...4-4-2
Defense;

4, defenders are usually arranged as outside left, inside left, inside right and outside right.
The most recent idea is to have them lined up in a banana shape with the middle of the curve closest to the goalkeeper and the outside defenders, the points, slightly ahead but behind the midfielders.
As this is the shape of a banana the defenders can see one another usualy all the time.

Some considered the flat back option but this means much more communication from the capitain of the defense usually one of the insiders.
The general idea is to have the two defenders attend to the attack coming in from their side.

This means that the opposite outside tucks in a little to cover the center of the field covering the goal and any incoming additional attacking opponents.
When the team has possession the defenders would then play wide to stretch out the other teams attackers.
This is also known as playing it around the back.

Sometimes the defenders can be lined up in a diamond shape. This is to utilize the last player back as a "sweeper" who clears the ball up the field and out to the other defenders and mid fielders.
Thi...more

World Cup 2006 - Reaction To Group Stage Draw

...Red hot favourites brazil received a favourable draw as the group stage of the 2006 World Cup was announced on 9 December. The 16/5 favourites were drawn into Group F with Croatia, Australia and Japan. Hosts Germany also has a relatively easy group with opposition provided in the form of Costa Rica, Poland and Ecuador.

However, not everyone was so lucky. Groups C and E have "group of death" credentials with Argentina, Ivory Coast, Serbia & Montenegro and Holland facing each other in the former, while italy, Ghana, usa and the Czech Republic will battle it out in the latter.

GROUP A
Germany 7/1
Costa Rica 500/1
Poland 125/1
Ecuador 200/1

Germany should be able to qualify from Group A comfortably, kick-starting the tournament with a match against Costa Rica. Poland could prove to be tricky opponents and will be expected to finish as runners up in the group. However, Ecuador may be capable of providing an upset as they beat Croatia in the group stages of the 2002 World Cup.

GROUP B
England 13/2
Paraguay 20...more

Premiership Betting Review - 5 February 2006

...xing Day and will have had plenty of support at 11/10 against bottom-three Birmingham. A debut goal for Emmanuel Adebayor and Henrys landmark strike was enough to keep Arsenal in fifth place.

Chelsea extended their lead at the top of the Premiership by 15 points after beating Liverpool 2-0 at Stamford Bridge. The rather generous 10/11 on offer of a home win will have had punters drooling and goals for William Gallas and Hernan Crespo secured the Blues 21st win in 24 league matches this season.

West Bromwich Albion did their relegation battle the power of good with a convincing 2-0 victory over Blackburn Rovers at T...more

FA Cup Third Round Betting Review

...sides. Chelsea, favourites at 11/4 needed an 81 minute winner to see off plucky Huddersfield while 11/2 third favourites Arsenal had a late scare against battling Cardiff but clung on for a 2-1 victory.

liverpool (13/2) were involved in a remarkable match with Luton Town, in which they found themselves 3-1 down after the break, although three goals in 12 minutes restored the Reds lead to 4-3, with Xabi Alonso scoring from inside his own half at the death for Liverpools fifth, a goal which earned one lucky punter over 25,000 after placing a bet on him achieving such a feat.

Blackburn despatched QPR by a...more

Sticky Yoga Mats