Saturday 28 February 2009

Watch Valencia v Real Valladolid Online - Live HD Stream

18:00
Spanish La Liga
Valencia v Real Valladolid




Watch Athletico Madrid v Barcelona Highlights in HD



Watch Aston Villa v Stoke Online - Live HD Stream


Aston Villa v Stoke
PREMIER LEAGUEVenue: Villa Park Date: Sunday, 1 March Kick-off: 1500 GMT










Striker John Carew should be included in the Aston Villa line-up after missing the Uefa Cup defeat against CSKA Moscow with a back injury.
Martin Laursen and Wilfred Bouma remain on the sidelines.
Stoke duo Rory Delap and Matthew Etherington are still suspended but manager Tony Pulis hopes striker Ricardo Fuller will play some part.
Fuller has been out with a shoulder problem and will be assessed before Pulis names his team.
Aston Villa (from): Friedel, Guzan, Gardner, Davies, Knight, L Young, Shorey, Milner, Petrov, Barry, Sidwell, A Young, Osbourne, Salifou, Agbonlahor, Heskey, Carew, Delfouneso, Reo-Coker, Harewood.
Stoke (from): Sorensen, Wilkinson, Abdoulaye Faye, Higginbotham, Lawrence, Tonge, Diao, Amdy Faye, Pugh, Sidibe, Cresswell, Beattie, Simonsen, Whelan, Kitson, Camara, Sonko, Fuller.
Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill: "I don't feel there is any more pressure because we have been knocked out of the Uefa Cup.
"Is there more pressure on us for Sunday after being knocked out? Not for the players.
"The one thing you want to do is take pressure away, so I take it on myself.
"But do I feel now because we've rested players we'll automatically beat Stoke? Absolutely not."
Stoke manager Tony Pulis: "They rested eight players for their Uefa Cup game on Thursday.
"But it means that they will be coming at us with all guns blazing now on Sunday, I have no doubts about that.
"Finishing in the top four for them is all important and they will have all their big name players back for our game."
Make your Premier League predictions
BIG-MATCH FACTS
Aston Villa face relegation-threatened Stoke in a Midlands derby, needing all three points to maintain their challenge for a Champions League qualifying berth.
Stoke won their first ever home Premier League game and first top-flight match at the Britannia Stadium, 3-2, in the reverse fixture with Villa in August. That is one of only six league wins so far this season for the Potters, and one of just three away league defeats for the Villa.
Going into the weekend, this match is fourth top against fourth bottom; the joint second most-winning club in the Premier League against one of the second least-winning clubs.
Villa saw their 13-match unbeaten league run ended by Chelsea last weekend, and will not want to suffer their first back-to-back defeats in 15 top-flight outings on the 57th birthday of manager Martin O'Neill.
The Potters have lost their last five league games on the road and have the weakest away record in the Premier League. Villa have the strongest away record in the division. Conversely Stoke have won six games and gained 22 points at the Britannia, while Villa have won five and totted up just 21 points at Villa Park.
Distance between the clubs: 44 miles (71 kilometres)
CLUB FORM
ASTON VILLA
Club stats
Going into this round of matches: 4th 51 points
Best & Worst categories in 2008-09 Premier League(all statistics are ahead of this weekend's round of Premier League fixtures)
1. Won nine and drawn four of the 13 Premier League matches before losing 0-1, home to Chelsea, last Saturday.
2. Not lost successive top-flight games since beaten by Newcastle away and Middlesbrough at home on 3 and 9 November respectively.
3. Completed 15 league games since a loss by more than a single goal; 2-0, against Newcastle at St James' Park nearly four moths ago.
4. The current tally of 51 points after 26 games is their best ever return in the Premier League, seven points up on last season, and their highest points tally to this equivalent stage since the 1989-90 top-flight season, when they finished runners-up to Liverpool.
5. Won seven of the last eight Premier League Midlands derbies.
6. Lost one of the last 12 Midlands derbies; 3-2, away to Stoke on 23 August, this season.
7. Won only two of the last eight home league games, and failed to score in their last two; goalless against Wigan, and 0-1 to Chelsea.
8. The 11 league fixtures remaining after this, include away trips to Liverpool and Manchester United.
Fixtures
STOKE CITY
Club stats
Going into this round of matches: 17th 25 points
Best & Worst categories in 2008-09 Premier League(all statistics are ahead of this weekend's round of Premier League fixtures)
1. Victory would give them their first top-flight double since Brighton were beaten home and away in the 1982-83 season.
2. Won only one of 12 Premier League games; 1-0 against Manchester City on 31 January.
3. Failed to score in five of their last 10 league outings.
4. Won both their previous Premier League Midlands derbies; home to Aston Villa and West Brom.
5. Only points on the road have come from goalless stalemates with Liverpool and Wigan, and a 2-2 draw against Newcastle.
6. Picked up 19 more points at home than away, and not won in 34 top-flight matches on the road since beating Luton 0-1 on 7 May 1984.
7. Still to play all three of the clubs beneath them in the table in their 11 remaining fixtures; home to Middlesbrough and Blackburn and away to West Brom.
Fixtures
KEY PLAYER NOTES
ASTON VILLA
Squad profiles
Gabriel AGBONLAHOR is the club's top Premier League scorer with 10 goals.
Brad FRIEDEL has played every minute of every one of Aston Villa's Premier League matches this season.
Steve SIDWELL has scored the fastest goal in this season's Premier League; netting after only 31 seconds in Villa's 2-3 win over Everton at Goodison Park on 7 December.
If selected:-
FRIEDEL will be extending his record breaking run to 179 consecutive Premier League appearances.
James MILNER will be making his 200th career league appearance (Leeds, Swindon, Newcastle and Aston Villa).
STOKE CITY
Squad profiles
Ricardo FULLER is the club's top Premier League scorer with six goals.
James BEATTIE has scored four goals in his last four Premier League appearances for Stoke.
If selected:-
Thomas SORENSEN will be keeping goal against his former club. The six foot four inch Denmark international keeper made 158 appearances (139 in the league) for Aston Villa, between August 2003 and last summer's close season.
If on the field from the outset:-
Dave KITSON will be making his 250th club career start (Cambridge United, Reading and Stoke).
Suspended:-
Matthew ETHERINGTON (two matches)Rory DELAP (one match)
HEAD TO HEAD
Stoke are paying their first visit to Villa Park for a competitive match since 26 March 1988, when they won 0-1 in the old Second Division.
Villa were victorious in the most recent top-flight meeting with the Potters in the West Midlands, on 27 March 1985. Stoke defender George Berry put through his own goal, and Didier Six scored in a 2-0 victory. Villa ended that season 10th in the Canon First Division; Stoke bottom and were relegated.
The Potters have not won a top-flight match at Villa Park in 44 years, since their 0-1 victory on 13 November 1965.
Home and awayLeague (inc PL): Villa 44 wins, Stoke 25, Draws 20Prem: Villa 0 wins, Stoke 1, Draws 0
at Villa onlyLeague (inc PL): Villa 31 wins, Stoke 6, Draws 7Prem: Villa 0 wins, Stoke 0, Draws 0
THIS SEASON'S REVERSE FIXTURE
Stoke City 3-2 Aston Villa23 August 2008 - Ref: Mark Halsey Stoke scorers: Lawrence 30 pen, Fuller 80, Sidibe 90Villa scorers: Carew 63, Laursen 84
REFEREE
Howard Webb (Yorkshire)

Watch Bolton v Newcastle Online - Live HD Stream


Bolton v Newcastle
PREMIER LEAGUEVenue: Reebok Stadium Date: Sunday, 1 March Kick-off: 1300 GMT








Bolton manager Gary Megson could name an unchanged side.
Striker Johan Elmander looks likely to retain his place in the team after his comeback from a hamstring injury.
Newcastle will be without Kevin Nolan, who is suspended after being sent off against Everton and misses the game against his former club.
Striker Andy Carroll is available after recovering from an ankle injury, but Danny Guthrie is expected to stay sidelined with a hamstring problem.
Bolton (from): Jaaskelainen, Steinsson, Cahill, A O'Brien, Samuel, K Davies, McCann, Basham, Muamba, Gardner, Taylor, Cohen, Makukula, Puygrenier, Obadeyi, Al Habsi, M Davies, Smolarek, Riga, Hunt, Elmander.
Bolton manager Gary Megson:"We are pleased that we have won our last two home games and that was something that we need to do.
"We have six home games left, starting from Sunday, and we know that with our fans' backing we can put on a good performance.
"With their help our home games can have a huge impact on our season. Attendances have been really strong this season.
"Make no mistake, the players can benefit from that extra push the Bolton crowd in full voice can give them."
Newcastle assistant manager Chris Hughton: "We have had weeks where the results have gone very well for us and we have been able to get that gap.
"But we know it won't always be that way and there will be games when we are going to lose and the teams around us are going to win and it is not going to go so well."
Make your Premier League predictions
BIG-MATCH FACTS
Premier League survival is all that remains from this season for these two mid-table sides.
These are two of the Premier League's most inactive clubs. This is Bolton's 29th game of the season and Newcastle's 31st. By comparison, the Carling Cup final will be Manchester United's 46th fixture of the campaign.
Newcastle were the fifth of 10 clubs Gary Megson represented in his playing career. The Bolton manager made 21 league appearances for the Magpies in the 1984-85 season.
Newcastle gained their first points in six Premier League visits to Bolton with a 1-3 victory last season. The Magpies have not recorded back-to-back league victories at Bolton since 1911 and 1912.
Distance between the clubs: 152 miles (245 kilometres)
CLUB FORM
BOLTON WANDERERS
Club stats
Going into this round of matches: 12th 30 points
Best & Worst categories in 2008-09 Premier League(all statistics are ahead of this weekend's round of Premier League fixtures)
1. Won two of three Premier League matches, and lost seven of 11.
2. Five points up on this same stage last season, when three places lower in the table at 15th.
3. Completed 14 top-flight games since a clean sheet; the longest such sequence currently in the Premier League. Their last shut-out was a 0-1 win at Hull on 8 November.
4. Failed to score in five of the last eight league games.
5. Won the last two home league games; not won three in a row at the Reebok since the last two of last season and the first of this. Not won three successive home league games in a single season for over a year. That was when the chalked up four in a row between 24 November 2007 and 2 January 2008.
6. The only club not to have scored a penalty in the Premier League this season.
7. Won the last two top-flight matches against North-East clubs; 1-3 against Middlesbrough and 1-4 against Sunderland, both away.
8. Won four of the last five league games against clubs from the region.
9. Only two of their 11 remaining Premier League fixtures after this are against current top five clubs; away to Chelsea and home to Aston Villa.
Fixtures
NEWCASTLE UNITED
Club stats
Going into this round of matches: 15th 28 points
Best & Worst categories in 2008-09 Premier League(all statistics are ahead of this weekend's round of Premier League fixtures)
1. Won one of eight Premier League matches; 2-3 against West Brom in their most recent match on the road.
2. The current tally of 28 points after 26 games is on a par with last season, when they were two spots higher in 13th.
3. Not lost a league game in which they have opened the scoring; won six and drawn three of nine.
4. Not won a league game in which they have conceded the opening goal; drawn four and lost 10 of 14.
5. Conceded nine penalties in Premier League matches this term; more than any other club. Eight have been converted.
6. The victory at the Hawthorns on 7 February ended a run of three successive away league losses.
7. Not won consecutive away league games since Middlesbrough (1-2) and Sunderland (1-4) were defeated in North-East derbies on 9 and 17 April 2006 respectively.
8. Drawn four and lost five of the last nine against North-West clubs, and won only one of the last 10 against clubs from the region this season. That victory was against Bolton.
9. Three of their next four fixtures after this are all home to so-called 'Big Four' clubs; Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea.
Fixtures
KEY PLAYER NOTES
BOLTON WANDERERS
Squad profiles
Goalkeeper Jussi JAASKELAINEN is the only remaining player to have been on the field for every minute of every one of Bolton's league and cup matches this season.
Kevin DAVIES is the club's top Premier League scorer with 10 goals; his best ever return in a top-flight season.
If he scores:-
DAVIES will total 50 goals in Bolton colours.
Matthew TAYLOR will reach the milestone of 50 career league goals.
If selected:-
Andy O'BRIEN will be facing a former club. The 29 year old Republic of Ireland international made 172 appearances (120 in the league) and scored seven goals (six league) for Newcastle between March 2001 and June 2005.
NEWCASTLE UNITED
Squad profiles
Fabricio COLOCCINI is the only remaining player to have started every one of Newcastle's Premier League matches this season.
Michael OWEN is the club's top Premier League scorer with eight goals.
If selected:-
Jose ENRIQUE will be making his 50th appearance for Newcastle.
Danny GUTHRIE spent a season-long loan with Bolton last term, making 35 appearances (25 in the league) and scoring one Carling Cup goal.
Suspended:-
Kevin NOLAN (three matches)
HEAD TO HEAD
The last corresponding fixture opened the season and was Sam Allardyce's first match in charge of Newcastle. It resulted in a 1-3 victory over Allardyce's former club.
These clubs have never conjured up a score draw in Premier League games against each other.
The Magpies are aiming to complete a third Premier League double over the Trotters, and first since 2001-02.
Home and awayLeague (inc PL): Bolton 39 wins, Newcastle 50, Draws 18Prem: Bolton 7 wins, Newcastle 10, Draws 2
at Bolton onlyLeague (inc PL): Bolton 27 wins, Newcastle 14, Draws 12Prem: Bolton 6 wins, Newcastle 3, Draws 0
LAST SEASON'S CORRESPONDING GAME
Bolton Wanderers 1-3 Newcastle United12 August 2007 - Ref: Chris Foy Bolton scorer: Anelka 50Newcastle scorers: N'Zogbia 11, Martins 21, 27
THIS SEASON'S REVERSE FIXTURE
Newcastle United 1-0 Bolton Wanderers23 August 2008 - Ref: Steve Bennett Newcastle scorer: Owen 71
REFEREE
Alan Wiley (Stafforshire)

Watch West Ham v Man City Online - Live HD Stream


West Ham v Man City
PREMIER LEAGUE

Venue: Upton Park Date: Sunday, 1 March Kick-off: 1230 GMT








West Ham midfielder Mark Noble is suspended and defender James Collins (hamstring) will miss out.
Luis Boa Morte (groin), Kieron Dyer (calf), Danny Gabbidon (back) and Dean Ashton (ankle) remain sidelined.
Manchester City wide-man Shaun Wright-Phillips is suspended and Gelson Fernandes remains doubtful with a hamstring strain.
Nigel de Jong is available again, having been ineligible for the Uefa Cup victory over FC Copenhagen.
West Ham (from): Green, Neill, Tomkins, Upson, Ilunga, Behrami, Parker, Collison, Kovac, Cole, Di Michele, Lastuvka, Lopez, Savio, Spector, Tristan, Sears.
Man City (from): Given, Hart, Schmeichel, Richards, Onuoha, Dunne, Kompany, Bridge, Garrido, Zabaleta, Elano, Caicedo, Ireland, de Jong, Fernandes, Robinho, Bellamy, Vassell, Weiss, Logan.
West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola:"We are really dying to win again after our FA Cup defeat on Wednesday, and that is the kind of feeling we must have.
"The guys are not willing to sit on this too long and we are determined to put another run of good results together.
"We know what we are capable of achieving and will work very hard to make this happen."
Manchester City manager Mark Hughes: "West Ham are playing good football, a short passing game with good quality up front. Carlton Cole is doing well, he's always had the talent but has possibly under-achieved in previous seasons.
"It's another test for us, a difficult place to go. It was always a bit tasty at Upton Park when I was a player with United and Chelsea. But I used to enjoy it, there's always a great atmosphere. It's up to us to go there and quieten them down."
Make your Premier League predictions
BIG-MATCH FACTS
Two clubs adjacent to each other at the bottom of the top half of the Premier League table, go toe to toe at Upton Park.
Both West Ham and Manchester City have won nine games, but the Hammers are one point better off.
Both sides were in action midweek; West Ham were knocked out of the FA Cup by Middlesbrough.
Manchester City head to East London, with an appalling away record. Only one victory has been accrued in 13 attempts away from the City of Manchester Stadium this term.
Manchester City will be aiming to stretch their unbeaten run over West Ham in the Premier League to six matches. The Citizens have won four and drawn one of the last five and only conceded one goal in the process.
Distance between the clubs: 215 miles (347 kilometres) Manchester City are making the longest journey of any club for a Premier League match this weekend.
CLUB FORM
WEST HAM UNITED
Club stats
Going into this round of matches: 9th 33 points
Best & Worst categories in 2008-09 Premier League(all statistics are ahead of this weekend's round of Premier League fixtures)
1. Lost their last two Premier League matches, against Manchester United (home) and Bolton (away).
2. Completed 16 top-flight games since losing three in a row; in fact they tumbled to four straight losses throughout the month of October 2008.
3. Down by seven points on this same stage last season, when they crept up to ninth for one week from their 10th placing where they returned to and stayed for the rest of the season.
4. Lost just one of the 10 games in which they have opening the scoring; home to Everton on 8 November.
5. Their three game winning run at home was brought to an end with a 0-1 victory by Manchester United in the most recent top-flight game at Upton Park on 8 February.
6. In danger of a hat-trick of top-flight defeats to North-West clubs, having lost home to Manchester United and away to Bolton in their last two league outings. Not beaten a club from the region in six attempts, from which only one point was garnered.
7. This game precedes another mid-table match-up, away to Wigan before back-to-back fixtures with relegation-haunted sides; home to West Brom and away to Blackburn.
Fixtures
MANCHESTER CITY
Club stats
Going into this round of matches: 10th 32 points
Best & Worst categories in 2008-09 Premier League(all statistics are ahead of this weekend's round of Premier League fixtures)
1. Won four of eight Premier League matches.
2. 12 points down on this identical juncture last season, when in the top seven.
3. Won all seven league games in which clean sheets have been kept, and lost all six matches in which they've failed to score.
4. Not registered a goalless draw in 33 top-flight matches, the longest current such sequence by any club in the Premier League. The most recent was away to Bolton on 22 March last year.
5. Drawn five and lost six of the last 11 away league games.
7. Their only Premier League victory on the road this season came courtesy of a 0-3 triumph over Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on 31 August.
8. Won one of nine top-flight trips to London; 0-2 against West Ham on 11 August 2007.
9. The next four fixtures after this will include clashes with three of the 'Big Four'; home to Aston Villa and away to Chelsea and Arsenal.
Fixtures
KEY PLAYER NOTES
WEST HAM UNITED
Squad profiles
Robert GREEN is the only remaining player to have been on the field for every minute of every one of West Ham's Premier League matches this season.
Carlton COLE is the club's top Premier League scorer with eight goals.
If selected:-
GREEN will be making his 100th appearance in a West Ham goalkeepers' jersey.
MANCHESTER CITY
Squad profiles
ROBINHO is the club's top Premier League scorer with 11 goals.
Shaun WRIGHT-PHILLIPS is a hat-trick shy of 50 club career goals (Nottingham Forest, Manchester City and Chelsea). ?
If selected:-
Richard DUNNE will be making his 300th career Premier League appearance (Everton and Manchester City)
Craig BELLAMY will be facing a former club. The 29 year old Wales international made 26 appearances (24 in the league) and scored nine goals (seven league) for West Ham between July 2007 and his move to Eastlands in the January window.
Michael JOHNSON will be playing two days before turning 21.
HEAD TO HEAD
Last season's equivalent fixture was Manchester City's first match under Sven-Goran Eriksson and new owner Thaksin Shinawatra, and resulted in a 0-2 victory for the visitors to East London. Since then of course, both have moved on.
If City pick up a third consecutive league victory at Upton Park, they will complete a second Premier League double over West Ham; the first came in the season before last.
Home and awayLeague (inc PL): West Ham 32 wins, Man City 37, Draws 12Prem: West Ham 6 wins, Man City 8, Draws 3
at West Ham onlyLeague (inc PL): West Ham 23 wins, Man City 10, Draws 7Prem: West Ham 5 wins, Man City 2, Draws 1
LAST SEASON'S CORRESPONDING GAME
West Ham United 0-2 Manchester City11 August 2007 - Ref: Peter Walton Man City scorers: Bianchi 18, Geovanni 87
THIS SEASON'S REVERSE FIXTURE
Manchester City 3-0 West Ham United24 August 2008 - Ref: Howard Webb Man City scorers: Sturridge 65, Elano 70, 76Sent Off: Noble (West Ham) 38
REFEREE
Mike Dean (Wirral)

Watch Hull v Blackburn Online - Live HD Stream


Hull v Blackburn
PREMIER LEAGUE

Venue: KC Stadium Date: Sunday, 1 March Kick-off: 1230 GMT








Hull City captain Ian Ashbee is nursing a slight calf injury and may be left out by boss Phil Brown for Sunday's game at the KC Stadium.
Caleb Folan is also likely to miss out after suffering a groin strain against Sheffield United but Craig Fagan is in contention after minor knee surgery.
Blackburn midfielders Vince Grella and David Dunn are both doubts and will be given late fitness tests.
Grella has a groin problem and Dunn has been carrying a hamstring strain.
Hull (from): Duke, Ricketts, Turner, Gardner, Dawson, Mendy, Zayatte, Marney, Kilbane, Garcia, Cousin, Ashbee, Geovanni, Barmby, Fagan, Halmosi, Doyle, Hughes, France, Manucho, Myhill.
Blackburn (from): Robinson, Brown, Ooijer, Khizanishvili, Nelsen, Samba, Simpson, Warnock, Givet, Olsson, Dunn, Villanueva, Grella, Tugay, Andrews, Diouf, Pedersen, Treacy, Mokoena, Haworth, Santa Cruz, McCarthy, Roberts.
Hull manager Phil Brown: "We'll both be going for the jugular for 90 minutes. I can't see any team pulling out of tackles, challenges or headers.
"I think there will be a little blood spilled because there will be that much commitment on show.
"But that is a typical Hull City performance and if Blackburn can match that, then we are in for a good game."
Blackburn manager Sam Allardyce: "We have a group of players who are trying very hard to get themselves out of the position they are in.
"If we put that amount of effort and commitment into games from now on, then that will give us victories.
"But if we let our standard drop just because the team we are playing is not Manchester United, then we will be in big trouble."
Make your Premier League predictions
BIG-MATCH FACTS
Hull manager Phil Brown comes up against his old boss, Sam Allardyce, as Blackburn pay their first visit to the KC Stadium in a "must win" game for both clubs. Rovers are smarting from the midweek embarrassment of defeat to Coventry of the Championship in the FA Cup.
Hull are without a victory in 10 Premier League outings; only Middlesbrough have a longer winless sequence of 14. Blackburn have won only two of 19.
The Tigers have won just three home matches in this league; Blackburn have picked up just two league victories away from home, and are without one in nine on the road.
Hull have not lost a top-flight game in which they've opened the scoring; Rovers have not won any Premier League game this season, when they've conceded the first goal.
This match pits the club to have scored the fewest Premier League goals in the closing five minutes with the one to have shipped the most; Hull have scored just once after the 85th minute while Blackburn have leaked eight.
The first ever top-flight match between Blackburn and Hull, and first league meeting in 18 years ended all square at 1-1 at Ewood Park in August.
Distance between the clubs: 110 miles (177 kilometres)
CLUB FORM
HULL CITY
Club stats
Going into this round of matches: 13th 29 points
Best & Worst categories in 2008-09 Premier League(all statistics are ahead of this weekend's round of Premier League fixtures)
1. Drawn three and lost seven Premier League games since beating Middlesbrough 2-1 at home on 6 December.
2. Kept just one clean sheet in 17 Premier League matches; that being the goalless draw at Chelsea on 7 February.
3. Won four and drawn five of the nine Premier League games in which they've opened the scoring.
4. Bottom of the top-flight's "home" table with 12 points; won three, drawn three.
5. Not won in five league games at the KC; one point out of 15.
6. The 2-1 victory over Middlesbrough on 6 December is their only maximum in nine Premier League games in East Yorkshire.
7. Not beaten a North-West club this season; drawn four and lost five of nine.
8. 11 matches will remain after this. The last five will include a home clash with Liverpool, and a visit to Aston Villa, with the curtain coming down home to Manchester United.
Fixtures
BLACKBURN ROVERS
Club stats
Going into this round of matches: 18th 23 points
Best & Worst categories in 2008-09 Premier League(all statistics are ahead of this weekend's round of Premier League fixtures)
1. Picked up two points from a possible 12, and won one of seven Premier League games; 3-0, home to Newcastle on 17 January.
2. Drawn four of their eight league games under Sam Allardyce (won two, lost two).
3. Lost the last two top-flight outings. It is their worst run since six straight losses in pre-Allardyce days.
4. Scored just one goal in three league games.
5. Drawn two and lost 10 of the 12 league games in which their opponents have opened the scoring.
6. Three goals shy of conceding 700 in their Premier League history.
7. Yet to pick up three points on the road under the current manager; not won in nine away from Ewood Park, and failed to score in five of them.
8. Drawn four and lost five away Premier League games since registering a 1-2 victory over Newcastle at St James' Park on 27 September; one of only two away wins in this league campaign.
9. Yet to lose to a promoted club this season; drew home to Hull and away to West Brom, and beat Stoke 3-0 at Ewood Park.
10. Still to visit three of the 'Big Four' amongst their 12 remaining fixture after this (Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea), and must go to Stoke and host Portsmouth - the two clubs immediately above them in the table, and therefore relegation rivals.
Fixtures
KEY PLAYER NOTES
HULL CITY
Squad profiles
Michael TURNER is the only remaining player to have been on the field for every minute of every one of Hull's Premier League matches this season.
GEOVANNI is the club's top Premier League scorer with six goals.
Nick BARMBY needs a double to reach 100 club career goals.
If selected:-
Craig FAGAN will be making his 100th league appearance in a Hull shirt.
Ryan FRANCE will be making his 150th appearance for the Tigers.
BLACKBURN ROVERS
Squad profiles
Benni McCARTHY is the club's top Premier League scorer with seven goals.
Between them McCARTHY, Roque SANTA CRUZ and Jason ROBERTS have scored 17 of Blackburn's 28 league goals.
David DUNN is a double shy of 50 club career goals.
HEAD TO HEAD
Hull won their last two home league meetings with Blackburn; 2-0 on 10 April 1990, and 3-1 on 8 December 1990 - both in the old Second Division.
Blackburn last claimed maximum points on Hull territory 21 years ago; winning 1-3 at Boothferry Park on 20 September 1988, also at second league level.
Home and awayLeague (inc PL): Hull 9 wins, Blackburn 24, Draws 12Prem: Hull 0 wins, Blackburn 0, Draws 1
at Hull onlyLeague (inc PL): Hull 7 wins, Blackburn 9, Draws 6Prem: Hull 0 wins, Blackburn 0, Draws 0
THIS SEASON'S REVERSE FIXTURE
Blackburn Rovers 1-1 Hull City23 August 2008 - Ref: Stuart Attwell Blackburn scorer: Roberts 38Hull scorer: Garcia 40
REFEREE
Martin Atkinson (Yorkshire)

Watch Sheffield United v Birmingham Online - Live HD Stream


Sheff Utd v Birmingham
Venue: Bramall Lane

Date: Sunday, 1 March Kick-off: 1215 GMT









Sheffield United have doubts over Matt Kilgallon (back) and Nick Montgomery (hamstring) but Darius Henderson is available after suspension.
John Joe O'Toole could make his debut. Jamie Ward, Leigh Bromby and Craig Beattie are also in contention.
Birmingham boss Alex McLeish is without Lee Bowyer and Seb Larsson due to suspension.
Djimi Traore has a damaged hamstring but Gary McSheffrey is in contention for the first time since September.
Sheffield United manager Kevin Blackwell told BBC Radio Sheffield:
"We've taken a lot of criticism lately which I feel is totally unjust, but we've been playing well recently and I hope the moaners and groaners get behind us now."
"We haven't had a good record against teams at the top and I don't know why. If we beat Birmingham and win our game in hand it is going to be very, very interesting. It's wide open.
Birmingham City manager Alex McLeish told BBC WM:
"Every week that goes by without Kevin Phillips in the team, people will say Birmingham lack goals without him and will point the finger.
"That's the pressure our strikers must respond to."

Friday 27 February 2009

Watch Man Utd v Tottenham Carling Cup Final Highlights in HD





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Watch Ireland v England Online - Live HD Six Nations Rugby Stream


Ireland v England (Sat)
SIX NATIONS - IRELAND v ENGLANDVenue: Croke Park Date: Saturday, 28 February Kick-off: 1730 GMT









Ireland aim to take another step towards a possible RBS Six Nations title showdown with Wales by beating England in Dublin on Saturday.
Coach Declan Kidney has named the same side for the third straight match after victories over France and Italy.
England, thrashed 43-13 at Croke Park in 2007, hope to build on the promise of their display in Wales as they look for a first win in Dublin since 2003.
Their only change sees Toby Flood replace Andy Goode at fly-half.
Flood, 23, will win his 24th cap, but it is only his fifth start at fly-half.
Manager Martin Johnson hopes the Leicester Tiger, who also takes the goal-kicking duties, will bring some consistency to a position where England have used five different players in 10 Tests.
RECENT MEETINGS
2008: England 33-10 Ireland
2007: Ireland 43-13 England
2006: England 24-28 Ireland
2005: Ireland 19-13 England
2004: England 13-19 Ireland
"Toby's been around the international scene for two or three years now and I see this as his chance to nail down the position," said Johnson.
"Pulling the strings at international level is a big responsibility, and players have to experience a range of things before they can make the role theirs."
Flood will hope not to repeat his experience in Dublin two years ago, when he watched as an unused replacement while Brian Ashton's side conceded a record number of points by any English team in championship history.
Only four of the starting XV thrashed 43-13 - Mike Tindall, Harry Ellis, Joe Worsley and Phil Vickery, who was captain that day - remain, while Lee Mears, Julian White and Mathew Tait appeared as replacements amid the carnage.
Penalty count will be crucial - Johnson
By contrast, 13 of Ireland's 22 and seven of the starting side that revelled in a fixture bursting with historical and political symbolism will confront England at "Croker" for a second and final time, with Ireland returning to the revamped Lansdowne Road next year.
However, according to full-back Rob Kearney, one of a clutch of young players who have added an extra vibrancy to Ireland this season, it is memories of last year's 33-10 defeat at Twickenham that the Irish will look to for motivation.
"There's a lot of hurt from last year because we got a good old trouncing and now it's the time to set that right," he said.
"But the England game of two years ago has been talked about as well. I wasn't involved in that one but I can't wait to get a taste of it.
"This is a massive occasion. Ireland is a hugely patriotic country and with that comes a huge responsibility to ourselves and our country. It's important that we finish this match with the right message."

A third victory in this year's championship would see talk of a first Irish Grand Slam in 61 years grow louder, despite a hazardous finish to their campaign that features trips to Murrayfield and the Millennium Stadium on successive Saturdays.
But they should have enough momentum to keep that dream alive against an England side seeking reassurance that running Wales close in Cardiff was not a defiant one-off.
Ireland: R Kearney; T Bowe, B O'Driscoll (capt), P Wallace, L Fitzgerald; R O'Gara, T O'Leary; M Horan, J Flannery, J Hayes, D O'Callaghan, P O'Connell, S Ferris, D Wallace, J Heaslip. Replacements: R Best, T Court, M O'Driscoll, D Leamy, P Stringer, G D'Arcy, G Murphy.
England: D Armitage; P Sackey, M Tindall, R Flutey, M Cueto; T Flood, H Ellis; A Sheridan, L Mears, P Vickery, S Borthwick (capt), N Kennedy, J Haskell, J Worsley, N Easter. Replacements: D Hartley, J White, T Croft, L Narraway, D Care, A Goode, M Tait.

Watch Scotland v Italy Online - Live HD Six Nations Rugby Stream


Scotland v Italy (Sat)
SIX NATIONS - SCOTLAND v ITALYVenue: Murrayfield Date: Saturday, 28 February Kick-off: 1500 GMT









Scotland and Italy are both looking to get off the mark at Murrayfield after two defeats in this year's Six Nations.
The home side are boosted by the return of prop Euan Murray, while lock Alastair Kellock replaces Jim Hamilton.
Andrea Marcato, Leonardo Ghiraldini, Marco Bortolami and Gonzalo Garcia are the four changes to the Italian side that lost 38-9 at home to Ireland.
Italy are in search of a first ever hat-trick of Six Nations wins, having beaten the Scots in 2007 and 2008.
Scotland have won five of the nine Six Nations meetings between the teams and got the better of the visitors at the 2007 World Cup.
On that occasion, Chris Paterson kicked all of the points in a tense 18-16 victory but Scotland's most-capped player and all-time record points-scorer is kept on the bench this time, as he was in the opening defeats by Wales and France.
Frank Hadden's side surrendered meekly to the Welsh but turned in a hugely improved performance in Paris, only to lose out 22-13.

And the Evans brothers, Max and Thom, retain their places after injecting some much needed pace into the Scottish ranks.
However, Scotland have secured just three victories in the past 12 months and the pressure is mounting on head coach Hadden.
The return of Northampton star Murray, who missed the first two rounds of the tournament with a rib injury, should improve Scotland's scrummaging, which has been ragged of late.
But set-pieces remain a worry for Hadden, who has lost locks Nathan Hines and Jim Hamilton to injury, while a lack of game time at club level has left Scott MacLeod out in the cold.
Glasgow skipper Kellock makes his first Test start in two years and will partner Jason White in the second row, but Hadden has once again gone without a recognised lock among the replacements.
Simon Taylor had to switch from the back row once Hamilton was injured early in Paris, while White is also more accustomed to the flanker's role.
"In international rugby, or top-level rugby, you should have nine subs," explained Hadden.
"But we think we've got a bench that can make a significant impact and we think they're a very important part of our team.
"Last year, I thought we played pretty well and should've come away with a win in Italy.

Italy ran in four tries on their last visit to Murrayfield
"But this time we know that we've got to, first of all, lay the platform for us to play in a manner than we think we're capable of.
"We're determined to play a significant part in this championship and we know we've got to get off the mark this weekend."
Italy have suffered heavy defeats by England and Ireland and have been guilty of ill-discipline, as have the Scots, while both teams will be hoping to cut down on the number of unforced errors made so far.
"Against Ireland we had 18 fouls against when our average is 10," said visiting head coach Nick Mallett. "We simply lacked intelligence and this cannot be tolerated.
"Against Scotland I expect lucidity and discipline on the pitch from my players. We had that in last year's tournament but we haven't shown it so far."
The return of full-back Marcato and lock Bortolami, who missed the loss to Ireland through injury, will strengthen the Azzurri, as will Ghiraldini's comeback from a knee problem.
"Ghiraldini is our first choice," added Mallett. "He had an extraordinary tournament last season and according to many people he was one of the best hookers in the tournament.
"He has all the right characteristics - he is fast, makes good tackles and throws the ball in well at the line-out."
Scotland: Hugo Southwell (Edinburgh), Simon Danielli (Ulster), Max Evans (Glasgow), Graeme Morrison (Glasgow), Thom Evans (Glasgow), Phil Godman (Edinburgh), Mike Blair (Edinburgh, capt), Allan Jacobsen (Edinburgh), Ross Ford (Edinburgh), Euan Murray (Northampton Saints), Jason White (Sale Sharks), Alastair Kellock (Glasgow), Alasdair Strokosch (Gloucester), Simon Taylor (Stade Francais), John Barclay (Glasgow).Replacements: Dougie Hall (Glasgow), Alasdair Dickinson (Gloucester), Kelly Brown (Glasgow), Scott Gray (Northampton Saints), Chris Cusiter (Perpignan), Chris Paterson (Edinburgh), Nick De Luca (Edinburgh).
Italy: Marcato (Benetton Treviso); Mirco Bergamasco (Stade Francais), Canale (Clermont-Aubergne), Garcia (Calvisano), Pratichetti (Calvisano); McLean (Calvisano) Griffen (Calvisano); Perugini (Stade Toulousain), Ghiraldini (Calvisano), Castrogiovanni (Leicester Tigers), Dellape (Toulon), Bortolami (Gloucester), Zanni (Calvisano), Mauro Bergamasco (Stade Francais), Parisse (Stade Francais).Replacements: Ongaro (Saracens), Nieto (Gloucester), del Fava (Ulster), Canavosio (Viadana), Sole (Viadana), Bacchetti (Rovigo), Rubini (Cariparma).

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Watch Everton v West Brom Online - Live HD Stream


Everton v West Brom
PREMIER LEAGUEVenue: Goodison Park Date: Saturday, 28 February Kick-off: 1245 GMT










Everton's Louis Saha, who recently returned from a hamstring injury, is now doubtful with a thigh problem.
Tim Cahill and right-back Tony Hibbert return after suspension.
West Brom midfielder Filipe Teixeira is expected to be available despite suffering a broken toe during last weekend's defeat at Fulham.
But midfielder Jonathan Greening and defender Jonas Olsson are sidelined with knee injuries, while Youssouf Mulumbu is out with a thigh strain.
Everton (from): Howard, Jagielka, Lescott, Yobo, Baines, Hibbert, Gosling, Van der Meyde, Neville, Fellaini, Osman, Cahill, Jo, Saha, Nash, Castillo, Jacobsen.
West Brom (from): Carson, Kiely, Zuiverloon, Hoefkens, Donk, Pele, Meite, Robinson, Cech, Koren, Teixeira, Kim, Valero, Brunt, Simpson, Fortune, Bednar, Moore, Martis, Menseguez.
Everton manager David Moyes: "We are in a good position but it is only February and nothing is won and lost.
"We will keep hanging in there and try to achieve a top-four place if we can.
"I hope we can put pressure on the teams above us but West Brom are a good footballing team and there will be periods where we have to be patient."
West Brom manager Tony Mowbray:
"We are going away to the team who are sixth and then meet the team who are fifth over the space of a few days.
"So we have a big, big ask coming up in the next few days and we will have to see whether we are up to the challenge which is in front of us.
"We have shown against Everton already this season that we can give them more than a tough game.
"That was a match at The Hawthorns which we lost 2-1, the game slipped away from us after we had played enough good football to have won the game."
Make your Premier League predictions
BIG-MATCH FACTS
Europa League chasing Everton host relegation-haunted West Bromwich Albion in the 150th competitive meeting between the clubs.
Everton go into the game on a five-match unbeaten home league record, and four points outside the top five.
Rock bottom West Brom are without victory in 10 away and are three points below safety.
The next goal the Baggies let in will be the 50th they've conceded in this Premier League season.
The next defeat Everton suffer will be their 250th in the Premier League; more than any other club.
The Toffeemen have kept as many top-flight clean sheets on home turf this season, as the Throstles have managed home and away combined (five).
West Brom travel in pursuit of their first league victory at Goodison Park in 30 years.
Distance between the clubs: 94 miles (151 kilometres)
CLUB FORM
EVERTON
Club stats
6th 41 pointsHighest achievable after Saturday's matches: 6thLowest could fall: 6th
Best & Worst categories in 2008-09 Premier League
1. Avoided defeat in nine of the last 10 Premier League matches.
2. Six points down on this same stage last season when in the top four.
3. Won 10 and lost just one of the 13 top-flight matches in which they have scored first.
4. Won three and drawn two of the last five home league games, since losing by the odd goal in five to Aston Villa on 7 December.
5. Only conceded one goal in the last five league games at Goodison Park (v Arsenal).
6. The loss to Aston Villa nearly three months ago is their only defeat in eight Premier League matches against Midlands clubs.
7. Won three and drawn one of the four matches played so far against last season's promoted clubs.
8. Away fixtures against Aston Villa and Chelsea are the only top-five clubs yet to play in their 11 remaining fixtures after this.
Fixtures
WEST BROMWICH ALBION
Club stats
20th 22 pointsHighest mathematically achievable after Saturday's matches: 17thLowest could fall: 20th
Best & Worst categories in 2008-09 Premier League
1. Lost the last three and not won in six in all competitions.
2. Picked up one win from six Premier League matches, but only bagged one point from a last possible 12.
3. Scored four goals and conceded 12 in the last four league matches.
4. Four points down on this identical juncture in their last season in this league in 2005-06, and one point up on 2002-03, the only other previous campaign that ended in relegation from the Premier League. In the one season they survived the drop, 2004-05, they only had 17 points after 26 matches.
5. Completed 23 Premier League matches since a goalless draw; the trip to Bolton on 30 August being the most recent.
6. Not won any of the 17 Premier League matches in which they've conceded the opening goal, and lost 10 of the 11 in which they've failed to score.
7. Gained just one point from the last available 30 on the road (2-2 at Hull on 31 January), since their only away win of this Premier League campaign; 0-1 against Middlesbrough at the Riverside on 27 September.
8. Won one of eight Premier League matches against North-West clubs this season; 2-1, home to Manchester City on 21 December.
9. Drawn one and lost three of their four top-flight visits to the North-West this season.
10. Amongst their remaining fixtures are home games against Arsenal and Liverpool, as well as relegation rivals Stoke, before ending the season at Blackburn.
Fixtures
KEY PLAYER NOTES
EVERTON
Squad profiles
Tim HOWARD and Phil JAGIELKA are the only remaining players to have been on the field for every minute of every one of Everton's league and cup matches this season.
Tim CAHILL and Mikel ARTETA are the club's joint leading Premier League scorers; six each.
Suspended:-
Jose BAXTER (one match)
WEST BROMWICH ALBION
Squad profiles
Scott CARSON is the only remaining player to have been on the field for every minute of every one of West Brom's Premier League matches this season.
Roman BEDNAR is the Baggies leading Premier League scorer, with six goals.
If selected:-
Robert KOREN will be making his 100th appearance in a West Brom shirt.
HEAD TO HEAD
West Bromwich have not beaten Everton on Merseyde since a 0-2 top-flight triumph on 1 May 1979, when David Mills and Bryan Robson were their scorers.
The Toffees have won five and drawn five of their last 10 home league games against the Baggies; dropping two of nine Premier League points against them on home soil.
Everton are aiming to complete the double over Albion for the second time in the Premier League, and first since 2002-03.
Home and awayLeague (inc PL): Everton 56 wins, WBA 51, Draws 32Prem: Everton 4 wins, WBA 2, Draws 1
at Everton onlyLeague (inc PL): Everton 40 wins, WBA 14, Draws 15Prem: Everton 2 wins, WBA 0, Draws 1
THIS SEASON'S REVERSE FIXTURE
West Bromwich Albion 1-2 Everton23 August 2008 - Ref: Rob Styles WBA scorer: Bednar 89 pen Everton scorers: Osman 65, Yakubu 76
REFEREE
Steve Bennett (Orpington, Kent)

Watch Middlesbrough v Liverpool Online - Live HD Stream


Middlesbrough v Liverpool
PREMIER LEAGUEVenue: Riverside Date: Saturday, 28 February Kick-off: 1500 GMT










Middlesbrough's fit-again forward Jeremie Aliadiere is set to make his first league start of 2009.
Chris Riggott (knee) and Didier Digard (thigh) remain sidelined.
Liverpool striker Fernando Torres is unlikely to figure as he struggles with an ankle injury but Steven Gerrard may earn a start after a hamstring problem.
The Spanish striker was substituted after 61 minutes of Liverpool's win at Real Madrid on Wednesday, while Gerrard came on in the closing moments.
Middlesbrough (from): Jones, Hoyte, Pogatetz, Wheater, Huth, Arca, O'Neil, Bates, Downing, Aliadiere, Tuncay, Turnbull, McMahon, Walker, Taylor, Emnes, Johnson A, King, Alves.
Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate:"We know we have a tough game on our hands but we go into it with renewed optimism on the back of Wednesday's FA Cup win against West Ham.
"We nearly always give Liverpool a good game and we should have got something at Anfield, leading when we did.
"If we can get the type of atmosphere we got against West Ham then we'll give them a good run for their money."
Benitez denies power struggle with Parry
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez:
"The title is harder after we were held to a draw by Manchester City on Sunday. But let us wait to see the situation after our next two games.
"We have a trip to Middlesbrough on Saturday and then Sunderland are at Anfield next Tuesday. If we can win both of those games, it will really boost us.
"After that we have a week without a game because of the next round of the FA Cup, before we play Real Madrid at home on 10 March.
"Let's see where we are by then because we then go to Old Trafford, a game we know we must win."
Make your Premier League predictions
BIG-MATCH FACTS
Second top plays second bottom at Anfield, as Middlesbrough chase their first win in 15 Premier League games, against a Liverpool side on a 15 match unbeaten league sequence. Only Manchester United match that, but they have drawn just two games and picked up 41 points over that period, whereas the Reds have drawn eight, and picked up just 29 points.
Both clubs were victorious on Wednesday night; Liverpool 0-1, away to Real Madrid in the Champions League, while 'Boro knocked West Ham out of the FA Cup with a 2-0 win at the Riverside.
The Reds have won three times as many league games as their North-East opponents (15 to five); Middlesbrough have conceded twice as many Premier League goals as their Merseyside competitors (36 to 18).
Liverpool are looking for three Premier League points on Teesside for the first time since a 1-2 victory on 16 March 2002, when Emile Heskey and John Arne Riise scored for the Reds, and Gareth Southgate replied for 'Boro.
Liverpool have drawn their last three visits to the Riverside.
Distance between the clubs: 143 miles (231 kilometres)
CLUB FORM
MIDDLESBROUGH
Club stats
19th 23 pointsHighest achievable after Saturday's matches: 17thLowest could fall: 20th
Best & Worst categories in 2008-09 Premier League
1. Drawn six and lost eight of 14 Premier League matches (six points out of 42) since defeating Aston Villa 1-2 at Villa Park on 9 November.
2. Not scored in four games, or 495 minutes (eight hours 15 minutes) of Premier League football.
3. Failed to score in eight of the last nine league matches, and netted just one goal in those nine outings; that being Alfonso Alves' effort in the 1-1 draw with Sunderland at the Riverside on 10 January.
4. Six points down on this same stage last season, when 12th in the table. The current total of 23 points after 26 is one point up on their return to the equivalent juncture of the relegation season of 1996-97.
5. Completed 14 top-flight matches since scoring more than one goal in a game.
6. Not won any of the 12 league games in which the opposition has scored first.
7. One of only two clubs without a Premier League victory in 2009; Hull is the other.
8. Drawn four and lost six of a winless 10 against 'Big Four' clubs. The 2-1 home win over Arsenal on 9 December 2007 is their only victory in 20 matches against the quartet of Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United.
9. Not won in seven league games against North-West clubs, and not scored in five.
10. Still to play four of the top five in their 12 remaining league fixtures, including this one; must visit Arsenal and entertain Manchester United and Aston Villa. Of their relegation rivals, Portsmouth and Hull are still to come to the Riverside and Stoke are to be visited.
Fixtures
LIVERPOOL
Club stats
2nd 55 pointsHighest achievable after Saturday's matches: 2ndLowest could fall: 3rd
Best & Worst categories in 2008-09 Premier League
1. Won seven and drawn eight of 15 Premier League matches, since losing 2-1, away to Tottenham on 1 November; their only defeat in 33 league games.
2. The current total of 55 points after 26 games is eight points up on last season, and their best ever corresponding accumulation in a Premier League campaign. The previous best was 52 points in 1996-97 when they went on to finish fourth.
3. It is their most fruitful return for 21 seasons, since the title winning campaign of 1987-88.
4. Third in the Premier League's "Last Six Current Form" table with 10 points out of 18, trailing Manchester United (18) and Aston Villa (13).
5. Drawn all five league matches in which they have failed to score.
6. Failed to score in one of 11 Premier League outings; the goalless draw with Stoke at Anfield on 10 January.
7. Lost just one of 13 league games in which they've opening the scoring.
8. Won four and drawn three of an unbeaten seven away top-flight games; the 2-1 reverse against Tottenham at White Hart Lane on 1 November being their last league defeat on the road.
9. Won all three of this season's league fixtures against North-East clubs, won the last six against clubs from the region and lost only one of 20; the defeat being 2-1 against Newcastle at St James' Park on 10 February 2007.
10. This is the first of two Premier League fixtures against North-East clubs. A home clash with Sunderland follows, before the vital away trip to Manchester United and home match with Aston Villa.
Fixtures
KEY PLAYER NOTES
MIDDLESBROUGH
Squad profiles
Stewart DOWNING is the only remaining player to have started every one of Middlesbrough's Premier League matches this season.
If selected:-
Jeremie ALIADIERE will be making his 100th English league appearance (Arsenal, West Ham, Wolves and Middlesbrough) and 50th in a Middlesbrough shirt.
Julio ARCA will make his 250th appearance for an English club (Sunderland and Middlesbrough).
David WHEATER will be making his 100th club career appearance (Darlington, Wolves, Doncaster and Middlesbrough).
LIVERPOOL
Squad profiles
Jose REINA and Jamie CARRAGHER are the only remaining players to have been on the field for every minute of every one of Liverpool's Premier League matches this season.
Steven GERRARD is the club's top Premier League scorer with nine goals.
Fernando TORRES has scored four goals in three appearances against Middlesbrough, including a hat-trick at Anfield on 23 February 2008.
If selected:-
Ryan BABEL will be making his 50th Premier League appearance in a Liverpool shirt.
Yossi BENAYOUN will be making his 150th appearance for an English club (West Ham and Liverpool).
If on the field from the outset:-
GERRARD will be making his 300th Premier League start - all for the Reds.
HEAD TO HEAD
Liverpool are undefeated in eight Premier League meetings with Middlesbrough (four wins, four draws).
The Reds have scored just one league goal in their last six league visits to Teesside; that being Fernando Torres' equaliser in last season's corresponding fixture.
The Merseysiders have failed to score in seven of their last nine away Premier League meetings with Middlesbrough.
Home and awayLeague (inc PL): Middlesbro 37 wins, Liverpool 57, Draws 39Prem: Middlesbro 5 wins, Liverpool 13, Draws 9
at Middlesbrough onlyLeague (inc PL): Middlesbro 24 wins, Liverpool 20, Draws 22Prem: Middlesbro 5 wins, Liverpool 3, Draws 5
LAST SEASON'S CORRESPONDING GAME
Middlesbrough 1-1 Liverpool12 January 2008 - Ref: Andre Marriner Middlesbrough scorer: Boateng 26Liverpool scorer: Torres 71
THIS SEASON'S REVERSE FIXTURE
Liverpool 2-1 Middlesbrough23 August 2008 - Ref: Mike Riley Liverpool scorers: Pogatetz 86 og, Gerrard 90Middlesbrough scorer: Mido 70
REFEREE
Rob Styles (Waterlooville, Hampshire)

Watch Arsenal v Fulham Online - Live HD Stream


Arsenal v Fulham
PREMIER LEAGUEVenue: Emirates Stadium Date: Saturday, 28 February Kick-off: 1500 GMT









Arsenal will have Abou Diaby available following a calf problem and William Gallas has recovered from a knock, but Eduardo is out with a hamstring injury.
Theo Walcott (shoulder), Tomas Rosicky (hamstring), Mikael Silvestre (calf), Emmanuel Adebayor (hamstring) and Cesc Fabregas (knee) are all sidelined.
Fulham striker Andy Johnson is set to return after a knock meant he was rested for the FA Cup win over Swansea.
Frederik Stoor will replace the suspended John Pantsil at right-back.
Arsenal (from): Almunia, Sagna, Toure, Gallas, Clichy, Arshavin, Denilson, Diaby, Nasri, van Persie, Bendtner, Fabianski, Eboue, Djourou, Gibbs, Song, Ramsey, Vela.
Fulham (from): Schwarzer, Hughes, Konchesky, Hangeland, Johnson, Zamora, Nevland, Gera, Murphy, Kamara, Gray, Zuberbuhler, Stoor, Dempsey, Davies, Brown, Smalling, Kallio, Barnes, Dacourt.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger:"In football, nothing is unthinkable, but I am confident we will make the Champions League.
"There are 12 games to go. If we keep our consistency, spirit and attitude, and our focus, we will make it.
"It is down to us to be consistent. We have 36 points to take, so lets not speculate too much on the weakness of any other team. If we win our games, we will be there."
Fulham Roy Hodgson: "You are in the Premier League to play against teams like these.
"They win most of their home games at least against the teams who are not competing for the top four spots.
"We are the cannon fodder for the big guns that we are playing, so we are the underdogs.
"But we do not regard ourselves as cannon fodder but as genuine opponents. If we play well we can upset the apple cart."
Make your Premier League predictions
BIG-MATCH FACTS
Having secured a 1-0 lead to take to Roma for the return leg of the last 16 Champions League clash, Arsenal now resume playing catch-up to qualify for next season's top European club competition. They currently have a six point deficit on the top four with 12 to play.
Fulham, meanwhile overcame a scare against Swansea, to land a home tie in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup against Manchester United.
The Gunners have lost ground because of four successive draws, the last three being goalless. They have not drawn five in a row since February 1994. They last registered four consecutive Premier League no score draws earlier in that same season, throughout October 1993.
Arsenal are defending an unbeaten home record against Fulham in all competitions, and are chasing a fifth successive home victory over them.
The Cottagers are in the top eight, despite not managing an away win.
Both these clubs have drawn nine league games, and kept 10 clean sheets. Fulham's stalemates include an unmatched six goalless draws.
This match pits the side to have scored the most goals in the last 10 minutes against the one to have scored the least; Arsenal have netted 12, Fulham two.
Fulham won the reverse fixture, but have obviously never done the double over the Gunners.
Distance between the clubs: 10 miles (16 kilometres)Fulham will be making the shortest journey of any club in this weekend's round of Premier League matches.
CLUB FORM
ARSENAL
Club stats
5th 45 pointsHighest achievable after Saturday's matches: 5thLowest could fall: 5th
Best & Worst categories in 2008-09 Premier League
1. Undefeated in 14 in all competitions.
2. Unbeaten in 12 Premier League matches; won five and drawn seven since losing 3-0, away to Manchester City on 22 November.
3. 18 points down on this same stage last season.
4. One of three clubs still holding an unbeaten Premier League record in 2009; the others are Manchester United and Liverpool.
5. Need to score twice to total 100 league goals at the Emirates Stadium, since their first match there against Aston Villa on 19 August 2006, a 1-1 draw.
6. Undefeated in six home league games, and not conceded in the last four of them, nor in 407 minutes (six hours 47 minutes) since Robbie Keane equalised for Liverpool in the 1-1 draw on 21 December.
7. Aston Villa were the most recent, and only the second club this season, to take away maximum points from the Emirates; a 0-2 victory on 15 November.
8. Top the Premier League table of London derbies this season with nine points, from two wins, three draws and one defeat (to Fulham).
9. Their 11 league fixtures after this include matches against all three of the other so-called 'Big Four' clubs; away to Liverpool and Manchester United, with a home game against Chelsea in between.
Fixtures
FULHAM
Club stats
8th 33 pointsHighest achievable after Saturday's matches: 7thLowest could mathematically fall: 9th
Best & Worst categories in 2008-09 Premier League
1. Won two of eight Premier League matches; those two victories in the last four league outings.
2. Won the last two, against West Brom in the league and Swansea in the FA Cup - both at Craven Cottage.
3. Not recorded successive victories in 13 Premier League outings, since beating Newcastle and Tottenham on 9 and 15 November respectively, both at home.
4. Not won a Premier League match when the opposition score first; drawn two and lost seven of the nine.
5. Up by 14 points on this same stage last season. The current tally of 33 points after 25 games is their best return for five years.
6. One of two clubs without an away win in this top-flight campaign; won only 19 of 146 away games in Premier League history, and statistically the third weakest team on their top-flight travels this term.
7. Scored only three league goals on the road.
8. Won two, drawn two and lost two of this season's London Premier League derbies, and second best club in such matches this season with those eight points. However, they have won only two of their last 21 top-flight matches against fellow clubs from the capital.
9. All four of the 'Big Four' clubs are still to be played starting with this match. Manchester United and Liverpool are yet to be hosted, and local rivals Chelsea to be visited.
Fixtures
KEY PLAYER NOTES
ARSENAL
Squad profiles
Robin VAN PERSIE is the club's top Premier League scorer with nine goals.
Manuel ALMUNIA has started in goal for every one of Arsenal's Premier League games this season.
If selected:-
Carlos VELA will be playing on the eve of his 20th birthday.
Alexandre SONG will be making his 50th Premier League appearance in Arsenal colours.
FULHAM
Squad profiles
Aaron HUGHES and Mark SCHWARZER have played every minute of every one of Fulham's Premier League matches this season.
Andrew JOHNSON is the club's top Premier League scorer with six goals.
If selected:-
Bobby ZAMORA will be making his 300th career league appearance (Bristol Rovers, Brighton, Tottenham, West Ham and Fulham).
If on the field from the outset:-
Paul KONCHESKY will be making his 250th club career start (Charlton, Tottenham, West Ham and Fulham).
Chris BAIRD will be making his 100th career league start (Southampton, Walsall, Watford and Fulham).
Julian GRAY was an Arsenal trainee.
Suspended:-
John PANTSIL (one match)
HEAD TO HEAD
Arsenal's impressive home record against Fulham is won 20, drawn two and lost none of 22 league and cup fixtures.
The reverse fixture in August was only the second time Roy Hodgson had steered a side to Premier League victory over Arsenal in his managerial career. The first was Blackburn's 1-3 victory at Highbury on 13 December 1997.
Fulham have scored exactly 50 league goals against Arsenal in their history; the Gunners need to score five times to total 100 against the Cottagers.
Home and awayLeague (inc PL): Arsenal 30 wins, Fulham 7, Draws 6Prem: Arsenal 12 wins, Fulham 2, Draws 1
at Arsenal onlyLeague (inc PL): Arsenal 19 wins, Fulham 0, Draws 2Prem: Arsenal 6 wins, Fulham 0, Draws 1
LAST SEASON'S CORRESPONDING GAME
Arsenal 2-1 Fulham12 August 2007 - Ref: Philip Dowd Arsenal scorers: Van Persie 84 pen, Hleb 90Fulham scorer: Healy 1
THIS SEASON'S REVERSE FIXTURE
Fulham 1-0 Arsenal23 August 2008 - Ref: Martin Atkinson Fulham scorer: Hangeland 21
REFEREE
Peter Walton (Northamptonshire)

Watch Doncaster v Derby Online - Live HD Stream


Doncaster v Derby
Venue: Keepmoat Stadium Date: Friday, 27 February Kick-off: 1945 GMT

Doncaster Rovers expect to have midfielder James Coppinger (concussion)and defender Matt Mills (ankle) available to face Derby County.
Midfielder Ritchie Wellens is suspended after being sent off against Swansea.
Derby County will be without midfielder Nacer Barazite (dislocated shoulder) but defender Jay McEveley should return after recovering from the same injury.
Strikers Luke Varney and Chris Porter and winger Gary Teale are also expected to be available after injury.





Thursday 26 February 2009

Watch Valencia v Dynamo Kiev Online - Live HD Stream

Valencia v Dynamo Kiew (1-2 first leg)
uefa cup 1st round




Watch Tottenham v Shakhtar Donetsk Online - Live HD Stream


Tottenham v S Donetsk (0-2)
Uefa Cup, Round of 32 Second LegVenue: White Hart Lane Date: Thursday, 26 February Kick-off: 2000 GMT







Spurs will rest key players as they look ahead to Sunday's Carling Cup final against Manchester United.
Robbie Keane, Vedran Corluka and Roman Pavlyuchenko are cup-tied, while Ledley King, Jonathan Woodgate and Luka Modric are unlikely to be risked.
Woodgate suffered a head injury in the win at Hull on Monday, and will miss out as a precaution.
Jamie O'Hara is back after a hip problem but keeper Carlo Cudicini has a knee injury and Heurelho Gomes returns.
Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp admitted the Uefa Cup was not his top priority ahead of the match - with the Carling Cup final against Manchester United to come just three days afterwards.
"I hear criticism after not putting my best team out against Shakhtar but Martin O'Neill has left nine out of his Aston Villa team to go to Moscow," Redknapp said.
"He has his priorities right because he wants to finish high in the Premier League. We want to stay in the Premier League so you have to prioritise.
"(Blackburn manager) Sam Allardyce picked half a team to face Coventry - people don't understand the job.
"Going back to Wembley is a big day for the club. You're playing against the best team in Europe."
He added: "Have we got a divine right to have European football? Should we put our best team out and forget about Sunday?"
Spurs: Gomes, Jansson, Gunter, Bale, Huddlestone, Chimbonda, Palacios, Bostock, Parrett, O'Hara, Giovani, Campbell, Bent, Obika, Townsend, Mason, Butcher, Smith, Gilberto, Dawson, Zokora.

Watch CSKA Moscow v Aston Villa Online - Live HD Stream


CSKA Moscow v Aston Villa (1-1)
Uefa Cup, round of 32 second LegVenue: Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow Date: Thursday, 26 Feb Kick-off: 1700 GMT









Aston Villa have left eight regular first-team players out of the squad to face CSKA Moscow in the Uefa Cup second-leg match in Russia on Thursday.
Gareth Barry, Brad Friedel, Emile Heskey, James Milner, Ashley Young, Gabriel Agbonlahor, Carlos Cuellar and Stiliyan Petrov are all excluded.
"Chasing a top-four spot to get a Champions League place is everything," said Villa manager Martin O'Neill.
Villa were held to a 1-1 draw in the first leg at Villa Park.
And O'Neill's side slipped from third to fourth in the Premier League when they lost 1-0 at home to Chelsea on Saturday.
The manager felt his players were tired after drawing with CSKA Moscow in their round of 32 tie last Wednesday.
"We don't really have the size of squad that Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal can call on. That's not being defeatist - that's just being realistic," he added.
"None of the players mentioned the first leg against CSKA Moscow as an excuse for the Chelsea defeat at the weekend - but I will.
"The irony is we broke our necks to get into Europe.
"We have to try and please Villa fans but I am sure they would think that the Premier League, which can help drive you into the Champions League, is the 'Holy Grail'.
606: DEBATE
Do you think we can still win and would it be a disaster if we don't?
VILLATILLIDIE!91
"It seems strange I know but had we been seventh, eighth or ninth, let's say, in the table, it would have been a different outlook."
O'Neill revealed that he did consider the impact on the Villa fans who have paid to travel to Moscow when making his decision, but he is adamant that despite the absentees his side should not be written off.
"We've about 300 travelling fans who have spent very good money in coming to support us," he said.
"I don't know their view point, but I'd like to find out and I hope we will find out because it's those people I thought about, having spent their money.
"But we have a real fighting chance of doing it, and that would be fantastic for us. That would maybe placate those travelling fans.
"People are talking as if we're already out, but who is to say the players in the side tomorrow won't be able to turn this around?
"We've still players with plenty of Premier League experience.
"We know we're going to have to score a goal, and more than likely we're going to have to win the game but we have a real fighting chance of doing that, and that would be fantastic for us.
Stand-in captain Barry backed his manager's decision not to take key players to the Russian capital.
"If you're looking at the game with Stoke on Sunday as the priority then it might be vital a few players do get a rest," said the midfielder.
"Last Wednesday's game (with CSKA) maybe caught up with us because we had a tough game against Chelsea (Saturday's 1-0 defeat)."
However, winger Milner believes the inexperienced Villa squad still has enough talent to beat their Russian opponents.
"Whatever team we put out, it will be good enough to get a result because we've a squad of quality players, even if it might not be the biggest," he said.
"We know they (CSKA) are a good team, but we've a lot of good players as well, not just the 11 that played against Chelsea."
Villa will have to contest with the plastic surface in the Luzhniki Stadium and O'Neill believes this affords the home side an unfair advantage.
"Those playing on a plastic pitch, pretty obviously in my opinion, have an advantage," he said.
"If they think the pitch is perfect, why was the Champions League final not played on it?
"It might be the best plastic surface in Europe, I don't know. But it is a plastic surface and it's not what we are used to when we play football."
The injured trio of Martin Laursen, Nigel Reo-Coker and Wilfred Bouma are also unavailable while Luke Young, Curtis Davies, Zat Knight and John Carew are among the few experienced players in the squad.
O'Neill has withdrawn Spanish defender Cuellar for fear of aggravating a hamstring injury on the plastic pitch on Moscow, while Heskey only returned to action against Chelsea at the weekend after an Achilles injury while on England duty in Spain.
Youngsters Elliott Parish, Eric Lichaj, Ciaran Clark, Shane Lowry, Barry Bannan and Mark Albrighton have been named in the 19-man squad.
Aston Villa (from): Guzan, Taylor, Parish, Luke Young, Davies, Knight, Shorey, Lichaj, Clark, Lowry, Sidwell, Salifou, Gardner, Osbourne, Bannan, Albrighton, Harewood, Carew, Delfouneso.