Drinky
23-12-2000, 01:47:PM
This was supposed to go out as part of the SG Newsletter today but I was a little late and so you wouldn't have got to read it before kick off. Not to worry, as here is the full preview as it would have appeared. I'm hoping to make it a regular feature and focus on games from all round the world rather than just England or Europe.
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DRINKY'S BIG MATCH PREVIEW
PREMIERSHIP: Liverpool vs. Arsenal
OVERVIEW:
Without doubt, this is the biggest Christmas game in Europe. By the time you read this, the game will be imminent, with an 11:30am kick-off at Anfield. So far this season, both sides have been promising much and under-performing - both sides have poor away records, despite big summer spending, and both sides desperately need the win to have any hope of staying in touch with the leaders Manchester United.
FORM:
Both sides had a big derby games last weekend, Liverpool famously beating United at Old Trafford by a goal to nil, while the Gunners were held to a controversial 1-1 draw at White Hart Lane, with Rebrov's equaliser surrounded by offside pleas from Arsenal. On paper, Liverpool have the best home record in the Premiership this season, with only one defeat at 'fortress Anfield'. However, Arsenal have dropped most points away from home, and have scored just eight goals in nine away games.
PREVIOUS MEETINGS:
Arsenal's 2-0 win at Highbury earlier this season was the only time they have beaten Liverpool since the Premiership began in 1992. However, Arsenal still retain the psychological edge of 1989, when, in the most watched English League game in history, they won 2-0 at Anfield, scoring the winner with the last kick of the game to seal the Championship ?-the Kop will remember, so Arsenal can expect no favours from what should be a capacity crowd.
TEAM SELECTION:
Virtually trouble-free. Liverpool name German international Christian Ziege in the squad after he shook off the injury that kept him out of the Old Trafford game, but he will not make the starting XI, so Carragher continues as a makeshift left back as cover for the German and Frenchman Djimi Traore. Arsenal continue without the injured David Seaman, naming Austrian keeper Alex Manninger in goal. Lauren should again miss the starting XI through injury.
PLAYERS TO WATCH:
LIVERPOOL: Igor Biscan.
Undoubtedly one of the most talented young players we've seen come to England in years, confirmed by his huge £8.5 million price tag, Biscan plumped for Liverpool over such giants as Inter Milan and Bayern Munchen. Likened by some to a young Beckenbauer, he has posie, a strong tackle, and world-class distribution. Arsenal will need to stifle his creativity and break the partnership that he is forging with that other promising midfielder, Steven Gerrard.
ARSENAL: Thierry Henry
Voted French Writers' Player Of The Year this week, Henry has not been firing on all cylinders since lifting the European Championships trophy in the summer. Well off the pace in the scoring stakes, his lack of goals, particularly away from home, has scuppered the Gunners' chances of snatching the title back from Manchester United. Against the huge Hyypia and Henchoz, Arsenal must try to play a ground-based game rather than an aerial battle, and Henry has the pace and skill to crack it. However, it is his finishing that will be crucial.
PROBABLE XIs:
Liverpool (445-2): Westerveld; Carragher, Henchoz, Hyypia, Babbel; Biscan, Gerrard, Murphy, Barmby; Heskey, Owen
Arsenal: (4-4-2): Manninger; Dixon, Keown, Adams, Silvinho; Vieira, Grimandi, Parlour, Ljungberg; Kanu, Henry
SOCCER GAMING PREDICTION:
With only one defeat at Anfield this season, and one defeat against Arsenal in eight years, form says Liverpool. However, Arsenal are looking much stronger this season, but they just can?t seem to do it away from Highbury. I'll go for a home win, 2-1, but it'll be tighter than Scrooge's Christmas Bonus.
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We shall soon see how close that prediction was! http://www.soccergaming.com/ubb/smile.gif
[This message has been edited by Drinky (edited 12-23-2000).]
============================
DRINKY'S BIG MATCH PREVIEW
PREMIERSHIP: Liverpool vs. Arsenal
OVERVIEW:
Without doubt, this is the biggest Christmas game in Europe. By the time you read this, the game will be imminent, with an 11:30am kick-off at Anfield. So far this season, both sides have been promising much and under-performing - both sides have poor away records, despite big summer spending, and both sides desperately need the win to have any hope of staying in touch with the leaders Manchester United.
FORM:
Both sides had a big derby games last weekend, Liverpool famously beating United at Old Trafford by a goal to nil, while the Gunners were held to a controversial 1-1 draw at White Hart Lane, with Rebrov's equaliser surrounded by offside pleas from Arsenal. On paper, Liverpool have the best home record in the Premiership this season, with only one defeat at 'fortress Anfield'. However, Arsenal have dropped most points away from home, and have scored just eight goals in nine away games.
PREVIOUS MEETINGS:
Arsenal's 2-0 win at Highbury earlier this season was the only time they have beaten Liverpool since the Premiership began in 1992. However, Arsenal still retain the psychological edge of 1989, when, in the most watched English League game in history, they won 2-0 at Anfield, scoring the winner with the last kick of the game to seal the Championship ?-the Kop will remember, so Arsenal can expect no favours from what should be a capacity crowd.
TEAM SELECTION:
Virtually trouble-free. Liverpool name German international Christian Ziege in the squad after he shook off the injury that kept him out of the Old Trafford game, but he will not make the starting XI, so Carragher continues as a makeshift left back as cover for the German and Frenchman Djimi Traore. Arsenal continue without the injured David Seaman, naming Austrian keeper Alex Manninger in goal. Lauren should again miss the starting XI through injury.
PLAYERS TO WATCH:
LIVERPOOL: Igor Biscan.
Undoubtedly one of the most talented young players we've seen come to England in years, confirmed by his huge £8.5 million price tag, Biscan plumped for Liverpool over such giants as Inter Milan and Bayern Munchen. Likened by some to a young Beckenbauer, he has posie, a strong tackle, and world-class distribution. Arsenal will need to stifle his creativity and break the partnership that he is forging with that other promising midfielder, Steven Gerrard.
ARSENAL: Thierry Henry
Voted French Writers' Player Of The Year this week, Henry has not been firing on all cylinders since lifting the European Championships trophy in the summer. Well off the pace in the scoring stakes, his lack of goals, particularly away from home, has scuppered the Gunners' chances of snatching the title back from Manchester United. Against the huge Hyypia and Henchoz, Arsenal must try to play a ground-based game rather than an aerial battle, and Henry has the pace and skill to crack it. However, it is his finishing that will be crucial.
PROBABLE XIs:
Liverpool (445-2): Westerveld; Carragher, Henchoz, Hyypia, Babbel; Biscan, Gerrard, Murphy, Barmby; Heskey, Owen
Arsenal: (4-4-2): Manninger; Dixon, Keown, Adams, Silvinho; Vieira, Grimandi, Parlour, Ljungberg; Kanu, Henry
SOCCER GAMING PREDICTION:
With only one defeat at Anfield this season, and one defeat against Arsenal in eight years, form says Liverpool. However, Arsenal are looking much stronger this season, but they just can?t seem to do it away from Highbury. I'll go for a home win, 2-1, but it'll be tighter than Scrooge's Christmas Bonus.
============================
We shall soon see how close that prediction was! http://www.soccergaming.com/ubb/smile.gif
[This message has been edited by Drinky (edited 12-23-2000).]