Boxing: Khan vs Garcia Preview

Change of scenery. Whilst the different types of football on either side of the pond are in their respective off-seasons, I'd thought I would cover a little bit of boxing.

It's just over a week away until the bout for the WBA and WBC Light Welterweight titles takes place between British boxer Amir Khan and American boxer Danny Garcia, at Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. 

Khan, with a record of 26 wins and two losses with 18 KOs, will hope to put aside all the drama from his previous fight against American boxer Lamont Peterson, and prove his worth in the ring by re-obtaining the WBA Light Welterweight title against Garcia. 

Khan originally lost the WBA Light Welterweight title against Peterson but after it was found that Peterson was tested positive for banned substances in the pre-fight drug test, he was stripped of this title. The vacant belt will be awarded to the winner of the fight between Khan and Garcia.

Garcia will be a tough opponent for Khan, as he has never lost a fight professionally. He has 23 wins and 14 KOs and is the current holder of the WBC Light Welterweight title, which will also be on the line in this fight.

Both of these boxers are very similar, with only a few differences. Both box with Orthadox stances and Khan, standing at 5ft 10", is only an inch taller than Garcia, standing at 5ft 9". Khan also has a longer reach than Garcia with 71 inches to Garcia's 69 inches. 

A win for Garcia will extend his undefeated streak as a professional to 24 wins. However, a win for Khan will allow him to prove his ability to fight against the likes of Floyd Mayweather, as he expressed his desire in a pre-fight press conference on the 4th June, to move up to the 147lb division if he successfully defeated Garcia. 

In the same press conference, things got heated between Khan and Garcia's father. This resulted in both boxers promising to knock the other out on the 14th July. 

With both boxers showing a clear desire as to why they want to win this fight, this is a fight that can't be missed. Due to this desire and passion by both boxers, I think this fight is going to go down to a decision unless either boxer makes a careless mistake in the ring.

On paper, it may look like Khan could just edge it will extra height and reach, but no one should underestimate the drive and determination of Garcia to continue his winning streak. 

Amir Khan (left) & Danny Garcia (right)

twitter - @ConorJPorter

Euro 2012: Team Analysis

It's not long till the Euro 2012 kicks off now so here's a low down on all the teams that are in the tournament and my predictions as to what stage of the tournament they will be eliminated.


Group A
Poland
Greece
Russia
Czech Republic

Robert Lewandowski

Team: Poland
Where did they finish in Euro 2008?: Group Stage
Key Players: Wojciech Szczesny & Robert Lewandowski  
My Prediction of Stage of Elimination: Quarter-Finals (2nd in Group Stage)


As co-hosts of the tournament, Poland will have home field advantage. Along with reasonable, yet still challenging group opponents of Russia, Greece and Czech Republic, Poland will be aiming to reach the knock-out stages of a major international tournament for the first time since the 1986 World Cup. Two key players that are vital for this to happen are Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny, and Borussia Dortmund striker Robert Lewandowski. In the 4-2-3-1 formation that Borussia Dortmund predominantly play, Lewandowski has thrived as he scored 22 goals in 34 league matches, to help Borussia Dortmund obtain back-to-back Bundesliga League titles. It would come to no surprise then that Poland will be using this formation in order to exploit Lewandowski's talents. Szczesny is a young, agile and alert keeper, who is capable of pulling off fantastic saves, something which has shown in the Premier League for Arsenal over the past two seasons. With predecessors in his position such as Jerzy Dudek and Artur Boruc, Szczesny has a tradition to live up to. With the skills he has and with home field advantage, I believe Szczesny can possibly exceed his predecessors if he performs to his full potential.

Giorgos Karagounis

Team: Greece
Where did they finish in Euro 2008?: Group stage
Key Player: Giorgos Karagounis
My Prediction of Stage of Elimination: Group Stage (4th)


With an undefeated qualifying campaign, Greece enters Euro 2012 in hope of keeping that momentum going. They know how to win this tournament as they became the unlikeliest of European Champions back in 2004. Since that final though, Greece hasn't had any success in any international tournament as they didn't qualify for the 2006 World Cup, and they were eliminated in the group stage in Euro 2008 and the 2010 World Cup. Hoping to change all that though is Panathinaikos midfielder and captain of Greece, Giorgos Karagounis.  He is a good passer and set-piece specialist. During the competition, he will hope to match or even surpass Euro 2004 skipper Theo Zagorakis's 120 international appearances, making him the Greece's most capped player.

Alan Dzagoev

Team: Russia
Where did they finish in Euro 2008?: Semi-finals
Key Player: Alan Dzagoev
My Prediction of Stage of Elimination: Quarter-Finals (1st in Group Stage)


Failure to qualify for the 2010 World Cup has given Russia the drive and determination to perform well at Euro 2012. Entering Euro 2012, Russia hope to repeat and go better than what they did in Euro 2008, where they reached the Semi-Finals, only to be knocked out by Spain, who ended up winning the tournament. The player that can help Russia perform even better this time around is CSKA Moscow midfielder Alan Dzagoev. Dzagoev is probably the most talented player to emerge from Russia in the past four years. He is a very creative and unpredictable player, who is able to outfox opposition defences with his clever passing and movement. Russia's opponents will be aware of his talents as he regularly controls the flow of the game for CSKA Moscow in the Champions League.

Petr Cech

Team: Czech Republic
Where did they finish in Euro 2008?: Group Stage
Key Player: Petr Cech
My Prediction of Stage of Elimination: Group Stage (3rd)


After coming second to current Euro champions Spain in the qualifying stages, Czech Republic qualified for Euro 2012 after defeating Montenegro over two games in the play-offs. The key player who helped Czech Republic reach this stage and who will play a huge impact in their success in Euro 2012 is Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech. The recent Champions League winner is regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in the world. With Czech Republic being in such an even matched group, Cech could be the difference between the Czech's advancing to the knock-out stages, or going home early.


Group B
Netherlands
Denmark
Germany
Portugal 

Robin Van Persie

Team: Netherlands
Where did they finish in Euro 2008?: Quarter-finals
Key Player: Robin Van Persie
My Prediction of Stage of Elimination: Group Stage (3rd)


The Netherlands are part of the Group B, known as the 'Group of Death'. After finishing runners up in the 2010 World Cup, they will want to keep momentum on their side and hope that this they can go all the way and win it. However, first they must get past Germany, Denmark and Portugal in the group stage which won't be an easy task. The main man up front, Arsenal striker Robin Van Persie, will be a vital for them. Coming off the back of an amazing season with Arsenal, scoring 30 goals in 38 league games, Van Persie will hope to keep that form going throughout the tournament. Although he is left footed, he is capable of scoring many goals with his right foot and his head. The complete centre-forward. 

Christian Erikson

Team: Denmark
Where did they finish in Euro 2008?: Didn't qualify
Key Player: Christian Erikson
My Prediction of Stage of Elimination: Group Stage (4th)


Denmark will have to pull out all the stops in order to qualify to the knock-out stages as they will go against 2010 World Cup Runners-Up the Netherlands, Euro 2008 Runners-Up Germany and fellow group qualifying stage team Portugal. With failure to qualify for the last Euro's and elimination from the last World Cup in the group stage, Denmark's chances of qualifying aren't looking too good. However, they must remember that they were in a similar situation back in Euro 1992, the tournament which they ended up winning thanks to striker Henrik Larsen. If Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner can do what Larsen did back in 1992, all will be great for Denmark. However, he will need a player-maker, which is why my key player is Ajax midfielder Christian Erikson. With 19 assists in 30 league games, Erikson has expressed he has the ability to set up goals. He is technically gifted and his passing is second to none. He's got the ability to shoot from long range with both feet which is a fantastic tool for any team to have. With these talents, he can help steer Denmark out of the 'Group of Death' and throughout the latter stages of the tournament.

Mario Gomez

Team: Germany
Where did they finish in Euro 2008?: Runners-up
Key Players: Mario Gomez and Manuel Neuer
My Prediction of Stage of Elimination: Winners (1st in Group Stage)


Euro 2008 Runners-Up Germany will hope that they can go one better this time around and I don't see any reason why they can't. Having won their entire group qualifying stage games, scoring 34 goals and conceding only seven, they qualified as one of the favourites to win the tournament. Key to their success will be Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer and striker Mario Gomez. After only conceding 7 goals in the qualifying stages and a fantastic first season at Bayern Munich, he is the undisputed number one goalkeeper for Germany and is earning himself a place on the list of the best goalkeepers in the world. He is a great penalty saver, as he demonstrated this in the Champions League against Real Madrid and Chelsea, but he has been known to make the careless mistake every now and then. Gomez is coming off the back of a season which he scored 26 goals in 33 league games, a form which is likely to continue in the Euros as he is still playing with fellow Bayern Munich team mates. He is now emerging from the shadow of Miroslav Klose and is earning himself a regular place in Germany's starting 11. He will want to forget the horror of losing on home-turf in the Champions League final against Chelsea by using it as fuel to drive his determination to earn victory in this tournament. 

Christiano Ronaldo

Team: Portugal
Where did they finish in Euro 2008?: Quarter-Finals
Key Player: Christiano Ronaldo
My Prediction of Stage of Elimination: Semi-Finals (2nd in Group Stage)


Since 2000, Portugal has never missed a European Championship and they have never been eliminated in the group stage. Hoping to keep this form going will be Real Madrid forward Christiano Ronaldo. Ronaldo is no doubt one of the best players ever to play the game. He is able to score goals with ease as he demonstrated this last season scoring 46 goals in 38 games for Real Madrid. However, he is yet to reach his full potential at a major international tournament. With his ability to rip open defences with his foot-work and win matches basically by himself, I see no doubt why Ronaldo can't finally shine this time around.


Group C
Spain
Italy
Republic of Ireland
Croatia

Xavi

Team: Spain
Where did they finish in Euro 2008?: Winners
Key Players: Xavi and Andres Iniesta
My Prediction of Stage of Elimination: Runners-Up (1st in Group Stage)


As the undoubtedly best international team in the world, Spain will be looking to win a third successive international tournament, something which no international team has ever done before. In order to obtain this, a team has to be filled with stars, which Spain has. Two stars that shine brighter than others are Barcelona midfielders Xavi and Andres Iniesta. Both of these players always rise up to the occasion for both club and country and are probably the best midfield duo the world has ever seen. They're able to control the pace and rhythm of the game, making it near to impossible for any team to stop them. It's almost as if they can communicate with each other telepathically!!

Gianluigi Buffon

Team: Italy
Where did they finish in Euro 2008?: Quarter-Finals
Key Players: Mario Balotelli and Gianluigi Buffon
My Prediction of Stage of Elimination: Quarter-Finals (2nd in Group Stage)


With no real international success since winning the 2006 World Cup, Italy are hoping to do much better in Euro 2012. They qualified for the tournament with ease as they won eight games, drew two, scored 20 goals and only conceded two. To keep the momentum going, Italy need to make sure that Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon is in top form. Buffon was badly missed by Italy in the last World Cup when he came off injured against Paraguay and never played again for the rest of the tournament, resulting in Italy exiting in the group stage. They must make sure that Buffon stays fully fit if they are to get anywhere in this tournament. After coming off a fantastic season by only conceding 20 goals, helping his side win the Serie A title, Buffon seems to be in the form of his life and he will hope to continue this form throughout the tournament.

Robbie Keane

Team: Republic of Ireland  
Where did they finish in Euro 2008?: Didn't qualify
Key Player: Robbie Keane
My Prediction of Stage of Elimination: Group Stage (4th)


Euro 2012 will be the first time the Republic of Ireland has qualified for the European Championships since 1988. Sadly though, with the teams Spain, Italy and Croatia in the same group as them, I don't see them getting past the group stage. One man that could prove me wrong though is LA Galaxy Striker Robbie Keane. With 53 international goals, it is clear that Keane knows how to find the back of the net and teams shouldn't underestimate him. He scored seven of the Republic of Ireland's 20 goals in the qualifying stage. Through the help of fellow players, there's no reason why they can't pull out some surprise results in this tournament, but it will be a difficult challenge ahead of them.

Luka Modric

Team: Croatia 
Where did they finish in Euro 2008?: Quarter-finals
Key Player: Luka Modric
My Prediction of Stage of Elimination: Group Stage (3rd)


Four years ago, Croatia missed out on a place in the semi-finals thanks to a defeat by Turkey in a penalty shoot-out. This time around, they hope to equal or do better than that result this time. One player that can help Croatia obtain this is Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Luka Modric. Since Euro 2008, Modric has been recognised as one of the best midfielders in the Premier League. He has good consistent weight and accuracy of his passes, causing him to gain interested by such teams as Manchester United and Chelsea. If he can bring this flair to Croatia's game, they will go far.


Group D
Ukraine
Sweden 
France 
England

Andriy Shevchenko

Team: Ukraine
Where did they finish in Euro 2008?: Didn't qualify
Key player: Andriy Shevchenko
My Prediction of Stage of Elimination: Group Stage (4th)


Euro 2012 will be the first time ever that Ukraine plays in the European Championships. Along with Poland, they are co-hosts and with this home-field advantage, they will be expected to perform well. However, with the likes of France, Sweden and England in the same group as them, it will be a difficult challenge. The only other international tournament which Ukraine has competed in is the 2006 World Cup, where they managed to reach the quarter-finals only to be knocked out by the eventual champions Italy. A vital player for their success in this tournament will be Dynamo Kyiv striker Andriy Shevchenko. At the age of 35, Shevchenko's speed and sharpness is not what it used to be and his international career is coming near to its end. So what better way to go than to win a major international tournament on home soil. The road ahead is a long one, but it is not an impossible task to achieve.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Team: Sweden
Where did they finish in Euro 2008? Group Stage
Key player: Zlatan Ibrahimovic
My Prediction of Stage of Elimination: Group Stage (3rd)


Sweden qualified for Euro 2012 after finishing runners-up in their qualifying group with eight wins and two losses, defeating the Netherlands along the way. Being in the same group as France, England and Ukraine, it will not be an easy road to the knock-out stages for them, but it won't be a road that they can't handle. One player that can help Sweden along this road is AC Milan striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Last season for AC Milan, he scored 28 goals in 32 games and was the Serie A top goal scorer. If he can bring this form into the European Championships, Sweden will have no problem of reaching the knock-out stages. 

Frank Ribery

Team: France 
Where did they finish in Euro 2008?: Group Stage
Key Players: Frank Ribery and Hugo Lloris
My Prediction of Stage of Elimination: Semi-Finals (1st in Group Stage)


After poor performances in the last European Champions and the last World Cup, France hope to get back on their feet and become the dominant force they used to be. Key players that will help France get back on their feet are Bayern Munich winger Frank Ribery and Lyon goalkeeper Hugo Lloris. Ribery had a fantastic season for Bayern Munich, achieving 20 assists in 28 league games and helping them reach the Champions League final only to lose to Chelsea on penalties. His precision passing and amazing dribbling skills will allow him to score many goals or set up Real Madrid striker and fellow countryman Karim Benzema. Lloris's rapid reflexes makes him one of the best young goalkeepers in the world, a title which he lived up to during the qualifying stage as he only conceded four goals. Hopefully Lloris and Ribery will carry on their good form to help France reach the knock-out stages of a major international competition for the first time since the 2006 World Cup.

Steven Gerrard

Team: England 
Where did they finish in Euro 2008?: Didn't qualify
Key Players: Steven Gerrard and Joe Hart
My Prediction of Stage of Elimination: Quarter-Finals (2nd in Group Stage)


It will be a very bumpy ride for England if they want to win the European Championships. With Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney out for the first two games of the group stage due to a suspension and England's defence  not at full strength, England many find it tough to get good results in the Group Stage. Two players that can change their fortunes though are Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard and Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart. Gerrard captained Liverpool to winning the League Cup against Cardiff City. This was their first trophy since winning the FA cup in 2006. Not only is Gerrard able to be a play maker, he has the capability to score from range and lead a squad through hard times. Hart acquired 17 clean sheets in 38 league games, winning himself the Premier League Golden Glove for the second consecutive year. With his high level of consistency, he has shown his desire to be the best England goalkeeper since Peter Shilton and maybe one day he will surpass his records. If both of these players perform to the best of their ability, there is a slight chance that England might be able to qualify to the latter stages of the competition.


Euro 2012 will be a classical European Championship, full of unmissable action and drama that will shock the football world and bring the fans unforgettable moments. My favourites to win are Germany, but any Greece or Denmark fans out there will tell you, sometimes the team you least suspect can come out victorious. 


twitter - @ConorJPorter

The Madden Curse - Fact or Fiction?

Ever since the start of the 2001 NFL season, a player has been on the cover of the latest Madden video game. Later this month, another player will be selected to be on the cover of Madden 13. However, rumour has it that once you go on the cover of Madden, you become cursed. In worst case scenarios, your playing days could soon be over. Could this be true though? Let's jump into the Delorean, travel back in time and have a look at some players deemed to have been under the Madden curse.


2001: Eddie George

Eddie George

Back in the days where the PS3 and the Xbox 360 were a thing of the imagination, Tennessee Titans running back Eddie George, became the first player to be featured on the cover of a Madden video game. However, in the 2000/01 season, the Titans lost in the playoffs and Eddie George never averaged more than 3.4 yards per carry for the rest of his career.


2002: Daunte Culpepper

Daunte Culpepper

When Minnesota Vikings quarterback Daunte Culpepper appeared on the cover for the 2001/02 season, the Vikings had a 5-11 season and he threw 23 interceptions and broke the most fumbles in a single season record. During the 2005 and 2006 seasons, he blew both of his knees which caused him to never return to his best form.


2006: Donovan McNabb

Donovan McNabb

Quarterback Donovan McNabb suffered from a sports hernia on the first game of the 2005/06 season for the Philadelphia Eagles. After recovery from this, McNabb tore his ACL and meniscus whilst jumping out of bounds in a game against the Tennessee Titans in week 11. This resulted in his season being ended early.


2009: Brett Favre

Brett Favre

Well, well, well. Most football fans should know the story about this guy. Quarter back Brett Favre was featured on the cover of Madden 09 because it was thought that he had retired from the game. However, it wasn't long till Favre was back in the game again, as he signed for the New York Jets in the summer of 2008 for the 2008/09 season. After poor performances on the field and an sexual harassment scandal off the field though, he decided to retire for the second time. This wasn't the last of Favre though, as he came out of retirement for the second time and signed for the Minnesota Vikings. He did lead the Vikings to the NFC Championship in the 2009/10 season, but during a game in week 13 against the Buffalo Bills in the 2010/11 season, he was hit whilst making a throw by Bills linebacker Arthur Moats, which caused him to sprain his AC in his shoulder. He came back against the Chicago Bears in week 15, but he sustained a concussion when he was sacked by Bears defensive end Corey Wooten. This ended up being his final appearance in the NFL (or so it seems to be). 


2012: Peyton Hills

Peyton Hills 

During the 2011/12 season, Cleveland Browns running back Peyton Hills, missed five games due to a hamstring injury and one game because of a strep throat. This lead to a decline in the numbers he put up on the field. As well as this, Hills was also trying to negotiate a contract deal as his current one would expire at the end of the season. Hills ended up leaving the Browns to go to the Kansas City Chiefs during the free agency period in 2012.


Not all players that have been featured on the cover of Madden were bound for doom and gloom though.


2010: Larry Fitzgerald and Troy Polamalu

Troy Polamalu and Larry Fitzgerald

When Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald was featured on the cover of Madden 10, alongside Pittsburgh Steelers safety Troy Polamalu, he started all 16 regular season games for the Cardinals, as well as both playoff games. Although Fitzgerald didn't attend the Pro Bowl, he still posted 97 receptions, 1,092 yards and a career high 13 touchdowns during the season. On the other hand though, Polamalu didn't have the best of seasons has he suffered from a sprain of his MCL during the first half of the first game of the 2010/11 season, causing him to miss the next four games of the season.


In conclusion, the effects of being featured on the cover of Madden varies from player to player. Believing that there is such thing as a Madden curse though is down to you.


twitter - @ConorJPorter 

FA Cup Quarter Final - Chelsea vs Leicester City Match Report

Chelsea 5-2 Leicester City

Meireles and Torres celebrating

Fernando Torres scored two goals as Chelsea beat Leicester City 5-2 at Stamford Bridge to advance to the FA cup semi-finals.

The first real goal scoring opportunity of the match came from Leicester City striker, Jermaine Beckford, who had a shot from the edge of the penalty area that curled wide of the right hand post.

The first goal came 11 minutes into the match from Cahill, after he headed Juan Mata’s corner into the back of the net from close range.

For his celebration, Cahill revealed a ‘Pray for Muamba’ shirt, showing support towards Bolton Wanderers midfielder, Fabrice Muamba, who tragically collapsed when his side played against Tottenham Hotspur in the FA cup yesterday.

Cahill showing his support for Muamba

Five minutes later, Salomon Kalou scored Chelsea’s second goal of the day from a Fernando Torres pass. Kalou slotted the ball into the bottom left corner from inside the box.

Leicester City’s Paul Gallagher had a shot from the edge of the box two minutes later, which went wide of the right hand post.

Leicester City continued to press towards opening their scoring tally, with opportunities by Neil Danns and Beckford coming close throughout the rest of the first half.

Chelsea weren’t without their chances either, as Torres and Daniel Sturridge had occasions where they could have increased Chelsea’s lead, only to be stopped by the hard working Leicester City defence.

After the start of the second half, Mata was substituted for Florent Malouda. He nearly made an instant impact on the game as he had a shot towards the bottom right corner of the goal, causing Leicester City goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel to make a save.

Chances came and went from both sides until finally Torres broke the dead lock in the second half and ended his goal drought by passing a ground cross by Raul Meireles into the bottom left corner of the net.

That goal was Torres’s first goal since October 2011, ending his goal drought that lasted 24 matches in all competitions.

However, on the 78 minute, Leicester City pulled one back through Beckford. After a poor through ball by Chelsea’s Michael Essien, Leicester City went on the counter attack which resulted in a Beckford goal from the rebound of Danns shot from outside the box that had hit the post.

Seven minutes after the Leicester City goal, Chelsea restored their three goal cushion thanks to a second goal by Torres.

Assisted by a Meireles corner, Torres managed to head the ball from the far left edge of the six yard box despite being marked by two players, into the far right corner of the goal.

Three minutes later, Leicester City midfielder Ben Marshall scored his first goal for Leicester City, one which could be a contender for goal of the season.

From around 30 yards out, Marshall smashed the ball into the top right corner of the net and out of reach of Petr Cech.

Meireles wrapped up the scoring with a goal in the 90 minute thanks to a Torres pass making the final score 5-2 to Chelsea.

Torres not being selfish and going for his hat-trick, decided to pass the ball across the box to Meireles who passed the ball into the bottom left corner of Schmeichel’s goal.

For their remaining games in the npower championship, Leicester City will focus on fighting for a place in the playoffs but it will be tough as they are eight points adrift of 6^th place with only ten games remaining.

With this win, Chelsea advance to the FA cup semi-finals at Wembley, to play against either Tottenham Hotspur or Bolton Wanderers on the 14/15 April.


twitter - @ConorJPorter

Reasons why you should watch Superbowl XLVI

We're just over a week away from one of the greatest sporting events on earth. The Superbowl. This year, it's between the New York Giants and the New England Patriots at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. What better way to celebrate than to tell you some reasons why you watch this special event.


Rematch of Superbowl XLII


It's the first time the New York Giants and the New England Patriots will be returning to the Superbowl since they played against each other in Superbowl XLII. I don't think the Patriots need to worry about any mishaps this time around. Bill Belichick has promised he won't be wearing any red hoodies and Tom Brady has lots of options to pass to. Also, Asante Samuel doesn't play for the Pats anymore so you won't have to worry about any dropped interceptions. The Giants on the other hand, they haven't lost a single playoff game whilst wearing their white jerseys since the 2007 season, which is the same jersey colour they will be wearing in this years Superbowl. Eli Manning and Victor Cruz are having fantastic seasons. It's guaranteed to be an exciting game.


Superbowl Adverts


Don't you even think about moving from your seat when the Superbowl cuts to commercial break!! Each year, the Superbowl provides us with the best adverts on TV, guaranteed to be witty, make you laugh, smile, shocked or freaked out in some way. They vary from a kid slapping his mum's boyfriend over Doritos, to Betty White playing football, to the classic "Wassup!" advert by Budweiser. If the game is boring, then the Superbowl ads will certainly make you feel better.


Superbowl Halftime Show


This year, Madonna, and maybe Cee Lo Green and LMFAO, will be added to the list of performers that have performed at half time at the Superbowl. This list includes, The Who, The Rolling Stones, U2, The Black Eyed Peas, Michael Jackson, Aerosmith, Diana Ross and Queen Latifah. This can't be missed.


The Next David Tyree Moment


The last time the Giants and the Patriots meet in the Superbowl, David Tyree caught a pass by Eli Manning between his hand and his helmet. Could this play be beaten? You'll have to watch and find out. 


Touchdown celebrations


Watch out for Victor Cruz's salsa dancing and Rob Gronkowski's ball spike when they score touchdowns. You'll be wanting to imitate them in no time.


Defences at work


Patriots defensive line man Vince Wilfork can move around well in small places for a guy that weighs 23 stone. As for the Giants, Jason Pierre-Paul has had 17 sacks this season. Watch out for both of these guys. 


My Prediction


It's a tough one. With the Superbowl being the biggest stage of them all, to win your players must not crack under the pressure it brings. Brady must step up his game if the Patriots are to have any chance of winning on Superbowl Sunday. His performance against the Baltimore Ravens wasn't good enough and they were lucky that the game didn't go into over time. With the possibility of losing Gronkowski too, it could be a tough battle for them. The Giants have already beaten the Patriots this season and they have been fantastic by defeating the Atlanta Falcons, the Green Bay Packers and the San Francisco 49ers in the playoffs away from home. Manning is at the top of his game which means I can't see the Giants losing this one. Especially with how well their defence is performing too. The Patriots are favourites to win by most bookies but I see the Giants pulling it off.


Giants 27 - 24 Patriots

twitter - @ConorJPorter