Spain’s long-term number-two produced a series of stunning saves to stop Malaga from running away with the match during the early stages. A Lionel Messi hat-trick ensured Barcelona left Malaga with the three points, keeping them within five points of rivals Real. Those looking at the Betfair la liga betting will be wondering how close things will get.

Valdes was quick to play down his own role in the comprehensive victory, instead highlighting the importance of picking up three points away from the home.
“We needed this win away from home for our morale because we had spoken about not killing off games and dropping points [as a result],” he said.

“I do not know if they are some of my best saves [ever], but I’m pleased with my game and also happy for some of my colleagues who do not get many minutes but were able to play against Malaga.”

Guardiola will be well aware that his side can no longer afford to drop anymore away points if they are going to have any hope of defending their La Liga title this season. Their hopes already depend on Real slipping up which, on current league form, doesn’t look like happening anytime soon. Fans of Betfair sports betting tips should bear this in mind.

Should Jose Mourinho’s Madrid side indeed go onto win the league for the first time in three years, then Barcelona will be in no doubt that it was their league form that has cost them their title.

Post from: Keeper Skool

Valdes drives Barca forwards

Chelsea vs. Manchester United – Sunday 5^th February

Andre Villas Boas’ men are on the verge of being too far cut adrift of the pace-setters to challenge for top spot, and come Sunday 5th February they simply must get three points against Manchester United or settle for challenging for third place. United are locked in a cross-town battle with rivals Manchester City for local and national bragging rights, and will be keen to avoid slipping too far behind Roberto Mancini’s side.

Despite being two of the best sides in the country, both clubs have had problems between the sticks. Chelsea’s once-unflappable Petr Cech has had a wobble in form and is no longer the steady hand that steered Carlo Ancelotti to domestic glory in 2010. The Czech Republic international seems to have lost confidence and seems prone to error.

United meanwhile are still to decide who the long-term successor for Edwin van der Sar will be, with Anders Lindegaard and David de Gea both being used by Sir Alex Ferguson. The Dane seems to have the edge over his younger team-mate, and has shown both good and mediocre performances this season. De Gea had an extremely nervy start to his time at Old Trafford, but has also showcased exceptional shot-stopping ability. Lindegaard is deemed more dependable, with De Gea the more able; neither have instilled a Schmeichel/Van der Sar sense of confidence in the Premier League champions’ supporters as yet this season however.

Arsenal vs. Tottenham - Sunday 26th February

The second North London derby of the season has a bit more riding on it than in seasons past, as Tottenham look to continue their good early season form and finish above rivals Arsenal. Spurs’ attacking play has been much admired this season, whilst The Gunners have recovered from a shaky start and are now back in contention for a top four finish.

Wojciech Szczesny has established himself as Arsene Wenger’s preferred option in goal ahead of countryman Lukasz Fabianski and Manuel Almunia, but is susceptible to a mistake that could cost Arsenal points. The Polish stopper was beaten from long range by Kyle Walker in Spurs’ 2-1 victory in the corresponding fixture at White Hart Lane earlier this term, and although talented, does not possess the commanding presence of other keepers in the league.

Brad Friedel has played his part in Tottenham’s success this season, as Harry Redknapp looked for a safe pair of hands following Heurelho Gomes’ ill-fated spell in the team in 2010/11. The American is a solid option for the White Hart Lane outfit, but with the 40-year-old approaching the end of his career, a long-term successor is needed. Friedel’s consistency has been a welcome addition this term for Spurs however, and the veteran will need to be at his best to stop Robin van Persie and co on Sunday 26th February.

CSKA Moscow vs. Real Madrid -  Tuesday 21st February

The Champions League is down to do-or-die time, with the contenders looking to build up a run of good form and performances to push towards this year’s final in Munich. Barcelona are certainly the team to beat, with Clasico rivals Real Madrid determined that this is the year that they will rise above their great enemies. Jose Mourinho’s men face a tricky trip to Moscow in the last 16 however, with the away leg sure to test the Spaniards resolve.

With Madrid firing on all attacking cylinders in La Liga and on the continent, CSKA will need to be at their very best to stand any chance of competing. Central to their chances is goalkeeper and captain Igor Akinfeev, who has matured into a top player. The Russia international will have one eye on Euro 2012, and the 25-year-old has become integral to club and country. His shot-stopping ability and organisation of the eastern European outfit’s defence will be crucial in this tie.

Amongst the multi-million dollar signings at the Santiago Bernabeu stands a home grown superstar in the form of Iker Casillas. Spain’s number one is Mr Dependable at the capital-city side, and continues to play his way in to the club’s folklore with commanding and impressive performances. The likes of Vagner Love, Seydou Doumbia and Alan Dzagoev will test Casillas, especially in Russia, and the 30-year-old will be eager to keep up strong form to hold onto his international jersey ahead of Barcelona’s Victor Valdes.

Post from: Keeper Skool

Goalkeepers may be the difference between winning and losing this February

In soccer, the backbone of a great back line is the goalkeeper. A great keeper can make up for an average defense, but the reverse is very, very rarely true. And at Euro 2012, there will be several quality keepers who will be integral to their teams’ hopes and chances for success, with the top two Euro 2012 betting favorites perhaps boasting the top two keepers in the tournament – and in the world.

Group A

Petr Cech, Czech Republic

The Chelsea #1 has been regarded as one of the world’s best keepers for several seasons now, and it’s easy to forget that he doesn’t even turn 30 for another four months.

He’s made a few crucial errors this season, but there still aren’t many keepers who rank ahead of him, as he’s been so good for so long and is still quite young in keeper years.

Group A, which also includes Greece, Russia, and co-hosts Poland, is a pretty wide-open group, and in matches against quality defensive sides in Greece and Russia where one goal could make all the difference, Cech will need to be at his best to give the Czech Republic their best chance to advance to the quarterfinals.

Group B

Manuel Neuer, Germany

Many, including the great Gianluigi Buffon, think that Neuer is the best keeper in the world already, and many more think that he will hold that mantle soon. Euro 2012 will be an opportunity for Neuer to show just how deserving he is of that title, and if he does, Germany might feel joy, not heartbreak in the final this time around.

His only real weakness is that when he does make a mistake, it tends to be a howler of epic proportions. But those mistakes are very few and very far between, and he more than makes up for it with saves that many a keeper could only make in their dreams.

Germany’s prolific attack would seemingly dim Neuer’s need to be a hero, but when his group includes two other quality attacking sides in the Netherlands and Portugal, it doesn’t hurt to be able to count on someone who’s perhaps the best in the business at his position when shots are coming in from all directions.

Group C

Iker Casillas, Spain

Casillas might not be the first name many think of when considering the success that Real Madrid and Spain have had in his playing career, but given how he’s been a constant for both for a decade, he should be.

Some erroneously think that he’s overrated, but for years, Casillas has as good a claim to being the world’s best keeper as anyone else does, including Group C counterpart Gianluigi Buffon. He’s been awarded that honor by FIFPro and IFFHS four years running, has been the keeper in the UEFA Team of the Year five years running, and he won the Golden Glove at the 2010 World Cup.

It’s not often that you see keepers captaining their side at club level or internationally, and he wears the armband for both one of the world’s top clubs and the world’s best international side. And while it seems like he’s been around almost forever, he’s only 30. Let that sink in for a moment. He’s going to be around for quite a while yet and will make his record for most caps for Spain an almost unbreakable one, and whenever he does hang it up, it‘ll be hard to deny him a place as one of the best keepers of all time. As many stars as Spain have, if they repeat as European champions this summer, Casillas will be as big a reason for it as anyone else in the side.

Group D

Joe Hart, England

English keepers haven’t had the greatest of reputations in recent years, as before Hart, there had been issues with unfulfilled expectations, unconvincing performances, or memorable howlers with the likes of Scott Carson, Ben Foster, Robert Green, and Paul Robinson.

But the Manchester City man has cemented himself as England’s #1 over the last year-plus, and there don’t appear to be any real threats to his standing in regards to talent or potential at present or on the horizon. But to prove that he’s a worthy #1 and not there by default, the 24-year-old needs to put in a disaster-free showing at Euro 2012. There’s a great deal of pressure on him as it is being that it will be his first chance to showcase his skills in a major international tournament, but the added scrutiny that the British media places on its players and the momentous mistakes made by some of his predecessors make his margin for error miniscule. If he successfully deals with the pressure, it will aid England’s hopes to make it past the quarterfinals of a major tournament for the first time since reaching the semifinals as hosts at Euro 1996, and it will also go a long way in restoring a nation’s faith in its keepers.

Post from: Keeper Skool

Keepers to Watch at Euro 2012

Supporters of the club will know that the side have a tough time replacing legendary stopper Peter Schmeichel when he retired and after a number of stopgaps but never really found anyone to match him until Edwin Van Der Sar joined.

However, he hung up his boots last season and it seems Sir Alex Ferguson is once again struggling to find the right man to go between the sticks. People following the best online Premier League odds should remember this.

Much was made of the arrival of David de Gea from Athletico Madrid and given Sir Alex splashed out almost £20 million for the young keeper it was expected he would be the first choice.

And so it was that De Gea found himself starting in the Premier League, but his career has not got off to the best of starts.

Although he made a number of excellent saves, he has also proven to be error prone and those mistakes have cost Manchester United goals and even more importantly with point.

The manager has seemed reluctant to drop the young keeper too quickly, no doubt partly because of the huge transfer fee he paid and the fact he does not want to damage the stopper’s confidence.

However, it increasingly seems that Ferguson’s thoughts are turning to Andres Lindegaard, who joined the club from Aalesund during the January 2011 transfer window.

Expectations were lower, not least because he cost less and does not have as much experience as his Spanish counterpart, but now he has a chance to steal away the number one spot.

Post from: Keeper Skool

Who is first choice at United?

With it looking like the Premiership title is now beyond Chelsea’s grasp and the trophy staying in Manchester, the Champions League and the FA Cup will be the only chance for Villas-Boas to pick up some silverware from this campaign. People following the best Champions League odds online will know this.

The former Porto head coach has admitted his side will need to play a lot better in the Champions League than the sort of performances they have been producing in recent weeks. Villas-Boas also made it clear Europe this season has now taken on a whole new significance following the shocking run Chelsea have been on recently.
“The Champions League is a competition that is life and death and this standard won’t be enough,” he said.

“We will need to up the tempo and play that game with the ultimate desire.”

The Londoners will welcome Valencia to Stamford Bridge in their make or break final Group E tie. If the pressure wasn’t already on the young Portuguese manager, then it will certainly be on him if Chelsea fail to secure their place in the next round of the Champions League.

Post from: Keeper Skool

Champions League or bust for Chelsea

Sir Alex Ferguson’s men are currently five points behind their bitter rivals and league leaders City, with United still feeling the after-effects of City’s 6-1 humiliation at Old Trafford last month.

United are looking for a 20th Premier League title, compared to a first for City, but already at this early point of the season it looks increasingly likely the trophy will remain in Manchester this season, but which team it will reside with is still murky. People who bet on Premier League games should bear this in mind.

There is no doubting the incredible array of talent Roberto Mancini has at his disposal at the Etihad Stadium, with City boasting the finest attacking options of any team in Premier League.

However, United are proven winners and that experience will be vital in what is going to be a long and challenging season for both of the sides. Anyone looking to bet on Premier League weekend games should remember this.

De Gea, who arrived at Old Trafford from Athletico Madrid during the summer, had to watch City put six goals past him last month on top of the two he conceded to them in the Charity Shield, but the Spaniard is optimistic the blue half of Manchester are not going to run away with the title.

“United can still win it all. It’s still not decided that City will finish first,” said the keeper.

While five points separate the two Manchester sides, Chelsea remain only four points behind United and are still regarded in some quarters as dark horses for the Premier League title.

Should City or United slip-up between now and May, then Andre Villas-Boas’ team will be sniffing around and hoping to be in a position to capitalise on their mistakes.

Post from: Keeper Skool

United keeper not yet handing title to City

The former Atletico Madrid ‘keeper joined the Old Trafford club earlier this summer and is expected to be the man to fill the void left by the recently retired Edwin Van Der Sar. Those looking at the Champions League final odds should bear this in mind.

However, United also have January signing Anders Lindegaard and exciting youngster Ben Amos on their books. The duo shared the goalkeeping responsibilities in the Red Devils convincing 7-0 victory over the Seattle Sounders and both proved they could provide the Spaniard with stiff competition after both produced solid performances against the MLS side.

The pairs’ displays have given Ferguson great heart and has warned his new signing not to take anything for granted.

“Obviously we have signed David de Gea as the main choice I would imagine” Ferguson told the press in America.

“But Anders Lindegaard and Ben Amos have probably said to themselves they have an opportunity with Van der Sar retiring. It is an open door for me.”

The match was also Ashley Young’s first appearance for the club and the first time he has witness firsthand the sheer adulation that follows a club like United around. While the reception the side received in the States is nothing compared to that laid out by the club’s Asian fans, the reception has still been rapturous and Young says he is enjoying the new experience.

“This is fantastic for me,” he said. “You come to the United States and see the number of fans outside the hotel every day.

Red Devils boss Alex Ferguson will be hoping the added competition will help the club retain their Premiership title as well as helping them to once again challenge for the Champions League.

Post from: Keeper Skool

De Gea ‘not first choice’

United have been left with a big dilemma following the news of the Dutchman’s decision to hang up his boots after an illustrious career which included 4 Premier League Titles, 1 Champion’s League, 1 FA Cup, 1 FIFA Club World Cup and 3 Community Shields in his time in Manchester after successful spells at Ajax (where he also won 4 League Titles and a Champion’s League), Juventus and Fulham. Those who bet on Premier League weekend games will know just how vital he was.

Sir Alex has found himself in this situation before when Peter Schmeichel left the club in 1999 after winning the treble, going through 11 goalkeepers before signing Edwin van der Sar to finally solve the problem of losing a world class goalkeeper. After a few unconvincing performances from Tomasz Kuszczak towards the end of the season, it looks like Sir Alex will be looking elsewhere to replace van der Sar this time. Those following the Premier League betting offers wouldn’t be that surprised.

David De Gea has impressed many during his time at Atletico Madrid where the bust through the ranks from the youth team and has even proven himself at international level by winning the 2011 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship with Spain this summer with a clean sheet in the final against Switzerland.

Whether or not United have made on offer that will impress Atlectio is yet to be seen, but they will be reluctant to let him go.

Post from: Keeper Skool

Manchester United Move Closer to Signing David De Gea

OK, so Bursaspor may well be playing in the Europa League next season, and they may well be a side that has competed in the Champions League in recent years, but is Carson making a rash move for the promise of immediate career advancement rather than sustained upward movement in a goalkeeping career that has often promised much, without ever truly delivering the goods? Those who follow the Manchester United betting odds will know he has never looked good enough to cut it at the highest level.

Carson will receive the short-term bonus of competing against the second tier clubs in Europe in the Europa League, but this is a side that only managed to finish third in the Turkish league last season, and that’s not exactly one of the most competitive leagues out there in Europe, it must be said. Anyone betting football money will wonder how he gets on.

With the Premier League becoming more and more competitive in recent years, with the lesser sides improving all the time and no one team now looking like a shoo-in for the title, staying put in English football seems to be the best way for an Englishman to push forward in his career.

Should Carson ever want to add to his three England caps, he may end up ruing his decision to move thousands of miles away from Fabio Capello’s office.

Post from: Keeper Skool

Carson to move to Turkey

The Old Trafford club are currently on the lookout for a replacement for the recently retired Edwin Van Der Sar and the Spanish youngster is thought to be at the top of Sir Alex Ferguson’s shopping list as he looks to develop a stopper for the future.

The Atletico Madrid youngster is currently starring for the Spanish under-21 side at the European Championships in Denmark as is tipped to be one of the stars of the future. Those looking at the free betting will know United need a top keeper now.

The Red Devils have reportedly been quoted a figure of around £18million to prise De Gea from Los Colchoneros but the confident 20-year-old insists the hefty price tag doesn’t faze him and the only thing he would be concerned about is proving that he’s good enough to fill the boots of such an illustrious custodian as Van Der Sar. Fans of sports betting UK will be keeping an eye on him.

“I feel incredibly motivated by the fact that Manchester United are thinking about me,” he said. “I like the fact that they are considering me as a replacement for a goalkeeper of Edwin Van Der Sar’s calibre.

Sir Alex Ferguson appears once again to be re-building his side with the emphasis on youth as he looks to replace ageing players such as Ryan Giggs and the retiring Paul Scholes and Edwin Van Der Sar and De Gea says that despite being young, he hopes to continue his career as long as the Dutchman.

“I hope I will still be playing when I am his age. It is hard to look so far ahead but it is something I want to do” he added.

Post from: Keeper Skool

United target keeps the faith