When Chelsea welcomes Arsenal to Stamford Bridge, it will be a showdown of English Premier League powerhouses. With Chelsea sitting in first place and Arsenal in third, both teams are high in the standings. However, of losses, both teams are coming off. Against Manchester City, Chelsea suffered their first EPL defeat while Arsenal fell to West Bromwich. This will be a key match for both, as both of these squads have regular championship aspirations. Outscoring Arsenal 5-0, Chelsea swept both meeting last season.

Arsenal has got off to a great start. Prior to the loss to West Bromwich, they had won three and tied two matches. Overall, on the EPL season, they have scored sixteen goals. With four goals in two starts, Theo Walcott leads the way. While starting each of the first six games, Andrei Arshavin has notched two goals on seventeen shots. From Manuel Almunia, who has allowed seven goals while saving twelve shots, Arsenal has also gotten decent goaltending.

Meanwhile, Chelsea, prior to their fall against Manchester City looked unbeatable. In their first five games, they scored 21 goals before being shut out. With six goals on the season, Florent Malouda leads Chelsea. Salomon Kalou has four and Didier Drogba has added five. The offense managed little against Manchester City, although, it has been potent all season. Goalie Peter Cech, who has allowed just two goals this season, is equally impressive.

This match should be great. On offense, both teams feature a lot of scoring threats. Though Chelsea has a slight edge in that department, they also have solid goaltending. Chelsea will need to neutralize the Arsenal attack, playing at home. After suffering defeats in their previous matches, both teams will be hungry.

As the LA Galaxy will take on New York Red Bulls, Friday September 24 will feature one of the most notable matches of the 2010 MLS Season. It is a clash between the most exciting teams of the western conference and the eastern conference. Kickoff is scheduled at a sold out Home Depot Center, at 8:00 PM (11:00 PM Eastern Time). For the online sportsbook betting odds, this clash has a lot to offer.

Both teams are playing for prestige and momentum heading into the playoff season, with only five league matches remaining. NY Red Bulls hope to claim the Eastern Conference position, while LA Galaxy is looking to keep its position at the top of the MLS league table.

With MLS and international all-stars, Friday’s game will be packed. Finally, David Beckham made a return to the pitch and Landon Donovan in the midfield will support him. Rafael Marquez and Juan Pablo Angel represent the team’s all star status, on the New York squad. Unfortunately, striker Thierry Henry, who is suffering from a minor knee injury, will not be available for New York Red Bulls. to miss out on debut in Los Angeles, the French international superstar said he is disappointed.

In Friday’s highly anticipated battle, it is tough to predict the winner. But of course, to look at back at history, it is important. LA Galaxy defeated NY Red Bulls 1-0, with an early goal by Eddie Buddle, in the previous meeting in August. It’s also worth mentioning that Henry was on the pitch, while Beckham sat on the bench in that game. For now, in the MLS, this is developing into one of the most interesting rivalries.

Trinidad and Tobago coach Even Pellerud is “proud” of the Soca Princesses’ progression from zeroes to heroines, although they may be out of the FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup 2010.

On Sunday at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva, Pellerud admitted after the crucial Group A match against North Korea, he was not optimistic about their chances at the competition.

He was filled with pride at seeing his team play competitive football against defending champions North Korea and African giants, the “Flamingoes” of Nigeria. The strength came to the team with hard work of his technical staff and the players themselves for almost two years.
After the 1-0 defeat for the home team, Pellerud revealed, “We’re disappointed with the result, because we really believed we could beat Korea DPR“.

However, Pellerud was not happy with his team’s attacking effort.
He said, “We were very good in defense and very well organized but I was a little disappointed with the way things went up front. We didn’t play well in and around the Korean area and we can be more creative than we were today.”

To lose and exit the tournament, T&T captain Lauren Schmidt was also “disappointed”. However, she was pleased with the hard work and unity of the Soca Princesses

Trinidad and Tobago’s effort impressed Korean coach Ri Song Gun.
He said, “It was a much tougher game than we expected. We thought it would be a lot easier, but obviously we underestimated Trinidad and Tobago in our preparations, because they are a very strong team and have a lot of quality.”

On Sunday, when Birmingham hosts Liverpool, two teams will look to gain some momentum.

Against West Bromwich, Liverpool in a 1-0 effort is coming off as their first EPL win. Meanwhile, against the Bolton Wanderers, Birmingham is coming off a draw, their second draw this season to go along with one victory. Liverpool tapered off last season, after years of being an elite power in the English Premier League. Getting back on the right track is what they are looking for and so too are the soccer betting odds fans.

Birmingham seems to have the offensive edge. While Liverpool has only managed two, Birmingham scored two goals in each of their EPL games this year. Scoring three goals on the season so far, Craig Gardner has led the way for Birmingham. Fernando Torres and David N’gog are the goal scorers for Liverpool. Liverpool has a major advantage as for the goaltending edge.

Pepe Reina has been solid, notching six saves, aside from a tough showing against Manchester City in which he let in three goals. Strong Liverpool defense gets a lot of credit. For Birmingham, Ben Foster has faced more shots. He has also allowed five goals, while picking up ten saves. Foster and the Birmingham defense need to step up if they want to break through to the upper echelon, although the offense has been able to bail him out so far this year.

So far this season, Liverpool has had little attack, and that will need to change if they want to return to elite status. Liverpool has the talent to expose Birmingham’s holes in the defense. But, at home, Birmingham is solid, and that will be to their advantage. This game figures to end in a draw, although both teams have a lot to play for in the game.

On Saturday, September 11, Manchester City is set to host the Blackburn Rovers. In the new season, Manchester City hasn’t gotten off to the fast start they hoped for, posing a win, a draw, and a loss. Against Sunderland, the loss came in their last EPL game. Meanwhile, the Blackburn Rovers have two losses and one win. With Arsenal, their most recent loss came in a hard fought match. For an early rise up the standings is what these two teams are looking for.

In the EPL last year, Manchester City had a successful season, and it is hoping for another effort. With a scoreless draw against Tottenham and a 3-0 win against Liverpool, Manchester City got off to a promising start. Goalie Joe Hart is still solid in goal, although he let in his first goal of the season against Sunderland. In the win against Liverpool, Carlos Tevez notched two goals and he is one of the main keys to the offense.

The Blackburn Rovers, in each of their three matches so far this season have scored one goal, each coming from a different player. Their offense is versatile, although it is not as potent as that of Manchester City. Goalie Paul Robinson has allowed two goals in the two subsequent games, after a season opening shutout. With eight shots, Nikola Kalinic leads the offensive attack, but only two have been on goal and one scored.

Manchester City has the superior goalie and the home field edge. They have the potential to be aggressive, although their offense stalled against Sunderland. Against Arsenal, Blackburn must try to capitalize on a better than expected performance. Against a team as strong as Manchester City, that might be a tall order.