Rooney has been constantly in the headlines in the last six weeks for various reasons, with the good stories including seven goals in his last eight games in all competitions.

However, what looked like a deliberate elbow on Wigan’s James McCarthy sparked some outrage and then some foul language in front of a camera when scoring a hat-trick against West Ham led to a two-game ban.

Schmeichel told Ekstra Bladet: “It would be good for him to play for another club. Real Madrid under Mourinho, is someone that could handle him and get the best out of him.

“It is painful to say that that the best player you have, which he is at United, he is better off trying something new. United will probably not sell him to another English club, but a change of scenery would help.”

Rooney was forced to sit out of Manchester United’s 2-0 win over Fulham, with the victory maintaining their seven-point advantage at the top of the table.

Manchester United are now 1/7 in the Premier League odds, but their first immediate focus will be ensuring their qualification to the Champions League semi-finals at the expense of Chelsea, with Rooney able to take part in the second leg.

Manchester United tickets are available online

Chelsea progressed to this stage through an easy win over a Copenhagen side who weren’t match fit. It is the close season in Denmark and Chelsea strolled through the game with relative ease, despite the 0-0 second leg draw. Chelsea’s season started as the previous one finished, obliterating opponents off the park and seemingly on their way to keeping the Premier League title. But November saw a slump in form and it’s one they have never really recovered from. The £50m addition of Fernando Torres was a huge statement of intent, but his eight games are yet to produce a goal.

It is likely that manager Carlo Ancelotti will go with Didier Drogba ahead of Fernando Torres. The Chelsea players are still getting to grips with the Spaniard and although he has been praised for his movement off the ball, Chelsea are a more formidable unit with a front three of Anelka, Malouda and Drogba.

Manchester United are 11 points clear of Chelsea in the Premier League and well on their way to regaining the title. But a Champions league quarter-final is different – domestic dominance shouldn’t play too heavy a part in this game. United will be boosted by Wayne Rooney showing signs of himself with a hat-trick against West Ham yesterday – both with the goals and the foul mouthed celebration for the third. Rio Ferdinand was back in training and his return alongside Nemanja Vidic will be a massive boost should he play. Chris Smalling has equipped himself well this season but if Rio doesn’t make it, this game will be his biggest test yet.

Should Manchester United win the tie, Chelsea will face a trophy-less season and Carlo Ancelotti will be under increased pressure. Owner Roman Ambramovich is desperate to see the Champions League in London but if any manager can do it, three time winner Carlo Ancelotti can.

UEFA Champions League tickets are available online

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The England striker announced on his Twitter site to say he had been dropped by the Hammers for this weekend’s crucial clash with Manchester United ‘for certain reasons’.

‘Got into training feeling good to find I’m not in the squad for this weekend due to certain issues can’t say too much at the mo,’ he said.

When asked to expand as to why he’d been ‘dropped’, he added: ‘Don’t wanna make the situation worse. Gonna still train hard and be ready for the next match.(sic)’

At least one national newspaper’s website published the story, but took the report down around 30 minutes later when Cole tweeted: ‘Haha I’m just playing. They can’t hold me down. Coyi (Come On You Irons)’

West Ham tickets are available now.

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The statement comes after Ferguson was handed a five-match touchline ban for criticising referee Martin Atkinson and also fined £30,000.

The Scot told ESPN: “If you speak your mind it’s a problem in the game. The FA are very strong in supporting referees.

“In a way I totally agree with that, but there’s got to be fair comment.”

Manchester United tickets are available now.

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On his new role, which was previously filled by footballer John Barnes in the 90s, Tinie says: “I am too young to remember the John Barnes adverts but I hear he wasn’t a bad rapper. I reckon I could kick the bottle in the bin if I was asked. It’s massive. They’ve always done such huge adverts. And I DO drink Lucozade, more so in the gym. I’m not just saying that, I wouldn’t endorse something I didn’t like.”

Tinie recently flew out to LA to shoot the commercials, which are due to be aired next month. The ads will see him joined by boxing champion David Haye, Man United’s Rio Ferdinand and cricketer Monty Panesar.

Tinie Tempah tickets are available online

United have agreed to visit North America as part of a second successive close-season tour, and will play the All-Stars on July 27th in New Jersey. Last year United won 5-2 in Houston.

“We’re delighted to have been invited to play the MLS All-Star game for the second year running,” Ferguson said in a statement on Monday.

Manchester United tickets are available now.

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Blackpool midfielder Charlie Adam takes his place in midfield alongside Aston Villa youngster Barry Bannan. Manager Levein will be hoping for a morale boosting victory against the Brazilians.

The full Scotland squad:

Goalkeepers: Allan McGregor (Rangers), Craig Gordon (Sunderland/ENG), Iain Turner (Everton/ENG)
Defenders: Phil Bardsley (Sunderland/ENG), Christophe Berra (Wolverhampton Wanderers/ENG), Gary Caldwell (Wigan Athletic/ENG), Stephen Crainey (Blackpool/ENG), Grant Hanley (Blackburn Rovers/ENG), Alan Hutton (Tottenham Hotspur/ENG), Steven Whittaker (Rangers), Danny Wilson (Liverpool/ENG), Mark Wilson (Celtic)
Midfielders: Charlie Adam (Blackpool/ENG), Barry Bannan (Aston Villa/ENG), Scott Brown (Celtic), Kris Commons (Celtic), Don Cowie (Watford/ENG), Murray Davidson (St Johnstone), James McArthur (Wigan Athletic/ENG), James Morrison (West Bromwich Albion/ENG), Robert Snodgrass (Leeds United/ENG)
Forwards: James Maguire (Aberdeen), Kenny Miller (Bursaspor/TUR), Steven Naismith (Rangers)

Scotland vs Brazil tickets are available online

Jay-Z was hosting a World Cup party backstage at Oxegen Festival in Dublin at the weekend, and was suitably impressed with JLS’ number one single to get in touch. He reportedly envisages them becoming stars in the vein of Boys II Men and Jodeci, so the fortunes of Aston Merrygold, Marvin Humes, Jonathan “JB” Gill, and Oritsé Williams look very bright indeed.

Still, there is the chance to see the boys live in concert before they jet off across the Atlantic! JLS tickets are available for the following UK tour dates:

June 16th 2010 – Cork, Marquee
June 17th 2010 – Cork, Marquee
June 19th 2010 – Newton-le-Willows, Haydock Park Racecourse
July 15th 2010 – Warwick, Warwick Castle
July 16th 2010 – Gloucester, Westonbirt Arboretum
July 17th 2010 – Ottery St Mary, Escot Park
July 18th 2010 – Peterborough, Peterborough Embankment
July 22nd 2010 – Epsom, Epsom Downs Racecourse
July 23rd 2010 – Glasgow, Hamilton Park Racecourse
July 25th 2010 – Margate, Quex Park
November 29th 2010 – Aberdeen, AECC
November 30th 2010 – Glasgow, Braehead Arena
December 2nd 2010 – Liverpool, Echo Arena
December 3rd 2010 – Liverpool, Echo Arena
December 4th 2010 – Cardiff, International Arena
December 6th 2010 – Bournemouth, International Centre
December 7th 2010 – Birmingham, LG Arena
December 9th 2010 – London, O2 Arena
December 10th 2010 – London, O2 Arena
December 11th 2010 – Nottingham, Trent FM Arena
December 13th 2010 – Glasgow, SECC
December 14th 2010 – Aberdeen, AECC
December 16th 2010 – Manchester, MEN Arena
December 17th 2010 – Sheffield, Arena
December 18th 2010 – Newcastle, Metro Radio Arena
December 20th 2010 – Manchester, MEN Arena
December 21th 2010 – Birmingham, LG Arena
December 22th 2010 – London, Wembley Arena
December 23th 2010 – London, Wembley Arena
January 3rd 2011 – Cardiff, International Arena
January 4th 2011 – Nottingham, Trent FM Arena
January 5th 2011 – Sheffield, Arena
January 15th 2011 – London, O2 Arena
January 18th 2011 – Cardiff, International Arena
January 19th 2011 – Birmingham, LG Arena
January 20th 2011 – Newcastle, Metro Radio Arena
January 22nd 2011 – Manchester MEN Arena
January 23rd 2011 – Nottingham Trent FM Arena
January 24th 2011 – Cardiff International Arena

Like their previous season in the Championship when their away record was the best in the division, it is Wolves’ form in enemy territory which has been most impressive. Their record on their travels is identical in terms of results to Liverpool’s, and it is ahead of many sides above them in the table, such as Everton, Fulham, Stoke, Blackburn and Sunderland. Mick McCarthy has built his side with firm foundations with Marcus Hahnemann a huge presence in goal, Jody Craddock and Christoph Berra offering discipline to the defence, and Kevin Doyle chasing down lost causes up front. Both Craddock and Doyle have chipped in with their fair share of goals too, which has confounded pundits who thought they were mere Championship level.

The one place Wolves can make a vast improvement is in attack, as they have scored the least goals in the division. Before last night’s game, the Premier League’s leading marksman Wayne Rooney had scored more goals than the entire Wolverhampton Wanderers squad, and their current average of less than a goal a game means they are over-reliant on shutting out opposition rather than putting them under pressure – as their two smash-and-grab 1-0 victories over Tottenham demonstrate.

Mick McCarthy was very publicly criticised for changing all ten outfield players for Wolves’ trip to Old Trafford in December, but he vindicated his decision by defeating Burnley convincingly in Wolves’ next league game. West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola had a similar scenario in mind when he rested first choice strikeforce Alessandro Diamanti and Carlton Cole for Manchester United’s visit to Upton Park, but the side capitulated upon the pair’s restoration to the lineup against Wolves. Zola is now coming under increased pressure from both fans and owners of the club, and given that McCarthy has had a far more limited budget to the Italian, Wolves’ achievements so far are all the more impressive.

Wolverhampton Wanderers tickets are available on Tixdaq.com to many of their remaining fixtures! They have games against Everton, Arsenal, Stoke, Fulham, Blackburn, Portsmouth and Sunderland to come, so get your tickets at the lowest price online now!

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These victories have all but ensured Bolton’s presence in next season’s Premier League, but equally it is the managerial changes around them that could prove critical. Portsmouth are all but relegated following their points deduction for going into administration, but Hull and Burnley have made unusual appointments in the manager’s hotseat. When Phil Brown was sacked as Hull manager, they appointed Iain Dowie, whose track record in charge of relegation candidates is questionable to say the least. At both Crystal Palace and Charlton his sides rarely proved difficult to break down, and Hull contrived to lose to bottom club Portsmouth in his first game as manager.

Burnley fought to keep Owen Coyle in charge of their team, but do not have the budget to match their Lancashire rivals. His replacement Brian Laws had a rather disastrous tenure at Sheffield Wednesday in his previous appointment, and results at Burnley have not been good. In taking the manager from another struggling team, Bolton appear to have secured their safety.

All this makes for an fascinating clash on Saturday 27th March 2010, when Manchester United head to Bolton’s Reebok stadium. If Burnley and Hull continue to make a hash of their fixtures, Bolton only have pride and a higher league position to play for, and it is down to Owen Coyle to keep the ship on course. For Manchester United, motivation rarely seems an issue, especially with notoriously hard taskmaster Sir Alex Ferguson in charge. The Red Devils are chasing both the Premier League title and UEFA Champions League, and every year seem to hit their best form at this stage of the season.

Bolton will need to start the match well, for this season when the opponents have scored first, they have only managed to salvage one point from 14 matches. With Wayne Rooney on fire, they will hope that the welcome return of Gary Cahill aids their fortunes.

Tickets are still available for this exciting clash at the Reebok Stadium, and Tixdaq.com has the cheapest from trusted vendors such as SeeTickets, Ticketmaster, Viagogo, Gigantic, GetMeIn, Seatwave and even eBay!

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This Saturday sees two of the more ambitious teams clash; Roy Hodgson’s progressive Fulham side take on nouveau riche club Manchester City, and it looks set to be a classic. The West London side are in the middle of a hectic run which includes matches against Manchester United, Manchester City, Tottenham and Juventus (twice) all in the space of 25 days, and with a tepid draw against Spurs followed by two convincing losses to Manchester United and Juventus, their form looks to be stuttering.

Manchester City have been as inconsistent as anyone this season, and though their last visit to West London resulted in a barnstorming 4-2 success at Chelsea, who are notoriously strong at home, they followed it up with a rather insipid draw at Sunderland, where only the introduction of Adam Johnson brought impetus to the side. There were many damning statistics after the Sunderland match, but one that stands out is Shaun Wright-Phillips’ 47% pass completion – shocking for an England international. They still ought to be the favourites to claim the fourth Champions League place, with games in hand on all their rivals, but with Mancini seemingly unsure of his best side and prone to first half substitutions, this game looks far too difficult to call.

There are still tickets left for this mouthwatering clash, and we have the cheapest available to compare and buy from official sellers!

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Further success in both FA Cup and UEFA Europa League could adversely affect Fulham’s league form, or galvanise it, but with so many games to come for the small squad, the rest of March could decide their season.

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Since then however, they have struggled for form in a dramatic way, and after over three months after their last win they are in danger of being dragged into a relegation battle. The phrase that is used far too often is “too good to go down”, and Sunderland may have some gifted players, but unless they get themselves out of this rut they are by no means safe.

Sunderland’s fixture list for the remainder of the season begins with some tough games against Aston Villa, Manchester City, Birmingham, Liverpool and Tottenham, and were they to come away from those matches pointless their situation could be approaching dire. This would make their final run of games against fellow-strugglers West Ham, Burnley, Hull and Wolves (with the small matter of Manchester United in between the last two) all vital six-pointers.

Tickets to Sunderland’s remaining fixtures are available at the cheapest price going on Tixdaq.com. Support the Black Cats and help them climb the table!

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There is further concern for the Old Trafford side after Brazilian starlet Anderson was ruled out of action for the rest of the season after rupturing his cruciate ligament against West Ham on Wednesday night. Anderson had only just returned to the United side after being dropped for an unsanctioned trip home to Brazil, but could only last 19 minutes of the match. In a double blow for the midfielder, he will also miss this summer’s World Cup in South Africa.

The Barclays Premier League is in the final third of the season, and tension is mounting as the title race heats up. Manchester United at least are boosted by the return of Serbian central defender Nemanja Vidic, who will probably line up alongside Jonny Evans until Ferdinand’s return to fitness.

Tixdaq can reveal that there are tickets available to crucial Manchester United games on the horizon, which includes huge games against Liverpool, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur.

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Meanwhile, West Ham are languishing at the opposite end of the table and will be hoping to take at least a point away from Old Trafford. With the likes of Scott Parker and Carlton Cole among their ranks, they possess the talent to spring a surprise – particularly if Ferguson does name a weakened team – so the Red Devils will have to be at their best to pick up another vital three points.

Tickets for Manchester United vs. West Ham on Feb 23 are available to compare through Tixdaq.com and prices start from just 10 pounds.

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Manchester United face Martin O’Neill’s Aston Villa at Old Trafford on Saturday evening with one aim in mind – three points.

A win for the Red Devils is essential to keep up the pressure on Barclays Premier League leaders Chelsea going into the hectic Christmas schedule and if the Blues slip up at home to Everton earlier in the day then the champions could even snatch top spot.

One sticking point is the injury crisis that has beset their back five with no less than eight defensive players in the Manchester United squad either ruled out or labelled as doubtful for the clash.

On the plus side is the fact that they swept past West Ham 4-0 at Upton Park last weekend with a makeshirt back four and then secured an excellent 3-1 win away at Wolfsburg in the Champions League with a similarly fragile-looking line-up.

United will also welcome back Nemanja Vidic, Wayne Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov to the matchday squad though Michael Owen will be keen to retain his place after his goal-poaching hat-trick in Germany.

To say Manchester United are Aston Villa’s bogey side might be a bit selective as Sir Alex Ferguson has a pretty good record against every Premier League side but with no wins in their last 27 league meetings, recent history is not on the visitor’s side.

However, with United’s injury list reading like a telephone directory O’Neill might just fancy his team’s chances.

Villa are the third highest scorers in the league – behind only Chelsea and Arsenal – and they know a win could propel them up to third place in the table.

That might be wishful thinking but the form of James Milner has been electric and Stewart Downing seems to be finding his feet quickly after a long injury lay-off. The key to a positive result for the midlanders will be to use the ball wisely and economically and to have be disciplined and organised when they cede possession.

With United’s never say die attitude a home win might seem the likeliest result but a share of the points woulkd be no surprise.

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Avram Grant had already conceded it would take an extraordinary turnaround to salvage Portsmouth‘s season before it emerged some players are still waiting to receive their November wages.

Grant, who is still working under the title of director of football until his new work permit is approved, has shown no regrets at accepting the offer to succeed Paul Hart.

“I knew what I was coming into,” he said. “I knew that I was coming to a team in a very bad situation, at the bottom of the league with not easy fixtures – especially in December.

“I could have said ‘no’ and not taken the job. The challenge is big and even if some people think that the chances are very low of avoiding relegation, I think it is possible.

“I really believe that we can do it, even though it will be very, very difficult. But I knew that from the first moment that I took the job.”

If Grant’s side, currently seven points adrift of safety, are to become genuine survival candidates, three points against visitors such as Burnley are a must.

Had Grant’s side made more of a string of first half chances against Manchester United last weekend, they could have surprised the champions. The reality, however, was they didn’t capitalise on those opportunities – and that has been the story of their season.

Grant rested a number of senior players for the Aston Villa midweek game in the Carling Cup and will restore Aruna Dindane and Frederic Piquionne to the attack while keeper David James faces a late fitness test on a calf injury. Full back Steve Finnan has a slim chance of returning after a groin problem.

Burnley manager Owen Coyle, meanwhile, is confident his side’s poor away form will eventually change. In stunning contrast to their results at Turf Moor, Burnley have yet to win on the road in seven matches away from Turf Moor and their inability to defend has been their downfall. They have already conceded an astonishing 25 goals on their travels but Coyle insists that playing positive football is the only solution to their concerns.

“The players we have at this football club have been brought here because they are football players and that’s what we will continue to do,” he said. “We will continue to try and win matches at home and away. It suits the players I have and certainly suits the way I want to play. I want to play and I we will win games and it will be sooner rather than later.

Burnley need a clean sheet against Portsmouth like never before. A win against the Premier League’s bottom club would do even more to stabilise the Lancashire side’s impressive start to life in England’s top flight but it all has to start at the back and they must simply stop conceding if they are not going to throw away all the hard work they are building up at home.

Clarke Carlisle, Tyrone Mears and Andre Bikey need huge games at Fratton Park to stop Portsmouth and give Coyle’s men a base to work from going forward. Robbie Blake will need to be his typically mischievous self in and around the box while Coyle will also be hoping Chris Eagles can build on his brilliant performance at Upton Park last Saturday.

Burnley will be without skipper Steven Caldwell after his late dismissal against West Ham United last weekend but apart from that they have no new injury concerns, with Chris McCann, Jay Rodriguez and Martin Paterson still their only doubts.

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Bayern Munich face a Borussia Monchengladbach this weekend in a Bundesliga fixture that has more significance than initially suspected.

The Bavarian giants have underperformed this season despite splashing the cash in the summer and boss Louis Van Gaal is under mounting pressure to turn things around.

Bayern have stuttered through their league campaign so far winning less than half of their 14 games – a record that leaves them six points behind leaders Bayer Leverkusen. Their displays in the UEFA Champions league have also left something to be desired with the previously fancied side now faltering in third spot in Group A.

They must win their final game against Juventus at the Stadio Olimpico in Turin to qualify for the knockout rounds but Van Gaal has insisted that his players forget about that match and concentrate on domestic matters for the time being.

“The mark of a top professional is the ability to concentrate on the next game, which is Gladbach. Juventus has to wait,” said Van Gaal. “The really decisive match is against Moenchengladbach.”

The outspoken Dutch manager has alienated some of his charges with his allof persona and his strict regime with striker Luca Toni now actively looking for a January transfer away from the club – West Ham are believed to be monitoring the situation. But Van Gaal has also had his fair share of bad luck as talisman Franck Ribery and marquee summer signing Arjen Robben having alreay missed a large swathe of the season.

With Schalke 04, Werder Bremen and Leverkusen all currently sitting above Bayern in the Bundesliga standings, a win against Monchengladbach would be the first step towards redemption.

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It has been a strange season north of the border as neither Celtic or champions Rangers have had things their own way so far in the SPL.

The Clydesdale Bank Premier League has proved more troublesome than normal this season for the Old Firm clubs with both teams dropping points on a regular basis. Rangers defeat at Aberdeen last weekend therefore did not come as a shock.

With a third of the season gone there is normally a healthy gap between the Glasgow giants and the third place team but this year Hibernian are keeping pace with the top two while Dundee United and Motherwell are hot on their heels.

If games between Celtic and Rangers were not intense enough, the fact that points are at a premium makes matches beween them all the more important and that will not be lost on either Tony Mowbray or Walter Smith.

The next Old Firm clash takes place at Celtic Park on January 2nd and though normally a sell-out their are still a few tickets remaining from £36.

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Good news off the pitch has been rare in recent months, so manager Gianfranco Zola knows there could be no better time than to ease the West Ham‘s relegation worries with a home victory over a Burnley side that has yet to win away this season.

The players are making slow progress in their journey away from the relegation zone however. Though they have lost only one of their last five Premier League games three of those have been drawn, including the 3-3 thriller at Hull last weekend.

As a result, the Hammers will kick off with only their goal difference tally keeping them out of the bottom three but Wigan, one place and three points ahead, are also in their sights.

Burnley have picked up just one point away fromTurf Moor so far so Zola will not have to ponder too long on his tactics, which will revolve around putting as strong an attacking side as possible on to the pitch. Danny Gabbidon is back after a two-month lay-off and did well at left back at Hull, so previous first choice Herita Ilunga is likely to remain on the bench.

Long-term absentees Dean Ashton and Luis Boa Morte remain off the radar but defensive duo James Tomkins and Alessandro Da Costa face tests. Midfielder Kieron Dyer is back in contention following a hamstring problem.

Burnley manager Owen Coyle wants his side to continue playing an attacking brand of football. The Clarets’ manager has earned huge praise this season for the attractive football his side is producing in their first season in the Premier League.

He said: “We do try and entertain in games and we believe that the best thing for us to do is play attacking football so that is what we will try and do.

“We will have to be on our guard because they are a quality team but we want to impose ourselves on the match.”

Coyle’s side are currently in 11th spot in the Premier League and look comfortable at English football’s highest level.

Pundits had backed them to be guaranteed relegation favourites but Coyle has engineered six wins out of seven at home to ensure they are in a perfectly safe position as Christmas approaches.

Coyle added: “I think everyone in the Premier League, or they certainly did at the start of the season, thought that ‘here comes Burnley, here is a great chance for three points’ and I don’t mind that. It up to them how they view us. My concentration is on my players and getting the most out of them.

“We have proved that we can get points in this division, the best league in the world, and that is what we need to keep on doing.”

Coyle needs to send his side out full of self-belief against Hammers side that has won just once on home soil all term. A 4-3-3 formation would help Burnley highlight that they will not be bullied by West Ham as well as give Graham Alexander, Andre Bikey and full-backs Stephen Jordan and Tyrone Mears the opportunity to get forward and help forwards Stephen Fletcher and Robbie Blake.

A weak goal conceded to Aston Villa towards the end of last week’s match proves that Burnley’s defence can be breached at times so captain Steven Caldwell and fellow central defender Clarke Carlisle will be looking to return to peak form to ensure the Villa goal does not become a habit.

Martin Paterson, Chris McCann and Jay Rodriguez all remain long-term absentees for Burnley but apart from those problems, they are likely to name the same team that drew 1-1 with Aston Villa last weekend.

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Match previews are supplied by Fanhouse UK

Key injuries are threatening to disrupt the so-called Big Four clubs as they prepare to embark on the most gruelling part of the season.

Liverpool have had a torrid time this campaign and much of it can be put down to the unavailability of vital personnel. Their talismanic captain Steven Gerrard has not played a full ninety minutes since the 2-0 defeat at Chelsea in early October and though he looks to be on his way back to fitness it may take some time for him to regain match sharpness.

Fernando Torres is still out with a groin injury and they have struggled for goals in his absence. Rafael Benitez is unsure whether his star striker will be available for the Merseyside derby on November 29^th but hopes to have him back in time for their trip to Portsmouth on December 19^th.

Leaders Chelsea will have to do without their midfield general Frank Lampard as he picked up a thigh injury while on duty with the England national team and will almost certainly miss the huge match with Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium along with former Gunner Ashley Cole who has a depressed fracture of the tibia.

Arsenal themselves will be without the services of Robin Van Persie for that match after he tore ankle ligaments following a challenge from Giorgio Chiellini in the friendly match between Holland and Italy. Croatia striker Eduardo will lead the line in his absence.

Champions Manchester United have had defensive problems all season which have not been helped by injuries to their first-choice central defensive pairing of Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic. The injury to Ferdinand is particularly perplexing as it seems to keep rearing its ugly head and it looks like keeping him out the match at his former club West Ham United. Happily for United Vidic appears to be returning to full fitness.

Such injury woes might leave the door open for a Manchester City or Tottenham to force themselves up the table though Carlo Ancelotti, Arsene Wenger, Sir Alex Ferguson and Rafa Benitez will be hoping their large squads will prevent too much damage.

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Portsmouth FC will be glad to have got their first win of the season under their belts as they are about to enter an extremely demanding phase of the campaign.

The festive season is something of an endurance test for all teams but the next few weeks look tougher than usual for the south coast club and could prove pivotal in struggle for Premier League survival.

The period starts with the visit of champions Manchester United on 28^th December and is followed a week later with what looks to be a must-win game at home to Burnley.

December might seem a bit early to start talking about relegation six-pointers but in the precarious position that Portsmouth find themselves in they surely have to emerge from that clash with three points.

After a trip to Sunderland, Manager Paul Hart then takes his players to Stamford Bridge to take on Carlo Ancelotti and his Chelsea team on Wednesday 16^th December and will treat any points picked up there as a bonus.

Three days later they return to Fratton Park to take on Liverpool who, though not having the greatest of seasons, will be another massive test.

Pompey finish 2009 with two tough looking fixtures against London opposition. First they go to Upton Park on Boxing Day to take on a West Ham side that finds itself in the lower reaches of the table while on the 28^th Arsenal’s footballing fantasistas arrive on the south coast.

It certainly looks to be a key month in their season and Portsmouth will be hoping for a few seasonal gifts to come their way.

Check out the website for details on tickets to all these matches.

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The Barclays Premier League returns to action after a two week break to accommodate the playoffs for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa and there are plenty of tickets available to some very big matches.

November 28^th sees Aston Villa play host to Harry Redknapp’s Tottenham with both teams keen to muscle in on a top four finish.

The following day (29^th) sees a titanic clash between two of the title favourites at the Emirates Stadium when Arsenal face Chelsea. When this fixture took place last year the Blues ran out 4-1 winners though expect it to be a much closer affair this time round.

December 5^th sees a real grudge match take place in east London as Manchester United travel to West Ham United. While they may currently be at opposite ends of the table there is no love lost between the two clubs and these encounters are always fiery.

On the south coast that day there is what might prove to be a relegation six-pointer between Portsmouth and Burnley. That might be a bit harsh on the Lancastrians looking at their excellent start to the season but their away form is desperately poor and they will need to improve in that area if they are to survive in the Barclays Premier League.

There’s a repeat of last season’s FA Cup final on December 12^th as Chelsea welcome Everton to Stamford Bridge. While the Londoners lifted the famous old trophy in May both their league meetings with the Liverpudlians in the last campaign ended in closely contested draws.

Boxing Day sees a compelling capital clash as Fulham face Tottenham at Craven Cottage. As both teams like to play football in the proper way it promises to serve up a real festive treat.

December finishes with a local derby as Roy Hodgson takes his Fulham side across SW6 to face Chelsea in another mouth-watering affair.

Remember tickets are still available for all these matches and many, many more.

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Pete Doherty will be playing four solo shows in the UK this September having released his debut solo album Grace/Wastelands earlier this year.

Pete Doherty will play the London Roundhouse (September 19), Leamington Spa Assembly (September 20), Manchester Apollo (September 21) and the Glasgow Barrowlands (September 23).

Tickets to the forthcoming Pete Doherty shows will go on general sale on Friday May 22 at 9am.

Beforehand, Pete Doherty will be making an appearance in some summer festivals this year.

Pete Doherty will be performing at T In The Park in Balado Airfield, Kinross which takes place from Thursday July 9 until Sunday July 12. Pete Doherty will also play the V Festival over the weekend of August 22-23 at Hylands Park, Chelmsford and Weston Park, Shifnal.

Tickets for T In The Park and V Festival are available to compare at tixdaq.com

Meanwhile, Pete Doherty’s band mate from The Libertines Carl Barat has not ruled out the possibility of another reunion gig after The Libertines reunited to perform at The Rhythm Factory, London in the early hours of Saturday May 16.

The Libertines were performing at a tribute show for the late promoter Johnny Sedassy. Carl Barat claims that solo work is taking priority right now and that the possibility of a full reunion can be reassessed in 2010.

Hull City are currently in the eighth place in the Premier League which is a remarkable feat for a newly promoted side. A series of strong performances against the likes of Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal has forced Hull in to the top half of the table and all but secured them top flight football next season.

West Ham are lying in tenth position in the Premier League table and a win over Fulham this coming Sunday (18 January) could take them above Hull. The former Chelsea star, Gianfranco Zola, has experienced mixed fortunes since taking the reigns at West Ham, but a strong second half to the season could give his team a chance of securing a UEFA Cup spot.

Hull City are currently in the eighth place in the Premier League which is a remarkable feat for a newly promoted side. A series of strong performances against the likes of Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal has forced Hull in to the top half of the table and all but secured them top flight football next season.

West Ham are lying in tenth position in the Premier League table and a win over Fulham this coming Sunday (18 January) could take them above Hull. The former Chelsea star, Gianfranco Zola, has experienced mixed fortunes since taking the reigns at West Ham, but a strong second half to the season could give his team a chance of securing a UEFA Cup spot.