Weekend Soccer – By Chris.
The Premiership
Birmingham - Manchester City 2.43 -
3.25
One win in their last ten games and no wonder that
Birmingham are in trouble one point above the drop
zone. They play some decent offensive football,
using both wings, but I have to say that they are
bit naive defensively. They will be missing their
centre back L Ridgewell tomorrow with M Taylor his
likely replacement. J McFadden will be missing again
but hopefully O Kapo will be able to play some part.
City went for the 0-0 draw at Bolton last week but I
expect Sven's team to be more ambitious against
Birmingham. As I said last week, Bolton never were
the favourite opponent for City, but they will not
mind facing Birmingham. They are more of a
footballing side, like M City. D Hamann returns for
City. No doubt that Birmingham have more to play for
but they will not get more than one point from this
fixture. X2 then!
Birmingham 3 Man City 1
Bolton - Arsenal 5.50 - 1.80
Numerous chances were produced by Bolton last week
in their home game with Man City, but their final
touch let them down. Now they are up against one of
their favourite opponents, Arsenal, a side that
Bolton have defeated in the last three meetings at
the Reebok Stadium. Unfortunately Bolton will be
without their suspended skipper Kevin Nolan and R
Gardner is out injured.
Allowing ten man Birmingham the late equaliser and
having Eduardo severely injured in the same game
changed the Arsenal season for the worse. No wins
since that day and they can forget about the title.
All that matters is their Champions League
encounters with Liverpool, starting with the first
leg next week. Not that coach Wenger will agree, but
that is his job. New on their injury list is Sagna.
I cannot avoid backing the home win (5.50).
Bolton 2 Arsenal 3
Derby - Fulham 3.10 - 2.55
It is perfectly simple, Fulham have to win this
match, or else they can start preparing for the
Championship. Just recently Sunderland visited Derby
in a similar situation, but they could not win the
match (0-0). Sunderland dominated the match and
they should have won it. So Fulham have to win an
away game. They are 0-6-9 this far away from home
and it was the much the same last season. The come
with the same squad that lost to Newcastle last
week. They look OK, but they are bit wanting
offensively. I am prepared to back the away win
after all (2.55). Why not a 0-1 result!
Derby 2 Fulham 2
Portsmouth - Wigan 1.83 - 5.10
Home win for Pompey (1.83). Almost the entire Wigan
midfield is out of this game, Palacios, M Brown and
J Koumas are all suspended. Kilbane and Valenica are
available but missing is their injured defender E
Edman. Portsmouth welcome back J Defoe for this
match, but they will once again be without
Bouba-Diop and Muntari. Sol Campbell will also be
back and Pompey really needs Campbell in their
central defence. Hreidarsson is a safety risk in the
middle. Diarra will probably be rested. Backing
Portsmouth (1.83).
Portsmouth 2
Wigan 0
Reading - Blackburn 2.43 - 3.08
Three wins in their last four matches and it
certainly looks like Reading will remain in the
Premiership for another season. Unlikely Reading
hero last week was their defender Bikey, scoring
both their goals, the odds must have been
incredible! Reading will look the same tomorrow,
still missing among others G Murty.
With Samba out suspended, Blackburn are without
three regular defenders, Emerton, Samba and Nelsen.
Latest signing J Vogel will start on the bench.
There is a chance that R Nelsen will be making his
come back after all. Santa Cruz is a major injury
doubt. He had to leave the mid week international
between Paraguay and S Africa after some 20 minutes.
Down to ten men Blackburn easily defeated Wigan 3-1
last week after impressive offensive football. Are
the Blackburn players prepared to work as hard as
their Reading colleagues? That is the question and I
have my doubts. Expect quite a few goals in this
match. As many as fifteen goals have been scored in
their three league meetings. 2-2 or 3-2 are my
suggestions.
Reading 0 Blackburn 0
Sunderland - West Ham 2.38 - 3.35
Easy choice for this game, home win (2.38). The way
I see it the Sunderland players will work their
socks off to win this match and I cannot imagine
that the West Ham players will be able to match that
motivation. W Ham drew their away game with Everton
last week? Yes, I know, I watched the match and they
deserved their draw. Kind of low key Everton display
that day, in my opinion. Anyway, the Hammers boss
Curbishley is building for the future and he
included two teenagers in his squad last week,
Tomkins and Sears. Dean Ashton is looking sharp
again and W Ham have come back from their 3 x 0-4 in
a strong way.
Sunderland gave Aston Villa no space at all last
week. I expect the same shutting down tactics from
Sunderland tomorrow but they will probably get more
scoring chances of their own at the Stadium of
Light. They won against Villa without their big man
up front, K Jones, but he will most likely be back
for this match. C Edwards however, is a major doubt.
Sunderland to win (2.38).
Sunderland 2 West Ham 1
Manchester Utd - Aston Villa 1.33 -
11.50
Villa have offered some disappointing displays in
the last couple of weeks and pretty soon they are
bound to deliver a top performance. I cannot imagine
that their season will go to waste just because they
have gone through this present lean spell. I am not
saying for sure that it will happen this weekend,
but it is not out of the question. No pressure on
Villa this time. O Mellberg will be back to play for
Villa replacing the injured C Gardner.
Even if Villa should be on top of their game they
will probably lose to United. That is the depressing
reality for the Villa supporters. Facts you should
not ignore are the midweek internationals and the
United vs Roma fixture this coming Tuesday. It could
happen that the United players will have something
of an off day against A Villa. In other words I will
not be backing this low priced home win. No way!
(1.33).
Man Utd 4 Aston Villa 0
Chelsea - Middlesbrough 1.36 - 12.00
Chelsea have also had all these players involved in
internationals and they also play in the Champions
League next week. Right or wrong I feel much better
about this low priced favourite (1.36). P Cech
should be back but both J Terry and F Lampard are
injury doubts. Give the Chelsea manager Grant some
credit, his second half changes made the Chelsea win
against Arsenal possible.
Middlesbrough will be without the suspended duo
Rochemback and Mido, just as was the case last week.
R Huth could be missing again. With Tuncay, Aladiere
and Afonso as strikers the Boro offensive capacity
should not be ignored, but at the end of the day I
should think that Chelsea will be winners in this
fixture. The odds you can do without (1.36).
Chelsea 1 Middlesbrough 0
Liverpool - Everton 1.80 - 5.00
Always a hot derby but this time it is probably
hotter than ever. It is not only about the
traditional prestige this time. No, the fourth place
in the league is at stake this time. A win for
Liverpool and they are five points ahead of Everton
and Everton are not likely to catch Liverpool in
such a case. The Everton form seems to be on a
downward curve, but maybe one should not talk about
form when it is comes to these special games.
Everton will be without T Cahill (for sure) and A
Johnson (probably) but hope to include Yobo and
Pienaar again.
Liverpool have to do without the suspended
Mascherano. Liverpool face Arsenal in the first leg
of their Champions League meetings in a few days,
but there will be no holding back Liverpool in this
derby. Maybe this will be advantageous for Arsenal
on Wednesday. I would probably pick the home win
(1.80).
Liverpool 1 Everton 0
Tottenham - Newcastle 1.67 - 5.75
The home side has become an overrated favourite,
that much I know. Only seven points separate the two
sides in the league. Tottenham are a better side
than Newcastle, but maybe not that much better.
Newcastle have some strong players as well in their
team, but they are low on confidence. That is the
biggest difference in my opinion. With Ramos as boss
Tottenham seem to fear no side, while Keegan and his
players have been spanked too often since he took
over. Newcastle won their first game with Keegan
last week and quite logically this win will prove
pivotal to their future campaign. Maybe I am reading
too much into their win against struggling Fulham,
but hopefully not. Ledley King could be back for
Tottenham. Newcastle will be unchanged. No bet here.
Tottenham 1
Newcastle 4
Serie A
Milan - Atalanta 1.35 - 13.00
Expect the same Milan squad in this match as against
Torino last week, plus the returning Bonera. No Kaka
in other words. Gilardino has been down with the flu
this week and it looks like Paloschi will start up
front for Milan, backed up by Pato and Seedorf. The
Milan midfielders took part in the midweek
international between Spain and Italy.
Doni missed a penalty for Atalanta at the week nd
and they only managed a disappointing 0-0 draw with
Catania. Before that a 0-1 loss to Cagliari and
questionable Atalanta form right now. Both their
defenders Pellegrino and Bellini will be back for
this match, but Carozzieri is out suspended. Milan
are 4-7-3 at the San Siro, their offensive players
are both teenagers and I am not exactly longing to
back this low priced home win (1.35).
Milan 1 Atalanta 2
Cagliari - Roma 4.50 - 2.13
Three new points for Cagliari this week without
playing a single match. Or to be precise, their
three previous minus points exist no more. The
decision was overruled and all of a sudden Reggina
and Empoli are behind Cagliari in the table. The
Cagliari form is just great. Four points from their
encounters with Atalanta and Sampdoria last
week proves just that. Cagliari will be without the
suspended Conti this weekend. It looks like Cossu
will play on the Conti position. Foggia from the
start again behind Jeda and Aquafresca.
Vucinic, Perrotta and De Rossi are all suspended,
but Roma will at least have Mexes back. There is
talk about resting Totti, planning for the big game
with United, but at the same time Roma have Inter
within reach and my guess is that Totti will play at
Sardinia. Tricky game for Roma. Cagliari have won
their last four home games and they do no mind
playing against Roma on the island. They are 2-1-0
in their last three home games with Roma. Cannot
make up my mind.
Cagliari 1 Roma 1
Catania - Torino 2.34 - 3.95
They have gone pragmatic, Catania, or what else
could I say about their two matches last week which,
both ended in 0-0 draws. They need points at all
costs and they are obviously prepared to pick them
the hard way, one point at a time. A Fit squad at
their disposal and all their strikers are available.
Too bad that they are happy with 0-0 results.
The Torino boss Novellino keeps on ranting week
after week that his players have deserved more from
their recent games. At the same time his side has
dropped close to the relegation zone. Maybe they
have been unlucky, but the fact is that they have
played eight games without tasting the sweet taste
of a win. Recoba and Stellone will probably start up
front this time with Rosina and Zanetti in the
midfield. Natali and Comotto are out for the
season. Backing the draw (2.90).
Catania 1 Torino 2
Empoli - Sampdoria 2.60 - 3.55
Once again Empoli will have to do without Pratali,
Pozzi and Saudati and now you can add the injured
defender Piccolo. I should think that we will
see more or less the same Empoli side in this game
as in their last home game, a week ago with Juventus
(0-0). Ziegler will come in for the suspended Pieri
and Cassano continues his suspension.
Sampdoria are 20 points ahead of Empoli in the
league table and lately they have started to win
their away games. Away wins against Parma, Catania
and Milan, three in a row. Pretty impressive and
this without Cassano. Empoli are desperate however
and they must not lose this match. Tricky
again! Assessing the odds, maybe the away win
(3.55).
Empoli 0 Sampdoria 2
Genoa - Reggina 2.08 - 4.60
Sculli will not be suspended after all and he will
join Leon and Borriello in the Genoa front line once
again. Criscito is their only injury victim. Fit
again Rubinho in goal.
Hallfredsson will replace Modesto on the Reggina
midfield and we will probably also find Tognozzi and
Cascione there. Both sides are in good form. Genoa
picked up an impressive three pointer at Palermo
last week and Reggina dominated Napoli for large
periods, but had to settle for a 1-1 draw. Genoa are
the stronger side in general, but Reggina have their
Serie A existence to play for and that counts at
this time of the season. Still the value is
definitely on the home win (2.08).
Genoa 2 Reggina 0
Juventus - Parma 1.36 - 11.79
Deserved Juventus win against Inter last week. Coach
Ranieri will be able to pick from an unchanged
squad, plus the returning Zanetti. Parma will be
without the suspended C Lucarelli. Budan will
probably be used as the lone striker, backed up by
Gasbarroni in a 4-4-1-1 formation. Parma are not
much of a threat in their away games (0-6-9) and I
do not think that coach Cuper is the man to change
this sad phenomenon. If Parma will survive and I
think they will, they will manage this despite their
on going problems away from home. Still they have
nothing to lose in this match, and maybe,
only maybe, a point is within reach. Not very
likely, but it does not matter to me. I have no
interest in backing this 1.36 on the home win.
Match Postponed
Lazio - Inter 4.33 - 2.10
Testing times for Inter. They have gone out of form
ages ago and now they have to do without both their
regular strikers Ibrahimovic and J Cruz. The
important Cambiasso could not play against Juventus
and he is a major doubt also for this match. Lazio
will miss the suspended Mutarelli, but could include
Radu and Zauri in their squad again. Ledesma and
Rocchi have been cleared to play and fact is that
the Lazio squad has not been this fit before this
season. They defeated Roma a week ago and I suggest
that their winning chances will be even better
against an out of sorts looking Inter side.
Hopefully the Lazio players want to defeat Inter as
much as they wanted to win against city rivals Roma.
I cannot guarantee this, but as the odds are on my
side (4.33), no doubt, the home win.
Lazio 1 Inter 1
Livorno - Siena 2.40 - 4.00
The Tuscany derby and Livorno must hope that their
neighbours want them to
remain in Serie A. Such is the Livorno predicament
and their overall form is pretty bad. They just
cannot win any matches these days. Tavano and
Pulzetti are expected back for this match, but we
have to wait on Bergvold.
Siena have seven points more than Livorno and they
have collected plenty of points in their recent
fixtures. Excellent Siena form, in other words.
They (read Maccarone) have scored decisive goals
late in the games on quite a few occasions and that
is always a good sign. Normally I would back the
better (Siena) side in this fixture but we are in
Italy and I do not know how eagerly Siena will be
looking for the win. No bet!
Livorno 0 Siena 0
Napoli - Palermo 2.10 - 4.40
Mannini and Gargano are suspended for the home side,
Zalayeta remains injured, but Napoli will
nevertheless field a very strong side this weekend.
Guidolin, the Palermo coach, has been sacked for the
third or fourth time and their previous coach has
been reinstalled. Happens only in Palermo and no
wonder that they continue to disappoint this writer
week after week. The club is in constant turmoil and
it is not easy to perform at top level under such
circumstances. Palermo will be without the
suspended defensive duo Biava and Rinaudo and both
their strikers Miccoli and Cavani risk missing this
match. In support of the home win (2.10).
Napoli 1 Palermo
0
Udinese - Fiorentina 2.50 - 3.63
Advantage Udinese, I must say (2.50). Fiorentina
will be without their ace Mutu as well as Liverani,
M Jörgensen and Gamberini. Dainelli should be back
and maybe also Semioli. We will probably see Osvaldo,
Pazzini and Santana going forward for Fiorentina.
Udinese will come with the same group of people that
managed a maximum six points last week minus their
injured defender Felipe. Coda was expected to
replace Felipe, but he is out as well and we will
probably see Ferronetti in the home defence this
time. Udinese are only two points behind Milan at
the moment and six points behind fourth placed
Fiorentina. A win on Sunday against the rivals from
Florence and Udinese can start dreaming of the
Champions League. Reaching the UEFA Cup would be a
major achievement, at least in my opinion. Not that
I want Udinese to play in the UEFA Cup. They
constantly field reserve sides in a shameful way. 1X
this one!
Udinese 3
Fiorentina 1
La Liga
Valencia - Mallorca 1.95 - 4.40
Having defeated both Barcelona and Real Madrid last
week surely Valencia will prolong their winning
sequence this weekend (1.95). Formidable Valencia
squad at the moment with players like Joaquin,
Morientes and Baraja on the bench against Real M.
Moretti is back in training again, but Valencia lose
Marchena to a suspension. Albiol is a serious doubt.
David Villa came on for Torres in the second half
of their midweek international with Italy and of
course he scored the winning goal. Mallorca will
have their important play maker Ibagaza back for
this match but Ballesteros is out due to a
suspension. Scaloni remains on their injury list.
Valencia have not pleased their home fans this
season but you get the feeling that Koeman and
the Valencia players have finally arrived to some
kind of understanding. He is using a new system
and maybe the players were a bit unwilling to accept
Koeman's way of thinking. I do not know really, but
fact is that Valencia defeated the big two last
week. Home win (1.95).
Valencia 0 Mallorca 3
Getafe - Osasuna 2.25 - 3.60
Amazing week for Getafe. For once they have not
played a midweek game and I expect a stronger Getafe
side on Sunday than last week at Bilbao. They always
were a great home team and at the same time Osasuna
seldom impress on their travels. (2-3-9) In my mind
the odds on the home look overpriced (2.25). Maybe
the bookies think that Getafe are planning for their
UEFA Cup game with Bayern a week from now. Granero,
C Diaz and Pablo Hernandez will be missing once
again, but Manu should be back for this match.
Tough home loss for Osasuna last week. They deserved
something from their game with Betis. Josetxo,
Delporte, Javi Garcia and Cruchaga, all starters vs
Betis, are out of this match, but the talented C
Vela will be back to play. Miguel Flano and
Astudillo will play from the start. I support the
home win (2.25).
Getafe 0 Osasuna 2
Real Madrid - Sevilla 1.85 - 4.50
Six losses in their last eight competitive matches
is the present reality for the league leaders. They
did not play a poor game last week despite losing
2-3 to Valencia. On another day they could have
doubled their goal tally. Their defence was shaky
again despite the presence of S Ramos. Something
with Cannavaro these days, he is quite simply in
terrible form. Missing once again are Van Nistelrooy
and Metzelder.
Sevilla should also know something about poor
defence this season. Cannot be trusted at all with
Sevilla conceding 39 goals so far this season. Both
their defenders Dragutinovic and Escude will miss
this match as well as the suspended Maresca. Both
the Mali players Kanoute and Keita have been
struggling with injuries this week, but both are
expected to play. Surely we are about to witness a
typical over game. Was it last season that Sevilla
won this fixture 5-3! Before that Real were 3-2 and
4-2 winners. Winners? I will stick to my over bet!
Real Madrid 3 Sevilla 1
The Championship
Crystal Palace - Blackpool 1.91 -
4.33
Warnock's Crystal Palace are only one point from the
play off zone and they will of course be looking for
the three points tomorrow. I will back them to
succeed (1.91). After a fantastic run C P dipped in
form some time ago, suffering three defeats in four
games. They are back in the saddle again with 3-3-0
in their last six matches.
C P have strengthened their squad by signing the
Chelsea winger S Sinclair on loan and he will join
the squad tomorrow. K Reid and A Ashton have also
joined the club on loan. Blackpool seem to belong in
the Championship, but they draw too many games for
their own good. They should stay up, but fact is
that they are only 5 points above the drop zone. P
Dickov is expected back tomorrow and M
Jackson is their only injury casualty. Backing the
home win (1.91).
Crystal Palace 0 Blackpool 0
Cardiff - Southampton 2.00 - 4.00
Also Cardiff have play off ambitions according to
boss D Jones. No talk of resting players for the
coming FA Cup semi final. A win tomorrow is
imperative and Cardiff will be fully focused on the
task ahead. Jimmy Floyd is once again suspended and
their defender McNaughton will probably not
recover for this match. Expect the same group of
people that defeated Birmingham City a week ago.
Could be that one or two of T Sinclair, R Scimeca
and W Feeney will get some piece of the action this
time, at least as substitutes.
Southampton have the old Tottenham defender C Perry
on loan, as both A Davies and I Pearce will not be
able to play any more games for the Saints. Bradley
Wright-Phillips is a doubt for this game. Some
allegations about theft in a night club and
W-Phillips is obviously involved. Should not play
tomorrow I guess. Southampton have managed one win
in their last ten games and they risk going down.
Home win for Cardiff (2.00).
Cardiff 1 Southampton 0
Ipswich - Q P R 1.91 - 4.25
I like the odds on the away win (4.25). Seems like
QPR have started playing offensive football on their
travels. Their Italian coach is no longer looking
for 0-0 draws in their away fixtures, exemplified
last week when QPR drew 3-3 with Wolves at Molineux.
Like Ipswich QPR are an attractive side, playing
close to continental football. They do not lose many
games these days, or to be precise, they have lost
twice in ten matches. Squad wise there are no
problems for QPR.
Ipwsich hope to include S Kuqi in tomorrow's line
up. With both J Walters and P Counago out of this
match, Ipswich have a shortage of strikers. Alan Lee
is their only fit striker. On loan Kuqi will get his
chance, if he can prove his fitness. I prefer QPR in
this fixture (4.25).
Ipswich 0 QPR 0
French League
Bordeaux - Nancy 1.90 - 5.50
Supporting the home win (1.90). Bordeaux were
terribly poor last week, losing 1-3 to Valenciennes.
They say that it had to do with 120 minutes of a cup
game with Lille three days before their league
fixture at Valenciennes. Maybe that is the way it
was, or not, but I wholeheartedly believe that
Bordeaux will bounce back for this top of the league
clash with Nancy. Traditionally they almost always
win this fixture. Fernado and Micoud have been
injury doubts this week, but they should be OK to
play. Planus and Jussie are not yet ready but first
choice keeper Rame should be available as well as
fit again A Alonso.
Nancy will play their customary defensive away game
again, looking for a 0-0 draw. They have been a bore
in their away games this season, no denying that
(2-9-4). Several 0-0 draws among the nine draws. One
defender, Pygrenier, returns from his suspension
while another defender, Chretien, goes the other
way. Their striker Dia will probably miss this
match, but Fortune will be available again. Bordeuax
to win (1.90).
Bordeaux 2 Nancy 1
Monaco - Rennes 2.25 - 3.60
One team has completely forgotten how to win their
matches and the other team is on an unbeaten run.
The first one is Monaco and the other is Rennes of
course. Monaco fell apart in the second half at Caen
last week, conceding four second half goals. It has
happened before, this falling apart scenario. They
allowed Bordeaux to score six goals during a crazy
40 minute spell some time ago. Something must be
very wrong. Still no Menez for Monaco. Both J Leko
and Modesto are out suspended.
Rennes won again last week, this time against Lens
3-1 and it could have been more as J Briand missed a
penalty. Rennes do not mind this trip to Monaco.
They have often been victorious, with for example
wins in their last two visits there. Midfielder
Lemoine had to leave the Lens fixture last week
already in the first half and he is considered a
major doubt for this game. O Sorlin sits out a
suspension. Didot is back in contention. Backing in
form Rennes and nothing wrong with the odds (3.60).
Metz - Toulouse 2.85 - 2.80
J Elmander, the Toulouse striker, is an unlikely
starter in this match. He was injured playing for
Sweden against Brazil. "Only some miracle medicine
can make me ready for the match this weekend" were
his words after the match. I am well aware that
Elmander has fired blanks lately but I nevertheless
consider his absence a severe blow for struggling
Toulouse. Metz will be without the suspended Barbosa.
Several previously injured players are back in
training and maybe one or two will come in
contention for this basement encounter. Toulouse
are winless in twelve matches, while Metz have won
three of their last five games. Leaning towards the
home win for Metz (2.85).
Metz 0 Toulouse 2
Chris.
