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It’s been a busy week in the Premier League and the fun just doesn’t stop. Game Week 13 is here already and we have another full fixture programme to look forward to.
It’s at the foot of the table where the excitement and the points are to be had this weekend. The bottom three are all at home and these fixtures would have been double underlined in red as winnable at the start of the season.
West Ham play host to the still free scoring Blackpool. Piquionne and Parker did the business Wednesday and will be looking for a repeat performance on Saturday. If recent form is anything to go by it will be a goal fest at Upton Park. 
Wolves – who, if points were awarded for pride and guts would be top of the league – entertain an in form Bolton. Mick McCarthy’s men need to shut down not only Kevin Davies but also Johan Elmander. The big Swede has finally worked out the difference between a set of goal posts and the side of a barn, the reward for this realisation is 62 points for the Trotters front man. Wolves will be relying on the likes of Matthew Jarvis (5.3), Stephen Hunt (5.3), Kevin Doyle (5.1) and Sylvan Ebanks-Blake (5.0) to breach Wanderers stubborn back line. Wolves will edge a narrow victory here.
Wigan are in desperate need of a win, so far their season’s star performers have been Hugo Rodallega (5.8) and Charles N’Zogbia (5.5). Another big performance from this pair is required against West Brom. All things good for the Latic’s seem to come from these two, take a gamble and give them a run out this game week.
Stoke are hovering above the drop zone and Welcome a rejuvenated Liverpool side. Stoke at home are always a difficult prospect. Big Robert Huth is a mountain at the back and a genuine goal threat going forward, a 4.9 million price tag has returned 37 points so far. Striker Ricardo Fuller weighed in with 9 points in the last game week and is available for a mere 4.8 million.
Manchester City will be looking for a positive reaction after a dishwater dull Manchester derby. Chelsea are beginning to pull away at the top and the Eastland’s outfit cannot afford to lose anymore ground. Birmingham could well find themselves on the wrong side of a City backlash. Blues keeper Ben Foster (4.9) could be in for a busy afternoon.
Last special mention this week to Blackburn stopper Paul Robinson – sitting 4th overall in the goalkeeper table having so far amassed 49 points – is yours to buy for 4.6 million. An absolute bargain if you’re looking to generate some cash to strengthen other areas of your squad.
If you feel like joining in the fun then join the EPL League by visiting: http://fantasy.premierleague.com/ &nbsp;the code you need to join is 13413-5300

Fantasy Premier League Tips Gameweek 13

Fantasy Premier League Tips Gameweek 13 - World Soccer Talk

<div style="text-align: center"><a href="http://view.picapp.com/default.aspx?term=ricardo fuller&amp;iid=8352940" target="_blank"><div><figure class="external-image"><img loading="lazy" src="http://cdn.picapp.com/ftp/Images/0/1/3/f/Football__West_179a.jpg?adImageId=11871673&amp;imageId=8352940" border="0" alt="Football - West Ham United v Stoke City Barclays Premier League" width="500" height="334"></figure></div></a></div>
Don’t ever let anyone tell you Stoke City fans aren’t a passionate lot who love their club and their players. Due to an outpouring of support on the recent Premier League Footballer of the Week, I feel it necessary to give Mr. Fuller and the proud people of Stoke their full amount of credit that’s rightfully owed to them.
Listed as only an option in the poll that awards the top footballers of the week on EPL Talk, the Jamaican International Ricardo Fuller, having only played some 25 minutes during Saturday’s 1-0 away win, received by far the most votes in a landslide of support. Some 370+ mad Potters let their collective voices be heard as they refused to go quietly into a night that saw players from top 4 or potential top 4 clubs awarded the accolades.
If you haven’t seen it yet, Ricardo Fuller scored a solo goal to rival any of the other goals scored this past weekend or this past season for that matter. Having sat on the Stoke bench for the majority of the match, Fuller was introduced to a 0-0 game in the 67th minute. Stoke boss Tony Pulis looked the brilliant tactician as his second half substitution scored the only goal of the game with in two minutes of his introduction.
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<li>Then the Villain, Now the Hero</li>
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Having been sent off in the same fixture last season for slapping his own team mate Andy Griffin, this time, Fuller emerged the conquer. When Fuller received a long ball at the edge of the West Ham box, he had it all to do. With the ball at his feet, Fuller ran straight at West Ham defender Manuel Da Costa before turning him inside out and cutting inside towards goal.
Once he had skinned one West Ham defender, he pulled the same trick on England International Matthew Upson by continuing his run towards goal and cutting inside again thus losing the on-rushing Upson in the process. Fuller’s brilliance was in avoiding not one, but two defenders and then creating the space he needed for an unobstructed, close range blast upon the helpless Robert Green in the West Ham goal.
1-0 to the Potters and a happy Stoke City claimed three points when the match looked set for a 0-0 draw. Stoke City currently sit 11th in the Barclays Premier League table with a game in hand. If they were to win the vital extra game, Tony Pulis could realistically see his well organized, tough to break down side finish in the top ten after finishing a modest 12th last season upon their return to the top-flight.
Stoke City have fantastic support home and away. To view their matches on TV is to witness one of the loudest and most passionate grounds in all of England. They love their club and they love their players. If you don’t agree with them, well, fine. Just be prepared to hear about it in the form of immense support from the fans and supporters of Stoke City.

Ricardo Fuller Wonder Goal Secures 3 Points for Stoke City

Ricardo Fuller Wonder Goal Secures 3 Points for Stoke City - World Soccer Talk

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I’m happy Guus is not as thrilled about Chelsea’s 1-0 win as I am.
A bit of a side bar before I get into the news tonight. Chelsea are extremely lucky they are a goal to the good heading into their Champions League second leg. For starters, I don’t believe Didier Drogba’s goal should have counted. Frank Lampard was actively offside, and when Drogba and Lampard are both teeing up to shoot, sorry the referee has to throw the flag up.
Then there are the two obvious penalties that should have been called on both Petr Cech and Michael Ballack. Then the icing on the cake, the man in the middle completely blows the last kick of the game. Alex did get the last touch and the referee didn’t seem to care.
Guus Hiddink has every right to not be happy with Chelsea’s performance Wednesday night against Juventus. Yes the first half went by fine, but Chelsea mentally checked out in the second half. Guus was the first to <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1155784/Unhappy-coach-Hiddink-lays-underachieving-Chelsea-stars.html?ITO=1490" target="_blank">admit that</a>. He isn’t satisfied with a one goal advantage heading into the second leg, but that’s understandable knowing the task at hand heading to Italy. Being complacent on an away European night could result in their ultimate undoing.
If preparing for Real Madrid wasn’t enough, having reports over your head <a href="http://epltalk.com/bookies-suspend-betting-on-benitez-leaving-liverpool/4674" target="_blank">about your job</a> added to the difficult task Rafa had in front of him Wednesday night. The <a href="http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11945_4972446,00.html" target="_blank">first denials</a> about Rafa leaving hit my RSS feeder at 9:34 Wednesday morning, but nothing concrete from the ownership at Anfield.
Liverpool will be happy with their 1-0 victory. For starters they got that cliched away goal and got a road shut out. That is Rafa Benitez at his best. Every time Rafa has been under the gun, an European night has always given him comfort. Even his post match press conference was a happy place as he <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1155781/Rafa-stay-Benitez-pledge-Liverpool-rock-Bernabeu.html?ITO=1490" target="_blank">committed his future</a> to Liverpool. We’ll see come this summer.
Other Stories 
For those wondering, Middlesbrough are in the quarterfinals of the FA Cup after a <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1155783/Middlesbrough-2-West-Ham-0-Downing-delight-Boro-march-on.html?ITO=1490" target="_blank">2-0 win</a> over West Ham United. Now Gareth, can you get that result in league play?
And <a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/fa-league-cups/hull-hope-cup-will-kickstart-stalling-league-form-1632186.html" target="_blank">Phil Brown</a> is hoping that an FA Cup win Thursday night will kick start Hull City’s dead form.
More FA Cup talk as Roy Hodgson is warning Manchester United that Fulham <a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/fa-league-cups/hodgson-insists-that-fulham-can-shock-united-1632185.html" target="_blank">won’t be laying down</a>. The problem is, it’s Manchester United. Even if you don’t lay down you may end up rolled over.
So Kolo Toure <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/premierleague/arsenal/4807281/Kolo-Toure-yellow-card-most-embarrassing-moment-of-Arsenal-career.html" target="_blank">didn’t know the rule</a> about not coming onto the pitch until the referee said so once play resumed? Along with a new ritual, maybe a look at the laws of the game wouldn’t hurt.
Martin O’Neill has added his two cents into the <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1155620/Aston-Villa-manager-ONeill-triggers-pitch-battle-Moscow.html?ITO=1490" target="_blank">artificial pitch</a> debate. Of course he had to use the Champions League Final jab in his comments.
So another Premier League player has been arrested. This time it was Stoke City’s <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1155059/Stoke-striker-Fuller-arrested-Staffordshire-police-driving-offence.html?ITO=1490" target="_blank">Ricardo Fuller</a>. What driving offense (or offenses) could it take to be brought in for questioning.
And finally, Tony Mowbray intends to use loan signing <a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/menseguez-to-make-impact-from-bench-says-mowbray-1632179.html" target="_blank">Juan Carlos Menseguez</a> as a super sub for that extra spark off the bench. West Brom could use one from the start as well.

Not a Happy Guus While Rafa's Going No Where,

Not a Happy Guus While Rafa's Going No Where,  - World Soccer Talk

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These will be rapid fire after the fun day of news already discussed.
* Shawn Wright-Phillips receives a <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1139742/Wright-Phillips-gets-games-kicking-Delap-Bosingwas-boot-Benayoun-goes-unpunished.html?ITO=1490" target="_blank">three match</a> ban for the kick he gave Rory Delap. Delap is <a href="http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/article2221228.ece?OTC-RSS&amp;ATTR=Football" target="_blank">supporting</a> SWP saying he deserved what he got after his tackle on him. And through all of this, Jose Bosingwa is just laughing that he got away with nothing.
* Monday was the 30th anniversary of the first million pound transfer, that of <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1140222/Thanks-million--30-years-Trevor-Francis-did-players-shape-landmark-transfers.html?ITO=1490" target="_blank">Trevor Francis</a>.
*<a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/record-talk-bores-van-der-sar-1605089.html" target="_blank"> Edwin Van der Sar</a> is getting bored about talking about the goalless record he currently has in England. Don’t blame him, I’m sure he’s getting tired of people telling him he’s that good.

* Speaking of Manchester United, Mike Phelan admits they are gunning for <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1139582/Manchester-United-send-chilling-warning-rivals-We-want-land-Quintuple.html?ITO=1490" target="_blank">the quad</a>.
*<a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2009/feb/09/wigan-athletic-steve-bruce-fulham-antonio-valencia" target="_blank"> Steve Bruce</a> admits he got the team selection all wrong against Fulham.
* Tim Howard is singing all of <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/e/everton/7879550.stm" target="_blank">Jo’s</a> praises. Let’s see how that feeling is towards the end of the loan move.
*&nbsp; Tony Pulis hopes that <a href="http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_4907630,00.html" target="_blank">Ricardo Fuller</a> won’t have to miss the rest of this season due to his shoulder injury.
* I wonder how much hot water <a href="http://www.teamtalk.com/football/story/0,16368,1765_4907134,00.html" target="_blank">Gareth Southgate</a> will be in after saying Middlesbrough are 85 million in debt? For a man who isn’t exactly safe in his position, that’s information I wouldn’t be letting the public in on.
* And finally, <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1140385/Arsenal-striker-Eduardo-expected-play-Croatia-Wednesday-night.html?ITO=1490" target="_blank">Eduardo</a> is expected to play for Croatia on Wednesday. I am honestly amazed he is back this soon.

Tony Adams and Luiz Felipe Scolari Less News Digest

Tony Adams and Luiz Felipe Scolari Less News Digest - World Soccer Talk

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