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Wednesdays Soccer – By Chris.

FA Cup replays

Newcastle   -  Stoke     1.70  -  5.50
Usually footballers look forward to their matches. I am sure that the Stoke players are doing just that ahead of this cup game. They are on a great run, undefeated in twelve games and they really have nothing to lose. As an appetizer for this game Newcastle conceded six goals in the second half against M United last week. It was their first game without Allardyce. They were without their African players and  O Martins and the others will be missing for a while. Tomorrow both their midfielders A Smith and N Butt are out suspended and it does not look good for Newcastle ahead of this return leg.  Emre is likely to start but not J Barton.  Lua Lua will play some part.  Incredibly enough there is a new Lua Lua playing for Newcastle With N'Zogbia, Milner, D Duff, Viduka and M Owen playing, Newcastle still have quality in their side, but I am not impressed by their overall line up.

Not so long ago Newcastle drew their home game with Derby 2-2 and Stoke are probably stronger than Derby at the moment. It could be that Zakuani will once again replace Wilkinson in the Stoke defence but it is not 100% certain that Wilkinson will be missing. A Griffin is cup tied. J Parkin joined R Fulller in the second half of the first leg (0-0) and together they put the Newcastle defence under immense pressure. Parkin was a substitute at the weekend but hopefully coach Pulis will take a chance with Parkin from the start tomorrow. Betting wise I have to back the away win (5.50).

Newcastle 4 Stoke 0

Manchester City   -  West Ham        1.91  -  4.33
This is the third meeting between these two sides this season. City won the opening game at Upton Park 2-0 and at the same ground they drew the first cup match 0-0. As City are 9-2-0 at home it is difficult to find any real arguments for an away win. They did not impress at the weekend however, losing 0-1 to a weakened Everton side and the fact is that they created almost nothing for the whole of the ninety minutes.

City have problems with tough sides like Blackburn and Everton. Are W Ham prepared to play a tough game? That is not exactly the W Ham style, is it? Defenders Gabbidon, J Collíns and L Neill are all in contention for this match but I should think that we will only see L Neill from the start in the Hammers defence. J Faubert is also available at last. Maybe we will see Boa Morte and L Bowyer starting the match.

M Johnson and Mpenza will not play for City, but Sven has the rest of his players at his disposal. He is talking about ringing the changes after their disappointing effort against Everton. I will leave this game aside as a betting object.

Man City 1 West Ham 0

Copa del Rey replay.

Valladolid   -  Atletico Madrid       2.70   -  2.60
The home side has to win this second leg to advance to the next round. The first leg ended in a 0-0 draw and I think that Valladolid can succeed.

Atletico will play their match of the season this coming weekend when they welcome hot rivals Real Madrid to their Calderon stadium. I have already seen their probable starting line up for the derby and according to coach Aguirre, A M will come with a completely different line up tomorrow. Players like Valera, Pernia, Reyes, L Garcia, Mista and Eller will be involved.

Valladolid are also likely to make quite a few changes but they will probably field a stronger side tomorrow than in the first leg.  A M are in the race for a place in the Champions League next season and they are of course among the favourites for the UEFA Cup. Surely Valladolid will be the more motivated side for this game and they have the home advantage. Home win (2.70).

Valladolid 1 Atletico Madrid 1

Chris.