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Weekend Soccer – By Chris.

The Premiership

Aston Villa   -  Portsmouth           2.15   -   3.60

The league table does not lie. These two sides are two of the best Premiership sides at the moment, in 7th and 6th positions. Portsmouth was my pre-season betting idea, but Villa have surprised me. They lost to Arsenal last week, but they offered a strong display. Unfortunately they lost S Petrov to an injury and he is out of this game. Another midfielder, the more influential, Reo Coker returns from his suspension.

Even Kanu was back playing again for Portsmouth last week and they visit Villa Park with a practically injury free squad.  I do not know why, but Portsmouth have been especially effective in their away games so far (5-1-2 and 14-7 the goals). Expect a tough and tight affair. The draw! (3.30).

Aston Villa 1 Porstmouth 3

Chelsea   -   Sunderland       1.20  -   18.00
New Chelsea coach Grant has begun winning the matches much the same way that his predecessor Mourinho did, typified last week when Joe Cole decided the derby with W Ham late in the game (1-0 win). The Chelsea defence is outstanding. They have conceded just one goal in their last 8 league games. M Essien will be suspended for this match and D Drogba could be missing. He has to take a break for a few weeks, but the matter has not been decided yet. P Cech will be back in the Chelsea goal.

The latest Sunderland casualty is their winger C Edwards and he will be out of action for some weeks. Chelsea are strong  -  Sunderland are poor  -  the odds reflect it so well (1.20).

Chelsea 2 Sunderland 0

Everton   -   Fulham       1.60   -   6.50
The Everton squad is fitter than ever but they could feel some negative effects from their Thursday UEFA Cup game with AZ (1-0 win).  At least that is what Fulham will hope for ahead of this fixture. Everton started with some of their fringe players in midweek and I cannot really imagine that the Everton players will be lethargic on Saturday.

Fulham and their away syndrome is a well known negative tradition. Same thing this year as they are 0-3-4 away from home. Should S Kuqi really be playing from the start in the Premiership? He wouldn’t be my choice and I would always prefer D Healy. Likely home win but useless odds (1.60).

Everton 3 Fulham 0

Manchester Utd   -   Derby        1.13   -   30.00
This fixture reminds me of Nottingham Forest at home to Brighton some 20-30 years ago. Nottingham were the best side in the league with Brighton as the bottom side. Brighton were 1-0 winners and you could not find a bigger surprise. Robertson missed a penalty for Nottingham but Brighton were deserved winners. What am I driving at? I was not that surprised as there were clear signs of Brighton improvement before that Nottingham fixture, but I can assure you that I would be surprised this time if this lousy Derby side can get something at Old Trafford. There are no signs of any improvement in the Derby performances of late. Quite the opposite, having failed to find the net in their last 7 matches. Home win! (1.13).

Man Utd 4 Derby 1

Newcastle   -   Birmingham            1.91   -   4.60
It was a gritty, uncompromising Newcastle display earlier this week against Arsenal (1-1). It was like watching a Bolton - Arsenal encounter when Allardyce was boss at Bolton. Late in the second half Newcastle had a string of corners and Arsenal were on the ropes and we all remember how effective Bolton were on dead ball situations. For the first time this season Newcastle gave a fighting display and they absolutely deserved their point. Still it was only a point earned and it is worth nothing if they cannot defeat Birmingham on Sunday. S Taylor was back in the Newcastle defence and he also scored their goal.

It will be a tough encounter on Sunday. I am convinced that the Birmingham players, under new coach McLeish, are prepared to work as hard, or even harder, than their Newcastle opponents. I look forward to an old fashioned English football match. Both teams will most likely find the net and Newcastle winners by the odd goal (1.91)

Newcastle 2 Birmingham 1

Reading   -   Liverpool          6.00   -   1.67
So far Reading are proving me right. Coach Coppell needs new players or else they will be very much involved in the relegation dog fight. They would normally have little or no chance against this super strong Liverpool side but I will not neglect the Marseille factor when assessing the Reading chances on Saturday.

Liverpool will go to Marseille on Tuesday for their big make or break fixture and this visit to Reading is an unwelcome distraction for Benitez and his team. A year or two ago Benitez would give up on this Reading match, but he has now understood that you do not do business that way in Britain. Still I have my doubts. OK, Liverpool have a strong squad with plenty of strong, so called fringe players. Personally I will not be involved, betting wise, in this game. No bet.

Reading 3 Liverpool 1

Blackburn   -   West Ham         1.85   -   4.50
D Bentley was the difference between Blackburn and Newcastle last week. He turned the game with his two goals, no doubt about that. Unfortunately he will be suspended this weekend, as well as R Nelsen. Blackburn have resources these days, with both S Reid and Gamst-Pedersen starting on the bench vs. Newcastle. So it seems that S Reid is playing football again.

W Ham are a tough team to crack at the moment. If they play their defensive game once again, Blackburn could face problems on Sunday. W Ham almost snatched a point from Chelsea after a clever game of football. Hopefully D Ashton will be preferred from the start in this game and we are still waiting on C Bellamy. L Bowyer is touch and go, but M Noble is available again. Freddie L from the start perhaps?

Last season W Ham defeated Blackburn twice, both times by a 2-1 scoreline. I am not happy with the 1.85 on the home win and I will opt for the draw (3.45).

Blackburn 0 West Ham 1

Bolton   -   Wigan      2.00   -   4.00
Both N Hunt and K Nolan return from their suspensions. Anelka, K Davies, Jaaskelainen, R Gardner, I Campo and A O'Brien were all rested in midweek when Bolton went to Belgrade for a UEFA Cup fixture (1-0 win). All will be available for this important fixture at the wrong end of the table.

Did you see what T Bramble did to me last week, when Wigan Played M City? He just missed the ball completely and after 30 seconds City were in the lead. Too bad as Wigan were my bet of the day. The match ended in a 1-1 draw and I was a bit disappointed with the Wigan effort. On Sunday M Brown will be back, but M Melchiot is out, suspended. I prefer the Bolton win this time (2.00).

Bolton 4 Wigan 1

Middlesbrough   -   Arsenal          6.80  -   1.55
No Middlesbrough win in their last 10 league games and no one can be very surprised. OK, they have drawn their last two away games with fellow bottom of the table dwellers Bolton and Reading, but I see Boro as one of  6 or 7 teams that could go down. J Arca was expected to play last week, but he never turned up. Maybe this weekend!

Arsenal will once again be without Fabregas, Flamini, Hleb and Van Persie. I thought they played a good game with Newcastle, but the Gunners will always have problems with teams that are physical. Middlesbrough have picked up 4 points from the last two Arsenal visits to the Riverside, and maybe this 1.55 is a bit on the short side. X2 in my opinion.

Middlesbrough 2 Arsenal 1

Tottenham   -   Manchester City        2.20   -   4.00
Spurs are 2-6-7 after 15 rounds of league football and their wins were taken against Derby and Wigan, the two worst Premiership sides.  Embarrassing facts and coach Ramos has a lot of work to do. Their latest loss vs. Birmingham gives a fair picture of the on going Tottenham difficulties. They could easily have scored six or seven but could only manage two and they conceded goals as usual. OK, Birmingham scored a couple of beauties, I admit that, but you get my point. Robbie Keane is out suspended and two their remaining defenders Chimbonda and Lee will have fitness tests. Tottenham are terribly short on defenders right now but coach Ramos must not pick Kaboul again.

So Tottenham lack defenders and Man City play without a real forward line. It is not yet confirmed but I take it for granted that Ealno will be back on Sunday and hopefully their defender Garrido as well. D Hamann is out suspended. City’s away form is non existent (1-3-3) and they have a habit of losing to Tottenham. The unpleasant truth for City fans is that Tottenham have won the last six league meetings between these two sides, home and away. That was before Sven of course. The outcome? Home win I guess (2.20).

Tottenham 2 Man City 1

Serie A

Lazio   -   Catania         1.85  -  5.00
Much as expected, Lazio had no chance at all against Inter in midweek (0-3). They will be able to draw from an unchanged squad for this match, plus the returning Mutarelli and Siviglia. Behrami remains on the sidelines.

Catania will be without two suspended key players, their striker Martinez and Tedesco. I should think that Colucci will replace Martinez as one of the Catania strikers and probably Izco in for Tedesco. Catania won the Sicilian derby rather impressively with Palermo last week (3-1) and the club is at this now four points ahead of Lazio in the league table. Last season they had to play their home games all over place but normal service has been resumed this season and their home form is respectable. Away from home they are winless (0-5-2).

Lazio travel to Madrid on Tuesday for their Ch.League decider with Real Madrid but I suggest that they should put their energy on this league game instead. 1X should cover it.

Lazio 2 Catania 0

Palermo   -   Fiorentina        2.80   -   2.90
No instant success for old/new Palermo coach Guidolin, losing the derby with Catania 1-3. They played a poor game, not for the first time this season. Missing this weekend are Caserta and Pisano. Miccoli is a certain starter linking up with Amauri again and that is good news.

For Fiorentina both Dainelli and Montolivo will return to the starting line up. Dainelli is not 100% fit, nor his defensive colleague Gamberini either, but with Kroldrup and Ujfalusi sidelined, they more or less have to play. Santana is fit at last and he could earn a role starting on the bench.

You never know what to expect from Palermo and at the same time Fiorentina have lost their best form. Mutu's team is actually unbeaten on the road with 3-3-0 this far.  1X, but I will choose the home win (2.80).

Palermo 2 Fiorentina 0

Empoli   -   Cagliari        2.20   -   3.85
Scoring goals has become a problem for Empoli. They had numerous outstanding scoring chances last week at Parma but they came away with nothing (0-1). Otherwise their new coach could not have too many complaints as their overall game was OK.

Fellow strugglers Cagliari visited Rome for an away game in midweek. The top sides in Italy seldom have any problems against some 10-12 sides in Serie A and the 2-0 win for Roma was just another routine job. It looks like most sides just give up against the best. That is Serie A, certainly nothing like the Premiership. Not yet anyway.

Cagliari will be without their keeper Fortin once again, with Bianco and D'Agostino also missing. There are doubts concerning Aquafresca, Biondini and D Lopez. Time for Empoli to win (2.20).

Empoli 4 Cagilari 1

Genoa   -   Siena         1.85   -   5.25
A deserved 1-1 draw last week between Torino and Genoa and the newcomers continue to be rather difficult to beat. They will be without Bega and Danilo this weekend. Up front we will probably see Di Vaio, Leon and Boriello from the start.

Siena will likely field the same line up as last week, when they drew their home game with Lazio, 1-1. They will come with Maccarone as their lone striker but surely the Genoa three pronged attack should be more effective in this match. Home win (1.85).

Genoa 1 Siena 3

Inter  -   Torino        1.25   -   16.00
It was so very easy for Inter in midweek at home to Lazio (3-0) and there is no reason to believe that it will more difficult for the league leaders in this match. OK, Torino have only lost 3 times this season but I saw nothing great in their display at the weekend, against Genoa (1-1). Their poor passing was a big feature in the game.

Inter will be without the suspended Samuel and could be that Stankovic will be missing again. Torino will probably start with Ventola up front backed up by Recoba and Di Michele (or Rosina), the other will be on the bench in other words. Home win (1.25).

Inter 4 Torino 0

Juventus   -   Atalanta         1.45  -   8.50
My spontaneous reaction to these odds is that Juventus have become too big a favourite (1.45). Atalanta are playing some great stuff at the moment and they always create scoring chances. Last week they thrashed Napoli 5-0 and the week before they gave a good display vs. Inter, despite their 1-2 loss. It was only their second league loss this season. The impressive Doni once again supporting their strong target player Floccari. Atalanta will be unchanged.

Camoranesi, Grygera and Andrade remain sidelined and Juve will also come with the same squad as last week. Traditionally Juventus always win this home game with Atalanta, but I will take no side this time. I smell an over game!

Juventus 1 Atalanta 0

Livorno   -   Roma         5.90  -   1.70
Would you believe that Livorno are 3-2-0 in their last 5  league games. They looked doomed not so long ago, but their new coach has done wonders with the squad. They will probably run into problems later on but their present form is just great. The previously injured trio of A Filippini, Vidigal and Bergvold are all back in training, but Knezevic is out suspended. Pavan will come in for Knezevic and Bergvold will play from the start right away.

Totti was back in midweek and he was the best Roma player, together with Taddei. Still on the sidelines are  Aquilani and Cassetti, but Perrotta could be back. X2 should cover this affair.

Livorno 1 Roma 1

Napoli   -   Parma          1.75   -   5.60
For the first time this season Napoli looked completely out of sorts. I am referring to their below par display at Atalanta last week. Their defence was all over the place and it was certainly an uncharacteristic performance from the newcomers. They have no major problems squad wise with only Domizzi out injured.

Parma will miss two of their starters from last week, when they won the six pointer game vs. Empoli, 1-0. Both Cigarini and Castellini are unavailable this time. Parma are poor on the road with 0-2-4 this far. Likely home win, but uninteresting odds (1.75).

Napoli 1 Parma 0

Udinese   -   Sampdoria      2.00   -   4.50
Udinese finished their match with Roma last week with only nine men on the pitch. Both Dossena and Pinzi were shown the red card and they will be suspended this weekend. Add the injured D'Agostino and Udinese are facing some problems in the centre of the field on Sunday. Felipe will be back from his suspension and although Asamaoh is fit, I reckon that we will see Di Natale, Quagliarella and Pepe in the front line.

Cassano was back in the Sampdoria starting line up last week and he made all the difference with his side 3-0 winners. He will play from the start again and only Montella, Ziegler and Delvecchio are on the Sampdoria injury list (The last 5 Sampdoria games  = 0-5, 3-0, 3-0, 1-3 and 3-0).  Win or lose, seems to be their habit. I will always have problems trusting these two sides, but I will opt for the home win this time (2.00).

Undinese 3 Sampdoria 2

French League

Caen  -   Lyon        4.80  -  1.91
I have to back the home win (4.80). In my opinion Lyon  should not be too concerned about the outcome of this game. They are facing the most important match of the season in a couple of days (vs. G Rangers) and why put too much at risk against Caen. Lyon always win the league title in France and it will not be any different this season, with or without points at Caen. Lyon are simply without any real competition in France. Squad wise coach Perrin will use the same squad as last week, but he is indicating some kind of rotation for this match. Fred and F Santos are out, injured. It looks like M Baros will start up front with Ben Arfa and K Benzema rested.

Caen are on a healthy run of form, with 3-1-1 in their last 5 matches, including their 5-0 win vs Bordeaux. Compan, Samson and G Leca are all back in contention, but maybe there is no need for changes at the moment. The central defender Mazure is out injured. I am backing the big odds! (4.80).

Caen 1 Lyons 0

Marseille   -  Monaco      2.12   -   4.20
Much the same reasoning here. Marseille welcome Liverpool on Tuesday for the deciding Champions League fixture and I cannot imagine that their footballers will be able to focus on this league game. Their play maker Nasri will not be involved tomorrow and both Niang and Ziani are injury doubts.

Monaco come without Gapke and Leko, but Meriem, Piquionne, Bernardi and Adriano should be OK. X2! Kind of a derby game and it could be that both parties are happy with the draw result after all. (2.90).

Marseilles 2 Monaco 0

Both Strasbourg and Rennes are going through a bad patch, but I have noticed that four Strasbourg regulars are considered major injury doubts for this match and they will be definitely be without two other regulars.

At the same time Rennes welcome back both Didot and M'bia, but lose Mensah. According to the Rennes coach they will field a much stronger squad tomorrow than last week. Maybe Rennes should win at Strasbourg! (3.15)

Strasbourg 3 Rennes 0

La Liga

Atletic Bilbao   -  Real Madrid        4.33  -   1.95
It is always a risk opposing Real, but when the odds look good, like this time, I will do it (4.33). Atletic won 3-0 against Valencia at the Mestalla last week and I thought that they played some smart football. First away win against Valencia for some 20 years. I like the present Atletic forward line with Yeste supporting Llorente and Exteberria. Maybe Llorente will have his final break through this season. Del Horno and Ocio are recalled to the Atletic squad. Ocio will put Ustaritz out of job, while Del Horno has to be content with a bench role.

Guti returns for Real, Sneijder and Van Nistelrooy are back in training and all is well in the Real camp. They face Lazio on Tuesday, but Real can handle two games in four days. The Lazio fixture does not affect me much when I oppose Real. It is more their  "non appearance"  in away games every now and then and the present Atletic strength. How could Real concede 3 goals against a make shift Werder side? Home win then! (4.33).

Atletico Bilbao 0 Real Madrid 1

Levante   -  Recreativo Huelva          2.50   -  2.95
I will back the home side (2.50). They are the bottom side in the league but they have improved lately, with two wins in their last 3 games. They were close to getting a point at Getafe last week, but a last minute Braulio goal gave the home side a 2-1 win. This is kind of a cup game for Levante, the feeling in the squad is that this is a must win game. They will be without Descarga, but the good news is that Savio, Alvaro and Cirillo have returned to training and they should all be available for this match. Their Italian striker Rigano could also be ready for some action.

Huelva are hovering just above the relegation zone and they registered a very important win last week vs. Zaragoza, with C Martins scoring both their goals. Seems like all teams defeat Zaragoza these days. Away from home Huelva are 1-1-5, and 4-13 the goals. Home win for Levante (2.50).

Levante 0 Racing Huelva 0

Atletico Madrid   -   Getafe        1.80   -   5.30
Atletico Madrid look like a sound favourite (1.80). When Torres was playing for A Madrid they were the most unpredictable side around and very often they could not turn their dominance into goals. They play smarter football now, but I admit that they still lose their cool every now and then. Let us face it, Forlan and Kun Aguero have given Atletico more options that Torres did. It was always the long balls, directed to Torres and it was boring stuff. I predict that A Madrid will play Champions league football next season. When Atletico defeated Copenhagen in midweek all their regular midfielders (Maniche, Maxi, Simao and Reyes) were rested. Their defender Pablo is out suspended, and Jurado, Seitaridis and L Franco are injured. Only Pablo will really be missed.

Getafe played in Denmark on Thursday night, winning 2-1against Aab. One day less for rehabilitation in other words. Uche is injured but Sousa and Casquero are expected back.This is a Madrid derby game and I expect fully motivated players. Atletico are 5-1-1 at home and Getafe are 1-1-5 away from home. The odds on the home win look normal (1.80).

Atletico Madrid 1 Getafe 0

The Championship

Stoke   -  Watford        2.55   -   2.65
An over game and probably an away win (2.65). Both these sides seem to score goals in their sleep. As Stoke are weakened defensively I predict that Watford will have the edge. Why not 2-3! Stoke will be without both Shawcross and Eustace with A Wilkinson a major doubt. All defensive players and Matteo and S Wright are already out.

Offensively Stoke look as sound as ever. Could be that Priskin and O'Toole will be preferred to Henderson and Mahon in the Watford line up. This was already the case in midweek when Watford defeated Colchester 3-2, with Priskin on the score sheet. Damien Francis is available again. Plenty of goals then and the away win (2.65).

Stoke 0 Watford 0

I definitely prefer Preston in the derby with Blackpool and I suggest that Preston have the greater potential and they are on a high after their midweek win against Hull (3-0). First win for their new manager. Home win! (2.20).

Preston 0 Blackpool 1

Will the Cardiff players win for their coach D Jones? I have my doubts. Cardiff constantly under achieve and something very basic must be wrong. They welcome Colchester tomorrow and I am more inclined to back the away win (4.05).

Cardiff 4 Colchester 1

Chris.