May 17, 2013 in front_page, International, La Liga, Most Recent, Other, Premier League, Serie A, World Cup
OnFootball selects its greatest football adverts over the years:
Nike- ‘Secret Tournament’
http://youtu.be/e0MBxEAv-30 Read the rest of this entry →
May 16, 2013 in front_page, International, Most Recent, Serie A
Italy have been one of the powerhouses of world football for nearly a century, but who makes it into OnFootball’s all-time Italy XI? Read the rest of this entry →
May 16, 2013 in front_page, La Liga, Most Recent
Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid
Copa del Rey Final
Venue: Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid, Spain
Friday 17th May 2013
20:30 GMT
The two Madrid sides face each other in the battle for city supremacy, in the Copa del Rey Final. Jose Mourinho’s side have the home advantage and the obvious threat of Cristiano Ronaldo but in Radamel Falcao, Atletico have one of the world’s best players in their armoury.
Real Madrid preview
Mourinho’s side reached the final after a hugely impressive 4-2 aggregate victory over Barcelona, which included a memorable 3-1 win at Camp Nou. Prior to that they saw off Valencia in the quarter-finals and Celta Vigo in the last-16.
Real have lost just one of their last eight games in all competitions, scoring 15 times in their last five outings. In the Copa del Rey betting market, a Real victory in 90 minutes can be backed at 1.65 while Los Blancos are 1.22 to lift the trophy with Unibet.
Injuries and suspensions
While Mourinho has a fully fit attacking unit to call upon, he has plenty of injuries at the back. Raphael Varane is out for the remainder of the season with a knee injury, while Alvaro Arbeloa looks set to miss out too. Sergio Ramos should return but is not 100 per cent fit, while Pepe may remain dropped after a falling out with Mourinho.
Atletico Madrid preview
Atletico edged past Sevilla in an exciting semi-final clash, having beaten Betis and Getafe in the previous two rounds. This is their third Copa del Rey Final appearance this century, losing 2-0 to Sevilla in their last final, in 2010.
After a superb start to their La Liga season, Atletico have just dipped slightly, allowing Real to overtake them in second place. Their recent form has been inconsistent, although with one eye on this game that is understandable. Saturday’s 2-1 home defeat to Barcelona was undeserved but Falcao again proved he is the man for the big occasion by scoring the opener.
Injuries and suspensions
Coach Diego Simeone has virtually a fully fit squad to choose from, as well as no suspensions for the showcase event.
Head-to-head
Atletico haven’t beaten their great rivals since 1999, when a Jimmy-Floyd Hasselbaink double inspired them to a 3-1 win at Santiago Bernabeu. This season has seen Real win both games, with the attacking trio of Ronaldo, Ozil and Di Maria all influential in the two matches.
Prediction
Expect this to be an open game with plenty of goals. Real’s defensive problems could play into Atletico’s hands but Mourinho’s knack of winning trophies will give his side the edge on the night. A Ronaldo-inspired Real to win in a close-fought contest.
Prediction: Real Madrid 3-2 Atletico Madrid
Probable lineups:
Real Madrid (4-2-3-1)- Lopez, Essien, Ramos, Albiol, Coentrao, Alonso, Khedira, Di Maria, Ozil, Ronaldo, Benzema
Atletico Madrid (4-4-2)- Courtois, Juanfran, Miranda, Godin, Filipe, Koke, Mario, Gabi, Turan, Costa, Falcao
May 14, 2013 in front_page, Most Recent, Premier League
On April 16th 2012 Wigan Athletic pulled off an unlikely victory away to Arsenal that ultimately saved them from relegation to The Championship.
On Tuesday night the two sides meet again at The Emirates in what is a vital game for both sides. This time around Roberto Martinez’s FA Cup winners simply must win the game, while failure to win for Arsenal would be crippling to their hopes of qualifying for next season’s Champions League. Read the rest of this entry →
May 14, 2013 in front_page, Most Recent, Premier League
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson takes charge of his last ever game at the club against West Brom next Sunday, after over 26 years at Old Trafford.
Here is his all-time greatest XI in his time at Old Trafford:-
May 8, 2013 in front_page, Most Recent, Premier League
With the stunning news emerging that Sir Alex Ferguson will retire at the end of the season, OnFootball picks the 71-year-old’s 10 greatest signings in his 26 years at Old Trafford:
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