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Weekend Soccer – By Chris. The Premiership
Birmingham - Derby 1.62 - 6.50 Derby picked up a point from their meeting with Man City and Jewell was probably pleased with that achievement. City are currently one of the poorer sides in the Premiership, so a point against them is not such a great achievement. Derby have signed veteran defender A Stubbs from Everton, while L Nyatanga has left for Barnsley. Nothing wrong with Stubbs, but he does not exactly have a bright future. Home win (1.62). Birmingham 1 Derby 1
Blackburn - Everton 2.45 - 3.20 T Cahill will make a welcome return for Everton and T Hibbert is available again, along with Osman who should be fit. A Gardner has joined the club from Tottenham. Everton’s 0-0 midweek game with Tottenham was a dour affair, but Everton were probably slightly better on the day. Of course they had the home advantage, but on the whole it was a disappointing evening. The Everton coach Moyes talked about tired players after the match. Expect no champagne football at Ewood Park either, rather a close game with few scoring chances. A typical Blackburn vs. Everton match in other words. No winner, I guess. The draw (3.30). Blackburn 0 Everton 0
Liverpool - Sunderland 1.30 - 12.50 Liverpool lost and lost deservedly to West Ham in midweek. The goal was a last minute penalty but justice was done. As I said in my preview ahead of the match with W Ham, there are no easy games for Liverpool these days and I do not fancy them as mega favourites (1.30) against Sunderland. Mascherano will be back in the Liverpool squad after his suspension, but Arbeloa and Voronin are on the injury list. No bet then. Liverpool 3 Sunderland 0
Manchester City - Arsenal 4.78 - 1.85 City drew with bottom side Derby a few days ago. Soon as I saw the City starting line up I had to back the home side, Derby. Great odds (5.00) and it was the worst City line up since Sven became their boss. No M Richards in defence, a strange looking midfield (Etuhu, Gelson, Ireland and Petrov), without both Elano and Hamann and young Sturrdige and Vassell played as strikers. I expect one or two of the missing players, Richards and Elano, to return for this match, but there is no denying that City at the moment are nowhere near their best form. Benjani, the Portsmouth ace, was on his way to City, but the deal was clinched in time. The young Basle striker Caicedo (19 years old) became the only City signing, but he will not play tomorrow. So now City have to live with Vassell and Mpenza for the rest of the season. Backing the away win. (1.85) Man City 1 Arsenal 3
Portsmouth - Chelsea 5.25 - 1.76 M Baros played his first 78 minutes for Portsmouth at Old Trafford in midweek. Redknapp has made some great signings over the years, but I very much doubt that he has found the right man this time. United were 2-0 up after 15 minutes. They controlled the first half and then in the second half it looked like both sides were happy with the status quo. Pompey miss their African players and I do not think that they are offensively strong enough to threaten Chelsea without their African four some. Of course J Defoe has joined from Tottenham and Pompey and that has certainly improved their offence. Defoe is a bit like Lua Lua, once a Portsmouth striker. Key defender S Distin is out of this match. So fa there have been nine meetings between these two clubs in the Premiership and Chelsea have won them all. Likely away win, but the odds are only so and so (1.76). Portsmouth 1 Chelsea 1
Reading - Bolton 2.15 - 3.75 Bolton have drawn their last two matches, both 0-0, and nothing could be else could have been expected than those results. They only use one striker, K Davies, and I see him more like a target player and a damned good one. In all honesty the present Bolton coach Megson has not got the strongest of squads around, but I guess that staying in the Premiership is what matters. Megson's predecessor had both Anelka and Hadji-Diouf and still failed. Hadji-Diouf by the way will be picked up by a private jet for this match. G Rasiak, the Polish striker, has joined Bolton on loan from Southampton. I Campo will be back for this match and latest signing, G Cahill from Villa could make his first start in the Bolton defence. 1X , but I am supporting the home win (2.15). Reading 0 Bolton 2
Tottenham - Manchester Utd 4.25 - 1.95 Time for revenge for Spurs? Why not, but you should remember that Tottenham have lost to United at White Hart Lane for the last six years (last season it was 0-4). J Woodgate filled in nicely for the injured L King in midweek. Tomorrow M Dawson will return from his suspension. Stalteri and A Gardner have left the club but the Hertha Berlin left back Gilberto has signed for Spurs, as well as A Hutton. United have all the options in the world at the moment. Against Portsmouth Hargeaves and Tevez were rested with Ji Sung and Nani in the starting line up. The only thing you know for sure is that Rooney and Ronaldo, Vidic and Ferdinand will be playing, when fit that is. Ronaldo's second goal against Portsmouth was out of this world. He is turning free kicks into penalties it seems. Still, betting is all about odds, and on top of it I love Tottenham when they are playing at White Hart Lane. I have to back the home win (4.25). Tottenham 1 Man Utd 1
Wigan - West Ham 2.80 - 2.80 W Ham are quite a team these days. I have said it so often, a team full of character, prepared to work hard. Players like D Ashton and Etherington started on the bench in the Liverpool match, but both played the last 30 minutes. F Ljungberg works as hard as during his Arsenal days. Two players I miss, Bellamy and K Dyer, maybe also Zamora. I do not think that W Ham will lose this match. X2 then. Wigan 1 West Ham 0
Fulham - Aston Villa 3.36 - 2.32 Villa will be without the suspended A Young. W Routledge, signed on from Tottenham, could make his first start for his new club. Villa have been in terrific form away from home this season (4-6-1). They should not lose this match. Backing the draw (3.25). Fulham 2 Aston Villa 1
Newcastle - Middlesbrough 2.04 - 4.33 Middlesbrough risk missing both J Aladiere and Tuncay Sanli for this match. Mido will replace Sanli and that is perfectly OK. The Brazilain goal machine A Alves has joined Boro. What can I say? He scored plenty of goals for Swedish Malmö, he scored even more goals for Heerenveen and he should be a success at the Riverside. No guarantee however, not everyone is suited to the Premiership. If the papers are in order he will be involved on Sunday. Plenty of question marks. For backing Newcastle I have to know that Viduka is fit and playing. If Afonso Alves will play for Boro, maybe with Mido up front, Boro are starting to interest me. For now, no bet! Newcastle 1 Middlesbrough 1 Serie A
Fiorentina - Milan 3.25 - 2.50 Fiorentina 0 Milan 1 Milan did their job against Reggina in midweek, no more than that (1-0 win). Kaka had a quiet game, Seedorf was on the bench, Ronaldo was out injured, but fortunately for Milan, Gilardino was able to score again. Ambrosini will be back for this match, Seedorf as well, but Ronaldo remains sidelined. In modern times Fiorentina are 4-3-1 in their home games with Milan. I suggest the draw alternative (3.09).
Genoa - Catania 2.00 - 4.70 Genoa have to do without the suspended Milanetto and Rubinho. Paro and Scarpi will replace the suspended duo. Still no Leon, but Criscito will be back. Catania have to do without the suspended duo Edusei and Vargas. They have signed two Argentinians, Alvarez and Silvestre, ready for this match. Home win (2.00). Genoa 2 Catania 1
Inter - Empoli 1.21 - 17.00 Empoli lost the derby game vs Fiorentina, 0-2. The goals came extremely late, but it is typical that struggling sides so often let in goals late in the games. Empoli should be unchanged but they have problems with an on going flu in the squad. Home win (1.21). Inter 1 Empoli 0
Juventus - Cagliari 1.23 - 18.10 Camoranesi could be back for Juventus, but Buffon will sit this one out. Although they played against Inter in midweek in the cup and although they are missing one or two regulars they will have enough of energy left to defeat poor Cagliari (1.23). Juventus 1 Cagliari 1
Lazio - Sampdoria 2.20 - 4.06 Gastaldello and Cassano should be fit for Sampdoria, but Lucchini, Sammarco, Accardi and Montella are out, injured. Cassano was rested in midweek when Sampdoria lost their cup game to Roma, 0-1. Lazio have lost their last two home games in the league and the pressure is on now. This is a must win game, as simple as that. I would not say that they are out of form. They won their cup match against Fiorentina last week, they won the away game at Fiorentina and they have drawn their last two away games in the league. Still it is correct to say that Sampdoria are on a high at the moment. My choice will nevertheless be the home win (2.20). Lazio 2 Sampdoria 1
Napoli - Udinese 2.52 - 3.15 Udinese will send out all their regulars again. They were all rested for the cup game in midweek. Special match this one for Udinese. They lost their home game with Napoli 0-5 and the Udinese players must be desperate for revenge. Mesto, Pinzi and Asamoah will be missing for Udinese. Sorry, I have no real opinion. Napoli 3 Udinese 1
Palermo - Livorno 1.80 - 6.66 It was a bit strange that Livorno allowed Juventus to hit them on the break last week. It should be the other way around, at least in my opinion. Midfielder De Vezze is suspended and Bergvold, Volpe and Giannichedda remain on the sidelines. Palermo do your duty and win this match (1.80). Palermo 1 Livorno 0
Parma - Atalanta 2.20 - 4.10 Atalanta have to do without the suspended Tissone. Their target man Floccari is a major doubt and he could be replaced by new signing Paolucci from Udinese. Last week was an interesting for Atalanta. First they defeated Milan and then they wasted a 2-0 lead at home to Reggina. They usually have big problems with their trips to Parma. As a matter of fact Parma are 3-3-0 in their last home games with Atalanta. Backing the home win (2.20). Parma 2 Atalanta 3
Reggina - Torino 2.29 - 3.84 Reggina 1 Torino 3
Siena - Roma 6.60 - 1.67 Roma had Pizarro and Perrotta on the bench in midweek, but the rest of their A team squad were very much in action when Roma defeated Sampdoria 1-0 in the cup. Roma are a terrific away side with 6-4-0 so far and they are likely winners here. The odds? (1.67). Well, what did you expect? Siena 3 Roma 0 The Championship
Scunthorpe - Charlton 3.20 - 2.30 Much as expected, newcomers Scunthorpe are struggling in this division with only one single win in their last ten league games. Both their recent signings J Hobbs and G McCann played from the start in their last match, away to Burnley. Their presence did not help much as Scunthorpe had no chance at all (0-2 loss). Veteran and much travelled striker G Horsfield has signed for Scunthorpe. He could earn his first start tomorrow and skipper A Crosby will be back to play. Charlton have too much for Scunthorpe (2.30). Scunthorpe 1 Charlton 0
Plymouth - Hull 2.20 - 3.50 Poor game from both parties but Hull nevertheless picked up three priceless points at home to Coventry this week. Folan and Barmby started on the bench, but Folan scored the only goal of the match in the second half. Hull already have visited Plymouth this season for a FA Cup tie. They were 0-2 down after some 30 minutes and lost the match 2-3. D Norris has Plymouth which is a blow, but he did not play against Ipswich and he did not play the cup game with Hull either. The Motherwell defender J Paterson has signed for Plymouth. I am prepared to back Plymouth again (2.20). Plymouth 0 Hull 1
Norwich - Preston 2.05 - 3.75 The incredible Norwich run goes on, now unbeaten in their last ten games and I will support them again tomorrow (2.05). D Huckerby was back playing as a second half substitute last week and I should think that we will see more of him in this match. Norwich have loaned the Middlesbrough defender M Bates and two young players from the Reading squad have also joined the club. All three are very much in contention for this game. K Gibbs from Arsenal will also be playing for Norwich from now on. Preston will be without three suspended regulars, Mawene, C Sedgwick and C Brown. Mellor or Ormerod will replace Brown in the front line. N Trotman, Oldham defender, has signed for the club as well as an Aberdeen player. Only Trotman will be ready for this fixture. Preston are in form but maybe they will be missing one or two players too many this time. Backing Norwich again (2.05). Norwich 1 Preston 0 La Liga
Real Zaragoza - Atletic Bilbao 1.90 - 4.75 A Bilbao played in the cup against Racing on Thursday night (3-3) and no question that Zaragoza will be better prepared for this league game. Atletic hope to include one or two of Exteberria, Iraola and J Martinez again. The way I see it, Zaragoza will be too strong for the Basque side. Home win (1.90). Real Zaragoza 1 Atletico Bilbao 0
Valladolid - Valencia 2.38 - 3.20 Valladolid were on a great little run prior to their visit to Coruna last week. They were beaten 1-3 but my guess is that Valladolid will come more motivated for this game, because of that loss. Their first choice keeper Asenjo is suspended for this match with veteran Alberto his replacement. V Manchev, the Bulgarian ace, has signed for the club as well as the Argentinian M Aguirre. Valladolid, full of energy, will probably win this match (2.38). Valladolid 0 Valencia 2
Recreativo Huelva - Sevilla 3.30 - 2.30 Recreativo Huelva 1 Sevilla 2
Almeria - Real Marid 5.90 - 1.67 Diarra will be back for Real, Gago is suspended and there are some doubts concerning the fitness of Van Nistelrooy. One of these days Real will offer a half hearted performance. Visiting Almeria how exciting is that for the Real super stars? Taking a chance with the home win (5.90). Almeria 2 Real Madrid 0 Chris. |
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