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Wednesdays Soccer – By Chris.

Carling Cup semi final - first leg

Arsenal   -   Tottenham        2.15   -   3.7
Arsenal will send out their cup youngsters again plus a couple of experienced players. G Silva is the experienced player and maybe we can call  Senderos and Eduardo Da Silva  experienced as well, but the rest definitely belong to the "young category". The squad will resemble their quarter final squad, the one that defeated Blackburn 3-2 after extra time. There will be two important additions however, the fit again Van Persie and T Walcott. I never thought that this Arsenal cup team would be able to win against Blackburn, but I never expected  the Arsenal youngsters to knock out Tottenham last season either in the semi final of the Carling Cup. When Arsenal defeated Blackburn a player named Randall started in  midfield together with Diaby, Denilson and Diarra. Almost scary that they could win at Ewood Park, but we know now that Blackburn have gone down in quality lately.

Tottenham will play five games in the next fourteen days which is a big worry for them of course and I cannot figure out why coach Ramos picked his best side against Reading the other day. The Spurs keeper Robinson had one of his poor days and Tottenham have to go to Reading a week from now for the replay. In between a league game with Chelsea is awaiting so now you know the kind of hopeless situation for Spurs right now. My opinion is that a full strength Tottenham side should never lose against this young Arsenal side, but unfortunately Tottenham have a habit of complicating things. Not being able to win against the Reading reserves was a good example. They were better than Arsenal a few weeks ago in the league meeting at the Emirates Stadium, but then Keane missed a penalty and Spurs lost again. The Spurs will be without Zokora and Huddlestone this time, while both Kaboul and D Bent are injury doubts. I stick to my original opinion, Tottenham should not lose this first leg. X2 then!

Arsenal 1 Tottenham 1

Copa del Rey - first leg

Sevilla   -   Barcelona      2.50   -  2.85 
I thought that Sevilla were quite brilliant in the derby with Real Betis (3-0). They will be without two of their best players, Kanoute and Keita for this match, but I nevertheless choose to back the home win (2.50). Renato will probably be used as striker this time, alongside the in form L Fabiano, but Chevanton and Kershakow could also feature. Marti or Adriano could replace Keita and Sevilla have some decent options.

Barcelona will be without Yaya Toure, Messi, Ronaldinho and most likely Henry as well. Spanish cup games should perhaps be avoided as betting objects. Teams often talk about their importance but then send out make shift sides, much like in Italy. The way I see it, it will always be a major achievement for Sevilla to defeat Barcelona. No difference this time and Barca can always hope to correct it in the return leg. As I said above, Sevilla were brilliant at the weekend. Home win (2.50).

Sevilla 1 Barcelona 1

Real Zaragoza  -   Racing Santander    2.20   -   4.00
Real Madrid were more or less outplayed by Zaragoza at the weekend for some 60 minutes and Casillas alone kept the champions in the game. Zaragoza lost the match 0-2 but they were by far the better side, not for the first time of course. It looks like Zaragoza will continue with Oliveira and D Milito up front, but still missing are Aimar, Cuartero, Matuzalem and Generelo.

Racing will be without their strikers Munitis and Tchite. Munitis is probably their most important player and Tchite is their leading striker. Expect Smolarek and Bolado to play in their front line. Garay returns from his suspension. Home win (2.20).

Real Zaragoza 1 Racing Santander 1

Chris.