Weekend Soccer – By Chris
The Premiership
Arsenal - Liverpool 2.15 - 3.95
In between their Champions League quarter finals
this league fixture. Strange how things can develop.
How is the Liverpool coach Benitez thinking ahead of
this league game? He is a lover of cup games and his
main priority is the second leg on Tuesday. They are
five points ahead of Everton in the league table and
a loss tomorrow is not a disaster. Not that the
starting eleven for Liverpool will be unmotivated,
far from it, but maybe one or two key players will
be missing. Mascheranois is definitely out due to
his suspension.
The Arsenal coach Wenger is still dreaming of the
league title and three points is all that matters
from this match. Arsenal were quite dominant the
other day at the Emirates Stadium and maybe the
Arsenal players feel that they have the upper hand
against Liverpool, at least at home. Arsenal will
rest Van Persie tomorrow and Diaby is out suspended.
Backing Arsenal again (2.15).
Arsenal 1 Liverpool 1
Aston Villa - Bolton 1.73 - 5.80
These two sides have one thing in common, they are
both are dead ball specialists. Bolton will go down
and I will not miss them in the Premiership. I
cannot imagine that they will recover from their
remarkable collapse against a ten man Arsenal last
week. They are too poor in general and then this
very significant set back against the Gunners.
Hiring Megson and selling Anelka, talk about a
negative double! Bolton will once again be without
their suspended skipper K Nolan.
"This is a massive game for us" says the Villa boss
Martin O'Neil. They are winless in five matches and
they have not found the net in the last three of
them. All of a sudden a place in Europe next season
is beginning to look far fetched. Still they are not
out of the race, but three points from this game is
a must. There will be plenty of long balls in this
match and I expect one or two headers to result in
goals. Villa must be expected to win the match, but
I am not prepared to bet on it (1.73).
Aston Villa 4 Bolton 0
Blackburn - Tottenham 2.43 - 3.10
One of the teams competing with Villa for a place in
Europe are Blackburn, one point ahead of Villa.
Tottenham? Well, nothing much to play for, clearly
demonstrated last week, when they suffered an
embarrassing 1-4 home loss against Newcastle. Coach
Ramos and Poyet will see to it that Tottenham will
play a stronger match tomorrow, at least that is my
opinion. Ledley King and J Jenas were not available
last week and A Lennon started on the bench, but
Tottenham definitely fielded a very strong side
against Newcastle, but their players were not up to
the task. L King, by the way, will not play any more
games this season, but J Jenas and A Lennon will
feature tomorrow. C Samba and B Emerton return for
Blackburn and I guess that Khizanishvili will be put
out of work again. Samba and Nelsen together again
in the central defence. The outcome? I prefer
Tottenham. They are the stronger side, but maybe the
draw is the most likely result. Pinnacle offers 3.51
on the draw.
Blackburn 1
Tottenham 1
Fulham - Sunderland 2.30 - 3.30
Allowing Derby their equaliser last week was an
enormous set back for the Fulham survival campaign.
At the same time Sunderland scored a 95th minute
winner against West Ham and we can say that
Sunderland won four points in their private battle
with the London team. Fulham go on with the same
group of people, but maybe fit again D Healy will
play some part this time.
Sunderland have been training in Spain this week.
These kind of trips to the sun do not necessarily
work in favour of the participants. I cannot really
be a judge of this matter, but what is positive for
Sunderland right now is the fitness status of their
squad. All of a sudden coach Keane has a perfectly
fit squad at his disposal. Only squad players like
Yorke and Etuhu are missing. Extremely tricky
fixture, but I find more value on the home win
(2.30).
Fulham 1 Sunderland 3
Newcastle - Reading 1.81 - 4.75
My guess is that the brave Newcastle supporters will
have some happy weeks ahead. It started last week
when their team outclassed Tottenham. Time for the
third Newcastle win on the bounce tomorrow (1.81).
At last their players will be full of confidence and
I expect a Newcastle onslaught in this match. It
could back fire of course, but no doubt that
Newcastle will address this game very offensively,
rest assured of that. Time for Martins to score one
of his unbelievable goals again. He is the kind of
player that only seems to function in a successful
team. He is not very useful during difficult times.
Reading are 3-1-1 in their last five games and their
improvement could not have come at a better time.
They are not safe yet, some six points ahead of
Bolton, but they will most likely survive. They will
be without their suspended midfielder Matejovski
tomorrow. In support of the home win for Newcastle
(1.81).
Newcastle 3 Reading 0
Wigan - Birmingham 2.20 - 3.94
Special game this one with the former Birmingham
coach S Bruce now bossing Wigan. Apart from the
striker Zarate and D Murphy, Birmingham have the
same players now as under the Bruce regime. Yes.
McFadden is also new in the Birmingham shirt, but he
is out injured. Tomorrow Birmingham will be without
the suspended defenders Ridgewell and Qeudrue.
Wigan welcome back their influential midfielder
Palacios, but they will be without his midfield
colleagues Koumas and M Brown is out once again.
Wigan lost their away game at Portsmouth last week,
0-2. Nothing to talk about? Definitely, as Wigan
dominated the second half, missed a penalty and the
second Portsmouth goal came in the very last minute
of the game. OK, Wigan should be able to score more
goals. Their overall football is stronger than their
goal scoring stats suggest. Is there any chance that
both sides will be happy with a draw? Not out of the
question. OK, 1X then!
Wigan 2 Birmingham 0
Manchester City - Chelsea 5.20 -
1.79
I have been one of Sven's supporters but I have
finally lost faith. Two wins in their last eleven
league games says it all and their football is low
on quality these days. Poor passing game, poor
attitude and so on. And those stupid statements.
"The Monday training was much better than our game
at Birmingham". I would be embarrassed to say
something like that. I thought that it was his job
to motivate his players for the matches. Who cares
about the Monday training! M Petrov did not show up
for City at Birmingham. I do not know why, but he
will be back for this match. Also M Johnson should
be available again.
Chelsea love playing against City. They won 6-0 at
Stamford Bridge earlier this season and before that
four wins in a row, 1-0, 2-0, 1-0 and 3-0. No City
goal against Chelsea in their last five meetings in
other words. Chelsea played their Champions League
quarter final against Fenerbahce in midweek and I
expect coach Grant to make some alterations in his
starting line up for this league game. Fortunately
Chelsea have lots of quality players to pick from.
Away win (1.79).
Man City 0 Chelsea 2
Everton - Derby 1.27 - 16.56
Poor Everton form in the last few weeks and they are
not worth backing at the moment. Like everybody else
I expect them to win against bottom side Derby, but
I hate backing low priced out of form favourites.
The Everton squad is troubled by injuries, but no
doubt that they will be able to send out a very
strong side on Sunday. Just this tiny matter, no
decent recent from. I have stopped talking about
Derby. Likely home win, (1.27) but I will not be
involved.
Everton 1 Derby 0
Middlesbrough - Manchester Utd 8.54 -
1.45
Big price on the giant killers! (8.54).
Middlesbrough have always been able to disturb
United and they are probably more of a threat this
time than the bookmakers seem to think. Boro drew
their away game with Arsenal 1-1, and last week they
laid siege on the Chelsea goal during spells of the
second half. They hit the wood work three times with
their new hit man Alves especially unlucky, with two
hits. Have you noticed when it is time for corner
kicks and free kicks and we have all the tall Boro
players in the penalty area? They have become quite
a threat on these occasions and United are missing
their tall defender Vidic for this match! Rochemback
will be back for Boro, but they go on missing the
suspended Mido. I am not saying that Middlesbrough
will win this match for sure, but in my mind the
odds on the home win are a bit over the top
(8.54). Was it last season or the season before when
Portsmouth defeated Man United and the odds were
something like 7 - 7.50? If you absolutely have to
back a big favourite choose Sampdoria at home to
Livorno instead (1.60).
Middlesbrough 2
Man Utd 2
Serie A
Milan - Cagliari 1.37 - 11.36
Can you imagine Milan playing in the UEFA Cup?
Neither can I, but the way that Milan are playing
these days, maybe taking part in the UEFA Cup is the
best that they can hope for. Grim reality for
Ancelotti, Berlusconi and the other father figures.
The three Milan defenders Nesta, Jankulovski and
Oddo will not be able to play in this match and we
will see a makeshift Milan defence again. This time
Favalli, Maldini, Kaladze and Bonera. Kaka, the
remaining Milan hope, is expected back tomorrow.
Conti is back from his suspension, but Cagliari
continue without Bianco and Agostini. The Cagliari
form is quite good and it is out of the question for
me to back one of the worst home sides in Serie A,
Milan (4-7-4). With or without Kaka. No bet then!
Milan 3 Cagliari
1
Roma - Genoa 1.57 - 7.50
Totti, Aquilani, Pizarro and Juan will take no part
in this match but Perrotta will be back from his
suspension. Some changes in the Roma starting line
up will be made, with both Cicinho and Giuly playing
from the start this time. Genoa welcome back one
defender Criscito, but lose his colleague Santos.
Fantastic Genoa season so far as they have more
points than their former Serie B rivals Napoli, and
who would have guessed that. Roma have to put the
quarter finals with Man United aside and put all
their energy on this league fixture. I do not think
that they will have an easy ride at the Olympic
Stadium and in my mind the upset is possible (7.50).
Roma 3 Genoa 2
Atalanta - Inter 4.00 - 2.00
The central defender Talamonti will not be able to
play for Atalanta this weekend and another defender
Carozzieri remains suspended. We will probably see
Manfredini (or Capelli) on the Talamonti position
alongside Pellegrino. Cruz will be back for Inter, Cambiasso
and Suazo as well. Chivu and Ibrahimovic are
struggling with injuries. Chivu will probably
recover, but we can forget about Ibrahimovic. Take
my word for it. He is not fit at all, problems with
a knee. It was the same last week, but Inter are
desperate and Ibra made an attempt to play against
Lazio. It is not out of the question that we will
see him playing some part in this match. I feel
sorry for my fellow country man. He should not be
playing football at the moment. Nothing is easy for
Inter at this time but at the end of the day they
will field a decent side in Bergamo. X2 in my book.
Atalanta 0 Inter
2
Catania - Napoli 2.40 - 3.40
Something had to be done and Catania come with a new
coach this time. Zenga, the former Inter keeper, is
now leading Catania. It looks possible that he will
leave the well used 4-3-3 system and use the more
conventional 4-4-2 instead. He has to manage without
the suspended striker Mascara and the injured
Baiocco. Stovini returns from his suspension. The
Napoli midfielder Blasi is suspended this weekend
with Pazienza replacing him, while Gargano returns
to the team. Why not a win for the new Catania coach
Zenga! (2.40). Catania have all the motivation in
the world and Napoli never were that good in their
away fixtures (2-4-9). Home win! (2.40).
Catania 3 Napoli
0
Fiorentina - Reggina 1.50 - 9.40
Reggina are still winless away from home (0-7-8).
Borriello, the Genoa international, sank Reggina
with his two goals last week. For this match Reggina
will have both Cozza and Modesto back in their line
up. Cozza will send Makinwa back to the bench.
Tough week for the UEFA Cup participants, Fiorentina.
First PSV and then Reggina, with both the fixtures
extremely important. They were able to line up a
very strong starting line up against PSV, but
Fiorentina could only manage a disappointing 1-1
draw. It will be difficult to reach the semi final
for the Florence based club. Reggina are desperate
for points, but that goes for Fiorentina as well.
Not the right moment to back this low priced home
win (1.50). I will skip this match.
Fiorentina 2 Reggina 0
Parma - Lazio 2.40 - 3.60
No game for Parma last week and consequently their
striker C Lucarelli will sit out his suspension this
week. Parma are on the same points as Cagliari in
the drop zone and they really need to take something
form this meeting with Lazio. As they are so
depressingly poor on their travels, the home
fixtures become increasingly important at this time
of the season.
Lazio were better than Inter last week but a 1-1
draw was all that they could muster after the 90
minutes. One enforced change ahead of this match, as
Dabo is out suspended. Only one team will be fully
motivated, Parma, and I am prepared to put some
money on the home win (2.40).
Parma 2 Lazio 2
Sampdoria - Livorno 1.60 - 7.50
After his five game suspension Cassano will be back
on Sunday and I expect him to be on the winning side
at once (1.60). He will be on fire, rest assured of
that. Sampdoria have maintained their high standard
during the absence of Cassano, but they will get
even better now. Pieri should also be back for the
home side. C Bellucci and Cassano up front for
Sampdoria. Pulzetti and Bergvold are playing again
for Livorno and their squad is practically injury
free at the moment. Unfortunately quality free as
well. Harsh words maybe, but I will nevertheless bet
on the home win (1.60).
Sampdoria 2
Livorno 0
Siena - Udinese 2.85 - 2.88
Backing the draw in this match (2.90). Siena are
hard to break down these days, especially in their
home fixtures (5-7-3). They will be without the
suspended duo Codrea and Frick for this match.
Locatelli and Kharja will support the prolific
Maccarone in the front line. As of now Udinese have
passed Milan in the league table and they are only
three points behind fourth placed Fiorentina. The
quest for Europe goes on. Coda is fit again, ready
to play in the Udinese defence again, if he is
needed. Both teams are in form and the draw looks
like the perfect answer (2.90).
Siena 1 Udinese 1
Torino - Empoli 1.85 - 5.50
Hugely important three pointer for Torino last week
away to Catania. Barone, Sereni and Di Loreto should
be back for this game, but Grella sits out a
suspension. Losing their home game against Sampdoria
indicates that Empoli will most likely be relegated.
Not that it is definitely over for Empoli, with
seven rounds more to play, but they cannot afford
to lose home games, it is as simple as that. Would
you believe that Cagni, the former Empoli coach, has
been reinstated? Empoli are ‘doing a Palermo’ in
other words. Saudati will be back for this match
joining Vannuchi up front. Cagni will also play
Balli in goal and Tosto in defence. Pozzi and
Pratali remain sidelined. Not so long ago Cagni was
sacked and now he is back in charge. No, I prefer
Torino here (1.85).
Torino 0 Empoli 1
Palermo - Juventus 3.50 - 2.30
First game for old/new Palermo boss Colantuono ended
in 0-1 loss, with home side Napoli scoring the
winner in the last minute of the match. He hopes to
include their striker Cavani this weekend, but
Miccoli is once again a serious injury doubt.
Juventus will be without their veteran midfielder C
Zanetti. X2 this one!
Palermo 3
Juventus 2
FA Cup semi finals - Wembley
W B A - Portsmouth 4.50 - 1.91
No problems for WBA in reaching this far in the
competition. They have dismissed of inferior teams
with ease and Portsmouth will be their first quality
opponents in this cup. WBA look like a typical cup
side, always capable of scoring goals. Defensively
they are shaky, exemplified last week when the
bottom side in the Championship, Colchester, managed
to score three goals against them. In midweek WBA
and Cardiff played out a 0-0 draw. Kevin Phillips
and Bednar were rested but I should think that we
will see the two strikers tomorrow.
Portsmouth will be without their cup tied striker J
Defoe but Muntari, Bouba-Diop and Diarra will all be
back to play. Hreidarsson and Utaka are major injury
doubts. Aubey or Lauren are favourites to replace
Hreidarsson. Kanu, Baros and D Nugent compete for
starting roles up front. Defoe has been brilliant
for Pompey since he joined the club, but keep in
mind that Portsmouth defeated M United at Old
Trafford without the same Defoe. At the end of the
day I think that the superior individuals in the
Portsmouth side will decide this game, from David
James in goal and upwards (1.91).
Portsmouth 1 WBA 0
Barnsley - Cardiff 3.20 - 2.30
They risk being relegated to division one, that is
the every day reality for Barnsley. At the same time
they have reached this semi final by knocking out
two of the best clubs in Britain. Both Liverpool and
Chelsea were outfought by this struggling
Championship side. One of their cup heroes, their
defender S Foster will miss this semi final and
probably their striker Nardiello as well. Odejayi,
scorer of the winning goal against Chelsea, was only
good enough for a bench role at the weekend. Back
tomorrow, I guess.
Cardiff welcome back J F Hasselbaink just in time
for this match. Defender McNaughton made his
comeback in midweek against WBA (0-0). In the same
match three forwards suffered injuries, but two of
them P Parry and S Thompson should be available on
Sunday. There is no reason or arguments that hold
when Barnsley play their cup games, but I
nevertheless prefer Cardiff in this semi final
(2.30).
Barnsley 0 Cardiff 1
The Championship
Scunthorpe - Sheffield Wednesday 2.50
- 2.80
Soon to be relegated Scunthorpe have problems ahead
of this game. Their striker G Horsfield could not
train yesterday and he is a major doubt. His
colleague M Paterson have been out for a while but
he could possibly be fit in time for this match.
Captain Crosby, winger K Hurst and C Weston are all
injury doubts as well. Striker P Hayes remain
sidelined and J Cork is out suspended.
Winger W Small could not play in midweek when
Wednesday drew their home game with Coventry. He is
expected back for this match but midfielder
McAllister is an injury doubt. Wednesday have only
suffered one defeat in their last ten league games
and they should be able to save their Championship
status. Unlike this Scunthorpe side, eight points
from safety and all those question marks concerning
their line up. Away win! (2.80).
Scunthorpe 1 Sheffield Wednesday 1
Colchester - Ipswich 3.20 - 2.20
Colchester will join Scunthorpe in division one and
I will oppose them in this match (2.20). Not a
single win in their last ten games, but nevertheless
Colchester battle on, well demonstrated last week
when they lost 3-4 to WBA, with Colchester taking an
early 2-0 lead. Their striker C Platt was injured in
that match and he will probably sit this one out. S
Vernon will be his replacement. P Baldwin is new on
their injury list.
Ipswich are one point from the play off zone and
they have to go for the three points in this match.
They are usually not the strongest of away sides but
they managed a win at Scunthorpe in their last away
game. They have to address their away games in a
different way at this time of the season, a more
offensive approach. Ipswich hope to include D Norris
and S Kuyi in their squad again. Counago is
suspended one more week. Away win (2.20).
Colchester 2 Ipswich 0
La Liga
Mallorca - Real Madrid 3.50 - 2.25
A Cracking game can be expected. Two goal happy
sides with the leading goal scorers in La Liga, Raul
and Guiza, leading their respective lines. Both
sides gave impressive performances last week with
Mallorca winning 3-0 vs. Valencia and Real Madrid
giving Sevilla no chance at all at the Bernabeu
Stadium. Guti, Pepe, Heinze and Gago have all been
considered injury doubts for Real this week but
they all will be available for this match. Still no
Van Nistelrooy. Mallorca will include Ballesteros
again but Scaloni is not yet fit. G Castro probably
missing again. Same Mallorca line up as last week
can be expected. My suggestion is the over bet.
Winners? Real for me! (2.25).
Mallorca 1 Real
Madrid 1
Sevilla - Villarreal 2.20 - 3.65
I had expected Sevilla to be closer to Real Madrid
last week. Well, I also thought that they would
defeat A Madrid the week before and it is time to
realise that Sevilla do not have the same capacity
as last season. Not even in their home fixtures. Is
it about missing their previous coach J Ramos? The
Sevilla defence is not reliable. It looks like
Escude will be missing again and definitely out is
Dragutinovic. L Fabiano and C Poulsen should be OK,
come match day.
I saw Villarreal outclassing A Madrid 3-0 last week.
For a short while I toyed with the idea that
Villarreal will be league winners this season. Six
points behind Real at the moment. Too tough maybe.
Anyway, Villarreal are in splendid form and they
have earned their 59 points. I checked their league
program and this fixture with Sevilla is their only
remaining, really tough fixture. G Franco remains on
the sidelines, but no problem up front, with both
Nihat and G Rossi excelling. I suggest another over
game. Winners? Villarreal for me (3.65).
Seviila 2 Villarreal 0
French League
St Etienne - Le Mans 2.10 - 4.10
No game for St Etienne last week but the week before
they visited Auxerre. They were 0-1 at half time,
but played a great second half, scoring three
unanswered goal. Their Brazilian striker Ilan came
on as a second half substitute and he scored one of
their goals. Feindonou also on the score sheet, as
always. Maybe we will see Ilan from the start
tomorrow. Both Tavlaridis and Sall return from their
suspensions.
Le Mans have drawn their last three games and their
form is rather indifferent. Seems like they have no
interest in playing in Europe next season. St
Etienne are a fantastic home side (8-5-1) and they
are definitely my winners in this fixture (2.10).
St. Etienne 4 Le Mans 1
Toulouse - Lorient 2.38 - 3.60
After a dreadful non winning run, Toulouse finally
returned to winning ways last week. They won 2-0 at
Metz and I think that that win will be followed by
win number two tomorrow (2.38). The players worked
extremely hard at Metz and obviously the players
have shouldered their responsibility just in time
for saving their league status. They were without
their leading striker Elmander last week but it
looks like he will be back tomorrow but not 100%
certain. Ilunga will be fine, but Cetto is still
out.
Without their injured striker Vahirua, Le Pen played
in a forward position for Lorient last week. Vahirua
is not fit to play tomorrow and now also Le Pen
risks missing this match. He is considered a major
injury doubt. Also Boutruche is on the sidelines. It
is all about motivation in the French League from
now on and Toulouse will have all the motivation in
the world (2.38).
Toulouse 0 Lorient 0
Auxerre - Sochaux 2.40 - 3.35
Something on the away win (3.35). One of the
stronger teams in the league at the moment, this
Sochaux side. They are 4-3-0 in their last seven
league games, including three away wins. Their last
away win was two weeks ago at Marseille.
Unchanged Sochaux squad, still missing J Brechet.
Auxerre have defensive problems. Right back
Grichting, left back Jaures are out of this match.
Both played last week. Add another injured defender,
Tamas. We will see a completely new Auxerre defence
tomorrow. The Sochaux win will be my choice (3.35).
Auxerre 0 Sochaux 1
Chris.
