Terry expects 'fight to the death' in Premiership

Chelsea's Didier Drogba celebrates scoring a goal with teammate John Terry (right) during a Premiership match in London, in April. Chelsea captain Terry expects English football's superpowers to fight to the death for the Premier League title as his side prepare to launch their challenge against Hull on Saturday.

Chelsea captain John Terry expects English football's superpowers to fight to the death for the Premier League title as his side prepare to launch their challenge against Hull on Saturday.

Carlo Ancelotti's team have an opportunity to send a message to title rivals Manchester United and Liverpool when they kick-off the new campaign in Saturday's early match at Stamford Bridge.

Terry and company are desperate to end United's three-year reign as champions and bring the crown back to west London for the first time since 2006.

But England defender Terry knows United won't surrender without a struggle and he is relishing a battle royale at the top of the table.

"It will be close, as it has been for the last four or five years. We have been pushing them (United) closely and when we won it, they were pushing us, so it will be a fight to the death," Terry said.

"I am sure at the same time Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester City will be pushing and upsetting a few good teams as well."

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson will have expected bold words from Stamford Bridge and Anfield, but he is convinced his players are hungry to make history as they chase a record fourth successive title.

Ferguson's team, who host newly-promoted Birmingham in their opening match on Sunday, have established a vice-like grip on the title over the last three years, but the close-season departures of Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez have left United looking a little more vulnerable than usual.

Yet Ferguson has the motivation of leading United to two significant landmarks this season.

Like Liverpool, Arsenal and Huddersfield before them, United have won three successive titles and a fourth would not only set a new record for prolonged dominance in England but also take United past Liverpool's haul of 18 English league titles.

Premier League's Liverpool coach Rafael Benitez kicks the ball during his team warm-up before a friendly match in Singapore, in July. Benitez's side will get an early examination of their Premiership title credentials at Tottenham on Sunday.

The prospect of passing bitter rivals Liverpool promises to be the story of the season and Ferguson has no doubts United can rise to the challenge.

"We would like to do it. It would be a great achievement obviously, because we all know what a difficult league it is," Ferguson said.

"Under the circumstances, it was a great achievement to win it last year. But we don't have to go for the Club World Cup this time and we don't have to play catch-up in terms of games."

If United do stumble without Ronaldo and Tevez, then Liverpool, who finished second last term, will be expected to take advantage.

But Rafael Benitez's side will get an early examination of their title credentials at Tottenham on Sunday.

Benitez has seen Xabi Alonso depart to Real Madrid, while his replacement Alberto Aquilani won't be fit for several weeks.

As if that wasn't disrupting enough, captain Steven Gerrard is struggling with an ankle injury and first-choice centre-backs Jamie Carragher and Martin Skrtel are both less than 100 percent fit.

"If we talk about expectations and the title, that's normal because we've done well and have a good squad," Benitez said. "But to win something every single year is difficult because of the quality of the teams."

Arsenal can offer a rebuke to critics who have written them out of the title race when they face Everton at Goodison Park, while Manchester City fans at Blackburn will get a first look at their star-studded line-up after boss Mark Hughes's 100 million pounds spending spree.

"We are chomping at the bit to get going. There is a tangible feeling of anticipation both within in the club and amongst the fans," Hughes said.

"We have the opportunity on Saturday to start on the front foot. We can make a statement."

Fixtures (all 1400GMT unless stated):

Saturday

Aston Villa v Wigan, Blackburn v Man City, Bolton v Sunderland, Chelsea v Hull City (1145GMT), Everton v Arsenal (1630GMT), Portsmouth v Fulham, Stoke v Burnley, Wolverhampton v West Ham

Sunday

Man Utd v Birmingham (1230GMT), Tottenham v Liverpool (1500GMT)

Bayern's van Gaal looks to blood Ribery

Franck Ribery gestures after a training session. Bayern Munich coach Louis van Gaal says he plans to play star midfielder Ribery in Saturday's clash with Werder Bremen as he integrates the Frenchman back into the squad.

Bayern Munich coach Louis van Gaal says he plans to play star midfielder Franck Ribery in Saturday's clash with Werder Bremen as he integrates the Frenchman back into the squad.

With Real Madrid and Manchester United both reported to still be chasing the 26-year-old midfielder, who played in France's 1-0 World Cup qualier win over the Faroe Islands on Wednesday, van Gaal will play him against Bremen.

Ribery has made a slow start to the season after picking up an ankle injury during pre-season training and van Gaal is still working out his first-choice line-up after less than two months in charge.

"Franck is back now, but I must integrate him in the team," said the Dutchman after Ribery missed last week's 1-1 draw with Hoffenheim on the opening weekend of the season.

"Perhaps he will play 20 minutes against Bremen."

And Bayern Munich general manager Uli Hoeness insists Ribery is going nowhere despite Real and United's interest.

"Let me say this for the 98th time: Franck Ribery is staying at Bayern," he said.

"The subject was closed once and for all last month.

"All the offers that came in after that, or are still to come in, won?t receive a moment?s consideration from us."

With club captain and first-choice midfield enforcer Mark van Bommel sidelined for four weeks with a broken toe, Ukraine star Anatoliy Tymoshchuk has his chance.

"I'm more than certain I can claim a regular place," he said defiantly.

"Up to now, I've not had time to show everyone what I can do. I've had to take in a lot of new things," remarked the Ukraine man, who is about to polish up his German.

Defending champions Wolfsburg are aiming to build on last week's winning start when they travel to Cologne with strikers Grafite and Edin Dzeko showing the same form which netted them more than 50 goals between them last season.

Wolfsburg coach Armin Veh strengthened his attack in midweek by signing former Inter Milan forward Obafemi Martins from English Premier League side Newcastle United.

On Sunday, third-placed Schalke 04 are home to VfL Bochum but the Royal Blues will be without Germany defender Christian Pander for the next few weeks after the 25-year-old had his fifth operation on his left knee on Monday.

Saturday (1330 GMT unless stated)

Bayern Munich v Werder Bremen

VfB Stuttgart v Freiburg

Hamburg v Borussia Dortmund

Bayer Leverkusen v Hoffenheim

Hanover 96 v Mainz 05

Eintracht Frankfurt v Nuremberg

Cologne v VfL Wolfsburg (1430)

Sunday

Borussia M'gladbach v Hertha Berlin (1330)

Schalke 04 v VfL Bochum (1530)

Beckham ready to snub Premiership for Milan return

File photo of David Beckham as midfielder for AC Milan's in March. Beckham has all but ruled out a return to the English Premier League after insisting AC Milan are very much his first choice when he leaves LA Galaxy at the end of the Major League Soccer season.

David Beckham has all but ruled out a return to the English Premier League after insisting AC Milan are very much his first choice when he leaves LA Galaxy at the end of the Major League Soccer season.

Beckham, who won his 113th cap for England during Wednesday's 2-2 draw against Holland in Amsterdam, has been told by his national coach Fabio Capello that he must move back to Europe if he wants to be considered for next year's World Cup finals in South Africa.

Capello's comments led to speculation that Beckham could return to the Premier League for the first time since leaving Manchester United for Real Madrid in 2003, with Tottenham, Portsmouth and even Chelsea reported to be interested.

But the midfielder, who paid out of his own pocket to subsidise a loan move to Milan last season, was unimpressed when asked if he could play in England again.

"No. I mean I'm never going to stand here and say it will never happen but obviously I enjoyed my time at Milan and they have expressed that they want me to go back," Beckham said after England's draw. "You know AC Milan is one of the best clubs in the world."

The one thing Beckham is well aware of is that Capello has insisted he must be in Europe by Christmas if he wants to go to South Africa.

"I read that a couple of days ago but it's old news," Beckham said. "I've always known that, everyone has known that and it's been a fact for a long time now.

"It's important I'm playing in a European league leading up to the World Cup.

"I'll concentrate on the rest of the MLS season with the Galaxy and then after that's finished in a few months I'll make plans.

"I'm 95 or 99 percent sure they will happen. So, like I said, it's important I concentrate on the season with the Galaxy and once that's over there will be a decision made by myself and the club I'm going to."

David Beckham leaves the Los Angeles Galaxy training pitch with his children in July after practice with the Galaxy. Beckham's loyalty to England has not gone down well in the US, where he was booed by Galaxy fans on his return to the Major League Soccer in July.

Beckham's loyalty to England has gone down less well in the States where he was booed by Galaxy fans on his return to the MLS.

But his recent performances on the field have helped the team to second in the table and a possible play-off place.

"Things are going well," Beckham added. "That's why I want to concentrate on Galaxy now and finish the season on a high."

Things are also going well with England after they came from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 in the Amsterdam Arena.

Two terrible mistakes from Rio Ferdinand and Gareth Barry, who both gave the ball away in key areas, allowed Holland to score twice in the first half through Dirk Kuyt and Rafael van der Vaart.

But a second-half revival from Capello's side saw substitute Jermain Defoe score twice and fellow replacements Carlton Cole and James Milner impress, proving England's strength in depth.

Beckham, who hopes to play against Croatia next month in a match at Wembley that could see England qualify for the World Cup Finals, said: "We've got a whole squad of exciting young players, not just 11. We?ve got a whole host of players who can come on and make a difference.

"Jermain in training was on fire, scoring goals for fun, and we know if he got a chance he would score.

"With Carlton coming on they both looked a threat and James Milner on the left creating goals. It's what you want to see and what England fans want to see - young players coming on and making a difference.

"The competition in the squad is growing and hopefully once we qualify that will continue because you want competition, it's what makes great teams."

Spain edge Macedonians in fightback victory

Spain's David Villa (R) vies for the ball with Macedonia's Filip Despotovski (L) during an international friendly football match in Skopje. Spain won 3-2.

European champions Spain bagged three goals inside five second-half minutes on Wednesday to come from two goals down to beat Macedonia 3-2 at Skopje in a friendly international.

Goran Pandev had seemingly put the hosts on the way to a shock success in a frenetic opening dominated by the eastern Europeans.

The Lazio hitman took a pass from Ilco Naumoski to fire home the opener on seven minutes and then doubled the advantage with a fine left-footed solo effort just after the half-hour mark.

But the Spanish regrouped after their horrendous opening phase and the second half was an entirely different affair.

Six minutes after the restart Liverpool striker Fernando Torres reduced the deficit with a header from a Xavi pass and after 54 minutes Barcelona's former Manchester United man Gerard Pique levelled the encounter from inside the box.

Two minutes later it was 3-2 to the visitors, Torres' clubmate Albert Riera netting a left-footer to get on the scoresheet as both Liverpool stars had done in their pre-season friendly canter in Singapore last month.

The Spaniards turned out before kickoff wearing shirts emblazoned with the number 21 of Espanyol captain and defender Daniel Jarque, who died last week of heart failure while on a pre-season tour of Italy.