12/1 EPL Talk

It has been frustrating after seeing Liverpool were held to a goalless 0-0 draw by relegation battler Stoke City. Haihzzz, I wonder why Liverpool just don't know how to play against Stoke, they can't really penetrate into their tight defence. TWICE 0-0? What's happening man? And why the hell Rafa put all his strikers on the bench who are capable of doing so? Torres, Keane, Babel were on the bench and Kuyt played alone up front, which was really an ineffective tactic.

On the next day, Chelsea were surprisingly thrashed 3-0 by the devils. That means Man Utd are now having the upperhand in the title race with 2 games in hand. While Chelsea's title ambition was seriously "damaged" after the miserable defeat. What is happening to Chelsea now? Scolari is now destroying Chelsea's reputation which was established by Jose Mourinho( I believe Chelsea fans must be missing him, and my dad did! A LOT!!!) Recently we have been talking about Chelsea during Morinho's Era: They were superb, these are what we realised:

1) Never lose a game at home in the league(86 matches unbeaten)
2) Have a rock solid defence, never give any chances to their opponents to come back when they score first (only the super on form Barca did that in CL)
3) No way they will concede 3 goals in a game
4) Treated their fierce rivals- Man U & Arsenal like a piece of cake!(always can beat them comfortably, thrash them, or "play with them"....etc)
5) Against Liverpool, League- 100% win!, only struggled against Rafa's strategy in cup competition
6)Good at set pieces(attack & defend)

However, After Scolari took over, everything seems to have gone... Lets see what happened to them:
1)Lost their unbeaten home record
2)Score 1st means nothing(even at stamford bridge Arsenal came from 1 goal down to beat them)
3)Thrashed 3-0 by Man United
4)Afraid of their title contenders.... Had lost to all 3 of them!
5)Poor at set pieces.( always concede corners)

UEFA Champions League last 16 preview

With the first leg of the Champions League had already played, here are some selected important matches as we take a look at the chances for some big teams of progressing into the quarterfinal.

AC Milan vs Arsenal (first leg 0-0)
Arsenal could blame themselves for not taking their chances in the first leg as AC Milan secured a goalless draw at Emirates and looking good to beat Arsenal in the second leg at home.

Prediction: Milan through

Man United vs Lyon (first leg 1-1)

Lyon look as if they have beaten Man U in the 1st leg but Carlos Tevez's crucial late away goal in the first leg provide them the upper hand into the second leg for Man United.

Prediction: Man U through

Barcelona vs Celtic (first leg Barca lead 3-2) A win and 3 away goal for Barca in the first leg, they are certainly in a comfortable position and should not face any problem of advancing into the last 8 of this competition. Prediction: Barca through

Inter Milan vs Liverpool (first leg Liverpool lead 2-0)

A magnificent 2-0 victory in the first leg puts Liverpool in command of this tie. Perhaps this is the biggest margin so far in the last 16 as Liverpool got the definite advantage over their opponent. While Inter is facing an impossible task and need a big miracle to overcome the 2 goals deficit

Prediction: Liverpool through

Real Madrid vs AS Roma (first leg Roma lead 2-1)

Close one. Madrid played well in the first leg and were unlucky as Mancini's second-half strike earning the Roma a slender advantage to take to the Santiago Bernabéu. However, with an away goal, they will be confident enough to pit Roma in the second leg at home.

Prediction: Madrid through

Chelsea vs Olympiacos (first leg 0-0)

Olympiacos produced an impressive display to tame Chelsea and earn a scoreless draw in the first leg. With Chelsea looking invincible at home, they are expected to overcome their opponents in the second leg.

Prediction: Chelsea through