Monthly Archives: December 2011

Madrid hold upper hand

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The El Clasico showdown is regarded by many to be the best club football match on the globe, and this season it is Real Madrid who are on fire while Barcelona are more vulnerable than in recent years (Madrid 7/5, draw 13/5, Barcelona 7/4 – Match Betting).

Real currently hold the upper hand in La Liga and sit top of the table with a three-point advantage over their rivals. With 10 wins in their last 10 league matches – 15 games unbeaten in all competitions – confidence will be flowing through their veins as they look to increase the gap over Barca.

A win for Barcelona would get them back into the title race before they board a plane to compete in the FIFA Club World Cup in Japan, but what makes life tough for them is the fact they need to defeat Real at a time when they look unbeatable.

Pep Guardiola’s side can boast an impressive recent record themselves as, either side of their shock loss to Getafe, they have won six matches in which they conceded only two goals and scored 21 themselves.

Barcelona fans will also pay close attention to their manager’s record against Madrid, with Guardiola boasting five wins, one draw and no defeats in his six El Clasico league games as boss. The record at the Bernabeu is two wins and one draw, with an average of 2.6 goals per game.

But this season is different to recent years as Barcelona have struggled on the road. Just two wins in six games is below their usual high standards, while they have failed to keep a clean sheet in six of their 11 away fixtures in all competitions.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have both scored an impressive 17 league goals this season already and seem the obvious two options for first goalscorer (Ronaldo 10/3, Messi 7/2 – First Goalscorer), while Cesc Fabregas (7/1) has weighed in with seven league goals himself and, given the fact he practically plays as a striker in all but name in this Barca team, he could find himself in the right place at the right time.

Madrid could benefit from the fact Jose Mourinho managed to rest a lot of his star players for their Champions League game in midweek, and the biggest decision for ‘The Special One’ is whether to choose Karim Benzema or Gonzalo Higuain in attack.

Barcelona have switched between 4-3-3 and 3-4-3 formations this season but don’t be surprised if Guardiola opts for caution against a Madrid side that are capable of scoring goals at will. That means Javier Mascherano could be at centre-half and the midfielder’s lack of pace will then be targeted by the men in white (Real Madrid 2-0 – 10/1).

For the last few years Barcelona have been considered the best team in the world, but this game will be a huge test of their credentials as Madrid are playing like a team possessed at this point in time.

This weekend’s game could signal a dramatic momentum shift in Spanish football.

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«Реал Мадрид» сразится с «Барселоной» – «Эль Классико» во всей красе!

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Футбол. Испания. Примера

Реал Мадрид – Барселона. Ну, вот мы и дождались самого искрометного испанского блюда… Наступит вечер, когда вся Европа прильнет к экранам своих телевизоров, а счастливчики на «Сантьяго Бернабеу» увидят это собственными глазами.Puyol Marcelo 1 300x228 «Реал Мадрид» сразится с «Барселоной» «Эль Классико» во всей красе! «Эль Классико» разделит всю Испанию на «гранатово-синих» и «сливочных», в одном можно быть точно уверенными – равнодушных не будет!

Йохан Круифф считает, что результат этого матча не может повлиять на ход всего чемпионата и что еще слишком много игр впереди, но я позволю себе не согласиться с великим голландцем. Такие матчи нельзя недооценивать с точки зрения психологии, по большому счету, если сейчас выиграет «Реал» 2.40, то он станет и фактическим и психологическим лидером, который в очной борьбе обыграл самого ненавистного соперника.

Главный тренер сборной Испании Висенто Дель Боске считает, что если «мадридисты» выйдут на этот матч с тремя защитниками, то в этом не будет ничего удивительного. Именно атакующая тактика и может стать ключом к этой игре. Не стоит также забывать, что дон Висенте сам не столь давно руководил мадридским «Реалом»…

Как все мы помним, еще год назад Жозе Моуринью потерпел самое сокрушительно поражение в своей жизни: «Барселона» просто-напросто «закатала в асфальт» своих соперников и обыграла «Мадрид» со счетом 5:0. Но вот прошел год, и уже даже Хави признает, что «Реал» подходит к этой игре в самом лучшем состоянии за последние несколько лет.

В прошедшем туре Лиги Чемпионов «Реал» стал сообладателем рекорда; «сливочным» удалось одержать шесть побед в шести матчах, последнюю игру с амстердамским «Аяксом» подопечные Моуринью проводили вторым составом, но все равно одержал убедительную победу.

Полузащитник Андрес Иньеста заявил, что нынешний состав «Барсы» – лучший за все время, которое он играл здесь, тактически, физически и технически лучше «Барселоны» 2.75 он не видел. Действительно, если в вашей полузащите собраны Хави, Фабрегас и сам Андреас, да еще и в атаке Вилья и Месси, то о большем не стоит и мечтать. Вопрос  только в физической готовности всех перечисленных лиц, так как череда травм не прошла стороной «Барселону».

Криштиану Роналду – самый быстрый футболист на этой планете, под стать ему и вся группа атаки  «Реала». Моуринью обладает большим выбором игроков на этот матч, нежели Гвардиола. На мой взгляд, все факторы говорят о победе «Реала» на своем поле, быстрее всего это произойдет при большом количестве забитых мячей, так как «сливочные» в этом матче не будут отсиживаться в обороне.

Как итог – победа «Реала», и тотал больше 2.5, а может быть и 3.5

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  2. «Эль Классико» – «Барселона» и «Реал» снова вместе! Футбол. Суперкубок Испании. Реал Мадрид – Барселона. Не уверен, но…
  3. «Барселона» принимает «Райо Вальекано», но думает о «Реале». «Торонто Мэйпл Ливс» и «Бостон Брюинс» – классическое хоккейное противостояние. Футбол. Чемпионат Испании. Примера Барселона – Райо Валекано. На фоне…

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Rivals to forfeit Europa League?

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Both Manchester clubs have now slipped into the Europa League (City 5/1f Outright Winners) after their failure to qualify for the last 16 of the Champions League. The pair now head the market, but just how seriously will they take the competition?

They say that money talks in football and, generally, that is the case, as the ‘haves’ more often than not occupy the top places in the league and the ‘have-nots’ struggle to compete.

But try telling that to Basel, who defied the odds to dump Manchester United out of Europe’s elite club competition and resigned them to life in the Europa League in the New Year.

United are the first club that has previously reached the final to be knocked out in the group stage and it just the third time in 17 attempts that Sir Alex Ferguson’s side has failed to reach the knockout stage.

The fall-out has already begun with Patrice Evra labelling the exit as “embarrassing” and “a catastrophe” and it remains to be seen just what sort of side Fergie actually fields when United begin their Europa League campaign.

There are still some big clubs in the second-tier tournament, with Valencia, Porto and Ajax also making an early Champions League exit, while Athletic Bilbao, Atletico Madrid and Udinese look set to be in the draw for the next stage.

Ferguson will doubtless make all the right noises and pledge to put out a strong side in each match but, with Manchester City ( 4/7 Premier League Outright) currently topping the Premier League and challenging United’s domestic dominance, the fiery Scot will surely have one eye on Premier League matters when he next hands in a European team sheet.

But it could be that the Europa League is United’s best chance of silverware this term, as they have hardly pulled up any trees in the English top-flight and have been hanging onto City’s coattails all season with several 1-0 victories.

Their lack of a creative midfielder has haunted them right from the start of the season and they finally got found out in Switzerland, and the boss may well be forced to dip into the transfer market in January to try and address the problem or run the risk of the season tailing away over the next few months.

City will have also harboured ambitions of winning the Champions League this time with the money that has been spent on assembling their talented squad, but it has it be remembered that it was their first foray into the competition and they are still gelling as a unit.

It is true that they look world beaters in the Premier League but that might just add fuel to the argument that the English game is not as strong as we are all led to believe.

City finally won a trophy when lifting the FA Cup last season and any silverware will be welcomed at Eastlands, and it just might be that boss Roberto Mancini uses the Europa League as a stepping stone for nest season’s assault on the Champions League.

Both City and United have the squad to cope with European football throughout the season, but it would surprise nobody to see a few fringe players appear as the tournament progresses.

Manchester was rocked on Wednesday with the twin failures, but the scene is now set for the Premier League rivals to meet in Bucharest for the final on May 9. Whether they actually want to is open to debate.

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Jury still out on AVB

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Chelsea’s impressive 3-0 Champions League win over Valencia on Tuesday has eased the pressure on their young coach, Andre Villas-Boas, but the Portuguese still has plenty of work to do to convince he is the right man to bring silverware back to Stamford Bridge (Chelsea 14/1 – Premier League Outright).

AVB survived in the Chelsea hot-seat last month, despite a run of just one win in five games and a home Carling Cup defeat to Liverpool at the quarter-final stage. The critics were circling during that period as the pressure intensified on him, but owner Roman Abramovich, notoriously impatient with his managers in recent years, decided to stick with the former Porto boss.

However, doubts remain that the 32-year-old has the experience, man-management skills and sheer nous to be a hit in the cut-throat world of the Premier League as he comes up against seasoned campaigners like Sir Alex Ferguson, Harry Redknapp and Arsene Wenger – men who know what it takes to succeed in England.

A good start to the season and the recent back-to-back 3-0 victories – against Wolves, Newcastle and Valencia – prove Villas-Boas is a top-class coach to be feared when he gets it right and it is fair to say he has rallied his troops well to ensure they have come through a difficult period.

Tuesday’s victory was certainly impressive as AVB appeared to get his tactics and selection spot on for a game where his reputation was on the line. A defeat and an early Champions League exit would have cast further doubt on his suitability to lead Chelsea back to glory and would surely have left a big question mark hovering over him in the mind of Abramovich, who craves European glory more than anything else (Chelsea 12/1 – Champions League Outright).

His reaction to the press following the Valencia victory may have been the result of a few weeks of pent-up frustration as he hit out at what he felt was the “persecution” of his side by the media over the past month or so. But a few more defeats over a testing couple of weeks could yet see his words return to haunt him.

Chelsea take on league leaders Manchester City next (Chelsea 11/8, City 13/8, draw 11/5 – Match Prices) before tough London derbies against Spurs and Fulham follow over the busy Christmas period and should they lose, say, two of those games, more criticism, whether he likes it or not, will be coming his way.

Some have questioned whether, at just 34 years of age, he is old enough to command authority in the dressing room and get the backing of the club’s experienced players.

Certainly, Frank Lampard has not been impressed at times as he has had to settle for a place on the bench in some big games and there have been mumurs that the England man remains unconvinced about the coach’s ability at this level.

The Valencia win has bought AVB time, no question about that, but the jury remains out on his long-term prospects with tougher tests to come for the Blues.

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ЦСКА обязан побеждать в Милане! «Реал Мадрид» в Амстердаме, но готовится к «Эль Классико»!

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Футбол. Лига Чемпионов.

Интер – ПФК ЦСКА. Хочу поздравить всех поклонников российского футбола с выходом питерского «Зенита» в плей-оффVagner reacts 1 300x195 ЦСКА обязан побеждать в Милане! Реал Мадрид в Амстердаме, но готовится к Эль Классико! Лиги Чемпионов. Пускай выход этот был очень тяжел для нервной  системы «сине-бело-голубых» фанов, но кто обещал, что будет легко? Сегодня нам предстоит вторая часть «Лиго-чемпионского представления».

Выход «армейцев» 2.60 в «плей-офф» Лиги Чемпионов выглядит слегка фантастическим мероприятием, так как для этого им предстоит не только победить самим, но и надеяться на ничью в Лилле. Слишком много переменных в этом уравнении, так что можно упростить задачу. Надо просто победить «Интер» и как минимум обеспечить выход в «плей-офф» Лиги Европпы, а это уже немало.

А победить, «Интер» 2.60 пускай и на его поле, задача отнюдь не запредельная. Миланцы уже обеспечили себе выход из группы и в матче на «Сан-Сиро» выставят резервистов, а это уже совсем другой накал, плюс, на такую игру соберется не так много болельщиков «сине-черных». Уже известно, что место в воротах итальянцев в этой встрече займет не Жулио Сезар, а его сменщик Кастеллацци.

Этот матч, по всей видимости, станет последним для бразильского форварда «армейцев» Вагнер Лава, так что мы вправе рассчитывать на мажорный аккорд в его исполнении. Но что еще более важно, в этой игре сможет принять участие Сейду Думбия, которого так не хватало в матче с «Лиллем». От этой пары форвардов и Алана Дзагоева и будет зависеть судьба «красно-синих».

Если ЦСКА перепадет толика удачи «Зенита», то победа будет достигнута, но как вы понимаете, только через тотал больше 2.5

Манчестер Сити – Бавария. Пожалуй один из самых очевидных матчей тура, в котором все понятно; «МС» 1.70 нужна только победа, а «Баварии» 4.50 ничего не надо. Но часто за такой простотой и скрываются сенсации. В это же самое время «Наполи» будет играть и смотреть на мониторы, веря в честных немецких парней…

Аякс – Реал Мадрид. Я думаю, «сливочные» 2.25 выставят «…надцатый состав» и спокойно будут готовиться к «Эль Классико». Единственное ради чего «королевский клуб» может победить в этом матче, так это ради красоты. Всем же хочется иметь шесть матчей и шесть побед в группе Лиги Чемпионов.

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Bayern can scupper City hopes

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Both Manchester clubs go into their final Champions League group games on Wednesday still unsure whether they will make the knockout stages. United are in the stronger position, with City’s fate out of their own hands and facing a tough looking clash against Bayern Munich (totesport – Champions League).

Manchester City v Bayern Munich

Many expected big-spending City (9/4 To Qualify) to take the Champions League by storm this season, but it’s not happened so far and they are on the brink of a group-stage exit. Roberto Mancini’s men need to win on Wednesday and hope that Napoli suffer defeat at Villarreal.

The Premier League leaders have won just two of their five group games to date and suffered a comprehensive defeat in Munich back in September. Their form in Europe has been unrecognisable to their unbeaten run domestically and the pressure and quality of opponents will cause them more problems this week (Match Betting – City 8/13, draw 3/1, Bayern 9/2).

Bayern look like the real deal this season, a side that could make it to at least the last-four of the competition. The German giants are the fourth top scores in the Champions League this term, with 11 goals in five matches, and are unbeaten in Group A.

The Bundesliga outfit, who have already qualified for the last 16, have been critical of the way City appear to be buying their way to success and the full strength squad selected for the Eastlands clash, suggests they won’t to kill off City’s chances.

The Blues hopes rest largely on Sergio Aguero (6/5 To Score At Anytime), whose pace can cause a Bayern defence lacking in pace, a few problems. But pace on the break from the visitors will have City wary and could ultimately prove the downfall of Mancini’s men.

Basle v Manchester United

Sir Alex Ferguson’s men need just a point in Switzerland to make the knockout stages, but that sounds easier than it is likely to be for United (1/6 To Qualify). The Premier League champions have won just two of their five European ties this term – with both victories coming against Group C whipping boys Otelul Galati.

United have looked out of sorts in recent weeks and have struggled for goals, scoring just one goal in each of their last seven league games. They did score two against Benfica in their last group encounter, but also conceded two to take qualification down to the last game (Match Betting – Basle 5/1, draw 14/5, United 8/13).

With Javier Hernandez, Dimitar Berbatov and Michael Owen all sidelined, and Danny Welbeck just returning from injury, a lot of pressure sits on the shoulders of Wayne Rooney (7/2 First Goalscorer). United though have shored up at the back since the return of Ferdinand and Vidic and their defensive strength is likely to see them through this stern test.

Basle, who claimed a 3-3 draw at Old Trafford, have lost three of their last six Champions League home games and the experience of the visitors may prove too much for the home side, who need three points to qualify.

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Barmby set for Blues battle

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barmby smallHull City caretaker manager Nick Barmby claimed his first home win on Saturday since taking charge of the Tigers and will now be looking to get another good result in midweek when promotion hopefuls Birmingham City visit (Hull 11/8, draw 9/4, Birmingham 2/1 – match betting).

The former midfielder has thrust himself into the managerial arena following the departure of Nigel Pearson from the KC Stadium to Leicester City (14/1 Championship outright).

And it was against the Foxes that Barmby secured a memorable win on Saturday, with Slovenia skipper Robert Koren bagging a late winner to give his side all three points in a 2-1 win.

It was a big win for the Humberside outfit, who were looking to avoid a third straight defeat, in what yet again is a closely-contested Championship this season.

Now Barmby will have his eyes firmly set on another home clash against Blues, who seem to be struggling to balance their Europa League and the domestic duties this term.

Manager Chris Hughton and his side were desperately unlucky not to secure at least a point in their last outing in Europe against Braga, with only a deflected goal being the difference between the two sides in Portugal.

Birmingham followed that up with a 1-0 defeat at Cardiff City at the weekend and they will have to start questioning where their priorities are this term.

Hughton’s men have three games in hand over some teams above them in the Championship and are still well in the promotion chase this season, as they hope to make a swift return to the top flight.

However, they are going to have to start winning games like this one on Wednesday night at the KC Stadium, which has proved a tough destination for teams to go in the past.

The Tigers (33/1 Championship outright) remain just two points off the play-off places themselves and, with the likes of Koren and the talented Matty Fryatt in their ranks, they should give Hughton plenty to think about.

As for the Blues (25/1 Championship outright), they have only managed one win in their last six outings in the Championship, with the Europa League clearly distracting the West Midlands outfit.

They too have dangermen in their side, with Chris Burke and Wade Elliott causing problems for teams out wide as they try to provide the service for the likes of Chris Wood, who scored nine goals in eight games earlier in the season.

However, after their win over Leicester and with Barmby still enjoying his honeymoon period at the KC, a travel-weary Birmingham are unlikely to get anything from this game on Wednesday.

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«Зенит» – последний бой он трудный самый! «Челси» и «Валенсия» решат судьбу путевки в «плей-офф». Месси ждет «Эль Классико»!

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Футбол. Лига Чемпионов.

Порту – Зенит. Что тут скажешь – матч года для питерской команды. К сожалению, для Лучано СпаллеттиZenit Kerzhakov celebrate 1 300x200 «Зенит» последний бой он трудный самый! «Челси» и «Валенсия» решат судьбу путевки в «плей офф». Месси ждет «Эль Классико»! этот матч совпал с окончанием сезона для «Зенита» 4.75. Турнирное положение играет с «Зенитом» злую шутку, ничья обеспечивает выход в «плей-офф» Лиги Чемпионов, но…

Количество «но» слишком велико, чтобы их обойти стороной. Александр Кержаков уже давно находится в лазарете, и даже если он восстановится к матчу, то его игровое состояние будет очень далеко от идеала. К этому «сине-бело-голубые» более или менее привыкли, но травма Александра Бухарова выглядит уже, как злая ухмылка судьбы. Подробностей о травме не сообщается, но как ни крути, если «Зенит» потеряет Бухарова, то в «живых» среди нападающих останется только Данко Лазович.

Лучано Спаллетти заявил, что в завтрашнем матче нет фаворитов. По его мнению,  «Зенит» знает, как играть в такой ситуации. Это, конечно, больше похоже на успокоение нервов болельщиков. Его коллега с португальской стороны Виктор Перейра выглядел на пресс-конференции более спокойным и лишь призвал болельщиков «драконов» 1.70 устроить «ад» для «Зенита».

Как ни прискорбно, победа «Порту» в этом матче смотрится какой-то неотвратимой. Но что поделать, претензии можно предъявлять только себе, так как еще тур назад все было в руках «Зенита»!

Челси – Валенсия. В личном споре «аристократов» 1.70 и «летучих мышей» решится судьба одной путевки от группы «Е», есть, конечно, вариант при котором матч в Лондоне заканчивается вничью, а «Байер» проигрывает «Генку», вот тогда в силу вступят пресловутые дополнительные показатели, но пока мы не будем рассматривать такой вариант. Тем более, что мне кажется, на волне успеха с «Ньюкаслом» «Челси» спокойно обыграет «Валенсию» 5.00, так как испанские команды традиционно плохо играют на выездах, «Барселону» и «Реал» мы в эту выборку не берем.

Андре Виллаш-Боаш, после череды поражений имел разговор с Романом Абрамовичем, наверняка это не самая приятная встреча, когда команда проигрывает, но при этом видно, что микроклимат в команде на хорошем уровне. Дидье Дрогба заявил, что вся команда сплотилась вокруг португальца,  наилучшей проверкой этого сплочения и явится этот матч.

Барселона – БАТЭ. Единственным из всей команды, кто упомянул про матч с БАТЭ на этой неделе, был Сеск Фабрегас, все остальные всеми мыслями уже в «Эль Классико».  Месси так и вовсе заявил, что победа над «Реалом» задаст тон всему сезону. Возможно, именно в этом и кроется шанс для БАТЭ 11.00.

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  1. «Зенит» на краю пропасти! «Барселона» пожаловала в Минск. Футбол. Лига Чемпионов. Зенит – Порту. Для питерцев, к всеобщему…
  2. «Зенит», «Порту» и «Шахтер» в решающей битве! «Милан» и «Барселона» уже в плей-офф, но на кону честь! Футбол. Лига Чемпионов. Зенит – АПОЭЛ и Шахтер – Порту….
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Gunners will find it hard

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Arsenal may have already secured top spot in Champions League Group F but there is still plenty to play for on match-day six with Marseille, Olympiacos and even a remote chance Borussia Dortmund can qualify in second place.

Olympiacos v Arsenal

The Gunners go to Greece to take on Olympiacos safe in the knowledge they are already through to the last 16 but their opponents on Tuesday can still qualify as runners-up if Marseille fail to win at Dortmund. The Greek side will also progress if the Bundesliga outfit win by win by four goals or fewer so it’s no surprise to see the home side 20/21 favourites in the match odds.

The Gunners (3/1 to win) claimed a hard-fought 2-1 victory in the corresponding fixture at the Emirates earlier in the group but it likely to be a much-changed Arsenal side on Tuesday.

The very best the Londoners could hope for from this game is a draw, on offer at 5/2, but even that looks optimistic given the context of the game.

Boss Arsene Wenger will rest plenty of his top stars with qualification assured so expect a young Gunners side to get beat in Greece.

Wenger’s men are on a fine run of form in the Premier League, with the 4-0 win at Wigan on Saturday their seventh in eight league games, and it’s fair to say this clash is not the Frenchman’s priority – even though he is bound to talk up the benefits of maintaining momentum and form with a win beforehand.

Olympiacos to win 2-0 looks tasty at 13/2 while it is also worth taking them at 7/2 in the half-time/full-time market.

Borussia Dortmund v Marseille

The French giants head to Dortmund knowing second place and qualification for the knock-out stage is in their hands and they will be looking for the victory that assures them of second spot in the group on Tuesday.

Even a draw could be enough if Olympiacos fail to beat Arsenal in the other game as they prepare to take on the Bundesliga side – who know qualification for them is possible – but extremely unlikely.

Dortmund need to beat Marseille by four goals or more and hope Olympiacos lose, or by five goals or more should Olympiacos draw – but those scenarios look remote bearing in mind the Greek side entertain the already-qualified Gunners.

Dortmund’s Mats Hummels has admitted his side’s chances of securing second are “nearly impossible” and they have underperformed in the Champions League so far – picking up just four points from their first five matches.

With what’s at stake, Marseille look great value at 9/2 to win the game while draw/Marseille – HT/FT at 8/1 is also very tempting.

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Chelsea to hold Euro nerve

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Tuesday marks the start of final round of matches in the group stages in the Champions League and there is still plenty to play for with qualifying positions as well as top spots up for grabs, not least in Group E which sees a make-or-break clash at Stamford Bridge as Chelsea host Valencia.

Bayer Leverkusen have already made sure of their place in the knockout stages with a last-gasp, come-from-behind win over the Blues, which has really piled the pressure on Andre Villas-Boas ahead of a do-or-die clash, particularly with Valencia cruising to a 7-0 win on the same night.

Chelsea do of course have destiny in their own hands, as well as home advantage, and will book a knockout place for the ninth-year running with a victory, which is anticipated in the match betting – Chelsea 8/11, Draw 11/4, Valencia 4/1.

The Blues have never lost to the Spanish outfit in five previous encounters although worryingly for the Blues, both previous meetings at Stamford Bridge have resulted in draws.

A goalless draw would be good enough for Chelsea to progress but a scoring draw will be in favour of Los Che and with Roberto Soldado in fine fettle, the home side will do well to keep tabs on the former Real Madrid striker.

Soldado (13/2 First/Last Goalscorer) scored the equaliser in the 1-1 draw in the reverse fixture, netted a 26-minute hat-trick in the rout of Genk and bagged the winner on Saturday to help Valencia maintain their pursuit of Real and Barcelona in La Liga.

Chelsea certainly have had plenty of defensive problems of late, losing five of the last 10 games and three of the last four at home, but did pick up a morale-boosting 3-0 win over Newcastle at the weekend.

That result was thanks to a large piece of luck as David Luiz somehow escaped a red card early in the game, while Newcastle were denied on a number of occasions by the woodwork.

The change of style under Villas-Boas has exposed the back four so far this season, but they still possess plenty of fire power and on another day might well have wrapped up Saturday’s game long before they did.

Didier Drogba grabbed what is only his third goal of the season last weekend, following on from his goal in Leverkusen, and is 4/1 favourite First/Last Goalscorer, although Daniel Sturridge is in fine form and can be backed at 9/2, and Frank Lampard, the club’s second top goalscorer so far this season, is on offer at 6/1.

It would be amazing to see Fernando Torres in the starting line-up given his form since arriving at Stamford Bridge last January, while he has only scored two goals in eight previous appearances against Valencia – and picked up a red card.

It is hard to see the game being an open attacking shoot out given what is at stake, although an early goal may well shake things up – but Chelsea have the strength to put recent problems behind them and seal a knockout berth.

A win of course may be good enough to see the Blues take top spot in the group (Bayer 1/3, Chelsea 3/1, Valencia 8/1 – Group E Winner) as Bayer would need to achieve what neither Chelsea or Valencia did – and that is win in Genk.

They may have only picked up two points so far in the group but are undefeated at home having held the Spaniards to a goalless draw, and Chelsea 1-1.

Bayer of course, have won all three home games but have yet to pick up even a point on their travels but with the carrot of being group winners to play for, the Germans are strongly fancied at 8/15 in the match betting, with Genk on offer at 11/2 and the draw at 16/5.

That seems a short price on a team that has lost both times on their travels, but they were a little unlucky in Valencia – and now Genk do not even have Europa League qualification to play for.

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