English Premier League - 27/02/2010 - 28/02/2010

1.The match of the week is undoubtedly Chelsea v/s Man City. Chelsea will be without Petr Czech, who injured himself during the defeat away from home against Inter Milan in the Champions League and will be out for 1 month. Hillario will be replacing him in the goal. Otherwise, Essien is still out with long term injury hit Ashley Cole. Chelsea have been a rock this season at home with only 1 draw and 12 wins out of 13 matches played! On the other hand, Man City have been inconsistent in there away form though they have lost only 4 matches on away trip and overall, matcing Chelsea as the team with least defeat. But they have drawn too many matches. Tevez is expected to play tomorrow with Adebayor upfront. Viera is a doubt since his problems with the FA. Formwise, Chelsea is playing better actually and they will not miss the opportunity to take all 3 points. Thus, Chelsea is my fave to win this one easily. Chelsea Win


2. Birmingham v/s Wigan Athletic - Birmingham Win.

3. Bolton Wanderes v/s Wolverampton - Bolton Wanderers Win


4. Burnley v/s Portsmouth - Burnley Win


5. Stoke v/s Arsenal - Draw


6. Tottenham Hotspur v/s Everton - Tottenham Win

7. Liverpool FC v/s Blackburn Rovers - LFC Win

8. Sunderland v/s Fulham - Draw


Best Bet Win: Liverpool, Chelsea and Burnley.


Best Draw: Stoke v/s Arsenal.

Alliance Socialle and MMM to reunite!

This year the General Elections will be held and as usual, rumors about alliances have already started. Lately, according to inside informations, the MMM will join the Alliance Socialle shortly and discussions have already reached its peak. Berenger and Navin to work again after 15 years? Well, need to wait and see since there are many obstacles that they will meet before concluding this alliance.

First, the PMSD who have been with the Reds for about 15 years will have to cope with the MMM with whom they are not in good terms.

Secondly, what will happen to MSM? It seemed that negotiations between Ptr and MSM was on good track.

I predict that as soon as MMM will join the Ptr, PMSD will leave the Alliance Socialle to join the MSM. But will this be strong enough to counter the Ptr/MMM force? Another 60-0 in the history!

English Premier League - 20/02/2010 - 21/02/2010

1. Everton v/s Man Utd - Man Utd Win

Everton are hitting top form actually at home, beating leaders Chelsea and Sporting Lisbon in the Europa League. They host Man Utd with lots of confidence this Saturday expecting to beat Man Utd. They have lost only 2 at home this season, with 6 wins and 5 draws, lying in 9th position. One of their best players, Midfielder Marouane Felliani is out for the rest of the season due to injury. Landon Donovan will be present for this match and remains a threat for the Man Utd defence. On the other hand we find Man Utd at his best and destroying everything on its passage with a Rooney who cannot stop scoring. This week they have beaten Milan in the Champions League away from home proving there potential. Given there top performance against Aston Villa last week, with only 10 men on the pitch( Nani sent out), one can imagine why they are favorite to win this match.

2. Portsmouth v/s Stoke City - Portsmouth Win

No doubt Portsmouth is a good team at home but they need luck on their side. This time they face Stoke City who have won only 1 away match, drawn 6 and lost 5. I give Portsmouth a well deserved win for the way they are battling as a team to keep there Premiership status.

3. Wolves v/s Chelsea - Chelsea Win

Chelsea is back in form they way they have crushed Cardif City out of the FA Cup last Saturday. They will by all means try to keep the same tempo when they meet relegation candidate Wolves Wanderers. The latter have just beaten Tottenham Hotspur at home and are looking forward to at least get a precious point from Chelsea this week. They are in the relegation battle and are only 1 point from the first team in the relegation spot. I find it a very difficult win for Chelsea since Wolves will adopt a defensive tactic to counter the Blues.

4. Arsenal v/s Sunderland - Arsenal Win

5. West Ham Utd v/s Hull City - West Ham Win

6. Man City v/ Liverpool FC - Draw

Man City is unbeaten at home this season, with 3 draws and 9 wins and actually in the fourth qualifying spot for Champions League. Following stats, it is clear that Man City is better at home and they are able to beat any team on there ground. Viera has shown that he still has the same fierce tackles and his ability to break defenses with his passes though he is not fully fit. Tevez who was on a high recently has to hit back and this is an occasion for him to be back on track. They will certainly look for a win to distance LFC who's threatening to get back his position as a top four team. LFC will be playing to get all 3 points as well to take back the 4th spot and waiting to see the results of the 2 late matches Man City still has to play. LFC is capable of overcoming Man City but they are not as effective without there players like Torres, Glen Johnson and Benhayoun. Gerrard is back to his best as shown in the match against Arsenal. They will have to find someone to play on the right following the injury of Carragher who was himself deputing for injured Johnson. Deggen is not as good as the other two and thus this may prove a weakness which Man City will definitely explore. Though, I find this match a tight one between the 2 teams since they all know the importance getting the most of points.

7. Aston Villa v/s Burnley - Aston Villa Win

8. Fulham v/s Birmingham City - Fulham Win

9. Wigan v/s Tottenham Hotspurs - Draw

10 Blackburn Rovers v/s Bolton Wanderers - Blackburn Win

Best Bets Win: Aston Villa, Man Utd, West Ham and Arsenal.

Best Bets Draw: Man City v/s LFC

English Premier League - 10/02/10

Tomorrow we will see the Top Four in action. If today we will see relegation battle then tomorrow it's the Championship battle + European football battle. Three mouth watering matches: Arsenal v/s Liverpool, Aston Villa v/s Man Utd and Everton v/s Chelsea.

1. Arsenal FC v/s Liverpool FC - Arsenal win

Arsenal have lost there 2 previous matches against the two teams that are leading the Premiership: Man Utd and Chelsea. Arsenal was completely outclassed at home when they were thrashed by Man Utd. Then, last Week End we saw a Drogba on his own win Chelsea 3 points with 2 goals in the first half. After viewing this match, I am of the opinion that Arsenal did very well away from home and they needed luck to be on their side. They also have to look for a replacement for Clichy who was outclassed by Ashley Cole. They created chances but did not score. On this performance I find it difficult for LFC to come and claim the 3 points they lost at home to Arsenal( AFC won by 2 - 1) last year, though they are on a winning streak. With 5 defeats, 3 draws and 4 wins on away trips, LFC will certainly come to take at least 1 point from the Gunners. They will be without influent defender Kyriagos, who has been suspended due to the red card against Everton last Week End, Torres, Benhayoun and Johnson still out due to injury. In-form Dirk Kuyt will be leading the front line as lone striker or probably Ngog will be doing the role as sole front-man if Benitez opts to put Kuyt on the right. We have seen that Ngog is less performing as lone striker and his goals came when he was in partnered with another striker.Gerrard is slowly getting back to his best. AFC with Fabregas, there Captain and playmaker, and others will do there utmost to stop LFC' s, unbeaten in 10 matches. We will certainly see Bendtner in place of Walcott who was very disappointing against Chelsea. Following stats, AFC has lost only two at home, both to Man Utd and Chelsea only. Thus, I predict a win for AFC.

2. Aston Villa v/s Manchester United - Man Utd Win

Will this be the revenge for Man Utd, who were beaten by the same team earlier this season, at Old Trafford! Well, this remains to be seen. The Villains are a difficult team to play against when they are home. They have the best defense at home with only 7 goals that they have conceded till now. They have shown there defensive  ability against a dominant Tottenham Hotspur team last Week End by denying them clear chances for goals. But Man Utd is what it is and they can strike at any time with Robust Rooney who cannot stop scoring these days. Nani is having his best spell of the season for Man Utd. The Villains will have to contain Rooney first if they want to take something from the match. They are fighting for a place in the top four and they cannot lose this match. I find it a difficult win for Man Utd with Rooney of course the goalscorer again.

3. Everton v/s Chelsea - Draw

The only team to have taken 1 point from Stamford Bridge, Everton will this time face Chelsea at home. A difficult match for Lampard and company indeed, after there win against Arsenal. Chelsea, though winning against Arsenal, did not seem to be impressive. On there last away outings to "minor" clubs like Hull and Burnley, they found it difficult: Hull City hold them to a draw and Terry scored a second goal against Burnley to earn them the 3 points(score was 1-1). Everton at home have lost only 2, drawn 5and won 5. Chelsea has won 6, drawn 3 and lost 3 away from home.

Other fixtures predictions:

West Ham Utd v/s Birmingham City - Draw

Wolves v/s Tottenham - Tottenham Hotspur Win

Blackburn Rovers v/s Hull City - Draw

Horse Racing News

• Mathew Cahill will not ride for Hughes Maigrot stable this season, as announced earlier. The stable Manager is looking for another jockey.
• Patrick Merven Stable has lost Ballito Boy, Beach Games and Primo, all transferred to other stables, namely Serge Henry for Ballito Boy and the other two are back to Ramdour Stable. They are willing to sign Australlian Jockey Peter Hall by mid March.
• Fok stable on the other hand will most probably sign Gaetan Faucon. The French jockey who came second behind Shane Dye last season will be back this season again. Will he be the champ this time?
• An official request has been made by Raj Ramdin to sign Yashin Emamdee. The Licensing committee is actually studying the request and will revert back accordingly.
• Two horses of V. Allet Stable, Trinidad and Velvet Dance have been transferred to Perdrau Stable.

English Premier League - 09/02/10

This Tuesday there are some quite interesting matches in the EPL, since the battle to stay in the Premiership has begun. Let's have a look at the chances the teams playing tomorrow, stand.


1. Man City v/s Bolton Wanderers - Man City Win


Man City have not lost at home this season, with 8 wins and 3 draws out of 11 matches played. Good to note also that they are the team with least defeats together with Chelsea. Bolton Rovers are 17th in the table with only 2 away wins, 2 draws and 6 losses, all on away trips. On last performances, Man City is favorite to bag all 3 points at home again. Bolton have just drawn to Fulham at home. 


2. Portsmouth v/s Sunderland - Portsmouth Win


Portsmouth could not resist the destroying machine that Man Utd is actually. They have been thrashed 5 - 0 at Old Trafford this week-end and now they face Sunderland at home. We have seen too many basic defensive errors, notably that of Tal Ben Haim, and the team did not seem to be a Premiership material. Relegation is awaiting them, they all know and in addition they have financial problems whereby they had to sell there best players. Sunderland is a team that came from behind this week end at home to Wigan Athletic. There top scorer Kelwyn Jones, who is to join LFC this summer, scored the equaliser. On latest performances, Portsmouth seems to be the weakest team but have to admit that it lost to the likes of Man Utd, Arsenal amd Spurs. Otherwise there last victory at home came against LFC surprisingly. Sunderland on the other hand have been very weak on away trips with only 1 win and two draws, all in 12 matches played. This is an opportunity for Portsmouth to score a win tomorrow against Sunderland.


3. Wigan v/s Stoke City - Draw


I bet Wigan is a stronger team when playing at home, though they have won only 3 and drawn 3. Stoke City are not the same when they are on away trips. They don't score too many away from home but lost only five and drawn five for only 1 win. They are on the up of late. Thus, I see both team draw again, as was the result when both met in December for the first leg.


4. Fulham v/s Burnley - Fulham Win


An easy win for Fulham who have done very well playing at home. Burnley has not win till date away from home. Stats shows also that on 12 matches played they have drawn 1 and lost 11! 

English Premier League - 06/02/10 - 07/02/10

This week -end will be marked by the derby of Merseyside and the clash between Chelsea and Arsenal. Two matches that all football lovers are awaiting with so much impatience I'm sure.

This Saturday's Match of The Day is undoubtedly the derby between LFC and EFC, scheduled this early afternoon. LFC is lying 5th in the table, 14 points behind league leaders Chelsea and 1 point behind Totenham Hotspur (4th). LFC are have won there last 4 matches at home and are unbeaten in there last 9 matches. With these stats, it seems that Raffa Boys are on there way to a fith straight win at home and for a tenth unbeaten match. Top scorer Torres, Benayoun and Glen Johnson are still out due to injury. Kyriagos, the Greek International defender is back to his best of late. He is the man on whom the back four of LFC will rely on to keep Everton's in form striker Landon Donovan at bay. Dirk Kuyt seems to enjoy his role as forward since he has been scoring 3 in his last 4 matches for LFC.

Everton, lying 9th in the table with 32 points and one match less than LFC, has not lost since he was beaten by LFC on his homeground (0 - 2). Everton have won there last 3 matches, drawn with Arsenal (2 - 2) and Chelsea on away trips. This means unbeaten in 9 matches. Everton who will rely on the form of striker Donovan and midfielders, Fellaini and Tim Cahill to get a draw at least if not 3 points. EFC is a tough team to play with when they are away. Thus, LFC will not have an easy game and that too in a derby.

This is the 213th derby match and LFC has lost only 2 matches for the last 20 matches thay have played. Since 1999, EFC have not beaten LFC at Anfield. This also marks the 25th derby of Vice Captain Carragher.

Following stats, I will give LFC a win following his form at home of late. But beware of Everton who will certainly not give up so easily, as we expect so in a derby.

In the other clash between Chelsea and Arsenal, I predict an easy win for Chelsea. They will have to win this match so that they can take back there 2 points advantage if Man Utd wins today against Portsmouth. Chelsea have find it difficult to beat teams like Burnley and Hull City of late. Is this a sign of tiredness for the Blues? Well, they have the squad to overcome such difficulties and on their day can beat any team. With Drogba back in line up, Anelka in top form as well as young Sturridge on the bench, Chelsea has many options in front. Obi Mikel is back and will be there in midfield to face Fabregas, the playmaker of Arsenal. Terry has said after his personal problems that this won't affect his game and will give his 100% as usual. He is no more the England Captain following the extra marital affair he has had lately.

On the other hand, Arsenal has no other options than to defeat Chelsea to keep pace with the top two to win the Premiership title. But given the inexperience of some young guns and some long term injuries of there top scorer Van Persie, Edouardo, Walcott and Bendtner, it will be difficult to overturn the game in there favor. Arsenal will have to play offensive football in order to win the match and thus expect exposure at the back.

Since Chelsea is a better team and has a better squad, I give Chelsea who are unbeaten at home this season, favorite to win and take the 2 points lead on Championship rivals Man Utd.

My predictions for other matches:

Sunderland V/s Wigan : Sunderland win

Burnley V/s West Ham Utd: Burnley win

Man Utd V/s Portsmouth: Man Utd win

Stoke City V/s Blackburn: Draw

Hull City V/s Man City: Draw

Tottenham Hotspur V/s Aston Villa: Draw

Bolton Wanderers V/s Fulham: Fulham win

Birmingham City V/s Wolves Wanderes: Birmingham win

Mr Brock Winner of Dubai International Potline Trophy - 1900m R: 95 - 110

Mr Brock has won the Dubai International Potline Trophy yesterday, at Meydan Turf in Dubai. Ridden by Kevin Shea and trained by Mike De Kock, the 6 Yr old Bay tracked the leaders all the way to take the lead from the 200 m mark and ran on well to win this 1900 m. Mr Brock won by a comfortable margin leaving Tartan Gigha, ridden by Ryan Moore, 3.75 lengths behind. Mrs Serge Seenyen, the owner was present to welcome her Champion Horse.  Congratulations to the Seenyen family. The stakes money won by Mr Brock for his owners is $ USD 120000. I will keep you updated for the next outing of Mr Brock.

J & B Met 2010 Results

River Jetez ridden by maestro Glenn Hatt won the J & B Met 2010 last Saturday in front of Mother Russia and the favorite Pocket Power. The 6 year old mare which was selling @ 15-1 won her first Grade 1 race though she has been very consistent since running 1 length behind stable mate Pocket Power in last year's J & B Met. The hot pace did the trick for this mare. After the race Glenn Hatt said, "The plan was to track Pocket Power but, when I saw Mother Russia  travelling so well, I decided to follow her and it all played into my hands." 

On her last outing she was beaten by the same Mother Russia in the Paddock Stakes which was run with slow pace. But this time the pace was on and she was 2Kg better off compared to the Paddock Stakes.

Mother Russia ran a magnificent race in defeat. She was drawn wide and Anthony Delpech had to use her at start to have a good placing in the race. No doubt the 3 year old mare would have done the trick if she would have a better draw.

Big City Life finished 9th at 3.60 lengths behind the winner. Karis Teetan, the Mauritian rider was aboard. It came from a hopeless position to finish well.


River Jetez is trianed by Mike Bass and owned by Mr and Mrs CA Amm and Mr Marsh Shirtliff. Three horses of Mike Bass finished in the Top Four: River Jetez (1), Pocket Power(3) and Fort Vogue(4).

It is the second J & B Met won by Glenn Hatt.



 

HORSE RACING - NEW SEASON

The new season of horse racing will kick off on the 27th of March, in about two months. In view of this new season, new challenges will be awaiting our stables, racing industry and of course the fans of Horse Racing. The Stables are doing all necessary to re-inforce themselves by investing a lot to get new string of horses to confront this long season! Some are already in Mauritius while others are awaited in the coming weeks. Our Jockeys also have already been confirmed for some stables so far.

Serge Henry - Robbie Hill

Gujadhur - Nishal Teeha

Mahesh Ramdin - Rai Joorawon

Vincent Allet - Bennedict Woodworth

Rameshwar Gujadhur - Lacaille

Hugues Maigrot - Mathew Cahill

Maingard - Cedric Segeon

Ramdour - J R Boutanive

We have noticed the return of Benny Woodworth after a successful season two years back - he was champion. Surprised to see that Henry Stable has gone for Robbie Hill! Segeon is back again after a very good end of season with Maingard stable. Maigrot stable has gone for the gr8 horseman Mathew Cahill While we will be discovering young French jockey Lacaille on our turf ths year for the King of long shot stable.

As far as horses are concerned Gujadhur stable has bought in many young horses. This stable will surely do very well this season with horses like War of Conquest, Galant Gagnant, Mohican, Power Control, Whitaker, Ant of Agasta and Solar Symbol. Drayton, for the Gujadhur Stable, a classy sort, will surely be a hard nut to crack if he runs on his South African form. This is the best buy till now, for this season. Senor Versace also is a very good buy and will surely leave his mark on the Champ De Mars for the Gujadhur Stable.

Otherwise we have seen two horses from Maingard Stable transferred to Henry Stable, of late. Final Frontier and Strike Again have joined in the runner up stable of last season.