By Brian Sears 18 June 2010 Yesterday’s release of the fixture list for the 2010-11 season prompted a quick examination of opening-day matches in the Premier League since the top division was revamped in 1992-93, and reveals an anti-Liverpool bias and a disproportionate number of home games for the other three “big four” sides. As […]

By Jonnie Baker 18 June 2010 In a little over a month I shall reach the impressive age of 35. A fine age for any thrusting young buck to attain, I’m sure you’ll agree. Let’s face it, were we to be enjoying this World Cup in the early 19th Century, I’d most likely have been […]

By Nick Harris 17 June 2010 Record TV ratings in some key markets suggest the 2010 World Cup is on course to be a contender as the most-watched single-sport event in history. For that, much will depend on the numbers in the most populous nations, including China (not represented but tuning in) Brazil and the […]

By Keira Daley 17 June 2010 The Amateur Swimming Association has expressed its disappointment that ‘Free Swimming’ – a government scheme to allow free swimming for the young and old – will stop shortly, but has acknowledged tough funding decisions have to be made. The Department of Culture, Media and Sport has today announced Free Swimming […]

By Nick Harris 17 June 2010 The president-elect of Barcelona, Sandro Rosell, will sanction an improved bid to buy Cesc Fabregas from Arsenal but not until he formally takes up his new position at the start of next month, and the bid – Barca’s second for the player – is not likely to exceed €40m […]

By Brian Sears 17 June 2010 England are the only country ranked inside the top eight nations in the world who perform worse at football than national income levels suggest they should, according to sportingintelligence analysis. Last week, we considered how countries fared in footballing terms in relation to the population resources at their disposal. […]

By Nick Harris 17 June 2010 NB: original story posted pre-11am, update below Portsmouth are expected to exit administration and begin re-building for the future after the formal acceptance today of an offer by the club’s administrators to creditors. Sportingintelligence understands that the club’s administrator has received “yes” votes from creditors acccounting for around 80 […]

** By Andy Cole 17 June 2010 Every team has now played at least one match at the World Cup and only one nation has really impressed me: Germany. It’s not just the goals they scored against Australia – and we’re all drawn to goals – but the way they went about their business in […]

By Pete Wilson 17 June 2010 With the release of the fixture list for 2010, bookmakers William Hill have made Chelsea the favourites for the Premier League title, with QPR favourites for the Championship. Southampton favourites for League One, Gilligham favourites for League Two. The full odds from Hills for 2010-11: PREMIER LEAGUE Win: 13/8 […]

By Nick Harris 17 June 2010 Blackpool, newcomers to the Premier League for 2010-11, will begin their first season in the division with a home game against Wigan Athletic on 14 August. The Lancashire Oranjie will then play their next match away at Arsenal. Blackpool’s final game in the Premier League (next season, perhaps for […]