Victory over Liverpool at Anfield could set Manchester United up for the rest of the season, according to John O’Shea. The United defender is struggling with a groin injury ahead of the game but is desperate to feature at some point and then rest up for Arsenal’s contest against Chelsea on a day which could reshape the top of the table standings.

“If you get a major result in one of the big games, it can have a massive effect on your season,” O’Shea said. “The points gap between the top four is not very wide, so the way it is building up, it could be an important weekend.

“There are a lot more twists and turns to come but going into the busy Christmas period, it would give us a major lift to get a win. It would be nice to think we can get three points and then relax and watch the other game.”

(Read full article…)

 TORONTO, December 13, 2007 – Below is a list of soccer matches that will air live or on tape delay on GOLTV from December 15-21, 2007.

Among this week’s highlights include:

A total of three LIVE La Liga (Spain) games headlined by Valencia vs. Barcelona on Saturday, December 15 at 4:00 p.m. ET. and league-leading Real Madrid vs. Osasuna on Sunday, December 16 at 3:00 p.m. ET.

A total of three Bundesliga (Germany) matches including a pair of LIVE contests involving Werder Bremen vs. Bayer Leverkusen on Saturday, December 15 at 9:30 a.m. ET and  Duisburg vs. Eintracht Frankfurt on Sunday, December 16 at 11:00 a.m. ET.

A total of three LIVE contests from Italy’s Coppa Italia series including Reggina vs. Serie A leader Inter Milan on Wednesday, December 19 at 2:30 p.m. ET.

(Read full article…)

Fabio Capello will be appointed the next manager of England later on Thursday, BBC Sport understands.

BBC sports editor Mihir Bose says the Italian will be offered a contract to 2010 worth £4m a year, with the option to extend it after the World Cup.

Capello, 61, is in Milan but told the BBC there are a few issues to sort out before his appointment is confirmed.

Asked by 5 Live’s Brian Alexander if he was about to become the England boss, he replied: “Not yet. We shall see.”

Capello’s appointment is expected to be ratified by the Football Association following a conference call involving board members at lunchtime.

(Read full article…)

American sports broadcaster ESPN is “absolutely interested” in the UK rights to broadcast English Premier League football matches, according to ESPN president George Bodenheimer.

In an interview with the FT newspaper, Bodenheimer described the Premier League as a “fabulous property … we are absolutely interested” in bidding for its UK broadcast rights, which next become available at auction in 2009.

Bodenheimer said ESPN wanted to expand because it was “bullish” on its prospects in the United States, where it has long-term deals to broadcast American football, basketball and baseball matches.

“We’re going to work on getting as local as we can,” said Bodenheimer. “We want to deliver product that is relevant in each country. It’s a country-by-country approach. We want to be investors wherever the top sports product is.”

French Sports Minister Bernard Laporte said that France would bid to host the 2016 European Football Championship.

“We wish France to be a candidate,” Laporte told French sports daily L’Equipe. “We want Euro 2016″.

French Football Federation officials met Laporte last week to present a project.

“I told them that France would obviously support it,” said Laporte. France will submit its bid at the end of 2008 or early 2009.

Aston Villa 1 - Portsmouth 3 (Premier League, December 8, 2007) (YouTube highlights here.) Seventh met sixth in the Premier League, and despite Villa dominating possession the first-half, Pompey managed to take a two goal lead into the break. Smart passing into the box forced Craig Gardner to intercept a ball which unfortunately resulted in an own-goal. A spectacular left-foot shot by Sully Muntari into the top right-hand corner doubled the lead, and Muntari netted his second incredible goal of the game after freeing himself with a nutmeg, before curling a strike with the outside of his left boot past Carson. Villa captain Barry pulled a goal back from the spot after sub-Harewood was brought-down by Distin.

Chelsea 2 - Sunderland 0 (Premier League, December 8, 2007) (YouTube highlights here.) Kalou came close to giving Chelsea the lead but his header hit the bar. But Kalou then delivered a fabulous cross to Shevchenko, whose flying header gave the Blues the lead. Chelsea failed to build on their advantage, and it was a relief when Lampard converted a second-half penalty after Alex had been brought down in the box. Sunderland, who contained Chelsea for most of the game, were reduced to 10-men when Liam Miller put his hands in Pizarro’s face in front of the ref. Lampard hit the post in injury-time.

(Read full article…)

Middlesbrough 2 - Arsenal 1 (Premier League, December 9, 2007) Boro took a surprise early lead against Arsenal after Kolo Toure was adjudged to have brought down ex-Gunner Aliadiere in the box, with Downing converting the resulting penalty. Boro, who started the day in the relegation zone, then proceeded to control the game and almost double their advantage when Tuncay’s shot trickled past the post. (First-half highlights here.) Arsenal showed how much they were missing Fabregas, Hleb and van Persie by failing to make any real impact on the game. And Boro were finally given their just deserves when Tuncay converted a rebound from an acute angle following Alumina’s save. Rosicky scored a consolation at the death. Arsenal recorded their first loss since March, while Boro got their first win since September.

(Read full article…)

Setanta Sports has signed up its millionth subscriber just four months after it began broadcasting live Premier League football.

The figure, up from just 200,000 subscribers a year ago, does not include the two million plus viewers who also receive the service through their contracts with Virgin Media in the UK and NTL/Chorus in Ireland.

Setanta acquired the rights for 46 live Premier League matches a year from 2007-08 to 2009-10. The service still needs to add another 500,000 subscribers in the next 18 months to break even according to reports. Richard Brooke, Setanta director of corporate development, said that the goal now looked likely. “It shows that our business model is working” he said.

7 Days of Complete Coverage Begins Friday, December 7 at 5:30 a.m. ET

FINALS LIVE Sunday, December 16 at 5 a.m. ET

Fox Sports World Canada is proud to bring every match of the 2007 FIFA Club World Cup LIVE exclusively to soccer fans nationwide. Early-rising fans can catch every thrilling moment beginning Friday, December 7 at 5:30am ET, as Fox Sports World Canada airs the playoff match between Sepahan and Waitakere United, leading up to the live broadcast of the much-anticipated finals on Dec. 16.

This year’s participants are: UEFA Champions League winner AC Milan (Italy), CONMEBOL Copa Libertadores champion Boca Juniors (Argentina), CONCACAF Champions’ Cup winner Pachuca (Mexico), CAF Champions League titlist Étoile Sportive du Sahel (Tunisia), OFC Champions League winner Waitakere United (New Zealand), AFC Champions League titlist and tournament host Urawa Red Diamonds (Japan) as well as AFC runner-up Sepahan (Iran).

Fox Sports World Canada FIFA Club World Cup Tuning Guide*

Playoff

Friday, Dec 7, 5:30am ET - Sepahan (Iran) vs. Waitakere United (New Zealand)

Quarterfinals

Sunday, Dec 9, 12:30am ET - Étoile Sportive du Sahel (Tunisia) vs. Pachuca (Mexico) Monday, Dec 10, 5am ET - Playoff Winner vs. Urawa Red Diamonds (Japan)

Semifinals

Wednesday, Dec 12, 5am ET - First Quarterfinal Winner vs. Boca Juniors (Argentina) Thursday, Dec 13, 5am ET - Second Quarterfinal Winner vs. AC Milan (Italy)

Third Place Match

Sunday, Dec 16, 1:30am ET - First Semifinal Loser vs. Second Semifinal Loser

Finals

Sunday, Dec 16, 5am ET - First Semifinal Winner vs. Second Semifinal Winner (encore replay at 3pm ET)

*Dates and times subject to change.

According to a MasterCard commissioned study UEFA’s EURO 2008™ will generate upwards of €1.4 billion for the European economy
(Read full article…)