Last year's all-English Champions League final should have come as no surprise.

The money and power of the Premier League means England is the dominant force in European club football and in Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal they have four genuine contenders for the continent's top prize.

Totesport are quite right to want to swerve the Premier League's Big Four and are running for cover by making an English winner odds-on.

Sky Bet don't seem as convinced though. They dangle 13/8 about England being the winning nation again and that looks a price that has to be smashed into.

English sides have won it twice in the last four years and also provided the last three losing finalists. Drill down another layer and you find four more losing English semi-finalists.

For the last two seasons, England have got three of their big guns into the semis so this dominance is growing stronger and stronger. With a favourable draw, who would be surprised to see the full house of two all-English semi-finals?

It seems that AC Milan and Barcelona apart the cream of Europe has wilted in this English onslaught.

Real Madrid haven't progressed beyond the last 16 for the last four years, Inter Milan have been hopeless and the likes of Bayern, Juventus, Roma and Lyon have been swept aside before the business end.

Inter are 7/1 third favourites in many books this year and that looks crazily short given how they've capitulated in recent seasons when taken out of the comfort zone of Serie A.

But at least they're in it! AC Milan haven't even qualified this season so one obvious threat to the English dominance has been removed.

Barcelona meanwhile have started the new Primera Liga season poorly under new coach Pep Guardiola, taking just one point from the opening two games.

Sure they have an abundance of talent on paper but as was so often the case throughout last season, they can be very frustrating to watch when it doesn't quite click.

They were toothless against Manchester United in both of their semi-final legs in the previous campaign and we're not convinced they are worth backing, even at 8/1, given the power of the English clubs.

In the tournament top scorer markets, it's no surprise to see last season's winner Cristiano Ronaldo as the 10/1 favourite with Sky Bet to repeat the feat.

The Manchester United star netted eight times throughout their successful European campaign - two clear of his nearest rivals - including a fine header in the final against Chelsea.

The big question this year is can he keep up his sensational record in front of goal? Or, indeed, will he need to?

One of the main talking points at Old Trafford had been the need for a genuine goalscoring striker as there was seemingly too much reliance on Ronaldo to deliver the goods due to the relatively barren spells of hard-working duo Carlos Tevez and Wayne Rooney.

With the Potuguese winger's injury ruling him out for the start of the season, the Red Devils were in desperate need of a big summer signing and at long last they finally got their man - Dimitar Berbatov.

The former Tottenham favourite, who is no stranger to the European scene, will spearhead United's quest for back-to-back Champions League titles and we're expecting him to make a mockery of his 12/1 price with Sky Bet.

In last season's UEFA Cup he scored five times despite Spurs being knocked out of the competition in the last 16 and of course this time there's the distinct possibility of plenty more matches.

If Berbatov produces the same kind of quality we've grown accustomed to, there's a chance Ronaldo won't be so urgently forcing his way onto the scoresheet like he had to last year and that's why we're siding with the Bulgarian.

He's got two cracking opportunities against Danish side Aalborg to give himself a real boost up the standings while it's still unclear as to when exactly Ronaldo will be fit enough to make his Champions League bow.

Even if he returns earlier than planned, it might take him a significant amount of time to reproduce his best form.

Another leading candidate is Fernando Torres, who is a best of 11/1 with Blue Square, but while there is no doubting the Spaniard's talents, Liverpool's group is tough and it's asking a lot for them to go quite as far as United.

Real Madrid poacher Ruud van Nistelrooy is also up there in the betting, as are the Barcelona duo of Lionel Messi and Samuel Eto'o and you'd have to say they'll all be threats to us if the Primera Liga 'big two' progress far.

But as we mentioned earlier, Real's recent form in the Champions League is suspect while you never know quite what you're going to get with Eto'o and his inconsistency could well keep him out of the running.

Messi grabbed six goals to finish joint runner-up with Steven Gerrard, Didier Drogba and Torres last season and I'm sure we'll see him entertaining the Catalan crowd with his dazzling skills once again. At 16/1 he is one to watch.

It's always wise to have a stab at an outsider and the 50/1 available with Sky Bet on Pavel Pogrebnyak is worth considering each-way.

The Russian striker was a vital cog in the Zenit St Petersburg machine last season, netting an incredible 10 times in Europe as they stomed to UEFA Cup glory while he also struck in the recent 2-1 Super Cup triumph over Manchester United.

We're confident Zenit are capable of progressing further than most observers think - as highlighted in our group betting preview - so if Pogrebnyak can play at least eight games, he certainly has an opportunity of being one of the top four goalscorers.

古迪比VS谭柏利

副班长古迪比目前和保级线（倒数第3名）的差距多达9分，但并没有完全失去斗志。客场净负英特杜古3球前，他们曾打出一波3战1胜2平的小高潮，当然这也和对手（分别是马利汉姆、VPS华沙和古比斯）相对孱弱有关。这个近几个赛季的保级专业户攻防数据都在芬超名落孙山（进10球、失38球），芬甲已经在向他们招手。芬兰U21射手佩特雷斯库是卫冕冠军谭柏利的骄傲，他对丹麦U21的决定性进球帮助球队跻身欧青赛淘汰赛阶段。但俱乐部风头最劲的是迈恩蒂，目前以9球引领射手榜的他已经连续3轮贡献进球。只是球队近况低迷，连续4轮不胜后，下赛季欧战资格对暂列第8的谭柏利来说成为奢望，幸亏还有芬兰杯。上轮终场前染红的新西兰中场詹姆斯本轮做球监。

赫尔辛基VS汉卡

争冠形势逐渐朝着三足鼎立的方向发展，本场比赛对于双方都可谓天王山之战。先是打破英特杜古不败金身、接着逆转卫冕冠军谭柏利，赫尔辛基和领头羊英特杜古只差2分；闯进联盟杯正赛（下周开打）的汉卡是目前芬兰在欧战仅存的火种，他们近10轮联赛8胜2平，其中包括客场的5连胜。虽然主力射手马科拉离队，赫尔辛基仍然拥有芬超最强的攻击火力，其中上轮打进制胜球的芬兰U21射手帕里卡本赛季已经8球进帐，只比现射手榜头名少1球。汉卡的科科（8球）和沃里宁（7球）同样高产，某种意义上这场争冠焦点战同时也可能是联赛金靴的较量。此外，赫尔辛基本赛季联赛首负（客场0比1）的制造者正是汉卡。

夏卡VS查路

分心联盟杯的夏卡前4轮2平2负无一胜绩，遭丹麦球队邦比淘汰后他们终于可以全力以赴国内赛场。上赛季亚军目前积29分，和第4名只有1个胜场的差距，同时他们还闯进芬兰杯4强，下赛季欧战资格仍有一拼。双箭头莱蒂宁（7球）和因纳宁（6球）是夏卡走上正轨的保障，而近期主场2连败也是球队本赛季首次。查路上轮主场2比3惜败TPS杜古，3连胜的步伐就此终止。实际上，攀升至联赛第6后，查路本赛季的保级任务接近于提前完成。令人称奇的是，查路的客场战斗力（9战13分）远比主场（10战9分）强劲。

TPS杜古VS路云尼米

联赛第6的排名对本赛季财政预算居首的TPS杜古来说略显寒碜，毕竟赛季前他们曾有夺冠的目标。不过目前来看，他们争夺下赛季欧战资格的机会仍然存在。TPS杜古本赛季表现平淡，但主场战斗力不容小觑，前10个主场他们只有2次失利，对手分别是目前居前2位的英特杜古和赫尔辛基。近期遭遇5连败的路云尼米正在褪去黑马的成色，幸好这支升班马目前比倒数第2名多出5分，降级威胁并不大。和主场的抢眼表现相左，路云尼米本赛季还没有在客场取胜的记录，前9个客场只拿到2分，而且近6次做客全部告负。

VPS华沙VS英特杜古

遭遇联赛首负并没对英特杜古造成多大影响，上轮主场3比0完胜古迪比的战果可见端倪。7月底转会英特杜古的克罗地亚射手阿布拉莫维奇近2轮联赛包办4球，荣膺芬超8月最佳球员的中场奥雅拉近5轮只有1场没有进球，荷兰主帅德拉格茨马帐下并不乏攻城拔寨的人选，另一方面，英特杜古的防守功力乃联赛最强（前19轮只丢11球）。没有保级压力的VPS华沙近况不佳，已经连续7轮没有胜绩，其中包括最近的3连平。守强攻弱是VPS华沙的特色，因此成就芬超的平局大师，这在主场尤为明显——本赛季7个0比0有5个诞生于主场。事实上，他们前9个主场只丢2球，同时也只进4球。

古比斯VS马利汉姆

升班马古比斯近3轮1胜2平后大有咸鱼翻身的架势。如果本轮击败倒数第3名马利汉姆，他们就可以和对手交换排名脱离降级区。马利汉姆上轮在主场以压倒性优势2比1战胜路云尼米，由瑞典俱乐部桑斯瓦尔租借来的尼日利亚射手乌基伊玛代表新东家的首场比赛就打破僵局，至此球队连续14轮不胜的尴尬纪录终于画上休止符。但是这支坐落于孤岛玛丽港的球队客场萎靡的现实仍应当注意，目前他们客场不胜的记录是7轮，其中最近6个客场都没有进球。赛季初期受伤的头号门将奥齐恩恢复情况不错，但本赛季出场基本无望。

拉迪VS迈柏

周中世界杯预选赛主场3比3平德国的芬兰国家队大名单中，老将利特马宁是芬超联赛的唯一国脚，不过并未出场。伤病缠身的他上轮联赛就没有列入拉迪的出征名单，球队也客场0比1小负汉卡，利特马宁回归芬超后的数据暂定格在3场3球。实际上，拉迪在利特马宁首度亮相（替补）的8比1后近3轮仅积1分，排名跌到第4，下赛季欧战资格开始岌岌可危。落后拉迪1分、名列第5的迈柏正是欧战名额的主要竞争者，但他们境况同样一般，近6轮联赛只有1次取胜，还是坐镇主场时。值得一提的是，迈柏前9个客场有6次是平局（0比0和1比1各3次）。

土星VS汤姆斯基

本赛季完成欧战处子秀的土星在托托杯遭遇斯图加特遗憾出局，或许有这个因素，俱乐部在联赛成绩不佳时炒掉加德季耶夫、请来有过德甲成功经历的洛贝尔。洛贝尔入主后，波黑人阿克拉波维奇以助教身份接踵而至，柏林赫塔后卫奥科隆科沃也在转会截止日前以140万欧元的身价加盟，后者是北京奥运足球亚军尼日利亚的主力。土星换帅后首仗就2比1击败安拿吉耶、终结连续4轮不胜的尴尬，而包办2球的托皮奇此前也有闯荡德甲的经历。汤姆斯基上轮4球完败苏维杜夫，遭遇主场3连败，赛后新闻发布会上主教练洛马斯琴科向球迷致歉并提出辞职，目前巴斯卡科夫临时指挥球队。克罗地亚后卫维季奇迎来母国球队夏积杜克的青睐，12月合同到期后离队。

卡山鲁宾VS莫斯科戴拿模

6连平后4连胜，卡山鲁宾划出一条怪异的曲线后榜首位置更加牢固，他们和竞争对手的优势已多达6分。领头羊近期对阵容做出微调，中场雷布克（FC莫斯科，80万欧元）和加特斯坎（罗斯托夫，40万欧元）离队，同时引进中锋阿达莫夫（FC莫斯科，430万欧元）和中后卫波博夫（阿马卡，100万欧元）。放行葡萄牙中场达尼让莫斯科戴拿模赚到3000万欧元，但从技战术角度来看肯定是损失，不过球队同时还引进门将加布洛夫（俄甲库班，250万欧元）和右后卫维克夏尔（荷甲川迪，220万欧元），从巴西租借来中后卫席尔瓦（富明尼斯）和让（甘美奥），其中前者刚参加北京奥运。联赛积分榜前两名卡山鲁宾和莫斯科戴拿模的交锋牵动冠军归属，若后者不胜，卡山鲁宾离加冕更近一步。不知连续6轮不败的莫斯科戴拿模是否有延缓领头羊步伐的实力。

塔利克VS圣彼德斯堡

3000万欧元加盟圣彼德斯堡的葡萄牙中场达尼打破俄超转会纪录，和曼联的欧洲超级杯决赛中，首次代表新东家出场的达尼打进一球，帮助上赛季联盟杯冠军又拿到一个奖杯。在此之前，曾效力南锡的法国中卫波伊格雷涅以600万欧元身价投奔，打相同位置的挪威人30万欧元转会华伦西亚。不过对于荷兰主帅埃德沃卡特来说，留用阿尔沙文和波格列布尼亚克（周中国家队打进致胜球）更为重要，毕竟下周欧冠小组赛就要开打。坐落在车臣首府格罗兹尼的升班马塔利克早早完成保级任务，球队引进边后卫奥梅尔扬楚科（俄甲罗斯托夫，50万欧元）、后腰马加里特斯库（布加勒斯特戴拿模，40万欧元）、前锋潘库（布加勒斯特迅速，30万）和中场佩特雷（索菲亚中央陆军，25万）等手笔只是在为下赛季准备。

FC莫斯科VS莫斯科斯巴达

未闯进欧冠小组赛的莫斯科斯巴达是近期动作最大的俄超球队，首席射手帕夫柳琴科（托特纳姆热刺，1740万欧元）、加纳前锋昆西（伯明翰，560万欧元）和罗马尼亚后腰索阿瓦（其姆奇，20万欧元）纷纷离队，同时以300万欧元从纽伦堡引进俄罗斯前锋萨恩科、从爱斯宾奴租借到阿根廷左后卫罗德里格斯。不过最具轰动效应的是，和上赛季在加泰创造佳绩的前丹麦球星大劳德鲁普签约一年半。巧合的是，同处莫斯科的对手都在准备下周的联盟杯。FC莫斯科在近期转会市场也动作不小，离队的有阿达莫夫（中锋，卡山鲁宾，430万欧元）、巴里恩托斯（中场，阿根廷圣罗伦索，租借）和斯托伊卡（边后卫，汤姆斯基，20万欧元），加盟的有萨门多夫（中场，莫斯科火车头，300万欧元）、塞斯纳奥斯基斯（中场，土星，200万欧元）、舍舒科夫（中后卫，安拿吉耶，135万欧元）、雷布克（中场，卡山鲁宾，80万欧元）、斯特雷尔科夫（前锋，汤姆斯基，50万欧元）、里卡多（中场，纳尔奇克斯巴达，70万）和古雷（边后卫，安拿吉耶，60万欧元）。

苏维杜夫VS其姆奇

苏维杜夫上轮客场4球横扫汤姆斯基，捷克高中锋扬·科勒打进登陆俄超后的第一个进球。暂居第6的他们距联赛第3只有一个胜场的差距，下赛季欧战资格是球队的奋斗目标。其姆奇上轮主场和直接保级竞争对手辛历克战成闷局，连续5轮不胜、连续3轮不进球的同时也将自己锁定在副班长的位置。俱乐部近期将中场达恩特塞夫25万欧元转让给安拿吉耶，同时20万欧元从莫斯科斯巴达引进后腰索阿瓦。值得一提的是，其姆奇是目前唯一没有在客场取胜过的俄超球队。

莫斯科中央陆军VS安拿吉耶

上赛季季军莫斯科中央陆军在夏季放走若（曼城，2400万欧元）、杜杜（奥林匹亚科斯，600万欧元）和卡瓦略（巴西国际体育会，租借）等3名巴西攻击手。尽管如此，球队还是在近期连续7轮保持不败，俄罗斯国门阿金费耶夫把手的城池已经650分钟不失守。上轮客场和莫斯科火车头的德比中，出生于1990年的中场德扎戈耶夫打进个人本赛季第3球，季尔科夫左路连过3名后卫后的第2球堪称经典。安拿吉耶在夏季转会市场中放走舍舒科夫（中后卫，FC莫斯科，135万欧元）、切赫（门将，莫斯科火车头，70万欧元）、古雷（边后卫，FC莫斯科，60万欧元）和蒂科霍诺维特斯基（前锋，俄甲库班，40万欧元），引进达恩特塞夫（中场，其姆奇，25万欧元）、莱昂德罗（巴西中后卫，匈牙利Kaposvári RFC，20万欧元）等。坐落于远东海参崴的他们近6轮只有1胜、暂列倒数第3，保级的担子任重道远。

辛历克VS阿马卡

升班马辛历克最近11轮只有1场胜利，不过期间唯一击败的对手竟是卫冕冠军圣彼德斯堡（客场3比1）！当然，如此壮举并不能掩盖他们位居倒数第2的事实，联赛赛程已过三分之二，要保级可要抓紧抢分了，但球队却在夏季放走中后卫切科斯（罗斯托夫，30万欧元）。赛季前半段的黑马阿马卡最近8轮1胜4平3负，但仍然存在争夺欧战名额的机会。前段时间，俱乐部放走中后卫波博夫（卡山鲁宾，100万欧元），引进同样位置的卡拉什尼科夫（SKA罗斯托夫，30万欧元）。

纳尔奇克斯巴达VS莫斯科火车头

莫斯科火车头上轮主场0比2不敌同城的中央陆军，白俄罗斯中后卫古雷科开场12分钟内连领两张黄牌下场是主要原因，赛后主教练拉科季莫夫也因此责怪当值主裁判。但事实上，没找到最佳状态的火车头近10轮联赛只有1次取胜，拉科季莫夫的帅位很是不稳。不过他表示，球队在少赛一场的情况下"只"落后第3名8分，一切皆有可能。近期俱乐部放走伊兹迈罗夫（士砵亭，450万欧元）、萨门多夫（FC莫斯科，30万欧元）和阿萨蒂亚尼（基辅戴拿模，30万欧元），引进中后卫巴萨（勒芒，550万欧元）、后腰查尔斯（克鲁赛罗，500万欧元）和切赫（门将，安拿吉耶，70万欧元）。纳尔奇克斯巴达目前和火车头积分相同，不过他们近8轮只有1次取胜。俱乐部近期70万欧元将中场里卡多转让给FC莫斯科。

Foreign ownership of Premier League clubs
 
Sept 4 (Reuters) - An Abu Dhabi-based company bought out Manchester City from former Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra signed a memorandum of understanding with the Premier League club on Monday.

The deal was struck late on Sunday between Thaksin and the Abu Dhabi group. Abu Dhabi United Group for Development and Investment board member Sulaiman al-Fahim said Thaksin would continue at the club as an a honorary board member.

Here are some other Premier League clubs who now have foreign owners.

* ASTON VILLA - American billionaire Randy Lerner completed his takeover of Aston Villa in September 2006 for 62.6 million pounds (2.5 million) after securing the required 90 percent of the Birmingham club’s shares.

— The Cleveland Browns owner installed himself as chairman of Villa, taking the place of Doug Ellis who stepped down after 38 years at the Midlands side.

* CHELSEA - In July 2003 Russian businessman Roman Abramovich agreed to buy the company that owned Chelsea in a deal which valued it at nearly 60 million pounds (.50 million).

— Under the cash offer, Abramovich, through his English offer vehicle Chelsea Ltd, agreed to purchase 84.9 million Chelsea Village shares at 35 pence each, just over half of its entire issued share capital.

— Abramovich has spent millions on the club since 2003 and has been rewarded with Chelsea winning successive Premier League titles and domestic cups.

* FULHAM - In 1997 Egyptian-born businessman Mohamed Al Fayed, owner of top London department store Harrods, invested 30 million pounds ( million) in Fulham and took over as chairman after agreeing to acquire a controlling stake.

— With his financial backing Fulham repurchased the freehold to their Craven Cottage stadium on the banks of the river Thames in west London for an estimated 7.5 million pounds, while on the pitch they were promoted to the top-flight in 2001.

* LIVERPOOL - The 2005 European champions, seeking an injection of cash for two years to help challenge for top honours and fund a new stadium, agreed in 2006 to be taken over by U.S. sports tycoons George Gillett and Tom Hicks for 174 million pounds (0 million).

— The 18-times English league champions had been in talks with Dubai International Capital (DIC), but DIC dropped its bid plans when Liverpool asked for more time to consider a rival offer from Gillett. In March 2008 takeover talks involving Tom Hicks and Dubai International Capital (DIC) were terminated in March amid disagreement over who should be running the club.

— DIC, which made a 400 million pounds (7.6 million) bid for the Merseyside club, said it was “in advanced discussions” with Liverpool’s co-owners although no agreement had been reached on price or shareholding percentage.

* MANCHESTER CITY - In July 2007 former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was hailed as an unlikely saviour when he bought the club for 81 million pounds (6.3 million).

— New managers Kevin Keegan and Sven-Goran Eriksson, both tried to restore the clubs fortunes, but failed. Eriksson joined the City scrapheap in June 2008 after just a season in charge. Mark Hughes was named new manager on June 4.

— Prospective new owners, Abu Dhabi United Group for Development and Investment, said on Monday they wanted to make Manchester City the biggest club in the Premier League.

* MANCHESTER UNITED - In August 2005, supporters were unhappy with the American tycoon, Malcolm Glazer’s 790 million pounds (.41 billion) takeover and used the first home game where his sons Joel, Avi and Bryan, all board members, were in attendance, to make their voices heard.

— U.S. financier Malcolm Glazer said he had raised his stake in Manchester United to over 75 percent, finally gaining full control in May 2005 of the club he had battled to acquire for more than two years.

* PORTSMOUTH - Alexandre Gaydamak acquired full control of Portsmouth in July 2006 after he bought the remaining stake from chairman Milan Mandaric.

— Media reports suggested that Mandaric had sold his remaining shares to Gaydamak, a Russian-born French national, for about 32 million pounds (.46 million).

— Gaydamak’s initial investment for a 50 percent stake in the club had been reported at 15 million pounds.

— Mandaric injected new life into Portsmouth after taking over the club in 1998, winning promotion from the second division in 2003. He has stayed on as a non-executive chairman.

* WEST HAM - In November 2006 West Ham United agreed an 85 million pounds (1.3 million) takeover from a consortium led by Iceland Football Association president and UEFA member Eggert Magnusson.

— Magnusson replaced Terry Brown as West Ham chairman. In Dec. 2007 Icelandic majority owner Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson became chairman after he bought his compatriot’s five per cent stake and invested a further 30.5 million pounds (.31 million) into the company.

　　9月3日出版的《体坛周报》第20版有一篇《打假记者牵出英意》的稿件，文中称一位名叫希尔的加拿大记者近日突然发飚，指证包括世界杯在内的多场比赛存在作假嫌疑。（http://news.titan24.com/titan/42/08-09-03/111647.html）

　　暴露假球的事件此前层出不群，所以当时个人更对文末提到的那个南非出生的德国公民邓迪感兴趣（此人在利物浦官网的定位是：可能是俱乐部历史上最糟糕的中锋）。今天扫新闻突然有新发现，原来此人频频爆料的意图不过是卖书而已。希尔的这本书名叫《The Fix - Soccer and Organized Crime》（封面如下），本周上架。