Betting Recommendation for BPL Match (12 September 2011) Between QPR and Newcastle

QPR (12th) vs Newcastle (6th)

New signing Joey Barton is set to make his QPR debut in Monday night's Barclays Premier League match against former club Newcastle. The 28-year-old could be joined by five other debutants, with fellow recent signings Anton Ferdinand, Shaun Wright-Phillips, Jason Puncheon, Luke Young and Armand Traore also vying for starts. QPR manager Neil Warnock admits several players have niggles but can call upon Clint Hill after suspension and DJ Campbell, who has recovered from a virus.

Newcastle new-boy Davide Santon is unlikely to go straight into the starting eleven. The former Inter Milan full-back headed off on international duty with Italy's Under-21s after completing his move to St James' Park and, as a result, has had little time to be integrated into the Magpies squad and is set to feature from the bench at best at Loftus Road. Steve Harper (knee), Danny Guthrie (ankle) and Shola Ameobi (hip) have returned to training after missing the 2-1 win over Fulham last time out, a game in which Haris Vuckic broke his hand, while Mehdi Abeid (knee) has also joined Mike Williamson (broken arm) and Hatem Ben Arfa (ankle) on the injured list, although the latter has resumed light training.

Newcastle are unbeaten in their last four games against Queens Park Rangers, winning three of those matches and there has never been a league meeting between these sides which has finished goalless. Newcastle is enjoying their best start since 2005/2006 season and is currently unbeaten from their opening three games. However, tonight’s game will not be as straightforward for Newcastle as history has suggested. QPR, under their new Chairman, Tony Fernandes, has brought in a dozen new players that have certainly strengthened its team. Anton Ferdinand, Shaun Wright-Phillips, Luke Young, Armand Traore and former Newcastle player, Joey Barton are all quality premiership players that will make the difference. QPR has also just signed a two year sponsorship deal with Malaysia Airlines and AirAsia. With all the positives that are going on in the club, I expect a positive performance from QPR and to get their first premiership win this season. My prediction is QPR to win by a goal margin of 1-0 or 2-1.

FA Could Make Approach For Redknapp To Coach England

FA chiefs are hatching an emergency plan to install Harry Redknapp as England manager for the Euro 2012 finals.

Top brass have been working to find Fabio Capello’s long-term successor and Tottenham chief Redknapp is the red-hot choice to step into the job.

And People Sport can reveal that an official approach could be made to Spurs for their manager before Capello’s contract runs out next summer.

The possibility of Redknapp managing England at the finals is now being openly discussed in the corridors of power – and is rated ‘probable’ by top sources.

Redknapp could even be offered the post on a part-time basis this season, amid fears that the Three Lions will flop in Poland and Ukraine.

The only question is when Redknapp takes charge, as the FA await the verdict on the Spurs boss’ forthcoming tax issue trial before making a move.

Redknapp has made no secret of his desire to manage England and he might get his chance after the Montenegro qualifying showdown next month.

Capello is already a ‘dead man walking’ as he is leaving next summer, and it would not cost the FA much to let the Italian’s deal run down, or pay him off early.

Barcelona Chiefs To Fly To Brazil & Close Deal For Neymar

A delegation of Barcelona directors are expected to arrive in Brazil on Friday as they continue their pursuit of Santos forward Neymar.

Estadao.com reports a meeting is scheduled between Santos president Luis Alvaro de Oliveira Ribeiro and representatives from the Spanish club.

Barcelona's mission is to find a definitive agreement with the Brazilian outfit over a transfer.

The Catalan club is willing to wait for the in-demand forward, who stayed at Santos in the summer in order to participate in December's Club World Cup, in which he may come up against the European champions.

Real Madrid are also interested in the 19-year-old and it is believed the capital club have signed a pre-contract with the player.

Officially Santos have always denied they have an agreement with either Spanish side, while Neymar recently said he did not want to be involved in a transfer "war" after learning of the interest in him.

The Brazil international, who has also been linked with Chelsea, has a contract until August 2015, but has a release clause of €45 (£39) million.

Mancini Confirms Man City Was Interested In De Rossi & Gago

Roberto Mancini has confirmed that Manchester City was interested in signing Daniele De Rossi and Fernando Gago during the summer transfer window.

The Real Madrid man eventually joined De Rossi at Roma by agreeing to a season-long loan.

"Gago is a player who we liked a lot. In the end we couldn't spend any more money due to the financial fair play rules," Mancini said, according to The Sun.

"But De Rossi is one of the best midfielders in the world. I have always thought that.

"But he is Roman and a Roma fan so I don't believe he will ever leave them."

City eventually signed former Manchester United midfielder Owen Hargreaves on a free transfer, and coach David Platt believes that his signing is a calculated risk.

"For a few weeks we have understood, from a business perspective, that after signing Samir Nasri, there wasn't going to be a big name coming in," Platt said.

"You have to get creative. The owners and the board have been terrific in saying, 'We know you need a midfield player but we have to be creative about it'.

"I think gamble is too strong a word. When you put all the things into the mix it's a calculated risk, and one we feel is well worth taking."

Chelsea Unlikely To Bid For Luka Modric Again In January

Andre Villas-Boas has revealed Chelsea is unlikely to make another approach for Tottenham midfielder Luka Modric in January.

The Blues failed with several bids for the Croatian over the summer which their final offer reaching up to £40 million according to Spurs boss Harry Redknapp.

It now appears Chelsea have given up on trying to lure the playmaker to Stamford Bridge as they will now look to pursue other targets.

When asked in a press conference about the possibility of another bid for the Croatian, Villas-Boas replied: "No I don't think so. The market is closed and I won't speculate what happens in January."

The Portuguese also admitted the Blues failed in a bid to sign full-back Alvaro Pereira from Porto as the two clubs failed to agree a fee for the Uruguayan.

He said: "We were very far from meeting Porto's demands for Alvaro. I am happy with Ashley Cole and Ryan Bertrand."

Manchester City Plan £35m Transfer Raid On Barcelona In January

Manchester City will bid £35m for Barcelona defensive midfielder Sergio Busquets in January, according to a report in Italy by Tutto Mercato.

They claim Busquets is the “dream signing” for Man City boss Roberto Mancini, but convincing him to leave Camp Nou would likely be immensely difficult.

The Spain international has won three La Liga titles and two Champions Leagues in the last three years at Barcelona – as well as the World Cup with his country last season.

However, the way that Manchester City are currently playing, there is certainly an argument that Busquets is not required at the Etihad Stadium – even though Mancini admitted he was pursuing a top class defensive midfielder in the summer.

With financial fair play restricting the club from making more huge signings in January, Owen Hargreaves was signed after his Manchester United contract expired.

Perhaps Busquets’ acquisition will depend on how Hargreaves settles in.

Pardew Eyes Swiss Striker Derdiyok

Newcastle boss Alan Pardew insists he will bolster his attack in January, amid reported interest in Swiss international Eren Derdiyok.

The north east side has been seeking a striker since Andy Carroll's £35million move to Liverpool in January.

Te club's hierarchy insisted the money raised from his sale would be reinvested into the squad, but Newcastle did not manage to secure a forward in the summer window.

Pardew admits he tried to find a forward but a financial deal could not be reached and his targets, including Bryan Ruiz and Gervinho, opted to move elsewhere instead of St James' Park.

The Newcastle boss has revealed he voiced the fans' concerns to managing director Derek Llambias and Pardew hopes the club can now move forward and bring in a new frontman in the January transfer window.

He said: "I think Derek is the type to call a spade a spade and so am I.

"We've exchanged those words and we have to put it right and make sure we work together to move forward. That's where we are.

"I think it's important that Derek hears from me the message from the fans. I made that perfectly clear to him, how important it was."

Pardew watched Switzerland take on Bulgaria in midweek, and speculation suggests Bayer Leverkusen's Swiss forward Eren Derdiyok is his target as he bids to bring a new forward to the club in January.

The Toon boss would not be drawn on names but admits he has a specific target in mind.

He added: "I wanted to go straight to a particular game to target someone who I think would be great for the football club. That's what I did."

Bolton Hand Trial To Chilean Youngster

Bolton Wanderers have offered Chilean teenager Stefano Magnasco a trial at the club, with the Universidad Catolica right-back set to arrive in England on Monday.

Magnasco only made his debut for Universidad earlier this year but after tying him down to a first professional contract, the Chilean Primera Division side is happy for him to move as they will now be due a fee.

The 18-year-old has also been linked with Chelsea, but insists he is relishing the opportunity to test himself at Bolton.

"I have to seize this chance, and if I am not ready they will tell me," Magnasco told Chilean radio station Bio Bio. "It never hurts to take advantage of this situation.

"Everything is done with the club, I signed a contract with the club to keep everybody happy, and everybody is happy. The idea was to get on well with them and then hopefully everything will work out."

Barca Confirm Sanchez Blow

Barcelona have confirmed summer signing Alexis Sanchez will be out for eight weeks due to the thigh injury suffered against Real Sociedad.

The winger, who joined Barca from Udinese, was carried off on a stretcher during the first half of the 2-2 draw in San Sebastian and he is now facing a lengthy lay-off.

The Chilean is expected to miss the next 13 games with Barca pencilling in the clash with Real Zaragoza on the weekend of November 19/20 as a date for his possible return.

His absence will be a blow for a Barca side still reeling from throwing away a two-goal lead at the Estadio de Anoeta.

Goals from Xavi and Cesc Fabregas had Barca cruising after just a quarter of an hour before Sociedad hit back and midfielder Sergio Busquets has spoken of the need to "correct the mistakes".

He said: "Last year we also began with problems, losing to Hercules, but it's no good worrying about it.

"We have to take note of it, correct the mistakes, and think from now onwards about the Champions League and AC Milan (on Tuesday night).

"At half-time we didn't think at all that the game was won, and it turned out like that.

"It's a fact that away from home winning is always tough and will get increasingly tougher. We haven't had the chance to talk about what happened yesterday but we will."

Most of the Barca squad were away on international duty last week, and Spain international Busquets believes that may have been a contributing factor.

He added: "It's always tricky. You come back from another setting, another team, and different team-mates.

"It's not easy to get back to what we do well, but we can't let it happen again."

Juventus Could Buy More Players In January - Giuseppe Marotta

Juventus director general Giuseppe Marotta admits the club may find itself spending more equity during the winter transfer window after seeing a flurry of players arrive in the summer.

Players such as Eljero Elia, Mirko Vucinic, Arturo Vidal, Marcelo Estigarribia and Emanuele Giaccherini were just a handful of stars to arrive during an active market.

But, Marotta has hinted there could be more as he wants his squad to be competitive with the rest.

"We had a satisfying transfer campaign, but we must always improve, and so we will operate in January if we need to," Marotta told Sky Sport Italia.

"We did well, but in Italy you cannot spend €50 million on one player."