Monthly Archives: January 2012

«Барселона» играет с «Бетисом», но думает о «Реале»! «Милан» против «Интера» – итальянское классико!

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Футбол. Испания. Примера

Барселона – Бетис. Для каталонцев, которые уже знают вчерашний результат матча «сливочных», наступает пора игр без права на ошибку. Соперник им по силам и беспокоиться не стоит, но… Одно дело, когда ты лидер чемпионата и совсем другое, когда надо побеждатьReal Ozil Barca Adriano 1 300x213 Барселона играет с Бетисом, но думает о Реале! Милан против Интера итальянское классико! на обязательной основе. И если учесть необязательную ничью с «Эспаньолом», то все не выглядит столь безоблачно для хозяев, хотя сомневаться в сегодняшней победе «гранатово-сних» не приходится.

Самое интересное наступит для «Барселоны» 1.06 на следующей неделе, на повестке дня новое «Эль Классико». Матчей с мадридским «Реалом» в последние сезоны было сыграно даже слишком много. И сейчас наступает еще одна «супер-серия».

Жозе Моуринью и Хосеп Гвардиола провели только в прошлом сезоне пять встреч, а в этом могут и перевыполнить этот максимум. Так как мало того, что в рамках Кубка Короля им предстоит сыграть две встречи, но и в Лиге Чемпионов возможно «свидание» уже на следующем этапе. При всем уважении к ЦСКА и ливеркузенскому «Байеру» они не выглядят слишком серьезными соперниками для грандов.

Хосеп Гвардиола сообщил, что «Барса» не будет никого покупать в зимнее трансферное окно, правда это или нет, мы узнаем в самое ближайшее время, так как до последнего момента трансферной целью «Барселоны» был Халк.

Чтобы не говорили Хави и Месси, но играя этот матч с «Бетисом» 26.00 они вольно или невольно будут думать о кубковой встрече с «Реалом». Другое дело, что «сине-гранатовые» могут и вторым составом набить 3-4 мяча в ворота команды из Севильи.

Футбол. Италия. Серия А

Милан – Интер. Если в Испании есть «Эль Классико», то в Италии есть «миланское дерби». Неважно, какое место занимают команды, в каком турнире участвуют, одолеть заклятого соперника – это отдельное удовольствие!

Вот и сейчас «Милан» занимает первую строчку таблицы, а «Интер», забуксовавший на старте, находится в ее середине. Сегодня вечером это не будет иметь никакого значения трибуны «Сан-Сиро» будут заполнены до отказа, и мы увидим потрясающее футбольное шоу.

Само по себе дерби проходит на фоне новостей о переходах, а в случае с Пато – факт не перехода стал таким же усилением, как если бы кого-то купили. При этом «Милан» 2.10 и «Интер» 3.40 фигурируют в списке команд претендующих на Карлоса Тевеса. Я конечно не владелец «Милана» или «Интера», но зачем таким клубам нужен игрок, который испортил отношения и с «Манчестер Сити», и с «Манчестер Юнайтед» мне непонятно.

В таком принципиальном матче ничья 3.25 выглядит весьма реальным результатом.

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Tough start for Hughes at QPR

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There are just two Premier League games on Sunday but there’s plenty at stake as Mark Hughes takes charge of QPR for the first time against Newcastle while Arsenal hope to maintain their bid for a top-four place with a win at Swansea.

Newcastle v QPR

The Hughes era at Rangers gets underway at the Sports Direct Arena in what is a stiff test for the R’s and their new boss.

Hughes said in his press conference this week that he had initially been impressed with what he had seen from his new charges in training and he believes he has a good squad at his disposal at Loftus Road that can definitely avoid relegation.

The new boss is expected to be handed significant funds and he is already close to landing defender Alex from Chelsea while several other targets have been identified.

More quality to compliment the likes of Joey Barton, Shaun Wright-Phillips and Adel Taarabt is needed but Hughes can get the best out of them and, with some additions, QPR can become a mid-table side.

A trip to the north east first up is a difficult test but expect ‘new manager syndrome’ to kick in with the Rangers players all desperate to impress and prove they have a future at the club. With that in mind, the visitors can claim a draw in this one at 13/5.

Newcastle (4/5 to win) have continued to exceed expectations this season and the stunning 3-0 win over champions Manchester United recently proved Alan Pardew has a squad to be reckoned with, and European football can be secured.

However, the Magpies are without top-scorer Demba Ba and influential midfielder Cheik Tiote so they are weakened for this clash. It all points to a lively clash and expect an entertaining draw – go for 2-2 at 14/1 in the correct score market.

Swansea v Arsenal

Arsenal’s recovery from a poor start this season has been impressive and the recent return of legend Thierry Henry has added to the feelgood factor at the Emirates.

A top-four place is well within the Gunners’ grasp once again this season and they should have enough to claim all three points at Swansea (Arsenal 8/11, Swansea 4/1, draw 11/4).

Henry made the perfect return when netting the winner within minutes of coming on in the FA Cup third-round win over Leeds on Monday and he is again expected to be on the bench to make an impact if boss Arsene Wenger needs him in the second half. In fact, he looks a good bet at 3/2 to score anytime in this one.

The Swans are another club to have exceeded expectations so far this season but you sense, like Blackpool 12 months ago, they are now entering the key phase of the campaign and need to maintain their form if they are to avoid getting dragged into a relegation scrap.

Brendan Rodgers has made an astute loan capture in bringing youngster Josh McEachran to the Liberty Stadium from Chelsea and they have impressed at home so far in the top flight, losing just once in Wales all season – against Manchester United.

However, they face an Arsenal side determined not to slip up in their pursuit of fourth and this looks likely to be a narrow away win. Take 0-1 in the correct score market at 6/1.

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Top trio face tricky trips

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Saturday’s round of Championship matches sees the division’s top three sides, Southampton, West Ham and Cardiff, all face winnable but potentially tricky trips against teams scrapping it out at the wrong end of the table and we assess their chances of picking up maximum points.

NOTTINGHAM FOREST V SOUTHAMPTON (3pm)

We start our treble for the weekend at the City Ground where Nigel Adkins takes his league leaders looking for three points which would keep their noses just in front in the battle for promotion to the Premier League, with the Saints 4/6 with Totesport to go up in April.

The Saints have struggled over the past two months with their five-point lead being whittled down to a goal difference advantage over West Ham following just two wins in eight, while Cardiff and Middlesbrough are just two points behind them.

Adkins will be boosted by the return of first-choice goalkeeper Kelvin Davis, right-back Frazer Richardson and strike duo Guly do Prado and David Connolly, but defender Jose Fonte is a doubt and Richard Chaplow is definitely out.

Forest defeated Ipswich 3-2 at Portman Road in their last league outing to leave them in the third relegation place and two points adrift of safety.

Boss Steve Cotterill, who should have striker Dexter Blackstock and midfielder Paul Anderson in contention to play, will hope that win will boost his side going into the match and count on Forest’s good home record against the Saints, who they have not failed to score against at the City ground for 26 years, to stand them in good stead.

But, four straight league defeats at home and no goals in front of their fans since mid-November means the Forest players will have to work hard to reverse that shocking run this weekend.

However, with Southampton on a poor run of late and Forest boosted by their win at Ipswich, we fancy a possible result of sorts for the hosts.

Prediction: Draw 90 Minutes @ 12/5
Value Bet: Draw 1-1 Correct Score @ 11/2

PORTSMOUTH V WEST HAM (3pm)

Sam Allardyce takes his high-flying Hammers to Fratton Park for a tough clash against a Portsmouth side which has dragged itself clear of the relegation battle under new boss Michael Appleton.

Pompey are now seven points clear of the bottom three and go in search of a fourth win in seven league matches and fourth on home soil since Appleton replaced Steve Cotterill as boss.

Portsmouth’s plans have not been helped by injury doubts over Ricardo Rocha, Hayden Mullins and Luke Varney.

West Ham arrive with the best away record in the Championship with 24 points gained and only 11 goals conceded from 13 outings.

However, their recent form has dipped with just two wins in six league games and a 1-0 FA Cup defeat at Sheffield Wednesday last weekend.

Allardyce should have a strong squad to select from as only Guy Demel and midfielder Matt Taylor are absent due to injury.

The two sides have won 14 games each from their previous 34 meetings and drawn the other six so games between them usually have a winner.

But with Pompey being strong a home and the Hammers not firing on all cylinders of late it is difficult to pick one above the other on this occasions.

Prediction: Draw 90 Minutes @ 23/10
Value Bet: Portsmouth/Draw HT/FT @ 14/1

DONCASTER V CARDIFF (3pm)

Like the Forest-Southampton affair, this is another bottom versus top encounter at the Keepmoat Stadium which should see third-placed Cardiff City come out on top, but might not be a foregone conclusion.

Dean Saunders’ Rovers find themselves second-bottom in the table and four points adrift of safety, although they have won four of their last seven league games – three of them at home against strong opposition in the shape of table-toppers Southampton, Leicester and Barnsley.

Rovers should also be boosted by the availability of new signing Damien Plessis, while fit-again trio Herald Goulon, Martin Woods and John Oster should also be in the running to feature.

Cardiff arrive on the back of successive away defeats in the Carling Cup and FA Cup, but chasing a third successive league win.

Malky Mackay’s side have only lost one Championship game in 13 – against Middlesbrough on December 17 – and have seven draws on their travels which is more than any other side in the league.

However, despite being without injured duo, defender Kevin McNaughton and striker Rudy Gestede, they boast a good record against Rovers.

Three successive wins and nine goals in their recent matches not to mention 16 wins from their 31 league encounters over the years to Doncaster’s five suggests the Bluebirds have the Indian sign over their hosts.

And, with a chance of going to the top of the table up for grabs depending on other results, the men from South Wales should have too much for Rovers.

Prediction: Away Win 90 Minutes @ 21/20
Value Bet: Miller K 1st Goal Cardiff To Win 2-0 Scorecast @ 28/1

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Spurs and United scent top spot

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There are seven Premier League games all kicking off at 3pm on Saturday and, by the end of the day, Manchester United and Spurs could have moved level with leaders Man City at the top. There is plenty to get your teeth into therefore and here we look at some of the key games.

Man Utd v Bolton

With City not in action until Monday, this will be seen as a must-win game for United as they look to close the gap at the top. City have a three-point lead going into the weekend but that should be wiped out come 5pm on Saturday with relegation-threatened Bolton not looking likely to cause a big upset at Old Trafford.

Sir Alex Ferguson needed a reaction from his players following successive defeats to Blackburn and Newcastle in the league and he got it when his side saw off City in a fiery FA Cup third-round clash last weekend.

He knows losing to struggling Bolton side (United 1/6, Bolton 18/1, draw 6/1 – match prices) is unthinkable and nothing other than a comfortable home win looks on the cards here.

Prediction – Home win.

Spurs v Wolves

Similarly, the chances of a coupon-busting away win in this one look remote. Spurs are in superb form and saw off Everton 2-0 in midweek without really ever getting into third gear.

They host a Wolves side who have won just once on their travels all season and, despite Mick McCarthy’s side claiming a good draw at Arsenal over Christmas, the Black Country side getting anything from White Hart Lane seems extremely unlikely.

Harry Redknapp says Tottenham can maintain their title challenge (7/1 – Premier League outight) throughout the second half of the season and they don’t look like slipping up this weekend.

Prediction – Home win.

Chelsea v Sunderland

Before Martin O’Neill’s arrival at the Stadium of Light, this would have been viewed as a home banker as well but the Northern Irishman has galvanised the Black Cats (15/2 to win) and this could well throw up the shock result of the day.

O’Neill has guided his new team to five wins in his first seven games in charge and they head to Stamford Bridge full of confidence.

Chelsea (2/5) are in pole position to secure fourth place in the Premier League at the minute but know a slip-up could let Arsenal or Liverpool in and this will be a good barometer of their credentials.

Expect a tight clash and O’Neill to continue his fine start in charge by claiming a point (7/2).

Prediction – Draw.

Liverpool v Stoke

If Chelsea do fail to secure all three points, Liverpool can take advantage by beating Stoke at home (Liverpool 4/9, Stoke 7/1, draw 10/3 – match prices). The Reds have had a difficult few weeks off the field but there was finally some good news this week when skipper Steven Gerrard committed the rest of his career to the club.

A 1-0 first-leg, Carling Cup semi-final win at Man City on Wednesday means they go into this game on a high and should continue their top-four pursuit with another win.

Stoke will make things difficult, though, and have former Liverpool man Peter Crouch in their side, who is worth backing at 5/2 to score anytime against his old club but expect a hard-fought home win in this one.

Prediction – Home win.

Blackburn v Fulham

Another week goes by and still Steve Kean is in charge at Ewood Park despite poor results and seemingly every Rovers fan calling for him to be sacked.

He will face more calls to quit from unhappy home fans this weekend and, against this backdrop, Fulham at 7/5 can go to Lancashire and claim all three points to crank up the pressure on the Scot even further.

A draw at Liverpool and the fantastic win at Manchester United over Christmas earned Kean some time but successive defeats against Stoke and then Newcastle in the FA Cup last weekend mean those results now seem a distant memory (Blackburn to win 2/1).

Fulham are in good form and followed up a well-earned point at Chelsea over the festive period with a late win at home to Arsenal before easily seeing off Charlton 4-0 in the Cup last time out.

Prediction – Away win.

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«Реал Мадрид» несет потери, но идет дальше в Кубке Короля! «Чикаго Буллс» против «Бостон Селтикс» – молодость против опыта!

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Футбол. Чемпионат Испании. Примера.

Мальорка – Реал Мадрид. После прошедшего матча с «Малагой» в рамках Кубка Короля у Жозе Моуринью появиласьReal DiMaria scored red 1 300x195 «Реал Мадрид» несет потери, но идет дальше в Кубке Короля! «Чикаго Буллс» против «Бостон Селтикс» молодость против опыта! еще одна проблема.Сами Хидира, по всей видимости, выбыл на месяц из-за повреждения боковой связки правой лодыжки. Это может плохо сказаться на его подготовке к матчам 1/8 Лиги Чемпионов, в которой «сливочным» предстоит сразиться с ЦСКА.

Постоянные разговоры и сравнения с «Барселоной» явно не нравятся игрокам «Реала». Хаби Алонсо, отвечая на вопросы журналистов после прошедшего матча, заявил, что футболисты «Реала» не сравнивают себя с «гранатово-синими», так как начали год с трех побед и чувствуют себя прекрасно.

Единственное, что может огорчать, как поклонников клуба, так и непосредственно Жозе Моуринью – это большое количество травмированных в составе «Мадрида». Помимо упомянутого Хедиры, долгое время в лазарете находится Рикардо Карвалью, а Анхель Ди Мария снова попал в руки к мадридским эскулапам. В преддверии весенней части чемпионата и борьбы на трех фронтах – это не может не вызывать опасений.

Если ничего сверхъестественного не произойдет, «Реал» 1.25 хоть и на выезде одержит победу, но, возможно, не столь крупную, как с «Гранадой».

Баскетбол. НБА

Бостон Селтикс – Чикаго Буллс. В последнее время это самое принципиальное противостояние на восточном побережье! А уж после того, как  помощник Дока Риверса Том Тибодо стал главным тренером «Чикаго», матчи и вовсе превратились в дерби.
«Чикаго» в этом сезоне показывает самый сбалансированный баскетбол и, недаром, возглавляет таблицу восточной конференции.

Проблемой для «быков» является травма Деррика Роуза, который получил вывих большого пальца ноги в игре с «Миннесотой». Тот матч Роуз доиграл и набрал 31 очко, но вот во встрече с «Вашингтоном» он остался в запасе. Если отсутствие Роуза никак не сказалось на игре с «Уизардс», то с «Бостоном» такое может и не пройти.

С учетом проблем «Кельтов» ситуация в «Чикаго» выглядит просто прекрасной. Возрастная команда «зеленых» выезжает пока только на Рэджоне Рондо, который не только раздает передачи, но и активно атакует кольцо. Но пока молчит «старая гвардия», и если Рэй Аллен более или менее похож на себя обычного, то ни Гарнетт, ни Пол Пирс своему уровню пока не соответствуют.

Если Роуз сможет принять участие в матче, то у сегодняшних «Кельтов» почти не будет шансов, но если Тибодо побережет своего лидера, то шансы есть, небольшие, но есть.

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Take Tottenham to pass test

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Tottenham should maintain their challenge to stay on the coat-tails of the Manchester powerhouses when they entertain Everton at White Hart Lane in the Premier League on Wednesday (Tottenham 8/15 draw 3/1 Everton 6/1 – 90 minutes).

The north Londoners take on David Moyes’ men knowing a victory will put them level with second-placed United and three points behind Premier League leaders City in the race for the biggest prize on the domestic stage.

Harry Redknapp has the luxury of recalling the influential attacking triumvirate of Rafael van der Vaart, Luka Modric and Gareth Bale after resting them for Saturday’s 3-0 FA Cup win over Cheltenham and Tottenham will not want to waste what could turn out to be a crucial game in hand.

The top-four hopefuls have scored in every home game in the Premier League so far this season and for all of the ongoing conjecture about an ever-changing back four – Redknapp will again be without Ledley King and William Gallas on Wednesday – it is worth noting Tottenham have only conceded one goal in their last five games at White Hart Lane in the top flight.

Redknapp has played a trick on his squad by making no secret of his desire to bring in a marquee signing in an attempt to keep them on their toes and, on paper at least, only injuries could prevent Tottenham from splitting – or even surpassing – the two Manchester clubs.

They started 2012 as the capital’s top club for the first time in 17 years and there is genuine belief that they could go close to achieving the unthinkable.

The visit of Everton gives them the chance to prove they can deliver on such promise but it will not be easy.

The Merseysiders have picked up recently and thoughts of relegation have eased off the back of a run of just one defeat in five games in all competitions.

Moyes continues to perform miracles with limited resources and Everton can prove belligerent and obdurate opponents on their travels.

They have come through a wretched spell at the end of 2011 – a run which yielded just three wins in all competitions from September 24 to December 17 – to climb up the table and allay fears of a relegation scrap for the time being at least.

The advice here is to stick with the home side because this fixture could mean just that bit more to them and speculative punters may like the Jermain Defoe, who has scored first on his last two starts, and Tottenham 2-0 win ‘Scorecast‘ selection, team news permitting.

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«Реал Мадрид» едет в Малагу. Илья Ковальчук обыграл «Питсбург», на очереди «Калгари»!

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Футбол. Кубок Короля.

Малага – Реал Мадрид (счет первого матча 2:3). С учетом результатов первого матча ситуация не выглядит безоблачно для мадридистов:  матч пройдет в Малаге, а не в Мадриде. Для прохода в следующий круг «Малаге»Ronaldo shoot score 1 300x240 Реал Мадрид едет в Малагу. Илья Ковальчук обыграл Питсбург, на очереди Калгари! будет достаточно победы со счетом 1:0 или 2:1, но удастся ли это?

Жозе Моуриньо в преддверии матча сообщил на пресс-конференции, что на матч выйдет основной состав, так как хоть Кубок Короля и не является приоритетным турниром, но сейчас его футболистам нужна игровая практика после новогодних каникул. Данное обстоятельство, безусловно, снижает шансы «Малаги» 11.00 на успех.

Пятый мяч в ворота «Гранады» забил Криштиану Роналду, но он не стал праздновать это событие, что сразу повлекло за собой слухи о том, что у португальца конфликт с болельщиками «Реала». Но  все тот же Моуриньо заметил, что он сам вообще ни разу не встал со скамейки за все пять мячей. И если подумать, то для лучшего бомбардира Примеры праздновать пятый мяч при счете 5:1 в пользу его команды действительно нелогично.

По причине матча с «Гранадой» ни Жозе, ни Криштиану  не смогли присутствовать на награждении ФИФА. Роналду вошел в тройку призеров, но первое место занял лидер «Барселоны» Леонель Месси, который получил «Золотой мяч» уже третий год подряд! Лучшим тренером прошедшего года был признана Хосеп Гвардиола! Порадовать болельщиков «Реала» может только тот факт, что их любимцы оторвались от «Барселоны» уже на 5 очков в рамках чемпионата Испании.

Ну а если вернуться непосредственно к матчу, то как мне кажется, с учетом неудачного опыта домашней игры с «Малагой» «Реал» 1.25 будет мобилизован и не допустит ошибок, что позволит ему хоть и с трудом, но победить.

Хоккей. НХЛ

Калгари Флэймс – Нью-Джерси Девилс. Команда из Канады относится к тем, кто львиную долю своих очков набирает на своей площадке, а в выездных встречах выглядит достаточно «бледно». Но безусловно, поражения со счетом 9:0 даже для «домоседов» выглядит запредельно. Лидером клуба наравне с Джеромом Игинлой в этом сезоне является финн Олли Йокинен. «Огоньки» должны прибавить, иначе в плей-офф им не попасть, в помощь им наступает четырехматчевая домашняя серия.

«Девилс» 1.93, переигравшие «Питсбург», уверенно занимают свое место в зоне «плей-офф». Илья Ковальчук начинает быть похожим на того Ковальчука, которого все мы знаем, а следовательно, набирает очки почти в каждом матче. Что особо приятно, так это то, что Илья прибавил в таком компоненте, как игра в обороне.

Но при всем при этом, в этой встрече, как мне кажется, у «Калгари» 1.89 больше шансов на победу.

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Caution the Carling watch-word

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Two defeats from three games in all competitions in January means Manchester City must get back on track against Liverpool in a Carling Cup semi-final first-leg clash at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday (Manchester City 5/6 Liverpool 6/4 – Carling Cup outright).

The ‘Martin O’Neill factor’ was in full force when Sunderland inflicted only a second defeat in the Premier League on Roberto Mancini’s men on New Year’s Day but normal service was resumed with a convincing 3-0 defeat over Wednesday’s opponents only last week.

Then the wheels came off in spectacular style against local rivals Manchester United in the FA Cup on Sunday, although Mancini took heart from a gutsy second-half performance which, in turn, exposed the frailties which could yet haunt Sir Alex Ferguson when the biggest prize on the domestic stage is handed out in May.

Now, the experienced Italian must galvanise his troops for the Carling Cup and the visit of Kenny Dalglish’s top-four hopefuls.

The demanding nature of two-legged ties means it could pay for punters to err on the side of caution in Manchester on Wednesday, while the visitors do not have to rush this fixture and team news is also pivotal.

Conversely, punters may argue any price just shy of evens about the Premier League leaders on home soil (City 20/21 draw 12/5 Liverpool 16/5 – first leg 90 minutes betting) is appealing.

Mancini could be without six senior professionals, including Kolo and Yaya Toure, who are on African Nations Cup duty with Ivory Coast, for the visit of the Merseysiders.

Edin Dzeko and Mario Balotelli are both major doubts, along with star midfielder David Silva, who was replaced at half-time in the derby on Sunday.

Goals have become a problem for Liverpool on the road and they failed to find the net against City last week and Wigan before, all of which lends itself to a low goals expectation in the first leg.

Craig Bellamy, who starred for Liverpool in the FA Cup win against Oldham last Friday, could make an appearance against his old club and the 32-year-old can backed at 9/4 (Anytime Goalscorer) or, for the value hawks, an even bigger 8/1 (Last Goalscorer), should he come off the bench.

The fiery Welshman, who left City in August on a free transfer and has scored six goals in eight starts and 10 substitute appearances so far this season, thought Liverpool were better than the scoreline suggested last week and is convinced they have more than a puncher’s chance.

“This is why you play for Liverpool and this is what it brings,” he said.

“It’s a two-legged match and we have to make sure we are still in the tie. We have the second leg at Anfield and this club knows all about two-legged games. If we can get it back to Anfield still very much in the tie we will have a great chance of getting to Wembley.”

City will find out ahead of the game whether their appeal over Vincent Kompany’s red card given against United in their FA Cup third-round clash on Sunday is successful.

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Bluebirds to take down Eagles

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The thought of playing at Wembley must have been on the minds of most players from Crystal Palace and Cardiff City over the festive period as one of these sides will grace the turf at the home of football in the Carling Cup final this season (Crystal Palace 17/10, draw 23/10, Cardiff 8/5 in the match betting).

These two Championship teams are currently preparing for the first leg of their semi-final encounter on Tuesday, when the Bluebirds and their fans make the trip across the Welsh border to take on the Eagles at Selhurst Park.

Cardiff go into this game having been unable to imitate their Carling Cup form in the FA Cup as they crashed out in the third round of the competition with a 4-2 defeat at the hands of Premier League outfit West Brom last weekend.

The Bluebirds welcome back veteran defender Kevin McNaughton for the trip to the capital with the versatile player returning to action after three matches out with a calf strain.

Cardiff managed to beat Blackburn Rovers in the quarter-final of the competition to reach the final four and they ultimately sacrificed their hopes of continuing in the FA Cup by resting players for this game against the Eagles.

Crystal Palace manager Dougie Freedman is expected to make a host of chances after employing the same tactic as his opposite number on Tuesday – Malky Mackay – by playing a weakened side in their 1-0 FA Cup defeat against Derby County.

A host of unnamed players have come down with a bug this week which has delayed Freedman naming his squad that will look to take down a Bluebirds’ side who have lost just one game in their last 13 in the Championship.

The last time these two sides met was back in November and it was Mackay’s men who came out on top, with a 2-0 victory at the Cardiff City Stadium as their star men came to the fore.

Scotland striker Kenny Miller (6/1 First Goalscorer) and Peter Whittingham were on target for the home side that day and they will once again be a threat for Palace on Tuesday in what should be open game.

The Eagles have threats of their own with Wilfried Zaha (8/1 First Goalscorer) becoming a highly rated player at Selhurst Park and looks set to cause the Cardiff defence problems.

Darren Ambrose who scored the wonder strike to put Palace through to the last four of the Carling Cup is another standout player, as his goal knocked out Premier League champions Manchester United at Old Trafford in the upset of the tournament this season.

This should be a close encounter as Palace have come on leaps and bounds this term under the leadership of Freedman.

However Cardiff are in fine form and with their decent record at Selhurst Park – having lost just once on their last five visits, they should take a lead back to Wales for the second leg.

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Three already look doomed

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With 20 games now gone in the Premier League this season for all clubs apart from Tottenham and Everton, there are five sides who need to start winning now if they are to escape the drama of the relegation dogfight sooner rather than later.

Just three points separate rock-bottom Blackburn and fifth-from-bottom Wolves, with QPR, Bolton and Wigan sandwiched between the Ewood Park and Molineux outfits, although there is every chance teams higher in the table could plummet in the second half of the season.

However, for now the alarms bells will be ringing at the current bottom five, with transfer-window dealings and managerial changes very much on the footballing agenda.

WOLVES

Mick McCarthy’s men are in trouble largely because of a terrible away record which shows they have won just once in ten games and have scored just eight times on the road.

But they have already been to the likes of Manchester City, Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea, so surely things will only get better.

Time will tell but a trip to Tottenham this weekend is unlikely to see them start edging their way up the table.

Drop odds: 6/4

Verdict: DOWN

QPR

The Loftus Road outfit have ‘blinked first’ after sacking Neil Warnock on Sunday and now it seems Mark Hughes will succeed him in the W12 hot seat.

‘Sparky’ will need to hit the ground running to halt the Hoops’ alarming run of bad form – especially at home – although his record will command instant respect in the dressing room.

QPR need a striker, centre-half and midfielder as a bare minimum in January to give the squad a boost, while Hughes must get the best out of Shaun Wright-Phillips and Adel Taarabt to name just two players.

Drop odds: 15/8

Verdict: SAFE

BOLTON

The Trotters thumped QPR on the opening day in London but it has been downhill all the way ever since and it looks like star defender Gary Cahill will be on his way this month.

Boss Owen Coyle has a lot of players out of contract in the summer and has already told many of them they are playing for their futures.

But their chance to sign pre-contract agreements elsewhere from January 1 might just backfire on the club and make the slide into the Championship a very possible outcome.

Drop odds: 4/6

Verdict: DOWN

WIGAN

Roberto Martinez seems to enjoy a close relationship with chairman Dave Whelan and it has already survived more than one brush with the drop out of the Premier League.

Somehow Latics seems to carve out results when they need them and it would be a foolish man to doubt the talents of the Spaniard to motivate his men.

Wigan only really get by thanks to Whelan and the fact they have sold on players for big profits and that brings its own problems, but relegation can be staved off again this time around.

Drop odds: 1/2

Verdict: SAFE

BLACKBURN

The fact Warnock went before unpopular Scot Steve Kean is a fact many football fans will be struggling to get their heads around this week.

Add into the mix the fact Rovers have  beaten Arsenal and Manchester United in just three Premier League wins all season and the head scratching could lead to borderline insanity.

However, Kean, who also got a pay rise at the end of 2011, remains in a job and would surely have gone before now if owners Venky’s did not think he was the right man.

Drop odds: 1/2

Verdict: DOWN

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