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Weekend Soccer – By Chris.

The Premiership

Birmingham   -   Reading         2.25   -   3.85
I fancy the home win here (2.25). The new Birmingham boss McLeish started his job with two tricky away games, vs Tottenham and Newcastle. They were a bit lucky in winning against Tottenham but suffered some bad luck, losing late in the game to Newcastle. They deserved something from the Newcastle fixture. All in all, two strong away displays by Birmingham and I am sure that McLeish is optimistic ahead of  his first home match. He has to do without the suspended midfielder Nafti. Damien Johnson is available again and he will most likely come in for Nafti.

Reading are 0-1-6 away from home and that is pretty bad. In their last away game, vs M City, they matched their opponents all the way, but an injury time City goal meant another away loss for Reading. Reading come to this match full of confidence after their 3-1 win against Liverpool last week and M Duberry is available again. The value is on the home win and it will be my choice (2.25).

Birmingham 1 Reading 1

Derby   -   Middlesbrough         3.05   -   2.40
In their ninth away game Derby scored their first away goal. It happened last week when Derby lost to M United, 1-4. I wonder if new coach Jewell really understood the enormity of his job, his new mission, to keep Derby in the Premiership. New players on the way? Hopefully, but it also looks like their only true talent, G Barnes,  will be sold. Winning against Middlesbrough shouldn’t be impossible for Derby, but I will not back Jewell's team until I see any sign of improvement. I remember how things unfolded the last time that I backed Derby,  they lost 0-5 to W Ham.

Middlesbrough demonstrated a big improvement last week when they defeated Arsenal 2-1. J Arca started on the bench, but could be that he will be ready to play from the start tomorrow. I go half way. The draw (3.25).

Derby 0 Middlesbrough 1

Fulham   -   Newcastle       2.57   -   3.00
Only one win in their last ten league games for Fulham, at home to Reading, 3-1. Since that match they have played against some of the better teams in the Premiership, losing three 3 and drawing one match, with nine goals conceded in these four matches. Sounds like this meeting with Newcastle is a must win game for Fulham. We are still waiting on McBride and J Bullard, but there are no magicians in the Fulham squad. Fulham will be without the suspended  D Kamara for this game.

Four points scored by Newcastle from their two home games with Arsenal and Birmingham. So far so good, but I have to see a decent away display from Allardyce's men before I declare that their struggles are over. In true Newcastle tradition they are 1-2 4 away from home. Hopefully we will see M Viduka from the start this time. C Cacapa is recalled to their squad. Backing the home win (2.57).

Fulham 0 Newcastle 1

Manchester City   -    Bolton         1.87   -   5.10
Elano travelled with City squad to White Hart Lane last week, but coach Eriksson decided not to pick the influential playmaker. Not fully fit obviously. Too bad for City as you got the feeling that City would never have lost to Tottenham with a fit Elano in their side. He is expected back for this match but S Ireland is out suspended. D Hamann returns from his suspension.

No doubt that Megson is better suited to leading Bolton than his predecessor. I never thought that Megson was a great tactician, but was Allardyce really the big genius? A Simple game plan, hard working footballers, psychical approach, dangerous In dead ball situations,  that is what we got from Bolton under Allardyce and that is what we are getting from Bolton under Megson.

City are 8-0-0 and that is pretty amazing. Last 3 home wins were against Birmingham (1-0), Sunderland (1-0) and Reading (2-1) and none were that impressive. I am not too keen on this 1.87 on the home win. Something on the away win (5.10) or a no bet game will be my stand point.

Man City 4 Bolton 2

Portsmouth   -   Tottenham        2.20   -   3.50
Unbeaten in 11 league games and the amazing Pompey run continues. Their goals, especially in their away games, come from anywhere and last week we witnessed two Muntari specialties.

Coach Redknapp has obviously a way of dealing with all kinds of people. This Muntari was a trouble maker when he was playing for Udinese and very often suspended. At home Portsmouth do not find the same space offensively or how do you else explain their home statistics (2-5-0). S Davis and Lauren are fit again, but they will most likely start on the bench.

So far Tottenham have not won away from home (0-5-3). Statistically there is a 66% chance that this match will end in a draw, if you consider the Pompey home games and the Tottenham away games up to now. Tottenham will be without R Keane and G Bale for this match and none of their long term injured players are expected back. 1X in my opinion, but I will probably back the home win (2.20).

Portsmouth 0 Tottenham 1

Sunderland   -   Aston Villa        3.20   -   2.50
Villa have lost their last two matches (both home fixtures, vs Arsenal and Portsmouth), but in my opinion there was nothing much wrong with their football. Strong opponents and some bad luck was involved. Against Portsmouth last week M Laursen missed two absolute sitters. If coach McNeil would pick one player in his team who can be trusted in the air it is Laursen, but amazingly the Dane missed both the free headers.

S Petrov will once again be missing for Villa. Sunderland have to do without the suspended L Miller. The Sunderland players will give their all, as they do most weeks, but it has been a while since I saw any real quality in their game. I know when it was, away to Arsenal 2 months ago (2-3 loss). Villa have been playing their best football in their away games this far. They are 3-3-1, with 14-7 their goals. Away win (2.50).

Sunderland 1 Aston Villa 1

West Ham   -   Everton           2.50   -   2.80
I had no clear cut opinion about their midweek cup meeting and I feel the same way about this league fixture. W Ham took the lead in the first half, but then they were pegged back by a very strong Everton side. The Everton equaliser arrived late in the first half. There was not much goal mouth action in the second half and everybody was awaiting extra time when the W Ham defenders offered the Everton  winner on a plate with only minutes to go.

Solano will be available again for the Hammers but they lost their striker C Cole to an injury. He is out tomorrow and Boa Morte also risks missing this match. It does not look good for Etherington either. At the moment W Ham have only one striker at their disposal (D Ashton) and he is not 100% match fit yet. Hopefully L Bowyer will be fit to play.

Apart from Baines and Stubbs Everton have a fit squad. Andy Johnson had no playing time in midweek but maybe we will see play some part tomorrow. Yakubu is in excellent form, the whole Everton team is sparkling and it must be difficult for Moyes to change things around. It is usually extremely hard to defeat an opponent twice in a few days, but how can this injury ravaged W Ham side avoid another defeat tomorrow? X2 in my opinion.

West Ham 0 Everton 2

Wigan    -   Blackburn           3.34    -   2.38
Wigan will be without the suspended Melchiot once again but the big man, E Heskey, has been declared fit to play. Nigerian striker J Aghahowa  will be included in tomorrow's squad. Heskey has problems with his hamstring and he is not 100% at the moment.

For Blackburn both D Bentley and R Nelsen will return and they come with all their big guns on Saturday. Ooijer is out injured. No sparkling Blackburn form with only one win in their last six league games. They will be stronger offensively this time with Bentley back and out of form Gamst-Pedersen will probably make way. My choice will be the away win (2.38).

Wigan 5 Blackburn 3

Arsenal   -   Chelsea       2.46   -   3.15
Which player is most important to his team? Fabregas for Arsenal or Drogba for Chelsea? I suggest that Drogba is the right answer. However, the fact is that both are out of this fixture. We will see Van Persie and Diaby again. Both made their come backs in midweek when Arsenal defeated Steaua 2-1.  No Hleb, Flanini or Fabregas. Chelsea are without Essien, Drogba and Carvalho, but keeper Cech will play.

Losses against Sevilla and Middlesbrough and draws with Slavia Prague and Newcastle, all away games for Arsenal,  it is worth remembering. They were under strength vs. Sevilla and Slavia Prague and missed some injured players at Newcastle and Boro. Then again they will not be at full strength on Sunday either.

Chelsea play like they always do. Nothing has changed and you have to admire their organisation and strong defence. Without Drogba however, they miss that extra something, the killer blow! 1X I guess, but I will back my Arsenal this time (2.46).

Arsenal 1 Chelsea 0

Liverpool    -   Manchester Utd         2.67   -   2.95
Liverpool have struggled at home to M United in recent years. The fact is that Liverpool are 0-1-4 in their last 5 home meetings with United. The only league win for Liverpool against United in the last five years was at Old Trafford during the 2003/04 season. In other word, we are talking about one league win for Liverpool vs United in 10 attempts.

I will skip the mathematics and say that Liverpool played a brilliant cup game in midweek when they defeated Marseille 4-0, and buoyed by their big win I can see Liverpool finally defeating M United on Sunday. They were 2-0 up against Marseille after some 20 minutes and I expect no negative effects at all from their midweek excursion to France. The pressure was tremendous and they not only won, they played some great football. Surely Liverpool will offer another big game on Sunday, at least that is my view. S Finnan is a doubt for the home side, but fit again I Alonso could be involved.

United rested all their big guns apart from W Rooney and W Brown in midweek and theoretically they will come to this game better prepared. They are 8-1-1 in their last ten league games and coach Ferguson must bear the blame for their loss away to Bolton, fielding an under strength side. Excellent United form in other words, but my choice will be the home win. (2.67)

Liverpool 0 Man Utd 1

Serie A

Catania     -    Udinese          3.00   -   2.65
Last week Catania were without the suspended striker Martinez. He will be back for this match but unfortunately another striker, Spinesi, sits out his suspension. Colucci deputising again up front. Tedesco should be available again.

Udinese welcome back players (D'Agostino and Pinzi) and they only miss the suspended Dossena this time. Udinese were down 1-2 vs Sampdoria last week but with the help of Quagliarella they scored two second half goals and won their 8th game of the season (8-4-3). A place in the Champions League next season is a distinct possibility as they have ten points more than closest rivals Milan. Although Catania impressed in their last home game (3-1 vs Palermo) my choice will be the away win (2.65).

Catania 2 Udinese 0

Lazio   -   Juventus           3.40   -   2.42
Now that they are out of the Champions League, Lazio can finally put all their energy into their Serie A matches. They are close to the bottom and they need to improve their position rapidly. They will of course, but I do not know if they will start winning as soon as this weekend. They were pumped up for their big midweek game in Madrid and now have to do it again, put their resources together and get motivated again for this difficult game. Siviglia will be back, but another defender, Zauri, looks like missing this match. Pandev and Ledesma did not take part in the Thursday training sessions and their fitness status will be assessed on Friday.

Juventus, without a midweek match, have had a quiet time in which to prepare for this game. They will most likely be unchanged with Camoranesi still out of the picture. My choice will be the away win (2.42).

Lazio 2 Juventus 3

Atalanta   -   Palermo         2.45   -   3.30
Atalanta were only five minutes from getting a big point at Juventus last week and their 0-1 loss was only their third loss of the season. Too bad that their most important player, Doni, will be suspended for three games, starting with this one. Ferreira Pinto, also a very influential Atalanta player, is considered a major injury doubt.

Palermo will be without Simplicio and Pisano. Simplicio scored that unbelievable second goal for Palermo last week, when they defeated Fioentina, 2-0. Still Palermo can replace Simplicio, but Atalanta lose much more without Doni. That is my standpoint anyway. Caserta will come in for Simplicio. Palermo will send out their great threesome up front, Miccoli - Cavani - Amauri. Palermo looked like a team on the up vs. Fiorentina and I will back the away win (3.30).

Atalanta 1 Palermo 3

Cagliari    -   Inter          9.50   -   1.55
Just when Cagliari needed a point they were outclassed by relegation rivals Empoli 0-4, and now they are up against this very dominating Inter side. Tough weeks for Cagliari and their new coach. A Lack of fire power is likely to send the Sardinians down to Serie B. D Lopez, Biondini and Aquafresca are all expected to be fit to play on Sunday. Their coach will probably use a 4-3-3 system with Marti, Aquafresca and Foggia as front runners.

Inter will be without Ibrahimovic and Jimenez, as well as Stankovic and the usual "old injuries".
Ibrahimovic has become a very dominant figure in the Inter team, but for one game and against the bottom side Cagliari, Cruz, Crespo and Suazo will be able to cover for him upfront. However, I am not keen on 1.55 for the away win. X2 for this writer.

Cagliari 0 Inter 2

Empoli   -   Genoa         2.20   -    3.80
I will make this simple. I take it for granted that Empoli will be able to build on their 4-0  win from last week (2.20). Pozzi scored all four Empoli goals which is quite an achievement of course. I backed Empoli last week because there were signs of improvement in previous games. Pozzi up front again I guess, supported by Giovinco and Vanucchi. Saudati on the bench.

Genoa have dipped in form lately and I predict that they will have problems on Sunday against this offensive Empoli side. The Genoa squad looks all right with only Danilo out, injured and Di Vaio a major injury doubt. I will bet on the home win (2.20).

Empoli 1 Genoa 1

Parma   -    Reggina           1.91   -   5.25
So far Parma have been fairly useful in their home games (3-4-1), and one can say that it is thanks to this home strength that they will be able to preserve their Serie A status. Cigarini will be back for this match, but Castellini remains sidelined. Gasbarroni, Morrone and Coly are doubts, but are expected to make it.

I see no real hope for Reggina. They lack strikers, profiles, strong characters, you name it. Lanzaro and Barreto will be suspended this weekend and Tognozzi, Hallfredsson, Joelson and Garcia are all out, injured. 1X, but I will back the home win (1.91).

Parma 3 Reggina 0

Sampdoria   -   Fiorentina        2.60   -   3.00
Decent effort from Sampdoria away to Udinese last week and their overall form is quite good. With Cassano playing again they have one more dimension to their game,  unpredictability, which of course can be good and bad. Sammarco will be missing this match, as well as Montella  and Delvecchio. Sounds like Bonazzoli will be preferred up front, backed up by Bellucci and Cassano.

Fiorentina are going through their first bad patch of the season. Two straight 0-2 losses indicate that their goal production has dried up and that is certainly the case with only two goals in their last five matches. Mutu, Semioli, Pazzini, Vieri and Osvaldo are all fit but it is not working for them right now. Some major injury worries with Potenza and Ujfalusi out injured, with the addition of their excellent keeper Frey being the latest casualty, he will be replaced by Lupatelli. 1X for this game, but the value is on the home win (2.60). Sampdoria are 4-2-1 in their home games.

Sampdoria 2 Fiorentina 2

Siena   -   Napoli           2.50    -   3.15
At last Frick returned to the Siena starting line up last week. He played up front with Maccarone and scored two of their goals in the 3-1 win vs. Genoa. I must have missed something, because I always thought that the Lichtenstein ace was good enough for a starting role in this toothless Siena side. Slight doubts concerning Maccarone. Siena will be without the suspended Vergassola on Sunday.

Domizzi returns to the Napoli defence, but both Lavezzi and Savini are out suspended. Lavezzi is definitely the most influential Napoli player out of this match. Calaio will probably come in for Lavezzi, joining Zalayeta in the front line. Napoli without Lavezzi makes it easier for me. Home win! (2.50).

Siena 1 Napoli 1

Torino    -   Roma          5.50   -   1.91
Some interesting players in the Torino line up. I am thinking of Rosina, Recoba, Di Michele and Corini. I suggest that the Torino supporters have every reason to expect more from their team with these constructive footballers on the pitch, than they have seen so far. OK, Di Michele and Recoba have not been playing much, but they do now. Corini could not play vs Inter last week and he is once more an injury doubt. Torino have only mustered two league wins this season (2-9-4). Simply not good enough!

Roma will be without the suspended Taddei and the injured Aquilani, but both Cassetti and Perrotta could be back for this match. I think that Roma will be winners on Sunday evening. (1.91).

Torino 0 Roma 0

La Liga

Valencia   -   Barcelona       3.60   -   2.20
Obviously the bookmakers have not realised yet how poor the present Valencia side really is. They have gone five games without scoring a single goal and they play like a team devoid of confidence and ideas. They do have David Villa and he can hurt any defence but he was injured in midweek when Valencia managed to play out a 0-0 draw with Chelsea. No Villa, now Valencia are in deep trouble. Also definitely sidelined are Joaquin, Albiol, Alexis and Caneira, with Edu, Baraja, Angulo and Albelda all major injury doubts.

Barcelona rested some of their leading stars in midweek but they should all be back for this match. Ya Ya Toure and Abidal will also be available again. Their squad will be at full strength this weekend. Away win for sure! (2.20).

Valencia 0 Barcelona 3

Recreativo Huelva   -   Atletico Madrid         3.10  -   2.40
It was not pretty last week when Atletico defeated Getafe 1-0. It was just the kind of game that A Madrid would have failed to win in previous seasons but there is a new grit and determination in their squad. In midweek they won a cup game at Granada even though coach Aguirre had changed his side in seven positions. They will be without the suspended  Maniche this weekend, but the good news is that Aguero will be available after all. Motta, Seitaridis, Franco and Jurado are injured.

Huelva have won their last two league games, vs Zaragoza and Levante. Last week Sinama-Pongolle and J Guerrero started upfront, but Guerrero will not make it this weekend as he is out injured. I support of the away win (2.40).

Recreativo Huelva 0 Atletico 0

Valladolid   -   Sevilla       2.95   -   2.50
Seems like Sevilla are two different teams this season. In Europe they have enjoyed a grand campaign, winning their group ahead of Arsenal.  Domestically they have every so often lacked the necessary energy, especially in their away fixtures (1-1-5). Sevilla are dependent on speed and energy and they are very vulnerable when these ingredients are missing.

I saw Valladolid dominate against Barcelona (1-1), I also watched them defeating Villarreal in another home game 2-0, and in between they also won their home fixture with Levante. One thing you can rest assured of is that the Valladolid players will not be lacking in energy in this game. If Sevilla come with their usual half hearted away approach, I predict that Valladolid will be winners. (2.95) The home side miss the suspended duo Garcia Calvo and Borja. Baraja or Bea will come in for G Calvo. Borja was a substitute last week. Back in training are Alberto, Ogbeche and D Camacho. Sevilla will be without their keeper Palop and most likely also without leading striker F Kanoute. Valladolid to win! (2.95).

Valladolid 0 Sevilla 0

French League

Bordeaux   -   Marseille        2.20   -   4.00
Tradition certainly favours the home side as their record is 10-3-0 at home to Marseille! No Marseille win in Bordeaux since 1977. Bordeaux will be without the suspended duo Diarra and Diawara with Jemmali  not yet fit. Henrique is fit at last and he will replace Diawara.

Marseille were outclassed by Liverpool earlier this week (0-4), and you have to wonder if they have recovered their spirits in time for this game. Their defence suffered against Liverpool and now two of their regular defenders, G Givet and J Rodriguez are out of this match. They both played in midweek, with Givet suffering in particular. Faty and Zubar will form their new defensive partnership. Everything points to the home win (2.20).

Bordeaux 2 Marseille 2

P S G    -   Toulouse        2.00   -   4.40
What to make of this fixture? PSG are still without a win at home (0-4-5) but are up against a Toulouse side, missing as many as 11 squad players. If you compare tomorrow's Toulouse side with the one that defeated Lille last week Emana, Mansare and Battles are added to the list of absentees. The first two were starters last week and Battles sat on the bench. Bergougnoux will probably come in for Mansare and maybe Capoue for Emana. Key player for Toulouse is once again J Elmander who scores all their goals. PSG have no big worries to deal with but their ridiculous home form.  Arnaud is out of this match, but Pauleta will be back from his suspension. For once I will support the Parisiens (2.00).

PSG 1 Toulouse 2

Metz   -   Sochaux      3.00   -   2.88
Metz suffered their 12th loss of the season last week 0-2 away to St Etienne and their keeper was their best player. Hopeless season for the newcomers and they constantly have to do without seven or eight injured players. For this match they welcome back the previously suspended duo Delhommeau and Belson and Bessat could also be involved again. On the other hand they have lost Strasser, D Gygax and Diop to injuries. Last week at St Etienne their coach gave two youngsters their first games but I cannot say if those two will play again in this match.

Sochaux have only been marginally better than Metz and in midweek their coach was sacked. I guess it was unavoidable because Sochaux have been the true underachievers in the French League. They should do better and probably will now that their unlucky coach Hantz has left. Erding, Dagano and Quercia are their offensive options ahead of this match, with Grax not yet ready. I am expecting Sochaux to win this match (2.88).

Metz 1 Sochaux 2

The Championship

W B A   -  Charlton         2.20   -   3.45
Top of the Pops and I will be backing WBA (2.20). The previously suspended duo P Robinson and B Cesar return for WBA and there is also a chance than one or two of fit again K Phillips, N Clement, I Miller, J Morrison and M Albechtsen will be back. Keeper D Kiely and C Hoefkens are out once again.

Charlton will be without two of their regular defenders, J Fortune and D Mills with also L Sam missing. No doubt that the Charlton defence will be weakened ahead of this match. Home win for WBA (2.20).

WBA 4 Charlton 2

Colchester  -   Norwich       2.38   -   3.00
The home side is close to free falling, with just one win from ten league games. Norwich, under the leadership of Glen Roeder are going through some kind of metamorphosis with four wins in their last five league games. Conclusion? It is worth backing the away win (3.00).

Skipper K Duguid will have a late fitness test but Colchester should have Izzet back. Norwich welcome back G Doherty and D Russell, but they will not be able to use M Taylor tomorrow. No deal has been made and he will go back to Birmingham. Backing Norwich (3.00).

Colchester 1 Norwich 1

Hull   -   Leicester        2.25   -   3.35
It looks like Hull will be weakened defensively on Saturday, both D Delaney and M Turner are key players in the Hull defence and they are not easily replaceable that is for sure. Delaney is suspended and Turner have hamstring problems. Striker F Campbell is a major doubt once again. He was missing last week.

Leicester miss Wesolovski and they will come with the same group of players that lost 1-3 to Ipswich. It was a strange game. Kisnorbo was red carded and Ipswich were rewarded a penalty. After the game the referee admitted that he made a mistake and Kisnorbo will not be banned after all. Unfortunately for Leicester they lost the match to Ipswich and no doubt that the referee played a big part in that loss. Leicester have at least three strikers available at the moment, M Fryatt, Collins John and I Hume. I will be opposing Hull tomorrow (3.35).

Hull 2 Leicester 0

Chris.