1x2 Free Betting Tips !: world

To counteract an achingly slow day in the football world we thought we’d treat you to a little game with

To counteract an achingly slow day in the football world, we thought we’d treat you to a little game with which to while away a few minutes of your time.

With subtle shades of the club nickname-spotting game BT Sport launched last year, all you have to do is successfully identify the 37 different football league teams from the visual clues hidden around ‘The Eternal Optimist’, i.e, the pub made famous by the Carlsberg Fan Squad TV advert.

If you manage to track down and identify all 37 clubs in Carlsberg’s special 360º image then you’ll be in with a chance of winning a pair of tickets to watch England vs Peru at Wembley on 30th May – England’s final match on home soil before they toddle off to Brazil.

Have a crack at Carlsberg’s Eternal Optimist game by clicking on the link below (you have to be over 18), and feel free to let us know how you got on…

Wayne Rooney Rates Luis Suarez and Cristiano Ronaldo Above Lionel Messi

Manchester United talisman Wayne Rooney has spoken of his admiration for Cristiano Ronaldo and Luis Suarez, saying they are the best two players in the world at present, placing them both ahead of Barcelona's Lionel Messi.

Elliott Bretland of the Mail Online reports that the England striker took part in a Samsung Q&A on Wednesday, and heaped praise on his former teammate Ronaldo and Liverpool's double Player of the Year Suarez.

Bretland says that when asked about who is the best player on the planet, Rooney replied: "Cristiano Ronaldo and probably Luis Suarez a close second."

The Merseysiders' title hopes are left in tatters after a calamitous passage of defending at Crystal Palace ruined another outstanding attacking display

Title meltdown at Selhurst: Liverpool simply have no defence

The Merseysiders' title hopes are left in tatters after a calamitous passage of defending at Crystal Palace ruined another outstanding attacking display

One of the most remarkable Premier League matches of all ended with an inconsolable double-winning player of the year hiding his face from the world only 15 minutes after he was trying to extend Liverpool’s advantage to four goals.

Liverpool’s meltdown was so sudden, and Palace’s comeback so extraordinary, that all the emotions football can offer seemed to be squeezed into one bite-sized segment.

At the final whistle, the visiting players slumped to their knees en masse. A distraught Steven Gerrard, with tears gently rolling down his face, ushered the television cameras away, while Luis Suarez was bawling his eyes out so uncontrollably that he covered his face with his shirt and was led to the dressing room by unused substitute Kolo Toure.

The FA should throw the book at Alan Pardew to end the media circus

Newcastle United owner and Sports Direct tycoon Mike Ashley can expect a windfall of free advertising this week as Magpies manager Alan Pardew will face an FA firing squad for his touchline tête-à-tête.

Television cameras caught the technical area action from multiple angles but the bad tempered manager still had to formally accept his charge of improper conduct.

Pardew has requested a personal hearing, not surprising bearing in mind his long list of previous misdemeanours, and will be represented by a top barrister.

The manager’s attempt to throw money at a QC barrister in a bid to avoid a heavier sentence doesn’t exactly reinforce the remorseful figure seen apologising for the loss of control in the wake of the Hull game.

Whatever happens it will have been an expensive fortnight for the forthright Magpies manager following his £100,000 fine from the club hours after the full time whistle.

It is claimed the club will stand by Pardew regardless of the outcome of Tuesday’s trial but it will be interesting to see, firstly, what punishment the FA deem appropriate and what impact that will have on Newcastle United.

Pardew’s unprecedented behaviour is likely to see him hit an equally exceptional sentence and the case is already being treated as ‘non standard’.

A touchline ban doesn’t really seem appropriate as Pardew will still be able to prepare the team for any upcoming fixtures and no doubt communicate with his assistant from the stands. It certainly won’t hit the Toon as hard as losing a key player for any period of time would.

Rodriguez worth England place

Jay Rodriguez capped a memorable week with Southampton's winner against Palace

Southampton manager Mauricio Pochettino believes Jay Rodriguez's match-winning display against Crystal Palace shows he is worthy of a World Cup spot.

Saints had 18 players away on international duty in midweek, including four with Roy Hodgson's England squad for the 1-0 friendly victory against Denmark.

The match saw teenager Luke Shaw make an impressive international debut, while Saints captain Adam Lallana further boosted his chances of going to Brazil with a fine display off the bench, capped by the cross from which Daniel Sturridge scored.

Rickie Lambert and Rodriguez, the other Southampton players involved, were reduced to a watching brief at Wembley, returning to action as Saints won 1-0 at Selhurst Park on Saturday.

The latter netted the decisive goal in what was for large parts a frustrating match, latching onto a weak header by former Saints winger Jason Puncheon and then beating Julian Speroni in a 50-50 challenge to finish into an open goal.

"I thought the goal showed exactly what Jay Rodriguez is made of," Pochettino said of the 37th-minute strike.

"It showed his quality, showed his speed, showed how brave he is, showed his technique. It also shows the fact that he fully deserved the England call-up as well."

Asked if Rodriguez had the talent to play at the World Cup, the former Argentina international said: "I think he has the talent, I think he has the skill to go with the English national side and play for the English national side.

"I think the call-up to the English national side by Roy Hodgson of Jay Rodriguez was deserved, and to actually win your place you need to deserve you place to be going to the tournament.

"To be scoring goals as he did here, he is definitely increasing his chances."

The triumph ended a run of three successive losses in all competitions for Southampton, and Pochettino believes highlighted the club's exciting future.

"I am well pleased with that win," said the 42-year-old, for whom the only negative was an ankle injury to Jack Cork, which is expected to rule the midfielder out for six weeks.

"We're well balanced, doing well, building a project and we want to continue in this way.

"I think we are showing the potential we have for the future at Southampton Football Club and we are very well pleased with the victory."

Palace managed just one shot on target at Selhurst Park, leaving manager Tony Pulis frustrated by his side's toothless display.

"I don't think it was an off-day - I thought we did all right," the Eagles boss said. "I thought we competed very well.

"The disappointing thing was that we never created more chances and more opportunities. That was disappointing.

"But they are a good side, they've got some good players and we've watched them the last three games they've played.

"They played exceptionally at West Ham and got beat 3-1 so they've got some real quality. It was always going to be a tough game and those tough, tight games we need a break and we didn't get one."

One of those breaks looked like it may come when Dejan Lovren brought down Yannick Bolasie when he was through on goal early in the second half.

The Palace fans called for the Croatia international to be sent off, but referee Howard Webb did not deem him the last man so only produced a yellow card.

"I will leave you to decide that," Pulis said when asked for his thoughts on the decision.

"We've just watched the video and the disappointing thing was the first two offsides as both Glenn Murray and Joe Ledley are onside. The linesman has given two offsides and both of them were on, through and past the back four onto goal.

"That was very disappointing and they were in the first quarter of an hour."

World Cup 2014: Roy Hodgson admits selection 'headaches'

World Cup 2014: Roy Hodgson admits selection 'headaches'

England boss Roy Hodgson says he has World Cup selection "headaches" after positive performances from his young players in the victory over Denmark.

Daniel Sturridge scored a late header to earn a 1-0 win at Wembley after he was set up by substitute Adam Lallana.

Raheem Sterling was named man of the match in England's last game before Hodgson names his World Cup squad.

"It means headaches for me but it's good news. I'm happy with their desire to get on that plane," said Hodgson.

"Raheem Sterling, Daniel Sturridge, Adam Lallana, Luke Shaw, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, even Jack Wilshere, all of those came out of the game with credit."

Hodgson will name a 23-man squad and seven standby names on 13 May, before a friendly against Peru at Wembley on 30 May.

England then travel to Miami for a warm-weather training camp, where they will play Ecuador and Honduras, before flying to Brazil.

After England lost home friendlies to Chile and Germany last November, the victory over Denmark came after a laboured first half.

The hosts did not improve until after the inclusion of Southampton debutant Luke Shaw, club-mate Lallana and Manchester United forward Danny Welbeck.

Denmark coach Morten Olsen, whose side have not qualified for the World Cup, said: "I wish you good luck in the World Cup. You need it."

But Hodgson said: "If I was to say one thing I was most pleased with it would be the fact we put a lot of youngish players who haven't played a lot for England on the pitch, and they did a good job and improved their chances.

"You couldn't get me to say anything negative about any of the young players on today. At one stage we only had Gary Cahill, Joe Hart, Glen Johnson and Steven Gerrard who would consider themselves seniors.

"Over half of the players we have in this squad are under 23. We are looking in that direction, but I don't feel under obligation [to pick kids]. The younger players are doing well at the moment. Hopefully you will be impressed with their performances, and I'll have to make a decision going forward."

Midfielder Lallana, who won his third cap, said: "It was nice to get some minutes and the chance to impress the boss and more importantly to get the win after two defeats.

"I gave it my best and that's all I can do. It's not for me to judge how well I played. I will go back to my club and keep performing well and working hard and hopefully I will be involved in the squad at the end of the season."

Of his team-mate Shaw, the Saints skipper added: "It was quite remarkable how well he settled into life in the senior team. It looked like he had played for years, not weeks."

Labels:2014,BBC,Cup,Hodgson,News,Roy,Sports,world

Jose Mourinho has suggested he isn't going to make a summer move for Mario Balotelli, hinting that AC Milan

Chelsea Transfer News: Jose Mourinho Doesn't Anticipate Mario Balotelli Arrival

Jose Mourinho has suggested he isn't going to make a summer move for Mario Balotelli, hinting that AC Milan wouldn't be prepared to sell one of their most important Italian players.

The Chelsea boss, who is set to provide exclusive coverage of the FIFA World Cup as an ambassador for Yahoo, believes the only way he and Balotelli will reunite is if he heads to the San Siro or takes the Italian national job, per John Drayton of the Daily Mail:

In football you never know the future but I think at this moment he is with a big club, Milan. I suppose that they want to keep the best players and they want to keep the best Italian players.

He was already in English football, for sure I am not going to be his manager at Milan or at the Italian national team so I don’t think there is any situation in the future but he’s a good guy, he’s a good kid.

Chelsea were linked with a move for Balotelli throughout January, a rumour fuelled by the player's confirmation that he would like to work with the former Inter Milan boss once more, reported by The Mirror and via ESPN: Of course I would like to play under Jose again. In my first days at Inter we had some problems, but then it turned into a mutual respect, and now we have a real friendship. It is never boring playing under Jose. When you are in Mourinho's team it is a family and he coaches on the principal that if all is well with the family it doesn't matter what is going on outside the team.

Despite saying the duo had their "ups and downs," Mourinho aided the development of the young forward, helping him on his way to a mega-money transfer to Manchester City. Balotelli's career is yet to yield a more successful stint than his two seasons with Mourinho, analysis underlined by the Rossoneri's 11th place standing in the Italian top flight.

Balotelli has posted largely positive numbers throughout the campaign, scoring 12 goals across 25 appearances in Serie A and the Champions League, per WhoScored.com. His explosive temper has also produced 10 yellow cards, including a red in the December loss to Napoli, suggesting the bad-boy image of old still festers.

Famous for setting off fireworks in his own bathroom while at City, Balotelli represents both a match-winner and liability for whoever he represents. His off-the-field behaviour continued to drum up headlines while at the Etihad—including a moment which saw him throw darts at a youth-team player—but there's no denying the striker's talent, which appears to extend its way to table tennis:

Rooney enhanced to hit opener against Denmark

England attempt to get back to winning ways against Denmark at Wembley tonight and Wayne Rooney has been earmarked as the man to lead the Three lions to glory.

Ladbrokes has enhanced the price on the Manchester United man scoring first from 4/1 to 9/2 and given his knack of finding the net first at international level it looks a safe bet.

Six of Rooney’s last eight international goals have come first in England’s games and with the host’s odds-on at 4/6 to claim victory the 38-goal striker will be confident of finding the net.

As an added incentive Rooney is just 12 goals shy of overtaking Sir Bobby Charlton as England’s highest ever goalscorer and, with Roy Hodgson’s men facing a tricky World Cup group, the 28-year-old will be looking to fill his boots in the friendly fixtures preceding this summer’s tournament.

One thing is for sure though and that is a glut of goals whether Rooney is wearing his shooting boots or not.

In the 20 times that England and Denmark have met over the years, only twice has a match been goalless after 90 minutes.

In fact, the average amount of goals per game over that period stands at 3.1, with 16 coming in the four most recent meetings.

After drawing blanks against Chile and Germany in their last two outings England will be desperate to get back among the goals and with the hosts last going three games without scoring at the end of 2000 the omens look good for the Three Lions to notch.

With the betting and the stats pointing to a home win with Rooney on the scoresheet it makes sense to peruse the Wincast and Scorecast prices prior to the big kick-off.

Rooney scoring in an England win can be backed at 11/8, but those willing to stick their necks out and back a specific scoreline could be rewarded at odds of 20/1 if Wazza nets first in a 1-0 victory, 22/1 if he opens the scoring in a 2-0 win and 35/1 if he breaks the duck and England run out 3-0 winners.

Labels:Cup,group,News,Sporting,world

One week after Fernando Santos announced that he would leave the Greece helm after the FIFA World

One week after Fernando Santos announced that he would leave the Greece helm after the FIFA World Cup finals, they resume their preparations for Brazil against South Korea at the Stadio Georgios Karaiskakis.

Labels:after,FIFA,Greece,helm,The,world

Carlos Alberto Perreira has led no less than five different nations into world football's showpiece event and

Selecao in safe hands with 'Mr World Cup'

Carlos Alberto Perreira has led no less than five different nations into world football's showpiece event and his experience could prove invaluable to the Selecao

Carlos Alberto Parreira carries the distinction of having led five different nations to the finals – an accolade which has earned him the nickname, ‘Mr World Cup.’ And current Selecao technical coordinator's experience could be vital to the Selecao as they chase what would be their first World Cup victory on home soil.

Born and raised in Rio de Janeiro, the now 71-year-old Parreira has always been the consummate carioca and obtained a degree in physical education before starting out as a conditioning trainer, working with the great Mario Zagallo at both the 1970 and 1974 World Cups. He begun coaching in 1975 at Fluminense (the club he supports) before taking over the Kuwait national team, leading the Arab nation to the 1982 World Cup.

Ever the globetrotter, he followed a brief spell as Brazil coach in 1983 by heading back to the Middle East where he would make his second World Cup appearance with the United Arab Emirates at Italia 90.

He then returned to Brazil for his crowning moment, keading the Selecao to Wor Cup 1994 by defeating Italy in a penalty shootout in Pasadena, ending the nation's 24-year wait for a fourth title.

He would then find work in Spain, Turkey and the United States before taking Saudi Arabia to World Cup 98 before again returning to the Selecao. However, while Parreira led Brazil to victory in the 2005 Confederations Cup, they would suffer World Cup disappointment in Germany the following year, losing 1-0 to France in the quarter-finals.

MR COPA: PARREIRA'S WORLD CUPS

WORLD CUP 1982: KUWAIT

WORLD CUP 1990: UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

WORLD CUP 1994: BRAZIL

WORLD CUP 1998: SAUDI ARABIA

WORLD CUP 2006: BRAZIL

WORLD CUP 2010: SOUTH AFRICA His sixth finals appearance came with South Africa, when he agreed to a second stint with the Bafana Bafana, replacing compatriot Joel Santana following a Confederations Cup semi-final loss to Dunga’s Brazil in 2009.

"I wouldn’t have left my house for anything else,” Parreira said upon his appointment, having previously suggested his coaching career had come to an end.

“I want to finish what I started in February 2007. And if I did not believe that South Africa could pass the first stage, why would I come back? I'm full of confidence.”

Until then, South Africa had participated in the finals only once before, in 2002, but as hosts of the first African World Cup in history, 2010 saw the country filled with hope.

But, for the first time in World Cup history, the host nation was eliminated in the first round. South Africa had opened their campaign with a 1-1 draw with Mexico before defeats to Uruguay and France ended their World Cup dream on goal difference.

Despite early elimination, thousands of fans still hit the streets to honour Perreira and his side – something that he has never forgotten. “I am very proud to have given an identity to the team,” he said.

And South Africa continues to hold a special place in is heart. "It’s a real pleasure and quite an honour to be back in South Africa," he said on Monday. "I consider this my second home."

Parreira boasts a CV to rival anyone in world football, but today his priorities lie with firmly with helping Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari to a sixth world title - and their first on home soil.

For him, the Gillette Brasil Global Tour clash with South Africa this week was not the time to experiment with new players. Of the 19 that have travelled to Johannesburg, only Rafinha and Fernandinho had yet to be called up since Scolari’s appointment in 2012.

“We have a schedule until the last game, until the end of the World Cup,” says Parreira, who has been meticulous in his planning since agreeing to return to the Selecao.

“Playing at home is different,” he says. “Playing in front of our fans give us a responsibility to win. We can only think of that goal.”

And with 'Mr World Cup' helping lead the way, it’s hard to imagine that the hopes of nation could be in better hands.

FIFA president Sepp Blatter said Tuesday that Brazil's World Cup problems are under control as

FIFA President Sepp Blatter. <i>AFP PHOTO</i>

FIFA president Sepp Blatter said Tuesday that Brazil's World Cup problems are under control as preparations entered the final straight.

Blatter said in a message for the 100 day countdown to the tournament, which has been tainted by concerns about unfinished stadiums, will be a "great success."

"One hundred days, its a long way to go. Its a short way to go if there are still problems but now all problems are under control," Blatter told the international federation's website FIFA.com.

The FIFA president added that he was sure the tournament, which starts June 12, would be "an exceptional competition."

Brazil is racing to get at least three of the 12 stadiums ready on time and an accident which killed two workers overshadowed preparations in Sao Paulo.

Blatter said Brazil's history as one of the most successful and innovatory football nations meant the World Cup will be a triumph.

While England "invented" the sport, Brazil had "shown the world the way to play good football," the soccer boss added.

"The Brazilian spirit of the game and the Brazilian ability to play football makes this World Cup very very special I am sure it will be a great great success," he said.

The Brazilian people must "get mobilized" for the tournament, Blatter added in a French language message.

Labels:Cup,FIFA,News,Sport,very,world

Mamelodi Sundowns defender Thabo Nthethe is being considered

Mamelodi Sundowns defender Thabo Nthethe is being considered as the Bafana Bafana stand-in captain for the international friendly against Brazil.

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Predict result and win big with Soccer6

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Bafana's regular captain Itumeleng Khune is out with an ankle injury and will not be available for the match against the 2014 FIFA World Cup hosts.

According to SAFA, Nthethe is expected to wear the captain's armband for this clash, "but the coach still has to make a decision".

Meanwhile, the association has confirmed that Senzo Meyiwa has answered Bafana's SOS call and has already reported to camp.

Labels:2014,Cup,FIFA,hosts,News,Sporting,world

Mel aide leaves West Brom

Dave McDonough, the Baggies’ director of technical performance and scouting, has departed the Hawthorns, having been a driving force in the decision to recruit the former Real Betis Coach to replace Steve Clarke.

McDonough is also fluent in Spanish and was acting as Mel’s translator, with his duties expanding as he got closer to the recently-appointed Coach. But it is claimed McDonough’s presence at the training ground was not welcomed by the Albion players and became a source of friction.

It is speculated that the departure of McDonough leaves Mel vulnerable, with West Brom’s next defeat potentially bringing the end of a reign that has so far only taken in six games.

West Brom have not won any of the games for which Mel has been in the dugout, drawing four and losing two. The Midlands side are a place and a point above the bottom three, with Sunderland, not in action this weekend due to their participation in the Capital One Cup final, holding the final spot in the drop zone.

Mel left Betis earlier this season with the Seville-based side bottom of La Liga. He had previously taken Betis into the Europa League, where they were victorious over Rubin Kazan on Thursday under Gabriel Calderon, setting up a city derby in the tournament with Sevilla.

See what the expert tipsters are tipping on

Labels:News,Sport,world,World Cup,Wrap

With back-to-back wins slingshotting Sydney FC into

With back-to-back wins slingshotting Sydney FC into the top four, midfielder Terry Antonis believes his teammates are generating enough momentum to become a genuine title contender.

The Sky Blues were widely written off after their 3-0 defeat against Adelaide United, but maximum points in the past fortnight has breathed new life into the campaign. Though the equal reality is they are only two points ahead of seventh-placed Wellington Phoenix, Antonis says Sydney have turned the corner and could even make a shock run in the finals.

There's been several ongoing questions about club harmony

''I definitely think we can make the finals because when we play well, we can be a huge force. I even think we can win it,'' he said. ''We just need to keep playing how we're playing right now - playing strong and staying together as a team. We have all the players to do it. I think we're capable of anything.''

There is little doubting the quality in Sydney's team - it is the most expensive squad ever assembled in Australian football - but there's been several ongoing questions about club harmony. Even coach Frank Farina looks to have done enough to survive until the end of the season, despite his fractious relationship with the supporters.

Antonis is adamant the players and staff are pulling in the same direction at the right time in the season, evidenced by Saturday night's 2-0 win over Newcastle.

''It was a difficult game against a tough side but we dug deep, played well and got the three points. We were patient when we needed to be and followed through on the coach's pre-game team talk, so we're all pretty pleased. It was important to win for our confidence and our ladder position and now the job is to keep going from here.''

Antonis has only just returned from a ruptured thigh that has kept him sidelined and while the plan was to ease back into action, he's rattled off two 90-minute performances - even scoring in his first match back, against Perth Glory.

''I have to say it's been pretty tiring but I'm fine with it and, ultimately, it's the coach's decision,'' he said. ''I've been working hard to get my body right during the week, seeing the physios and looking after my workload and recovery, and it's all coming together.''

Such optimism was nowhere to be seen last year when the injury curtailed a proposed move to Italian club Parma, scuttled his chances of playing for Australia at the under-20 World Cup and denied him a proper pre-season.

''It was disappointing and that was a very tough time. But I had a lot of people there to support me. The whole club got behind me,'' he said. ''I was down, a lot, especially before the World Cup … To miss that was the worst feeling because I couldn't wait to go, but the injury came along and that was it. It was hard to get going again, but once I was surrounded by the people at the club, I felt a lot better.''

Having been tracked by clubs around the world for several years - Everton tried to sign Antonis in his early teens - a move abroad still seems inevitable. But after all that happened in a nightmarish last year, Antonis is keen to just cement his place in the A-League before looking elsewhere.

''I just want to get myself ready for now. I'm not thinking beyond that. Given what's happened in the past year, I can only think game by game until the end of this season. After that, we'll look at what happens,'' he said. ''For now I want to try my best, help the team make the finals and just look at the short term, not the long term.''

The Chelsea boss refused to comment on his conflict with the Frenchman, the Manchester United star's new contract and a host of other issues in a bizarre press conference

Mourinho silent on Wenger row & new Rooney deal

The Chelsea boss refused to comment on his conflict with the Frenchman, the Manchester United star's new contract and a host of other issues in a bizarre press conference

Jose Mourinho refused to comment on his row with Arsene Wenger, Wayne Rooney's new contract at Manchester United and a host of other issues in a bizarre pre-match press conference.

Tensions between Mourinho and Wenger flared again a week ago when the Chelsea boss labelled his Arsenal rival a "specialist in failure" for not winning a trophy since 2005.

CHELSEA LATEST

Perhaps upset by the reaction to his words, the Portuguese limited himself to saying as little as possible when questioned by reporters ahead of his side's Premier League clash with Everton.

When asked whether he had a response to Wenger labelling his comments "embarrassing", Mourinho replied: "No."

When asked what he made of the problems experienced by Arsenal and Manchester City in the Champions League, he responded: "My Champions League starts on Wednesday [against Galatasaray]."

When asked whether he was disappointed that Rooney had elected to sign a new long-term contract with United, he replied: "I don’t react. We did show an interest in the past. It doesn’t bother me at all."

Mourinho could not even be prompted to speak at any real length about Romelu Lukaku, on loan from Chelsea at Everton this season.

"I don’t speak about Romelu Lukaku until the end of the season," he insisted. "Until then he is an Everton player. He is our player but I prefer to see him as an Everton player for now."

Yet despite his apparent unwillingness to comment on any issue, the Chelsea boss insisted he was not unhappy and had not taken a vow of silence.

Labels:Chelsea,News,Sport,Williams,win,world

Chelsea defender John Terry will return to action this weekend after recovering from a muscle strain.

Chelsea defender John Terry will return to action this weekend after recovering from a muscle strain.

The Blues captain has missed Chelsea's last three games due to injury but is expected to shake off the knock in time to face Everton this weekend.

Terry's return to the first-team fold will provide Chelsea with a timely boost as the west London side face a tough run of fixtures.

Blues boss Jose Mourinho will want his inspirational captain at the heart of his side's defence in the next few weeks as Chelsea face tricky encounters against the likes of Everton, Galatasaray and Fulham.

The west London outfit have won one, drawn one and lost one during Terry's time on the sidelines, which shows just how much Chelsea depend on the 33-year-old former England international.

Terry is expected to go straight into the starting line-up to play the Toffees on Saturday as David Luiz has been ruled out of the Premier League encounter.

Swansea City head coach Garry Monk has questioned former manager Michael Laudrup's decision to hold

Swansea City head coach Garry Monk has questioned former manager Michael Laudrup's decision to hold a press conference to discuss his exit.

The Dane, who was replaced by Monk earlier this month, met with journalists on Tuesday and spoke at length about the sequence of events that led to his departure.

However, when pushed for details, Laudrup held back citing legal reasons, and Monk believes there was "no real point" in the press call.

"I have seen bits and bobs of what was said, and basically what I took from it was that he couldn't answer most of the questions for legal reasons, so there was no real point in having it," he said.

"If you call a press conference like that, you should be able to say what you want to say.

"It's not my problem, it's between the club and the chairman and the solicitors as it is apparently.

"It was strange as I have never seen a manager lose his job and then two weeks later have a press conference about it but if that's what you choose to do, you choose to do (it).

"It's nothing to do with us. We have to move on."

Swansea take on Napoli in the first leg of their UEFA Europa League round-of-32 tie on Thursday.

AC Milan head coach Clarence Seedorf is confident he now knows enough about Atletico Madrid's game to overturn their slender first-leg advantage in the Spanish capital.

Clarence Seedorf's side will have to overturn a one-goal deficit in the second leg (AP)

AC Milan head coach Clarence Seedorf is confident he now knows enough about Atletico Madrid's game to overturn their slender first-leg advantage in the Spanish capital.

The first ever competitive meeting between Milan and Atletico saw Diego Simeone's men clinch a 1-0 victory at the San Siro thanks to Diego Costa's last-gasp goal.

The Rossoneri had dominated the game, with Kaka and Andrea Poli both going close to scoring while on-loan QPR forward Adel Taarabt impressed on his Champions League debut.

Seedorf has already travelled to the Vicente Calderon to assess his club's last-16 opponents from the stands and, having now seen them in action close up, he reckons they can be beaten.

The Dutchman told acmilan.com: "I went to Madrid to see Atletico play and I have information on all the players.

"Atletico are a team that have the ability to play when in control of the game but containment is a strategy that their coach uses and I expected them to play as they did.

"We know that the match in Madrid will be an important one but we have time to prepare."

Brazilian playmaker Kaka was easily Milan's most dangerous player, the former Real Madrid man rattling the crossbar and heading against Thibaut Courtois from close range.

Despite the fact his evening ended in frustration, he shared his coach's sense of optimism.

"We had chances to score and I don't like to talk about being unlucky, we need to be more precise," he said.

"The only thing we were missing was the goal, we played well and we prepared well, but it was Atletico who scored in the final minutes.

"I'm optimistic after what I saw.

"We'll try and play our game in Madrid. It's not the result that we were after but we have time to improve and to learn from this match."

Labels:AC Milan,News,Sport,will,win,world

FIFA fines Zambians for breaking player transfer rules

February 20 - Zambia's football association has been fined SFr50,000 ($56,000) by FIFA for breaching international transfer rules in the latest effort by football's world governing body to crack down on the irregular movement of players.

The deals involved three professionals and five amateurs without the correct paperwork and outside the official transfer period. A trio of Zambian clubs, Zanaco FC, Power Dynamos and National Assembly were also punished.

FIFA toughened its international transfer information rules in October 2010 and said three professional players were also transferred without complying with its web-based International Transfer Matching System (ITMS), the use of which is compulsory for the 11-a-side professional game and covers around 6,000 clubs.

Last month FIFA released its third annual report covering the international transfer of professional players, showing that transfer activity rose by four per cent to 12,309 transfers in 2013 for a combined transfer compensation value of $3.7 billion.

Brazil, with 1,402 transfers, was again the most active country for both incoming and outgoing transfers while England spent more than any other country on transfer fees with $913 million, representing 25% of the total.

Labels:FIFA,News,Sport,world,World Cup

EAdam Armstrong struck the only goal of the game as Newcastle United secured a narrow victory over Derby County in The FA Youth Cup on Sunday.

EAdam Armstrong struck the only goal of the game as Newcastle United secured a narrow victory over Derby County in The FA Youth Cup on Sunday.

The England U17 striker’s fifth goal of this season's competition was enough to seal a quarter-final tie at home to either Cardiff City or Chelsea.

A first half of few chances was marred by a clash of heads between Mason Bennett and Olivier Kemen, which resulted in the former being stretchered off.

“Buzzing to beat Derby 1-0 and glad to grab the goal! Away fans were quality too!! Can’t wait for the next round now.”

@AdamArma9 Newcastle United striker

United had to wait until the hour mark before they found a breakthrough, as goalkeeper Freddie Woodman’s long kick fell to Armstrong, who proceeded to dummie past a defender before finishing superbly as he continued his record of scoring in every match of his club’s Youth Cup run.

Following the victory, Dave Watson insisted that Adam Armstrong's moment of magic to win the tie was "world class."

Armstrong – who has caught the eye of Alan Pardew with his exploits this season and been named on the bench for three of the first-team’s matches – told of his delight at the result on Twitter.

He tweeted: “Buzzing to beat derby 1-0 and glad to grab the goal! Away fans were quality to!! Can’t wait for the next round now.” (sic)

Their opponents will be decided on Tuesday, when Cardiff face Chelsea, kick-off 7.05pm.