sabato 20 ottobre 2012

Weekend Soccer


The Premiership

Tottenham - Chelsea 2.65 - 2.96

Hopefully the many internationals will be relatively fresh for this mouth watering London derby. It is a game to look forward to between the unbeaten Chelsea side and a Tottenham side on a clear upward trend. F Lampard and R Bertrand could not play for England in midweek and they will both be assessed ahead of this match. J Terry will of course serve the first day of his suspension.
Adebayor made his come back two weeks ago for Tottenham and I take it for granted that we will see more of him tomorrow. It is like starting afresh and who knows which group of players will be at their fittest, but we do not have to worry about committed players, or not.
Big game for both teams and, as I have no real opinion, I will settle for the draw. The odds are 3.48.

Fulham - Aston Villa 1.85 - 4.84

D Berbatov will most likely return to the Fulham squad for this match and M Petric could also be available again. B Ruiz risks missing the match.
The big question concerning the Villa squad is of course: Will coach Lambert keep D Bent out of their starting line up again? Bent did not play a single minute against Tottenham with Agbonlahor, B Holman and Benteke doing the attacking job for Villa. N’Zogbia came on as a substitute, but no Bent. S Ireland will be available again.
Sure enough Fulham should be rather big favourites at their fortress, Craven Cottage, but this 1.85 is too short, at least in my opinion.

Liverpool - Reading 1.36 - 10.55

The more they fail the bigger favourites they become in the next match. I am talking about the odds offered by the bookies on Liverpool. It is the old trap - this time they really have to win. Liverpool could not break down a strong Stoke defence a fortnight ago, but I admit, it should be somewhat easier against Reading. They never were a defensive side.
J Shelvey will return from his suspension for this game, but Liverpool have lost Borini to an injury. Keeper Reina is in danger of miss this game and if so, Brad Jones will be the Liverpool keeper. Practically all the Liverpool starters in this match have been playing on the international circuit, while it has been quieter for the Reading players. Slight advantage for Reading. Anyway this 1.36 is totally unbackable.

Manchester Utd - Stoke 1.30 - 12.63

I was so pleased to see United at last playing with a “modern” midfield against Newcastle. That is the way to do it, coach Ferguson. United impressed hugely playing with both speed and purpose. For this game A Young will be back in contention, but not yet C Smalling.
The Stoke defensive game away to Liverpool was spot on and Pulis will be hoping for a repeat show tomorrow. A Wilkinson will be back from his suspension.
Quite possible that some of the United midfielders will be a bit worn out after their international commitments and maybe we will see well rested veterans Scholes and Giggs playing from the start again. You know what I think about that. The United eleven that played at Newcastle will win this match.

Swansea - Wigan 2.07 - 3.88

There is unrest in the Swansea squad. According to reports several of their players are unhappy with Laudrup’s training methods, or should I say, lack of training methods. “ We are not training enough” is the opinion held by those players. I do not know what to believe, but there is usually some truth in these kind of rumours. Swansea dominated more than ever at home to Reading, but they had to settle for a 2-2 draw. At last they scored a couple of goals again.
I rarely know what to expect from Wigan. Their best asset is still their coach, who usually brings the best out of his players. A side in relative harmony, Wigan, and this fact could prove decisive tomorrow. Missing tomorrow will be Alcaraz and Crusat. I will take a chance with the away win.

W B A - Manchester City 5.19 - 1.75

One or two of the WBA injury victims could return for this game. Lukaku has the best chance of being fit. Mulumbu is an injury doubt. It is not often that you will get 5.19 on a home team yet to drop a single point in their home fixtures. (4-0-0). WBA have not faced any top sides? Well they have defeated both the Liverpool clubs.
Last time we saw Man City was at home to Sunderland and probably for the first time this season we saw a very determined City side. It was like they had finally woken up from their early season slumber. They have to manage without the injured D Silva. No J Rodwell either, but that is OK. Two teams in form, I guess, but the Man City players could a bit over worked after the international circuit. X2 game.

West Ham - Southampton 1.91 - 4.33

Losing at home to Arsenal has not changed my opinion about West Ham. They play some strong football at Upton Park and they will not lose too many home games this season and certainly not when Andy Carroll is fit and playing. On another day K Nolan would have scored at least one goal vs. Arsenal. West Ham will be without the injured Vaz Te this time.
As much as I like Southampton their present defence is too soft for the Premiership. Their expensive signing, the exciting ex-Bologna midfielder G Ramirez, will be sidelined for some six weeks. Likely home winner.

Norwich - Arsenal 6.50 - 1.60

Talking about defences. Only Southampton have conceded more goals than Norwich.
Grant Holt has scored in their last two fixtures and it is the only piece of good news I have to report about Norwich.
Stretched or not, having played on the international arena these last ten days, I expect the Arsenal players to do enough to win this game. No Walcott, no Diaby, no Sczczesny, no Koscielny, but both J Wilshere and B Sagna are finally back in training. They played ninety minutes in a reserve game this week but they will not be involved tomorrow. Away win, but the odds make me pass.

Sunderland - Newcastle 2.54 - 3.04

Poor L Cattermole, this is just the kind of game that he would have loved to play. He will complete his suspension this weekend. S Taylor, F Coloccini and T Krul returned to training this week for Newcastle and we will probably see one or two of them in this match.
These two sides have not won too many games this season. Sunderland have managed only one win and Newcastle have picked up two three pointers. Newcastle have the better potential offensively and they will get my backing in this hot fixture.

Q P R - Everton 3.60 - 2.30

Time for the first QPR win? I dare not suggest this, but 3.60 are tempting odds. Last time I suggested that QPR would be the winners was at home to West Ham on a Monday night and they were nowhere near winning the match. Then they went to the Hawthorns and lost again, this time 2-3. Taarabt is hot for QPR, but their defence keeps letting them down. Both the defenders C Hill and Fabio are edging closer to returns.
Everton have to manage without one of their key players, Fellani. That is the negative I can up with concerning this Everton side. T Hibbert and D Gibson are also struggling, but they can be replaced. Still Everton are not at all unbeatable for a side like QPR, especially away from home. QPR to win.

Serie A

Juventus - Napoli 1.83 - 5.08

We can certainly look forward to this top of the table clash with both sides being able to send out their strongest line ups. Well, not entirely true, as the Juve keeper Buffon risks missing the match. Storari is ready to step in. Vucinic or Quagliarella will start.
If or when Juventus will lose a league game, I have not a clue, but I cannot really see them losing this match. They have such a big strong squad and it does not seem to matter which players will start or not, at least not in their front line.
Napoli have yet to concede an away goal and that is not the Napoli side that we have to come to know. Obviously they are going about their away fixtures in a different way this season, first and foremost keeping it tight at the back. I would pick the home win alternative, but this 1.83 is not good enough for this writer.

Lazio - Milan 2.50 - 3.18

With both Konko and Ederson available again the Lazio squad is at its fittest this season. Only Diakite and Radu remain sidelined. Also Milan are in quite good shape, physically that is, but they miss the suspended Ambrosini and the injured Robinho this weekend. Late set back as their keeper Abbiati will be missing with Amelia deputising.
You may say that Milan have potentially the stronger side, but at this moment I prefer backing Lazio. They have plenty of strong players on their midfield and Klose is the perfect front man. Giving my support to the home side.

Cagliari - Bologna 2.06 - 4.23

New coach and Cagliari picked up their first three pointer two weeks ago away to Torino. They won the match 1-0 and there was no doubt, they were the better side on the day. This they managed without both Pinilla and Cossu. Nene was back playing from the start. Now it looks like both Cossu and Pinilla will return for this match sending Nene to the bench. Defender Rosettini will be back from his suspension for this game, but he could find himself starting on the bench. No reason to change anything.
Gimenez and Antonsson have been struggling with injuries, but they should both be OK for this match and Antonsson will play from the start in the Bologna defence. Taider could be preferred to Kone behind Diamanti and Gilardino. 1X game.

Atalanta - Siena 2.10 - 4.11

Manfredini and Stendardo will be available again for the home side, but Bellini, Biondini, and Ferri are still sidelined. Carmona could be back, starting on the bench. I saw Denis, the Atalanta striker, missing an unbelievable scoring chance away to Roma, when the score line was still 0-0. Roma looked short on confidence at that stage of the match and you never what would have happened, if Denis had done his job.
Ze Eduardo, the Siena forward, will be suspended for this game and Valiani will replace him playing together with Rosina behind Calaio. No Campagnolo in their defence. Maybe the home win.

Chievo - Fiorentina 3.21 - 2.50

Also the new Chievo coach started with a win, 2-1 at home to Sampdoria.
He was without both Pelissier and Luciano, but they will return for this match. Sardo, M Rigoni and Papp are out of this match.
Fiorentina look just fine. Who will join Jovetic this time? It does not really seem to matter, but it will probably be between L Toni and El Hamdaoui. Pizarro will be fit to play in the middle of the park. Also Aquilani is finally back in training. Although Fiorentina have mostly impressed this season they are 0-1-2 away from home. Their two losses have been by the odd goal and they are not easily beaten, that is for sure. X2 game.

Inter - Catania 1.60 - 6.66

The home side look alright, only missing the suspended Nagatomo and the injured Sneijder. Pereira or Obi will replace Nagatomo. Spolli, Catania defender, will be fit to play joining Legrottaglie in their central defence.
I will not make a case against the home win, but fact is, Inter have played better football away from home so far this season. It is bound to change and Catania are not known to win too many away games. Still this 1.60 will not do for me.

Palermo - Torino 2.25 - 3.75

It is correct to say that Palermo have improved since Gasperini took charge of their affairs and they will definitely get my vote in this match. Squad wise they seem to be in perfect order basically only missing the injured A Hernandez.
Torino were surprisingly poor at home to Cagliari, but we must not forget that they are newcomers in Serie A this season. Darmian will serve a suspension this weekend. Could be that Bianchi and Sansone will be their central attackers. Backing the home win.

Parma - Sampdoria 2.25 - 3.96

The home side have defensive concerns ahead of this match. Both Lucarelli and Benalouane will be suspended this weekend and a third defender Zaccardo is not 100% fit at the moment but it looks like Zaccardo will play after all together with Paletta and Fideleff. Amauri upfront probably alongside Belfodil. Bibiany and Gobbi could play from the start on the wings instead of Ninis and Pabon. It is still an open question.
Defender Gastaldello will be suspended for Sampdoria and his colleague Obiang risks missing the match. Eder should be available again, but there is no guarantee that he will play from the start in their front line.
Parma are unbeaten in their home games and 2.25 on the home win are decent odds, but I am not happy with their weakened defence. Then again also the away side is weakened defensively. OK, the home win.

Udinese - Pescara 1.57 - 7.40

Looks like a home winner. The Pescara coach is searching for fresh faces, but for this game we can expect the same Pescara squad that has been on duty this season.
Udinese have almost a 100% fit squad. Basta, however, will not be fit to play and Pasqual is an injury doubt. Udinese must be expected to win this fixture.

Genoa - Roma 3.31 - 2.25

Could be that Genoa will start with three forwards in a 4-3-3 formation. Immobile and Vargas with Boriello in the middle, or they will just play with two, Borriello and Immobile. Rossi, Merkel and Ferronetti will not be available.
No Pjanic for Roma and according to the latest reports, both Totti and De Rossi are injury doubts for this fixture. I expect the duo to play. I like the odds on the home win and I will back Genoa and I will also back the over alternative.

La Liga

Osasuna - Real Betis 2.20 - 4.06

I backed Osasuna in their last home game and they will get my backing again. They defeated Levante 4-0, first Osasuna win of the season. Next they went to Bilbao for an away game. Osasuna lost the match 0-1. It was a rather cruel loss with Osasuna hitting the wood work a couple of times. Their much capped skipper Punal was back from his suspension coming on as a substitute and Damian and Ruben were also back to play. Their only casualty at the moment is defence man M Bertran.
Betis will be without their defender Mario, but worse their influential defensive midfielder Benat will also miss the match. Very likely home win.

Espanyol - Rayo Vallecano 2.00 - 4.18

Backing Espanyol this season has been a costly habit. They have yet to win a league game. I have not been chasing them, but this time they will get my support. I just noticed that their striker Sergio Garcia, out since August, will at last be able to make his come back in this game. They go together, S Garcia and Espanyol. D Colotto should be OK, but J Albin risks missing this game. V Alvarez, defender, will be suspended. Simao Sabrosa, Tejera and Stuani, all offensive Espanyol players, will also be available and Espanyol will be at their strongest, at least from the offensive perspective.
Rayo have to manage without their striker N Bille. Delibasic, playing for Montenegro in midweek, will most likely play upfront instead of Bille. Defence man J Amat is not allowed to play against his former club Espanyol. I will be a surprised man should Espanyol fail to win this fixture.

The Championship

Crystal Palace - Millwall 2.17 - 3.57

Home win will be my choice. Amazing Crystal Palace form lately. Six league wins in seven games, three wins in the last eight days before the break. Their great asset W Zaha has been in phenomenal form and he played for the England U-21 team against Serbia. Zaha scored four goals in the last two league games. This two week break is the only slight concern. I mean you do not know really know where the teams are on the form barometer. At least Zaha should not be rusty.
D Henderson is the Millwall danger man, but their other strikers have been misfiring. A Keogh, one of their forwards, is an injury doubt and P Robinson will be missing in their defence. S Lowry, L Feeey and K Osbourne will all be available again.
There were more than 20.000 spectators when Palace defeated Burnley 4-3 and I guess that they will all be back for this derby game. Home win.

Sheffield Wednesday - Leeds 2.38 - 3.21

This local derby will be played in front a big crowd and the game will also be televised tonight. Fired up players for this fixture is an understatement. The odds are a bit surprising. Sheffield Wednesday started the season strongly, but they are now winless in eight games, while Leeds have improved on a steady basis. So all you Leeds backers have every reason to be happy with the odds on display. They say that the Sheffield squad has been affected by some kind of bug this week. Still no new absentees for the home side.
Personally I can see the home team playing a strong game. It is like beginning their season again and this could work in a positive way for D Jones’ team. Sheffield W have a decent squad and should do better than these last couple of weeks.
M Tonge is an injury doubt for Leeds and his midfield colleague R Austin will be assessed. He is just back from Jamaica. I expect goals in this game, say 3-4-5 goals, and both will be on the score sheet and that is why include this fixture on my betting list. Over game, in other words.

Charlton - Barnsley 2.16 - 3.60

Backing Charlton. Barnsley will once again be severely weakened defensively and I expect Charlton to take advantage of the Barnsley predicament. At the same time Charlton will be able to call on J Jackson, J Cook and D Green for this match. It definitely looks much better for the home side and they will get my vote in this match.

French League

Valenciennes - Lorient 2.26 - 3.64

Two teams looking good and I will back the home side. Valenciennes, unbeaten at home, became the first side that defeated Marseille. They more or less outclassed the league leaders 4-1. Then they went to Toulouse and Valenciennes were in the lead with only seconds to go, but had to settle for a 2-2 draw. Their midfielder L Nery will miss this match along with R Mater, but their forward Pujol is fit at last and maybe he will play some part in this game.
Lorient are 3-5-0 after eight league rounds and that is pretty good numbers. Mareque has joined Coutadeur and Ecuele Manga on the sidelines and their midfielder A Romao is a major injury doubt. Valenciennes have a great home record against Lorient (8-4-1), their loss was back in the seventies. Valenciennes to win.

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