Mancini’s fast starters will give Jussi a hard time

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For today’s bet we’re chasing big odds and tip-toeing our way into an exotic market that rewards bravery: the half-time correct score. The match in question is Manchester City versus Bolton.

The Citizens continue to look a bit rubbish on the road but they almost always do the business at Eastlands, winning seven on the spin and going unbeaten there all season.

Roberto Mancini and his scarf have graced the dugout at three home league

Posted: February 9th, 2010 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment

Revenge is on the cards for Man City and Carlos Tevez

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Who would have thought it: the new-and-improved Newcastle rediscovered their old habit of disappointing to deliver a blow to the chickendinner wallet last night. Not to worry, we’ve found another team who aren’t exactly famous for their reliability to try to get back on track.

It’s been years since there was a Carling Cup semi-final clash as eagerly anticipated as tonight’s Manchester derby at Eastlands and we’re betting on Manchester City’s utter desperation to take home the trophy, and the likelihood of them fielding a stronger team, being enough to ensure that they

Posted: January 19th, 2010 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment

Jose Mourinho falls short and Fulham lose at home again

Five stats about Wednesday night’s football

1. Roberto Mancini had no problem winning Serie A so the main reason Jose Mourinho was brought in to replace him as Inter boss was to achieve European success. However, Mourinho went out last night at the same stage the Italian champions fell in each of Mancini’s last two seasons.

2. And there has been no domestic improvement either. Inter are a point worse off than they were at this stage last season, despite last year’s runners-up Roma struggling down in sixth.

3. Fulham have gone from losing just one home game in ten-and-a-half months to being beaten three times in the space of eight days at Craven Cottage.

Posted: March 13th, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment

Who are the media expecting to take charge at the Bridge?

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chickendinner have our ears locked firmly to the ground in order to pass on all the latest whispers about who will succeed Luiz Felipe Scolari at Stamford Bridge. However, as our round-up below shows, it’s hard to rule anyone out:

Sky Sports say that either Guus Hiddink or Avram Grant will be hired within 24 hours
[Sky Sports]

But in Russia they are “200 percent” certain Hiddink will stay put
[Setanta Sports]

Elsewhere there are reports Gianfranco Zola and Steve Clarke will be appointed by this afternoon
[sport.co.uk]

Former Barcelona boss Frank Rijkaard will consider any approach from the Blues
[Sporting Life]

While Roberto Mancini was spotted boarding a tube near Chelsea recently
[The Spoiler]

Posted: February 10th, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment

The five favourites to succeed Mark Hughes at Man City

4/1 Mourinho leads a host of big names in the betting

In the summer, Mark Hughes was one of the frontrunners to take Jose Mourinho’s old job at Chelsea but just five months after Sparky took charge of Manchester City, Mourinho has been installed as the favourite to succeed him. Here’s our take on the frontrunners in SkyBet’s market:

Jose Mourinho 4/1
It’s only five months since Mourinho took charge of Inter Milan yet he finds himself in the curious position of simultaneously being favourite to become the next manager of Manchester City and Manchester United. The former Chelsea boss became the first man ever to win the Premier League in his first season but do City really want a manager who will turn their exciting young attacking talent into flair-free workhorses?

Frank Rijkaard 5/1
Two years ago Rijkaard guided Barcelona to a La Liga/Champions League double but his stock has plummeted since then and he was axed earlier this year after a run of just three wins in thirteen league games saw Barca finish trophyless in third. The fact his inexperienced successor Josep Guardiola has instantly taken the Catalan club to the top spot while scoring seventeen goals in their last three home games makes you wonder where the Dutchman was going wrong.

Roberto Mancini 5/1
The Italian kindly ended Inter Milan’s seventeen year wait for the title by winning three in a row (the first of which was handed to them after Juventus’ enforced relegation and Milan’s points deduction) but his reward for such drastic over-achievement was the sack this summer. The best jobs he’s been linked to recently have been at West Ham and QPR so he would probably jump at the chance to manage Manchester City.

Posted: November 12th, 2008 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment