Weekend Soccer – By Chris.
The Premiership
Aston Villa - Wigan 1.57 - 7.22
Home win in my opinion (1.57). A win here for Villa
and Everton losing to Arsenal, then Villa will be in
fifth place. Wigan are not mathematically safe, but
they are close to safe. If Birmingham, Reading and
Bolton all should win their matches tomorrow, Wigan
should start worrying, but only then. Villa
continued their good run by drawing 2-2 with
Everton. All their key players will probably be
available tomorrow. Only injury doubt is the Swedish
international defender, O Mellberg. Wigan are no
pushovers, I admit as much. As it looks right now,
the Heskey equaliser against Chelsea made the United
gold likely. Home win (1.57).
Aston Villa 0
Wigan 2
Blackburn - Derby 1.30 - 13.00
What can I say? Have we ever witnessed a worse
defence in the Premiership than the present Derby
line up? I do not think so. A bit embarrassing to
watch Adebayor, Gallas and other Arsenal players
more or less ridiculing their Derby colleagues.
Blackburn are in great shape at the moment, they
only risk missing Samba and McCarthy. They will be
winners tomorrow (1.30).
Blackburn 3 Derby
1
Bolton - Sunderland 1.67 - 6.16
Are we in Italy? Seems like that. Just because
Sunderland are safe, they are expected to stop
trying, or how else do you else explain the above
odds? The important defender J Evans could be back
for Sunderland. Bolton will have their target player
and striker K Davies back for this match, but I
Campo and O'Brien are injury doubts. With four
points from their recent two away games, they come
full of confidence to this match. I would be
surprised to see the Sunderland coach R Keane give
up on a match and the odds on the away win are
tempting enough. Then again a fully motivated Bolton
side can make any team lose their enthusiasm and I
guess that Bolton are kind of experts on these kind
of survival games. No bet for this writer.
Bolton 2 Wigan 0
Fulham - Birmingham 2.25 - 3.55
I did not give up hope last week, although Fulham
were 0-2 down against M City. I have had this
thought for a while, Fulham will stay up in the
Premiership. Decisive moments, Fulham coming back
from 0-2 down and Birmingham wasting a 2-0 lead
against Liverpool. A win against Birmingham is of
course their only alternative (2.25). Birmingham
will have the previously suspended D Johnson back
for this match. Defensively it is just not working
for Birmingham this season. They will concede their
obligatory two goals tomorrow and than it remains to
be seen if they can score more than the one goal. I
do not think so. Home win (2.25).
Fulham 2
Birmingham 0
Manchester Utd - West Ham 1.18 -
17.00
Last season West Ham, with C Tevez in excellent
form, were able to save their Premiership status by
defeating United at Old Trafford. Pay back time
tomorrow? Yes, I definitely think so. Nothing
more to say about this match. Well, W Rooney will
probably be back. Home win (1.18).
Man Utd 4 West
Ham 1
Middlesbrough - Portsmouth 2.10 -
4.00
Losing to Bolton and Sunderland in their last two
games and Middlesbrough are all of a sudden involved
in the relegation dog fight, or very close to it. I
have no sympathy for Boro. Constantly losing to
mediocre sides will not do, it is simple as that.
Last week Sunderland were allowed to head home their
winning third goal in the very last minute against
Boro, a Boro side filled with high ball specialists.
Just too poor. G O'Neill, J Aladiere and keeper M
Schwarzer will be back for the home side.
Portsmouth have scoring problems right now. Maybe
they did not deserve to lose against Blackburn last
week but they never deserved anything better than a
0-0 draw, so no big deal. The FA Cup final is what
matters to Pompey. Just to win the cup and as a
consequence also reaching a place in Europe next
season, that is what it is all about for Redknapp
and his men. H Hreidarsson will be available again.
Boro should win this match but I cannot say that I
am really prepared to bet on it (2.10).
Middlesbrough 2 Portsmouth 0
Reading - Tottenham 2.25 - 3.50
Pragmatic Reading performance last week at Wigan.
They got the only result they were looking for
(0-0). I should think that coach Coppell and his
side are looking for three points from this fixture,
or maybe a draw will do, as hopeless Derby are
awaiting in the final round. Reading fielded a
stronger side against Wigan than the week before at
the Emirates Stadium. No injuries or suspensions are
hampering their chances ahead of this match.
Tottenham are playing some good football at the
moment, but they definitely lack the cutting edge.
Typical for unmotivated, close to the end of season
sides. 1X then!
Reading 0
Tottenham 1
Arsenal - Everton 1.70 - 6.12
Fabiansky in goal, Denilson, Song Billong and
Bendtner from the start, when Arsenal thrashed
Derby, 6-2, earlier this week. Adebayor entered the
game in the second half and 45 minutes was enough
for him to score a hat trick. Seems like Arsenal are
enjoying their football at the moment and this means
that Everton will be losers on Sunday. No Van
Persie,Hleb, Diaby, Rosicky or Da Silva for Arsenal,
while Everton continue without Cahill, but should
include Arteta again. Everton should be the more
motivated side on Sunday. At the same time it looks
like the Arsenal players are enjoying these last
weeks of football and nothings indicates a below par
display from the Gunners. 1X then! Home win, I guess
(1.70).
Arsenal 1 Everton
0
Liverpool - Manchester City 1.70 -
5.60
Absolutely nothing at stake, but I will always back
the home win (1.70). Plenty of decent fringe players
in the Liverpool squad, as we have seen these last
two weeks at Fulham and Birmingham. R Dunne will be
back strengthening the City defence, but the overall
City morale will probably be low after the imminent
sacking of coach Eriksson. Should he be sacked?
50/50 situation. Depends on what you want. He has
done a good job in general, but he has lost his
winning instinct. He is too happy losing football
matches. Nice man, Mr Eriksson, and he is the
perfect coach for any struggling side. He will make
a struggling side a decent side, but forget about
Sven on the top level. You win some games and you
lose some games, that is his main
philosophy. He has become a bit of a
politician over the years. A bit boring in the end.
Typical feel good manager, but not the winning one.
Home win for Liverpool (1.70).
Liverpool 1 Man
City 0
Newcastle - Chelsea 6.40 - 1.62
Difficult fixture for Chelsea. I look upon this
match in much the same way that I assessed their
visit to Goodison Park recently against Everton.
Chelsea won the match deservedly 1-0, with the odds
on the away close to evens. In other words poor odds
on the away win (1.62). Some changes will be made in
the Chelsea squad, but there is no chance that they
will field a weakened squad.
0-2 down against W Ham last week it certainly looked
like the unbeaten Newcastle run would come to an
end. Newcastle fought back and drew the match 2-2,
but their overall display was a bit disappointing.
Maybe their players were lacking in motivation. No
risk that this will happen on Monday, that much I
know. Last match of the season at St James Park and
the last chance of winning against one of the top
sides in the Premiership. It has not been easy for
Newcastle against the top four during this campaign
and a win is long overdue. No feeling on my part
that their win will come against Chelsea. Likely
away win (1.62).
Serie A
Milan - Inter 2.60 - 3.15
Easy choice, home win! (2.60). Since Inter were
knocked out of the Champions League by Liverpool
they have been lacking in enthusiasm and
motivation. Their basic class has kept them going
and they will clinch the league tilel next week at
home to Siena. Still no Ibrahimovic in the Inter
side. Materazzi will most likely be preferred to
Burdisso in defence.
Milan are in top form, just at the perfect time.
Fiorentina dropped late points last week and my
guess is that Milan will do enough these last
few weeks to come fourth in the table. The ever
going scoring machine Inzaghi will once again be
backed up by Kaka and Seedorf. Backing Milan!
(2.60).
Milan 2 Inter 1
Atalanta - Livorno 3.25 - 2.25
Give me a break! The worst Serie A side, Livorno,
favourites against Atalanta! And all the bookmakers
have the same opinion, even the Swedish state
bookie. Atalanta will be without the suspended De
Ascentis and the injured defenders Carozzieri and
Capelli. Langella will also be missing. Anyway,
nothing wrong with the Atalanta squad.
Livorno sacked their coach earlier this week and old
favourite Orsi is reinstalled. It seems to be the
latest fashion in Italian football to reinstall
managers. Third time this season. Orsi will be
without the suspended duo Galante and De Vezze. So
Livorno will the only really motivated side in
Bergamo on Sunday? I do not know about that. The way
I see it you just have to back the home win (3.25)
or just ignore the match from a betting point of
view. For me? Home win! (3.25).
Atalanta 3 Livorno 2
Cagliari - Fiorentina 2.80 - 2.80
The previously suspended trio Foggia, Fini and
Pisano will be back for the home side. Their striker
Aquafresca is a serious injury doubt and Matri will
probably replace him in the front line.. Fiorentina
have to do without the suspended Montolivo. Cagliari
continue to play some good football. They lost to
the league leaders Inter last week but they were
always in with a chance, despite their many
suspended players. Fiorentina played the return leg
against Rangers (120 minutes of UEFA Cup) in midweek
and I think that we will witness a below par display
from them on Sunday. 1X this one and I will choose
the home win alternative (2.80).
Cagliari 2
Fiorentina 1
Catania - Reggina 2.10 - 4.50
Everything is at stake in this encounter with
Catania on 35 points and Reggina on 33 points.
Catania have a healthy squad only missing Martinez.
Reggina are in excellent shape and they will be able
to send out the same group of players as last week,
when they won the must win game against a weakened
Parma side, 2-1. There are three Serie A sides that
have yet to win an away game this season. Parma,
Catania and Reggina are the famous trio. Makes me
support the home win (2.10).
Catania 1 Reggina
2
Empoli - Udinese 2.02 - 4.25
If there is a motivation winner this week, this is
the one (2.02). I do not particularly buy the
Udinese interest in the UEFA Cup, but Empoli on
their part fight for their existence in Serie A.
Empoli are an improved act since old coach Cagni
took charge again. Zapotochny will be back for
Udinese, but they will be without the injured
defenders Lukovic and Ferronetti. Empoli will have
the previously suspended trio Saudati, Marchisio and
Raggi, but lose Abate to a suspension. Abate scored
their winning goal at Genoa last week. Empoli to
win! (2.02).
Empoli 0 Udinese
1
Lazio - Palermo 2.50 - 4.00
Seems like Lazio are only waiting for their Coppa
Italia return leg against Inter. Their league form
is pretty dreadful, the typical end of the season
form for a mid table side lacking in motivation. The
leading Lazio striker Rocchi is once again out
injured as well as Behrami. Dabo and Siviglia will
be suspended this weekend. For Palermo Amauri,
Bresciano and Rinaudo return form their suspensions
and they only will be without one regular this time,
the suspended defender Zaccardo. Caserta also risks
missing the match. Palermo have nothing to play for
either, but they will able to field a stronger side
than Lazio and that is why I will be backing the
away win. Yes, the odds are great as well (4.00).
Lazio 1 Palermo 2
Parma - Genoa 1.50 - 8.00
Parma were in a similar situation two weeks ago at
home to Napoli. They were mega favourites and the
home win was supposed to be a formality. Parma lost
the match. Once again Parma will be without a
cascade of suspended players. Couto, Gasbarroni,
Cigarini, Paci and Zenoni will all be missing as
well as the injured Corradi, Budan and Pisanu.
Falcone, Castellini and Mariga will be back to play.
Genoa were pathetic last week at home to Empoli.
Why, I do not know. They seemed to be enjoying their
quest for Europe, at least before the Empoli
fixture. No Fabiano or Di Vaio for Genoa, but both
Bovo and De Rosa will be back. I cannot back the low
priced home win. It has to be a no bet game or
something on the away win (8.00).
Parma 1 Genoa 0
Sampdoria - Roma 2.75 - 2.85
Strong away point for Sampdoria last week against
Fiorentina. In the 94th minute, they equalised, it
is more enjoyable that way. Sampdoria will be
without the important Maggio this time. The defender
Lucchini is a doubt. Roma have not given up on the
title and they come to this big match with a very
strong squad, only missing Juan and Totti. Sampdoria
are 10-6-1 at home. Roma are a terrific away side,
with 8-6-3 so far. Maybe my choice will be the home
win after all (2.75). If am wrong I nevertheless
expect this to be an over game.
Sampdoria 0 Roma
3
Siena - Juventus 7.70 - 1.57
Safe Siena will be without the suspended Coppola,
Brilliant Juventus will be missing the injured
Iaquinta again. Cannot say that I will be jumping on
this price on the away win (1.57). In reality
Juventus do not have that much to play for and one
of these days they are bound to offer a poor
display. I am not saying that it will happen this
weekend, but it is not out of the question. Siena
are maintaining their decent hard to beat standard
and maybe they will cause an upset in this match
(7.70).
Siena 1 Juventus
0
Torino - Napoli 1.40 - 10.00
Hopefully Napoli have learnt their lesson this time.
Obviously they did not know what was expected from
them two weeks ago, when they were arrogant enough
to defeat Parma away from home. I am trying to be
clever of course, but what can I possibly do,
considering the above odds. Gargano, Blasi and
Domizzi will be back for Napoli, but they have to do
without the suspended Cannavaro. Torino welcome back
Corini, Diana and Sereni, but they lose Dellafiore
to a suspension. What do you want from me? Backing
the home win? Over my dead body!
Torino 2 Napoli 1
La Liga
Real Zaragoza - Deportivo La Coruna 2.05
- 4.00
Seems like Zaragoza have realised their precarious
position in the league table. Too good to be
relegated, and all that crap, it does not work any
more. Drawing their away games and winning their
home fixtures is a good formula and that is the way
it has turned out for Zaragoza lately. D Milito,
their first choice striker, is fit again. Ayala, key
defender, will be back from his suspension, but Gabi
goes the other way. The magnificent four (D Milito,
Oliveira, Aimar and S Garcia) will all play from the
start. Sensational 2008 for La Coruna and in some
unbelievable way they are all of a sudden competing
for a European place. Their run will end on Sunday,
at least that is my opinion. Home win (2.05).
Real Zaragoza 1
Deportivo 0
Atletico Madrid - Recreativo Huelva 1.60
- 6.50
Nothing more tempting that a big favourite every now
and then (1.60). Atletico will basically come with
the same squad that saved a point against Getafe
last week. Only change will be Cleber Santana in for
Camacho on the midfield. Forlan and Aguero up front
as usual.
Huelva have to do without their midfielder C Martins
and the suspended defender Quique Alvarez. This
match will define the rest of the season for A
Madrid. Should they fail against Huelva, they can
forget about a place in the Champions League next
season. Home win (1.60).
Atletico Madrid 3 Recreativo Huelva 0
French League
Caen - Rennes 2.55 - 3.00
Both sides are in excellent form, but my choice has
to be the home win (2.55). Caen drew the most
difficult away game of the season last week at Lyon,
(2-2) and I cannot say that I was much surprised.
Away to the vice champions Bordeaux two weeks
before, Caen lost 1-2, but it was a close call. At
home they are quite a force with 10-4-4 this far.
They have won their last three home games and with
some style I must say. 3-0 against PSG and 4-1
against Monaco, pretty impressive results. Caen only
miss their injured midfielder Deroin.
The Rennes season has been a roller coaster one. Top
side for a while, then they dipped and their coach
left, but at this instant they are once again
competing for a place in Europe. If they really want
it that is another story, because Rennes always
field understrength sides in Europe. OK, they
pretend as if they want to play in the UEFA Cup next
season. Final home game of the season for Caen. It
will be a full house and I should think that the
home supporters will leave the match satisfied. Home
win (2.55).
Caen 2 Rennes 2
Marseille - Bordeaux 2.25 - 3.50
Another Sunday game for Marseille and hopefully they
will make me happy again (2.25). After their win in
the derby with Monaco they are in third place, but
their battle with Nancy will go on to the wire.
Valbuena could not play last week and it looks
like he will be missing again.
Bordeaux have already qualified for the Champions
League next season. They do not really seem to think
that they can give Lyon a fight for the title. Last
week at home to Nice, they were 11 vs. 10 on the
pitch, but failed to win the match. It was their big
chance really, but they did not take it. Their coach
Blanc is indicating that he will change strikers for
this match. Could be that Chamakh and Obertan will
start tomorrow. Fernando is out, suspended and both
Wendel and Cavenaghi have slight injury problems.
Backing Marseille on Sunday (2.25).
Marseille 1 Bordeaux 2
St Etienne - Lille 2.20 - 4.00
This time St Etienne are marginally over priced, but
I see no reason to stop backing "le Verts" in their
home fixtures. St Etienne are 11-5-1 at home and how
do you beat that? Their midfielder Dernis sits out a
suspension this weekend. Plenty of cover for him as
the home squad is injury free. Lille come to this
match full of confidence after a string of positive
results. Their squad will be the same as last week.
Still my choice will be the home win (2.20).
St. Etienne 0
Lille 0
Nice - Lyon 4.33 - 1.91
Both sides will be without one or two regulars
tomorrow. Nice welcome back their good striker Kone,
but miss his colleague Laslandes, Ederson and
Jeunechamp. Both the Lyon defenders Grosso and
Reveillere are suspended for this match. The Swedish
midfielder Källström will probably cover for Grosso
as left back. Toulalan could be back. The important
midfielder has been out injured for the last month,
and according to reports Toulalan will make a late
decision later on this week. Nice traditionally have
problems at home to Lyon. They are 0-1-4 in their
last five encounters. Lyon to win then (1.91).
Nice 0 Lyon 0
The Championship
Southampton - Sheffield Utd 2.40 -
2.88
The Saints will take their chance (2.40). A win on
Sunday should be enough for Southampton to remain in
the Championship. Earlier this week they drew their
tricky away game with WBA. A similar effort against
Sheffield and the three points will be theirs. C
Lucketti has been cleared to play and Southampton
will field an unchanged squad.
Sheffield Utd have defensive worries. C Morgan is
out, suspended and his replacement Ehiogu will not
be available. D Geary could start. Leading striker J
Beattie will not be able to play either and the same
goes for winger L Martin. They say that United can
still reach the play offs. In theory yes, but not
according to a realistic pundit as myself. Home win
(2.40).
Southampton 3 Sheffield Utd 2
Sheffield Wednesday - Norwich 1.70
- 5.00
Motivation winner of the week (1.70). Sheffield
Wednesday deserve to stay up, but to be sure they
better win this match against a safe Norwich side.
Why so S W deserve to stay up? They have played
decent football during these tough weeks, scoring
goals on a regular basis and only lost once in ten
games. Both McAllister and G Kavanagh could be back
in contention for this crucial fixture. The Norwich
boss Roeder is saying the obvious ahead of this
match. "We will not give up on this match and so
on". I trust S W to grab the three points (1.70).
Sheffield
Wednesday 4 Norwich 1
Chris.
