Van Marwijk lauds Van Persie evolution

Netherlands coach Bert van Marwijk believes Robin van Persie has developed in to a complete striker.



Arsenal man Van Persie leads the English Premier League scoring charts with 23 this term, and has become one of the most feared sharp-shooters in Europe.

Van Persie is expected to lead the Dutch line in Wednesday's friendly international against England."Robin is in great form. He is a little bit different now, he's scoring lots of goals now, he's the centre forward," Van Marwijk said.

"Normally, he is the player who plays in a combination and he did that at Arsenal with (Cesc) Fabregas and (Samir) Nasri, and now he's very deep. But he also has the quality to score goals, in all the ways."

Van Marwijk will be without Tottenham forward Rafael van der Vaart, Barcelona midfielder Ibrahim Afellay and Ajax defender Gregory van der Wiel for the midweek clash at Wembley.

While pleased with the depth of talent in his squad, Van Marwijk says it is vital for the injured trio to return in time for Euro 2012 in Poland and Ukraine."We've got a few young players in the squad, but we are missing a few important players as well," Van Marwijk said."A few players are coming back from injury and, for us, it's important that the team is 100% fit when the European Championships start." - http://www.soccerway.com/

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Chesterfield Vs Charlton Athletic 2/29 3:45AM GMT+8

ENGLISH LEAGUE 1: 12BET odds Chesterfield Vs Charlton Athletic 2/29 3:45AM GMT+8

Chesterfield have been playing much better recently and in their last 8 games they have won 3, drawn 2 and lost 3 and if you look at their home matches for December, Jan and Feb they have won 2, drawn 2 and lost just 1 and this has included wins against Bournemouth who are just outside the play off places and Sheffield Wednesday who are in 3rd place so they seem to have upped their game recently to try and escape the threat of relegation.

Charlton are top and are looking a very good team this year and their away record is played 16 matches winning 11, drawn 3 and lost 2 and they have scored quite a few goals away from home this year - in total they have scored 26 goals. They have been very good defensively and have only conceded a total of 12 goals and have kept 6 clean sheets.

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AVB confident over Lampard

But Chelsea boss stops short of saying midfielder will definitely stay



Andre Villas-Boas insists he does not want Frank Lampard to leave Chelsea despite a much-publicised bust-up.

Blues boss Villas-Boas stopped short of promising Lampard would not leave this summer but he was confident the midfielder would stay.

Saturday saw Lampard admit for the first time his relationship with Villas-Boas had "not been ideal", although he was keen not to dwell on the problems between them. Villas-Boas has already warned of a summer clear-out should he remain in charge, but he made it clear he did not want Lampard to be part of the cull.

Asked if he was 100 per cent sure the 33-year-old would be at the club next season, he said: "I hope so. "It does not depend on me. It depends on three parts - I want him, the person wants to stay and the club wants him." Villas-Boas could hardly say anything else about a player who he admitted enjoyed legendary status among the club's fans. - http://www1.skysports.com/

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West Ham United Vs Crystal Palace 2/25 8:45PM GMT+8

ENGLISH LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP: 12BET odds West Ham United Vs Crystal Palace 2/25 8:45PM GMT+8

West Ham is first in the table, with one point more and one game less played than Southampton on second place. First to placed teams will be directly promoted to Premiership.Crystal Palace didn't lose in last four Championship matches, and it is for sure that they will be hard to beat, although they don't have too much chance to get to the play-off spots.

West Ham and Crystal Palace last time met in October 2011, when they played a 2-2 draw.It seems that Hammers are getting fitter and better as seasons nears the end and that is certainly good for their goal and that is promotion to Premiership.

 

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Notts County Vs Stevenage Borough 2/23 3:45AM GMT+8

ENGLISH LEAGUE 1: 12BET tips Notts County Vs Stevenage Borough 2/23 3:45AM GMT+8

Notts County's new manager Keith Curle may make changes to the side that lost to Hartlepool at the weekend in his first game in charge of the club. Stevenage manager Gary Smith is expected to select from an unchanged squad. Smith kept faith with the side that beat Sheffield Wednesday in their last league match for Sunday's goalless FA Cup draw with Tottenham and has no new injury or suspension worries.

Notts County hadnt lost last 4 games at home but they struggle. Three of them were draws and only one victory, against pretty bad away-from-home team, Exeter. Stevenage is in a great form, home and away. They've lost only one of last 10 games. That lose was at they ground against Leyton Orient. But of other 9 games they had only two draws (one against Tottenham) and won 7. 5 of them away from home, two of them against great teams such are Sheffield Wednesday and Reading.

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POLICE LOOK INTO DERBY CLASH

West Yorkshire Police are continuing their investigation into Saturday's tunnel bust-up between Leeds and Doncaster at Elland Road.



Leeds won the derby clash 3-2 in injury-time and after the final whistle Doncaster striker El Hadji Diouf and Leeds forward Ross McCormack appeared to clash. Several police officers were seen to rush down the tunnel after the players had left the pitch.

A police spokesperson said: "Following the final whistle at the Leeds United versus Doncaster Rovers game there was a small disturbance in the tunnel involving both teams. "Officers swiftly dealt with the incident and there were no injuries or arrests. Both teams are working with the police and any necessary action will be taken in due course."

Leeds came back from two goals down to snatch a winner in the 10th minute of stoppage-time in a highly-charged finish. Police questioned players and officials from both sides after the game, while the Football Association confirmed they have launched their own investigation. Both clubs have refused to comment. - http://www.sportinglife.com

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Millwall Vs Middlesbrough 2/22 3:45AM GMT+8

ENGLISH LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP: 12BET odds Millwall Vs Middlesbrough 2/22 3:45AM GMT+8

Millwall goalkeeper Steve Mildenhall is still a doubt with an ankle injury despite playing through it in the Lions' 2-0 FA Cup defeat to Bolton. David Forde, who was an unused substitute against Wanderers but played the last league fixture with Brighton, would step in should Mildenhall's injury keep him out.

Middlesbrough midfielder Kevin Thomson will serve the first phase of a two-match ban after being sent off for the second time this season for two bookable offences during the 2-1 victory over Nottingham Forest last Tuesday night. However, compatriot Barry Robson returns to Tony Mowbray's squad after a three-game absence. Robson has not played since dislocating a finger and breaking a bone in his hand during the 2-2 draw at Leicester on February 1.

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Poyet up for Spurs test

The Spurs legend believes he is ready to replace Redknapp



Gus Poyet has said he is ready for the Premier League and would jump at the chance to replace Harry Redknapp at Tottenham.

Poyet is enjoying his time at Championship side Brighton but admits he would relish a return to White Hart Lane as boss. The former Uruguay international is a Spurs legend from his playing days and was assistant to Juande Ramos before Redknapp arrived and transformed the club. Redknapp is the bookies favourite to be the next England boss after the shock resignation of Fabio Capello and Poyet has put himself firmly in the frame to take over at Spurs.

"I would like to be considered for the big jobs because that is what I am managing for," Poyet told the Daily Star Sunday. "I would like to get to the Premier League, I always said six years should do it for me." The 44-year-old is still under contract with current club Brighton but he is honest about his desire to manage a top flight club. "I have a long-term contract here and I will try here. But if I can't I will need to move on," he said. "I was at Tottenham as an assistant but I couldn't make decisions and I like to make decisions. "I am grateful to Juande Ramos. It was a great learning curve, but my character makes me like to make decisions all the time. Spurs chairman Daniel Levy knows me well so he wouldn't get someone he didn't know." Poyet will have a Premier League test on Sunday when his side travel to Liverpool in the fifth round of the FA Cup. - http://www1.skysports.com

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McKay hits back at Bates

Agent responds to criticism from Leeds chairman

Agent Willie McKay has hit back at Leeds chairman Ken Bates following his criticism of Doncaster's transfer policy.

Speaking before Saturday's meeting between the two sides at Elland Road, Bates was highly critical of Doncaster using McKay's expertise to bring in several high-profile new signings. The former Chelsea supremo claimed the experiment was obviously not working, with Doncaster propping up the Championship table.

McKay has hit back at Bates and accused him of double standards after loan signing Andros Townsend inspired Leeds' comeback in the 3-2 win over Doncaster. "I think Ken Bates has got a cheek to question Doncaster's transfer policy when Leeds' best player on Saturday was someone they have signed on loan from Tottenham," McKay told Sky Sports. "I bet all Leeds fans now know who Mamadou Bagayoko is after his two goals on Saturday. "I also think Ken Bates has got a cheek to charge Doncaster fans £36 for an adult ticket and £25 for a junior ticket for the game, as he is taking liberties himself by using an OAP bus pass in Monaco." - http://www1.skysports.com/

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Shrews beat dogged Bees

James Collins expertly steered home a second-half winner as Shrewsbury beat a dogged Barnet side 2-1 at Underhill.




The visitors started off full of attacking intent, Collins dragging a shot wide before Terry Gornell floated a header over.Barnet responded as Ricky Holmes fired off target before Shrews stopper Chris Neal produced an excellent stop low to his left to deny Jordan Obita.

Town grabbed the opener on the stroke of half-time, Matt Richards' whipped free-kick from the right slipping off the head of Clovis Kamdjo and into the top corner of the net.Barnet's response came immediately after the interval as Neal saved tremendously from Holmes but could do nothing as the ball fell to Izale McLeod, who slotted in his 21st of the season.Collins spurned a glorious one-on-one chance on the hour mark but made up for it 14 minutes later as he neatly turned in Jermaine Grandison's cross to leave Graham Turner's side just two points off the summit. - http://www.skysports.com/

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Chesterfield Vs Sheffield Wednesday 2/18 9PM GMT+8

ENGLISH LEAGUE 1: 12 BET odds Chesterfield Vs Sheffield Wednesday 2/18 9PM GMT+8

Sheffield Wednesday that is currently placed in the top 6 of the English League One Chesterfield has managed to collect an average of 0.43 points in 7 matches this season. Chesterfield who is currently placed in the bottom 6 of the English League One Sheffield Wednesday has managed to collect an average of 2.58 points in 19 matches this season.

On home ground Chesterfield has won 3, drawn 5 and lost 6 matches. This ranks the Seals 22nd in home team performance in the English League One. On away ground Sheffield Wednesday has won 7, drawn 3 and lost 6 matches. This ranks the Owls 8th in away team performance in the English League One.

 

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Tranmere Rovers Vs Charlton Athletic 2/18 11PM GMT+8

ENGLISH LEAGUE 1: 12 BET odds Tranmere Rovers Vs Charlton Athletic 2/18 11PM GMT+8

Charlton are top of the table and this weekend they are away to Tranmere who sit in 17th position and just above the relegation places so Charlton will be going into this match expecting to win and I cant see any other result.

It doesnt look too bad for Tranmere when they play at home but Charlton are the best team in the league and have a great record home and away.

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Owls wings clipped by Boro

Sheffield Wednesday's automatic promotion hopes were dealt another blow with a 1-0 defeat at home to Stevenage.



Following Saturday's 2-1 reverse at Exeter, Gary Megson's men lost again after a goal from Scott Laird just before half-time.Wednesday's Chris O'Grady threatened to score in the second minute when he fired in a shot on the run which was tipped over by Chris Day. The Boro goalkeeper was also called into action to keep out Jermaine Johnson's firm drive

Stevenage's Michael Bostwick put a couple of efforts off-target and had a shot saved by Stephen Bywater before the visitors scored the only goal of the game in the 45th minute.Joel Byrom's corner was met by a far-post header from Chris Beardsley and Laird turned the ball past Bywater from close range.David Prutton went close to scoring with a close-range shot which Day managed to keep out. Wednesday continued to put the visitors under pressure with O'Grady and Chris Lines both threatening but they were unable to level. - http://www.skysports.com/

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