Football Hunter Soccer blog

Barcelona playmaker Lionel Messi is out of action for around 6 weeks with the hamstring injury he suffered during Tuesday’s Champions League clash with Celtic.

Messi limped out of the match in tears after having the injury during the first half of the 1-0 win, and tests on Wednesday have revealed damage.

It is expected that the Argentinian playmaker will be out for  six weeks,that means he is likely to miss around six league games, and both of Barca’s Champions League quarter-final matches.

Barca, who beat Celtic 4-2 on aggregate, are in the second place in Spanish league, 5 points behind leaders Real Madrid.

Cristiano Ronaldo has carried his brilliant form in champions league clash against lyon. The Portugal winger took his goals tally to 30 in all club competitions in this seasonn with the winner against Lyon.

Manchester united had confirmed a place in the quarter-finals of the Champions League, thanks to his sixth strike in the competition. There is the possibility that he could hit the 40-goal barrier, with two months of the season remaining.

United have to play 10 games to defend their premier league tittle,and at least two games of champions league. The FA Cup is also on the cards with a home quarter-final clash to come against Portsmouth on Saturday.

Ronaldo, 23, has scored 12 goals in his last 12 appearances. Ronaldo said: “My colleagues helps me a lot. The most important thing is to win games and trophies. I feel fine, I am in good shape and getting vital goals. I want to score more and help the side.“

Espanyol striker Luis Garcia confident that his side can still qualify for Europe this season, inspite losing six of their past seven  games. They reached at 3rd place in the table, when they had 17-match unbeaten record earlier this season,but now slipped to 6th. Defeat from Valencia will cut off their chances to make it for European place.

Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor is confident for the goals against tittle holder ac milan in 2nd leg clash at San Siro.

The gunners do not score a goal inspite of better performance in the 2nd half of first leg of their first knockout round tie in north London. Adebayor header hits the goalbar in the final minute but he cannot convert the goal. At the end of match he said,”I can’t explain it - that’s football”.

Manchester United will meet Fulham at Craven Cottage and have a chance to come up on the top of the League table. ManUtd manager Alex Ferguson believes that they have the experience to overtake Arsenal and retain their Barclays Premier League title.

United thrashed Newcastle 5-1 at St James’ Park this weekend with ease, and this victory gives some hopes to striker Louis Saha to secure his place in the starting line-up . Their star player Christiano Ronaldo is also in good form and proving a threat to opposing defenders throughout the campaign, whether it is Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup.

Alex Ferguson knows veteran manager Roy Hodgson will have his team well organized and Fulham to be trying their best.

Lyon captain Cris has revealed he is not to be fit in time to join his team against Manchester United in the second-leg of their Champions League last-16 tie.

Lyon Captain has not played for the French champions since tearing ligaments in his right knee in August 2007, but he was on the bench for last week’s 1-1 first-leg draw.

Arsenal’s Barclays Premier League home match against Aston Villa.

Aston Villa manager Martin ONeill is looking for their 25th victory for Aston Villa where the host Arsenal is eager to win the match to maintain their 3 point leads in the league. A lose for Arsene Wenger side will give a chance to their fellow title contenders Manchester United. The Gunners will be playing their first Premier League match against Aston Villa at the Emirates Stadium but Arsenal have lost just once at home in the league.

Chelsea will be visiting West Ham United at London’s Upton Park on Saturday, currently Chelsea is in 3rd position in the table. A win in Saturdays game can narrow the gap between Manchester United and Chelsea.

West Ham United manager Alan Curbishley is eager to win against Chelsea after beating Fulham last weekend, looking for their first back-to-back wins in 21 Premier League outings.

After the defeat from Tottenham Hotspur in the Carling Cup final, Chelsea will be hoping to bounce back tomorrow.

The Premier League is still close, and John Terry side have a great chance in the Champions League and FA Cup, which is their trophy so they need to stay positive.

Wigan Athletic visits to Manchester City desprate for their 6th victory in twelve matches, where Manchester City have registered only two wins in their last 10 Barclays Premier League fixtures.

Manchester City’s Petrov will face a three-match ban, starting with tomorrow’s Barclays Premier League home game against Wigan Athletic, after kicking out at Leon Osman during Monday’s defeat to Everton.

Manchester City didnt register any win against Wigan in English Premier League, but City. If ’s boys lose their match this Saturday they could drop to ninth place in the table. Coach Erikson has a 44% win rate in his first 35 matches in charge and they will feel confident of securing all three points on Saturday.