The young Wales midfielder is likely to be missing from the sport for anywhere up to a year after suffering severe leg injuries last month in a clash with Ryan Shawcross that provoked a good deal of over-reaction.

Shawcross was vilified as a villain in the wake of the injury, caused by a tackle that was just milliseconds mistimed and nowhere near as bad as a couple of other tackles over the same weekend – merely bad luck was my own personal thought.

But since then Arsenal have looked like a team ready to take serious aim at winning the Premier League as they strolled past Burnley 3-1 despite Nicklas Bendtner missing enough chances to win 12 games on his own.

The Dane made up for his wastefulness on Tuesday when the Gunners summarily despatched Porto from the Champions League 5-0, Bendtner netting a hat-trick, and it is him that Arsenal will have to rely on for the rest of the campaign.

With so many playmakers around him, Bendtner is going to be on the end of countless perfect set-ups, and if he has more days like Tuesday than last Saturday, he could well grab a dozen goals over the last nine games, which only include a couple of tough looking games at Spurs and at home to Manchester City.

Of course Arsenal will want Cesc Fabregas back as soon as possible to increase their reputation with Soccer Betting, but the same applies to Wayne Rooney at a suddenly striker-lacking United, while Petr Cech’s loss to Chelsea could be the most important of the lot judged on Hilario’s performances since Cech hurt his calf.

It’s hard to say what way things will go, but as of right now, I’d take a fired-up Arsenal team to overcome the EPL Betting odds and take the Premier League race right down to the wire.

Today’s games see Real Madrid host Lyon as Los Merengues trail 1-0 heading into this clash at the Santiago Bernabeau. Real Madrid are coming off on a high with that stunning win against Sevilla at the weekend, while Lyon drew 0-0 at the weekend. Will Real Madrid finally be able to get past the round of 16, or will Lyon once again put the dagger to the heart of all Real fans and once again send Los Blancos crashing out of the tournament at too early a stage. In the other game of the day, David Beckham makes his return to Old Trafford as Manchester United host AC Milan. United have a strong 3-2 aggregate advantage over their Milanese counterparts with three away goals in the bag. Can Milan pull of a great upset or will the Red Devils be able to hang on and advance into the quarterfinals? Steven and Kenny will talk about last nights action as well as preview today’s massive fixtures.

The boys have a fantastic show for you today. We bring you guests like Andy Green and Ben Gladwell. Andy Green is a member of MUST (Manchester United Supporters Trust) to talk about Mancherster United and their financial situation, as well as how he and his fellow members feel about their American owners, the Glazer family. Ben Gladwell, our German correspondent, will give us his thoughts on the Fiorentina v. Bayern match yesterday, as well as how he feels the title race will finish in the Bundesliga.

Beck's Return to Old Trafford

Take The Poll, Who Do You Think Will Win?

This is what Alves had had to say on Brazil’s chances: “When Brazil play like they did in the last 20 minutes against Ireland, we are almost invincible,

“The truth is when we succeed playing the ball, which is what makes everyone of us happy, in the end we enjoy it so much.

“The strength of the Brazil national team is the speed and the way we move the ball.

“We are all very happy and confident. We want to win the World Cup so much.

“In the Brazil national team we have the best of the best.”

Alves isn’t far off the mark, they do have pretty much the best of the best and I would argue only Spain come close to matching that kind of quality throughout the side.  England may be among the favourites, but for me they’re going to have to beat at least one of these two if they’re to win the trophy for the first time since 1966 as the Spanish and Brazilians are probably the strongest nations and the two teams to beat.

What is unique about this particular Brazil side is the focus on defence.  Boss Dunga, himself a winner of the World Cup as a player in 1994, has made their defence a tight unit and they haven’t conceded a goal in their last four fixtures.  Traditionally, Brazil are one of those sides who will concede a couple but score twice as many but under Dunga all that has changed.

England, France, Argentina, Germany, Holland and current holders Italy will all fancy their chances going into the tournament in South Afirca, but in all honesty I think 2010 will be either a great year for either Brazil or Spain.

Written by Gareth Freeman, a sports writer who blogs about Queen Mother Champion Chase, the World Cup, Cheltenham tips 2010 and the Premier League.

Misha Sher from Soccerex

It’s Tuesday, and it’s a Champions League Tuesday, and we here at World Football Daily are here to give you top quality previews of today’s all important 2nd leg fixtures. Arsenal trail 2-1 to FC Porto but have that crucial away goal heading into this match at the Emirates. The Gunners will be without talismanic midfielder Cesc Fabregas who is on the sidelines with a hamstring injury, while Fernando is the only main injury concern for the Dragons. Can Porto pull off the upset? In the other match, Fiorentina will host Bayern Munich in Florence, looking for redemption as they were controversially beaten in Germany three weeks prior. La Viola will be without Massimo Gobbi for this match as he was sent off in leg 1; the Bavarians have many injury concerns, mainly, Martin Demichelis and Diego Contento. Will Fiorentina receive justice and advance into the quarterfinals, or will the German giants hold on and see themselves through?

Steven and Kenny will give their thoughts, previews, and predictions of today’s action. Tuesday’s live show keeps the week rolling with another quality guest in Mr. Misha Sher. Misha joins us from Soccerex in the UK who have a hand in all major business ventures going on in the Prem. So as always, our supporters get an insiders perspective. Don’t forget we will be at the Home Depot Center on Thursday with an exclusive interview with Chivas USA manager, Martin Vasquez. Skype in or e-mail to get in on the conversation as we always welcome your input on the beautiful game. And for those who have received a free one month trial subscription to World Football Daily via e-mail, you have one week to redeem the code, from once you received it, to get all the premium content from the World Football Daily network.

Paul Fletcher, Chief Executive of Burnley FC

Welcome to a new week! FA Cup semifinals are set with Portsmouth being the feel good story of the tournament, Villa head back to Wembley, Chelsea look to win the trophy for the third time in four years, while Tottenham and Fulham replay for the right to go to Wembley. Title races are also heating-up around Europe: Manchester United go two points clear of Chelsea in the Premier League, Real Madrid go level on points with Barcelona in La Liga, Inter failed to gain ground in Serie A as both Milan teams draw 0-0, Shalke 04 gain two points and close the gap to two points on Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga, and the big match in France saw Bordeaux and Montpellier draw 1-1 to stay tied on points in Ligue 1.

We here at World Football Daily are always pleased to give you copious amounts of premium content. Today, we release our production meeting from this past Friday, and on Thursday we will be going to the Home Depot Center to cover a Chivas USA practice and sit down with an exclusive interview of new Chivas manager, Martin Vasquez.

More premium content, we have Burnley FC chairman Barry Kilby in a pre-recorded interview after the live show. As for the live show, we are happy to bring you Burnley chief executive Paul Fletcher. The two Burnley representatives will give us the insights of their club and whether or not they will stave off relegation. As always, we enjoy your thoughts, give us your e-mails and calls to make your voice heard. Remember, we are now starting the show on a permanent basis at 12et/9pt and ending at 1.30et/10.30pt.

Barry Kilby, Chairman of Burnley FC

It’s a situation which has never happened before but Pompey’s inspired 2-0 win over Birmingham at Fratton Park means they’re into the semi-finals of the cup, against either Spurs or Fulham, and based on their spirited quarter-final showing they will fancy their FA Cup final betting chances.

Avram Grant’s bottom-placed side played with a purpose and desire not normally associated with relegation-haunted teams and Birmingham were firmly second best. Frederic Piquionne grabbed both goals to sink Alex McLeish’s men, who have arguably been the surprise package of the season so far.

Blues sit comfortably in eighth position in the top flight after an amazing 12-match unbeaten run earlier in the campaign. But McLeish’s men failed to spark over the weekend and Pompey, driven on by on-loan Spurs midfielder Jamie O’Hara, claimed the glory and a semi-final berth at Wembley.

Speaking before the quarter-final O’Hara said: “I think they deserve to have a bit of a great occasion, get to the final. Win the FA Cup and get relegated – it’s crazy. But that’s Portsmouth.”

Portsmouth are rooted to the foot of the table with 19 points, but after going into administration they will almost certainly have their nine-point deduction ratified next week by the Premier League. That will leave Pompey cast adrift and leave them with an almost impossible Football Betting mountain to climb in their bid for survival.

But another interesting subplot to rise from the wreckage has been the side’s march to Wembley and the FA Cup semi-finals. The national stadium is, of course, familiar to Pompey fans. They won the cup back in 2008, beating West Brom and then Cardiff at the famous stadium.

However, we know now that Harry Redknapp’s star studded side was bought on borrowed money, and that taste of success could ultimately cost the club its existence.

It is this troubled backdrop that makes their FA Cup results this season all the more satisfying, and I’m sure the fans would consider a Wembley triumph this year a much greater achievement than the win two years ago.
Credit has to go to boss Avram Grant. The Israeli’s hang-dog appearance and dour public persona often see him criticised for a lack of passion.

However, despite a succession of let downs from the club’s crisis riddled board, Grant  behaved with dignity, taking each blow on the chin and using it to forge a backs-to-the-wall spirit with his remaining players.

Sadly their drop into administration means a nine point deduction and almost certain relegation, but far from going out with a whimper, Grant seems determined to salvage something from this car crash of a season, a final at Wembley would be just the ticket.

I’m sure Spurs or Fulham will have something to say about that. The London duo face a replay to decide who will play Portsmouth in the semi-final. But in an era where people question the continued existence of FA Cup magic, few would begrudge Portsmouth’s day in the sun, and possible final appearance, after all they had to cope with this season.

The club may cease to exist in a few weeks time, but anyone who was at Fratton Park on Saturday will tell you the heart and soul of the club is still alive and kicking, whatever a high court hearing might say.

Meanwhile, England manager Fabio Capello could face a fresh selection headache. Defender Wes Brown has a suspected broken foot, and he could be out for some time.

The FIFA World Cup odds make England third favourites to win the tournament, but at the rate injuries are piling up the team might have to field a makeshift back four.

Finally, in horse racing news, the Cheltenham betting is really hotting up as the countdown to this year’s Festival begins.

During the live show, Steven and Kenny will preview all the weekends football action as the title races heat up around Europe and the quarterfinals of the FA Cup are also this weekend. We are also looking for someone out there to call into the show, via skype, and play everyone’s favorite game, I Know the Score. Have a good weekend everybody!

The injury comes at a crucial time for United with the Old Trafford side fighting for the title and still involved in the Champions League.  Since he made the switch to the reigning champions Owen perhaps hasn’t seen as much football as he would have wanted – but he has proven himself as a decent squad player and he has bagged some important goals.  Owen hit a hat-trick in Wolfsburg on Champions League duty, as well as the winner in a Manchester derby and United’s opener in the Carling Cup final.

The former Liverpool and Real Madrid man has been dogged by injuries, particularly leg injuries, for some time now and this latest set-back will be a huge blow to him personally.  England boss Fabio Capello never really seemed to have Owen in his thoughts but the 30-year-old striker still had a slim chance of making the squad if he managed to get a bit more action at Old Trafford.

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson confirmed Owen would not play again this season and offered his sympathies to his striker, he said: “It is a terrible blow for the lad. It is more serious than we thought.”

Owen’s injury will heap the pressure on Wayne Rooney, although it will take the heat off Capello.  Despite Owen’s lack of action at international level under the Italian boss there were still discussions in the media and among the fans over whether Owen should travel with the squad or not.  He has a great record for England with 40 goals from 89 games, a higher number than Rooney, Peter Crouch or Jermain Defoe (although Crouch’s goals per game ratio is superior).

However, the real losers in this scenario are Manchester United.  I very much doubt he would have been selected by England but the Old Trafford side could have benefited from Owen’s presence later in the season.  He was forging a reputation as a decent impact player to bring on from the bench but if United are to win the league or Champions League this season they will have to do it without Owen.

Written by Carl Hector, a sports writer who blogs about Cheltenham 2010 tips, Premier League football and the Cheltenham gold cup.

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Andy Brassell Covering all things European Football

In the live show, Steven and Kenny will break down yesterday’s game between the USA and the Netherlands, England’s 3-1 victory over African champions Egypt, and we cannot forget about Scotland’s 1-0 win over the Czech Republic. We will be joined by Jason Kreis of the defending MLS Cup champions, Real Salt Lake. Jason will also give us his thoughts on the USA game yesterday, the ongoing CBA negotiations, and, of course, preview his team and how they plan to defend their title. We are also pleased to be joined by Andy Brassell; Andy will give us the breakdown of how the Champions League will play out over the next couple of weeks. Should be some excited second legs in store for our viewing pleasure.