Tottenham captain expected to confirm his retirement

"Andre Villas-Boas will be cautiously optimistic that his side are prepared for life without him."

Reports suggest that Ledley King will call time on his playing career and instead assume a behind-the-scenes position at Tottenham...

Speculation is growing that Ledley King will announce his retirement from professional football at the age of 31 over the last 24 hours after years spent struggling to fight the effects of a seemingly incurable knee injury.

The Tottenham captain, who is likely to be given a new role either as a coach or ambassador, hasn't managed more than 24 league starts in a campaign since 2006, with the problem proving increasingly restricting.

Remarkably, neither the pain endured nor the sporadic nature of his participation affected the quality of his performances, at least until a dip over the past few months as the years of battling appeared to finally take their toll.

It is a testament to his ability that, despite it being widely accepted that his fitness issues rendered him incapable of playing more than once a week, Fabio Capello opted to include him in his England squad for the last World Cup.

The career-long Spurs stalwart represented his nation 21 times, his first cap being awarded by Sven-Goran Eriksson in 2002. His admirers feel that, were it not for his knee, he would have rivalled the 77 and 81 appearances accumulated by former Senrab team-mate John Terry and Rio Ferdinand.

His standing as a Tottenham icon is assured having been the one constant at the club in a 14-year period that featured plenty of upheaval and difficult moments, but also a season of Champions League football and a Carling Cup triumph.

The fact that King was always an automatic starter when available, regardless of how long he had been out, says everything about his reliability, though new boss Andre Villas-Boas will be cautiously optimistic that his side are prepared for life without him.

French defender Younes Kaboul enjoyed his best campaign at White Hart Lane last term, Michael Dawson - while also susceptible to injury - rarely disappoints, Jan Vertonghen has arrived, William Gallas remains (for now) and Steven Caulker showed considerable promise on loan at Swansea.

The Lilywhites are 2.881/1 to finish in the top four in 2012/13, and 34.033/1 to win the title.

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Arsenal Transfer News: Podolski expected to arrive this summer

Premier League / Michael Lintorn / 08 March 2012 / 2 Comments

Lukas Podolski has grown frustrated by Koln's apparent lack of ambition

"When in a side suited to him, Podolski can be a fairly consistent scorer, as 43 goals in 95 national team appearances and 16 goals in 20 Bundesliga games for struggling Koln this term demonstrate."

It is widely claimed that Arsenal have reached an agreement with Lukas Podolski and current side Koln to bring the German forward to the Emirates...

It was ultimately a meaningless triumph, but Arsenal's defiance in the face of adversity against AC Milan on Tuesday appears to have worked wonders in terms of transforming the mood at the club.

Wojciech Szczesny is adamant that it shows that they can beat anyone, ordering his team-mates to fight to finish above Tottenham (a [2.76] prospect) and even feeling confident enough to talk about Spurs being condemned to another Europa League campaign.

And there is now cause to be optimistic about next season too. After waiting until deadline day to do most of their business last summer, the BBC are reporting that they have effectively finalised what will probably prove their main deal of the next window to sign Lukas Podolski from Koln.

The Germany international is set to arrive in a £10.9 million move and earn £100,000-a-week, a sum which perhaps indicates that the Gunners are no longer willing to let lofty wage demands scupper their transfer plans.

The 26-year-old is adept at playing in a central role and, when in a side suited to him, can be a fairly consistent scorer, as 43 goals in 95 national team appearances and 16 goals in 20 Bundesliga games for struggling Koln this term - rendering him a [15.0] contender to be top scorer - demonstrate.

However, he is equally comfortable out wide and, provided Robin van Persie remains at the Emirates, will likely operate primarily on the left wing in Arsene Wenger's favoured formation.

The worry for Arsenal fans will be Podolski's lack of success the last time he left Koln, where he is very much the star man, for Bayern Munich in 2006, enduring three unprolific and unproductive years at the Allianz Arena.

Both the pressure and competition in north London shouldn't be quite so severe though at a club rated [1.54] to ensure him a return to the Champions League by finishing in the top four this season.

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Premier League Previews: Goals expected at the Etihad Stadium

Premier League / Feizal Rahman / 02 December 2011 / Leave a Comment

Man City players celebrate scoring yet another goal

"With such richness of attacking resources available to manager Roberto Mancini, it is no surprise to learn that his side has averaged three goals per game in their last 10 at home."

Feizal Rahman previews three of Saturday's Premier League fixtures using the Opta stats, and believes goals will be the order of the day as Manchester City look to extend their lead at the top of the table.

Blackburn Rovers v Swansea City, KO: Saturday 15:00, Match Odds: Blackburn [2.24], Swansea [3.8], The Draw [3.5]

Firmly rooted to the bottom of the Premier League table, Blackburn have now gone eight games without a win, suffering five defeats since victory at home to Arsenal. That was Rovers' only maximum this term, and Opta inform us that they have lost every other game at Ewood Park.

Nine of Blackburn's league fixtures this season have seen in excess of two goals, seven of these producing four or more. Steve Kean's team have also conceded at least three goals in seven league games so far though have failed to score themselves on just three occasions.

Swansea have picked up six points from their last six in the league, suffering two defeats. However, having lost their first four away games of the season, Opta state that the Swans have drawn their last two away trips. Yet, Brendan Rodgers side have had to visit four of the current top seven teams which may account for why they have scored just four times, conceded 14, with all but two away games seeing three goals or more. Over 2.5 Goals trades at [2.02], with Over 3.5 Goals on offer at [3.6].

At home this campaign, Blackburn have been behind at the break just once and have otherwise been level after 45 minutes five times. The Half Time Draw is [2.4] with a 0-0 and 1-1 Half Time Score available at [3.2] and [8.4] respectively and the Draw/Draw HT/FT result around [5.7].

Manchester City v Norwich City, KO: Saturday 15:00, Match Odds: Man City [1.2], Norwich [19.0], The Draw [8.4]

Manchester City sit five points clear at the top of the Premier League table and will view this as another opportunity to assert their top flight dominance. According to Opta, City have won their last 11 home league games and have not experienced defeat since last December.

With such richness of attacking resources available to manager Roberto Mancini, it is no surprise to learn that his side has averaged three goals per game in their last 10 at home, conceding just four. Half of these 10 have seen at least four goals scored so Over 3.5 Goals may appeal at [2.1].

Norwich have picked up two wins in their last six in the league, both at home. Yet, on their travels, they have managed just one win from six and been beaten three times. The Canaries have failed to keep a single clean sheet all season, conceding two goals on average in their last five trips.

Opta reveal that the two sides last met in league competition back in February 2005 and in Manchester, the Canaries have won just once in 22 league visits - losing four of the last six. The home side are [2.3] to beat a -2.5 Goal Asian handicap.

Half of Manchester City's home games this term have been goalless at half-time, with the Citizens performing far better in the second half. The Half Time Draw is [3.4] with a 0-0 Half Time Score at [5.2] and the Draw/Man City HT/FT result around [5.4].

Queens Park Rangers v West Bromwich Albion, KO: Saturday 15:00, Match Odds: QPR [2.3], West Brom [3.5], The Draw [3.5]

After an impressive start to the campaign, QPR have faltered slightly over the autumn months with three defeats in their last four, though they have maintained a mid-table position. At home, the Hoops have only one win to their name, otherwise drawing three and losing twice.

Neil Warnock's men have managed just five goals scored in six home games whilst conceding a total of nine. There have been four red cards shown at Loftus Road this term and a Sending Off can be backed at [5.0].

A home defeat to Tottenham last Saturday was West Brom's third loss in four games and a disappointing November has undone all the team's encouraging work throughout October. On the road, Roy Hodgson's side have two wins and three losses from their six trips so far.

Opta note that QPR have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last eight league contests whilst The Baggies have managed to shut out the opposition just once in their last 25 away fixtures. Both Teams To Score could reward at [1.8], with Over 2.5 Goals likely to be popular at [2.06].

West Brom's Chris Brunt is highlighted by Opta as having scored in his last three games against QPR at Loftus Road and the attacking midfielder is [6.0] To Score. Meanwhile, Heidar Helguson has three goals in three starts at home for QPR this term and is [3.0] to similarly find the net at any time.

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Blackburn v Swansea - Back Half Time Draw @ [2.2]
Man City v Norwich - Back Over 3.5 Goals @ [2.1]
QPR v West Brom - Back Both Teams To Score @ [1.8]

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Two And A Half Goals: Dour game expected at Stadium of Light

Two And A Half Goals / The Inside Man / 17 September 2011 / Leave a Comment

More low-scoring stuff at Sunderland?

"Most punters think of Blackpool as the free-scoring entertainers with the happy-go-lucky manager who lit-up last year’s Premier League, but that’s simply no longer the case. Set-piece master Charlie Adam and goal-getter D.J.Campbell have moved on to pastures new and as a result only two of Blackpool’s games this season have gone over two goals."

Four games from the English divisions are previewed and analysed for their worthiness in the Over/under 2.5 goals betting...

Saturday
Torquay v Rotherham
Goals look a certainty for this clash between two teams in the top half of League Two.

Torquay boss Martin Ling claims his side are as good as anybody in the division and bemoans that his team have ended with too many draws (four) in their eight games this season. This kind of talk suggests he wants much better than their current sixth place in the table.

To turn draws into wins though, Torquay will need to become more offensive. This is great news for fans, who've already seen their home games averaging a massive three and a half goals so far.

In terms of goal action though, Torquay must doff their caps to today's visitors. Second-placed Rotherham come with betting satisfaction almost guaranteed, somehow averaging almost four goals per game on the road. Indeed the only time they failed to go over the mark was last week's 1-1 draw at Accrington Stanley, which included goal-line clearances and misses-galore.

The price on offer for three or more goals is simply huge. Don't miss out!

Recommended Bet
Back Over 2.5 goals @ [1.8]

Blackpool v Cardiff
In betting, as in life, we're often told to trust our instincts. Be aware though that on occasions your instincts can lead you up the garden path.

Most punters think of Blackpool as the free-scoring entertainers with the happy-go-lucky manager who lit-up last year's Premier League, but that's simply no longer the case. Set-piece master Charlie Adam and goal-getter D.J.Campbell have moved on to pastures new and as a result only two of Blackpool's games this season have gone over two goals.

It's a similar story for Cardiff. They no longer have their most able striker from last year, Craig Bellamy. The Welsh side have similarly seen only two of their six games go over the two goal mark.

These sides lie next to each other, in sixth and seventh place in the table. With their identical win-loss records and identical goal-difference, there's no reason to think this encounter between two promotion rivals should be anything but tight...and so we won't.

Recommended Bet
Back Under 2.5 goals @ [1.94]

Sunday
Southampton v Birmingham
With five victories from six games, Southampton have continued where they left-off last season, by defeating just about every team in their path. This has come as little surprise to many football fans, with Saints showing even last season that they are a side with huge momentum that could take them all the way to the Premier League.

That momentum has been achieved with a real style, which means Southampton are quickly becoming the new Blackpool in terms of entertainment. The 23 goals scored in their opening six games says it all. Whichever way you look at the stats, be it home form, away form, or recent results, Saints are always a banker for goals.

Meanwhile Birmingham are unrecognisable since losing Alex McLeish as manager. Gone is the dour, defensive mindset, replaced instead by Chris Hughton's much more positive approach. This is illustrated by the fact that five of Birmingham's six games this season, including all of their away games, have gone over 2.5 goals. Expect this match to be no different.

Recommended Bet
Back Over 2.5 goals @ [1.84]

Sunderland v Stoke
This is a simple case of two teams who struggle to score but know how to keep things tight.

In Stoke's case, tight means water-tight, as shown by their heroic defensive display to hang-on for a 1-0 win against Liverpool last week. Tony Pulis's men have faced two sides with legitimate title hopes in the shape of Kenny Dalglish's men and Chelsea, and two who are likely to be at the wrong end of the table in Norwich and West Brom. Yet it's made no difference to their results which read four goals, four games, two goals for, two against. It's machine-like and effective, but no good if you're betting on goals.

Sunderland have proved similarly unreliable for goals, with just six scored in their opening four matches. Importantly though, the level of their opposition does seem to make a difference. Games against Chelsea and Liverpool produced five of those six goals, while matches against Swansea and Newcastle yielded just one.

Recommended Bet
Back Under 2.5 goals @ [1.63]

The Inside Man makes four weekend selections with a strong emphasis on the Premier League......

The Inside Man turns his attentions to English and Scottish domestic football over the weekend in search of the best bets in the ever-popular over/under 2.5 goals markets on Betfair....

Neil Harvey talks us through four European games where backing either Under or Over 2.5 Goals looks an appealing option....

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Newbury Jackpot: Pool expected to hit over £1million

Timeform Features / Timeform / 21 June 2011 / Leave a Comment

Tonight's Jackpot pool at Newbury is expected to be in excess of £1million

Monday night's jackpot at Windsor wasn't won, which means it rolls on to Newbury tonight, and the pool is set to reach a staggering £1million+. Read on to get your free Timeform card....

The big-money pool at Windsor on Monday evening wasn't won, with a handful of double-figure priced winners putting a spanner in the works for punters, Whistle On By's success in the fourth seeing off the last of them.

That means it's on to Newbury tonight for a card that gets underway at 18:10, and the pool is expected to swell to a figure in excess of £1million.

To help you in your quest to win the prize, we are giving you a FREE TIMEFORM RACECARD.

To bet directly into the Newbury Jackpot pool simply click HERE.

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Tonight's jackpot pool at Windsor could reach in excess of £500k. Read on to get a free Timeform racecard to help you make your selections......

Timeform look back at the best of last weekend's racing......

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