WHATS CONTROVERSIAL ABOUT MESSI WINNING THE GOLDEN BALL?

Long before the semi final matches were played i knew there was no other person more suited and worthy for the Golden Ball award other than Messi, he alone and with Mascherano supporting, dragged an ordinary looking Argentina team to the World cup final! No other player has had such collosal influence on their teams fortune since 1986 when Maradona, the Argentine legend Messi looks to emulate, did the same in 1986 winning the world cup all by himself for the nation. It came as no suprise then that he scooped the award on a night that what really matters to Messi wasn't the award but the world cup itself.

What came as a suprise, however was how the decision to award Messi the golden ball was derided as controversial and a compensation to Messi for not winning the world cup. Nothing could be further from the truth. Stats and facts points to no other worthy winner than Messi. Below are the factors that makes him one.

*LEADERSHIP&IMPACT - Without Messi's influence Argentina wouldn't have made it past the group stage. Of the 6goals Argentina scored at the group stage Messi was responsible for four, representing over 67% of the teams effort. Robben, the dutch who came third in the running for the golden ball award scored 3 and assisted 1 out of the 10goals Netherland scored at the group stage, that amounts to 40% contribution of his team efforts while Muller did much better scoring 4 of Germany's 7goals accounting for 57% of of his team's total output. All these 3 contenders has their biggest influence during the group stages of the competition just like you would expect more goals to be scored at the group stage than at the knockout stage!

Would Germany have gone this far without Muller? Yes they would have done so! Thank God for all of Mullers goal but this team could have called on podolski, klose, Schurrle and they would have delivered.

Holland needs Robben, but they needed their coach Louis van Gaal much more to have gotten this far. His tactics and ability to manage this young group of players got Holland this far more than Robbens goal, but then Holland still had Rvp, Dempay and Sneijder who equally did their part.

However same could not be said of Argentina, up until Di maria's goal against Switzerland, it looks as though it was only Messi that was interested in playing for Argentina. Make no mistake about this, apart from the goals he scored, Messi was at the heart of 80% Argentina did positively at the World Cup. No one has had greater impacts on his team fortune than the little Argentine.

*KNOCKOUT DEBATE
One of the argument against Messi winning the Golden Ball was the fact that he registered no goal at the knockout stages of the world cup. Its a fact, but this award isn't for the highest goal scorer, its for the best player of the tournament and you don't need to score goals to be the best player of the tournament. Messis assist against Switzerland was crucial in getting them to the quarterfinal and against Belgium he held off the challenges of 2players ran into space, release Di maria who released Higuain for the goal, that was a crucial build up to the goal. Yes he didn't scored but he had moments that without them otherwise would have seen Argentina going home.

If Messi didn't deserve the award due to his knockout stages performance why then should Robben deserves it? What did Robben did at the Knockout stages of the competition that Messi didn't do? Nothing. Well he did something, he dived for the penalty that got Holland the win against Mexico! Other than that he had no output, no moment that counted. All his 3goals and 1 assists also came in the group stage of the competition!

Someone might say Robben troubled defences, so did Messi who was the dribbling master of the competition completing 46dribbles. He is also the tournament top chance creator with 23! So in what way was Robben better than Messi in this competition? In all the statistics that counts, Messi trumps Robben.

James Rodriguez scored 3 at the knockout stages but i cant recollect the last time the golden ball was won by a player whose team didn't made it past the quarter final! If you are that good then you should take your team far...simple! Messi carried his team, Rodriguez didn't.

MAN OF THE MATCH AWARD

Four man of the match award must count for something right? Especially when no other player matched that feat. Robben had 3Motm in this competition, one less than Messi who added a fourth one at the knockout stage. That surely counts!

* A CASE FOR MULLER
Their is only one player who could have beaten Messi to the golden ball and that is Muller, of the 3 contenders only he has a better stat than Messi: 5goals 3assists over 7games. But that performance must be put in the context of the German team. If Messi was to be slot in to this German team, he would certainly better those stats. The German team looks like the Barcelona team Messi likes to play in. Messi carried the hope of a nation, Muller didn't. The pressure was on Messi but certainly not on Muller. With 4goals and 1 assists Messi had performed admirably carrying Argentina to the final and on this ground he edged out Muller despite all his stats. Lets not forgot that Ronaldo carried the hope of Portugal too but fail admirably too! Could that be the reason why many are angry Messi won the golden ball and ignore all the facts and stats that suggests that he should?

- PAB

FRANCE VS NIGERIA - STATS PREVIEW, PREDICTION AND BETTING TIPS

*This will be only the second international meeting between France and Nigeria. The Super Eagles won the previous meeting 1-0 in Saint-Etienne
back in June 2009.
*Les Blues have lost two of their last three World.Cup matches against African nations (2002 v Senegal and 2010 v South Africa). They beat Togo between these two defeats, in 2006.
*Nigeria have scored a goal in all but one of their previous 10 World Cup finals matches against European sides.
*The Super Eagles are aiming to become just the fourth African side to make the quarter finals of a World Cup tournament (after Cameroon in 1990,
Senegal in 2002 and Ghana in 2010).
*Nigeria have only won one of their last 11 World Cup matches.
*Nigeria have lost both of their previous World Cup second round ties – 1-2 v Italy in 1994 and 1-4 v Denmark in 1998.
*All of France’s goals during this World Cup have come from inside the box.
*France have won all three of their previous second round ties at the World Cup (2-0 v Italy in 1986, 1-0 v Paraguay in 1998 and 3-1 v Spain in 2006).
*Les Blues attempted more shots at goal (50; excl. blocked) than any other side during the 2014 World Cup group stages.
*Nigerian goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama kept more clean sheets than any other goalkeeper during the 2013-14 French Ligue 1 season for Lille.
*On the last five occasions that France have progressed past round 1 in the World Cup, they have reached the semi-final stage (1958, 1982, 1986, 1998 and 2006).
*Karim Benzema has scored nine goals in his last nine appearances for France, including three goals in his three appearances at this World Cup.

GAME ANALYSIS

*France should dominate this game in terms of possession, with Nigeria happy to sit back and counter as they did against Argentina last time out.
*Les Bleus may find it hard to break down a compact defence but should have their chances, with the likes of Valbuena and Benzema in particular in confident mood.
*It's been an impressive start to the tournament from Deschamps' side but their centre-backs will need to be up for the battle against Emenike, who
spearheads a powerful Nigeria team.

PREDICTION
France played very well in their opening two games, beating Honduras 3-0 and thrashing Switzerland 5-2. Their last group game ended 0-0 with Ecuador and the French did try hard to win that game, but just could not break down a stubborn Ecuador side. Nigeria were poor in their opening two games, drawing with Iran and somehow pulling off a 1-0 win over a poor Bosnia team in that game. Nigeria however played very well against Argentina, although
losing 2-3 they managed two goals against an excellent Argentina side. If they are fully motivated for this one they may score against France. Switzerland showed how France's defence may have some weakness. However given France's attacking power and Nigeria's inability to
defend well at times, we're going for a France win. WHAT IS YOUR OWN PREDICTION?

BETTING TIPS
*France straight win is a 65% probability, a draw 25% while a Nigeria win is 10%
*Benzema has scored 3 goals in his last 3 world cup matches for France, there is a high chance of him nicking one here. Benzema to score any time is a good bet here.
*France has averaged over 2goals in their last 3WC games while Nigeria has average 1goal. Nigeria's defence hasn't been the best conceding over 40+ shots at the group stage. France are a bit better but not the strongest at the back too as exposed by the Switz, expect at least over 1.5goals from this match.

What are your thoughts and predictions, share with us!

Manchester pendulum has swung: United MUST win this derby or City could be 21 points clear... and it gets worse for Old Trafford faithful with Liverpool flying too

What a difference a year makes. At the beginning of April last year, Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United headed into the derby at Old Trafford 15 points clear of Manchester City. 

On Tuesday evening, it is Manuel Pellegrini’s City who will stroll into their neighbours’ backyard with a strut of arrogance, knowing United’s status has been diminished to that of inferiors. 

This time it is they who sit in the ascendency, 12 points ahead of David Moyes’ ailing side. A win would convert 12 into 15.

Two more victories in City’s games in hand on United and the gap would become 21. It is a prospect barely worth thinking about for those at Old Trafford, offering a frightening snapshot of just how far United have plummeted in the post-Ferguson era.

Yet there would also be little surprise if United were to surrender once more. After all, they have won just one match in 12 against the top nine in the Barclays Premier League this season, losing seven of those.

It is not difficult to see, therefore, why City are the bookmakers’ favourites to win a match at Old Trafford for the first time since the inception of the Premier League. 

City have inflicted the odd flesh wound in the past, of course. Kevin Keegan’s side, with Jon Macken up front rather than Sergio Aguero, as the main man beat United 4-1 at the City of Manchester Stadium in 2004.

More cuttingly, there was that 6-1 two years ago at Old Trafford, leaving Ferguson ‘shattered’ after the ‘worst result in my history, ever’. And then there was the last-gasp Aguero goal to snatch the title from United in the most dramatic manner possible.

These were body-blows to the United system but they were swiftly corrected, first through the signing of Robin van Persie, ahead of City, and then by reclaiming the title in Ferguson’s final season.

It is a very long time indeed since United were last unequivocally considered the weaker force in Manchester and that should be a serious concern within the walls of Old Trafford.

Certainly, it has never been the case in the Premier League era. Indeed, only twice before have United entered a Manchester derby at home in the Premier League trailing City on points.

Before the 6-1 in 2012, City were two points ahead of Ferguson’s side but that was after just eight games.

The only other occasion was an anomaly, in September 2005, when United were one point behind Stuart Pearce’s City. City had played four games to United three, meaning that particular statistic was rather skewed.

The turnaround can perhaps be more readily attributed to United’s decline than City’s development in this past year.

Intriguingly, for all the calmness instilled by their phlegmatic manager, City are only four points better off than they were after 28 games last season.

United, by contrast, are 26 points worse off than they were at the same stage last season. All things considered, it does not require much this season to be more formidable than Moyes’ side. 

But we should not forget that is new territory for City supporters, for the first time indisputably the dominant outfit. Previously, this would be the stuff of printed T-shirts. Now, it is par for the course.

This can be rammed home if Pellegrini’s side secure a third consecutive league victory at Old Trafford on Tuesday night.

That has not happened for more than 40 years, when City won five games in a row at the home of United between 1967 and 1972. 

It would be the latest of a succession of records to topple under Moyes and fresh on the back of a 3-0 humiliation by Liverpool, defeat against City would provide compelling evidence that the tide has turned irretrievably in Manchester.

Dropping below City or Liverpool is one thing, to fall below the two is another thing entirely. But that is the unacceptable reality that the rank-and-file at Old Trafford may be just obliged to accept come Tuesday evening at The Theatre of Dreams.

STATS PREVIEW - WEST BROM VS MANCHESTER UNITED

·         West Brom have conceded the highest proportion of first half goals in the Barclays Premier  League this season (54%).

·         Wayne Rooney has scored six goals in his last five Barclays Premier League starts against West Brom.

·         WBA have had both teams scoring in their last seven home matches against top-six teams ·         West Brom have drawn their last 4 home matches in the Premier League.
·         West Brom have been losing at half time and drawing at full time in 5 of their last 6 home matches in the Premier League.
·         There have been under 2.5 goals scored in West Brom's last 7 home games in the Premier League.
·   West Brom have seen over 2.5 goals in 10 of their last 12 matches against Man Utd in all competitions.
·    Man Utd have scored at least 2 goals in their last 6 away matches against West Brom in all competitions.
·         Man Utd are undefeated in their last 6 away matches against West Brom in all competitions.

STATS PREVIEW - CHELSEA VS TOTTENHAM

*Chelsea are undefeated in their last 23 home matches in the Premier League.
*Chelsea are undefeated in their last 16 home matches against Tottenham in all competitions.
*Chelsea have kept a clean sheet in their last 3 home matches in the Premier League.
*Chelsea have picked up the most points on home soil in the Barclays Premier League (38) this season.
*No team have earned more points away from home in the Barclays Premier League than Tottenham (29).
*Chelsea have scored first in their last five matches
*Tottenham haven't won at Chelsea in 24 years and don't look like ending that run just yet, with Chelsea boasting the only remaining unbeaten home record in the Premier League this season. Spurs do, though, have the best points tally on the road, and will come here looking to win.rather than sit back and hope to snatch a draw.
*Their many injury worries could prove fatal, though, as they simply do not have sufficient cover at full-back to deal with the absences of Walker and Rose. Eden Hazard and Willian should tear Tottenham's makeshift defence to shreds if they are given half an opportunity, and that could well prove the difference as Chelsea continue their march towards reclaiming the title

*Chelsea to win this one? Whats your predicted scores? Scorers? Any upset in the card? Share your views with us.

That's Messi! Rough night for Argentina as superstar is sick on the pitch and targeted by laser pointer in Romania frustration

Lionel Messi endured an uncomfortable evening in Bucharest as Argentina were held to a goalless draw by Romania - and their superstar was physically sick on the pitch.

The Barcelona forward was unable to unlock a stubborn Romania defence on a frustrating night - and his exertions in trying to break through appeared to take its toll, as Messi fell ill during the first half.
Messi made a slow start to the match and vomited briefly on the field in the seventh minute, shortly after taking a free kick. 

After the game Messi played down his on-pitch illness: 'My vomiting has always happened,' he said. 'It happened a few times with Barça. It's nothing to me.'

There was even more discomfort for Messi as he was targeted by a member of the crowd at the National Arena with a laser pointer.

Argentina were clearly the technically superior side and kept up the pressure throughout a game watched by 47,000 people on a wet evening at the National Arena in Bucharest, but were unable to notch the match-winning goal 
 
Romania proved tenacious in defence and were clearly determined not to lose against one of the favorites for the World Cup in Brazil in the summer.

Three minutes later, Maxim slotted the ball into the Argentina net from six yards - only to have the strike ruled out for offside. Argentina's best chance of the first half was a shot from Aguero that was saved by Tatarusanu. Romania played more cautiously in the second half, looking to hold on to a creditable draw. 

In the 66th minute, Gonzalo Higuain tried his luck with a left-foot shot from the side of the box but the ball flew wide and the home side managed to secure a clean sheet ahead of the Euro 2016 qualifiers later this year.