Spain sitting pretty after World Cup draw
CAPE TOWN (AFP) - European champions Spain, favourites for the World Cup, will have a firm eye on potential opponents in the last 16 after being drawn with Honduras, Chile and Switzerland in Group H.
The Spanish, whose best World Cup performance was a fourth-place finish in 1950, will be making their 12th tournament appearance and have never lost to any of their three group rivals.
And the trio will likely suffer should Spain's exemplary qualifying prowess continue.
Spain, along with the Netherlands, were one of only two teams to qualify from the European zone unbeaten, notching up 10 wins, scoring 28 goals and conceding just five in the process.
The team's success has been based on quality and balance throughout a side dripping class.
Captain Iker Casillas is one of the world's finest goalkeepers, while Xavi is vital to Spain's fluid one-touch style with his inch-perfect passing and vision. Up front, Europe boasts no finer finishers than David Villa and Fernando Torres.
Rafael Callejas, head of the Honduran football federation, said much preparation lay ahead for his team, ranked 38th in the FIFA standings and set for only their second World Cup participation after their 1982 appearance when they went out in the first round.
"We face very high level teams in Spain, Switzerland and Chile," he said. "Honduras must prepare itself very well."
Honduras reached the finals in dramatic fashion thanks to a last-second equaliser in the USA's clash with Costa Rica, and will look to the professionalism of Colombian coach Reinaldo Rueda and evergreen striker Carlos Pavon to guide them through their pool campaign.
Fellow Hispanophones Chile, ranked 17th by FIFA and boasting the youngest average age of all the South American teams, make a return to the World Cup after a 12-year absence.
Coached by Argentinian veteran Marcelo Bielsa, Chile qualified behind Brazil in the South American zone with their steely resolve mirrored in an impressive away record.
Making up Group H are Switzerland, who reached the last 16 in 2006 before falling on penalties to Ukraine. They overcame a shocking 2-1 defeat to minnows Luxembourg to top their pool in European qualification.
The team, now coached by German Ottmar Hitzfeld, features a healthy blend of youth and experience, combining talented younger players such as Eren Derdiyok, Tranquillo Barnetta and keeper Diego Benaglio with seasoned campaigners like Alexander Frei and Blaise N'Kufo.
Spain sitting pretty after World Cup draw
CAPE TOWN (AFP) - European champions Spain, favourites for the World Cup, will have a firm eye on potential opponents in the last 16 after being drawn with Honduras, Chile and Switzerland in Group H.
The Spanish, whose best World Cup performance was a fourth-place finish in 1950, will be making their 12th tournament appearance and have never lost to any of their three group rivals.
And the trio will likely suffer should Spain's exemplary qualifying prowess continue.
Spain, along with the Netherlands, were one of only two teams to qualify from the European zone unbeaten, notching up 10 wins, scoring 28 goals and conceding just five in the process.
The team's success has been based on quality and balance throughout a side dripping class.
Captain Iker Casillas is one of the world's finest goalkeepers, while Xavi is vital to Spain's fluid one-touch style with his inch-perfect passing and vision. Up front, Europe boasts no finer finishers than David Villa and Fernando Torres.
Rafael Callejas, head of the Honduran football federation, said much preparation lay ahead for his team, ranked 38th in the FIFA standings and set for only their second World Cup participation after their 1982 appearance when they went out in the first round.
"We face very high level teams in Spain, Switzerland and Chile," he said. "Honduras must prepare itself very well."
Honduras reached the finals in dramatic fashion thanks to a last-second equaliser in the USA's clash with Costa Rica, and will look to the professionalism of Colombian coach Reinaldo Rueda and evergreen striker Carlos Pavon to guide them through their pool campaign.
Fellow Hispanophones Chile, ranked 17th by FIFA and boasting the youngest average age of all the South American teams, make a return to the World Cup after a 12-year absence.
Coached by Argentinian veteran Marcelo Bielsa, Chile qualified behind Brazil in the South American zone with their steely resolve mirrored in an impressive away record.
Making up Group H are Switzerland, who reached the last 16 in 2006 before falling on penalties to Ukraine. They overcame a shocking 2-1 defeat to minnows Luxembourg to top their pool in European qualification.
The team, now coached by German Ottmar Hitzfeld, features a healthy blend of youth and experience, combining talented younger players such as Eren Derdiyok, Tranquillo Barnetta and keeper Diego Benaglio with seasoned campaigners like Alexander Frei and Blaise N'Kufo.
Bayern up to third as Gomez, Badstuber strike
BERLIN (AFP) - Germany striker Mario Gomez hit his third goal in his third consecutive Bundesliga game on Friday night to help Bayern Munich seal a 2-1 win over Borussia Moenchengladbach to go third in the table.
The 24-year-old added to his strikes against Hanover and Leverkusen with a fine first-half strike before 20-year-old defender Holger Badstuber hit the winning goal after Borussia had equalised.
Bayern must win at Turin's Olympic Stadium against Juventus next Tuesday to book a place in the Champions League knockout stages and this win was a much needed confidence booster.
The result now leaves Louis van Gaal's Bayern third in the table and just three points behind league leaders Leverkusen and level with second-placed Werder Bremen on 27 points.
Leverkusen are at Hanover on Saturday, while Werder Bremen are at Cologne on Sunday.
Bayern have dramatically improved their league position with their second consecutive win and Gomez gave them the perfect start when he slotted home on 19 minutes having given Gladbach goalkeeper Logan Bailly no chance.
The visitors' Dutch defender Roel Brouwers equalised in the 28th minute, but Bayern's rising star Badstuber made sure of the three points with a 75th-minute direct free-kick.
Bayern up to third as Gomez, Badstuber strike
BERLIN (AFP) - Germany striker Mario Gomez hit his third goal in his third consecutive Bundesliga game on Friday night to help Bayern Munich seal a 2-1 win over Borussia Moenchengladbach to go third in the table.
The 24-year-old added to his strikes against Hanover and Leverkusen with a fine first-half strike before 20-year-old defender Holger Badstuber hit the winning goal after Borussia had equalised.
Bayern must win at Turin's Olympic Stadium against Juventus next Tuesday to book a place in the Champions League knockout stages and this win was a much needed confidence booster.
The result now leaves Louis van Gaal's Bayern third in the table and just three points behind league leaders Leverkusen and level with second-placed Werder Bremen on 27 points.
Leverkusen are at Hanover on Saturday, while Werder Bremen are at Cologne on Sunday.
Bayern have dramatically improved their league position with their second consecutive win and Gomez gave them the perfect start when he slotted home on 19 minutes having given Gladbach goalkeeper Logan Bailly no chance.
The visitors' Dutch defender Roel Brouwers equalised in the 28th minute, but Bayern's rising star Badstuber made sure of the three points with a 75th-minute direct free-kick.
Dutch courage not needed for Van Marwijk´s team
CAPE TOWN (AFP) - A red-hot qualifying campaign earned the Netherlands a seeding for the World Cup and coach Bert van Marwijk is happy with the way the draw panned out for his talented team.
The in-form Oranje go into next year's tournament against fellow Europeans Denmark, dangerous African opponents Cameroon and a Japan side that insists it can make the semi-finals.
But Van Marwijk's star-sprinkled team are clearly favourites to top the group and he made clear he was satisfied with the draw, despite also warning that they should not take their opponents lightly despite winning all eight of their qualifying games.
"A lot of people will probably think that we will make it to the next round without too much trouble. However, our opponents shouldn't be underestimated," he told Dutch journalists.
"We are drawn in a very interesting group. I'm glad that we start with a match in Johannesburg, close to where we will stay."
The Dutch will be making their ninth World Cup appearance, with runner-up spots during their heyday in the 1974 and 1978 tournaments the highlight so far.
But with players like Arjen Robben, Dirk Kuyt, Mark van Bommel and Robin van Persie at his disposal, Van Marwijk will fancy their chances of finally lifting the trophy, although they can be vulnerable at the back.
He must be careful of Denmark, who finished ahead of Portugal, Sweden and Hungary in qualifying, while Japan are tenacious and have made the round of 16 before.
"It will be the fourth World Cup finals for Japan and we are aiming for a top four spot. We don't intend to change our goal and we continue to aim for a top four spot," insisted Japan coach Takeshi Okada.
With the Dutch seemingly superior, ultimately it could be all about who finishes second and Paul Le Guen's Cameroon, whose appearance in South Africa will be a record sixth for an African nation, could sneak it.
The Africans can be physically intimidating and will be buoyed by 'home' support. They also boast three-time African Footballer of the Year Samuel Eto'o, who rivals Ivorian Didier Drogba as the best striker from the continent.
Cameroon, along with Senegal, have gone furthest of the African qualifiers for previous tournaments with the 'Indomitable Lions' reaching the last eight in 1990.
Dutch courage not needed for Van Marwijk´s team
CAPE TOWN (AFP) - A red-hot qualifying campaign earned the Netherlands a seeding for the World Cup and coach Bert van Marwijk is happy with the way the draw panned out for his talented team.
The in-form Oranje go into next year's tournament against fellow Europeans Denmark, dangerous African opponents Cameroon and a Japan side that insists it can make the semi-finals.
But Van Marwijk's star-sprinkled team are clearly favourites to top the group and he made clear he was satisfied with the draw, despite also warning that they should not take their opponents lightly despite winning all eight of their qualifying games.
"A lot of people will probably think that we will make it to the next round without too much trouble. However, our opponents shouldn't be underestimated," he told Dutch journalists.
"We are drawn in a very interesting group. I'm glad that we start with a match in Johannesburg, close to where we will stay."
The Dutch will be making their ninth World Cup appearance, with runner-up spots during their heyday in the 1974 and 1978 tournaments the highlight so far.
But with players like Arjen Robben, Dirk Kuyt, Mark van Bommel and Robin van Persie at his disposal, Van Marwijk will fancy their chances of finally lifting the trophy, although they can be vulnerable at the back.
He must be careful of Denmark, who finished ahead of Portugal, Sweden and Hungary in qualifying, while Japan are tenacious and have made the round of 16 before.
"It will be the fourth World Cup finals for Japan and we are aiming for a top four spot. We don't intend to change our goal and we continue to aim for a top four spot," insisted Japan coach Takeshi Okada.
With the Dutch seemingly superior, ultimately it could be all about who finishes second and Paul Le Guen's Cameroon, whose appearance in South Africa will be a record sixth for an African nation, could sneak it.
The Africans can be physically intimidating and will be buoyed by 'home' support. They also boast three-time African Footballer of the Year Samuel Eto'o, who rivals Ivorian Didier Drogba as the best striker from the continent.
Cameroon, along with Senegal, have gone furthest of the African qualifiers for previous tournaments with the 'Indomitable Lions' reaching the last eight in 1990.
England in World Cup comfort zone
CAPE TOWN (AFP) - They will not admit it publicly, but England will regard a group containing the United States, Algeria and Slovenia as just about as easy as they could have hoped for from the World Cup draw.
The United States won the only previous World Cup meeting between the two countries and their 1-0 win in Belo Horizonte, Brazil in 1950 still ranks as one of the greatest shocks in the history of the tournament.
But that remains the only time England have lost to their transatlantic allies and, despite the United States beating Spain on their way to the Confederations Cup final last year, it would be regarded as another upset if Bill Bradley's side were to take three points from the group opener in Rustenburg on June 12.
England have recent experience of playing both the United States -- who were comfortably outclassed in a 2-0 friendly defeat at Wembley in May 2008 -- and Slovenia, who created more problems in a 2-1 defeat at the same venue in September.
Algeria represent more of an unknown quantity with Fabio Capello admitting at the draw that he knew virtually nothing about a side that clinched their place in South Africa via an explosive play-off against Egypt, whom England are planning to play in March as part of their World Cup build-up.
Under Capello, England have regained the confidence that was drained from the squad as a result of their failure to reach Euro 2008 under the Italian's predecessor, Steve McClaren.
Friendly defeats by Brazil, France and Spain suggest Capello's squad remain a little short of matching the world's best but they have become efficient at disposing of second-tier nations.
A qualifying group that included highly-rated Croatia was navigated with ease, England winning nine of their ten matches and scoring 34 goals in the process.
Provided key players including Wayne Rooney, Steven Gerrard, Rio Ferdinand and John Terry are all fit, it is hard to see England failing to top the group.
FIFA's rankings -- which place the United States 14th in the world, Algeria 28th and Slovenia 33rd -- suggest Bradley's mix of veterans and new faces should join England in the second round.
But World Cups rarely respect the form book and Slovenia will go into the tournament on a high after pulling off a major upset by beating Russia in a play-off to clinch their place in the finals.
Drogba´s worst World Cup nightmare comes true
CAPE TOWN (AFP) - Didier Drogba had a wish not to face England in the first round of the 2010 World Cup granted here on Friday, but that is where his happiness ended.
Ivory Coast, considered the African nation capable of going furthest, drew Brazil, North Korea and Portugal in Group G, and the Chelsea striker must be wondering what his country have done to offend the football gods.
When the west African 'Elephants' qualified for their first World Cup in Germany three years ago, they got Argentina, Netherlands and Serbia and a raw team at the highest level made an inevitable first-round departure.
Now a similar fate awaits the Ivorians with Brazil and Portugal favoured to advance and the Africans possibly left with a third-place finish ahead of the mysterious men from the East, North Korea.
Drogba talked pre-draw of Ivory Coast reaching the semi-finals, but as he watched the draw in England, a last-four place must have been the last thing on his mind.
It is not that the 'Elephants' are lacking in stars with Drogba, fellow Chelsea striker Salomon Kalou, Barcelona midfielder Yaya Toure and his older brother and Manchester City defender Kolo on their roster.
But Brazil have won the World Cup a record six times and are already being branded favourites for the title alongside in-form European countries England and Spain.
Goalkeeper Julio Cesar, full-back Maicon, playmaker Kaka and striker Luis Fabiano are just some of the gems in a crown nurtured by coach Dunga, a former World Cup winner himself.
And years of heavy investment in youth is paying dividends for Portugal, who were runners-up in Euro 2004 and fourth behind Italy, France and Germany at the last World Cup.
Cristiano Ronaldo will drive a Portuguese armada determined to prove they are much better than a European campaign that needed home and away play-off victories over Bosnia-Herzegovina to secure qualification.
A South African journalist dismissed North Korea as a "students team" after a recent loss to local league leaders SuperSport United during a tour of the region that also featured a 4-1 drubbing at the hands of Zambia.
But dare anyone dismiss the 'Red Mosquitos' given a World Cup record that includes a stunning 1966 victory over Italy and a gallant 5-3 quarter-final loss to Portugal after leading by three goals?
Drogba´s worst World Cup nightmare comes true
CAPE TOWN (AFP) - Didier Drogba had a wish not to face England in the first round of the 2010 World Cup granted here on Friday, but that is where his happiness ended.
Ivory Coast, considered the African nation capable of going furthest, drew Brazil, North Korea and Portugal in Group G, and the Chelsea striker must be wondering what his country have done to offend the football gods.
When the west African 'Elephants' qualified for their first World Cup in Germany three years ago, they got Argentina, Netherlands and Serbia and a raw team at the highest level made an inevitable first-round departure.
Now a similar fate awaits the Ivorians with Brazil and Portugal favoured to advance and the Africans possibly left with a third-place finish ahead of the mysterious men from the East, North Korea.
Drogba talked pre-draw of Ivory Coast reaching the semi-finals, but as he watched the draw in England, a last-four place must have been the last thing on his mind.
It is not that the 'Elephants' are lacking in stars with Drogba, fellow Chelsea striker Salomon Kalou, Barcelona midfielder Yaya Toure and his older brother and Manchester City defender Kolo on their roster.
But Brazil have won the World Cup a record six times and are already being branded favourites for the title alongside in-form European countries England and Spain.
Goalkeeper Julio Cesar, full-back Maicon, playmaker Kaka and striker Luis Fabiano are just some of the gems in a crown nurtured by coach Dunga, a former World Cup winner himself.
And years of heavy investment in youth is paying dividends for Portugal, who were runners-up in Euro 2004 and fourth behind Italy, France and Germany at the last World Cup.
Cristiano Ronaldo will drive a Portuguese armada determined to prove they are much better than a European campaign that needed home and away play-off victories over Bosnia-Herzegovina to secure qualification.
A South African journalist dismissed North Korea as a "students team" after a recent loss to local league leaders SuperSport United during a tour of the region that also featured a 4-1 drubbing at the hands of Zambia.
But dare anyone dismiss the 'Red Mosquitos' given a World Cup record that includes a stunning 1966 victory over Italy and a gallant 5-3 quarter-final loss to Portugal after leading by three goals?
England in World Cup comfort zone
CAPE TOWN (AFP) - They will not admit it publicly, but England will regard a group containing the United States, Algeria and Slovenia as just about as easy as they could have hoped for from the World Cup draw.
The United States won the only previous World Cup meeting between the two countries and their 1-0 win in Belo Horizonte, Brazil in 1950 still ranks as one of the greatest shocks in the history of the tournament.
But that remains the only time England have lost to their transatlantic allies and, despite the United States beating Spain on their way to the Confederations Cup final last year, it would be regarded as another upset if Bill Bradley's side were to take three points from the group opener in Rustenburg on June 12.
England have recent experience of playing both the United States -- who were comfortably outclassed in a 2-0 friendly defeat at Wembley in May 2008 -- and Slovenia, who created more problems in a 2-1 defeat at the same venue in September.
Algeria represent more of an unknown quantity with Fabio Capello admitting at the draw that he knew virtually nothing about a side that clinched their place in South Africa via an explosive play-off against Egypt, whom England are planning to play in March as part of their World Cup build-up.
Under Capello, England have regained the confidence that was drained from the squad as a result of their failure to reach Euro 2008 under the Italian's predecessor, Steve McClaren.
Friendly defeats by Brazil, France and Spain suggest Capello's squad remain a little short of matching the world's best but they have become efficient at disposing of second-tier nations.
A qualifying group that included highly-rated Croatia was navigated with ease, England winning nine of their ten matches and scoring 34 goals in the process.
Provided key players including Wayne Rooney, Steven Gerrard, Rio Ferdinand and John Terry are all fit, it is hard to see England failing to top the group.
FIFA's rankings -- which place the United States 14th in the world, Algeria 28th and Slovenia 33rd -- suggest Bradley's mix of veterans and new faces should join England in the second round.
But World Cups rarely respect the form book and Slovenia will go into the tournament on a high after pulling off a major upset by beating Russia in a play-off to clinch their place in the finals.
It won´t be easy, warns Domenech
CAPE TOWN (AFP) - France coach Raymond Domenech scoffed at suggestions that his side had drawn an easy group in the World Cup here on Friday.
The French will go up against hosts South Africa, Mexico and Uruguay next June and will be favourites to top the group.
But Domenech said there were pitfalls for his side.
"We have landed the hosts and that is never easy. We will be playing away from home," he said.
"It will be the third match up in the group stages for us and there will be all to play for. It will not be easy
"It just isn't as simple as that. Everyone will have us down as favourites, but I don't know what they base that on. We will see how that stands when it is all over.
"The groups are well balanced and there is no real Group of Death this time. You can never be sure. We have seen so many surprises in the past."
The French were fortunate to make it through to the World Cup finals, with Thierry Henry's now notorious handball helping to haul his side past the qualification line in the playoff against Ireland in Paris last month.
Domenech as well has been the subject of constant criticism on the domestic front for his tactics and choice of players and there were further calls for him to be sacked after the Ireland game.
That will not be the case and Domenech, who took the French all the way to the World Cup final against Italy in Berlin four years ago, said he was eager to get going in South Africa.
"All the players are up for it," he said. "It will be the first World Cup in Africa. The emotion, the atmosphere and all that represents and to play the hosts, that is something else. That gives me great satisfaction."
Turning to the two Latin American sides, Domenech said that France had played both recently.
"That won't be easy either. You think you are doing well against them, but they have this capacity to put you to sleep and they have players with technical skills well above the average."
It won´t be easy, warns Domenech
CAPE TOWN (AFP) - France coach Raymond Domenech scoffed at suggestions that his side had drawn an easy group in the World Cup here on Friday.
The French will go up against hosts South Africa, Mexico and Uruguay next June and will be favourites to top the group.
But Domenech said there were pitfalls for his side.
"We have landed the hosts and that is never easy. We will be playing away from home," he said.
"It will be the third match up in the group stages for us and there will be all to play for. It will not be easy
"It just isn't as simple as that. Everyone will have us down as favourites, but I don't know what they base that on. We will see how that stands when it is all over.
"The groups are well balanced and there is no real Group of Death this time. You can never be sure. We have seen so many surprises in the past."
The French were fortunate to make it through to the World Cup finals, with Thierry Henry's now notorious handball helping to haul his side past the qualification line in the playoff against Ireland in Paris last month.
Domenech as well has been the subject of constant criticism on the domestic front for his tactics and choice of players and there were further calls for him to be sacked after the Ireland game.
That will not be the case and Domenech, who took the French all the way to the World Cup final against Italy in Berlin four years ago, said he was eager to get going in South Africa.
"All the players are up for it," he said. "It will be the first World Cup in Africa. The emotion, the atmosphere and all that represents and to play the hosts, that is something else. That gives me great satisfaction."
Turning to the two Latin American sides, Domenech said that France had played both recently.
"That won't be easy either. You think you are doing well against them, but they have this capacity to put you to sleep and they have players with technical skills well above the average."
Formidable challenge for Parreira and South Africa
CAPE TOWN (AFP) - Carlos Alberto Parreira will make a fourth attempt to lead a country other than his native Brazil into the second round of the World Cup when he guides hosts South Africa at the 2010 finals.
The other efforts bore little fruit with Kuwait (1982), the United Arab Emirates (1990) and Saudi Arabia (1998) making first-round exits without winning a match.
He did not even get a chance to complete his first-round schedule with the Saudis, who fired the South American after two losses in France condemned them to an early flight home.
Parreira, a 66-year-old who steered Brazil to the 1994 title and the quarter-finals three years ago, has Mexico, Uruguay and France as Group A first-round rivals after the Friday draw in Cape Town.
The draw could have been worse, but it could also have been a lot kinder to a host nation who have had a miserable year, winning one of their last 11 matches and scoring just 10 goals in 18 outings.
It is not the form to send shivers down spines in Mexico City, Montevideo and Paris, and Parreira is banking heavily on a March training camp in his homeland to rectify wrongs.
But hopes of getting his Europe-based stars like Portsmouth midfielder Aaron Mokoena, Everton wide man Steven Pienaar and Blackburn Rovers striker Benni McCarthy released on non-FIFA dates are unlikely to be realised.
McCarthy, who drifts in and out of the national team like a yo-yo, staged his latest comeback in goalless home friendlies against Japan and Jamaica last month.
Ring rusty through lack of game time with his English Premier League club, McCarthy did not get a single chance in either game to enhance a self-proclaimed reputation as a deadly finisher.
If a goal drought is the biggest concern for Parreira, his worries do not end there, with big midfield hope Teko Modise badly off form and the defence prone to conceding goals from set pieces.
South Africa made their World Cup debut at the 1998 tournament and lost 3-0 to hosts France in Marseille with Pierra Issa conceding two own goals, so there is a score to settle in their June 22 Bloemfontein clash.
Bafana Bafana took a hiding from Mexico in a United States-based tournament and fought a dull goalless friendly draw with Uruguay in Johannesburg last year.
Sky brightens for Argentina after kind draw
CAPE TOWN (AFP) - After a qualifying campaign plagued by acrimony and embarrassment, Argentina can look to the 2010 World Cup with hope after being drawn in a group with South Korea, Nigeria and Greece on Friday.
The events of a turbulent 18 months have given Argentine fans little to cheer, but in newly crowned European Footballer of the Year Lionel Messi they boast the world's best player, while their squad is thick with guile and top-level experience.
Diego Maradona was the only national coach absent from Friday's draw in Cape Town due to the FIFA ban imposed upon him because of his abusive rant at the media in the wake of the 1-0 win over Uruguay that secured qualification.
One of the world's all-time greats as a player, Maradona led his country to the 1986 World Cup title and then the final in Italy four years later, but as a coach he has cut an erratic and controversial figure.
"I tell my players that 30 days of sacrifice for the chance to kiss the World Cup is nothing in the life of a man," he said.
"An achievement like that is like touching the sky. I played in World Cups and I reached two finals. I know what it takes."
Argentina qualified despite a humiliating 6-1 loss at altitude in Bolivia and a first ever home qualifying defeat to Brazil, but underwhelming recent form is something of a feature in Group B.
South Korea, semi-finalists on home soil in 2002, overcame a sluggish start under new coach Huh Jung-Moo but eventually qualified with two games to spare to reach their eighth finals - an Asian record.
"We were drawn in the so-called Group of Death in Asian qualifying and we made it through," said Huh.
"We believe we can do the job again in South Africa. I will go back to South Korea and start working on our strategy."
Nigeria are not the force that captivated the world at the 1998 tournament, when players like Jay-Jay Okocha and Sunday Oliseh illuminated their participation, but in Everton's Joseph Yobo, Chelsea's John Mikel Obi and Wolfsburg's Obafemi Martins they possess a steely spine.
Greece edged Ukraine by a single goal in their qualifying play-off after finishing behind Switzerland in a less than daunting group.
Otto Rehhagel, the man who masterminded their stunning Euro 2004 success, remains at the helm and can call upon seasoned veterans from the Euro adventure as well as 10-goal European qualifying zone top scorer Theofanis Gekas.
Sky brightens for Argentina after kind draw
CAPE TOWN (AFP) - After a qualifying campaign plagued by acrimony and embarrassment, Argentina can look to the 2010 World Cup with hope after being drawn in a group with South Korea, Nigeria and Greece on Friday.
The events of a turbulent 18 months have given Argentine fans little to cheer, but in newly crowned European Footballer of the Year Lionel Messi they boast the world's best player, while their squad is thick with guile and top-level experience.
Diego Maradona was the only national coach absent from Friday's draw in Cape Town due to the FIFA ban imposed upon him because of his abusive rant at the media in the wake of the 1-0 win over Uruguay that secured qualification.
One of the world's all-time greats as a player, Maradona led his country to the 1986 World Cup title and then the final in Italy four years later, but as a coach he has cut an erratic and controversial figure.
"I tell my players that 30 days of sacrifice for the chance to kiss the World Cup is nothing in the life of a man," he said.
"An achievement like that is like touching the sky. I played in World Cups and I reached two finals. I know what it takes."
Argentina qualified despite a humiliating 6-1 loss at altitude in Bolivia and a first ever home qualifying defeat to Brazil, but underwhelming recent form is something of a feature in Group B.
South Korea, semi-finalists on home soil in 2002, overcame a sluggish start under new coach Huh Jung-Moo but eventually qualified with two games to spare to reach their eighth finals - an Asian record.
"We were drawn in the so-called Group of Death in Asian qualifying and we made it through," said Huh.
"We believe we can do the job again in South Africa. I will go back to South Korea and start working on our strategy."
Nigeria are not the force that captivated the world at the 1998 tournament, when players like Jay-Jay Okocha and Sunday Oliseh illuminated their participation, but in Everton's Joseph Yobo, Chelsea's John Mikel Obi and Wolfsburg's Obafemi Martins they possess a steely spine.
Greece edged Ukraine by a single goal in their qualifying play-off after finishing behind Switzerland in a less than daunting group.
Otto Rehhagel, the man who masterminded their stunning Euro 2004 success, remains at the helm and can call upon seasoned veterans from the Euro adventure as well as 10-goal European qualifying zone top scorer Theofanis Gekas.
Formidable challenge for Parreira and South Africa
CAPE TOWN (AFP) - Carlos Alberto Parreira will make a fourth attempt to lead a country other than his native Brazil into the second round of the World Cup when he guides hosts South Africa at the 2010 finals.
The other efforts bore little fruit with Kuwait (1982), the United Arab Emirates (1990) and Saudi Arabia (1998) making first-round exits without winning a match.
He did not even get a chance to complete his first-round schedule with the Saudis, who fired the South American after two losses in France condemned them to an early flight home.
Parreira, a 66-year-old who steered Brazil to the 1994 title and the quarter-finals three years ago, has Mexico, Uruguay and France as Group A first-round rivals after the Friday draw in Cape Town.
The draw could have been worse, but it could also have been a lot kinder to a host nation who have had a miserable year, winning one of their last 11 matches and scoring just 10 goals in 18 outings.
It is not the form to send shivers down spines in Mexico City, Montevideo and Paris, and Parreira is banking heavily on a March training camp in his homeland to rectify wrongs.
But hopes of getting his Europe-based stars like Portsmouth midfielder Aaron Mokoena, Everton wide man Steven Pienaar and Blackburn Rovers striker Benni McCarthy released on non-FIFA dates are unlikely to be realised.
McCarthy, who drifts in and out of the national team like a yo-yo, staged his latest comeback in goalless home friendlies against Japan and Jamaica last month.
Ring rusty through lack of game time with his English Premier League club, McCarthy did not get a single chance in either game to enhance a self-proclaimed reputation as a deadly finisher.
If a goal drought is the biggest concern for Parreira, his worries do not end there, with big midfield hope Teko Modise badly off form and the defence prone to conceding goals from set pieces.
South Africa made their World Cup debut at the 1998 tournament and lost 3-0 to hosts France in Marseille with Pierra Issa conceding two own goals, so there is a score to settle in their June 22 Bloemfontein clash.
Bafana Bafana took a hiding from Mexico in a United States-based tournament and fought a dull goalless friendly draw with Uruguay in Johannesburg last year.
Upbeat Japan insist semi-final goal still on
CAPE TOWN (AFP) - Upbeat Japan coach Takeshi Okada insisted Friday making the semi-finals of the World Cup next year remained a realistic goal after they were drawn against the Netherlands, Cameroon and Denmark.
Japan have never made it past the round of 16 in three previous attempts and open their fourth World Cup campaign in Bloemfontein against Cameroon on June 14.
"I think all the opposition countries are rated above us in a sense, but they are within a range that we can cope with. I think the group is not so bad," Okada told reporters.
"It will be the fourth World Cup finals for Japan and we are aiming for a top four spot. We don't intend to change our goal and we continue to aim for a top four spot."
The goal is widely seen as unrealistic and former coach Ivica Osim, who had to step down due to illness in 2007, said the Blue Samurai must not get their hopes up too high.
"The bigger the expectations, the bigger the disappointment," the Bosnian told Japanese media ahead of the draw.
"Japan is capable of pulling off a surprise, but to get to where Japan is trying to go, they will need a trampoline," he added.
"You can jump three meters, five meters in the air with a trampoline, but one has to understand how to use a trampoline in the first place.
"So the question is -- will Japan be able to figure out how to use a trampoline?"
Upbeat Japan insist semi-final goal still on
CAPE TOWN (AFP) - Upbeat Japan coach Takeshi Okada insisted Friday making the semi-finals of the World Cup next year remained a realistic goal after they were drawn against the Netherlands, Cameroon and Denmark.
Japan have never made it past the round of 16 in three previous attempts and open their fourth World Cup campaign in Bloemfontein against Cameroon on June 14.
"I think all the opposition countries are rated above us in a sense, but they are within a range that we can cope with. I think the group is not so bad," Okada told reporters.
"It will be the fourth World Cup finals for Japan and we are aiming for a top four spot. We don't intend to change our goal and we continue to aim for a top four spot."
The goal is widely seen as unrealistic and former coach Ivica Osim, who had to step down due to illness in 2007, said the Blue Samurai must not get their hopes up too high.
"The bigger the expectations, the bigger the disappointment," the Bosnian told Japanese media ahead of the draw.
"Japan is capable of pulling off a surprise, but to get to where Japan is trying to go, they will need a trampoline," he added.
"You can jump three meters, five meters in the air with a trampoline, but one has to understand how to use a trampoline in the first place.
"So the question is -- will Japan be able to figure out how to use a trampoline?"
Spain wary of Brazil or Portugal in last 16
MADRID (AFP) - World Cup favourites Spain feared a potential clash with Brazil or Portugal in the last 16 after being handed a seemingly straightforward group in the draw for the finals in South Africa on Friday.
The European champions, FIFA's top-ranked team, are joined by fellow Hispanic nations Honduras and Chile in Group H, along with Switzerland, in the draw made in Cape Town.
Spain have never lost to any of the three.
"We can't complain or be happy," said coach Vicente del Bosque. "But each team has its qualities -- Honduras is a good team, Chile is a great team and Switzerland will be a difficult rival.
"But we can't think about the second round, we must qualify first."
Valencia striker David Villa, Spain's Euro 2008 Golden Boot winner, said Chile, who finished second behind Brazil in the South American qualifying group, would be the toughest match in the round-robin stage.
But he warned that "the next stage will be most difficult," referring to Spain's potential second-round confrontation with the winners or runners-up of Group G, which includes Brazil and Portugal.
Spain's goalkeeper Iker Casillas also urged caution.
"It looks like we were lucky, in terms of other possible rivals. But we must respect all the teams and not think that we have nine points in the bag," said the Real Madrid star.
"Spain has a moral obligation to be in the second round... The next stage is the way it is, we will have to play some big matches to reach the final."
"On paper, Chile is the most difficult of the group, then the last 16 will be difficult," said Valencia winger Juan Mata.
"Our first goal must be win the first two matches against Honduras and Switzerland."
His teammate Pablo Hernandez agreed that "it's not a bad group, but the pairing after that will be difficult".
Real Madrid's Brazilian star Kaka dubbed Group G, "the Group of Death", as it also includes Ivory Coast and the unknown quantity of North Korea.
Real's Portuguese striker Cristiano Ronaldo also admitted it would be "a very difficult group. But it doesn't matter, we can't complain. I'm not happy, but that's the way it is," he told a news conference in Madrid.
Spain face Switzerland on June 16 in Durban, then Honduras in Johannesburg five days later before playing Chile in Pretoria on June 25.
Spain, who won their qualifying group with a 100-percent record, beat Chile 3-0 in a friendly last November.
Spain wary of Brazil or Portugal in last 16
MADRID (AFP) - World Cup favourites Spain feared a potential clash with Brazil or Portugal in the last 16 after being handed a seemingly straightforward group in the draw for the finals in South Africa on Friday.
The European champions, FIFA's top-ranked team, are joined by fellow Hispanic nations Honduras and Chile in Group H, along with Switzerland, in the draw made in Cape Town.
Spain have never lost to any of the three.
"We can't complain or be happy," said coach Vicente del Bosque. "But each team has its qualities -- Honduras is a good team, Chile is a great team and Switzerland will be a difficult rival.
"But we can't think about the second round, we must qualify first."
Valencia striker David Villa, Spain's Euro 2008 Golden Boot winner, said Chile, who finished second behind Brazil in the South American qualifying group, would be the toughest match in the round-robin stage.
But he warned that "the next stage will be most difficult," referring to Spain's potential second-round confrontation with the winners or runners-up of Group G, which includes Brazil and Portugal.
Spain's goalkeeper Iker Casillas also urged caution.
"It looks like we were lucky, in terms of other possible rivals. But we must respect all the teams and not think that we have nine points in the bag," said the Real Madrid star.
"Spain has a moral obligation to be in the second round... The next stage is the way it is, we will have to play some big matches to reach the final."
"On paper, Chile is the most difficult of the group, then the last 16 will be difficult," said Valencia winger Juan Mata.
"Our first goal must be win the first two matches against Honduras and Switzerland."
His teammate Pablo Hernandez agreed that "it's not a bad group, but the pairing after that will be difficult".
Real Madrid's Brazilian star Kaka dubbed Group G, "the Group of Death", as it also includes Ivory Coast and the unknown quantity of North Korea.
Real's Portuguese striker Cristiano Ronaldo also admitted it would be "a very difficult group. But it doesn't matter, we can't complain. I'm not happy, but that's the way it is," he told a news conference in Madrid.
Spain face Switzerland on June 16 in Durban, then Honduras in Johannesburg five days later before playing Chile in Pretoria on June 25.
Spain, who won their qualifying group with a 100-percent record, beat Chile 3-0 in a friendly last November.
Ancelotti keen to avoid repeat of title race meltdown
COBHAM, England (AFP) - Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti admits he knows from the bitter experience that the Premier League title race is far from over despite his side's healthy lead at the top of the table.
Ancelotti has a golden opportunity to win the league in his first season in England as the Blues headed into this weekend's fixtures five points clear of second placed Manchester United.
The Italian has masterminded victories over all of Chelsea's big four rivals, with their 3-0 win at Arsenal triggering a deluge of praise for Ancelotti and his players.
But the former AC Milan and Juventus coach has no intention of planning his title party just yet.
He only has to think about to 2000, when his Juventus team squandered a nine-point lead in Serie A to gift the title to Sven Goran Eriksson's Lazio on the final day of the season, to remember how much can change in the final weeks of the campaign.
"In 2000 with Juventus we had a nine point lead and we lost the title in the last game. It was a difficult holiday after that," Ancelotti said.
"I don't know what happened. It was not easy to recover when we lost points in the end. Lazio won the title with Sven Goran Eriksson, so I helped him get the England job. But I never received any money for it!"
Although Ancelotti is widely regarded as one of the best coaches in Europe after leading Milan to two Champions League triumphs, the 50-year-old has only won a domestic league title once during his managerial career - with Milan in 2004.
He may never have a better chance to double that tally. With Liverpool and Arsenal wobbling, Chelsea have the experience and depth of squad to end United's three-year reign as champions.
Ancelotti insists there would be no repeat of that Juventus meltdown with his current squad, who possess the experience and strength in depth to last the pace.
"I would like to arrive at the last eight games with nine points more than the next time this season. I think it is difficult to repeat the same situation," he said.
"All the teams are behind us at the moment, although they can still have a possibility to return to the top."
Key to Chelsea's title challenge will be the form and fitness of captain John Terry, whose magnificent display in the win at Arsenal emphasised the England defender's importance to the Blues.
Manchester City were prepared to give Terry 200,000 pounds a week to tempt him to Eastlands in the close-season, but the centre-back eventually snubbed their offer and Ancelotti believes the man he compares to Milan legend Paolo Maldini will never leave Stamford Bridge.
"I never thought in the close season that John Terry would go to play for another club. He is the symbol of this club," Ancelotti said.
"It was not neccessary to speak with him because he wanted to stay at Chelsea.
"I hope for him and I hope for Chelsea he will spend his whole career here.
"His behaviour shows that he is a fantastic captain. You can compare John Terry with Paolo Maldini. They are the same, they have the same technical and leadership quality.
"He doesn't have a physical problem. He can do a very long career like Maldini.
"John Terry for me is not a surprise. As a player and a man he is as I thought.
"I am happy because players like John are a big advantage for a coach. The other players have a very good example to follow. To know what to do on the training ground they just have to look at how John works."
Ancelotti keen to avoid repeat of title race meltdown
COBHAM, England (AFP) - Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti admits he knows from the bitter experience that the Premier League title race is far from over despite his side's healthy lead at the top of the table.
Ancelotti has a golden opportunity to win the league in his first season in England as the Blues headed into this weekend's fixtures five points clear of second placed Manchester United.
The Italian has masterminded victories over all of Chelsea's big four rivals, with their 3-0 win at Arsenal triggering a deluge of praise for Ancelotti and his players.
But the former AC Milan and Juventus coach has no intention of planning his title party just yet.
He only has to think about to 2000, when his Juventus team squandered a nine-point lead in Serie A to gift the title to Sven Goran Eriksson's Lazio on the final day of the season, to remember how much can change in the final weeks of the campaign.
"In 2000 with Juventus we had a nine point lead and we lost the title in the last game. It was a difficult holiday after that," Ancelotti said.
"I don't know what happened. It was not easy to recover when we lost points in the end. Lazio won the title with Sven Goran Eriksson, so I helped him get the England job. But I never received any money for it!"
Although Ancelotti is widely regarded as one of the best coaches in Europe after leading Milan to two Champions League triumphs, the 50-year-old has only won a domestic league title once during his managerial career - with Milan in 2004.
He may never have a better chance to double that tally. With Liverpool and Arsenal wobbling, Chelsea have the experience and depth of squad to end United's three-year reign as champions.
Ancelotti insists there would be no repeat of that Juventus meltdown with his current squad, who possess the experience and strength in depth to last the pace.
"I would like to arrive at the last eight games with nine points more than the next time this season. I think it is difficult to repeat the same situation," he said.
"All the teams are behind us at the moment, although they can still have a possibility to return to the top."
Key to Chelsea's title challenge will be the form and fitness of captain John Terry, whose magnificent display in the win at Arsenal emphasised the England defender's importance to the Blues.
Manchester City were prepared to give Terry 200,000 pounds a week to tempt him to Eastlands in the close-season, but the centre-back eventually snubbed their offer and Ancelotti believes the man he compares to Milan legend Paolo Maldini will never leave Stamford Bridge.
"I never thought in the close season that John Terry would go to play for another club. He is the symbol of this club," Ancelotti said.
"It was not neccessary to speak with him because he wanted to stay at Chelsea.
"I hope for him and I hope for Chelsea he will spend his whole career here.
"His behaviour shows that he is a fantastic captain. You can compare John Terry with Paolo Maldini. They are the same, they have the same technical and leadership quality.
"He doesn't have a physical problem. He can do a very long career like Maldini.
"John Terry for me is not a surprise. As a player and a man he is as I thought.
"I am happy because players like John are a big advantage for a coach. The other players have a very good example to follow. To know what to do on the training ground they just have to look at how John works."
Ignore Juve, beat Gladbach demands Bayern boss
BERLIN (AFP) - Bayern Munich coach Louis van Gaal has ordered his side to forget next week's Champions League clash at Juventus and concentrate on closing the gap to Bundesliga leaders Bayer Leverkusen.
Bayern must beat Juventus at Turin's Olympic Stadium next Tuesday to ensure they reach the Champions League knockout stages, but Friday's German league clash with Borussia Moenchengladbach is far more pressing for van Gaal.
Munich are six points behind Leverkusen and the Dutchman is ordering his side to focus on their next game.
"The mark of a top professional is the ability to concentrate on the next game, which is Gladbach. Juventus has to wait," said van Gaal on the eve of the Allianz Arena clash.
"The really decisive match is against Moenchengladbach. By the mid-season break, I hope we?re no more than six points behind Leverkusen, and perhaps fewer."
Van Gaal's side has climbed to fourth in the table behind Leverkusen, Werder Bremen and Schalke 04.
After Gladbach, who have won just once in 41 league visits to Munich, Bayern play relegation-threatened Bochum away and bottom club Hertha Berlin at home before the winter break starts on December 20.
On current form, Gladbach appear to pose the most serious threat.
Borussia are the team of the moment in the Bundesliga with eleven points from their last five games, including victories in Hamburg and at home to Schalke in their most recent outings.
"They?re on a roll," acknowledged Van Gaal.
"They?re very well organised, and they defend by closing down space, which is something we?ve always had trouble with. I hope we find the key to unlock their defence and surprise them."
An important factor will be current strike pairing Mario Gomez and Ivica Olic, scorers of four of Bayern's last five goals.
"The feeling you should never write Bayern off has returned," said Gomez.
"You play very different football when you?re confident."
Dutch winger Arjen Robben will be on the substitutes bench and van Gaal expects to give him around 30 minutes of game time after four weeks out following surgery.
Robben last played a half of football back in early November in a 1-1 draw with Schalke, but has been sidelined by persistent knee problems ever since.
Leaders Leverkusen are waiting on the fitness of ex-Germany defender Manuel Friedrich, who is struggling with a calf strain, ahead of their match at Hanover on Saturday.
"It would be a pity (if he can't play), he has had an excellent season," said coach Jupp Heynckes. "We will see how he is closer to the game."
Third-placed Schalke have Brazilian defender Marcelo Bordon back after suffering from the 'flu as the Royal Blues prepare to host bottom side Hertha Berlin, who are six points adrift.
Fixures
Friday (1930GMT)
Bayern Munich v Borussia Moenchengladbach
Saturday (1430GMT unless otherwise stated)
VfL Wolfsburg v Freiburg, VfB Stuttgart v VfL Bochum, Hamburg v Hoffenheim, Borussia Dortmund v Nuremberg, Hanover 96 v Bayer Leverkusen, Eintracht Frankfurt v Mainz 05 (1730GMT)
Sunday
Cologne v Werder Bremen (1430GMT), Schalke 04 v Hertha Berlin (1630GMT)
Bleak mid-winter looms for Arsenal
LONDON (AFP) - Arsene Wenger has long cherished his reputation as one of English football's great sages, but he will take no great satisfaction in seeing his most recent prediction born out.
Asked at the start of last month where he felt this season's title race would be won and lost, the Arsenal manager was unequivocal in his response.
"November is important," he said. "Traditionally it has not been a good month for us, but I explain that by the fact we had more injuries, it is the first period when they kick in. It depends on the fixtures too - you can have two or three difficult games in November."
Now, as he stands on the cusp of the traditionally frantic festive period, Wenger can reflect gloomily on how history has repeated itself.
Arsenal's title challenge, which appeared in rude health just four weeks ago, has suffered two devastating blows thanks to defeats at Sunderland and, more pointedly, at home to Chelsea, results which have left them 11 points adrift of their west London rivals ahead of Saturday's home game with Stoke City.
Even the club's famed youngsters have seen their progress checked in the most brutal fashion courtesy of a 3-0 League Cup quarter-final reverse at Manchester City.
Combine all that with serious injuries to Robin van Persie, Arsenal's most potent attacker this season, and the reliable left-back Gael Clichy, and a season which promised so much is already teetering on the brink.
Next year, Wenger might just be tempted to relocate his summer holiday to the dank autumn days of November.
The Frenchman has been his usual bullish self in the face of a fresh wave of scepticism over various aspects of his managerial methodology: the reluctance to spend heavily in the transfer market, the almost complete absence of rugged physicality in a squad overladen with small, scampering attackers, the dogged refusal to field his senior players in the League Cup and thus by-pass another chance to end a trophy drought which already stretches back to 2005.
Wenger has always been fiercely principled but there have been occasions in recent weeks when his determination to defend his methods has come across as self-delusional.
His refusal to acknowledge the performance of Didier Drogba after the defeat to Chelsea was remarkable for a man whose views on the tactical and technical nuances of the game are so renowned, while his sulky reaction to the defeat at City on Wednesday - Wenger stomped down the players' tunnel without bothering to shake hands with his opposite number, Mark Hughes - was graceless.
Arsenal supporters are not turning on Wenger - indeed, it is hard to imagine a day when they do so in significant numbers.
But it is debatable how long they will be prepared to pay the eye-watering prices routinely charged at the Emirates stadium in return for watching a team with no realistic hopes of winning a major prize.
Wenger might yet come under pressure to overhaul his rigid footballing philosophy next summer.
For all their recent troubles, Arsenal should still have enough to account for Stoke on Saturday. The Potters might boast the kind of strong-arm tactics which can traditionally ruffle the feathers of Wenger's dainty team, but slip-ups on home soil remain a rarity for the Gunners.
Stoke are also notoriously poor travellers, having won just once away from the Britannia stadium all season, although they have taken heart from Arsenal's slump in form.
"I'm hoping that it will play into our hands," Andy Wilkinson, the defender, said. "But you don't know, you don't want the backlash of it. We'll need to be right at the top of our game.
"Our away performances are much better than last year. We're going to places, we're believing in ourselves and we're not letting the occasion get the better of us. But by no means is it going to be an easy game for us."
Bleak mid-winter looms for Arsenal
LONDON (AFP) - Arsene Wenger has long cherished his reputation as one of English football's great sages, but he will take no great satisfaction in seeing his most recent prediction born out.
Asked at the start of last month where he felt this season's title race would be won and lost, the Arsenal manager was unequivocal in his response.
"November is important," he said. "Traditionally it has not been a good month for us, but I explain that by the fact we had more injuries, it is the first period when they kick in. It depends on the fixtures too - you can have two or three difficult games in November."
Now, as he stands on the cusp of the traditionally frantic festive period, Wenger can reflect gloomily on how history has repeated itself.
Arsenal's title challenge, which appeared in rude health just four weeks ago, has suffered two devastating blows thanks to defeats at Sunderland and, more pointedly, at home to Chelsea, results which have left them 11 points adrift of their west London rivals ahead of Saturday's home game with Stoke City.
Even the club's famed youngsters have seen their progress checked in the most brutal fashion courtesy of a 3-0 League Cup quarter-final reverse at Manchester City.
Combine all that with serious injuries to Robin van Persie, Arsenal's most potent attacker this season, and the reliable left-back Gael Clichy, and a season which promised so much is already teetering on the brink.
Next year, Wenger might just be tempted to relocate his summer holiday to the dank autumn days of November.
The Frenchman has been his usual bullish self in the face of a fresh wave of scepticism over various aspects of his managerial methodology: the reluctance to spend heavily in the transfer market, the almost complete absence of rugged physicality in a squad overladen with small, scampering attackers, the dogged refusal to field his senior players in the League Cup and thus by-pass another chance to end a trophy drought which already stretches back to 2005.
Wenger has always been fiercely principled but there have been occasions in recent weeks when his determination to defend his methods has come across as self-delusional.
His refusal to acknowledge the performance of Didier Drogba after the defeat to Chelsea was remarkable for a man whose views on the tactical and technical nuances of the game are so renowned, while his sulky reaction to the defeat at City on Wednesday - Wenger stomped down the players' tunnel without bothering to shake hands with his opposite number, Mark Hughes - was graceless.
Arsenal supporters are not turning on Wenger - indeed, it is hard to imagine a day when they do so in significant numbers.
But it is debatable how long they will be prepared to pay the eye-watering prices routinely charged at the Emirates stadium in return for watching a team with no realistic hopes of winning a major prize.
Wenger might yet come under pressure to overhaul his rigid footballing philosophy next summer.
For all their recent troubles, Arsenal should still have enough to account for Stoke on Saturday. The Potters might boast the kind of strong-arm tactics which can traditionally ruffle the feathers of Wenger's dainty team, but slip-ups on home soil remain a rarity for the Gunners.
Stoke are also notoriously poor travellers, having won just once away from the Britannia stadium all season, although they have taken heart from Arsenal's slump in form.
"I'm hoping that it will play into our hands," Andy Wilkinson, the defender, said. "But you don't know, you don't want the backlash of it. We'll need to be right at the top of our game.
"Our away performances are much better than last year. We're going to places, we're believing in ourselves and we're not letting the occasion get the better of us. But by no means is it going to be an easy game for us."
Ignore Juve, beat Gladbach demands Bayern boss
BERLIN (AFP) - Bayern Munich coach Louis van Gaal has ordered his side to forget next week's Champions League clash at Juventus and concentrate on closing the gap to Bundesliga leaders Bayer Leverkusen.
Bayern must beat Juventus at Turin's Olympic Stadium next Tuesday to ensure they reach the Champions League knockout stages, but Friday's German league clash with Borussia Moenchengladbach is far more pressing for van Gaal.
Munich are six points behind Leverkusen and the Dutchman is ordering his side to focus on their next game.
"The mark of a top professional is the ability to concentrate on the next game, which is Gladbach. Juventus has to wait," said van Gaal on the eve of the Allianz Arena clash.
"The really decisive match is against Moenchengladbach. By the mid-season break, I hope we?re no more than six points behind Leverkusen, and perhaps fewer."
Van Gaal's side has climbed to fourth in the table behind Leverkusen, Werder Bremen and Schalke 04.
After Gladbach, who have won just once in 41 league visits to Munich, Bayern play relegation-threatened Bochum away and bottom club Hertha Berlin at home before the winter break starts on December 20.
On current form, Gladbach appear to pose the most serious threat.
Borussia are the team of the moment in the Bundesliga with eleven points from their last five games, including victories in Hamburg and at home to Schalke in their most recent outings.
"They?re on a roll," acknowledged Van Gaal.
"They?re very well organised, and they defend by closing down space, which is something we?ve always had trouble with. I hope we find the key to unlock their defence and surprise them."
An important factor will be current strike pairing Mario Gomez and Ivica Olic, scorers of four of Bayern's last five goals.
"The feeling you should never write Bayern off has returned," said Gomez.
"You play very different football when you?re confident."
Dutch winger Arjen Robben will be on the substitutes bench and van Gaal expects to give him around 30 minutes of game time after four weeks out following surgery.
Robben last played a half of football back in early November in a 1-1 draw with Schalke, but has been sidelined by persistent knee problems ever since.
Leaders Leverkusen are waiting on the fitness of ex-Germany defender Manuel Friedrich, who is struggling with a calf strain, ahead of their match at Hanover on Saturday.
"It would be a pity (if he can't play), he has had an excellent season," said coach Jupp Heynckes. "We will see how he is closer to the game."
Third-placed Schalke have Brazilian defender Marcelo Bordon back after suffering from the 'flu as the Royal Blues prepare to host bottom side Hertha Berlin, who are six points adrift.
Fixures
Friday (1930GMT)
Bayern Munich v Borussia Moenchengladbach
Saturday (1430GMT unless otherwise stated)
VfL Wolfsburg v Freiburg, VfB Stuttgart v VfL Bochum, Hamburg v Hoffenheim, Borussia Dortmund v Nuremberg, Hanover 96 v Bayer Leverkusen, Eintracht Frankfurt v Mainz 05 (1730GMT)
Sunday
Cologne v Werder Bremen (1430GMT), Schalke 04 v Hertha Berlin (1630GMT)
Mixed emotions as Gerrard joins 500 club
BLACKBURN (AFP) - Steven Gerrard will make his 500th Liverpool appearance at Blackburn on Saturday but the England midfielder will be in no mood to celebrate after admitting his side's Premier League challenge for the title is effectively over.
The England midfielder will reach the personal milestone against the same side he faced on his debut as a gawky teenager 11 years ago, with Liverpool looking to follow-up last weekend's Merseyside derby win and strengthen their hopes of a top four finish.
Gerrard admits league leaders Chelsea are in pole position to push on for the title and that Liverpool will find it almost impossible to bridge the 13-point gap that currently exists between his side and Carlo Ancelotti's.
But he is confident that, with Fernando Torres due to return from a groin problem, the Reds can go on a run that will secure Champions League qualification at the very least.
"It means everything to me personally to get to 500 games because I'm a local boy," Gerrard said.
"My dream when I was young was always just to play one game for Liverpool, so to reach this milestone is a really proud moment for myself and my family.
"Around the time I made my debut my dad was always saying to me 'you are so close to getting your chance'. I was just praying that chance came along.
"At the time we had injuries to big players like Steve McManaman and Paul Ince and I managed to sneak on as a sub. That was against Blackburn and now 500 games later I'll be starting as captain against them this weekend.
"I've had an amazing career so far and hopefully it will continue to go the same way. I'm living the dream. But we have to be realistic, and at the moment we're out of the title race.
"There is a lot of football to be played but Chelsea are looking really strong. Our main target now is to get back in the top four. We're on the back of a fantastic win against Everton and we want to continue that against Blackburn.
"We were so close last season, but with virtually the same group of players we have under-achieved so far this season. What we've learned is that if you under perform you will fall behind as we've done.
"But I've got total belief in my team-mates that moving forward we can challenge for it. It has been too long since the club won the title and because it's missing from my collection it's the one I?m most desperate for. It's a very difficult trophy to win but we won't stop trying."
Blackburn manager Sam Allardyce will return to frontline management following minor heart surgery with a smile on his face following his side's thrilling League Cup victory over Chelsea in midweek.
How long it stays there remains to be seen considering Rafa Benitez will be in the opposite dug out. The duo fell out at Anfield last season when Allardyce accused the Spaniard of being disrespectful towards him and the Blackburn boss will be desperate to gain revenge.
Blackburn are only five points clear of the relegation zone but goalkeeper Paul Robinson believes confidence will be bolstered by the penalty shoot-out win over Chelsea in midweek which has put the club into the League Cup semi-finals.
"Bring on Liverpool!" Robinson said. "The cup run is a huge boost for our confidence. Okay, that wasn't Chelsea's first-team, but it was still a pretty decent side they had out.
"We did a good job on them and now we have Liverpool on Saturday and they will not be looking forward to that.
"It will be a difficult game but they won't be too keen on playing us in this form and at Ewood where our record has been fantastic.
"We always have confidence now at home, so we do not have any fears about Liverpool coming here next."
Mixed emotions as Gerrard joins 500 club
BLACKBURN (AFP) - Steven Gerrard will make his 500th Liverpool appearance at Blackburn on Saturday but the England midfielder will be in no mood to celebrate after admitting his side's Premier League challenge for the title is effectively over.
The England midfielder will reach the personal milestone against the same side he faced on his debut as a gawky teenager 11 years ago, with Liverpool looking to follow-up last weekend's Merseyside derby win and strengthen their hopes of a top four finish.
Gerrard admits league leaders Chelsea are in pole position to push on for the title and that Liverpool will find it almost impossible to bridge the 13-point gap that currently exists between his side and Carlo Ancelotti's.
But he is confident that, with Fernando Torres due to return from a groin problem, the Reds can go on a run that will secure Champions League qualification at the very least.
"It means everything to me personally to get to 500 games because I'm a local boy," Gerrard said.
"My dream when I was young was always just to play one game for Liverpool, so to reach this milestone is a really proud moment for myself and my family.
"Around the time I made my debut my dad was always saying to me 'you are so close to getting your chance'. I was just praying that chance came along.
"At the time we had injuries to big players like Steve McManaman and Paul Ince and I managed to sneak on as a sub. That was against Blackburn and now 500 games later I'll be starting as captain against them this weekend.
"I've had an amazing career so far and hopefully it will continue to go the same way. I'm living the dream. But we have to be realistic, and at the moment we're out of the title race.
"There is a lot of football to be played but Chelsea are looking really strong. Our main target now is to get back in the top four. We're on the back of a fantastic win against Everton and we want to continue that against Blackburn.
"We were so close last season, but with virtually the same group of players we have under-achieved so far this season. What we've learned is that if you under perform you will fall behind as we've done.
"But I've got total belief in my team-mates that moving forward we can challenge for it. It has been too long since the club won the title and because it's missing from my collection it's the one I?m most desperate for. It's a very difficult trophy to win but we won't stop trying."
Blackburn manager Sam Allardyce will return to frontline management following minor heart surgery with a smile on his face following his side's thrilling League Cup victory over Chelsea in midweek.
How long it stays there remains to be seen considering Rafa Benitez will be in the opposite dug out. The duo fell out at Anfield last season when Allardyce accused the Spaniard of being disrespectful towards him and the Blackburn boss will be desperate to gain revenge.
Blackburn are only five points clear of the relegation zone but goalkeeper Paul Robinson believes confidence will be bolstered by the penalty shoot-out win over Chelsea in midweek which has put the club into the League Cup semi-finals.
"Bring on Liverpool!" Robinson said. "The cup run is a huge boost for our confidence. Okay, that wasn't Chelsea's first-team, but it was still a pretty decent side they had out.
"We did a good job on them and now we have Liverpool on Saturday and they will not be looking forward to that.
"It will be a difficult game but they won't be too keen on playing us in this form and at Ewood where our record has been fantastic.
"We always have confidence now at home, so we do not have any fears about Liverpool coming here next."
Big guns return as United face Hammers test
LONDON (AFP) - Sir Alex Ferguson is poised to recall his big guns when Manchester United travel to Upton Park on a mission to keep in touch with Chelsea at the top of the Premier League table.
Ferguson fielded a youthful side in the midweek League Cup victory over Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford and was rewarded as the likes of Danny Welbeck, Darron Gibson, Federico Macheda, Gabriel Obertan and Ritchie de Laet impressed in United's comfortable passage to the semi-finals.
The Scot has been full of praise for those who have stepped up to the plate, and critical of those who who have dared to suggest the players in question might not meet the high standards required at Old Trafford.
Yet it is doubtful Ferguson will trust any of them enough to hand them regular exposure to the tough demands of the Premier League, mainly because United's margin for error in the title race is minimal given the five-point advantage Chelsea currently hold at the top of the table.
The exception could be Gibson, whose two goals in midweek have presented Ferguson with a selection dilemma.
The Ireland midfielder has shown he is ready for a continued run in the team but the problem Ferguson faces is accommodating him in an area of the side where he is spoilt for choice.
The recent form of Anderson and Michael Carrick has dipped and these two could be the most vulnerable should Ferguson decide to hand Gibson another chance to impress in a line-up that will see Wayne Rooney, Ryan Giggs, Darren Fletcher and possibly Paul Scholes return.
Veteran defender Gary Neville believes the midweek display against Spurs was proof that United have another golden generation of young stars on their books and he argued that those on the fringes should now be considered an integral part of United's first team squad.
"I don't think they're younger players," Neville said. "They're playing for their countries and they deserve to be there by right.
"They're Premier League players of that quality, although they're obviously developing.
"It's going to be difficult to go all the way in the League Cup, but we're in the semi-finals again and we want to continue to do well this year."
Having struggled badly earlier in the season, West Ham have moved out of the relegation zone by winning two of their last four matches and, like Ferguson, manager Gianfranco Zola is reaping the benefit of giving homegrown young players their chance.
Few of the Hammers proteges have impressed more than winger Zavon Hines, who is relishing the chance to test himself against the champions.
The Jamaican-born forward is not lacking in confidence and insists he will not be overawed by the reputations of the players he will come up against on Saturday.
"I am looking forward to the game and it doesn't matter who you play. When Arsenal came here we were really up for it and came back from 2-0 down so I'm happy to take on anyone.
"Every time I come on I feel happy because not a lot of people get into my position. Playing for West Ham is a big thing for me and every time I play I get more confidence."
Hines is set to start on Saturday with West Ham's England striker Carlton Cole sidelined by a knee ligament injury. Swiss midfielder Valon Behrami is also out and Zola is sweating on the availability of Matthew Upson, who is struggling with a hamstring problem.
Big guns return as United face Hammers test
LONDON (AFP) - Sir Alex Ferguson is poised to recall his big guns when Manchester United travel to Upton Park on a mission to keep in touch with Chelsea at the top of the Premier League table.
Ferguson fielded a youthful side in the midweek League Cup victory over Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford and was rewarded as the likes of Danny Welbeck, Darron Gibson, Federico Macheda, Gabriel Obertan and Ritchie de Laet impressed in United's comfortable passage to the semi-finals.
The Scot has been full of praise for those who have stepped up to the plate, and critical of those who who have dared to suggest the players in question might not meet the high standards required at Old Trafford.
Yet it is doubtful Ferguson will trust any of them enough to hand them regular exposure to the tough demands of the Premier League, mainly because United's margin for error in the title race is minimal given the five-point advantage Chelsea currently hold at the top of the table.
The exception could be Gibson, whose two goals in midweek have presented Ferguson with a selection dilemma.
The Ireland midfielder has shown he is ready for a continued run in the team but the problem Ferguson faces is accommodating him in an area of the side where he is spoilt for choice.
The recent form of Anderson and Michael Carrick has dipped and these two could be the most vulnerable should Ferguson decide to hand Gibson another chance to impress in a line-up that will see Wayne Rooney, Ryan Giggs, Darren Fletcher and possibly Paul Scholes return.
Veteran defender Gary Neville believes the midweek display against Spurs was proof that United have another golden generation of young stars on their books and he argued that those on the fringes should now be considered an integral part of United's first team squad.
"I don't think they're younger players," Neville said. "They're playing for their countries and they deserve to be there by right.
"They're Premier League players of that quality, although they're obviously developing.
"It's going to be difficult to go all the way in the League Cup, but we're in the semi-finals again and we want to continue to do well this year."
Having struggled badly earlier in the season, West Ham have moved out of the relegation zone by winning two of their last four matches and, like Ferguson, manager Gianfranco Zola is reaping the benefit of giving homegrown young players their chance.
Few of the Hammers proteges have impressed more than winger Zavon Hines, who is relishing the chance to test himself against the champions.
The Jamaican-born forward is not lacking in confidence and insists he will not be overawed by the reputations of the players he will come up against on Saturday.
"I am looking forward to the game and it doesn't matter who you play. When Arsenal came here we were really up for it and came back from 2-0 down so I'm happy to take on anyone.
"Every time I come on I feel happy because not a lot of people get into my position. Playing for West Ham is a big thing for me and every time I play I get more confidence."
Hines is set to start on Saturday with West Ham's England striker Carlton Cole sidelined by a knee ligament injury. Swiss midfielder Valon Behrami is also out and Zola is sweating on the availability of Matthew Upson, who is struggling with a hamstring problem.
Crosas cheered by Celtic improvement
GLASGOW (AFP) - Marc Crosas believes Celtic are slowly reaching the standards new boss Tony Mowbray has demanded of them as they prepare for Saturday's visit of Aberdeen.
The mood around Celtic Park has been downbeat in recent weeks as the Hoops struggled for consistency, while they were eliminated from the Europa League despite defeating Hapoel Tel-Aviv at home on Wednesday.
But following last weekend's win over St Mirren in the Scottish Premier League and a good performance in their 2-0 victory against Hapoel, the midfielder is confident Celtic can put together a run of wins on the domestic front to remain top of the table.
"I thought we played very well against Hapoel," explained the former Barcelona player.
"We have had other good performances already this season but this was certainly one of our better displays. After winning at the weekend against St Mirren, it was good to build on that with a win over Hapoel.
"And it is now our hope that we can continue to win games. We want to go on a run of games where we keep winning as we know we must now focus on the title and trying to win the league this season. That is our aim.
"I feel we have good players and are a good side and we are showing that now which is very pleasing."
Crosas and his team-mates will face an Aberdeen side in confident mood after their 1-0 win over rivals Rangers at Pittodrie last weekend.
It has been nearly 30 years since the Dons recorded back-to-back-wins over the Old Firm, but Crosas said the Hoop have also been buoyed by their recent performances and will be looking for their third home win in a row.
"Aberdeen will be full of confidence after winning that game," he said. "But so are we as we have just enjoyed two good victories and also two good performances. So we will go into the game feeling good about ourselves.
"Of course, it will be a difficult game. But we will be hoping to take all three points and keep ourselves at the top of the SPL table."
Celtic will be without Scott Brown and Shaun Maloney due to injury but goalkeeper Artur Boruc could make his return after a long lay-off.
In the early kick-off, Rangers will have to pick themselves up from last weekend's defeat - their first in the league since March - for their visit to bottom club Falkirk.
Walter Smith's side could go top and put the pressure on Celtic with a win but the Bairns are brimming with confidence after picking up their first win of the season against Hamilton last week.
Smith says his side can't afford to be slow coming out the blocks.
"I don't think it's a physical thing because we had plenty of time after Tuesday to recover and if it was tiredness it would hit us at the end of games rather than the start," the Rangers manager said.
"It's more of a mental thing than anything else and when you have had disappointing performances in big games, like the Champions League ones at home, then it does have an effect.
"But we've had enough warnings this season and I mentioned a number of times in the run-up to Aberdeen that we couldn't afford to be slow to start."
David Weir, 39, will make his 100th appearance for Rangers when he leads the side out against old club Falkirk.
Elsewhere on Saturday, Hibernian take on Motherwell, Dundee United face St Mirren and Kilmarnock are away to St Johnstone.
On Sunday, Hamilton, who are just one point off the relegation zone, take on Hearts at New Douglas Park.
Fixtures (1500GMT unless otherwise stated)
Saturday
Celtic v Aberdeen, Dundee United v St Mirren, Falkirk v Rangers (1230GMT), Hibernian v Motherwell, St Johnstone v Kilmarnock
Sunday (1245GMT)
Hamilton v Hearts
Ronaldo and Real aim to put Clasico behind them
MADRID (AFP) - Still reeling from their painful derby defeat at Barcelona in 'El Clasico', Real Madrid will hope for some home comfort on Saturday when they entertain Almeria at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Real claimed a moral victory from the Barcelona loss with many citing it as their best display of the season, but it was Barca who took the points and the Catalans now lead their rivals by five points after winning 2-0 at Xerez in Wednesday's rescheduled match.
"We showed we were at Barcelona's level at Camp Nou and this is the path we want to follow," said Real defender Pepe. "We didn't come away with any points but took lots of confidence.
"We are going to fight for the title right until the death because both sides will drop points. The important thing is to be strong physically and mentally right until the end."
Almeria coach Hugo Sanchez, the former Mexico star, won five league titles as a Real Madrid player and is likely to field a defensive line-up in a bid to frustrate his former employers.
Real have struggled to take the game to opponents this season, although the return of Cristiano Ronaldo will certainly help and the Portuguese sensation is expected to play more than the hour he managed against Barcelona.
Barcelona are still unbeaten in the league this season but face a tough trip to high-flying Deportivo La Coruna on Saturday in what is their third game in a week.
The champions had to dig deep to defeat Xerez in a match brought forward due to their participation in the FIFA World Club Cup in mid-December.
"We have five games left before Christmas and a lot to play for," said coach Pep Guardiola. "We had to take a step forward because we start on Saturday against one of the best teams in the league."
The recovering Lionel Messi, buoyant after winning the Ballon D'or, and Zlatan Ibrahimovic were second-half substitutes against Xerez but could return to the starting line-up at the Riazor stadium.
Ibrahimovic followed up his winner against Real by coming off the bench again to score a delightful chip against Xerez and is the club's top scorer with nine goals.
Depor are going strong in fifth and Brazilian left-back Filipe Luis faces Barca for the first time since they tried to sign him in the summer, with the move collapsing over what Guardiola felt was an inflated transfer fee.
"A lot of people think I want to prove something to Barcelona but I have nothing to prove," said Luis. "They brought in my friend and a top player in Maxwell. He is happy there and I am happy here."
Sevilla, who were drawn against holders Barcelona in the King's Cup, are seven points off the top of the table with a game in hand and host Valladolid on Saturday.
Valencia are on the up but have a tough trip to Athletic Bilbao on Sunday and must do without Spanish international midfielder David Silva, who is out until the New Year with a knee injury.
Valencia are fourth, three points behind second-placed Real, after going 14 games unbeaten in all competitions.
Elsewhere, Atletico Madrid coach Quique Sanchez Flores will hope his side build on their 4-0 win over Espanyol and continue to move away from the relegation zone when they travel to basement boys Xerez.
Fixtures
Saturday (1700GMT unless otherwise stated)
Sevilla v Valladolid, Xerez v Atletico Madrid, Real Madrid v Almeria (1900GMT), Deportivo La Coruna v Barcelona (2100GMT)
Sunday (1600 GMT unless otherwise stated)
Tenerife v Sporting Gijon, Espanyol v Racing Santander, Real Mallorca v Real Zaragoza, Malaga v Osasuna, Villarreal v Getafe (1800GMT), Athletic Bilbao v Valencia (2000GMT)
Ronaldo and Real aim to put Clasico behind them
MADRID (AFP) - Still reeling from their painful derby defeat at Barcelona in 'El Clasico', Real Madrid will hope for some home comfort on Saturday when they entertain Almeria at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Real claimed a moral victory from the Barcelona loss with many citing it as their best display of the season, but it was Barca who took the points and the Catalans now lead their rivals by five points after winning 2-0 at Xerez in Wednesday's rescheduled match.
"We showed we were at Barcelona's level at Camp Nou and this is the path we want to follow," said Real defender Pepe. "We didn't come away with any points but took lots of confidence.
"We are going to fight for the title right until the death because both sides will drop points. The important thing is to be strong physically and mentally right until the end."
Almeria coach Hugo Sanchez, the former Mexico star, won five league titles as a Real Madrid player and is likely to field a defensive line-up in a bid to frustrate his former employers.
Real have struggled to take the game to opponents this season, although the return of Cristiano Ronaldo will certainly help and the Portuguese sensation is expected to play more than the hour he managed against Barcelona.
Barcelona are still unbeaten in the league this season but face a tough trip to high-flying Deportivo La Coruna on Saturday in what is their third game in a week.
The champions had to dig deep to defeat Xerez in a match brought forward due to their participation in the FIFA World Club Cup in mid-December.
"We have five games left before Christmas and a lot to play for," said coach Pep Guardiola. "We had to take a step forward because we start on Saturday against one of the best teams in the league."
The recovering Lionel Messi, buoyant after winning the Ballon D'or, and Zlatan Ibrahimovic were second-half substitutes against Xerez but could return to the starting line-up at the Riazor stadium.
Ibrahimovic followed up his winner against Real by coming off the bench again to score a delightful chip against Xerez and is the club's top scorer with nine goals.
Depor are going strong in fifth and Brazilian left-back Filipe Luis faces Barca for the first time since they tried to sign him in the summer, with the move collapsing over what Guardiola felt was an inflated transfer fee.
"A lot of people think I want to prove something to Barcelona but I have nothing to prove," said Luis. "They brought in my friend and a top player in Maxwell. He is happy there and I am happy here."
Sevilla, who were drawn against holders Barcelona in the King's Cup, are seven points off the top of the table with a game in hand and host Valladolid on Saturday.
Valencia are on the up but have a tough trip to Athletic Bilbao on Sunday and must do without Spanish international midfielder David Silva, who is out until the New Year with a knee injury.
Valencia are fourth, three points behind second-placed Real, after going 14 games unbeaten in all competitions.
Elsewhere, Atletico Madrid coach Quique Sanchez Flores will hope his side build on their 4-0 win over Espanyol and continue to move away from the relegation zone when they travel to basement boys Xerez.
Fixtures
Saturday (1700GMT unless otherwise stated)
Sevilla v Valladolid, Xerez v Atletico Madrid, Real Madrid v Almeria (1900GMT), Deportivo La Coruna v Barcelona (2100GMT)
Sunday (1600 GMT unless otherwise stated)
Tenerife v Sporting Gijon, Espanyol v Racing Santander, Real Mallorca v Real Zaragoza, Malaga v Osasuna, Villarreal v Getafe (1800GMT), Athletic Bilbao v Valencia (2000GMT)
Crosas cheered by Celtic improvement
GLASGOW (AFP) - Marc Crosas believes Celtic are slowly reaching the standards new boss Tony Mowbray has demanded of them as they prepare for Saturday's visit of Aberdeen.
The mood around Celtic Park has been downbeat in recent weeks as the Hoops struggled for consistency, while they were eliminated from the Europa League despite defeating Hapoel Tel-Aviv at home on Wednesday.
But following last weekend's win over St Mirren in the Scottish Premier League and a good performance in their 2-0 victory against Hapoel, the midfielder is confident Celtic can put together a run of wins on the domestic front to remain top of the table.
"I thought we played very well against Hapoel," explained the former Barcelona player.
"We have had other good performances already this season but this was certainly one of our better displays. After winning at the weekend against St Mirren, it was good to build on that with a win over Hapoel.
"And it is now our hope that we can continue to win games. We want to go on a run of games where we keep winning as we know we must now focus on the title and trying to win the league this season. That is our aim.
"I feel we have good players and are a good side and we are showing that now which is very pleasing."
Crosas and his team-mates will face an Aberdeen side in confident mood after their 1-0 win over rivals Rangers at Pittodrie last weekend.
It has been nearly 30 years since the Dons recorded back-to-back-wins over the Old Firm, but Crosas said the Hoop have also been buoyed by their recent performances and will be looking for their third home win in a row.
"Aberdeen will be full of confidence after winning that game," he said. "But so are we as we have just enjoyed two good victories and also two good performances. So we will go into the game feeling good about ourselves.
"Of course, it will be a difficult game. But we will be hoping to take all three points and keep ourselves at the top of the SPL table."
Celtic will be without Scott Brown and Shaun Maloney due to injury but goalkeeper Artur Boruc could make his return after a long lay-off.
In the early kick-off, Rangers will have to pick themselves up from last weekend's defeat - their first in the league since March - for their visit to bottom club Falkirk.
Walter Smith's side could go top and put the pressure on Celtic with a win but the Bairns are brimming with confidence after picking up their first win of the season against Hamilton last week.
Smith says his side can't afford to be slow coming out the blocks.
"I don't think it's a physical thing because we had plenty of time after Tuesday to recover and if it was tiredness it would hit us at the end of games rather than the start," the Rangers manager said.
"It's more of a mental thing than anything else and when you have had disappointing performances in big games, like the Champions League ones at home, then it does have an effect.
"But we've had enough warnings this season and I mentioned a number of times in the run-up to Aberdeen that we couldn't afford to be slow to start."
David Weir, 39, will make his 100th appearance for Rangers when he leads the side out against old club Falkirk.
Elsewhere on Saturday, Hibernian take on Motherwell, Dundee United face St Mirren and Kilmarnock are away to St Johnstone.
On Sunday, Hamilton, who are just one point off the relegation zone, take on Hearts at New Douglas Park.
Fixtures (1500GMT unless otherwise stated)
Saturday
Celtic v Aberdeen, Dundee United v St Mirren, Falkirk v Rangers (1230GMT), Hibernian v Motherwell, St Johnstone v Kilmarnock
Sunday (1245GMT)
Hamilton v Hearts
PSG look to turn up the heat on Bordeaux
PARIS (AFP) - Paris Saint-Germain will be looking to prove their title aspirations as the winter break draws closer by toppling leaders Bordeaux in the French league on Saturday.
The Parisians are coming off two straight wins against Auxerre and Boulogne in the past week, which has seen them move up to seventh in the table.
But they face a tough task at Bordeaux, who marched two points clear of Lyon with a 3-0 win at Nancy last weekend.
Bordeaux have 28 points from 14 games with Lyon on 26 points, ahead of Auxerre on goal difference. PSG are six points behind the leaders.
The victory over Nancy ended a sticky run of two straight domestic losses which the Girondins will be keen to reverse.
PSG skipper Claude Makelele emphasised the importance of Saturday's game given his side's track record at the Stade Chaban-Delmas, where they have claimed just one win in the past decade.
"We have two days ahead of Bordeaux. We have to regroup. The most important thing is our fighting spirit. We mustn't lose that. It's what makes a team win and what we need the most," said Makelele.
And PSG coach Antoine Kombouare warned against over-confidence after their 5-2 win against second-from-bottom Boulogne in mid-week.
"Bordeaux aren't Boulogne. We'll go there with more confidence but against the French champions it will be difficult," he said.
Bordeaux will be boosted however by the return of French international playmaker Yoann Gourcuff following a groin strain which kept him out of their last three games, but Brazilian defender Henrique (knee) remains doubtful.
Montpellier, meanwhile, are back to action after swine flu resulted in nine players being quarantined and their last match against Monaco being postponed.
The southern side, currently fifth, four points behind Bordeaux with a game in hand, are training again after three days behind closed doors.
They will be hoping to avoid any ill-effects against relegation-threatened Le Mans, after just two matches in November due to the international break and the swine flu outbreak.
"Our biggest worry is to know how the bedridden players will recuperate," said physical coach Nicolas Girard.
Elsewhere on Saturday, Monaco, sitting ninth, travel to Valenciennes as fourth-placed Lorient visit fellow Brittany outfit Rennes. Marseille travel along the coast to Nice and Saint Etienne host Sochaux.
On Sunday, Lyon bid to get back to winning ways at 13th-placed Lille after failing to win any of their last five matches.
Lyon midfielder Jean II Makoun said they were trying to put the last month behind them.
"Given the results obviously we're not very happy," he said.
"We have to try and forget November, remain united and not get discouraged. We need to take points, to find the game that allowed us to play well at the beginning of the season."
Auxerre, without Polish international striker Ireneusz Jelen because of a torn bicep, host Nancy, as Boulogne look to pick themselves up against visiting Lens and bottom club Grenoble host Toulouse.
Fixtures
Saturday (1800GMT unless otherwise stated)
Valenciennes v Monaco, Saint Etienne v Sochaux, Rennes v Lorient, Nice v Marseille, Montpellier v Le Mans, Bordeaux v Paris Saint-Germain (2000GMT)
Sunday (1600GMT unless otherwise stated)