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Weekend Soccer – By Chris.

The Premiership

Arsenal   -   Middlesbrough           1.29   -   14.00
One tends to forget quickly but Middlesbrough won their home game v. Arsenal, the only Gunners only loss this season. Arsenal have drawn their last three league games and I am pretty convinced that their coach Wenger had expected three wins instead, or at least two. Drawing with A Villa is no disaster but Birmingham and Wigan should have been defeated. Eboue will be back from his suspension period and Arsenal have no major problems ahead of this fixture. Walcott is an injury doubt and Diabyas well as Rosicky will not be available.

Can anyone tell me why Middlesbrough chose to play ten times better against A Villa in midweek than they did in the cup quarter final with Cardiff? My guess is that the Middlesbrough players prefer to be under dogs. As big favourites they freeze. Against Arsenal they will be the underdogs of underdogs, so no problem there. Boro dominated against Villa and they really should have grabbed all the points (1-1). Villa were plain lucky and only an extremely dubious penalty could help them. Shawky, the Egyptian midfielder, was a positive surprise in the Middlesbrough team. Aladiere and A Alves, the two Boro strikers, have rejoined their squad. Arsenal should of course win this match, but I would never use the price on the home win (1.29).

Arsenal 1 Middlesbrough 1

Derby   -   Manchester Utd            20.00  -   1.22
At the risk of repeat myself, there is no need to talk about Derby. The United keeper Van der Saar has groin problems and will be rested again. Second choice keeper Kuzsczak is suspended for this match and it looks like we will see Ben Foster in the United goal. The only consequence will be that the United defenders will be more alert tomorrow. Away win (1.22). 

Derby 0 Man Utd 1

Liverpool   -   Reading        1.29   -   16.00
I take it for granted that the Liverpool coach Benitez will use some kind of rotation policy tomorrow but no big changes any more. It finally appears as if Benitez has realised the importance of the every day league games. Before Liverpool went to Milano and gave Inter a 1-0 defeat they hade won their last four league games convincingly. Maybe Crouch will start instead of Torres?

Reading won their home game against Liverpool 3-1 and they visit Anfield with renewed confidence after two league wins on the spin. Still missing Murty and Gunnarsson. I expect Reading to be unchanged for this match. Likely home win, but the odds (1.29) make the game uninteresting from a betting point of view.

Liverpool 2 Reading 1

Portsmouth   -   Aston Villa         2.44  -   3.08
I will make it easy for myself this time. As Villa were so surprisingly poor earlier this week at home to Middlesbrough, I expect them to play a much stronger game tomorrow. They looked rusty against Boro and their passing game was terrible. The break evidently did the Villains no good. Villa will be in better shape for this game, I am sure of that. They have to be, because Portsmouth look good again. First their strong defensive game against United and then their offensive approach against Birmingham in midweek (4-2) and one has to say that Redknapp and his Pompey can deal with most situations. Diarra, Utaka and Kanu started on bench against Birmingham but were starters at Old Trafford. Like his colleague in Villa, coach Redknapp has almost a fully fit squad to pick from. My feeling is that Villa will not return home empty handed. X2 then!

Portsmouth 2 Aston Villa 0

Sunderland   -   Chelsea          8.14   -   1.53
It is suggested that Sunderland were too defensive last week at home to Everton and I have to say that I agree. They faced Everton at the ideal moment only a couple of days after the Everton UEFA Cup game in Florence. Everton were there for the taking, but Sunderland packed their midfield, used only one striker and they lost the match 0-1, despite their cautious approach. Tomorrow however I thoroughly understand if Sunderland should use a defensive approach again. What else can they do against Chelsea? One of their best players, their winger C Edwards, will be back this weekend, starting on the bench. With K Richardson and C Edwards playing again Sunderland should be able to prolong their stay in the Premiership.

Chelsea, and Lampard most of all, enjoyed themselves in midweek outclassing Derby 6-1. Players like Drogba, Shevchenko, Essien and Alex started on the bench and there is tremendous quality in the big Chelsea squad. Only absentee is their keeper P Cech. My favourites to win the Premiership and  they should win this game as well (1.53).

Sunderland 0 Chelsea 1

West Ham   -   Blackburn          2.45   -   3.02
This is it for the home side. Losing three straight games 0-4, West Ham really have to dig deep and play some competitive football again. Another poor result and even coach Curbishley is living dangerously. Many of their players are on the sidelines, but apart from M Upson I did not miss anyone in particular against Tottenham last week. C Bellamy has not really played this season so it is kind of difficult to miss him. Boa Morte will be suspended tomorrow but hopefully M Upson will be back in the home defence.

Although the Fulham equaliser came very late, Blackburn can have no complaints about the 1-1 result. Blackburn did not play a strong game and never deserved the three points. I cannot really recall when I was last impressed by Blackburn, but what impresses me the most is their "hard to beat attitude", even if they struggle a bit on the pitch. What can I add? Blackburn have only lost once in their last ten league games (5-4-1). At the end of the day my choice will be the away win (3.02).

West Ham 2 Blackburn 1

Fulham   -    Everton         3.60   -   2.18
I will be backing the home win (3.60). Definitely an improved game by Fulham last week at Blackburn. Justice was had when Bullard scored their late equaliser.  Fulham will send out the same group of players this weekend and this game with Everton is definatley winnable, at least the way I see it. Maybe it is hard to believe, but Fulham have six successive home wins against Everton.  

Everton played the return leg against Fiorentina in midweek (120 min. plus penalties) and I do not expect the Evertonians to be at their best on Sunday. A similar effort or maybe even worse than their display at Sunderland last week. T Cahill is out of this match, but hard man L Carsley returns. Fulham to win (3.60).

Fulham 1 Everton 0

Manchester City   -  Tottenham       2.60   -   2.85
Still no M Petrov for City which makes it easy tol oppose City again (2.85). It will be even easier considering the other absentees in the City squad. M Richards, M Ball and D Hamann will all be missing, maybe also Richard Dunne.  Onuoha back however.

Tottenham already played against City in Manchester, giving City their first home loss of the season in a cup game. Tottenham were definitely the more creative side at that time and the difference will be even bigger this time, as Petrov completes his suspension. One worry for us Tottenham backers is that they played against PSV earlier this week. Could affect one or two of their players in a negative way. Hopefully not. Away win! (2.85).

Manchester City 2 Tottenham 1

Wigan   -   Bolton           2.23   -   3.42
The importance of this match is huge. Bolton, three points behind Wigan, decided to send a weak squad to Lisbon in midweek with one eye on this six pointer. Their big guns, including the injury doubt K Nolan, will all be ready for this match.

What I could see from the Wigan - Arsenal encounter last week, is that it is virtually impossible to play decent football on the Wigan pitch and that should favour Bolton! It looks like Wigan will be without their striker E Heskey. Sibierski will probably play instead and he should fill in nicely in this type of game. He is useful in the air and good at dead ball situations.  I said last week that I kind of like this version of Wigan. Palacios, Valencia and Koumas are all constructive midfielders and their fourth midfielder M Brown is not a very nice man, if you know what I mean. Perfect midfield. I have convinced myself. Home win for Wigan! (2.23).

Wigan 1 Bolton 0

Birmingham   -   Newcastle        2.25   -   3.30
Lively display by Birmingham in midweek, despite their 2-4 loss vs Portsmouth. Down 2-3 they went for the equaliser in the second half and they had some great chances, but Portsmouth have a certain David James in their goal. I was surprised to see Zarate from the start instead of McFadden, but after a while I could see why. You have to like this Zarate, always ready to challenge his opponents.

Since Keegan returned to Newcastle they are 0-2-6 in their league games. Poor results of course, but so far Newcastle have not had any lucky breaks. Murphy's law applies to Newcastle, if there is a possibility for things to go wrong it will happen. Poor Enrigue, I could not believe his bad luck at Anfield, leading to the opening goal for Liverpool. Surely it must be time for Keegan to pick Martins from the start on Monday. Last week A Smith was moved to the midfield, but for some reason D Duff joined M Owen up front instead of Martins. M Viduka could at last be back for this Monday fixture, J Barton for sure, but J Milner is out, injured. Both teams will find the net. Why not a 2-2 draw! (3.30).

Serie A

Roma   -   Milan           2.20   -   3.85
Several of the Roma favourites impressed last week when they defeated Napoli, 2-0. Totti was the top of the crop, but also De Rossi and Perrotta had outstanding matches. Mexes has been an injury doubt but he will be part of the home squad. Cassetti will be missing again but Giuly will be fit to play.

Milan welcome back Seedorf, Gattuso, Nesta and Jankulowski. Fortunately one must say, as Milan need all their best players to be able to get something from their visit to the Olympic Stadium. Milan did their duty last week winning against Empoli but they were clearly suffering from Champions League hangover. They will be better tomorrow, but this writer nevertheless prefers Roma. Home win! (2.20).

Roma 2 Milan 0

Udinese   -   Lazio         2.25  -   3.65
The value is on the home win, in my opinion (2.25). Not that Udinese impressed me last week at Palermo. OK, they achieved a 1-1 draw, but there was nothing great about their display. Home game now and they will have Dossena and Zapotochny back for this match. Both Lukovic and Quagliarellla will be OK, but Zapata remains sidelined. Ferronetti will replace Mesto once again.

Lazio away from home this season are too poor to be true, with 1-7-5 this far. Both De Silvestri and Mudingay will be back from their suspensions and there is a chance that Mutarelli will recover from his injury. Their first choice strikers Pandev and Rocchi had strong games last week and normally Lazio would fancy their chances in this match, if it was not for their on going problems away from home. Latest reports indicate that Pandev will be rested for the big derby, with Vignaroli probably joining Rocchi and Bianchi in the front line. Home win, I guess (2.25).

Udinese 2 Lazio 2

Atalanta   -   Empoli         1.90   -   4.90
I will probably pick the home win (1.90). Atalanta have to do without their suspended defenders Carozzieri and Pellegrino this time, with Talamonti and Capelli their replacements. Bellini is also on the sidelines. Empoli welcome back Moro and Marzoratti for this match as well as Vannucchi. What is the physical state of the Empoli squad? Their players looked tired at the end of the Milan fixture and the late Milan goals came quite logical. Empoli more than matched Milan for the first 75 minutes of the game, but they could not hold the distance. Atalanta then (1.90).

Atalanta 4 Empoli 1

Cagliari   -   Torino           2.65   -   3.00
Firmly rooted at the bottom of the league table, Cagliari have to win this match against Torino. A Torino side that has stopped losing football games, now unbeaten in eight. As a matter of fact Torino have only lost six Serie A games all season, the same as fourth placed Fiorentina. Torino have almost a fully fit squad and only miss P Zanetti. Recoba is a major injury doubt. Cagliari lost their vital game at Catania last week, but they can have no complaints, as their keeper was their best player. Their defender D Lopez will be back here, Ferri as well, but their defender Bianco is a doubt. Foggia could be recalled to the starting line up. X2 in my opinion.

Cagliari 3 Torino 0

Fiorentina   -   Genoa          1.65   -   6.60
Pazzini, the Fiorentina striker, had a terrible afternoon at the weekend, missing numerous excellent scoring chances in the Tuscany derby away to Siena. It proved costly with Siena 1-0 winners. Mutu, Liverani and Papa Waigo will not be available on Sunday, but Semioli is expected back. The Genoa injury situation remains the same or they could lose Milanetto to an injury this weekend. Genoa were punished by a very efficient Juventus side last week. Juve were 2-0 up after some 30 minutes, using both their scoring chances to the max. It was over after that, or maybe I should say, it certainly felt that way. Fiorentina played a tough fixture with Everton in midweek and it is quite probable that they will be besides their best form on Sunday. I will refrain from backing this low priced favourite (1.65). No bet!

Fiorentina 3 Genoa 1

Inter   -  Palermo              1.44  -  9.40
Too bad that Palermo just cannot get their act together this season. Amauri and his colleagues constantly disappoint. It is obvious by now that I expect too much from the Sicilians. Amauri is one of the best strikers there is, but he is not getting the proper service at Palermo. He looks mostly frustrated these days. Palermo have a fully fit squad with Balzaretti returning from his suspension. Maybe Miccoli will join Amauri from the start.

Materazzi will be back strengthening the Inter defence. L Jimenez will also be joining the starting eleven. Whether or not Mancini will remain the Inter coach, these are not happy times for the club. They could not find the Liverpool net in two games and they had players dismissed both at Anfield and in Milano. Something about Inter, they are not mature enough for the big European scene. Their special playground is Serie A . Trusting Inter at this very moment is out of the question. I mean they were struggling in their league games leading up to the Liverpool fixture and why should they be stronger on Sunday? Have to back Palermo here (9.40). Crazy odds! What would the odds look like if Inter were in top form?  1.25  -  16.00?

Inter 2 Palermo 1

Juventus   -   Napoli             1.53   -   8.50
Veteran midfielder, motivator number one, Nedved will be back for the home side, but Legrottaglie, Camoranesi and Zebina are all suspended while C Zanetti is injured. The Juventus defence will look like this  -  Stendardo and Chiellini in the centre of the defence with Grygera and Molinaro on the flanks. Grygera scored one goal and gave Trezeguet the decisive pass leading to their second goal vs Genoa. Tiago will play from the start on their midfield.

Zalayeta, the Napoli striker, is out for the season. In this particular game he will be replaced by Calaio. Napoli will also be without the suspended Blasi and Mannini. Home win, but quite impossible odds (1.53). Maybe the Napoli multi talent Lavezzi can take advantage of the new, untested Juve defence.

Juventus 1 Napoli 0

Livorno   -   Parma          2.40   -   3.50
Amelia, the Livorno keeper, was man of the match last week despite their 0-2 loss against Lazio. Not for the first tíme. He is probably their only star player. Livorno will use a 3-5-2 formation, with Tavano and Tristan up front. Both De Vezze and Grandoni are out, suspended and Pulzetti has joined the injury list. I think that Livorno will be relegated, but it will be a close call.

Parma could not afford to lose last week, at home to Sampdoria (1-2). They were 0-1 down after the first half, but the Sampdoria lead was not justified. Early in the second half Gasbarroni missed a penalty for Parma and soon after Sampdoria scored their second goal. One of those days and it cost the Parma coach his job.

Hector Cuper, of all people, will lead Parma from now on. I am not thrilled, that much I can say. Parma have some good offensive players and they really ought to do better. I have been surprised more than once when I have seen their official starting line ups these last weeks and it was probably correct to sack their coach. The Parma defender Falcone is out, suspended. Parma will not go down. X2 in this fixture.

Livorno 1 Parma 1

Reggina   -   Siena     2.40   -   3.40
According to unanimous reports, Reggina played the better football last week in their meeting with the league leaders, Inter. The Inter keeper Cesar saved his team. Reggina will be without Tognozzi on Sunday with Cascione   replacing the midfielder. Brienza should be OK, joining Amuruso up front.

Siena will be without their bomber Maccarone. He scored an unbelievable goal against Fiorentina, then he pulled off his shirt and as a reward he will be suspended this weekend. Rigano will come in instead. Codrea is on their injury list. Something of a must win game for Reggina, but in general I prefer Siena. No denying however that the ex - Middlesbrough striker Maccarone is very important for the Tuscany club. OK, the home win (2.40).

Reggina 4 Siena 0

Sampdoria   -  Catania       1.70    -   6.75
The Sampdoria striker Cassano will be missing again, but his colleague Bellucci is ready to join their squad again. Definitely back is their defender Sala and Pieri could also be available for this match. Castellazi, the Samp keeper, saved his club away to Parma last week.

Catania won their key game against Cagliari last week and they deserved their win. Time for an away game and the Sicilians have no reason to be optimistic. So far they are 0-5-9 away from home. Terlizzi will be back here but Biagianti will be suspended instead. Edusei could be back. Why not the draw! (3.00).

Sampdoria 3 Catania 1

La Liga

Deportivo La Coruna     -   Real Madrid        3.75  -  2.20
Still very much involved in the relegation battle La Coruna have played some improved football of late. Wins in their last two home games against Sevilla and Espanyol and last week they drew their away game with Valencia. They were 0-2 down at Valencia with the home side looking very strong but with two late Coruna goals, the game was all square at half time and that is the way it ended. Their equaliser was a beauty with C Wilhelmsson delivering the final pass to the goal scorer Latifa.

Real continue to be without their key players S Ramos and Van Nistelrooy. Cannavaro should be back. Would you believe that Real have failed to win this fixture away to Coruna in their last seventeen attempts.  Real were quite mediocre last week at home to Espanyol (2-1 win) and hopefully their non winning sequence will be prolonged this weekend. 1X then.

Depotivo 1 Real Madrid 0

Valencia   -   Sevilla          2.60   -   2.80
Intriguing fixture between these two giants. Valencia still baffle me. They were outstanding during the first 30 minutes against La Coruna last week, scoring two goals, but Coruna forced themselves back in the game and with the score line 2-2 at half time, Valencia could not get going again. At the end of day it turned out to be another disappointing Valencia effort at the Mestalla, despite their great start. The are 4-3-6 at home. Morientes, Marchena, Maduro, Baraja and Moretti are all recalled to the Valencia squad. Very strong squad, only missing Vicente and Banega,

Sevilla can now fully concentrate on La Liga and their target of finishing fourth. Dragutinovic is definitely out of this match, but both Renato and Escude could be back, possibly also Chevanton. Valencia have one big challenge left this season, winning the Copa del Rey. They drew their first leg of the semi final with Barcelona 1-1, and in a few days they play the second leg against Barca at the Mestalla.  This coming Wednesday, I think it is. What I am driving at? Maybe Sevilla are slightly more motivated for this match. My suggestion is the away win (2.80) and surely this will be an over game!

Valencia 1 Sevilla 2

French League

Monaco  -   Lyon       3.60   -   2.20
I do not know what has happened with Monaco lately. They have scored just one goal in their last six league games. Lost interest or what? They should at least be motivated tomorrow when the league leaders pay a visit. Almiron will back in the starting eleven, Monsoreau will be on the bench, but Menez risks missing the match.

One enforced change in the Lyon line up. Dead ball specialist Juninho is out of this game. Usually a big blow, but Juninho has not been at his best for a while. I guess that K Källström will come in instead, joining the man of the moment from last week, Bodmer, in the midfield. Govou will not play tomorrow. His function lately has been that of a substitute. Benzema has signed a new contract for Lyon and that is sensational news for the club. Backing the away win! (2.20).

Monaco 0 Lyon 3

Sochaux   -   Nancy        2.40   -   3.50
Although the Sochaux position is precarious to say the least, I suggest that they are in excellent form. They are unbeaten in four games and I think it is only a matter of time before they will leave the relegation zone. By tomorrow night, probably. Their defender Afolabi will have a late fitness test, but Isabey has been cleared to play.

Nancy have played twelve away games without winning, but they do not lose that many either. As of now they are 2-8-4 away from home. Kim is not yet ready, but both Zerka and Guerriero should be back. 1X in other words, but I will support the home win (2.40).

Sochaux 1 Nancy 1

Metz   -   Nice          2.70   -   3.00
The corpse is alive! Metz have won their last two games and their third straight win is within reach, at least in my opinion (2.70). Nice have gone out of form with 0-5-3 in their last eight matches. Maybe I should say that their previously excellent form is no longer a reality. Hellebuyck will be missing for Nice, but they welcome back Balmont instead. The Metz defender Cubilier sits out his suspension tomorrow, but their midfielder Gygax could be available again. Metz could be worth backing (2.70). 

Metz 1 Nice 2

Lille   -   Caen          1.85  -   5.20
Impressive away win by Lille earlier this week, away to Lens. Caen are dropping in the table and I suggest that Lille will be able to build on their win at Lens (1.85). Bastos and Lichtsteiner will have late tests, Tafforeau and Frau will be available again, but still no Plestan. Caen will have their previously suspended captain Seube back for this match. I see Lille as too strong a side for Caen, at least for the moment (1.85).

Lille 5 Caen 0

The Championship

Colchester   -  Cardiff         2.75  -  2.65
I will support the away win (2.65). The FA Cup semi finalists Cardiff will be without their injured defender McNaughton. Hasselbaink was rested in midweek at home to Hull, but he comes in contention again for this match. The best Cardiff player this season, their winger J Ledley, came on as a substitute against Hull but tomorrow we should see him from the start. R Scimeca, T Sinclair and W Feeney are available again while R Fowler is their only long term casualty. Looking good for Cardiff and they should have a successful spring.

Colchester played their most important game of the season earlier this week. At least that is what they said ahead of their six pointer affair with S Wednesday. Colchester lost the match 1-2, despite home advantage. Colchester will keep on going but deep down I guess that the players are aware of their hopeless plight.

When poor sides like Colchester are plagued by injuries it gets too tough. Latest injury victim is their centre half C Coyne, who had to withdraw from the S W encounter. Matt Heath, Leeds defender has joined Colchester on loan. Some six or seven Colchester players remain sidelined, but McLeod and L Guttridge could be back tomorrow. My vote goes to the Cardiff away win. (2.65).

Colchester 1 Cardiff 1

Chris.