Weekend Soccer

– By Chris kirjoitti:

http://tx1.tip-ex.com/tmpl/previews/soccer090406.html




   

Weekend Soccer – By Chris.

The Premiership

Charlton - Everton 2.45 - 3.00
Since the Charlton manager Curbishley realised that he was in contention for the England managers job, his side Charlton have become 0-0 specialists. Can you actually believe that Charlton have drawn 0-0 in 5 of their last 8 football matches? There is nothing much at stake in this fixture, so there is no need for another 0-0 draw. Both sides are safe in the middle of the table so this fixture is hardly important for either team. With the winger Rommedahl back in the Charlton line up, plus the two Bents, Charlton should be able to produce some attacking football. Everton have no scoring problems either these days. Unfortunately the Everton defence has not been up to standard lately, with Sunderland finding the Everton net twice last week and Van der Meyde is still suspended. Charlton have lost their England international defender, L Young, to an injury. One small distraction for Charlton, is that they face the FA - cup replay vs Middlesbrough in a few days. Maybe I choose the away win. (3.00)

Portsmouth - Blackburn 2.61 - 2.80
I support the home win. (2.61) I was not impressed at all by the Blackburn performance against Wigan earlier this week. Many of their players (Gamst-Pedersen and Dickov for instance), looked well past their best form. Harry ‘Houdini’ Redknapp is on his way to saving Portsmouth once again. Quite incredible turn of affairs for this just recently doomed club, with 3 league wins on the spin and 9 goals scored. At this instant I tip Portsmouth to stay up in the Premiership. Compared to their rivals WBA and Birmingham, Portsmouth can score goals. Their key defender Stefanovic was back last week, entering the Fulham game in the second half. Will he play from the start now? I should think so. Home win for Portsmouth. (2.61)

Sunderland - Fulham 3.10 - 2.38
This is quite funny. Will any of their sequences be broken on Saturday? No home win for Sunderland thus far (0-4-12) and Fulham have failed to win away from home. (0-4-13) I find it most logical to back the draw (3.30). Simple mathematics - choose the best price! It looks like J Arca will be missing from the Sunderland side again. Fulham miss the suspended M Brown, but should have both Bouba Diop and A Niemi back for this match. Who could actually argue for a winning team in this fixture? I have suggested Fulham away wins at previous occasions and I have always been burnt, and I was after Sunderland home wins in the beginning of the season, more burns ! OK, X2 then, but I stick to my original draw plan. (3.30)

Tottenham - Manchester City 1.67 - 6.22
Ledley King had to withdraw form the Newcastle - Tottenham game last week and his absence most likely helped Newcastle to their 3-1 win. King is hopefully back for this match, as well as T Tainio, but Spurs will be without the suspended M Dawson. City welcome back their defender S Distin as well as C Reyna, but once again miss J Barton, Jordan and Sun Jihai. City were plain awful last week at home to Middlesbrough. Their manager Pearce was furious afterwards and I take it for granted that his players will play an improved game this weekend. Then again Tottenham have so much more to play for and should of course win this fixture. I expect the home win, but it is a poor price. (1.67)


Wigan - Birmingham 1.95 - 4.00
H Camara could not play for his Wigan, away to Blackburn, and he is very much a doubt again. Reserve striker A Johansson is also a doubt and it could be that D Connolly will start alongside J Roberts up front. Birmingham had the same starting line up vs Bolton in midweek as against Chelsea last week, plus the returning Jarosik. In other words, several of their best players were missing. It was a strong effort from this very average Birmingham side vs Bolton (1-0 win) and also last week against Chelsea, and I was quite surprised. Looking at their present defensive line up, it is not easy to understand that they have kept clean sheets in two successive games. Clemence and Butt are new injuries for Birmingham. I am not convinced, but the home win will be my choice. (1.95)

Aston Villa - W B A 2.00 - 4.20
Hot midlands derby with a lot at stake. Both sides hate winning games and it is not easy to get any feeling ahead of this match. Villa continue to be without their skipper O Mellberg and we will see Ridgewell and A Hughes in their central defence again. It looks fragile and they let in 5 goals vs Arsenal last week. G Barry should be fit and Milan Baros will play again. WBA welcome back N Quashie after his long suspension. The one injury doubt is S Watson. WBA always were destined to struggle in the Premiership and they have done basically what could be expected, but Villa have underachieved, well, they always underachieve. WBA played a decent game away to Tottenham recently, but it is hard to remember when I last saw Villa play a strong match. Now I know - several weeks ago when they defeated Middlesbrough, 4-0 away from home. I can see no winner here. The draw! (3.35)

Chelsea - West Ham 1.30 - 13.00
My God! You only get 1.30 on the home win for an out of form Chelsea. What would the price be if Chelsea were on top of their game? 1.10? OK, Chelsea are 15-1-0 at Stamford Bridge and are of course expected to win this London derby, but West Ham have plenty of dangerous footballers. Their talent, plus the questionable Chelsea form, certainly make the price on the home win look attractive. Gallas is back from his suspension and Chelsea have all their players available again. No worries for the Hammers either. In my opinion, you have to back the away win, (13.00) or not bet at all.

Liverpool - Bolton 1.53 - 7.50
Not much of a price, (1.53) but I have to trust Liverpool this time. Bolton are out of form and Allardyce and his club can soon forget about Europe next season. No goals against Birmingham in midweek and not that many chances either, not very impressive. Nothing wrong with their present squad, even with Hadji Diouf back in the starting line up against Birmingham. Diouf from the start again and maybe we will see some play for fit again I Campo. Liverpool are in excellent shape right now and they have the previously suspended Gerrard back on Sunday. Likely home win, but a short price of course. (1.53)

Manchester Utd - Arsenal 2.05 - 3.80
Two terrific sides and I have to choose the home win (2.05) because Arsenal played their big Champions League game with Juventus in midweek. United can quietly prepare for this match, while Arsenal have played their biggest game for ages only 3 days before this Old Trafford meeting. United have won their last 8 league games and they probably need no help from the outside to win this one, but as a betting man it is easier to back United, when you consider the Juve clash for Arsenal. Home win! (2.05)

Middlesbrough - Newcastle 2.50 - 2.95
The big North East derby and it looks like advantage Newcastle. (2.95) No game for Newcastle in midweek, but Middlesbrough played their return leg with Basle Thursday night. What a remarkable come back by Middlesbrough. They were 0-3 down on aggregate, but fought back with 3-4 strikers going forward. Final result 4-3 for Boro. Definitely one for the history books. Great accomplishment. However this is still an excellent opportunity for Newcastle to defeat their hot rivals on Sunday. Kieron Dyer will be back for Newcastle, T Bramble back as well. I have to admire Middlesbrough. They have played twice a week for some considerable time now and they could easily have been dragged into the relegation fight. On the contrary, they have improved their league situation despite all their midweek cup matches. And next week they have the FA - Cup replay with Charlton. Now this derby game and my choice has to be the Newcastle win. (2.95)

Serie A

Ascoli - Inter 5.50 - 1.83
Interesting to see what stuff the Inter players are made of. They were more less outplayed by Villarreal in midweek and now they face this very competitive Ascoli side. I can sense difficulties for Inter. It looks like Adriano, Veron, Stankovic and Figo will be rested for Inter. All big names. Adriano, did any one see him against Villarreal? Inter have all these great names, but it is amazing how indifferent they seem to be every now and then. Ascoli should be able to draw from the same squad that drew with Palermo last week. Last time I saw Ascoli play was a couple of weeks ago when they defeated Roma. I really liked what I saw and I choose to support the home win. (5.50)

Livorno - Udinese 2.90 - 3.25
X2 for this writer. This is very close to one of those ‘arranged’ draws, but not quite. Not like the Parma - Reggina fixture or last week's draw between Reggina and Siena. Udinese have improved with Galeone as boss, while at the same time Livorno are slowly free falling and they can forget about Europe next season. One win in 14 league games for Livorno. A similar bad run as Udinese had before Galeone took over. Livorno miss the suspended Vargas and the injured Coco, with Argilli and Pfertzel deputising. Udinese will once again use their customary 4-4-3 formation. Udinese with much more to play for, will get their point (s).

Milan - Chievo 1.40 - 9.50
This looks a likely home win, but there is no way, that I will use this price. (1.40) Chievo are having a great season and they are worth more respect than this 1.40 indicates. Milan already played their big game this week, at home to Lyon, and they could have motivation problems this time. Stam is definitely missing for Milan. Chievo come without Luciano and Giunti. In other words nothing very significant concerning the two squads. No bet game!

Cagliari - Palermo 2.30 - 4.05
This looks like a likely draw (2.75). Draw results dominate when these sides meet and looking at the present table, I suggest that both teams will be happy with another one. Cagliari miss Langella, Abeijon and D Lopez. Codrea is suspended for Palermo, but their playmaker Corini should be OK. Grosso is back in training and could come in contention on Sunday. Palermo play the return leg of the cup semi final against Roma in a few days. The draw is the call then (2.75).

Empoli - Sampdoria 2.55 - 3.65
For this game, see above. No complaints from these two camps if the match will end with a draw. If you disregard this particular time of the season, the fixed draw season, the home win would be the natural choice. Empoli are 3-1-0 in their last 4 games, while Sampdoria are winless in 7 or 8 games now. Important duo Flachi and Volpi return for Sampdoria, and Empoli welcome back their previously suspended striker, Rigano. 1X in my opinion, and with the price on the draw, 2.60, I guess that I pick the draw.

Juventus - Fiorentina 1.75 - 5.75
I just cannot back Juventus. No goals against Arsenal in 2 matches and in between a 0-0 draw with the hopeless Treviso side. Yes, Juventus seem to have problems and they should be very happy with the Milan loss against Lecce last week. It is not that easy to back Fiorentina, as they have no wins away to Juventus in modern times. On the whole Fiorentina are a truly poor away side, with only 4 away wins this far in Serie A. Juventus miss their leading defender Cannavaro. Hopefully Juventus have some other way of playing on Sunday. Their long balls up to Trezeguet and Ibrahimovic are both boring and ineffective. Well, Fiorentina will probably do the same, long balls leading to Toni. But Luca Toni is at least in form. This you cannot say about the two Juve strikers. OK, the away win! (5.75)

Messina - Treviso 1.33 - 11.00
Must win situation for Messina and their new manager, Ventura. His first game in charge was not a success, losing 0-3 away to Inter. Two important come backs for Messina. Their skipper Coppola and DiNapoli are ready to play again, but missing is D'Agostino and Coppola is also out. Ventura will play a 4-4-2 formation with DiNapoli and Floccari up front. Treviso are without 3 suspended regulars, E Filippini, Borriello and Viali and still no Pinga. Borriello has been their only really great player this season. Home win but the price is rubbish (1.33).

Parma - Reggina 3.50 - 6.50
Here it comes. The Mother of all draws, and all the book makers have reacted quickly. These two sides are on very friendly terms on a day to day basis, and in this kind of situation (both teams could use a point) I guess the result is inevitable. If you like to be special and make another kind of bet, I can at least inform you that the Parma striker Corradi is available again, as well as Morfeo. The price on the draw is 1.60! I am not joking, really I am not!

Roma - Lecce 1.36 - 10.00
Expect the same Roma side that drew with Fiorentina last week. One doubt is Perrotta. I thought that Roma were the stronger side and if they have had some kind of mini crisis they are certainly over it. All of a sudden Lecce have started competed and they had a strong result against Milan last week. They won the match, 1-0, and although I had something similar in mind, I chickened out late Saturday afternoon. Konan could replace Babu in the front line this time, and if so, it will be the only change in the Lecce line up. Home win, but this is not much of a price. (1.36)

Siena - Lazio 3.10 - 3.45
Many people are suggesting the draw in this fixture will be the result. It reminds of the Livorno - Udinese game. Probable result, but I would not say that it is one of those 100% draws. Lazio need all the points in the world to reach Europe next season and Siena are 8 points from the relegation zone. OK, maybe the draw will come about, after all. Gastaldello and D'Aversa are suspended for Siena, but Portanova and Colonnese are available again. Lazio miss their striker Pandev. Di Canio sure to start this time. Mauri is an injury doubt and Manfredini could replace him. VCbet offer 2.50 on the draw.

French League

Strasbourg - Nantes 1.95 - 4.70
I have to support the home win. (1.95) I back Strasbourg to come back from their poor display against Nice last week. They can consider themselves fortunate as their rivals, Troyes, Metz and Ajaccio all lost their matches and the situation at the foot of the table remains the same. If Strasbourg win this match against Nantes they will probably get out of the relegation zone. Nantes have no form (winless in 5 games, lacking in motivation, and they miss 2 regulars for this game,Diallo and Da Rocha as well as Keseru and probably Capoue). The Tunisian striker Gmamdia has returned to training, but I guess that he will not be ready to play this weekend for Strasbourg. Abou and Abdessadki should be OK, also P Farnerud, but no Le Pen. Home win for a highly motivated Strasbourg side. (1.95)

Rennes - Sochaux 1.61 - 7.00
Home win! (1.61) Rennes are on a remarkable run. After their poor February period the club has won 7 league games on the bounce and they are definitely "the team" in France right now. They did not shine last week, but still deserved their 1-0 win away to Toulouse. No Frei or E Edman and Rennes should be able to draw from the same group of players as last week. Diawara and Meghni are back in training again for Sochaux and maybe Diawara will come in contention for this Sunday game. 3-0 and 4-0 for Rennes against Sochaux these last 2 years and here comes their third win. (1.61) The latest news indicate that the successful Rennes striker Utaka is a major doubt ahead of this match. Not what I wanted to hear!

Bordeaux - St Etienne 1.60 - 6.50
Home win! (1.60) The previously suspended trio, Darcheville, Chamakh and Fernando return for the home side, but missing are Henrique, Jurietti and Laslandes. Darcheville and Chamakh - regular strikers for Bordeaux. St Etienne will be without their first choice keeper Janot and their defender Basto (Yahia in for Basto). Problems in defence as Ilunga, Perquis and Perrin remain sidelined. Bordeaux should be extremely motivated ahead of this game, but St Etienne have no extra incentive at all this time. League points of course, doing their best and all that pre talk routine. Home win! (1.60)

La Liga

Espanyol - Atletico Madrid 2.60 - 3.10
I prefer to back Atletico in their away matches and maybe I think that Espanyol are already focusing on the Copa del Rey final next week. Ibagaza will definitely play for Atletico and there is also an outside chance that Maxi Rodriguez will be ready on Sunday. Missing is the suspended Pablo Ibanez. Not easy for the Espanyol coach Lotina to choose the right team for this game. He is of course desperate to field his best side against Zaragoza next week and he does need not any injuries this week end. At the same time Espanyol need league points. They are too close to the relegation zone for their own comfort. Tamudo will not play, but de la Pena should start on Sunday and probably Luis Garcia up front. Atletico, with Kezman, Petrov and Torres going forward, served by the immaculate Ibagaza, have a great chance of winning this fixture. Away win! (3.10)

Racing Santander - Barcelona 7.30 - 1.55
I never thought of including this bet until I noticed that the Racing boss is a bit desperate ahead of this fixture. He will change 6 positions with players like Moraton, Oriol, Melo, Matabuena and O Serrano joining the starting line up. One injury doubt, and that is A Tomas. For Barcelona I should think that Edmilson and Giuly will play from the start this time. Nothing new on the injury horizon. I very much doubt that Barca are the ideal opponent, when you choose to change 50% of the team. Away win! (1.55)

Alaves - Osasuna 2.61 - 3.00
So far Osasuna have enjoyed a great season and a place in the next years' Champions League is still a distinct possibility. The fact that they lost to Getafe 0-4 last week, makes my choice that much easier. Quality sides come back from adversity and I honestly think that Osasuna have that quality. It looks like Elia will play in goal this time instead of Ricardo and Delporte returns from his suspesnion. Alaves are on a positive run, unbeaten in 5 games now. Three of those games, 0-0! Their leading striker Bodipo is out of this fixture, with Jandro his replacement. Defender G Calvez is suspended and Juanito will deputise. Osasuna to win! (3.00)

The Championship

The Championship is a bit boring at the moment with most of the big issues already decided, from a realistic point of view, although mathematically it is not over yet. There is not much to get excited about, but there a few games worth a mention.

Cardiff - Reading 2.75 - 2.50
Cardiff are 8 points behind Preston with 5 games to go, and you can say that they still have a chance to reach the play offs. Well, they should have produced more than 1 point these last 2 weeks against QPR and Southampton, if they aimed for the play offs. Not good enough of course, I know that. Cardiff have P Parry back for this game, but miss Loovens and probably their striker S Thompson as well. Both key player Koumas and Ardley are major injury doubts. Reading come without their winger G Little, with J Oster deputising. Could be that B Gunnarsson, S Long and G Stack will get some playing time tomorrow. Reading may have won this division, but they still have a realistic chance of beating the points record in the Championship, and they will go for that. Away win! (2.50)

Preston - Norwich 1.90 - 4.35
Brett Ormerod is back for Preston and he is a likely starter up front together with Agyemang. Jarrett is not allowed to play against his old club and B O'Neil should be his replacement. Norwich could be without Safri. Nothing at stake for Norwich this time. This particular Norwich line up seems to need all the motivation in the world in order to perform, and I very much doubt that coach Worthington will be able to whip up his boys for this game. I have to say that I am a bit influenced by the Norwich non-performance away to Burnley a fortnight ago. Preston to win! (1.90)

Burnley - Q P R 2.10 - 3.85
Two important players are back for the home side, J MacGreal and Micah Hyde. QPR have K Gallen available again. New coach Waddock is indicating that his younger players will get their chances from now on. Tomorrow will probably see Donnelly and S Bailey getting a run out.. Veteran striker Furlong could be left out as well as the other striker M Nygaard. QPR are winless in 6 games and I choose to oppose them this weekend. (2.10)

Chris.

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