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Weekend Soccer – By Chris

The Premiership

Birmingham   -   Everton           3.08   -   2.45
The home side has a cushion of four points over Bolton in the relegation zone. Far from safe in other words, but tt looks like their relative home strength will preserve their Premiership status. Birmingham are 2-3-0 in their last five home games.
Both the Birmingham defenders L Ridgewell and F Queudrue will be back tomorrow but they lose D Johnson to a suspension.

I cannot really recall when I last saw a strong performance from Everton. Their 1-0 home win against Derby last week does not exactly belong in the impressive category. Andy Johnson was back in their squad and I only missed the injured T Cahill out there. Arteta is a major doubt for this match and both Pienaar and Hibbert could be missing also this week. 1X in my opinion. OK, the home win (3.08).

Birmingham 1 Everton 1

Bolton   -   West Ham       2.20  -   3.65
Simply woeful is the best way to describe Bolton’s recent form. One win in their last eleven league games, that says it all. Last week away to A Villa their players showed none of the old Bolton spirit and that should be the biggest worry for coach Megson. The lucky thing is that their cause in not yet lost despite their recent hopeless run. The Bolton skipper and motivator Kevin Nolan will be back from his suspension tomorrow and maybe he can he can lift his depressed troops.

Bolton face the perfect opponents this weekend, West Ham. They have nothing at all to play for and their players are probably waiting for the season to end. In midweek W Ham welcomed Portsmouth to Upton Park. A Pompey side without all their leading strikers, but there was nothing that a poor W Ham side could do about it. No, they offered a poor display, lacking the necessary penetration and Portsmouth were able to win the match 1-0. Both L Neill and M Noble suffered injuries and they risk missing the Bolton fixture. M Upson should be back. A 100% commitment from the Bolton players tomorrow and they should have their win against W Ham. Can coach Megson get that kind of commitment form his players? The way things have been going lately there no guarantee. Still my choice will be the home win (2.20).

Bolton 1 West Ham 0

Derby    -   Aston Villa           6.50   -   1.65
After a string of disappointing matches A Villa came back strongly last week, outclassing Bolton 4-0. Just the kind of result that they needed to continue their quest for a place in Europe next season. Both the Villa internationals G Barry and Agbonlahor were on the score sheet against Bolton. Tomorrow Villa will be without the suspended midfielder Reo-Coker with S Petrov covering for him. Striker Carew is a doubt. I take it for granted that Villa will pick up another three pointer from this game (1.65).

Derby 0 Aston Villa 6

Portsmouth   -   Newcastle        2.20   -   3.75
Without J Defoe, Kanu and Baros, Portsmouth looked a bit soft up front in midweek. D Nugent and Kranjcar did the attacking job and fortunately for Portsmouth,  Kranjcar played a very strong match. He scored their goal vs. W Ham and was man of the match. The above mentioned Portsmouth strikers will all be back in contention for this match and Defoe will definitely play from the start.

Three Newcastle wins on the spin now and I am sure that coach Keegan is looking for his fourth tomorrow. That is Keegan in a nut shell and you just have to love the man when his club is on a positive run. I never saw him as the big tactician, capable to change the look of football matches. Sign of strength last week with all the three Newcastle strikers Viduka, Martins and M Owen scoring against Reading. The Newcastle defender S Taylor was missing last week, but he should back tomorrow. Still no J Milner or S Carr. The home win is certainly overpriced (2.20). Newcastle were never particularly strong on their travels. This season they are 3-3-10!

Portsmouth 0 Newcastle 0

Reading   -   Fulham         1.95  -   4.33
This really is the last chance for Fulham tomorrow. The way I see it, they wasted their big chance last week, losing their home game with Sunderland, 1-3. Still mathematically it is not over for Fulham, but psychologically they lost their cause last week. Reading usually find the necessary energy for six pointer games like this one, especially when they are played at their own place. There is absolutely nothing great about this version of Reading and they could easily have been in the drop zone, but as I said, they seem to save their skin by winning these kind of must win games. Their Slovak midfielder Matejovski will be back for this match and the previously injured G Murty, G Little and B Gunnarsson are included in the Reading squad. Almost impossible to build any hope on Fulham away from home (0-7-9). No away win since Sept. 2006. 33 attempts!!! Home win! (1.95).

Reading 0 Fulham 2

Sunderland   -   Manchester City         2.30   -   3.69
For the first time this season Sunderland have been able to win back to back games. Now three in a row just at the right time and we will see Sunderland in the Premiership next season as well. The main reason must be the present fitness of their squad. With all their key players in action Sunderland are a decent side. If coach Keane can motivate his players the same way tomorrow as in recent weeks he will register his fourth straight win (2.30).

It is not very likely that the City players will be prepared to work as hard as the Sunderland players. Lately City have been looking lifeless, like a side without much belief, especially on their road trips (0-2 vs Reading, 0-0 vs Bolton and 1-3 vs Birmingham). Seems like there is nothing that coach Sven can do about it. Much like Keegan, not a man that can change the look of a game. City have lost their defender Onuoha for the season and they are still waiting on M Richards. Home win for Sunderland (2.30).

Sunderland 1 Man City 2

Tottenham    -   Middlesbrough        1.75   -   5.49
Excellent first half by Tottenham at Ewood Park against Blackburn. In the second half Blackburn came back and the 1-1 result was a fair one. After their horror show against Newcastle, Tottenham picked up their game again and that was the most important thing. Motivation will be a problem for Tottenham also in the remaining rounds. O'Hara and keeper P Robinson are injury doubts.

Too bad really that Middlesbrough could not defeat Man United last week. For once I had the right odds (8.54) and for once I also actually made the bet. They should have won it, no doubt. With A Alves scoring his first two goals the future Boro  campaign will be interesting to follow. When he is on a run there is nothing stopping him, so look out for A Alves in the next few weeks, including this one. Two bets for this writer. Away win (5.49) and an over bet!

Tottenham 1 Middlesbrough 1

Liverpool    -   Blackburn          1.53    -   7.50
For the Liverpool players, it will be a matter of reloading their batteries after the midweek magic show in the Champions League quarter final against Arsenal. You always have to work hard to defeat Blackburn and also coach Benitez knows this by now. I expect quite a few changes in the Liverpool line up, but one who is definitely missing is the suspended Mascherano.

Blackburn have a fully fit squad at the moment. Their form? Indifferent, I would say with 3-6-2 in their last eleven league games. Home win, I guess, but personally I would not touch this 1.53!

Liverpool 3 Blackburn 1

Manchester Utd   -   Arsenal         1.91   -   4.75
So Arsenal were knocked out of the Champions League by Liverpool, for two reasons. The blatant penalty in the first leg that never was given to Arsenal and poor defending from Senderos in the second leg. Who is picking Senderos, although the Swiss international is a constant safety risk in high profile games? Wenger is picking Senderos and he is the one to blame. Life goes on and for this match Arsenal will have to do without the suspended Diaby and the injured Flamini. Gilberto will replace Flamini.

Rio Ferdinand played in mid week against Roma, while coach Ferguson rested among others Ronaldo and W Rooney. Both M Silvestre and G Neville made their come backs. On Sunday United will be without Vidic again, but he is their only really important absentee at the moment. I fear that the Arsenal season will come to an end this weekend. Home win (1.91).

Man Utd 2 Arsenal 1

Chelsea   -   Wigan        1.25  -   15.36
Without their keepers Cech and Cudicini, third choice keeper Hilario will stand between the sticks on Monday. Should not be much of a problem for Chelsea. I expect them to dominate this match and Hilario will not be the busiest keeper at the Stamford Bridge, if you know what I mean. The Chelsea coach Grant will make some kind of turn over. Should not be a problem either. Wigan welcome back the previously suspended midfield duo J Koumas and M Brown. Wigan will stay up, but it is not because they are strong away from home (1-4-12). Home win for Chelsea (1.25). 

Serie A 

Juventus   -   Milan             2.38   -   3.40
Down 0-2 at Palermo, Del Piero scored two goals for Juventus in the second half. Then Juventus laid siege to the Palermo goal, Del Piero hit the wood work and we all waited for the winning Juventus goal. Out of the blue Cassani let off a rocket and the Juventus keeper Buffon hardly moved when the ball hit the net. What I am driving at is that Juventus were unfortunate, losing their fifth game of the season. They will be without the injured C Zanetti tomorrow, but P Nedved will surprisingly enough be fit to play.

With Kaka playing and scoring, Milan came back to winning ways last week at their horror arena San Siro. Offensively Milan look strong again, although Pato will probably miss this match, but maybe too many regular defenders are missing at the moment. At least Favalli is expected back. I expect a score draw. (3.00) Why not a 2-2 draw!

Juventus 3 Milan 2

Palermo   -   Catania         2.20   -   4.50
It was as if the Palermo players had already accepted that they would lose again last week, at home to Juventus. They have lost so many matches in the second half this season and the match followed the usual routine. Strong first half followed by a below standard second half. This time Cassani stopped the rot with his amazing long distance shot. Same Cassani is suspended for this Sicilian derby game and Simplicio is out, injured. Miccoli will be available, backing up Amauri.

The new Catania coach Zenga witnessed his side playing their best game of the season, outclassing Napoli 3-0. They will have the previously suspended Mascara back tomorrow but Baiocco is out injured. Collucci is a major doubt and we will most likely see Spinesi and Mascara in the Catania front line. Assessing the odds I have to say that the value is on the home win (2.20).  

Palermo 1 Cataina 0

Empoli    -   Parma            2.35   -   3.55
New/old Empoli coach Cagni started his new job with a win, 1-0 at Torino. Empoli were second best to Torino in the first half but picked up their game in the second half and they definitely ended the match the stronger side. Quite logically Vannucchi scored an 89th minute winner. One should remember however that Torino should really have scored a couple in the first half. The Empoli squad is almost fully fit with only Pratali and Pozzi still missing. Expect the same starting eleven as last week.

C Lucarelli will be back for Parma and he will be joining in form Budan in the front line. Massive fixture this one for both parties, with Parma having a one point cushion over Empoli at this minute. In general I prefer Parma, but I cannot ignore their away results this season (0-6-9). OK, I will back the draw (2.95).

Empoli 1 Parma 1

Genoa   -   Torino         2.65   -   3.65
More at stake for the away side and maybe that is why the home win is slightly overpriced. As I had expected Genoa gave Roma a real fight at the Olympic Stadium last week. A late De Rossi penalty decided the outcome (3-2 win for Roma). Same De Rossi that blew the Roma chances against United. Genoa will have their midfielder Milanetto back for this match but there are some doubts concerning the fitness of Danilo. Torino will be without their suspended striker Stellone. Ventola will have a rare start up front, joining Recoba (or Rosina). Quite possible that both sides will appreciate a draw in this match (2.60). The odds on the draws usually go down at this time of the season, it is Italy after all.

Genoa 3 Torino 0

Inter   -   Fiorentina           1.63   -  7.00
Ibrahimovic will not be involved and we will probably see J Cruz and Balotelli going forward for Inter, with Crespo and Suazo on the bench. Vieira and Chivu are expected to recover and we will more or less see the same Inter squad as last week. Inter won 2-0 away to Atalanta and they played a solid game. Cambiasso was playing again and he is the one to steady the Inter ship.

Fiorentina will be without Donadel and Semioli. Fiorentina have been quite poor lately in their away games and it will no be easier for Mutu and his colleagues this time. They are up against the league leaders and they already played this big game in Eindhoven, against PSV on Thursday night (2-0 win). Likely home win, but the odds you can do without (1.63).

Inter 2 Fiorentina 0

Lazio   -   Siena         2.10  -   5.00
The Lazio squad gets fitter by the minute and they only have one player, Del Nero, on their injury list. Lazio picked up four points from their last two home fixtures, vs. Roma and Inter, and they should win this match (2.10). Latest news however, indicate that the Lazio coach will  rotate his squad against Siena. Lazio face Inter in the first leg of their Coppa Italia semi final in a few days and that is why De Rossi wants to rest some of his players.

Siena belong to the group of sides that are basically safe now. Both Frick and Codrea will be available for this match, but De Ceglie and Bertotto remain on the sidelines.

Both these sides are known to draw a game or two, but I was always prepared to back the stronger side, Lazio. Now I will choose IX, and I will be safe.

Lazio 1 Sienna 1

Livorno   -   Cagliari         2.35   -   3.55
Another massive six pointer game down at the bottom of the table. Livorno defeated Catania 1-0 in early March but it is their only win in something like ten or eleven games. Close to a free fall situation. Their coach will abandon his 3-5-2 formation this weekend using a 3-4-1-2 line instead. Sounds interesting with Diamanti supporting Tavano and Bogdani up front. Bergvold is probably ready to play from the start. Cagliari have no special worries ahead of this crunch game. Well, their away form is not great (1-4-11). Leading me to say the unthinkable. Stronger value on the home win.  Livorno then! (2.35).

Livorno 1 Cagliari 2

Napoli   -   Atalanta         2.05   -   4.35
Although I had expected Napoli to lose last week against Catania, I never thought that they would be outclassed, but that is what happened. Late in the season and we can confirm the obvious by now. Napoli are one of the true home sides in Serie A (9-3-4), only really functioning in front of their fanatic fans. Their midfielder Blasi will be back for this match and Contini will replace the suspended Santacroce in their defence. Lavezzi and Calaio up front.

Carozzieri is back in the Atalanta defence again, but his colleagues Talamonti and Rivalta are out injured. The Atalanta play maker and leading player, Doni, will be suspended the next two games, starting with this one. That makes me support the home win (2.05).

Napoli 2 Atalanta 0

Reggina   -   Sampdoria         2.65   -   3.00
No win in their last four games and Reggina seem to have lost their best form again. OK, I suppose some account must taken that three of the last four matches have been away fixtures. Both Cozza and Amoruso were on the bench last week but I should think that they will be found in the starting line up on Sunday. At least Amoruso.

Volpi and Sala will come in for the suspended Sampdoria duo Palombo and Accardi. Gastaldello and Campagnaro, both defenders, are struggling with injuries, but should be OK, come Sunday.  Sampdoria have won their last three away games and Reggina should be warned. Sampdoria are one of the true form cards in Serie A and now with Cassano playing again, I will be backing the away win (3.00).

Reggina 1 Sampdoria 0

Udinese   -   Roma         3.40   -   2.30
Tight battle between Sampdoria and Udinese, all about a place in Europe next season. Excellent Udinese form as well and it seems like it will be a close call between the two clubs. Zapata is finally back in the Udinese squad and he could play some part already this weekend. Mesto will miss this game due to a suspension and Ferronetti will replace him

How much energy is left in the Roma squad after their spectacle in Manchester in midweek? Too bad really that Totti could not play against United. Totti usually takes all the Roma penalties. Then again we would have missed one of the poorest penalty attempts ever, the one that De Rossi sent up in the stands. I backed Roma and I was not happy when it happened, but what can I do about it today? Not much! Totti could be back for this match. According to reports he is back in training again. Cassetti has joined the Roma injury list.

Roma have demonstrated that they can handle two games per week but at the same time they have not impressed lately in their league matches. Udinese seldom defeat the top sides. Tricky decision. OK, maybe the value is on the home win after all (3.40)

Udinese 1 Roma 3

The Championship

Bristol City   -   Wolves        2.35  -   3.20
Wolves have won their last four games, including the away wins, 3-1 and 3-2 against Burnley and Charlton. Goals come easy for Wolves at the moment, a typical sign of top form. Ebanks-Blake has scored nine goals since he joined Wolves in January. Midfielder D Edwards could be ready for his come back this weekend, S Elliott and G Breen as well, but S Ward and M Kightly need more time.

The top of the table disease has struck Bristol City. It has happened to all clubs that have reached the summit. Quite extraordinary, but ask Watford, WBA and Stoke.

Anyway poor City form with 1-3-3 in their last seven games. Last week they were embarrassingly poor away to Southampton (0-2). Seems like all the pressure is on Bristol City, while Wolves at last are enjoying their football again. Away win (3.20).

Bristol City 0 Wolves 0

Hull   -  Q P R           1.80   -   4.85
I am the first to admit that the odds on the home in are a bit short (1.80) but it will nevertheless be my choice. QPR are one of the few Championship sides that have nothing to play for, while Hull are looking for direct promotion. Hull are in excellent form and they come to this match with wins in their last four games and 12-1 the goals. Their last match was two weeks ago at home to Watford, with Hull practically sweeping Watford away that day (3-0). F Campbell, D Windass, C Folan and C Fagan  -  all the four Hull strikers were in action. Their defender W Brown was an injury doubt for tomorrow's game, but he should be OK.

QPR welcome back D Delaney and Buzsaky, but they have lost R Vine for the season. They played a strange game last week. They were 0-2 down at home to Preston and the away side definitely deserved their lead. QPR were poor, but in some mysterious way they scored two injury time goals (2-2). Backing Hull! (1.80)

Hull 1 QPR 1

Leicester  -  Colchester     1.73  -   5.25
Nonsense odds again, but nevertheless, the home win looks the likely result (1.73). Leicester, fighting for their lives, welcome back several players just in time for this match. I Hume, D J Campbell, B Hayles, L Hendrie and J Clapham could not play last week, but they will all be available for this must win game. Their defender Kisnorbo has also been cleared to play. K Watson and L Guttridge should be back for the guests. When Barnsley defeated Watford in midweek Colchester lost all hope and they are now a first division side. Backing Leicester tomorrow (1.73).

Leicester 1 Colchester 1

French League

Monaco   -  Toulouse        2.05   -   4.40
My choice will be the away win (4.40). Monaco won their first game for ages last week, 2-0 away to Strasbourg. Important win for the club, thereby able to distance themselves from the relegation zone. Tomorrow they will be without three key players, all starters at Strasbourg, their striker Piquionne, offensive midfielder Nene and their defender Adriano. Ruffier is also sidelined, but the defensive midfielder D Perez will return. Bernardi is once again considered a major doubt.

Toulouse will be without their suspended skipper Arribage, but their sharpshooter J Elmander will definitely be back for this match. Toulouse risk being relegated, they are 1-3-0 in their last games and they absolutely need a three pointer tomorrow. I think that they will manage this (4.40).

Monaco 0 Toulouse 2

Lorient   -   Lens        2.40   -   3.50
My second choice, Lens, is also a typical motivation based selection. Lorient do not have that much to play for, their form is so so (1-2-2 in their last five games) and they will once again be without two important offensive players, Vahirua and Le Pen.

Lens lost to St Etienne in midweek. Coach Papin gave some leading players a rest (Monterubio, E Carriere, Belhadj and Dindane), but tomorrow they will all be back to play. Maybe Papin had the opinion that this match against Lorient was the more winnable one. Bisevac could be ready for this match, but Remy is out. Lens to win! (3.50).

Lorient 1 Lens 0

Metz   -   Marseille           5.50   -   1.73
Once again I will be backing the more motivated side. The Marseille striker Niang offered a brilliant display last week, the whole team impressed, when Lyon were beaten 3-1. Marseille will continue with the same group of people, missing Valbuena and Ziani. The way I see it, what is the use of defeating Lyon if you cannot defeat Metz. The already relegated Metz side will have their defender Ch Gueye back tomorrow. This will be the third meeting between these sides this season. Marseille winners in both, but only after penalties in the cup fixture. Backing Marseille with all to play for (1.73).

Metz 1 Marseille 2

La Liga

Getafe   -  Real Zaragoza         2.40   -   3.20
Special circumstances make me support the away win (3.20). How on earth can I back Zaragoza after their woeful display last week? And this lousy price (3.20).

The heroic Getafe club was only minutes from knocking out Bayern from the UEFA Cup last night and then you should know that Getafe played almost the whole match with only 10 men. In typical, old fashioned German tradition Bayern mustered two late goals and the enormous Getafe effort was all in vain after 120 minutes of football (3-3). The thing is that Getafe will play the biggest game in their history on Wednesday next week, the cup final vs. Valencia and I cannot imagine that coach Laudrup will include any of his regulars in this league fixture.

Zaragoza will be without the suspended defender Diogo. Take a look at the Zaragoza squad and then you will wonder why they are in the relegation zone. Well, how many coaches have they used this season? Could be their fourth or fifth, who is leading them right now. Anyway excellent chance for Zaragoza to pick up some "easy" points. Away win! (3.20).

Getafe 0 Real Zaragoza 0

Mallorca   -   Sevilla        2.75   -   2.75
Interesting fixture. My original idea was to back Sevilla. They certainly blow hot and cold, but they made a good impression last week, at home to Villarreal. It was a home fixture, I know, and they usually do not perform that strongly on their travels.

Anyway Sevilla will be weakened defensively again, even more than usual. Last week both Dragutinovic and Escude were missing. Same situation this week, but add two more defensive absentees, Adriano and Fazio. Their offensive players will be available.

Mallorca will be without their leading play maker Ibagaza and their defender I Ramis. Two changes in their starting line up, in other words. Mallorca have not won any of their last five home games against Sevilla (0-3-2). Away win! (2.75) and most likely an over game.

Mallorca 2 Sevilla 3

Recreativo Huelva  -  Barcelona      4.80   -   1.80
Just noticed that Messi will make his comeback for Barcelona on Sunday. At the same time Henry, Bojan and Iniesta will all be missing. I would say that Barce will lose on this equation, but I am not 100% certain. A fresh Messi, we all know what he is capable of. No bet!

Recreativo Huelva 2 Barcelona 2

Chris.