Weekend Soccer – By Chris.
The Premiership
Arsenal - Reading 1.36 - 11.00
Four games to go and Arsenal have not much to play
for. The same cannot be said about Reading, who are
very much involved in the relegation dog fight. Just
recently Reading looked like they could stay away
from this struggle but without a goal in their last
three games and outclassed by Fulham last week, they
are now in dire straits. How they will be able to
handle this situation remains to be seen but their
squad is definitely no stronger than the other
strugglers. G Murty, the Reading skipper, was
supposed to return last week but he did not. G
Little was back and could be that Murty will play
some part tomorrow.
Diaby is available again but Arsenal continue to be
without half a dozen injured players. Keeper Almunia
will have a late fitness test. All about motivation
and will power this time. Arsenal are 12-5-0 at the
Emirates Stadium this season but under the
circumstances I will stay away from backing this low
priced home win (1.36). The outsider? Well the odds
are just right (11.00) and they will not be lacking
in motivation.
Arsenal 2 Reading 0
Blackburn - Manchester Utd 6.31 - 1.65
Traditionally Blackburn have been known to make
things tough for the top sides. This season however,
Blackburn have not been able to defeat any of the
four top sides. The Blackburn squad is at full
strength, no suspensions or injuries are troubling
the club.
United will have the same group of people available
as last week against Arsenal. Vidic is their only
really notable absentee. The big Barcelona game
awaits United this coming Wednesday and it is quite
possible that Ferguson will be making one or two
changes in his line up. I expected United to
struggle against Middlesbrough two weeks ago, but I
do not have the same feeling this time. Still I am
not prepared to back the odds on the away win (1.65)
No way!
Blackburn 1 Man Utd 1
Fulham - Liverpool 4.00 - 2.07
After thirty three attempts Fulham finally won an
away game again. They defeated Reading 2-0, but it
could easily have been a 5-0 win. They murdered
Reading, hitting the wood work on three occasions.
To stay in the Premiership Fulham have to surpass
themselves again and win some really big games like
this fixture with Liverpool. They have quite a good
record in their home games vs. Liverpool, Fulham
winning in the last two seasons. Fulham for once
used two strikers, McBride and D Healy, last week
and maybe this change by coach Hodgson was a smart
move.
Liverpool play their first leg Champions League
match with Chelsea in a few days, they are not
exactly threatened by Everton at the moment and it
is quite possible that Liverpool will offer a low
key performance tomorrow. And for sure, they will be
resting one or two key players. Betting wise I will
be supporting this theory. Home win for Fulham
(4.00).
Fulham 0 Liverpool 2
Middlesbrough - Bolton 2.12 - 3.75
You know Middlesbrough by now. At their very best
against the top sides but almost always struggling
against the Cardiffs and Readings of the world, if
you know what I mean. You know which category Bolton
belongs to. At the same time I have to point out
that Boro have a good home record against Bolton.
They are 4-2-0 in the last six seasons in their home
games with Bolton. One change in the Boro squad, as
their midfielder O'Neill is out suspended.
I Campo and K Nolan were back in the Bolton squad
last week. Unfortunately Bolton have to do without
one of their most important players tomorrow. Their
striker and target player K Davies will be suspended
for two games. Rasiak or Helgusson will be trying to
replace the tough Davies. Tough assignment for any
one to replace this Bolton profile. 1X in my
opinion, but I will probably be backing the draw
(3.35).
Middlesbrough 0 Bolton 1
West Ham - Derby 1.40 - 10.00
The West Ham defender A Ferdinand will be missing
for the rest of the season. M Upson was back last
week and we will at least see one of the regular W
Ham central defenders on the pitch tomorrow. Freddie
Ljungberg, L Neill and M Noble are expected back
from injury spells. Youngsters are making their
debuts in the W Ham shirt every week, it seems. Last
week it was J Collison. About Derby I have, as
usual, nothing to say. Poor Hammers form and Derby
do not know the meaning of the word form. Definitely
no bet!
West Ham 2 Derby
1
Wigan - Tottenham 2.75 - 2.79
On another day a fully motivated Tottenham side
would be favourites in this encounter. As it is now,
with the Tottenham players slightly out of focus, I
guess that Wigan should be favourites to win this
match. Decent Wigan form as well, as we could see
earlier this week when they managed a 1-1 draw at
the Stamford Bridge. They were a bit lucky, (injury
time equaliser) but saying that I thought that
Wigan were the better side in the first half.
Tottenham are winless in their last three games but
they can draw some comfort form their previous
meetings with Wigan. No Wigan win so far against
Spurs! (0-2-3) As many as 21 goals have been scored
in these five encounters. Over game! The outcome? I
have to back the only motivated side, Wigan (2.75).
Wigan 1 Tottenham
1
Aston Villa - Birmingham 1.83 - 5.12
Seldom would some points from this derby be more
welcome to Birmingham than that this time. They have
only a two point cushion over Bolton, but they can
expect no gifts from their city rivals. Villa are
chasing a place in Europe and they have scored ten
goals in their last two games.
C Gardner will be back in the Villa squad and they
will be at full strength. Birmingham will be without
the suspended D Johnson. Both the winger S Larsson
and McFadden will have late fitness tests. Crosses,
corners and free kicks are the Larsson specialties
and his absence could be quite a blow to Birmingham.
I think that Villa will be too strong for Birmingham
(1.83).
Aston Villa 5 Birmingham 1
Manchester City - Portsmouth 2.40 -
3.15
I can assure you that there was nothing great about
the City win at Sunderland last week. Poor game from
both parties, with Sunderland the stronger side, but
fortune favoured City late in the game. Coach Sven
was happy with two things. The win of course
and Sven also appreciated that Elano seemed to be
back in form. Looking at the league table I realise
that Portsmouth have only five points more than
City. A bit strange for me, because City have been
playing rather poorly, while Pompey have been a
positive revelation all season long. It is all down
to the fact that City started off their season by
winning practically all their home games. Portsmouth
are the stronger side, both offensively and
defensively and they should be motivated. Their
coach Redknapp is only talking about winning the FA
Cup but hopefully he be able to motivate his players
for this match. X2 in my opinion.
Man City 3
Portsmouth 1
Newcastle - Sunderland 1.85 -
4.50
Massive derby game and Newcastle are rather big
favourites after their recent good run. They are
3-1-0 in their last four matches. Coach Keegan has
already made it clear. He will send out the same
group of players as last week, meaning that we will
see Viduka, Owen and Martins going forward again.
Sunderland need to do better than last week, at home
to M City, or they will definitely be losers on
Sunday. This is the derby of derbies ‘up north’ and
I take it for granted that Sunderland will offer an
improved performance. Coach Keane will see to that.
Betting wise you have to tread carefully here. I was
perfectly happy backing Newcaste at home to Reading,
with the odds 1.80 - 1.90, but 1.85 in this hot
game? No, I do not think so.
Newcastle 2
Sunderland 0
Serie A
Fiorentina - Palermo 1.60 - 7.50
My God! Fiorentina are such big favourites (1.60).
Then again I always think highly of Palermo. Even I
have to accept the poor results by Palermo in their
away fixtures this season (3-3-10). Miccoli came on
in the second half last week in the Sicilian derby
with Catania, he changed the look of the game and
scored the only goal of the match. Miccoli will play
from the start tomorrow, backing up Amauri together
with Jankovic and Caserta. Jankovic in for the
injured Cavani. Also sidelined are Barzagli and
Simplicio. Their keeper Fontana is a major doubt and
he could be replaced by Agliardi.
Kroldrup or Dainelli in the Fiorentina defence seems
to be the only issue for coach Parandelli. Semioli
remains sidelined. Fiorentina lost to Inter last
week but all their Champions League rivals (Milan,
Sampdoria and Udinese) also lost, so Fiorentina
remain in pole position. I just cannot use this
price on the home win (1.60) No bet game!
Fiorentina 1 Palermo 0
Roma - Livorno 1.25 - 15.00
I guess that Livorno are positioned at the correct
place right now - the very bottom of the table.
All those winless games and then last week a home
loss to fellow strugglers, Cagliari. There is really
no hope for the worst Serie A side. Tavano and
Rossini up front again and Balleri, Giannichedda and
Volpe are not yet fit. Roma have Vucinic, Cassetti
and Aquilani on their injury list. Home win! (1.25).
Roma 1 Livorno 1
Milan - Reggina 1.30 - 14.00
I have to say that I prefer 1.25 on the Roma win to
the 1.30 on the Milan home win against Reggina. I
mean, Reggina are actually winning football matches
and this you cannot say about Livorno. Reggina will
come with the same squad that defeated Sampdoria
last week minus the suspended Cascione. Nesta is
back for Milan. The previously suspended defender
enters the Milan defence for this match. Missing are
the suspended Ambrosini and Bonera. Pato could be
back, but it is not 100% certain. Likely home win
(1.30).
Milan 5 Reggina 1
Atalanta - Juventus 4.40 - 1.95
Doni will once again be missing for the home side.
Bad news for the Atalanta supporters, but at least
Rivalta and Langella are expected back. Juventus are
missing Iaquinta and Sissoko, but should have C
Zanetti, Legrottaglie and Nedved back in action.
Juventus have qualified for the Champions League
next season and they probably do not have more to
play for than Atalanta at the moment. The reason not
to back the home win is of course the absence of
Doni in the Atalanta team. Now it has to be X2!
Atalanta 0
Juventus 4
Cagliari - Empoli 2.00 - 4.60
It looked out of the question not so long ago, but
at the moment Cagliari are on the right side of the
relegation zone. Quite unexpected I must say. I love
these teams that manage to come alive at the very
right moment, like this Cagliari side. Maybe Fulham
will manage something similar in England. We will
see! Anyway Cagliari will have the important
defender Bianco back for this match and he will
replace the suspended Canini in defence. Also Cossu
and Parola will be suspended this weekend.
Marchisio and Busce are expected back to play for
Empoli. Piccolo sits out a suspension and Pratali is
injured. Another hugely important six pointer game
for Empoli and Cagliari. Empoli drew their home game
with Parma last week and I should think that a draw
would definitely please the guests this time. I
chicken out. 1X then!
Cagliari 2 Empoli 0
Catania - Lazio 1.79 - 5.35
The end of the season is near and the bookmakers
take no risks. I mean, what kind of price is this
1.79 on the Catania win? Parma welcomed Lazio just
recently and the odds on the home win were closer to
2.50. And the match ended in a 2-2 draw. I have
learnt my lesson and I will not fight against old
Italian, honest tradition. This tradition has
obviously decided that this match will end in a home
win (1.79). Both these sides played Coppa Italia
semi finals in midweek. Lazio will be without
Siviglia, Behrami and Mudingayi. Vargas should be
back for Catania, but Colucci, Sottil and Pia remain
sidelined. Catania should be 100% motivated for this
match while Lazio mostly play for fun these days.
Likely home win, but you seldom get any reward,
backing lousy odds (1.79).
Catania 1 Lazio 0
Parma - Napoli 1.68 - 6.50
Same shit again. Who is interested in 1.68 on the
Parma win? Napoli are expected to give up on this
match. It is easy to buy this solution, especially
when you take into consideration the recent poor
away games by Napoli (2-4-10 this season). Napoli,
with nothing to play for, will be without the
suspended Contini and Pazienza. Savini is a doubt
and he could be replaced by Grava.
Both the Parma strikers Budan and C Lucarelli will
return to the Parma squad. They were rested in
midweek when Parma played their postponed league
game with Juventus (0-3). Reginaldo and Corradi
started up front against Juventus, but both are out
of this match together with Couto. No problems, as
Budan and Lucarelli will be available again. Once
again, likely home win, but you just cannot use the
odds on offer (1.68).
Parma 1 Napoli 2
Sampdoria - Udinese 2.20 - 3.65
I do not know if the previous Reggina boss Mazzari
wanted to help his old club last week, but the fact
is that Sampdoria offered a surprisingly tame
performance. They lost the match 0-1,and created
very little. Anyway time for a home game again and
Sampdoria have been exceptionally strong in Genoa
this season (9-6-1). Gastaldello and Sammarco will
be suspended this weekend, but Lucchini should be
back in the home defence again. Montella will return
to the Sampdoria squad after a long spell on the
sidelines.
Zapata was back for Udinese last week and he came on
as a substitute against Roma. He will play from the
start this time and also Mesto will be back in the
starting line up. Usually there are plenty of goals
in matches between these two sides. Easy to believe
in the home win, when you look at the Sampdoria home
strength. I am not totally convinced but I will back
the home win (2.20).
Sampdoria 3 Udinese 0
Siena - Genoa 2.65 - 5.00
Nothing much at stake here and the bookmakers have
decided that this match has an outstanding chance of
finishing in a draw. The Italian bookie SNAI offers
only 1.90 and the best odds on the draw are 2.02.
Siena have been hard to beat for quite some time now
and they never were dragged into the relegation
struggle. Portanova, De Ceglie and Bertotto will be
missing this weekend.
Genoa continued their impressive campaign by
defeating Torino 3-0 last week. Once again their
leading striker Borriello found the goal. Genoa will
be without the suspended duo, Milanetto and
Lucarelli, but Leon, Juric and Santos should be OK.
Danilo will also be fit to play. 1X, but I will be
backing the home win (2.65).
Siena 0 Genoa 1
Torino - Inter 7.00 - 1.60
The Torino coach Novellino has been sacked this
week, with De Biasi taking over. I am not surprised.
The Torino super stars have constantly underachieved
this season and what can a poor president do? Fire
the famous players? That cannot be done, so another
coach has to go. This week two of the Torino
star players, Recoba and Di Michele will be
suspended as well as Lanna. Stellone will be back,
probably joining Rosina in the Torino front line.
Inter miss the suspended Vieira. Ibrahimovic
continue to be absent and Figo is new on the Inter
injury list. Young Balotelli and J Cruz up front
again! Torino will probably be strengthened
psychologically tomorrow, new coach syndrome, but at
the same time their squad is weakened. Backing 1.60
on the away win is out of the question. No bet!
Torino 0 Inter 1
La Liga
Atletico Madrid - Real Betis 1.67 -
6.00
Lousy odds (1.67) but under the circumstances I can
only picture a home win in this match. Betis,
sitting pretty safe in the league, will be without
three of their leading offensive players. Edu,
Pavone and M Gonzalez, all definite key players.
Betis will probably use a 4-2-3-1 formation for this
match with Arzu, Juande and Capi backing up Sobis in
the front line. Atletico Madrid have practically a
fully fit squad, only missing Motta. A M conceded a
90th minute goal last week and they are threatened
by both Racing and Sevilla at the moment. Points are
immensely important in other words. Home win!
(1.67).
Atletico Madrid 1
Real Betis 3
Racing Santander - Real Madrid 3.10 -
2.50
I will support the home win (3.10). Real are nine
points ahead of the chasing pack and I have my
doubts about both their form and motivation at the
moment. Three weeks ago they impressed at home to
Sevilla, but their performances against Mallorca and
Murcia failed to excite. They are too comfortable up
there. Guti and Torres are suspended this weekend.
Cannavaro will be back in defence, joining Pepe, S
Ramos and Heinze. Quite incredible, the fact that
Real are in splendid isolation at the top of the
table, even though van Nistelrooy has been missing
for ages.
Racing will make one change in their line up. Cesar
Navas will come in for Oriol in their defence.
Tchite and Munitis up front, with Smolarek on the
bench like last week, when Racing won away to
Valencia, 2-1. Racing are 9-3-3 at home, their
overall motivation must be 100% at the moment and
they deserve my backing (3.10).
Racing Santander 0 Real Madrid 2
Sevilla - Almeria 1.55 - 7.50
Once again a paltry price but surely Sevilla will
win this match. Winning their last two games, both
tricky fixtures, against Villarreal and Mallorca has
moved Sevilla nearer to A Madrid and they can still
very much hope for a place in the Champions league
next season. Adriano is fit again and he will rejoin
the Sevilla defence for this match. Still missing
are their two defenders Dragutiovic and Escude.
Almeria will be without their suspended forward
Crusat, but both Pulido and Juanito return from
their suspensions. Aitor Lopez-Rekarte will als be
available again. Motivation winner all the way this
one. Sevilla to win! (1.55).
Sevilla 1 Almeria
4
Real Zaragoza - Recreativo Huelva 1.90 -
4.75
Maybe I have an old mind, but I think that Zaragoza
should be too strong for Huelva in this six pointer
affair. A game that is all about survival of course.
Zaragoza will have Diogo back in their defence, but
missing will be Matuzalem and their striker D Milito.
I should think that Oliveira will play as the lone
striker instead of the injured D Milito.
Huelva have to make changes in their defence, as
both Quique Alvarez and Poli are out of this match.
Bouzon will be fit to play, meaning that Edu Moya
and Dani will replace the absent duo. Sinama -
Pongolle up front backed up by Aitor, Camunas and
Ruben. Zaragoza have to win this match, it is as
simple as that. Time to show their class (1.90).
Real Zaragoza 3 Recreativo Huelva 0
French League
St Etienne - Lorient 1.90 - 4.95
Once again decent odds on the St Etienne home win
(1.90). Must be because they have been so poor in
their home games this season (10-5-1). Last week St
Etienne drew their tricky away game with in form
Sochaux. Ilan played as the lone striker with
Feindouno and Gomis on the bench. Payet did not even
feature at all. I expect some changes for this home
fixture but the main thing is that St Etienne are
not troubled by any significant injuries. Lorient
stole three points from Lens last week. Lorient had
the home advantage, but Lens completely dominated
the match. They failed to score however,and Lorient
incredibly enough found a very late winner. Lorient
miss their strikers Vahirua, Bourhani and Le Pen.
Home win for St Etienne!
St. Etienne 1
Lorient 0
(1.90).
Nice - Monaco 2.15 - 3.20
Backing the home win (2.15). Nice have the upper
hand against their
neighbours
with 5-5-1 in their last eleven encounters, home and
away. Should be easier than usual this time as Nice
are strong this season, while Monaco are stuttering.
I watched Nice defeating PSG last week and I have to
say that Nice always looked very dangerous going
forward. This Kone guy was a constant threat. Nice
will be without their defensive player Apam, but
Hognon could be ready, playing his first game since
December.
Monaco welcome back both Adriano and Nene from
suspensions, but they have to do without Piquionne
and Modesto. Bakar replaced Piquionne up front last
week but also Bakar looks like missing the game. Menez
and Bernardi are out again. Nice should win this
derby game (2.15).
Nice 0 Monaco 2
Nancy - Le Mans 1.90 - 4.90
If nothing else, you can always trust Nancy in their
home games (1.90. They are 12-4-0 at home and thanks
to their home strength they could be playing
Champions League football next season. Their
midfielder N'Guemo is out suspended for this match.
Hadji, the Moroccan international, will have a late
fitness test on Friday. Le Mans have to do without
their suspended defender Ceder. De Melo and Gervinho
have not yet recovered and Basa, P Andre and Camara
are all injury doubts. Trusting Nancy once again
(1.90).
Nancy 1 Le Mans 1
Toulouse - Bordeaux 3.00 - 2.55
Just in time, Toulouse seem to have realised their
precarious position in the league table and they
are, after 2-3-0 in their last five games, on the
right side of the drop zone. J Elmander was back
last week and he scored one of their goals at
Monaco. It will mean a lot to the Swede because he
has gone trough one of those lean spells lately.
Tomorrow Sirieux will be missing with Sissoko his
replacement. P Cesar will be back in the squad.
Bordeaux played a full game plus extra time and
penalties with Sedan in midweek. It was a cup game
and Sedan won the match. Bordeaux used a mixture of
first and second choices and according to the latest
reports, coach Blanc intends to rest some of
regulars due to fatigue. Those who did not take part
in the midweek game, Chalme, Jurietti, A Alonso,
Henrique and Chamakh, will play from the start
against Toulouse, but it could be that Wendel and
Fernando will be rested. Much at stake in this
match, but I do not expect Toulouse to lose. 1X
then, but I will pick the home win (3.00).
Toulouse 0 Bordeaux 1
The Championship
Plymouth - Preston 2.10 - 3.60
Although Preston lost to Barnsley last week they
are definitely a form card in the Championship. They
were on an unbeaten seven match run before their
unlucky loss vs. Barnsley and they have been able to
prolong their stay in this league. Striker C Brown
was out injured last week but he is expected back
tomorrow. I saw Plymouth draw with Sheffield
Wednesday earlier this week. They were poor,
lacking any real enthusiasm and they looked like
they will be losing a couple of games before the
season comes to an end. That is my opinion and I am
prepared to back this theory, also financially. Away
win (3.60).
Plymouth 2
Preston 2
Southampton - Burnley 2.00 - 4.00
With so much to play for Southampton ought to win
this match (2.00). I expect no miracles from the
Saints, just a 100% effort from their players should
do the trick. G Vignal should be back in contention.
Their opponents, Burnley, have basically nothing at
all to play for and there are one or two veterans in
their team that probably will be wanting in the
motivation department tomorrow.
Southampton have not conceded any goals in their
last three home games and to stay in the
Championship they need to demonstrate the same hard
to beat attitude against Burnley. Burnley will be
without Lafferty and Varga, but could have M Duff
and C Carlisle back. Home win! (2.00).
Southampton 0 Burnley 1
Stoke - Bristol City 2.10 - 3.55
In this promotion fixture I will be behind Stoke
(2.10. Not that I want any of these sides in the
Premiership next season, but that is another story.
I saw Stoke lose their last home game against C
Palace and they were a bit unfortunate. On another
day they could have scored some 2 or 3 goals. Last
week Stoke returned to winning ways, defeating
Coventry 2-1. R Fuller and Sidibe played most of the
game and with Ameobi only a 50/50 starter we will
probably see Fuller and Sidibe upfront again.
Shawcross will once again replace A Griffin in
defence. Bristol City have only managed seven points
in their last eight games and they do not look like
promotion material at the moment. Lee Johnson will
be added to the City squad. Stoke to win! (2.10).
Stoke 2 Bristol 1
Chris.
