Football Predictions | SoccerAss

Three of the summer’s long-running transfer stories progressed further today as it emerged that Liverpool’s Javier Mascherano is ready to demand a move from Anfield.

Aston Villa’s James Milner is amazingly refuting Martin O’Neill’s claims that the England man wants a switch to Manchester City, and Nemanja Vidic is to be offered an improved contract at Manchester United.

The twists in the latter two cases directly contradict news reported yesterday, when each of the club’s bosses appeared open to the possibility of the players leaving – making Villa’s chances of a top four spot, at 9/1, and the prospect of seeing United win the title, at 2/1, seem less likely.

Mascherano’s demands, however, were to be expected, with new gaffer Roy Hodgson revealing earlier this week that the Argentina midfielder had not yet returned any of his calls.

Reports say that Mascherano is ready to ask for a transfer to push through his proposed move from Merseyside to Inter Milan.

Ex-Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez’s Inter are unwilling to offer the £30million that the 18-times league champions want (14/1 to win it this year) and instead they intend to put forward £20million with former Portsmouth midfielder Sulley Muntari thrown in as a makeweight.

Such a deal could prove attractive to Hodgson, who would swap a wantaway player for one of proven Premier League quality, while at the same time amassing a big pot of money to bring in new signings. Hodgson is 20/1 to win the Champions League with Liverpool.

Meanwhile, a friend of Milner has responded to the Villa manager’s statement yesterday that the PFA young player of the year wanted to leave the club by saying: “James has never asked to leave Aston Villa”. Villa are 15/8 to finish in the top six.

Milner is seeking talks with O’Neill to rectify the situation amid reports that City (5/1 to win the league) are ready to offer £24million for the former Leeds United youth.

Elsewhere, United are close to offering Vidic a new £90,000-a-week deal in an attempt to steer him away from the clutches of Real Madrid.

Such is manager Sir Alex Ferguson’s desire to keep the player, he will break with contract protocol to persuade the Serb to stay at Old Trafford.

Maintaining Vidic, with whom United have a markedly better record when in the team, would increase the club’s 6/1 chances of winning the Champions League.

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Nemanja Vidic’s career at Old Trafford looks increasingly doubtful after Sir Alex Ferguson said he “can’t clarify” whether the Serbian will still be a Manchester United player at the start of the season.

United are 2/1 to win the Premier League.

When asked about speculation linking the 28-year-old defender with a move to Spain, the United boss was evasive.

“I can’t clarify it at all,” Ferguson said. When pressed on whether Vidic would play for the Red Devils this season, Ferguson replied: “I believe so.”

Reports of a potential move away from Manchester for Vidic have persisted for some time now, but this is the first time the United manager has commented in a negative manner.

The Scot was speaking at a press conference following United’s win over Philadelphia Union and while it’s true he uses such platforms as a way of manipulating the media, he is usually unequivocal in dismissing incorrect transfer rumours.

The player is said to be unhappy at the lack of a pay rise this season and his wife has spoken of her dislike of the north-west of England. Real Madrid, 4/1 to win the Champions League, have expressed a keen interest.

The loss of Vidic, who last year said he had “every intention” of seeing out his contract to 2012, would be huge.

With Rio Ferdinand’s injuries he has become the most consistent central defender at the club and is of an age when defenders tend to peak.

Despite the addition of Chris Smalling United’s defence would look vulnerable without the Serbian.

Jonny Evans is improving each year but with Ferdinand’s problems not going away a situation similar to last season, when Darren Fletcher and Michael Carrick were forced to play at centre-back, would be a risk.

A massive eight injuries at once was the cause of that unlikely pairing but if Vidic leaves Ferguson could get an ugly sense of deja vu.

Would Manchester United be able to overcome the loss of Vidic? They are 6/1 to win the Champions League.

6/1 Champions League contenders Chelsea have reportedly made a £20m bid for Brazil’s World Cup midfielder Ramires.

Currently at Benfica, the 23-year-old is a transfer target for a clutch of big European sides, and Manchester City, Barcelona and Bayern Munich are among the keenest suitors.

With Michael Ballack, Deco and Joe Cole all having departed this summer, there is a considerable void in the Chelsea midfield, and Ramires is seen as a strong candidate to plug this gap.

Chelsea are 13/8 favourites to retain their Premier League title this season, and it is in midfield where they have excelled in recent years.

Ramires can play as an attacking, holding or wide midfielder, and his pace and creativity would nicely complement the combative qualities of Michael Essien and John Obi Mikel at Stamford Bridge.

Nicknamed the ‘Blue Kenyan’ for the stamina of a Kenyan marathon runner he showed during his time with the blue-shirted Brazilian side Cruzeiro, Ramires’s energy could also relieve the 32-year-old Frank Lampard of his dirty work in Chelsea’s midfield.

Another Chelsea target, Fernando Torres, has been in talks with Liverpool managing director Christian Purslow, but the Spanish striker has yet to decide on his future.

Torres is 4/1 not to be a Liverpool player on the first day of the season, and he has been rumoured to be attracting strong interest from Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea left-back Ashley Cole, meanwhile, has been linked with a move away from the west London club but rumours of a move to Real Madrid have subsided for the moment, and the England players is a convincing 1/5 to be at Chelsea come the first day of the season.

How will Chelsea do this season? They are 6/1 to win the Champions League. See the full UEFA Champions League market.

Despite a summer shrouded by uncertainty, Steven Gerrard has given the strongest hint yet that he will stay at Liverpool this season.

Gerrard has long been a transfer target for Real Madrid, but the Liverpool captain has spoken excitedly about the new season at Anfield.

Liverpool are 14/1 to win the Premier League title this season, and fans of the Reds will be buoyed by Gerrard’s reaction to his meeting with new Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson.

“I’m very impressed with his [Hodgson] plans for the team,” Gerrard said. “I can’t wait for the new season to start.”

Gerrard had only last June signed a contract extension keeping him at Anfield until 2013, but the 30-year-old’s future has been in doubt.

With Liverpool signaling their intent for the coming season with the acquisition of Joe Cole, however, Gerrard seems to have been convinced to stay with his hometown club.

Liverpool are 11/8 to finish in the top four, and Gerrard’s presence will be integral to the club’s hopes of a successful Premier League season.

The England midfielder’s apparent willingness to remain at Anfield could also convince Fernando Torres to stay on Merseyside, and the Spain striker is a convincing 1/4 to be a Liverpool player come the first day of the season.

Another new arrival at Anfield is Rangers highly-rated defender Danny Wilson, who is expected to sign a three-year-deal with Liverpool.

Already a player with Champions League experience, the 18-year-old Wilson will cost Liverpool an initial £2m, with a further £3m dependent on games played.

How successful can Liverpool be this season? They are 100/1 to win three trophies. See the full Liverpool Specials market.

Chelsea’s Premier League hopes have been dealt a blow before a ball has been kicked, as goalkeeper Petr Cech’s calf injury has ruled him out for a month.

The Czech stopper’s muscle tear means that he will be unavailable for Chelsea’s opening match of the Premier League season, against West Brom on August 14th.

13/8 favourites to win the title, Chelsea will be hoping that Cech can make a swift recovery, as their only cover in goal is the erratic Hilario and the inexperienced former Middlesbrough reserve Ross Turnbull.

Turnbull spent most of his time on the bench last season, though he did feature in the Carling Cup, which Chelsea are 4/1 to win this season.

There is also bad news for the Stamford Bridge club in the transfer market, as Santos have rejected a bid from Chelsea for their precociously talented playmaker Neymar.

Still just 18 years old, Neymar has been compared in Brazil to his club-mate Robinho, and with 12 goals from 35 appearances for Santos, he is in high demand.

There has been a conspicuous lack of transfer activity at Stamford Bridge this summer, though one of manager Carlo Ancelotti’s most difficult tasks will be keeping hold of the players already at his disposal.

Ashley Cole is reportedly a target for Real Madrid, and the England left-back is priced at 3/1 not to be at Chelsea on the first day of the season.

Can Chelsea win another domestic double this year? They are 14/1 to win the Premier League and the Carling Cup. See the full Chelsea Specials market.