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Weekend Soccer – By Chris.

The Premiership

Arsenal   -  Birmingham          1.21   -  18.00
Looking good for Arsenal ahead of this game despite some defensive shortcomings. Their regulars needed a break after the hectic Christmas schedule and coach Wenger used mainly fringe players in the cup games with Burnley and Tottenham. Eboue and Toure have left for the African Cup however and defenders Senderos and Djorou both suffered injuries in midweek against Tottenham. Senderos is the one who should replace Toure as Gallas colleague in the central defence, but there are other options.  Van Persie is injured again.

Birmingham defeated Tottenham 3-2 at White Hart Lane and they only were beaten 0-1 by United at Old Trafford. Not bad form in other words and personally I would never take the 1.21 on the home win. O Kapo and D Johnson are available again. I expect Arsenal to win this match, but indifferent odds (1.21).

Arsenal 1 Birmingham 1

Aston Villa   -   Reading         1.62   -   6.40
The Villa  -  Man United encounter last week looked like a typical 0-0 game. United played their joker in the shape of  Rooney and his entry late in the game won the match for United. Villa did not threaten much but they have been more effective against "normal" teams lately. However, I have problems with Villa as big favourites (1.62).

Of course Reading remain winless away from home (0-3-7) but using their reserve side, they drew  their away cup game with Tottenham last week and down to 10 men they managed a 1-1 draw with W Ham at the Upton Park recently. Sonko, Fae and Bikey have left for the African Cup but Gunnarsson will be back from his suspension. Reading have just bought the best Mlda Boleslav player, the Czech international Matejovsky, but he will play no part in this match. The young defender A Pearce could earn his first game tomorrow. Likely home win, but the odds are not up to standard (1.62).

Aston Villa 3 Reading 1

Derby  -  Wigan     3.10   -   2.55
The new Derby signings do nothing to quicken the pulse. Ghaly I never liked, L Robert is a kind of a luxury player and needs a good team to play in, and Robbie Savage? Maybe he will do some good, mostly as a motivator. Their fourth signing E Villa could be an ace. The fact that he was sold to Derby was enough for his previous coach to actually leave his job. Villa was the leading striker in his Mexcian club.

For Wigan T Bramble will return from his suspension, but P Scharner goes the other way. Bruce is on track to sign Palacios from his former club, Birmingham. You have to give some credit to Bruce. His new club has done very well since he became their manager. Who would have thought that Wigan would manage a draw at Anfield with Liverpool? Not this writer any way. Last week Wigan won their first away game this season, against a weakened Sunderland in the cup. I will probably back the draw (3.30).

Derby 0 Wigan 1

Everton   -   Manchester City       2.17   -   3.60
I think that Everton got what they deserved in midweek, when they lost 2-1 to Chelsea in the Carling cup semi final. They had absolutely nothing to offer as long as both teams had eleven players on the pitch and it was only the dismissal of Obi Mikel that allowed Everton back in the game. Two of their aces Yakubu and Yobo played their last game for a while as they are off to Africa now. T Cahill had a poor game against Chelsea but maybe he will come alive again now that Arteta returns from his suspension. Pienaar has also left for Africa.

Say what you like about City, but Sven's outfit is one of the toughest sides to beat in the Premiership. Dunne and Richards, Vidic and Rio Ferdinand means that there are some excellent defenders in the City of Manchester at the moment. N Castillo made his debut for City last week and this Mexican striker can be a real hit. He played some great games for his country in the last Copa America tournament. Elano was rested vs. W Ham, but he should be back for this match.  X2, but my choice will be the away win (3.60).

Everton 1 Man City 0

Manchester Utd   -   Newcastle     1.25  -   16.00
Geordies must be longing for the 90's when Keegan was managing Newcastle. With players like Ginola, Asprilla and Les Ferdinand in his side the encounters between United and Newcastle were something to look forward to. Now Man United are mega favourites (1.25) and rightly so. Time for Rooney to play from the start but United will be without the suspended defender W Brown.

Allardyce has left Newcastle and in my opinion he did a poor job. He had some good players at his disposal and together they really should have done much better but not all managers are destined to manage the really big clubs. Newcastle will be without their Africans Faye, Geremi, Beye and O Martins. Scoring goals has become increasingly difficult for Newcastle and this certainly was not the case under the Keegan regime. Home win (1.25).

Man Utd 6 Newcastle 0

Middlesbrough   -   Liverpool        5.44   -   1.75
Both J Arca and Cattermole are out suspended for the home side. Instead they count on Boateng and O'Neill to make their returns. The Egyptian striker Mido had set this date as his come back date but he will not be ready for this match. Both J Woodgate and T Sanli are injury doubts.

Liverpool remind me of Milan these days, unfortunately in a negative way, as they have on going problems in so called low profile games. Draws with Wigan and Luton and just about a win against Derby prove the point. Forget about the title. Try to secure the fourth position in the league and be happy with that, seems to be the Liverpool way nowadays. No Sissoko for Liverpool, a Liverpool that has failed to win this fixture for the last five seasons (0-3-2). How eager are you to back the 1.75?

Middlesbrough 1 Liverpool 1

West Ham   -   Fulham         1.75   -   5.20
I thought that the new Fulham boss Roy Hodgson would immediately tighten up his defence. He usually works that way, but letting in two goals against Blackburn Rovers demonstrated continued defensive problems. I guess that Hodgson by now is familiar with the traditional poor away results from his new club, although he watched Fulham grabbing a 1-1 draw in their last away game at Birmingham. Missing for this match is the injured H Bouazza and D Kamara.

West Ham are 3-4-3 at home and they have only scored twelve goals in their ten home fixtures. Not the kind of team that you want to back as rather big favourites, at least not in my opinion. They will be able to draw from the same squad that played out a 0-0 draw with M City last week. Pantsil and H Camara have left for the African Cup, but Boa Morte should be back. I lack the right feeling. I will back the draw at a big price! (3.70).

West Ham 2 Fulham 1

Bolton   -   Blackburn         2.50   -   3.00
First game for Bolton without Anelka. Well, he did not play last week either when they lost the cup game to Sheffield United, 0-1. Hadji-Diouf and Meite have left for the African Cup and only K Davies remain of their previous three strikers. Buying and buying quickly should be the right move by coach Megson.

Blackburn fielded an under strength side last week and they offered a very weak display against Coventry (1-4). There is something about Blackburn this year, under strength or full strength, they have lost the right mentality. They lost to Larissa in the UEFA Cup and were outclassed by Coventry in the FA Cup. It seems like losing matches is OK with coach Hughes these days. Santa Cruz and the other absentees from last week are expected back for this match, but Mokoena has left for Ghana. A toothless Bolton side up against an unreliable away team. X2 in my opinion.

Bolton 1 Blackburn 2

Sunderland   -   Portsmouth     2.88   -   2.77
Without proper strikers Sunderland were no match for Wigan last week. Their important striker K Jones will have a late fitness test tomorrow but both Chopra and D Yorke will be back for sure. Nosworthy will also be available but D Etuhu will be missing.

Pompey will be without their African contingent, Bouba Diop, Utaka, Kanu and Muntari. At last, time for one of my favourites, D Nugent, to prove his worth. No denying that Portsmouth will be weakened during the African Cup. No denying their fantastic away results this season (7-1-3 this far). Only Chelsea have been able to win as many away matches as Portsmouth.

There is no denying that Sunderland are desperate for points but they desperately need Kenwyne Jones to play. With him in the starting line up I am prepared to back Sunderland, but only then! (2.88).

Sunderland 2 Portsmouth 0

Chelsea   -   Tottenham     1.78  -   5.50
I thought that Chelsea played some quality football in the Carling Cup semi final vs. Everton in midweek. At least as long as they were eleven players out there, but the dismissal of Obi Mikel gave Everton a life line. Mikel has now joined the other Africans Drogba, Essien and Kalou in Ghana. P Cech is expected back for this match and new signing Anelka is in line to make his debut for Chelsea.

Tottenham will miss the suspended duo Huddlestone and J Jenas as well as Zokora. They dominated against the Arsenal cup side in midweek and only Lady Luck saved Arsenal. One of these days we will see some very tired Tottenham players out there and that is a promise. My choice will be the home win (1.78).

Chelsea 2 Tottenham 0

Serie A

Catania   -  Juventus         5.00   -   1.90
Martinez is available and Catania will be able to field their three strikers, Martinez, Mascara and Spinesi again. Baiocco and Sardo are out, suspended with Izco and Silvestri their replacements. Camoranesi, Andrade and Zebina are missing for Juventus. Catania have exceeded all expectations so far but the second half of the season could prove more difficult. Still, no one can take away their 22 points achieved this far and they have been especially strong down in Sicily.

Juventus look destined to come third in the league. Roma and Inter are too strong and Milan will never be able to reach Juve. So far the Juventus season has been rather flawless. "The newcomers" are top quality. The first game after the break however can be tricky against a strong home team and I am not throwing myself over the 1.90 offered on the away win. X2 for me.

Catania 1 Juventus 1

Empoli   -  Reggina        2.00   -   4.80
A real six pointer and I will back the home win (2.00). Empoli have improved their game with their new coach and they look stronger than second from bottom, Reggina. Moro and Pratali will not play for Empoli this time, but Marchisio will be available again. Vanucchi and the promising Giovinco will support Pozzi (or Saudati) up front.

Reggina have bought a new defender, B Cirillo and he will play from the start. Aronica sits out a suspension and Hallfredsson, Joelson and Garcia are not fit to play this week either. Tognozzi and Canpagnolo are back in contention again. Home win for Empoli (2.00).

Empoli 1 Reggina 1

Milan   -   Napoli        1.40   -  10.00
Two key players will be missing in the Milan line up this weekend. I am referring to Gattuso and Inzaghi. Seedorf will be fit to play and Kaka will back up the young Pato and Gilardino in the front line.

Napoli continue to be without their suspended striker Zalayeta. Lavezzi will be joined in the front line by Calaio (or Sosa) Hamsik will most likely come in for the suspended Blasi on the midfield.

Half of the season has gone and Milan are still without a league win at the San Siro stadium. They will win their first game on Sunday, or so everybody is saying, but I am not prepared to back them. This has more to do with the limited price on the home win (1.40).

Milan 5 Napoli 2

Atalanta  -  Roma        4.85  -   1.91
Atalanta are another team who will be without two key players. Doni completes his suspension this weekend and their defender Rivalta is out injured. Belleri will probably replace Rivalta and up front it looks like Floccari will be joined by Muslimovic.

Roma have basically a full strength squad, only really missing the suspended Cassetti. Roma needed the break as they lost their best form in December. My guess is that a rejuvenated Roma side will be too strong for this ‘Doni less’ Atalanta. Away win, but I cannot really approve of the price offered (1.91).

Atalanta 1 Roma 2

Cagliari  -   Udinese         3.40   -    2.40
Would you believe that Cagliari have got themselves a new coach again. I have never heard of him before, but it really does not matter as he has the same old players at his disposal. Cagliari will be without Ferri, Pisano and Canini for this match.

Asamoah is out for Udinese, meaning that Quagliarella and Di Natale will be joined by Pepe up front. Pinzi will not be available this weekend. The table does not lie, Cagliari have been the worst side this far in Serie A. Their present team cannot perform miracles, it is as simple as that. Still, it is the first game after the break and with a new coach maybe Cagliari will be up for it on Sunday. My choice will nevertheless be the away win (2.40).

Cagliari 0 Udinese 1

Lazio   -   Genoa        1.90   -   5.00
A trio of Lazio players will be suspended for this match. I am thinking of De Silvestri, Siviglia and Ledesma. Out injured are Meghni and Diakite.

It is not as bad as it looks. I checked their probable starting line up, with Rocchi and Pandev up front, backed up by Mauri and Behrami is back in defence. Strong enough in my view to win this match (1.90).

Genoa come with their three pronged strike force, Leon, Boriello and Sculli, but miss the injured Danilo, Fabiano and Bega. Lazio are the better side and that is enough for me. Home win (1.90).

Lazio 1 Genoa 2

Parma  -  Fiorentina       3.15   -   2.55
Parma have been remarkably strong at home so far and without their home strength they would end up in Serie B, no doubt. Pisanu is new on their injury list, joining Budan but Castellini is back to fitness.

I could not find a single injured player in the Fiorentina squad, nor a suspended one either and there will plenty of excellent players on their bench for this match. X2 in my opinion.

Parma 1 Firorentina 2

Sampdoria  -  Palermo      2.35   -  3.45
Important player Volpi is suspended this weekend and Sampdoria will also be without Lucchini and Montella. Cassano should play and that is always a bit exciting. Delvecchio and Sala will also be available again.

Palermo will be at full strength. Yes Palermo, what can I say? In their last match they were leading Lazio 2-1. Palermo were rewarded a second half penalty and at the same time Lazio were down to 10 men. Amauri missed the penalty and Lazio later on managed an unlikely equaliser.

Massive amounts of money were invested on the home win, that much I know. I like to bet on Italian football, but maybe one should avoid the really big bets.  Palermo have some classy players and I am prepared to back the away win. (3.45) Small bet!

Sampdoria 3 Palermo 0

Siena  -  Inter      9.00   -   1.50
Siena will fight on with their rather limited squad and at the moment it looks like they will go down together with Reggina and Cagliari. Locatelli will back up Maccarone and Frick and Siena have no secret weapons for this match against the superior league leaders.

Inter have a massive injury list but fortunately they also have a massive squad to choose from. Suazo, Vieira, Toldo, Stankovic, Dacourt, Figo and Samuel are out of this match. Jimenez, their latest star, will support Cruz and Ibrahimovic up front and Inter will be OK. Likely away win but I have no use for the 1.50 offered on the away win.

Siena 2 Inter 3

Torino   -   Livorno        2.00   -   4.80
The draw champions, Torino, will probably use Bjelanovic and Di Michele up front from the start with Recoba on the bench. Missing are Grella, Rubin and Motta.

Livorno are on an unbeaten run and maybe Cagliari, Siena and Reggina can find hope in the recent Livorno resurgence. They started their season hopelessly bad and I saw no real hope for the Tuscany based club. A new coach was appointed and all of sudden Livorno improved beyond imagination, however I would not call Livorno safe. Nothing great with their squad and they could lose form again.

Tavano and Tristan will go forward again with Bogdani on the bench. A Filippini, Pulzetti and Rossini are on their injury list. Giannichedda will probably be preferred to Loviso or E Fillippini on the midfield. 1X, I guess.

Torino 1 Livorno 2

French league

Le Mans  -   Sochaux      2.00  -  4.50
Like Portsmouth and Chelsea in England I guess that Le Mans could do without the African Cup. Gervinho, Romaric and Ib Camara, all first team regulars, have joined their national sides. One of their best players M Basa is injured for this match and Cerdan is out suspended. Still no Samassa and no doubt that Le Mans will be under strength for a while. When Le Mans won a cup game a week ago, Gervinho and Basa scored their three goals and as I have pointed out, they are not available tomorrow.

Sochaux will have to do without N'daw and Afolabi, but Pitau returns from his suspension. They also have a new coach, Gillot, once the Lens boss and he is making his league debut tomorrow. Sochaux are desperate for points, they have a new coach and their opponents will not be at full strength. Conclusion, the away win (4.50).

Le Mans 0 Sochaux 2

Strasbourg   -  Nice         2.50   -   3.10
As many as five Nice regulars have left for Ghana and the African Cup. I am referring to Apam, Kante, Kone, Diakite and Job. Hognon is out, injured. New acquisition is Yahia, ready to make his debut.

Strasbourg have their own problems but I nevertheless think that this is a good moment to oppose Nice tomorrow. Home win (2.50).

Strasbourg 0 Nice 1

Rennes  -   Marseille        2.60  -  3.00
Rennes also have a new coach, Lacombe, and he is also looking for his first win. I say it will come tomorrow (2.60). OK, Rennes won a cup game last week. Pagis was in brilliant form and he played up front together with J Briand, backed by among others S Wiltord. Mensah and M'bia have left for Ghana.

Marseille will be without several regulars for this match. Their strongest forward, their captain Niang,has gone to Ghana together with M'bami, Ayew and Taiwo. Taiwos' defensive colleague, Zubar is out injured as well as Faty and J Rodriguez. Givet should be fit and Akale has joined the club. Marseille will be much weakened both defensively and offensively and I will back the home win for Rennes (2.60).

Rennes 3 Marseille 1

Caen   -  Nancy       2.40   -  3.30
I knew that Nancy had lost many players for the African Cup, but checking up this fixture, I found that Caen had more problems to handle than Nancy. Two Nancy regulars, their defender Chretien and their striker Hadji are out of this match. Also missing are their two substitutes, N'guemo and Zerka. They were at least substitutes in the latest Nancy game, their 1-1 draw with Lyon.

Caen will be without their leading striker Gouffran, Florentin, keeper Plante, Jemaa, Costil and Mazure. Without both Gouffran and Jemaa up front, they have Compan at their disposal. X2 in my opinion.

Caen 0 Nancy 0

La Liga

Atletíco Madrid   -   Valencia       2.05  -  4.00
Backing the home win (2.05). Valencia won a cup game 2-1 in midweek away to R Betis. New coach Koeman needed a win, no doubt about that but you should know that Betis fielded mostly fringe players. Koeman has called twenty footballers for this match, but not included are Canizares, Albelda, Angulo, Morientes, Alexis and Miguel. New signing, the Argentinian Banega, will not be involved and unfortunately it also looks like D Villa and Caneira will miss out.

Atletico welcome back the previously suspended Pernia but once again they will be without Seitaridis, Motta and L Franco. Ze Castro is their latest casualty, but Jurado is expected to be fit to play. At the end of the day I only really miss their keeper Franco in their present line up. Close to full strength A Madrid side should not have any major problems with Valenica, that is the way I see it (2.05).

Atletico Madrid 1 Valencia 0

Atletic Bilbao   -  Sevilla       3.15   -   2.40
Is it possible for A Bilbao to score a goal and even win a home game? They are 1-6-2 in their home games and 7-8, the goals. Exteberria will once again be missing, but both Ocio and Iraizola should be OK.

Sevilla miss all their leading strikers, L Fabiano, Kanoute, Kone and Kershakov. They only have Chevanton at their disposal. He is not tip top however and also have to do without their suspended defender Dragutinovic. 1X then, but I will take a chance with the home win (3.15).

Atletico Bilbao 2 Sevilla 0

The Championship

Ipswich  -   Stoke      2.20   -   3.40
I will continue backing Ipswich at Portman Road as long as there are some decent odds around (2.20). Ipswich are 11-2-0 at home and in their last league game (at home) they defeated the league leaders WBA, 2-0. Trotter and O Garvan will miss this match, but important player J Walters will be back as well as their defender De Vos.

Count on J Parkin to play up front for Stoke, as Sidibe has joined his national side (Mali). Stoke will travel to Newcastle in a few days for a FA Cup replay. Maybe they already have an eye on that massive fixture. Ipswich to win their 12th home game (2.20).

Ipswich 1 Stoke 1

Coach Holloway keeps on strengthening his Leicester side. First the strikers S Howard and B Hayles, then the Tottenham keeper B Alnwick and now the quality midfielder M Oakley. It could be worth backing Leicester at home to Coventry (2.25). Captain Doyle will be missing for Coventry.

Leicester 2 Coventry 0

Burnley impressed last week against Arsenal, despite their 0-2 loss. Plymouth have just sold their leading striker Ebanks-Blake to Wolves and D Norris is out suspended. Winger Lee Martin has left for S United. I am prepared to back Burnley (2.30) but it is a bit unfortunate that Lafferty is out suspended. Lafferty hit the Arsenal wood work last week with his header.

Burnley 1 Plymouth 0

Maybe Ebanks-Blake, the new Wolves striker, will give his new club some lost enthusiasm and some goals as well. Tempting odds on the Wolves home win vs. C Palace. (2.35).

Wolves 0 Crystal Palace 3

Chris.