s 3-0 win over Fulham in the Premier League on Saturday – neither player will feature against Panathinaikos.
  • Clint Dempsey, Moussa Dembele and William Gallas are likely to be rested, handing starts to Tom Huddlestone, Andros Townsend and Kyle Naughton.
  • Striker Emmanuel Adebayor has missed his last 3 league games through suspension after his dismissal against Arsenal last month. However, the Togo international is available for Thursday’s game.
  • Spurs’ goal machine, Jermain Defoe is likely to start alone up front once again, though he is likely to be withdrawn at some point in the match as AVB will have one eye on the weekend’s match with Everton.

 

Panathinaikos:

  • Panathinaikos manager Juan Roman Rocha has a fully-fit squad to choose from on Thursday, and is likely to name the same side that won 2-1 away at Panionios on Sunday.
  • Spanish striker Toche could be recalled to lead the line alone up front, with Ibrahim Sissoko playing in the number 10 role just off of the Spaniard. Toche has already scored against Spurs this season, and will hope for a similar fortune on Thursday night.
  • Toche could come in for Antonios Petropoulos, who scored the opener against Panionios at the weekend.
  • Giourkas Seitaridis will partner Jose Velazquez at centre back once again, both of whom will have their hands full with the in-form Defoe.

 

Domestic Form Guide (Last 5 Matches)

 

Tottenham: W-W-W-L-L                              Panathinaikos:  W-L-W-D-W

 

Head to Head (Only Match)

 

TOTTENHAM

PANATHINAIKOS

WINS

0

0

DRAWS

1

GOALS SCORED

1

1

 

When Tottenham and Panathinaikos met in the reverse fixture of this Europa League clash back in October, it was the first ever meeting between the two teams. It was a meeting that was heavily dominated by Andre Villas Boas’ side but the points were shared.

Michael Dawson gave Spurs the lead on 36 minutes with a well timed header, before Toche popped up in the 77th minute to equalise against the run of play.

 

The Stats:

  • Tottenham are unbeaten in their five Europa League matches this season, winning once and drawing four times.
  • Jermain Defoe is Spurs’ leading scorer in Europe this season with three goals. Only Michael Dawson and Gylfi Sigurdsson have also found the net in the competition for AVB’s boys.
  • Spurs will qualify for the knockout stage with a draw on Thursday, but if they win and Lazio lose to NK Maribor in the group’s other match, the Tottenham will qualify as group winners.
  • Panathinaikos have beaten English opposition just once in their history. That came against Arsenal in 2001 in the group stages of the Champions League.
  • Juan Roman Rocha’s side have lost both of their away games in the Europa League this season, without scoring in either.
  • Spanish striker Toche is the Greek side’s leading scorer in the Europe this season with two goals, he is likely to start at White Hart Lane on Thursday.
  • Panathinaikos currently lie in 12th place in Greece’s 16-team league, with just four points from five matches.
  • Tottenham have won their last 3 Premier League matches on the bounce, and are unbeaten in 4 in all competitions.

 

Follow Thursday’s Europa League clash via the PlayUp app – view live commentary, stats, photos, games and interact with other fans on your PC: CLICK HERE

You can also follow all Champions League games on your smart phone, download PlayUp to your iPhone and make sport social - DOWNLOAD NOW

 

Share


Posted on by

Preview: Tottenham vs Liverpool, Weds 19:45

After 3 Premier League losses on the spin, Tottenham returned to winning ways on Sunday with a 3-1 victory over West Ham at White Hart Lane. Liverpool are the next visitors to Tottenham on Wednesday night, where they’ll look to extend their 7 match unbeaten league run.

Reply

Jermain Defoe rattles the ball home against Liverpool at White Hart Lane last season.

Team News:

Tottenham:

  • Spurs manager Andre Villas Boas only has a few injury concerns ahead of the clash with Liverpool.
  • He will once again be without long term absentees Benoit Assou-Ekotto, Younes Kaboul, and Scott Parker, who are not expected back in 2013.
  • Moussa Dembele returned to fitness after a hip injury that has kept him out for over a month, and was used as a sub against the Hammers – the exciting Belgian may be given a start against Liverpool.
  • Hugo Lloris is likely to continue in goal for Spurs, keeping Brad Friedel on the bench once again.
  • Spurs striker Emmanuel Adebayor will miss the game seeing out the second of his three match ban for his red card at Arsenal last weekend.
  • Jermain Defoe will take up the solo forward position in his absence, the Englishman scored a brace in the 3-1 win against West Ham on Sunday and will be full of confidence.

 

Liverpool:

  • Liverpool manager Brendan Rogers has no fresh injury concerns ahead of his side’s trip to Tottenham.
  • Right back Andre Wisdom looks to have recovered from a knee injury that he sustained in the Europa League draw with Young Boys a few weeks back.
  • Stewart Downing grabbed a rare start in the 0-0 draw against Swansea on Saturday, but may miss out against Spurs after a poor performance.
  • Wisdom is likely to come in in place of Downing, as Rogers will push Glen Johnson higher up this pitch.

 

Think you can predict the line-ups? Play our Facebook game ‘The Insider’ and win great prizes, including a copy of Football Manager 2013: PLAY NOW

 

Premier League Form Guide (Last 5 Matches)

 

Tottenham: W-L-L-L-W                                   Liverpool:  D-W-D-D-D

 

Head to Head (Last 10 Matches)

 

TOTTENHAM

LIVERPOOL

WINS

6

3

DRAWS

1

GOALS SCORED

17

12

 

In this fixture last season, Tottenham thrashed Liverpool by 4 goals to nil in September 2011. Suspended for Wednesday’s match, Emmanuel Adebayor scored a brace in that match; before goals from Luka Modric and Jermain Defoe completed the rout.

Liverpool were reduced to 9 men in the match at White Hart Lane; but when the teams played out an 11 vs 11 encounter at Anfield in the reverse fixture, it ended as a goalless draw.

 

The Stats:

  • Spurs have won 3 of the last 4 Premier League meetings between themselves and Liverpool.
  • While the Reds have mustered just one win in their last 6 matches against the London club.
  • However, Liverpool do have a 45% win rate against Spurs in the all time stats, winning 72 out of 157 matches.
  • Spurs have scored first in 9 matches this season, second only to West Brom with 10.
  • Liverpool’s last victory at White Hart Lane came in May 2008 in a 2-0 victory for the Reds.
  • Spurs have won their last 5 consecutive home matches against Liverpool. However, the Merseyside club have only failed to score once at White Hart Lane in their last 7 visits there.
  • Liverpool have only won 2 of their last 8 away matches in the Premier League, both of which were against Norwich City, at the start of this season and at the end of last season.
  • With his current tally of 10 goals, Liverpool striker and main man Luis Suarez is just one strike behind his overall tally of last season.
  • Brendan Rogers’ side have conceded just once away from home in the Premier League this season.

 

Follow Wednesday’s Premier League clash via the PlayUp app – view live commentary, stats, photos, games and interact with other fans on your PC: CLICK HERE

You can also follow all Premier League games on your smart phone, download PlayUp to your iPhone and make sport social - DOWNLOAD NOW

 

Share


Posted on by

Preview: Tottenham vs West Ham, Sun 16:00

In form West Ham will be looking to extend their impressive recent form when they travel to London rivals Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday afternoon, who have a been a little shaky of late.

Reply

Spurs' latest dose of disappointment came at North London rivals Arsenal, who thrashed AVB's side 5-2 following Emmanuel Adebayor's dismissal.

Team News:

Tottenham:

  • Striker Emmanuel Adebayor will miss the clash with West Ham following his red card against Arsenal last week.
  • Jermain Defoe is likely to come into the side to replace him up front.
  • Hugo Lloris made a rare start against Lazio in the Europa League in midweek and produced a sterling performance – the Frenchman is likely to start once again for Spurs.
  • Summer signing Mousa Dembele made his return from injury during the Europa League tie on Thursday, and may be handed a starting place at White Hart Lane on Sunday.

 

West Ham:

  • Modibo Maiga and Gary O’Neil started against Stoke City last week and impressed greatly – both will be hoping to be handed a repeat selection this weekend.
  • The Hammers have no new injury concerns to worry about, only Alou Diarra, Jack Collison and Ricardo Vaz Te are definite absentees for the trip to Spurs.
  • Yossi Benayoun (knee) and Matt Jarvis (hip) are minor doubts for the match, though both could feature.

 

Think you can predict the line-ups? Play our Facebook game ‘The Insider’ and win great prizes, including a copy of Football Manager 2013: PLAY NOW

 

Premier League Form Guide (Last 5 Matches)

 

Tottenham: L-L-L-W-L                         West Ham:  D-W-D-L-W

 

Head to Head (Last 10 Matches)

 

TOTTENHAM

WEST HAM

WINS

7

1

DRAWS

2

GOALS SCORED

17

6

 

 

The Stats:

  • Tottenham have won seven and lost one of their last 10 Premier League games against West Ham.
  • Jermain Defoe has scored in four of his last seven Premier League games for Tottenham against for former club West Ham.
  • Spurs have not lost three Premier League games in a row at White Hart Lane since September 2008. That was part of a run of eight home games without a victory that resulted in the sacking of their then manager Juande Ramos.
  • The Hammers have failed to score in five of their last seven Premier League matches against Tottenham.
  • Spurs have scored first in eight games this season, only WBA (9) have opened the scoring more often.
  • Spurs have lost their last 3 Premier League matches in succession.
  • Andre Villas Boas’ team have won just 2 of their last 9 matches in all competitions.
  • Sam Allardyce’s West Ham have lost just 1 of their last 4 Premier League matches, and the manager has reportedly said his players ‘can exploit Spurs’ European fatigue on Sunday.’

 

Follow Sunday’s Premier League clash via the PlayUp app – view live commentary, stats, photos, games and interact with other fans on your PC: CLICK HERE

You can also follow all Premier League games on your smart phone, download PlayUp to your iPhone and make sport social – DOWNLOAD NOW

 

Share


Posted on by

Preview: Man City vs Real Madrid, Weds 19:45

Clash of the titans in group D on Wednesday night as Premier League champions Manchester City welcome La Liga champions Real Madrid to the Etihad Stadium.

Reply

Cristiano Ronaldo breaks City hearts with a 90th minute winner at the Bernabeu in September.

Team News:

Manchester City:

  • City left back Gael Clichy picked up an ankle injury in his side’s recent 5-0 demolition of Aston Villa.
  • Aleksander Kolarov is likely to step in in place of the Frenchman at full back for Tuesday night.
  • English quartet Joleon Lescott (back), James Milner (hamstring), Micah Richards (knee) and Jack Rodwell (hamstring) remain on the injury list for the Premier League champions – and will play no part against Madrid.
  • Matija Nastasic returned to the heart of defence against Aston Villa following a knee injury. He is set to partner Vincent Kompany at the back once again.
  • Argentinean duo Carlos Tevez and Sergio Aguero should start up front for City, and both will be full of confidence after scoring a brace each against Villa.

Real Madrid:

  • La Liga champions Real Madrid will be without forward Gonzalo Higuain (thigh) and left back Marcelo (broken foot).
  • Fabio Coentrao will replace Marcelo at left back, while Karim Benzema will step in for Higuain up front.
  • Other than that, manager Jose Mourinho has a full squad to choose from, and he is likely to start with the same side that hammered Athletic Bilbao 5-1 at the weekend.
  • Cristiano Ronaldo will start on the left side of an attacking trio for Madrid, with Mesut Ozil, and Angel Di Maria occupying the other two spots.

 

Domestic Form Guide (Last 5 Matches)

 

Man City: W-W-D-W-W                                    Real Madrid:  W-W-W-W-W

 

Head to Head (Only Match)

 

MAN CITY

REAL MADRID

WINS

0

1

DRAWS

0

GOALS SCORED

2

3

 

The only previous meeting between Real Madrid and Manchester City came when these sides met in the Champions League back in September – and they produced an absolute thriller.

Manchester City took the lead twice in the match, once through Edin Dzeko and once through Aleksander Kolarov. With the score at 2-1, Real Madrid pushed hard for an equaliser, but they grabbed themselves more than that. Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo scored for the Spanish giants in the last 2 minutes of the match to hand Madrid a 3-2 victory.

 

The Stats:

  •  Only two teams have ever recovered from having 2 or fewer points after 4 games to qualify for the knockout stage of the Champions League – Porto in 2004, and Lokomotiv Moscow in 2002.
  • Manchester City have gone19 games unbeaten at home in European competitions – winning 14 of those games.
  • City are unbeaten in their opening 12 Premier League games – the only side in the league to remain unbeaten.
  • Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo appeared in 11 derbies for Manchester United against City, winning 7 and losing 3. He scored four goals but was twice sent off at the Etihad Stadium.
  • Ronaldo has scored 14 goals in his last 11 Champions League appearances.
  • Madrid have a very ordinary record playing in England. They have won 4, drawn 2, and lost 5 of their 11 trips there.
  • Their most recent trip to England was in the Champions League in the 2010-11 season against Tottenham – where they beat Harry Redknapp’s side 1-0 courtesy of a Cristiano Ronaldo goal.

 

Follow Wednesday’s Champions League clash via the PlayUp app – view live commentary, and interact with other fans: CLICK HERE

Download PlayUp to your iPhone or Android and make sport social - DOWNLOAD NOW

 

Share


Posted on by

Preview: Tottenham vs NK Maribor, Thurs 20:05

After 3 draws in the Europa League so far, AVB’s Spurs will be desperate for a win against Slovenian outfit NK Maribor to boost their chances of knockout stage qualification.

Reply

Spurs players congratulate Gylfi Sigurdsson after his equaliser on a frustrating night in Slovenia last time around.

Team News:

Tottenham:

  • Spurs’ summer signing Moussa Dembele will play no part on Thursday night after being ruled out until late December with a hip injury.
  • The Belgian joins Younes Kaboul, Benoit Assou-Ekotto (both knee) and Scott Parker (Achilles) on the long-term injury list for the Londoners.
  • With an important Premier League clash with Manchester City coming up at the weekend, Andre Villas-Boas is likely to make heavy changes to his side.
  • Emmanuel Adebayor may be given his first start up front for the club this year after his permanent summer transfer.
  • The Togo international was used as a late substitute in the 1-0 loss against Wigan in the Premier League recently, but will come into the team if Jermain Defoe is rested.
  • Jake Livermore suffered an ankle knock against Norwich City in the League Cup last week, but he could return to fitness and the starting XI.
  • Iago Falque impressed in Spurs’ last Europa League outing, and is likely to be given a starting place on the wing against NK Maribor.

 

NK Maribor:

  • Maribor manager Darko Milanic has just the one injury concern ahead of his side’s trip to White Hart Lane on Thursday.
  • Left back Ales Mejac is a doubt after picking up an ankle injury in Maribor’s 2-1 home defeat to Celje at the weekend.
  • Mejac missed the club’s final training session before their flight to England, but it could have been a precautionary measure for the defender.
  • Jovan Vidovic is available for selection having missed Maribor’s clash with Tottenham in Slovenia through suspension.
  • And the same applies for Nejc Potokar, who missed out through injury last time around.

 

Domestic Form Guide (Last 5 Matches)

 

Tottenham: L-W-L-W-W                                 NK Maribor:  L-W-L-W-D

 

These sides’ meeting in the Europa League last month in Slovenia was their first ever match in European competitions. Robert Beric put the Slovenians ahead before Gylfi Sigurdsson gave Tottenham a share of the spoils, in a game that they heavily dominated from start to finish.

 

The Stats:

  • Tottenham have won just 1 of their last 5 home matches in all competitions.
  • They have lost 3 of their last 5 matches in all competitions, after going on an 8 match unbeaten run earlier in the season.
  • In Europe, Spurs have an impressive home record – they have lost just 2 of their last 13 games at White Hart Lane.
  • AVB’s boys have recorded 3 successive draws in the Europa League so far, and are desperate for their first win.
  • They have scored just 2 goals in their 3 Europa League group matches so far this campaign.
  • NK Maribor have played English opposition on 3 occasions and are yet to record a win. They have lost twice, and drawn once.
  • Darko Milanic’s side have won just 2 of their last 6 matches in all competitions – a bit of a slump considering their standing within the Slovenian game.
  • Maribor have won just 1 game out of 15 European away ties – beating Dynamo Kiev in 1999.

 

Follow Thursday’s Europa League clash via the PlayUp app – view live commentary, and interact with other fans: CLICK HERE

 

Download PlayUp to your iPhone or Android and make sport social. DOWNLOAD NOW

 

Share


Posted on by

5 Poles to Watch (Out For!)

England's qualifier tonight is being billed as a defining moment for Roy Hodgson and this 'new' England. We highlight the Poles who could inflict the kind of desperate misery suffered way back in 1973 when Poland ended England's hopes of qualification for the 1974 World Cup

Reply

Robert Lewandowski will be Poland's danger man tonight.

Poland have not got past the first round of a tournament since 1986, but under a new manager and smarting from their failure to win a match at their home Euros, there is a steelier determination in the squad. England beware. Here are PlayUp’s pick of 5 Polish players to watch out for as they battle to scalp England tonight:

Robert Lewandowski

The Borussia Dortmund striker scored 22 Bundesliga goals and 7 DFB Cup goals last season, including a fantastic hat trick against Bayern Munich in the final.

In the Champions League two weeks ago, he was thwarted on numerous occasions by Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart, who he will meet again tonight. This true national hero will be considered one of the only players who can cancel out the absences of Szczesny and Blaszkowski.

Ludovic Obraniak

One player constantly underrated but who will be vital to any Polish success is Bordeaux’s Ludovic Obraniak. Moving from Lille in the January transfer window last season – where the creative attacking midfielder won his first domestic title – Obraniak has scored two goals in eight Ligue 1 appearances this season.

Przemyslaw Tyton

Tyton has been Szczesny’s replacement since the Arsenal man saw red against Greece at Euro 2012. It was a dream placement for the PSV Eindhoven keeper as he saved the resultant penalty from Szczesny’s foul, becoming the first goalkeeper in history of the European Championships to save a penalty after coming on. This will be his chance to make the No. 1 shirt his own so expect a bold performance from him.

Arkadiusz Piech

A feisty character, Piech was once arrested minutes before a match in April 2006 and dragged off to serve nine months in jail for a drunken assault that had taken place almost 3 years previously. After turning his life around, he is preparing for the biggest game of his career and will relish playing against his hero Wayne Rooney.

He was chosen as the Polish Premier League Player of the Year last season but surprising missed out on a Euro 2012 spot in the Poland side. Intent on making a point, he is in great form for his club Ruch Chorzow, scoring 4 goals in 7 league appearances.

Marcin Wasilewski

Roy Hodgson will be looking for a big contribution from his wingers tonight but someone who will want to supress their talents will be tough RSC Anderlecht full back Wasilewski. After having recovered from an open leg fracture back in August 2009 his determination to return has proved that his mentality is certainly one to be respected. He scores goals too; during the 2008–09 season, he was Anderlecht’s third highest goal scorer, tied with one other player at 8 goals.

Share