World Football Daily

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

Portsmouth will play at Wembley for the second time in three years and the south-coast outfit are still on target to become the first team to win the FA Cup and get relegated from the Premier League.

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.

I have to admit I have developed a bit of a soft spot for Portsmouth this season. Firstly because they have provided me with plenty of ideas for blogging – their perilous financial state has had more twists and turns than the most gut wrenching of roller coasters, providing fresh, cringe-worthy headlines almost every day.

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.