Fantasy Soccer – End of the Year – Premiership ’08/’09

Article by David L Rogers

Fantasy soccer is not a mainstream fantasy sport in America just like soccer is not a mainstream sport. However, if you are someone who follows the game abroad, then here is a look at how some of the big names have performed for your fantasy team this season and what may lie ahead in next year’s campaign.

Cristiano Ronaldo (Man Utd): The off season found him at the heart of the rumor mill with the ongoing debate of whether the Man United player would switch over to the Spanish league and play for Real Madrid. Speculation arose and was shot down time after time until finally the window shut and the season got underway. Ronaldo missed a few of the opening games which if you were paying attention, managers in salary cap leagues waited to purchase Ronaldo until a couple weeks into the season, when his price had dropped several dollars. Ronaldo returned and brought his goal scoring touch with him. With a handful of games remaining in the 2008/2009 campaign, Ronaldo once again finds himself at the head of the goal scorers list, yet with a significantly lower total this year with 17 netted. He is chased closely by Nicolas Anelka of Chelsea who has 15 and then a three split between Robinho of Manchester City, and Gerrard and Torres of Liverpool whom have 13 each. However, Ronaldo has once again been a huge fantasy producer and is a consistent source of points week in and week out, though not to the extent of last season. Looking ahead, the speculation is sure to start right up about a transfer but this time I think he will indeed make a switch, likely leaving behind the EPL.Robinho (Manchester City): As previously mentioned, Robinho has slotted 13 goals so far this season in his first year in the EPL. Expectations remain high as Robinho can be truly brilliant from moment to moment, yet he seems to have not found his full stride as his year has been marked with inconsistency on the score sheet. When all is said and done, I would label his first year as a positive one and a stride forward with hopes of bigger things to come. Looking ahead, a lot of Robinho’s value will be determined by what transfers Manchester City make in the off season. They have declared their desire to bring in the world’s best to Man City, which a flourish of talented supporting players could increase Robinho’s value higher than it is at present.Frank Lampard (Chelsea): Lampard has put together a very solid season for himself, notching 12 goals and 10 assists in his campaign. He has been a consistent contributor to the Blues offense during a season where seemingly more questions than answers have been raised about their core group of athletes. Drogba, Ballack and Deco have been a few that have under performed with their efforts in the ’08/’09 season and have not produced as the Chelsea faithful would have hoped they would. Lampard meanwhile has been the key to the puzzle and the main driving force in Chelsea’s late season push towards Manchester United in hopes they may be able to win the EPL in a last second flurry.Liverpool / Arsenal: It is hardly fair to lump these two teams together when both have a plethora of dynamic players, but the stories underlining their seasons have run similar. Both made impressive runs in the Champions League and both remain in the elite four atop the EPL standings. Injuries have marred Arsenal’s year with Cesc Fabregas, Van Persie and Gallas (arguably their two most pivotal players) missing chunks of time during the year. Liverpool have been well… Liverpool. The never say die mentality has been ever present once again but they too have been bit by injuries to their key players including Fernando Torres and Gerrard. Liverpool is still well within striking distance of winning the EPL away from Man United, while Arsenal is looking to finish out the year strong, finish in the top four and try again next campaign.The Rest: Ok, admittedly it is not fair to lump all the other players, teams and stories into one section but the EPL is typically segregated between the top four of Man U, Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool, and then the rest. Another year will come and go and another year will find the top four unchanged as the rest of the EPL stares upwards. There have been some clutch performers on these bottom sixteen teams such as Crouch, Bent, Davies and Zaki who all put forth solid scoring seasons.It is tough to admit but when it comes to fantasy soccer the season is won and lost by who has more big name players come years end. Unfortunately, in the EPL the most influential fantasy stars are found on the big four teams which cause the remaining teams and performers to be shrouded by the stats the bigger names put forth.Looking ahead to next season, once again the most influential players that will make up the core of nearly every successful fantasy soccer team will be created from big four teams. It is a sad, harsh reality, but one that must be followed to win a championship.Find your fantasy football draft, fantasy football rankings, and fantasy baseball leagues at Fanball.

About the Author

David L Rogers is a sport guru and fanatic and enjoys sharing his views on baseball and soccer.

Spain are superb at the Confederations Cup

Report by Giorgio Pirelli

The very first round of matches in the Confederations Cup have been played and the favourites have by now proven that they mean company if not exsaclyt exhibiting a gulf in class in between on their own and the more compact nations. Okay, in stating that, it would be smart to exempt Spain from that who looked as however they hardly broke a sweat in their new soccer kit as they demloished a poor New Zealand side 5-. The game was less than eighteen minutes old by the time Fernando Torres had nothced three objectives which gave further proof that he is a clinical finisher and that he is a participant Liverpool require to maintain a maintain of. The summer time transfer window normally leads to some nuts stories becoming made public but absolutely there cant be any fact in the rumour that Manchester United are severely considering of launching a bid for the Spanish hit-gentleman. Liverpool may possibly be in debt but they would see their fans rioting and Rafa Benitez moaning (much more than usual) if Torres swapped the red soccer prime of Liverpool for the same shade of kit of Manchester United.That may well be a issue for Liverpool followers but the Spanish enthusiasts would have been delighted at how quic kly their group got the3 game sewn up but the same couldnt be explained for Brazil who essential an injuries time penalty to triumph over the highly effective Egyptian facet. There is one thing unique about the Brazil side and everyone who loves soccer normally feels emotion when they see the renowned yellow tops and blue shorts and their three-one 50 percent time lead was no surprise. Nevertheless, teh Egyptians confirmed why they are highky regarded in Africa and levelled the match at 3-three with the two sides pushing for a winner. There was controversy more than the late penalty award, not since it wasnt a penalty, there was a definite handball on the line but because the catastrophic English referee Howard Webb in the beginning gave a corner kick. The gentleman in the black kit has produced a routine of obtaining big choices mistaken not too long ago and one particular got this a single right when he was knowledgeable in his ear piece that it was a penalty. Kaka stepped up to secure the three factors for Brazil and the Egyptians ended up rightfully aggrieved about who actually awarded the poenalty. If the assistant referee spotted it, fair adequate but if teh shout arrived from the forurth official watching on a keep an eye on, then the spirit of the sport was not utilized.The spirit of the game was also not utilized by the US crew who seemed intent on beating the Italians at their individual sport. By now lowered to ten guys, the US won a gentle penalty on the stroke of fifty percent-time to grab a one- lead but the Italians, in an unfamiliar sky blue soccer outfit, arrived roaring back again in the 2nd 50 %, firing 3 goals previous Tim Howard to give the sport a realistic scoreline around the conclude, even if the third and final strike was deep into damage time.If the large teams carry their successful sort into their next set of matches, there is every opportunity the semi-finals are going to feature all the teams that soccer enthusiasts all about the planet dream about viewing.

About the Author

Browse by way of Customized Soccer Uniforms considerable assortment of Confederations Cup replica soccer kits.

Our kits clone the style, reduce and coloration of your preferred team’s apparel at the Confederations Cup.

RT @optajoe: 5 – Fernando Torres’ 5 shots on target v Copenhagen on Tuesday is the 3rd highest total by a player in a CL game this season. Pedigree.

RT @optajoe: five – Fernando Torres&apos five pictures on target v Copenhagen on Tuesday is the third greatest total by a player in a CL game this time. Pedigree. – by chrishughes1108 (Chris Hughes)

South Africa 2010 – Players to watch (Europe)

Write-up by Chris Williams

Spread betting could add an additional dimension of highs and lows but the feelings of observing your crew contend in the Entire world Cup are like no other. Football enthusiasts from across the planet however are all capable to share the joys of viewing the world’s finest exponents of the lovely sport gathered in a single spot. Europe is fortunate enough to boast a disproportionate amount of gifted footballers, numerous of whom will be shooting, strutting and sulking their way via the 2010 Globe Cup.

There at least 3 good reasons why Spain are Sporting Index’s outright spread index favourites, at 43-46 – named Fernando Torres, David Villa, and Xavi Hernandez. Spread consumers will be counting on Xavi to carry out the total aspect from midfield, but customers of Spain’s complete tournament ambitions spread at eleven.three-twelve, the greatest of any group, will be counting on Torres to be fit enough to resume his devastating pairing with the Valencia striker. Equally men hit 3 in Germany and are possible to be Golden Boot contenders.

Staying in Iberia and Portugal possess the most pricey participant of all time in Cristiano Ronaldo. Spread bettors are likely aware that if his aspect reaches the latter stages he will be largely accountable and consumers of Portugal’s tournament team match target minutes at 315 would anticipate a fair contribution from the previous Manchester United man. There would seem to be no kind of target he can not score, but spread purchasers of the bookings index in Portugal’s matches will also be conscious of his surly nature. It’s no coincidence that Sporting Index has presented the side one particular of the highest quotes in their whole bookings industry, with a spread of 110-116pts (25 points per red, 10pts per yellow).

Ron’s former teammate is the guy opposition defenses will possibly most worry. Wayne Rooney netted nine objectives in as numerous qualifying video games, and was 2nd best-scorer in European qualifying. There will be plenty of customers of Rooney’s overall performance and objectives spreads all through the tournament, but spread sellers will keep in mind his record in the 2006 tournament – he didn’t score ahead of a red card ended his tournament at the quarter-last stage.

Spread sellers of whole objectives and target minutes during the finals won’t be focusing on the flamboyant strikers and speedy wingers nonetheless. They’ll be dependent on the miserly defenses and they do not come much more so than that of existing Globe Cup champions Italy. Key to their stinginess at the again is goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, nonetheless only 32 even with seemingly having been about forever. Consumers of Italy’s supremacy spreads in any of their matches will be far more assured of Buffon keeping the objectives out than Italy’s strikers knocking as well many in. Sporting Index offer a group stage mini-performance spread in which each and every team is rewarded for clean sheets and wins amongst other factors. Italy’s is set at 94-100pts so spread purchasers will hope to see Buffon at his very best.

There are loads of other European gamers who have the potential to make or break a spread bettor’s World Cup so unique mentions ought to go to French flyer Franck Ribery, Germany’s midfield standard Michael Ballack and dutch pair Robin Van Persie and Arjen Robben. Fellas, there is a fair bit of spread betting wedge based on your performances – no strain!

About the Writer

Chris Williams is a reputed author who writes mainly for the domain of sports betting.

Planet Cup Spread betting

Football Planet Cup betting

LIVE: Copenhagen v Chelsea and Blackpool v Tottenham – follow the action as it happens

Live: Copenhagen v Chelsea and Blackpool v Tottenham – adhere to the motion as it transpires
Comply with Sportsmail’s protection of Tuesday night’s motion wherever in the Champions League final sixteen, Chelsea will look to get back to profitable ways when they journey to Copenhagen. In the Barclays Premier League, Blackpool aim to conclude a run of six video games with out a win when they host Tottenham.

ANCELOTTI: NOW FOR UNITED
Ancelotti – desires repeat show. Carlo Ancelotti watched Chelsea cruise to the win at FC Copenhagen they so desperately essential just before telling his players: “Now go and beat Manchester United”.

It is Europe or bust for Carlo Ancelotti as Chelsea’s period goes from bad to even worse
Chelsea’s midweek clash with Copenhagen in the Champions League can make or break Italian’s period.

DIEDIT! »» RT @hadaradar14: Yoman~ RT @NUYIY: #loveyouTorres RT @UnitedsRedArmy: After Fernando Torres 3rd game without scoring for Chelsea

DIEDIT! »» RT @hadaradar14: Yoman~ RT @NUYIY: #loveyouTorres RT @UnitedsRedArmy: After Fernando Torres 3rd game without having scoring for Chelsea – by NUYIY (N. F. Ivanovic)