Liverpool v Manchester United. Januray 28

With Premier League action making way for the fourth round of the FA Cup this weekend, we take aim at the Liverpool v Manchester United showdown in what promises to be a cracker. Two of England’s footballing giants head to head. Add to that the bad blood over the Luis Suarez racial slur incident and what you have, ladies and gentlemen, is the potential for a firecracker.

Simmering resentment over the handling of the Suarez incident will not be the only motivating factor for Liverpool. This is a club desperate for silverware and this opportunity looks to be their best chance to get it. Liverpool will be desperate, and Kenny Dalglish will have his troops out for blood. That’s when they are at their best.

Of course, any road to a title that runs through Manchester United is never an easy one. It won’t be any different here. The Red Devils look likely to lose Nani, but retain the service of Phil Jones who has shrugged off an ankle injury picked up last week. Most importantly will be how Ferguson uses Evra – you get the feeling at some stage the grand old master will deploy Evra as a motivating tool for the rest of his outfit – the only question is when.

A time honoured rivalry, between two marquee clubs, set against the back drop of bad blood built over racial vilification? What more can any football fan ask for? Who will get the win?

I’m thinking Liverpool. This one is a coin flip. In the end, I think the home ground advantage and the Reds complete desperation will get them the nod. Old man River Craig Bellamy to get the winning goal.

Home (Liverpool), 1-0, Bellamy

The Shirtman

PS – If you do not submit your tips prior to kick off you will be credited with The Shirtman’s score.

There has always been a fine line between entertainer and douchebag – and let’s be honest here, Mario Balotelli has been walking it all season long. In stamping on Scott Parker’s head though, he may have finally tiptoed a little too far toward the douchebag side. Antics are only funny after all, until somebody gets their head split open, and whilst the laughter may not have stopped completely at the sight of Parker lying stricken and bloodied, it certainly became more awkward.

Adding insult to injury, Balotelli went on to win a penalty in injury time, and cool as you like, slot home the winner in a dramatic, memorable clash. But should he have even been on the field? Not according to Harry Redknapp, who didn’t leave too much doubt about his stance on the matter when he said “He kicked Scott Parker in the head. He does it a lot. He back-heeled him in the face and cut his head.”

Difficult to argue that is too because, you know, he did.

Still and all – the show goes on, and whilst Tottenham fans will sink at this result, the rising Blue Moon army will be delighted. The Spurs stood as the last best hope of a team outside Manchester taking the title this season and with that threat gone, nothing now stands between United and City as they fight it out for supremacy. After years of playing sidekick to the Red Devils’ superhero teams, they now get what they wanted most of all – a one on one duel to determine who the best Manc is.

In the words of the immortal Cosmo Kramer…Giddyup.

Sunday, January 22 – Etihad Stadium

It’s been a tough couple of weeks for Manchester City, who are learning quickly that life as the Premier League’s front runner is not easy. Teams are aiming up against them now. Calendars are circled weeks in advance. Major rivals are playing with extra passion, and contests can be bitter. In recent weeks they suffered back to back Cup losses (at home no less) to Manchester United and Liverpool. The days of wine and roses may well be coming, but they are not here yet.

What they face now is a tense battle to retain the top spot on the table. To that end they face a significant challenge this weekend, taking on a white-hot Tottenham outfit that is currently in third, and looking for all intents and purposes to be the only club capable of stopping a one of the teams from Manchester from taking out the title. The stakes are high and the pressure is on. Can the Spurs carry the flag for the rest of the competition? Or will City put down the upstarts?

I think we are in for a classic here. City embarrassed Tottenham when they first met this season in a result that did not sit well with the club. Since then Harry Redknapp has clawed and scraped his way into the top four, and for the first time in a looooong time, the Spurs have a small window where they can stake a genuine title claim. It may just be the double espresso talking, but I think they are going to. Put me down for an upset that will blow this season wide open. Gareth Bale to score for the visitors.

Away (Tottenham), Bale, 2-1

The Shirtman

PS – If you do not submit your tips prior to kick off you will be credited with The Shirtman’s score.

Premier League fans, welcome to 2012.

The game itself was a real showstopper, with lead changes and edge of the seat action right to the end. Danny Graham delivered the final blow, finding the net just 45 seconds after Theo Walcott dragged the Gunners back to 2-2…and then watched Mertsacker miss a gift chance at yet another equalise in the dying moments for a thrilling, satisfying match.

Henry showed he still possessed his countrymen’s gift for diplomacy, wandering over to the Arsenal fans section after the match, making the “yapping” gesture with his right hand and inviting at least one unruly fan onto the pitch with his left to discuss the matter further. After the game he lectured the fans on the importance of supporting their team no matter what. In a related story, whilst there may be a French word for “humility”, nobody seems to know what it is. Thierry Henry – you have been missed.

Arsene Wenger was also gracious in defeat, stating after the game; “Swansea played well but the game was decided by some strange decisions – the first one was the referee who gave a penalty that was a complete imagination and was a good dive. Well done to the player who did it,”. Further proof that whilst in the Premier League that whilst you may from time to time have to lose, you don’t necessarily have to lose with class.

None of that should divert attention from Swansea though, who very much looked like a team that belongs in the Premier League. Nine years ago they were 91 league places below Arsenal. Over the weekend they showed that they had officially arrived. They are currently sitting in tenth place. They play with flair, and skill, and passion. The Swans, who were once ducklings – are now officially Swans again. Or, you know, something like that.

Cymru am byth, Welshies. You have earned it.

January 15, Liberty Stadium

We ease our way back into the tipping with a look at Swansea taking on Arsenal, in what promises to be a fairly entertaining afternoon of football.

It’s been a good campaign for Swansea so far – even their most ambitious supporter would have been hoping their squad would be competitive, not great. So far they have lived up to the billing. Hovering near the top 10, they have scored some impressive wins over more highly fancied competition and appear to be a difficult team to beat at home.

Make no mistake about it though – it will be all eyes on Arsenal in this one, and in particular, the return of the charismatic, talismanic and flamboyant Thierry Henry. The Frenchman returned to his old club in style last week, scoring the winner in their FA Cup showdown against Leeds – just like old times.

The great man is back, and has stated that the top four is their goal. They have the talent, they have momentum….can they get the points here though?

I think they can. And I think Henry will score again. Viva la France and baguettes all round.

Away (Arsenal), 2-0, Henry.

The Shirtman

PS – if you do not submit your tips prior to kick off you will be credited with The Shirtman’s score.

There was no break in the EPL mind you, the show rolled on as it always does with the usual mix of seasonal good cheer and hilarity. Thierry Henry made an Ali like comeback to Emirates Stadium (or is that Jeff Fenech like…we will see).

We saw upsets (Sunderland over Man City, Fulham over Arsenal), impressive wins (City over Liverpool) and City and United staged an instant classic in the FA Cup. Neil Warnock got the sack, but Joey Barton remains Captain at QPR, Frank Lampard is being pushed out the door at Chelsea, and Mario Balotelli is still insane. City at the top, Blackburn at the bottom and everybody else in between.

Chaos and drama then. No changes there.

Roll on 2012.

We’ll be taking a short break, but leaving you with two games to tip on whilst we are away (games listed below).

In the meantime, on behalf of all of us at Ambition we wish you a merry Christmas, and a safe and prosperous 2012.

Game 1 – Monday, December 26, 2011

Norwich City v Tottenham Hotspur – Carrow Road
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The Canaries have the home ground, but the Spurs have all the talent. I think I’ll go with the talent. Adebayor to score.

Away (Tottenham), 2-1, Adebayor.

Game 2 – Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Manchester City v Liverpool – Etihad Stadium

Blockbuster. Citizens take on the Reds in front of a fanatical home crowd. Can you imagine what Balotelli will get up to over New Years? That’s enough to make me sense an upset. Andy Carroll to finally step up now Suarez is out.

Away, 1-0, Carroll

The Shirtman

PS – If you do not submit your tips prior to kick off you will be credited with The Shirtman’s score.

PPS – Merry Xmas.

Scratch all that talk.

It was never really much of a chance I suppose, but with this one Manchester City also put a stake through the heart of Arsenal’s title hopes for this year. 12 points City, 10 points behind United – time for the Gunners to switch their attentions to what promises to be a blood-filled fight to make the top four. Tottenham, Liverpool (and maybe even Newcastle) stand in their, way but it’s Chelsea who are holding them out at the moment by a three point margin. For Arsenal, that is where the challenge is. Game on Blues.

Meanwhile, it was the kind of performance we’ve come to expect from the Citizens. Controlled. Calculated. Reliable. The anti Matthew Newton I suppose. Week by week they continue to establish their title credentials with professional performances right across the park. Their lead at the top of the table has shrunk to just two points, and so far neither City nor their hated cross town rivals are showing any signs of slipping. The Battle for Manchester is now officially looming as the best thing in football.

It wouldn’t be a complete week without some Mario Balotelli hilarity though – this week’s episode included rumours that he had been caught the night before the game wandering the streets dressed as Santa Claus handing out 20 pound notes to pedestrians. Roberto Mancini (long past surprise at any kind of behaviour at this stage) summed up all of our thoughts on the matter when he quipped, “With Mario, it is possible.”

And bless him, it really is.

Sunday December 18, Etihad Stadium

Manchester City’s hopes for an unbeaten season were put to rest last week by the sure boot of Frank Lampard, in a result that must have seen many newly minted City fans rushing back to their cupboards to dig out their old Chelsea jerseys. It’s hardly a disaster, but it has made the fight at the top of the table very interesting indeed.

Balotelli continues to amuse – picking up a midweek fine after breaking curfew for a late night curry run that ended with him having a play sword fight with rolling pins. Add that to him throwing darts at a youth team member, burning down his house in a fireworks incident and driving into a women’s prison and what you have is a man who is worth keeping an eye on off the field. And on it I suppose – he has picked up ten goals for the season and is fast becoming one of the Premier Leagues most prodigious attacking weapons.

It’s something Arsene Wenger has flagged as a need for his club – suggesting mid week that he would be bolstering his squad with some striking depth during the upcoming transfer window. Robin Van Persie has been playing out of his skin (15 goals for the campaign so far) but he hasn’t been getting much help. Arteta has struggled, and with the Africa Cup of Nations just around the corner they will lose Chamakh and Gervinho as well.

But that is all down the track – right now both clubs have their eyes set on what promises to be a titanic clash. The flair and drama of Manchester City against the time honoured legacy of Gunner pride. Will the Citizens bounce back with a win over mighty Arsenal? Or can Wenger’s troops throw a spanner into City’s title campaign with back to back losses?

Put me down for an upset. Arsenal are playing great right now, and the pressure on City is starting to mount. Van Persie to score…again.

Away (Arsenal) 2-1, Van Persie

The Shirtman

PS – If you do not submit your tips prior to kick off you will be credited with The Shirtman’s score.

It hasn’t exactly worked to plan. The Reds are currently the lowest goal scoring team amongst the Premier League defeat and they have dropped a bunch of points against lesser teams through an ability to find the net.

In spite of that, the Suarez purchase at least is starting to look shrewd. The Uruguayan superstar keeps getting better – like a fine wine with bottle age, and at 24 there is plenty of time left to develop. (Meanwhile, with two goals to show for his 35 million pound fee, Andy Caroll is more like modern art – it’s not necessarily that he is bad, it’s just that you’re not appreciating him right).

Like many of the best though, Suarez’s real problems are going on between his ears. He had only just shrugged off a racial vilification charge when he was caught giving an “improper gesture” to the Fulham fans after a spiteful showdown at Craven Cottage. (In his defence, I know a couple of Fulham fans and trust me – flipping them the bird has crossed all of our minds). If he can stay focused, Suarez has the potential to be one of the best in the game. Right now, that seems like a big “if”.

The Reds take the points though, and stay within punching distance of the top four. It is shaping up to be a real knife fight right now – Tottenham, Arsenal, Liverpool and Newcastle are all in the mix and all playing pretty good football.

QPR for their part will probably go back to the drawing board now. They have ambitions to be in the top five or six clubs…but they don’t have the talent. Not yet anyways. A year or so from now, if their pockets are deep enough, that story may well change.