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Wednesdays Soccer – By Chris.

Coppa Italia semi final - second leg

Lazio   -   Inter           2.50   -   3.30
I backed Lazio in the first leg and as a fully motivated full strength side they should have won the match but it ended 0-0. Inter did not send out their best starting eleven and they will change things around tomorrow as well. Mancini has called upon 32 players for this match and it seems like he has not made up his mind yet. The match against Siena in a couple of days is what matters the most for Mancini and anyone involved with Inter. At the same time a score draw is all that Inter need to reach the cup final and you get the feeling that coach Mancini has the opinion that Inter could reach the final with a weakened squad. However, I do not agree. Lazio have had their eyes on this game since the first leg and they say in Italy that coach De Rossi and his Lazio has to win this match or he better be looking for a new job. It is an absolutely vital game for Lazio and they will welcome back five players who were all absent at the weekend. Behrami, Rocchi, Bellotta, Dabo and Siviglia will return. Lazio will use three strikers from the start, Pandev, Rocchi and Bianchi. Backing Lazio again (2.50).

Lazio 0 Inter 2

La Liga

Real Madrid    -   Barcelona         2.40   -   3.20
Barcelona outclassed Valencia at the weekend, winning by a whopping 6-0. A reaction was bound to come after their two score less games against Man United. Is there any body out there who can stand up and actually say that United were better than Barcelona over the two legs?

While the Barcelona players come to this match filled with confidence after their 6-0 win, the Real players have been partying, celebrating their league win big time in Madrid. I saw some dancing scenes, a bus tour and you name it. What am I driving at is that the Barca players will more motivated tomorrow. Barcelona do have their problems, missing G Milito, Deco, Eto'o and Iniesta. I do miss Iniesta, but Eto'o for example, will not be missed at all. Messi, Bojan and Henry will do for this writer.

Real will be without both their defenders Cannavaro and Heinze. Guti is once again a serious doubt and he could be replaced by Diarra. Both M Torres and Marcelo will play in the Real defence and that is good news for the Barca strikers. Jerzy Dudek, the former Liverpool keeper, could be rewarded with a place between the Real sticks tomorrow. I support the away win (3.20). 

Real Madrid 4 Barcelona 1

Getafe   -  Almeria         1.91   -   4.75
One of those motivation winners again (1.91). Winless in seven matches, there is no doubt that Getafe are in big trouble these days. Their successful cup campaigns this season count for nothing at this moment. They drew their last home game 1-1 with A Madrid. Getafe dominated the match but a second half penalty miss proved costly.

Casquero, Belenguer, Gavilan and Celestini should all be available tomorrow. Gavilan will replace Contra and Belenguer will replace Tena in the Getafe defence. Manu and Albin up front. Out are Uche, P Hernandez, M Alvarez and Signorino. Almeria will be without two regulars, the suspended Bruno and the injured Melo. I still consider Getafe a formidable home side (1.91).

Getafe 4 Almeria 2

Valencia   -   Real Zaragoza           2.18    -   3.80
Old coach, new coach, it does not seem to matter. The fact is that Valencia offer too many rotten games this season. Last week it happened again, with Valencia beaten 0-6 by Barcelona. They had won their first match for their new coach, at home to Osasuna, and they travelled to the Nou Camp on a high note.

Banega and Helguera are recalled to the Valencia squad, maybe Albelda will feature as well, but missing are Moretti, Caneira, Morientes and Maduro. I give you 10/1 that D Villa will play in the Valencia shirt next season.

It was a late, very late winner for Zaragoza at home to La Coruna at the weekend. Fully deserved though. Tomorrow Diogo and Chus Herrero will replace the suspended defenders Zapater and Sergio. Celades is also suspended, but fortunately Gabi will be back. D Milito, Aimar and Matuzalem have been omitted form their squad. We will see Oliveira and S Garcia from the start in the front line. Massive games for both these sides. Zaragoza are on a positive run with 2-2-0 in their last games and they will get my support (3.80).

Valencia 1 Real Zaragoza 0

Chris.