Monthly Archives: May 2011

Ferguson plots Barca downfall

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The countdown is well and truly on for the biggest game in the European football calendar this season, with Manchester United ready to try to stop the might of 10/11 favourites Barcelona in the Champions League final.

United and Barca contested the final back in 2008-09 in Rome but it was a night to forget for the Red Devils after they fell behind to an early Samuel Eto’o strike and never really recovered their composure.

Superstar Lionel Messi put the game to bed 20 minutes from time as United failed to cause too much trouble for keeper Victor Valdes and his patched-up defence which included Manchester City’s FA Cup hero Yaya Toure as Dani Alves was suspended forcing captain Carles Puyol to right-back.

The final two years ago was set up for Cristiano Ronaldo, who at the time was on the verge of  a switch to Real Madrid, but he failed to deliver in a free role as Sir Alex Ferguson opted to push Wayne Rooney out to the left wing.

Ferguson’s reasoning  – and who can really criticise the all-conquering United boss? – was to pack the midfield and try to use the pace of Ronaldo to expose Puyol, Toure, Sylvinho and Gerard Pique, but it simply did not work.

Michael Carrick and Anderson failed to get to grips with Messi, Xavi and Andres Iniesta so much so that Carlos Tevez was introduced for the Brazilian at half time, to little effect though in the grand scheme of things.

Ferguson is wily enough a character to have taken all of those points on board while he will also be contemplating the fitness of Scotland captain Darren Fletcher who missed the 2009 final through suspension.

Ferguson trusts the all-action midfielder in the big games – seemingly in contrast to laidback striker Dimitar Berbatov – but his countryman has only just returned from a medium-term lay-off through illness and so will need to be monitored this week.

It is something of paradox that for all the money United have lavished in the transfer market over recent years that Fletcher, who came through the ranks, could be key to Saturday’s midfield battle.

He might not win the game but he can certainly have a say, if fit, in how long United are able to stay in it which would give them a chance of overturning the odds (United 3/1 – 9-0 Minutes).

And perhaps there is a danger of over-stating Barcelona’s chances at Wembley based solely on two years ago in the Italian capital as the season before United accounted for the Catalans in the semi-finals without Frank Rijkaard’s side scoring a goal.

“We showed fantastic concentration in those two ties,” said Ferguson. “That is the key for us. It is an important issue in terms of Saturday.”

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Who can take United’s crown?

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The excitement of ‘Survival Sunday‘ has barely died down and players and fans alike will have likely been nursing headaches today following end-of-season parties after the conclusion of the Premier League. However, behind the scenes, plans will already be in place for the 2011-12 season.

Aside from those threatened with the drop over the weekend, most clubs would have had a good idea of their budgets for next term heading into the weekend and the majority of managers will have already handed their list of transfer targets to their respective chairmen and boards.

Scouts around the globe, meanwhile, will have been busily checking out talented youngsters and filing reports in the bid to unearth the next Cristano Ronaldo, Luis Suarez or Peter Odemwingie for their employers.

If you check totesport’s odds to win next season’s top domestic prize it will come as no surprise that they believe only five clubs have any sort of chance  of claiming Manchester United’s title in 2012 – and that includes Liverpool (11/1) who are tipped by many to be dark horses next term provided Kenny Dalglish is handed significant funds over the summer to turn a sixth-placed finish into a more respectable top-four challenge, such was the Scot’s impact back on Merseyside when he returned in the new year.

However, despite high hopes on the Kop that the Reds can challenge right at the top in 2011-12, the best they surely can hope for is to break back into the top four they used to reguarly be in under Rafa Benitez. Without the distraction of the Europa League next season, it does look a realistic aim for Dalglish’s men ahead of what is likely to be a busy summer of comings-and-goings at Anfield.

Chelsea (11/4 to win PL next season) faltered in the final run-in after getting themselves back into contention in March and April but that wasn’t enough to save Carlo Ancelotti his job and he was dumped by owner Roman Abramovic after a trophyless season, despite winning the double just 12 months ago in his first year in charge. It’s fair to say the loaded Russian’s definition of failure does not concur with pretty much the rest of the world.

So that leaves the Blues facing another transitional summer amid reports Guus Hiddink or even Jose Mourinho could return. With that in mind, and the futures of several key first-teamers up in the air, we boldly predict  – at the end of May – the best the Blues can achieve next season is second place again.

Arsenal (7/1), meanwhile, are likely to go one of two ways this summer:

Scenario 1 – The Gunners finally spend big money on a top-class goalkeeper, centre-half and a 25-goals-a-season striker to partner the fully-fit Robin van Persie and they confidently battle Manchester United for the title once again.

Scenario 2 – Arsene Wenger again refuses to spend what is required on the players he so obviously needs, Cesc Fabregas leaves on deadline day for Barcelona for £40million meaning there’s no time to find a replacement so they are left to fight over fourth with Liverpool and Spurs.

And that leaves us with City (3/1) and United (13/8).

Despite not being one of Sir Alex Ferguson’s most eye-catching of teams, the champions have demonstrated this season they have character, squad depth and no little quality to have eventually seen off all the other challengers without too many problems.

Expect just a couple of big-money arrivals as Fergie tweaks his squad slightly over the summer but, largely, the same group of players who have just lifted the title can again emerge as the ones to beat next season.

But, if City get it right in June and July, they might do just that instead.

Roberto Mancini has impressively managed to mould an expensively-assembled squad of players into an FA Cup-winning and top-four side, which is no mean feat considering he has had to deal with some apparently difficult characters – Carlos Tevez and Mario Balotelli to name but two.

If Tevez stays – which is not guaranteed – and also remains fit, he could well lead City on a real title charge next term. There are bound to be a few high-profile arrivals at Eastlands as well and, with the budget they have, more top-quality talent will only add further depth to the world-class pool of talent already in Mancini’s large squad.

So, with that in mind and, yes, it’s very early to say so, but 2011-12 may just be City’s season.

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Summer football preview

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After we survived the end of the world on Saturday, ‘Survival Sunday’ now brings the curtain down on the Premier League campaign. But, before you panic, there is plenty of football action to satisfy your betting needs over the summer – if you look hard enough.

Of course, with no World Cup or senior European Championships to entertain us over what is apparently going to be a sizzling few months weather-wise in the UK, on the one hand it appears it will be a quiet June and July in the football world.

However, delve a little deeper and there is plenty to keep us interested aside from scurrilous transfer speculation and pointless pre-season tournaments.

The domestic campaign may well be pretty much done and dusted now but we still have the small matter of the Champions League final next weekend between Manchester United and Barcelona at Wembley to come before Reading and Swansea go head-to-head in the Championship play-off final.

Those two games are always among the biggest of the year and totesport will have plenty of markets available ahead of the Wembley showdowns.

Many expect Barca to claim another European Cup (4/9 favourites – Outright) but United are sure to have a game-plan to try and combat Pep Guardiola’s all-conquering side and are good value at 13/8 to cause an upset next weekend.

The play-off final two days later looks a difficult one to call with both Reading and Swansea looking in fine fettle in their wins over Nottingham Forest and Cardiff respectively in the semi-finals but we feel the Royals may just edge out the Swans in this one and book a return to the top flight.

While those two games are sure to round off the 2010-11 domestic and European campaigns in style, the focus over the summer then switches to the Under-21 European Championship – in which England are well fancied in – before the Copa America gets underway at the start of July.

The U-21s gather in Denmark between June 11-25 in what is likely to be an entertaining competition featuring plenty of up-and-coming talent from across the continent.

Stuart Pearce is likely to take a host of Premier League players to the tournament, with Andy Carroll and Jack Wilshere just two top stars named in his initial squad.

The duo are among six players with senior caps in Pearce’s 40-man selection and, while some will inevitably be pulled out by their clubs when the squad is whittled down to 23, there is still enough talent heading to Scandinavia to mean England have a real chance of lifting the trophy.

Other sides to watch out for in Denmark include all the usual international heavyweights. Spain are the current 7/2 favourites but Germany, who are tipped to shine, represent excellent value at 9/2 while lively outsiders include Portugal at 16/1 and the hosts, who are a huge 66/1 to lift the trophy.

The Copa America, billed as “the most important football event in Latin America” by its official website, features all the top teams from that region.

Argentina, predictably, are the short-priced favourites (6/5) and as hosts will be difficult to beat. Brazil, as ever, will give it a go, though, and at 13/8 look appealing.

Others to consider include a highly-rated Chile outfit (10/1 outright) and World Cup semi-finalists Uruguay who, at 12/1, are the value here – especially if they can repeat their heroics of 12 months ago in South Africa.

So forget about the domestic scene for a few months, enjoy the weather (hopefully) and get stuck into some seriously competitive international action.

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Quintet ready for survival battle

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Five sets of Premier League supporters will be nervously checking scores from around the country, as well as watching their side, in the hope they end the final day of the season outside of the dreaded bottom three. There are myriad permutations involving Wolves, Blackburn, Birmingham, Blackpool and Wigan. Here is our look at what may – or may not – happen.

Wolves v Blackburn

Both these sides sit a point outside the drop zone (100/1 for both sides to go down) and know if results go their way they could see out a comfortable draw and both secure safety.

However, after beating Manchester United, Chelsea and Manchester City at home this season Wolves will be desperate to Blackburn to their list of Molineux victims and guarantee a third successive Premier League season.

Blackburn (8/1 to go down) are on a poor run of form with a narrow home win over Bolton last month their only victory in 13 matches. They do though have the best goal difference out of all five teams and I suspect boss Steve Kean will be relying on the results of others to keep his side safe.

Wigan v Stoke

At half-time at the DW Stadium last weekend Wigan (evens to stay up) were staring relegation in the face. But their stirring comeback and eventual 3-2 over West Ham has given them a fighting chance of survival. They play a Stoke side still licking their wounds after their defeat by Man City in last week’s FA Cup final.

Tony Pulis will demand nothing more than 100% effort from his well drilled side but you wonder whether their Wembley agony could work in Wigan’s favour, allowing them to grab the win they desperately need.

Manchester United v Blackpool

Ian Holloway’s men have the toughest game of all the relegation-threatened sides as they become the final team to try and defeat Champions Manchester United at home this season.

A debate has raged this week about Sir Alex Ferguson’s team selection and whether he will rest key stars ahead of next week’s Champions League final. Fergie has since confirmed though that Edwin van der Sar, Darren Fletcher, Patrice Evra, Paul Scholes, Anderson, Dimitar Berbatov will all start.

Blackpool (4/11 to go down) have impressed with their bold, fearless approach this season and that could yet bring them rewards. Should they end the campaign level on points and goal difference, their impressive haul of 53 goals scored could yet save them.

Tottenham v Birmingham

That memorable day at Wembley when Birmingham (4/6 to go down) lifted the Carling Cup must feel like a long time ago now as the club slides towards the bottom three.

They have spent the majority of the season in lower mid-table but their run of two wins from their last 12 games is classic of a side sleepwalking into a relegation battle and not having time to wake up before it is too late.

They play a Tottenham side who need a win to ensure Europa League football next season and after watching City’s limp display against Fulham last weekend I suspect they will be relying on other results to keep them out of trouble.

Prediction: Birmingham and Blackpool to go down with West Ham

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Celtic aim to go out on high

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Celtic take on Motherwell in the Scottish Cup final at Hampden on Saturday afternoon looking to end the season on a high after losing out on the SPL title. Can they do it or will it be the year for the underdogs to prevail? (Celtic 4/11 to win in 90 minutes).

The Bhoys have endured a difficult season both on and off the pitch, with defeat to Rangers in the the Co-operative Insurance Cup final and losing out to their Old Firm rivals by one point in the race for the league title.

There have also been death threats to manager Neil Lennon to contend with, as bullets and parcel bombs were intercepted while en route to the Northern Irishman.

Add in the four-match touchline ban that the boss received for his altercation with Rangers assistant Ally McCoist and it is clear that the Glasgow giants could do with an end-of-season boost to go into the off-season in good spirits.

They are strong favourites to lift the trophy on Saturday afternoon and are a short price to beat Stuart McCall’s men either in 90 minutes, in extra time or by penalties (Celtic 1/4 to win Scottish Cup).

If recent form is anything to go on then Celtic have every reason to be full of confidence, having beaten Well 4-0 in the final match of the season last weekend, but form tends to go out of the window in cup finals and the Steelmen are not without hope.

They did pull off a 2-0 victory over Lennon’s side at Fir Park back in February, with a John Sutton brace good enough to take the points, and the goal-scorer on that occasion has already pointed to the importance of getting an early goal against the Hoops.

The Celts possess better footballers and will doubtless try to dictate the game if they take the lead and so the first goal will be crucial in determining the destination of the trophy.

Well only drew seven SPL games all season and appear and ‘all or nothing’ side, capable of upsetting the best or being blown away, with a 3-3 draw against Hearts prior to a 5-0 defeat to Rangers and a 4-0 reverse to Dundee United towards the end of the campaign emphasising the point.

McCall has no injury worries ahead of the final and Darren Randolph is expected to return in goal having missed the league game at Parkhead, with Steve Jennings and Maurice Ross also in contention to feature.

Lennon will be without winger Shaun Maloney, who has a calf strain, but Kris Commons is back after serving a suspension and Anthony Stokes will be considered having been dropped for the final league match for disciplinary reasons.

In truth, Celtic should beat Motherwell comfortably but it has been an odd season for the Glasgow outfit and they could be in for a tough encounter against a Motherwell side who have nothing to lose and who are all “fully focused” on the job, according to McCall.

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2 from 5 in survival fight

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Sunday promises to provide the most thrilling Premier League relegation battle in history, with five teams battling to survive in the top flight. We take a look at all the contenders and who might be facing the prospect of Championship football next season.

Wigan

Roberto Martinez’s men have given themselves a chance of survival with just one defeat in their last five games – picking up eight points from a possible 15.

Their last-gasp win over West Ham not only gave them hope, but will have also boosted confidence in a big way ahead of Sunday’s final game.

Latics (Evens to stay up) go to Stoke to face a team who never roll over, although their recent FA Cup final defeat will have knocked some of the stuffing out of Tony Pulis’ injury-hit squad.

Wigan have only beaten the Potters once in their last eight meetings, with their last victory at the Britannia coming in November 2004.

Blackpool

Most neutrals will hope the Tangerines can survive, having upset the odds so often this season on a tight budget.

The recent win over Bolton was a must and having rediscovered their goal-scoring form in recent weeks, they have renewed hope.

Blackpool (4/11 to be relegated) have the toughest final game of the weekend, with a trip to champions Manchester United, but it threatens to be a much changed United team that they face.

Charlie Adam and co are capable of avoiding defeat at Old Trafford, but a draw is unlikely to be enough and three points looks like a tall order.

Birmingham

A lack of goals has been Birmingham’s big problem all season and may yet cost them a place in the Premier League.

Three goals in their last five games tells its own story, as does the leading scorer tally – which is topped by midfielder Craig Gardner, with just seven in the league.

Blues (11/10 to stay up) have an away date at Spurs on Sunday and having not won on the road since early February, the omens don’t look good for Alex McLeish’s men.

A solid defensive display is needed at White Hart Lane, as the goals against column could yet prove crucial.

Wolves

Mick McCarthy’s men are arguably the team in form at the bottom end of the table with two wins and a draw in their last three matches.

Their only concern going into Sunday’s final game at home to Blackburn is that their form against the teams around them is poor.

Wolves (11/2 to be relegated) have beaten the likes of Manchester United, Chelsea, Manchester City and Liverpool this term and should be too strong for their opponents on Sunday, with a win certain of keeping them up for a second season.

Blackburn

Rovers have won just one of their last 13 games and their fans have every reason to be worried about relegation.

Steve Kean’s men have won just three times on the road this season and a defeat at Molineux could see them end up in the bottom three.

The only plus for Rovers (8/1 to be relegated) going into the final games is that they have at least a better goal difference than their rivals – and that may yet prove crucial.

Prediction: Blackpool and Birmingham to be relegated with West Ham

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Stevenage and Torquay on top

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The places for the League Two play-off final at Old Trafford are on the line on Friday night, with Stevenage and Torquay holding the upper hand after the first legs.

Accrington Stanley (0) v Stevenage (2)

Accrington finished four points ahead of Stevenage (23/10 to win the game) in the table but it is the visitors who have the upper hand as they look for a second successive promotion under Graham Westley.

John Coleman worked a minor miracle to guide Stanley to a fifth-placed finish and he has had to deal with a bug hitting his squad in the build-up to this second leg.

Despite this he is expected to name his strongest line-up, while goalkeeper Alex Cisak is fit to play after his dead leg in the first leg defeat.

The Accrington (11/10 to win the game) boss saw his side win 1-0 when the two teams met at the Crown Ground back in November, but they will need to better that result if they wish to make the final at Old Trafford.

Westley has a number of players struggling with knocks so is not expected to name his side until the last minute, but he does know he will be without key midfielder John Mousinho and defender Luke Foster as the duo are both suspended.

Accrington have been prolific at home this season, winning 15 games and scoring 53 goals during the season, which was bettered only by the champions Chesterfield (Stanley 18/1 to win the game 3-0).

Stevenage’s success has been built on organisation however, and they do not concede many goals on their travels. This means Stanley could have to throw everything and the kitchen sink at their visitors on Friday night (8/1 for 0-0) to get a result that would see them through to the final.

Shrewsbury Town (0) v Torquay United (2)

Shrewsbury only missed out on automatic promotion by one point and finished 11 points ahead of Torquay, so some might say they deserve to make the final.

The play-offs can be cruel, however, and goals from Chris Zebroski and Eunan O’Kane mean the Shrews have a mountain to climb in the second leg.

The hosts were unbeaten in five games before the first leg and will need a massive recovery, so they will look back to 2009 for inspiration when they overturned Bury’s lead in the second leg to make the play-off final (Shrewsbury Evens to win the game).

Shrewsbury (16/1 to win 3-0) could be without their captain Ian Sharps as he was forced off after 25 minutes of the first leg due to a thigh and groin problem. Graham Turner also faces being without right-back David Raven for the clash.

The statistics do not look good for the Shrews, as they have not beaten Torquay (13/5 to win the game, draw 5/2) in their last five meetings and have not scored more than once against them since 2002 – even then they lost 3-2 at their old home Gay Meadow.

Torquay have shown some excellent away form in recent months but cannot afford to rest on their laurels as the job is only half done. Play too defensive in the second leg and they could be punished but if Paul Buckle sends them out to play their usual game then they should have enough to book their place in the final.

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Posh too hot for Dons

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There is much at stake when Peterborough host MK Dons at London Road on Thursday night, with a place in the League One play-off final at Old Trafford up for grabs and the chance to play Championship football next season.

Posh might consider themselves a little lucky to still be in the tie following Sunday’s 3-2 defeat at Stadium:MK, with Grant McCann’s late penalty ensuring the Dons advantage is a slender one going into the return leg.

Darren Ferguson’s men were second best for much of the match but they have been a different beast at London Road and look set to justify 4/5 favouritism in the match betting, with MK Dons priced at 16/5 and the draw at 11/4.

A draw is of course good enough to take Karl Robinson’s men through to Old Trafford so the onus is on Peterborough to attack – and attack they will.

Posh have smashed in an unbelievable league-high 69 goals at this home this season, losing just three League One games at London Road, although they were also beaten by Championship side Swansea in the Carling Cup.

Ferguson’s side do also ‘boast’ the league’s worst home defence after shipping in 40 goals so spectators look set to be treated to another goal-fest.

Although Thursday’s game may not be a repeat of the weekend’s five-goal thriller, goalkeepers look set to be in for a busy night with over 2.5 goals priced up at 8/13, while 4 or more goals is available at 7/4.

Given Posh’s record, backing them at 9/5 to score in both halves is worthy of consideration, as is a Peterborough win on the handicap (-1) at 21/10 with a one-goal victory only good enough to take the tie into extra time.

Craig Mackhail-Smith has been on fire this term, scoring his 33rd goal of the campaign in Sunday’s defeat, and he has got to be looked at in the goalscoring markets (3/1 First/Last, 2/3 Anytime).

However, an MK Dons goal cannot be ruled out – the Dons lost 2-1 in the league fixture at London Road – but anyone looking to back a clean sheet (Peterborough 5/4, MK Dons 16/5) has obviously got money to burn.

Joe Lewis has been ruled out of whatever remains of the Peterborough season after suffering a fractured knee-cap at the weekend, meaning Ferguson will have to turn to Paul Jones in goal.

Charlie Lee of course is also absent after being sent off in the first leg so Grant Basey or Tommy Rowe will deputise at left-back.

MK Dons have been boosted by the news that Stephen Gleeson’s red card – given for the foul that led to the penalty on Sunday – has been rescinded by the FA, while defender Gabby Zakuani and winger Luke Chadwick look set to play after shoulder and arm injuries respectively.

The Dons of course have the edge going into the match but that could work in Peterborough’s favour and they look to have the firepower to get the win to secure a trip to Old Trafford on May 29th, much to the delight of one of the game’s greatest – Sir Alex Ferguson, a more than interested observer.

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Terriers to savage Bournemouth

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Huddersfield Town have been on the fringes of getting promoted for the past four seasons, three consecutive top-10 finishes before finally making it into the play-offs last season. While Millwall ended any hopes they had of reaching the Championship, manager Lee Clark has brought back a Terriers side with renewed hope this season (Huddersfield v Bournemouth).

Standing in their way is a Bournemouth side bidding to make it back-to-back promotions, only months after they nearly went out of business. Surely it will be a bridge too far for the Cherries to overcome a good Huddersfield side.

At the start of the 2008-09 there were question marks over whether Bournemouth would even be allowed to play in the Football League after entering administration with debts of nearly £4million. Since then it has been a backs to the wall job for the Cherries and they have thrived in adversity, reclaiming their place in League 1 last season after a fantastic campaign under Eddie Howe. While Howe left half way through the season Lee Bradbury has managed to carry the south-coast club over the line and secure a play-off spot.

However, things haven’t gone smoothly recently for Bournemouth, Bradbury’s side collecting just two wins from their last 12 matches as their season ended with a whimper. They maintained their place in the play-offs, but only by the skin of their teeth as Leyton Orient came within a point of overhauling them. Life on the road hasn’t been particularly good for the Cherries and they head to Huddersfield with just six away wins to their name all season. They haven’t enjoyed their trips to the Galpharm Stadium either, failing to win their since Huddersfield completed their move to their new ground. With that in mind you can see why the West Yorkshire club are 7/10 to beat Bournemouth in the 90 minute market, with the Cherries on at 19/5 and the draw at 7/2.

On paper things are pointing towards a Huddersfield win, even if they haven’t won a play-off game at the Galpharm or Leeds Road. Saturday’s 1-1 draw in the first leg extended the Terriers unbeaten run to 26 matches and their home form has one again been very good. They have lost three games at home all season and Huddersfield fans will rightly be expecting to see their team end their play-off hoodoo. The Terriers have been up twice through the play-offs in five attempts but will be keen to erase the memories of last year’s disappointment by at least reaching the final.

Huddersfield might count themselves as lucky not to have a deficit to overturn from the first leg after Ian Bennett’s penalty save at Dean Court. Clark won’t want it to be that close on Wednesday night and will hope Jordan Rhodes, Danny Ward and Benik Afobe can turn it on for the usually free-flowing Terriers. The game to have over 2.5 goals in it can be backed at 5/6, or you could go for it to have between 3-5 goals at evens.

Huddersfield are the 5/4 favourites to be promoted via the play-offs and should justify that tag against Bournemouth by booking their place at Old Trafford. However, this is the play-offs and with the Cherries constantly upsetting the odds over the last few years you can?t totally dismiss the chance of the underdogs getting through again.

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Cardiff v Reading preview

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Bet on the ChampionshipCardiff and Reading played out a goalless draw in the first leg of their Championship play-off semi-final at the Madejski Stadium and they will conclude the tie at the Cardiff City Stadium on Tuesday night. The Berkshire stalemate means that it is now winner-takes-all in Wales, so who might come through to reach the Wembley final?

Cardiff look to have everything in place to become a Premier League side but sometimes getting out of the Championship is harder than staying in the top-flight, as the Bluebirds know only too well having have flirted with promotion in recent times (Cardiff 4/6 to qualify for final).

They blew the chance of automatic promotion by taking just one point from their final two games of the regular season and now must lift themselves or face the prospect of another season in the second tier of English football.

There was a tense atmosphere in the first leg but, despite the attacking talent on show for both sides, chances were at a premium and they both came up blank.

Craig Bellamy’s hamstring injury deprived the Welsh outfit of their best player and it is touch-and-go as to whether he will be available for the second leg, with boss Dave Jones set to make a late decision on the former Liverpool man.

There is not doubt that the Cardiff fans will make it an intimidating atmosphere for the Royals in the Welsh capital, but Brian McDermott’s side have been flying of late and they ended the season as the strongest side in the division with an incredible run of victories in April and May.

But they looked a little tense in the home leg and playing away from the Madejski might help them relax and display the free-flowing football that has brought them rewards of late.

Reading won eight and drew 10 games on their travels this term and so they will not be overawed by the prospect of playing Cardiff on their own patch, in what is likely to be another tight affair (Reading 19/10 to beat Cardiff).

One goal might settle it and, as ever, the first goal will be key, with McDermott’s men more than capable of hanging on to a lead if they can manage to find the back of the net before the Bluebirds.

An early goal will doubtless enliven proceedings and force both sets of players to venture further forward and it would be the best thing for the neutral to see two talented teams going at each other, rather than the cagey affair last Friday.

Cardiff lost out to Blackpool in the play-off final 12 months ago and Jones has already made it clear that the failure to beat Ian Holloway’s men still keeps him awake at night.

His desire to reach the promised land is as great as ever but he will need to inspire his charges for one final push as they have looked lacklustre in the past couple of weeks.

The game could be a classic with an early goal but if it gets to 0-0 at half-time then we could be in for a long evening, with the prospect of penalties a distinct possibility with so much at stake.

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