Aston Vila vs. West Ham United: Date, Time, Live Stream, TV Info and Preview

by Joe Fish

West Ham United will make Saturday's Premier League trip to Aston Villa without the suspended Andy Carroll.

The England international forward's appeal to overturn the red card shown to him against Swansea City was turned down by the Football Association this week.

The Hammers are believed to be considering legal action, but in the meantime will have to make do without their £15m record signing, who has only recently returned from a long-term injury layoff.

Villa will have their own talismanic forward available, though, and Christian Benteke is showing signs of rediscovering the form that took him to the top of several European giants' summer shopping lists.

The Belgian powerhouse has scored three goals in his last four matches, helping Villa compensate for the absence of Gabby Agbonlahor, who could return to the fold for the visit of the Hammers.

The Birmingham-born forward faces a late fitness test on the ankle problem that has kept him out of their last two games, and Ron Vlaar is also a doubt after limping off late on in the loss to Everton last weekend.

Paul Lambert may sacrifice Grant Holt to make room for Karim El Ahmadi, if he opts to revert back to 4-3-3. Leandro Bacuna is likely to continue in a more advanced role should Agbonlahor fail to recover.

For the visitors, Carlton Cole and Marco Borriello are in contention to deputise for Carroll in what could be an otherwise unchanged West Ham XI from the one that beat Swansea 2-0 last Saturday.

Transfer-deadline-day signing from Napoli, Pablo Armero, is an option to replace George McCartney at left-back, though. Joe Cole, Joey O'Brien and Mohamed Diame are all unavailable through injury.

Recent form

Villa: LWDLLW

West Ham: WDLLWL

Possible starting lineups

Villa: Guzan; Baker, Clark, Vlaar, Bertrand; El Ahmadi, Westwood, Delph; Weimann, Bacuna, Benteke

West Ham: Adrian; Demel, Tomkins, Collins, Armero; Jarvis, Noble, Nolan, Taylor, Downing; C. Cole

Sports Mole says: 1-1

Source:- http://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/aston-villa/preview/preview-villa-vs-west-ham_135725.html

FC Barcelona vs Valencia CF: Date, Time, Live Stream, TV Info and Preview

by Sam Cooper

With both Atlético Madrid and Real Madrid playing on Sunday, Barcelona will be hoping to temporarily move three points clear at the top of the La Liga table with a win over tenth placed Valencia. The reverse fixture at the Mestalla produced a thrilling five goal first half in which Leo Messi scored his first hat-trick of the season. But the game wasn't as easy as it sounds as Hélder Postiga scored two goals in three minutes to pull Valencia back into the match meaning Victor Valdés had to produced a couple of crucial saves for Barcelona to win their third league game of the season.

A convincing midweek 5-1 win against Valencia's neighbours Levante, which saw the Catalans progress to the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey, will mean Barça gone into this game full of confidence. Meanwhile Valencia have gone on a run of five games without a win and conceded seven goals during that period.

A man who will be hoping to find the back of the Valencia net is Lionel Messi. The Argentine hasn't scored a league goal since last September and has turned into a provider more then a scorer in recent games. But it's only a matter of time before Messi starts scoring again and attempts to close the gap in the Pichichi table. As it stands, Messi currently lies in 15th place with 8 goals, alongside Real Madrid's Gareth Bale while Bale's Madrid teammate Cristiano Ronaldo leads the table with 22 goals.

With as much going on behind the scenes at the club, Tata Martino will be hoping for a strong result which has the press talking about what happened on the field rather then off it.

TEAM NEWS

BARCELONA

Midfielders Xavi and Sergio Busquets return to the 18 man squad having missed the game against Levante on Wednesday. Dani Alves also returns to the squad but his Brazilian teammate Neymar isn't included despite training with the team on Friday. Club captain Carles Puyol also misses out as does Martín Montoya. Ibrahim Afellay, Isaac Cuenca, Jonatahan Dos Santos and Oier Olazábal complete the absentee list.

Victor Valdés will return in goal while Marc Bartra and Adriano are likely to be rested having played the whole game midweek. Meaning we're set to see a back four of Jordi Alba, Gerard Piqué, Javier Mascherano and Dani Alves. This should set Barcelona up for a very attacking defence with both Alba and Alves pushing high. That said Alves has been in great form of late and worked the wing brilliantly against Malaga.

In midfield, Cesc Fàbregas played 70 minutes in the cup tie but is still expected to start ahead of Andrés Iniesta, who recently returned from injury. While Xavi is expected to return to the starting lineup. Fàbregas will most likely be the one making the piercing runs into the Valencia box, leaving Xavi to roam around the 40 yard line looking for a quarterback style pass. Sergi Roberto and Iniesta will also be hoping to see some minutes in the second half. In the pivote spot, Sergio Busquets will come in to replace Alex Song.

Up front, Messi will return in the false nine position, choosing which wingers will partner him will be a little less clear cut. All three of Pedro, Alexis and Tello played midweek but the youngster Tello was the only one to complete 90 minutes. Therefore I'm predicting a front three of Pedro, Messi & Alexis.

VALENCIA

Valencia have recently recruited ex-Barcelona midfielder Seydou Keita from Dalian Aerbin FC. The Malian made 119 appearances for the Catalans but will not be in the squad to face them. There have been some departures too, Dorlan Pabon, Helder Postiga and Andres Guardado have all left the club. But Valencia have reinforced their attacking options by signing Eduardo Vargas on loan from Napoli. Sergio Canales is out injured while João Pereira is suspended.

FORM GUIDE

Barcelona: DWDWWW

Valencia: WDLLDD

LAST MEETING

Valencia CF 2 - 3 FC Barcelona - 1st September 2013

A Victor Valdés and Lionel Messi inspired Barcelona squeezed out a tight win to keep them top of the La Liga table.

LIKELY LINE-UPS

Barcelona (4-3-3): Valdés; Alba, Mascherano, Piqué, Alves, Busquets, Fàbregas, Xavi, Pedro, Messi, Alexis

Valencia (4-2-3-1): Alves; Mathieu, R Costa, Ruiz, Barragán, Parejo, Romeu, Feghouli, Jonas, Piatti, Vargas

MATCH PREDICTION

While they put up a solid display in the return fixture, Valencia last won back at the start of January and I don't see them winning this one. Barcelona 3-0 Valencia.

Source:- http://www.barcablaugranes.com/2014/1/31/5365622/la-liga-fc-barcelona-vs-valencia-cf-match-preview

Previewing Stoke City vs. Manchester United: Date, Time, Live Stream, TV Info and Preview

by Rob Blanchette

As the transfer window grinds to its inevitable closure, with a grunt and a groan, attentions turn towards the latest set of fixtures, as transferred players look to make an impression in their new surroundings.

On Saturday, David Moyes takes his Manchester United side to the Britannia Stadium to face Stoke City.

The United Faithful are in a buoyant mood after the capture of Juan Mata, and are keen to see what the skillful midfielder can bring to United's attack.

Stoke currently sit just above the relegation zone, having only scored 22 times this season, per Squawka.

United themselves have also struggled in front of goal, scoring only 38 times from the 230 chances they have created during the season (h/t Squawka.)

However, with the return to fitness of Robin van Persie and Wayne Rooney, United will feel that this is their time to shine, and start their drive towards an automatic Champions League position.

The last four matches between the sides have ended in victories for the Red Devils.

United's Capital One Cup visit to Stoke saw Ashley Young and Patrice Evra both exploit the right-back position, with Stoke dropping too deep. This allowed United into the last third, and score the two goals that took the win.

Here we see the tactical error made by Stoke, which allowed Young to score.

Three central midfielders had attempted to squeeze the space in front of them, keeping a tight line and attempting to suffocate any potential attack.

However, with Chicharito making an effort to play as high up as possible, on the shoulder of the last man, Stoke's defence had retreated too far back, leaving a large zone in front of them completely vulnerable.

There was a similar issue with the second goal of the game, scored by Evra.

Young once again managed to breach any hold that Stoke had in midfield, and made his way deep into the final third, where he was addressed by two defensive opponents.

Source:- http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1940685-film-focus-previewing-stoke-city-vs-manchester-united

Cardiff City vs Norwich City: Date, Time, Live Stream, TV Info and Preview

by MIKE DYCE

Cardiff City are trying to climb out of the bottom spot of the table. They place a solid Norwich City squad that sit six points ahead of them but in 12th place.

“I’m not aware of that, so it’s something I will have to investigate,” manager Chris Hughton said about midfielder Wes Hoolahan who called Norwich “a f—— s—house club.”

“I will decide later whether or not he will be in the squad for Saturday’s game at Cardiff. This is an unsettling time for players in his situation. But it’s not the first time we have had to deal with an unsettled player and it won’t be the last.

“Whether or not a player leaves depends on if the club wants to keep him, and at the moment Wes Hoolahan is very much a Norwich player.”

Date: February 1
Start Time: 10:00 a.m. ET
Location: Cardiff, Wales
Stadium: Cardiff City Stadium
TV Info: Premier League Extra Time*
Online Radio Stream: Talk Sport Radio
Live Stream: NBC Sports Live Extra

* - What is Premier League Extra Time?

Basically, it is a bonus package for overflow games that can’t be shown, due to the amount of games in a particular time slot.

Who do you think will win? Let us know in the comments below.

Topics: Cardiff City, Norwich City

Source:- http://fansided.com/2014/02/01/cardiff-city-vs-norwich-city-live-stream-start-time-tv-info/#!t7CGo

Hull City Tigers vs Tottenham Hotspur: Date, Time, Live Stream, TV Info and Preview

by Joe Fish

Tottenham Hotspur may just be relieved that it isn't Manchester City that they are playing this Saturday when they travel to the KC Stadium to face stuttering Hull City.

Ten-man Spurs were hammered 5-1 by the Citizens at White Hart Lane on Wednesday - their first top-flight loss under Tim Sherwood - two months after they were thrashed 6-0 at Eastlands. However, the Lillywhites have fared better against Hull this term.

They edged past Steve Bruce's men 1-0 in the Premier League courtesy of a Roberto Soldado penalty, while spot kicks were needed for them to eventually beat the Tigers in the Capital One Cup fourth round.

The Spaniard, benched for the last two games, could be recalled to Sherwood's starting XI this weekend if the Tottenham manager opts to revert to 4-4-2 and partner him with Emmanuel Adebayor.

Danny Rose's availability wil depend on whether Spurs decide to appeal against the red card that was contentiously handed to him versus City, with Kyle Naughton on standby to deputise at left-back.

Moussa Dembele limped off at half time in midweek and therefore Etienne Capoue could be handed a first start since New Year's Day, if neither Paulinho or Sandro are fit to compete for midfield places.

Andros Townsend and Erik Lamela are likely to be out for a further two weeks, while Jan Vertonghen and Younes Kaboul are closer to returns but may not be considered for starting berths on Saturday.

Hull have lost five Premier League matches in a row to slip from the comfort of the top half of the table to within four points of the relegation zone, with the latest defeat coming at Crystal Palace on Tuesday.

It has also been four games since the Tigers found the net in top-flight competition and so Bruce will be looking to newly-recruited strike force Shane Long and Nikica Jelavic to get them firing again.

Neither have yet to open their accounts for the Lancashire outfit, but are likely to be partnered together on Saturday, with Sone Aluko still sidelined. Defender James Chester is another long-term absentee and goalkeeper Allan McGregor is banned, therefore Steve Harper will take his place between the sticks.

Ex-Spurs midfielder Tom Huddlestone should come up against his former club, but Jake Livermore, on loan from the North London outfit, is ineligible and therefore Robert Koren could be recalled.

Source:- http://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/hull-city/preview/preview-hull-vs-spurs_134015.html

Fulham vs Southampton: Date, Time, Live Stream, TV Info and Preview

by Lewis Kavanagh

Fulham continue their bid to move out of the relegation zone as they take on Southampton at Craven Cottage on Saturday.

The Cottagers sit 19th in the league and are two points adrift from safety. Having lost the last three Premier League games on the bounce, Rene Meulensteen's men are desperate for the three points.

Fulham have lost loan signing Adel Taarabt to AC Milan, but the Cottagers will hope new arrival Lewis Holtby can make the difference in midfield.

Meanwhile, Saints have just come off the back of a great result against Arsenal, holding the Gunners to a 2-2 draw.

Mauricio Pochettino's men have enjoyed a good season thus far and sit ninth in the league. However, they had a mixed run of Premier League results in January, with draws against Arsenal and Sunderland, a win over West Brom and a 3-0 defeat to Chelsea.

They will look to build some momentum in the league as Aston Villa begin to close the gap between the Saints and the bottom 11 in the table.

PAUL MERSON'S PREDICTION:

In the first half on Tuesday night, Southampton played as well as I've seen any team play for a long time. They were as good as it gets and absolutely ran Arsenal ragged in the first 45 minutes. Yes, Arsenal didn't get going, but they weren't allowed to get going. So Southampton were great, but let in two goals and didn't win which will be frustrating for them. However, Fulham need a win at home and that plays into Southampton's hands. I'd like to see Fulham get a win to ease the pressure on them at the bottom, but I just think Southampton will do it.

PAUL PREDICTS: 1-2

Source:- http://www1.skysports.com/football/live/match/287519/preview

Everton vs Aston Villa: Date, Time, Live Stream, TV Info and Preview

by Neuro

Everton suffered the heaviest loss in the season few days ago, as they visited Liverpool in a local derby and simply were below expected in a 4:0 easy defeat. Even though the side was below expected, they didn’t do so poor as the final result shows, as the team had ball possession and did create chances, but simply lacked efficiency.

On the other side, Liverpool had no problems scoring goals as they sealed the victory already after thirty five minutes into the game when the scoreline was 3:0, while they even missed a penalty kick in the second half to enlarge the lead. Anyway, they will be eager to bounce back from a defeat in local derby as they meet Aston Villa. The team is generally in a very good period at the moment as they are having three home victories in a row and the only problem in front of this game is accumulated number of injuries. Forward Lukaku (19/9) picked up an ankle injury and will be out for this game, same as central defender Distin (20/0) and right defender Coleman (22/5). Injured are also substitutes left back Oviedo (9/2) and forwards Arouna Kone (5/0) and Deulofeu (12/2).

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Aston Villa, on the other side, is coming from tough earned 4:3 victory at home over West Brom during the midweek round. In a great first halftime, they managed to bounce back from 0:2 scoreline from ninth minute and even take a 3:2 lead in 37th minute. Even though their visitors equalized just before the halftime whistle, they managed to seal the victory with a winning goal at 64th minute.

From then on, the game got much weaker tempo and the hosts managed to get the three pointer without much problems at the back. That victory was surely a morale booster and much needed one, as the team remained at the safe distance from relegation battle being currently at tenth position with eight points more than relegating worried teams. Winger Agbonlahor (18/3) will probably be out due to foot injury, while the team continue to miss out forward Kozak (14/4) and central defender Okore (3/0). Their starting lineup will probably be quite unchanged to the previous game against West Brom.

Source:- http://www.betshoot.com/betting-previews/everton-vs-aston-villa/