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Saturday, 17 November 2012

PREVIEW OF MATCH DAY 12 IN THE EPL

Referee Mark Clattenburg  is set to miss a fourth weekend of matches as the Football Association probe into the Chelsea complaint until next week when the result will be out despite the decision of the Metropolitan Police to drop their investigation due to lack of evidence from Chelsea.
But the main higlight of the match day 12 is the North London derby betweeen Arsenal and Tottenham.
ARSENAL VS TOTTENHAM  12:45GMT
Arsenal and Tottenham have issued a joint statement reminding fans of their responsibilities during Saturday's north London derby.
There has always been a bitter rivalry both on and off the pitch when the two sides meet but matters boiled over at White Hart Lane last season.
Some Arsenal supporters directed abuse at Emmanuel Adebayor while a section of Tottenham fans were heard chanting offensive songs at Arsene Wenger.

A statement published on the Arsenal and Spurs websites read: "Both clubs are actively encouraging all fans to focus on getting behind their team and enjoying what promises to be a great match on Saturday.
"A north London derby is always a special occasion and we hope Saturday's match will be remembered for both the action on the pitch, as well as the positive support for both teams off it.
"All fans should be aware that breaches of stadium regulations - including anti-social behaviour - will not be tolerated.
"Arsenal and Tottenham do not tolerate discrimination of any sort, whether it be on the pitch or in the stands.
"Both clubs are actively encouraging all fans to focus on getting behind their team and enjoying what promises to be a great match on Saturday."
Tottenham have also warned their fans that any offensive banners will be confiscated upon entry to the stadium.
Arsenal: Arsene Wenger: "In the north London derbies you always goals and spectacular games".
The fitness of Olivier Giroud (hamstring/calf) and Theo Walcott (buttock muscle) will be assessed on Friday. Mikel Arteta (hip) is another causing concern, along with full-back Bacary Sagna (leg), but goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny is close to a comeback from his ankle problem. Midfielder Jack Wilshere will be available again after suspension. Winger Gervinho (ankle), defender Kieran Gibbs (thigh), midfielder Abou Diaby (thigh) and Czech midfielder Tomas Rosicky (hamstring) all continue rehabilitation.
Provisional squad: Szczesny, Sagna, Vermaelen, Mertesacker, Santos, Wilshere, Cazorla, Arteta, Coquelin, Podolski, Walcott, Giroud, Mannone, Djourou, Jenkinson, Chamakh, Arshavin, Koscielny, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Ramsey.
Tottenham Hotspur: Andre Villas-Boas: "Both teams are not where they want to be... but both have shown that they can do better, it's very early in the league."
Mousa Dembele is out with a hip injury. Aaron Lennon has recovered from a hamstring injury, and Jermain Defoe and Kyle Walker, who also had hamstring complaints, should be fit to play. Long-term absentees Scott Parker (Achilles), Benoit Assou-Ekotto and Younes Kaboul (both knee) remain sidelined.
Provisional squad: Friedel, Lloris, Gomes, Cudicini, Walker, Naughton, Gallas, Caulker, Dawson, Vertonghen, Lennon, Sigurdsson, Townsend, Falque, Carroll, Mason, Livermore, Sandro, Huddlestone, Bale, Dempsey, Adebayor, Defoe.
Referee: H Webb; Assistants: M Mullarkey, D Cann; Fourth Official: C Foy.

With the rumours being spetulated in the media of Suarez departure to Man city in the January transfer making Headlines, Brendan Rodgers has to keep his Liverpool side focused as they try to collect all three points at home to Wigan today.
LIVERPOOL VS WIGAN   15:00GMT
Liverpool: Brendan Rodgers: “The players are bleeding the tank dry for me every game”
Pepe Reina is set to return having recovered from a hamstring injury and is likely to replace Brad Jones, who has deputised in the last four league matches. Midfielder Jonjo Shelvey is fit after a thigh problem while centre-backs Daniel Agger (groin) and Martin Skrtel (illness) are expected to be included.
Provisional squad: Reina, Johnson, Agger, Skrtel, Enrique, Gerrard, Allen, Sahin, Suso, Suarez, Sterling, Jones, Wisdom, Carragher, Coates, Shelvey, Henderson, Downing, Assaidi.
Wigan
Roberto Martinez: "The first half-hour against West Brom was the best we've played in four years."
Winger Ryo Miyaichi back available after missing five games due to a pubic injury. James McArthur, who has been sidelined recently by a dead leg, is a doubt, while Albert Crusat (knee) and defender Antolin Alcaraz (groin) are not ready to return.
Provisional squad: Al Habsi, Pollitt, Caldwell, Ramis, Figueroa, Beausejour, Boyce, McCarthy, McArthur, Maloney, Kone, Boselli, Gomez, Watson, Jones, McManaman, Fyvie, Lopez, Stam, Di Santo, Miyaichi.
Referee: K Friend; Assistants: R Ganfield, A Halliday; Fourth Official: J Adcock.

Aston villa who saw themselves give up their two goals advantage to Manchester United and eventually lost the game will have to try and make up for their mistakes when they face the other team from Manchester who also have learnt how to do the come back magic with Edin Dzeko being the specialist.
MANCHESTER CITY VS ASTON VILLA  15:00GMT
Manchester City: Roberto Mancini: "We have a good team and we don't need to buy another player in January."
Midfielder James Milner (hamstring) and defender Joleon Lescott (back) are back in contention and left-back Gael Clichy (back) could also be fit after missing France's midweek international against Italy, while forward Samir Nasri has recovered from illness.
Striker Mario Balotelli will hope to play after being dropped last week but midfielder Jack Rodwell (hamstring) and right-back Micah Richards (knee) are not ready to return.
Provisional squad: Hart, Pantilimon, Zabaleta, Maicon, Kompany, Lescott, Nastasic, K Toure, Kolarov, Clichy, Nasri, Milner, Y Toure, Barry, Garcia, Silva, Sinclair, Aguero, Tevez, Dzeko, Balotelli, Razak.
Aston Villa: Paul Lambert: “We’re full of confidence so will try to win”
The visitors will be boosted by the return of full-backs Eric Lichaj and Nathan Baker after suspension and injury respectively. Lichaj missed the 3-2 home defeat by Manchester United while serving a one-game ban for incurring five yellow cards this season. Baker is back in contention after a four-game absence with an ankle problem. However, Darren Bent, Chris Herd, Richard Dunne, Charles N'Zogbia and Joe Bennett are all still unavailable.
Provisional squad: Guzan, Given, Lowton, Clark, Vlaar, Lichaj, Baker, Stevens, Herd, Ireland, El Ahmadi, Westwood, Bannan, Delph, Holman, Agbonlahor, Benteke, Bowery, Weimann, Burke, Johnson, Williams.
Referee: J Moss; Assistants: S Beck, A Holmes; Fourth Official: M Halsey.

NEWCASTLE UNITED VS SWANSEA   15:00GMT
Newcastle boss Alan Pardew says playing style does not matter as his team look to reignite their stuttering form.
The Magpies surged into the top five last season and were praised for their high-scoring free-flowing football.
But they have struggled to fire in the current campaign, highlighted by a miserable 1-0 home defeat by West Ham on Sunday.
Ahead of Saturday's tricky home tie with Swansea, Pardew said: "We are all kind of looking at each other. We want to get firing, we want to score three or four goals and set the stadium alight.
"But it's not as simple as that, sometimes you have to graft your way through periods like this.
"I will be surprised if we go from West Ham to a real champagne performance. I think it will be something in-between - hopefully."
And regarding the challenge of facing Michael Laudrup's visitors, Pardew added: "It's a tough test for us because we are going to have a stadium that will expect us to win.
"Swansea keep the ball really well - like they did last year, they got a 0-0 here and it was a frustrating game for us. They defended very well, kept the ball and it's a difficult game.
"They are a well-run club, they have a basic principle that they want to stick to, a vision, and that's important for a football club, to know how you are going to play and what you want to do.
"They stick to it and the new manager has taken up from Brendan Rodgers and they have added a couple of real quality players, so they are a real problem team."
Newcastle United: Alan Pardew: "We want to give our fans something to shout about"
The Magpies on Friday were still awaiting news of Papiss Cisse's situation with Senegal threatening to demand he does not play on Saturday. The African nation's football federation claim they did not receive details of the back injury which prevented the striker joining up with them for their midweek friendly against Niger and could invoke FIFA's five-day rule, which would mean he is not available for the Barclays Premier League fixture.
Manager Alan Pardew is already without midfielders Yohan Cabaye (groin) and Jonas Gutierrez (knee), utility man James Perch (thigh) and suspended defender Fabricio Coloccini, but full-back Danny Simpson (shoulder) and striker Demba Ba (shin) are available, as is midfielder Cheick Tiote after completing his three-match ban.
Provisional squad: Krul, Harper, Elliot, Simpson, Santon, Ferguson, Tavernier, S Taylor, Williamson, Tiote, Bigirimana, Ben Arfa, Anita, Obertan, Sammy Ameobi, Marveaux, Abeid, Ba, Cisse, Shola Ameobi.

Swansea City: Michael Laudrup: "At our best, I am sure we can get something. If it's one or three points, I don't know. If we are not at our best then we really will suffer."
Ki Sung-yueng misses out with a hamstring problem, while his preferred replacement Kemy Agustien is struggling with a toe injury. Leon Britton also has a knock while winger Pablo Hernandez is nursing an ankle injury, although defender Chico Flores is set to return from a dead leg. Should Agustien be unavailable, Laudrup may opt to move top scorer Michu back into midfield and hand Danny Graham or Itay Shechter a start up front.
Provisional squad: Flores, Tate, Williams, Britton, Michu, Graham, Hernandez, Dyer, Cornell, Routledge, Monk, Shechter, Moore, De Guzman, Tiendalli, Rangel, Tremmel, Agustien, Gower, Richards, Davies.
Referee: P Dowd; Assistants: A Garratt, S Ledger; Fourth Official: A Bates.

Under Fire Mark Hudges leads his team into their 12th game of the season as they continue to search for their first win against a Southampton side who are not finding life in the premier League easy.
 QPR fans wouldn't have prayed for a better opponent.

           QPR VS SOUTHAMPTON  15:00GMT
 QPR boss Mark Hughes has insisted his future will not be decided by the outcome of the crucial 'six-pointer' with Southampton at Loftus Road.
Rangers, who have yet to record a Premier League win this season, are propping up the table, a point behind Saturday's visitors.
There are suggestions Hughes could depart if his side fail do not beat Saints - with owner Tony Fernandes reportedly labelling it a 'must-win' game.
Bu the Welshman said: "It doesn't hinge on this match at all.
"People shouldn't under-estimate the changes that have gone on at the club and I have been a big part of that.
"I have had great support from everyone. That doesn't just get swept aside
because we are in a difficult situation."
Hughes claimed Fernandes' comments were taken out of context, but admitted: "I can understand that, because we haven't won enough games - we haven't won any games - and we need to change that quickly.
"My expectation is that we will get the three points tomorrow and we will start the long road back."
On morale within the camp, the Welshman added: "People from the outside maybe have the perception that it's all doom and gloom and everyone's walking around with glum faces.
"But that isn't the case because we know we're very close to turning this around. But we can't keep saying it, we have to do it."
Queens Park Rangers manager Mark Hughes: "We are a good team, we need a bit of luck."
Defender Fabio has overcome his long-term hamstring injury and is available but Park Ji-sung (knee) is unavailable and Bobby Zamora (hip) is a doubt. Ryan Nelsen and Jamie Mackie are both fit despite missing their respective games with New Zealand and Scotland this week and Kieron Dyer and Hogan Ephraim are available after overcoming their respective calf and hamstring problems. However, Andrew Johnson (knee) is out injured and Stephane Mbia is suspended,.
Provisional squad: Green, Cesar, Onuoha, Fabio, Hill, Nelsen, Ferdinand, Bosingwa, Traore, Derry, Diakite, Park, Granero, Taarabt, Hoilett, Faurlin, Wright-Phillips, Ephraim, Mackie, Zamora, Cisse.
Southampton manager Nigel Adkins: "If you can pick up away wins, one win is better than three draws"
Frazer Richardson and Richard Chaplow will be missing. Right-back Richardson had been expected to feature for the development squad on Monday but missed out after suffering a recurrence of a thigh injury. Chaplow is also out through injury, but Guly do Prado could be involved after being left out of the squad for last weekend's 1-1 draw with Swansea.
Provisional squad: K Davis, Gazzaniga, Boruc, Butterfield, Stephens, Clyne, Fox, Shaw, Yoshida, Hooiveld, Fonte, Ward-Prowse, Do Prado, Cork, De Ridder, Lallana, Ramirez, Schneiderlin, Lee, Puncheon, S Davis, Lambert, Rodriguez, Mayuka.

Referee: M Dean; Assistants: J Collin, J Brooks; Fourth Official: L Mason

READING VS EVERTON 15:00GMT
Amids rumours concerning the depasrture of Fellaini in the January transfer window,
Everton boss David Moyes has warned any club interested in Marouane Fellaini would have to pay a huge amount of money.
The Belgium midfielder has attracted rave reviews this season, with his performances and six-goal haul hoisting the Toffees up to fourth in the Premier League.
But Moyes said: "We're going to be very expensive because he's such a good player.
"We don't want to lose him - that's for definite. I don't think we will - certainly not in the short term."
Despite their early success in the season, Moyes revealed that a lack of resources means that he wasn't expecting any transfer activity during the January window.
"I don't think we'll strengthen in January," said Moyes.
"I don't think we'll be looking to do any business - not because we wouldn't want to but I just don't think we will have the resources to properly do it in January."
But when asked if fans should be concerned at the prospect of losing their highly-rated boss, Moyes insisted he still loved the job and still got excited about working with such a talented squad.
The Scot added: "I can understand. I've been here over 10 years, I've always worked hard and will continue to do so.
"I've got a great relationship with the chairman Bill Kenwright - I speak to him every day - and when the time's right we'll sit down and see where we're going to go."
With that aside, Everton have to defeat Reading to continue keeping tab with the big boys at the top of the log and record their best ever start to a premiership season.
Reading: Brian McDermott: "If we can keep being solid, I know we can score goals."
Winger Jimmy Kebe could be missing with a tight groin. Brian McDermott will definitely be without goalkeeper Alex McCarthy (shoulder), Danny Guthrie (thigh) and Jem Karacan (knee).
Provisional squad: Federici, Taylor, Gunter, Cummings, Gorkss, Pearce, Morrison, Mariappa, Shorey, Harte, McAnuff, Leigertwood, Tabb, McCleary, Kebe, Pogrebnyak, Le Fondre, Hunt, Robson-Kanu, Roberts.
Everton: David Moyes: "It's part of the manager’s job to raise expectations. If you don't you're probably not doing that good a job."
Kevin Mirallas will miss out with a hamstring injury and could be out for a couple of weeks, while midfielder Darron Gibson sits out a 10th successive match with a thigh problem. Forward Victor Anichebe (hamstring) and defender Tony Hibbert (calf) remain doubts.
Provisional squad: Howard, Coleman, Heitinga, Jagielka, Baines, Pienaar, Osman, Neville, Naismith, Fellaini, Jelavic, Mucha, Distin, Duffy, Oviedo, Hitzlsperger, Gueye, Vellios, Anichebe.
Referee: M Atkinson; Assistants: P Kirkup, J Flynn; Fourth Official: A Marriner

WEST BROM VS CHELSEA  15:00GMT
West Brom chief Dan Ashworth says he did not need to speak to Jose Mourinho to know Steve Clarke was the right man to manage the club.
Clarke worked under Mourinho at Chelsea and the Portuguese manager, now at Real Madrid, has hailed the Baggies head coach for the "amazing job" he is doing at The Hawthorns this season.
The Scot, who succeeded Roy Hodgson in the summer, has guided West Brom to fifth in the table to mark their best-ever start to a Premier League campaign.
Sporting and technical director Ashworth says he did not call on Mourinho for a reference but knew Clarke had the qualities to succeed in his first management role.
He said of the boss, who has also coached at Newcastle, West Ham and Liverpool, in the Daily Express: "What impressed me most about Steve was his enthusiasm for the game . He desperately wanted to get back involved again [after leaving Liverpool].
"He said the hardest time in his professional life was when he was out of the game between leaving West Ham and going to Liverpool. He wanted to work and be involved in the project here.
"He's really well organised. He knows what he wants from his sessions, from his players and from his teams, whether it comes to recruitment or the way they play. He's calm, thorough, a football person, a good guy and easy to get on with. He's a good person."
Asked if he had spoken to Mourinho over appointing Clarke, Ashworth added: "No, I didn't.
"We did background checks, but it wasn't like being a private investigator."
And now the new Chelsea Manager Di Matteo returns to the place where it all started, let's wait and see how this one spells out later in the day.
West Bromwich Albion: Steve Clarke: "The supporters have to be enjoying this moment because we are playing well and every week we are looking as though we can get a positive result."
Goalkeeper Boaz Myhill will deputise for Ben Foster, who is recovering from groin surgery. Gareth McAuley is a doubt after suffering a hamstring injury playing for Northern Ireland against Azerbaijan, with Gabriel Tamas on stand-by to deputise. West Brom hope midfielder Youssouf Mulumbu will be fit after a hamstring injury. On-loan Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku is ineligible to face his parent club.
Provisional squad: Myhill, Daniels, Jones, McAuley, Olsson, Tamas, Dawson, Jara Reyes, Popov, Ridgewell, Mulumbu, Yacob, Brunt Dorrans, Morrison, El Ghanassy, Gera, Fortune, Odemwingie, Long, Rosenberg.
Chelsea: Roberto Di Matteo: "Getting the sack happens to everyone and it makes you stronger and it doesn’t mean you’re a bad manager."
Ashley Cole could return after missing the last two matches with a hamstring injury. John Terry (knee) will be out for around three weeks, the game comes too soon for Frank Lampard (calf), while manager Roberto Di Matteo will assess those in his squad who played for their countries in midweek.
Provisional squad: Cech, Ivanovic, Azpilicueta, Luiz, Cahill, Cole, Bertrand, Mikel, Romeu, Ramires, Mata, Oscar, Hazard, Moses, Marin, Torres, Sturridge, Turnbull.
Referee: M Oliver; Assistants: S Child, D England; Fourth Official: S Attwell.

I wonder if we are going to experince another magical thing today as Norwich take on Manchester United in today's late kick off fixture.
But the United boss wouldn't like to see his team conceed goal and try fighting to get something from the match.
Though the United faithful have every right to be confident, Norwich will be praying to cause an unlikely upset.
NORWICH VS MANCHESTER UNITED  17:30GMT
Wayne Rooney is a doubt for Manchester United's trip to Norwich with an ankle injury - but Robin van Persie should be fit.
The striking duo both pulled out of midweek internationals for England and Holland, respectively, but it does not seem the damage is too bad in either case.
"There is a doubt about Wayne, but Robin should be fit," said United boss Sir Alex Ferguson.
Ferguson also confirmed Jonny Evans was doubtful for the Carrow Road encounter with a groin injury.
However, the United boss had good news on fellow defender Phil Jones.
The England defender has not played for the Red Devils this term after suffering a knee injury during pre-season.
However, Jones is closing on a return, which could come against Galatasaray in the UEFA Champions League next Tuesday.
"Phil has been training all week," said Ferguson. "We will take him to Turkey. That is a great start for him."
Ferguson also re-stated his intention to hand Javier Hernandez a start after
his match-winning cameo at Aston Villa last week.
"Javier came on last week and changed the game completely," continued Ferguson. "He should start tomorrow."
Norwich City: Chris Hughton: "We must look for every advantage that we can"
Norwich will be without defender Russell Martin (back) but Alex Tettey, who pulled out of the Norway squad for their midweek friendly with a back problem, but should be available. On-loan Tottenham striker Harry Kane continues his recovery from a broken metatarsal.
Provisional squad: Ruddy, Whittaker, Turner, Bassong, Garrido, Tettey, Johnson, Hoolahan, Pilkington, Snodgrass, Holt, Bunn, E Bennett, Howson, Jackson, Tierney, R Bennett, Morison.
Manchester United: Sir Alex Ferguson: “We can’t assume to come back from 2-0 down”
Wayne Rooney and Jonny Evans are United's major doubts. Rooney sustained an ankle injury during last week's win at Aston Villa, when Evans missed out completely with a groin problem. Robin van Persie is expected to be available after missing Holland's midweek friendly with Germany.
Provisional squad: De Gea, Lindegaard, Rafael, Ferdinand, Evans, Smalling, Evra, Buttner, Valencia, Carrick, Fletcher, Cleverley, Powell, Scholes, Anderson, Carrick, Giggs, Young, Welbeck, Van Persie, Rooney, Hernandez.
Referee: A Taylor; Assistants: R West, P Bankes; Fourth Official: N Swarbrick

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